History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 187

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 187
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 187
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 187

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).

DantStroud

some gay or mournful ditty, as best suited the varying mood of the young couple. But now these friends of fashion were forsaken, the home dismantled of every needless ornament, the violin and trivial books committed to the flames. The silver-mounted soldierly weapons were safely stowed away in the garret, lest they might contaminate the rising generation. The pair were thoroughly in earnest and hesitated not to do their Master's bidding, though at the loss of so much that the world would count im- portant. Daniel found it laid upon him to re- trenchi his business in many ways. A large distillery that was very profitable was aban- doned. The law had to be given up, as he felt it impossible to have anything to do with administering oaths. In one instance a valu- able piece of land was sacrificed, because he

could not feel it right to summon witnesses who would be obliged to swear in his behalf.

In those days it was the custom to furnish harvest hands a portion of whiskey with the midday mcal ; this, Daniel Strond felt he conld no longer conscientiously do, even though it should be at great pecuniary loss to refuse, for he knew that it was more than likely that no- body would work for him. Not wishing to deceive the men, he told them his resolution and promised each one twelve cents per day ad- ditional wages as a compensation. Contrary to all expectation, he had no difficulty in find- ing hands willing to work upon these terms. The extra pay was dubbed by the harvesters as " Daniel's sober money."

As has been previously stated, Daniel Stroud was left by his father the unsold town-lots of Stroudsburg. It was he who laid out the broad, well-shaded strects, and in every in- stance the deed of sale required the prospective building to be placed at least thirty feet back from the sidewalk. Although so strict in car- rying out his own convictions, Daniel Stroud was not at all bigoted. He desired that all denominations should have their proper place in the borough, and as the people were mainly Presbyterians and Me- thodists, he donated both sects land in the town upon which to erect meeting-houses. The buildings duly placed thereon have, however, long since been sold, together with lots upon which they were situated, and the money thus acquired used toward putting more imposing churches on other sites.

This branch of the Stroud family were the first Friends in the place, but soon others moved into the neighborhood and, in course of time, the society was given two tracts of land, one for a meeting-house, the other for a bnrying- ground. The next gift, on behalf of the peo- ple, was a lot for an academy.

Daniel Stroud had a large, open, generous heart and desired to benefit in every way pos- sible the community in which he lived. Al- though conscience prevented the following of his avocation as a lawyer, in all particulars he, nevertheless, willingly, wrote wills or executed

MONROE COUNTY.

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deeds for his neighbors, and this without any compensation whatever. He entertained large- ly and " his great fires up the chimney roar'd, while the stranger feasted at his board." As the taverns were very poor, it was his custom to invite to his own house every traveler he found in one of them whom he judged was accustomed to better accommodations. Many persons who had heard of his liberality would drive first to his door to inquire for the best place of entertainment in the village, knowing well that he would extend his hospitality to them. Thus it was, that there were very few days in the year when his home was without at least one visitor. Such magnanimous acts, together with his natural intelligence and ur- bane, though sincere, manner, gave him much influence among the men of his time.

Daniel Stroud's wife, Eliza, died October 29, 1809. She was the mother of twelve children, eight of whom survived her and reached ma- ture years. Of her, it may be truly said, " None knew thee but to love. thee. None named thee but to praise."

In July, 1811, Daniel Stroud married Mary, the daughter of Jacob and Mary Paul. This union was equally happy, and what more can be said of one called upon to fill so trying a position as the care of six noisy boys and two little girls of eight and three entailed, than that she was a true mother to them in every respeet, and gained the warm affection of all ?

There are few, very few, now in the borough who remember the tall figure of Daniel Stroud, as he daily walked the streets, invariably ac- companied by one, or perhaps two, of his sons. He had a fair complexion, with a high forehead, overshadowing clear blue eyes. His hair was somewhat sandy and remarkably thin ; nose and mouth regular. He was a man of mueh strength of character and great originality, in- heriting his father's knack of making pithy re- marks. Many of his sayings are still quoted by the older people of the place.

He died of an acute attack of pneumonia March 2, 1846, aged nearly seventy-four years. His wife survived him eight years.

The oldest child of Daniel and Eliza Stroud was named Charles ; he married Susan, daugh-

ter of David and Lydia Burson, of Springfield, . Bucks County, Pa. He spent most of his days in the State of. Ohio, and was a good, consistent and respected member of the Society of Friends during a long life.

Macdowel Stroud (name upon reaching matu- rity changed to George Macdowel) was the second son.

George M. Stroud, son of Daniel and Eliza Shoemaker Stroud, was born at Stroudsburg, Northampton County (now Monroe), October 12, 1795. He was strong, active and affec- tionate.

As an exemplification of these qualities, it is related that having been sent for, with his brother Charles, to return home from boarding- school to see their mother in her last ill- ness, on arriving at home, he rushed into her arms, and soon after performed the following exploit : The housekeeper had neglected to send early in the morning to Nazareth, twenty- two miles distant, for au artiele of nourishment which was thought necessary to prolong her life. George mounted a horse and set out at noon, obtained the article and returned at midnight, when it was so dark he could not see a bridge, and the horse walked through a creek. It thus appears that he rode forty-four miles in twelve hours. Of this, those who loved him were justly proud, as he was then only fourteen years of age.

Some time after the death of his mother he went to Philadelphia and studied Latin. He made good progress; but being aceustomed to a free life in the country, his health suffered, and he went home, and worked two years on his father's farm. Having regained health, he en- tered at Princeton College, passed through with eredit and graduated with honor in the summer of 1817. The autumn of the same year he en- tered the office of Judge Hallowell as a student, and was admitted to practice June 28, 1819. Besides attending to practice, he compiled and published " A Sketch of the Laws relating to Slavery in the several States of the United States of America," in which he shows the great inequality of the punishments enacted for the same offenses on whites and colored people, and that slaves are not protected from very

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WAYNE, PIKE, AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

cruel punishments at the hands of their own- ers. This state of things has now happily passed away.

In early manhood lie was converted, and thereafter he made the laws and precepts of the Gospel the rules of his life. Having been brought up in the Society of Friends, who do not practice outward baptism, he believed bap- tism by immersion was Scriptural ; he was ac- cordingly immersed in the baptistery of the San- som Street Church ; but preferring, on other accounts, the Episcopal Church, was received into membership and continued in it until his death. In.the summer of 1828 he married V. Eleanor, daughter of Judge Hallowell, wlio survives him.

In the spring of 1835 he was appointed by Governor Wolf a judge of the District Court of Pennsylvania for a term of ten years. After the expiration of his term of service lie re- turned to the bar and resumed practice, in which he continued six years. On the 1st day of December, 1851 (the Constitution having been altered, making the office elective) he was chosen to the position he had formerly filled, and was successively elected at eachı recurring period until, in view of approaching age, in 1871, he declined renomination, having filled the position for thirty years.

David Paul Brown, Esq., in his book enti- tled "The Forum," thus expresses his opinion of Judge Stroud : "It is now our agreeable duty to direct attention to a faint outline of one who, for rectitude of purpose, unquestioned competency and an industry that never flags, has no superior and but few equals in the judi- cial history of the State."

Soon after his retirement from the bench (on account of the failing health of his father-in-law, Judge Hallowell), Judge Stroud removed, witlı his family, to the residence of the former, nearly opposite to Girard College. From thence he daily walked to court, making it a rule to ar- rive there fifteen minutes before the time of commencing business, and in the afternoon rode on horseback, which exercise in the fresh air had a great influence in preserving his health.

In 1871, shortly before his retirement from the bench, he removed with his family to Ger-

mantown. There he spent his time among his family, his friends and his books. His strength gradually declined, and, with a peaceful trust in the promises of God, he very quietly departed June 29, 1875, in the eightieth year of his age.

William Stroud, the third son, married Mary Paul, the daughter of Morris and Tacy Robe- son. He died of typhoid fever while still a young man, leaving his widow with two small sons. Of him it has been said that " he had a disposition frank, sprightly and generous, a mind prompt, acute, energetic and capacious. He acquired the respect and regard of all who knew him, and became a cherished object in the affection of his near relatives."

Jacob D. Stroud, fourth son, also died in his prime of a like fever. He was a tall, fine-look- ing man, and had undoubtedly inherited the rare business qualifications of the grandfather, whose name he bore. He married Mary N., the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Richard- son. They had four children, who were all quite small at the time of their father's death.

James H. Stroud, the fifth son, remained sin- gle and lived and, at an advanced age, died in the house in which he was born, in Strouds- burg. " He held at different times most of the various offices in the borough, was for six years the county prothonotary, and for many years a more than ordinarily popular justice of the peace. In this latter connection, it has been said of him that lie settled many contentions and disputes by his wise arbitrations and friendly and prudent counsels, and often restored friend- ship and good feeling among neighbors who, under other circumstances, would have become life-long and bitter enemies. He was the first cashier of the Stroudsburg Bank, and held the position about ten years. He was a man of few words, but strong in his feelings and attach- ments, and unselfish and faithful friendship." He was especially noticeable for dry humor.

Samuel H. Stroud, the sixth son, perished by drowning, in a spot grown up with grass, when two years old, in attempting to go to his father, who was with the hay-makers, a short distance from the house.

Susan Stroud, the first daughter who sur- vived infancy, lived with her bachelor brother,

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MONROE COUNTY.

James, in the old mansion until his decease, when she removed to a married sister's resi- dence, in Rahway, N. J., where her death occurred the following year. Many of the present inhabitants remember this unassuming, noble woman. She possessed a kind, sym- pathetic heart, united with a mind of more than ordinary ability, and, above all, was a consistent, lowly Christian and a member of the Society of Friends. The poor and needy, the despised and the forsaken found in her an ever-willing listener and helper.

Simpson Stroud, the eighth son, married Taey Ann Robeson, sister of his brother William's wife. He died, in early manhood, of the scarlet fever, leaving a widow and three children. Possessing mental attainments of the highest order, he was in every sense of the word a truly gifted and pious man. He joined the Methodists and was a minister in that religious seet.

Elizabeth, the third daughter, married Joseph P. Robeson, brother of her sister-in- law, who bore that maiden-name. She is the only surviving child of Daniel and Eliza Stroud, and has led an active and useful life. Her memory, for which she has always been noted, is still good. Having onee heard a circumstance or date, it seems to be implanted in her mind forever. She has been of great serviee in furnishing matter for this review of the family. She is at present living in Chester Valley, Pa., with a single daughter, her other children having married and formed homes of their own.

Martha Stroud, the only child of Danicl and Mary Stroud, married Jacob R. Shotwell, of Rahway, N. J., where she and her husband now reside. She is an exemplary woman, whose marked unselfishness in every act and word is an example to the younger generations.

Of the ten children of Daniel Strond, six have beeome parents and grandparents and two great-grandparents, so that there are tliree gen- erations now living not separately designated in this sketeh. They are seattered all over the United States, from the stormy Atlantic, ever dashing its waves on a much-worn coast, to the more gentle Pacific.

INCORPORATION .- The village of Strouds- burg was incorporated as a borough by an act of the Legislature approved February 6, 1815. By this aet the provisions of an enactment passed March 28, 1814, incorporating the borough of Mereer, were applied to Strouds- burg, as will appear in the following copy of the law :

" An ACT to erect the town of Stroudsburg, in North- ampton county, into a borough.

" SECT. I. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth, in General As- sembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this act, the town of Stroudsburg, in Northampton county, including the lots and lands attached to said town, and belonging thereunto, shall be, and the same is hereby erected into a borough, which shall be called ' The Borough of Stroudsburg ; ' bounded and limited as follows, viz .: Beginning at the junction of Sambo creek with Broadhead's creek, thence down the east margin of Broadhead's creek to its junction with Mc- Michael's creek ; thence up said McMichael's creek, along the south side thereof, to its junction with Pokono creek; thence up said Pokono crcek, along the west side thereof, to its junction with Big Meadow run ; and from thence to the place of beginning. And it shall and may be lawful for the persons re- siding within the borough of Stroudsburg, to exercise and enjoy similar rights and privileges, and at the same times, and under similar rules and regulations, and subject to the same fines and forfeitures, and shall and may elect and appoint similar borough officers, which said borough officers and inhabitants shall exercise similar and equal powers and authorities, and be in all things governed by similar rules and regulations, as are granted to and provided for the inhabitants and borough officers of the borough of Mercer, in the county of Mercer, by an act of as- sembly, passed the twenty-cighth day of March, in the year one thousand cight hundred and fourteen, en- titled ' An act to crect the town of Mercer, in the county of Mercer, into a borough :' Provided, That the clection for officers of the said borough, shall be holden at the academy in the same, and that the duties directed to be performed by the constable of Mercer township, in the law to which this refers, shall be performed by the constable of Lower Smith- field township for the time being."

There is nothing in the records to show that this aet was operative, and it was certainly not continuously ; but a regular borough govern- ment appears to have been organized when the county was ereeted, and maintained from that time to the present, though the names of officers

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

can be given only from 1838. They are as follows :

1838 .- Burgess, Peter Wyckoff; Council, John Boys, Joseph V. Wilson, Stogdell Stokes, Morris D. Robeson, James H. Stroud.

1843 .- Burgess, Samuel Stokes ; Council, William Clements, Charles Musch, Depue S. Miller, Thomas J. Albrighit, Jolın Mellick.

1844 .- Burgess, James Rafferty ; Council, Leonard Labar, G. H. Miller, William Rafferty, James H. Walton, James N. Desling.

1846 .- Burgess, B. S. Schoonover; Council, Town- send Evans, George H. Miller, Mark Miller, Samuel T. Decker, John Boys.

1847 .- Burgess, Jas. H. Walker ; Council, Theodore Schoch, Depue S. Miller, Joseph J. Postens, R. S. Staples, Jacob Knecht.

1848 .- Burgess, John D. Morris; Council, William Row, Daniel Coolbaugh, Thomas Stone, Robert Boys, William Dean.

1849 .- Burgess, Samuel S. Dreher; Council, Chas. Musch, J. J. Postens, M. D. Robeson, James Palmner, John H. Mellick.

1850 .- Burgess, Charlton Burnett; Council, Wil- liam S. Wintermute, Depue S. Miller, Silas S. Drake, William Clements, John Delong, Stroud J. Hollins- head.

1851 .- Burgess, S. C. Burnett ; Council, Sydenhamn Walton, R. S. Staples, S. L. Drake, I. V. Stokes, Mark Miller.

1853 .- Burgess, Charlton Burnett ; Council, James H. Walton, George H. Miller, Melchior Spragle, John Edinger, David Keller.

1854 .- Burgess, no return ; Council, George H. Miller, James H. Walton, John Edinger, David Keller, Melchior Spragle.

1855 .- Burgess, Joseph H. Postens; Council, James C. Palmer, John H. Wolf, Sydenham Walton, Philip S. Brown, Oliver D. Stone.

1856 .- Burgess, Stogdell Stokes; Council, James W. Derling, Jacob Knecht, George Miller, Gershom Hull, John Kautz.

1857 .- Burgess, Michael M. Burnett; Council, Sydenham Walton, James C. Palmer, Alexander Fowler, Philip S. Brown, Hardy C. Levanway.

1858 .- Burgess, Samuel Mellick; Council, Godlieb Auracker, Valentine Kautz, M. B. Postens, C. R. Andre, Henry D. Shafer, John N. Stokes.

1859 .-- Burgess, Samuel Mellick ; Council, Charles R. Andre, Godlieb Auracker, John N. Stokes, Philip Swartswood, William T. Baker.

1860 .- Burgess, Samuel Mellick ; Council, S. Auracker, P. Swartswood, D. D. Walton, John M. Stokes, N. Ruster.

1861 .- Burgess, Samuel Mellick ; Council, J. Mac- key, A. Fowler, N. Ruster, D. D. Walton, John Stone.

1862 .- Burgess, John M. Stokes; Council, George

H. Miller, Philip Swartswood, Philip Miller, Gershom Hull, Frederick Phillips.

1863 .- Burgess, Stogdell Stokes (special election April, 1863, for burgess, Sydenham Walton elected) ; Council, M. Bossard, William Wintermute, Frederick Kiser, Wagner G. Drake.

1864 .- Burgess, William Davis; Council, Frederick Kiser, Samuel S. Dreher, George H. Miller, Jacob H. Butts, Gershom Hull.

1865 .-. Burgess, William Davis; Council, Gershom Hull, James S. Dreher, Jacob H. Butts, Frederick Kiser, Alexander Fowler.

1866 .- Burgess, M. B. Postens ; Council, William Huntsman, Peter H. Robeson, William Newman, Charles D. Brodhead, Frederick Phillips.

1867 .- Burgess, Wm. K. Howland; Council, Geo. W. Drake, Robert Huston, Peter Williams, Reuben R. Cress, Gershom Hull.

1868 .- Burgess, William Davis; Council, William Wintermute, William Kewnar, Reuben R. Cress, Geo. W. Drake, Peter Williams.

1869 .- Burgess, Jackson Lantz ; Valentine Albert, William H. Merritt, James H. McCarty, George W. Drake, W. S. Wintermute.

1870 -Burgess, Theodore Schoch ; Council, M. Spragle, L. Marsh, J. H. Conner, William S. Flory, D. Dreher.

1871 .- Burgess, Theodore Schoch; Council, Wm. S. Florey, John H. Conner, Darius Dreher, Lynford Marsh, Melchior Spragle.

1872 .- Burgess, John N. Stokes; Council, William Wallace, L. Marsh, John H. Conner, Jacob Shafer, Gershom Hull, William S. Flory.

1873. - Burgess, John W. Stokes ; Council, Lynford Marsh, William S. Flory, John S. Fisher, William Huntsman, John T. Palmer, John H. Conner.

1874 .- Burgess, Theodore Schoch ; Council, Wilson Dreher, William Wallace, William Huntsman, Joseph L. Browers, Jacob K. Shafer, John Kern.

1875 .- Burgess, Theodore Schoch ; Council, John Edinger, Darius Dreher, Reuben Miller, Charles U. Warnick, Garret G. Ramsey, Wilson Dreher.

1876 .- Burgess, Daniel R. Brown ; Council, John H. Conner, Charles R. Andre, Getsten Sanford, Valentine Kautz, William Huntsman, Garret G. Ramsey.

1877 .- Burgess, William Wallace; Council, William Huntsman, Garret G. Ramsey, Charles R. Andre, D. P. Brown, John H. Conner, Jerome S. Williams.

1878 .- Burgess, William Wallace; Council, Wil- liam Huntsman, Garret Ramscy, Jerome S. Williams, Charles D. Brodhead, William Ackerman, Daniel R. Brown.

1879 .- Burgess, Joseph L. Bowers; Council, J. K. Shafer, Win. H. Garris, John H. Conner, C. P. Mick, John Appenzeller, Frederick Phillips.

1880 .- Burgess, J. L. Bowers; Council, Edward Baltz, James Edinger, Jacob K. Shafer, Wm. Garris, Amos Heller, Garret Ramsey.

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MONROE COUNTY.

1881 .- Burgess, Nicholas -; Council, Jerome S. Williams, Jacob K. Shafer, Edward Baltz, James Edinger, Charles Frankenfield, Amos Heller.

1882 .-- Burgess, William Burnett ; Council, George H. Dreher, Amos Heller, Uriah Shelter, Charles Frankenfield, Wm. Wallace, Sydenham Palmer.

1883 .- Burgess, Jacob K. Shafer; Council, Reuben Miller, Valentine Kautz, Frank Landers, Sr., A. V. Coolbaugh, Darius Dreher, Edward Baltz.

1884 .-- Burgess, Jos. Wallace ; Council, Wm. Acker- man, Darius Dreher, J. T. Palmer, N. H. Shafer, James Gardner, C. H. Palmer.

1885 .-- Burgess, Joseph Wallace; Council, Reuben Miller, James Gardner.

SCHOOLS .- The earliest school in the vicinity of the borough of Stroudsburg was located on Keever's Hill, in Stroud township, on the pub- lie road leading from Stroudsburg to the Wind Gap. The citizens instrumental in building this school-house were Daniel Stroud, John Stroud, Mr. Hollinshead and a few others whose names are not recollected. It was a log structure, built after the model of the log houses of those days. Only the ordinary English branches were taught, the first teacher being a Mr. Cur- tis. The school was organized prior to the year 1800, and removed about that date to a stone building in the borough of Stroudsburg, situ- ated on the present Green Street, on a lot ad- joining the Friends' Meeting-house. The first teachers in the borough were Nathaniel and Mary Waters. Other teachers were a Mr. Gum- merc, brother of the author of a work on sur- veying ; his brother-in-law, Mr. William Mc- Vaugh, Dr. Herring, Mr. Hubbard and Miss Alice Welding. An act was passed by the State Legislature on the 28th day of March, 1814, "incorporating the Stroudsburg Academy, in the village of Stroudsburg, in the county of Northampton." The act declared "that there shall be and is hereby established, in the vil- lage of Stroudsburg, in the county of North- ampton, an academy, or public school, for the education of youth in the useful arts, sciences and literature, by the name and style of the Stroudsburg Academy ; that the first trustees of said academy shall consist of the following persons: Daniel Stroud, Samuel Rees, Jacob Postens, Jacob Brown, William Van Buskirk, William D. Walton, Asa Herring, John Alla- bach and James Hollinshead ; that the said trus-

tees are empowered to erect sueli buildings and make such improvements as may be found nec- essary for said institution, and generally to per- form all matters which shall be for the well- being of the said academy and the management ; that they shall have the power to make and erect ordinances for the government of said academy, and the electing and appointing a master and tutors, of agreeing with them for their salaries and of removing them; and that when the building shall have been completed and the salaries of the masters and tutors ar- ranged, in case any funds shall be left above what is necessary to keep the building in repair, they shall expend the same in the purchase of books, charts, maps, globes and philosophical apparatus for the use of said academy."

The same year in which the charter was grant- ed Daniel Stroud started a subscription for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of a lot and the erection of a building for a public school. In this paper Daniel Stroud donates a lot for the purpose valued at one hundred dol- lars, and the following persons contributed in various sums: James Hollinshead, Samuel Rees, Jacob Brown, William Van Buskirk, Asa Her- ring, Jacob Postens, James Burson, George Dreher, Samuel Drake, Burris Mantonya, Wil- liam Gordon, Daniel Koontz, John Allenbach, Peter Allenbach, George Waters, Philip Shafer, William D. Walton, William Wills and William Huston. After the foregoing subscription had been received, and finding the funds inadequate to de- fray the expense of the building contemplated, a subscription was drawn by Peter Hollinshead. This petition sets forth " the purpose of build- ing a house of worship in the village of Strouds- burg, on a lot already given for the purpose of an academy, providing the consent of the trus- tees of said lot can be obtained ; otherwise to be put on such other lot as can be procured in said village that shall appear to the trustees of said house of public worship eligible for the purpose. It is considered at the time of making this sub- stitution that the use of said house of public worship shall be divided among those religious societies whose members have contributed to- wards its ercetion." The following are the names of contributors : Peter Hollinshead, Asa

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History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 187

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