Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 50

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 50
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 50

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Returning home from the war, Mr. Dale formed a partnership with his father, January 1, 1865, and this continued until the death of the latter in 1882. Afterward the heirs carried on the business until 1889, when Mr. Dale purchased it and has since managed it successfully. The same year, 1889, he became postmaster of the village, which he has since held. In 1874 he was elected treasurer of the township and has since served in that capacity, with the exception of one year. He has also been township auditor and treasurer of the school district for several years. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He is identified with Moscow Post No. 218, G. A. R. While not con- nected with any denomination, he attends the Methodist Protestant Church of Daleville, to which the family belong. March 15, 1865, he married Miss Delana Chumard, of Wayne Coun- ty, Pa. They became the parents of eight chil- dren: Lena; Susie, who died at twelve years; Annie; one that died unnamed in infancy; Jessie, a nurse in Philadelphia; Walter, who died at three years of age; William, a clerk in Scranton; and Mary.

T HOMAS ARCHER PURDON. A gen- tleman of exemplary character and recog- nized ability, Mr. Purdon has not only . built up a good business in Dalton, but has also gained the respect of his fellow-citizens, who by calling him to fill offices of public trust have thus certified to his high standing as a man of integri- ty. Possessing great energy and industry, he has risen to a position of influence solely by the ex- ercise of business capacity, and is justly regarded as one of the most active men of the community. To such as he the county is indebted for its pros- perity and the advancement of its business in- terests.

In the borough of Honesdale, Wayne County, Pa., the subject of this sketch was born August 13, 1858, the oldest child of W. N. Purdon, a na- tive of Dublin, Ireland. His paternal grand- father, Thomas Purdon, was for over thirty years governor of the Richmond penitentiary of Dub-

lin, and was a member of a highly respected and influential family. He was a graduate of Trinity College, and received the degree of M. A. The position of governor he held at the time O'Con- nell was imprisoned there and his release, signed by the Queen, is now in the possession of W. N. Purdon. He married Emily Archer, a daughter of Alderman Archer, treasurer of the old corpo- ration of the city of Dublin and member of an old family there.

In 1851 W. N. Purdon came to this country and settled in Honesdale, Pa., where he entered into the drug business. In 1857 he married Miss Jennie S. Tompkins, a niece of F. M. Crane, who was a well known lawyer of that place. They are still living and make their home in Hones- dale. One of the most prominent members of the Purdon family is our subject's uncle, Rev. Henry Purdon, D. D., who was born August 15, 1835, and came to America in November, 1854. Having received a fair education in Ireland, in the fall of 1855 he entered the junior class in Union College and graduated in 1857. Later he entered the theological school of the Episcopal Church, situated not far from Alexandria, Va., where he remained for two years. His first min- isterial work was of a missionary nature, in China, after which, in 1862, he became pastor of St. James Memorial Church at Titusville, Pa., and tliere he has since remained. His life has been a very active one, not given to change, but steadily engaged in the duties of his profession. He re- ceived the degree of D. D. from Kenyon College through the unsought for and kindly interfer- ence of the first bishop of Pittsburg, the late Dr. Kerfoot, formerly president of Trinity College, Hartford.

The early education of our subject was ob- tained in the high school of Easton, from which he graduated. The knowledge there acquired has been supplemented by thoughtful reading of current literature, by which means he has become the possessor of a broad fund of valuable infor- mation. In 1882 he accepted a position with C. T. White & Co., manufacturers of chemical salts in New York City, and there he remained for three years. Next he went to Scranton, where he was employed in the Lackawanna Hospital one year

JOSEPH ALEXANDER.

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and six months; then went to Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, Pa., and took charge of a drug store owned by Dr. A. B. Woodward. January I, 1889, he came to Dalton and opened the first drug store in this place, since which time he has conducted an increasing trade.

The marriage of Mr. Purdon, which was solemnized September II, 1889, united him with Miss Ella G., youngest daughter of Dr. A. B. Woodward, of Wyoming County. She was born in Carbondale March 5, 1868, and received an excellent education in local schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. Purdon are members of the Episcopal Church. He is one of the representative business men of the borough, and at this writing holds a position on the board of health. His first presi- dential ballot was cast for General Hancock, and the campaign of 1896 found him on the side of the "sound money" Democrats.

J OSEPH ALEXANDER, deceased, late of Carbondale, was born in St. Cyrus, Kin- cardineshire, Scotland, June 26, 1818. He was a son of Joseph Alexander, Sr., a farmer, who died at Montrose at the age of more than four score years. The family was highly re- spected, and its members possessed the sturdy faith and manliness of the Scotch Covenanters. In his native land our subject learned the mer- chant tailor's trade, and this he followed for a time in Dundee and then in Sutherlandshire. In 1849 he came in a sailing vessel to America and followed his trade in Boston, but soon went to Thompsonville, Conn. Thence, in September, 1853, he came to Carbondale and purchased the merchant tailoring establishment of Lewis Pughe, who was about to retire from business.

Though possessing limited means, Mr. Alex- ander had all the elements required to make a success of any undertaking, and soon led all com- petitors in his line of business. However, he met with his share of reverses. During the Civil War he suffered heavy losses in the business he had started in St. Louis, and was obliged to close it out. He applied himself diligently to the task of regaining what he had lost, and by close ap- plication to business eventually became one of

the most prosperous business men in Carbondale. Twice he was burned out, meeting with heavy losses each time. Fortunately he possessed a hopeful temperament, and always seemed to look on the bright side of life. After the great fire of 1866, when he lost heavily, he at once com- menced the erection of the brick block now owned by his estate, it being the first brick build- ing built in Main Street. Many of his warm friends attempted to dissuade him in this great undertaking, but he persisted in his determina- tion, for he had faith in the future of Carbondale. His subsequent success proved that he had looked well into the future and had made no mistake, for the years that followed were the most pros- perous of his life.

Personally Mr. Alexander was a man of gener- ous impulses. His sympathy for those in need was quickly aroused, but his charities were quietly bestowed and not in an ostentatious spirit. Un- flinching honesty was another characteristic. In all his reverses he never asked a creditor to take one cent less than the amount of his indebted- ness, and he had no patience with men who com- promised with their creditors by paying them less than they actually owed. Throughout his life he retained a deep affection for his native land, and three times he returned to visit his old friends there. While not a member of any denomina- tion, he was a believer in Christianity and a thoughtful student of the Bible. He had a great admiration for Spurgeon, whom he often went to hear during his visits in Europe.

In Golspie, Scotland, in 1846, Mr. Alexander married Christina Ross, who was born in Suther- landshire, in the highlands of Scotland. For forty years she was a member of the Presbyter- ian Church. She was a woman of true Christian character, of deep sympathetic disposition and rare benevolence. Her deeds of charity were in- numerable, and, like her husband, she was ever ready to assist the less fortunate. They made several trips to Scotland with their children be- tween the years 1872 and 1875. Mr. Alexander departed this life in 1893, aged seventy-five, and his wife passed away in November of 1895. There were seven children born to them, viz .: George S. T., a merchant tailor of Pontiac, Mich .; Jo-

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seph, a merchant tailor of Scranton; Kate and Annie (twin sisters), who reside at the old home- stead; Christina, Mrs. G. B. Swift, of Carbon- dale, who died February 6, 1892; John, who died December 31, 1863, and William, who died Au- gust 23, 1882.

D ELL CARPENTER. The farm owned and occupied by Mr. Carpenter consists of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on the Waverly and Tompkinsville road and is one of the largest in Scott Township, affording an excellent income and an abundant field for in- telligent labor. The land is kept in a state of fertility by the use of the best fertilizing agents and a proper rotation of crops, and upon it have been made the improvements that mark it as the abode of an industrious family.

The first member of the family to settle upon this farm was Joseph Carpenter, our subject's grandfather, who was born in Rhode Island and in early manhood located in Scott Township, where he continued to reside until his demise. at ninety-five years of age. In religious faith he was a Baptist, and carried his Christian principles into every action of life. Dennis Carpenter, father of our subject, was born on the old home- stead and there passed his life, engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, dying November 16, 1848, at the age of sixty-eight years and ten months. A Republican in politics, he served as auditor of his town and took a warm interest in local mat- ters. He was a trustee in the Baptist Church and a regular contributor to its maintenance. By his marriage, which united him with Lydia I. Herlehy, of Rhode Island, he became the father of four children, namely: Dell; W. H., a whole- sale produce merchant, who died in 1890; Gil- bert, a farmer of Scott Township; and Nellie, wife of F. L. Taylor, of Peckville. Since the death of the father the widowed mother has con- tinued to make her home on the old farm and is in fair health for one of her seventy-seven years.

Here, where he was born February 10, 1845, the subject of this sketch received a common- school education and gained a thorough knowl- edge of farm work in youth. Acting as an as-

sistant to his father, on the death of the latter, the estate fell to his supervision, and he has cultivated it in a manner indicating his excellent manage- ment. July 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Jordan, and they have two daughters: Blanche, now in school at Waverly, and Helen. The improvements made on the place are mainly his work and are such as tend to promote general farming and the dairy business. The platform adopted by the Democratic party has always seemed to him best calculated to pro- mote the welfare of the common people, and he has therefore given the ticket his vote at local and national elections. Realizing the immense advantages to be derived from an education, it has always been his aim to encourage and foster the public-school system, and this feeling led to his service for six years as school director and for two years as school treasurer. During that time he handled the school funds in a manner satisfactory to the people and aided in all move- ments for the benefit of the local school. Fra- ternally he is connected with Waverly Lodge No. 301, F. & A. M.

G EORGE W. BIESECKER. The subject of this sketch maintains a position aniong the intelligent men of Newton Township, and takes a warm interest in every- thing pertaining to its commercial, agricultural and social development. He realizes the im- portance of education, and accordingly gives his influence toward the establishment and mainten- ance of schools, setting the example first to his own family by giving to his children the best ad- vantages in his power. The stimulus of his in- fluence has not only been felt in his own neigh- horhood, but throughout the township, where he ranks among the energetic farmers.

In the township where he now resides, our sub- ject was born February 2, 1855, a son of Jacob H. and Eleanor (Krotzer) Biesecker, natives of old Luzerne County. He and his brother, Charles, a farmer of this township, are the survivors of the original family of four children. His father died here at the age of fifty-eight and his mother still resides at the old home place. His paternal

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grandparents, John and Elizabeth Biesecker, were also residents of this locality, the former being a son of Jacob Biesecker.

Until his marriage our subject remained on the home farm with his parents. March 15, 1877, he married Ruth Gertrude Knapp, who was born in this townsliip, a daughter of Truman and Mary A. (Swallow) Knapp. Her grandparents were Zephaniah and Nancy (Fellows) Knapp; the lat- ter born in England in 1786, and died in Hyde Park, Scranton, May 14, 1869; the former born March 18, 1779, and died in Hyde Park, Decem- ber 30, 1861. Of the Fellows family, mention is made upon another page, in the sketch of John H. Fellows. Truman Knapp was born in Hyde Park December 30, 1816, and died in Newton Township December 29, 1890, after having de- voted his life to agricultural work, the occupation of his forefathers. In addition to this, he also operated a tannery, being one of the first tanners in Abington Township. In political belief he al- lied hinself with the Prohibition party, and the same principles are supported by our subject, who cast his first presidential ballot for Samuel J. Til- den, but has since that time voted the Prohibition ticket.

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Biesecker were Joseph and Mary (Cooper) Swallow; he was born in New Jersey July 7, 1781, accom- panied his parents to Pennsylvania at the age of seven years and here grew to manhood, making his lifelong home in this locality and dying in Wilkesbarre at the age of eighty-one. His wife was born near Wilkesbarre February 9, 1786, and died here at the age of ninety-three. Mrs. Bie- secker was one of six children, of whom the only survivors are herself and a brotlier, Frank T., who is sheriff of Wyoming County. Her imme- diate family consists of four children: Arthur S., now a student in Wyoming Seminary; Mary B., also in that institution of learning; Eleanor K., and Truman K., who attend the schools of New- ton Township. The family worship at the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

Since his marriage Mr. Biesecker has resided at his present home on the Knapp farm, and has here engaged in mixed and dairy farming, work- ing industriously and perseveringly to surround

his family with the comforts of life and to place all modern conveniences upon his estate. Frater- nally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has given his attention al- most wholly to farm work and in the cultivation of his land has availed himself of modern ma- chinery, with results that should prove to him a source of satisfaction. Beginning life dependent upon his own resources, he has acquired his prop- erty solely by the exercise of industry and per- severance. His career shows the possibilities be- fore those who are willing to labor and to wait for the result.

W TILLIAM ATHERTON. Occupying a beautiful country seat at Clarks Summit and surrounded by every comfort which ample means may provide, Mr. Atherton, in the twilight of his life, is reaping tlie reward of his arduous and judicious labors in manhood's prime. Though he still owns an in- terest in the large dry-goods house of Atherton & Co., at Olyphant, he is not actively connected with its management, finding sufficient to engross his attention in the supervision of his financial in- terests. For eighteen years lie was on the road, engaged in the insurance business, and thus gained the funds that form the basis of his pres- ent substantial fortune.

Before presenting the life record of our sub- ject, some words concerning his parents may not be amiss. His father, John M. Atherton, was born in Taylorville, this county, September 12, 1808, and died in Waverly at the age of sixty- seven, having devoted his active years to farm work. Politically he was a Whig until the dis- integration of the party, after which he support- ed Republican principles. In the days when abo- lition was unpopular he believed in it, and was not afraid to say so; he was connected with the underground railroad, and many a poor slave was assisted by him to a place of refuge and safety. He was the grandson of a pioneer of the valley, a man who came here prior to the Wyoming massacre. Our subject's grandmother, Martha (Kanaan) Atherton, was born in March, 1773, and died at Clarks Green May 31, 1859.

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By his marriage to Rebecca J. Skinner, a native of Tolland, Conn., John M. Atherton had six children, and three of this number are still liv- ing. His wife passed away in 1875, one year and one month after his demise. In the house where his father had been born twenty-nine years be- fore, our subject first opened his eyes to the light, the date of his birth being February 5, 1837. From a very early age he began to earn his own living. Until he was eighteen all his clothes were spun and wove by his mother, who was a very en- ergetic and industrious woman. His education was obtained in district and select schools here and in Falls, Wyoming County, and in Newton Academy, where he attended for two terms. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Falls, where, during his residence of nine years, he saved $1,000, and later he traveled in the insur- ance business. At his present place he owns about five acres, embellished with a comfortable residence and all modern conveniences.

During the war Mr. Atherton was twice draft- ed, but was rejected both times. His first vote was cast for J. C. Fremont. For years he has been an active Prohibitionist, being the first member of the party in this locality, and was the party candidate for county treasurer. At differ- ent times he has been elected to township offices, such as school director, treasurer, etc. Principle with him he puts above politics, and hence has adhered steadfastly to his Prohibition belief in campaign work. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has been active in work of the Sunday-school.

In Wyoming County, August 24, 1856, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Atherton and Miss Margaret Baumgardner, daughter of John and Catherine (Goodman) Baumgardner. Her par- ents were born in Bavaria, and when she was a year of age, started to America. During the voyage the ship was wrecked between Liverpool and New York, food and water gave out, and the passengers were obliged to subsist upon a gill of water a day. After one hundred and forty-three days upon the ocean, land was at last reached. They proceeded to Pennsylvania and settled upon a farm. Their last days were spent in a house to which our subject gave them a life lease.

Mr. Baumgardner died at the age of seventy-three and his wife when eighty-five. On first coming to this country, he was employed on a canal, but gave his attention mainly through life to farm -. ing. Nine children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Atherton, one of whom was drowned at fourteen years. Those now living are John M., Elisha K. and Mary, all of whom are married; A. M., a merchant of Olyphant; Gertrude, who clerks for her brother; Catharine, Grace and Fred.

H ON WILLIAM K. BECK, a leading lum- ber manufacturer and popular resident of Covington Township, was born in North- anipton County, Pa., August 13, 1849, the son of Thomas and Catherine (Mack) Beck. His father was born and reared in Northampton County, and when a young man embarked in the hotel business in Lockport, where he continued to re- side until death. In addition to his hotel busi- ness, he had extensive lumber and mercantile enterprises, and was a large railroad contractor in several states. In his political views he was a Republican, but was never an aspirant for official honors, preferring to devote his entire time to his business interests, in which he met with good success, leaving a large estate. He was of Ger- man extraction, and held membership in the Ger- man Reformed Church. His death occurred August 18, 1892, when he was eighty years of age. Enterprising and public-spirited, the best interests of his community found in him a friend.

The mother of our subject was born in North- ampton County and died in Lockport in 1888 at seventy-nine years. Like her husband, she was identified with the German Reformed Church. They were the parents of six children: Aman- dus, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah; Cecilia, Mrs. C. F. Royer, deceased; John H., a farmer and miller of Northampton County; Anna M., deceased; William K .; and Louisa, who resides in Northampton County. The education of our subject was obtained in the common schools, Easton University and Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pa., from which he graduated in the spring of 1869. Upon completing his education

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he assisted his father, keeping the books for a number of years. In the fall of 1871 he came to Lackawanna County with his brother-in-law, B. F. Killam, and father-in-law, H. A. Hollister, and purchased a large tract of timber land. From his partners, in the spring of 1874, he purchased their interests and has since managed the place alone. The timber he converts into lumber, having the largest mill in this part of the county.

In company with two other gentlemen, in the spring of 1888 Mr. Beck put in the electric light plant at Taylor, Pa., at a cost of $10,000. He is also engaged in the lath strip business, and is treasurer of the company, which has its head- quarters in Scranton and in which he owns the controlling stock. May 23, 1870, he married Miss Hannah M., daughter of H. A. Hollister, of this county. The eight children born of the union are named as follows: Mary Elton, wife of Byron Miller, of Scranton; Alberta May, an accomplished musician and talented young lady ; Daisy; Nellie L., wife of Frank Rafferty, of Mos- cow; Thomas, who is a clerk in Scranton; Carl Herbert, a student in Scranton Business College; Catherine and Grace.

An active and enthusiastic Republican, Mr. Beck was elected to represent this district in the state legislature in 1892, and during his term of two years served on the committees on banks and banking, corporations, manufactories, mines and mining, railroads, iron and coal. He introduced the bill for the incorporation and governing of cities of the third class, and providing for the an- nexation thereto of adjoining territory. When the term expired, he refused to become a candi- date for re-election. In 1894 he was defeated in the convention for county treasurer. He has been a member of the Lackawanna County Republican committee for eight years, and during that time has served on the executive committee. Some years ago he was elected justice of the peace, but refused to accept and never took out his com- mission. As were his parents, he is connected with the German Reformed Church. Frater- nally he is a charter member of the Order of Elks in Scranton, belongs to Moscow Lodge No. 504, F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chapter, R. A. M., Coeur de Lion Commandery, K. T., and Scot-

tish Rites. Personally he is genial and com- panionable, with a large number of friends in this locality. He is a man of firmness, sagacity and foresight, liberal in his views, tenacious in opin- ions, and possessing the attributes that make a man a good citizen and sucessful official.

J AY KNICKERBOCKER is one of the brave soldiers to whom our country is in- debted for the preservation of the old flag. Though a mere lad at the outbreak of the Civil War, he determined to offer his services in de- fense of the Union, and this he did. Assigned with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac, he endured all the hardships of long marches, the tedium of camp life and the peril of open encounters with the enemy. Among the most important engagements in which he participated were those at Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and the Wilderness. After a meritorious service of over three years he returned hime, with a record for bravery of which he and his might well be proud. Since 1884 he has held the position of postmaster at Elmhurst, where he has made his home since 1850.

The parents of our subject, Jonas and Elizabeth (Barringer) Knickerbocker, were born in Dutch- ess County, N. Y., and thence, in 1830, removed to Scranton, then a new place, with few houses, the present site of the city being covered with woods and swamp. In 1850 they removed to what was then Madison (now Roaring Brook) Township, and here the father followed the wag- onmaker's trade until his death six years later. His wife died at the age of sixty-six. Their eight children were named as follows: Edgar, who died in Iowa; Philena and Elizabeth, both of Colorado; Jay; Henry, who lives in Carbon- dale; Mary, of Elmhurst; Helen, whose home is in Scranton; and Charles, residing in Elm- hurst.

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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 50

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