Sullivan County PA Biographies
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JOHN PARDOE
JOHN PARDOE, who resides in a fine home in the town of Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., is now retired, but for many years was one of the progressive farmers of Elkland township. He is a son of William and Jane (McCarty) Pardoe, and was born in Elkland township, April 6, 1839.
Our subject is of English descent, his grandfather, Joseph Pardoe, coming from England at an early day and locating in Northumberland, Northumberland County, Pa. At the time he was a single man, but he subsequently married Sarah Williams and they became neighbors of Dr. Priestly, a well-known land-agent and a native of England. Joseph Pardoe purchased a tract of 200 acres of land from Dr. Priestly at two dollars per acre in the timber section of Elkland, Sullivan County, and there he erected a little log cabin. In this rude structure they lived and, although it required much hard labor to clear the land and they met with many rough experiences, they were happy and theirs was the pleasure of seeing a veritable wilderness transformed into rich fields of growing crops by their own industry. Under their log cabin roof, their children were born and reared and Mr. Pardoe continued to reside upon that property until he retired from active work, when he disposed of it to his youngest son, Thomas, and went to reside with a daughter. The place is now owned by Watson Wright, Esq. He lived to reach the advanced age of almost ninety years and his wife also attained a ripe old age before passing away. They lie buried in the Pardoe burying ground, which he set off from his farm for that purpose. Their children were: William; Joseph; John; George; Richard; Thomas; Elizabeth; and Sarah.
William Pardoe, father of our subject, after reaching maturity purchased a tract of land about three miles south of the old homestead which consisted, of eighty acres of thickly-covered timber land. He made a clearing and erected a substantial log house in which he lived the remainder of his life, and there he followed farming. He was but forty-three years of age when, in clearing the land, he received a severe cut on his foot, from which he almost bled to death at the time and which finally proved fatal. He married Jane McCarty, a daughter of Joel McCarty, and they had five children: John, the subject of this, sketch; Albert, deceased; Joseph of Elkland township; Joel, deceased; and Mary, the wife of Frank Barnes of Elkland township. Mrs. Pardoe died at the age of fifty-four years.
Mr. Pardoe was originally a Whig in politics but became a Republican in after years and held a number of township offices. He was affiliated with the Friends in his religious views. John Pardoe attended the common schools but at the age of fourteen years, because of the death of his father, he was called upon to take charge of the farm and aid his mother in caring for the younger children. The responsibility was heavy for his young shoulders, but he bore it well and proved equal to the occasion. He cleared the remainder of the land rapidly and farmed it very successfully. By the exercise of thrift and economy he saved the money whereby he was enabled to purchase the land from the heir after the death of his mother. He greatly improved the old log house, by building an addition to it, and in 1876 tore down the log barn erected by his father and in its place erected a large frame barn. He purchased an adjoining piece of property of eighty acres and after making some valuable improvements sold it to advantage. In 1889 his wife's health became poor and. thinking that a lower and warmer climate would prove beneficial to her, he moved to Forksville, although he still owns the farm. He purchased three valuable lots there and erected a fine residence in which he has since resided, devoting his leisure hours to the cultivation of small fruits and berries. He is a man of high principles and good character, and has many friends wherever known.
In 1871 Mr. Pardoe married Celinda R. Glidwell, a daughter of William Glidwell of Elkland township, and later of Forksville, and they reared two children: Laura M., aged seventeen years; and Mary E., who is fifteen years of age. Mrs. Pardoe was called to rest in 1895 at the age of forty-seven years.Mr. Pardoe is a Republican and has held numerous township offices such as commissioner and tax collector. Religiously he is a Friend and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 184 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
JOSEPH PARDOE
JOSEPH PARDOE is extensively engaged in general farming and lumbering in Elkland township, Sullivan County, and is one of the most reliable citizens of that community. He comes of an old Sullivan County family, and was born to William and Jane (McCarty) Pardoe, March 30, 1845.
His grandfather was Joseph Pardoe, who came to this country from his native land, England, locating at Northumberland, Northumberland County, Pa., where he became a neighbor of Dr. Priestly, an extensive landowner in Sullivan County, whom he knew previously in England. From him he purchased 200 acres of uncleared land at two dollars per acre, and after clearing sufficient ground he erected a little log cabin into which he moved with his wife. Together they labored zealously and in time converted the wild timberland through which the wild animals roamed at will into beautiful fields, now under a high state of cultivation. In this little log cabin their children first saw the light of day and there grew to maturity. He lived a long and useful life, spending the last few years in retirement at the home of a daughter, having disposed of the old homestead to Watson Wright, Esq. He lived to reach the age of ninety years and his wife also reached a ripe old age, both now lying buried in the Pardoe burying-ground, a small tract set off from his farm for that purpose. Subsequent to settling in America, he married Sarah Roberts, and eight children blessed their home: William; Joseph; John; George; Richard; Thomas; Elizabeth; and Sarah.
William Pardoe, the father of our subject, also took to agricultural pursuits and, upon reaching manhood, purchased a tract of land three miles south of the old homestead, which consisted of eighty acres of timberland. He made a clearing and built a log house, following farming there the remainder of his days. During the forty-third year of his age, while engaged in clearing some land, he severely cut his foot, and before receiving medical assistance almost bled to death. This wound finally resulted fatally. He married Jane McCarty, a daughter of Joel McCarty, and they reared five children: John, a resident of Forksville; Albert, deceased; Joseph, our subject; Joel, deceased; and Mary, the wife of Frank Barnes of Elkland township. Mrs. Pardoe was fifty-four years of age at the time of her demise. Politically Mr. Pardoe was originally a Whig, but became a Republican upon the organization of that party, serving in a number of township offices. Religiously he was a member of the Society of Friends.
Joseph Pardoe received his intellectual training in the district schools and was reared on a farm. Upon leaving the parental roof he bought the Henry Huckell farm of one-hundred and thirty-six and one-half acres, and there he has since lived, following a life of consistent industry and great happiness. In 1888 he built a new and handsome house for a residence and also erected a new barn. Surrounding the house are beautifully-laid-out-grounds which, with their large trees and hedges, present a striking appearance! He has not only engaged in general farming, but in lumbering to an extent, leasing portable saw-mills, and sending his lumber to market at New Albany, Pa., and at Wilkesbarre. He has not only attained the highest success in the business world but in private life is esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Pardoe married Lizzie Molyneux, a daughter of John and Martha Molyneux, and she passed away in 1883, aged forty-three years. Our subject formed a second marital union with Mrs. Mary Kelder, widow of Lester Kelder and a daughter of Edwin Saben, by whom he had one son, Thaddeus, a bookkeeper of New Albany. In 1895 William Emery of Forksville, who at that time lost his wife, leaving him with three children, being in straitened circumstances he gave the second child, Gracie, to our subject and wife, with whom she has since lived. Politically Mr. Pardoe is a firm Republican and has served as auditor of the township.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 154 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
PHILIP PETERMAN
PHILIP PETERMAN is one of the leading and enterprising business men of Sullivan County, Pa., and has for the past two years been successfully engaged in merchandising in the village of Nordmont. He is a native of Laporte township, that county, his birth occurring February 11, 1870, and is a son of James and Hannah J. (Hunter) Peterman.
James Peterman was born and reared in Sugarloaf township, Columbia County, Pa., and was a son of Benjamin Peterman, who was a well-to-do farmer of Columbia County. James received a common-school education and in early life purchased a farm in his native township and carried on agricultural pursuits. In 1861 our subject's father was offered a profitable price for his farm; accepting the same he moved to Sullivan County and purchased a new and uncultivated tract of land; he cleared a portion of his purchase and carried on both farming and lumbering with marked success. He passed to the unknown beyond at the age of fifty-nine years. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Hannah J. Hunter, a daughter of John Hunter, a well-to-do and prosperous citizen of Sullivan County. As a result of this happy union ten children were born, as follows: Jennie: Carrie; Minard; Philip, the subject of this biography; Susie; Shadrach; Glen, who is operating the homestead; Alice; Chester; and Harry. Our subject's mother resides on the homestead with her son and is surrounded by many friends, who hold her in high esteem.
Mr. Peterman was well known and took an active interest in local politics, giving his support in favor of the principles of the Democratic party. He served as supervisor, tax collector, overseer of the poor, and school director. Religiously, he and his family were members of the Methodist Church. Philip Peterman, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on his father's farm and acquired a liberal education in the public schools of his native township. In 1896 he removed to the village of Nordmont and bought out the mercantile store of M. W. Botsford. On September 11, 1897, the store was destroyed by fire, and, although our subject met with a severe loss, he immediately rebuilt and has greatly increased his stock, now owning and conducting one of the best general stores in his section of the country. Our subject also owned a part interest in the Temperance Hotel, conducted by his brother Minard, which was also destroyed by fire. He is now erecting a modern hotel, 30 by 40 feet, three stories high, and when completed it will be one of the finest hotels in the village. Mr. Peterman is recognized as one of the valued members of the community and lends his influence toward all enterprises that tend to advance the interests of his adopted village. He is an honest, upright citizen, and enjoys the confidence and respect of a host of acquaintances. In his political views he upholds the principles of the Democratic party, both by acts and ballot. Socially, he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., whilst religiously he is a member of the Evangelical Church.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 98 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
MAYNARD J. PHILLIPS
HON. MAYNARD J. PHILLIPS, ex-associate judge of Sullivan County, is a prominent and influential citizen of Davidson township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old family estate. He was born July 14, 1854, and is a son of Griffith and Mary A. (Rogers) Phillips.
Our subject's grandfather, Griffith Phillips, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1778, and was a son of David Phillips. He had three brothers, Daniel, John, and William, all of whom moved to Madison township, Columbia County, Pa. Griffith Phillips lived in Jerseytown, Columbia County, until twenty-one years of age and then moved to Chester County, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith. Subsequently he moved to Danville and there followed his trade until 1809, when he went to Davidson township, Sullivan County, where he cleared a farm near Hemlock School and followed agricultural pursuits and his trade until his death. He married Mary Hughes, who was born near Danville, Pa., and they became the parents of eight children: John, born August 10, 1812, who lived on a farm near Sonestown at his death in October, 1893, and who married Susan Sones, who survives him; Rachael, deceased, born April 3, 1811, married Samuel Livergood, who operated a saw-mill in Hughesville and who served for three years in the Union Army under Maj. Bryan, dying in 1895; Hannah, born December 12, 1814, was the wife of John Robbins, deceased, who went west in 1860, locating in Iowa,-she too is now deceased and is survived by a large family of children; Evan H., born February 14, 1816, who lived on the old Spearman farm in Davidson township until he sold out to the Lancaster Lumber Company, when he moved to Franklin township, Lycoming County, and lived upon a farm until his death,-he was the first sheriff of Sullivan County, his wife was Mary Jane Laird; Thomas, who resides on a part of the old Phillips homestead, was born November 30, 1817, and married Hannah Low, who died in 1889; Mary, deceased, born May 15, 1819, was the wife of Alexander Colley, a farmer of Columbia County; Griffith, the father of our subject; and David, deceased, born May 19, 1822, married Elizabeth Taylor, who lives on the old Phillips homestead in Davidson township.
Griffith Phillips, the father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born in Davidson township, December 6, 1820, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He located upon the farm which our subject now possesses in 1863, but prior to that was engaged in the lumbering business. While living upon that farm he became convinced that there must be copper ore in the land and throughout his life-time searched in vain for it. As a farmer he was very successful. Politically he was a Democrat and served as a commissioner of Sullivan County and also as deputy sheriff under Evan H. Phillips, Esq., the first sheriff of the county. He was serving as commissioner when the first court-house of Sullivan County was under construction at Laporte. He was united in marriage with Mary A. Rogers, a native of Kingston township, Luzerne County, and they were the parents of seven children: David Wheeler, born April 13, 1853, died in infancy; Maynard Josiah; Hugh G., a farmer of Wolf township, Lycoming County, born October 1, 1856, who married Sarah Kahler; Willard I., born May 30, 1859, died September 13, 1863; Florence H., born April 11, 1861, is the wife of William J. Yocum of Benton township, Columbia County; McClellan A., born February 27, 1864, married Mattie L. Taylor, May 13, 1886, and she died December 1, 1886,-he now resides with our subject; and Hester A., born September 3, 1866, died November 4, 1886. Mrs. Phillips was sickly for many years and died of consumption, March 3, 1885. For several years prior to his death, November 4, 1886, Griffith Phillips was an invalid and resided with his son Maynard, where he received such treatment as only a loving son can bestow upon a worthy father.
Maynard J. Phillips, being the eldest son, was at the age of twelve years obliged to leave school and assist his father upon the farm. When the father was stricken with palsy the great responsibility of looking after the family affairs was shifted to Maynard's young shoulders, but he did not falter under the weight. He set about his work with a grim determination that he would succeed and be a comfort to his parents in their declining years. His life was one of continuous labor on the farm and in the woods, but better times were in store for him. Although deprived of the privilege of attending the schools, he obtained an excellent practical education by private study and by contact with men of educational attainment whom he met in the business world. When quite young he sold school books and school supplies, which vocation he made a success that he has every reason to feel proud of, and at the present time, he is the representative of the American School Book Company of New York City. He now owns 123 acres of the old homestead, all well-improved land, and carries on general farming.
On December 20, 1887, Mr. Phillips married Mary C. Pennington, who was born at Fairmont Springs, Luzerne County, Pa., March 7, 1862, and is a daughter of James N. and Elizabeth (Laubach) Pennington. Mr. Pennington is a farmer of Fairmont. Springs; his wife is now deceased. Our subject and his wife have three children: Murl G., born July 23, 1889; Mary V., born February 11, 1892; and Helen B., born July 23, 1895.
Mr. Phillips always has been a firm supporter of the Democratic party, and in December, 1891, he was elected associate judge of Sullivan County, serving faithfully in that capacity until the expiration of his term; he has several times been chosen congressional and senatorial conferee from Sullivan County; he was elected school director in Davidson township for three consecutive terms, also has been elected delegate by the school directors of Sullivan County to the state convention of school directors, held at Harrisburg, Pa., and is at the present time secretary of the school board.
Our subject is a gentleman of rare mental power, pleasant and honorable in his dealings, and is deservedly popular with all. During his eventful public career he has shown a spirit of enterprise and determination which is worthy of emulation, while his success is a credit and honor to both himself and his legion of friends. Socially, Mr. Phillips is a member of Sonestown Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F.; the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F.; Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. of Bloomsburg and a member of the Farmer's Alliance. Religiously he and his worthy wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Muncy Valley and he has been superintendent of the Sunday School near his home for several years. A few years ago Mr. Phillips presented a lot to the congregation on which to erect a church and contributed liberally to the building fund and toward furnishing the church.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 61 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
MARTIN ELIAS PLUMSTEAD
DR. MARTIN ELIAS PLUMSTEAD, a successful practitioner of medicine of Hillsgrove, Hillsgrove township, Sullivan County, is a man of good education and has had much practical experience in the performance of his professional duties. He is a son of John and Lydia (Crayton) Plumstead, and was born in Bradford County, Pa., May 31, 1873.
John Plumstead, the father of our subject, was born in Elmira, N. Y., where he resided until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the 161st Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf., of Elmira. He was injured on a boat on the Hudson River while in the discharge of his duty, and upon his discharge from the regiment he returned to his home. There he lived for some time and then moved to Franklin, Bradford County, Pa., where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He finally moved to Sayre, Bradford County, in 1885, and is now a resident of that place, being employed in the locomotive works. He was united in marriage with Lydia Crayton of Bradford County, and they are the parents of five children, as follows: William K., a mason by trade and a resident of Sayre, Pa., who married Florence Northrup; Minnie, the wife of Frank L. Garrison, a car-inspector living at Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Lewis, a laborer residing in Sayre, Pa.; Martin Elias, the subject of this sketch; and Norman, a youth of thirteen years, living at Sayre, Pa.
Dr. Martin E. Plumstead received his education in the common schools of Sayre, Pa., after which he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley R. R., working as fireman for a period of two and one-half years on the main line. He then resigned that position and began the study of medicine in the Medical Department of the University of Cleveland, at Cleveland, Ohio. He attended school there for one year, after which he took a two years' course in the Chicago Homeopathic School. As his means were limited, it was with great difficulty that our subject was able to attend school; it required labors outside of school work, but he was equal to the demand, paying his tuition by aiding the janitor in his duties. He was graduated and received a certificate to practice on March 23, 1897, immediately thereafter locating at Sayre, Pa. He received his certificate to practice in Pennsylvania on June 24, 1897, and practiced in Sayre until August, 1898, when he moved to Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, where he has acquired a good practice. He has met with pleasing success since his residence in Hills-grove and as a result contemplates conducting a first-class drug-store there in the near future. He has identified himself with all of the interests of the township and has made many friends in that vicinity.
On June 5, 1898, Dr. Plumstead was married to Hattie Brougham of Sayre; she was born in January, 1873, and is a daughter of Spencer and Lottie (Mills) Brougham. Her father is a machinist by trade. The doctor was on the board of health at Sayre, and was also examiner of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company there. Socially he is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. In politics he is a member of the Republican party. Religiously he is a faithful member of the Baptist Church; his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church.(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 394 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
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