Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 12

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 12
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 12

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S IMON LEROY TIFFANY, of Nicholson, is one of the leading and most successful lawyers practicing at the bar of Wyom- ing County. In the legal profession, which em- braces some of the finest minds of the nation, it is difficult to win a name and place of promi- nence. Many aspire to it, but do not reach it. In commercial life one may start out on a more advanced plane than others. He inay enter into a business already established and carry it farther forward, but in the legal profession one must commence at the beginning and work his way upward by ability, gaining his reputation and success by merit, as people do not place their legal business in unskilled hands. If victory's laurel be placed upon his brow, it is because he has led in the race.

Mr. Tiffany was born July 22, 1835, at Har- ford, Susquehanna County, Pa., where the birth of his father also occurred. The family was founded in that county at a very early day. The grandfather of our subject, Thomas Tiffany, was the first justice of the peace of Nicholson Town- ship, then embracing what is now Harford Town- ship, and was a man of much prominence in all

matters of local public interest. He was a brother to Hosea Tiffany, one of the nine partners who, in Susquehanna County, purchased a tract of nine square miles, paying $2,400 for the same, and taking possession May 16, 1790. With his wife and three children, Hosea, Amos and Nancy, and Robert Follett and his wife and daughter Lucy, he left his old home in Attleboro, Mass., February 2, 1792, and, with ox teams, came to Susquehanna County, arriving during the first week in March. They experienced all the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life, and from the forest hewed out a farm. Everything was still in its primitive condition, wild game of all kinds was abundant, including deer, which furnished the families almost their only meat. As there were no mills their grain had to be crushed in a mortar, made by hollowing a stump, while their pestle was rudely shaped from hard wood. Year after year saw more of the land cleared, how- ever, and substantial dwellings soon took the place of the primitive log cabins. Hosea Tiffany died in Susquehanna County, April 9, 1833. A monument was recently erected on the Beaver Meadows to perpetuate the memory of the nine partners.

By trade, Orvil Tiffany, the father of our sub- ject, was a carpenter, but he was also interested in other lines of work, including that of farming. He secured a good education, principally through personal endeavor, and for a time suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in the city of Wilkesbarre. He was accidentally drowned at the age of seventy-two years, and his faithful wife, who bore the maiden name of Polly Marcy, was called to her final rest at the same age, after surviving her husband for about six years. They were the parents of the following children: John Wallace, a resident of Benton Township, Lacka- wanna County; Simon Leroy, of this sketch; Harvey E., a farmer of Nicholson Township, Wyoming County; Clarinda, wife of Gideon Moses, of Scranton; Harriet A., who died at the age of two and a half; Humphrey D., a promi- nent business man of Nicholson; and Emily D., wife of Hon. A. W. Stephens, of Nicholson.

At his birthplace our subject spent the first three years of his life, and was then taken by his

HON. LEMUEL AMERMAN.

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parents to a farm in Lenox Township, Susque- hanna County, where they made their home until he was fourteen. Subsequently the father was engaged in the coal business at Pittston, and our subject assisted him. While there the great epi- demic of fever and ague struck that section, and, after a two years' residence, they came to Wy- oming County, and Mr. Tiffany has since lived in Nicholson with the exception of the years from 1859 to 1862, inclusive, which were passed in Tunkhannock, where he established the "Wy- oming Republican." He would have undoubt- edly made a prominent newspaper man, as he was very successful in starting and maintaining that paper in its infancy, for a period of three years.

During his boyhood Mr. Tiffany attended the common schools, and later took a course in the Harford Academy, which at that time was quite a noted educational institution, Galusha Grow and other prominent men being numbered among its students. Desiring to enter the legal profession, our subject sold his paper. He studied at Tunkhannock with Hon. R. R. Little and Mr. De Witt, and subsequently with T. J. Chase, and was admitted to the bar June IS, 1871, since which time he has successfully en- gaged in practice, having a large clientage in Wyoming and adjoining counties. Although his time and attention are principally given to his practice, he has been at times interested in other business.

In 1861 occurred the marriage of Mr. Tiffany and Miss Lydia E. Sickler, of Tunkhannock, and they are the parents of two sons: Jesse L. and Ned C., now the proprietors of the "Nicholson Examiner," a paper of wide circulation. Ned C. married Carrie Smith. Mr. Tiffany and his fam- ily are members of the Universalist church, and take an active part in its work. In 1876 a fine edifice was erected in Nicholson, but August 9, 1896, it was consumed by fire, and is now being replaced by a stone church, which, when com- pleted, will be the finest building in the place. Mr. Tiffany is an earnest advocate of Republican principles, and has always taken an active and prominent part in political affairs. He does not support the gold standard, believing in the free

coinage of silver. Upright, reliable and honor- able, his strict adherence to principle commands the respect of all. The place he has won in the legal profession is accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability, and the piace which he occupies in the social world is a tribute to that genuine worth and true nobleness of character which are universally recognized and honored.

H ON. LEMUEL AMERMAN, ex-M. C., has been practicing law in Scranton since 1876, and is a prominent member of the

bar. His practice is very extensive in all the courts, though his preference is for civil law, and he has been engaged in some of the most im- portant cases connected with coal mining and corporations. He was born near Danville, Mon- tour County, Pa., October 29, 1846, and is a son of Jesse C. and Caroline (Strohm) Amerman. The first of the Amerman family to settle in America was his great-great-great-grandfather, who resided near Amsterdam, Holland, and came over to New York with the Dutch colon- ists. For a number of years from 1695 Derick Amerman owned and ran the ferries between New York and Hoboken.

Albert Amerman, great-grandfather of Lem- uel, came to Pennsylvania from New Jersey and settled in Northumberland County in 1800, pur- chasing a tract of land and remaining there until his death, which occurred in 1821. Prior to the Revolution he was a farmer, but upon the break- ing out of the war he gave up his horses, cattle and other stock a sacrifice upon the altar of his country's liberty. Entering the service of the colonies, he participated in various engagements and lost his knee-cap at the battle of Monmouth. Henry, son of Albert Amerman, was a native of New Jersey, and when a small boy accompanied his father to Pennsylvania. He married Susan- na Cook, a native of Montgomery County, this state.

Jesse C. Amerman, son of Henry and father of Lemuel, is a resident of Cooper Township, Mon- tour County, where he is engaged in farming and merchandising. In 1873-74 he represented Montour County in the state legislature. De-

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cember 2, 1845, he married Caroline, daughter of Abraham Strohm, and a descendant of an- cestors who emigrated from Germany and set- tled in Pennsylvania about 1765. She died April 19, 1869. Born and reared on a farm, in youth the subject of this sketch followed the work in- cident to such a life, and thus acquired habits of industry and thrift and much practical experi- ence. Possessing by birth and training a good constitution, he has stored up such health as has given him much physical endurance. For a while he worked in repairing the canal owned by the Pennsylvania Canal Company, and drove team and clerked in a store. He acquired his education in the public schools and prepared for college at Danville Academy. Two years were spent in teaching school, and in 1866 he entered Bucknell University at Lewisburg, Pa., from which institution he graduated with honor in the class of 1870. For three years he was professor of ancient languages and English literature in the state normal school at Mansfield, Pa.

The law studies of Mr. Amerman were begun in the office of the late Lewis C. Cassidy, ex-at- torney general of Pennsylvania, and Pierce Ar- cher, Jr., of Philadelphia, where his fellow stu- dents were Hon. Robert E. Pattison, ex-governor of Pennsylvania; Hon. James Gay Gordon, judge of common pleas of Philadelphia, and Hon. William F. Harrity. He was admitted to the bar December 24, 1875, and in 1876 settled in Scranton, where he has since engaged in the practice of his profession. From 1878 to 1881 he was county solicitor of Lackawanna County, and from the latter date to 1883 he represented the city of Scranton in the house of representa- tives at Harrisburg. While in that position he drafted and secured the passage of important laws regarding anthracite coal mining. In 1886 Governor Pattison appointed him reporter of the decisions of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, and he prepared five reports of cases, reforming the practice of reporting cases by promptly is- suing the reports instead of waiting for a year and upwards after the decrees were delivered. This was of great advantage to attorneys and judges, and that it was highly appreciated is evi- denced by the following commendations which

were tendered him: "Your promptness in get- ting the opinions published is very commenda- ble," Chief Justice Mercur; "Your work as a reporter is well done and the dispatch with which you have published the reports is worthy of all commendation," Justice Gordon; "You are do- ing your work very well. Your promptness has not been excelled or equalled, and is entirely novel," Justice Paxson; from Justice Trunkey: "Your promptness must be pleasing and advan- tageous to the profession, and I think the charac- ter of your work satisfactory. You have shown that the authorized reports of cases may be placed in the hands of the profession within less than three months after the decision," and the follow- ing from Justice Green: "I appreciate highly the promptness with which the reports are printed under your supervision, and also the thorough- ness with which the cases are prepared and ar- ranged. You are certainly deserving of great credit for your work in these respects."

In 1887 Mr. Amerman was elected controller of the city of Scranton, which office he held two years, and worked many reforms in auditing ac- counts and in the distribution of city funds. The highest political honor that has been conferred upon him was his election to represent Lacka- wanna County in the Fifty-second Congress, where he aided in securing the passage of the act requiring railroads to equip their cars with auto- matic couplers and air brakes. Now in the prime of his intellectual ability, it may reasonably be predicted that future years will bring him other honors, as high as or higher than any he has yet been called upon to accept.

In Philadelphia, September 24, 1879, Mr. Amerman married Susan, daughter of Laurens Wallaze, member of a Virginian family. Mrs. Amerman died four months later. The second wife of Mr. Amerman was Mary C., daughter of Charles F. Van Nort, of Scranton, formerly of Abington Township. She died February 7, 1886, leaving two children, Ralph and Mary. The present wife of our subject, with whom he was united July 2, 1890, bore the maiden name of Ella May Van Nort, and was a sister of his late wife. Politically he is a Democrat. A Bap- tist in religious views, he was superintendent of

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the Penn Avenue Baptist Sunday-school in Scranton for seven years. Liberal in his opin- ions, he believes in freedom of conscience, and recognizes no authority to formulate or interpret a creed for him.

The life of Mr. Amerman furnishes an excel- lent example of what may be accomplished in this country by a man of ability and determina- tion, though unaided by any favoring circum- stances of wealth or position. Commencing at the lowest rung of the ladder, he has climbed steadily upward, until now he has attained a po- sition of influence and honor. His natural abil- ity as a lawyer, combined with his exceptionally keen foresight as a business man, have enabled him to acquire a competence of this world's goods. With the broad views of a philanthropist, he does not allow his wealth to lie idle, but uses it in the promotion of public enterprises, among others being largely interested in building and operating water works and electric railways.

M RS. SARAH E. STEVENS, now living on a farm in the suburbs of Nicholson, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state, her ancestors being prominently identified with the growth and development of the community with which they were connected. Her paternal grandfather, James Colvin, was a very energetic man, of strong character and sterling worth, but through much of his life suffered from St. Vitus' dance, and therefore was unable to accomplish what otherwise he would have done.

Stephen Colvin, the father of Mrs. Stevens, was a resident of Lackawanna County, his honie being a half-mile from Waverly, where, in his later life, he carried on agricultural pursuits. He was a natural mechanic, and for many years fol- lowed contracting and building. He erected many houses in that vicinity, and throughout Lu- zerne County, and was actively identified with the building interests at the time when immigra- tion was rapidly settling this region. He was a native of Rhode Island, and had learned the carpenter's trade in the city of Providence. He was a very industrious and energetic man, and

frequently walked from Waverly to Wilkesbarre to work. He was an active participant in the pioneer life at a time when the forests in that locality were so dense that one could only see an opening through the trees by looking straight upward to the sky. He was interested in all that pertained to the welfare of the community, and his opinions on the various questions of the day were the result of an earnest and careful in- vestigation of the subject. In early life he was a Whig and afterward became a Democrat. When the slavery question was agitated he studied it closely, became convinced of its cruel wrong, and, in consequence, advocated abolition princi- ples. On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. He was opposed to secret societies, and did not believe in the use of instrumental music in churches. He belonged to the Baptist Church, was most faithful in its support, and was ever loyal to his honest opin- ions. He served as school director, and was a warm friend of the cause of education. He died at the age of fifty-five years, in Cortland County, N. Y., his death resulting from the kick of a horse.

Mr. Colvin was married in Abington Town- ship, Lackawanna County, to Emeline, daughter of Otis Colvin, in May, 1828. Her father was a prominent and honored pioneer, and at an early day was one of a company who built the first cotton factory at Factoryville, from which in- stance the place derived its name. He married a Miss Capwell, and had a family of five chil- dren, all of whom reached mature years. He removed from Rhode Island to what is now Fac- toryville, stayed there a short time, and then en- gaged in farming, which he followed successfully the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Colvin were the parents of four children: Mrs. Stevens, of this review; Mary, deceased wife of John L. Worth, of Greenfield; Layton, who died at the age of thirty-four, after displaying won- derful inventive genius and inventing a cow- milker and a system whereby one could by sight telegraph across water; and Otis Colvin, a con- mercial traveler, who died at Binghamton. Layton served in the Civil War, and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. Otis

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enlisted as a soldier at the age of seventeen, and served three years, re-enlisting just before the close of the war, when he was at Morris Island.

Mrs. Stevens was born in Waverly, Abington Township, August 22, 1831, and was a maiden of twelve summers when, with her parents, she removed to the farm near Waverly, her father developing a good place in the midst of the for- est. The family experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but as the years passed the work of improvement wrought great changes in the appearance of that locality, and the accessories of civilization replaced the ac- coutrements of the pioneer homes. Mrs. Ste- vens aided in the labors of the household and fitted herself for a school teacher. She followed that profession at a time when a teacher boarded round among the scholars. Her love of study has never left her, and to-day she is one of the best informed ladies in this section of the county. In 1854 she married Benjamin Stevens, and they lived on a farm at Abington for fourteen years, removing to the farm whereon she now resides in 1868. By this union she became the mother of two children: Lucia, Mrs. Oscar L. Colvin, who died in Scranton at the age of thirty-three years, and Alonzo C., who is operating the home farm. He married Talula, a daughter of Rev. H. J. Crane, of Uniondale, Wayne County, and they have three children, Mildred E., Morgan C. and Clark Crane.

E LA ROY BACON. Young men in the past have often been deterred from de- voting themselves to a business life, because of the widespread impression that such a life yields no opportunity for the display of genius. The time, however, has gone by when, other things being equal, the business man must take a secondary place to the lawyer, the doctor, the minister or the editor. In fact, as a rule, let the business man be equally equipped by educa- tion and natural endowment, and you will find him to-day in every community exerting a wider influence and wielding a larger power than a man of equal capacity treading other walks of life. The "men of affairs" have come to be in a

large degree the men upon whom the country leans. The subject of this sketch is pre-emi- nently a "man of affairs." He is the senior mem- ber of the firm of E. L. Bacon & Son, proprietors of a large planing mill on State Street, Nichol- son, which was established by him in 1872. This he has since successfully conducted, manufactur- ing sash, doors, blinds, molding, etc.

Mr. Bacon belongs to a worthy pioneer fam- ily of this section, which was founded at an early day in New England. When a small child, his father, Eli N. Bacon, was brought to Wyoming County, then a part of Luzerne County, by his father, Nathan Bacon. Throughout life the lat- ter was principally engaged in farming, but also followed merchandising to some extent, and was one of the valued and honored early settlers of this region, where he died at the age of eighty- two. The father of our subject departed this life at the age of sixty-two .. He married Julia Pratt, of Susquehanna County, who died at the age of fifty-one. Their family comprised six children: Charles M., now a resident of Tunkhannock; E. La Roy, of this sketch; Palmyra G., of Chicago, Ill .; Emily M., who died at the age of nineteen; Harriet J., who lives with our subject; and Ar- thur L., deceased.

The subject of this review began his earthly career January 16, 1836. He remained upon the home farm until the death of his father, assisting in its cultivation and improvement. Learning the carpenter's trade, he followed it for some years, and from that naturally developed his present business. He is one of the most pro- gressive and energetic business men of Nichol- son, and by fair and honorable dealing has se- cured a liberal share of the public patronage.

The marriage of Mr. Bacon united him with Miss Albina Benjamin, of Susquehanna County, and two children blessed their union, namely: Elmer G., who married Lillie Warner, a native of England; and Genevieve, who is at home. The saddest bereavement that has fallen upon the family was in the death of the son, Elmer G., who passed away in 1897, after an illness of about one year. Concerning his life we quote the following from the "Nicholson Examiner:" "Elmer was born within the present limits of the

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borough in August, 1864. He was educated in the public schools of this place, and at an early age assisted his father in conducting a lumber business. Later he became a partner in the business. In early life he became a member of the Universalist church, in which he always took an active interest in all the different branches, being superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years, the present secretary of the young people's society, treasurer of the church, and a member of the building committee. He was ever true to his church and always ready to do anything to advance its interest. He was one of the charter members of Washington Camp No. 199, P. O. S. of A., and a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge. He was also a member of the band, and took an active interest in all ef- forts toward improving the musical knowledge of our people. His influence was on the side of temperance, as he never indulged in intoxicating liquor. In November, 1892, he married Miss Lillie Warner, but has had no children. His death is a sad blow to his wife, father, mother, sister, relatives and friends; but they can find comfort in the thought that it is only a few short years, at most, that the separation will exist."

The Democratic party has always found in the subject of this sketch an earnest supporter, and in early life he took quite an active part in pub- lic affairs. He represents the third generation that has held the office of justice of the peace. His grandfather, Nathan Bacon, was postmas- ter and justice of the peace for a long term of years, and the father, Eli N. Bacon, was also justice of the peace for fifteen years. Our sub- ject was elected to the same office in 1886, and officiated until 1896. In 1887 he was chosen school director, and continued in the position until 1896, being president of the board eight years of the time. During the latter part of his incumbency the present fine school building was erected, and the school brought to the high standard it now sustains. Since attaining his majority he has been connected with the Ma- sonic fraternity, and also belongs to Oswego Tribe No. 185, Improved Order of Red Men. He is a charter member of the Universalist Church of Nicholson, and has continuously

served as trustee since its organization. His pleasant and commodious residence is located on an elevated plateau on State Street, near the mill, and commands a fine view of the surround- ing country. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and hon- orable business methods which he has followed have won him the support and confidence of many.

O RLANDO WRIGHT is a well known farmer of Monroe Township, Wyom- ing County, where he has made his home for many years. He is one of the brave men who enlisted in the first few months of the great American Rebellion, and participated in some of the most important campaigns of the civil conflict. After enduring untold hardships, privation, exposure to inclement weather, en- forced long marches, and the dangers of actual battle, he was wounded and taken prisoner, to languish in that foul old warehouse known as Libby prison. Little can the children of this day, brought up under the blessings of a united land of liberty, appreciate the benefits which they enjoy nor realize what their fathers underwent that they might dwell in harmony and peace. It is well that they occasionally take down the vol- ume of past history or peruse the biography of some of the veterans, that they may better un- derstand the debt of gratitude which they owe to them.

A native of Wyoming County, Mr. Wright was born April 20, 1843, being the youngest child in a family of seven, whose parents were John and Tryphena (Brown) Wright. The for- mer was a native of Connecticut, whither one of his ancestors had come from Ireland in remote times. Mrs. Wright was, on the other hand, a native of Pennsylvania. Orlando Wright was reared on a farm, and has always made a business of agriculture. May 15, 1861, then having just passed his eighteenth birthday an- niversary, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany B, Forty-first Regiment of Pennsyl- vania Infantry, and was assigned to the Third Brigade, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Poto-

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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 12

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