History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 110

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438

USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 110

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

stuff were the pioneer women of Oregon made. Soon afterward Mr. Penwarden located on the place now oeeupied by Jonas Mills, and later moved to the farm recently owned by John Garret, near the Carley Brook saw-mill. Sam- uel Penwarden had eight sons,-William, who built the saw-mill on Carley Brook ; Simon, a resident of Waymart ; Walter, who died in the latter place in 1883; Samnel, who lives in Honesdale ; John H., a resident of Berlin; George, paymaster for the Pratt Oil Company, of New York ; and Riehard, of Honesdale.

Walter Penwarden died at his residence near Prompton, Pa., Friday morning, October 20, 1882. He was born in Devonshire, England, December 31, 1826, and removed from thenee with his father, Samnel Penwarden, Sr., to Ore- gon, Wayne County, Pa., May, 1832, when the surronnding country was a dense wilderness. He was reared amidst the many disadvantages attendant at that time. His educational advan- tages were very limited. He beeame an em- ployee npon the Gravity Road of the D. & H. Company in the spring of 1848, and continued in their employ as a railroad earpenter most of the time, until he was disabled in conseqneuee of his last illness, a period of about thirty-five years. After a lingering and painful illness for several months he died, from caneer of the stomach. He was a good, obedient son, a kind, loving brother, a dutiful, affectionate husband, a generous, indulgent father, and in neighborly kindnesses he could not be excelled. He was ever willing to render all possible aid to those in need. He was always ready to aid in every good cause. He was a quiet, unostentatious, sweet- spirited Christian man, always ready to do good when and where opportunity appeared. He was by nature a gentleman. His courtesy and politeness were but the natural expression of in- ward kind feeling and thoughtful consideration for others. In his goodness to others, he fre- quently was unmindful of his own physical re- quirements. His funeral was largely attended, which gave evidence of the high esteem with which he was looked upon by the community. True hearts and willing hands of a loving wife and affectionate ehildren administered to his wants, and made his closing days as full of eheer

and eomfort as possible. His last days were full of hope and Christian peaee. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Church for seven years. He left a wife, three sons and one danghter, together with a large eirele of relatives and friends, to mourn their loss.

Thomas H. Dunn eame from Cambridgeshire, England, in 1835, and moved into Dyberry in 1840. While there he married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Samnel Doney, and located on the line of Oregon and Dyberry townships. In 1863 he moved on one of the farms eleared by Hugh MeCrunnels, on the Rileysville road, where he now resides. He has five children living in the vieinity.

In 1842 Thomas B. Shuman eame from Dev- onshire, and settled on a farm just opposite Thomas Woodley, near the Smith Hill Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He had eight chil- dren,-Nora J. (Mrs. Glone), Elizabeth (Mrs. Best), Mary (Mrs. Budd), Selina, John H. (of Honesdale), Arnold J., William A. and Fred- eriek A. (of Honesdale). Henry Dodge eame from the East and settled on the Big Brook, near the saw-mill now oecnpied by G. W. Kim- ble. Mr. Dodge had a number of children, some of whom now reside in Honesdale. The homestead has passed into other hands. The next year, William Watts and family eame from Barnstable, Devonshire, and located near Smith Hill. His children are Henry, William and John. Mr. Watts lived for eight years on the Amburst Wheeler place. One of his sons is in business in Honesdale.

Daniel and Charles Hoel, of Dyberry, built a saw-mill on Big Brook, near the township line, in 1842, and in 1844 G. W. Kimble bonght it, and moved from the homestead of Asa Kimble, near Honesdale. He had married Phobe Sehoonover, and has four children,- Daniel M., Abby (Mrs. Parsons), George A. and Ellie. The latter-named live at the home- stead, wlieli oecupies a eommanding site, and overlooks one of the finest farms in the town_ ship.

T. A. Goodenough moved from Bethany to the farm he now occupies, on the Carley Brook road, in 1847. He married Hannalı W. Tor- rey in 1830, and has six children,-Lucian H.,

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WAYNE COUNTY.

Lowell L .; Lynas N. ; Emily, wife of James Davey; Eliza, wife of Franklin Carr, of Way- mart ; and Charlotte, who resides at the home- stead.

James Oliver came from Devonshire in 1831, and located just over the Berlin line. His wife was Mary Hockady, and their children were, John; James, drowned in 1832 ; William ; Sam- uel ; Lewis; Gideon ; Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas Legg); Mary C., wife of Stephen Histed ; Pru- dence, wife of John Oliver; Catherine (Mrs. Joseph May).

Soon after the settlement of Bethany, Jason Torrey bought a large tract of land, lying part in Oregon and part in Lebanon townships, un- der the warrantee name of Abner Skinner, and with a view to having it more easily cleared in the future, sent a party of men ont to girdle all the large trees, that they might die. From this circumstance, the locality was known as " the Girdland." It embraces some of the best farming land in the township. Charles Torrey, a brother of Jason, was the first settler, and made a small clearing, and then abandoned the enterprise. The next settler was James Nelson, who took up a lot of excellent land near the Torrey place, and, after making a good clear- ing, erected a frame house, the first in Girdland, in 1848. The place was remote from society and schools, and the roads were only such in name; Nelson became discouraged, sold out and removed to Nebraska.

In 1851 Jonathan Bryant, a son of Thomas Bryant, went to Girdland, and settled on a place that had been commenced by A. B. Gam- mel, of Bethany. By his steadfastness of pur- pose and untiring energy, he overcame the obstacles that had discouraged his predecessors, and has since acquired a competency. He bought the Torrey farm, and afterwards sold it to George Croy, by whom it is at present occu- pied. Mr. Bryant has eight children,-Flor- ence (wife of William Crocker); Mary, (wife of Theodore Wall), Burton, Albert, Fred, George, Sarah and Otis.

In 1850 Mark Cook came from Philadelphia, and was attracted by the fertility of the soil. He became a neighbor of Mr. Bryant, and re- mained with his family until 1870, when they

returned to the Quaker City. Richard Mauds- ley was also one of the early settlers ; he is dead, and his family have moved west.

William Scambler came from London in 1845, and after a six years' residence in Mount Pleasant, located on the Lebanon road, in the extreme northwestern corner of Oregon town- ship. He had three children,-H. W. Scam- bler, who lives at tlic homestead ; George, who was killed at the battle of Winchester ; and Mary Ann, the wife of Jonathan Bryant.

James D. Bolcomb, a son of James Bolcomb, of Dyberry, took possession of a farm just op- posite the Lewis Hoel place, on the Gate road, in 1857. He married Esther A. Stevens, of West Lebanon, who lived but a short time. In 1855 he led to the altar Lucy A., a daughter of Charles Hoel. No children were born of either union.

ROADS .- Soon after the settlement of Beth- any, in 1801, a road leading from Dyberry through to the Cochecton and Great Bend turn- pike was laid out, and was known as the " Gate Road." The exact date of its survey and the name of the engineer who conducted the work are not known, but it is probable that the ronte followed a trail blazed by some of the earliest settlers of Wayne County. There are also traces of a road that passed east and west through the township. Its termini are matters of conjecture to the present inhabitants; it fell into disuse many years ago. In 1823 a road was laid out from Genung settlement, through Smith's settlement, to the line of Pike County, traces of which still appear, although much of the original route has been vacated. The road from Smith's settlement to Parsons, Damascus township, was laid out in 1827, and is still used. The first viewers appointed after the erection of Oregon as a separate township were Stephen Torrey, Ezra Hulburt and Stephen G. Cory. They were directed to lay out a road through the lands of Walter Chubb, Thomas Challa- comb and others. The highway commenced at Smith's settlement, and terminated on the lands of James Smith. During the same year roads were laid out from Henry Bunnell's blacksmith shop to Smith's mill, and adjacent to the Meth- odist chapel at. Smith Hill. At present the

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

township is threaded with fair roads, most of which are kept in good repair.

RELIGIOUS MATTERS .- The first religious services that there is any record of were held at the residence of James Piper, soon after the English settlement was commenced. The meet- ings were conducted by a Rev. Mr. Davey, who was among the first emigrants to this section. At this time there was no church or class in the settlement, and the attendance was only half a dozen. In 1851 Rev. Mr. Frost held services at the residences of Jonathan Bryant, in Gird- land, and in 1857 regular preaching at the school-house in the same place was commenced. Mrs. Bryant was the first member enrolled, and Mark Cook the second. The first class was established in 1858, with Mark Cook as leader. At the close of the first year only six members were enrolled.

The three churches are known as the " Ore- gon Charge" of the Honesdale District, Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first records obtainable show that Rev. L. C. Phillips was pastor in 1860-61. Since that time the pastors were as follows :

Fred. Illman 1862

Joseph Whitham 1863

Jonas Underwood 1864

Richard Vasca. 1865-66

Stephen Cramp 1866

Gabriel Westfall. 1867-68

F. Alexander. 1869

G. C. Andrews. 1870

George Fritchet. 1871-72

C. W. Sastell. 1873-74

J. C. Colnon. 1875

E. B. Scudder 1876

'J. T. Burrell 1878-80

T. F. Doty.

1880-82

Supply by T. J. Gates. 1883-84

J. R. Allen 1885

The charge now contains one hundred and ten members, distributed as follows :

Carley Brook. 18

Girdland

Oregon

Smith Hill 25

The records of the churches are very deficient, and the date at which the buildings were erected is not definitely known. None of them are over twenty-five years old.

For the past few years the German Lutherans have held occasional services in the Girdland School-house, but there is no organized con- gregation, and the members of the denomination are few in number.

SCHOOLS .- The rude, initial-carved desks behind which a dozen children sat to listen and learn of Miss Margaret Parmenter have long since crumbled to dust, and half a mile south of the tannery, crops ripen over the spot where the old log school-house stood. In 1820, when the path to the school was only a blazed trail through the woods, she opened the first school ever held in the territory that now constitutes Oregon. After teaching several years, she was succeeded by a Miss Stevens, who, in turn, gave place to Mrs. Agin.

The school law of 1834 was sustained by Wayne County, and, after that time, the teach ers, who had been supported by private subscrip-' tion, were regularly employed by the State. The township is now divided into four districts, and has for the secretary of directors, Captain John Kellow, the eldest son of Thomas Kel- low, one of the early settlers of Honesdale. Captain Kellow was a valiant soldier in the Civil War, and in 1863 settled on Upper Wil- cox Pond, and has since been secretary of the board. The first school-house erected by the township was in 1848, and is located half a mile above G. W. Kimble's saw-mill. Two years afterward No. 2, better known as the " Red School-House," was built. In 1854 the English settlement had grown large enough to require separate accommodations, and No. 4 was erected. The school at Girdland was built by private subscription a few years ago, and cost about four hundred dollars. All of the buildings are of frame, and are comfortably furnished.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. - Frederick Smith, one of the oldest settlers of Berlin township, was the industrial pioneer of Oregon. About 1840 he erected the first saw-mill within what eight years later became the township limits. It was situated on Carley Brook, near the Texas line, and is still standing, though but little used, the timber being exhausted in its immediate vicinity. The same year that Oregon

Von Penwarden

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WAYNE COUNTY.

was erected as a separate township, Daniel M. Hard, E. E. Gilbert and J. K. Palmer bought a tract of a thousand acres lying on Carley Brook, and two years later erected a tannery a short distance from the township line. This gave an impetus to the prosperity of farmers in the immediate vicinity, as the hemlock bark, which before had been worthless, acquired a fair commercial value and stimulated rapid clearing. In 1856 the firm became Gilbert, Palmer & Reed, and so continued until 1860, when Reed withdrew, and Gilbert & Palmer carried on the business until they failed and the establishment passed into the hands of D. M. Hard. Under the firm-name of F. H. Rockwell & Co., the tannery ran until 1869, when Wefferling, Brunig & Co., the present owners, purchased it. In September of the same year the plant was burned, causing a loss of five thousand dollars, but the establishment was soon rebuilt. William Wefferling and Fred. Brunig had come from Hanover, Ger- many, a number of years before this, and had been employed in the tannery under its former owners. Both were men of parts, and of frugal habit; the industry of their early days has been rewarded by the ownership of a prosperous business.

In 1852, John Riefler, a native of Wurtem- berg, came to Wayne County, bringing with him his wife, and a year later his son followed. Both went to work for Hard, Gilbert & Palmer, and for ten years Mr. Riefler was foreman of the establishment. The saw-mill which he now owns was built by his former employers, and was purchased by him and his son Henry in 1867. Two years after this Henry sold out his interest and bought a farm near by. John Riefler was elected county commissioner on the Republican ticket in 1878, and proved a valua- ble and efficient officer. He lives in a pleasant residence near the mills, and has thirteen chil- dren, some of whom are among the business men of New York, Brooklyn and Scranton. Henry Riefler resides near by, and has four children, who reside with him at the homestead.

William Penwarden built a saw-mill on Car- ley Brook, a short distance above that of Mr. Riefler, in 1856, and took possession on the

2d of July. His mill is well-improved with the latest machinery, and does a large business. He has five sons and one daughter, all living at or near his residence.

POST-OFFICES .- There are but two post- offices in Oregon township, and both have been established at a comparatively recent date. In 1876 John R. Budd, who located in Girdland in 1870, was appointed postmaster at that place, and retained the position until 1880, when he was elected justicc of the peace, and resigned. His wife was made his successor, and has held office since that time. In connection with his office Mr. Budd carries on a general store and a blacksmith-shop. The post-office at Carley Brook was created in 1879, and Fred Brunig received the first and only commission. Both of these offices receive the mail three times a week.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

WILLIAM PENWARDEN.

Among those who came into Wayne County in the early part of the present century, to carve out for themselves and their descendants homes and fortunes, was Samuel Penwarden, Sr., who was born in Devonshire County, parish of Pyworthy, England, in August, 1800. He was one of a family of twelve children, (nine brothers and three sisters), all of whom lived to be men and women. In 1822 he married Jo- hanna Chubb, whose parents resided in the same parish. Mr. Penwarden had relatives in America, and from them he received such glow- ing accounts of the New World that he deter- mined to seek a home therein. With his wife and three sons he embarked at Liverpool in April,1832,in the sailing-vessel "Fine Snow and Dromedary," Joseph Hayden, captain, and in May arrived in New York. From New York they came to Honesdale by canal, which was then the only public means of travel between those points. Honesdale then contained few inhabitants, having only two stores, and 110 churches. They first lived on what was after- wards known as the Bennett farm, about six miles from Honesdale. From the Bennett

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

farm they moved to Jolin Garrett's farm, and after two years again moved, this time to Jolin Smith's farm. In 1840 he purchased of John Torrey one hundred and fifteen acres of land- a wilderness tract in Berlin township-where he resided many years, and where his children resided until they sought homes of their own. In 1868, worn out by care and hard work, they left the farm and made their home with their son William. Mr. Penwarden's example can- not but be a lesson to the coming generations. His was a life of toil and of hardships, and his success was proof that industry and honesty will always win. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church many years and contributed generously towards its support. Mr. Penwarden's brother Richard came to ·America after he did, and settled near Mount Pleasant village, where he died in 1857 with- out issue. They were the only members of the family that ever came to America ; hence they liave but few relatives in this country, and the name of Penwarden is seldom met with. Mr. Samuel Peuwarden, Sr., died September 27, 1885 ; his wife passed away August 26, 1869. Their children were William, born in England, September 22, 1823. Simon, born in England, October 26, 1825. He married Mary Swingle, who bore him children as follows : Gertrude, married Wm. Aunger ; Emma, married Charles Smith ; Alice, married Arthur Williams ; Frederick and Abel. Simon resides in Way- mart and has followed railroading and farming. Walter, also born in England, December 31, 1826, married Martha Joncs. His children are George W., married Louisa Jenkins (his children are William, Bell and Harry); Jane, married Leroy Wolf; Melissa and Emma died young ; Walter, Jr., married Bridget Mahone, and had one child, Edwin. Walter, Sr., died in Prompton, October 20, 1882. He was a carpenter for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company's Railroad, and worked for them many years. Samuel, Jr., was born in Berlin, Wayne County, December 19, 1832. He is a railroad employé and- resides in Honesdale. He married Ann Sampson. His children were Fred, deceased ; Elmer, deceased; Frank ; Hattic, deceased ; Adelia and Nettie. John H.,

born in Berlin, February 14, 1838, married Amanda Maloney, and had two children, who died in infancy. James Edward, born in Ber- lin, February 14, 1838, died 1842. George W., born in Berlin, April 14, 1840, now resides in New York and is cashier for Chas. Pratt's astral oil establishment. He married Hattie Wilt, of Brooklyn. Their children were Charles and Florence. Richard J., born in Berlin, June 16, 1844, married Jane Smith. His children were Delephene, who married Harvey Welch, and had one child, an infant ; Maggie and Joanna, both deceased .

William Penwarden, the subject of this sketch, passed his early life on the new farm his father purchased in 1840, and did his share in clearing and improving the same. His edu- cation was such as could be gained by three months' attendance each winter at the district schools of liis neighborhood until he was twenty. Before his majority was reached he worked out at eleven dollars per month, which was given to his father until he was of age, We next find him running a saw-mill for Henry Bunnell. at so much per thousand feet. In this slow way he obtained the means with which he began his successful business career. In 1851 he formed a partnership with Mr. Bunnell, and they purchased of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company and of Mr. Shields, of Philadelphia, one thousand acres of timber land, which included the water-power now known as the Penwarden saw-mill property. In 1856, with his own hands, he made the first clearing on what is now his home farm. The country in all directions, was an almost unbroken wil- derness, with here and there a house and small clearing. A small piece cleared, he at once put up a house into which he moved his family. Mrs. Penwarden, then young and energetic, de- clares she was never happier in her life than in those days, though they were days of unceasing toil. The same season the saw-mill was built, and work commenced. It was what is known as an up-and-down saw-mill and was manag- ed and worked by Mr. Penwarden. In 1858 the partners divided, Mr. Penwarden taking the mill and two hundred and fifty acres of land as his share. In 1870 he purchased Mr. Bunnell's

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WAYNE COUNTY.

share for twenty thousand dollars. Since then he has bought other tracts of woodland, which he has sold after cutting off the timber. He has cut the timber off from two thousand acres as people wanted to clear the land. He now owns one thousand acres of valuable land, two hun- dred and fifty acres of which he has cleared and on which he has built a good home and fine out-buildings. His mill was remodeled in 1867 and circular saws put in place of the old up-and- down saw. In 1880 it was rebuilt and made as good as new, only to be burned to the ground, with no insurance, in November of the follow- ing year. A new mill was at once built and work resumed. Mr. Penwarden employs from ten to twenty hands in and about his mill which has a capacity of twenty thousand fect of lum- ber daily. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man. He commenced life with only his indomitable energy and pluck for baekers, and has, by industry, integrity and good manage- ment, placed himself in the front rank of the wealthy and successful business men of his county. Since the Rebellion he has been a Re- publican, though he intends to vote in town- ship and county matters for the best man. He has been school director many years and has held other township offices. On the 26th day of February, 1852, he was joined in marriage to Miss Olive Depew, who was born in Madison- ville, Luzerne County, Pa., December 4, 1832. Her father, Thomas Depew, was born in New Jersey, May 24, 1795, and was descended from the Holland Dutch. He married Abigail Rice whose ancestors were from Massachusetts. Miss Rice was born July 22, 1799, and died April 20, 1883; her husband dicd September 16, 1881. Their children were Lucinda, born April 23, 1817 ; Mahala, born February 4, 1819, married Lewis Schoonover, twelve chil- dren ; Merritt, born February 17, 1821 ; Jen- nette, born June 8, 1823, married a Mr. Stal- bird, thirteen children ; Abram, born Septem- ber 12, 1825, married Elizabeth Swartz, eight children (he served all through the Rebellion in the Union army) ; William, born June 14, 1827, married Ellen Rey- uolds, three children ; Levi, born March 15, 1830, married Catharine Russell, two chil-

dren. (Levi enlisted in Company " K," Ninth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, Capt. E. G. Drake, and was wounded in the bat- tlc of Roanoke, also in the battle of Newbern from the effects of which he died ;) Olive, born Oc- tober 4, 1832 ; Simeon, born May 9, 1836 ; Silas, born Nov. 11, 1839, married Eliza Dun- ston, six children. To Mr. and Mrs. William Penwarden has been born children as follows : Leroy D., born November 24, 1854, married Adabell Stevens, daughter of Francis and Lu- cretia (Bickwell) Stevens (children,- Nellie, born August 10, 1880 ; Leo, born in fall of 1884) ; Charles Lewis, born January 18, 1857, married Zaidee Bell Williams (she was born February 7, 1863), daughter of Joel B. and Lucinda (Ball) Williams, one child, Annetta V., born June 3, 1881 ; Levi W., born Novem- ber 22, 1859, married November 20, 1880, Lizzie Rodgers, daughter of Henry and Harriet (Sargent) Rodgers (children,-Grace, born April 6, 1882, and May O., born June 6, 1883); Edvena born September 15, 1863, mar- ried June 6, 1882, F. J. Bryant (children,- Pearl, born fall of 1885 ; R. W., born March 25, 1867 ; and E. D., born June 7, 1869.)

WILLIAM WATTS.

William Watts was born in Barnstable borough, Devonshire County, England, July 2, 1802. His father, John Watts, was born in the same borough, and when old enough was put to the blacksmith trade, which he learned and followed for a livelihood. His wife was Miss Grace Gorman, who was also born in Barnstable. George Watts, William's grandfather, a native of the same place, was a gentleman's servant, and married Mary Barrow. She was an active and cap- able business women, and carried on blacksmith- ing, her brother being her head workman. It is said of her that while she did not work in the shop, she understood its every detail as well as her brother, and kept an eye on the business and made her shop a success. John Watts' children were William, John, Harrict, Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas, George, James and Ann. He (John Watts) died in England in 1864, his wife in 1858. William, our subject, passed the carly part of his life on a farm as a common laborer.

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History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 110

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 1438

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438