Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 80

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 80
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 80

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Our subject was born November 26, 1812, near Falls postoffice, and was reared under the pa- ternal roof. Obtaining an education, in those days, was quite a different affair from what it is in these times. He was obliged to walk four miles, in mud, rain, cold, snow and sleet to the district schoolhouse, which was built of logs. Then it was his unusual privilege to be allowed to attend Auburn Academy two terms, and Eaton school two terms, during the winter months. When twenty, he was given charge of a school and taught successfully three years. In 1835 he started a mercantile business at Falls, continuing there about six years, and also conducted a hotel part of the time. His next move was to New- ton Township, where for a score of years he car- ried on a hostelry and general store, but during the year 1845 he resided in Wilkesbarre, where he owned a store. In 1863 he removed to Mill City, and operated mercantile establishments there and in Newton and Milwaukee while the war 'was in progress. About this time he took a contract for work on the canal and built three

HENRY W. LEE.

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miles of the same. Until 1873 he made his home in Mill City, and kept up his various business in- terests there, but since 1874 has been a resident of Falls Township.

Mr. Sherwood made a study of legal proceed- ings from time to time, and is very well posted in law, though he never applied for admittance to the bar. Some ten years he devoted largely to authorship, and wrote a comprehensive history of Falls Township and of the Wyoming Valley. For forty-five years he served as justice of the peace, was also a commissioner, and while at the Falls was elected auditor of Luzerne County. Be- sides, he has officiated in the capacity of town- ship clerk for many years, township treasurer and school director. He has ever been faithful to the best interests of his fellow-citizens, and they have realized the fact, as shown by the great confi- dence they have always reposed in him. Po- litically he uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party. February 16, 1834, Mr. Sherwood married Sarah J. Webb, by whom he had three children, but two died in infancy. Ma- hala became the wife of J. M. Cary, M. D., and had four children : Chauncey, Minnie, Grace and Clarence. The second wife of Mr. Sherwood was Miss Lois C. Gorman before her marriage. She has also been called to the silent land.

M RS. MARGARET J. LEE, widow of Henry W. Lee, has resided for the major portion of her life in Eaton Township, Wyoming County, and has always been identified with all progressive and good movements in this community. She belongs to one of the leading and most highly respected pio- neer families of the county, and it is an act of simple justice that the slight tribute of giving a place to the perpetuation of their deeds in the records of the county should be accorded them. In the main, they have been honest, hard work- ing tillers of the soil, and by the exercise of their inherent qualities they have always acquired a goodly competence for the support of those de- pendent upon them.

Mrs. Lee was born in Eaton Township, De- cember 3, 1839, being a daughter of Elisha H.

and Elizabeth (Swetland) Mitchell, of whom fur- ther information will be given later. Until she was about ten years old, Mrs. Lee lived with her parents on their fine homestead, and then re- moved with the other members of the family to Tunkhannock, where her elders went, in order to give the children better educational facilities than it was possible for them to have, in those days, in the country. She was a bright, quick student, and made rapid progress in the pursuit of wis- dom. While still quite young, we find her en- gaged in teaching school, which she did, with gratifying success, some three terms before her marriage.

When nineteen years old Mrs. Lee gave her heart and hand to Henry W. Lee, the marriage ceremony being performed at the home of her parents January 23, 1859. Mr. Lee was a native of Eaton Township, a son of Daniel and Susanna (Farver) Lee, and the two young people had been acquainted nearly all of their lives. Two children came to bless their union, a son and daughter; but the former, on whom so many of their hopes were builded, died when he was but one year old. The daughter received a good education, and July 31, 1888, became the wife of David J. Waddell, who was born in Luzerne County, Pa. They had one child, David Lee. Mr. Waddell died in 1893, and his widow re- turned to make her home with her mother, on the old farnı.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Lee moved from Tunkhannock to a farm in Falls Township, where the former was actively engaged in agri- cultural duties for a period of fifteen years. He was very successful in that line of business, being a man of most practical views and ability. In 1874 the family went to Pittston, Pa., where they dwelt about thirteen years, and in 1887 returned to the old friends and associations, with the in- tention of passing their remaining days amid fa- miliar scenes. Mr. Lee died in 1892. Mrs. Lee is highly respected by all with whom she comes in contact. Her home is a pleasant one, situated favorably on a desirable farm, which is kept un- der good cultivation.

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lee was Thomas Mitchell, whose father, a native of the

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Emerald Isle, emigrated to the land of liberty before the war of the Revolution, and was one of the first to locate permanently in Wyoming County. Thomas Mitchell chose Mary Harding as the sharer of his joys and sorrows, and of their ten children Mrs. Lee's father, Elisha, was the third in order of birth. The latter married Eliza- beth Swetland, who also was a descendant of an honored pioneer family in these parts, and two sons and two daughters came to grace their hearthstone, viz .: Margaret, Mary Virginia, Tom Z. and Ben. Mr. Mitchell departed this life Deceniber 23, 1880, aged seventy years, and his faithful wife, who died September 12, 1882, was then in her sixty-eighth year.

A NDERSON DANA, an influential farmer of Eaton Township, Wyoming County, is a good business man, possessing rare com- mon sense and sound judgment. He is held in the highest respect by the people among whom his lot has been cast, and no one can truthfully impute anything against his strict integrity and honor. His word is deemed as good as his bond, and no one has ever suffered loss by his failing to fulfill to the letter every agreement.

The parents of the above-named gentleman were Asa S. and Hannah (Pruner) Dana, both natives of Luzerne County, Pa. Anderson, their first child, was born in Eaton Township, Febru- ary 28, 1836. As he grew up, he took upon his shoulders more and more of the cares pertaining to the management of the farm, until he finally became the real head of affairs. By practical ex- perience he learned most of the lessons of life, long before he had reached his majority, had learned to sacrifice his own interests to the wel- fare of others, had learned patience and the power of will in overcoming the obstacles which are set in one's pathway for the testing of strength of character. He continued to reside with and care for his parents as long as they lived, and with filial devotion smoothed their pathway down the western slope of their lives. Now he owns and operates some seventy-five acres of well improved land and in addition to the competence which he annually makes, he has money invested in various

ways. Among other things he owns stock in the fine bridge across the Susquehanna River at Tunkhannock. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belong- ing to the Tunkhannock Lodge No. 699. He affiliates with the Republican party.

In 1879 Mr. Dana married Mina, daughter of Christopher and Harriet N. (Merchant) Felts, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Connecticut. This estimable couple settled in Luzerne County, Pa., in an early day, and there occurred the birth of Mrs. Dana. She passed her girlhood in Susquehanna County, but has re- sided in this locality since 1869. She was afford- ed an excellent education, and is beloved by all who know her. An active worker in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church of Tunkhannock, to which congregation she belongs, she takes great delight in assisting its several departments of endeavor, and to the sorrowing and afflicted she is ever ready to lend a helping hand. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dana have the best wishes and sincere regard of a host of friends and neighbors, and their hos- pitable home is always open to rich and poor, high or lowly.

J OSEPH WINTERS. Among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers of Wyo- ming County, who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are conse- quently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Nicholson Township, upon a farm near the village of the same name, having come to the place to manage it, for George Walker, twelve years ago.

John Winters, his father, was a native of Bel- videre, Monroe County, Pa., and was a mill- wright and farmer by occupation. He married in that county Miss Margaret Kunkle, of Monroe County, and for forty years they made their home in the former county, but the father passed the last four years of his life in Luzerne County, where he died aged seventy-five years and nine months. In the family were the following named children: Paul and Catharine, deceased; Caro-

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line, a resident of Dalton, Pa .; Frederick, of Luzerne County; Sarah, of the same county; Hannah and George, deceased; Jane, of Dalton; Joseph, the subject of this sketch; John, of Scott Township, Lackawanna County; and Susan, who died in infancy. Our subject was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, and among the hills and mountains of his native county he breathed in the spirit of freedom and independence which is so largely character- istic of him. To a limited extent he attended the common schools, but his education has mainly been secured through reading and observation in later years, and in early life he received a home training upon the farm, which has so well fitted him for the calling that he has followed ever since.

Loyal and patriotic, during the dark day of the Rebellion, Mr. Winters offered his services to the government, enlisting in March, 1862, in Company A, Fiftieth Regiment New York Engi- neers, but was soon afterward transferred to Company I, with which he served for one year and nine months. He later re-enlisted in Com- pany B, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, and remained in the service until hostilities had ceased, participating in many important engage- ments, including the battle of the Wilderness. He was also present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. He was always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented, but when the war was ended was glad to return to the inore quiet pur- suits of civil life. Being a natural mechanic, Mr. Winters had learned the carpenter's trade when a boy, and this he now followed in connection with farming, for some time spending the winter sea- son in the car shops of the Delaware, Lackawan- na & Western Railroad, but he now gives his at- tention principally to the labors of the farm.

Mr. Winters married Miss Amanda Pensworth of Susquehanna County, and they are the parents of two interesting daughters, Gracie and Maggie, both at home. Politically our subject is a stanch adherent of the doctrines formulated by the Re- publican party, finding in that organization what to him seem the principles most calculated to perpetuate our form of popular government. He

holds membership in the Brotherhood of Amer- ican Mechanics and Griffith Post, G. A. R., of Scranton. One of the prominent and represent- ative men of Nicholson Township, he is looked up to and esteemed by the entire community.

G I EORGE ROUGHT, a resident of Nich- olson, has by years of industry and economy accumulated a handsome prop- erty, which now enables him to lay aside business cares and spend his declining days in that ease and retirement which should always crown a long and useful career. His position socially and financially is the result of his own unaided industry, coupled with sound sense and excellent business capacity with which nature endowed him. His father, George Rought, Sr., was a native of Germany, and when a young man, with the hope of bettering his financial condi- tion, he, with his father and brothers and sisters, came to America. On a sailing vessel he left the Fatherland, and after a long and tedious voyage of many weeks landed in the new world and be- came one of the pioneers of Wyoming County, Pa. He was an agriculturist by occupation, and being energetic, industrious and persevering, he soon cleared and improved a farm in the midst of the forest, transforming it into one of the most desirable places of the locality. Here he con- tinued to make his home until called to the un- seen world at the age of sixty-nine years. He married Sarah Roberts, a native of Pennsylvania, who died at the age of forty when our subject was only a year and a half old. Most of their twelve children grew to years of maturity; they were a follows: Betsy, Leonard, Hannah, Sallie, Lydia, Ann, Matilda, Lucinda, Catherine, George, and two who died in infancy.

On the old homestead in Nicholson Township Mr. Rought, of this sketch, was born January 27, 1826, and was there reared in the usual manner of farmer boys of that period, aiding in the ardu- ous labor of clearing and cultivating the land, and only attending school when his services were not needed at home, so that his educational ad- vantages were somewhat limited. The old farm furnished plenty of work for the family, and he

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contributed his full share towards its develop- ment and cultivation. He continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he re- moved to the suburbs of Nicholson, and in the summer of 1896 built his present comfortable residence on State Street. He has long since sold his farm, and is now enjoying a well earned rest.

Mr. Rought was united in marriage with Miss Amy Phillips of Nicholson Township, whose peo- ple were also early pioneer settlers of Wyoming County. Two children have blessed their union: Alicia, now the wife of William Miller of Nichol- son Township, by whom she has three children, Mattie, Ruby and Eula; and Galusha G., who married Lizzie Benniger and has two children, Gracie and Ethel. Mr. Rought uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and in religious belief is a Universalist. He is still the owner of consider- able property and also has money out on inter- est, all of which has been accumulated through his own exertions and good management.

G EORGE S. HARDING, a popular and well known citizen of Nicholson, is liv- ing in a comfortable home on State Street, retired from the active duties of business life. His father, Lemuel Harding, was a native of Orange County, N. Y., and lived there until coming to Pennsylvania in 1834, when he took up his residence upon a farm in Susquehanna County. There he died in 1861, at the age of seventy-three. His father was born in Nova Scotia, whence he removed to Orange County, N. Y. The mother of our subject, formerly Miss Polly Wheat of Orange County, died in 1874, at the age of seventy-seven. In the family were thirteen children: Annie, deceased; John P., a resident of New Milford, Pa .; William and Amos, deceased; George S., Jerusha, Arminda and Martin Luther, all deceased; Lemuel, a resident of Binghamton; Mary E., wife of William Hall- stead, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Henry L., of Factoryville; Silas W., of Binghamton; and Emily L., who lives with our subject.

George S. Harding was born at Mt. Hope,

Orange County, N. Y., September 26, 1822, and was eleven years of age when he.accompanied the family on their removal to Susquehanna County, where he was reared to habits of indus- try and economy upon the home farm. After at- tending the common schools for some time he was a student in the Harford Academy, and sub- sequently successfully taught four winter terms of school (two in Broome County, N. Y., one in Bridgewater, Pa., and the other in New Milford), while the summer months were spent in farming.

With the view of settling in the west and in search of a desirable location, Mr. Harding made a trip to Illinois, but not finding things suited to his tastes and concluding that Pennsylvania suited him better, he returned and taught school in New Milford and other places for four years. In 1847 he went to Bridgewater, locating on the farm owned by Major Field. The major became interested in the construction of the Erie Rail- road and wanted our subject, who was then twenty-two years of age, to go with him to Sulli- van County, and this Mr. Harding did, taking a load of goods with an ox team. There Mr. Field conducted a hotel, and in the fall the rail- road was completed to Port Jervis, N. Y. After about two years spent in that vicinity, Mr. Hard- ing secured a position as clerk in Lackawaxen, Pa., and was later connected with Mr. Kimball in business in Owego. Going to New York City in 1853, he was with the same gentleman for one and a half years in Grand Street, and was after- ward engaged in the Girard House at the cor- ner of Chambers Street and College Place, serv- ing as clerk for eight years, at the end of which time the place changed hands. He was also em- ployed in the Masonic reading room for about two years. Subsequently he embarked in the commission business in that city as a member of the firm of Harding, Hayden & Co., but sold out to his partners in 1875, and came to Nichol- son. For twenty-two years he had been a resi- - dent of the metropolis, and a half of that period was spent in the produce commission business on Washington Street.

In the meantime, Mr. Harding, in association with his brother Silas, had purchased an interest . in twenty-two acres of land at Nicholson, which

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was then covered with rocks and a dense growth of trees, but they cut the timber, removed the stumps and rocks and platted an addition to the village, making what is now the most attractive residence portion of Nicholson, covered with ele- gant and substantial homes. The first sale was to the Presbyterian Church, to which they do- nated one-half of the purchase price. With others they also bought the thirty acres on the other side of the road, which was laid off in lots. In 1873 the property was divided, our subject taking his present home as his share, and there he is now spending his declining years surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His mother died in 1874, and his youngest sister, who was then left alone, now serves as his house- keeper. Mr. Harding was married to Elizabeth Smith, of Wyoming County, who died in 1892. She was a talented, refined lady and an artist of more than ordinary ability, the pictures in the home attesting her superior talent. In his politi- cal affiliations, Mr. Harding is a Democrat, and as a citizen is held in high regard by all who know him. He has held various official positions in the town, among them that of burgess for several terms, school director for two terms, and mem- ber of the town council for several terms, which last-named position he still fills.

T ILLINGHAST W. BRAYTON, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Factoryville, is now living retired, free from the cares and responsibilities of business life. Years of quiet usefulness and a life in which the virtues of sincerity, industry and integrity are exemplified have a simple beauty that no words can portray. Youth has its charms, but an hon- orable and honored old age, to which the length- ening years have added dignity and sweetness, has a brighter radiance, as if some ray from the world beyond rested upon it.

Mr. Brayton was born December 16, 1814, in Kent County, R. I., a son of Israel and Lydia (Fisk) Brayton, and is one of a family of five children, all of whom lived to be over eighty . years of age with the exception of one, who at death had passed the seventieth anniversary of his

birth. The parents spent their entire lives in Rhode Island, where the father died at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years and six months, and the mother at the age of fifty-six. Both the paternal grandparents, Freeborn and Mercy (Colvin) Brayton, and the maternal grandparents, Sheldon and Elizabeth (Sheldon) Fisk, were resi- dents of Rhode Island throughout life, and fol- lowed the occupation of farming.

Our subject grew to manhood amid the scenes of rural life, spending his time in assisting in the labors of the farm and attending the district schools. At the age of twenty-six he left his native state, coming to Wyoming County, Pa., where he worked in a saw mill during the win- ter and then purchased a farm, which he success- fully operated for a number of years. January I, 1844, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bray- ton and Miss Fannie Cobb, a native of Rhode Island, where her death occurred in 1850. He was again married August 20, 1854, the lady of his choice being Miss Sophia Jones, who was born near Factoryville, in Wyoming County, and is a daughter of Jasper and Purlina (Capwell) Jones, also natives of Wyoming County, where they spent their entire lives, the former dying at the age of eighty-five and the latter at the age of thirty-six. Mrs. Brayton is one of six children, of whom four still survive. Her paternal grand- father was a Revolutionary hero, and a farmer by occupation. The maternal grandparents were Holden and Sally Capwell. To our subject and his estimable wife were born three children, but all are now deceased, dying at the ages of ten years, five and a half years, and seven months, respectively.

Mr. Brayton continued to live on his farm near Factoryville until 1866, when he returned to Rhode Island, but after six months spent in that state, came to Factoryville and purchased his present comfortable home, where he has since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He and his estimable wife are faithful members of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected citizens of the community where they have so long made their home. In 1844 he cast his first vote for president, and since supporting Fremont in 1856 he has been an uncompromising Republi-

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can, believing that through that party the inter- ests of the country are more surely advanced. Several times he has served as poormaster, asses- sor and in other official positions, and discharged their various duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

W ILLIAM HADSALL is a well-to-do and highly respected farmer residing in Eaton Township, Wyoming Coun- ty. In this immediate section of country his an- cestors settled in the last century, and since that time the family has been represented by men of strong character, energetic farmers and stanch patriots. True to every duty that they feel de- volves upon them as citizens, undesirous of hold- ing office, and attending strictly to their own af- fairs, such are some of their noticeable traits. Formerly a Whig, he has adhered strongly to the Republican party since its organization.

The parents of our subject were William and Betsy (Chatfield) Hadsall, natives of Luzerne County and New York respectively. Their family comprised seven children, of whom William was the fifth in order of birth. (Further particulars in regard to this family may be found in the his- tory of Reuben Hadsall, on another page of this volume.) Tracing the records relating to the subject of this article, we find that he was born December 29, 1835, on the same old homestead which he cultivates at the present time. His school advantages were certainly of the most meager description, as he was enabled to attend school in the humble log cabin, the early shrine of wisdom in these forest solitudes, scarcely six months in his whole youth. What a contrast to the wonderful privileges which are carelessly en- joyed by the children of this generation. Heavy work fell to the share of this lad and his brothers when they were very young, for the dense under- brush and forests of giant trees had to be cut down, that a chance for sowing crops and reap- ing golden harvests might follow. Besides work- ing on the farm, the boys engaged in lumbering until grown.

On Christmas day, 1869, Mr. Hadsall and Emily C. Newman were joined in marriage. She

was a daughter of John and Jane (Wilcox) New- man, and was born in this county September 6, 1851. Eight children came to bless the marriage of their union, one of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Eva J., Clara K., Mary A., John, W. Miles, Emily C., and Harry M. John died in 1881, and the three eldest of the little group have married and gone to homes of their own. Mrs. Hadsall is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Ladies' Aid Society.

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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 80

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