---
Civil War Veteran
Married Fannie DuBois
---
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration
Name: Simeon B Chase
Residence: Great Bend, PA
Class: 2
Congressional District: 12th
Age on 1-July-1863: 35
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1828
Race: White
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Lawyer
---
U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
Name: Simeon Chase
Side: Union
Regiment Name: 97th Regiment, PA Infantry
Company: C
Rank: Private
Film Number: M554 roll 19
---
MARRIED
In Great Bend, this morning, by the Rev. J. R. McCreary, Mr. S. B. Chase, Senior Editor of the "DEMOCRAT," and Miss Fannie , daughter of A. Du Bois, Esq., of the former place.
MONTROSE DEMOCRAT, Montrose, PA
May 1, 1851
---
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates
Name: Simeon Brewster Chase
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 80
Birth Date: 18 Apr 1828
Birth Place: Susquehanna County, PA
Death Date: 9 Jan 1909
Death Place: Hallstead, Susq. Co., PA
Father Name: Amasa Chase
Father Birth Place: VT
Mother Name: Sarah Guile
Mother Birth Place: CT
Certificate Number: 2554
Cause of Death: Bright's Disease
Informant: George K. Chase of Baltimore, MD
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Marital Status: Widower
---
The below text was excerpted from CENTENNIAL HISTORY - SUSQUEHANNA Co., PA, by Rhamanthus M. Stocker, p. 188-189:
The biographical sketch of Hon. Simeon B. Chase, of Great Bend, who was prominently connected with the Good Templars for many years, and whose wife is now prominently identified with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Hon. Simeon B. Chase was born at Gibson, Susquehanna County, April 18, 1828. He is a descendant of English ancestry that settled in New England in the pioneer days of our country's history. Aquila Chase, one of three brothers that came from Cheshire, England, in 1639, settled in Hampton, NH, and had a family of eleven children.
Thomas, one of these children, married Rebecca Follansbee; their son, Elder Daniel Chase, came to Jackson Township in 1816, and subsequently resided in Windsor, New York, and Mt. Pleasant, Wayne County, PA. He was a well known Baptist elder, who preached and engaged in missionary work in this section of the country. He married Catharine Fillbrook, and of their seven children, Amasa, married in 1827, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Coleman) Guile, a settler of Harford Township, where the family history will be found.
He did not remove with his parents, but remained in Harford, where he learned the tanner's trade of Gaius Moss. Simeon B., their only son, attended the common Schools of the county, and by teaching School in the winter to earn the means, together with diligence in his studies at all times, he prepared himself for admission into Hamilton College, where he was graduated with honors in 1851. He partially defrayed his collegiate education by acting as deputy prothonotary.
His industrious, persevering efforts at this time, and throughout his career, in fact, illustrate the power of self-help, a prominent characteristic in many of our most illustrious men. He read law with F. B. Streeter, and was admitted to the Bar of Susquehanna County in 1851.
He was a Democrat, and, in connection with his brother, Ezra B. Chase, edited the Montrose Democrat for four years, commencing with 1851. In 1856 he, with other Free-Soil Democrats, assisted in forming the Republican Party, and became at once a leading and influential member. He was chairman of the convention of 1856, that nominated David Wilmot for Governor, and has been chairman of the Committee on Nominations once since. He was elected Representative to the State Legislature in the years 1856, '57, '58, '59. Here he took high rank, occupying the position of chairman of the Ways and Means, Judiciary and other important committees.
He was a prominent candidate for Speaker one term, though not elected; he occupied the Speaker's chair most of the session, on account of the protracted illness of the Speaker elect. Thoroughly familiar with parliamentary law, self-possessed, firm, an excellent speaker and of commanding and agreeable address, he presides with dignity and ease over the most turbulent bodies, always preserving order and decorum during the most exciting discussions.
As a presiding officer he probably has no superior in the State. In 1868 the Good Templars employed him to give his entire time to the temperance work, and probably no more fitting selection could have been made, for he signed the Washingtonian pledge when but nine years of age and has ever kept it inviolate. He also worked with the Sons of Temperance from 1850 to 1853, and with the Good Templars from that time forward.
Always a master-spirit, he at once took and kept a controlling position among his co-workers, and has held many important positions in the Order of Good Templars. He was presiding officer of either State or National Lodges almost continuously for about twenty years from 1856, and attended every session of the R. W. G. L. of North America, over which he presided for five consecutive years. He was Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the State of Pennsylvania for seven years, and discharged the duties of his office with ability and dignity. His reputation thus became extended beyond his home surroundings, throughout the State and nation.
Mr. Chase commenced to make temperance speeches when he was only sixteen years old, and his clarion voice has rung out in opposition to the traffic ever since. Since 1872 Mr. Chase has acted with the Prohibition Party and was president of the first National Convention of that party when James Black, of Pennsylvania, was nominated for President of the United States. He was candidate for Governor on the Prohibition ticket in 1872, for judge of the Supreme Court in 1878 and from the Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton district for Congress in 1886. Mr. Chase is a polished writer and has written much that has had an extended influence.
His "Digest and Treatise on Parliamentary Law," which has passed through many editions and has had a large circulation in Europe as well as America, became a standard work in the Good Templars' Order. “Good of the Order “and “Manual of Good Templarism," for "Mills' Temperance Annual," are among his well-known works.
He is the author of the ritual of the Grand Lodge of the order. He was connected with the banking business at Great Bend and New Milford for a few years, and is now practicing law at Easton, PA, although he continues to make his residence at Great Bend, where he usually spends Saturday and Sunday. He is a Presbyterian and an elder in the church and was twice commissioner to the General Assembly of the United States. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday-School for many years.
Simeon was married, May 1, 1851, to Miss Fanny Du Bois, daughter of Abraham and Juliet (Bowes) Du Bois. Mrs. Chase is a worthy companion of her distinguished husband and has contributed her full share to the success of the temperance cause. She was active with her husband from 1854 until 1874. She was delegate to the National Convention in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, which organized the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and was chosen vice-president for Pennsylvania, and the same winter called and presided over the convention that organized, and was the first president of, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Pennsylvania. She held the office of president for five years thereafter, and has been State superintendent of the Sunday-School department of their work ever since.
Mrs. Chase is the author of a book on Good Templar work entitled "Derry's Lake," which has been republished in Edinburgh and London. She also wrote the three degrees, "Faith, Hope and Charity" in the Good Templars' Ritual, which have been translated into eighteen different languages and are still in use. Their children are Nicholas Du Bois, 1852, a lawyer in Easton, PA; Martha Ellen, who died at the age of twenty-one; Emmett C, 1858; George A., 1862; Marcella, Simeon and Catharine died in childhood.
---
1880 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B. Chase
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co., PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Father's Birthplace: VT
Mother's name: Marcella Chase
Mother's Birthplace: CT
Occupation: Banker
Household Members:
- Simeon B. Chase, 52
- Fanny D. B. Chase, 51
- Emmett C. Chase, 21
- George A. Chase, 18
- Marcella Chase, 76
---
1900 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B Chase [Simeon Chase]
Age: 72
Birth Date: Apr 1828
Birthplace: PA
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co, PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Marriage Year: 1851
Years Married: 49
Household Members:
- Simeon B Chase 72
- Fanny D B Chase 71
- Simeon B Chase 22
---
Civil War Veteran
Married Fannie DuBois
---
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration
Name: Simeon B Chase
Residence: Great Bend, PA
Class: 2
Congressional District: 12th
Age on 1-July-1863: 35
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1828
Race: White
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Lawyer
---
U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
Name: Simeon Chase
Side: Union
Regiment Name: 97th Regiment, PA Infantry
Company: C
Rank: Private
Film Number: M554 roll 19
---
MARRIED
In Great Bend, this morning, by the Rev. J. R. McCreary, Mr. S. B. Chase, Senior Editor of the "DEMOCRAT," and Miss Fannie , daughter of A. Du Bois, Esq., of the former place.
MONTROSE DEMOCRAT, Montrose, PA
May 1, 1851
---
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates
Name: Simeon Brewster Chase
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 80
Birth Date: 18 Apr 1828
Birth Place: Susquehanna County, PA
Death Date: 9 Jan 1909
Death Place: Hallstead, Susq. Co., PA
Father Name: Amasa Chase
Father Birth Place: VT
Mother Name: Sarah Guile
Mother Birth Place: CT
Certificate Number: 2554
Cause of Death: Bright's Disease
Informant: George K. Chase of Baltimore, MD
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Marital Status: Widower
---
The below text was excerpted from CENTENNIAL HISTORY - SUSQUEHANNA Co., PA, by Rhamanthus M. Stocker, p. 188-189:
The biographical sketch of Hon. Simeon B. Chase, of Great Bend, who was prominently connected with the Good Templars for many years, and whose wife is now prominently identified with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Hon. Simeon B. Chase was born at Gibson, Susquehanna County, April 18, 1828. He is a descendant of English ancestry that settled in New England in the pioneer days of our country's history. Aquila Chase, one of three brothers that came from Cheshire, England, in 1639, settled in Hampton, NH, and had a family of eleven children.
Thomas, one of these children, married Rebecca Follansbee; their son, Elder Daniel Chase, came to Jackson Township in 1816, and subsequently resided in Windsor, New York, and Mt. Pleasant, Wayne County, PA. He was a well known Baptist elder, who preached and engaged in missionary work in this section of the country. He married Catharine Fillbrook, and of their seven children, Amasa, married in 1827, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Coleman) Guile, a settler of Harford Township, where the family history will be found.
He did not remove with his parents, but remained in Harford, where he learned the tanner's trade of Gaius Moss. Simeon B., their only son, attended the common Schools of the county, and by teaching School in the winter to earn the means, together with diligence in his studies at all times, he prepared himself for admission into Hamilton College, where he was graduated with honors in 1851. He partially defrayed his collegiate education by acting as deputy prothonotary.
His industrious, persevering efforts at this time, and throughout his career, in fact, illustrate the power of self-help, a prominent characteristic in many of our most illustrious men. He read law with F. B. Streeter, and was admitted to the Bar of Susquehanna County in 1851.
He was a Democrat, and, in connection with his brother, Ezra B. Chase, edited the Montrose Democrat for four years, commencing with 1851. In 1856 he, with other Free-Soil Democrats, assisted in forming the Republican Party, and became at once a leading and influential member. He was chairman of the convention of 1856, that nominated David Wilmot for Governor, and has been chairman of the Committee on Nominations once since. He was elected Representative to the State Legislature in the years 1856, '57, '58, '59. Here he took high rank, occupying the position of chairman of the Ways and Means, Judiciary and other important committees.
He was a prominent candidate for Speaker one term, though not elected; he occupied the Speaker's chair most of the session, on account of the protracted illness of the Speaker elect. Thoroughly familiar with parliamentary law, self-possessed, firm, an excellent speaker and of commanding and agreeable address, he presides with dignity and ease over the most turbulent bodies, always preserving order and decorum during the most exciting discussions.
As a presiding officer he probably has no superior in the State. In 1868 the Good Templars employed him to give his entire time to the temperance work, and probably no more fitting selection could have been made, for he signed the Washingtonian pledge when but nine years of age and has ever kept it inviolate. He also worked with the Sons of Temperance from 1850 to 1853, and with the Good Templars from that time forward.
Always a master-spirit, he at once took and kept a controlling position among his co-workers, and has held many important positions in the Order of Good Templars. He was presiding officer of either State or National Lodges almost continuously for about twenty years from 1856, and attended every session of the R. W. G. L. of North America, over which he presided for five consecutive years. He was Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the State of Pennsylvania for seven years, and discharged the duties of his office with ability and dignity. His reputation thus became extended beyond his home surroundings, throughout the State and nation.
Mr. Chase commenced to make temperance speeches when he was only sixteen years old, and his clarion voice has rung out in opposition to the traffic ever since. Since 1872 Mr. Chase has acted with the Prohibition Party and was president of the first National Convention of that party when James Black, of Pennsylvania, was nominated for President of the United States. He was candidate for Governor on the Prohibition ticket in 1872, for judge of the Supreme Court in 1878 and from the Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton district for Congress in 1886. Mr. Chase is a polished writer and has written much that has had an extended influence.
His "Digest and Treatise on Parliamentary Law," which has passed through many editions and has had a large circulation in Europe as well as America, became a standard work in the Good Templars' Order. “Good of the Order “and “Manual of Good Templarism," for "Mills' Temperance Annual," are among his well-known works.
He is the author of the ritual of the Grand Lodge of the order. He was connected with the banking business at Great Bend and New Milford for a few years, and is now practicing law at Easton, PA, although he continues to make his residence at Great Bend, where he usually spends Saturday and Sunday. He is a Presbyterian and an elder in the church and was twice commissioner to the General Assembly of the United States. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday-School for many years.
Simeon was married, May 1, 1851, to Miss Fanny Du Bois, daughter of Abraham and Juliet (Bowes) Du Bois. Mrs. Chase is a worthy companion of her distinguished husband and has contributed her full share to the success of the temperance cause. She was active with her husband from 1854 until 1874. She was delegate to the National Convention in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, which organized the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and was chosen vice-president for Pennsylvania, and the same winter called and presided over the convention that organized, and was the first president of, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Pennsylvania. She held the office of president for five years thereafter, and has been State superintendent of the Sunday-School department of their work ever since.
Mrs. Chase is the author of a book on Good Templar work entitled "Derry's Lake," which has been republished in Edinburgh and London. She also wrote the three degrees, "Faith, Hope and Charity" in the Good Templars' Ritual, which have been translated into eighteen different languages and are still in use. Their children are Nicholas Du Bois, 1852, a lawyer in Easton, PA; Martha Ellen, who died at the age of twenty-one; Emmett C, 1858; George A., 1862; Marcella, Simeon and Catharine died in childhood.
---
1880 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B. Chase
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co., PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Father's Birthplace: VT
Mother's name: Marcella Chase
Mother's Birthplace: CT
Occupation: Banker
Household Members:
- Simeon B. Chase, 52
- Fanny D. B. Chase, 51
- Emmett C. Chase, 21
- George A. Chase, 18
- Marcella Chase, 76
---
1900 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B Chase [Simeon Chase]
Age: 72
Birth Date: Apr 1828
Birthplace: PA
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co, PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Marriage Year: 1851
Years Married: 49
Household Members:
- Simeon B Chase 72
- Fanny D B Chase 71
- Simeon B Chase 22
---
---
Civil War Veteran
Married Fannie DuBois
---
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration
Name: Simeon B Chase
Residence: Great Bend, PA
Class: 2
Congressional District: 12th
Age on 1-July-1863: 35
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1828
Race: White
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Lawyer
---
U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
Name: Simeon Chase
Side: Union
Regiment Name: 97th Regiment, PA Infantry
Company: C
Rank: Private
Film Number: M554 roll 19
---
MARRIED
In Great Bend, this morning, by the Rev. J. R. McCreary, Mr. S. B. Chase, Senior Editor of the "DEMOCRAT," and Miss Fannie , daughter of A. Du Bois, Esq., of the former place.
MONTROSE DEMOCRAT, Montrose, PA
May 1, 1851
---
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates
Name: Simeon Brewster Chase
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 80
Birth Date: 18 Apr 1828
Birth Place: Susquehanna County, PA
Death Date: 9 Jan 1909
Death Place: Hallstead, Susq. Co., PA
Father Name: Amasa Chase
Father Birth Place: VT
Mother Name: Sarah Guile
Mother Birth Place: CT
Certificate Number: 2554
Cause of Death: Bright's Disease
Informant: George K. Chase of Baltimore, MD
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Marital Status: Widower
---
The below text was excerpted from CENTENNIAL HISTORY - SUSQUEHANNA Co., PA, by Rhamanthus M. Stocker, p. 188-189:
The biographical sketch of Hon. Simeon B. Chase, of Great Bend, who was prominently connected with the Good Templars for many years, and whose wife is now prominently identified with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Hon. Simeon B. Chase was born at Gibson, Susquehanna County, April 18, 1828. He is a descendant of English ancestry that settled in New England in the pioneer days of our country's history. Aquila Chase, one of three brothers that came from Cheshire, England, in 1639, settled in Hampton, NH, and had a family of eleven children.
Thomas, one of these children, married Rebecca Follansbee; their son, Elder Daniel Chase, came to Jackson Township in 1816, and subsequently resided in Windsor, New York, and Mt. Pleasant, Wayne County, PA. He was a well known Baptist elder, who preached and engaged in missionary work in this section of the country. He married Catharine Fillbrook, and of their seven children, Amasa, married in 1827, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Coleman) Guile, a settler of Harford Township, where the family history will be found.
He did not remove with his parents, but remained in Harford, where he learned the tanner's trade of Gaius Moss. Simeon B., their only son, attended the common Schools of the county, and by teaching School in the winter to earn the means, together with diligence in his studies at all times, he prepared himself for admission into Hamilton College, where he was graduated with honors in 1851. He partially defrayed his collegiate education by acting as deputy prothonotary.
His industrious, persevering efforts at this time, and throughout his career, in fact, illustrate the power of self-help, a prominent characteristic in many of our most illustrious men. He read law with F. B. Streeter, and was admitted to the Bar of Susquehanna County in 1851.
He was a Democrat, and, in connection with his brother, Ezra B. Chase, edited the Montrose Democrat for four years, commencing with 1851. In 1856 he, with other Free-Soil Democrats, assisted in forming the Republican Party, and became at once a leading and influential member. He was chairman of the convention of 1856, that nominated David Wilmot for Governor, and has been chairman of the Committee on Nominations once since. He was elected Representative to the State Legislature in the years 1856, '57, '58, '59. Here he took high rank, occupying the position of chairman of the Ways and Means, Judiciary and other important committees.
He was a prominent candidate for Speaker one term, though not elected; he occupied the Speaker's chair most of the session, on account of the protracted illness of the Speaker elect. Thoroughly familiar with parliamentary law, self-possessed, firm, an excellent speaker and of commanding and agreeable address, he presides with dignity and ease over the most turbulent bodies, always preserving order and decorum during the most exciting discussions.
As a presiding officer he probably has no superior in the State. In 1868 the Good Templars employed him to give his entire time to the temperance work, and probably no more fitting selection could have been made, for he signed the Washingtonian pledge when but nine years of age and has ever kept it inviolate. He also worked with the Sons of Temperance from 1850 to 1853, and with the Good Templars from that time forward.
Always a master-spirit, he at once took and kept a controlling position among his co-workers, and has held many important positions in the Order of Good Templars. He was presiding officer of either State or National Lodges almost continuously for about twenty years from 1856, and attended every session of the R. W. G. L. of North America, over which he presided for five consecutive years. He was Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the State of Pennsylvania for seven years, and discharged the duties of his office with ability and dignity. His reputation thus became extended beyond his home surroundings, throughout the State and nation.
Mr. Chase commenced to make temperance speeches when he was only sixteen years old, and his clarion voice has rung out in opposition to the traffic ever since. Since 1872 Mr. Chase has acted with the Prohibition Party and was president of the first National Convention of that party when James Black, of Pennsylvania, was nominated for President of the United States. He was candidate for Governor on the Prohibition ticket in 1872, for judge of the Supreme Court in 1878 and from the Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton district for Congress in 1886. Mr. Chase is a polished writer and has written much that has had an extended influence.
His "Digest and Treatise on Parliamentary Law," which has passed through many editions and has had a large circulation in Europe as well as America, became a standard work in the Good Templars' Order. “Good of the Order “and “Manual of Good Templarism," for "Mills' Temperance Annual," are among his well-known works.
He is the author of the ritual of the Grand Lodge of the order. He was connected with the banking business at Great Bend and New Milford for a few years, and is now practicing law at Easton, PA, although he continues to make his residence at Great Bend, where he usually spends Saturday and Sunday. He is a Presbyterian and an elder in the church and was twice commissioner to the General Assembly of the United States. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday-School for many years.
Simeon was married, May 1, 1851, to Miss Fanny Du Bois, daughter of Abraham and Juliet (Bowes) Du Bois. Mrs. Chase is a worthy companion of her distinguished husband and has contributed her full share to the success of the temperance cause. She was active with her husband from 1854 until 1874. She was delegate to the National Convention in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, which organized the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and was chosen vice-president for Pennsylvania, and the same winter called and presided over the convention that organized, and was the first president of, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Pennsylvania. She held the office of president for five years thereafter, and has been State superintendent of the Sunday-School department of their work ever since.
Mrs. Chase is the author of a book on Good Templar work entitled "Derry's Lake," which has been republished in Edinburgh and London. She also wrote the three degrees, "Faith, Hope and Charity" in the Good Templars' Ritual, which have been translated into eighteen different languages and are still in use. Their children are Nicholas Du Bois, 1852, a lawyer in Easton, PA; Martha Ellen, who died at the age of twenty-one; Emmett C, 1858; George A., 1862; Marcella, Simeon and Catharine died in childhood.
---
1880 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B. Chase
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co., PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Father's Birthplace: VT
Mother's name: Marcella Chase
Mother's Birthplace: CT
Occupation: Banker
Household Members:
- Simeon B. Chase, 52
- Fanny D. B. Chase, 51
- Emmett C. Chase, 21
- George A. Chase, 18
- Marcella Chase, 76
---
1900 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B Chase [Simeon Chase]
Age: 72
Birth Date: Apr 1828
Birthplace: PA
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co, PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Marriage Year: 1851
Years Married: 49
Household Members:
- Simeon B Chase 72
- Fanny D B Chase 71
- Simeon B Chase 22
---
Civil War Veteran
Married Fannie DuBois
---
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration
Name: Simeon B Chase
Residence: Great Bend, PA
Class: 2
Congressional District: 12th
Age on 1-July-1863: 35
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1828
Race: White
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Lawyer
---
U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
Name: Simeon Chase
Side: Union
Regiment Name: 97th Regiment, PA Infantry
Company: C
Rank: Private
Film Number: M554 roll 19
---
MARRIED
In Great Bend, this morning, by the Rev. J. R. McCreary, Mr. S. B. Chase, Senior Editor of the "DEMOCRAT," and Miss Fannie , daughter of A. Du Bois, Esq., of the former place.
MONTROSE DEMOCRAT, Montrose, PA
May 1, 1851
---
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates
Name: Simeon Brewster Chase
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 80
Birth Date: 18 Apr 1828
Birth Place: Susquehanna County, PA
Death Date: 9 Jan 1909
Death Place: Hallstead, Susq. Co., PA
Father Name: Amasa Chase
Father Birth Place: VT
Mother Name: Sarah Guile
Mother Birth Place: CT
Certificate Number: 2554
Cause of Death: Bright's Disease
Informant: George K. Chase of Baltimore, MD
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Marital Status: Widower
---
The below text was excerpted from CENTENNIAL HISTORY - SUSQUEHANNA Co., PA, by Rhamanthus M. Stocker, p. 188-189:
The biographical sketch of Hon. Simeon B. Chase, of Great Bend, who was prominently connected with the Good Templars for many years, and whose wife is now prominently identified with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Hon. Simeon B. Chase was born at Gibson, Susquehanna County, April 18, 1828. He is a descendant of English ancestry that settled in New England in the pioneer days of our country's history. Aquila Chase, one of three brothers that came from Cheshire, England, in 1639, settled in Hampton, NH, and had a family of eleven children.
Thomas, one of these children, married Rebecca Follansbee; their son, Elder Daniel Chase, came to Jackson Township in 1816, and subsequently resided in Windsor, New York, and Mt. Pleasant, Wayne County, PA. He was a well known Baptist elder, who preached and engaged in missionary work in this section of the country. He married Catharine Fillbrook, and of their seven children, Amasa, married in 1827, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Coleman) Guile, a settler of Harford Township, where the family history will be found.
He did not remove with his parents, but remained in Harford, where he learned the tanner's trade of Gaius Moss. Simeon B., their only son, attended the common Schools of the county, and by teaching School in the winter to earn the means, together with diligence in his studies at all times, he prepared himself for admission into Hamilton College, where he was graduated with honors in 1851. He partially defrayed his collegiate education by acting as deputy prothonotary.
His industrious, persevering efforts at this time, and throughout his career, in fact, illustrate the power of self-help, a prominent characteristic in many of our most illustrious men. He read law with F. B. Streeter, and was admitted to the Bar of Susquehanna County in 1851.
He was a Democrat, and, in connection with his brother, Ezra B. Chase, edited the Montrose Democrat for four years, commencing with 1851. In 1856 he, with other Free-Soil Democrats, assisted in forming the Republican Party, and became at once a leading and influential member. He was chairman of the convention of 1856, that nominated David Wilmot for Governor, and has been chairman of the Committee on Nominations once since. He was elected Representative to the State Legislature in the years 1856, '57, '58, '59. Here he took high rank, occupying the position of chairman of the Ways and Means, Judiciary and other important committees.
He was a prominent candidate for Speaker one term, though not elected; he occupied the Speaker's chair most of the session, on account of the protracted illness of the Speaker elect. Thoroughly familiar with parliamentary law, self-possessed, firm, an excellent speaker and of commanding and agreeable address, he presides with dignity and ease over the most turbulent bodies, always preserving order and decorum during the most exciting discussions.
As a presiding officer he probably has no superior in the State. In 1868 the Good Templars employed him to give his entire time to the temperance work, and probably no more fitting selection could have been made, for he signed the Washingtonian pledge when but nine years of age and has ever kept it inviolate. He also worked with the Sons of Temperance from 1850 to 1853, and with the Good Templars from that time forward.
Always a master-spirit, he at once took and kept a controlling position among his co-workers, and has held many important positions in the Order of Good Templars. He was presiding officer of either State or National Lodges almost continuously for about twenty years from 1856, and attended every session of the R. W. G. L. of North America, over which he presided for five consecutive years. He was Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the State of Pennsylvania for seven years, and discharged the duties of his office with ability and dignity. His reputation thus became extended beyond his home surroundings, throughout the State and nation.
Mr. Chase commenced to make temperance speeches when he was only sixteen years old, and his clarion voice has rung out in opposition to the traffic ever since. Since 1872 Mr. Chase has acted with the Prohibition Party and was president of the first National Convention of that party when James Black, of Pennsylvania, was nominated for President of the United States. He was candidate for Governor on the Prohibition ticket in 1872, for judge of the Supreme Court in 1878 and from the Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton district for Congress in 1886. Mr. Chase is a polished writer and has written much that has had an extended influence.
His "Digest and Treatise on Parliamentary Law," which has passed through many editions and has had a large circulation in Europe as well as America, became a standard work in the Good Templars' Order. “Good of the Order “and “Manual of Good Templarism," for "Mills' Temperance Annual," are among his well-known works.
He is the author of the ritual of the Grand Lodge of the order. He was connected with the banking business at Great Bend and New Milford for a few years, and is now practicing law at Easton, PA, although he continues to make his residence at Great Bend, where he usually spends Saturday and Sunday. He is a Presbyterian and an elder in the church and was twice commissioner to the General Assembly of the United States. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday-School for many years.
Simeon was married, May 1, 1851, to Miss Fanny Du Bois, daughter of Abraham and Juliet (Bowes) Du Bois. Mrs. Chase is a worthy companion of her distinguished husband and has contributed her full share to the success of the temperance cause. She was active with her husband from 1854 until 1874. She was delegate to the National Convention in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, which organized the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and was chosen vice-president for Pennsylvania, and the same winter called and presided over the convention that organized, and was the first president of, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Pennsylvania. She held the office of president for five years thereafter, and has been State superintendent of the Sunday-School department of their work ever since.
Mrs. Chase is the author of a book on Good Templar work entitled "Derry's Lake," which has been republished in Edinburgh and London. She also wrote the three degrees, "Faith, Hope and Charity" in the Good Templars' Ritual, which have been translated into eighteen different languages and are still in use. Their children are Nicholas Du Bois, 1852, a lawyer in Easton, PA; Martha Ellen, who died at the age of twenty-one; Emmett C, 1858; George A., 1862; Marcella, Simeon and Catharine died in childhood.
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1880 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B. Chase
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co., PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Father's Birthplace: VT
Mother's name: Marcella Chase
Mother's Birthplace: CT
Occupation: Banker
Household Members:
- Simeon B. Chase, 52
- Fanny D. B. Chase, 51
- Emmett C. Chase, 21
- George A. Chase, 18
- Marcella Chase, 76
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1900 US Federal Census
Name: Simeon B Chase [Simeon Chase]
Age: 72
Birth Date: Apr 1828
Birthplace: PA
Home: Great Bend, Susq. Co, PA
Spouse: Fanny D. B. Chase
Marriage Year: 1851
Years Married: 49
Household Members:
- Simeon B Chase 72
- Fanny D B Chase 71
- Simeon B Chase 22
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Family Members
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