Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 20

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 20
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 20

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W ILLIAM U. SHAW, of Tunkhannock, is one of the most popular young offi- cials in the county. He was honored with the responsible position he holds, that of county registrar and recorder, in the fall of 1896, and though his tenure of office has been of short duration since, he has already shown that he has genuine ability, and that his chief endeavor is to honestly meet all the requirements of this exact- ing place. His fellow citizens have all confidence in him, and that their esteem is not misplaced is apparent to everyone who has the pleasure of his acquaintance.

Mr. Shaw was born near Tunkhannock Feb- ruary 5, 1866, his parents being William S. and Ellen (Harvey) Shaw, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents were John and Polly (Stark) Shaw, the former born in Luzerne Coun- ty, Pa., and the latter in New York State. Both he and his wife died near Tunkhannock, he being sixty-two and she forty years old at the time of

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their demise. He was a son of Comfort Shaw, who won the title of captain during his service in the war of the Revolution. John Shaw went to the defense of his country in the War of 1812, but though he regularly enlisted, he was not called into action. There is a family tradition to the effect that the wife of Comfort Shaw was in the Wyoming massacre.

William U. Shaw attended the district school in the neighborhood of his early home several years, after which he went to Factoryville, Pa., in order to have better educational advantages. Upon arriving at man's estate he chose, for the partner of his future joys and sorrows, Miss Etta I. Stark, an accomplished and amiable young lady, a native of Nicholson Township, Wyoming County. She is a daughter of J. W. and Sarah J. (Brown) Stark, highly respected citizens of that community. One son, a bright lad, Leo S. by name, born September 15, 1889, is the only child of our subject and wife.

In his political preferences, Mr. Shaw is un- swerving in allegiance to the Republican party, and will doubtless rise to yet higher honors and emoluments, because, in this day when there is so great corruption in politics, the people are glad to give credit where credit is due, and trust their will to only pure and clean handed men, who cannot be bribed or bought away from the proper discharge of duty. Fraternally he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and of the Improved Order of Heptasophs.

M ASON C. RHODES, living upon a farm two and a half miles from Factoryville, in Nicholson Township, is numbered

among the self-made men of Wyoming County, his accumulations being the result of his own industry, obtained by self-denial and economy, and the exercise of a naturally good judgment. In connection with general farming he also works some at the carpenter's trade, which he has learned through his own exertions, hav- ing never served an apprenticeship, but is a natural mechanic.

Mr. Rhodes was born in Putnam County, N. Y., May 22, 1842, and remained upon a farm

there until about fourteen years of age, when he was brought to Wyoming County, Pa., by his parents, John C. and Charlotte (Sprague) Rhodes. They were also natives of Putnam County, and lived for a time in Dutchess County, N. Y., three miles from Poughkeepsie. The father died at the age of fifty-six years, but the mother is still liv- ing, making her home in Nicholson Township. In their family were four children: William Henry Harrison, now deceased, who was a Union soldier during the Rebellion, serving for three years and eleven months in Company I, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Infantry, Ninth Army Corps; Ma- son C., of this sketch; John W., a farmer of Clarks Green, Pa., and Albert Forrest, of the same place.

Our subject was provided with very meagre educational privileges, and at an early age began the struggle of life for himself. He continued to make his home with his parents until his mar- riage, Miss Emma C. Shaw becoming his wife. She was born in Nicholson Township, Wyoming County, and is a daughter of Oliver and Sarah A. (Farnham) Shaw, natives of East Lemon and Lenoxville, Pa., respectively. They are now liv- ing in Nicholson Township, Wyoming County, and are the parents of one son and four daugh- ters. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have an adopted child, Angie May Rhodes, who is one of triplets born to John Rhodes, the brother of our sub- ject. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Rhodes, of this sketch, was twenty-four years of age, and for one year he continued to work for others. After operating rented land for three years, he lived on the old home farm for one year, and then purchased his present place, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.

While calmly employed in the peaceful voca- tion of a farmer's life, the storm of war, which had been gathering for so many years over our country, broke, and bidding adieu to home and its influences, Mr. Rhodes enlisted January 29, 1864, in the Provisional Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Battery H, which formed a part of the army of the Potomac. He was in many hard fought engagements, including the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Bethesda Church, North Anna River, Cold

CHRISTOPHER MATHEWSON.

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Harbor, the seventy-one days siege of Peters- burg, the battles at Chapin's farm, Fort Harri- son and Weldon Railroad, and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. Being wounded in the right shoulder in the hard fought battle of Cold Harbor, he was unfit for active duty for three months, and was given a thirty days' furlough. He reported for duty some time before he was physically able to perform such arduous service as falls to the lot of a soldier. Fame has enrolled his name among the thousands of other "brave boys in blue" on the pages of our country's history, in characters which time can never efface. Brave and patriotic, he has a special certificate of excellence as a soldier from the officers of his regiment. The war having end- ed, he was honorably discharged January 29, 1866, and returned home.

Mr. Rhodes is prominent in the ranks of the Republican party in his locality, always taking an active and prominent part in political affairs and serving as chairman of his township commit- tee for many years. He is an honored member of E. J. Rice Post No. 211, G. A. R., of Factory- ville, and also of Red Jacket Lodge No. 524, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, while his es- timable wife belongs to Sarah E. Rice Post No. .104, Ladies' Circle. They are also identified with Rebekah Lodge No. 58, of Factoryville. With their daughter they are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Nicholson, of which Mr. Rhodes is now serving as steward.

C HRISTOPHER MATHEWSON, a well- known business man and prominent citi- zen of Factoryville, is a native son of Wyoming (formerly Luzerne) County, born Jan- uary 5, 1825, on the old home farm near the village where he now makes his home, and he has contributed to the material progress and prosperity to an cxtent equaled by but few of his contemporaries. His parents, Josiah G. and Betsy E. (Colvin) Mathewson, were natives of Cranston, R. I., the former born about 1797 and the latter 1799. By trade the father was a cooper, but after his removal to Wyoming County, Pa., in 1817, he turned his attention to agricultural

pursuits, clearing and cultivating a farm near Factoryville until his last few years on earth, when he lived retired in that borough. He died at the age of sixty-six, and his wife passed away in the same place at the age of eighty. He was enrolled for draft in the War of 1812, and the old gun which he was required to furnish to be used in the service is still in the possession of our sub- ject. In politics he was an old Andrew Jackson Democrat, but his sons became Republicans on the organization of that party in 1856.

On attaining his majority, our subject left home to begin life for himself, going to Carbon County, Pa., where for about six years he worked in the lumber woods, and later he boated on the Lehigh and Delaware rivers as far as Philadel- phia. Subsequently purchasing a farm in Clin- ton Township, Wyoming County, he gave his at- tention to agriculture. In 1851 he married Miss Zarena Reynolds, a native of Benton Township, Lackawanna County, who died about a year later. . She left one daughter, Jane L., now the wife of John Ollinburg, a business man of Fac- toryville. After the death of his wife, Mr. Math- ewson left the farm and was variously employed until 1856, when he embarked in the hotel busi- ness and also worked for his brother. In 1865 he bought a hotel and farm, which he con- ducted for seventeen years, and then purchased a place near the Keystone Academy. For fifteen years he has been engaged in merchant milling. and has met with excellent success in that un- dertaking. He is a straightforward, reliable business man, whose word is considered as good as his bond.

On the 17th of March, 1857, Mr. Mathewson was again married, his second union being with Miss Lorinda Reynolds, who was born in Bcn- ton Township, Lackawanna County, and is a daughter of James and Hannah (Capwell) Rey- nolds, natives of Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, respectively. Both died upon their farm in the latter county, Mr. Reynolds at the age of seventy, and his wife when eighty-four. Of their four children, three are still living. Mrs. Mathewson's great-grandfather. Robert Rey- nolds, was one of the honored pioneers of this section of the state. Our subject and his wife

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have one daughter, Emma, who was born in Factoryville, and was married November 27, 1889, to Elias Waldo Thompson. They have a daughter, Ruth, born November 4, 1895. Mr. Thompson was born March 17, 1867, in Vestal, Broome County, N. Y .; was educated in the vil- lage schools, and has been connected with our subject in the milling business since 1886.

Originally Mr. Mathewson was a Whig in pol- itics, casting his first vote for Zachary Taylor in 1848, at which time he had to go a distance of twenty miles to the polling place. He now gives his allegiance to the principles of the Re- publican party, and takes quite an active interest in public affairs. His sterling qualities com- mand the respect and confidence of all, and have secured for him the high regard of a large circle of friends. His long residence in Factoryville has numbered him among its valued citizens who have been devoted to the public welfare. The members of his family either belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal or Baptist Church, and they hold a leading place in social circles.

C HESTER ELLSWORTH, a thorough and skillful farmer and a business man of more than ordinary capacity, is a rep- resentative of the agricultural interests of North Moreland Township. He is recognized as an important factor in preserving the reputation of the township as one of the most desirable farm- ing localities in Wyoming County. Here he has spent his entire life, his birth occurring in this township, April 27, 1841. His parents, Leonard and Maria (Dymond) Ellsworth, were also na- tives of Wyoming County, where they reared their family of eleven children, of whom the fol- lowing are still living: Sarah J., Mary A., Joseph, Elisha, Francis A. and Chester.

On the farm where he still resides our subject passed his boyhood and youth, assisting in its labors, and attending the common schools of the locality when his services were not needed at home. At the age of twenty-three he responded to his country's call for troops to put down the rebellion, enlisting as a private in Company E, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, Septem-

ber 24, 1864, to serve one year. He was in no important engagements, and hostilities having ceased, he was honorably discharged at Raleigh, N. C., June 28, 1865. Since his return from the war he has devoted his time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of the old home- stead farm, whose neat and thrifty appearance plainly indicates the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner.

Mr. Ellsworth was married at the age of twen- ty-eight, his wife being Miss Susan White, who was born, reared and educated in Wyoming County, her parents being well known farming people of this section. She was a consistent Christian, beloved by all who knew her .. At the age of thirty-three she departed this life, leaving four children-Estella M., Adelaide, Minnie and Emma-who all hold membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and occupy an enviable position in social circles.

In his political views, Mr. Ellsworth is a Demo- crat, and takes an active interest in the success of his party. He has been elected to official posi- tions of honor and trust in his township, being tax collector, school director and supervisor, the duties of which he discharged with the utmost promptness and fidelity, thus winning the com- mendation of all concerned. Socially he is an honored member of Cor. Rufus Frear Post No. 323, G. A. R., of Beaumont. No man takes a deeper interest in the prosperity of his native county, and it is safe to say that few have con- tributed in a larger degree to bring about this result.

C HARLES M. PNEUMAN, the leading blacksmith and wagonmaker of Meshop- pen, was born in Auburn Township, Sus- quehanna County, Pa., August 10, 1831, being. the son of John and Lydia (Lathrop) Pneuman, natives of Connecticut. His father when a young man came to Pennsylvania, and followed the trades of carpenter and millwright in Susque- hanna County, where he built many of the first saw and grist mills. About 1839 he removed to Meshoppen, where he followed his special lines of work about twelve years, and then purchased

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a farm in Auburn Township. Upon that place he continued to make his home until his death at fifty-nine years of age. Politically a Democrat, he was active in local matters, and filled several of the township offices. During the War of 1812 he enlisted for service and marched with his com- pany to Harrisburg, but did not take part in any active engagement, as the war was about brought to a close. In religious belief he was a Univer- salist. His wife came to Susquehanna County when quite small, in company with her father, John Lathrop, one of the first settlers there, and the man in whose honor Lathrop Lake was named. She died in Meshoppen in 1863 at the age of about sixty-eight. Like her husband, she was of the Universalist faith. Of their eleven children, eight are still living.

The early years of our subject were passed in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties. At the age of about fifteen he went to Honesdale, and for a short time was hired to drive a horse on the canal, after which he spent eighteen months in Springville Hollow, Susquehanna County, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. He then came to Meshoppen, and after working for others a short time opened a shop for himself, and has since been actively engaged in business. The years that have passed have left few traces of their cares and responsibilities upon his face and form, and he is still as hale and energetic as in younger days. Energetically devoted to his occupation, he has found little time for outside matters, but has kept himself well informed re- garding the great issues of the age and in politi- cal views is a Democrat. At this writing he is serving his third term as poor master. Among the other positions he has held are those of coun- cilman and town treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1856 Mr. Pneuman married Harriet, daugh- ter of Moses Overfield, of Meshoppen. They be- came the parents of eight children, four of whom died in childhood, the others being Guy, who is postmaster at Meshoppen; Fred, a successful business man, now engaged in mining in Colo- rado; Susan and Maude, at home. The family is highly respected by the people of the borough

and township, and its members have hosts of friends among the best people of the community.

The grandfather of Mrs. Pneuman, Paul Over- field, was a native of Monroe County, Pa., and married Hannah Depew, by whom he had nine children, four sons and five daughters, Moses be- ing the second youngest son. He was reared to farm life, and always followed agricultural pur- suits. He was the first representative to the legis- lature after the formation of Wyoming County. For twenty years he was justice of the peace, and at different times held other local offices. In 1832 he married Fairlee Loomis, of Portland, Me., and six children were born to them: Helen married Beverly Kinney of Skinner's Eddy, and they have three children; Nicholas and Albert are farmers of Braintrim Township; Harriet is the wife of Mr. Pneuman; Porter and Frederick are deceased.

L EWIS H. WINTERS, who is making a creditable record as justice of the peace, to which office he was appointed in 1892, is one of the representative men of Mill City, Wyoming County. He has resided in this place for over twenty years, and takes great interest in everything pertaining to the growth and progress of affairs here. The cause of education finds in him a devoted friend, and during the twelve years that he was school director he did all that was in his power to promote the welfare of our pupils. He is a thorough business man, noted for his high sense of honor and strict integrity.

The Winters family became residents of New- ton Township, Luzerne County, Pa., about 1830. The grandfather of our subject, Jacob Winters, lived to be about eighty-five years old. He took up a tract of wild land in Newton Township, and cleared and improved the place. He married a Miss White and had five children, viz .: Jacob, Lewis, Stephen, Lydia and Phoebe. Stephen, father of L. H. Winters, was born in Sussex County, N. J., and for his life partner chose Har- riet Vail. They became the parents of four chil- dren: L. H .; Emanuel, who lives in this locality, and is a blacksmith and farmer: Mary, who died in 1867; and George, who died when a year old.

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L. H. Winters was born in Newton Township August 2, 1844, and was reared to manhood un- der his father's roof. He attended the district schools, and started out for himself when about eighteen years of age. Going then to Milwaukee, Lackawanna County, he began serving a three years' apprenticeship at the wheelwright's trade. In 1875 he came to this place and opened a shop, where he has since engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and also does general work, repair- ing, etc. In 1888 he added undertaking to his original business, and both lines have been suc- cessfully managed by the proprietor. In 1866 Mr. Winters married Ella Collum, and they had one child, now living, Cora. George died at the age of ten. November 25, 1871, Mr. Winters and Martha Stocker were united in marriage, and their three children are Nellie, Lizzie and Stella. The family attend the Methodist Church, and give liberally to the support of the same, as well as to various worthy charities.

Bravely going to the defense of the dear old flag, Mr. Winters enlisted as a private in Com- pany B, One Hundred and Forty-third Infantry, March 6, 1865, and was mustered in at Harris- burg, Pa. He was then sent on to join the regi- ment at Hart's Island, where they were kept on duty guarding rebel prisoners. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged and regularly mus- tered out at Harrisburg. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat. A member of the Odd Fellows Society, he is connected with Lodge No. 890, of Mill City, was recording secretary six years, and has filled about all of the other offices in the lodge.

C APT. WILLIAM GIBSON GRAHAM, of Tunkhannock, is living a retired life, after years of valiant struggle in the arena of business. He is a veteran of the Civil War, and was a very active participant in the strife which resulted in the firmer establishment of the Union. All honor is due to those heroes who gave up everything of good that life held for them, aye, even life itself, when it became neces- sary, in order that right, freedom and union should be the heritage of succeeding generations.

In early manhood, Peter Graham, father of

the captain, left his old home in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and coming to America, engaged in an importation business with a brother in New York City. Several years passed in this manner, his prosperity increasing, then, seeing wider oppor- tunities opening before him, he moved to Phila- delphia, and went into partnership with a reliable man, under the firm name of Graham & Mitchell. They commanded a very large trade, running vessels to the West Indies and other foreign ports. Mr. Graham retired from business in 1840 and spent the remainder of his life at his charm- ing country home in Susquehanna County, Pa. At the time of his demise he was about seventy- three years of age. His wife, who was Miss Agnes Gibson in her maidenhood, was celebrated as one of the most beautiful women of her day. She was a native of New Orleans and daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah (Wharton) Gibson, who came from Scotland. She became the mother of nine children, and lived to see many of them reared to good and useful careers. She was summoned to the home beyond when nearly four-score years of age.

Captain Graham was born in Philadelphia, February 16, 1827, and was about twelve years old when his parents removed to their homestead in Susquehanna County. In 1861 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, but was sent out on recruiting duty by Governor Curtin. Eventually he was made lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-third Infantry, being mustered in August 3, 1862. The following February he was pro- moted to the captaincy, and with the exception of a week or so when he was in the hospital, was not absent from his command but once, then away on a twenty days' furlough, until he was honorably discharged in November, 1863.

After the close of his army service, Captain Graham embarked in the coal business in Wilkes- barre, Pa., and continued in the trade some six- teen years, meeting with success financially. In all his undertakings he has had a true helpmate in his beloved wife, who has constantly cheered and assisted him in every possible manner. She was formerly Miss Sarah Maria Meredith, daugh- ter of Maj. Thomas and Sarah (Gibson) Mere-

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dith, natives of this state, and was united in mar- riage with the captain May 20, 1854. Of the five children born to this worthy pair, but two survive, Agnes having died in childhood and the others in infancy. Maria is the wife of George B. Reynolds, a railroad man of California, and has six children. Elizabeth is married, and resides in Illinois. Mrs. Graham is very prominent in the best circles of society wherever she goes, and takes especial interest in the patriotic fraterni- ties, belonging to the Daughters of the American Revolution and to the Woman's Relief Corps. Captain Graham is not behind in active participa- tion in associations calculated to inspire and deepen loyalty to home and country, and besides belonging to the Grand Army of the Republic, is identified with the military order of the Loyal Legion. Both he and his wife are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

It may be of interest to the many friends of the family to follow briefly the history of three of the illustrious ancestors of Mrs. Sarah Meredith Graham. Her great-grandfather, Rees Meredith, came to the United States in 1730, and from 1755 until his death was a warm personal friend of Washington. He was a well-to-do merchant in Philadelphia and, with his son Samuel, was a staunch advocate of American independence. J OHN WALL has been engaged in general merchandising for over twenty years in Beaumont, Monroe Township, Wyoming County, and is very well off in this world's goods. At the same time his indomitable energy and this fact, for he has always relied upon his own resources. He is the postmaster of Beaumont, and was for ten years justice of the peace, in ad- dition to which he has occupied a number of local offices, giving satisfaction to all classes, whether politically opposed to him or not. We quote from one of the early chroniclers the following: "In the darkest hour they never lost faith in the cause. When poverty and distress were about to extinguish the torch of liberty, Rees and his son, Samuel Meredith, came for- . superior business methods are responsible for ward and clothed and fed our poor patriots who were dying of hunger at Valley Forge." The wife of Rees Meredith was a daughter of John Carpenter, and the only son of this union was Samuel, above mentioned, whose birth occurred in 1741. In 1765 he attended a meeting of mer- chants of Philadelphia to protest against the im- The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Wall was a native of Ireland, and became a resident of the United States about 1777. Botli he and the majority of his race were tillers of the soil by oc- cupation. The ancestors on the maternal side, the Hadleys, were from Scotland, and were noted for great longevity. Members of the family set- tled in Connecticut prior to the Revolutionary War, and one of them kept a hotel. The grand- portation of teas and other goods which were stamped. His signature is to be found on the resolutions, which were drawn up then, dated November 7, 1765. Ten years later he was made major of the "Silk Stocking" Company, and dis- tinguished himself in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In October, 1777, he was commis- sioned general of the Fourth Brigade, of Penn-

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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 20

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