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- Jabez Rockwell, by Charles F. Rockwell
Chapter XIII
Charles F. Rockwell.
Charles F. Rockwell is the only surviving child of John B. Rockwell, and, though now past the aloted three score and ten, shows little evidence of the fact. Although he retired from business a number of years ago, he is still active and clear-headed, and takes an earnest interest in the public affairs of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where he has resided since 1866. His career, prior to his removal there, as I have heard it from my father, was full of varied and interesting experiences. Having been furnished with no record other than his genealogy, I have, in making mention of him in this little family history, had to depend entirely upon my memory and cousinly acquaintance with him and his family in later years.
Leaving Milford, his native place, an orphan boy, with limited educational advantages and still more limitied means, he started out into the world to seek his forunte, and his efforts were crowned with success.
On July 2d, 1855, he married Harriet A. Scudder, daughter of Isaiah Scudder, both then residing at Equinunk, Wayne county, Pennsylvania. With the exception of about eighteen months’ residence in Missouri, they lived at Equinunk, where he carried on a store of general merchandise and filled the position of Postmaster, until 866, when with his family, he removed to Honesdale, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Wayne, where he has long been a prominent and esteemed citizen. He is a self-made, public-spirited, out-spoken man, strong in his likes and dislikes, loyal to his friends, and, if foes there be, they have learned ere this that his “bark is worse than his bite,” as a friend once truthfully remarked of him, when something had occurred to arouse Mr. Rockwell’s righteous indignation.
He has been honored by the people of his county be being called upon three times to serve as County Treasurer, and because of his impartial judgment and knowledge of affairs he has been repeatedly chosen as Assessor of property values. He is considered an ideal public official, experienced, conscientious and correct.
His excellent memory and practical knowledge of law have caused him to be sought after by many needing help and enlightment on these points, a few, outside of lawyers there, have administered in the settlement of more estates than he – much of this work having been done gratiously, especially when serving those whose means were limited.
Mr. Rockwell has long been a member of the Honesdals Manonic Ldge, acting as treasurer most of the time. He with his family, attend the Presbyterian Church of Honesdale, and have long identified themselves with its interests.
He is a valued member of the Minisink Valley Historical Society, and has contributed a number of interesting papers when in attendance at their meetings. Being considered very painstaking and careful as to facts, his statements always have weight in historical research. He has always taken a deep interest in the local history of the past, and devoted much time in tracing the genealogy of several families back to the early settlers and to their mother country.
It is to him we, as a family, are indebted for the data and historical matter which enabled the writer to print this little family history of the Rockwells.
In the choise of a wife Charles Rockwell was most fortunate. Born of worthy parentage and favored with educational advantages, devoted and domestic in her house-life, prominent and helpful in all good works, this intellectual, cultured, Christian wife of Charles Rockwell has endeared herself, not on ly to us who claim ties of kinship, but to all whom she has in various ways been associated during their long weeded life which is now mearing its golden half-century mark.
Five children were born to them, three having died in early life. Margaret Elizbaeth died September 24th, 1856, in her first year. Olive Scudder died July 4th, 1861, in her fourth year. Jennie died January, 17th, 1871, in infancy. Both surviving children live at Honesdale; Charles H. married, and Harriet E. at home with her parents.
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Bassett Family Association Database
