Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1895-05-17

Ahese iunUS were III uet0clle0 OOuies
extending all the way from the Del.
aware river to the East Branch oI
the Susquehanna. From this date
for many years both Gen. Meredith
and George Clymer relied upon
Thos. Meredith for the care and
management of this vast property.
At this time there existed
obsticles only known by those who
have become informed of the local
history of Northern Pennsylvania.
Litigations arising from conflicting
titles, efforts to prevent re-surveys
and depradations made by timber
thieves were among the things
brought to the attention on the
perusal of his papers. The want of
roads prevented the opening of these
lands to desirable settlers. 10 over
como this difficulty Mr.. Merideth
gave careful attention in his work as
surveyor 10 the position of streams
and mountain passes, to determine
the most favorable locations. In
this capacity he became the pioneer
worker in bringing before the public
the possibilities and Importance of
such enterprises. Two of the i'm
portant Turnpike Companies were
organized and largely built under
his supervision, that are known as
the North and South, Belmont and
Oquaqua, besides giving efficient
aid to several others. The opening
of the turnpike roads gave the first
impetus to successful settlement
that proved benefit TO the land
holders. Mr.. Meredith having locat-
ed at Belmont, in Wayne county,
and the interests of the landed :
mess required the alter
in Wilkes ~, C,.
~ 'N, 49, 'J ~ ~
ne father of VIM. b., Thomas W..
and Mrs. Edward Overton went
there to reside and Jointly with Mr..
Meredith for few years to look
after the interests of the Meredith &
Clymer lands; among those appoints
ed as local agents were, Bartholomew
Laporte, father of John Laporte, in
Bradford county and VIM. Ward,
father of Christopher L. Ward, in
Susquehanna county.
In 1928 commencement was
made in operating the extensive
coal fields of Lackawanua Valley at
Carbondale. Mr. Merideth at that
time made personal investment of
the property below the opening and
soon after changed his residence to
that place. He then commenced
the undertaking of securing a rail
road charter which he subsequently
obtained, known as the Lackawanna
railroad. At this time he had in
his employ as clerk Christopher
l.. Ward who wishing to engage in
other business, but with the desire
of promoting the interests of his
employer, recommended Secku
Meylert as a man well fitted to take
his place, and in May 1880 Mr.. Mey-
lert engaged in his service, residing
with him for three years, when the
landed estates were separated be-
tween the heirs of Samuel Meredith
George Clymer VIM. B. Clymer,
John Reed and Philomen Dickens
son, representing the divided inter
ests and Mr. Meylert acting as their
agent. AS this required for nuns
ber OF years the joint labor OF Mr..
Merideth and Mr.. Meylert, their in
tercourse was kept up and their
correspondence furnishes one Of the
most fruitful sources relating to the
progress of public improvements in
North Eastern Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Meredith like many others
who have labored for the welfare of
those who were to reap in the future,
gave too little thought to his pres
ent needs and as consequence
when undertakings for want of
financial help had to be deferred,
was for many years compelled to
suffer the re,erses of fortune, but
after the expiration of over twenty
years improvements in the Lacka,
wanna Valley has 50 far progressed
that he began to believe fortunes
favor would again return to him and
about 1854 old friends who felt a
deep interest in his welfare again be-
gan to rally around him; among
those most prominent, are found his
nephew John Merideth Reed, Chris
topher l.. Ward, VIM. B. Clymor
and Michael Meylert; adjacent to a
part of the Meridc'h coal field was
the Seymour lands under the care of
Hon. WIN. Jessup. A company
was organized and a railroad con.