Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 19

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 19
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 19

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The family of which our subject is a member consists of eight children, all living, he being next to the eldest. He attended the New Mil- ford public school, Montrose Normal, Susque- hanna Seminary at Binghamton and Millersville Normal. Between the ages of seventeen and twenty-four he alternated attendance at school with teaching. In June, 1866, he was elected superintendent of the schools of Susquehanna County, and while discharging the duties of this position also studied law with Judge Bentley and Senator Fitch of Montrose, being admitted to the bar in November, 1868. Resigning as county superintendent, he gave his attention to

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the law, and in 1871 became a member of the firm of Fitch & Watson, their connection contin- uing until he was elected to the state senate.

In 1874 Mr. Watson was nominated by the Republican party to represent the Forty-second District, consisting of Susquehanna and Wayne Counties, in the state senate, and was elected by a large majority, carrying Wayne County, which usually gave a Democratic majority of eight hun- dred. He served in the sessions of 1875-76, and in both was a member of the judiciary commit- tee. He was again the choice of the Susque- hanna County Republicans, but in the joint con- vention with Wayne County, George Waller, of the latter county, was given the nomination. During his second year in the senate he intro- duced seven bills, all of which are laws on the statutes to-day. One of these provided for the foreclosure of mortgages on railroads partly in this and partly in other states. He also intro- duced bills for re-establishing the state line be- tween New York and Pennsylvania, for regulat- ing attorneys' fees on judgments under $100, and for making certain offices incompatible. While in Susquehanna County he served on the state Republican central committee, and since coming here he has been vice-president of the Central Club. He is also a member of the board of trade.

The partnership which Mr. Watson formed with A. H. McCallum of Montrose was dissolved May 1, 1883, at the time of his location in Scran- ton. In December, 1890, he assisted in organ- izing the Traders Bank, of which he has since been vice-president and a director. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and fraternally is still connected with Warren Lodge, F. & A. M., of Montrose. His marriage, sol- emnized in Upper Lehigh, November 26, 1868, united him with Annie M. Kemmerer, who was born in Stroudsburg, and is a daughter of John Kemmerer. They became the parents of six chil- dren, but two died while Mr. Watson was in the senate. The others are Walter L., assistant su- perintendent of the Mid-Valley Coal Company at Wilburton, Pa; Albert L., member of the class of 1900, Amherst College; Annie M., who is attending a ladies' seminary in New York

City; and Candace A., who is with her parents at the family residence, No. 504 Monroe Avenue. In politics he is a Republican and is influential in the party of this state.

H IRAM MARCY. No state in the Union can boast of a more heroic band of pio- neers than Pennsylvania. In their in- telligence, capability and genius they were equal to the pioneers of New England, and in their daring and heroism they were equal to the Mis- souri and California argonauts. Their priva- tions, hardships and earnest labors have resulted in establishing one of the foremost common- wealths in America. A worthy representative of this honored class is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He still resides on the old homestead in Nicholson Township, Wyom- ing County, which was settled by his father at a very early day, and he probably has a more ac- curate knowledge of early events in this region than any other of its citizens.

Mr. Marcy traces his ancestry in America back to John Marcy, the progenitor, and son of the high sheriff of Limerick, Ireland. He was born May 3, 1662, joined Elliott Church at Roxbury, Mass., March 7, 1685, and in April, 1686, with a number of others, took possession of Quatosett (Woodstock) Conn., which was granted in 1663 by the colony of Massachusetts to Roxbury. He married Sarah Hadlock, who was born December 16, 1670, and was a daughter of James and Sarah (Draper) Hadlock. They made their home in Woodstock, where he died December 23, 1724, aged sixty-two, and she passed away May 9, 1743, aged seventy-three. Their descendants were men of character, ability and prominence. Their seventh child, Moses, who was born April 18, 1702, moved to Sturbridge, Mass., in 1732, where he became "the principal man of the col- ony." He was the first justice of the peace, the first representative to the general court from that town, and moderator at seventy town meetings. During the French war he fitted out soldiers for the army at his own expense, but was afterward remunerated by the town. At a meeting of the church held March 18, 1752, to compromise

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with the "Separatists," Moses Marcy was moder- ator, and the historian, Rev. Joseph S. Clark, in the history of Sturbridge, Mass., speaks of the "excellent spirit displayed by the excellent and venerable moderator." He died October 9, 1779, leaving an honorable name, large estate and nu- merous family. Ichabod, one of the grandchil- dren of John Marcy, was born in Woodstock, Conn., December 27, 1737, and married Eliza- beth Grosvenor, daughter of Ebenezer and Lucy (Cheeney) Grosvenor, of Pomfret. She was a sister of Lemuel Grosvenor, who was with Gen- eral Putnam at the battle of Bunker Hill and afterward married his daughter.

One of the eleven children of John Marcy was Ebenezer, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who was tenth in order of birth. He was born June 6, 1709, and was married July 25, 1738, to Martha Nicholson. They lived on a farm in Dover, Dutchess County, N. Y., where he died December 10, 1808. Of their ten children, Zebu- lon, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Dover, May 28, 1744, and died in Wyo- ming Valley, Pa., September 21, 1826. He mar- ried Jerusha Coult, who was born March 14, 1743, and died March 29, 1819. He owned con- siderable land in Wyoming Valley.

Zebulon Marcy, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born July 10, 1780, and died No- vember 9, 1834. He made his home in Scranton, and was a surveyor by occupation, his old com- pass being now in the possession of S. Judson Stark, of Tunkhannock, who also has the tobacco box with a shot mark on it, which once saved the life of Mr. Marcy when fired upon by a Tory. He had a large experience with the Indians and Tories during the War of 1812. A man of strong character and determination, he knew not the meaning of fear, and was always brave and loyal. The Indians were exceedingly troublesome in his neighborhood, and committed depredation after depredation, murdering, stealing and be- coming generally unbearable. Zebulon Marcy, in defense of home and friends, kept a close watch, and often risked his own life. Near what is called the Narrows, not many miles from Tunkhannock, he once pursued a hostile Indian bent on mischief. The Indian endeavored to

conceal himself along the river bank, and a por- tion of his spinal column only showed above the place of concealment. Seeing that much of his anatomy, Mr. Marcy pulled the trigger of his flintlock gun, but it was a flash in the pan. The Indian heard the snap of the hammer and flint, and knowing he was seen and being scared, he jumped into the water. Mr. Marcy picked his flint, put fresh powder in the pan and, closely watching, found his opportunity and fired, the ball striking the Indian on the back of the head, stunning him considerably but not killing him outright. Seeing he was about to escape, he with another person, jumped into a canoe and paddled after him, overtaking him and pulling him into the boat. With the hope of drowning his captors, the Indian endeavored to capsize the canoe, but the companion of Mr. Marcy struck him with the paddle, dealing so emphatic a knock that he was quieted permanently. Either that or the shot, but probably both, caused his death.

The Tories bitterly hated Zebulon Marcy, and were resolved upon his destruction, but a friend fortunately made known their design and Mr. Marcy escaped from their intended murder, mak- ing his way by night to Tunkhannock. Subse- quently the Tories carefully laid their plans, went to his house in the darkness of night and took him from bed, clothed only in his shirt. They compelled him to go with them and hung him to a tree; supposing that he was dead, they ran away, separating and going to their various places of abode. His good wife, however, well knowing what they intended to do, without stop- ping to dress, ran to the nearest neighbors for hielp. Quickly under her direction they followed the trail and found the form of Mr. Marcy hang- ing to the tree. Cutting him down they found that life was not quite extinct, and he finally revived, although badly shocked. He lived to be over ninety years of age, and evidently was not born to be hung. The immediate cause of this attempted tragedy was occasioned by a pre- vious difficulty, wherein a Tory attempted the life of Mr. Marcy, and lost his own by the latter's hand, in self-defense.

John Marcy, the father of our subject, was the second in order of birth in a family of nine chil-

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dren. He was born down the river from Tunk- hannock, June 9, 1769, and died May 5, 1840. By occupation he was a farmer, and was a wor- thy son of his illustrious sire. He was one of the leading and representative citizens of his com- munity, and had the confidence of the governor of the state, who appointed him justice of the peace, which position he continuously filled dur- ing the last forty years of his life. When twenty- one he settled upon the farm now occupied by our subject, and cleared and improved the great- er part of it, making it a valuable place. He married Anna Stafford, by whom he had six chil- dren, all now deceased: Zebulon, Abbie, John, Jerusha, Minerva and Lydia. For his second wife he chose Jane Hartley, whose paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, and grand- mother of Holland. Six children were born of this union, Polly, Simon, Olive, Hiram, Eunice and Napoleon. All have been called to the world beyond with the exception of our subject and Eunice, who is the widow of Joseph Belote, and a resident of Nicholson.

On the farm where he still resides Hiram Marcy was born November 29, 1821, and in the schools of the neighborhood he obtained a limit- ed but practical education. In some respects he considers the schools of that day far more pro- ficient than those of the present, especially in the art of writing. Among the pleasures of pioneer life was deer hunting, which he thoroughly en- joyed, and he still has the old smooth bore rifles hanging over the kitchen door, with which he brought down many a deer.

Mr. Marcy was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Stephens, who was born in Dundaff, Sus- quehanna County, Pa., but was mostly reared in Nicholson Township, Wyoming County. Her father, Halloway Stephens, died when she was only a year old, but her mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane Wells, lived until about seven years ago, dying at the advanced age of ninety-three. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marcy are as follows: Cyrus, deceased; Eliza Jane, wife of H. D. Tiffany, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Emma, deceased; Perry, who died at the age of ten years; Perry, the second of the name, who died at the age of nine

years; Hattie, who married and has two children, Eula Jene Worrell and Grace Marcy; and Na- poleon B., who married Wista Stephens, and lives near his father. Hattie, with her two children, lives at home with our subject.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Marcy has al- ways been a stalwart Democrat, but was a loyal citizen during the great Civil War, and in 1896 voted for McKinley and Hobart, though partic- ularly on account of Galusha Grow, a neighbor, whose name was also on the Republican ticket. He is one of the honored and valued citizens of the community, having the respect of young and old, rich and poor, and no man in Wyoming County is more worthy of representation in a work of this character than Hiram Marcy.

G EORGE WALTER, of Falls Township, Wyoming County, has owned and im- proved a number of farms in this region and is a practical, enterprising agriculturist. Be- ginning the battle of life at the foot of the ladder leading to success, he overcame, one by one, the obstacles which presented themselves, until a large measure of prosperity now crowns his la- bors. We are glad to give some space to tracing the history of so worthy a citizen, friend and neighbor, for many lessons of patience, kindness and usefulness may be learned from a perusal of his biography.

Henry Walter, a native of New Jersey, was the first of the Walter family to come to Pennsyl- vania. About 1820 he settled in Newton Town- ship, Lackawanna County, purchased a tract of wild land, and erected a log cabin, under whose roof he reared his family. He at one time worked five miles from home, then carried a bushel of flour home at night. His death occurred about 1861, but his first wife, our subject's mother, died many years before, in 1836. She was Miss Cath- erine Cress in her maidenhood. Of this marriage the following children were born: Margaret, Jacob, John, Joseph, Henry, Michael, Catherine, Mary, William, Selinda, Betsy, George, Ellis and David. The second wife of Mr. Walter was a Mrs. Comstock, and their only child was called Esther.

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The birth of George Walter occurred in what is now Newton Township, Lackawanna County, March 15, 1830, and he was but six years old when he lost his mother. In order to attend school, as he did, in the winter months, he was obliged part of the time to walk two and a half miles. When he was nineteen years of age he commenced serving an apprenticeship to the car- penter's trade, receiving the first year $50, which he paid to his father for his time. The second year he was paid $40, the third year $60, and he bought his own clothes. He had $54 left at the end of his apprenticeship. The 3d of May fol- lowing he was married to Jane Britton. He commenced carpenter work in the spring with from two to four apprentices. The next fall he bought a small farm. From that time on he fol- lowed the business of a contracting carpenter about twenty years. He had plenty of work with- out asking any. After selling his farm he pur- chased another place of one hundred acres in the same township. This was his home about fifteen years, and in the meantime he added fifty acres more to the original tract, costing him $600 more. This farm he sold, with the improvements he had made upon it, for $6,000. His next pur- chase was a farm containing one hundred and twenty acres for the same. In 1890 he purchased a farm in Falls Township for $3,500, on which he paid $2,200. Here he dwelt up to 1893, then signed the deed over to his worthy son, Seler Walter. Since that time he has lived on a fertile farm of twenty-five acres, the property of his wife, and he now owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres at Trent.

The first wife of our subject was Miss Jane Britton, their marriage being celebrated in 1852. Their children were William, George (deceased), Martha, John, Seler, Mary, Sene, Margaret, Solo- mon, Lewis and Arthur. The mother died in 1889, and in 1890 Mr. Walter married Mrs. Sarah (Ross) Reed, daughter of James Ross, and widow of Moses Reed. By her marriage with Mr. Reed she had nine children: Martha, Giles, James, John, Emma, Moses, Ezra, Rose and Gilbert Eugene.

Politically Mr. Walter is a member of the Pro- hibition party and has been auditor of this town-

ship. For years he was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and is now a trustee in the Free Methodist Church, to which he belongs. He has given nearly $500 to build a church for the good cause. He has been class-leader part of the time. Wonderful changes have come to pass in this portion of the state within his recol- lection, as the wilderness has gradually come un- der cultivation, and civilization has set her seal upon what was begun by nature. In the general result he has himself been an important factor, and his influence has always been given to the support of public improvements.

G EORGE W. STANTON, district deputy grand master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Wyoming County, and a member of Red Jacket Lodge No. 524, at Factoryville, is not only a prominent member of that magnificent order, but is also one of the lead- ing and representative citizens of the community and successful business men. His earthly exist- ence was begun September 22, 1850, in Benton Township, Lackawanna (then Luzerne) County, and he is a son of Phineas Stanton, of that town- ship, living near Fleetville. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his early educa- tion in the district schools near his home, and like the average farmer boy he was able to attend school only during the winter, working hard on the farm for about nine months of the year.

At the age of twenty, Mr. Stanton learned the trade of a wheelwright, and established himself in business at Fleetville, where he remained for three years, coming to Factoryville in 1883. Here he opened a first-class wagon manufactory, in 1888 added a full and complete line of furniture, and also established an undertaking business, succeeding C. L. Jackson of Factoryville. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man of known reliability, and the success that has crowned his efforts is but the just reward of perseverance, in- dustry, enterprise and excellent management. On the old home farm in Benton Township. Lacka- wanna County, there was performed a marriage ceremony December 23, 1872, which united the destinies of Mr. Stanton and Miss Sarah A.

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Green, who was also born in that township. They became the parents of three children: Ruth J .; Robert M., and one who died at the age of thir- teen months. Mrs. Stanton is a daughter of Lyman Green of Fleetville.

In 1880 Mr. Stanton was initiated into the mys- teries of Odd Fellowship, becoming a member of Red Jacket Lodge No. 524, and during the seventeen years he has been a member of the order he has advanced, step by step, through his untiring work, in both the subordinate and the encampment lodges, until to-day he is looked to as a leader in lodge work in Wyoming County. He has been captain of Red Jacket degree team for the past four years, and organized the first degree team in the county, which belonged to his lodge. In 1894, as a recompense for past faithfulness to the order, he was elected district deputy grand master for the county for both the subordinate and encampment lodges, and the following year was unanimously re-elected. He is one of the most popular members of the so- ciety in this section of the state, and his hand is always open to a brother in distress. He is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. On attaining his majority he gave his support to the Democratic party, but on account of his views on the temperance question he now votes the Prohibition ticket, and gives his liberal support to all worthy enterprises or measures which have for their object the good of the community or will in any way advance the public welfare. For two years he satisfactorily served as burgess, and has also filled other local offices in his borough.

J ACOB B. LESH, of Newton Township, Lackawanna County, has an army record of which he may be proud. The spirit of true patriotism burned in his breast when he saw the enemies of freedom and the stars and stripes seek to rend asunder our banner, and though he was a mere lad when Fort Sumter was fired upon, he was old enough to resent the insult to our government, and could hardly be restrained from offering his services in defense of the Union. At the earliest chance of his being admitted to the ranks, he volunteered, nor did he shrink from the

hardships and dangers which are the common lot of the soldier.

He was born in Newton Township, Lacka- wanna County, February 15, 1847, and is a son of Jacob C. and Christine (Berry) Lesh, both natives of Monroe County. Their family com- prised the following children: Samuel, Pamela, Isaiah, Hannah M., Julia A., Jacob B., Camber- ton R., Catherine, Franklin P., Ransom F., and three that died in infancy. Isaiah and Camber- ton R. were in the army, the former in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania troops, and the latter in the Unit- ed States Signal Corps, where he served about two years. In boyhood our subject received a good general education. His father was a wheelwright by trade, and with him the boy worked in the shop until the war. March 3, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, be- ing then only a few days past his seventeenth birthday anniversary. After he had been mus- tered into the army at Scranton, he was sent to Philadelphia, and two weeks later went into camp in Williamsburg. Having been assigned to his regiment, he took part in the engagement at Reams Station, the encounter on the Weldon Railroad and Petersburg, and went on what is known as Wilson's raid. With his regiment, he had the honor of attacking General Lee's forces at Appomattox, and was present at the famous surrender. He participated in many minor skir- mishes, and was wounded in the right wrist while on a charge, near Richmond, on the Jerusalem plank road. He was honorably discharged August 19, 1865, with the rank of bugler.

Returning home, Mr. Lesh joined the family in Scranton, Pa., whither they had removed during his absence. From that time until 1868 he was engaged in business with his father, and then, for three years took contracts for building. After residing in Plymouth, Pa., three years and Clarks Green about a year, he went to Elk County, and organized a colony of thirty-five persons, whom he escorted to Dallas County, Texas. He was the president of the little colony and took up some land. Having read law two years in Scranton under Capt. L. M. Bunnell, he now began prac- ticing, and was admitted to the bar of Texas in

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1875. About eighteen months he served as super- intendent of the county commissioners of bridge building. Returning to Falls Township in 1884, he engaged in the wholesale and retail meat busi- ness. For five years he carried on a farm in New- ton Township, and at the same time was justice of the peace. Since 1887 he has been United States pension attorney and agent. A member of the Grand Army of the Republic, he belongs to Waverly Post No. 307, and is past sergeant major. He is also associated with the Knights of Pythias, and for twenty-two years has been a member of the United Order of American Me- chanics. Politically he is a Republican.

December 3, 1867, Mr. Lesh married Mary J. Marlatt of St. Marys, Elk County. Eight chil- dren came to bless their home: Arena A., Ran- som F., Emily A., Christina F., Franklin B., Lewis, Harry, and an infant deceased. Ransom is a student in the theological department of Wyoming University. Mrs. Lesh was appointed postmistress of Square Top postoffice, Newton Township, in 1894.

J ERRY F. WELLS. In the busy commu- nity located in the thriving village of Nich- olson, we find a number of energetic and thorough-going business men, who have attained success through tact, good judgment and perse- verance. Among them is the gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch, and who is the senior member of the well known firm of Wells & Farrar, proprietors of a feed mill on State Street. The business of which he is the head has been built up mainly by his own enter- prise, and for years he has been counted one of the most efficient business men of Nicholson.

Nathan Wells, father of Jerry F., and a farmer by occupation, was born in Orange County, N. Y., April 8, 1848, and in 1848 married Miss Diana Thomas, the wedding ceremony be- ing performed by O. Browning at Benton, Pa. Mrs. Wells was born January 2, 1828, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: J. T., May 22, 1849; A. D., July 18, 1850; Diana E., December 14, 1852; Jerry F., October 14,

1855; C. J., March 17, 1858; Arminda A., No- vember 23, 1863; Nellie L., December 5, 1865; and Hattie C., who was born October 16, 1867, and passed away in June, 1893. The mother of these children died December 16, 1894.

On coming to Nicholson in January, 1872, Jerry F. Wells obtained employment in the mill of A. B. Walker, and was later with the milling firm of Walker & Worden, remaining with them until 1894, with the exception of the year 1876, when he was engaged in the meat business. He became, by long experience and close obser- vation, familiar with the business in every detail, and being a practical miller, he has met with well deserved success during the time he has en- gaged in business on his own account. In con- nection with the feed mill he also owns a half interest and operates a cider mill at another lo- cation. Active, energetic and enterprising, he is now numbered among the leading and repre- sentative business men of Nicholson. Politi- cally he is a stanch Republican, and fraternally a member of Nicholson Lodge No. 857, I. O. O. F. By his marriage to Miss Delia Quick, he has a son, Grover B., born December 15, 1886.

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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 19

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