History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 90

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 90
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 90
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 90

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).

His wife was a Wood, and with his family he settled in Roxbury, Delaware County, New York, in 1801, from Westchester County, where the family had resided since its settle- ment in this country from Wales. He had four sons,-Philetus, Jotham, Obadiah Smith and David Scudder.

Obadiah Smith Scudder was born in West- chester County, New York, in 1778, and mar- ried Peace Corbin, an estimable young Quaker woman of Dutchess County, New York, in 1801. He located in Roxbury, New York, where he was a blacksmith and farmer, and where he died in 1830, four years after the death of his wife. Their children were Benja- min, born in 1802; Ireneus, born in 1805; Samuel, born in 1807 ; Isaiah, born March 26,

537

WAYNE COUNTY.

1808, subject of this sketch; Anna, born in 1810; Daniel C., born in 1811; Rebecca, born in 1813; Micaiah, born in 1815; Abraham, born in 1817; Abigail, born in 1819, and John, born in 1821.

Isaiah Scudder, a native of Roxbury, was in boyhood a diligent and studious scholar, in the district school at home, which afforded him his early book-knowledge. He was fond of mathe-

His mechanical genius has been turned to prac- tical account in the patented invention of machin- ery, which still bears his name. In the deep and abstruse subjects of scientific investigation, he has ever been an interested and critical stu- dent. He also seemed intuitively and naturally to comprehend the subject of medicine and to be able to diagnose disease, and although he never gave physic his regular attention, as a

matics, in which he early became proficient, and his love for the study has made it a pleasant recreation from all the care and toil of an active business life. His original manner of analyzing and solving, even the most intricate problems, has astonished and delighted college professors and teachers of mathematical science. They have long recognized him as being one of the best mathematicians in Northern Pennsylvania.

[ study, he practiced very successfully for many years among his friends gratuitously, and in consequence thereof, was known as " Doctor Scudder."

Inclining to a business, rather than a profes- sional life, at the age of eighteen, in 1826, he apprenticed himself to the veteran tanner, Col. Zadoc Pratt, of Prattsville, Greene County, New York, where he remained in that capacity

538

WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

until he had fully mastered the trade, and after- ward as a reliable and trusted foreman, until 1844, when he succeeded to Col. Pratt's busi- ness, having for his partner his brother, Daniel C. Scudder. They continued the business there until 1847, when they bought the site and bark- lands, at Equinunk, Wayne County, Pa., con- sisting of somne two thousand acres, upon which they erected the Equinunk Tannery, in which they began operations the following year. From this tract of land they cut timber which they rafted down the Delaware, and bark for use in their tannery, employing in the tannery and out about one hundred men.

In 1849 they built the "High Lake Tan- nery," seven miles up the Equinunk Creek, at a point in the woods called Brownsville, but which, a few years later, was called High Lake, and still bears the name.

In 1856 Isaiah Scudder sold his entire inter- est in these tanneries and lands to Joseph S. Bates, a son-in-law of his partner, D. C. Scud- der, and that firm, "Scudder & Bates," con- tinued the business.

Upon being relieved of this business, Doctor Sendder removed to Nodaway County, Missouri, with the intention of making there a permanent home. With this object in view he made pur- chase of one thousand one hundred acres of roll- ing prairie land, embracing a fine homestead for his family. But the panic of 1857 so af- fected the interests of the new tanning firm, as to make necessary the return of Doctor Scudder, and his resumption of the work at the Equinunk Tannery, in 1858. Here he remained until 1866, when he disposed of the property to H. and L. B. Richtmyer. The upper, or " High Lake" tannery had been sold to Degen & Wrede in 1856.

The "Doctor " ' had now spent some forty years in the tanning business, and was the ac- knowledged liead of that large interest so ex- tensively carried on in that part of the State. To him was accorded the reputation of produc- ing as good, if not the very best sole-leather in . the market.

On his retirement from business he purchased a village farm in Bethany, Pa., and subsequently a dairy farm in Orange County, New York.

Members of his family are settled upon each place, and make pleasant and comfortable his homes as he elects one or the other.

Doctor Scudder has led an active business life, and by honesty of purpose, persistent effort, indefatigable industry, judicious management and integrity in all his business relations, he has earned a competency-a just reward of faith- ful labor.

From early manhood he has been a consistent and honored member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, serving as class-leader and steward through a long series of years. Christian min- isters were always sure of a cordial welcome to his hospitable home. With a liberal hand he has responded to the call of the poor and needy. To all worthy local enterprises he has contrib- uted commensurate with his means.

A man of strong mind, good judgment and of marked individuality, though his life has been largely given to business, he has always kept pace with local and national affairs, and accord- ingly as he thought proper he has identified himself with the great political parties of his time. He was a Democrat until 1852, when he cast his vote for the Whig candidate, General Winfield Scott, and upon the formation of the Republican party in 1854-56 he allied himself to it, to which principles he has since adhered.

On January 10, 1833, at Prattsville, New York, he married Margaret Hadsell, a woman of rare excellence and Christian character, who died at Bethany, Pa., in August, 1876. Their children are Harriet A., married at Equinunk, Pa., July 2, 1855, to Charles F. Rockwell, of Milford, now a resident of Honesdale, Pa. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Julia M., married to Henry S. Richtmyer in 1856, and died in 1872, at Bethany, leaving a son and a daughter. Libbie P., married July 26, 1858, in Missouri, to Dr. J. M. Starnes, who served as surgeon of the Eleventh Missouri Union Cavalry during the late civil war, and who died at St. Louis, Mo., January 22, 1864; his remains are buried in Glen Dyberry Cem- etery, at Honesdale, Pa. His widow and daugh- ter reside in last-named town; a son lives at Bethany. Benjamin F., married Elizabeth Ste- venson, at White Cloud, Mo., and they reside

539

WAYNE COUNTY.

in Colorado. Isaiah Scudder, Jr., married La- vinia Varcoe, and lives in Otisville, New York. Charlotte A., married at Bethany, in 1869, to Thomas F. Ham, of the law-firm of H. H. and T. F. Ham, of Wauseon, Ohio, where they now reside. Homer A., married Libbie Ham, and resides at Wanseon. Florence R., married to Hon. William B. Guinnip, ex-member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, residing in Damascus township, Wayne County, Pa.

tained in the family as valuable mementos of the past), in which rank he served until the close of the Revolution, and was honorably discharged at Washington's headquarters in the town of Newburgh, N. Y. Colonel Nelson died in New- burgh, Orange County, N. Y., whither he had removed after the close of the war. He was twice married, and of his children, Henry, the only son by his first wife, was the father of Senator William M. Nelson. Henry Nelson,

N. M . nelson

HON. W. M. NELSON.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Nelson, was born in Massachusetts about 1760, and, animated by an ardent love of country, en- listed shortly after the battle of Bunker Hill, when but sixteen years of age. For bravery and ability he was promoted through the various grades of office until his appointment as colonel (the parchment commissions for the two ranks of captain and colonel have ever since been re-

born at New Windsor, Orange County, N. Y., April 14, 1788, married in 1810 Azubah Mail- ler, who was born at Cornwall, in the same county, September 16, 1791. They had six children, of whom William Mailler Nelson was the youngest. Shortly after his marriage the trouble with the mother country culminated in an appeal to arms in 1812, and he, inheriting the spirit of his father, enlisted and served in the company commanded by Captain Belknap,

540

WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

of Newburgh. His active service was more particularly identified with events occurring in New York and Canada, and at the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned to Newburgh, where he followed carriage making some thirty years prior to his death in 1858. His wife died in 1841 at Newburgh.

William Mailler Nelson was born at New- burgh October 14, 1826, and obtained his early book knowledge in the district schools, where he acquired a good acquaintance with those branches which are of the greatest value in a practical career. Being of a religious turn of mind from his youth, he united with the M. E. Church at fourteen years of age, and devoted much of his spare time during his minority to the reading of theological works. In 1848 he had become so proficient in the knowledge of the Scriptures that he was accepted by the Church as a local preacher, and in this capacity served as a supply for one year on the Sugar Loaf cir- cuit, New York Conference, and subsequently on the Sullivan County circuit. In 1850 lie joined the New York Conference of the M. E. Church, and for some four years, until his health failed, labored as a minister of the gospel. In 1854 he married R. Amelia, daughter of Rev. Alexander Calder, of Equinunk, Wayne County, Pa., and located at that place, where he engaged in general mercantile trade, which he carried on successfully for some twenty years. For six years, during the administrations of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan, he was postmaster at Equinunk. Whether in a public or private ca- pacity, Mr. Nelson has ever been busy, either for himself or others. He is president of "The Equinunk Chemical Company," which was established in 1882 at that place for the manu- facture of pyroligneous acid from ordinary cord- wood. The works consist of four furnaces and eight iron retorts, holding about a cord of wood each, for the dry distillation of the wood, and turn out about a half-ton of acetate of lime per day, besides the wood-naphtha and large quanti- ties of charcoal. In the fall of 1862 he was elected on the Democratic ticket a member of the State Legislature from Wayne County, and by re-election served through the sessions of 1863, '64, '65, '66, '69, '77, and '78, and was

the caucus nominee of his party for Speaker of the House in 1865. In the fall of 1878 he was clected to the State Senate from the Twenty- sixth District, comprised of Susquehanna and Wayne Counties, and by re-election in 1882 is now serving his fifteenth year of public life,- bespeaking the confidence of his constituents,- comprising a district largely Republican. During his first term in the House, the contest between General Simon Cameron and Hon. Charles R. Buckalew for United States Senator was ex- ceedingly earnest. Strong efforts were made and large sums of money used by the partisans of General Cameron to overcome the Democratic majority of one on joint ballot, and secure his re-election, but Mr. Nelson could not be induced by any consideration to become a party to cor- ruption, and Mr. Buckalew received the election. His record in the Legislature on all questions coming before that body relative to the sale of intoxicating liquors is clearly defined and unim- peachable, and his position has never been changed from that first assumed as a champion of prohibitory measures. Firm and unyielding in character and disposition, his abilities long since placed him foremost in the ranks of those endeavoring to put a legal stop to the liquor traffic and the evils growing out of it. Being in the Legislature during the war, he was the representative of the soldier as well as of the people, and as a war Democrat, his voice and vote were invariably given for the success of the Union cause. He strenuously advocated the measure allowing Pennsylvania soldiers in the field the right of suffrage. He contributed in every way in his power to aid those who en- listed, and he shared largely in the sympathies of the volunteers from his section, whose fami- lies still remember his generosity as a merchant, while their friends were at the front. Recog- nizing the value of proper railroad communica- tions, Mr. Nelson in 1863 revived the charter for the Jefferson Railroad, and subsequently at various times added such supplements to it as made it in the interest of the coal companies to build the road from Carbondale to Lanesborough, on the Erie Railroad, which has since become a Northern out'et for coal through to Canada, in connection with the Albany and Susquehanna

541

WAYNE COUNTY.

Railroad, and added vastly to the wealth and value of his senatorial district. At the Demo- cratic State Convention held in Harrisburgh in 1882, Senator Nelson was one of the nine can- didates for Governor of Pennsylvania, and re- ceived a very complimentary vote. Seeing, however, the tide of the Convention drifting to- wards Robert E. Pattison, the present Governor, he withdrew on the fifth ballot, and his friends, led by Thomas J. Ham, of Honesdale, went over to Pattison, who was nominated on the sixth ballot. There seems to be but one senti- ment among all classes relative to Senator Nel- son's public career, and he enjoys the confidence and respect of his constituents in a wonderful degree, being often referred to as the man in public life for many years without spot or blem- ish on his escutcheon. At home he is known as . a man of public spirit and enterprise; a generous contributor to all charitable, benevolent and church work, and a practical friend to the poor. A writer conversant with Senator Nelson's ca- reer says of him : " Among Mr. Nelson's note- worthy characteristics are his benevolence, stead- fast adherence to friends, magnanimity towards enemies, cheerfulness in disposition, kindness of lieart, and fixedness and honesty of purpose. In no wise has his life, either public or private, been a mystery. Elevation to important trusts never raised him above his fellows. The hun- blest can approach him and feel at home in his presence. Though deep, he is transparent ; though strong, he is gentle ; though decided and pronounced in his convictions, he is tolerant to- ward those who differ from him, and patient under reproaches; and even to those who are not acquainted with him his public acts and ut- terances indicate a clear idea of his strength of character and personality."

Although Senator Nelson is evidently a man in delicate health, he is now in his sixtieth year, with apparently even chances for several years more of natural life. His friends would gladly wish they might be many. He still holds the relation of a local deacon in the M. E. Church, in good and regular standing, preaches occa- sionally, in the absence of the pastor, at camp- meetings and on public occasions, and his ser- wices are considered almost indispensable at the

funerals of his friends and neighbors. He is found on the right side of all moral issues, both in public and private life. He has no children of his own, but has adopted a niece of his wife.

The following extract is from an editorial in the Philadelphia Daily Times of June 23d, re- viewing the retiring State Senate of 1886, and pays a high compliment to Senator Nelson :

"This district is always Democratic when William M. Nelson is the Democratic candidate, and that has happened most of the time lately. It is naturally Republican on a full vote, but both counties are of the Independent type, and a man of Nelson's stern integrity and independence just about suits them. If he should be a candidate again, his election would be more than probable; if not, the district would be doubtful, with chances in favor of the best candi- date."

CHAPTER XVI.

CANAAN AND THE BOROUGHS OF WAYMART 1 AND PROMPTON.

CANAAN was an original township established 1798, and then included Salem, which was set off in 1808. From the northern part was formed Clinton in 1834. Waymart Borough was formed from the northwestern corner in 1851, and a portion of the eastern side of the township was added to Cherry Ridge. Upon the erection of that township the remaining terri- tory was by an order of the court, February, 1852, divided into Canaan and South Canaan As now constituted it is bounded on the north by Waymart and Clinton, south by South Ca- naan, east by Prompton, Texas and Cherry Ridge, west by Lackawanna County. Its popu- lation is five hundred and seventy-six. Its geolog- ical formation is principally Catskill sand stone, except in the range of the Moosic Mountains, which form the western portion of the town- ship, where can be found the Pocono Sandstone, Red Shale and Pottsville Conglomerate, the outerop of the Northern Anthracite coal fields. At several points north of Rix's Gap, in this range, traces of iron may be found, but not in paying quantities, south of this gap. Traces of

1 The history of the township and of Waymart Borough are by Charles McMullen.

542

WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

copper and lead have also been found. The general elevation of the township is about four- teen hundred and fifty feet above the tide. At Far View, the new summer resort of the Dela- ware and Hudson Canal Company, the highest point of the Moosic range is reached at an ele- vation of two thousand seven hundred and forty feet, from which point one of the finest views in the State is obtained. The general surface is hilly, the soil a clay loam, from which excellent crops of hay, oats, buckwheat, corn and potatoes are raised. Nearly the whole of the township is good grazing land, and the in- habitants are paying considerable attention to stock raising. The whole is well watered by numerous small streams and ponds, the latter being Hoadleys, Stantons, J. L. Keas and J. B. Keens. The Belmont and Easton turnpike, built in 1820, passes through the township north and south, the Milford and Owego built in 1815 north and south, and the Honesdale and Clarksville, built in 1831, passes through the northern part. The Gravity Railroad, of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, passes through the township.

SETTLEMENT .- An assessment made by John Bunting, in 1798, shows but twenty-nine tax- ables, viz. :

John Bunting, farmer ; Henry Curtis, farmer ; Wil- liam Cooper, farmer; Moses Dolph, farmer ; George Emstin, blacksmith; Robert Freeland, farmer; Wil- liam Harrison, farmer ; Clement King, mill-wright ; Chester Kimble, mason; Edward London, farmer ; Elisha Potter, weaver; Hansure Swingle, farmer; John Swingle, farmer ; Jane Swingle, farmer; Con- rad Swingle, farmer ; Asa Stanton, inn-keeper : John H. Shank, gentleman ; John Shaffer, farmer ; Gabriel Sutts, farmer ; Ephraim Vannorman, farmer ; Joseph Wheatcroft, farmer; Edward Wheatcroft, laborer ; Adam Wagoner, farmer ; John Woodward, farmer ; Enos Woodward, farmer ; Asahel Woodward, farmer; Silas Woodward, farmer ; Samuel Wheatcroft, farmer.

Canaan Corners was for some time in the earlier history of the county a noted stage sta- tion, it being the intersecting point for stages from Easton and the South to Belmont and Southern Central New York, and those from New York and the East to Montrose, Owego, Western New York and the Lake country ; large droves of cattle, sheep and hogs were also driven over these roads.

Much of the personal history of the town- ship must necessarily be included in the history of the townships formed from this.

Captain George Rix removed from New London, Conn., in the summer of 1780, bought a large tract of land about one mile west of what is now Canaan Corners, on the east slope of the mountain, made a small clearing and built a log cabin. In the spring of 1801 he walked back to New London, married a young lady by the name of Benjamin and brought her on horseback to his new home, the furniture of which he had made with his own hands. Four daughters and one son were born to this pio- neer couple. Two of the daughters, after reach- ing young womanhood, died the same day. Phœbe married Minor Lee, and is still living in Wisconsin. Roxie married Alexander Mc- Millian, and lived on a portion of the old homestead until her death. The only son, George, Jr., born in 1804, married Clarissa Whitman in 1828, and lived upon the home- stead until his death, December 10, 1869. His widow is still living in her eighty-fourth year. George Jr., had two children. Warren, who gave his life for his country October 11, 1864, after whom the Grand Army of the Republic Post, at Waymart, was named, and Ann, who married J. B. Keen, and is still living. The house on the Milford and Owego turnpike, now occupied by W. A. Thorp, was built by Captain George Rix in 1816.

Harvey Perkins, born at Woodbridge, Conn., November 6, 1797, came to Canaan February 5, 1821, married Caroline Fobes, daughter of John Fobes, Esq., January 6, 1822, and built his house on the Milford and Owego turnpike about one half mile west of Canaan Corners. He was a carpenter and builder by trade and assisted in building most of the frame houses in the early settlement of the township and also built the first Methodist Episcopal Church at Honesdale and the first hotel at Carbondale. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins lived in the house in which they began housekeeping in 1823 until her death, May 14, 1884, nearly sixty-two years. They had seven children-Thomas, born July 3, 1823, died July 30, 1865; Emily, | born March 30, 1826, died May 24, 1850;

543

WAYNE COUNTY.

Nathan, born January 21, 1829, died Decem- ber 30, 1874 ; Abner, born September 10, 1832, died January 21, 1851 ; Ann E., born Novem- ber 26, 1836, died October 12, 1877 ; George, born January 7, 1842; and Lucretia, born April 9, 1847, are still living. Mr. Perkins is . well preserved and bids fair to live for years to come.

John Fobes, Esq., came from Connecticut to Canaan in 1808, and settled a few rods west of the present location of the Belmont and Easton turnpike between Waymart and Canaan Cor- ners. He was soon after elected justice of the peace, which office he held for nearly thirty years. He was also a civil engineer and school teacher. Many of his text books were written by himself, and are now in possession of Horace Perkins, his son-in-law.

Captain Mathias Keen moved from Milford, Pike County, to Canaan in 1811, and settled near and built the first dam at what is known as Keen's Pond. At the same time he began the erection of a grist-mill. By an accidental discharge of a gun he was wounded in the hip. The ball, after several surgical operations, was removed, but he suffered from the effects of the wound through life. After his recovery he erected a carding-machine and completed his grist-mill. He was a public-spirited man and did much to assist in developing the county. Among his sons were Elihu C. Keen, now dead, whose son, James B. Keen, owns and operates the only grist-mill in the township. J. L. Keen, now living on the old homestead, served the county creditably as county commis- sioner. James R. Keen, who lived in Hones- dale until his death, was for several years com- mission clerk. Captain Keen was well known as a prominent member of the Masonic Order.

Noah Rogers, Esq., came from Branford, Conn., and settled on the Milford and Owego turnpike where it crosses the Moosic Mountain. He was a man of good common sense, upright and manly. He was employed by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company for many years, furnishing horses to draw cars across the sum- mit level on top of the mountain. Ambrose Rogers, his son, is now superintendent and en- gineer of the " Bob Tail" mine in Colorado,

and is well-known and respected in that state. Another son, William, was educated as a physi- cian and built a water cure on the mountain near his father's house, which has since been abandoned and torn down.

Isaac Plant, also from Connecticut, settled about two miles west of Rogers on the same road, in 1830. He was a man of strong char- acter, a zealous Christian, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Waymart, from its organization until his death. He was a celebrated hunter, and in company with George McMullin, of Mount Pleasant, Asa Stanton, of Waymart, and John Sharp, of Canaan, had many narrow escapes and thrilling adventures. It is said he killed nine deer in one day. He was accidentally killed by the cars on Plane No. 9, Delaware and Hudson Canal Company's Gravity Road, in 1866.

Among the early settlers in the eastern part of the township was James Moylan, who settled there in 1820. John Moylan came soon after Thomas Burk and Michael Lobey, in 1826 ; William Nagle, David Moylan and David Cashman, in 1828 ; John Foley, Daniel Foley, Thomas McGraw, Owen Roach, J. Cashman and John Leary, in 1830. These men bought lands adjoining, in what has since been known as the beech woods, cleared farms and built houses, and have lived steady, honest and in- dustrious lives.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 90

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