History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 189

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 189
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 189
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 189

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).

Richard2 Brodhead was born at Stroudsburg July 26, 1771, and married Hannah Drake, of that place. He was a man of splendid physique, over six feet high, and about 1791 removed to Pike County, Pa., where he died November 11, 1843. He was a prominent and influential mall and held many publie offices. A fuller aecount

Charles MBrocheado ,

a man of great influence and prominence. His [ of him and his children will be found in the wife was Hester Wyngart, of whom were born ten children, of whom Daniel, Garret, Charles, Luke and Ann Garten survive him.

Garret Brodhead, son of Daniel2, served as a lieutenant in a New Jersey regiment during the Revolutionary War. He married Jane Davis, of New York State, and settled on his father's farm (now East Stroudsburg), where he raised a large family, and died at Stroudsburg in 1804. His children were Jolin, Daniel,

Pike County portion of this work. His chil- dren were Sarah (1791), who married Colonel Jolin Westbrook, a member of Congress from Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Northampton Counties from 1841 to 1843; Garret (1793), who married Cornelia Dingman ; William (1795), who married Susau Coolbaugh ; Jane, who married Moses S. Brundage; Albert G. (1799), who married Ellen Middagh ; Anna Maria, who married John Seaman ; Rachel,

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who married Dr. John J. Linderman ; Charles (1801), who married Mary Brown; and Richard Brodhead, United States Senator from Pennsyl- vania from 1850 to 1856. Three other chil- dren died in infancy.

Charles Brodhead, son of Richard2, was born on his father's homestead property, in Pike County, and in early manhood married Mary, daughter of Hon. Jacob Brown, one of the associ- ate judges of Monroe County.

Hc soon after removed to Chestnut Hill township, in that connty, and engaged in mer- cantile pursuits at what is now Brodheadsville. There he died a few years later of fever, lcav- · ing a widow and two children,-Charles D. Brodhead, born September 23, 1827, and Mar- tha Jane, born January 21, 1830, who married, first, Captain George B. Keller, of Hamilton township, now deceased, and, secondly, her present husband, Conrad Kresge, of Pittston, Pa.

After his father's death Charles D. Brodhead resided with his grandfather Brown, at Strouds- burg, and attended school at the old Strouds- burg Academy, taught by Ira B. Newman. For two years he clerked in the store at Chest- nut Hill, then carried on by his mother and his uncle Daniel Brown, and on February 1, 1848, married Rachel D. Keller, of Hamilton town- ship. Immediately thereafter he located at Schaeffer's, called since 1862 Brodheadsville, after him, and engaged in hotel and store-keeping He remained at that point for seventeen years, filling the office of postmaster during all of that period, and being closely identified with the material, social and religious development of the locality. In 1865 he removed to Strouds- burg, where he has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits.

Judge Brodhead may truthfully be said to occupy a very high place in the esteem and confidence of the people of Monroe County, and has been a prominent factor in the develop- ment of its varied interests. While never aspiring to public positions, he has always been faithful to the principles of the Democratic party, and been prominent in the councils of that organization in this section. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens by the election

to various offices of trust and responsibility. Besides holding different township offices in Chestnut Hill, he has served on the school board, and as Town Councilman of Stroudsburg, and in 1859, 1860 and 1861 represented the counties of Monroe and Pike in the State Legis- lature of Pennsylvania, serving his constituents with marked ability and fidelity. He was appointed deputy treasurer of Monroe County by Timothy Kresge, treasurer, and served in that capacity in 1878, 1879 and 1880. In the latter year he was elected associate judge of Monroe County, serving for five years in that capacity, and was re-elected in 1885 without opposition. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Stroudsburg Bank for many ycars. He has always taken a deep interest in church work, and has been for over twenty years an active and useful member of the Stroudsburg Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is now a trustee and treasurer. He is also a class-leader in the church, superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school, and chairman of the Monroe County Sabbath-School Associa- tion. His children now living are Joseph K., one of the assistant superintendents of the Bethlehem Rolling-Mill; Mary L., wife of Charles Evans, of Stroudsburg ; and George M., a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, connected with the Philadelphia Con- ference and now located at Germantown, Pa.

EARLY TAVERNS .- The earliest tavern within the limits of the present borough of Stroudsburg was built by Colonel Jacob Stroud during the Revolution and known as the Fort Penn House, so called from its location directly in front of the site of Fort Penn, afterward the property owned by the late William Winter- mute.

In 1795 he erected as a private residence the Mansion House, located at the corner of Eliza- beth and William Streets, which is still stand- ing. The next public-house was the Washing- ton Hotel, built early during the present cen- tury at the east end of Elizabeth Street and still standing.

George Dreher was also a popular landlord at an early day, his location being on the spot now occupied by the Delaware, Lackawanna and

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Western Express Office. An early hotel, for- merly a dwelling, occupied the ground on which now stands the American Hotel. It was after- ward removed to the rear of the gas-house on Susan Street, having been sold by Jacob Knecht to William Wintermute. Among the early landlords of this house were Messrs. Dietrich, Kerr, Musch and Alexander Eagles, who came into possession about 1834; Jacob Knecht pur- chased of the administrators of the last-named owner, and on its removal crected the present brick structure. A landlord named Bush next assumed control and on his retirement was fol- lowed by David Pisle. Jacob S. McNeal, who is the present landlord of the Central, then leased it. Jerome Shaw, who was the next pro- prietor, preceded the present landlord, Tim- othy Everett.

The present Burnett House, which was for- merly known as the Stroudsburg House, was built by Stroud J. Hollinshead in 1833. He first erected a temporary structure now standing adjacent to the hotel and occupied by Jesse Albert, which was used during the completion of the hotel and is embraced in the front por- tion of the present building. Mr. Hollins- head was for thirty-five years its popular land- lord and conducted a thriving business. The hotel was sold in 1865 to Charles Troch, who was followed by Lynford Marsh, and he, in turn, by John I. Allender. Mr. Henry Fulmer, of Easton, then became the purchaser, by whom it was rebuilt, greatly enlarged and refurnished with much taste. It is now a much frequented summer resort under the able management of Jerome S. Williams.

The Washington Hotel, on Elizabeth Street, was built early during the present century. The first landlord within the recollection of the oldest citizens was one Keener, who was doubt- less followed by John Musch. In 1828 it was under the management of Edward Postens, who kept it for many years and was followed in 1846 by his son, Joseph J. Postens. Simon and Abram Barry were its next landlords, who were succeeded by John Sant, and he by John Bald- win, after which it passed into the hands of the present landlord, William Dreher.

The Indian Queen Hotel was built by John

Witchel as a private dwelling and converted in- to a hotel by John Shively, who was succeeded by James Place. John O'Hare became next landlord, after which David Keller, in 1851, removed from Hamilton township to the bor- ough and leased the property for two years. He was succeeded by George Swartwood, and he by Joseph J. Postens, after which Melchior Buzzard came into possession and conducted it during the years 1865-66. He was succeeded by - Sant, from Northampton County, after which John Shiffer became proprietor in connection with Jacob K. Shafer. The latter gentleman repaired, enlarged and at present keeps it.

The Central Hotel was built by John H. Mellick in 1851, and then known as the Fort Penn House. He was succeeded by M. B. Pos- tens, after which it was abandoned as a house of entertainment and converted into a ware- house. John S. McNeal, on obtaining a li- cense to keep a hotel, repaired and enlarged the building and has since managed it successfully as the Central Hotel.

BANKING.

STROUDSBURG BANK .- The act organizing the Stroudsburg Bank was passed on the 9th of January, 1857, and its charter obtained on the 23d of June of the same year. Its officers un- der the charter were Depue S. Miller, president ; James H. Stroud, cashier; and its board of di- rectors, Jay Gould, Stephen Kistler, Henry M. La Bar, Thomas W. Rhodes, Charles D. Brod- head, John Boys, Stroud J. Hollinshead, David D. Walton, Michael Shoemaker, Charles Say- lor, Morris Evans, William S. White and Depue S. Miller. The presidents in succession since that time have been S. S. Dreher, Stogdell Stokes, William Wallace and Thomas M. McIlhany. The cashiers who, in succession, followed Mr. Stroud are Jeremy Mackey and John S. Fisher. The charter of the bank having expired in 1872, it was, on the 6th of March of that year, rechar- tered. The amount of discounts of the bank average $275,000, and the deposits $350,000. The present directors are Peter M. Eilenberger, Jacob H. Fetherman, James Kintz, John Baltz, Charles L. Rhodes, Andrew Kaiser, Harry

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Peters, Jerome H. Fetherman, Levi Drake, Miles L. Hutchinson, Harry P. Nyce, William Smith and Stephen Holmes. The officers are Peter M. Eilenberger, president pro tem. ; John S. Fisher, cashier ; and B. S. Jacoby, teller.

THOMAS McFALL MCILHANEY .- Among the prominent business men of Monroe County who identified themselves most closely for a long term of years with its social and

Here he filled various important offices in the township of Pocono, and served as postmaster of the village. From 1854 to 1857 he was deputy prothonotary under the late John Edin- ger, but was defeated for the same office himself in the latter year. After serving as a clerk in the office of Jacob Frey, auditor-general of the State, at Harrisburg, for nearly three years, he was, in 1860, elected as prothonotary of Monroe

material growth, none have occupied a more conspicuous and honorable place than the sub- ject of this sketch. Born in Lower Mount Bethel township, in the mother-county of North- ampton, May 13, 1823, he enjoyed but meagre educational advantages, and upon reaching suf- ficient age, learned the trade of a tailor with his father, William McIlhaney. In 1845 he located at Snydersville, Monroe County, where he pur- sued his trade until 1847, at which time he re- moved to Tannersville, in the same county.

County, and was continuously re-elected to the same responsible and prominent place until 1878, when he retired from a position which he had filled with great ability and success for a longer period than any similar office has been held in the State by the same man, save in one instance. Upon his retirement from office he entered upon the study of law in the office of Hon. Charlton Burnett, with whom he had registered as a stu- dent a number of years before, and in 1880 was admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law. He

Thos Al Peco

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MONROE COUNTY.

at once acquired considerable practice among his old friends and constituents, and continued to labor earnestly and successfully at his pro- fession until his sudden and unexpected demise, on December 15, 1885. Cut off at an untime- ly moment, while in the enjoyment of the high- est confidence of his friends, and of the rewards achieved by an untiring, faithful and conscien- tious devotion to his public and private duties, his death brought with it to many the feeling that a good man in Israel had fallen, and to his immediate friends and family a poignancy of grief that none but they can realize.

The chief characteristics of Mr. McIlhaney may be described as great industry, the posses- sion of a well-balanced and systematic mind, thorough integrity, perfect suavity of manner, combined with great force of character, devotion to family and friends, kindliness of heart, regard for the precepts and lessons of religion, and great liberality in the support of all worthy and elevating objects. To his neighbors and ac- quaintances he was ever kind and obliging. As an accountant he was most skillful and possessed of a wonderfully retentive memory. He was firm in his convictions of right, yet considerate and forbearing with those who differed with him. In society he was one of the most com- panionable of men, and his fine social qualities endeared him to every community in which he lived. He was a prominent and influential res- ident of Stroudsburg from 1861, identified with various social organizations, and was presi- dent of the Stroudsburg Bank at the time of his death. He was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was for many years a trustee and a liberal supporter. He married, August 15, 1846, Catharine M., daughter of James C. and Hester (Bitters) Ma- jor, of Northampton County, who survives him, with six children, namely, Georgiana (wife of Edward Baltz, of Stroudsburg), Fanny (wife of William Long, of Williamsport, Pa.), Flora (wife of Walter Rafferty, of Brooklyn, N. Y.), Clara (wife of Dr. William Wolfe, of Chatham, N. J.) and Misses Ella and Gussie Mc Ilhaney.

THOMAS A. BELL is descended from Quaker ancestry, the progenitor of the family in Amer- ica having been Henry Bell, who, on his proba-

ble emigration from England, settled in Mont- gomery County, Pa. Among his children was a son John, born in 1721, who died in 1773. He was married to Hannah Reese and had one son, Jonathan, born in 1749, who died in 1773. He was united in marriage to Mary Stroud, whose children by this marriage were two sons, James and Isaiah. James Bell was born on the 8th of March, 1771, and died on the 14th of January, 1851. He was married to Susan Thomas, and had children-Joseph ; Mary, wife of Aaron Croasdale; John T .; James; Susanna ; Jane, wife of John Jordan, Jr. James Bell, of this number, was born on the 10th of August, 1808, and married Hannah Alsop,. whose children are Francis J., Edwin A., Thomas A., William B., Charles, Emma and Henry A. The birth of Thomas A. Bell oc- curred at Experiment Mills, in Smithfield town- ship, on the 20th of December, 1844. He pur- sued his studies at the Westtown Boarding- School, in Chester County, Pa., remaining sev- eral years both as pupil and instructor. Re- turning home, he became engaged with his father in his varied milling and lumbering interests of Experiment Mills. Subsequently accepting a position in the Stroudsburg Bank, he removed to Stroudsburg, and continued thus engaged until 1870, when he established a banking in- terest known as the Monroe County Banking and Savings Company. Closing his connection with this institution in 1880, and removing to Trenton, N. J., where a wider field for his rare business abilities awaited him, he assumed charge of the Merchants' Transportation Company as its general superintendent, and in 1881 became interested in the Star Rubber Company, as sec- retary and general manager, continuing at the same time his former business relation. He also became identified with the Trenton China Company, of which he is the present treasurer, though devoting his time principally to the in- terests of the Star Rubber Company.

Mr. Bell has been an important factor in the establishment and development of the leading business enterprises of Stroudsburg. To him is largely due the inception, as also the construc- tion, of the Stroudsburg Passenger Railway and the establishment of the Chemical Pulp Com-

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pany. He was prominently identified with the Tanite Company for eight years, and during a considerable part of that time occupied the position of treasurer of the company. He was also, with partners, interested in the Luzerne Ochre Works, in Luzerne County, Pa., and connected with other important business ven- tures. Mr. Bell has always affiliated with the Republican party in politics, though both his extended business interests and his tastes have precluded an active political career. He is an earnest and outspoken advocate of the cause of temperance, which has received from him sub- stantial support and encouragement. In his religious views he is loyal to the faith of his forefathers. Mr. Bell was, on the 17th of Sep- tember, 1868, married to Elizabeth, daughter of Philip P. Dunu, of Trenton, N. J. Their children are Albert T., Frederick D., William B. and Philip D., who is deceased.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF STROUDSBURG. -This bank was organized September 21, 1882, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars and the following directors : R. S. Staples, Alonzo B. Shafer, George E. Stauffer, Jacob R. Shafer, Isaac T. Puterbaugh, Melchior Heller, Thomas A. Bell, Amzi B. Wyckoff, David Saylor, Frank H. Smith, Stroud Burson.

Richard S. Staples was chosen its first presi- dent ; Frank H. Smith, vice-president ; E. A. Bell, cashier ; and Oscar Dreher, teller. Richard S. Staples resigned July 1, 1885, and Frank H. Smith was elected in his stead, David Saylor being elected vice-president. The board of di- rectors is still the same, with the exception of George Butz, George C. Adams and Absalom Fetherman in places of Isaac T. Puterbaugh, T. A. Bell and R. S. Staples, respectively. The amount of discounts averages one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars and the deposits a like amount. The bank has a circulation of twenty-five thousand dollars.

RICHARD S. STAPLES .- One of the earliest settlers of Northampton County, Pa., was John Staples, who was born in London, May 18, 1754, and died February 2, 1843 ; he came from England prior to the Revolution, and settled therein. He was a farmer, but never invested in land, but rented it from others. He served

in the Continental army, in which he was a sergeant. He married Elizabeth Teeple, who bore him the following children : John, Wil- liam, George, Nelson, Richard, Elizabeth, Ra- chel, Mary and Polly.

From his home in Northampton County he moved into Smithfield township, in what is now Monroe County, where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their days. William, the second son, was born in Smithfield township January 31, 1786, where he grew to manhood. He engaged in lumbering, and owned, with his son R. S., the saw-mill at Spragueville known as Staples' Mill. He married Elizabeth Long. Their children were Margaret, Mary Ann, John L., Sallie, Richard S., Eliza, Amanda, Nelson, Rachel and Daniel. Mr. Staples was a Demo- crat in politics, but not a politician. He died at Spragueville June 9, 1847 ; his wife in 1844. Richard S. Staples, our subject, was born in Smithfield township January 27, 1818. He at- tended the district schools of his neighborhood and received, as did his brothers and sisters, as good an education as could be given at that time in his native township. In 1827 he ac- cepted a situation as clerk in the store of Stokes & Brown, of Stroudsburg, which position he held one year, then became a partner in the place of Brown, whose interest he bought.

He continued in partnership with Judge Stokes seven years, and, during that time, had the entire management of the store. He then bought the judge's interest, and, for a quarter of a century, carried on the business. In 1862 he sold the store, since when lie has engaged in va- rious business enterprises, lumbering, however, being his principal business. In partnership with Thonias A. Bell and Simon Barry, he owned and operated an ochre-mill in Luzerne County for three years and a half, when they sold out, and the property, depreciating in value from want of proper management, has again come into possession of Mr. Staples, with his son Stogdell as partner.

Mr. Staples, Simon Barry, Thomas A. Bell, Dr. Lantz and Colonel Burnett were the build- ers of the Stroudsburg Street Railway, and he was the first president of the company and re- mained so until he sold his interest. In com-

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pany with the above-named gentlemen, he or- ganized the Monroe County Savings Bank, which was changed to the First National Bank of Stroudsburg, and of which he was elected pres- ident, which position he held until the 1st of January, 1885. He was also one of the organ- izers of the Stroudsburg Woolen Mills and its first president. For many years he was presi- dent of the Monroe County Fire Insurance Company. In February, 1883, he purchased

iness career. He was a member of five differ- ent committees.

He has been a member of the Methodist Church since he was thirteen years old and has been steward and trustee many years. He has taken an active interest in Sabbath-schools and has been a superintendent thirty-two years in succession. In Monroe County, Pa., where Mr. Staples resided until 1883, he is spoken of as a business man of sterling integrity and possessed

M.S. Staples

an interest in the Trenton China Company and has since then been its president and manager. In politics he is, and always has been, a stanch Democrat, and has been honored by his fellow- citizens with borough, township and county offices, all of which he has filled with credit and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has served two terms (1872-73) in the lower branch of the Pennsylvania Legislature with ability and the energy characteristic of liis bus-

of executive talent of more than ordinary nier- it. On the 20th day of May, 1840, he led to the altar Miss Deborah, daughter of Cornelius and Margaret Coolbaugh, who bore him chil- dren as follows : Theodore, Daniel and Mary. Mrs. Staples died in 1846. In November, 1848, he was again married, his choice being Mary Ann, daughter of Dr. John Thompson. Their union has been blessed with six children, namely, --- Ella, Charles, Stogdell, William, Mary and May.

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CORPORATIONS.

MONROE COUNTY MUTUAL FIRE INSUR- ANCE COMPANY .- This company was incor- porated by act of Legislature during the session of 1844 with the following officers and mana- gers : President, Joseph Keller ; Secretary, Charles B. Shaw. Managers : Joseph Keller, Benjamin V. Bush, Peter Keller, Joseph Trach, Jacob Shoemaker, John Edinger, Henry Fenner, Jr., Edward Postens, James Trach, Peter Keller, John Shively, James Bell, Jr., Daniel Brown, Charles B. Shaw.

The company was organized under the plan of perpetual policies and continued thus to operate until 1875, when they were changed to the five-year plan. Since its forination it has enjoyed great prosperity. Its present officers are William Wallace, president ; C. D. Brod- head, secretary and treasurer. Managers : William Wallace, Frank Hageman, Charles Brown, Reuben Miller, Thomas W. Rhodes, Jerome S. Fetherman, James Kintz, James Edinger, C. D. Brodhead, J. Depue Le Bar, Jacob K. Shafer, D. D. Walton, Jacob J. An- gle.

FARMERS' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COM- PANY OF MONROE COUNTY .- The act of Leg- islature to incorporate the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company was passed March 21, 1861, and the company organized January 11th the following year, with the following officers : Joseph Fabel, president ; Michael Shoemaker, secretary, who, together with Moses W. Cool- baugh, Jacob Long, Charles J. Miller, John Miller, Philip Kresge, Felix Storm, Enoch V. Buskirk, Charles Frantz, Joseph Trach, Joseph Kemmerer, Jr., James Place and George La Bar, constituted the first board of manage- ment.

The company has for twenty-four years en- joyed a career of signal success. Its present officers are S. S. Lesh, president ; P. M. Eilen- berger, secretary. Managers : Nathan Serfass, Israel Hauser, Joseph Kresge, C. Bittenben- der, C. W. Angle, John Storni, Timothy Kresge, Ezra Hunsicker, Abraham Newhart, P. P. Schaffer, William Fine, P. S. Edinger.

COMMONWEALTH BUILDING AND LOAN AS- SOCIATION .- This association was organized

in April, 1878, with the following officers : R. S. Staples, president'; Wm. S. Barger, vice-presi- dent ; E. A. Bell, secretary ; Simon Barry, treasurer. It has from that time to the present enjoyed a career of uninterrupted prosperity, its loans having in 1885 reached the sum of $113,- 600. Its present officers are Garret Ramsey, president ; George E. Shaffer, vice-president ; E. A. Bell, secretary ; and Simon Barry, treas- urer.

STROUDSBURG GAS-LIGHT COMPANY .- The corporation known as the Stroudsburg Gas- Light Company was formed during the sum- mer of 1875 by J. Gardner Haines and W. B. Buck, the latter acting as president and the former as secretary of the company. Bonds and stock were issued and chiefly disposed of in the borough. The bank building, better known as the old Presbyterian Church, on Sarah Street, was purchased and transformed into a gas-house, after which it became the receptacle of the varied machinery accessory to the manufacture of illuminating gas, such as retorts, superheat- ers, wash-boxes, scrubbers, engines and boilers. Lowe's process was introduced, the laying of the main pipes was begun and in the fall of the same year the company was able to furnish gas to the citizens of Stroudsburg.

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History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 189

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