Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 11

Author: Chapman Publishing Company (NY)
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties > Part 11

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The educational privileges of James D. Gallup were such as the common schools of his day af- forded, and his business training was received upon the home farm, where, under the able direc- tion of his father, he soon became a thorough and skillful agriculturist. He is now the owner of the old homestead, which is one of the most desirable farms of North Moreland Township. At the age of thirty-six, Mr. Gallup was united in marriage with Miss Mahala Gordon, a native of Wyoming County, whose ancestors were of Irish origin and early became residents of Orange County, N. Y., where they engaged in farming. Six children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gallup: Margaret, now deceased; one who died in infancy; Lillie; Eva and George, deceased; and James.

In 1842 Mr. Gallup served as captain of a company of militia in his township, his commis- sion being granted by Governor Porter. He has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, is an unswerving supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party,

and for four years has faithfully served as justice of the peace, his decisions being marked by fair- ness and impartiality. An earnest Christian, he is a prominent member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, while socially he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of Temperance and the Grange. Honorable and upright in all the relations of life, he has gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, and his friends are many throughout the county, where he is so widely and favorably known.

A DDISON E. MOWRY, one of the en- terprising business men of Wyoming County, owns the flour and feed mill at Meshoppen, and is also engaged as a dealer in grain, brick, lime, cement, Lehigh anthracite coal, etc. In 1895 he began the erection of his mill, which was completed in January, 1896, and contains the most modern machinery and im- provements. It has a capacity of one hundred and ten bushels per hour of all kinds of grain, and is one of the finest mills in the county.

Following is the Mowry genealogy: (1) Roger Mowry. (2) John Mowry was born in Salem, Mass., about 1645, and died at Providence, R. I., about 1690. (3) John Mowry, who died Septem- ber 18, 1705, was twice married, his first wife be- ing Margaret Whipple, and his second, Han- nah Packard; he had eight children by his first marriage, and by his second wife one son, Eze- kiel. (4) Ezekiel, born September 17, 1723, mar- ried Ruth Aldrich May 12, 1751, and had three children, Theodore, Stephen and (5) George. The last named married Susanna Hawkins, and their children were Charles, Ezekiel, Susanna and Stephen. (6) Ezekiel, born February 22, 1780, died in 1874, married Abigail Alden, and their children were Amoretta, Elizabeth, Abigail, Alden, Ezekiel, Charles, Susanna, Elias Jackson and William Fitch.

George Mowry, the first of the name in Me- shoppen, came with his family from Smithfield, R. I., about 1793-95. His children were Charles, who settled in Harrisburg, Pa .; Ezekiel, who lived and died in Meshoppen, Pa .; Stephen, who

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died in boyhood at Smithfield, R. I .; and Susan- na, Mrs. Marsh, who was buried in Wyalusing, Pa. There was also a son, George, by a second marriage. All of the name now left in Meshop- pen are descendants of Ezekiel Mowry. The Mowrys are descendants of Roger Mowry, a Welshman, who came to America in company with Roger Williams, and was registered at the same time in Boston, Mass., May 18, 1631. Roger Mowry first settled in Salem, Mass. He was for a time in Plymouth, but returned to Salem, and a portion of the old Mowry house is still standing. The Mowrys afterward followed Roger Williams to Providence, R. I., and some of them settled in the part set off afterward as Smithfield, R. I.

Ezekiel married Abigail Alden, a daughter of Mason Fitch Alden, who with his father, Prince Alden, came to the Wyoming Valley prior to 1773, and were among the two hundred enrolled settlers there. Prince Alden enlisted in Captain John Franklin's company of militia in 1780, in the United States service, raised to aid General Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians. He took an active part in the affairs of the settle- ment, and was one of the company of dispos- sessed settlers in the Lackawanna Valley by the Penamites. Mason Fitch Alden came to the Wyo- ming Valley with his father, enlisted in the con- tinental army in 1777 with Captain Robert Dur- kee and Samuel Ransom, and engaged in the affairs of Millstone and Bound Brook, as well as in the garrison of Brandywine and German- town, Pa. He wintered with the army at Valley Forge in 1777-78. June 23, 1778, the two com- panies were consolidated into one under Cap- tain Spalding, Captains Durkee and Ransom having resigned on account of the trouble in the Wyoming Valley, and many went with them to protect their homes. The company was soon or- dered to the Wyoming Valley, but failed to arrive before the attack by the Indians July 3, 1778. The company remained in the valley until 1780, having joined Sullivan's expedition in the sum- mer of 1779. Mason Fitch Alden, with his brother George, erected the first forge for the manufac- ture of bar iron and bloomers at Nanticoke, Pa., on the Susquehanna River, in 1776; they pur-

chased a large tract of land in the township of Hanover and in Newport, where the town of Alden now stands.

The Alden genealogy is as follows: John Al- den, born in 1599, died September 12, 1687; married Priscilla Molines; their children were John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Sarah, Ruth, Mary, David and two who died in infancy. (2) Jonathan, born in 1627, died in 1697, married Abigail Hallett December 10, 1672, and their children were Andrew, Jonathan, John and Ben- janıin. (3) Andrew, born in 1673, married Lydia Stamford February 4, 1714, their children being John, Jabin, Prince, Andrew, Walter, Lydia and William Fear. (4) Prince, born in 1718, died in 1804, married Mary Mason Fitch, who died in 1801, and their children were Mason Fitch, Mary, Abigail, Sarah, Lydia, Andrew, Prince, John and Daniel. (5) Mason, born November 1, 1750, died June 14, 1812, married Mary Thompson, their children being William Thompson, Sally and Abigail, who married Ezekiel Mowry.

Elias J., father of Addison E., was born in Meshoppen August 5, 1826, in the house where he still lives, and which has been his home throughout his entire life, with the exception of the years from 1848 to 1864, when he was en- gaged in farming in Auburn Township, Susque- hanna County. On his return to Meshoppen, he embarked in the milling business, purchasing the old homestead property, with a grist, plaster and feed mill, which he operated. He supplied a large portion of the ties for the Lehigh Valley Railroad from Laceyville to Tunkhannock, and was instrumental in securing the right of way for the road through the county. The estate origin- ally comprised seven hundred acres, but a portion of it has been laid off into city lots and sold. He remained actively engaged in business until 1891. when he retired. Politically a Democrat, he was justice of the peace two terms, but refused further renomination for the office. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Christine Kintner, was born near Wilkesbarre, Pa., in May, 1824, and is still living, and very active for one of her age. Their family consisted of two sons and six daughters, but three of the number died young. Elizabeth, the eldest of the living children, is the wife of

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Samuel M. Gay, of Ashley, Pa .; Mabel married Samuel Hawke, and resides in Meshoppen; Myr- meta is with her parents; and Eunice married F. W. Pneuman, of Meshoppen.

The life of Addison E. Mowry has been princi- pally passed in Wyoming County, where he at- tended the common schools and commercial col- lege. At the age of about eighteen he began to assist his father in his business enterprises, and when about twenty-five he entered the mail ser- vice on the Pennsylvania system, where he re- mained three years and four months, resigning the position on account of his father's increasing need of his assistance. For two years he en- gaged in the milling business, after which he looked after his father's farm property and finan- cial interests. In 1895 he commenced the erec- tion of the mill which he now operates. Frater- nally he is connected with Meshoppen Lodge No. 520, I. O. of O. F., Temple Lodge No. 248, F. A. M., Tunkhannock Chapter No. 172, and Tem- ple Commandery No. 60, K. T. Both his father and grandfather were members of Franklin Lodge, F. and A. M., at Laceyville, the former being a charter member. They were also active in the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church here.

J OHN L. HAHN. The deserved reward of a well spent life is an honored retire- ment from business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Hahn is quietly living at his pleasant home in Mehoopany, surrounded by the comfort that earnest labor has brought him. He is a prominent citizen, winning a leading place in the business world by his superior ability, industry and enterprise, so that to-day he ranks among the wealthiest men of Mehoopany.

Mr. Hahn was born on the 4th of November, 1826, in Plainfield Township, Northampton County, Pa., and is a son of George and Rebecca (Schaum) Hahn, the former a native of the same place, and the latter of Doylestown, Pa. In the county of his nativity the father was reared and married, coming to what is known as Christ Flats, Mehoopany Township, Wyoming County, in

1846, and here spent the remainder of his life. During his early years he followed the black- smith's trade, later engaged in farming and mill- ing until about sixty-eight years of age, and then removed to a farm on which he lived retired until called to his final rest at the ripe old age of eighty years. Originally he was an old line Whig, and after the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, while religiously he and his wife were faithful members of the German Reformed Church. He was of German extraction, and was well and favorably known throughout this com- munity. Mrs. Hahn departed this life at the age of seventy-four. Of their family of eleven chil- dren, nine daughters and two sons, our subject is the youngest, and he and a sister (the youngest of the girls), now living in Illinois, are the only ones now living.

Until seventeen years of age John L. Hahn remained at home with his parents, and then be- gan clerking in a store and lumbering with a brother-in-law for two years. On coming to Christ Flats with his father, he located upon the home farm, which he assisted in conducting for nine years, and then purchased an adjoining farm, which he still owns. Subsequently he bought a hotel in Mehoopany, which he carried on until 1861, and then purchased another farm, which he operated in connection, at the same time engaging in cattle dealing. In his various undertakings he met with well-deserved success, and in 1892 purchased a comfortable home in Mehoopany, where he is now virtually living re- tired, enjoying a well earned rest free from the cares and responsibilities of business life. He still owns three valuable farms, aggregating three hundred and eighty acres, which he now rents.

Mr. Hahn was married February 7, 1850, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Walter of Mehoopany Township, and to them have been born four children, as follows: Charles F., who is successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits in Meshoppen; George D., a prosperous farmer and speculator of Montana; Mary Ann, wife of Orrin V. Love of Mehoopany; and John G., who is engaged in merchandising with his brother, Charles F., in Meshoppen. The parents of Mrs. Hahn were Charles and Mary (Henkinson) Wal-

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ter, natives of Monroe County, but after 1865 residents of Mehoopany, where Mr. Walter en- gaged in farming until his death. Both were held in the highest esteem by the community.

The political support of Mr. Hahn is ever given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of township collector and school direct- or. During the Civil War he also assisted in en- rolling recruits in 1863. Fraternally he is a char- ter member of the Masonic lodge of Tunkhan- nock No. 248, of which he has served as master. In early life he joined the Reformed Church, but as that denomination had no organization in Me- hoopany, he united with the Presbyterian Church, with which he has since been connected. He was one of its founders, and has served as elder from the beginning. Charitable 'and benevolent, he has contributed liberally to the erection of the four houses of worship in Mehoopany. He is al- ways courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. His life is exemplary in all respects, and he has ever supported those interests which are calcu- lated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his high moral worth is deserving the highest com- mendation.

D AVID L. BONNER is one of the most extensive farmers and dairymen of Wyo- ming County. His home, in Eaton Township, is on a valuable, well managed farm, which is supplied with modern buildings and other improvements. The enterprising proprie- tor, it is said, does the largest business in dairy products of any man in the county, and certainly few are better situated, financially, than he. Dur- ing the war he enlisted under the stars and stripes to fight for the Union, and bravely stood at his post of duty as long as his services were required.

Born June 15, 1842, Mr. Bonner is a son of Hamilton and Hannah (Pepper) Bonner, natives of Ireland and Susquehanna County, Pa., re- spectively. The father came to America .when but fourteen years of age, and with his parents settled on a fifty-acre farm in Susquehanna Coun-

ty, Pa. They had five children, of whom the fol- lowing survive: Philander J., Eliza A., John L. and David L. The latter, of whom we write, grew to manhood on his father's farm, and when the war clouds darkened the horizon of our be- loved land, he was only restrained from entering the lists in her defense by his being under the required age for army service. When a few months over twenty-one he enlisted in the Third Regiment of Pennsylvania Artillery. Though the term for which he had enlisted was three years, he was not needed so long, as it turned out. Thus he served from February 23, 1864, to November 9, 1865, a part of this time being on detached duty. He participated in engagements at Fort Harrison, fall of Richmond and Butler's Gap, and was appointed as one of the guards over Jefferson Davis at Fortress Monroe, whith- er he had been conveyed after being captured. He was also sent on several raids on gunboats along the coast.

Resuming the peaceful callings of life, our sub- ject returned from the southern battlefields to his old home in Susquehanna County. In 1868 he removed to Eaton Township, Wyoming County, and located on the farm, where he may still be found. Altogether he owns three tracts of land, aggregating two hundred and thirty acres. He keeps a fine lot of stock on his place, and has the reputation of having the best drove of Ohio Chester White hogs.

June 5, 1867, Mr. Bonner and Huldah A. Ben- nett were married. She is a daughter of Luke D. and Calista D. (Tingley) Bennett, all natives of Susquehanna County. Her great-grandfather Tingley was one of nine men who lived in and owned Harford Township, in the before-men- tioned county. Both the Tingleys and Bennetts were originally from England, and came to the United States in an early period, one of Mrs. Bennett's ancestors having, indeed, crossed the ocean in the fateful "Mayflower." Five children have been born to our subject and wife: Leslie H., Addie C., Grace V., Stanley H. and Robert M. Leslie H. is married and lives in Douglas County, Washington. Addie C., also married, resides in Luzerne County, Pa. Grace C. is a finely educated young lady of unusual accom-

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plishments. She will graduate in the class of 1897 from the School of Oratory in Philadelphia, where she has won distinction in elocution. She is also a fine violinist and ventriloquist. Stanley is a student in the Factoryville (Pa.) schools, from which he will soon graduate. Robert is still at home, and is attending the local schools. Fraternally, Mr. Bonner formerly belonged to the Patrons of Industry, the Union League and the Good Templars. At present he is associated with Reynolds Post No. 98, G. A. R. In political sentiment he is identified with the party princi- ples of the Prohibitionists. Both he and his good wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

J OHN FASSETT, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers and valued citizens of Wyoming County, with whose agricultural and lumber interests he was identified for many years. On the 16th of September, 1794, he was born in Windham County, Conn., and was only four years old when brought by his parents to Wyoming County, Pa., locating in what is now the town of Windham, which the family named in honor of their old home. In the upbuilding and development of this region our subject bore an important part, and throughout his active business career devoted his time and attention to farming and lumbering with good success.

On the 12th of February, 1818, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fassett and Miss Sallie Hav- erly, who was born March 18, 1797, and. died October 25, 1873. Of the ten children born of this union two died in infancy. Charles departed this life on the 4th of March, 1895; Lucia Mary, who was born November 25, 1820, is still living on the homestead; Emeline and Caroline, twins, born January 15, 1823, are now deceased; John F. and George are also deceased; Sallie, wife of J. P. Jennings, is a resident of Mehoopany, Wyo- ming County; and John and Alva have also passed away, the latter dying about seven years ago. During the dark days of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-second Pennsyl- vania Infantry, and the mother was almost dis- tracted with grief. He was shot in the head and face, but recovered.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Fassett was first a Democrat, but later gave his allegiance to the Republican party, and socially he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. After a long and use- ful life of nearly ninety-two years he passed away and his remains were interred in the cemetery near his home, where a beautiful monument now marks his last resting place. An influential and prominent citizen, his advice was often sought on many subjects. In his daily life and action he was ever genial and affable, thus making many warm friends. He enjoyed the popularity which come to those generous spirits who have a hearty shake of the hand for all those with whom they come in contact from day to day, and who seem to throw around them in consequence so much of the sunshine of life. At the old home his daughter, Miss Lucia M. Fassett, still resides, being reluctant to leave the place which is asso- ciated in her mind with everything dear on earth, and which is filled with various articles that are very valuable to her on account of the loved ones to whom they belonged. There she cared for her aged parents during their last years, and is now surrounded by many friends and acquaintances who appreciate her sterling worth.

P HILANDER H. BELL, a highly respect- ed and honored citizen of Nicholson, is now retired from the labors of a long and active life, and spending his declining days in the midst of ease and plenty at his handsome home on State Street, where he has lived for the past three years. He comes of one of the old families of Susquehanna County, Pa., where his grand- father, Rawlin Bell, a native of Connecticut, took up his residence at a very early day. There the father, Elisha Bell, was born in Lenox Township, and during his early years devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. Later he removed to Hop- bottom, where he successfully engaged in the brokerage business and lumbering. He died at the age of eighty years. As a companion on life's journey he chose Miss I. B. Miller, of Sus- quehanna County, and by their marriage they be- came the parents of seven children: Alonzo, who is still living at Hopbottom; Polly Melissa, who

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died at the age of twenty; Philander, of this re- H. Davis, superintendent of the silk mills at view; Clarinda, who died in early life; Charles, who died thirty years ago; Solomon, a resident of Hopbottom; and Galusha, who is living on the old homestead in Lenox Township, Susque- hanna County, of which he is a joint owner with our subject.

Upon that farm Philander H. Bell was born October 28, 1836, and there made his home for forty-eight years, devoting most of his time to its cultivation and improvement as soon as he was old enough to handle a plow. Although his school privileges were rather meager, he ob- tained a fair education in the district schools, and has become a well-informed man by exten- sive reading in later years. From the old home- stead he removed to Hopbottom, where he as- sisted his father in business, 'and was also inter- ested in other enterprises. He married Miss Laura A. Bacon, a daughter of P. S. Bacon, one of the most prominent pioneers of Wyoming County. When about eight years of age he left his old home in Chenango County, N. Y., and came to this state, carrying on agricultural pur- suits until the last thirty years of his life, which were spent in Nicholson. Here he died in Jan- uary, 1894, at the age of seventy-four years. He was very successful in his undertakings, becom- ing one of the well-to-do citizens of the com- munity. He was of English descent, his grand- father having been a native of England. The mother of Mrs. Bell, who died at the age of thirty years, was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Ste- phens, a daughter of Jesse and Anna (Bil- lings) Stephens. Mr. Stephens, a native of Con- necticut, was one of the pioneers of Wyoming County, and lived upon the same farm for sixty years, or during his entire married life. He lacked only a few days of being ninety-two years of age when called to his final rest.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bell were born three chil- dren, but Eugene D. died at the age of one month, and Charles at the age of fifteen months. The youngest, Edgar P., now a resident of Scranton, is a member of the well known firm of Bell & Skinner, who are conducting a gents' furnishing store in the Jermyn Hotel Building. He married Della Davis, a daughter of William

Scranton. Mr. Bell is the owner of considera- ble real estate, and his wife also owns valuable land in Nicholson Township, a part of her fa- ther's estate, each having good farms. Their hospitable home is ever open for the reception of their many friends, and they are active and prom- inent members of the Universalist church, of which Mr. Bell is serving as one of the trustees, and also on the building committee. He is a Democrat by birth, training and inclination, his ancestors, as well as those of his wife, always having given their unwavering support to that party.

D AVID ARMSTRONG, who is prac- tically a retired farmer of Clinton Township, Wyoming County, was born June 12, 1820, near Pittston, Pa., a son of Joseph and Phebe (Goble) Armstrong, both natives of New Jersey. In 1791, when six years of age, the father was taken to Lackawanna County, Pa., by his parents, James and Amy (Pick) Armstrong, of New Jersey, who died at their home near Pitts- ton. The parents of our subject were called to their final rest while residing in Clarks Green, the father at the advanced age of ninety-three years, and the mother when eighty-five. All of their fourteen children reached adult age, and five are yet living. The maternal grandparents were also early settlers of the Keystone State.

David Armstrong spent his boyhood and youth upon the home farm, and as work was quite plentiful, he had but little opportunity of attending the district schools, so that he is also entirely a self-educated man, gaining much of his knowledge through reading and observation in later years. As a companion on life's journey he chose Miss Sarah Billings, a sister of Draper Billings, and their wedding was celebrated Jan- mary 9, 1844. She is a native of Wyoming County, born March 13, 1824. Ten chiklren blessed this union, of whom six are still living. namely: Elizabeth, who is married and has one child: Helen, who is married and has five chil- dren; Phebe: Funna: Lewis, who married, March 3. 1896, E. Gertrude Lindsey, the daugli-

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ter of F. L. and Fannie Lindsey, of Harford, Pa .; and Mary.

Mr. Armstrong began housekeeping in Eaton Township, Wyoming County, where he operated a farm for five years, and for the following six- teen years lived at Russell Hill, but for thirty- one years he has made his home upon his farm in Clinton Township. At the present time, how- ever, he is practically living retired, while his son has the management of the place, leaving the father to peacefully enjoy a well-earned rest, free from the cares and responsibilities of busi- ness life. Politically Mr. Armstrong has been a lifelong Democrat, casting his first presidential ballot for James K. Polk. He was elected to the office of supervisor on two different occasions, in Eaton Township, Wyoming County. As a highly respected citizen of the township and county, he enjoys the confidence of his neigh- bors to an unusual degree, and, with his wife, is esteemed by all. They attend the Baptist church.

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Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 11

Author: Chapman Publishing Company (NY) Publication date: 1897 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Chapman Publishing Company (NY)
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1068