Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York : Chapman Publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1068

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home at Elmhurst, his time is happily and quiet- ly passed among his books and papers. He has retained his mental faculties and is still a strong writer on the subjects of the day. In years past his communications to the papers were widely read and discussed.

The first representatives of the Gardner fam- ily in America were three brothers who came from England prior to the Revolutionary times and settled on Long Island, later removing to the mainland of York State. One of them had a son, Capt. James, who may possibly be associ- ated with Gardner's Island. The Doctor's great grandfather, Samuel, settled in Orange County, and his two brothers, Jesse and James, went to the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. The former purchased two hundred acres, and leaving his son on that place, which now constitutes the Port Griffith mines, returned to Orange County. The latter, James, purchased land at Kingston just over the River Susquehanna, and eventually went with his son James to Ithaca, N. Y. Samuel Gardner, the Doctor's father, spent his entire life in Orange county and died at forty-five years; his wife, Nancy Parcel, who was born in New Jersey, died at the age of fifty-five. On both sides longevity was a family characteristic, though both the father and mother died in middle life; the latter's death was the result of accident. Their seven children were: Maria, deceased; Dr. A. P .; Samuel and Hannah, living in New Jersey; Mrs. Mary Davis and Mrs. Delia Alli- son, of Orange County; and Heman, who died in Wisconsin.

In Orange County, where he was born May 12, 1816, the subject of this sketch attended the district schools of his day and later he was a student in the city schools of New York. Reared on a farm and educated in habits of econ- omy and industry, he laid the foundation of a strong constitution and a successful life. Natur- ally a student, he prepared himself for teaching, which he began at twenty years. One of his former teachers advised him to study medicine, believing he saw in him a peculiar adaptation for the profession. While teaching he read some medical works and commenced reading medi- cine regularly with J. Harvey Horton, M. D.,

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of Brookfield, Orange County, but later was in the office of Dr. S. B. Barlow (a scientific man and afterward very eminent in the profession), who wished him to study homeopathy, but the young student laughed at the proposition, for he considered the system a humbug, believing that, if true, like mesmerism, it would be impracticable for good. He graduated from Crosby Street Medical College of New York, and January 1, 1841, commenced to practice as a regular physician in Carbondale, where he remained for fourteen years. Mean- time he became interested in homeopathy, which, applying to disease, he found wonderful in its effects. His investigations were carried on constantly and at last, led by them to see homeopathy in its true light as a remarkable remedial agency, he became the pioneer homeo- pathist of the Lackawanna Valley. The success that attended his professional efforts brought him local fame and a large practice; in fact, so large that overwork threatened his hitherto ex- cellent health. Knowing that a change would be beneficial, he visited South America and Europe, in all traveling eleven thousand miles on salt water, and regaining his strength and vigor.

In 1855 Dr. Gardner opened an office in Scranton, where he soon had a large practice. December 27, 1855, he organized the Homeo- pathic Medical Society, the first ever formed in the county. Among the regular physicians he was at first unpopular, but his success at last forced them to acknowledge his superior skill. In 1859 he came to what is now Elmhurst (then Dun- ning) and built his commodious residence called "Glenhome," into which he moved in the spring of the following year. It is a very attract- ive place, and affords a fine view of the sur- rounding country. Upon the homestead are acres of fruit trees, in good bearing condition, all of which have been planted by the Doctor. In religious views he is a Presbyterian.

The first marriage of Dr. Gardner, in 1844, united him with Elizabeth Good Gardner, who died in 1850. She was a great-granddaughter of Jesse Gardner, who bought in Wyoming Valley what is the Port Griffith mines. They had three children: F. B., a hardware merchant of

Moscow, who has four children, Ruth A., Daniel S., Jesse, and Arthur P .; Ann Elizabeth, who died in Carbondale in infancy; and L. Elizabeth, wife of Eugene Frantz, who manages the Doc- tor's farm, and they have three children, Sarah A., Parcel G., and Elizabeth D. In 1855 he married Mary Augusta, daughter of Judge Jacob and Susan (Wells) Tremper. Her father, who was born in Philadelphia in 1805, studied law and became a prominent attorney. In 1838 he was appointed by Gov. W. L. Marcy judge of courts of Yates County, N. Y., and at the expira- tion of his term was re-appointed, making a most impartial and able judge. Prior to the ex- piration of his second term, he resigned on ac- count of the death of his mother and returned to Philadelphia to manage the details of the large estate. He died in Montgomery County in April, 1885, at the age of eighty years and seventeen days, and his wife passed away in May, 1883, at seventy-eight years. The Doctor and his wife adopted the oldest daughter of his son, F. B., Mary A., now deceased.

In politics Dr. Gardner has always been a Democrat of the old school, but voted for Abra- ham Lincoln at his second election, believing it to be for the good of the country at that time. In political circles he has been prominent and has written articles for publication upon political questions and kindred subjects. In 1896 he gave his support to William J. Bryan, for whom this township gave a majority of two. From 1863 to 1890 he served as school director, and during that time assisted in build- ing eight schoolhouses. At different times he has held other township offices, in all of which he has rendered able service. In 1857, before leaving Scranton, he erected a steam saw and grist mill on the line of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western road, in what is now Roar- ing Brook Township. This opened a market for all the timber on the uncleared land in the neigh- borhood, including his own tract of wild land, on which the villa of Glenhome is erected. The mills were finally burned, and as there was no insurance, the loss was heavy.

The home place has an artificial fish pond of about two acres, furnishing fish, ice and an abund-

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ance of cranberries and huckleberries. One year three thousand one hundred and one head of sheep were washed there by two men and a boy in three hours. The buildings are supplied with pure spring water by hydraulic rams constructed at a cost of about $1,600.

L OUIS H. WINT was born in Allentown, Pa., in 1841, but has spent his life principal- ly in Providence, Scranton, where he has been engaged in the carpentering and building business. Reference to the family of which he is a member will be found elsewhere in this volume, in the sketch of his father, Deacon Jonathan R. Wint. His education was obtained in the pub- lic schools of Providence, and at an early age he began to assist his father in the mill. After- ward, however, he turned his attention to the car- penter's trade, and for some years has been en- gaged therein.

When a young man of twenty years, in August, 1862, Mr. Wint enlisted as a member of Schooley's battery, later was transferred to Company M, One Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry, which was mustered into service at Harrisburg and was incorporated with the Second Pennsyl- vania Artillery, Battery M. Among the impor- tant engagements in which he bore a part were the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Pet- ersburg, Mine Explosion, Weldon Railroad and Chapin's Farm. While in active battle he was shot through the limb and severely wounded, be- ing as a result laid up for three or four months at Fortress Monroe. On rejoining his regiment, he remained with it until the close of the war, tak- ing part in the final battle at Petersburg. He was discharged in July, 1865, with the rank of orderly sergeant.

The first marriage of Mr. Wint was solemnized in Walton, Delaware County, N. Y., and united him with Addie M. Rogers, who was born there and died in Providence in April, 1881. April 30, 1889, he married Miss Allie F. Williams, a na- tive of Gibson, Susquehanna County, Pa., and daughter of John Alden and Frances A. (Lon- nergan) Williams, natives of the same place as herself. Her paternal grandfather, Elisha Wil-

liams, removed from Connecticut to Pennsylvania and became a pioneer farmer of Susquehanna County. Grandmother Williams was a member of the Dix family, to which belonged Governor Dix, of New York. John Alden Williams was a descendant of that illustrious Puritan, John Al- den, and several of his relatives took part in the Revolution. The mother was a descendant of Scotch-Irish Protestant ancestors, who settled in New York, and removed from there to Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Williams was engaged in the mer- cantile business in Gibson, but died while on a business trip to New York City. He was then only twenty-seven years of age. His widow now resides in Scranton. Their only child, Mrs. Wint, was educated in the high school of Scranton and prior to her marriage engaged in teaching in the schools here, being principal of one of the depart- ments. She is a member of the Episcopal Church and a lady whose refinement of character has won many friends.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Wint has served frequently on county and city committees. At the time of the presidential election of 1864, he was convalescing from a severe wound received in battle and was in the hospital at Point of Rocks. So anxious, however, was he to cast his ballot that his friends carried him to the polls, where he had the pleasure of voting for Abraham Lincoln. For three years he was a member of the common council from the first ward, and during two years of that time was president of the body. He is identified with Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post No. 139, G. A. R., and the Union Veterans Union. His residence is at No. 1605 Capouse Avenue. He is a genial man of pleasant manners, and has a host of friends among the people of the city.

J OHN W. SCHULTZ is one of the old and honored citizens of the thriving and progres- sive city of Scranton. Since 1855 he has been a trusted and reliable employe of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western, and in the many years which have elapsed between his first sight of the city and the present time, he has been a wit- ness of vast improvements, which have converted the town into one of the finest in the state.

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His father, Peter Schultz, was born in Lauter- bach, Kur-Hessen, Germany, and was left an orphan at an early age, his uncle then adopting him. He learned the business of mining and masonry work and was employed in the govern- ment mines in the mountain of Meisner. He died in the prime of life, when forty-seven years of age. His wife was Elizabeth Braunschweig before her marriage and was a native of Aptorode. In 1847 she came to America with seven chil- dren, one having preceded her. They left Bre- men in the sailing vessel "Globe," and after a te- dious voyage of ten weeks reached Quebec, Can- ada, August 20, 1847, thence by way of the canal and railroad proceeded to Archbald, Pa. She died when in her fifty-third year. Only three of her large family are yet living. George, a Peters- burg merchant, was in the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry during the war, and a sister, Mrs. Cus- ter, lives in Ransom Township.

J. W. Schultz was born in Weisenbach, Kur- Hessen, Germany, May 18, 1833, and in his na- tive land he acquired a fair education. His school- ing in the English language was limited to about six weeks. For four years he served an appren- ticeship to the printer's trade in Carbondale on the Carbondale "Democrat," where he completed his education. Going to New York City he tried to find employment at his calling, but being un- successful, took up cabinet-making and worked in this line some four years also. Returning to Scranton he entered the car department works of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, and in 1856 was offered the place of flask-maker, which he has held ever since. The flask shop was built about thirty years ago. What is termed a flask is the box used as moulds in the foundry and these are made in different sizes, according to pattern required, the largest being fourteen to eighteen feet square.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Schultz is situated in the suburb of Petersburg. In 1858 this worthy couple were married in Scranton, and eight chil- dren were born to them: Emma, Mrs. William Neilson, of Petersburg; Josephine and George, deceased; William H., like his father, a flask- maker, and who married Mary Heblich and has four children; Lizzie, at home; John, a machin-

ist, married and living in Petersburg; Alvina, Mrs. Hague, of Paterson, N. J., and Charles, who is married and resides in Dunmore. The mother of this family was Wilhelmina, daughter of John Thomas Brown, who sailed the Atlantic Ocean for years and died in New York, in which city Mrs. Schultz was born.

One of the charter members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, on the corner of Adams Avenue and Vine Street, Mr. Schultz has been very active, both in its building and in every department of its work. He was superintendent of the main Sunday-school for years and started the chapel school on Taylor Avenue, where he is su- perintendent and class-leader. He was a member of the board of school control from the tenth ward for three years and was on different commit- tees. In politics he has always been on the side of the Republican party. An Odd Fellow, he belongs to Residenz Lodge No. 513, and to Ar- menian Encampment.

P ETER RICHARDS, foreman of the erect- ing department of the Delaware, Lackawan- na & Western machine shop, was born May 13, 1868, in the city of Scranton, where he has since resided. He is a young man of energy and efficiency, and ably fills the responsible position to which he has been chosen. In his character may be found combined the geniality of his Irish ancestors, the thrift of French forefathers, and the enterprise that is an American characteristic, these qualities uniting to assist him in the attain- ment of success.

The first of the Richards family in America was the grandfather of our subject, a native of France, who settled in Paterson, N. J., and re- . moved thence to Scranton, where he died. He was one of five brothers who came to America, all machinists, and of these two are dead. The father of our subject, Peter Richards, was born in France, in early life learned the machinist's trade, and for some time was employed in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western shops, but finally turned his attention to the grocery busi- ness, opening a store in the Scranton flats. He continued in business until his death, which oc-

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curred March 23, 1880. His wife, who bore the maiden name of B. E. Finnen, was born in Ire- land, and accompanied her mother to Scranton, where she still lives.

The only son and eldest of five children, our subject was reared in Scranton and educated in the city public schools. At the age of fourteen he began to work in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western shops, where he remained for three years. He was then apprenticed to the machin- ist's trade under David Brown, the present mas- ter mechanic. Five years were spent at that oc- cupation, at the expiration of which time, Jan- uary 1, 1895, he was made foreman of the erect- ing shop. This position, which he has since filled, places him in charge of about one hundred and fifty hands and is one of great responsibility. With the other members of his father's family, he resides near the old homestead in Second Street. He is a member of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Machine and Car Shop Mutual Aid, and fraternally is identified with the Young Men's Institute.

F RANK McFARLAND, yard foreman of repairs and inspector for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad at Scran- ton, was born in Honesdale, Wayne County, Pa., April 1, 1845, and is the descendant of Scotch ancestors. His father, Daniel, was born in Edin- burgh, Scotland, and in young manhood came to America, settling in Wayne County, where he was in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company for thirty-five years altogether. A stanch Republican in politics, during the war he was strongly in favor of Union principles and an Abolitionist. In religion he was a Universalist. His death occurred in Hawley. After coming to this country he married Catherine Ammerman, who was born near Stroudsburg, Pa., and died in Scranton, aged about seventy-eight. Their five children were Mary and Theresa, who died at the ages of three and thirty; Maria, of Scranton; Milton, who is represented elsewhere in this vol- ume; and Frank.

Reared in Hawley and Honesdale, in 1861 the subject of this sketch enlisted at the first call

made by President Lincoln for three months' men. In this act he received the consent of his father and mother. As a member of the Hones- dale Guards, under Capt. John L. Wright he went to Harrisburg in May, but the required quota had already been obtained, so Governor Curtin placed them in the Pennsylvania Reserves. With others of Company C, Sixth Regiment, he was trained at Camp Curtin, but after the Union defeat in the first battle of Bull Run, the governor responded to the president's call to send down the Reserves.

July 27, 1861, the young soldier was mustered in at Washington for three years and afterwards participated in nineteen engagements, among them those at Drainsville, Manassas, Fairfax Courthouse, Fredricksburg, South Mountain, Antietam, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Gettysburg, North and South Anna River and Bethesda Church. After Gettysburg he was one of fifteen men ordered by the government to re- turn and recruit soldiers, and spent five months in Philadelphia; during that time his regiment had no active engagement, and he returned in time to take part in the battle of the Wilderness. At Gettysburg a spent ball struck him in the chest over the heart, knocking him down, and at Fredricksburg his clothes were riddled with bul- lets. He was mustered out in July, 1864, at Har- risburg, and returned home.

For some years after the war Mr. McFarland was employed at carpenter work for the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal Company in Hawley. In 1876 he came to Scranton and worked at his trade in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western car shops, after two years being chosen foreman of a set of men. April 6, 1892, he was made yard foreman of repairs and inspector, which position he has since held, with from forty to fifty men under him. Under the administration of President Harrison he was appointed mail agent on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, between Scranton and Hones- dale, with the understanding that he could con- tinue if his health permitted and resign if un- able to endure the physical strain entailed. With- in two weeks he found it necessary to retire from the position, as it affected his health seriously.

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He is a Republican in politics and in the cam- paign of 1896 was secretary of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Sound Money Club. In religious connections he is a member of the Elm Park Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a Mason, past officer in the Hawley Lodge of Odd Fellows, member of Lieut. Ezra S. Grif- fin Post No. 139, and Colonel Oakford Com- mandery No. 25, U. V. U.

H ORACE B. SIMRELL is one of the en- terprising and public-spirited men of South Abington Township, where for many years he has made his home upon a well improved farm. Here he has a neat residence, substantial barn, and the buildings required for the successful prosecution of agriculture after modern methods. The estate is also supplied with the other appurtenances desired by all pro- gressive agriculturists, including first-class farm machinery, live stock, garden and other things which go to make up a rural home.

In Scott Township, February 26, 1823, our subject was born to the union of Nathaniel and Lydia (Wall) Simrell. His paternal grandparents, William and Bethia (Owens) Simrell, were from New York, and died in this locality, when quite advanced in years; during the Revolutionary War he was employed as a teamster in the Amer- ican service. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Daniel and Hannah (Bowen) Wall, of Rhode Island. The ancestors on both sides were of Scotch-Irish lineage. Nathaniel Simrell was, it is thought, born in Orange Coun- ty, N. Y. About 1780 he came to Penn- sylvania and after a long sojourn in Blake- ly settled in Scott Township about 1812, dy- ing there at the age of seventy-two. His wife, who was born in Rhode Island, died at the age of ninety-three. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom all but one attained manhood or womanhood.

The district schools of Scott Township afforded meager educational facilities when our subject was a boy, but in them he acquired a fair knowl- edge of the "three R's." October 29, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Carpen-

ter, who was born March 8, 1825, and died at the family residence February 21, 1896. She was a capable and intelligent lady, of good fam- ily, and her loss was deeply mourned by all who knew her, but especially by her family, to whose advancement she had ever sacrificed her own comforts and pleasures. She was the mother of five children, but two died in infancy, one, Au- gusta, at the age of four years, and Elvira R. at the age of ten. The only survivor of the family is Angeline L., who was united in marriage De- cember 20, 1877, with E. J. Feehley, justice of the peace in Waverly. Two sons and two daugh- ters bless their union, namely: Sarah L., Emma A., Edward E., and Horace S. Mrs. Simrell was an aunt of E. G. Carpenter, mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

For seven years after his marriage Mr. Sim- rell resided in Scott Township, then spent four years in North Scott and a similar period in North Abington Township. Next locating in South Abington Township, he occupied one farm four and one-half years, and thence removed to his present location in 1866. His wife was ac- tive in all good works of the Baptist Church, and he also is connected with that denomination, having formerly served as Sunday-school super- intendent and in other ways advanced the cause of religion. In early life he voted the Republican ticket, but as he acquainted himself with the enormous evil wrought by the liquor traffic, as a matter of principles he allied himself with the party pledged to rid the country of this terrible evil, if once given the opportunity. His first vote was cast for that favorite of American people, Henry Clay, the gifted statesman and eloquent orator.

T HOMAS P. LETCHWORTH, a leading undertaker of Scranton, is one of the rep- resentative and prominent citizens of that place. He has several times met with reverses in his business career, but with characteristic energy he has steadily overcome all obstacles and diffi- culties found in his path until to-day he has se- cured a handsome competence and is at the head of a large and profitable business. In Mt. Holly,

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N. J., he was born May 30, 1836, and is a grand- son of William Letchworth, a native of England, who came to America with two brothers, one of whom, Josiah, settled in Scipio, N. Y. William, however, located in Ohio, where was born the father of our subject, Thomas Letchworth, who became a highly respected merchant of Mt. Holly, N. J., and was known by all as Uncle Tommy, while his estimable wife, a lady of strong charac- ter, was called Aunt Mary. Both were widely known and had the love of all with whom they came in contact. She bore the maiden name of Mary Shinn, was a native of Mt. Holly, and a daughter of Ziba Shinn, a highly respected resi- dent of Vincentown, Burlington County, N. J., who was personally acquainted with General Washington. The parents of our subject were both prominent and active members of the Bap- tist Church, and died at Mt. Holly at the age of eighty-three years.

In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, of whom six are still living, namely: William B., a resi- dent of Hyde Park, Scranton; Mrs. Elizabeth Branin, of Mt. Holly, N. J .; Thomas P., of this sketch; Samuel, of Kentucky; Col. John, of Chicago, who entered the Union service during the Civil War as fifer, but was promoted to col- onel of the Fourth New Jersey Regiment, and participated in twenty-six battles; Mrs. H. How- land, a resident of Buffalo, N. Y .; and Isaac, of Dubois, Pa.

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Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: New York : Chapman Publishing co. Number of Pages: 1068

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York : Chapman Publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1068