Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 49

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

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His remains were taken from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, where he resided, and there interred. He married the daughter of Lawrence Erb, a patriot of the Revolutionary War.

The father of our subject, Edward L. Wolf, was born in Easton, Pa., November 9, 1819, and in youth learned the printer's trade in Harris- burg, after which he published the "Easton Sen- tinel," a paper that still exists. Later he was at Honesdale, Wayne County, where he was con- nected with the "Herald" and "Democrat," and then was editor of the "Democrat" and "Jeffer- sonian" at Stroudsburg. In 1871 he came to Scranton as editor of the "Republican," remain- ing in that capacity until ill health caused his retirement. His death occurred in this city in 1881, at the age of sixty-two. During the Rebel- lion he was a war Democrat, but afterward affili- ated with the Republicans. Naturally of a retir- ing disposition, yet when interested and enthused he was a brilliant talker, drawing at will upon the stores of his remarkable memory. As a jour- nalist and editorial writer, he was polished, eru- dite and pointed, with graceful style and ready wit.

Mary G., our subject's mother, was born in Oxford, Chenango County, N. Y., and resides in Scranton, being now (1896) seventy-four years of age. Her father, S. G. Throop, an elder broth- er of Benjamin H. Throop, studied law in the same office with Martin Van Buren, and became an attorney in Oxford. In 1818 he was a mem- ber of the New York assembly, being the young- est member of the house during that session. The active years of his professional life were passed in Honesdale, where he built up a remu- nerative practice. Upon his retirement he set- tled in Stroudsburg, where he died, aged eighty- seven years and four months. Politically he was a Republican, and for some time he held the office of associate judge in Monroe County, Pa. He married Asenath Burr, daughter of Theodore Burr, an expert bridge builder. Benjamin Burr, the progenitor of the Burr family, settled in Con- necticut in 1635, and is supposed to have been one of the eight hundred who came to the coun- try with Winthrop's fleet in 1630. Theodore Burr was born in Torringford, Litchfield County,

Conn., August 16, 1771, and died at Middletown, Pa., November 22, 1822. The newspapers of the day said Theodore Burr was "celebrated for his mechanical talents, but most extensively known as the inventor of the Burr plan of bridge build- ing." He built the bridge at Harrisburg, Pa., 1813-17, the first ever thrown across the Susque- hanna River, a portion of which is still in use; and he also constructed most of the bridges on . that river.

Of eleven children comprising the family, eight attained mature years and seven are living, all in Scranton. They are: Theodore G .; Edward L., Jr., a printer; Mrs. Anna M. Kleckler; George E., a moulder; Burr T .; Frederick W., a ma- chinist; and Richard B. D. Our subject accom- panied his parents from Easton to Honesdale, thence at the age of eleven to Stroudsburg, and in 1861 to Scranton. The following year he be- came a clerk in the office of the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, but left his place in 1863, to join Company C, One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, in which he was drum major with the rank of sergeant. He went to Greencastle with the company, but after six weeks was honorably discharged, the regiment's services being no longer needed. In December, 1865, he became an assistant in the mill, where he passed through the different departments, finally being made niglit foreman and then day foreman. In 1872 he was appointed superin- tendent of the rolling mill and four years later was made superintendent of both the converting and rolling departments of the company, but in 1888 gave up the former department. At the time of the consolidation of the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company and the Scranton Steel Company as the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company, he was made general superintendent of the rolling mills, but two years later, when a change in the management was made, he took his old position as superintendent of rolling mills north works, having two mills under his charge, and being now, in point of years of service, the oldest man in charge.

In Stroudsburg Mr. Wolf married Miss Eliza- beth E. Foulke, who was born in Monroe Coun- ty, Pa., a daughter of Charles M. Foulke, an old

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farmer there. They and their son, W. S., reside at No. 321 Clay Avenue. For five years Mr. Wolf has been a member of the vestry of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and is now secretary. Fraternally he is associated with Peter William- son Lodge, F. & A. M. Politically he is a Re- publican. The mill of which he is superintend- ent is one of the original eleven plants built in the United States for the manufacture of steel rails. The old mill is situated on Brook above Webster Avenue. Later a puddling mill was built, and in November, 1875, the steel mill was completed. The plant is first-class in every par- ticular, and is fitted out with all modern improve- ments.

P ETER YEAGER. Few of the residents of Madison Township have been identi- fied with its history for so long a period as has the gentleman named, who is a retired farmer and lumberman residing in Moscow. He has witnessed the growth of the county through the greater portion of the present century, and has himself been an important factor in the de- velopment of its material resources. When he was a youth, a swamp and a wilderness alone marked the present site of Scranton with its hundred thousand people. His father's farm was about one-half mile from where Moscow now stands, but not even a house marked the spot of this flourishing village. Here and there throughout the county were settlers, but they were few in number, and had as yet made little improvement in the face of the land. Now all is changed and the man who assisted in all this pioneer work is surrounded by the comforts he labored so energetically to secure. Though past four score years of age, he is well preserved, in spite of the fact that he has always worked hard.

Near Troy, N. Y., Peter Yeager was born April II, 1816. He was one of eight children. His sisters, Maria, Betsy and Margaret, are de- ceased; Adam, a successful farmer, died at eighty years of age; William is a farmer in Madison Township; and Henry H. is deceased. His father, Henry, was born in New York State Jan- uary 5, 1775, and in middle age went to Whipple

City, near Troy, N. Y., where he remained a few years, then removed to Schoharie County, N. Y. After a number of years there he came to Lack- awanna County in 1832, and settled one-half mile from the present site of Moscow, where he pur- chased a large tract of land and built a sawmill. He made his home on the farm and operated the mill for a number of years. His principal char- acteristics were industry, energy, generosity and perseverance, and through the exercise of these qualities he became well-to-do and gained many friends. His death occurred June 16, 1861. His wife, Mary Dings, was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., March 1, 1779, and died March 23, 1829.

From the age of sixteen years Mr. Yeager has resided in Madison Township. When he was a boy, there were few schools and he never had an opportunity to attend even the poorest of those then existing, so was denied the privileges en- joyed by the boys of this generation. After his marriage he purchased and settled upon a tarm adjoining that owned by his father. In addition to farming, he spent much time in clearing land and selling lumber, usually spending the winter months in that occupation. He married Miss Polly Biesecker, member of one of the old fami- lies of the county. They became the parents of six children: Spencer, a prosperous farmer in Wisconsin; Charles, a farmer in Madison Town- ship; Susan, wife of Henry Finton, a farmer in this state; John, a lumber dealer of Towanda, Pa .; Ellen, wife of B. Swartz, a farmer of Madi- son Township; and Mary, who married Jacob Grotzer, a blacksmith living at Madisonville, this township. Politically Mr. Yeager upholds the Democratic party, and votes that ticket at nation- al elections, but is inclined to be independent in local affairs.

W ILLIAM J. BAKER, D. D. S. There is in the business and professional world only one class of men who can successfully combat disadvantages and obstacles, and that is the man of superior intelligence and force of character, one who is the possessor of that energy and determination which seem to be a magic wand transforming even a poor begin-

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ning into a flattering ending. To this class be- longs Dr. Baker, who, though still quite young in years, has already built up a good practice in dentristy in Carbondale.

The parents of our subject, P. H. and Mary J. (Mellow) Baker, were born in England, and there grew to maturity and were married. They had five children, named as follows: Thomas H., deceased; Elizabeth A., Charles F., Albert J. and William J. In 1872, accompanied by their children, they crossed the Atlantic and estab- lished their home in America.

During the residence of his parents in the south of England, the subject of this sketch was born December 3, 1870, and he was two years of age at the time the family came to the United States. His education was obtained in the common and high schools of Jermyn, Wyoming Commercial College and the University of Maryland at Balti- more. On the completion of his studies he spent five years in the general store of C. D. Winter & Co. It was not his intention, however, to devote himself to merchandising. He had selected the dental profession for his life work and studied it thoroughly under the most efficient instructors. April 1, 1896, he graduated from the dental de- partment of the University of Maryland, after which he returned home and opened an office in Carbondale, though continuing his residence in Jermyn. He has the advantage of thorough theoretical preparation and information concern- ing the latest developments in the science, all of which is of practical assistance to him. Without doubt the coming years will bring him an ever increasing degree of prosperity, which he merits by his careful preparation and efficient work.

J OHN STEVENS. In the perusal of this volume the reader is doubtless impressed with the fact that it is not accident that helps a man in the world, but persistent energy and unceasing industry. The life of John Stevens affords an illustration of the fact that he who is shrewd to discern opportunities and quick to grasp them will attain a high place in the regard of his fellowmen. A laborious, painstaking man, his has been a life of diligence and industry. A

carpenter by trade, in 1855 he settled at Craig P. O., North Abington Township, and has since built not only all the buildings on his place, but also all the principal ones in this section. In 1882, under Postmaster-General Howe, he re- ceived the appointment of postmaster at Craig, and has since served in that capacity, with his wife and son as assistants.

The Stevens family originated in England, but was represented among the early settlers of New York. Our subject's grandparents, Elisha and Rachel Stevens, spent their entire lives in Or- ange County, and his parents, William D. and Zilpha (Post) Stevens, were also born there. Dur- ing the War of 1812, William D). entered the army as a substitute for a brother, who had been draft- ed into the service. At its close he returned home and resumed work as a farmer. He was a mere lad at the time of enlistment, having been born December 22, 1796. About 1830 he brought his family to this county and settled upon an unim- proved farm that is now occupied by his son, William H., devoting his time to its clearing and development until his death, August 9, 1861. His wife, who was born November 20, 1802, died May 10, 1860. She traced her ancestry to Ger- many, and was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Post, who died in Orange County.

One of ten children, our subject was born in Orange County, October 3, 1823. On account of his parents being poor and the size of the family, . he was not able to attend school, but was early obliged to become self-supporting. At the age of fifteen he began an apprenticeship of three years to the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed. In 1848 he married Miss Lovina Pot- ter, who was born June 16, 1826, upon the place which is now their home. She was one of ten children, of whom five are still living, and it is a coincidence that of the ten children of whom our subject was one, five are now living. Her parents, Robert K. and Sarah (Fair) Potter, were natives of Rhode Island, but came to this county as early as 1800, and settled in the midst of the woods, clearing a farm from the wilderness. He was only forty-two when he died, but she sur- vived many years, passing away at the age of seventy-one. Both the paternal and maternal

RALPH A. SQUIRE, M. D.

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grandparents of Mrs. Stevens, Hanan and Mary Potter, and Smith and Sarah Fair, were natives of Rhode Island and there died.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens consists of two children living and one, Emma, who died at the age of twenty-one years and twenty days. Alice is the wife of Walter Stone and the mother of five children. Horace S., who married Ida Green and has four children, is a very capable, efficient farmer, and has charge of the home farm, upon which he engages in raising cereals and carrying on a dairy business. For seven years he held the office of school director, and has also been township supervisor.

After his marriage Mr. Stevens settled in Wallsville, and followed his trade there and in other parts of the county until 1855, when he came to his present home. With his wife he holds membership in the Baptist Church, and takes a warm interest in its welfare. In all his undertak- ings he has had the efficient co-operation of his excellent wife, a lady of great industry, who in girlhood worked in a factory in order to assist her parents, and who since her marriage has been equally anxious to promote the welfare of her husband. The first ballot of Mr. Stevens was cast for James K. Polk, and he was a Democrat until 1856, but since then has advocated Republi- can principles. He has filled a number of local offices, and throughout life has ever been faith- ful to each duty.

R ALPH A. SQUIRE, M. D. The life of the faithful physician is one of self-sacri- fice. The citizens of Scranton remember the late Dr. Squire as a man intensely devoted to his profession, one whose success was due prin- cipally to his thoughtful, painstaking accuracy in everything pertaining to his chosen calling. In his character the element of self-forgetfulness was apparent. He forgot himself, his pleasures, his need of rest, his exhaustion, in planning for his patient's ease and restoration to health. He was ever ready to respond to the call for help, though it came (as it often did) in the middle of the night, when sleep had just brought needed rest to his tired frame. Such a man is a bene-

factor of his race, and his memory should be cherished by all who honor the noblest attri- butes of character.

Let us glance at the life and lineage of Dr. Squire. Born in Lisle, Broome County, N. Y., January 2, 1826, he was a son of Deacon Harvey and Abigail (Manning) Squire, natives of Mas- sachusetts. His grandfather, Andrew Squire, went from Massachusetts to New York and be- came a pioneer farmer of Broome County, where he was a deacon in the Presbyterian Church. Harvey, who was one of three children, engaged in farming at the old homestead, and by his mar- riage had one son and two daughters, all de- ceased. His wife was a daughter of Col. David Manning, a pioneer and large landowner in Broome County.

Reared on the home farm, our subject pre- pared for college at Homer (N. Y.) Academy. He had a natural talent for mathematics, and if he had a hobby, it was the subject of higher mathematics. This led him to take up survey- ing and he was employed in that capacity in youth. In 1854 he graduated from the medical department of the University of New York, after which he practiced two years in Lisle with Dr. S. L. French, an eminent physician. In 1855 he came to Scranton and from that time was active in his profession, having a large practice. Dur- ing the war, he accepted, after urgent invitation, the position of surgeon for the hospital estab- lished here and attended the sick and wounded and looked after the equipment of the hospital until the close of the conflict. For eighteen years afterward he served as examining surgeon for pensions, but was finally obliged to retire owing to a stroke of paralysis. He lived for seven years after his stroke and practiced six years of the time, but the last months of his life were too full of personal suffering to permit him to attend to professional or business matters. January 2, 1890, on the sixty-fourth anniversary of his birth, his useful existence was brought to a close on earth, to be continued in the life beyond.

In all things Dr. Squire was public-spirited. However, he would not accept office, though solicited to be a candidate for mayor and other positions. His answer to these requests was in-

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variably, "All I desire is to be a good physician." He was a director in the Lackawanna Valley Bank, a Republican in politics, fraternally a Mas- ter Mason, and in religious connections a member of the First Presbyterian Church. At different times he was president of the Lackawanna Coun- ty Medical Society. His first home in Scranton was in Wyoming Avenue, adjoining the Traders Bank, but afterward he selected the location at No. 225 Jefferson Avenue, where he died and where his widow still lives. Among celebrated physicians his acquaintance was large and he was frequently called by them into consultation in critical cases. A man of conservative views, he was slow and painstaking in diagnosing cases, and the result was that he seldom, if ever, made a mistake.

Near Whitney Point, Broome County, N. Y., September 23, 1857, Dr. Squire married Miss Mary C. Wheeler, who was born there, a daugh- ter of Capt. Eliphalet and Clarissa (Freeman) Wheeler, natives of that county. Her paternal grandfather, Dr. Daniel Wheeler, removed from Boston, Mass., to Whitney Point, N. Y., where he had a large practice and owned a saw mill and extensive tracts of land, dying there at fifty-two years. His wife was a sister of Captain Quigley, at one time a captain in the English navy, later in the American service, and cele- brated in history through the fact that, with five men, he succeeded in taking possession of an English man-of-war by knowing the costume of the English army. This ship he brought into harbor witli money and ammunition, and it was especially welcome, as at that time General Wash- ington's fortunes were at their lowest ebb. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Squire, Stephen Freeman, was of English descent and went from Connecticut to Lisle, Broome County, N. Y., where he was the first merchant, hauling his stock of goods from Catskill by teams.

Capt. Eliphalet Wheeler was a lumber mer- chant and had a farm near Whitney Point. His title was gained by service in the old militia. He died while visiting his son, Dwight, in Cali- fornia, at the age of seventy-seven. Afterward his widow came to live with Mrs. Squire and died at her home when over eighty years of age.

They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, of whom Dwight, Mrs. G. L. Whit- more, of Scranton, Mrs. Squire, Mrs. Love and Mrs. Stevens, of New York state, are the sur- vivors. In all charitable works Mrs. Squire is interested, and assists them financially where it is possible. When the Home for the Friendless was established, she was one of the first directors and served in that capacity for three years, when she resigned. She is a lady of noble, generous disposition, kind to the needy, and is respected by all who know her.

W ILLIAM BAYLOR. In the pursuit of the occupation of farming a large number of the progressive citizens of tliis county have accumulated wealth; others, while not gaining fortunes, have become well-to- do, and among the latter class we mention the name of William Baylor, the owner and occupant of a farm in Benton Township. At present the soil is tilled by others, while he gives his attention principally to lumbering and the operation of his saw mill. The most of his property has been ac- cumulated by his unaided exertions, through the constant exercise of industry and economy.

The Baylor family has always been known for its patriotic spirit and loyalty to our country. Peter, our subject's father, was a brave defender of American interests in the War of 1812, while the grandfather, George, served with equal valor in the Revolution. Peter Baylor died in Warren County, N. J., at the age of fifty-seven; his wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Weller, and died in the same county at the age of seventy-two. Of their five children, three are still living .. The maternal grandparents of our subject, John and Jerusha (Burns) Weller, were natives of Scot- land.

Reared on his father's farm, William Baylor se- lected for his life work the occupation with which he was most familiar. At the age of twenty-two he settled in Benton Township, where he now lives. His education was limited to attendance at the district schools of Warren County, N. J., where he was born March 18, 1826; however, self-culture and habits of observation have com-

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pensated to him for lack of early advantages. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Margaret Weller, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Banghart) Weller, natives of New Jersey, who came to this county at the same time with our subject; after the death of Mrs. Weller here, her husband went to Maryland, and died there. Six children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Baylor, of whom five are living, viz .: Anna E., wife of Charles H. Soper, and mother of three children; John, a business man of Scranton; William, also living in Scranton; James P., who lives near the home of his parents and is engaged in farming; and Margaret, who has been successful as a school teacher.

For some years Mr. Baylor was associated with his father-in-law in business and together they bought three hundred acres of partly improved land, also a saw mill that is now one hundred and six years old. While naturally his business mat- ters require the principal part of his attention, he keeps himself posted concerning politics and public questions, and is a well informed man. In 1848 he cast his first ballot for Franklin Pierce and has voted at every state, county and township election since twenty-one ycars of age, having never missed an opportunity to vote. For two years he was justice of the peace and has also filled other local offices of trust.

D AVID W. DALE. The little village of Daleville, lying in the northern part of Covington Township, derives its name from the family of which the subject of this sketch is a member. About 1820 his grandfather, David Dale, emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to America and settled upon a farm in Covington Township, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits and keeping a hotel. At the time the family came to this country William, our subject's father, was a lad of ten years. He grew to man- hood in this township and devoted his entire life to the mercantile business, in which he was quite successful. It was largely through his instru- mentality that a postoffice was established at Daleville, the village being named in his honor, and for many years he held the position of post-

master. At various times he held almost every township office, and doubtless no man of his day did more to promote the welfare of the people than did he. His work in educational lines was most effective, and as school director he accom- plished much in behalf of the schools of the dis- trict. In early manhood he was a Democrat, but on the organization of the Republican party he became identified with it and voted that ticket at every election. He was a member of the Metho- dist Protestant Church, and passed from earth at the age of seventy-two years, full of the Chris- tian's bright hope for inmortal life.

The mother of our subject was born in Lon- don, England, and bore the maiden name of Susan .Hodgson. When three years of age she was brought to America by her parents, who set- tled in Covington Township, and here she is still living, being now eighty years of age. Her life has been one of activity and of devotion to her fami- ly, for whom she labored self-sacrificingly. In religious belief she is connected with the Metho- dist Protestant Church. She has eleven chil- dren, of whom the eldest died in infancy, and the others are named as follows: Matthew Hodg- son, a resident of Scranton; David W .; Mrs. Mary E. Hanks, whose husband is a minister in this township; Eliza, who resides with her moth- er; Thomas H., of Scranton, treasurer of the Langcliffe and Greenwood Coal Companies and president of the Pocono Ice Company; Alice L., wife of Myron Kasson, of Scranton; Frank, of Grand Junction, Iowa; Walter and Eleanor, de- ceased; and Everett E., of Des Moines, Iowa.

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Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 49

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