History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 34

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 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 34

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).

Honesdale, into the Lackawaxen, on the night of Juue 5, 1859.

IRA VADAKIN came from Susquehanna County, studied law with Earl Wheeler, and was admitted to the bar January 31, 1842. Mr. Wheeler removing to Honesdale on the transfer of the county-scat to that place, Mr. Vadakin purchased his residence in Bethany and re- mained there to practice. In 1852 he purchased a farm in Dyberry, and exchanged professional pursuits for the life of a farmer. A few years later he sold this property and removed to Sus- quehanna County.

SIMEON GAGER THROOP, long known in Wayne County as " Squire Throop," was born at Boswell, Conn., January 4, 1790. When quite young he removed with his parents to Hudson, N. Y. He read law in the office of Hon. Elisha Williams, one of the most distin- guished old-time lawyers of the State of New York. After his admission to the bar he re- moved to Chenaugo County, N. Y., and en- gaged in practice with considerable success. He also entered into politics with great zeal, as a supporter of Governor Clinton, and in 1816 was elected to the Legislature. In that body he proved himself an able debater, and gave evidence of marked ability in dealing with public affairs. He shared in the downfall of the Clinton wing of his party, and never again became a candidate, though still retaining much political influence in his district. He came to Honesdale in 1842, and was admitted to the Wayne County bar September 1st. After a few years of practice he yielded to the desire of the leading business men of the place and accepted the office of justice of the peace. He held this positiou for ten years. In 1866 he removed to Stroudsburg. He was admitted to the bar of that county, and subsequently became one of the associate judges. He died at Stroudsburg February 14, 1877. His last words were : "I have my eye on the gun-I am prepared for the disclarge."

Mr. Throop was a man of much ability, a good speaker, possessed of social qualities that made him highly popular and with a vein of quaint humor that made his conversation very entertaining. In habit of thought, lan-

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guage and address he was a high-minded, genial gentleman of the old school.

FREDERICK SAXTON came from Vermont, and studied law at Montrose, under the direc- tion of Franklin Lusk. He was admitted to the bar of Wayne County December 5, 1842. He practiced in Mount Pleasant for a few years. The date of his removal cannot be ascertained, except that it was later than September, 1844 ; and in 1849 he was practicing law in Carbon- dale. He subsequently returned to Wayne County, but did not resume practice ; and some of his later years were passed on a farm in Damascus.

ELIAS GRISWOLD read law and was admitted to practice in Utica, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar of Wayne County December 10, 1842. After remaining some three years in Honesdale, he returned to his home in Central New York.

HIRAM BLOIS, son of David and Abigail Blois, is a native of Salisbury, Litchfield County, Conn. He is the oldest living member of the Wayne County bar ; as old, in fact, as the courts of the county,-having been born on the day on which they were first opened : Sep- tember 10, 1798. He attended the schools of his native town until he was sixteen years old. He subsequently studied medicine ; and remov- ing to Wayne County in 1829, commenced prac- tice in Salem. He also engaged later in the practice of dentistry. After reaching middle life he turned his attention to law. He studied with Charles K. Robinson, and was admitted to the bar September 9, 1843. After practicing in Honesdale until 1850, he gave up the profes- sion and returned to Salem, where he still lives.

RUFUS M. GRENELL was a native of Clinton, Wayne County. He was a younger brother of Hon. Virgil Grenell, who, at the time of his admission, was an associate judge. He read law in Honesdale and was admitted to the bar May 2, 1844. A little more than a year afterward he was appointed deputy attorney-general for the county, commencing his duties at September Term, 1845. He held this position for three years. In 1848 he was elected prothcnotary, and held the office for three years. Some two or three years later he left the county.

JOHN MARION ALEXANDER came to Wayne County from the State of New York. He read law under the direction of Charles K. Robinson and was admitted to the bar December 2, 1844. He practiced in Pleasant Mount, and married Anna T., daughter of Eldad Atwater, of that village. In the spring of 1846 he went to Luzerne County, and practiced there for several years. He was among the early settlers of Kansas, but subsequently returned East and spent some time in Vineland, N. J. He after- ward went to Florida, where his family now resides. He has two daughters-Blanche, born in Pleasant Mount in the spring of 1846, and Lizzie, born during his residence in Kansas. The latter, with her husband, George Rhodes, resides in Florida.

JACOB A. KANOUSE read law in the State of New Jersey and was first admitted to practice in that State. February 8, 1845, he was admitted to the bar of Wayne County. He opened an office in Honesdale, but remained only a few months. He subsequently went to Texas, and there engaged in the business of cattle raising.

JOSEPH D. WEST came to Wayne County from New York about the year 1842. He be- gan to read law with Thomas Fuller. After the death of Mr. Fuller, in December, 1843, lie continued his studies in the office of Ebenezer Kingsbury. Mr. Kingsbury dying in the fol- lowing spring, Mr. West completed his prepara- tion for the bar under the direction of Earl Wheeler, and was admitted to practice May 5, 1845. Soon after coming to Honesdale he was appointed secretary of the Wayne County Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company, and held that position until the company closed its business. December 9, 1845, he was married to Harriet, daughter of Isaac P. Foster, of Honesdale. In 1850 he was the Whig candidate for the office of district attorney, but the county being strongly Democratic, F. M. Crane, the Demo- cratic nominee, was elected. In the fall of 1851 he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y.

HOWKIN BULKELEY BEARDSLEE was born in Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, April 15, 1821. He subsequently removed with his par- ents to Indian Orchard, in Texas township. In October, 1845, he was elected register and re-

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

corder of the county. He had already com- menced reading law, first under the direction of Mr. Kingsbury and afterward in the office of Mr. Wheeler, and was admitted to the bar December 3, 1845. He practiced little, how- ever, and his attention thereafter was given chiefly to politics and journalism. About August 1, 1847, he became the owner of the Wayne County Herald, the Democratic organ of the county. James H. Norton, another lawyer- journalist, was for a time associated with him in the management of the paper. Early in 1849 Mr. Beardslec became the sole editor and pub- lisher. In 1859 he was elected to the House of Representatives. In March, 1860, Thomas J. Ham became assistant editor of the Herald. In September, 1861, Mr. Beardslee sold the newspaper establishment to Mr. Ham and Charles Menner, and for a time retired from the journalistic field. In 1862 he was elected district attorney. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate, and resigned the former office. In May, 1869, he became indirectly interested in the publication of the Wayne County Democrat, which was at first published semi-weekly and afterward weekly. September 16, 1869, Hon. Wm. H. Dimmick, district attorney, having been nominated for representative, resigned the former office and Mr. Beardslee was appointed by the court to fill the vacancy. He held the office until December, 1870. In 1871 he re- moved to Wilkes-Barre and assumed editorial charge of the Luzerne Union, the leading Dem- ocratic organ of Luzerne County. In 1879 he retired from the Union. In 1882 he commenced the publication of the Luzerne County Herald. He died of consumption March 11, 1886, at the old family homestead at Indian Orchard, to which he had been removed a short time pre- viously, in the hope that his health might there improve.

JOHN W. MYERS came to Wayne County from the State of New York. He first engaged in the newspaper business, and in December, 1844, succeeded John I. Allen in the editorial charge of the Wayne County Herald, the Demo- cratic organ of the county. August 5, 1845, he retired from this position and Mr. Allen re- sumed the editorial chair. Meantime, Mr.

Myers had commenced the study of law, under the direction of Mr. Allen, and May 6, 1846, lie was admitted to the bar. At December Term, 1847, he assisted, in behalf of the com- monwealth, on the trial of Harris Bell for the murder of Mrs. Eliza Williams, Messrs. Wheeler and Minor being the senior counsel. He left the county soon afterward and sailed for the East Indies, but died on ship-board and was buried in the Indian Ocean.

JAMES H. NORTON read law in Connecticut, and was admitted to the bar in Litchfield County, in that State, April 15, 1846. He soon afterward came to Honesdale, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Wayne County September 9, 1846. In 1847 he became associated with H. B. Beardslee in the publication of the Wayne County Herald, but severed his connection with that paper in 1849. At December Term, 1847, and February Term, 1848, he acted as deputy attorney general, under a temporary appoint- ment by the court, Mr. Grenell, the deputy, being for some reason unable to act. He removed from the county, as nearly as can be ascer- tained, about the ycar 1855.

MILTON CRANE TRACY, the eldest son of Elias B. Tracy and Caroline Crane, his wife, was born at Salisbury, Litchfield County, Conn., in the year 1822. He was a lineal descendant of Thomas Tracy, who, settling at Norwich in 1660, and rearing six sons, was the original head of a family which rendered good service in founding and establishing the colony of Con- necticut ; which, at a later period, was well rep- resented in the Continental army, and which, still later, had one of its members in the first Senate of the United States.

Elias B. Tracy died when his son was but ten years old, and the latter, two years after- wards, went to live upon a farm near Lime Rock, Conn., owned by a distant relative. Here he remained until nearly eighteen, working upon the farm in summer and in winter attend- ing the common school in the neighborhood. His progress in his studies was so rapid, and his love of books so marked, as to attract the at- tention of his uncle, Frederick M. Crane, through whose instrumentality, in the winter of 1840, Milton entered the academy at Pough-

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keepsie, N. Y. His stay there was, however, very brief. Benson J. Lossing, the historian, visited the school in the fall of 1840, and, at his wish, Milton removed to New York City to accept a position as a teacher in the Mechanics' Institute School, an academy of great reputation and high grade, of which Mr. Lossing was a trustee.

Mr. Tracy taught in this institution for about three years, in a subordinate capacity, pursuing at the same time, outside of school hours, an advanced course of study, including all the branches usually comprised in the classical or mathematical collegiate curriculum of that day. He labored under the great disadvantage of having no instructor, but, thanks to a retentive memory and a mind naturally quick and acute, joined to habits of the closest application, he qualified himself so thoroughly that, at the close of the period named, he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts upon passing an ex- ceedingly creditable examination.

At twenty-three he was appointed principal of Mechanics' Institute and held the position for two years, leaving the city in 1846 and re- moving to Honesdale, Pa., for the purpose of studying law with his uncle, F. M. Crane, then in active practice in Wayne County. In September, 1848, he was admitted to the Wayne County bar, and at once entered into business with Mr. Crane.

In the spring of 1849 it became necessary for him to go to New York upon some matter con- nected with his profession, and the fact of his presence in the city being known at Mechanics' Institute, some four hundred of his former pupils presented a petition, unknown to him, to the trustees of the institute, asking that measures be taken to induce Mr. Tracy to re- sume his old position as principal.

The trustees were themselves exceedingly anxious to have him return, and so attractive an offer was made to him that Mr. Tracy felt constrained to accept it. He remained in charge of the institute for many years, and although a member of the New York City bar, and having a law-office there, yet the cares of the school con- sumed the greater portion of his time, which was also, to some extent, taken up with the la-

bor of writing, preparing and compiling a series of school-books, that for an extensive period were adopted by the city schools, and used therein. In 1860 lie removed from New York, to take charge of an excellent academy at Tar- rytown, on the Hudson, the location of which was afterward changed to Sing Sing, a few miles further up the river.

In 1865 his health began to fail. Overwork, care and the strain of incessant study combined to weaken an iron constitution. In the winter of 1866 he went to Ripon, Wis., thinking that the trip would be of benefit to him, and there, at the house of an old friend, June 9, 1866, he died. His mental faculties were retained clear and bright to the last moment.

Milton C. Tracy was a sincere Christian, and greatly attached to the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. In disposition he was kind, generous and benevolent, although by nature reserved, quiet and perhaps rather cold and stern in appearance. He was charitable beyond the bounds of prudence, and while a resident of New York was identified with and an active member of various societies and mis- sions for the relief of the poor. In habits, character and speech he was absolutely pure and correct. His greatest passion was his love of books, and his character as a lawyer was much affected by this trait. He loved the study, but not the practice of the law. Nothing was more congenial to his tastes than to intently and thoroughly study abstract principles, and no- thing could be more distasteful than the peculiar annoyances which every busy lawyer daily meets with, and of which his practice had its full share.

Mr. Tracy was twice married. His first wife died in 1863. His second wife survived him.

WILLIAM MINOR was a native of Peekskill, N. Y. After graduating from Yale College he came to Honesdale, and read law under the di- rection of his cousin, C. S. Minor. He was for some time deputy prothonotary while P. S. Goodrich held that office. He was admitted to the bar December 3, 1849, and for about a year afterward practiced in Honesdale. His health failing, he returned to Peckskill. He died there December 28, 1853.

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

HENRY PEET was born in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1827. When nineteen years old he went to Cazenovia, N. Y., and attended the academy at that place. He subsequently engaged in teach- ing, and came to Honesdale for that purpose about the year 1848. While thus engaged he read law under the direction of Earl Wheeler. He was admitted to the bar February 4, 1852, and commenced practice in Honesdale. In 1856 lie was elected district attorney, but in 1859, being a candidate for re-election, he was de- feated by Jackson Woodward. In 1863 he re- moved to Towanda, Bradford County, where he formed a partuership with Paul D. Morrow, now president judge of the judicial district composed of Bradford County. He died Feb- ruary 15, 1878.

GEORGE W. ALLEN was a son of John I. Allen, and was born in the State of New York in April, 1838. He learned the printing busi- ness during his youth, and subsequently studied law with William H. & S. E. Dimmick. He was admitted to the bar May 3, 1859, and re- mained, for a time, in the office of his precep- tors. His hearing becoming much impaired, he finally gave up the profession, and resumed work in a printing-office. He left Honesdale about 1868, going first to Baltimore and subse- quently to Newark. He returned in 1873, and died in Houesdale October 10th of that year.

MARSHAL WHEELER was a son of Earl Wheeler. He studied law with his father, and was admitted to the bar September 8, 1860. He practiced little, however, but turned his attention to civil engineering and other pur- suits. He left Wayne County about the year 1872.

CHARLES F. ELDRED was a son of Judge Eldred. He studied law partly with his father, and for a time under the direction of his broth- er-in-law, Judge Hamlin, in Minnesota. He was admitted to the bar December 5, 1860. During the Rebellion he served in a regiment known as "Scott's Nine Hundred." In 1870 he was elected district attorney. The trial of Langendorfer for murder took place during his term of office. He removed to the West about 1873.

THOMAS HAWKEY read law with C. P. &

G. G. Waller, and was admitted to the bar May 4,1864. In 1866 he was elected register and recorder. Soon after the close of his term he removed from the county. He died at Otisville, N. Y., in 1870.

MICHAEL REGAN was a native of Canaan, Wayne County. In 1863 he was elected reg- ister and recorder, and while holding that office read law under the direction of F. M. Crane. He was admitted to the bar May 9, 1866. Some time after the close of his term as register and recorder he removed to Luzerne County. When last heard from he was practicing law in the city of New York.

FRANCIS ASBURY DONY, son of Henry and Hannah Dony, was born at Dundaff, Susque- hanuah County, Pa., May 3, 1841. He re- moved with his parents to Honesdale about the year 1843. He was educated at the Staten Island Institute and Wyoming Seminary. He read law at Honesdale, in the office of F. M. Crane and H. M. Seely, and was admitted to the bar on motion of Mr. Crane, February 3, 1869. Removing then to Mauch Chunk, he practiced there for four years, during which period lie was master in Chancery in the cele- brated case of Asa Packer vs. Noble, Hammett & Co. In 1873 he returned to Honesdale. In 1874 he was appointed United States special agent, to investigate and perfect the title to the lands belonging to the Cherokee Indiaus in North Carolina. In April, 1875, he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now a member of the Wyoming Annual Conference.

M. M. THORP was a native of Wayne Coun- ty. He read law with D. N. Lathrope, in Car- bondale. He was admitted to the bar of Wayne County May 6, 1870, and practiced in Waymart for some two years afterward. In 1872 he received the Republican nomination for district attorney, but declined it, and soon afterward removed to Carbondale. He there formed a partnership with C. E. Lathrope, and remained for several years. He finally gave up the profession and retired to a farm in Canaan.

H. F. POWER was born in Honesdale De- cember 5, 1849. He read law under the direc- tion of William H. Dimmick, and was ad-

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mitted September 5, 1871. He gave up the profession without any decided effort to estab- lish himself in practice. He died September 19, 1882.

FRANK B. BROWN, son of Peter P. Brown, was born in Honesdale, September 23, 1849. He studied law under the direction of C. F. Eldred, and was admitted to the bar September 5, 1871. On the 9th of December following, Mr. Eldred, the district attorney, having re- signed that office, Mr. Brown was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1872 he was elected to the office, and held it for three years following. During his incumbency the trial of Charles Regel for murder took place, in which he was assisted by Mr. Eldred. A few years after the expiration of his term he gave up the profession and removed from the county.

LAFAYETTE G. DIMOCK, a son of Asa W. Dimock, was born at Waymart, Wayne County. He read law under the direction of C. S. Minor, and was admitted to the bar December 6, 1875. He opened an office in Honesdale and also practiced in Waymart for a time. He has since retired from the profession.

DANIEL H. BROWN, second son of Isaac O. and Charlotte Brown, was born in Damascus, February 19, 1849. He was well educated, and for some time after attaining manhood was engaged in teaching. He read law with Hon. E. O. Hamlin, and was admitted September 14, 1878. In January, 1884, he formed a partner- ship with William H. Dimmick, which contin- ued two years. In March, 1886, he removed to Council Grove, Kansas.

WHARTON DICKINSON was admitted Deccm- ber 14, 1878, on a certificate of previous admis- sion to the bar of Luzerne County. He opened an office in Honesdale, but after remaining a year or upwards removed to Scranton.

JOSEPH BENJAMIN DIMMICK, second son of Hon. Samuel E. and Lucretia B. Dimmick, was born in Honesdale October 3, 1858. He was graduated from Yale College in 1881, and studied law in Honesdale under the direction of William H. Dimmick. He was admitted to the bar October 2, 1882, and commenced practice in Honesdalc. In November, 1883, he removed to Scranton. After practicing law in that city

until November, 1885, he accepted the vice- presidency of the Lackawanna Valley Bank. He is also at present the president of the school board of the city of Scranton.

JAMES J. O'NEILL is a son of Hugh O'Neill, of Carbondale, and a cousin of Charles B. O'Neill, of Honesdale. He studied law under the direction of P. P. Smith, and was admitted to the bar May 7, 1883. After remaining in Mr .. Smith's office for some time subsequent to his. admission, he removed to Carbondale, and en- gaged in practice in that city.

IV. Law Graduates.

CHARLES K. SILKMAN studied successively with Messrs. Robinson, Wheeler and Wescott, and was admitted November 21, 1837. No- thing is known of his subsequent history.

MILTON DIMMICK is a native of Milford, Pike County. He studied law in Bethany with his elder brother, William H. Dimmick, and was admitted January 25, 1840. He then re- turned to Milford. His practice in Wayne County was confined to taking charge of his brother's business while the latter was attend- ing to his duties as State Senator, to which office he was elected in 1844.

ARA BARTLETT is a native of Prompton, Wayne County. He was educated at the acad- emy in Bethany, and subsequently taught school. He read law with R. M. Grenell and F. M. Crane, and was admitted to the bar May 3, 1853. He married Lucinda, a daughter of Judge Eldred, and removed to Kankakee, Ill., where he commenced practice. President Lin- coln subsequently appointed him chief justice of the Supreme Court of Dakota. At the close of his term he returned to Illinois and resumed practice.

ALBERT WILLIS came to Honesdale from Delaware County, N. Y., and engaged in teach- ing. He read law under the direction of Earl Wheeler, and was admitted to the bar Septem- ber 13, 1853. He soon afterward removed to Tioga County, Pa.

MILTON J. SLOCUM is a native of Susque- hanna County. He studied law with Earl Wheeler, and was admitted to the bar May 3, 1859. He returned to Susquehanna County,

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retired from the profession, and is now living in California.

GEORGE W. EDGETT is a native of Promp- ton, Wayne County. He read law with C. P. & G. G. Waller, and was admitted to the bar May 3, 1859. He soon afterward went to Texas, but remained only a short time. He subsequently removed to Massachusetts.

JASON TORREY is the youngest of three sons of Stephen and Mary Torrey, and the only one who survived infancy. He was born in Honesdale, May 31, 1839. He read law with C. P. & G. G. Waller, and was admitted to the bar February 8, 1860. He never engaged in practice, but entered the service of the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal Co., and was employed mainly in connection with its land and convey- ancing business. He died at Carbondale, July 20, 1868.

FREDERICK FULLER came to Honesdale and entered the office of Earl Wheeler, May 1, 1860. He had previously studied ten months in Montrose, under the direction of F. . B. Streeter, and thirteen months in Scranton, in the office of Sanderson & Willard. He was admitted to the bar September 8, 1860, and soon afterward removed from the county.

HENRY W. Box was born in England, but came to Wayne County with his parents during boyhood. He read law with William H. & S. E. Dimmick, and was admitted to the bar September 8, 1860. He subsequently removed to Buffalo, N. Y., where he is still en- gaged in practice.

JOHN P. HEATH is a native of Honesdale, and son of the late Henry Heath. He read law under the direction of C. P. & G. G. Waller, and was admitted to the bar May 9, 1862. He removed to Hyde Park, Lacka- wanna County, gave up the profession and en- gaged in teaching.

GEORGE V. BROWER read law under the direction of G. G. Waller, and was admitted to the bar, May 9, 1866. He subsequently re- moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he engaged in practice.

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History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 34

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