Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 85

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 85
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 85

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February 7, 1894, Dr. Cress married Miss Daisy Smalser, a young lady of good education and general attainments. She is a charming hos- tess, and loves to entertain the many friends whom she and her husband have made during their residence here. They have a daughter, Helen.

N ICHOLAS H. DAVIS, a well known merchant of Mehoopany, is one of the progressive and successful business men of Wyoming County, with whose commercial in- terests he has now been prominently identified for many years. He was born in Carbondale, Lackawanna County, Pa., a son of Richard and Maria (Decker) Davis. The father was a native of Wales, where during his youth he learned the shoemaker's trade. On coming to America when a young man, he located in Chicago, Ill., which at that time was a mere hamlet on a wet prairie, giving little promise of its present pros-

perity. After being there a short time his friend was taken ill, and he came east with him, much against his better judgment. He located in Car- bondale, where he worked at his trade until the time of his death, when he was fifty-nine years of age. His wife, who was born on the Hudson River in New York, still makes her home in Car- bondale, and although sixty-nine years of age still enjoys good health.

Our subject is the eldest of seven children, the others being as follows: John B., a Methodist Episcopal minister now located at Sidney, N. Y., enlisted as a private in the One Hundred Eighty- ninth New York Infantry during the Civil War, but was later made captain's clerk, and served for about a year. Maria is the widow of William Thompson. Irving is a merchant of Carbondale, Pa. George is an employe of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad. Lizzie is the wife of Richard Kellow, superintendent of the Delaware & Hud- son Railroad, residing in Scranton, Pa. One child died in infancy.

The educational privileges of Nicholas H. Davis were such as the schools of Carbondale afforded, and he remained at home with his par- ents until he had attained his majority, when he began his business career by clerking in a dry- goods store at Wilkesbarre, Pa., where he re- mained for six years. He then came to Mehoop- any, where he clerked for seven years, and at the end of that time purchased Capt. J. C. Kintner's general store at Jenningsville, a small inland vil- lage about ten miles from Mehoopany. There he successfully carried on business until 1896, when he removed his stock of goods to Mehoopany on account of the leading enterprise of Jenningsville, a tannery, being destroyed by fire. He carries a large and well selected stock of general mer- chandise, and by fair and honorable dealing and courteous treatment of his customers, he receives a liberal share of the public patronage. He still " owns a good residence and store building in Jenningsville.

Mr. Davis married Miss Emma M. Wells, a daughter of William S. Wells, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., and to them were born two children, William R. and Flora E., both at home. In his political views Mr. Davis is a stanch Republican, and for

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three years he served as treasurer of Windham Township, Wyoming County. Socially he is a member of Franklin Lodge No. 263, F. & A. M., of Laceyville, and Washington Camp No. 198, P. O. S. of A., of Mehoopany. Both himself and wife are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for several years he has held a local preacher's license from that denomination. He had charge of the con- gregation at Golden Hill and Lovelton for a number of years, and has preached a great many funeral sermons, but has now practically retired from the ministry. A man of great natural abil- ity, he has gained a well deserved success in his business affairs. As has been truly remarked, after all that has been done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, de- termine and give shape to his own character, and this is what Mr. Davis has done. He has perse- vered in pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained the most satisfactory reward. He has the esteem of his friends and the confidence of the business public.

D AVID D. DE WITT, who departed this life in 1879, was one of the most highly respected citizens of Tunkhannock. For years he was identified with the progressive movements of this section, and was one of the founders of the old Tunkhannock Bank. Every- thing tending to promote the good of the com- munity in which he dwelt was upheld and warmly encouraged by the power of his influence, and his money as well. In public affairs he was very ac- tive and deeply concerned, and his neighbors and friends, realizing this, often called upon him to ac- cept offices of trust and responsibility, nor did they ever find reason to regret the wisdom of their choice, for he never failed to grasp the most difficult problems speedily, and acted with supe- rior judgment. Politically he was a Democrat, and was prothonotary about six years.

The birth of David D. DeWitt occurred in Sussex County, N. J., December 11, 1819. His parents were Charick and Esther (Decker) De-

Witt, natives of New Jersey. His early years passed quietly under his father's roof, where he learned lessons of self-reliance, industry and strict attention to business, which served him well upon entering the battle of life. His natural ten- dency towards agricultural pursuits he concluded it best to heed, when it devolved upon him to de- cide what should be his chosen avocation. Ac- cordingly he began farming in earnest when he had arrived at man's estate, and succeeded be- yond his own expectations. After his marriage he operated farms in Eaton and Falls Townships, Wyoming County, and made his home on a farm during his remaining years. In January, 1877, he became cashier of the Tunkhannock Bank, and acted as such from that time until his demise. In connection with his brother Moses, who was at one time sheriff of Wyoming County, and Jacob DeWitt, attorney-at-law, and Hon. R. R. Little, he secured the charter and built the first water works for the town of Tunkhannock. His death occurred suddenly, when he was about sixty years of age.

The marriage of Mr. DeWitt and Miss Celestia Warren was celebrated December 16, 1841, at the home of the bride's parents in Eaton Town- ship. She was born in the southern part of that township, November 17, 1822, being a daughter of Henry and Christina (May) Warren, both na- tives of Dutchess County, N. Y. They removed to Eaton Township about 1814, and were among the first settlers in that township, where they re- sided until death. On one occasion bears made off with their much prized hogs, and wild game of various kinds was to be found there in great abundance. Mrs. DeWitt is the only survivor of a family comprising twelve brothers and sis- ters, seven of whom grew to maturity. One brother, Rev. Warren, was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and another, Mil- ton, was quite a politician, besides being a good farmer and enterprising merchant. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. DeWitt were Thomas and Rachel Warren, who lived and died in New York. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. De- Witt, two sons and a daughter. Frank was edu- cated at the best schools in the county, and subse- quently pursued the higher branches of learning

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at Kingston Academy. He took a position as cashier of the Tunkhannock Bank at his father's death. He is married and has three children. William, the eldest son, died when young, and Melissa is also deceased.

E DMUND O. DERSHEIMER is one of the representative young agriculturists of Falls Township, Wyoming County. That he is considered to be a leader here has been fre- quently shown by the earnest appeals made to him to the effect that he certainly should not offer opposition, but accept local positions of trust and honor. Though not desirous of hold- ing public office, he believes it the duty of every good citizen to take some part in affairs relating to the betterment of the community in which his lot is cast, and if it seems best he should sacrifice his personal wishes to the general wel- fare, that he should cheerfully comply.

A son of Emanuel Dersheimer, our subject was born in Ransom Township, Luzerne County, Pa., June 2, 1857. The father removed to Falls Township in 1861, and purchased the property which is now in the possession of our subject. During his long residence here, he held most of the township offices, and was a very prominent and useful member of society. A sincere mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, he was fully pre- pared to die, and quietly obeyed the summons of the angel of death, July 1, 1883, he then being in his fifty-eighth year. He was a son of John Dersheimer, who settled at an early day in Lu- zerne County, Pa. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Deborah Colvin.

E. O. Dersheimer is one of five children. His eldest brother, Cyrus O., is a practicing attorney- at-law in Tunkhannock. George P. resides on the home farm with his brother. Sarah, wife of G. J. Lillebridge, lives in Olyphant, Pa. Bessie is Mrs. John Carter, of Wilkesbarre, Pa. The early learning of our subject was obtained in the district schools, after which he went to the University of Newton, N. J., for a period. When he returned home he entered with renewed zeal into his former pursuits, and now owns one hun- dred and sixty-five acres of as valuable land as

can be found in this region. It is all under good cultivation, save such portions as are reserved for pasturage. The proprietor makes somewhat of a specialty of dairying, and is succeeding along the several branches of farming to which he gives his attention. For several years he has carried a good class of farm machinery and implements, and also buggies. His carriage repository is upon his farm, and he likewise keeps an office in the village of Falls.

In matters of political import Mr. Dersheimer is always to be found on the side of the men and principles of the Democratic party. He served as supervisor one year, township clerk for a sim- ilar period and was judge of elections three years. Fraternally he belongs to Mill City Lodge No. 890, I. O. O. F. With his family he attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a member of that denomination. In this town- ship a marriage ceremony united the fortunes of our subject and Grace Odell, September 30, 1891. The lady is a daughter of Selah and Mary Ann (Kresky) Odell, who reside in Falls Township. She received an excellent education, and is well qualified both by nature and culture to occupy any place in society. The young couple have many warm friends and well wishers in this lo- cality, and their pleasant home is often the scene of gracefully and heartily dispensed hospitality. They have two daughters, Jessie R. and Florence M.

L YMAN ELLSWORTH, a prominent citi- zen of Tunkhannock, has been closely as- sociated with the development and mate- rial progress of this portion of the state since his earliest recollections, and we are glad, in- deed, to place his name among those of the noble pioneers who have laid the foundations of so- ciety and successful government in our midst. For a period of twelve years he most acceptably filled the office of auditor and acted on the school board as well. He has always given his support to the nominees of the Democratic party, since the time when he deposited his first presidential ballot for James Buchanan.

The parents of our subject were Henry and

REESE G. BROOKS.

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Charlotte (Sanders) Ellsworth. The father was a native of Wyoming County, having been born on a farm near Russell Hill. His death occurred when in his seventy-eighth year, in Washington Township, this county. His good wife was born in Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, and died when only thirty years old on the old homestead, which is now managed by her son Thomas. The father was an industrious, hard working man, who strove always to do his entire duty towards God and man. For a number of years he offi- ciated as supervisor of Washington Township, but aside from that, was never prevailed upon to hold public positions, as he was of a retiring dis- position, and preferred to attend solely to his own affairs.

Lyman Ellsworth was born on his father's old farm in Washington Township, June 16, 1833, being one of three children. Until he was of age he assisted in the care of the farm and attended the district school at intervals, as was the custom of the period. He became familiar with every part of agriculture, and determined to follow in the calling of his father before him. Then for forty years he continued to lead the simple, in- dependent farmer's life. A short story, this, summed up in a few words, yet there is the maj- esty that does not accrue to a sovereign of a great nation lying in the lines, if properly interpreted. It means much more than the sowing and reap- ing, the harvests scant or bountiful, as the season might bring, it means a life passed in close rela- tion with grand old mother nature, and there- fore a life uplifted, strong and pure. Since 1893 the family have resided in Tunkhannock, enjoy- ing a peaceful rest from labor, after the "heat and burden of the day."

November 30, 1853, Mr. Ellsworth wedded Mary Keiser, who was born in Monroe County, Pa., March 3, 1833. Her parents, Michael and Catherine F. Keiser, who were born in Bethle- hem, Pa., were aged respectively seventy-eight and sixty-four years at the time of their deaths. Their children numbered ten, of whom six are still living. Eight sons and daughters came to bless the marriage of our subject and wife. Those who survive are Charlotte, who is married and has two children; George, also married; Emma;

Richard; Eva, who is married, has one child, and resides in Greeley, Colo .; and George, a success- ful business man, who has retired from commer- cial pursuits, and is making his home in Tunk- hannock. Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and give liberally both of their time and means toward the advancement of the cause of Christianity.

R EESE G. BROOKS. With a number of important enterprises in Scranton Mr. Brooks is closely identified, having assist- ed in establishing and carrying forward various business concerns. At this writing he is presi- dent of three coal companies, the Greenwood, Langcliffe and Laflin, vice-president and a di- rector of the Dime and the West Side Banks, a director in the Consumers' Ice Company, and is also a member of the firm of McClave, Brooks & Co., manufacturers of patent grates and blowers. His unostentatious, yet useful and successful life, bears an important lesson to the growing genera- tion. In life's severest struggles he has never faltered. He has reared a family to whom he gave the best of all heritages, a name that was never tarnished. As a public official he attended to the duties of his office with due diligence and at all times conserved the public welfare.

Reviewing the history of the Brooks family, we find that they are of English origin. William, father of Reese G., was born in Monmouthshire, England, the son of an agriculturist there, and in 1842 came to America, settling in Scranton. After working for a time with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, and the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Railroad Company, he later resided on a farm in Spring Brook Township until he retired from active labors. His death occurred in Scranton in 1888. He married Sarah Powell, who was born in Devonock, Wales, near the castle occupied by Patti, and who now re- sides in West Scranton. Of her six sons and one daughter, the latter and two of the boys are liv- ing. H. J., our subject's brother, is foreman of the Laflin Coal Company.

On Christmas Day of 1846 Reese G. Brooks was born in Scranton and here he was reared, at-

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tending the schools of Hyde Park. In 1863, when Lee invaded Pennsylvania, he joined an emergency company raised in this locality, and went to Harrisburg, where he was detailed in hospital service. On his return home he took a position as brakeman on the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Railroad, where he remained until the fall of 1864. Again entering the army, he was assigned to a corps in East Tennessee and was present at Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge. From the former place he went to Cleve- land, Tenn., and Dalton and Athens, Ga. In the spring of 1865, at the close of the Rebellion, he was honorably discharged and returned home. Later in the same year he became connected with the Mt. Pleasant Coal Company and for three years afterward was employed in their mines, after which he had charge of a shaft for the Lack- awanna Iron & Steel Company. He held the position of general inside foreman, and then for almost twenty-six years was general superin- tendent of the coal department.

Meantime, in 1884, Mr. Brooks organized the Greenwood Coal Company, of which he has since been president and which has two breakers with three shafts located at the edge of the city. A low estimate places the capacity of the mines at fifteen hundred tons per day. In May, 1892, he organized the Langcliffe Coal Company, seven hundred tons daily, one breaker and shaft, lo- cated at Avoca, on the county line of Luzerne and Lackawanna. Of this he has been president from the first. The Laflin Coal Company, of which he is president, was organized in 1894, and operates mines at Laflin, Luzerne County, fourteen miles from Scranton. There are a break- er and shaft, with capacity of one thousand tons per day. Employment is furnished to more than two thousand hands.

While with the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Com- pany, Mr. Brooks was one of the organizers of the Bridge Coal Company, and served as presi- dent until it was sold. Within recent years he organized the Lee Coal Company and started operations, but sold out. In Scranton, he mar- ried Miss Mary A. Morgan, who was born in Carbon County, Pa., her father, George Morgan, having been one of the oldest miners engaged at .

Nesquehoning. They are the parents of five chil- dren: Margaret, Mrs. W. R. McClave; Thomas R., secretary of all the coal companies in which his father is interested; George G., a graduate of Wyoming Seminary and Cornell University, and a civil engineer; John H., a graduate of Princeton and assistant secretary of the coal companies, and Cora M., Mrs. Willard Matthews.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Brooks has been chairman of the county and city committees at different times. For four years he was a mem- ber of the board of school control, for seven years served as a member of the poor board and for four years represented the fifth ward in the select council. He was elected city treasurer of Scran- ton and served seven years. In June, 1896, he went abroad for recreation, accompanying one hundred and fifty members of the Manufacturers Club of Philadelphia, and visited Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, England, Wales and Ireland, traveling about fifteen thou- sand miles in his trip of three months. He has also visited points of interest in the United States, having been from the Gulf to the Lakes, and from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. He is a member of the board of trade in Scranton. Fond of social amenities, he is associated with the Wawayanda Club of Long Island, the Scran- ton Club and the Rod & Reel Forest Club, the latter an organization owning a fine club house and ten thousand acres of land in Wayne County.

OHN BENTON FASSETT, cashier of the Wyoming National Bank of Tunk- hannock, has been a resident of the county seat since the year 1894. A brief history of the Wyoming National Bank will prove of in- terest to many of our citizens. The charter for the institution was made out February 23, 1865. C. P. Miller was chosen president, and acted in that capacity until his death in 1889. The first board of directors consisted of the following- named gentlemen: Isaac H. Ross, Samuel Stark, Elisha Sharpe, George Osterhout, John Jackson, C. P. Miller, Paul Billings, Thomas B. Wall and D. D. DeWitt. The capital of the bank was $100,000, and continuously since its organization

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it has paid regular dividends (a total of sixty- four dividends, amounting to $229,250), and still has a surplus and undivided profits of over $40,- 000. F. L. Sittser was the successor of the first president, and still fills this position. Of the first board of directors, Paul Billings is now the only survivor. The first cashier, Samuel Stark, was succeeded by D. D. DeWitt, in January, 1877, and he, in turn, was succeeded by his son, F. W. DeWitt, at the time of the senior's death, February 23, 1880. The younger DeWitt held the office acceptably for over fourteen years, and resigned July 1, 1894, since which date the posi- tion has been filled by Mr. Fassett.

John Benton Fassett was born in Scottsville, Pa., December 19, 1867, and was reared on his father's farm. His early education was acquired in the district schools, and when he had exhausted their resources he was privileged to attend Wyo- ming Seminary three years, where he followed the higher branches of learning. Then, in order to equip himself more thoroughly for the battle of life, he took a course of practical training in the Wyoming Commercial College, at Kingston, and graduated from that institution in 1885. When about twenty years old he started in the lumber business at Rock Hill, Pa., and was in- terested more or less in this undertaking up to the time that he became cashier in the bank, and was obliged to remove to Tunkhannock. His father's death in August, 1888, caused much of his attention to be devoted to the settling of the estate, as he had been appointed executor of the same, and the manner in which he adjusted the complicated investments, etc., was satisfactory. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his first presidential ballot for Benjamin Harrison. In a social way he is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the Knights Templar Lodge of this place. With his mother, he holds member- ship with the Methodist Church.

Alvah Fassett, father of our subject, was born in Scottsville, Pa., May 9, 1835, and was sum- moned to the better land while still a resident of that place, when fifty-three years of age. He was brought up on a farm, and received his education in the district schools and Harford Academy in Susquehanna County. October 11, 1861, he en-

listed as a sergeant in Company B, Fifty-second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until he was discharged August 1I, 1862, on account of a severe wound in the head, re- ceived in the battle of Fair Oaks. When he had recovered, he resumed lumbering, farming and his real estate operations, being thus employed as long as he lived. He was a son of John and Sallie (Haverly) Fassett, the former of whom was born in Windham, Conn., and died in Scottsville, in 1885, aged ninety-two years. The mother of John B. Fassett was Miss Mary J. Keeney in her girlhood. She was born September 30, 1842, at North Flat, Wyoming County, Pa., and is still living. Two of her children, Flora and Seth Lee, died at three years and eighteen months old re- spectively.

J OHN FLUMERFELT is one of the en- terprising and progressive agriculturists of Tunkhannock Township, Wyoming Coun- ty. Well has it been said that the farmers are the bone and sinew of any country, for on their la- bors depend every branch of commercial and governmental prosperity. If a much greater pro- portion of the rising generation had wider com- prehension and greater experience, they would not turn their backs on the old farms hewed out of the wilderness by industrious, God-fearing an- cestors, and go forth to seek a precarious liveli- hood in the over-crowded cities. Many a time and oft, in the fearful struggle for wealth, they have cause to sigh for the simple, honest, inde- pendent life of the farmer.

Samucl Flumerfelt, father of our subject, was born in Warren County, N. J., in 1804, and com- ing to Pennsylvania, settled near Tunkhannock about 1849. For twenty years he devoted him- self to tilling the soil and improving his valuable farm, and then, his life work ended, was peace- fully laid to rest to await his certain happy re- ward. His wife, who before her marriage was Miss Sarah Decker, was also a native of Warren County, N. J., and, like her husband, attained the age of sixty-five years. Their family com- prised twelve children, five of whom still survive. The parents of Mrs. Flumerfelt were Jacob and

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Anna (Adanis) Decker, who were life long resi- dents of New Jersey. The parents of Samuel, Andrew and Anna Flumerfelt, were natives of the same state, but removing to Ohio, passed their last years there.

The birth of our subject occurred in Warren County, N. J., May 23, 1834, and from his earliest recollections he was accustomed to the routine of farm work. Like the boys of that day, he had to be contented with such education as was af- forded by the district schools. Soon after the close of the war of the Rebellion he went to Sus- quehanna County, where he found employment for two years. At the expiration of that time he returned to the old homestead, and has remained here ever since, with the exception of three years when he was in Arizona, on a ranch which he owns there. Formerly he was a Democrat, but of late years has been an active Prohibitionist. He has filled several local offices, with satisfaction to all concerned.

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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 85

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