Notes from the Historian - Florence Banks Black
(as it appeared in the 1984 genealogy)
I have often wondered where our ancestors, William and Adilla, had settled when they came to Kizertown after their marriage in 1833. Since it is mentioned in our history that they followed Adilla's brother, Garret van Sickle, to this place, one could assume that they lived near one another. I learned, since completing William's genealogy, from Mary van Sickle Northaker, that her grandfather was Garrett van Sickle and it was in that home that she was born. Her father was Byron van Sickle, Garrett's son. Also, she said that across a field was where "Grandpa and Grandma" Black lived, who were kind to the children giving them cookies. This couple turned out to be William H. and Frances Shaffer Black. Later on, Soloman and his wife, Asceneth Cook van Sickle lived in this house. I remember going to this same house to Sunday School Class meetings with "Uncle Solly" and "Aunt Seenie" after I moved to Maplewood in 1925. I feel that it was here or close by, that William first settled.
William faithfully worked at lumbering, clearing the timber from the farms nearby. Much of his time was also spent shaving shingles, many of which were used for buildings erected here. One of these was the old sawmill built about 1865, a portion of which was still standing in 1910. He also carted shingles back to Jersey to exchange for produce. He moved several times from where he first settled, finally buying the farm in Maplewood where Eli, his son, lived. He died there Jan 4, 1893. This farm is owned today by his great granddaughter, Mary Spangenberg. This is across the road from the home of Jane Black Grebe, who lives where Emery Black had a home.
Around 1850, the Gravity Railroad built a line into Forest Mills, of which plane #19 was at Lake Ariel, plane #20 on the outskirts of Forest Mills and plane #21 from Hollisterville toward Scranton on Rt. 590. There were also a Freight House built at the top of Freight House Hill near the M.E. Church to keep freight until it was picked up. It wasn't long until the Erie and Wyoming Railroad built a line serving the area from Scranton to Hawley.
About 1850, there was a sawmill built as well as a chair factory by Washburn and Norman. Henry Silkman, a civil engineer, moved here from Scranton in 1887. He made the first survey of the Scranton and Bloomsburg Railroad. Soon after coming, he became a financial partner in the chair factory. He also bought land where Cobbs Pond was located. He realized the possibilities of enlarging this, so h installed a dam at the outlet, allowing the pond to accumulate over a natural valley, thus creating a 550 acre, man-made lake, which he named for himself, Lake Henry. This was done many decades before PP&L created Lake Wallenpaupack. In the 1880's, Consumer Ice Co. of Dunmore built ice storage houses at this place, also at Lake Ariel and Pointelle. For many years, Philander Black was in charge of the ice business for the company here at Maplewood. This provided another source of income for the men of the area, harvesting and storing ice in the winter time.
After lumbering for several years and clearing the land so it could be productive in growing hay and grains, some of the Bells and Blacks turned to raising sheep and cattle to augment their livelihood. James was one who had a large flock of sheep. His son, Friend, also kept sheep for a time. Some of the brothers had herds of dairy cattle, selling the milk to local dairies.
The chair factory was situated on the stream a short distance from the outlet of Lake Henry. It was a rather large building, three stories high where about 30 men were employed. Billy Ransom drove a horse and wagon about the area delivering parts of chairs to the homes around about for the women and children to help with the caning, etc. There would be a return trip a short time later to pick up the finished parts to return them to the factory for assembly. This might be called a cottage industry today. At this time, there was a small village of tenement houses to accommodate the work force and two churches. In 1890 the town boasted a Village Band, two stores, blacksmith shop and two graveyards. By 1885, there was a Post Office which was closed in 1957.
In 1907, the Maplewood Lumber Co. with 150,000 feet of lumber was burned. "Bad Bill" Kent, who two years previous had been prosecuted for stealing material from the chair factory and spent 2 years and 8 months in jail, was arrested for arson.
Some years later, both Jep Black and Friend Black had sawmills in Maplewood. Fred Kellogg was a sawyer for Friend Black. Later on, some of Friend's sons sawed for him in the mill.
Mr. Silkman had a park near the Erie Railroad station with a large pavilion for dancing; also a Bridle Path for horse back riding. In 1916, this pavilion was dismantled because it was not profitable after the Erie stopped running excursions to this place.
In 1932, Kearney Ice Co., had taken over Consumers Ice Co. Plant, having an artesian well drilled on the lakeshore in order to have pure water for the manufacture of artificial ice. This plant could produce 1280 cakes of ice a day, weighing 320 lbs. each. It employed 30 men during spring and summer (wages were 32 ½ cents an hour in 1936". In 1911, population was 143 persons, in 1940 about 237. In 1875 a school was opened at the bottom of Boam's Hill. Maplewood School was started that year and was ready in September 1876. In 1897, another room was added. June 8, 1949, the Maplewood School closed for consolidation with Lake Township Schools.
In a Township Business Directory year 1890 is listed Rev. Henry Black, minister.
It was during the Civil War that a group of men from the area vowed that when they got back home they would build a church. Active in this endeavor were the following: Class leader J. H. Powell, the Schoonovers, Jacob Harris (a local preacher), Kinney, Branning, Osgood, Ferris and many others. The land for this church was donated by Mr. Washburn, owner of the chair factory. This church of the Methodist Episcopal faith was the first church build here and was begun in 1870, completed in 1874. Jacob Harris was a local preacher and preached regularly in the school house near the Lackawanna County line, also in Greenwood Chapel located at "21". This Chapel was sold to the Evangelical Church in 1901. I haven't been able to determine the beginning of the old Evangelical Church but we have records dated back to 1892. We also have record of the formation of the Maple Grove Camp Meeting Association dated September 3, 1894. Involved in this, as well as the church, were many Blacks namely; James, Elias, Emery, George M., Miss Sylvia Black, Philander, Henry Hazen, also John, Frank, Friend, Alby, Eugene and Eli. Last recording in this book was Camp Meeting receipts dated August 4, 1911. There were 100 chares of stock issued, sold at $2.00 a share. No one person could hold more than 40 shares. This meeting ground was located in the area near the roadway that serves the cottages on the west side of Lake Henry.
As I have been reviewing these records, I can't help but note that many member of this Black family have chosen to enter the Ministry. Also of note in 19xx, three children of Henry and Jane Hazen were married; Violetta Hazen to John Sanders, Jr. 5/4/19xx; Blanch Hazen to Elmer Williams 5/24/19xx; Mary Hazen to Joseph Davis 6/8/19xx, Mary Davis died 6/28/19xx. I would like also to note some other deaths I found which may be of interest.
Grace Ethel Wiest, daughter of Rev. L. O. and Millie J. Wiest born October 19, 1893 at Langford, died at Maplewood September 13, 1894 of Brain fever. Buried in William Black's lot in cemetery.
Eva Marjorie Mann (Nee Black) wife of Jesse Mann born May 28, 1873 in Morris County, N.J. married April 13, 1893 died of Typhoid fever at Carbondale, Pa. October 25, 1894 (21 years 4 months).
George Clinton Black, eight son and 12 child of William Black and wife Catherine (her 4th child) of a family of 13 children, born at Maplewood in Fall of 1856, died January 21, 1897 in his home at Grave Branch, Lake Township of Pleurisy. He was married November 1, 1881 to Mary Ellen Shaffer. Of this union were born three children, two of whom, both boys, with their mother survive him, besides eight brothers and two sisters. Funeral by L. O. Wiest.
Spencer Black, son of William and Catherine born 1852 and died October 27, 1897 of a dynamite explosion. Married Sylvia A. Shaffer January 1, 1877. Of this union were born five girls and two boys. One daughter and one son preceded him in death.
William Hazen, eldest son of William Henry and Emma Jane Black Hazen born 4/2/1878 died of complications of pneumonia and heart failure 12/30/1887. Besides parents, three brothers and eight sisters remain. William was converted and was faithful at time of death.
Harry Ellis, son of Fred and Lucia Black, born 8/7/19xx died of convulsions 4/28/xx.
Frank Hartley, died 7/25/19xx, 55 years, 2 months, 25 days.
Philip W. Bartlow born 3/5/1830 died 1/31/19xx, 82 years, 10 months 26 days, married to Mary Ann Black December 30, 1852 and to Emily Masters December 31, 1886. Five girls and one boy of 1st marriage and wife, three boys and two girls of second marriage surviving.
Hugh Moore Black, son of Alton and Grace Black born December 25, 19xx and died March 17, 19xx. Three grandparents, parents, one brother and one sister survive. Buried at Hollisterville.
This information came from family members, neighbors, WAYNE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, LACKAWANNA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THE WAYNE INDEPENEDENT, THE SCRANTON TRIBUNE, THE SCRANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, and CENSUS RECORDS.
I would like to thank, very specially, Ellie Black and Jane Grebe for being part of the committee helping in the preparation of the Genealogy and History of the Hugh Black Family. This family can never repay all the hours spent by Ellie in the Court Houses, Historical Societies in New Jersey, searching out records, time spent in scanning census records, time spent by Jane in the typing and preparation of the booklet, and the lovely cover design by Pamela Black Griffiths.
Florence Black
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