Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 90

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 90
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 90

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In the year 1842 the marriage of Mr. Prevost and Elizabeth Stark was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents, in Nicholson Township, Wyoming County. She was born in 1822 and by her marriage became the mother of ten children, named as follows: Byron J., who died in 1863; Celia, who became the wife of Daniel Walter; Henry C .; Wallace W., who is a banker and inter- ested in mining investments in Colorado; Mary, who is deceased; Victor I., who owns a large ranch in Colorado; Burnett E., who graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, but died in 1867; Angelica, wife of Dexter Stark, and residing in Tunkhannock; Lester S., who lives on the old family homestead; and Clarence, a practicing physician of Pittston, Pa., who gradu- ated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadel-

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phia. Mrs. Stark is the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Jones) Stark, descendants of General Stark of Revolutionary fame. Her maternal grandfather was also in the same war. Mrs. Stark has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for sixty years.

meant his promotion to the governorship. He was a war Democrat and made the first war speech delivered in the county. Active in poli- tics, he was frequently a delegate to the state and national conventions, notably the one at Cincin- nati, Ohio, that named James Buchanan, and the convention at Baltimore that named Horace Greeley. He was a man of warm impulses, never forgetting a friendship and forgiving enemies on slight provocation. He earned and dispensed several fortunes and when he came to die in 1889 he was land poor.

H ON. WILLIAM McKINNEY PIATT was born in Lycoming County, Pa., July 8, 1814, and was brought up on a farm, learning something of surveying from his father, William Piatt, who was county surveyor, and In this sketch it is impossible to make as ex- tended a mention as is needed to bring out the strong points in this man's character as could be done by the recital of instance after instance where he has relieved the suffering and alleviated the condition of others less deserving. He lives in the memories of this people as a kindly disposed man and generous to a fault. The Piatts came from France. John Piatt came to New Jersey and from his son John came the father of the subject of this sketch. The grandfather, John, who was a sheriff of Middlesex County, N. J., served in the Revolutionary War, and married Jane William- son, the sister of Governor Isaac Williamson, of that state. On his maternal side William McKin- ney Piatt descended from the Bradys, famous in the Indian, Colonial and Revolutionary wars. He lies buried in the Gravel Hill cemetery at Tunk- hannock beside his faithful wife. His funeral was the largest known here for many years and the service was one of the most impressive ever held in the county, the Tunkhannock Cornet Band of which he had been a decided friend and patron attending and marching to his grave with appropriate dirges. His life work is co- incident with the prominent events that go to make up the county's history and for that reason who, in the employ of the state, ran out the county lines of many of the counties of the state. He earned his first hundred dollars boating stone for the Muncy dam, and with this as a nucleus he started to school at Lewisburg Academy, now grown into Bucknell University. Later he se- cured enployment in an engineer corps, under William B. Foster, engaged in running out the North Branch canal, and served on this work in company with Stephen J. Foster, afterwards noted as the author of southern ballads. He commenced the study of the law at Towanda, in the office of Hon. William Elwell, afterwards president judge of the courts. He acted as dep- uty sheriff of Bradford County, and when Wy- oming County was set off from Luzerne, he came to Tunkhannock, and, as deputy prothonotary, helped put the books of the county in shape. He was admitted to the bar in Wyoming County, and entered into a partnership with Hon. John Brisbin, afterwards president of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Later he be- gan practice by himself and for the forty-five years he was at the bar was engaged in the important cases before the courts, either on one side or the other, and frequently having the choice of the side he desired to try. In 1845 he . this mention is made. His memory is with the married Rebecca Heston McClintock, of Scotch- people. Irish and Quaker ancestry, and as a result of this union were born Robert McClintock, Frank Hammond, James Wilson and Joseph Wood Piatt, of whom mention is made elsewhere. In 1854 he was elected to the state senate and in 1856 was chosen its speaker, and that at a time when the deposing or death of the governor

N ORVAL W. REYNOLDS, who for sever- al years has capably filled the position of prothonotary in Tunkhannock, enjoys the respect and confidence of all who have the honor of his acquaintance. He has

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made good use of his opportunities and has prospered from year to year, as he con- ducts business matters carefully and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful manage- ment of affairs. Industry, perseverance and energy are important factors in the prosperity of any man, and realizing this to the full, he has steadfastly practiced these virtues from his early years, thus having risen by his own efforts.

The parents of our subject were Joseph W. and Phoebe (Stark) Reynolds. The father, who was a son of Robert Reynolds, was born near Factoryville, March II, 1815, and after a life spent in useful pursuits, died, regretted by all who knew him, March 10, 1866. He was reared as a farmer, and followed that business, in connection with carpentering, up to the time of the war. In March, 1864, hc enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteers. From that time until the close of the Rebellion he was in active service, and received an honorable discharge at Harris- burg in August, 1865. After he had been on duty for a few months, he was placed on detached service, looking chiefly after the issuing of rations, etc. Before his enlistment he had ac- quired considerable knowledge of military tac- tics, and had been the captain of a local militia company. Upon the organization of the J. W. Reynolds Post No. 98, G. A. R., in 1880, it was named in his honor. He was a very active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Phoebe Reynolds, is still living on the old homestead. She was born March 10, 1822, and is therefore about seventy-five years of age at this writing. She was the mother of six sons and two daugh- ters whom she reared to lives of usefulness. When the Union was threatened, she heroically thrust aside all her own cherished hopes, and bravely saw three of her valiant sons start forth to the defense of the flag she had taught them to reverence and die for, if need were. One of these sons was wounded, and was unable to get back to his regiment ere he died. Another son, Oliver, was sick in the hospital and told that he could not live. A telegram to the same effect was sent to the mother, who hastily gathered a few things,

and fifteen minutes later was on her way to the bedside of her dying son. Her love was re- warded, for after long and anxious watching and nursing, the sick soldier boy was restored to her. At another time, she went to the rescue of still another son who was languishing in the hospital.

N. W. Reynolds was born in Factoryville, December 9, 1849. Like farmer lads in general, he was trained in all duties pertaining to agricul- ture, and acquired habits of industry and atten- tion to business that it were well if all children of this generation had instilled into them. His edu- cation was such as was afforded by the district schools of his boyhood, to which he has since added much useful knowledge by private study and a wise habit of observation. In politics, he has been a fervent supporter of the Republican party since becoming a voter. In 1893 he was elected to the office of prothonotary, and has fully justified the wisdom of the people's choice. The marriage of Mr. Reynolds and Miss Emma Squier was solemnized in this city in 1871. Their union was blessed with three children, Effie, Winton H. and Marshall S.

J OSEPH R. ROBERTS, following the ex- ample of his forefathers, has always been an agriculturist, and owns and cultivates the old homestead which has been in the pos- session of the family over one hundred years. His record as an honest tiller of the soil, as a citizen of undoubted integrity and as a veteran of the Civil War, all entitle him to a place in the annals of Wyoming County. It is a genuine pleasure, indeed, to the biographer, to trace the history of so true a man, so brave a patriot, so kind a neighbor, and so faithful a friend.

The first of the family to locate in this county was Samuel Roberts, a native of Connecti- cut. He was one of the earliest settlers here and his last years were passed quietly in Eaton Town- ship, his death occurring in his seventy-fifth year. His wife was Miss Thankful Moorehouse, and of their union several children were born, all now deceased. One of them, our subject's father, Henry, was born in Tunkhannock Township,

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near the city of the same name, Wyoming Coun- ty. About 1815 he moved to the farm now owned and occupied by his son Joseph, and lived in a log cabin many years. He married Miss Nancy Wilson, and they reared a family of fourteen children, viz .: John W., Samuel, Henry, David M., Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Julia, Edward, Junia, Giles, Joseph R., Tracy and Alice. The father held many local offices, and among others was justice of the peace for a long time, and was postmaster of Falls, the postoffice being in his own house. At the time of his demise he owned two hundred and sixty acres, the result of al- most a lifetime of hard labor and careful saving. He died in 1886, at the extreme old age of ninety- two years, and was placed to rest in the family . burying ground on the old farm.

Joseph R. Roberts was born March 7, 1838, on the identical farm on which he resides to-day. Until he was twenty years old he gave his time to his father, aiding him in the management of. the farm, and helping take care of the large fam- ily of brothers and sisters. Then, for two years he was in Illinois, after which he proceeded to White Sulphur Springs, Va. Returning home, he stayed a short time, when the war breaking out, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Fif- ty-second Pennsylvania Infantry. He was duly mustered into the service at Washington No- vember 4, 1861, for three years, and his first ac- tive engagement was at the battle of Fair Oaks. When his term of service was completed, he re- enlisted in the same company and regiment, and was not discharged until hostilities had ceased. In March, 1865, he was promoted from the ranks to be second lieutenant, and a few weeks later was made first lieutenant. Returning to peace- ful avocations, he, like Cincinnatus of old, re- sumed his place at the plow, and has since given himself up to farming. With the exception of two and a half years spent in Kansas, where he went in 1878 to take up a soldier's claim of a quar- ter section, he has cultivated the old homestead ever since he left the army. His valuable place comprises the same two hundred and sixty acres, formerly the property of his father. He is inter- ested in general farming and stock-raising, and is well-to-do. On several occasions he has been

prevailed upon to accept local offices, such as su- pervisor, etc., but, in the main, he desires to leave public positions to others. In his political affilia- tions he is a Republican.

L ESTER RACE, whose fine farm is pleas- antly located in North Moreland Town- ship, is recognized as one of the most energetic men and skillful farmers of Wyoming County. He is pursuing the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good citizen, fur- thering the good of his community as he has op- portunity and enjoying the respect of his neigh- bors. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Luzerne County March 18, 1843, and is a son of John W. and Mary (Tinklepaugh) Race. The former was a native of New York, as was also his father, John W. Race, and both followed farming as a life work.

Like most farmer boys, Lester Race spent his boyhood and youth in assisting in the labors of the fields and attending the district schools near his home, where he acquired a good practical education, which well fits him for the responsible duties of business life. On the outbreak of the Rebellion, feeling that his country needed his services, he laid aside all personal interests and on the 18th of October, 1861, enlisted for three years in Company F, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. He was honorably discharged at Ste- vensburg, Va., December 21, 1863, but on the following day re-enlisted in the same company and regiment for three years or during the war, and was commissioned first lieutenant under Capt. M. M. Montanye. Hostilities having ceased, he was finally discharged at New Alex- andria, Va., June 30, 1865, after almost four years of faithful and arduous service on southern bat- tlefields. He participated in the following en- gagements: Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wil- derness, Petersburg, Hatchie's Run and Appo- mattox.

On his return from the war, Mr. Race was employed in a flouring mill in Falls Township, Wyoming County, for a time, but his principal

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attention has been given to his agricultural in- terests in North Moreland Township, where he now resides. At the age of twenty-four he was joined in wedlock with Miss Frances E. Van- anken, who was born in Falls Township, and they became the parents of three children: Ar- thur, Harry, and Anna, who is now married. After a short married life of six years the mother was called to her final rest, dying at the age of twenty-six. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Later Mr. Race was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary T. Tripp, also a native of Wyoming County, and six children have blessed their un- ion, namely: Albert; William; Lessie L., de- ceased; Gertie A .; Louis A .; and Danford C.

In the exercise of his elective franchise, Mr. Race supports the principles of the Republican party, and does all within his power to advance its interests. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the post at Beaumont, and is a valued citizen of the community in which he makes his home. Al- though he cares nothing for political preferment, he has acceptably served as school director, as he is a warm friend of our public school system. Public-spirited to a great degree, he takes an ac- tive interest in every measure which is calculated to benefit the community, or accrue to the good of society in general.

G I EORGE W. SHERWOOD has been a lifelong farmer and stock-raiser of Falls Township, Wyoming County. He owns and cultivates the original old homestead formerly the property of his respected father, and few men in this community are considered more reliable and thoroughly trustworthy than he. There is certainly wisdom in the saying that a government must depend upon those who till the soil, that such are, in fact, the bone and sinew of a commonwealth. How much greater sense would be manifested by the young men of the rising generation if they would follow in the foot- steps of their industrious, energetic forefathers and cultivate some of the millions of acres await- ing their care, instead of setting forth to the con-

gested and terribly overcrowded cities in search of employment, for which thousands of other men are eagerly seeking.

George W. Sherwood, son of Phineas and Urania (Keeler) Sherwood, was born on the farm which he now owns, in Falls Township, February 18, 1827. Under the careful and judicious train- ing bestowed upon him by his parents, he early learned to do all manner of farm work and to make himself generally useful. After his father's death, he bought out the other heirs, and com- menced to "paddle his own canoe" in earnest. Believing that the companionship and help of a good woman is of untold value to a man in the vicissitudes of life, he chose as his helpmate Miss Eleanora Walter, their marriage being solem- nized January 21, 1858. She has, indeed, wonder- fully aided and cheered him by her kindly sym- pathy and devotion, and though they have expe- rienced many great sorrows and joys, common to all mankind, they have shared them, and grown stronger and better in the assurance that "all things work together for good to them that love the Lord."

In 1866 Mr. Sherwood was elected to fill the office of county commissioner, and served three years, and he has also acted in the capacity of as- sessor, auditor, poor master and inspector of elections. He votes the Democratic ticket, and strives to do his whole duty as a citizen. For many years he has been a member of the Grange, having acted as master, and has been deputy of Wyoming County for the past seventeen years, and is a member of the Knights of Honor. Be- sides owning one hundred acres of the old home- stead here, he owns one hundred and four acres near Tunkhannock, the county seat.

The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood, Esther E., born November 14, 1859, is the wife of Clayton Sickler, of North Moreland Town- ship. Flora A., born October 15, 1862, is the wife of Jonathan Swartwood, of this township. Clara M., born August 21, 1864, married Frank Marcey, and has one child, Nellie. Preston W., born July 13, 1868, was a brakeman on a train, and was accidentally killed near Athens, Pa., Jan- uary 18, 1891. Anna L., born December 1, 1870, and wife of Bennett E. Brainard, of Bingham-

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Joseph R. Roberts was born March 7, 1838, on the identical farm on which he resides to-day. Until he was twenty years old he gave his time to his father, aiding him in the management of. the farm, and helping take care of the large fam- ily of brothers and sisters. Then, for two years he was in Illinois, after which he proceeded to White Sulphur Springs, Va. Returning home, he stayed a short time, when the war breaking out, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Fif- ty-second Pennsylvania Infantry. He was duly mustered into the service at Washington No- vember 4, 1861, for three years, and his first ac- tive engagement was at the battle of Fair Oaks. When his term of service was completed, he re- enlisted in the same company and regiment, and was not discharged until hostilities had ceased. In March, 1865, he was promoted from the ranks to be second lieutenant, and a few weeks later was made first lieutenant. Returning to peace- ful avocations, he, like Cincinnatus of old, re- sumed his place at the plow, and has since given himself up to farming. With the exception of two and a half years spent in Kansas, where he went in 1878 to take up a soldier's claim of a quar- ter section, he has cultivated the old homestead ever since he left the army. His valuable place comprises the same two liundred and sixty acres, formerly the property of his father. He is inter- ested in general farming and stock-raising, and is well-to-do. On several occasions he has been

prevailed upon to accept local offices, such as su- pervisor, etc., but, in the main, he desires to leave public positions to others. In his political affilia- tions he is a Republican.

On his return from the war, Mr. Race was employed in a flouring mill in Falls Township, Wyoming County, for a time, but his principal

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G EORGE W. SHERWOOD has been a lifelong farmer and stock-raiser of Falls Township, Wyoming County. He owns and cultivates the original old homestead formerly the property of his respected father, and few men in this community are considered more reliable and thoroughly trustworthy than he. There is certainly wisdom in the saying that a government must depend upon those who till the soil, that such are, in fact, the bone and sinew of a commonwealth. How much greater sense would be manifested by the young men of the rising generation if they would follow in the foot- steps of their industrious, energetic forefathers and cultivate some of the millions of acres await- ing their care, instead of setting forth to the con-

gested and terribly overcrowded cities in search of employment, for which thousands of other men are eagerly seeking.

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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 90

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