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HISTORY  OF  SCRANTON 


AND  ITS  PEOPLE 


BY 

Col.  FREDERICK  L.  HITCHCOCK 

Attorney  at  Law;  late  Colonel  U.  S.  V.,  War  18G1-186S 


I  L  1.  r  S  T  K  A  T  K  U 


VOLUME    II 


LEWIS  HISTORICAL  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
NEW  YORK  CITY 

1914 


Copyright,  1914 
Lewis  Historical  Publishing  Company 


m^ 


COLONEL  HENRY  MARTYN  BOIES 

We  have  had  occasion  to  speak  of  the  good  fortune  our  city  had  in  the  re- 
markable characters  of  its  pioneers  and  founders.  Remarkable  in  their  ster- 
ling integrity,  their  indomitable  pluck,  energy  and  resourcefulness,  that  bided 
no  defeat,  stopped  at  no  obstacle,  and  finally  wrought  success  out  of  well 
nigh  impossible  conditions.  If  she  was  so  fortunate  in  her  pioneers,  she  was 
also  fortunate  in  a  generation  of  young  men  who  followed  closely  upon  their 
footsteps.  The  pioneers  are  always  selected  blood.  This  second  invasion  was 
no  less  so.  They  came  from  all  quarters,  attracted  thither  by  conditions  which 
promised  success  to  such  as  had  the  courage  to  wrestle  and  win  it.  These  are 
the  men   who   build   the  world. 

Henry  Martyn  Boies  was  one  of  these  men.  Few  men  had  a  fairer  start 
in  life  than  he,  and  none  ever  made  better  use  of  his  opportunities.  First 
he  had  the  remarkable  advantage  of  a  splendid  ancestry.  His  early  paternal 
ancestors  were  Huguenots,  who  came  to  this  country  in  the  early  part  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  and  settled  in  New  England.  On  his  maternal  side  he 
inherited  the  sturdy  Puritan  blood  of  New  England.  On  both  sides  his  an- 
cestors were  earnest  God-fearing  people.  In  the  family  is  preserved  a  re- 
markably written  document  made  the  i8th  of  April,  1738,  by  his  paternal  an- 
cestor, David  Boies,  entitled  "David  Boies  covenant  with  God,"  in  which  he 
recites  his  wretched  and  lost  condition  as  a  sinner ;  God's  ofier  of  salvation 
through  Jesus  Christ  and  his  solemn  acceptance  of  that  offer  and  his  dedication 
to  Him.  The  document  is  singularly  quaint  in  its  language,  and  remarkable  in 
being  carefully  drawn  up,  as  though  between  earthly  persons,  yet  it  attests  to 
the  sturdy  piety  of  its  author  and  his  strength  of  character.  His  father  was 
Joseph  Nulton  Boies,  who  was  born  in  Blandford,  Hampden  county,  Massa- 
chusetts, April  20,  iSog.  His  mother  was  Electa  Caroline  (Laflin)  Boies,  who 
was  born  in  Southwick  in  the  same  county,  Massachusetts.  April  3.  181 1.  A 
friend  writes  of  his  father  as  being  "a  man  thoughtful,  judicious,  just,  gener- 
ous, public-spirited,  patriotic,  conscientious — a  man  of  positive  convictions, 
who  did  not  hesitate  to  express  and  maintain  them.  Through  him  came  those 
forceful  traits  which  distinguished  the  latter  in  his  mature  manhood ;  and  also 
that  philanthropic  quality  which  made  him  a  beloved  hero  among  men."  The 
same  friend  writes:  "His  mother  was  one  of  the  rarest  of  women,  in  person 
slender,  delicate,  fragile,  beautiful  of  face,  and  with  wonderful,  luminous 
eyes.  There  never  was  a  finer  human  expression  of  tenderness,  gentleness 
and  spirituality  than  that  manifested  in  the  life  of  this  good  woman.  She  was 
a  glorious  mother,  and  to  her  influence  in  shaping  to  high  ideals  the  career  of 
her  son,  the  world  is  indebted  as  to  no  other."  With  such  an  ancestry,  it 
would  seem  as  though  we  had  every  desirable  element  centered  for  the  mak- 
ing of  a  man  !     We  shall  not  be  disappointed  in  its  product. 

Henry  Martyn  Boies  was  born  in  Lee,  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts, 
Auo-ust  18,  1837,  the  first  son  of  these  notable  parents.  He  was  named  for 
Henry  Martyn,  the  heroic  missionary  to  India,  whose  biography  had  just  then 
been  published".  He  entered  Yale  College  in  1855,  and  graduated  in  1859. 
Whether  he  graduated  with  honors,  or,  like  General  Grant,  who  said  he  would 
have  stood  near  the  top  if  they  had  turned  the  list  upside  down,  chronicles  do 
not  show,  but  he  had  the  more  coveted  class  honor,  the  "wooden  spoon"  con- 
ferred unanimously  upon  him,  as  the  best  loved  man  in  the  class. 


2  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

In  1865  Mr.  Boies  came  to  Scranton  as  a  resident  member  of  the  powder 
firm  of  Laflin,  Boies  &  Tarck,  of  Saugerties,  New  York,  of  which  firm  his 
father  was  a  member.  Four  years  before,  in  1861,  he  had  married  Emma 
Brainerd,  a  sister  of  Thomas  Brainerd,  one  of  his  college  classmates,  and  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.  D.,  long  an  honored  Presbyterian 
minister  of  Philadelphia.  She  bore  him  three  children,  one  girl  Mary,  and 
two  boys,  Carrington  and  Henry  Whiting.  On  coming  to  Scranton  the  family 
first  lived  on  Spruce  street,  below  Penn  avenue.  Later  he  built  a  house  on 
Jeflferson  avenue,  near  where  the  Emanuel  Baptist  Church  now  stands.  Here 
his  daughter,  son  Carrington,  and  his  wife,  greatly  beloved,  passed  away. 

Colonel  Boies  entered  actively  into  the  business  of  making  powder.  His 
firm  purchased  from  the  Raynors  a  small  plant  at  Archbald,  and  erected  an- 
other at  Moosic.  The  business  was  immediately  successful  and  was  soon 
greatly  enlarged,  and  both  concerns  merged  into  The  Moosic  Powder  Com- 
pany, of  which  Mr.  Boies  became  president  and  general  manager.  Its  capital 
at  first  was  $150,000,  which  was  soon  made  $300,000.  Colonel  Boies  continued 
at  the  head  of  this  concern  until  it  was  taken  over  and  became  a  part  of  the 
great  Du  Pont  de  Nemours  Company  of  Pennsylvania.  During  this  time  Col- 
onel Boies  had  made  a  number  of  inventions,  one  to  make  safe  the  handling 
of  powder  by  the  miners  at  their  work.  Familiarity  with  danger,  it  is  said, 
breeds  carelessness.  This  was  particularly  true  with  miners.  It  was  not  an 
infrequent  thing,  despite  all  admonitions,  for  men  in  the  mines  to  open  and 
handle  a  keg  of  powder  with  a  lighted  miner's  lamp  on  their  caps,  or  a  lighted 
pipe  in  their  mouth.  The  result  was  accidents,  which  often  not  only  destroyed 
life,  but  property  as  well.  Colonel  Boies  invented  the  prepared  cartridge  to 
meet  this  danger.  This  required  first  the  making  of  a  strong  water-proof 
paper  that  would  shield  the  powder  from  dampness  in  the  mines,  then  ma- 
chinery for  loading  the  cartridge,  all  of  which  increased  the  cost  of  manu- 
facture, and  accordingly  reduced  the  profit  in  the  powder,  but  were  supplied 
at  the  same  price  for  the  purpose  of  saving  human  life.  The  invention  came 
into  extensive  use  all  through  the  anthracite  region.  In  1872  he  helped  to 
organize  the  Third  National  Bank  and  became  one  of  its  directors,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  for  ten  years.  In  1883  Colonel  Boies  was  called  to  the  presidency 
of  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company,  which  position  he  held  until  1887, 
when  he  retired.  During  his  connection  with  the  Dickson  Company,  a  large 
part  of  the  business  of  which  was  the  manufacture  of  locomotives.  Colonel 
Boies'  attention  was  called  to  the  failure  of  the  existing  car  wheel  to  do  its 
work  satisfactorily,  and  invented  and  patented  several  designs,  among  them 
what  is  known  as  the  "steel-tired''  car  wheel,  which  came  into  general  use. 
He  erected  a  plant  and  operated  it  for  some  years  in  the  successful  manu- 
facture of  this  wheel.  It  was  finally  merged  in  the  great  concern  known  as 
the  Railway  Steel  Spring  Company ;  this  plant,  as  a  branch  of  that  concern, 
is  still  in  operation  in  our  city.  Colonel  Boies'  sudden  death  found  him  still  a 
member  of  the  great  powder  firm  of  E.  I.  Du  Pont  de  Nemours  Company. 
So  much  for  the  business  activities  of  this  remarkable  man.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  and  in  his  own  estimation,  these  were  the  least  important  of  his  activities. 
With  his  Qiristian  work  and  his  civic  activity,  one  wonders  wheie  he  got  time 
for  business. 

In  187 1,  at  a  gathering  of  invited  friends  at  his  house,  was  born  the  "Home 
of  the  Friendless,"  Colonel  Boies  renting  the  first  building  and  assuming  the 
cost  thereof  himself.  In  1869-71  he  was  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association.  During  this  time,  and  until  his  death,  he  was  an  active  spirit 
on  its  board  of  directors.  Under  his  administration  Mr.  William  D.  Moss- 
man,  the  first  regularly  paid  secretary,  was  employed.     His  term  and  that  ot 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  j 

Edward  B.  Sturges,  who  followed  him  (1869-74)  may  fittingly  be  called  the 
fighting  term  of  the  association.  Under  the  leadership  of  Colonel  Boies,  with 
the  legal  work  of  Edward  B.  Sturges  and  Cyrus  W.  Hartley  as  attorneys, 
both  members  of  the  board,  Scranton,  a  "wide  open  town."  was  given  a  clean- 
ing up  such  as  it  had  never  dreamed  of.  It  was  one  of  the  notable  events  in 
our  history.  The  saloon  with  its  cognate  evils  was  rampant  in  violation  of 
all  law,  with  municipal  authorities  and  the  public  at  large  utterly  indifferent. 
In  their  efforts  to  reach  young  men,  the  association  was  confronted  with  these 
evils,  rampant,  defiant  and  conspicuous  on  every  hand.  The  fight  was  in- 
evitable and  gloriously  it  was  won.  One  hundred  and  thirteen  indictments 
were  obtained  against  sixty-three  saloon  men,  and  after  a  terrific  legal  battle, 
in  which  all  the  forces  of  evil  were  met,  the  first  conviction  was  obtained,  and 
the  saloon  keepers  surrendered.  They  agreed  to  come  into  court  in  a  body, 
pay  all  costs  upwards  of  $1200,  and  enter  into  an  agreement  binding  each  and 
every  one  to  close  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  obey  all  other  laws,  and  to  assist 
in  securing  such  obedience.  A  great  day  and  a  great  triumph  was  this  for 
Colonel  Boies  and  his  two  young  lawyer  captains,  Sturges  and  Hartley,  when 
these  sixty-three  liquor  men  lined  up  before  court  and  entered  into  that  agree- 
ment. 

In  1874  Colonel  Boies  was  a  charter  member  in  the  organization  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  elected  a  trustee,  which  office  he  held 
until  his  death.  He  was  elected  a  ruling  elder,  but  declined  the  office.  During 
the  riots  of  1877,  Colonel  Boies  and  family  were  out  of  the  city.  On  learning 
of  the  existing  troubles,  he  hurried  home,  reaching  here  in  time  to  take  an 
active  part  in  the  organizing  of  the  Scranton  City  Guard,  of  which  he  was  made 
commanding  officer  with  the  rank  of  major.  The  history  of  that  organization 
will  be  found  elsewhere  with  that  of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  National  Guard 
of  Pennsylvania,  of  which  Colonel  Boies  was  commandant  for  five  years,  from 
1878  to  1883,  and  where  he  obtained  his  rank  of  colonel.  In  1886,  largely 
through  his  exertions,  his  favorite  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was 
handsomely  housed  in  its  own  building  on  Wyoming  avenue,  where  the  Poli 
Theatre  now  stands.  This  building  was  largely  designed  by  Colonel  Boies, 
and  was  the  most  attractive  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  building  of 
that  period  in  the  state.  In  co-operation  with  his  former  righthand  helper, 
Mr.  Sturges,  the  Municipal  League  was  formed,  the  objects  of  which  were  the 
extirpation  of  gambling  hells  and  brothels  and  the  enforcement  of  the  liquor 
laws.  To  this  work  he  gave  freely  of  his  time  and  means,  and  it  was  chiefly 
through  this  organization  that  our  city  was  for  many  years  kept  practically 
clean  of  these  evils  . 

Colonel  Boies  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  promoters  of  the  splendid 
Hahnemann  Hospital,  erected  in  1898,  and  was  a  member  of  its  advisory  board. 
as  his  wife  was  of  its  board  of  managers.  He  was  active  in  the  special  work 
of  his  own  church  denomination,  and  for  several  years  was  chairman  of  the 
Presbyterian  committee  on  work  among  foreign  speaking  people.  To  this  mis- 
sionary work  he  gave  much  time  and  study.  His  favorite  achievement,  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  building  on  Wyoming  avenue,  was  totally 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1897.  Colonel  Boies'  heart  was  bound  up  in  this  work  for 
young  men,  and  to  him  this  was  almost  as  much  a  personal  calamity  as  it  was 
to  the  association.  To  obtain  that  edifice  with  its  then  fine  equipment  had  cost 
a  mighty  effort.  Now  all  was  gone,  and  the  association  homeless.  The  board 
of  directors,  however,  met  to  consider  the  situation.  Colonel  Boies  at  once 
drew  up  a  subscription  paper  and  down  went  his  name  for  a  handsome  sum 
toward  a  new  and  larger  building.  But  they  were  now  confronted  with  a 
need  of  far  greater  accommodations  than  the  old  building  afforded.    A  careful 


4  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

estimate  was  made  and  it  was  found  that  such  a  building  as  was  needed  would 
cost  with  its  equipment  upwards  of  $250,000,  and  it  was  unanimously  agreed 
that  such  an  undertaking  was  too  much  for  the  young  city  of  Scranton.  One 
night's  thought  on  the  subject  was  sufficient  for  Colonel  Boies.  He  called 
another  conference  at  his  office  the  next  morning,  and  started  the  ball  rolling 
by  doubling  his  own  subscription.  It  was  largely  through  his  enthusiastic 
work,  influence  and  means,  that  the  present  superb  and  premier  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  building  of  this  commonwealth  adorns  our  city.  It  is 
said  that  the  great  Cathedral  of  St.  Peter's  at  Rome  is  made  the  monument  of 
its  builder,  by  a  little  tablet  in  its  wall,  bearing  this  legend,  "He  built  this." 
A  fine  painting  of  Colonel  Boies  greets  one  as  he  enters  the  foyer  of  this 
splendid  building.  Underneath  it  might  well  have  been  placed  the  legend, 
"He  built  this." 

Remarkable  and  diversified  as  were  the  achievements  of  Colonel  Boies,  m 
business,  in  his  civic,  military  and  Christian  activity,  probably  his  most  endur- 
ing fame  will  rest  upon  his  "literary  work,  which  he  finished  near  the  close  of 
his  career.  This  work  is  probably  the  least  known  of  all  his  endeavors.  He 
was  not  a  fluent  speaker,  nor  a  ready  writer.  Whenever  he  had  an  address  to 
make,  he  was  careful  to  write  it  out  and  usually  read  it.  It  is  therefore  re^ 
markable  that  he  should  finally  have  attained  a  marked  degree  of  success  in  the 
field  of  literature.  It  was  accomplished  without  the  least  ambition  in  that 
direction,  and  it  grew  out  of  his  intense  interest  in  the  themes  upon  which 
he  wrote,  which  came  from  a  long  period  of  study  and  service  in  the  field 
of  which  he  wrote,  and  his  desire  to  benefit  humanity  and  society  by  his  studies. 

In  1887  his  personal  friend.  Governor  Beaver,  appointed  him  a  member  of 
the  State  Board  of  Public  Charities.  This  board  consists  of  eleven  members, 
and  is  charged  with  the  duty  of  supervising  and  inspecting  all  the  charitable 
and  penal  or  correctional  institutions  of  the  state.  The  position  is  one  of  large 
responsibility,  but  which  carries  with  it  no  emoluments  or  compensation.  It 
calls  for  men  of  sound  judgment,  broad  intelligence,  with  a  philanthropic  and 
sympathetic  nature.  How  he  got  the  time  with  all  his  other  work  to  give  to  this 
the  conscientious  attention  it  required,  besides  the  time  to  study  every  phase 
of  the  lives  of  the  unfortunates  and  the  vicious  which  came  under  his  observa- 
tion, is  amazing.  He  served  on  tliis  commission  three  successive  terms,  from 
1887  to  1902.  Out  of  this  service  and  experience  came  two  books.  The  first, 
"Prisoners  and  Paupers"  was  published  in  1893.  The  other  entitled  "The 
Science  of  Penology"  was  published  in  1901.  The  latter  soon  received  rec- 
ognition as  a  work  of  advanced  thought  upon  that  subject.  A  writer,  review- 
ing the  work,  says  it  speedily  revolutionized  prevailing  ideas  upon  that  subject 
that  up  to  that  time  the  punishment  of  crime  was  treated  from  the  standpoint 
of  retribution.  A  man  convicted  of  a  crime  was  sentenced  to  serve  so  many 
years'  imprisonment  as  an  expiation  of  suffering  for  the  offence.  Having 
served  that  time  he  was  turned  loose  upon  society,  regardless  of  his  character, 
which  as  a  rule  was  more  hardened  and  desperate  because  of  the  rigors  of  his 
imprisonment.  Colonel  Boies  attacked  this  theory  as  radically  wrong.  He 
contended  that  the  only  proper  theory  of  treating  criminals  was  the  protection 
of  society,  and  the  reform  of  the  criminal.  Hence  he  advocated  the  indeter- 
minate sentence,  and  prison  servitude  under  reforming  influences :  that  the 
criminal  should,  for  the  protection  of  society,  be  kept  in  prison  until  he  was 
proved  fit  to  again  have  his  freedom,  and  his  prison  life  and  treatment  was  all 
to  be  conducted  with  that  end  in  view.  The  work  was  adopted  as  a  text  book 
by  Yale  University  and  other  institutions  of  learning.  This  writer  says  "  'The 
Science  of  Penologv-'  has  admiralily  fulfilled  the  object  for  which  it  was  written. 
It  is  an  accurate,  succinct,  methotlical  summary  of  the  science,  a  hand-book 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  5 

adapted  to  popular  use,  an  eminently  practical  work  abounding  in  valuable 
learning  that  ought  to  be  broadly  disseminated."  Again  this  writer  says,  "Mr. 
Boies  is  likely  to  exert  an  influence  surpassing  that  of  any  of  his  contem- 
poraries in  moulding  the  thought  and  inspiring  the  energies  of  future  genera- 
tions with  correct  views  regarding  crime  and  the  treatment  of  criminals.  Thus 
the  'Science  of  Penology'  must  be  regarded  as  a  really  monumental  work,  and 
while  Mr.  Boies  in  many  ways  served  his  day  and  generation,  this  book  is  the 
crowning  work  of  his  life,  and  a  useful  public  service,  which  justly  claims  for 
its  author  a  grateful  and  lasting  memory." 

Colonel  Boies  married  as  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  L.  Dickson,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Dickson,  the  president  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company,  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1870.  Of  this  union  there  were  six  children  as  follows :  Mar^ 
Dickson,  died  in  infancy;  Joseph  Milton,  born  August  8,  1873,  died  April  27, 
1898:  a  son,  died  in  infancy;  Ethel  Marvine;  David;  Helen  Elizabeth,  married 
J.  J.  Belden. 

Colonel  Boies  passed  away  very  suddenly,  December  12,  1903.  He  literally 
died  in  the  service  of  his  Master.  Against  the  advice  of  his  physician,  he  had 
undertaken  a  journey  to  Washington  with  Governor  Beaver,  and  other  com- 
mittee men,  to  invite  President  Roosevelt  to  come  to  this  city  and  address  the 
Jubilee  Convention  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion, which  was  soon  to  meet  here.  On  his  way  home  he  was  seized  with 
acute  indigestion,  reaching  no  farther  than  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  died  of 
heart  failure.  So,  to  the  great  sorrow  of  our  city,  country  and  state,  passed 
away  one  of  the  noblest,  most  patriotic,  public-spirited,  brilliant  Christian  men 
it  has  been  the  good  fortune  and  the  honor  of  our  city  to  number  among  its 
citizens. 


CHARLES  S.  WESTON 

No  history  of  the  development  of  Scranton,  as  a  financial  and  industrial 
center,  would  be  even  approximately  correct  did  it  fail  to  chronicle  the  im- 
portant part  the  Westons,  father  and  son,  have  taken  during  the  period  mark- 
ing its  greatest  advance  and  development.  Both  native  Pennsylvanians,  they 
added  commercial  lustre  to  the  district  and  have  fairly  won  a  name  on  Scran- 
ton's  roll  of  fame.  While  the  father  has  gone  to  his  eternal  reward,  the  son 
remains,  a  vital  living  force  in  the  financial  and  business  world,  honored  and 
respected  far  beyond  local  limits  and  occupying  the  proud  position  as  executive 
head  of  Scranton's  large  and  solid  financial  institution,  The  First  National 
Bank. 

Edward  W.  Weston  was  born  in  Salem,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 5,  1823,  died  in  Scranton  after  a  long  illness,  October  28,  1891,  son  of 
Elijah  and  Minerva  (Torrey)  Weston.  Elijah  Weston  was  an  early  settler  of 
Wayne  county,  while  his  father-in-law,  Jason  Torrey,  was  closely  connected 
with  the  early  business  enterprises  of  the  county. 

Edward  W.  Weston  grew  to  manhood  in  Salem,  attended  the  country  school 
and  obtained  a  good  education.  He  was  his  father's  assistant  on  the  farm,  but 
also  taught  school  and  obtained  a  knowledge  of  surveying.  In  1844  he  at- 
tained his  majority  and  at  once  left  home,  entering  the  office  of  his  maternal 
uncle,  John  Torrey.  of  Honesdale,  there  completing  his  surveying  and  engineer- 
ing studies,  becoming  practical  and  expert  in  both  branches.  He  remained  with 
his  uncle,  his  valued  assistant  until  1859.  when  he  received  the  important  ap- 
pointment of  manager  in  charge  of  the  lands  and  surveys  of  the  Delaware  and 
Hudson  Canal  Company.  He  was  stationed  at  Carbondale  until  1861,  when 
he  moved  to  Scranton,  taking  in  charge  the  construction  of  breakers  at  the 


6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

new  mines  then  being  opened  by  the  company,  also  directing  the  engineering 
features  of  the  newly  located  mines.  In  1864,  upon  the  appointment  of  Thoma^ 
Dickson,  as  general  superintendent  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Com- 
pany, Mr.  Weston  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  superintendent  of  all  their 
coal  mining  operations  The  period  of  prosperity  then  setting  in  for  the  com- 
pany, caused  by  the  great  expansion  of  their  coal  trade  and  the  acquisition  of 
valuable  railroad  properties,  rendered  it  advisable  to  separate  the  company's 
land  department  from  the  department  of  mines.  This  was  done,  and  in  April, 
1874,  Mr.  Weston  was  appointed  general  agent  of  the  real  estate  department, 
which  position  gave  him  full  authority  over  all  real  estate  owned  by  the  com- 
pany. He  efficiently  filled  the  exacting  duties  of  his  position  until  February 
I,  1889,  when  failing  health  compelled  his  retirement  as  the  active  head  of 
that  department.  The  company,  however,  were  unwilling  to  lose  his  valuable 
services  and  still  retained  him,  but  in  an  advisory  capacity.  He  gave  freely  ot 
his  best  judgment  and  long  experience  on  all  matters  affecting  the  real  estate 
investments  of  the  company  until  his  death,  his  service  with  the  company  ac- 
tive and  advisory  covering  a  period  of  thirty-two  years,  1859-91.  Nor  does 
this  by  any  means  cover  the  full  extent  of  his  services  in  the  development  of 
Scranton  and  the  Lackawanna  Valley.  He  had  large  private  and  corporate 
interests,  and  aided  and  promoted  many  of  the  now  well  known  stable,  in- 
dustrial and  financial  corporations.  He  was  president  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  one  of  the  soundest  and  most  successful  financial  institutions  in  the 
state;  president  of  the  Northern  Coal  and  Iron  Company:  of  the  Weston  Mill 
Company ;  of  the  Hudson  River  Ore  and  Iron  Company ;  vice-president  and 
director  of  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company:  director  of  the  Moosic 
Powder  Company :  of  the  Providence  Gas  and  Water  Companv,  and  closely 
identified  with  many  other  manufacturing  and  mming  enterprises  both  in  and 
outside  Scranton.  Nor  was  he  merely  a  machine  for  the  coining  of  money, 
but  public-spirited  and  humane,  he  sought  to  improve  public  conditions  and 
leave  the  world  better  for  his  having  lived  in  it.  His  wealth,  honestly  and 
fairly  earned,  was  wisely  used  for  the  good  of  all :  the  welfare  of  his  fellows 
and  the  commercial  progress  of  Scranton,  being  as  dear  to  him  as  were  his 
private  concerns.  He  possessed  a  character  of  sterling  worth  and  exemplified 
in  his  own  life  the  uprightness  and  integrity  that  never  deviates  for  private 
gain. 

Charles  S.  Weston,  son  of  Edward  W.  Weston  and  his  wife,  Susan 
(Moore)  Weston,  was  born  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  August  25,  i860.  In 
the  following  year  his  parents  moved  to  Scranton  where  his  life  since  then  ha.> 
been  spent.  This  period  covers  the  principal  years  of  Scranton's  greatest 
development  and  of  his  father's  greatest  activity,  therefore  there  is  little 
wonder  that  his  early  ambition  was  fired  to  become  like  his  father,  a  leading 
factor  in  his  city's  progress.  He  attended  Scranton's  public  schools  until  six- 
teen years  of  age,  then  entered  Granville  Military  Academy  (New  York).  He 
spent  two  years  at  that  institution,  winning  signal  honors.  In  1878  he  entered 
Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute  at  Troy,  New  York ;  took  a  full  engineering 
course  of  four  years,  and  was  graduated  a  C.  E.,  class  of  1882.  Now  a  gradu- 
ate of  one  of  the  best  technical  schools  of  the  country  and  a  fully  qualified 
civil  engineer,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Com- 
pany, giving  that  company  his  professional  services  until  October,  1885, 
when  he  was  appointed  assistant  general  agent  of  the  company's  real  estate 
department,  his  father  then  being  its  capable  agent.  When  later  the  position 
of  general  agent  was  left  vacant,  by  the  retirement  of  Edward  W.  Weston, 
the  son  had  so  proved  his  value  to  the  company  that  he  was  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed his  honored  father,  February  i,  1889.     This  position,  covering  as  it  did 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  7 

the  supervision  of  all  company  real  estate,  including  mines  and  canals,  was 
so  ably  filled  by  the  younger  man,  that  on  the  death  of  his  father  he  was 
elected  to  fill  the  position  thereby  left  vacant,  the  presidency  of  the  Northern 
Coal  and  Iron  Company,  this  company  being  owners  of  all  the  coal  mines  and 
breakers  operated  by  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company,  south  of  Scran- 
ton.  They  also  owned  a  railroad  running  from  Scranton  to  Wilkes-Barre  and 
were  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  the  coal  owning  companies  of  that  day. 
Now  fairly  launched  on  the  sea  of  business  prominence  the  progress  of  Mr. 
Weston  has  been  steady  and  continuous  until  the  record  of  his  activities  seem 
almost  beyond  belief.  He  holds  the  following  official  positions:  President  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton ;  president  of  the  Cherry  River  Paper 
Company,  a  corporation  of  West  Virginia  with  offices  in  Scranton  ;  director  of 
the  Lackawanna  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company ;  Scranton  Lace  Curtain 
Company ;  Kanawha  and  West  Virginia  Railroad  Company ;  Cherry  River 
Boom  and  Lumber  Company ;  Hebard  Cypress  Company ;  National  Water 
Works  and  Guarantee  Company;  the  Wilson  Lumber  and  Milling  Company, 
and  has  interests  in  many  other  enterprises  of  not  lesser  importance.  His  eleva- 
tion to  the  presidency  of  the  First  National  Bank  in  1913  was  not  only  a 
compliment  to  the  memory  of  its  former  president,  Edward  W.  Weston,  but 
was  deserved  recognition  of  the  services  of  Qiarles  S.  Weston  as  vice-presi- 
dent of  that  bank  and  of  his  standing  as  a  financier.  While  his  early  training 
had  not  particularly  fitted  him  for  the  position,  his  long  years  of  intimate 
connection  with  large  undertakings  had,  while  his  high  standing  among  men 
of  affairs,  his  wide  acquaintance  and  proven  executive  ability,  peculiarly  fitted 
him  to  become  the  head  of  so  important  an  institution  as  the  First  National. 

But  there  is  another  side  to  this  man  of  large  affairs.  He  served  four  years 
in  the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard  as  second  lieutenant  of  Company  H,  Thir- 
teenth Regiment.  He  is  a  member  of  many  associations,  societies,  clubs  and 
fraternities,  thoroughly  enjoys  the  social  side  of  life  and  the  company  of  his 
professional  brethren,  friends  and  neighbors.  He  is  interested  not  only  in 
the  material  prosperity  of  his  city,  but  in  her  churches,  hospitals  and  philan- 
thropic institutions,  serving  them  with  purse  and  personal  service.  A  Republi- 
can in  politics,  he  is  strong  in  his  support  of  good  government,  and  while  help- 
ful in  the  service  of  his  friends  has  never  sought  public  office   for  himself. 

Mr.  Weston  married,  September  2,  1891,  Grace  Storrs,  born  in  Buffalo, 
New  York,  a  graduate  of  Wells  College.  She  is  the  daughter  of  the  late  W. 
R.  Storrs,  general  coal  agent  of  the  Delaware.  Lackawanna  &  Western  Rail- 
road Company.  The  family  home  of  the  Westons  is  on  Monroe  avenue, 
Scranton,  where  a  gracious  hospitality  is  dispensed. 


JUDGE  ALFRED  HAND 

To  few  men  has  it  been  given  to  occupy  as  commanding  a  position  in  the 
affairs  of  his  section,  and  the  hearts  of  the  people,  as  to  Judge  Hand,  lawyer, 
iurist  and  business  man.  A  review  of  Judge  Hand's  career  shows  him,  not 
only  as  a  brilliant  lawyer,  wise  judge  and  excellent  business  man,  but  shows 
him  as  the  interested  trustee  of  educational  institutions,  president  of  a  school 
devoted  to  the  education  of  deaf  mutes,  active  in  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation work,  in  the  prosperity  and  governinent  of  his  church  and  an  ardent 
supporter  of  all  that  pertains  to  the  public  good.  Now  nearing  his  eightieth 
year  (1914)  Judge  Hand  can  look  back  over  a  most  useful  life  and  surely  the 
review  can  give  him  nothing  but  satisfaction. 

(I)  Paternally,  Judge  Hand  descends  from  John  Hand,  of  Stanstede,  Eng- 
land, who  caine  to  America  in  1644,  and  maternally  from  Robert  Chapman  of 


8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Hull,  England,  who  settled  at  the  mouth  of  the  Connecticut  river  in  1635. 
John  Hand,  in  1648.  settled  at  Easthampton,  Long  Island,  going  there  from 
Southampton,  where  he  is  listed  as  a  "whaler."  From  him  descends  a  long 
line  of  ship  builders  and  seafaring  men,  whose  names  are  yet  familiar  on  Long 
Island.  From  Long  Island,  a  branch  of  the  family  located  at  Athens.  Greene 
county,  Judge  Alfred  Hand  descending  from  this  branch.  The  line  of  descent 
from  John  Hand,  the  emigrant,  is  through  Stephen  (i),  died  1693:  Stephen 
(2),  born  1661,  died  1740:  John,  baptized  1701,  died  1755 ",  John  (2)  ;  John 
(3),  born  1754,  in  Athens,  Greene  county,  New  York,  married,  March  6, 
1778,  Mary  Jones,  and  died  May  30,  1809. 

(II)  Ezra  Hand,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Jones)  Hand,  was  born  August 
9,  1799.  in  Albany  county.  New  York,  died  in  Honesdale.  Pennsylvania,  in 
1875.  In  early  manhood  he  settled  in  Honesdale,  where  the  greater  part  of 
his  life  was  passed.  He  married,  June  2,  1829,  Catharine  Chapman,  born  at 
Durham,  Greene  county.  New  York,  February  11,  1808,  who  survived  him,  at- 
taining the  great  age  of  ninety-one  years.  She  was  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Robert  Qiapman.  who  in  1635,  came  from  Hull,  England,  landing  at  Boston, 
but  the  following  November  was  one  of  the  company  of  twenty-one  men,  sent 
out  by  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall  to  make  settlement  at  or  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Connecticut  river  under  the  patent  of  Lords  Say  and  Seal.  Thus  does 
Judge  Hand's  title  prove  clear  to  colonial  New  England  ancestry  on  both  pa- 
ternal and  maternal  lines. 

(III)  Alfred  Hand,  son  of  Ezra  and  Catharine  (Chapman)  Hand,  was 
born  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  March  26,  1835.  Preparing  in  local  schools, 
he  entered  Yale  College  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  whence  he  was  graduated, 
class  of  1857.  Returning  home  he  decided  upon  the  profession  of  law.  enter- 
ing the  offices  of  William  &  William  H.  Jessup,  of  Montrose,  Peimsylvania. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Susquehanna  county  in  November,  1859.  and 
to  the  Luzerne  county  bar.  May  8,  i860.  He  was  for  a  short  time  a  member 
of  the  law  firm  of  Jessup  &  Hand,  but  in  i860  moved  from  Montrose  to 
Scranton,  where  he  practiced  alone  for  six  years,  then  admitting  to  partner- 
ship a  former  fellow  law  student,  Isaac  J.  Post.  This  association  continued 
until  1879.  when,  by  appointment  of  Governor  Hoyt,  Mr.  Hand  was  elevated 
to  the  bench,  as  judge  of  the  Eleventh  Judicial  District,  composed  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Lackawanna  and  Luzerne.  He  had  taken  active  part  in  the  foundation 
and  early  history  of  Lackawanna  county,  therefore,  when  the  new  judicial 
district  was  erected,  he  was  appointed  its  first  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas.  The  following  year.  1880.  he  was  regularly  elected  for  the  full  term 
of  ten  years.  However,  he  did  not  complete  but  eight  years  of  his  term,  as 
on  July  31.  1888.  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Beaver  to  a  seat  upon  the 
Supreme  bench  of  Pennsylvania,  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Judge  Trunkey, 
deceased.  He  served  with  honor  until  the  expiration  of  his  term,  January  i, 
1889,  then  retiring  to  the  private  practice  of  his  profession,  after  ten  year'i 
upon  the  county  bench  and  upon  that  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  his  state.  He 
won  legal  honors  as  a  jurist,  and  was  regarded  in  point  of  learning,  legal  acu- 
men and  soundness  of  judgment,  as  the  peer  of  any  of  his  Supreme  Court 
colleagues.  As  a  private  practitioner  Judge  Hand  was  very  successful  and 
had  a  well  earned  reputation  as  the  leading  lawyer  of  the  Lackawanna  county 
bar  at  the  time  of  his  retirement.  He  made  a  specially  of  corporation  law  and 
was  counsel  for  many  of  the  important  corporations  of  Scranton.  His  practice 
was  a  large  one  and  was  held  closely  to  him  by  virtue  of  his  fully  recognized 
ability  as  an  attorney  and  an  advocate.  While  always  a  Republican,  Judge 
Hand  never  sought  office,  nor  did  he  even  accept  any  save  judicial  ones.  But 
large  as  was  his  practice,  he  yet  had  time   for  other  business  activities  and 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  9 

civic  obligations.  From  1872  until  1879,  he  was  president  of  the  Third  National 
Bank  of  Scranton  and  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Rank.  He  held  directorships  in  the  People's  Street  Railway  of  Luzerne 
county,  the  Jefferson  Railroad  Company,  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, the  Lackawanna  Valley  Coal  Company,  the  Oxford  Iron  and  Nail  Com- 
pany, the  Davis  Oil  Company  of  New  York,  and  was  a  member  of  the  coal 
firm,  William  Connell  &  Company.  This  proves  Judge  Hand's  claim  to  the 
title  of  a  "busy"  man,  but  gives  no  idea  of  the  time  devoted  to  the  institutions 
in  which  he  was  particularly  interested  as  a  humanitarian  and  good  citizen. 
He  was  trustee  of  Lafayette  College,  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral 
School  for  Deaf  Mutes  (the  first  school  of  its  kind  ever  established  in  the 
State);  was  president  of  the  Scranton  Free  Library  from  its  foundation; 
president  for  many  years  and  an  active  worker  of  the  Lackawanna  County 
Bible  Society,  director  of  the  Lackawanna  Hospital,  director  and  president 
of  the  Scranton  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  In  none  of  these  bodies 
was  he  a  figurehead,  but  gave  them  his  best  effort,  and  all  were  successfully 
conducted  during  Judge  Hand's  connection  with  them. 

In  his  religious  life,  he  has  been  very  active,  useful  and  earnest.  In  1867 
he  was  elected  an  elder  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton,  con- 
tinuing as  such  for  over  forty  years.  He  has  represented  the  Lackawanna 
Presbytery  in  six  General  Assemblies  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  serving  on 
important  committees  and  taking  active  part  in  the  deliberations  of  the  as- 
sembly. 

So  all  through  his  life  Judge  Hand  has  been  active  and  useful  in  every 
department  of  life,  and  to  few  men  has  it  been  given  to  see  greater  good  follow 
their  labors.  He  holds  a  secure  place  in  the  hearts  of  his  brethren  of  the  bar, 
his  business  associates,  his  brethren  of  the  church  and  kindred  organizations, 
and  in  the  hearts  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  belongs  to  many  bar  associations, 
societies  and  organizations  of  different  kinds  and  now  with  his  books,  his 
friends  and  his  memories,  passes  the  closing  years  of  an  honorable,  useful  life. 

Judge  Hand  married  (first)  September  11,  1861.  Phoebe  A.,  daughter  of 
the  distinguished  jurist,  William  Jessup  of  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  under 
whom  Judge  Hand  received  his  first  legal  instruction.  She  died  April  25, 
1872.  He  married  (second)  Helen  E.,  daughter  of  Frederick  Sanderson,  of 
Beloit,  Wisconsin.  His  children  are:  i.  Horace  E.,  of  Anaheim,  California, 
graduate  of  Yale,  class  of  1884.  2.  William  Jessup,  graduate  of  Yale,  Bachelor 
of  Arts,  1887;  read  law  with  his  father  and  on  the  latter's  retirement  from 
the  bench  became  his  law  partner ;  for  twelve  years  was  a  director  and  for  two 
years  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association ;  served  as  council- 
man of  Scranton  and  on  the  school  board  as  a  Republican.  3.  Alfred,  graduate 
of  Yale,  1888,  and  of  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.,  establishing  in  practice  in  Philadel- 
phia. 4.  Harriet  J.  5.  Charlotte  C.  6.  Miles  T.,  graduate  of  Williams  Col- 
lege and  Cornell  LIniversity.  7.  Helen  S.,  wife  of  Dr.  John  Lyman  Peck.  8. 
Ruth  B. 


BENJAMIN  H.  THROOP 

While  there  are  interesting  traditions  concerning  the  English  ancestry  of 
William  Throope,  the  Puritan,  there  is  so  much  that  is  both  true  and  interest- 
ing in  the  lives  of  his  descendants  that  the  traditional  may  properly  be  omitted. 
In  the  earliest  settlement  of  Scranton,  beginning  with  Slocum  Hollow  days, 
two  men  who  were  destined  to  be  of  great  service,  seem  to  have  been  first 
■drawn  to  the  new  settlement  by  the  fact  that  they  had  married  relatives.     Dr. 


lo  CITY  OF  SCR  ANTON 

Throop  married   Harriet   F.   McKinney,   Sanford   Grant  married   Mary   Mc- 
Kinney,  a  sister  of  Harriet  McKinney. 

(I)  Dr.  Throop,  the  foimder  of  the  Scranton  Throops  herein  recorded  was 
a  descendant  of  Wilham  Throope,  the  Puritan  who  married  in  Barnstable, 
Massachusetts,  May  4,  1666,  Mary,  daughter  of  Ralph  Chapman,  who  came  in 
the  "Elizabeth"  in  1635.  William  Throope  later  was  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  traveling  there  overland  prior  to  1683,  with  his 
family  in  an  oxcart.  He  was  grand  juryman  at  Barnstable  1680,  surveyor  of 
highways  at  Bristol  1683,  selectman  1689,  grand  juryman  i6go,  representative 
1691,  died  December  4,  1704. 

(II)  Captain  William  (2)  Throope,  son  of  William  Throope,  the  Puritan, 
born  about  1678-79,  is  the  Captain  William  Throope  of  Lebanon,  Connecticut, 
who  was  elected  representative  1730,  justice  of  the  peace  1736,  moderator  at 
town  meetings  and  captain  of  militia.  He  was  land  agent  for  the  proprietors 
at  Lebanon  and  acted  for  the  colony  on  numerous  occasions  in  the  settling  of 
boundary  disputes,  etc.    He  married  at  Bristol,  March  20,  1698,  Martha  Colyn. 

(III)  Rev.  Benjamin  Throop,  youngest  son  of  Captain  William  Throope, 
was  born  at  Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  June  9,  1712;  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  1734, 
studied  theology  and  was  pastor  of  the  church  he  organized  at  Bozrah,  Con- 
necticut, from  January  3,  1738,  until  his  death.  .September  16,  1785;  chaplain 
of  the  Crown  Point  Expedition  in  1755  ;  appointed  to  preach  election  sermon 
May,  1753,  which  was  printed  by  the  order  of  the  legislature.  He  married, 
September  27,  1735,  at  Canterbury,  Connecticut,  Sybil,  daughter  of  Colonel 
John  and  Abigail  (Fitch)  Dyer,  and  granddaughter  of  Major  James  Fitch, 
the  patron  of  Yale,  and  his  wife.  Alice,  daughter  of  Major  William  Bradford, 
eldest  son  of  Governor  Bradford.  Miss  Caulkins,  the  historian,  says  of  Rev. 
Benjamin  Throop :  "He  left  behind  him  the  reputation  of  a  scholar  and  a  gen- 
tleman, seasoning  all  his  speech  with  a  divine  relish,  yet  genial,  social,  always 
diffusing  good  humor,  always  thirsting  for  information  and  ever  ready  to  im- 
part from  his  ample  store  to  others."  He  died  at  Bozrah,  September  14.  1785, 
his  wife  August  i,  1793.  His  funeral  sermon  by  Rev.  Andrew  Leete,  Yale, 
was  published.  An  item  in  his  will  reads  "to  my  son  Horace  Throop  my  Gun 
and  the  rest  of  the  artillery,"  to  other  children  he  left,  "books  and  great 
Bible,"  "my  silver  tankard,"  "Sermons,"  "Negro  boy  Jack." 

(IV)  Colonel  Benjamin  Throop,  fifth  child  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Throop  (the 
final  "e"  was  dropped  in  the  preceding  generation),  was  born  ilarch  9,  1744, 
died  in  New  York  State,  June  16.  1822.  He  responded  to  the  Lexington  alarm 
as  lieutenant  and  his  commission  as  colonel  of  the  Fourth  Regiment  Connec- 
ticut \'olunteers,  signed  by  John  Jay,  secretary  of  the  Board  of  War  in  Phila- 
delphia, March  9,  1779.  was  owned  by  Dr.  Benjamin  H.  Throop  of  Scranton. 
Colonel  Throop  was  brevetted  for  gallantry,  and  received  a  grant  of  land  in 
Ontario  county.  New  York,  as  bounty  and  half  pay  for  life,  $240.00  a  year 
from  April  20,  1 81 8,  as  pension.  Dr.  Throop,  before  mentioned,  wrote  of  him 
under  date  of  October  20,  1896:  "He  was  major  of  the  Fourth  Connecticut 
Volunteers  and  with  his  regiment  and  three  others,  was  ordered  to  New  Jersey 
and  Pennsylvania — spent  the  winter  at  \'alley  Forge  and  one  at  Morristown  : 
was  at  the  battles  of  Trenton,  New  Brunswick  and  Germantown,  and  then 
with  Sullivan  was  ordered  by  Washington  to  drive  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians 
to  their  homes  in  Oneida  count)',  from  winch  they  came  down  to  the  Wyom- 
ing Valley,  now  Luzerne  county.  With  General  Sullivan  he  drove  them  home, 
and  after  that  landed  at  West  Point  on  the  Hudson  and  was  in  several  battles 
on  that  river.  That  ended  his  first  enlistment.  He  re-enlisted  and  was  in 
various  fights  even  to  Montreal."  He  moved  about  1800  to  Red  Hook.  Dutchess 
county,  New  York,  and  about  1816  to  Chenango  county.  New  York.     He  mar- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  ii 

ried  at  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  April  4,  1766,  Susannah,  daughter  of  his  father's 
first  cousin,  Captain  Dan  and  Susannah  (Cary)  Throope,  and  sister  of  Captain 
Dan  (2)  Throope  of  the  Revohition. 

(V)  Major  Dan  Throop,  eldest  son  of  Colonel  Benjamin  Throop,  was 
born  April  27,  1768,  died  at  Oxford,  New  York,  May  18,  1824,  and  was  buried 
with  military  honors.  He  is  buried  with  his  wife  in  the  cem.etery  there,  the 
spot  marked  by  a  fine  monument  erected  by  his  son.  Dr.  Benjamin  H.  Throop. 
Major  Dan  Throop  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  first  entering  the  army 
when  fifteen  years  of  age,  marching  with  his  father's  regiment  as  a  fifer,  and 
was  pensioner  of  the  government  in  his  old  age.  He  married,  November  12, 
1788,  Mary  Gager,  of  Bozrah,  Connecticut.  In  1792  they  sold  land  in  Nor- 
wich "inherited  from  our  Honored  Father  and  Mother  late  of  Bozrah"  and 
moved  to  Oxford,  New  York.  His  eldest  son.  Captain  Simon  Gager  Throop, 
was  a  brilliant,  popular  lawyer  of  Oxford,  captain  of  militia,  member  of  as- 
sembly and  paymaster  in  New  York,  died  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  in  1880. 
Mary  (Gager)  Throop  died  in  1842  aged  seventy-three  years. 

(VI)  Dr.  Benjamin  Henry  Throop,  sixth  child  and  youngest  son  of  Major 
Dan  and  Mary  (Gager)  Throop,  was  born  at  Oxford,  New  York.  November 
9,  181 1,  died  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  26,  1897.  The  lad  attended  Ox- 
ford Academy,  where  among  his  classmates  was  Horatio  Seymour,  later  gov- 
ernor of  New  York  state,  and  Ward  Hunt.  Finishing  his  academical  course  he 
began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  Percy  Packer,  afterward  entering  Fair- 
field Medical  College,  then  the  only  medical  college  in  the  state.  He  was  grad- 
uated M.  D.  in  1832,  being  then  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  February  of  the 
same  year  he  settled  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  then  an  insignificant  village, 
located  at  the  head  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal.  He  remained  there  until 
1833,  then  located  in  Oswego,  New  York,  and  in  1836  in  New  York  City.  He 
remained  in  New  York  City  until  1840,  and  in  the  early  fall  of  that  year  visited 
old  friends  in  Honesdale.  While  there  he  was  called  in  consultation  by  a 
physician  of  the  Lackawanna  Yalley  and  so  favorably  did  the  locality  impress 
him,  that  on  October  8,  1840,  he  was  established  in  Providence. 

In  1842  he  married,  his  wife  being  Harriet  F.  McKinney,  a  sister  of  the 
wife  of  Sanford  Grant,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Scranton  &  Grant,  which 
was  the  first  business  firm  to  locate  in  Slocum  Hollow,  and  from  whose  early 
eflforts  grew  the  citv  of  Scranton.  Through  this  relationship,  the  doctor  be- 
came acquainted  with  the  possibilities  of  the  location  and  in  1847  he  was  per- 
suaded to  settle  at  the  "Hollow."  He  chose  a  home  lot  in  the  woods  and 
erected  a  house,  the  first  ever  erected  in  Scranton  proper,  except  those  built  by 
Scranton  &  Grant,  as  part  of  their  iron  making  plant.  He  soon  became  known 
throughout  the  Valley  as  a  skillful  physician,  and  had  a  large  practice.  In 
1853  he  was  appointed  postmaster,  holding  the  office  for  two  years.  In  1835,  Dr. 
Throop  having  become  convinced  that  coal  was  to  be  the  great  source  of  the 
Valley's  wealth  and  mining,  its  chief  industry,  began  investing  in  land  under- 
laid with  anthracite  coal.  He  kept  increasing  his  holdings  until,  when  railroads 
finally  came  and  large  coal  companies  began  their  operations,  he  found  himself 
a  very  wealthy  man.  He  continued  one  of  Scranton's  active  business  men, 
owned  a  great  deal  of  real  estate,  including  additions  to  the  city  in  Hyde  Park, 
Providence,  and  on  his  own  land  laid  out  the  town  of  Blakely,  the  village  of 
Priceburg,  and  founded  the  town  of  Throop.  He  purchased  nearby  farms, 
divided  them  into  lots,  and  sold  them  at  reasonable  prices,  but  at  a  handsome 
profit.  He  supervised  the  completion  of  the  Newton  turnpike,  mtroduced  the 
first  public  milk  supply,  the  first  drug  store,  the  first  livery  stable,  the  first 
railway  package  express  company.  He  was  instrumental  in  securing  the  first 
post  office  and  was  postmaster  1853  to  1858.    When  later  the  county  of  Lack- 


12  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

awanna  was  erected  from  Luzerne,  it  was  Dr.  Throop  who  worked  the  hardest 
to  bring  about  the  separation,  he  having  agitated  the  question  of  division  for 
years,  spending  a  great  deal  of  time  in  Harrisburg  in  the  pursuit  of  friends  for 
the  measure. 

He  was  the  first  surgeon  in  old  Luzerne  county  to  respond  to  President 
Lincoln's  call,  receiving  unsolicited  a  commission  as  surgeon  from  his  friend, 
Governor  Curtin.  He  kept  his  men  in  excellent  health  and  was  the  first 
surgeon  in  Pennsylvania  to  establish  a  field  hospital.  This  was  a  necessity,  as 
the  lo.ooo  men  there  quartered,  drawn  from  different  states,  and  living  under 
unusual  conditions,  developed  a  great  deal  of  sickness.  Dr.  Throop.  as  the 
senior  surgeon,  was  expected  to  provide  s\iitable  quarters  for  these  men  and 
he  did,  by  seizing  an  abandoned  hotel  and  the  city  hall,  filling  them  with  cots, 
which  he  furnished  at  his  own  expense,  bedding  being  sent  in  from  Scranton. 
He  had  left  home  expecting  to  be  away  for  a  day  or  two,  but  it  was  only  at 
the  end  of  four  months  of  active  service  in  the  field  that  he  was  free  to  return 
to  his  home.  Soon  afterward  he  was  again  ordered  to  the  front,  where  he 
served  as  surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Pennsylvania  In- 
fantry, being  ordered  to  the  relief  of  that  regiment,  after  they  had  been  badly 
cut  up  at  the  battle  of  Antietam.  There  he  establislied  a  field  hospital  in  the 
woods,  and  remained  in  charge  six  weeks.  He  then  accompanied  the  army  to 
Harper's  Ferry,  remaining  there  until  an  attack  of  fever  compelled  his  return 
home.  It  was  not  until  after  the  war  ended  that  the  good  doctor  gave  up  his 
practice,  but  from  that  time  until  his  death  he  devoted  himself  to  his  extensive 
business  interests  and  to  the  many  plans  he  had  formed  for  the  betterment  of 
his  fellow  men.  All  through  his  life  he  continued  his  deep  interest  in  the 
church  and  it  was  largely  through  his  influence  and  assistance  that  St.  Luke's 
(Episcopal)  Parish  was  able  to  erect  their  beautiful  church  edifice.  He  aided 
in  organizing  the  first  lodge  of  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Scran- 
ton, aiding  also  in  the  erection  of  their  first  hall,  which  was  also  used  for 
lectures  and  entertainments.  He  was  one  of  the  presidents  of  the  Scranton 
City  Bank,  president  of  the  Scranton  Illuminating,  Heating  and  Power  Com- 
pany, and  was  relied  on  for  generous  support  in  the  establishment  of  ever^ 
laudable  enterprise. 

Though  long  retired  from  practice,  he  never  lost  interest  in  the  medical 
profession.  He  was  a  warm  friend  of  the  young  doctors  and  the  Lackawanna 
Medical  Society  was  enriched  by  a  gift  of  200  volumes  for  their  library.  He 
was  appointed  October  13,  1873,  by  Governor  Hartranft.  a  trustee  of  the  State 
Hospital  for  Insane  at  Danville  and  was  continued  in  that  position  by  succeed- 
ing governors,  being  reappointed  as  follows:  In  1878  by  Governor  Hartranft; 
1879,  by  Governor  Hoyt ;  1882,  1883  and  1885,  by  Governor  Pattison :  1888, 
by  Governor  Beaver;  1891  and  1894,  by  Governor  Pattison;  1895  and  1897,  by 
Governor  Hastings.  He  founded  Lackawanna  Hospital  and  maintained  it  at 
his  own  expense  until  in  1874  the  state  assumed  iis  control.  During  many  ot 
his  long  years  of  private  practice,  he  was  chief  surgeon  for  the  Delaware  & 
Hudson  and  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  companies.  Po- 
litically he  was  a  Republican,  but  never  sought  or  accepted  public  office.  In 
medical  practice  he  was  allopathic,  yet  independent  and  liberal  in  his  views 
of  the  merits  of  other  schools.  He  was  a  great  reader  and  deep  thinker,  wrote 
a  deal  for  the  medical  journals  and  for  the  newspapers.  He  collected  and 
arranged  a  great  deal  of  historical  data  concerning  Scranton's  early  history, 
much  of  it  having,  since  his  death,  been  published.  He  was  broad  in  his  re- 
ligious views  and  possessed  an  uprightness  of  character  that  won  him  the  un- 
varying respect  of  his  associates.  In  the  broadest  and  best  sense,  his  was  a 
successful  life.     Very  few  of  his  contemporaries  are  now  left  on  the  scene  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  13 

of  action,  but  these  few  speak  in  the  highest  praise  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Henry 
Throop  and  his  great  service  to  Scranton  as  hamlet,  borough  and  city. 

He  married,  January  19,  1842,  Harriet  F.  McKinney,  born  at  ElHngton, 
Connecticut,  January  31,  1817,  died  May  20,  i8g8.  Children:  i.  Mary  E., 
born  March  4,  1844,  married,  June  20,  1866,  Horace  B.  Phelps,  born  June  2'3, 
1842.  died  November  21,  1881.  Mrs.  Phelps  survives  her  husband,  a  resident 
of  Scranton.  2.  Eugene  Romayne,  died  young.  3.  Benjamin  Henry  (2), 
died  young.  4.  William  Biglei,  died  young.  5.  George  Scranton,  of  whom 
further. 

(VH)  George  Scranton  Throop,  youngest  son  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Henry 
Throop,  was  born  in  Scranton,  September  9,  1854,  died  ihere  March  23.  1894. 
He  graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  as  an  M.  D.  and 
practiced  medicine  a  few  months  but  gave  it  up  in  a  short  time  and  went  uuo 
business  with  his  father,  who  at  this  time  was  active  in  real  estate  and  coal 
projects,  George  S.  Throop  taking  care  of  the  actual  supervision  and  outside 
work  for  his  father.  George  S.  Throop  was  a  Mason,  Knight  Templar,  Odd  Fel- 
low, and  was  the  first  exalted  ruler  of  the  local  branch  of  Elks ;  was  active  in 
forming  the  volunteer  fire  department  and  later  the  paid  department.  He 
married  Jennie  Wall,  of  Tunkhannock,  January  3,  1889;  she  died  July  12, 
1893,  her  two  months"  old  baby  died  a  few  days  later. 

(Vni)  Benjamin  H.  Throop,  son  of  George  Scranton  and  Jennie  (Wall; 
Throop,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  December  22,  1889.  He  ob- 
tained a  practical  education  by  attendance  at  the  Hills  School,  Pittston,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Harstrom  School,  Norwalk,  Connecticut,  graduating  from  the 
latter  institution  in  the  class  of  1911.  His  active  career,  so  far,  has  been  de- 
voted to  dairying  and  stock  farming,  in  which  he  has  been  eminently  successful, 
conducting  liis  operations  on  a  farm  consisting  of  350  acres  of  improved  land 
located  in  Elmhurst,  Pennsylvania,  of  which  he  is  the  owner.  For  dairy  pur- 
poses he  has  in  his  possession  about  seventy  cows,  full  blooded  Guernsey  stock, 
which  yield  a  large  amount  of  milk  and  which  he  keeps  in  a  thoroughly  scien- 
tific manner,  paying  particular  attention  to  sanitary  conditions.  He  also  pays 
special  attention  to  the  raising  and  training  of  German  Shepherd  dogs,  which 
he  trains  for  police  purposes,  which  have  the  reputation  of  being  the  best  bred 
and  trained  dogs  in  the  world,  having  taken  several  prizes  at  the  dog  show 
held  in  New  York  City,  March,  1913.  There  is  a  great  demand  for  these  dogs 
throughout  the  entire  country.  Dtiring  his  brief  business  experience  Mr. 
Throop  has  displayed  ability  of  a  high  order,  which,  coupled  with  progressive 
ideas,  perseverance  and  persistency,  will  win  for  him  a  position  among  the 
representative  business  men  of  his  section  of  the  state.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
directorate  of  the  Union  National  Bank,  Scranton  Trust  Company,  and  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  in  all  of  which  he  takes  a  keen  interest  and  lead- 
ing part.    He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Mr.  Throop  married,  June  26,  191 1,  Margaret  E.  Connell,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Alexander  J.  and  Fannie  (Norton)  Connell,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  else- 
where in  this  work.  Mr.  Throop  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  Mrs. 
Throop  of  the  Methodist  church. 


THEODORE  G.  WOLF 


From  the  Palatine  of  Germany,  prior  10  the  Revolution,  came  an  emigrant 
who  settled  in  Allen  township,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
a  true  Teuton,  industrious  and  thrifty,  with  a  well  stored  mind  and  a  strong 
desire  to  have  his  sons  obtain  all  the  benefits  of  education.  To  one  of  these 
sons,  George,  Northampton  county  and  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  owe  much 


14  OTY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  their  educational  prominence,  for  as  clerk  of  court,  lawyer,  legislator  and 
chief  executive  of  Pennsylvania,  his  influence  was  always  given  to  the  cause 
of  education  in  general  and  free  public  education  in  particular,  he  being  in 
truth  the  father  of  the  public  school  system  in  Pennsylvania.  In  the  next 
generation  a  grandson  of  the  German  emigrant  became  one  of  the  leading 
journalists  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  advocating  in  his  papers,  with  all 
his  force,  the  cause  not  only  of  education,  but  that  of  good  government  and 
righteousness  in  the  body  politic.  In  the  third  American  generation  a  great- 
grandson  of  the  emigrant  and  grandson  of  Governor  Wolf  is  found  among 
the  leading  men  in  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  that  first  and 
greatest  of  early  corporations  and  one  inseparably  associated  with  the  develop- 
ment of  Slocum  Hollow  to  the  great  Scranton  of  half  a  century  later.  Although 
Theodore  G.  Wolf  has  not  been  associated  with  the  company  since  1900,  he 
was  for  thirty-eight  years  a  factor  in  their  prosperity  and  only  severed  his  con- 
nections to  assume  greater  responsibilities  imposed  upon  him  by  the  last  will 
and  testament  of  another  of  the  honored  pioneers  of  Scranton,  Dr.  Benjamin 
Throop.  Probably  no  family  in  its  first  three  generations  has  produced  three 
men  whose  lives  were  more  completely  lived  in  the  service  of  their  fellow  men, 
than  those  whose  careers  are  herein  traced,  but  each  in  a  different  field. 

(II)  George  Wolf,  seventh  governor  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Allen 
township,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  12,  1777,  son  of  the 
German  emigrant.  He  was  educated  at  a  classical  school  in  the  county,  pre- 
sided over  by  Robert  Andrews,  A.  M.,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin. 
After  finishing  his  classical  course,  including  a  good  knowledge  of  Latin,  Greek 
and  the  sciences,  he  returned  to  the  home  farm,  of  which  he  took  charge.  He 
also  was  principal  of  the  Allen  Township  Academy,  but  the  law  was  his  goal. 
He  obtained  a  position  in  the  prothonotary's  office  at  Easton  and  at  the  same 
time  read  law  under  the  direction  of  Hon.  John  Ross.  The  young  man  early 
espoused  the  principles  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  who,  when  he  became  president, 
appointed  Mr.  Wolf  postmaster  of  Easton.  He  was  later  appointed  by  Gov- 
ernor Thomas  McKean  clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  Northampton,  a  posi- 
tion he  held  until  1809.  In  1814  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
house  of  assembly,  ran  for  state  senator  the  following  year,  but  unsuccessfully. 
In  1824  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  was  twice  re-elected  and  was  known  as  a 
hard  worker,  a  conscientious,  upright  member.  In  1829  he  was  elected  gov- 
ernor of  Pennsylvania.  He  had  previously  been  admitted  to  the  bar  and  had  a 
well  established  lucrative  practice,  which  he  abandoned  to  assume  the  high 
office  of  governor.  He  came  to  the  office  at  a  time  when  the  great  schemes 
of  public  improvement  had  caused  the  placing  of  an  immense  debt  upon  the 
state  and  vast  sums  were  needed  to  complete  them,  or  lose  the  amount  already 
invested.  State  finances  were  in  a  deplorable  condition,  the  revenues  being 
insufficient  to  meet  even  the  interest  on  the  debt  already  contracted.  The  outlook 
was  very  gloomy,  but  Governor  Wolf  took  the  bold  ground  that  the  improve- 
ments must  go  on,  and  in  his  first  message  to  the  legislature  recommended  in 
strong  language  the  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  public  works  and  the  adoption 
of  a  system  of  taxation  by  which  funds  would  be  realized  to  pay  interest  on  past 
loans  and  such  as  it  was  still  necessary  to  create.  He  received  the  approval  of  the 
public  and  the  great  work  of  uniting  the  eastern  waters  of  Pennsylvania  with 
the  western  and  the  rivers  of  central  Pennsylvania  with  Lake  Erie  was  vigor- 
ously prosecuted. 

But  the  greater  fame  of  Governor  Wolf  rests  upon  his  strong  advocacy  of 
a  system  of  popular  education.  James  Buchanan  said  in  a  speech  delivered  at 
West  Chester,  previous  to  Governor  Wolf's  election : 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  15 

If  ever  the  passion  of  envy  could  be  excused  a  man  ambitious  of  true  glory,  he  might 
almost  be  justified  in  envying  the  fame  of  that  favored  individual,  whoever  he  may  be, 
whom  Providence  intends  to  make  the  instrument  in  establishing  Common  Schools 
throughout  this  Commonwealth.  His  task  will  be  arduous.  He  will  have  many  diffi- 
culties to  encounter,  and  many  prejudices  to  overcome;  but  his  fame  will  exceed  even  that 
of  the  great  Clinton,  in  the  same  proportion  that  mind  is  superior  to  matter.  Whilst  the 
one  has  erected  a  frail  memorial,  which  like  everything  human  must  decay  and  perish, 
the  other  will  raise  a  monument  which  shall  flourish  in  immortal  vouth  and  endure  whilst 
the  human  soul  shall  continue  to  exist.  Ages  unborn  and  nations  yet  behind  shall  bless 
his   memory. 

To  George  Wolf  that  honor  was  accorded  and  to  him,  in  all  time  to  come, 
when  the  inquirer  shall  seek  to  know  by  whose  voice  and  sturdy  will  the  cause 
of  public  education  was  championed  and  finally  won.  shall  the  praise  be  given. 
Wliile  former  governors  had  noticed  and  favored  the  measure,  nothing  sub- 
stantial had  been  accomplished.  Governor  Wolf  made  the  adoption  of  a  public 
school  system  the  special  object  of  his  ambition  and  the  cherished  purpose  of 
his  administration.  He  not  only  advocated  the  measure  in  public  and  private 
but  put  his  own  shoulder  to  the  wheel  and  with  iron  will  yielded  to  no  temporiz- 
ing, and  ere  he  laid  aside  the  office  of  governor  had  the  honor  and  great  pleasure 
of  signing  a  bill,  making  the  first  step  towards  the  establishment  of  a  free  system 
of  public  education  in  this  state :  the  levying  of  a  tax  for  a  school  fund,  passed 
by  both  branches  of  the  legislature  at  the  session  of  1834.  George  Wolf  was 
the  first  chief  executive  of  Pennsylvania  to  establish  his  office  in  the  State 
Capitol,  previous  executives  having  had  their  offices  in  their  private  residences. 
He  kept  regular,  punctual  hours,  cordially  received  all  callers,  and  in  the  dis- 
patch of  the  immediate  business  of  his  office  kept  no  clerk. 

He  warmly  supported  President  Jackson  in  his  conflict  with  the  South 
Carolina  nullifiers,  but  did  not  approve  the  president's  action  in  refusing  a 
charter  to  the  United  States  Bank  and  crushing  out  that  institution.  Twice 
elected  to  the  office  of  chief  magistrate  of  the  Keystone  State,  Governor  Wolf 
was  defeated  for  a  third  term.  In  the  following  year  he  was  appointed  by 
President  Jackson  to  the  responsible  position  of  first  comptroller  of  the  treas- 
ury of  the  United  States.  For  two  years  he  acceptably  filled  this  high  office, 
then  resigned  to  accept  from  the  hands  of  President  Van  Buren  the  office  of 
collector  of  the  port  of  Philadelphia.  He  died  veiy  suddenly,  while  yet  in  the 
vigor  of  his  manhood,  March  11,  1840,  aged  sixty-three  years.  He  held  the 
governor's  office  from  December  15,  1829,  until  December  15,  1835.  His  chief 
attributes  were  sterling  integrity,  sound  judgment,  strong  common  sense  with 
a  firmness  that  spurned  dictation.  As  a  lawyer  he  was  noted  for  attainments  of 
a  solid  rather  than  a  brilliant  character  and  was  an  unerring  judge  of  human 
nature,  one  of  Pennsylvania's  strongest  executives  and  one  of  the  many  great 
men  of  our  state  that  we  owe  to  our  foreign-born  sons. 

(Ill)  Edward  L.  Wolf,  son  of  Governor  George  Wolf,  was  born  in  Fas- 
ten, Pennsylvania,  and  after  a  life  of  great  usefulness  died  at  Scranton  in  1881, 
aged  sixty-five  years.  He  embraced  the  profession  of  journalism  and  from 
early  life  until  death  he  held  important  connection  with  the  press  of  this 
section  of  Pennsylvania.  Among  the  more  important  journals  with  which  he 
was  connected  as  editor  and  publisher  may  be  named  the  Easton  Sentinel,  The 
Backwoodsman  at  Honesdale  and  two  papers  in  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
In  1872  he  catne  to  Scranton,  as  political  editor  of  the  Republican,  continuing 
in  that  position  until  his  death.  He  was  a  strong  writer  and  his  editorials  were 
noted  for  their  great  effect  in  molding  the  public  opinion.  He  was  a  member 
of  Barger  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Stroudsburg,  also  belonged 
to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  there. 

He  married  Mary  G.  Throop,  daughter  of  Simon  Gager  Throop,  of  Ox- 


i6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ford.  New  York,  a  lawyer  and  a  classmate  of  President  Martin  L.  Van  Buren. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolf  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Seven  of  their  eleven  children  grew  to  years  of  maturity :  Theodore  G.,  Han- 
nah M.,  Edward  L.  (2),  Frederick,  George  E.,  Mary,  R.  B.  Duane. 

(IV)  Theodore  G.  Wolf,  eldest  son  of  Edward  L.  and  Mary  G.  (Throop) 
Wolf,  was  born  in  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  May  26,  1844.  His  early  education 
was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Honesdale  and  Stroudsburg.  finishing 
his  studies  at  Scranton  high  school.  He  began  business  life  as  office  boy  with 
the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company.  January  i,  1862,  and  for  thirty- 
eight  years  was  continuously  in  the  service  of  that  great  company,  advancing 
rapidly  from  promotion  to  promotion.  The  only  break  in  his  thirty-eight  years 
of  continuous  service  was  the  forty  days  of  military  duty  he  performed  in 
1863.  He  did  not  long  remain  in  an  office  position,  but  soon  went  into  the 
rolling  mills,  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  and  about  1868  was  made  fore- 
man of  a  department.  In  1872  he  was  appointed  superintendent  and  in  1888 
general  superintendent  of  the  rolling  mills.  Mr.  Wolf  had  gained  the  entire 
respect  of  the  officials  of  the  company,  and  had  justified  their  confidence  in 
him  by  administering  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  his  position  wisely.  He 
was  rnaster  of  his  business  in  every  detail  and  while  the  great  Lackawanna 
Coal  and  Iron  Company  has  ever  been  well  officered  and  managed,  its  interests 
were  never  better  cared  for  than  by  Mr.  Wolf  during  his  years  of  authority. 

In  1896  he  was  named  in  the  will  of  Dr.  Benjamin  H.  Throop  as  one  of  the 
executors  of  his  vast  estate.  For  four  years  he  acted  as  executor  in  connection 
with  his  duties  as  superintendent  of  the  rolling  mills,  but  in  1900  resigned  the 
latter  office  and  has  since  devoted  himself  entirely  to  the  Tliroop  estate  and 
his  private  corporate  concerns.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Allentown  Portland 
Cement  Company,  the  Pittston  Slate  Company,  the  Nordmont  Chemical  Com- 
pany, the  Luzerne  Chemical  Company  and  the  Wyoming  Chemical  Company. 
His  connection  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton  is  most  interesting, 
he  being  the  only  person  now  living  who  was  connected  with  the  bank  in  1862. 
His  service  was  as  acting  teller  for  a  time.  Mr.  Wolf's  military  service  was 
as  a  private  in  Company  A,  Forty-first  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Militia,  enlist- 
ing June  30,  1863,  and  remaining  in  the  service  forty  days.  He  is  a  member 
of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  a  member  of  St. 
Luke's  Episcopal  Church,  which  he  has  served  as  vestryman  for  twenty-one 
years. 

Mr.  Wolf  married  Elizabeth  E.  Foulke,  daughter  of  Charles  M.  and 
Catherine  Foulke.  the  latter  named  a  prominent  speaker  of  the  Society  of 
Friends.  Their  only  son,  W.  Scranton  Wolf,  born  in  1872.  is  a  resident  of 
Scranton. 


JOHN  T.  DUNN 


Inheriting  the  virile  qualities  of  a  Scotch-Irish  ancestor,  who  fought  in  the 
Revolution.  John  T.  Dunn  rightfully  possesses  the  qualities  that  have  made  the 
name  of  Dunn  a  noted  one  in  the  legal  annals  of  Chemung  county.  New  York. 
and  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  his  grandfather,  Judge  James  Dunn, 
having  been  a  leading  light  of  the  former  bar,  while  the  firm  of  Dunn  &  Dunn 
— Arthur  and  John  T.  Dunn — occupy  a  no  less  important  position  at  the  bar  of 
Lackawanna  county. 

(I)  The  Scotch-Irish  ancestor.  John  Dunn,  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier 
from  Connecticut,  who  married  and  had  a  son,  William. 

(II)  William  Dunn,  a  son  of  John  Dunn,  also  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  from  Connecticut,  later  settling  in  Elmira,  New  York,  where  he  lived  on 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  17 

Water  street,  east  of  Sullivan,  there  being  now  no  trace  of  his  residence.  He 
first  engaged  in  merchandising,  and  later  was  for  several  years  a  proprietor  of 
the  "Black  Horse"  tavern  in  Elmira,  at  the  corner  of  Lake  and  Water  streets. 
He  lived  for  a  time  in  F]ath.  Steuben  county.  New  York,  where  some  of  his 
children  were  born.  Later  he  settled  in  Chemung  Valley,  New  York,  where 
he  built  the  first  grist  inill  in  association  with  Judge  Payne.  He  lived  to  be 
ninety  years  of  age.  His  widow  married  (second)  John  Davis,  although  very 
much  his  senior.  William  Dunn  was  made  a  Mason  in  August,  1793.  He  had 
several  sons,  all  of  whom  became  politically  prominent.  Charles  W.,  the  eld- 
est, is  said  to  have  been  the  first  white  child  born  in  Bath,  but  passed  most  of 
his  eighty-five  years  in  Chemung  county,  a  merchant  and  landlord,  proprietor 
for  many  years  of  the  Franklin  House  at  Horseheads,  New  York.  Thoinas, 
another  son.  was  a  merchant,  and  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Elias  Satterlee. 

(HI)  William  (2)  Dunn,  son  of  William  (i)  Dunn,  was  an  unusually 
brilliant  young  man  and  one  of  the  finest  of  public  speakers.  He  was  an  ardent 
Whig  and  a  great  admirer  of  Henry  Gay,  whom  he  greatly  resembled  in  face 
and  figure.  He  was  born  in  1802:  married  in  February.  1825,  Murilla  Hulburt, 
of  Cornwall,  Connecticut,  died  December,  1856,  the  result  of  an  injury  from  a 
piece  of  falling  cornice  at  a  fire  in  Elinira,  near  the  Lake  street  bridge.  He 
was  collector  of  customs  and  one  time  held  a  department  position  in  Wash- 
ington. 

(I\')  Judge  James  Dunn,  youngest  son  of  William  (2)  Dunn,  gave  promise 
from  early  manhood  of  becoming  one  of  the  notable  men  of  the  county.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  about  1822  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Aaron  Konkle.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Chemung  county  in  1825  and 
was  subsequently  a  member  of  the  law  firms  of  North  &  Dunn,  Dunn  &  Hath- 
away and  Dunn  &  Patterson.  He  was  the  second  elected  "First  Judge"  of 
Chemung  county,  serving  from  1844  to  1846.  In  his  prime  he  was  looked  upon 
as  possessing  a  strong  legal  mind,  and  was  numbered  with  the  ablest  men  of 
his  profession.  He  measured  swords  with  many  of  the  brightest  lawyers  of 
his  day  and  won  many  notable  legal  battles.  In  1840  he  was  the  candidate  of 
the  Whig  party  for  Congress,  but  the  district  being  strongly  Democratic,  he 
was  defeated.  For  many  years  he  was  the  acknowledged  Whig  leader  in 
Chemung  county,  having  for  his  trusted  friends  such  men  as  Seward,  Weed, 
Greeley,  Charles  Cook,  John  C.  Clark  and  others.  In  1848  Judge  Dunn  sup- 
ported the  candidacy  of  his  old  time  antagonist,  Martin  Van  Buren,  for  the 
presidency,  "bolting"  his  own  party  ticket  in  favo'-  of  the  Free  Soil  Democrat, 
In  1852  he  supported  General  Scott  and  became  an  earnest  and  active  Republi- 
can, holding  extremely  radical  views  on  the  slavery  question.  During  the 
stormv  reconstruction  days,  he  acted  with  the  Democratic  party,  although  his 
last  vote  was  for  President  Hayes,     He  died  May  i,  1877. 

The  resolutions  of  respect  from  the  Chemung  county  bar  tell  of  the  high 
esteem  in  which  he  was  held.  Said  Ariel  S.  Thurston,  at  a  meeting  of  the  bar 
held  May  3,  1877 :  "At  the  time  of  his  death  Judge  Dunn  was  with  one  ex- 
ception the  oldest  member  of  the  bar  within  the  limits  of  the  old  county  of 
Tioga,  He  was  too,  I  believe,  the  oldest  native  born  citizen  of  the  city  of 
Elmira  residing  within  its  limits.  He  was  most  genial  and  companionable  in 
his  manner,  somewhat  sarcastic ;  a  man  of  broad  humor  and  quick  repartee ; 
always  enjoying  a  joke  and  with  his  friend,  James  Robinson,  was  often  wont 
to  set  the  table  in  a  roar.  In  the  argument  of  a  legal  proposition,  he  was  by 
no  means  an  antagonist  to  be  trifled  with." 

Judge  Dunn  married,  April  28,  1827,  Eliza  Thompson,  of  Goshen,  Con- 
necticut. Just  three  days  prior  to  the  death  of  Judge  Dunn,  they  celebrated 
their  golden  wedding.     He  was  survived  by  his  widow  and  sons,  D.  Thnmp- 


i8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

son,  Henry  and  Isaac  B.,  the  two  former  then  residents  of  the  State  of 
Georgia.  He  also  left  two  daughters,  wives  of  Frank  A.  Atkinson,  of  Elmira, 
and  Thomas  Root,  of  Philadelphia. 

(V)  Isaac  B.  Dunn,  son  of  Judge  James  Dunn,  was  born  in  Elmira,  New 
York,  in  1846.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  He  entered  the  public 
service  of  his  country,  was  examiner  of  pensions  and  remained  in  government 
position  until  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  of 
the  Masonic  order.  He  married  Georgianna  Frances,  daughter  of  John 
Tatham,  of  English  ancestry,  his  family  early  settling  in  Virginia  Three  chil- 
dren of  Isaac  B.  Dunn  grew  to  years  of  maturity:  i.  John  T.,  of  whom 
further.  2.  Eliza,  married  Dr.  William  Carver  Williams,  of  Chicago.  3. 
Arthur,  born  in  Elmira,  New  York,  March  7,  1873 ;  graduate  of  Princeton 
University,  class  of  1895  :  read  law  with  Judge  Alfred  Hand,  was  admitted  to 
the  Lackawanna  county  bar  in  September,  1895,  practiced  alone  until  1900, 
when  he  admitted  his  brother,  the  firm  becoming  as  now,  Dimn  &  Dunn :  he 
is  president  of  the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Company  and  of  the  Fidelity,  Mort- 
gage and  Securities  Company ;  he  married  Augusta  Pratt  Fordliam  and  has 
children :    Arthur,  John  Fordham,  Adelaide,  Augusta,  Walter  Bruce. 

(VI)  John  T.  Dunn,  eldest  son  of  Isaac  B.  Dunn,  was  born  in  Elmira, 
New  York,  July  10,  1869.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  prepared  at  an  in- 
stitution of  learning  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  entered  Princeton  University,  whence 
he  was  graduated  A.  B.  class  of  1892.  He  prepared  himself  for  the  ministry, 
.attending  McCormick  Theological  Seminary  one  year,  Gottmgen  L'niversity, 
Germany,  one  term,  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  two  yeais  and  was  there 
graduated  Bachelor  of  Divinity,  class  of  1896.  He  was  regidarly  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  for  two  years  was  engaged  m  preach- 
ing. His  theological  and  philosophical  study  had  led  him  into  new  lines  of 
thought,  and  in  following  these  he  was  receding  from  the  orthodox  creed  of 
his  church.  Still,  environment,  family  influence  and  personal  friendships,  as 
well  as  the  sentimental  appeal  religion  ever  makes  to  the  senses,  held  him  to 
the  ministry.  But  the  new  conception  of  truth  drew  with  insistent  strength, 
until  finally  swept  froin  his  moorings  his  integrity  compelled  him  to  abandon 
the  ministry  and  with  it  the  long  cherished  views,  tenets,  hopes  and  aspirations 
of  a  life  tiine.  By  nature,  talent,  and  preparation,  Mr.  Dunn  was  peculiarly 
adapted  to  the  ministry  and  to  renounce  it  cost  liim  not  only  years  of  mental 
struggle,  but  many  valued  friends  and  engendered  a  disappointment  that  only 
time  can  alleviate.  During  these  years  of  mental  anguish,  he  was  extremely 
careful  in  his  pulpit  utterances  not  to  violate  any  of  the  orthodox  tenets  of  his 
church,  avoiding  doubtful  subjects  in  his  sermons,  strictly  observing  his  ordina- 
tion vows,  and  was  faithful  to  his  obligations  until  his  decision  was  made  and 
the  ties  sundered  that  bound  him  to  the  orthodox  faith.  He  paid  the  jjrice  he 
must  always  pay  who  desires  intellectual  and  religious  freedom  of  thought, 
but  with  a  conscience  clear  and  with  unsullied  integrity,  he  has  never  regretted 
the  decision  arrived  at  and  carried  out  with  courageous  fidelity  to  the  dictates 
of  his  own  conscience. 

After  passing  this  critical  period  of  his  life,  Mr.  Dunn  began  the  study  of 
law,  under  the  preceptorship  of  his  brother,  Arthur ;  was  admitted  to  the 
Lackawanna  county  bar  in  starch,  1900,  and  at  once  became  a  member  of  the 
now  eminent  law  firm,  Dunn  &  Dunn.  Both  members  of  the  firm  have  been 
admitted  to  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district.  In  their  law  practice 
they  have  been  quite  successful  and  as  attorneys  built  up  a  very  large  mortgage 
business,  having  negotiated  in  Scranton  and  vicinity  more  than  two  million 
dollars  of  mortgage  loans  without  the  loss  of  a  dollar  of  principal  or  interest. 
They  became  especially  distinguished,  however,  as  organizers  and  financiers. 


^ 


,  Jtf:^^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  19 

In  this  capacity  they  have  added  several  monuments  of  prosperity  tc  the  city, 
such  as  the  People's  National  Bank  and  the  Anthracite  Trust  Company,  which 
were  directly  organized  by  them ;  also  the  Providence  Bank.  Among  other 
corporations  organized  by  them  were  the  Black  Diamond  Silk  Company  and 
the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Company,  both  being  successful  Scranton  concerns. 
The  .Scranton  Real  Estate  Company  occupies  its  own  handsome  office  build- 
ing at  316  Washington  avenue  and  is  at  the  present  time  directly  under  their 
management  and  control,  Arthur  Dunn  holding  the  position  of  president  and 
John  T.  Dunn  holding  the  official  position  of  vice-president  and  treasurer. 
They  have  been  organizers  also  of  numerous  other  banks  and  corporations 
doing  business  outside  of  the  city  of  Scranton.  But  Mr.  Dunn  likes  best 
to  be  known  as  one  interested  in  the  public  welfare.  Comparatively  few  of  the 
public  undertakings  for  the  betterment  of  his  city  find  him  absent,  not  so  much 
in  any  prominent  official  capacity,  but  giving  up  much  of  his  time  and  energy 
to  personal  work  and  often  public  speech. 

John  T.  Dunn  took  an  active  part  in  the  successful  endeavor  of  his  brother, 
Arthur  Dunn,  in  reducing  the  Bi-Carmel  council  of  Scranton,  of  sixty-two 
members,  to  one  of  five  members.  He  has  been  very  active  and  faithful  in 
the  effort  made  by  the  Scranton  Surface  Protective  Association  to  protect  the 
surface  of  Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trade  and  always  found 
present.  While  at  Princeton  Mr.  Dunn  was  a  member  of  Whig  Hall,  the 
famous  university  debating  club.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  University 
Glee  Club.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  County  Bar  associations  and  of 
the  Green  Ridge  Club.  Until  recently  he  was  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club 
and  the  Country  Club. 

He  married,  December  19,  1906,  Theodora  Grace,  daughter  of  Theodore 
F.  and  Matilda  E.  (States)  Brown,  of  Wyalusing,  Pennsylvania.  Children: 
Theodore  Brown  and  Henry  Ernest.  Mrs.  Dunn  is  a  member  of  the  Elm 
Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Dunn  is  an  attendant  and 
supporter. 

WILLIAM  TALLMAN  SMITH 

The  late  William  Tallman  Smith,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  was  recognized 
as  one  in  whose  personality  were  happily  combined  adherence  to  the  loftiest 
ideals  of  integrity  and  a  geniality  which  endeared  him  to  all  who  liad  the  honor 
of  his  acquaintance.  His  versatility  of  talent  won  for  him  unique  distinc- 
tion. In  the  world  of  art,  in  the  world  of  literature,  in  the  world  of  business, 
in  the  world  of  charitable  deeds  he  was  equally  at  home,  honored,  respected 
and  admired  by  all.  He  was  a  descendant  of  English  ancestors,  whose  first 
arrival  in  this  country  was  in  the  year  1632. 

Ruel  and  Judith  N.  (Haskell)  Smith,  parents  of  William  T.  Smith,  were 
natives  of  Massachusetts,  from  which  state  they  migrated  to  Vermont,  settling 
in  Middlebury  where  the  father  was  in  business  as  a  merchant,  removing  from 
there  to  Rhode  Island,  in  1840,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days, 
his  death  occurring  in  the  year  i860,  and  her  death  in  the  year  1865. 

William  T.  Smith  was  born  in  Middlebury,  Vermont,  November  30,  1834, 
and  died  suddenly  in  Florida,  whither  he  had  gone  on  a  pleasure  trip,  March 
25,  1898.  When  he  was  six  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Woonsocket, 
Rhode  Island,  and  the  private  and  common  schools  of  that  town  furnished 
him  with  the  advantages  of  a  good,  practical  education.  Upon  the  completion 
of  his  studies  he  became  clerk  in  a  general  store  conducted  by  his  brother  at 
Woonsocket.  He  removed  to  Providence.  Rhode  Island,  in  1857.  and  there 
engaged  in  business  for  a  period  of  three  years,  after  which  he  took  charge 


20  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  the  quarries  of  the  Harris  Lime  Rock  Company  in  Rhode  Island.  He  se- 
cured a  temporary  release  from  these  duties  in  the  spring  of  1862  in  order  to 
offer  his  services  to  his  country  during  the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted  in  the 
Ninth  Regiment  Rhode  Island  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  a  three  months'  term 
of  service,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  defence  of  Washington,  which  was 
at  that  time  threatened  by  the  Confederate  army.  After  his  term  of  service 
expired  and  his  recovery  from  a  severe  illness,  he  returned  to  his  duties  at  the 
quarries,  and  his  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  the  same  was  recognized  by  elec- 
tion to  the  legislature,  where  he  ably  served  one  term.  Immediately  after  the 
expiration  of  his  term  in  the  legislature,  in  1865,  he  went  to  Texas  with  the 
intention  of  making  his  home  there  if  the  country  was  to  his  liking,  but  ap- 
parently he  was  not  satisfied,  as  he  returned  at  the  end  of  a  few  months.  Not 
long  afterward  he  was  appointed  secretary  and  treasurer  of  two  silver  mining 
companies  in  Nevada,  and  in  order  to  properly  discharge  the  duties  of  these 
responsible  offices  he  spent  three  years  in  that  state.  Business  matters  then 
kept  him  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  for  one  year. 

In  1870  Mr.  Smith  became  identified  with  the  interests  of  Scranton.  He 
then  became  superintendent  of  the  Mount  Pleasant  Coal  Company  at  Scranton, 
which  was  leased  by  a  Boston  company.  He  operated  the  mines  of  this  comi- 
pany  until  1877,  then  leased  them  in  perpetuity  for  himself,  and  operated  them 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  becoming  one  of  the  most  extensive  operators 
in  the  Lackawanna  Valley. 

A  condensed  account  of  his  other  business  operations  and  interests  is  as 
follows:  President  of  the  Meredith  Run  Coal  Company,  and  largely  interested 
in  the  Sterrick  Creek  Coal  Company ;  connected  with  the  Scranton  Forging 
Company,  the  Lackawanna  Lumber  Company,  the  Scranton  Packing  Company, 
the  Lackawanna  Mills,  and  some  smaller  corporations ;  became  a  stockholder  in 
the  Third  National  Bank  at  the  time  of  its  foundation  in  1872,  was  elected  a 
director  in  1883,  and  was  in  office  at  the  time  of  his  death ;  was  one  of  the 
incorporators  of  the  Lackawanna  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  in  May, 
1887,  was  its  first  president,  and  was  in  office  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
served  as  president  of  the  board  of  trade,  was  elected  president  of  the  Scranton 
board  of  health  in  1886,  and  while  in  office  instituted  many  much  needed  re- 
forms in  this  field. 

This  varied  scope  of  activity  did  not  prevent  him  from  being  equally  active 
in  other  directions,  notably  those  connected  with  charitable  and  religious  mat- 
ters. For  many  years  he  was  a  director  in  the  Lackawanna  Hospital,  and  so 
liberal  was  his  support  of  this  institution  and  so  beneficial  his  efforts  in  its  be- 
half, that  upon  his  death  the  authorities  issued  a  memorial  volume  in  recogni- 
tion of  his  services.  The  Hahnemann  Hospital  also  had  the  benefit  of  his  sup- 
port, as  did  the  Home  for  the  Friendless.  He  served  as  treasurer  of  the  As- 
sociated Charities  of  Scranton  for  many  years,  and  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Oral  School  for  the  Deaf,  an  institution  which  has  been  of  inestimable 
value.  So  generous,  self-sacrificing  and  valuable  had  been  his  work  in  con- 
nection with  this  institution,  that  after  his  death  the  board  of  directors  pro- 
nounced him  as  "necessary  to  the  success  of  the  work."  The  Scranton  Public 
Library  was  another  public  institution  in  which  he  was  greatly  interested, 
serving  as  vice-president  from  the  time  of  the  organization  of  its  board  of 
trustees  until  his  death.  He  donated  the  fine  portrait  of  the  founder  of  the 
library,  Mr.  Albright,  for  whom  he  had  entertained  a  great  admiration. 

His  religious  affiliation  was  with  St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 
in  which  he  had  been  a  vestryman  for  many  years.  The  rector  and  other  offi- 
cials of  the  church  said  of  him :  "His  purse,  his  time,  his  labor,  the  best  gifts 
of  his  head  and  heart,  have  always  been  freely  given  for  the  upbuilding  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  21 

the  church  and  the  spreading  of  Christ's  kingdom  among  men.  He  was  a 
helper  to  every  good  work.  Such  a  record  is  indeed  rare,  and  must,  we  hope 
and  beHeve,  be  a  constant  incentive  to  all  who  knew  and  loved  him,  to  earnest 
efforts  to  continue  the  work  which  he  so  faithfully  and  usefully  carried  on." 
Art  and  literature  found  in  him  an  ardent  and  generous  patron,  and  it  was  a 
delight  to  converse  with  him  upon  these  subjects  and  gain  an  insight  into  his 
rich  store  of  information.  Politically  he  gave  his  support  to  the  Republican 
party,  but  was  never  desirous  of  holding  public  office.  Many  were  the  ex- 
pressions of  sympathy  and  the  tributes  paid  to  his  memory  by  private  people 
and  the  business  corporations  with  which  Mr.  Smith  had  been  associated.  The 
limits  of  this  article  will  not  permit  individual  mention  of  all,  but  what  was 
voiced  in  part  by  the  Scranton  Club  expresses  the  feeling  of  all :  "To  speak  of 
our  loss  is  but  to  echo  what  has  been  felt  by  so  many  organizations  with  pur- 
poses widely  divergent.  Memories  of  his  genial  presence  recall  a  personality 
rich  in  the  qualities  which  make  for  personal  friendship,  the  flower  of  all  in- 
tercourse between  man  and  man :  and  the  Scranton  Club  will  ever  guard  those 
memories,  not  only  as  golden  links  to  the  receding  years,  but  also  as  an  in- 
spiration toward  the  maintenance  of  the  highest  ideals  of  companionship." 

Regarded  as  a  citizen,  he  belonged  to  that  public-spirited,  useful  and  helpful 
type  of  man  whose  ambitions  and  desires  are  centered  and  directed  in  those 
channels  through  which  flow  the  greatest  and  most  permanent  good  to  the 
greatest  number.  He  was  well  known  to  be  a  man  of  keen  business  instincts, 
a  thorough  manager  and  financier,  and  as  most  of  his  business  affairs  were 
of  a  public  nature,  bringing  upon  him  the  test  of  pure  criticism,  the  high  regard 
in  which  he  was  uniformly  held  was  an  indication  of  his  strict  fidelity  to  duty, 
his  unswerving  integrity  and  his  honorable  purpose.  Feeling  that  he  was  blessed 
in  business,  he  did  not  selfishly  hoard  his  wealth,  but  used  it  largely  and  wisely 
for  the  good  of  the  world,  to  relieve  suffering  and  distress,  to  add  to  the  beauty 
and  joy  of  living  and  to  the  happiness  of  his  fellowmen.  He  was  a  manly  man, 
actuated  in  all  he  did  by  the  highest  principles  and  a  broad  humanitarian  spirit, 
and  his  memory  is  hallowed  by  the  love  and  regard  which  he  engendered  in 
the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him. 

Mr.  Smith  married  (first)  in  Woonsocket,  Rhode  Island,  in  1857,  Annie 
E.,  daughter  of  George  W.  C.  Jenckes,  of  that  city.  They  had  two  children 
who  died  young.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1861.  Mr.  Smith  married  (second)  in 
1871.  Abby  H.,  daughter  of  Lorenzo  Richmond,  of  Woodstock,  Vermont. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were  in  complete  harmony  in  all  their  tastes,  living 
an  ideal  life,  she  proving  a  helpmate  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word.  She  is 
a  woman  of  the  utmost  culture  and  refinement,  active  and  prominent  in  every 
worthy  cause,  giving  freely  of  her  time  and  substance  to  those  less  fortunate 
in  this  world's  goods,  and  thus  has  won  and  retains  the  confidence  and  love 
of  all  with  whom  she  is  brought  in  contact,  both  in  private  and  public  life.  Her 
gifts  to  the  city  of  Scranton  of  the  children's  ward  at  the  State  Hospital  in 
1901  and  the  William  Tallman  Smith  Manual  Training  School  in  1905  were 
the  carrying  out  of  the  known  wishes  and  intentions  of  her  husband.  They 
are  valuable  additions  to  the  charitable  and  educational  work  of  the  city,  and 
will  serve  as  monuments  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  more  lasting 
and  endurable  than  any  other,  by  reason  of  the  amount  of  good  performed 
in  each,  and  will  serve  to  perpetuate  their  name  in  the  city  of  Scranton  as 
long  as  they  continue  to  exist,  their  good  continuing  even  longer.  Men  and 
women  of  the  type  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  a  blessing  to  a  community,  and 
their  example  should  act  as  an  incentive  to  others. 


22  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

GEORGE  LINEN  DICKSON 

Crowned  with  the  snow  of  eighty-three  winters,  but  with  eyes  bright  with 
the  glow  of  his  kindly  spirit  and  brilliant  mind,  with  step  elastic,  walks  George 
Linen  Dickson,  the  oldest  banker  of  the  Lackawanna  Valley,  dearly  beloved, 
highly  respected  and  a  striking  figure  among  Scranton's  prominent  citizens. 

All  but  six  of  these  eighty-three  years  have  been  spent  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
fifty-three  of  them  in  Scranton.  He  is  well  known  in  the  railroad  world  of 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  as  a  manufacturer  of  railroad  supplies  and 
equipment,  while  his  long  connection  with  the  First  National  Bank  which  dates 
from  its  organization,  and  as  its  vice-president  since  1887,  lias  made  him  equally 
well  known  in  the  financial  world.  As  manager  of  the  Dickson  Manufacturing 
Company,  he  made  his  first  entrance  into  Scranton  business  life  in  i860,  and  . 
from  that  time  until  the  present  there  has  never  been  a  day  that  he  has  not  been 
a  vital  factor  in  the  life  of  Scranton,  and  now  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years, 
so  remarkable  has  been  his  life,  and  so  conspicuous  his  work  in  the  develop- 
ment and  progress  of  the  city,  that  no  tribute  is  too  lofty,  too  heart-felt,  too 
generous  for  his  friends  to  offer,  nor  is  any  mark  of  their  respect  and  devotion 
withheld. 

George  Linen  Dickson  was  born  in  Lauder,  Berwickshire,  Scotland,  August 
3,  1830,  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Linen  Dickson.  James  Dickson  was  born 
in  Scotland,  son  of  Sergeant  Thomas  Dickson,  a  soldier  of  England.  Ser- 
geant Dickson  served  in  the  English  army  twenty-five  years,  participated  in 
fifty-two  engagements,  fought  with  his  regiment,  the  Ninety-second  High- 
landers at  Waterloo,  repulsing  the  last  French  charge,  having  previously  been 
engaged  with  Wellington  in  the  Peninsular  campaign  against  Napoleon's  mar- 
shals in  Spain.  He  was  with  the  army  at  the  death  of  Sir  John  Moore,  killed 
January  16,  i8og,  and  was  present  at  the  funeral  of  that  gallant  officer,  im- 
mortalized by  the  English  poet,  Charles  Wolfe,  in  the  poem  entitled  "The 
Burial  of  Sir  John  Moore." 

James  Dickson,  son  of  Sergeant  Thomas  Dickson,  was  born  in  Scotland, 
December  25,  1801,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  his  seventy-ninth  year. 
He  learned  the  machinist's  trade  in  his  native  land,  and  worked  there  as  a 
journeyman  until  1832,  when  he  came  to  America,  landing  at  Quebec,  Canada, 
after  a  voyage  of  seventy-seven  days  from  Glasgow  in  the  sailing  vessel 
Chieftan.  He  located  in  Toronto,  province  of  Ontario,  spending  two  years 
there  in  charge  of  the  machinery  of  a  line  of  steamboats  on  Lake  Ontario. 
Qiolera  there  became  epidemic  and  after  he  lost  two  of  his  children  by  that 
dread  disease  he  came  to  the  L^nited  States,  reaching  Rochester  by  boat,  then 
to  Rondout,  New  York,  by  Erie  canal,  thence  by  Delaware  and  Hudson  canal 
to  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  thence  to  Carbondale,  to  Dundaf.  finally  reaching 
the  farm  owned  by  his  brother-in-law,  George  Linen.  He  soon  left  that  point, 
returning  on  foot  to  New  York,  where  he  worked  two  years  at  his  trade.  He 
then  returned  to  the  Lackawanna  Valley  for  his  family,  intending  to  take  them 
back  to  New  York  with  him,  but  on  reaching  Carbondale,  Scotch  friends  there 
residing  persuaded  him  to  remain  there  in  charge  of  the  machine  shops  of  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company  as  master  mechanic.  He  remained  in 
that  position  eighteen  years,  when  he  was  retired  on  a  pension  in  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  valuable  services.  He  then  in  association  with  his  sons,  Thomas, 
John  and  George  L.,  organized  the  firm,  Dickson  &  Company,  Joseph  Ben- 
jamin also  having  an  interest.  After  two  successful  years  the  firm  incorporated, 
in  1861,  as  the  Dickson  Manufacturnig  Company,  with  works  in  Wilk-es-Barre 
and  Scranton,  doing  locomotive  and  general  machine  work  in  the  two  plants. 
The  burden  fell  upon  the  sons,  the  father  having  practically  retired,  but  giving 


z 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  23 

to  the  younger  men  the  benefit  of  his  experienced  judgment.  James  Dickson 
become  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the  United  States.  April  50.  1S44.  and  cast  his 
first  vote  for  his  favorite  and  greatly  admired  Henry  Clay. 

He  married  Elizabeth  Linen,  who  like  himself  was  born  in  Scotland,  died 
1866;  both  were  communicants  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which'  he  was 
a  deacon  for  many  years.  Five  of  their  seven  children,  all  born  in  Scotland, 
grew  to  maturity,  the  only  present  survivor  being  George  L.  Dickson  of  Scran- 
ton.  Children:  i.  Thomas  H.,  mine  superintendent  of  the  Delaware  and  Hud- 
son Canal  Company,  1859-1864;  then  became  general  supermtendent  until 
1868.  when  he  was  elected  president  of  the  company.  He  died  at  his  summer 
home  in  Morristown,  New  Jersey.  2.  Isabella,  married  John  R.  Fordham. 
3.  Mary,  married  (first)  Andrew  Watt,  (second)  J.  B.  Von  Bergen.  4.  John 
."Mexander,  died  in  1867,  being  at  that  time  general  manager  of  the  Dickson 
Manufacturing  Company.  5.  George  Linen,  of  whom  further.  6.  and  7.  Two 
other  children,  James  and  Elizabeth,  both  died  in  Canada,  while  young. 

George  Linen  Dickson  was  about  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came 
to  Canada  and  two  years  later  was  brought  with  them  tc  the  Ignited  States. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  in  Carbondale.  He  was  intended  by  his 
pious  parents  for  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  but  his  brother, 
Thomas,  having  established  in  a  mercantile  business  in  Carboiidale  in  1845, 
prevailed  upon  his  parents  to  allow  George  L.  to  enter  his  employ  as  clerk.  He 
liad  as  a  partner  Joseph  Benjamin,  who  also  was  anxious  to  have  the  boy  with 
them,  so  the  parents  consented,  and  on  February  6,  1845,  he  began  work,  in- 
tending his  stay  to  be  brief,  but  he  continued  with  his  brother  until  he  attained 
his  majority  and  never  returned  to  school.  In  185 1  he  bought  Mr.  Benjamin's 
interest,  the  firm  becoming  G.  L.  Dickson  &  Company,  his  brothers,  Thomas 
and  John,  being  the  other  partners.  The  firm  also  owned  Benjamin's  old 
foundry,  Thomas  having  charge  of  that,  and  George  L.  operating  the  store. 
In  1856  they  sold  the  store,  and  as  the  Dickson  Company.  George  L.  operated 
the  foundry  at  Carbondale,  Thomas  building  and  managing  the  Scranton  plant. 
The  company  had  incorporated  as  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company,  and 
on  January  16,  i860,  George  L.  Dickson  came  to  Scranton  as  manager  of  the 
local  plant,  then  beginning  his  twenty-two  years'  service  with  the  company  in 
Scranton.  In  1867  he  became  president  of  the  company,  continuing  until  1882, 
when  he  sold  his  interests  and  retired  from  the  company.  He  then  established 
a  private  business  in  railroad  supplies  and  equipment,  representing  several  of 
the  best  known  manufactures  of  machinery  and  supplies  in  New  York  and 
Scranton,  becoming  widely  known  in  the  trade  in  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
He  employed  in  his  works  and  business  during  his  manufacturing  career,  a 
large  number  of  men,  and  made  many  friends  among  them,  and  also  was  uni- 
versally popular  with  the  trade.  He  was  known  as  an  upright,  capable  busi- 
ness man.  wherever  known  at'  all,  a  reputation  established  by  honorable  straight 
forward  dealing  in  every  transaction,  be  it  large  or  small.  In  1863  he  had 
aided  in  the  organization  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  and  until 
1887  served  as  a  director.  He  also  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Scranton 
Steel  Company,  and  was  a  promoter  of  other  Scranton  industries.  In  1887, 
he  was  elected  vice-president  of  the  First  National  Bank  and  began  withdraw- 
ing from  his  other  enterprises,  retaining  only  his  official  position  with  the 
bank  since  that  date.  He  has  maintained  his  high  record  as  a  business  man 
and  no  less  the  able  financier  than  the  capable  manufacturer.  Much  as  he 
has  accomplished  in  his  worthy  business  career,  it  is  the  man  himself  that  most 
attracts.     He  is  sympathetic,  kind  and  loyal,  a  firm  friend  and  a  good  citizen. 

Mr.  Dickson  has  a  distinguished  Masonic  career,  being  one  of  the  oldest 
Masons  in  the  city,  and  holding  a  secure  place  in  the  hearts  of  his  brethren.  He 


24  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

was  made  a  Mason  in  Carbondale,  and  there  became  worshipful  master  of  his 
lodge.  On  coming  to  Scranton  he  demitted  and  joined  Peter  Vv'illiamson 
Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  also  past  high  priest  of  Lacka- 
wanna Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  past  eminent  commander  of  Coeur 
De  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar.  He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason 
of  the  Scottish  Rite,  belonging  to  the  various  bodies  of  that  rite  in  Scranton. 
He  joined  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Carbondale  and  is  a 
past  noble  grand.  In  religious  faith  he  is  an  Episcopalian,  having  served  as 
vestryman  since   1859. 

Mr.  Dickson  married,  September  16,  1856,  Lydia  M.,  daughter  of  John 
M.  Poore,  of  Carbondale.  The  only  living  child  of  this  marriage  is  Walter 
May,  of  Scranton.  He  married  Amanda  Manville  and  has  a  son,  George  N., 
now  a  student  at  Cornell  University,  class  of  1918.  Lydia  M.  Poore  was  born 
in  Palmyra,  Wayne  county.  New  York,  a  cousin  of  Ben  Perley  Poore,  one 
of  the  most  lovable  authors  and  humorists  of  a  generation  past  and  gone. 
The  Poore  family  is  of  English  origin  and  was  numbered  among  the  early 
colonists  of  New  England,  where  land  purchased  from  the  Indians  is  yet  owned 
by  descendants.  Mrs.  Dickson's  paternal  grandfather.  Dr.  Daniel  Noyes  Poore, 
was  a  native  of  ;\Iassachusetts,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  and  a  skillful, 
well-known  physician.  Her  father,  Honorable  John  M.  Poore,  was  born  in 
Essex,  Massachusetts ;  he  aided  in  the  construction  of  the  Erie  canal  through 
Chenango  county  as  a  contractor  on  that  section,  in  company  with  his  father- 
in-law.  Later  he  farmed  for  several  years  in  the  south  and  in  1846  located  at 
Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  of  which  city  he  was  at  one  time  mayor.  He  was  a 
merchant  in  Carbondale  but  spent  his  latter  years  in  Scranton,  dying  at  the 
home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  George  Linen  Dickson,  aged  eighty  years.  Harriet 
Townsend  Poore,  mother  of  Mrs.  Dickson,  was  born  near  the  Hudson  river  in 
New  York,  daughter  of  E.  M.  Townsend,  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812  and 
a  pioneer  settler  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  kept  an  inn  in  an  old 
log  house,  long  ago  vanished.  He  was  at  one  time  sergeant-at-arms  of 
the  United  States  senate  and  was  well  acquainted  with  Henry  Clay  and  other 
famous  statesmen  of  that  period.  He  died  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  aged 
fifty-six  years.  He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Jesse  Townsend,  D.  D.,  a  graduate 
of  Yale  and  a  noted  divine  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  A  brother  of  Mrs. 
Dickson,  Townsend  Poore,  of  Scranton,  was  long  and  prominently  connected 
with  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad  Company.  A  distinguished  mem- 
ber of  the  Townsend  family  was  Martin  L.  Townsend,  member  of  Congress 
from  New  York. 


COLONEL  FREDERICK  LYMAN  HITCHCOCK 

Colonel  Frederick  Lyman  Hitchcock,  lawyer,  soldier,  and  author  of  the 
present  "History  of  Scranton,"  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  old  Puritan  fami- 
lies who  founded  the  New  Haven  colony.  His  ancestors  were  in  Wallingford, 
Connecticut,  as  early  as  1675,  and  in  New  Haven  much  earlier. 

Peter  Hitchcock,  grandfather  of  Colonel  Hitchcock,  was  a  native  of  Clare- 
mont.  New  Hampshire,  and  his  son,  Daniel  Hitchcock,  was  born  in  Wallingford. 
The  mother  of  Frederick  L.  Hitchcock  and  wife  of  Daniel  Hitchcock,  was 
Mary  Peck,  daughter  of  Ward  Peck,  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  who 
served  throughout  the  war.  He  was  a  nephew  of  him  for  whom  he  was  named 
— Major  General  Artemus  Ward,  the  predecessor  of  General  Washington  in 
command  of  the  Continental  army.  Ward  Peck  was  but  fourteen  years  of 
age  when  the  war  broke  out ;  his  brothers  had  all  entered  the  army  and  he  had 
tried  to  enlist,  but  had  been  rejected  because  he  was  under  stature.     He  pro- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  25 

•cured  a  large  pair  of  boots  and  stuffed  them  with  cloth  in  order  to  raise  him- 
self sufficiently  to  reach  up  to  the  measuring  rod,  and  was  accepted,  notwith- 
standing his  youth.  He  participated  in  nearly  all  the  battles  of  the  war.  in- 
cluding Trenton,  where  he  marched  barefooted,  his  boots  being  worn  out. 
The  route  of  the  American  army,  he  said,  could  be  traced  by  the  blood  from 
the  feet  of  such  as  he.  He  was  at  Valley  Forge  and  Brandywine.  and  was  one 
of  the  four  who  bore  the  wounded  Lafayette  from  the  field.  He  was  re- 
membered by  the  latter,  who  on  his  visit  to  the  I'nited  States  showed  him 
marked  attention  and  expressed  his  gratitude. 

Frederick  Lyman  Hitchcock  was  born  in  Waterbury,  Connecticut,  April 
18,  1837,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  there.  When  quite  young  he 
located  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  studied  law  with  Samuel  Sherrerd.  of 
that  city,  and  E.  L.  Dana,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Luzerne  county,  May  16,  i860.  He  practiced  his  profession  until  interrupted 
by  the  Civil  War. 

On  August  22.  1862,  he  entered  the  army  as  adjutant  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-second  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  This  regiment  par- 
ticipated in  the  battles  of  South  Mountain.  Antietam  and  Fredericksburg  in 
1862,  and  Chancellorsville  in  1863.  At  Fredericksburg  he  was  twice  wounded 
and  left  on  the  field  for  dead.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  Albright,  in  his 
report  of  the  battle,  said :  "The  command  was  meager  in  officers :  neither 
the  colonel  nor  major  were  present,  and  just  as  the  regiment  was  moving  off 
to  the  bloody  struggle.  Adjutant  F.  L.  Hitchcock,  who  had  been  absent  on  sick 
leave,  came  to  my  aid  and  assisted  me  greatly.  He  conducted  himself  with 
signal  gallantry  and  bravery,  and  although  wounded  in  two  places  continued 
on  duty.  His  example  on  and  oflf  the  battle  field  is  worthy  of  imitation." 
Lieutenant  Colonel  V.  M.  Wilcox,  commanding  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 
second  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  said  in  his  report  of  the  battle  of  Antietam. 
September  17,  1862:  "I  cannot  here  too  highly  express  my  thanks  and  admira- 
tion for  the  assistance  rendered  me  by  Major  Charles  Albright  and  Adjutant 
F.  L.  Hitchcock.  They  never  left  the  field  for  a  moment,  but  by  their  cool- 
ness and  bravery  assisted  me  greatly  in  inspiring  the  men  with  that  courage 
which  it  was  necessary  for  men  to  possess  under  so  severe  a  fire  as  that  to 
which  they  were  subjected."  On  January  24.  1863.  Adjutant  Hitchcock  was 
promoted  to  major,  and  commanded  the  regiment  at  Chancellorsville.  He  was 
mustered  out  with  the  regiment.  May  24.  1863.  In  December  following  he 
was  examined  by  Major  General  Casey's  examining  board,  and  was  awarded 
a  commission  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  colored  troops,  and  entered  upon  his 
duties  at  once,  organizing  the  Twenty-fifth  Regiment  LInited  States  Colored 
Troops,  at  Philadelphia.  Early  in  1864  he  was  commissioned  colonel,  and 
served  in  the  defenses  at  Fort  Pickens  and  Pensacola,  Florida,  until  December, 
1865.  During  most  of  this  time  he  served  as  inspector-general  of  the  District 
of  West  Florida,  in  addition  to  his  duties  as  colonel.  His  regiment  was  pro- 
ficient in  both  infantry  and  artillery  drill  and  practice.  After  a  careful  in- 
spection and  exhaustive  examination  by  General  Marcy,  inspector-general. 
LTiiited  States  Army.  Colonel  Hitchcock  was  ofl^ered  the  opportunity  of 
remaining  with  the  regiment  as  a  part  of  the  regular  army  of  the  LTnited  States, 
but  declined. 

His  only  brother.  Edwin  Sherman  Hitchcock,  enlisted  in  the  Second  Con- 
necticut Volunteers  in  the  first  three  months  service,  under  Colonel  Alfred  H. 
Terry,  in  May,  1861  :  he  was  commissioned  captain  in  the  Seventh  Connecticiit 
Volunteers  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  under  the  same  colonel,  and  was  killed 
under  circumstances  of  great  gallantry  at  the  battle  of  Tames  Island.  June  16, 
1862. 


26  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Colonel  Frederick  L.  Hitchcock  was  elected  the  first  clerk  of  the  mayor's 
court  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  in  1866,  and  in  1878  was  appointed  the  first 
prothonotary  of  Lackawanna  county ;  was  secretary  of  the  Scranton  Board 
of  Trade  in  1869-71-72-73,  and  was  president  during  the  years  1909-10,  and 
had  the  honor  to  represent  the  board  in  the  National  Board  of  Trade  which 
meets  annually  in  Washington,  D.  C,  for  nearly  twenty  consecutive  years,  and 
during  this  time  was  a  member  of  its  executive  council.  He  has  recently  been 
honored  with  a  life  membership. 

In  1866  Colonel  Hitchcock  entered  into  partnership  with  W.  C.  Dickinson, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Dickinson  &  Hitchcock,  in  the  crockery,  china  and 
glassware  business,  on  Lackawanna  avenue.  The  next  year  he  bought  Mr. 
Dickinson's  interest  and  continued  alone  until  1868.  when  Ezra  H.  Ripple  came 
into  the  firm,  with  William  Council  as  a  silent  partner,  forming  the  firm  of 
F.  L.  Hitchcock  &  Company.  Colonel  Ripple  and  Mr.  Council  retired  in  1872, 
and  Henry  A.  Coursen  came  in.  making  the  firm  Hitchcock  &  Coursen.  In 
1875  Colonel  Hitchcock  retired  and  resumed  the  practice  of  the  law.  In  1877, 
during  the  riot  period  of  July  and  August,  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
citizens'  advisory  committee  of  the  mayor,  and  was  one  of  a  group  of  veterans 
of  the  Civil  War  who  organized  a  citizens'  corps  for  the  maintenance  of  law 
and  order,  thirty-eight  of  whom  met  and  dispersed  the  mob  in  the  great  riot 
of  August  I,  Colonel  Hitchcock  being  second  in  command  of  the  body  of 
defenders  that  day.  In  1878  he  spent  the  winter  in  Harrisburg,  working  for 
the  passage  of  the  law  creating  Lackawanna  county,  and  contributed  in  no 
small  degree  to  its  success.  Fie  was  made  secretary  of  the  commission  ap- 
pointed under  that  law  to  survey,  lay  out  and  erect  the  new  county.  In  1879 
he  entered  into  partnership  with  J.  .Atkins  Robertson  in  the  real  estate  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Robertson  &  Hitchcock.  In  1882  this  firm  became  the 
agents  of  the  Barber  Asphalt  Paving  Company,  and  secured  the  laying  of  the 
first  modern  street  pavements  in  the  city  of  Scranton.  During  the  next  five 
years  the  firm  paved  more  than  five  miles  of  the  city  streets  with  asphalt  pave- 
ments. 

In  1877  Colonel  Hitchcock's  military  knowledge  and  experience  were  called 
into  action  again,  to  assist  in  organizing  the  Scranton  City  Guard — four  com- 
panies of  the  finest  young  men  of  the  city.  Colonel  Hitchcock  refused  any 
office,  but  on  recjuest  of  Major  H.  M.  Boies,  and  solely  to  help  perfect  the  new 
organization,  he  accepted  the  appointment  of  adjutant.  The  following  year,. 
on  the  formation  of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment,  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania, 
Colonel  Hitchcock  accepted,  for  the  same  reason,  the  lieutenant-colonelcy.  The 
experience  of  1877  had  demonstrated  the  necessity  of  a  first  class  regiment  at 
this  point,  and  he  freely  gave  his  time  and  military  experience  towards  the 
perfecting  of  the  regiment.  In  1883  Colonel  Boies  declining  a  re-election.  Col- 
onel Hitchcock  accepted  its  leadership  and  served  until  1888.  During  the 
second  year  of  his  term  as  colonel,  and  each  year  thereafter  he  succeeded  in 
qualifying  every  man  in  the  regiment  as  marksman  in  rifle  practice — the  first 
regiment  to  reach  that  standard  in  the  history  of  the  National  Guard.  Declining- 
a  second  term,  he  was  presented  by  his  fellow  officers  with  a  souvenir  on  which 
was  inscribed  the  following  legend  :  "He  led  the  regiment  from  the  left  to  the- 
right  of  the  line,  and  stood  with  it  at  the  liead  of  the  National  Guard  of  Penn- 
sylvania." 

Colonel  Hitchcock  was  director  of  public  safety  for  six  weeks  during  the 
administration  of  Mayor  James  Moir,  during  which  he  reorganized  the  city 
fire  department,  placing  it  on  a  practically  paid  basis.  He  also  compelled  all 
liquor  dealers  to  obey  the  law.  All  drinking  places  were  closed  at  12  o'clock 
p.  m.,  and  on  Saturdays  compelled  to  remain  closed  until  6  o'clock  a.  m.  Mon- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  27 

day.  His  activities  in  this  respect  made  him  persona  non  grata  to  the  Hquor 
interests,  and  he  was  removed.  On  the  incoming  of  the  administration  of 
Mayor  J.  Benjamin  Dimmick,  in  1906,  Colonel  Hitchcock  was  appointed  city 
treasurer,  which  office  he  held  for  three  years,  until  the  close  of  that  mayoralty 
term.  During  this  period  he  inaugurated  the  system  of  depositing  the  city 
funds  in  the  several  banks  of  the  city  drawing  interest  on  monthly  balances. 

Colonel  Hitchcock  was  one  of  the  three  ruling  elders  elected  and  ordained 
at  the  organization  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scrantoii,  in  1874. 
During  his  eldership  he  represented  the  Presbytery  of  Lackawanna  as  a  lay 
delegate  in  the  general  assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United 
States,  which  met  in  Cleveland.  Ohio,  in  1875.  He  was  again  a  delegate  to 
the  general  assembly  of  1898,  and  was  a  member  of  its  judicial  committee 
which  had  before  it  the  question  of  the  trial  of  Professor  McGiffert,  of  New 
York,  for  heresy.  It  was  Colonel  Hitchcock's  resolution  that  disposed  of  the 
case  by  asking  Professor  McGiffert  to  resign  from  the  Presbyterian  church 
on  account  of  incompatible  views.  Colonel  Hitchcock  was  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school  of  the  Second  Church  for  several  years,  continuing  in  that 
office  until  his  removal  to  Green  Ridge,  a  suburb  of  Scranton,  in  1881,  when 
he  severed  his  membership  with  the  Second  Church  and  united  with  the  Green 
Ridge  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  superintendent  of  a  flourishing  mission 
Sunday  school  for  four  years  prior  to  his  connection  with  the  Second  Church. 
In  1883  he  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Sun- 
day school,  and  served  as  such  for  eight  years,  and  in  1888  he  was  elected  an 
elder  in  the  church,  and  is  still  serving  in  that  office.  He  was  president  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Scranton  in  1875-76-77,  and  has 
also  served  as  treasurer.  He  is  president  of  the  Security  Building  and  Loan 
Association,  and  treasurer  of  the  Barium  Produce  Company.  He  has  been 
prominent  in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  one  of  the  oldest  past  masters  of 
ITnion  Lodge,  No.  291,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  he  is  also  a  director  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Oral  School  for  the  Deaf. 

Colonel  Hitchcock  married,  January  24,  1865.  Carohne  Neal  Kingsbury. 
Her  great-grandfather  was  Deacon  Ebenezer  Kingsbury,  of  Coventry,  Con- 
necticut. He  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  general  assembly  thirty-eight 
years,  a  military  officer  of  rank,  and  a  man  of  note  in  the  community.  Her 
grandfather.  Rev.  Ebenezer  Kingsbury,  was  a  native  of  Coventry,  Connecticut; 
graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1783  and  studied  theology  with  Dr.  Backus, 
of  Somers,  Connecticut,  and  was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Jericho  Centre,  Vermont,  when  he  visited  Harford,  Susquehanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  received  a  call  to  settle,  February  21.  1810.  He  was  installed  in 
.August  following,  and  continued  his  pastoral  labors  there  for  seventeen  years. 
He  traveled  over  a  large  part  of  the  counties  of  Susquehanna,  Bradford  and 
Wayne  on  horseback,  finding  his  way  by  marked  trees  and  bridle  paths,  preach- 
ing in  log  cabins,  barns  and  school  houses,  of  which  latter  there  were  a  very  few 
at  "the  time,  and  assisted  at  the  formation  of  nearly  all  the  churches  in  that  region. 
He  died  at  Harford  in  1842.  The  wife  of  Rev.  Ebenezer  Kingsbury  was 
Hannah  Williston.  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Noah  Williston.  who  was  born  in  1733, 
graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1757,  ordained  in  West  Haven,  Connecticut, 
in  1760,  and  was  for  fifty-two  years"  pastor  of  the  West  Haven  Congregational 
Church,  and  died  there,  aged  eighty  years.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Payson,  of 
Pomfret,  Connecticut.  The  eldest  son  of  Rev.  Noah  Williston  was  Rev.  Pay- 
son  Williston,  who  was  for  forty  years  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church 
at  Easthampton,  Massachusetts.  Hon.  Samuel  Williston  was  founder  of 
Williston  Seminary,  at  Easthampton,  to  which  he  gave  $250,000.  He  was  also 
a  son  of  Rev.  Noah  Williston.     The  father  of  Mrs.  Frederick  L.  Hitchcock 


28  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

was  also  named  Ebenezer  Kingsbury.  He  was  iDorn  in  Vermont,  June  13, 
1804.  At  six  years  of  age  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Harford,  Pennsylvania. 
He  studied  law  with  William  Jessup,  at  Montrose,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  September  2,  1828.  In  1830  he  was  appointed  deputy  attorney  general  for 
Susquehanna  county.  He  removed  to  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  in  1833,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1844.  From  1833  to  1840  he  was  editor  and 
proprietor  of  the  Wayne  county  Herald.  From  1837  to  1840  he  represented 
Luzerne,  Monroe,  Pike  and  Wayne  counties  in  the  state  senate,  and  in  the 
latter  year  he  was  speaker  of  the  senate.  He  married,  in  1829,  Elizabeth  Har- 
low Fuller,  a  daughter  of  Edward  Fuller,  born  in  Plymouth,  Massachusetts. 
He  was  a  descendant  of  Dr.  Samuel  Fuller,  "the  beloved  physician,"  who  came 
over  in  the  "Mayflower."  His  wife  was  Hannah  West,  a  native  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut.  They  had  six  children,  of  which  Mrs.  Hitchcock,  the  youngest, 
and  Edward  Payson  Kingsbury,  late  controller  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  and 
present  auditor  of  the  Enterprise  Powder  Company,  only  survive.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hitchcock  have  had  a  family  of  seven  children :  Edwin  Sherman,  Frederick 
Kingsbury,  Henry  Payson,  all  now  deceased  :  Lizzie  Fuller,  married  George 
B.  Dimmi'ck ;  John  Partridge ;  Mary  Peck,  married  Robert  S.  Douglas,  of  New- 
ark, New  Jersey;  Carrie  Guilford  Hitchcock. 


WILLIAM  W.  SCRANTON 

The  Scrantons,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  are  descended  from  John  Scran- 
ton, who  with  others,  in  all  about  twenty-five  heads  of  families,  came  to 
.■\nierica,  landing  at  Boston  in  1637,  and  founded  the  plantation  of  Guilford, 
Connecticut,  in  1639,  being  one  of  the  three  plantations  constituting  the  colony 
of  New  Haven,  later  the  colony  and  State  of  Connecticut.  They  came  from 
England,  from  the  town  of  Guilford,  and  the  counties  of  Kent  and  Surrey, 
descended  from  a  people  who  had  their  rise  in  the  reign  of  "bloody  Queen 
Mary,"  under  whose  persecuting  reign  their  meetings  for  religious  worship 
without  a  liturgy  were  broken  up  and  some  of  them  burned  at  the  stake. 

(I)  Seeking  religious  liberty,  these  early  Puritans  came  to  America,  and 
among  them  was  John  Scranton.  He  was  then  under  thirty  years  of  age,  and 
lived  until  August  27,  167 1,  and  died  at  the  age  of  about  sixty.  He  was  a  free 
burgess,  and  was  one  of  the  company  which  in  Robert  Newman's  barn  in  New 
Haven  on  June  4,  1639,  laid  the  foundation  of  civil  and  religious  polity  by 
the  adoption  of  an  order  of  liberal  government  for  what  ultimately  became 
the  State  of  Connecticut.  He  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  the  colony,  was 
marshal  of  the  colony,  was  repeatedly  on  committees  of  executive  importance ; 
was  a  member  of  the  general  court  in  1669  and  1670.  The  inventory  of  his 
estate  is  recorded  in  the  Nev/  Haven  Probate  Record,  October  27,  1671. 

(II)  Captain  John  Scranton  Jr.,  eldest  child  of  the  emigrant.  John  Scran- 
ton. and  the  first  of  the  family  name  born  in  America,  settled  in  East  Guil- 
ford, which  thereafter  became  the  family  home,  and  died  September  2,  1703, 
age  sixty-two.  He  was  known  as  Captain  John  Scranton,  was  nominated  in 
1669  to  be  made  a  burgess,  and  at  the  next  general  court  was  privileged  to 
take  the  freeman's  oath.  He  commanded  the  military  forces  of  the  settle- 
ment, a  position  of  great  importance,  subject  as  they  were  at  that  period  to 
attack  bv  the  savages,  as  well  as  by  the  Dutch  in  New  York.  He  was  a  success- 
ful planter  and  died  in  1703,  aged  sixty-two,  leaving  what  was  then  a  large 
estate  to  his  children. 

(III)  Captain  John  Scranton,  eldest  son  of  the  preceding,  born  in  1676, 
died  March  31.  1758.  He  lived  in  East  Guilford,  and,  like  his  father,  com- 
manded the  military  of  the  town  ;  was  a  man  of  considerable  property,  and 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  29 

in  his  will  made  ample  provision  for  the  support  of  his  negro  man  and  his 
Indian  slave,  allowing  them  to  choose  with  which  of  his  children  they  should 
live. 

(IV)  Captain  Ichabod  Scranton.  son  of  the  preceding,  born  February  19, 
1717,  lived  in  East  Guilford.  Connecticut.  A  natural  soldier,  like  his  an- 
cestors, he  took  part  in  both  the  old  French  wars  of  1745  and  1755.  fought  at 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Louisburg  under  Sir  William  Pepperell,  and  served 
in  the  campaigns  around  Lake  George  and  Lake  Champlain  against  Fort 
William  Henry,  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.  On  returning  from  Ticon- 
deroga  after  the  conquest  of  Canada,  he  was  seized  with  small-pox  at  Albany, 
New  York,  and  died  November  i,  1760,  aged  forty-three.  He  was  a  man  nf 
patriotism,  enterprise  and  great  personal  courage,  and  his  death  was  niourneil 
as  a  public  calamity. 

(V)  Theophilus  Scranton,  born  December  i,  1751,  died  February  16,  1827, 
eldest  son  of  Captain  Ichabod  Scranton,  lived  and  died  in  East  Guilford,  no\^' 
called  Madison.  Only  twenty-four  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  he 
was  forced  to  remain  at  home  as  the  sole  support  of  his  mother  and  sisters, 
enabling  his  two  younger  brothers  to  enter  the  Continental  army,  one  becoming 
an  officer  in  the  cavalry  and  the  other  in  the  infantry. 

(VI)  Jonathan  Scranton,  born  October  10,  1781,  son  of  the  preceding, 
was  well  known  as  a  contractor  of  wharves,  break-waters,  light  houses  and 
other  public  works.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  the  church  in  Madison  and 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  town.  He  died  July  ij.  1847.  He  was  the 
father  of  Joseph  H.  Scranton,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  of  whom  notice 
will  be  found  below :  also  of  Erastus  C.  .Scranton,  of  New  Haven, 
president  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  New  Haven,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  president  of  the  New  York,  New  Haven  &  Hartford  Railroad ; 
also  of  Sereno  H.  Scranton,  of  Madison,  Connecticut,  president  of  the  New 
Haven,  New  London  Railroad,  and  later  of  the  Mobile  &  New  Orleans  Rail- 
road. 

(VII)  Joseph  Hand  Scranton,  son  of  Jonathan,  while  not  the  first  of  his 
name  in  Scranton,  was  the  first  of  his  direct  family  to  make  that  city  his 
residence.  He  was  born  in  East  Guilford  (Madison),  Connecticut,  June  28, 
1813,  located  in  Scranton  in  1847,  '"'•d  (^\tA  in  Baden  Baden,  Germany,  June 
6,  1872.  He  began  his  business  career  in  a  New  Haven  store,  but  while  still 
a  young  man  moved  south,  locating  in  Augusta,  Georgia,  where  he  became 
head  of  one  of  the  largest  mercantile  houses  of  that  city.  While  in  Augusta 
he  made  the  first  of  his  series  of  investments  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley  of 
Pennsylvania.  His  cousins,  George  W.  and  Selden  T.  Scranton,  with  others, 
had  begun  the  manufacture  of  iron  on  the  banks  of  Roaring  Brook,  and, 
needing  financial  assistance,  applied  to  their  cousin,  Joseph  H.  Scranton.  He 
responded  with  a  loan  of  $10,000,  later  invested  still  more  heavily,  and  in 
1847  purchased  the  interest  of  one  of  the  partners.  Mr.  Grant.  In  that  year, 
after  becoming  an  active  partner  in  the  business,  he  moved  to  Scranton  and 
thereafter  made  that  city  his  home.  The  firm  successfully  solved  the  problem 
of  iron  manufacture  with  anthracite  coal  as  fuel,  but  labored  under  the  great 
difficulty  of  distance  from  a  market,  without  railroad  facilities.  But  this 
problem  was  also  solved  by  their  efforts,  and  with  the  building  of  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  prosperity  came.  In  1853  members 
of  the  firm  organized  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  with  Joseph 
H.  Scranton  as  manager  until  1858.  In  that  year  he  was  elected  president, 
and  continued  its  honored  efficient  head  until  his  death  in  1872.  In  1863, 
recognizing  the  need  of  better  banking  facilities,  he  with  others  organized 
the  First  National  Bank  of   Scranton,  was  its  first  president  and  continued 


30  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

at  its  head  until  his  death.  Prominent  as  he  was  in  these  two  great  Scranton 
institutions,  they  represent  but  a  part  of  his  business  activities.  He  was  the 
first  president  of  the  Scranton  Gas  and  Water  Company,  continuing  until  his 
death ;  a  director  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany; of  the  Mount  Hope  Mineral  Railroad  Company:  the  Sussex  Railroad  of 
New  Jersey ;  the  Franklin  Iron  Company ;  the  Scranton  Trust  Company  and 
Savings  Bank;  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company;  the  Moosic  Powder 
Company;  the  Oxford  Iron  Company,  and  several  western  railroads,  in  which 
he  had  largely  invested.  His  standing  in  railroad  circles  caused  his  appoint- 
ment by  Congress  as  one  of  the  first  commissioners  of  the  Union  Pacific  Rail- 
road, an  honor  he  fully  deserved. 

Under  the  strain  of  his  many  responsibilities,  Mr.  Scranton's  health  finally 
gave  way,  and  in  January,  1872,  with  his  wife  and  daughter,  he  journeyed 
abroad,  hoping  in  complete  rest  and  freedom  from  the  exactions  of  business 
to  regain  his  health,  but  in  vain,  his  death  occurring  the  following  June  while 
at  Baden,  Germany.  His  remains  were  returned  to  his  adopted  city,  and 
there  on  July  13,  1872.  he  was  laid  at  rest  in  Dimmore  cemetery.  He  was 
awarded  signal  honors  by  the  community  he  had  so  valiantly  striven  to  up- 
build ;  business  was  suspended  and  the  flags  of  the  city  waved  at  half-mast  on 
the  day  of  his  funeral,  and  the  press  of  the  country  printed  fervent  eulogies 
of  the  man  whose  usefulness  was  recognized  far  beyond  local  confines.  Rev. 
Dr.  Cattell,  of  Lafayette  College,  preached  the  memorial  sermon  before  an 
immense  congregation  of  sincere  mourners.  He  said  in  the  course  of  his 
sermon  :  "I  know  not  of  how  many  companies  he  was  president  or  manager 
or  director,  or  of  what  great  public  interests  he  was  the  guiding  spirit ;  but 
I  do  know  he  was  a  Christian  man,  and  for  many  years  was  the  superintendent 
of  the  Sabbath  school  of  his  church  (Presbyterian),  and  that  he  was  a  man 
whose  success  in  all  things  that  men  most  desire  and  for  which  they  strive 
and  toil,  was  conspicuous." 

Perhaps  the  best  expression  of  the  public  feeling  entertained  toward  Mr. 
Scranton  is  found  in  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  directors  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Scranton : 

Resolved;  That  having  been  associated  with  Mr.  Scranton  in  the  direction  of  the 
affairs  of  this  institntion  from  the  date  of  its  organization,  we  bear  cheerful  testimony 
to  his  great  executive  ability,  untiring  energy,  perfect  integrity  and  unselfish  devotion 
to  its  interests  and  to  his  high-minded  and  gentlemanly  bearing  in  all  his  official  in- 
tercourse whereby  he  contributed  largely  to  the  success  of  the  institution,  while  en- 
dearing himself  to  us  by  his  amiable,  generous  disposition. 

Joseph  H.  Scranton  married  (first)  August  i,  1837,  Eliza  Maria  Wilcox, 
of  Madison,  Connecticut.  He  married  (second)  July  3,  1843,  Cornelia 
Walker,  daughter  of  Judge  William  P.  and  Lucy  (Adam)  Walker,  of  Lenox, 
Massachusetts.     He  was  survived  by  issue  of  both  marriages. 

(\'III)  William  Walker,  eldest  son  of  Joseph  Hand  Scranton  and  his 
second  wife,  Cornelia  Walker,  was  born  in  Scranton,  .^pril  4,  1844,  and  is  now 
the  only  one  of  his  name  and  generation  living  in  the  city  that  owes  so  much 
to  his  family.  He  has  ever  resided  in  the  city  of  his  birth  and  has  borne  his 
full  share  of  the  burden  of  the  developinent  of  the  great  iron  and  steel  in- 
terests and  public  utilities  of  Scranton.  He  began  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  passing  through  the  high  school,  then  entering  Phillip's  Academy  at 
.\ndover,  Massachusetts,  where  he  finished  his  college  preparation.  He  then 
entered  Yale  University,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1865.  While  at 
Yale  he  took  deep  interest  in  athletics,  and  in  1864  and  1865  was  bow  oar  on 
the  famous  Wilbur  Bacon  crew,  which  won  from  Harvard  in  those  years. 
His  fraternities  were  Ka])])a  Sigma  Epsilon,  Alpha  Sigma,  Delta  Kappa  Ep- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  31 

silon ;  his  society,  the  famous  Scroll  and  Keys.  It  is  interesting  to  record  that 
after  leaving  college,  Mr.  Scranton  did  not  forsake  his  athletic  training,  but 
continued  so  effectively  that  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years,  in  the  presence  of 
witnesses,  he  lifted  a  dead  weight  of  two  thousand  pounds. 

Finishing  his  college  career  in  1865,  Mr.  Scranton  at  once  began  his  long 
and  successful  business  career,  in  Scranton.  After  thoroughly  mastering  its 
details  by  serving  two  years  at  the  works  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal 
Company,  of  which  his  father  was  president,  he  was  appointed  in  1867  superin- 
tendent of  the  company's  new  mill,  and  in  1871  was  appointed  assistant  to  the 
presidcTit  and  superintendent  of  all  the  company  mills.  In  1874  he  journeyed 
to  Europe,  making  a  special  study  of  Bessemer  steel  manufacture  as  practiced 
in  English,  French  and  German  plants.  On  his  return  in  the  autumn  he  was 
made  general  manager  of  the  Lackawanna,  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  and  at 
once  began  the  utilization  of  his  recently  acquired  knowledge  by  erecting  a 
Bessemer  steel  rail  mill  and  works,  doubling  the  capacity  of  the  works  and 
improving  its  quality.  The  increased  demands  of  the  steel  works,  also  re- 
sulted in  quadrupling  the  output  of  the  company's  mines  and  collieries.  Dur- 
ing his  connection  with  the  company  he  was  obliged  to  act  defensively  in  the 
protection  of  the  company's  interests  during  labor  troubles,  and  in  1871  led  to 
and  from  the  mines  daily  a  party  of  non-striking  miners ;  he  leading  an  escort 
of  a  body  of  miners  from  the  mines  homeward,  was  attacked  by  a  mob, 
and  in  self  defense  two  of  the  rioters  were  killed.  During  the  railroad  riots 
of  1877,  when  the  works  of  the  Lackawanna,  Iron  and  Coal  Company  and 
the  shops  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company  were 
attacked  by  three  thousand  rioters,  with  an  armed  party  he  met  the  mob,  who 
were  dispersed  in  a  few  minutes,  but  not  before  three  of  their  leaders  were 
killed.  The  leaders  of  the  striking  element  caused  the  arrest  and  trial  of  Mr. 
Scranton  and  his  party  on  the  charge  of  manslaughter,  but  they  were  acquit- 
ted, with  the  thanks  of  the  court  for  their  action  in  quelling  the  riot. 

In  1880,  Mr.  Scranton  resigned  his  position  as  manager  of  the  Delaware 
Iron  and  Coal  Company,  having  decided  to  embark  in  the  steel  business  in- 
dependently. He  began  by  again  studying  the  conditions  existing  in  the  steel 
mills  of  Europe,  and  from  the  conclusions  reached  formed  his  plans.  On  his 
return  to  the  United  States  he  organized  the  Scranton  Steel  Company,  with 
works  at  Scranton,  and  there  rolled  the  first  one  hundred  and  twenty  foot  rails 
from  the  steel  ingot,  afterwards,  cutting  them  into  thirty  foot  lengths.  He 
continued  president  of  the  Scranton  Steel  Company  until  i8qi,  when  that 
company  was  consolidated  with  the  Lackawanna,  Iron  and  Coal  Company, 
Mr.  Scranton  withdrawing  from  all  connection  with  the  business  save  as 
investor.  He  then  and  since  has  devoted  himself  principally  to  the  extension 
and  management  of  the  Scranton  Gas  and  Water  Company,  founded  by  his 
father  in  1854.  This,  with  various  subsidiary  companies,  supplies  water  and 
gas  in  Scranton,  and  water  to  all  points  north  of  city  in  the  Lackawanna  Val- 
ley to  a  distance  of  twenty-four  miles.  There  are  other  important  interests  in 
Scranton  that  have  benefitted  by  the  business  ability  and  experience  of  Mr. 
Scranton  and  there  has  been  little  in  the  way  of  charitable,  religious,  educa- 
tional or  philanthropic  development,  but  what  has  had  his  support.  He  is  a 
strong  level  headed  man  of  affairs,  but  the  finer  side  of  his  nature  responds  to 
every  appeal  or  demand  made  upon  it.  While  never  a  politician  or  oflfice 
seeker,  he  has  taken  deep  interest  in  city  affairs  and  aided  the  cause  of  good 
government  in  many  ways.  Now  nearing  his  seventieth  year,  he  is  a  man  of 
unusual  strength,  bodily  and  mentally,  showing  few  signs  of  the  active  scenes 
he  has  passed  through,  nor  the  many  years  of  association  with  Scranton's  great 
industries. 


32  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mr.  Scranton  married,  in  Saint  Albans,  Vermont,  October  15,  1874,  Kath- 
erine  M.,  daughter  of  Hon.  Worthington  C.  Smith,  Member  of  Congress  from 
Vermont.  The  only  child  of  this  marriage  is  Worthington  Scranton,  of  whom, 
further. 

(IX)  Worthington  Scranton,  only  son  of  William  W.  and  Katherine  M. 
(Smith)  Scranton,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  29,  1876.  His 
early  education  was  obtained  in  Kalin's  private  school,  preparing  for  college  at 
Belmont  School,  (Massachusetts).  He  then  entered  Yale  University,  whence 
he  was  graduated,  class  of  1898.  He  then  entered  Harvard  Law  School,  re- 
ceiving his  degree  of  LL.  B.,  class  of  1901.  Returning  to  Scranton  he  actively 
engaged  in  business  with  the  corporations  in  which  his  father  was  interested, 
principally  confining  himself  to  the  development  of  the  Scranton  Gas  and 
Water  Company,  of  which  he  is  vice-president.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the 
County  Savings  Bank  and  has  other  and  varied  interests.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Scranton  and  Country  clubs  of  Scranton,  the  University  and  Yale  clubs 
of  New  York,  and  the  Engineers'  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania. 
His  college  fraternity  is  Psi  Upsilon. 

Worthington  Scranton  married,  .\pril  11,  1907,  Marion  Margery,  daugh- 
ter of  Major  Everett  Warren,  of  Scranton  (see  sketch  in  this  work).  Chil- 
dren :     Marion,  Katherine,  Sarah. 


JOSEPH  ANSLEY 


Although  thirteen  years  have  elapsed  since  the  death  of  Joseph  Ansley,  one 
of  the  old  guard  of  Scranton's  business  men,  who  was  identified  with  many 
of  the  infant,  now  mature,  industries  of  the  city,  the  memory  of  his  uncom- 
monly useful  life  still  remains  fresh  in  the  minds  of  those  whose  privilege  and 
pleasure  it  was  to  know  him.  The  beauty  of  his  life  and  the  sweetness  of  his 
character,  together  with  the  breadth  of  human  sympathy  that  characterized  his 
every  action,  gained  for  him  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  his  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances that  was  ever  held  sacred,  even  after  the  summons  of  the  last  call  had 
taken  him  from  their  midst  into  the  glories  of  the  reward  promised  to  those 
whose  lives  and  thoughts  are  pure  and  undefiled.  He  was  spared  many  of 
the  soul  scars  that  come  from  faithless  and  designing  friends,  departing  this 
life  with  a  firm  belief  in  all  of  God's  creatures,  born  of  a  perfect  love  of  their 
Creator.  Joseph  Ansley  was  probably  of  Scotch  descent,  the  family  having 
been  planted  in  Pennsylvania  by  his  grandfather,  who  came  thither  from  Con- 
necticut, locating  at  Paupac,  Pike  county. 

Brinson  Ansley,  father  of  Joseph  Ansley,  lived  there  as  a  farmer,  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Leonard  Le  Barr,  and  became  the  father  of  four  chil- 
dren :    Leonard,  Joseph,  William,  and  Amelia. 

Joseph  Ansley,  second  son  and  child  of  Brinson  and  Elizabeth  (Le  Barr) 
Ansley,  was  born  in  Paupac,  Pike  county,  Pennsylvania.  October  26,  1825. 
He  was  there  instructed  in  the  public  schools,  early  in  life  learning  the  trade  of 
carpenter  with  a  workman  named  La  Farge.  After  completing  his  apprentice- 
ship, he  remained  in  the  vicinity  for  several  years,  then  moved  to  Hawley, 
where  he  began  his  successful  career.  Working  for  a  time  at  this  trade,  he 
soon  began  widening  his  operations,  buying  land  and  conducting  an  extensive 
contracting  business.  In  connection  with  this  he  also  did  a  great  deal  of 
undertaking  work  in  the  neighborhood.  The  scope  of  his  enterprises  extended, 
he  became  a  contracting  builder,  erecting  many  Itomes  and  business  establish- 
ments in  the  town,  many  upon  land  purchased  earlier,  his  holdings  including 
the  present  site  of  the  Hawley  saw  mills  and  other  buildings.  Among  the 
btiildings  he  erected  were  the  First  Baptist  and  Catholic  churches  and  the  first 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


a 


grist  mill  in  Hawley.     Besides  his  other  interests  he  was  the  proprietor  of  a 
lumber  mill  and  a  planing  mill.     So  successful  was  he  that  in  1866  he  located 
in  Hyde  Park  where  he  established  the  lumber  bu'^iness  now  owned  by  Wash- 
burn.   Williams    &    Company.     Soon    after    his    coming   to    Hyde    Park,    Mr. 
Ansley   formed  a  parinership  with    Nicholas   Washburn   and   Samuel   Heller. 
In   1868  he  bought  out  the  interest  of  Mr.  Heller  and  three  years  later  that 
of  Mr.  Washburn.     It  was  during  his  partnership  with  Mr.   Washburn  that 
the  planing  mill  and  sash  and  blind  factory  were  established,  but  soon  after 
Mr.  Ansley  continued  in  the  business  alone,  so  that  while  the  credit  for  the 
installation  of  that  department  must  be  shared  between  them,  it  was  Mr.  Ansley 
who  raised  these  processes  to  the  high  degree  of  development  they  had  at- 
tained at  his  death.     Until  early  in  1879,  ^  building,  known  as  Herman's  shop 
was  used  for  factory  purposes,  when  substantial  stone  and  wooden  shops  were 
completed  and  the  business  housed  therein.     Under  Mr.  Ansley 's  skillful  man- 
agement, the  number  of  operatives  increased  until  the  payroll  included   100 
persons.     It  is  a  splendid  tribute  to  his  ability  as  an  organizer  that  the  business 
he  founded  so  many  years  ago  is  not  only  still  in  existence,  but  conducting 
operations  upon  a  larger  and  more  lucrative  scale  than  ever  before.    In  1906, 
the  widow  and  heirs  of  Mr.  Ansley  incorporated  the  Ansley  Lumber  Manu- 
facturing Company,  which  employs  about  fifty  persons  and  supplies  local  trade. 
While  Mr.   Ansley  never  allied  himself  with  any  religious  denomination, 
he  conscientiously  recognized  and  observed  the  obligations  he  felt  to  be  his, 
attending  regularly  the  services  of  the  Presbyterian  church.     In  his  political 
action  he  was  actuated  entirely  by  the  merits  of  the  candidates  and  the  com- 
parative strength   of  the  party  platforms.   He  cast  his  first  vote  for  a  Democratic 
candidate,   in   the   next   presidential   campaign   acting  with   the   Whigs.     The 
slavery  discussion  at  this  time  led  him  to  change  his  political  affiliations,  and 
at  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  and  the  presentation  of  its  first 
presidential  candidate,  John  C.  Fremont,  he  voted  for  him,  ever  afterward  sup- 
porting that  party. 

Mr.  Ansley  married,  September  9,  1850,  at  Wilsonville,  Pennsylvania,  Mary 
C,  now  deceased,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Shouse)  Mason.  Chil- 
dren :  I.  Elizabeth,  deceased.  2.  Matilda,  deceased.  3.  Sarah,  married  Henry 
T.  Porter,  deceased;  children:  Ethel,  married  Paul  Johanning;  Pearl,  married 
Alvin  W.  Decker,  of  Scranton ;  Leila,  married  Walter  S.  Jones,  of  Buffalo, 
New  York.  4.  John,  deceased.  5.  Lincoln  (twin),  a  lumber  dealer  of  Colorado. 
6.  Hamlin,  twin  of  Lincoln,  died  aged  twenty-one  years,  born  during  the 
presidential  campaign  of  i860,  they  were  named  in  honor  of  the  Republican 
candidates  for  president  and  vice-president.  7.  Joseph,  a  lumber  dealer,  mar- 
ried Margaret  Shififer ;  children :  Sarah,  deceased ;  Joseph  and  James.  8. 
James,  deceased.  9.  Edward,  engaged  in  the  lumber  business ;  married  Ma- 
tilda Thompson,  and  had  children :  Ruth,  deceased ;  Mary,  Allen  and  Edward. 
10.  Frank,  deceased.     11.  Anna. 

In  closing  a  recital  of  the  life  of  Joseph  Ansley,  it  would  be  indeed  an  un- 
faithful portrayal  if  no  mention  were  made  of  the  close  and  sympathetic  union 
existing  between  him  and  his  wife.  Congenial  in  every  respect,  one  supplying 
the  needs  of  the  other,  with  an  almost  sacred  affection  between  them,  they  were 
mdeed  happily  mated.  Lfnited  in  wedlock  for  better  or  worse,  the  passing 
years  had  brought  them  greater  opportunities  for  the  enjoyment  of  life,  but 
the  coming  of  riches  could  not  strengthen  their  undying  Jove,  nor  the  luxury 
of  wealth  add  one  iota  to  the  joy  of  their  happiness. 

Mr.    Ansley's    death,    occurring    March    23,    1891,    was    deeply    mourned 
throughout  the  locality  which  had  been  the  scene  of  his  life  and  labors.     Al- 
though in  later  years  removed  from  active  business  dealings  he  was  still   a 
3 


34  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

familiar  figure  in  the  city.  Of  fine,  erect  bearing,  his  flowing  white  beard  and 
kindly  aspect  lent  to  him  a  patriarchal  dignity.  His  commanding  appearance 
was  a  faithful  indication  of  the  beautiful  spirit  within,  now  long  gone  to 
its   heavenly    rest. 


CAPTAIN  W.  A.  MAY 


Liberally  educated  for  the  profession  of  civil  engineer,  but  called  by  the 
evidence  of  his  extraordinary  ability  in  dealing  with  men  and  in  conducting 
business  affairs  from  his  chosen  calling,  W.  A.  May  to-day  stands  as  one  of 
the  most  notable  figures  in  Scranton.  The  city  is  indebted  to  him  for  valiant 
services  rendered  the  industrial  interests  of  Scranton  during  the  years  mark- 
ing the  crucial  period  in  the  history  of  manufacturing  in  that  place.  His 
activity  and  interest  in  many  of  the  most  important  commercial  enterprises 
of  the  locality  has  made  him  a  prominent  man  of  afifairs  and  placed  him  high 
in  the  ranks  of  the  men  who  "do  things"  in  Scranton. 

Lewis  j\Iav.  father  of  Captain  W.  A.  May.  came  to  the  United  States  from 
Germany,  where  he  was  born  and  in  which  country  he  received  an  evcep- 
tionally  wide  education,  preparing  him  for  the  Lvangelical  ministry.  He  was 
only  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  arrived  and  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Penn- 
sylvania, holding  several  charges.  He  married  Louisa  Haines,  of  an  old 
Philadelphia  family,  who  lived  on  a  farm  where  Frankford  is  now  located. 
Lewis  May  was  an  inspired  and  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel,  preaching 
with  all  the  ardor  of  heartfelt  conviction  and  laboring  earnestly  in  the  serv- 
ice of  his  Master,  and  his  work  was  blessed  with  gracious  results. 

Captain  W.  A.  May,  son  of  Lewis  and  Louisa  (Haines)  May,  was  born 
in  Hollidaysburg,  Blair  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  3,  1850.  He  ob- 
tained much  of  his  early  education  by  attendance  at  the  public  schools  in  the 
various  places  to  which  his  father's  ministerial  duties  called  the  family.  When 
he  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age  his  father's  death  occurred,  his  mother  going 
to  her  heavenly  rest  three  years  later.  All  of  his  later  education,  remark- 
ably comprehensive  and  thorough,  was  obtained  through  his  own  unaided 
efforts.  He  prepared  for  college  at  Dickinson  Seminary,  being  awarded  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Although  taking  a  seminar}'  course,  he  was  able 
to  devote  a  great  portion  of  his  time  to  the  study  of  civil  and  mining  engineer- 
ing, and,  his  natural  aptitude  for  this  work  placing  him  far  in  advance  of  the 
ordinary  college  graduate,  was  offered  a  position  as  rod  man  on  the  force 
but  within  a  year  he  became  chief  of  the  engineering  department  of  the 
Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  His  reputation  had  preceded  him  in  his 
position  and  the  masterly  manner  in  which  he  directed  the  engineering  corps 
of  the  company,  as  well  as  his  highly  efficient  personal  work,  gained  him  un- 
usual distinction  in  his  profession,  although  he  was  not  yet  twenty-three  years 
of  age.  Feeling  the  need  and  realizing  the  benefits  of  a  more  advanced  edu- 
cation, he  severed  his  business  connections  and  matriculated  at  Lafayette  Col- 
lege in  order  to  make  more  ample  preparation  for  his  life  work.  He  was 
graduated  from  this  institution  C.  E.  in  the  class  of  1876,  afterward  receiv- 
ing the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from  the  same  college.  He  then  resumed 
his  studies  as  chief  engineer  of  the  Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  from 
which  position  he  rose  steadily  until  he  reached  a  height  which  placed  him 
among  the  most  influential  men  in  industrial  operations  of  to-day.  Two  years 
after  rejoining  the  Hillside  Company,  he  added  to  his  duties  those  of  chief 
engineer  for  the  North  Western  Mining  and  Exchange  Company,  in  Elk 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  still  later  took  charge  of  the  engineering  depart- 
ments of  the  Meredith  Run  Coal  Company  and  of  the  Gaines  Coal  and  Coke 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  35 

Company,  in  Tioga  county.  He  satisfactorily  discharged  all  of  the  obliga- 
tions which  these  offices  involved  until  1883,  when  he  accepted  the  superin- 
tendency  of  the  Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  He  served  as  such  until 
1 90 1,  when  he  became  general  manager  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company 
and  the  New  York,  Susquehanna  &  Western  Coal  Company.  From  1898  to 
1901  he  had  been  superintendent  of  the  latter  company,  and  is  now  in  charge 
of  the  combined  interests,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  Scranton  coal  region. 
To  understand  the  vast  size  of  the  operations  controlled  by  these  three  cor- 
porations and  the  stupendous  burden  daily  borne  by  Captain  May  in  adjust- 
ing and  conducting  their  multifarious  affairs,  it  is  only  necessary  to  state  that 
they  control  30,000  acres  of  coal  land,  with  an  annual  output  of  7.000,000  tons, 
handling,  in  addition,  one  and  a  half  million  tons  purchased  under  contract. 
About  16,000  men  are  in  the  employ  of  these  companies.  He  also  became 
general  manager  of  the  North  Western  Mining  &  Exchange  Company  and 
the  Blossburg  Coal  Company,  January  i,  1908.  These  companies  employ 
about  2000  men  and  produce  one  and  three  quarter  million  tons  annually. 
He  became  president  of  these  five  companies,  February  i,  1913,  having  been 
made  vice-president  and  general   manager,  December,   191 1. 

Captain  May  also  has  been  prominent  in  many  of  the  movements  that  have 
been  of  the  greatest  benefit  and  uplift  to  Scranton.  his  role  in  connection  with 
the  city  board  of  trade  being  most  useful  and  important.  From  1893  to  1897, 
inclusive,  he  was  president  of  that  organization.  It  was  in  the  first  year  of 
his  administration  that  the  panic  occurred,  demoralizing  all  the  trade  condi- 
tions and  leaving  many  of  the  city's  industrial  establishments  in  a  state  of 
half  suspended  activity.  Through  his  brilliant  efforts  new  capital  was  in- 
troduced, business  roused  from  its  languorous  somnolence,  and  fresh  vigor 
imparted  to  the  mercantile  and  manufacturing  life  of  the  city.  He  also  was 
instrumental  in  raising  the  board  to  its  present  state  of  active  efficiency  and  it 
was  under  his  direction  that  the  plans  for  the  magnificent  new  board  building 
were  made.  He  was  vice-president  of  the  Board  of  Trade  Building  Com- 
pany, also  serving  upon  the  leading  board  committees.  He  is  a  director  of 
the  Third  National  Bank;  trustee  of  Lafayette  College  since  1912  and  of 
Williamstown  Dickinson  Seminary  for  the  past  twenty  years.  In  pursuance 
of  his  constructive  policy  for  Scranton,  Captain  May  gave  liberally  of  his  time 
and  services  for  the  forwarding  of  the  erection  of  three  of  the  edifices  hous- 
ing organizations  which  exercised  a  strong  influence  upon  the  life  and  thought 
of  the  city,  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Armory,  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  and  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Church  building. 

Captain  May  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsyl- 
vania National  Guard,  February,  1878,  and  was  mustered  out  in  November, 
1888,  as  captain  of  Company  D.  He  is  the  holder  of  a  ten-year  marksman- 
ship medal  which  serves  to  keep  fresh  the  memory  of  that  period  of  service. 
That  he  still  recognizes  allegiance  to  the  old  regiment  is  shown  by  the  in- 
terest he  takes  in  and  the  support  he  gives  its  every  enterprise.  He  belongs  to 
the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  is  a  member  of  its  board  of 
trustees.  In  the  work  of  the  Sunday  school  connected  therewith  he  has  ever 
been  prominent  and  is  now  its  superintendent.  His  exertions  in  behalf  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  have  been  productive  of  a  great  deal 
of  good,  and  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  he  has  largely  helped  to 
perfect  the  organization  of  that  institution  and  to  make  it  the  power  among  the 
adolescent  youth  of  Scranton  that  such  an  association  should  be.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the  American  Society  of  Civil  Engi- 
neers, the   Scranton  Engineers'   Qub,  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Westmoreland 


36  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the  Machinery  Qub  of  the  city  of  New  York. 
His  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the  Masonic  Order. 

Captain  May  married  Emma  Louise,  daughter  of  B.  L.  Richards,  of 
Williamsport,  Pennsylvania.  Of  this  marriage  has  been  born  a  daughter, 
Maud  Richards,  now  Mrs.  James  Whittaker  Page. 

The  life  of  Captain  May  has  been  one  of  exceptional  attainment  and  serv- 
ice. Playing  a  man's  part  in  the  stern  game  of  life  he  has  emerged  from 
the  struggle  strengthened  and  bettered  by  the  test  of  skill  and  endurance,  and 
in  the  gentler  paths  of  men  he  has  ever  been  a  vital  force  for  good,  a  help 
and  an   inspiration  to  his   friends   and  acquaintances. 


JOHN  H.   BROOKS 

The  banking  and  brokerage  firm  of  Brooks  &  Company,  Scranton,  was 
founded  by  Reese  G.  Brooks,  deceased,  and  his  three  sons,  of  whom  John 
H.  has  ever  been  considered  the  active  head  of  the  firm. 

Reese  G.  Brooks,  who  became  one  of  the  best  known,  prominent  and  well 
liked  citizens  of  Scranton,  was  born  at  East  Mountain,  near  Scranton,  De- 
cember 25,  1846,  died  June  12,  1907.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Hyde  Park,  but  abandoned  school  in  1863,  and  enlisted  with  the  volun- 
teers who  marched  to  repel  Lee's  invasion  of  Pennsylvania  in  1863.  Upon 
his  return  from  that  campaign  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lack- 
awanna &  Western  Railroad,  but  in  1864  again  enlisted,  serving  with  the 
L^nion  army  in  eastern  Tennessee,  until  honorably  discharged  in  1865.  Re- 
turning then  to  Scranton  he  engaged  in  mining  for  three  years,  then  became 
superintendent  of  the  Capouse  Colliery  of  the  Lackawanna,  Iron  and  Coal 
Company.  He  was  a  valued  officer  of  that  company  and  was  successively 
promoted  until  he  became  inside  superintendent  of  all  their  mines  and  later 
general  superintendent  of  their  coal  department.  He  later  became  an  in- 
dependent operator,  his  operations  covering  extensive  collieries  in  the  valley. 
In  1884  he  organized  the  Greenwood  Coal  Company,  and  in  1892  the  Lang- 
cliffe  Coal  Company.  At  one  time  he  controlled  the  Laflin  Coal  Company, 
also  the  Lee  Coal  Company  and  was  president  of  the  Bridge  Coal  Company. 
Active  as  he  was  in  the  coal  industry,  he  had  official  and  stockholding  rela- 
tions with  many  of  Scranton's  most  important  industries  and  with  her  finan- 
cial institutions.  He  was  president  of  the  Dime  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank 
(before  the  merger)  and  held  directorships  in  the  Scranton  Trust  Company, 
and  the  Title  Guaranty  and  Surety  Company,  the  Westside  Bank  and  others 
of  perhaps  lesser  importance.  Nor  was  he  so  immersed  in  business  that 
he  neglected  any  of  the  duties  of  a  good  citizen,  but  served  the  municipality 
of  Scranton  faithfully  and  efficiently  for  many  years  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board,  president  of  the  poor  board,  the  board  of  control  and  for  seven 
years  as  city  treasurer.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  for  several  years 
was  chairman  of  the  Lackawanna  county  central  committee.  Progressive 
and  public-spirited  he  aided  in  all  movements  that  tended  to  advance  the 
public  good,  not  only  with  his  means  but  by  his  personal  effort  and  influence. 
He  enjoyed  travel  and  after  thoroughly  visiting  all  parts  of  the  United 
States,  Mexico  and  Canada,  he  visited  Europe  in  i8g6,  touring  the  Con- 
tinent and  the  British  Isles.  He  was  an  invalid  for  several  months  prior  to 
his  demise,  but  always  retained  his  interest  in  cuirent  aflfairs. 

He  married  Mary  A.  Morgan,  who  died  March  27.  1905.  Children  :  Mar- 
garet, married  William  R.  McQave,  of  Scranton  ;  Thomas  R.,  president  of 
the  North  Scranton  Bank,  married  Bertha  Griffin ;  George  G.,  of  Brooks  &r 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  37 

Company,  married  Grace  Williams ;  John  H.,  of  whom  further ;  Cora  M., 
married  Willard   Matthews,  of  Scranton. 

John  H.  Brooks  was  born  in  West  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September 
16,  1872.  His  early  education  continued  in  the  West  Side  schools  until  four- 
teen years  of  age,  followed  by  four  years  at  Scranton  Central  High  School 
and  a  college  preparatory  course  at  The  School  of  the  Lackawanna.  He 
then  entered  Princeton  University,  whence  he  was  graduated  B.  S.,  class  of 
1895.  His  years  at  the  university  were  not  only  profitable  years  of  earnest 
study,  but  of  fame  in  the  college  world  of  athletics.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  baseball  team  during  each  of  his  four  years,  and  in  his  senior  year,  1895, 
was  captain  of  the  team.  For  three  years  he  was  one  of  the  players  selected 
for  the  All  American  College  team  and  was  also  an  expert  tennis  player. 
His  college  club  was  the  Tiger  Inn. 

After  completing  his  university  course  he  at  once  began  an  active  busi- 
ness life  in  connection  with  his  father's  coal  interests,  locating  for  several 
years  in  Scranton,  then  moved  to  Pottsville  in  charge  of  the  Brooks  colliery 
interests  in  .Schuylkill  county.  In  1905  he  returned  to  Scranton  and  organized 
the  banking  and  brokerage  firm  of  Megargle  &  Brooks,  which  the  year  fol- 
lowing became  Brooks  &  Company,  the  principal  members  being  Reese  G. 
Brooks  and  his  three  sons,  and  continues  as  orginally  formed  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  honored  father,  whose  connection  was  terminated  by  death 
in  1907.  This  firm,  of  which  John  H.  Brooks  has  ever  been  the  honored 
head,  transacts  a  large  business  as  bankers  and  brokers.  John  H.  Brooks  is  a 
member  of  the  New  York  Exchange,  his  membership  dating  from  the  year 
1908.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Savings  and  Dime  Bank,  the  Girard 
Life  Insurance  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  the  Spencer  Heating  Company, 
of  Scranton,  also  is  interested  in  many  other  enterprises  of  importance. 
With  a  genuine  interest  in  young  men  and  their  welfare,  he  has  for  many 
years  been  active  in  the  work  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and 
is  now  president  of  the  Scranton  Association.  He  is  also  a  trustee  of  the 
Scranton  Public  Library  and  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  In  political 
faith  he  is  an  independent  Republican,  but  not  active,  save  in  the  cause  of  his 
friends  whom  he  is  ever  ready  to  serve  with  his  influence  and  his  ballot. 

Mr.  Brooks  has  never  lost  his  interest  in  athletic  sports,  but  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Scranton  Club,  holding  the  club  bowling  record,  is  their  best 
tennis  player,  and,  although  now  aged  forty  years,  is  still  the  expert  at  that 
game,  always  considered  a  young  man's  game.  He  also  excels  at  the  game 
of  golf,  being  a  player  of  national  reputation,  and  in  1901  was  chosen  on 
the  All  America  team  to  play  Canada.  All  out-of-door  sports  appeal  to 
him,  but  in  those  mentioned  he  takes  the  greatest  delight  and  in  those  he 
excels  to  a  degree  unusual  for  his  years. 

Mr.  Brooks  married,  April  5,  1904,  Augusta  .Archbald,  of  Scranton.  Qiil- 
dren:  Ruth,  Mary,  John  H.  (2).  James  Archbald.  The  Brooks  family  residence 
is  at  No.  535  Monroe  avenue. 


JAMES  ALEXANDER  LINEN 

In  the  financial  world  of  Scranton  there  is  no  name  that  has  ever  been 
more  closely  associated  with  the  qualities  of  honor,  integrity  and  ability  than 
that  of  James  A.  Linen.  Having  spent  most  of  his  business  career  in  the 
citv  he  has  been  a  participant  in  its  marvelous  expansion,  and  in  his  difTerent 
relations  with  the  First  National  Bank  has  become  known  as  one  of  the 
safest  and  most  capable  financiers  of  Scranton. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  while  every  preference  and  instinct  of  James 


38  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

A.  Linen  led  him  into  the  field  of  finance,  by  every  law  of  heredity  he  should 
have  been  imbued  with  artistic  rather  than  practical  desires,  inasmuch  as 
his  father,  George  Linen,  was  widely  known  as  one  of  the  most  talented 
artists  of  his  day.  George  Linen  was  born  in  Greenlaw,  Scotland,  April  2g, 
1802.  Early  evincing  artistic  tastes  and  innate  ability,  he  was  entered  at 
the  Royal  Scottish  Academy  at  Edinburgh,  where  masterly  training  by  artists 
of  the  highest  repute  led  his  brush  from  its  bold  and  daring  strokes  into  the 
refined  and  softened  lines  of  a  more  delicate  and  more  beautiful  art.  In  the 
excellent  course  of  instruction  he  received  at  the  academy  he  developed  into 
a  portrait  painter  of  rare  accuracy  in  faithful  and  lifelike  portraiture.  Cross- 
ing into  England,  he  there  remained  for  several  years,  gaining  steadily  in 
prominence  and  rapidly  approaching  the  height  of  perfection  in  his  art.  In 
1834  he  came  to  New  York,  where  he  opened  a  studio  which  was  soon  the 
scene  of  busy  activity,  many  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  the  day  in  the 
business  and  public  life  of  the  metropolis  sitting  before  his  easel.  He  was 
constantly  at  his  work,  daily  adding  to  his  fame  as  well  as  to  his  material  pros- 
perity. He  made  cabinet  portraits  his  special  field  and  one  of  his  master- 
pieces, painted  five  years  after  his  arrival  in  the  United  States,  received  a 
medal  as  the  best  specimen  of  cabinet  portrait  painting  shown  at  the  annual 
exhibition  of  the  National  Academy  of  Design.  Among  the  official  digni- 
taries of  the  day  who  sat  in  his  studio  were  Henry  Clay  and  Daniel  Webster, 
of  whom  he  painted  such  excellent  likenesses,  that  from  his  portraits  are  made 
the  vignettes  which  appear  upon  certain  United  States  treasury  notes  of  high 
denomination. 

Shortly  after  his  coming  to  New  York,  Mr.  Linen  purchased  a  farm  in 
Greenfield  township,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania.  Here  he  spent  the 
summers  with  his  family  and  here  was  born  James  Linen  in  the  year  1840. 
It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  while  living  on  this  farm  Mr.  Lmen  was  in- 
strumental in  persuading  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  James  Dickson,  to  move 
from  Toronto,  Canada,  with  his  family  and  settle  in  Lackawanna  county. 
Mr.  Dickson's  sons,  Thomas  H.  and  George  L.  are  mentioned  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

In  literary,  as  in  artistic,  fields  of  culture,  George  Linen  was  exceedingly 
well-versed,  and  was,  withal,  a  brilliant  convers'itionalist,  his  charming  man- 
ners and  manly  graces  making  him  much  sought  after  socially.  His  well 
balanced  mind  and  deep  knowledge  of  human  nature,  gained  from  a  study 
of  the  characters  as  well  as  the  faces  of  his  patrons,  saved  him  from  being 
over-impressed  bv  the  adulation  and  profuse  flattery  of  the  circles  in  which 
he  moved,  and  kept  him  ever  sincere  and  natural.  During  his  exceedingly 
busy  life  he  had  saved  a  modest  competence,  and  after  he  had  tasted  all  of 
the  delights  of  fame  and  popularity,  he  purchased  a  farm  at  Bloomingdale, 
New  Jersey,  naming  it  Glenburne.  a  word  from  his  native  Caledonian  tongue, 
meaning  "the  rivulet  by  the  ravine."  He  here  retired  to  spend  his  later  days, 
forsaking  his  brushes  and  palette  except  for  the  occasional  painting  of  a  por- 
trait of  one  of  his  children,  or  when  he  again  took  up  his  tools  to  gratify  the 
wish  of  an  old  friend.  It  was  highly  fitting,  that,  to  round  out  a  life  of  such 
rare  beauty,  there  should  be  a  deep  sense  of  religious  duty  and  obligation. 
George  Linen  was  blessed  with  an  absolute  and  high  faith  in  Divine  Provi- 
dence, and  with  the  full  measure  of  his  devotion  lived  a  life  free  from  re- 
proach or  blame.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church,  simple,  sin- 
cere and  earnest  in  his  worship.  He  was  the  father  of  nine  children  by  his 
marriage  with  Sarah  Davis. 

James  .Mexander  Linen,  son  of  George  and  Sarah  (Davis)  Lmen,  was 
born    in    Greenfield    township,    Lackawanna   county,    Pennsylvania,    June    23, 


i  €'-.■"■3  S!3tffrtc:il  F:. : 


O 


a/j/eJ  >J 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  39 

1840.  In  Newark  and  in  New  York  City  he  received  a  thorough  education 
extending  as  far  as  high  school  training.  In  early  youth  he  entered  the  office 
of  a  note  broker  in  Wall  street,  and  during  the  five  years  of  his  employment 
there  gained  a  deep  insight  into  monetary  aflfairs  and  the  means  of  their  ad- 
justment, inflation  and  depression,  which  proved  mvaluable  to  him  in  the 
later  years  of  his  life,  when  he  became  so  important  a  factor  in  the  financial 
affairs  of  Scranton.  When  he  was  about  to  embark  upon  his  independent 
career  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  occurred,  and  patriotic  love  of  country 
being  strong  in  his  youthful  heart,  he  laid  aside  his  plans  for  business  until 
a  more  propitious  occasion  and  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  New 
Jersey  Volunteers,  September  19,  1862,  as  a  private,  but  soon  rose  to  the  rank 
of  lieutenant.  He  completed  nine  months  service  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
which  saw  much  strenuous  action  in  the  entire  war.  his  regiment  participat- 
ing in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville  and  Fredericksburg,  also  in  the  Gettys- 
burg campaign,  engaging  in  the  first  conflict  of  that  historic  manoeuvre. 
Lieutenant  Linen  was  subsequently  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  West  and 
for  eighteen  months  was  stationed  at  Camp  Nelson,  Kentucky,  as  disbursing 
clerk  for  Captain  T.  E.  Hall,  chief  quartermaster  for  the  Ninth  Army  Corps. 
When  peace  had  once  more  fallen  upon  the  country,  he  became  identified 
with  the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  organization  of  Com- 
pany D,  Thirteenth  Regiment,  was  elected  first  lieutenant,  later  becoming 
captain  and  serving  for  six  years. 

In  February.  1865,  Mr.  Linen  accepted  a  position  as  teller  in  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Scranton  and  three  months  later  was  advanced  to  cashier,  a 
position  he  occupied  with  conspicuous  ability  for  the  exceedingly  long  term  of 
twenty-six  years.  During  this  time  he  was  held  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  other 
officials  of  the  institution  and  played  an  important  part  in  maintaining  the  sol- 
vency of  the  bank  during  the  period  of  readjustment  that  followed  the  hyster- 
ical financial  conditions  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  reconstruction  years.  In 
all  this  troublous  time  the  First  National  Bank,  owing  to  its  wise  and  far- 
sighted  executive  heads,  not  only  was  in  no  danger  itself  but  was  able  to  assist 
other  and  less  fortunate  concerns  which  were  about  to  become  links  in  the  long 
chain  of  failures  that  were  occurring  hourly.  In  October,  189 1,  Mr.  Linen 
received  the  election  as  president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  the  culmination 
of  long  years  of  faithful  service  and  unceasing  devotion  to  its  best  interests. 
In  his  new  position  he  was  quickened  to  new  efiforts  in  its  behalf  and  for  twen- 
ty-two years  guided  it  with  clear  and  capable  judgment,  the  bank  retaining  its 
position  at  the  head  of  the  financial  institutions  of  Scranton  and  among  the 
strongest  in  the  United  States.  As  proof  of  its  success  are  the  dividends  which 
it  declares,  these  having  increased  from  ten  per  cent,  in  1864  to  sixty  per  cent, 
at  the  present  time,  the  largest  dividend  ever  paid  by  any  Scranton  corpora- 
tion. In  1913  Mr.  Linen  was  succeeded  in  the  presidency  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  by  Charles  S.  Weston,  descending  from  the  position  he  had  dig- 
nified for  so  many  years  to  make  way  for  a  new  generation  of  younger  blood. 
Upon  retiring  from  his  office  he  accepted  the  chairmanship  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  bank,  thus  not  entirely  severing  the  bonds  which  have  been 
so  closely  welded  in  the  past  forty-eight  years.  He  is  also  one  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Railroad  Company. 

Mr.  Linen  has  frequently  been  called  upon  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  execu- 
tor, trustee  or  administrator  of  large  estates,  and  has  filled  many  responsible 
offices  requiring  the  services  of  an  experienced  financier,  not  the  least  of  which 
was  his  appointment  as  assignee  of  the  defunct  Scranton  Trust  Company  and 
Savings  Bank,  whose  affairs  he  settled  in  a  prompt  and  satisfactory  manner, 
fully  justifying  the  confidence  placed  in  his  executive  powers. 


40  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mr.  Linen  is  a  member  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  Penn- 
sylvania: a  member  of  Ezra  Griffin  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and 
the  Country  Club,  the  two  latter  being  Scranton  organizations.  With  his  wife 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton.  in  whose  dif- 
ferent activities  both  take  a  great  amount  of  interest. 

He  married,  December  17,  1889,  Anna  C.  Blair,  daughter  of  James  Blair, 
of  Scranton.  Children:  Margaret  Clark  and  James  Blair,  both  died  in 
childhood:  Mary  Belle,  a  graduate  of  Miss  Masters'  School,  at  Dobbs  Ferry; 
Frank  Insley,  a  graduate  of  Princeton  L^niversity :  James  A.  Jr.,  a  graduate 
of  Williams'  College,  was  a  receiver  of  the  Scranton  Steam  Pump  Company, 
now  reorganized,  and  he  is  vice-president  and  treasurer  of  this,  also  vice- 
president  of  the  C^nited  Service  Company:  now  one  of  the  councilmen  in 
Scranton. 

To  Mr.  Linen  there  must  surely  come  a  sense  of  satisfaction  in  his  own 
achievements  and  a  feeling  of  pride  in  the  generation  of  his  name  succeeding 
him.  To  be  active  in  such  a  degree  as  he  has  maintained  until  past  the  biblical 
three  score  and  ten  is  a  record  rarely  equalled  and  almost  never  surpassed. 
It  has  been  said  that  years  are  not  always  the  true  measure  of  life  but  that 
events  are  sometimes  the  best  calendar.  By  the  latter  standard  Mr.  Linen 
must  indeed  be  a  centenarian ;  by  the  former,  the  calendar  is  the  only  indica- 
tion of  his  seventy-three  years,  his  mind  preserving  all  of  its  youthful  vigor 
and  power. 

ARTHUR  D.  DEAN 

The  Dean  family  is  an  exceedingly  ancient  one  in  this  country,  Walter 
Dean,  the  American  progenitor,  taking  the  freeman's  oath  in  Massachusetts. 
December  4.  1638.  In  the  six  generations  of  the  family  from  the  emigrant 
ancestor  to  Isaac,  the  father  of  Arthur  D.  Dean,  of  this  chronicle,  the  members 
of  the  family  have  been  active  in  the  different  departments  of  life,  civil,  pro- 
fessional, and  industrial.  The  pioneer  spirit  has  always  been  strong  in  all  of 
the  name  and  one  of  the  family  was  almost  always  among  the  first  settlers 
in  a  newly  developed  section  of  the  country.  An  evidence  of  this  is  found  in 
the  following  abstract  of  a  deed  of  sale : 

"Barnet  Dickson,  Voluntown,  Windham  county,  Connecticut,  to  Ezra  Dean,  of  East 
Greenwich,  Kent  county,  Rhode  Island,  consideration  nine  pounds,  grants  and  conveys 
unto  said  Ezra  Dean,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  the  one  full  part,  right  or  share  in 
the  Susquehanna  purchase,  so-called,  which  whole  right,  part,  or  share,  individual,  I, 
the  said  Barnet  Dickson,  purchased  as  being  a  partner  or  member  of  the  body  of  men  of 
the  aforesaid  Colony  of  Connecticut,  who  jointly  purchased  the  said  Susquehanna  tract 
of  land,  commonly  so  called,  of  the  Chief  Sachems  and  Nations,  proprietors  of  the  afore- 
said country  or  land,  dated  28  January,  1760;  recorded  8  March,  1760.  Acknowledged 
before  John  Smith,  justice  of  the  peace  of  Voluntown.  Windham  county,  Connecticut." 

Isaac  Dean,  father  of  Arthur  D.  Dean,  was  born  in  Abington,  Luzerne 
Cnow  Lackawanna)  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  9,  181 1.  His  early  life  was 
spent  on  his  father's  farm,  in  the  clearing  and  cultivating  of  which  he  became 
accustomed  to  the  hardest  kind  of  labor.  His  opportunities  for  directed  study 
were  few,  but  he  learned  many  lessons  in  the  school  of  experience  and  hard 
knocks  that  left  a  life-long  impression  upon  him.  Although  handicapped  by 
his  lack  of  education  he  marshalled  his  forces  at  hand  slowly  but  surely  to 
build  the  foundation  of  a  fortune.  He  hauled  the  grain  raised  on  his  farm  to 
Carbondale  and  Honesdale,  selling  it  to  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company, 
and  also  opened  a  saw  mill  on  Sheik's  Pond,  now  Lake  Sheridan,  and  cleared 
his  father's  land  and  his  own  of  all  the  marketable  lumber  thereon.     In  1843, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  41 

after  his  marriage  with  Polly  Searle  Heermans,  daughter  of  Henry  Heermans, 
the  first  merchant  of  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  he  bought  fifty  acres  of  land 
from  his  uncle,  George  Gardner,  and  sixty  acres  adjoining  the  family  home- 
stead, erecting  thereon  a  comfortable  house.  He  then,  in  connection  with  his 
farming  operations,  began  a  butchering  business,  supplementing  this  by  buying 
live  stock  for  drovers  at  a  commission  rate.  By  the  judicious  investment  of 
fiis  earnings  he  began  to  amass  a  considerable  fortune,  augmented  by  the  pro- 
ceeds from  the  sale  of  some  property  inherited  by  his  wife.  Upon  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  in  1863,  Isaac  Dean  was  an 
active  promoter  of  the  enterprise,  acting  upon  the  advice  and  under  the  leader- 
ship of  his  brother-in-law,  W.  W.  Winton,  in  whose  judgment  and  integrity 
he  placed  great  confidence.  He  also  became  a  partner  in  the  banking  house  of 
Winton,  Clark  &  Company,  which  later  obtained  a  charter  under  the  name  of 
the  Citizens  and  Miners  Savings  Bank  and  Trust  Company  of  Providence. 
Both  of  these  banks  failed,  the  catastrophe  sweeping  away  the  greater  part  of 
Mr.  Dean's  fortune,  although  he  was  able  to  live  comfortably  for  the  rest  of 
his  life;  Mrs.  Dean  died  July  8,  1868,  and  Mr.  Dean,  November  15,  1902. 

Arthur  D.  Dean,  son  of  Isaac  and  Polly  Searle  (Heermans)  Dean,  was 
born  on  the  farm  purchased  by  his  father  from  George  Gardner,  in  Abington 
township,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  29,  1849.  He  acquired 
his  early  education  by  attendance  at  the  public  schools,  and  so  active  was  his 
mind  and  so  strong  his  liking  for  academic  work  that  when  only  fifteen  years 
of  age  he  entered  upon  a  scientific  course  of  study  at  the  University  of  Lewis- 
burg,  later  Bucknell,  completing  the  same  in  1867,  During  the  winter  of  1867- 
1868  he  taught  school  in  the  district  near  his  home  now  known  as  La  Plume, 
and  in  1868  resumed  his  studies  at  East  Greenwich  Academy,  and  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  fall  term  entered  the  classical  course  of  Brown  University,  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island.  He  here  was  graduated  A.  B.  in  the  class  of  1872  and 
three  years  later  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  was  conferred  upon  him.  Hav- 
ing his  remarkably  fine  scientific  and  classical  education  for  a  firm  founda- 
tion, in  1872  he  enrolled  in  the  law  school  of  the  LTniversity  of  Michigan  at 
Ann  Arbor,  and  afterward  entered  the  office  of  Agib  Picketts,  attorney  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  as  a  student  at  law.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  January  5, 
1875,  and  for  the  first  year  of  his  active  practice  remained  in  the  office  of  his 
preceptor.  He  then  took  office  with  Elliot  P.  Kisner  and  Frank  C.  Sturges 
as  a  working  rather  than  a  nominal  partner,  and  in  1879,  ^  Y^^*"  after  Scranton 
had  become  the  county  seat  of  Lackawanna  county,  came  to  that  city,  where  he 
has  been  ever  since  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  As  a  lawyer 
Mr.  Dean  is  known  to  be  reliable  and  talented,  civil  practice  being  his  especial 
field.  Intimately  acquainted  with  all  legal  technicalities,  his  clients  are  assured 
that  every  efifort  consistent  with  dignity  and  honor  will  be  extended  in  their  be- 
half and  under  his  skillful  handling  no  just  cause  could  go  down  in  defeat. 
Besides  his  professional  duties,  Mr.  Dean  is  interested  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness and  is  a  director  of  the  LTnited  States  Lumber  Company,  which  controls 
vast  lumber  interests,  owning  300.000  acres  of  yellow  pine  in  Mississippi, 
where  the  company  has  a  controlling  interest  in  the  Mississippi  Central  Rail- 
road, extending  from  Hattiesburg  to  Natchez,  with  headquarters  at  Hatties- 
burg,  Mississippi.  He  has  also  been  treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Trade  Real 
Estate  Company,  of  Scranton,  ever  since  its  incorporation,  and  this  company 
owns  the  Board  of  Trade  Building. 

He  married,  May  11,  1882.  Nettie  E.,  only  daughter  of  Arnold  Clark  and 
Isabel  (Green)  Sisson,  of  La  Plume,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Dean  died  Novem- 
ber 25,  1901,  and  Mr.  Dean  still  remains  unmarried.  Children  born  of  this 
union  are:    i.  Carroll,  born  March  27,  1883,  a  graduate  of  the  Massachusetts 


42  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Institute  of  Technology,  an  electrical  engineer  in  the  navy  yard  at  Norfolk. 
Virginia;  married  Christine  Parker,  daughter  of  C.  M.  Parker,  and  has  two 
children — Isabelle  C.  and  Arthur  Parker.  2.  Russell  Heermans,  born  March 
19,  1885,  lives  in  Waverly,  Pennsylvania;  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Dunn, 
daughter  of  Dr.  A.  B.  Hand,  and  they  have  a  son,  Gobel  Davis  Dean.  3. 
James  Davis,  born  July  22,  1887,  graduate  of  Brown  University,  class  of 
1909.  and  follows  teaching  as  a  profession.  4.  Miriam  Isabel,  born  October 
I,  1893,  a  student  at  Wellesley  College,  class  of  1916.  5.  Nettie  Catherine, 
born  November  22.   1901,  a  student  of  the  Waverly  High  School. 

Mr.  Dean,  during  his  active  life,  has  attained  that  pleasurable  degree  of 
success  and  prosperity  which  comes  to  a  man  after  conscientious  attention 
to  processional  duties  and  intelligent  investment  and  application  of  his  re- 
sources. Of  pleasing  address  and  personality,  he  is  gifted  with  the  power  of 
making  and  holding  friends,  numbering  in  his  most  intimate  circle  of  ac- 
quaintances the  most  talented  of  the  legal  profession  and  the  most  successful 
of  Scranton's  business  men.  His  home  for  the  past  twenty  years  has  been  on 
a  farm  in  the  borough  of  Waverly,  Pennsylvania.  He  has  been  president  of 
the  school  board  of  Waverly  borough  for  fifteen  years:  is  a  member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Hepiasophs ;  in  college  the  Alpha 
Delta  Phi  fraternity,  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  an  honorary  society. 


HAMPTON  C.  SHAFER 

The  best  evidence  of  a  man's  standing  in  his  community  is  the  attitude 
that  is  taken  by  the  public  toward  the  business  enterprises  of  which  he  is  the 
head.  When  a  business  proposition  is  presented  to  a  man,  his  first  query  is : 
"Who  is  at  its  head?"  The  next  is,  "Will  it  pay?"  Answer  the  first  question 
satisfactorily  and  support  is  assured.  Applying  this  test  to  Hampton  C. 
Shafer,  the  result  is  that  his  standing  among  men  of  capital  is  found  to  be  of 
the  highest,  as  when  in  April,  1913,  he  began  the  organization  of  the  Lincoln 
Trust  Company,  the  response  was  immediate  and  so  generous  that  on  the  7th 
of  June  following,  the  doors  of  this  newest  of  Scranton's  financial  institutions 
were  opened  for  business  with  Mr.  Shafer  as  its  president.  Mr.  Shafer  is  a 
grandson  of  Peter  Bernard  Shafer,  of  German  parentage,  who  settled  in  the 
northern  part  of  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  where  he  became  a  man  of  im- 
portance, serving  his  state  as  a  member  of  the  legislature.  His  son,  Casper, 
married  Caroline,  daughter  of  Judge  Hazen  of  Sussex  countv.  Casper  Shafer 
in  early  life  was  a  miller,  later  a  farmer  and  landowner.  Children ;  Nathan 
Hazen,  died  in  December,  191 1  ;  Abraham  Edwin,  now  living  in  New  Jersey; 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  married  Edgar  V.  Kennedy,  whom  she  survives  a  resident 
of  Tranquility,  New  Jersey;  E.  Louise,  died  in  August,  1913;  Hampton  C. 
The  parents  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  Casper  Shafer 
served  as  elder. 

Hampton  C.  Shafer  was  born  in  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  September 
18,  1853.  He  was  educated  in  the  ])ul)lic  schools.  Schooleys  Mountain  Sem- 
inary and  the  New  Jersey  State  Model  School  at  Trenton.  He  began  business 
life  as  clerk  in  a  Trenton  book  store,  but  after  six  weeks'  experience,  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Lambertville  (New  Jersey)  National  Bank  as  clerk.  He  con- 
tinued with  this  institution  nearly  eight  years,  rising  through  the  several  de- 
grees of  service  to  the  post  of  assistant  cashier.  In  January,  1881.  he  came 
to  Scranton  as  cashier  of  the  Scranton  .Savings  Bank,  a  position  he  held  until 
1913.  During  these  years  he  had  firmly  established  himself  in  the  confidence 
of  the  banking  public  and  won  an  enviable  position  in  the  local  world  of  finance, 
his  upright,  manly  life  and  financial  acumen  forming  the  combination  essential 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  43 

to  the  man  who  appeals  to  the  pubhc  for  patronage.  In  April,  19 13,  after 
carefully  maturing  his  plans  he  formed  the  Lmcoln  Trust  Company,  was 
elected  president,  and  in  June  following  began  business.  The  success  of  the 
new  institution  was  immediate  and  most  gratifying  to  all  concerned,  but  doubly 
so  to  the  chief  executive  to  whom  it  came  as  an  indorsement  of  his  fitness  to 
safeguard  the  interests  of  his  many  patrons.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Trout 
Lake  Ice  Company  and  has  other  business  interests.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  serves  officially,  his  wife  also  being  an 
active  member  of  the  church  and  its  societies.  He  is  a  director,  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the   Country   Club. 

Mr.  Shafer  married,  Mary  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Milton,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  James  Blair,  November  13,  1891.  His  only  child  is  Margaret  Linen 
Shafer. 


RONALD  PRENTISS  GLEASON 

Ronald  Prentiss  Gleason,  principal  of  the  Technical  High  School  and  Wil- 
liam T.  Smith  Manual  Training  School,  is  a  native  of  the  State  of  Massa- 
chusetts. He  is  descended  from  Thomas  Gleason,  or  Leeson,  as  the  name  was 
sometimes  spelled,  who  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Watertown,  Massa- 
chusetts, prior  to  1650.  His  great-grandfather  was  Phineas  Gleason,  of  West- 
borough,  Massachusetts,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
He  is  the  son  of  Josiah  Parsons  and  Ellen  (Tidd)  Gleason,  of  New  Braintree, 
Massachusetts. 

The  American  ancestor  of  the  Tidd  family  settled  in  Lexington,  Massachu- 
setts, in  the  first  half  of  the  seventeenth  century.  Seven  of  his  descendants 
represented  the  family  in  that  small  band  that  assembled  on  the  village  green 
at  Lexington,  on  April  19,  1775,  and  made  an  effort  to  stop  the  onward  march 
of  the  British  under  Major  Pitcairn. 

Ronald  P.  Gleason  is  one  of  ten  children.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Massachusetts  and  was  graduated  from  the  Worcester  Polytechnic 
Institute  with  the  class  of  1887,  receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  in 
the  mechanical  engineering  course.  For  two  years  he  taught  in  the  high  school 
at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  then  crossed  the  continent  to  accept  the 
position  of  supervisor  of  manual  training  in  the  public  schools  of  Oakland, 
California,  where  he  remained  for  eleven  years.  When  the  call  came  for 
teachers  to  serve  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  he  was  among  the  first  to  respond. 
He  was  appointed  by  the  government  at  Washington  as  the  ranking  teacher 
in  charge  of  the  540  or  more  who  sailed  from  San  Francisco,  July  23,  1901, 
on  the  United  States  army  transport,  Thomas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gleason  re- 
mained in  the  Philippine  Islands  for  four  years.  During  all  this  time  Mr. 
Gleason  was  superintendent  of  the  Philippine  School  of  Arts  and  Trades  at 
Manila.  In  January,  1905,  he  resigned  his  position  and,  with  Mrs.  Gleason 
started  for  home  visiting  Japan,  China,  Java,  the  Federated  Malay  States, 
Burma,  India,  Europe. 

When  the  Technical  High  and  William  T.  Smith  Manual  Training  School 
buildings  were  completed  in  1905,  Mr.  Gleason  was  elected  the  first  principal, 
a  position  he  still  holds.  His  services  have  met  with  the  highest  approval  of 
all  connected  with  and  responsible  for  the  welfare  of  the  schools,  and  he  has 
raised  that  institution  to  a  high  plane  of  efficiency  and  usefulness.  He  has 
gathered  together  a  faculty  of  exceptionally  able  teachers,  who  give  their  best 
to  the  school  and  as  a  result  the  Technical  High  School  has  become  an  in- 
stitution of  which  Scranton  may  well  be  proud.     Mr.  Gleason  is  a  member  of 


44  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  Pennsylvania  State  and  National  Education  associations,  and  also  of  the 
National  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Industrial  Education. 

Mr.  Gleason' married,  in  1890,  Nellie  Miles  Rood,  daughter  of  the  late  Dr. 
James  T.  and  Ellen  (Miles)  Rood,  of  Massachusetts.  Dr.  Rood  was  a  sur- 
geon in  the  Massachusetts  volunteer  militia  and  served  his  country  practically 
all  through  the  Civil  War,  being  stationed  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time  in 
the  Shenandoah  Valley.  Since  coming  to  Scranton,  Mrs.  Gleason  has  taken 
an  active  interest  in  the  life  of  the  city  and  has  been  president  of  the  Century 
Club  since  its  organization  in  191 1. 


DAVID  CHASE  HARRINGTON 

David  Chase  Harrington,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  the  distinquished 
jurist,  is  not  only  an  eloquent  advocate,  capable  of  swaying  juries,  but  an 
able  lawyer,  preparing  and  conducting  most  important  cases  with  strategic 
skill  and  eminent  success.  It  is  especially  noteworthy  that  in  achieving  his 
eminence  at  the  bar  he  has  relied  not  more  upon  his  eloquence  and  genius,  than 
upon  the  unwearied  diligence  with  which  he  studied  and  toiled.  His  family 
has  been  a  noted  one  in  both  lines  of  descent. 

(I)  William  Harrington,  great-grandfather  of  David  Chase  Harrington, 
was  one  of  three  brothers  who  came  from  England  to  this  country  and  settled 
at  or  near  Chatham,  Columbia  county.  New  York,  where  he  married  and 
became  the  father  of  six  children.  He  bore  his  share  bravely  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War. 

(II)  James  Harrington,  son  of  William  Harrington,  was  born  in  1774,  and 
died  in  the  fall  of  1814  from  the  effects  of  a  fever  contracted  while  in  service 
in  the  War  of  1812.  His  widow,  Sarah  (Purdy)  Harrington,  removed  with 
their  eight  children  to  Pine  Hill,  Ulster  county.  New  York. 

(III)  James  (2)  Harrington,  son  of  James  (i)  and  Sarah  (Purdy)  Har- 
rington, was  at  first  a  carpenter  and  builder,  later  a  manufacturer  of  furni- 
ture.    He  married  Emeline  Harriet  Chase. 

The  Chase  family  is  of  ancient  English  origin,  the  name  being  derived  from 
the  French  word  "Chasser,"  meaning  "to  hunt."  The  ancestral  seat  of  the 
branch  of  the  family  from  which  the  American  line  is  descended  was  at  Ches- 
ham,  Buckinghamshire,  through  which  runs  a  swift  stream,  the  Chess,  which 
gives  its  name  to  the  place.  The  Chase  arms  are :  Gules  four  crosses  patonce 
argent  ( two  and  two)  on  a  canton  azure  a  lion  passant,  or.  Thomas  Chase,  of 
the  seventh  generation  of  the  English  family,  and  the  progenitor  of  the  family 
in  America,  came  to  Plymouth  Rock  in  1629,  and  removed  to  Hampton,  New 
Hampshire,  in  1644.  He  married  Elizabeth  Philbrick.  Isaac,  son  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  (Philbrick)  Chase,  married  (first)  Mary  Perkins,  (second) 
Mary  Tilton.  Joseph,  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Tilton)  Chase,  married  Lydia 
Coffyn,  a  great-granddaughter  of  Tristram  Coffyn  (Coffin).  Abel,  son  of 
Joseph  and  Lydia  (Coffyn)  Chase,  married  Mercy  Mayhew.  Zephaniah,  son 
of  Abel  and  Mercy  (Mayhew)  Chase,  married  (first)  Abigail  Skiff,  (second) 
Love  (West)  Skiff.  He  removed  with  his  family  from  Martha's  Vineyard 
to  what  is  now  Jewett,  Greene  county,  New  York.  David,  son  of  Zaphaniah 
and  Love  (West)  (Skiff)  Chase,  married  Abigail  Pratt,  for  whose  family 
the  town  of  Prattsville,  Greene  county,  New  York,  is  named.  Emeline  Har- 
riet, daughter  of  David  and  .Abigail  (Pratt)  Chase,  while  teaching  school  in 
Hunter,  Greene  county,  met  James  (2)  Harrington,  whom  she  married. 

(IV)  David  Qiase  Harrington,  eldest  child  of  James  (2)  and  Emeline 
Harriet  (Chase)  Harrington,  was  born  December  8,  1834,  in  that  part  of  Lex- 
ington which  is  now  Jewett,  Greene  county.  New  York.     He  learned  to  read 


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CITY  OF  SCRANTO]\  45 

sitting  on  his  father's  lap  at  family  prayers  in  the  morning.  Before  his  father 
commenced  to  read  he  would  point  to  the  capital  letters,  his  father  telling  him 
their  names,  and  then  he  would  watch  his  father  read,  and  when  he  was 
two  and  one-half  years  old  he  could  read  as  well  as  he  can  now.  He  has  no 
recollection  of  his  first  going  to  school.  .4t  the  age  of  ten  years  he  had  been 
so  far  in  the  text  book  as  the  teacher  in  the  common  schools  in  Greene  county, 
New  York,  could  take  him,  and  that  did  not  include  all  of  arithmetic  and 
very  little  of  grammar.  When  at  that  age,  a  gentleman,  who  had  graduated 
either  from  Harvard  or  Yale  College,  wished  to  study  for  the  ministry,  and 
not  having  the  money  to  pay  his  expenses  through  the  university  he  came  to 
Jewett  and  taught  school  there  for  two  years.  Mr.  Harrington  went  to  this 
school  during  the  last  year  and  a  half  of  this  gentleman's  tuition,  and  studied 
arithmetic,  algebra,  trigonometry,  geometry,  grammar,  astronomy,  botany, 
commenced  the  study  of  Latin,  and  went  through  the  Latin  grammar  and  com- 
menced to  read  this  language  by  the  time  he  was  twelve  years  of  age. 

His  father  was  engaged  in  business  as  a  carpenter  and  builder  and  the 
last  piece  of  work  he  did  as  a  carpenter  was  to  erect  a  large  building  in 
Bushnellsville,  LUster  county,  New  York,  where  cane  and  wood  seated  chairs 
were  manufactured  for  the  wholesale  trade.  When  the  building  was  com- 
pleted they  wished  him  to  instal  the  machinery,  which  he  did  successfully,  and 
everything  was  done  in  so  masterly  a  manner,  that  he  was  offered  the  superin- 
tendency  of  the  shops.  He  accordingly  gave  up  his  carpenter  business  and 
moved  to  Bushnellsville,  December  24,  1847,  3"d  became  head  of  this  estab- 
lishment. 

As  there  was  no  object  in  sending  young  Harrington  to  the  district  school 
to  review  what  he  already  knew,  he  was  given  work  in  the  finishing  depart- 
ment of  the  factory  in  December,  1848,  when  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  and 
thus  commenced  the  business  portion  of  his  life.  In  1849  l^'^  father  decided  to 
go  into  the  furniture  business  in  Pennsylvania,  and  entered  into  a  partnership 
with  the  man  who  had  charge  of  the  finishing  department  of  the  Bushnells- 
ville factory.  At  that  time  there  were  no  railroads  by  which  he  could  reach 
Providence,  so  he  was  obliged  to  send  his  household  effects  by  teams  to  Rond- 
out.  Lister  county.  New  York,  and  by  boat  on  a  canal  to  Honesdale,  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  there  on  the  Gravity  road  to  Carbondale.  June 
18,  1849,  he  left  for  Providence  in  a  carriage  with  his  family,  and  arrived  at 
Providence,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  23,  184.9.  Young  David  C. 
was  still  employed  in  the  finishing  department  of  his  business,  and  the  partner- 
ship which  he  had  formed  was  continued  until   185 1. 

The  construction  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  was 
commenced  from  Scranton  to  Great  Bend  in  1850  and  completed  in  the  summer 
of  185 1.  The  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company  owned  the  real  estate 
in  the  village  which  was  afterwards  the  borough,  now  the  city  of  Scranton, 
and  would  not  sell  lots  to  outsiders.  They  owned  all  the  property  themselves, 
intending  to  keep  their  own  employees  there,  but  when  the  railroad  was  com- 
pleted, the  Lackawanna  Iron  &  Coal  Company  laid  out  their  land  in  lots  and 
sold  them  to  any  who  would  buy.  David  C.  Harrington's  father  bought  a 
lot  and  built  a  residence  and  wareroom,  completed  it  and  moved  into  it,  Jan- 
uary 6,  1852.     At  the  rear  end  of  the  lot  was  the  building  used  as  a  shop. 

David  Chase  Harrington  had  learned  to  finish  furniture  well  although  he 
had  had  no  special  instruction  in  the  ornamentation  of  it.  He  took  to  this 
occupation  naturally,  could  varnish  and  polish,  imitate  the  finest  woods,  and 
when  it  was  necessary  to  put  on  ornamentation,  was  able  to  do  that  in  a 
most  satisfactory  manner.  His  father  was  also  in  the  undertaking  business, 
and  as  it  was  difficult  to  obtain  anyone  to  engrave  plates   for  the  coffins,  a 


46  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

set  of  engraving  tools  was  bought,  and  David  C.  successfully  engraved  the 
first  name  plate  that  was  required,  and  attended  to  this  part  of  the  business  as 
long  as  he  was  associated  with  his  father.  In  1854-55-56  he  played  the  cornet 
in  the  brass  band  in  Scranton  and  this  gave  him  good  chest  expansion  and 
was  one  of  the  means  of  keeping  him  in  good  health.  He  has  a  chest  expan- 
sion of  six  inches  to-day,  and  ascribes  much  of  this  development  to  his  prac- 
tice on  the  cornet. 

He  had  never  heard  a  word  of  German  spoken  until  the  family  removed  to 
Pennsylvania.  Two  of  the  cabinet  makers  in  his  father's  shop  in  Scranton 
were  Germans,  who  could  not  speak  a  word  of  English.  David  C.  commenced 
the  study  of  German  in  the  fall  of  1852  and  by  the  following  spring  he  could 
read,  write  and  speak  German  sufficiently  well  to  communicate  with  the  men 
on  matters  of  business,  and  could  go  into  the  wareroom  and  sell  goods  to  cus- 
tomers who  were  not  able  to  understand  a  word  of  English.  He  was  fre- 
quently asked  by  Germans,  concerning  the  part  of  Germany  he  came  from. 
Years  ago,  when  he  was  living  in  Philadelphia,  the  lawyers,  knowing  that  he 
spoke  the  German  language,  and  there  being  only  one  interpreter  to  go  to  the 
different  rooms,  when  his  services  were  already  in  request  and  a  witness  could 
not  speak  or  understand  English,  Mr.  Harrington  was  requested  to  act  as 
interpreter. 

While  engaged  with  his  father  in  the  furniture  business  he  also  learned  to 
work  at  the  bench  and  to  make  articles  of  furniture,  and  he  did  turning  at  the 
turning  lathe  and  all  kinds  of  work  with  the  exception  of  carving.  When 
he  had  attained  the  age  of  nineteen  years  his  father  sent  him  to  New  York 
alone  to  purchase  the  hardware  and  upholstering  materials  and  other  things 
needed  in  the  furniture  business,  and  after  he  had  successfully  accomplished 
tills  it  was  always  his  province  afterwards.  He  now  has  in  his  home  seven 
landscapes  in  oil  that  he  himself  painted  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  old. 
When  he  attained  his  majority  his  father  took  him  into  partnership,  but  at  the 
end  of  one  year  this  was  dissolved  as  David  C.  had  expressed  the  fixed  deter- 
mination to  make  law  his  life  work. 

David  Chase  Harrington  commenced  reading  law  in  April,  1858,  studying 
during  the  second  year  in  the  office  of  a  lawyer.  At  this  time  there  were  four 
villages  within  a  mile  of  each  other — Providence.  Hyde  Park,  Scranton  and 
Dunmore.  During  the  first  winter  David  C.  taught  school  in  Dunmore.  As 
he  lived  in  Scranton  he  was  obliged  to  walk  a  mile  to  Dunmore  every  morning, 
and  the  same  distance  upon  his  return  at  night.  In  this  school  some  of  the 
pupils  were  young  men  of  almost  his  own  age,  one  of  whom  was  after- 
ward a  judge  in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Lackawanna  county.  There 
were  more  than  100  students  in  this  school  and  Mr.  Harrington  had  an  assist- 
ant. There  was  but  one  room  in  the  schoolhouse  and  a  blackboard  was  placed 
at  the  rear  of  this  room.  It  was  therefore  necessary  for  Mr.  Harrington  and 
his  assistant  each  to  use  an  opposite  side  of  the  blackboard  to  illustrate  the 
subjects  they  taught. 

The  dates  of  admission  to  legal  practice  of  Mr.  Harrington  are  as  follows : 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  7,  i860:  Court 
of  Common   Pleas  of  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  28,   1862; 
Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  June  20,   1866:  Mayor's  Court 
of  Scranton,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  October   i,   1866:  United  States 
Circuit  and  Districts  courts,  western  district  of  Pennsylvania.  August  5,  1867 
Mayor's  Court  of  Carbondale,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  15,  1867 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  24,   1868 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  April   19,   1869 
District  Court  of  Philadelphia,   Pennsylvania,  December  20,   1870;  Court  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  47 

Common  Pleas  of  Philadelphia,  December  24,  1870:  United  States  Circuit 
and  District  courts,  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania,  February  18,  187 1  ;  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  of  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  14,  1874:  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  February  2, 
1876;  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  January 
23,  1882 ;  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
August  15,  1898;  United  States  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals,  Richmond,  Virginia, 
December  2,  1906. 

In  1878  Luzerne  county  was  divided  and  Lackawanna  county  was  formed 
with  Scranton  as  the  county  seat,  and  Wilkes-Barre  remained  the  county  seat 
of  Luzerne  county.  Mr.  Harrington  won  his  first  case,  and  the  opposing  law- 
yer, a  prominent  member  of  the  bar,  was  so  impressed  with  his  conduct  of 
it  that  he  took  him  into  partnership,  and  this  was  continued  until  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  War.  April  1,  1862,  Mr.  Harrington  removed  to  Wilkes- 
Barre.  In  1863  he  laid  aside  his  professional  duties  to  respond  to  the  call  of 
Governor  Andrew  G.  Curtin  for  emergency  men  to  repel  the  invasion  of 
Pennsylvania  by  the  Confederate  army  under  General  Robert  E.  Lee.  He 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  K.  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, Colonel  William  N.  Monies  commanding.  Mr.  Harrington's  company 
was  the  first  to  be  mustered  in  under  that  call,  and  they  were  stationed  at  Camp 
Curtin,  near  Harrisburg,  when  that  city  was  threatened  by  the  Confederates, 
at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  On  Saturday,  July  3,  the  regiment 
was  filled  and  ready  to  march  to  Gettysburg,  but  Sunday,  July  4,  the  great  bat- 
tle at  that  place  was  ended,  therefore  Mr.  Harrington  was  not  in  active  service. 
With  his  command  he  was  honorably  discharged,  July  26,  1863. 

While  Mr.  Harrington  was  in  Wilkes-Barre  he  was  in  partnership  with 
Caleb  E.  Wright,  one  of  the  old  members  of  the  bar,  and  this  association  was 
continued  until  1870.  While  living  in  that  city  there  was  a  great  deal  of  ma- 
laria in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  and  Mrs.  Harrington  suffered  from  fever  and 
ague  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time  and  was  subjected  to  bilious  fever  once 
or  twice  each  year,  and  the  physician  said  that  if  she  did  not  remove  from  the 
valley  she  could  not  survive.  This  was  the  cause  of  the  dissolution  of  the 
partnership  with  Mr.  Wright,  in  December,  1870,  and  within  one  week  Mr. 
Harrington  and  his  family  were  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  practiced  law  for 
more  than  thirty-one  years. 

.■\fter  Mr.  Harrington  had  left  Wilkes-Barre  the  lawyers  of  that  city  gave 
him  a  Christmas  present,  in  1872,  of  a  fine  full-jeweled  gold  watch  of  Waltham 
make  with  the  inscription  on  the  case  as  follows :  "Presented  to  David  C. 
Harrington  by  his  brethren  of  the  Luzerne  Bar,  December  25,  1872."  This 
he  values  highly,  and  it  is  an  excellent  timekeeper  to  the  present  day. 

Hon.  F.  Carroll  Brewster,  who  had  been  a  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  of  Philadelphia,  was  attorney-general  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  obliged  to  spend  all  his  winters  in  Harrisburg  and  in  summer  could 
only  escape  the  importunities  of  his  numerous  clients  by  taking  refuge  in 
Europe.  In  June,  1872,  he  requested  Mr.  Harringfton  to  take  charge  of  his 
legal  business.  There  were  two  lawyer  assistants  and  a  bookkeeper  in  Mr. 
Brewster's  office,  and  in  order  to  take  charge  of  this  extensive  business  and 
not  neglect  his  own,  it  became  necessary  for  Mr.  Harrington  to  take  an  as- 
sistant lawyer  in  his  own  office.  Judge  Brewster  then  went  to  Europe  each 
summer  for  three  years  and  during  this  time  Mr.  Harrington  had  full  charge 
of  the  business,  trying  the  cases,  preparing  briefs,  etc.  When  his  term  of 
office  as  an  attorney-general  expired.  Judge  Brewster  returned  to  his  practice, 
and  Mr.  Harrington  was  enabled  to  continue  his  personal  practice. 

In   1898  he  commenced  to  represent  the   International  Text   Book  Com- 


48  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

pany  in  some  copyright  suits  and  attended  to  some  of  its  other  legal  business, 
and  was  requested  in  March.  1902.  to  return  to  Scranton  and  take  charge  of 
all  the  legal  business  of  this  corporation.  He  has  succeeded  in  winning  many 
suits  for  the  company,  some  of  great  importance,  one  on  the  question  of 
"Doing  Business,"  and  that  the  company  is  engaged  in  interstate  commerce. 
He  contended  that  as  it  was  giving  instruction  through  the  mails  by  means  of 
selling  printed  books  to  students,  and  giving  written  instruction  from  Scran- 
ton, each  letter  written  to  a  student  in  another  state,  is  a  book,  and  is  inter- 
state commerce.  Courts  in  three  of  the  .states  decided  to  the  contrary  and 
that  the  company  could  not  maintain  a  suit.  The  first  case  to  be  appealed  to 
the  .Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  arose  in  Kansas  and  was  decided  in 
favor  of  the  company.  April  4,  1910.  and  is  reported  in  217  U.  S.  91.  In  that 
case  it  was  held  that  giving  instruction  through  the  mail  is  interstate  com- 
merce, and  that  the  company  need  not  file  its  charter  in  any  state  of  the  United 
States.  Other  cases  appealed  from  Wisconsin  and  Vermont  were  decided. 
November  7,  1910,  in  conformity  with  the  Kansas  case  and  are  reported  in 
218  U.  S.  664,  so  that  it  is  now  settled  that  a  letter  is  a  book  and  the  selling 
of  information  and  giving  instruction  by  correspondence  through  the  mail  is 
interstate  commerce. 

In  February,  1910.  the  principal  of  the  School  of  Law  died,  and  on  May 
16,  1910,  Mr.  Harrington  was  appointed  principal  of  the  School  of  Law,  and 
now  has  charge  of  that  department.  The  instruction  business  in  the  law 
courses  of  the  company  are  very  important,  as  the  instruction  that  is  given 
to  students  must  be  accurate  in  every  particular.  The  two  departments  re- 
quire all  of  his  time.  His  health  has  always  been  good.  He  has  never  been 
ill  in  bed,  and  at  the  present  time  is  able  to  be  at  his  desk  in  his  office  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  he  is  sometimes  the  last  to  leave  if  there  is  any 
correspondence  to  be  signed. 

Mr.  Harrington  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Greene  county. 
New  York,  in  the  spring  of  1849.  When  his  father  moved  to  Providence  a 
letter  was  taken,  and  he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Providence. 
When  he  removed  to  Scranton  in  1852  his  letter  was  taken  from  the  church 
in  Providence  and  in  November  of  the  same  year  he  united  with  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton,  and  his  sixtieth  anniversary  occurred  in 
November.  1912.  For  many  years  he  was  very  active  in  Sunday  school  work 
and  in  organizing  Mission  Sunday  schools,  but  since  returning  to  Scranton 
he  has  been  obliged  to  abandon  work  of  this  character  owing  to  the  fact  of 
his  being  frequently  away  on  travels  connected  with  his  business  pursuits. 
At  the  present  time  (1914)  Mr.  Harrington  is  still  enjoying  excellent  health, 
is  as  vigorous  as  many  men  far  his  juniors  in  point  of  years,  and  there  appears 
to  be  every  prospect  of  his  attaining  a  greater  age  than  his  maternal  grand- 
father. David  Chase,  who  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  his  own  father, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four,  and  his  great-grandmother  Harrington, 
who  was  ninety-eight  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death. 

Mr.  Harrington  married  (first)  September  11,  1856.  Ann  Jeannette  Kem- 
merer.  born  in  Monroe  county.  Penn sylvan i.T.  January  i.  1840,  died  in  .Scran- 
ton. Pennsylvania.  November  20,  1904.  Mr.  Harrington  married  (second) 
July  18.  1906.  Jeanne  Ethlyn  Smith.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  children  as 
follows:  I.  Harriet  Elizabeth,  born  July  10.  1857:  married.  February  14. 
1889,  Madison  F.  Larkin  ;  child.  William  Stark,  born  November  2.  1889.  died 
same  day.  2.  Carrie  Estelle.  bom  December  27,  1858:  married  (first)  June 
I.  !88c'.  Charles  W.  Reichard;  child.  David  Carl,  born  August  3.  1892.  mar- 
ried. January  26,  1910,  Marie  A.  Schatt ;  one  child.  David  Carl  Jr..  born  De- 
cember 28,  191 1  ;  Carrie  Estelle  married  (second)  June  3,  1911,  Samuel  Porter 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  49 

Lummus.  3.  Lillian  Jannette,  born  September  15,  i860,  died  July  17.  1898; 
married,  January  13,  i88f),  William  L.  Connell ;  children:  i.  Jessie  English, 
born  November  18,  1886,  married,  September  29,  1908,  George  Houck ;  one 
child,  William  L.  Connell  Houck,  born  July  14,  1913.  ii.  Natalie  Grant,  born 
December  19,  1888,  married,  January  8,  1910,  Rudolph  Senn  Houck;  children: 
Ruolph  Senn  Houck  Jr.,  born  March  27,  191 1,  and  Lillian  Jannette  Houck, 
born  July  18,  1912.  iii.  Lillian  Jannette,  born  July  29,  1892.  iv.  Blandina 
Harrington,  born  September  7,  1895,  died  May  i,  1907.  4.  Blandina  Jayne, 
born  November  8,  1862;  married,  March  4,  1896,  Thomas  Jefferson  Foster; 
child,  Thomas  Jefferson  Jr.,  born  October  4,  1900.  5.  Walter  Eugene,  born 
June  3,  1866;  married,  November  8,  1888,  Maude  Hastings;  children:  Leigh 
Walter,  born  September  17,  1889,  and  Kenneth  Connell,  born  November  22, 
1892,  died  July  24,  1893.  6.  Curtis  James,  born  April  21,  1870,  died  Septem- 
ber 10,  1904;  married,  June  6,  1891,  Helen  Bernadon ;  child,  Curtis  James  Jr., 
born  February  27,  1892,  afterwards  adopted  by  Madison  F.  and  Harriet  E. 
Larkin,  and  his  name  changed  to  Curtis  Harrington  Larkin.  7.  Frederick 
Andrew,  born  March  8,  1872;  married,  April  3,  1895,  May  E.  Worthington ; 
child,  William  Lawrence  Connell,  born  November  24,  1897.  8.  Dora,  born 
March  11,  1874;  married,  October  6,  1898,  Christian  Paul  Hagenlocher.  9. 
Ethel,  born  February  25,  1877;  married  as  his  second  wife,  November  29, 
1899,  William  Lawrence  Connell,  her  brother-in-law  ;  children  :  William  Law- 
rence Jr.,  born  June  30,  1901  ;  David  Harrington,  born  November  16,  1902, 
died  May  21,  1907;  Ethel  Chase,  born  March  21,  1905,  died  February  14, 
1907.     10.  Mabel,  born  January  16,  1879,  died  July  5,  1879. 

In  1887-88  Mr.  Harrington  made  two  trips  to  the  City  of  Mexico  on  profes- 
sional business,  and  while  there  he  learned  to  speak  the  Spanish  language. 
Since  that  time  he  has  lectured  on  his  trips.  In  1867  he  compiled,  collated, 
arranged  and  published  "The  Rules  of  the  Luzerne  County  Court,"  an  e.xhaus- 
tive  volume  of  eighty-one  pages  octavo.  He  has  also  written  many  briefs 
which  have  gone  into  print  and  some  of  them  have  been  widely  circulated. 
Among  the  more  important  of  his  treatises  is  one  on  "Commerce  and  What  is 
Doing  Business,  under  the  Statutes  of  the  United  States  Relating  to  Foreign 
Corporations,"  "The  Education  of  Minors,"  "Ordinances,  Affecting  Circular 
Distribution  and  Advertising,"  and  on  "Law  and  Facts."  During  a  part  of  tlie 
time  he  resided  in  Wilkes-Barre,  he  reported  court  proceedings  and  local 
items  of  news  for  a  paper  published  in  Scranton,  and  for  another  published  in 
Wilkes-Barre. 


HON.  HENRY  ALONZO  KNAPP 

Hon.  Henry  Alonzo  Knapp,  who  ranks  among  the  successful  and  influ- 
ential members  of  the  Scranton  bar,  was  born  July  24,  185 1,  in  the  town  of 
Barker,  Broome  county.  New  York,  the  son  of  Peter  and  Cornelia  Eveline 
(Nash)  Knapp,  both  natives  of  the  Empire  State,  the  former  a  successful 
farmer  and  prominent  citizen.  Peter  Knapp  was  the  son  of  Henry  and  Anne 
(Harris)  Knapp,  who  came  to  Broome  county  from  Dutchess  county  in  the 
same  state  in  1817.  On  his  mother's  side  Henry  A.  Knapp  is  the  grandson  of 
Rufus  Nash,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  emigrated  to  New  York  in  1820, 
and  Rufus  was  a  lineal  descendant  in  the  sixth  generation  from  Edward  Nash, 
who  came  from  England  about  1650  and  became  one  of  the  founders  of  Nor- 
walk,  Connecticut. 

The  boyhood  life  of  Henry  A.  Knapp  was  somewhat  varied;  he  left  the 
fann  at  the  early  age  of  nine  years  and  for  the  most  part  for  several  years 
thereafter  made  his  home  with  his  uncle,  S.  M.  Nash,  who  in  i860  was  conduc- 
4 


so  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

tor  of  one  of  the  two  passenger  trains  on  the  Lackawanna  Railroad,  and  Henry 
A.  Knapp  very  early  started  on  a  business  career  by  selHng  newspapers  and 
other  commodities  on  the  train.  Later  he  attended  the  Binghamton  Academy, 
and  in  1873  began  the  study  of  law  with  Judge  Handley  at  Scranton. 

Entering  the  bar  in  1875  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Edward  Merrifield, 
Esq.,  under  the  firm  name  of  Merrifield  &  Knapp,  and  continued  that  relation 
several  years,  and  then  carried  on  practice  in  his  own  name  until  1892,  with 
the  exception  of  one  year  when  he  served  as  a  judge  of  the  several  courts  of 
Lackawanna  county,  by  appointment  of  Governor  Beaver.  In  1892  he  formed 
a  law  partnership  with  Hon.  E.  N.  Willard  and  Everett  Warren,  Esq.,  under 
the  title  of  Willard,  Warren  &  Knapp,  which  has  continued  to  the  present  time, 
except  that  during  the  time  Judge  Willard  was  on  the  bench  of  the  superior 
court  the  firm  name  was  Warren  &  Knapp.  From  1890  to  1900  Judge  Knapp 
was  county  solicitor  of  Lackawanna  county,  and  from  1889  to  1898  he  was  also 
solicitor  of  the  Scranton  school  district.  The  firm  of  which  he  is  a  member  is 
the  counsel  of  many  corporations  and  his  practice  in  recent  years  has  been  mostly 
taken  up  with  corporation  matters,  largely  in  consultation  and  office  work, 
although  occasionally  in  the  trial  of  cases  in  the  common  pleas.  Judge  Knapp 
has  had  a  leading  part  in  various  business  enterprises,  and  in  matters  of  pub- 
lic interest  has  been  prominent  and  conspicuous. 

In  1877  he  was  a  leading  spirit  in  the  organization  of  Company  "A,"  one 
of  the  four  military  companies  recruited  during  the  labor  troubles  of  that  year, 
and  was  chosen  first  lieutenant  of  the  company  and  a  year  later  succeeded 
Captain  Bryson  as  captain.  Later  he  was  appointed  judge  advocate  on  the 
staff  of  General  Gobin  with  rank  of  major.  He  was  connected  with  the 
National  Guard  until  his  appointment  to  the  bench  in  1887,  when  he  resigned. 
For  nearly  twenty-five  years  past  he  has  been  chairman  of  the  advisory  board 
of  the  Home  for  the  Friendless ;  for  several  years  he  has  been  a  director  of  the 
Board  of  Associated  Charities ;  he  is  also  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Hospital 
for  the  Cure  of  Consumptives,  and  his  legal  services  have  been  sought  and 
freely  extended  to  these  and  other  charitable  institiitions,  who  have  found  in  him 
a  valued  and  useful  friend.  He  is  vice-president  and  a  director  in  the  Title 
Guaranty  and  Trust  Company  and  also  interested  in  other  prominent  institu- 
tions. 

In  1883  Judge  Knapp  married  Lillie  Logan,  of  Scranton,  and  they  have 
one  daughter,  Alice  Alden.  Mrs.  Knapp  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Alden, 
of  Colonial  fame. 


WALTER  WINTHROP  WINTON 

Pennsylvania  is  indebted  first  to  Old  England  and  then  to  New  England 
for  the  Wintons,  a  name  represented  in  the  earliest  history  and  development 
of  Scranton.  Of  Quaker  ancestry,  the  emigrant  came  to  Connecticut  from 
England  and  settled  on  the  Naugatuck  river.  From  this  region  Andrew  Jack- 
son Winton,  grandfather  of  Walter  W.  Winton,  of  this  narrative,  enlisted  in 
the  American  army  at  the  beginning  of  hostilites  with  England  in  1812,  and  at 
the  conclusion  of  that  conflict  in  1814,  he  settled  at  Butternut,  Otsego  county. 
New  York.  Because  of  the  lack  of  transportation  facilities  in  that  section  of 
the  state,  he  and  his  brother  established  and  conducted  a  stage  coach  line 
between  Albany  and  New  York,  a  public  accommodation  much  appreciated  and 
heavily  patronized. 

(II)  William  Wilander  Winton,  son  of  Andrew  Jackson  Winton.  was  bom 
in  Butternut,  Otsego  county.  New  York,  where  he  lived  until  he  was  about 
twenty  years  of  age,  engaging,  after  he  had  obtained  his  education,  in  the  peda- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  51 

gogical  profession,  at  the  same  time  continuing  his  own  studies  in  Latin  and 
legal  branches.  Coming  to  Scranton  he  secured  employment  in  the  store  of  his 
father-in-law,  Harry  Heermans,  one  of  the  first  merchants  to  establish  a  busi- 
ness in  what  is  now  Scranton.  Harry  Heermans  came  to  this  locality  from 
Salem,  the  journey  being  made  in  wagons,  containing  besides  his  household 
effects  his  stock  of  household  commodities,  groceries  and  other  articles  neces- 
sary to  the  families  of  the  region.  Every  store  at  that  time  was  of  necessity 
a  general  supply  centre,  whose  departments  covered  all  the  varied  needs  of  the 
small  communities,  from  food  for  man  to  harness  for  beast. 

While  employed  by  his  father-in-law,  William  W.  Winton  continued  his 
legal  studies,  his  wife  teaching  school  in  the  vicinity,  and  while  he  was  never 
admitted  to  the  bar  he  gained  a  sufticient  knowledge  of  business,  law  and 
processes  to  enable  him  to  become  executor  of  his  father-in-law's  estate.  He 
was  largely  instrumental  in  opening  one  of  the  first  coal  mines  of  the  region, 
the  vein  followed  extending  under  the  old  "Bell  school-house."  The  death  of 
his  father-in-law  left  the  mercantile  field  open  for  new  concerns,  and  Mr.  Win- 
ton,  in  partnership  with  A.  B.  Dunning,  his  brother-in-law,  opened  a  store  in 
Providence,  Pennsylvania.  He  soon  moved  to  New  York  City  and  was 
engaged  in  the  wholesale  hat,  cap  and  fur  business  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years, 
his  establishment  being  on  Cortlandt  street.  The  business  training  he  received 
in  the  metropolis  opened  his  eyes  to  the  possibilites  of  his  former  field  of 
endeavor  and  he  returned  to  Providence,  where  he  organized  the  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  the  second  in  the  North  End.  Thus  attracted 
by  the  opportunities  opened  to  a  capable  and  trusted  financier,  he  opened  a 
private  bank,  under  the  name  of  Winton  &  Company,  bankers.  This  enter- 
prise met  with  popular  favor  and  did  a  large  and  prosperous  business.  During 
the  years  of  the  Civil  War  he  played  a  prominent  part  in  the  organization  of 
the  Second  National  Bank  of  Scranton  and  a  few  years  later  performed  the 
same  service  for  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Providence,  two  institutions  which 
were  later  merged  under  the  name  of  the  former.  He  was  also  the  organizer 
and  became  president  of  the  Winton  Coal  Company,  whose  mines  were 
located  at  Winton,  Pennsylvania,  a  town  named  in  honor  of  the  company.  Mr. 
Winton's  death  occurred  on  December  30,  1894,  closing  a  life  of  useful  activity 
and  successful  endeavor,  the  reward  of  years  of  constant,  energetic  and  well 
directed  battering  at  the  walls  of  achievement.  He  married  Catharine  Heer- 
mans, oldest  daughter  of  Harry  Heermans. 

(IH)  Walter  Winthrop  Winton,  son  of  William  Wilander  Winton,  was 
born  in  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  June  3,  1845.  After  obtaining  a  public 
school  education,  including  a  high  school  course,  he  entered  the  law  school  at 
Harvard.  This  was  the  result  of  his  father's  desire,  as  the  elder  Mr.  Winton 
had  earnestly  wished  for  a  college  legal  education,  and  disappointed  in  this, 
had  made  it  his  ambition  that  the  opportunities  denied  him  should  be  ac- 
corded to  his  son.  Walter  W.  Winton,  however,  did  not  care  enough  for  the 
profession  to  make  it  his  life  work,  and  going  to  New  York  he  engaged  in 
the  wholesale  diamond  and  jewelry  business.  In  this  field  he  prospered,  be- 
coming an  expert  in  detecting  the  flaws  in  precious  gems  and  distinguishing 
between  imitation  and  genuine  stones.  In  order  to  become  more  closely  ac- 
quainted with  the  production  of  diamonds  in  which  he  dealt  extensively,  lie 
visited  the  world  famous  mines  at  Kimberley,  Cape  Colony,  South  America, 
in  1879,  whence  comes  ninety-eight  per  cent,  of  the  entire  diamond  output  of 
the  world.  He  here  familiarized  himself  with  every  detail  in  the  mining  of 
these  stones,  thus  completing  his  knowledge  of  the  route  followed  by  the 
jewels  from  their  resting  place  in  the  rocks,  where  they  were  formed  by  some 
vast  cataclysm  of  nature,  to  the  dainty  ears  or  shapely  fingers  of  their  final 


52  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

purchasers  in  the  large  cities  of  the  world.  Upon  his  return  from  South  Africa, 
he  settled  in  Scranton,  where  he  opened  a  retail  diamond  establishment,  at- 
tracting a  wealthy  and  influential  trade  among  the  best  people  of  the  city. 
He  became  connected  with  the  Winton  Coal  Company  soon  after  his  arrival 
in  Scranton  and  is  now  president  of  that  concern.  While  Mr.  Winton  is  a 
strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  his  interest  in  office  holding  is  con- 
fined to  advancing  the  cause  of  some  worthy  candidate,  always  refusing  public 
preference  for  himself.  He  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Scottish  Masonry. 

Mr.  Winton  married  Mary  Blakey,  daughter  of  William  Blakey,  of  Orange. 
New  York,  and  has  one  son,  Walter  Winthrop  Jr.  Of  Mr.  Winton's  rela- 
tion to  Scranton  affairs  it  may  be  said  that  he  is  in  no  way  failing  the  expecta- 
tions of  those  who  judged  his  capacity  for  achievement  from  the  record  of 
his  honored  father,  and  that  in  him  the  ancienr  family  name  finds  a  most 
worthv    bearer. 


JOHN    T.    RICHARDS 


At  the  time  when  the  mines  in  the  vicinity  of  Scranton  were  being  opened 
and  operations  commenced  upon  a  large  scale,  there  was  a  large  number  of 
Welsh  miners  who  left  their  positions  in  their  native  land  and  made  their 
homes  in  this  locality,  the  reason  for  the  influx  of  immigrants  being  that 
wages  for  labor  in  the  newly  opened  mines  were  much  higher  than  in  Wales.  It 
was  this  tide  of  settlers  that  carried  Thomas  Richards  to  Carbondale  in  1833,  Al- 
though his  trade  was  that  of  shoemaker,  not  of  mmer.  In  the  following  of  his 
occupation  throughout  his  exceptionally  long  life  he  acquired  a  competence 
that  enabled  him  and  his  wife  to  spend  their  later  years  in  quiet  and  com- 
fort, both  dying  in  1900,  both  aged  eighty-eight  years.  It  was  a  happy  coinci- 
dence that  two  lives  spent  together  in  congenial  and  blessed  companionship 
should  be  reunited  so  soon  after  their  first  separation. 

John  T.  Richards,  son  of  Thomas  and  RIargaret  (Morgans)  Richards, 
was  born  in  Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  15, 
1853.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  place  of  his  birth,  later  attending 
the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age  entered  the 
Merchants  and  Mechanics  Bank  as  errand  boy.  Although  his  early  employ- 
ment was  assuredly  humble,  he  performed  all  of  his  duties  with  a  quick  and 
willing  cheerfulness  that  won  him  instant  favor  and  as  rapidly  as  openings 
appeared  above  him  he  was  placed  therein.  In  each  position  the  same  assid- 
uous attention  to  business  and  a  marked  capacity  for  hard  work,  was  observed 
by  his  superiors  and  four  years  after  his  first  appearance  in  the  bank  he  was 
appointed  cashier.  This  office  he  filled  with  strict  fidelity  and  proven  ability 
until  1894,  when  he  resigned  to  engage  in  wider  fields  of  business.  At  the 
organization  of  the  Alexander  Car  Replacer  Manufacturing  Company  in  1894 
he  became  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  responsibility  of  the  position  is  ap- 
parent when  the  capitalization  of  the  company,  $100,000,  is  known.  The  original 
officers  of  the  concern  were:  Joseph  J.  Jermyn.  president,  John  A.  Mears, 
vice-president,  and  John  T.  Richards,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  present 
organization  is  J.  F.  Mears,  president,  G.  Bogart,  vice-president,  John  T. 
Richards,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  Alexander  Car  Replacei  Manufactur- 
ing Company  is  a  flourishing  concern,  their  appliance  being  in  use  on  most 
of  the  railroads  in  the  United  States,  Canada,  South  .America.  Australia,  China. 
Japan,  Europe,  and  the  British  Isles.  Its  use  has  also  been  adopted  in  coal 
mines  using  electricity.  In  addition  to  his  duties  as  secretary  of  this  com- 
pany, Mr.   Richards,  in   1895,  became  executor  of  the  estate  of  Judge   lohn 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  53 

Handley.  He  has  also  been  actively  concerned  in  coal  operations  in  the 
vicinity  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Richards  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  local  affairs  and  at  one 
time  was  a  member  of  the  Scranton  select  council,  where  he  was  numbered 
among  the  most  progressive  of  the  body,  always  championing  any  measure 
that  he  believed  for  the  true  good  of  the  municipality  and  as  stoutly  opposing 
those  originated  for  private  gain  or  for  the  furtherance  of  selfish  purposes. 
He  is  past  master  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  339,  F.  and  A.  M. 

Mr.  Richards  married  Josephine,  daughter  of  Joseph  Chase,  of  Scranton, 
and  has  one  daughter,  Margaret  Louise.  Mr.  Richards'  office  is  in  the  Mears 
Building.  In  his  business  relations  he  has  shown  marked  ability  as  a  financier, 
and  as  a  public  spirited  and  progressive  member  of  the  community  is  ever 
enrolled  among  those  who  are  working  for  the  advancement  of  the  city's  in^ 
terests. 


HENRY  BELIN  JR 


Although  prominent  in  the  manufacture  of  explosives  used  in  time  of  war 
with  deadly  effect,  Mr.  Belin  is  not  a  destroyer,  but  a  constructor  and  most 
humane  and  liberal  in  his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men.  In  fact  his  labors  in 
the  cause  of  afflicted  humanity  have  been  so  beneficial,  and  far  reaching  that 
the  term  "philanthropist"  is  not  misapplied  in  his  case. 

The  Belins  are  of  French  descent,  the  first  of  the  name  known  in  America 
being  John  Belin,  great-grandfather  of  Henry  Belin  Jr.,  of  Scranton.  He 
was  a  planter  on  the  Island  of  San  Domingo,  West  Indies.  His  son,  .Augustus 
Belin,  succeeded  him,  but  in  the  uprising  of  the  blacks  in  1791.  he  was  com- 
pelled to  flee  for  safety.  He  came  to  the  United  States,  first  engaging  in- 
business  in  Philadelphia,  later  moving  to  Wilmington,  Delaware,  where  he 
formed  connection  with  the  famous  DuPont  Powder  Works. 

He  married  Alletta  Hedrick,  of  Philadelphia,  born  of  Danish  parentage. 
Augustus  Belin  died  in  Wilmington  in  1843,  aged  seventy-three  years,  leav- 
ing children :     Ann,  Henry  and  Charles. 

Henry  (i)  Belin  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  died  in  Wilmington,  Delaware, 
in  1891.  After  a  thorough  preparation,  he  was  awarded  a  cadetship  at  the 
West  Point  United  States  Military  Academy,  where  he  was  graduated,  and 
joined  the  newly  formed  corps  of  Topographical  Engineers,  and  remained  with 
that  corps  until  1843,  being  connected  during  that  time  with  various  important 
surveys  conducted  by  the  government.  Resigning  from  the  army  in  1843,  'i^ 
formed  a  connection  with  the  DuPont  Powder  Works  at  Wilmington,  a  com- 
pany with  which  he  was  identified  until  1865,  when  he  moved  to  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  engaging  in  business  there  for  ten  years.  He  then  returned  to 
Wilmington,  which  was  his  home  until  death. 

He  married,  Isabella,  daughter  of  Henry  d'Andelot.  She  died  in  1863, 
aged  fiftv  years,  leaving  children:  Gratiot,  d'Andelot,  died  in  infancy,  Louisa, 
Mary,  Henry  Jr.,  of  whom  further. 

Henry  Belin  Jr.  was  born  September  23,  1843,  at  West  Point,  New 
York,  his  father  being  then  stationed  at  the  military  academy.  He  prepared 
for  college  at  Hopkins  grammar  school,  New  Haven,  then  entered  Yale 
L^niversity,  whence  he  was  graduated  A.  B.,  class  of  1863.  He  began  his 
business  life  with  the  house  with  which  his  father  and  grandfather  had  been 
identified,  the  E.  I.  DuPont  de  Nemours  and  Company,  powder  manufac- 
turers, and  is  now  the  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  corporation,  known  over 
the  world.  For  seven  years  Mr.  Belin  made  his  home  in  Wilmington,  but  in 
1870  he   moved  to   Scranton.    Pennsylvania,   which  city  has   ever  since  been 


54  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

his  home.  In  addition  to  his  connection  as  head  of  the  E.  I.  DuPont  de  Ne- 
mours &  Company  of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  BeHn  is  director  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Scranton,  vice-president  and  director  of  the  Cherry  River 
Boom  and  Lumber  Company,  vice-president  and  director  of  the  Scranton 
Lace  Company,  director  of  the  Lackawanna  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company, 
director  of  the  Hebard  Cypress  Company,  and  interested  in  other  of  the 
business  enterprises  of  Scranton,  where  he  is  rated  a  leading  factor  in  the 
development  of  the  business  interests  of  that  city  and  section. 

Prominent  as  is  the  position  Mr.  Belin  occupies  in  the  world  of  finance 
and  industry,  he  is  ever  the  interested  citizen  and  humanitarian,  his  sympathy 
and  benevolences  being  freely  bestowed  upon  every  worthy  object.  He  was  in 
the  service  of  his  state  for  several  years,  serving  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  National  Guard  for  two  years,  and  for  one  year  as  aide  de 
camp  on  the  staff  of  Brigadier  General  Sigfried.  In  political  faith  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  in  religious  preference  is  identified  with  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church,  which  he  serves  as  trustee. 

In  philanthropic  work  for  the  amelioration  of  the  conditions  surrounding 
the  afflicted,  he  has  ever  shown  interest,  sympathy  and  liberality.  He  was 
identified  with  all  the  movements  resulting  in  the  establishment  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Oral  School  for  the  Deaf,  was  one  of  the  charter  founders  and  has 
served  from  the  first  on  the  board  of  trustees  as  treasurer.  The  demands  of 
the  Hahnemann  Hospital  have  also  been  recognized,  he  having  long  been  a 
member  of  its  advisory  board.  He  is  also  a  trustee  and  treasurer  of  Scranton 
Public  Library  and  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Library  Commis- 
sion. Thus  Mr.  Belin  has  demonstrated  his  true  manhood,  and  in  all  his 
activities  displayed  the  characteristics,  marking  the  best  type  of  American 
manhood.  Modest  and  retiring  in  disposition,  he  is  forceful  and  practical  in 
reality  and  while  his  highest  ambition  is  to  be  useful  to  his  fellow  men  in  the 
truest  sense,  he  has  never  sought  or  accepted  public  office. 

Mr.  Belin  married  Margaretta,  daughter  of  Ferdinand  LaMotte.  of  Wil- 
mington, Delaware.  Children :  May,  married  Nathaniel  Robertson,  of  Scran- 
ton ;  Alice,  Paul  B.,  Charles,  F.  Lammot,  Margaretta,  d'Andelot. 


PAUL  B.   BELIN 


The  city  of  Scranton  became  the  home  of  Henry  (2)  Belin,  president  of 
E.  I.  DuPont  de  Nemours  Company  in  1871,  and  is  still  the  seat  of  his 
activity.  Here  were  born  his  two  sons,  Paul  and  F.  Lammot,  who  have  firmly 
established  themselves  in  the  business  world  as  worthy  sons  of  their  honored 
father. 

Paul  B.  Belin  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  26,  1875.  He 
attended  the  city  schools,  then  entered  Yale  University,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated, class  of  1895.  He  then  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  Columbia  Uni- 
versity in  architecture,  following  the  profession  of  an  architect  for  several 
years.  In  1898  he  became  treasurer  and  general  manager  of  the  Scranton 
Lace  Curtain  Company,  one  of  Scranton's  important  industrial  enterprises, 
with  which  he  yet  holds  the  same  official  position.  He  is  also  a  director  of 
the  Lackawanna  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  and  interested  in  other 
business  concerns.  In  business  circles  his  standing  is  of  the  highest,  while  in 
his  official  positions  he  is  efficient  and  most  practically  useful.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Engineers'  Club  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  and  of  the  Scranton 
Club.  Mr.  Belin  married  Lucie,  daughter  of  Charles  H.  Welles,  an  eminent 
attorney  of  Scranton.     Children:    Henry   (3)  and  Charles  Welles  Belin. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  55 

F.  LAMMOT  BELIN 

In  the  person  of  Mr.  Belin,  the  fourth  generation  of  Belins  occupies  im- 
portant position  in  the  great  DuPont  Powder  Manufacturing  Company.  F. 
Lammot  BeHn  was  born  in  Scranton,  March  15,  1881.  son  of  Henry  (2) 
Behn  whose  own  and   family  history  is  also  recorded  in  this  work. 

After  completing  his  preparatory  courses  in  the  Lackawanna  and  Hotch- 
kiss  Schools,  F.  Lammot  Belin  entered  Yale  University,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated Ph.B.,  class  of  1901.  Returning  to  Scranton  after  graduation  he  was 
associated  with  the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company  for  three  years.  He 
then  formed  a  connection  with  E.  I.  DuPont  de  Nemours  &  Company,  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  vice-president  of  that  company,  his  honored  father 
being  president.  Mr.  Belin  Jr.  is  also  a  director  of  the  Traders  National 
Bank  and  of  the  Wyoming  Shovel  Works.  Though  comparatively  young 
in  the  business  world  he  has  met  successfully  every  demand  made  upon  him 
and  ranks  as  one  of  Scranton's  capable  men  of  affairs. 

He  has  taken  active  part  in  city  affairs  as  a  member  of  the  Council  to 
which  he  was  appointea  m  the  first  instance  and  elected  by  the  people  in 
191 1.  He  is  an  efficient,  active  official  and  takes  a  leading  part  in  city  legisla- 
tion.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club  and  the  Scranton  Country  Club. 

Mr.  Belin  married.  January  17,  1912,  Frances,  daughter  of  Frank  H. 
Jermyn,  of   Scranton.     He  has  a  son,   F.   Lammot    (2). 


CHARLES  P.  SAVAGE 

Having  sprung  from  the  purest  of  English  stock,  the  Savage  family  of 
Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  while  retaining  all  of  a  descendant's  pride  in 
a  mother  country,  has  become  so  thoroughly  imbued  with  American  thought 
and  spirit  that  to  its  foster  mother  falls  the  benefit  of  its  services  and  the 
credit  for  duty  well  done. 

(I)  Joseph  Savage,  grandfather  of  Charles  P.  Savage,  in  1850  came  to  the 
United  States  from  his  home  in  Bath,  England.  A  far  sighted,  prophetic 
visioned  Englishman,  he  predicted  the  future  of  Dunmore  and  Scranton  to  a 
degree  and,  desiring  his  sons  to  share  in  the  growth  and  upbuilding  of  such 
a  community,  there  made  his  home,  although  the  hamlet  of  1850  gave  to  the 
person  of  ordinary  perception  no  promise  of  the  city  of  the  present.  Here 
Joseph  Savage  became  engaged  in  the  development  of  the  mining  industry  in 
the  capacity  of  mining  engineer,  and  directed  work  on  some  of  the  earliest 
operations  in  that  locality,  continuing  in  active  pursuance  of  his  calling  until 
his  death. 

(II)  Robert  P.  Savage,  son  of  Joseph  Savage,  was  born  in  Bath,  Eng- 
land, in  1834,  died  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  in  March,  1912.  When  his 
parents  immigrated  to  Scranton  he  was  but  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  when  but 
a  young  man  he  learned  the  carriage  building  and  blacksmith's  trade.  He 
established  the  first  carriage  building  manufactory  in  Dunmore  and  for  a  long 
time  was  engaged  in  the  making  of  carriages.  He  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  affairs  of  the  borough  and  for  several  years  served  as  burgess,  also  being  a 
member  of  the  town  council.  His  only  fraternal  connection  was  with  the 
Masonic  order,  in  which  he  belonged  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  F.  and  A. 
M.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  communicants  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
He  married  Sarah  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Charles  Wesley  Potter.  Children : 
Cora  E.,  married  Brevard  E.  Harris,  of  Concord,  North  Carolina :  Charles 
P.,  of  further  mention ;  Maude,  married  E.  D.  Ames,  of  Dunmore. 

The  Potter   family,  which  joined  the   Savage   family  by  the  marriage  of 


56  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Robert  P.  and  Sarah  Elizabeth  (Potter)  Savage,  was  first  planted  in  Penn- 
sylvania by  Elisha  Sweet  Potter,  who  came  from  Connecticut  on  horseback, 
settling  on  a  farm  in  Providence.  He  was  the  father  o^  Charles  Wesley  Pot- 
ter, died  in  1857,  aged  forty-two  years.  Charles  Wesley  ^otter  was  born  on 
the  Potter  farm,  now  the  property  of  the  Delaware  and  HuJson,  and  moving 
to  Dunmore  was  there  one  of  the  first  settlers.  He  conducted  extensive  deal- 
ings in  real  estate,  also  engaging  in  farming  and  was  justice  of  the  peace. 
He  married  Sarah  Ann  Eakin,  a  native  of  Martin's  Creek,  Pennsylvania. 

(HI)  Charles  P.  Savage,  son  of  Robert  P.  and  Sarah  Elizabeth  (Potter) 
Savage,  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  November  28,  1862.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  by  attendance  at  the  public  schools  of  Dunmore  and  at 
"Daddy"  Merrill's  academy  in  Scranton.  His  first  employment  was  with 
the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  his  immediate  superior  being  John  B.  Smith. 
He  here  learned  telegraphy  and  became  the  company's  operator.  During  his 
stay  in  the  employ  of  this  corporation  he  had  held  the  office  of  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Dunmore  Gas  and  Water  Company  for  several  years.  He 
remained  in  the  coal  business  until  his  entrance  into  political  service  in  1901, 
during  which  time  he  was  purchasing  agent  for  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Com- 
pany, the  Dunmore  Iron  and  Steel  Company  and  the  Erie  and  Wyoming  Valley 
Railroad  Company,  all  three  of  which  companies  were  under  one  control.  In 
1901  he  accepted  a  clerkship  under  County  Controller  E.  A  Jones,  who 
assumed  the  reins  of  ofifice  on  July  i,  1901,  and  has  been  connected  with  the 
county  controller's  office  ever  since  as  chief  clerk,  deputy,  and  finally  as  con- 
troller, the  latter  by  appointment  of  the  governor  to  fill  out  the  unexpired 
term  of  Mr.  Jones,  whose  resignation,  on  October  4,  191 1,  left  the  position 
vacant.  The  choice  of  the  chief  executive  of  the  slate  was  confirmed  by  the 
people  of  the  county  in  November,  191 1.  when  Mr.  Savage  was  elected  county 
controller  for  a  four  year  term.  All  of  his  political  triumphs  have  been  as  the 
nominee  of  the  Republican  party.  During  his  Dunmore  residence  he  was  for 
nine  years  clerk  of  the  borough  council.  Mr.  Savage  is  secretary  and  director 
of  the  Fidelity  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank,  of  Dnnmore.  He  is  also  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  and  Pennsylvania  Coal  Companies' 
Gravity  Employees  Association,  an  organization  for  purely  social  purposes, 
composed  of  the  old  employees  of  the  corporations,  which  have  relinquished 
their  charters  and  have  ceased  to  exist  in  their  corporate  form. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  King  Solomon  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Dunmore,  in  which  he  is  past  master :  he  is  also 
past  grand  of  Dunmore  Lodge,  No.  816,  I.  O.  O.  F. :  belongs  to  Dunmore 
Lodge.  No.  167,  K.  of  P. ;  Dunmore  Camp,  No.  10,270,  M.  W.  of  A. :  Dunmore 
Lodge.  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  takes  a  great  interest  in  its  affairs,  having  been  secretary  of  the 
board  of  trustees  for  twelve  years.  As  controller  of  the  county  finances,  Mr. 
Savage  has  been  uniformly  careful  and  accurate  in  his  guard  of  the  public 
funds.  Honorable,  straight- forward  and  reliable,  the  people  have  found  in 
him  a  servant  worthy  of  the  highest  trust. 


FRANK  H.  CONNELL 


William  P.  Connell,  father  of  Frank  H.  Connell,  of  this  narrative,  was  a 
native  of  Philadelphia,  where  his  father  had  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Lovejoy  &  Connell,  manufacturers  of  pewterware.  William  P.  Connell  learned 
the  practical  side  of  this  business,  and  in  1855  came  to  Scranton,  where  in 
partnership  with  Henry  B.  Rockwell  he  opened  a  hardware  store,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Rockwell  &  Connell.     Both  being  young  men  of  energy  and  ac- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  57 

tion  they  did  not  sit  passively  by  and  wait  for  trade  from  the  surrounding 
neighborhood  to  seek  them  out,  but  instituted  the  innovation  of  covering  the 
territory  by  means  of  wagons,  conveying  a  complete,  though  necessarily  small, 
stock  of  the  different  articles  handled  at  the  store.  This  system,  inaugurated 
in  an  unpretentious  manner,  met  with  popular  favor  and  was  enlarged  until 
the  force  so  employed  numbered  between  sixty  and  eighty  men.  Emboldened 
by  the  success  of  this  undertaking,  the  firm  branched  out  in  a  new  department, 
plumbing,  the  amount  of  work  done  in  that  line  soon  eclipsing  that  of  the 
hardware  store.  Mr.  Connell  continued  in  that  business  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1899,  aged  sixty-six  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  devout  in  the  performance  of  religious  duties.  His  political 
faith  was  Republican  and  he  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  the  city  council.  He 
was  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery, 
Knights   Templar. 

William  P.  Connell  married  Alida  Van  Buren,  daughter  of  House  Hurd, 
a  native  of  Kinderhook,  New  York.  Frank  H.,  of  further  mention,  is  the 
only  one  of  the  children  living.  Frederick,  the  oldest  son,  a  graduate  of  Yale 
University,  and  a  member  of  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county,  died  in  1910, 
aged  fifty  years.  Mr.  Connell's  home  in  Scranton  for  many  years  was  on  the 
site  now  occupied  by  the  People's  Bank  Building. 

Frank  H.  Connell,  son  of  William  P.  and  Alida  Van  Buren  (Hurd)  Con- 
nell, was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  November  15,  1862.  He  obtained 
an  excellent  education  in  the  public  schools,  later  attending  Kingston  Academy 
and  Lawrenceville  Preparatory  School.  Although  ably  fitted  for  college,  he 
decided  upon  a  business  career  and  for  over  twenty  years  was  m  the  employ 
of  his  father.  He  left  his  position  with  his  father's  firm  to  become  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Seybolt  Milling  Company,  and  was  identified  with  that 
company  for  several  years,  later  becoming  connected  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Casualty  Company,  which  was  m.erged  with  the  Massachusetts  Bonding  and 
Insurance  Company,  the  name  of  the  latter  being  retained.  Mr.  Connell's 
position  with  this  corporation  is  as  manager.  He  here  finds  a  wide  field  for  the 
exercise  of  acutely  trained  business  instincts,  inherited  from  a  resourceful 
and  progressive  sire,  and  controls  the  investments  and  dealings  of  the  company 
with  results  most  gratifying  to  its  officials.  He  holds  true  to  a  course  of  the 
strictest  integrity  in  his  business  life,  seeking  onlv  to  acquire  that  which  may 
be  obtained  legitimately  and  thus  gaining  the  confidence  and  trust  of  business 
as.sociates  and  the  regard  and  respect  of  friends.  His  only  social  connection 
is  with  the  Scranton  Club,  and  his  religious  aflfiliation  is  with  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  married  Frances  S.,  daughter  of  Calvin  Seybolt,  of 
Scranton.    They  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Helen. 


FRANK  CAUM 


Edward  L.  Caum,  father  of  Frank  Caum,  of  this  narrative,  was  born  in 
Camden,  New  Jersey.  He  spent  nearly  his  entire  life  in  the  service  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad,  as  master  mechanic,  first  at  Mifflin,  and  from  1869 
until  his  death  in  1912,  aged  seventy-nine  years,  in  Harrisburg,  whither  the 
shops  were  moved  in  the  former  year.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Order.     He  married  Ellen  Wright. 

Frank  Caum,  son  of  Edward  L.  and  Ellen  (Wright)  Caum,  was  born  in 
Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  4,  1865.  He  attended  the  public  schools, 
and  as  a  young  man  began  a  connection  with  railroads  and  transportation 
companies  that  has  continued  until  the  present  time,  although  that  period  has 
been  spent  in  the  employ  of  many  different  roads.     He  served  his  apprentice- 


58  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ship  in  the  trade  of  machinist  in  the  shops  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad.  He 
followed  that  occupation  for  seven  years  in  Harrisburg,  then  going  to  Meriden, 
Connecticut,  where  he  remained  for  one  year,  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 
entering  the  employ  of  the  Meriden  Waterbury  and  Connecticut  River  Rail- 
road. He  severed  that  connection  to  accept  a  position  in  the  car  barns  of 
the  Rochester  Railroad,  whose  service  he  entered  in  1890.  He  received  a 
promotion  to  the  position  of  engineer  in  the  power  station,  but  after  a  year 
had  passed,  resigned  and  took  a  position  with  the  Ball  and  Wood  Engine 
Company,  of  Elizabethport,  New  Jersey,  and  not  finding  this  to  his  liking,  after 
a  few  months  returned  to  Rochester,  continuing  in  his  former  capacity  for 
another  year.  In  the  latter  part  of  1892  he  became  chief  engineer  of  the 
power  station  of  the  Jersey  City  and  Bergen  road,  a  position  he  held  until 
June,  1894.  While  with  this  road  he  was  for  a  short  time  engaged  in  the 
building  of  a  road  in  New  Jersey.  In  August  of  the  same  year  he  was  en- 
gaged as  chief  engineer  of  the  power  station  of  the  Hartford  Street  Railway. 
In  1897  he  was  promoted  to  the  superintendency,  and  in  1905  he  became 
manager.  The  year  after  his  elevation  to  that  position  he  came  to  Scranton  as 
general  manager  of  the  Scranton  Railway  Company.  While  Mr.  Caum  has 
in  a  sense  been  a  rolling  stone,  as  a  stone  he  has  possessed  the  qualities  nf 
a  ball  of  snow,  which  when  set  in  motion  constantly  becomes  larger  and  a  more 
perfect  specimen  of  a  snow  ball  than  before  it  was  moved.  So  in  his  restless, 
nomadic  wandering,  Mr.  Caum  has  gathered,  not  moss,  but  an  invaluable 
knowledge  of  methods  used  in  transportation,  and  a  thorough  insight  into  the 
workings  of  every  department  of  a  railway  system.  It  is  that  technical  knowl- 
edge that  has  made  him  so  indispensable  to  the  Scranton  Railroad  Company, 
whose  affairs  he  directs  from  a  perfect  understanding  of  the  entire  system. 
Himself  a  trained  mechanic  and  one  who  has  seen  active  service  in  the  lower 
grades  of  the  employment,  he  knows  just  the  amount  of  work  of  which  each 
man  is  capable,  and  in  fair-minded  justice  expects  him  to  do  no  more.  He  is  the 
type  of  employer  in  whom  a  faithful  and  conscientious  workman  delights,  but 
a  veritable  thorn  in  the  flesh  to  the  shirking  drone,  who  does  as  little  as  neces- 
sary in  as  long  a  time  as  possible.  Mr.  Caum  is  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Anthracite  Trust  Company. 

Mr.  Caum  married  Louise,  daughter  of  Irvin  Crane,  of  Harrisburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  they  have  one  son,  Norman  C.  It  was  a  pleasing  tribute  to  the 
excellent  impression  made  by  Mr.  Caum  that  during  the  years  when  his  life 
was  so  unsettled  he  could  always  return  to  the  position  he  had  just  left.  He 
regards  each  situation  as  but  a  stepping-stone  to  another,  and  all  but  a  train- 
ing for  a  more  important  and  more  responsible  position  in  the  business  he  has 
made  his   life  work. 


LUTHER  KELLER 


Luther  Keller,  a  well  known  business  man  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  is  a 
member  of  a  family  whose  history  is  of  more  than  ordinary  interest. 

(I)  Joseph  Keller,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  this  family,  was  born  in 
Schwarzenacker,  near  Zweibruecken,  Bavaria,  Germany,  March  15,  1719.  tlis 
mother  had  been  twice  married,  according  to  family  tradition,  her  first  hus- 
band being  a  Mr.  Guth,  and  a  son  of  this  marriage  had  come  to  .America,  as 
had  also  her  elder  son  of  the  second  marriage.  Joseph  Keller  sailed  on  the 
ship   William,   for   America,  and   arrived   at    Philadelphia,   October   31,    1737. 

He  lived  with  the  family  of  his  step-brother, Guth,  and  nearby  lived  Klary 

Engel  Drumm,  who  later  married  Mr.  Keller,  with  whom  she  had  grown  up. 
They  married  about  1742,  and  settled  in  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania.. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


59 


They  were  called  upon  to  endure  all  the  hardships  of  the  early  settlers,  among 
these  being  the  capture  by  Indians  of  Mrs.  Keller  and  several  of  her  children 
and  the  murder  of  the  eldest  child.  They  were  taken  by  the  Indians  to  Canada 
and  handed  over  to  the  officers  of  the  French  army.  They  were  held  captives 
until  three  years  later  when  the  English  army  defeated  the  French  at  Ottawa 
and  set  free  all  prisoners  held  by  the  French.  Mrs.  Keller  with  her  chil- 
dren made  their  way  back  to  their  home,  over  looo  miles,  and  were  again  united. 
The  children  of  this  family  were:  i.  Christian,  born  September  lo,  1743; 
murdered  by  the  Indians  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  2.  Anna  Margaret, 
born  March  15,  1745:  married  a  Mr.  Miller,  and  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth. 
3.  Henry  Adam,  born  January  i,  1747,  died  in  young  manhood.  4.  Simon, 
born  October  29,  1749;  married  a  Miss  Dipper,  and  had  three  children.  5. 
Joseph,  of  further  mention.  6.  John  Jacob,  born  July  10,  1754,  was  cap- 
tured by  the  Indians  when  a  little  more  than  two  years  old,  and  never  heard 
from  again.  7.  John  Jacob,  second  of  the  name,  was  born  March  22,  1757; 
married  Maria  Dorothy  Metz,  and  had  children;  later  removed  to  Ohio.  8. 
Philip,  born  March  29,  1763:  married  (first)  Sarah,  daughter  of  Henry  Miller, 
(second)  Widow  Susannah  Engler,  and  had  children  by  both  marriages. 

(IT)  Joseph  (2)  Keller,  son  of  Joseph  (i)  and  Alary  Engel  (Drumm) 
Keller,  was  born  January  15,  1751,  died  April  15,  1832.  He  was  almost  six 
years  old  when  with  his  mother  was  captured  by  the  Indians,  and  about  nine 
years  of  age  when  returned  to  his  home.  He  enlisted  as  a  "Seven-Months 
Man"  at  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  but  the  length  of  his  service  in 
the  Continental  army  is  not  known.  After  his  marriage  he  removed  to  Cherry 
Valley.  He  married  Maria  Magdalene  Andre,  born  June  15,  1785,  died 
September  6,  1831,  daughter  of  Leonard  Andre.  They  had  children:  i. 
Adam,  married  Elizabeth  Fisher  and  had  children ;  lived  in  Upper  Mount 
Bethel  township.  2.  Leonard,  a  blacksmith ;  married  and  had  children.  3. 
Joseph,  married  (first)  a  Miss  Riegel,  (second)  an  English  woman  and  had 
children  by  both  marriages ;  moved  to  the  west  4.  Jacob,  married  Nancy 
Dennis  and  had  children ;  lived  in  Briar  Creek  Valley,  Columbia  coimty,  Penn- 
sylvania. 5.  John,  married  Mary  Johnson  and  had  children.  6.  Henry,  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Hess;  moved  to  Columbia  county.  7.  Elizabeth,  married  John 
Fellenser,  had  five  children,  all  deceased.  8.  Mary,  born  1780.  died  June  4, 
1842  ;  married  Henry  Algert  and  had  children.     9.  Peter,  of  further  mention. 

10.  Sarah,  married  Robert  Shaw;  moved  to  Illinois.  11.  George,  born  Janu- 
ary 15,  1797,  died  February  3,  1871  ;  married  (first)  Mary  Bitja,  born  De- 
cember 15,  1803,  died  October  1,  1825:  married  (second)  Lovina  Lern,  born 
March  11,  1807,  died  August  17,  1872;  had  children  by  both  marriages. 

(Ill)  Peter  Keller,  son  of  Joseph  (2)  and  Maria  Magdalene  (Andre) 
Keller,  was  born  August  26,  1794,  died  September  20,  1878.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Cherry  Valley,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  now  Monroe 
county,  where  he  became  a  prosperous  farmer  and  mill  owner,  also  running 
a  line  of  freight  teams  from  that  section  to  and  from  Easton,  Stroudsburg 
and  Philadelphia,  before  the  era  of  railroads.  He  was  a  Whig  in  early  life, 
and  upon  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  joined  its  rank,  and  was  a 
very  prominent  citizen.  Mr.  Keller  married  ElizalDeth  Heller,  born  October 
19,  1798,  died  November  23,  1886.    They  had  children:     i,  John,  born  October 

11,  1818,  died  April  3,  1886.  2.  Susan,  born  January  2,  1821,  died  March  2, 
1883.  3.  Catharine,  born  in  1822;  married  Thomas  W.  Rhodes  and  had  one 
son,  Stewart  T.  4.  Daniel,  of  further  mention.  5.  Charles,  born  April  20, 
1827;  married  Lavine  Smith,  born  February  7,  1827.  died  June  22,  1897;  had 
children,  6.  Mary  Ann,  born  November  29,  1829;  married  Henry  Dennis, 
born  January  11,   1830,  died  October   10,   1901 ;  had  children.     7.  Joseph  J., 


6o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

born  October  i8,  1832,  died  December  11,  1871  :  married  Mary  J.  Rhoads ;  had 
six  children.  8.  Lewis,  born  in  1833,  died  September  11,  1903:  married  Julia 
Werkheiser.  y.  Louise,  born  in  1833.  10.  Sarah,  born  in  1835.  II.  Wil- 
liam, born  in  1837:  married  Sarah  Kemmerer,  born  February  9,  1834;  had 
children.     12.  Theodore,  born  in  1837. 

(IV)  Daniel  Keller,  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Heller)  Keller,  was  born 
in  Monroe  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  April,  1825,  died  February  8,  1904.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  milling  in  the  grist  mill  of  his  father,  and  succeeded  the 
latter  in  the  conduct  of  this  business,  continuing  in  it,  to  the  exclusion  of  other 
business  interests,  until  several  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  had  retired. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church.  He  married  Catherine  Jane  Drake,  born  April  20,  1828,  died  March 
27,  1861,  daughter  of  Wayne  Drake,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Monroe  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Four  children  grew  to  years  of  maturity:  I.  Luther,  of 
further  mention.  2.  Morris  T.,  of  Scranton.  3.  Laura,  married  James 
Decker,  of  Monroe  county,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Isabelle,  married  S.  B.  Decker, 
of  Monroe  county,  Pennsylvania. 

(V)  Luther  Keller,  eldest  son  of  Daniel  and  Catherine  Jane  (Drake) 
Keller,  was  born  near  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  October  27,  1850.  He 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  at  which  time  his  mother 
died.  He  then  left  the  home  farm  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  in 
which  he  succeeded  without  other  assistance  than  his  perseverance,  and  will- 
ingness to  work.  He  secured  a  position  on  a  farm  where  he  worked  summers 
and  attended  school  winters  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  then 
came  to  Scranton.  where  for  four  years  he  worked  with  Lewis  and  Sidney 
Keller,  who  taught  him  the  trade  of  harness  making.  During  this  period  he 
attended  the  night  classes  at  Gardner's  Business  College,  gaining  a  clear  knowl- 
edge of  business  forms  of  proceduie.  In  1875  he  established  his  present  place 
of  business,  the  wholesale  and  retail  lime  and  cement  yard,  in  Scranton.  He 
began  in  a  small  way,  but  prospered  from  the  beginning  to  such  an  extent  that 
soon  afterward  he  leased  the  lime  works  at  Portland  which  he  subsequently 
purchased,  and  at  the  present  time  is  operating  an  additional  quarry,  making 
it  the  largest  plant  of  this  kind  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  employing  a  large 
force  of  men.  The  product  is  sold  in  New  Jersey,  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and 
New  York  State.  To  this  lime  business  he  has  added  cement,  hard  wall  plas- 
ter, sewer  pipe,  fire  brick  and  clay,  and  in  fact  conducts  a  complete  builders" 
supply  house.  Mr.  Keller's  office  and  yards  are  at  Nos.  813-815  West  Lacka- 
wanna avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  conducts  a  large  and  prosperous 
business,  as  manufacturer,  wholesaler  and  retailer,  holding  the  confidence  of  his 
many  customers  and  of  the  world  of  business  in  which  he  moves.  His  success 
in  life  has  been  the  result  of  his  own  energy,  integrity  and  upright  business 
principles,  strictly  adhered  to  in  every  transaction.  He  had  aided  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  many,  now  prosperous,  Scranton  industries,  in  fact,  few  new 
enterprises  have  been  established  here  during  the  past  twenty  years  in  which  he 
has  not  taken  an  active  interest.  He  has  worked  personally  in  this  direction 
as  a  persistent  advocate  of  Scranton's  desirability  as  a  manufacturing  center, 
and  through  the  board  of  trade,  of  which  body  he  was  president  two  years, 
and  vice-president  five  years.  In  addition  to  his  private  business  he  has  been 
director  of  the  Third  National  Bank  for  twenty  years ;  is  vice-president  of  the 
Scranton  Textile  Company,  and  interested  in  other  Scranton  enterprises. 
Scranton  has  no  truer  friend  or  one  who  more  earnestly  labors  for  the  well 
being  of  the  community.  For  fourteen  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  city 
council,  its  president  for  two  years,  and  in  that  capacity  used  his  best  efforts 
to  promote  the  public  good.     He  was  made  a  Mason  in  1877,  and  is  now  a 


i^S:^^^2&^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  6i 

member  of  Union  Lodge,  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Coeur  de  Lion  Comman- 
dery,  Irem  Temple  and  Keystone  Consistory,  in  which  he  has  attained  the 
thirty-second  degree. 

In  the  church  of  his  choice  Mr.  Keller  has  been  and  is  most  useful.  Since 
1868  he  has  been  a  member  of  what  is  now  the  Immanuel  Baptist  Church, 
formerly  the  Penn  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  for  twenty-five  years  has  been 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  also  president  of  the  board  of  trustees 
and  deacon  for  many  years.  He  is  widely  known  in  the  church  outside  of 
Immanuel,  was  moderator  of  Abington  Baptist  Association,  two  years ;  presi- 
dent of  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  two  years :  and  is  now  a  member  of  rhe 
executive  committee  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Convention,  and  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  Ministers  and  Missionary  Benefit  Board  of  the  Northern  Bap- 
tist Convention.  Mrs.  Keller  is  a  co-worker  in  the  church,  taking  an  active 
part  in  the  women's  organizations.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  515  Clay 
avenue. 

Mr.  Keller  married  (first)  September  18,  1879,  .Annie  E.  Halstead,  who 
died  February  18,  1883,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Halstead.  There  were  no  chil- 
dren by  this  marriage.  He  married  (second)  January  21,  1886,  Laura  F. 
Frey,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Maria  (Boyer)  Frey,  of  Portland,  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  children  of  this  marriage  now  living  are :  Ruth,  born  in  1S92  ;  Russell, 
born  in   1899. 


EZRA  H.  RIPPLE  JR. 


Ezra  H.  Ripple  Jr.,  only  son  of  Colonel  Ezra  H.  and  Sarah  H.  (Hackett) 
Ripple,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  January  31,  1879.  His  early  educa- 
tion was  obtained  in  the  public  schools,  followed  by  a  course  at  the  Univer- 
sity School,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  at  Pennsylvania  Military  College  at  Ches- 
ter, Pennsylvania.  He  was  graduated  from  the  latter  institution,  class  of 
1898.  He  then  enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Infantry, 
for  service  during  the  Spanish-American  War,  serving  until  March,  1899. 
He  then  was  engaged  as  mine  surveyor  until  190x3,  when  deciding  upon  the 
profession  of  law  he  registered  as  a  student  of  Welles  &  Torrey,  then  entered 
the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  gradu- 
ated LL.B..  class  of  1904,  being  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  bar  at  the  March 
term  1905.  He  has  since  that  date  practiced  his  profession  in  Scranton  in 
association  with  H.  C.  Reynolds.  He  has  been  admitted  to  all  state  and  fed- 
eral courts  of  the  district,  has  a  large  practice,  and  in  September,  191 1,  was 
appointed  referee  in  bankruptcy.  Mr.  Ripple  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Thir- 
teenth Regiment,  National  Guard  Pennsylvania,  as  private,  June  8,  1899,  and 
has  received  the  following  commissions  in  the  regiment :  November  8,  1899, 
second  lieutenant;  May  14,  1900,  first  lieutenant;  August  25.  1903,  captain; 
June  28,  1907,  major;  September  25,  1908,  lieutenant-colonel,  his  present  rank 
in  the  Thirteenth  (1914).  His  college  fraternities  are:  Phi  Gamma  Delta 
and  Delta  Chi.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Episcopal 
Church,  which  he  serves  as  vestryman.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Ripple  married,  October  23,  1906,  Lois  Schlager,  daughter  of  Charles 
Schlager,  of  Scranton.  Children :  Ezra  H.  3rd,  Dorothy  Lois,  Marjorie 
Elizabeth. 


GEORGE  F.  REYNOLDS 

The   Reynolds    family,    formerly   of    Fell   township,   of   which    George    F. 
Reynolds  of   Scranton  is  a  representative,  descends   from  the  New   England 


62  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

family,  founded  at  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  1643,  ^"^  at  Kingston,  Rhode 
Island,  twelve  years  later.  About  1750  a  branch  of  the  family  moved  to 
Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  and  came  thence  with  the  first  settlers  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley,  under  the  Connecticut  charter  in  1769.  The  family  is  con- 
spicuous in  the  records  of  the  events  of  those  early  years,  figuring  in  con- 
nection with  the  battle  and  massacre  of  Wyoming. 

(I)  George  Reynolds,  paternal  grandfather  of  George  F.  Reynolds,  came 
at  an  early  day  from  Rhode  Island,  settling  in  Fell  township,  now  Lackawanna 
county,  where  he  owned  300  acres  of  land.  His  was  the  first  framed  house 
in  the  township  erected  prior  to  1825.  it  being  covered,  sides  and  roof  with  long 
white  oak  shingles  split  out  of  the  log.  In  1825  he  built  the  first  framed  barn 
in  the  township,  having  in  1824  built  the  pioneer  saw  mill.  This  mill  erected 
on  Fall  Brook  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  township,  was  destroyed  by  a  flood, 
was  rebuilt  and  again  was  carried  away  by  a  flood,  no  mill  having  smce  been 
built  on  the  site.  The  old  log  school  house  built  about  1820  on  the  creek, 
and  known  as  the  "Carr  School  House,"  was  presided  over  in  1825  by  John 
Nelson — among  his  pupils  were,  Samuel,  Maria,  George  and  Shefif  Reynolds. 
The  first  wedding  solemnized  in  Fell  township  was  in  1827,  one  of  the  high 
contracting  parties  being  a  Reynolds  :     Maria,  who  married  Otis  Williams. 

(IIj  George  (2)  Reynolds,  son  of  George  (i)  Reynolds,  was  born  in 
Rhode  Island  in  181 7,  and  was  but  a  baby  when  his  parents  came  to  Fell 
township.  He  attended  the  old  log  school  house  sessions  and  grew  up  as  was 
the  lot  of  the  pioneer  boy,  to  hardships  and  toil.  He  helped  to  clear  and  cul- 
tivate the  soil,  to  sow,  reap,  thrash  and  grind,  living  a  farmer's  life  until  1859, 
when  he  moved  to  Scranton  and  opened  a  grocery  store  on  Penn  avenue.  He 
prospered  in  business,  continuing  several  years  at  that  location,  then  moved 
to  the  west  side,  here  he  lived  retired  several  years  prior  to  his  death  in  1900. 
His  wife,  Mary  Ann  Phinney,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  in  1823,  daughter  of 
James  H.  Phinney,  who  kept  the  Bristol  House  at  Providence  for  many  years, 
Mary  Ann,  his  daughter,  spending  her  girlhood  in  Providence.  She  died  aged 
eighty-six  years,  in  October,  1910.  Both  George  (2)  and  Mary  A.  Reynolds 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Six  of  their  eight  children 
grew  to  mature  years :  James  S. :  George  F.,  of  whom  further ;  Ida,  deceased, 
married  J.  L.  Harding;  Clarence  E.  Phinney,  and  John  C,  deceased:  Blanche 
and  Annie,  both  died  young,  the  former  aged  three  years,  the  latter  aged 
fifteen  months. 

(Ill)  George  F.  Reynolds  was  born  in  Fell  township,  Lackawanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  7,  1848.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  later  took  a  course  at  Dufifs  Business  College  at  Pittsburgh.  Later 
still  he  became  identified  with  the  well  known  home  college  course  inaugurated 
by  the  Chautauqua  Association  and  for  ten  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scientific  Circle,  finishing  his  courses  and  being  grad- 
uated. He  began  business  life  as  a  clerk  in  Harding's  grocery  store,  but  after  a 
vear  moved  to  Oxford,  New  Jersey,  where  he  was  time-keeper  at  the  iron 
works  for  three  years.  He  then  made  a  trip  to  the  oil  region  of  Pennsylvania, 
but  finding  the  oil  business  very  unattractive  he  took  the  before  mentioned 
course  at  the  business  college  in  Pittsburgh,  then  returned  to  Scranton.  He 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  as  bookkeeper 
and  clerk,  continuing  in  that  employ  for  twenty-eight  years,  acquiring  a  splen- 
did standing  with  the  company  for  reliability,  dispatch  and  industry.  In  1900 
he  severed  this  connection  and  established  a  real  estate  and  insurance  business 
in  Scranton.  He  operates  extensively,  buying  large  tracts  and  dividing  them  into 
building  lots.  In  this  manner  he  added  West  Park,  a  tract  of  120  acres  to 
Hyde  Park.     He  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Keystone  Land  Company, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  63 

and  is  a  director  of  the  Peoples  National  Bank,  an  institution  he  aided  in 
organizing.  A  successful  business  man  and  capable  executive,  Mr.  Reynolds 
adds  to  this  the  qualities  of  a  good  citizen,  an  earnest  supporter  of  church 
and  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  work.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Elm 
Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church ;  has  been  secretary  of  the  board  of  trustees 
continuously  since  1874  and  served  two  years  (1880-1882)  as  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  During  the  years  1880  to  1882  he  was  president  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  during  this  period  taught  a  Sunday 
school  class.  In  1900  he  was  provisional  delegate  from  the  Wyoming  con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  to  the  general  conference,  held  that 
year  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Reynolds  is  active  in  all  departments  of  church  work 
other  than  those  mentioned  ;  is  public  spirited  and  generous,  social  and  refined 
in  his  tastes  and  devoted  to  his  home  and  family.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  There  is  little  of  true 
benefit  to  his  community  in  which  he  is  not  interested  and  his  support  is  con- 
fidently relied  upon  for  all  forward  movements. 

Mr.  Reynolds  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Miss  Ida  A. 
Ware,  of  Pedricktown,  New  Jersey.  Her  death  occurred  in  1888.  In  1895 
he  married  Mrs.  Katherine  (Wynkoop)  Wylie,  daughter  of  William  Wynkoop, 
of  Newton,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  William  W. ;  Arthur  E.  and  Margaret, 
the  latter  a  child  of  Mrs.  Revnolds  and  her  first  husband. 


GEORGE  F.  STUCKART 

Although  a  young  man,  Mr.  Stuckart  has  risen  to  a  position  of  responsi- 
bility in  business  and  has  shown  ability  of  commensurate  proportions.  His 
years  of  banking  experience  fitted  him  for  his  present  position  as  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Anthracite  Trust  Company,  his  selection  for  this  office 
being  a  natural  result,  following  the  careful  attention  he  gave  his  previous 
positions  and  the  ability  displayed  in  the  fulfillment  of  his  duties.  There  be- 
ing no  efifect  without  a  cause,  and  in  no  line  of  business  is  merit  quicker  rec- 
ognized than  in  banking,  so  surely  there  are  greater  honors  in  store  for  Mr. 
Stuckart,  one  of  the  youngest  banking  officials  of  Scranton. 

George  F.  Stuckart  is  a  son  of  Anthony  F.  and  Mary  C.  (Reinhart)  Stuck- 
art, the  former  born  in  Austria,  Europe,  coming  to  the  United  States  when 
eighteen  years  of  age.  He  landed  in  New  York  City,  and  for  a  time  remained 
there,  later  locating  in  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  for  many  years  in 
the  employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  meet- 
ing death  in  a  railroad  accident.  He  married  ]\lary  C.  daughter  of  George 
Reinhart,  of  Tannersville,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  George  F.,  Paul,  Loretta, 
Joseph. 

George  F.  Stuckart  was  born  in  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  October  25, 
1878.  He  was  educated  in  public  and  parochial  schools,  Wood's  Business 
College  and  Saint  Thomas  College.  He  began  business  life  with  the  Globe 
Warehouse  Company ;  then  for  five  years  was  bookkeeper  for  the  Maloney 
Oil  and  Manufacturing  Company  of  Scranton ;  the  succeeding  three  years 
were  spent  with  the  Merchants'  and  Mechanics'  Bank  as  bookkeeper :  in  1909 
he  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  Olyphant  Bank,  having  been  the  first  ap- 
pointee to  that  position :  in  1910  he  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  Anthracite  Trust  Company,  which  office  he  now  most  capably  fills.  Mr. 
Stuckart  enlisted  in  1896  in  Company  F,  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
National  Guard,  and  in  1898  volunteered  with  the  regiment  for  service  in  the 
Spanish-American  War.  He  enlisted  as  a  private,  was  at  first  detailed  to  the 
hospital  corps,  later  returned  to  his  company  and  was  mustered  out  with  his 


64  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

regiment  with  the  rank  of  corporal.  While  detailed  with  the  hospital  corps,, 
he  acted  as  secretary  to  the  brigade  surgeon.  He  is  a  member  of  the  con- 
gregation of  Saint  Peter's  Cathedral ;  is  past  faithful  navigator  of  the  Fourth 
Degree  Knights  of  Columbus ;  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  in  political  faith  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Stuckart  married, 
June  lo,  1902,  Ella  R.,  daughter  of  Adam  Dougherty,  of  Scranton. 


ARTHUR  C.  FULLER 


The  ancestry  of  the  Fuller  family  in  America  includes  a  progenitor  who 
came  to  this  country  in  the  Mayflower,  Edward  Fuller,  and  Jesse  Fuller,  the 
sixth  American  generation  of  the  name,  who  according  to  the  Massachusetts 
Muster  and  Payrolls  and  the  Rhode  Island  Service  records,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  War,  enlisting  from  the  two  states  previously  mentioned. 

Charles  A.  Fuller,  father  of  Arthur  C.  Fuller,  was  a  native  of  Southbridge, 
Massachusetts,  born  January  21,  1821.  By  trade  a  builder  and  carpenter,  he 
became  the  owner  of  a  planing  mill  at  Clinton,  New  York,  and  prospered.  His 
later  life  was  spent  in  retirement  in  Utica,  New  York.  He  married  Carile 
Gates. 

Arthur  C.  Fuller,  eldest  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Carile  (Gates)  Fuller, 
was  born  at  Clinton,  Oneida  county.  New  York,  February  27,  1849.  He 
attended  the  district  and  high  schools  of  Clinton,  New  York,  but  although 
prepared  for  college  entrance,  relinquished  his  opportunity  for  further  study 
and  secured  employment  as  clerk  in  a  store  in  Clinton,  where  he  remained  two 
years.  The  following  year  he  entered  the  branch  office  of  the  Remington 
Agricultural  Works  at  Utica,  New  York,  and  was  soon  transferred  to  the 
main  office  of  the  company  at  Ilion,  New  York.  After  three  years'  service 
he  entered  the  stove  manufacturing  field  in  the  employ  of  J.  S.  and  M.  Peck- 
ham,  of  Utica,  New  York,  an  industry  in  which  he  attained  marked  success. 
For  nine  years  he  was  in  charge  of  the  finances  of  that  company,  serving 
faithfully  and  well,  resigning  to  remove  to  Scranton.  He  here  contracted 
relations  with  the  Scranton  Stove  Works,  and  with  J.  A.  Lansing  purchased 
the  controlling  interest,  became  treasurer  of  that  organization,  and  acted  in 
that  capacity  for  thirty  years,  resigning  in  1912.  This  business  was  estab- 
lished and  incorporated  in  1866  as  the  Scranton  Stove  and  Manufacturing 
Company  and  was  later  changed  to  the  Scranton  Stove  Works,  a  corporation 
numbering  among  its  founders  men  of  such  prominence  as  the  late  Colonel 
J.  A.  Price,  J.  J.  Albright,  J.  C.  Piatt,  H.  S.  Pierce,  J.  A.  Linen  and  William 
Connell.  In  1892  the  business  was  moved  from  its  old  factory  on  West  Lack- 
awanna avenue  to  its  present  site,  where  a  large  and  suitable  plant  was  erected 
for  it,  which,  including  the  additions  recently  constructed,  is  one  of  the  largest 
plants  devoted  exclusively  to  stove  manufacture  in  the  East.  Of  the  nine 
acres  occupied  by  the  works,  three  and  one-half  are  under  roof.  Four  liundred 
men  are  employed  therein,  the  principal  product  being  "Dockash"  stoves  and 
ranges.  Mr.  Fuller's  present  connection  with  this  flourishing  concern  is  as 
vice-president,  but  he  is  not  at  present  active  in  the  management. 

Mr.  Fuller  is  otherwise  identified  with  Scranton  interests,  being  vice-presi- 
dent and  director  of  the  Lansing  Hardware  Company ;  secretary,  treasurer 
and  director  of  the  Scranton  Textile  Company,  and  also  holds  the  same  posi- 
tions with  The  Scranton  Mills,  which  is  the  selling  company  for  the  former ; 
and  was  for  several  years  director  of  the  Scranton  Savings  Bank  until  its  con- 
solidation with  the  Dime  Discount  and  Savings  Bank  in  1913.  He  belongs  to 
the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  secretary  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees.    He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Scranton  Club  and  the  Green  Ridge 


^^.c^Z/i^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  65 

Club,  and  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  for  eleven  years  treasurer  of  the 
New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  The  society  at  its 
annual  banquet  in  1903  presented  him  with  a  silver  loving-cup,  inscribed  as 
follows:  "Presented  by  the  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania to  Mr.  Arthur  Charles  Fuller,  in  recognition  of  efficient  services  as 
Treasurer,    1892-1903." 

He  married,  December  17,  1873,  Clara  Woolworth,  daughter  of  Cornwell 
and  Angeline  (Coe)  Woolworth.  Children:  Howard  A.,  a  graduate  of 
Lafayette  College,  in  the  scientific  course,  now  located  at  Seattle,  Washington ; 
Ray  W.,  a  graduate  of  Lafayette  College  with  the  degree  of  electrical  engi- 
neer, learned  the  stove  business  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  at  Quincy,  Illi- 
nois, married  Grace  Sanderson,  and  they  have  two  children :  Arthur  C, 
Louise  S. ;  Florence  L.,  died  aged  three  years ;  Floid  M.,  a  graduate  of  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  the  mechan- 
ical and  electrical  engineering  courses,  now  of  Duluth,  Minnesota ;  Warren  L., 
connected  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Coal  Company  as 
concrete  engineer,  married  Hazel  Tobey. 

Mr.  Fuller  is  numbered  among  the  successful  manufacturers  of  the  city 
and  is  an  authority  on  all  departments  of  his  business.  His  wise  judgment 
and  careful  and  persevering  financial  acumen  are  attributes  contributing  largely 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  several  organizations  with  which  he  is  connected. 
Public-spirited  to  the  highest  degree,  he  is  ever  forward  in  encouraging  enter- 
prises which  can  in  any  way  advance  the  interests  of  Scranton.  A  keynote  to 
his  success  in  his  many  undertakings  is  his  executive  force  and  mastery  of 
detail  in  whatever  engages  his  attention.  To  a  natural  dignity  of  manner 
Mr.  Fuller  adds  a  geniality  that  wins  for  him  hosts  of  friends  and  makes  him 
welcome  wherever   he   goes. 


ISAAC  POST 


The  Post  family  is  of  ancient  German  origin.  As  early  as  A.  D.  980  we 
find  among  the  conquerors  of  Nettelburg,  later  known  as  Shaumburg,  Herren 
Von  Post,  and  in  1030  Adolph  Post  was  a  member  of  the  Reichstag  of  Min- 
den.  From  the  local  name  Von  Post  doubtless  came  the  surname  Post,  for 
in  the  same  town,  Ludwig  and  Heinrich  Post,  in  1273,  appear  as  witnesses  to 
a  deed,  and  this  Heinrich  was  progenitor  of  a  prominent  German  family. 

(I)  Goossen  Post,  a  descendant  of  Heinrich  Post,  and  from  whom  the 
American  family  is  traced  by  the  family  historian  in  an  unbroken  line,  is 
mentioned  in  1376  as  one  of  the  anzienlijkste  Arr.heimsche  burgers.  Arnheim 
is  in  that  part  of  Netherlands  called  Gelderland.  He  had  a  wife,  Jantje,  daugh- 
ter of  Peter  and  Jane  (Rapalje)  Van  Zul.  They  had  sons:  Peter,  men- 
tioned below  ;  George. 

(II)  Peter  Post,  son  of  Goossen  Post,  owned  land  in  1390  in  or  near 
Elspet,  and  is  thought  to  have  married  Annatie,  daughter  of  George  and  Else 
(Meyers)  Suydam,  of  Zwolle.  Children:  Peter  Arnold,  mentioned  below; 
George,  said  to  have  emigrated  to  England  and  to  have  settled  in  county  Kent 
about  1473,  and  his  will  was  filed  at  Canterbury,  1502;  Jan. 

(III)  Peter  Arnold  Van  Der  Poest,  son  of  Peter  Post,  is  given  in  the 
Post  Genealogy  as  son  of  Peter,  and  his  birth  year  as  1500,  but  it  is  probable 
that  some  generations  were  missed  in  the  search.  Goossen  Post  must  have 
been  born  about  1325  to  be  a  city  officer  in  1376,  and  his  son  Peter,  who  owned 
land  in  1399,  was  born,  say  as  early  as  1365,  Peter  Arnold  would  be  according 
to  this  reckoning,  over  a  hundred  years  younger  than  his  father.  Peter 
Arnold  married  Marragrietje,  daughter  of  Jan  Bogert,  and  had  sons :     Jan, 

5 


66  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

whose   daughter    Sarah    niarried    in    Maidstone,    Kent,    September    15,    1607, 
Isaac  Clark,  or  Clerk ;   Panwell,  mentioned  below. 

(IV)  Panwell  \'an  Der  Poest,  son  of  Peter  Arnold  Van  Der  Poest,  mar- 
ried, February  7,  1571,  Susannah,  daughter  of  Abraham  Van  Gelder.  Chil- 
dren, baptized  at  the  Dutch  Church,  Austin  Friars,  London :  Abraham,  Octo- 
ber 6,  1573:  Sarah,  same  date;  Susanna,  January  18,  1578;  Jan,  November 
S,   1579:  Arthur,  mentioned  below. 

(V)  Arthur  Post,  son  of  Panwell  Van  Der  Poest,  was  baptized  August  26, 
1580.  He  married,  February  2,  1614,  in  Maidstone,  Kent,  Bennet,  daughter 
of  Richard  Lambe.  That  he  was  the  father  of  the  American  pioneer,  Richard, 
is  deduced  from  a  "deed"  dated  June  14,  1644,  "being  of  grete  age  Arthur 
Post  give  to  my  cousin  Richard  Van  Mulken :  my  second  son  Stephen  and  his 
wife  Margaret ;  lands,  tenements  and  hereditaments  in  Estling,  formerly  in 
the  possession  of  my  eldest  son  Richard,  being  now  of  New  England,  or  some 
parts  beyond  the  seas.  Panwell,  my  youngest  son,  to  have  my  wearing  ap- 
parel." (Phillips  Coll.  Mss.  in  Mulken  Gen.  Mss.  XXII,  4).  This  must  mean 
will,  not  a  deed  in  the  proper  sense  of  the  word. 

(VI)  Lieutenant  Richard  Post,  immigrant  ancestor,  son  of  Arthur  Post 
of  England,  is  said  by  the  genealogy  and  other  authorities  to  have  settled  first 
at  Lynn  and  Woburn,  Massachusetts,  it  is  true,  and  was  a  taxpayer  in  1643. 
But  we  have  record  that  he  married  in  Lynn  or  Woburn,  February  27,  1649- 
50,  Susanna  Sutton,  and  that  in  the  same  locality  a  Richard  Post  married, 
November  18,  1662,  Mary  Tyler.  The  records  seem  to  show,  however,  that 
Richard  Post  went  with  the  pioneers  from  Lynn  to  Southampton,  Long 
Island.  He  shared  in  every  division  of  the  common  land,  and  from  1643  ^0 
1687  he  was  prominent  in  the  records  of  the  town.  It  is  true  that  he  may  have 
returned  to  Lynn  for  two  wives,  but  it  is  not  known  that  the  Southampton  man 
had  any  other  wife  than  Dorothy  (given  in  some  works  as  Johnson).  He  was 
constable,  marshal,  magistrate,  lieutenant,  commissioner  to  treat  with  the 
Indians,  on  a  committee  to  settle  a  dispute  between  the  town  and  Captain 
Topping,  patentee  under  Governor  Andros'  patent.  The  original  homestead 
of  Post  was  on  the  east  side  of  Main  street  and  has  lately  been  owned  by 
Captain  Charles  Howells  and  Henry  Post.  Before  he  died  he  deeded  land  to 
his  sons,  John  and  Joseph  Post,  daughter  Martha,  wife  of  Benjamin  Foster, 
and  grandson,  Benjamin  Foster  Jr.,  April  17,  16S8.  He  died  in  1689.  Chil- 
dren :  Martha,  married  Benjamin  Foster ;  Joseph,  was  in  business  in  Talbot 
county,  Maryland,  in  1675,  returned  to  Southampton  and  died  there  November 
10,  1721,  aged  about  seventy-one  years,  leaving  a  will ;  John,  mentioned  below. 

(VII)  Captain  John  Post,  son  of  Lieutenant  Richard  Post,  was  born 
about  1650,  doubtless  at  Southampton.  He  was  progenitor  of  all  the  Post 
familes  of  eastern  Long  Island ;  Montrose  and  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania :  Pal- 
myra and  Newburgh,  New  York,  and  California.  The  homestead  of  Captain 
John  Post,  was  on  the  east  side  of  Main  street,  Southampton,  and  the  railroad 
station  occupies  part  of  it  at  present.  He  was  one  of  the  purchasers  of  the 
house  and  lot  bought  for  and  dedicated  to  the  use  of  a  Presbyterian  parson- 
age "forever,"  and  the  property  is  still  owned  by  the  church.  His  will  was 
dated  December  9,  1687,  and  proved  at  Southampton,  March  21,  1687-88, 
bequeathing  to  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  homestall.  close  at  the  head  of  the 
creek,  a  fifty-pound  commonage,  the  house  and  home  lot  formerly  his  fath- 
er's, the  close  that  was  his  father's  between  the  Mill  path  and  Cobb's  Pound 
path,  close  at  Long  Springs  and  his  fifty -pound  allotment  at  Mecox ;  land  at 
Hog  Neck,  west  of  Canoe  place  and  in  Great  place.  He  died  in  1687.  He 
married,  in  1671,  Mary  .     Children:     Mary;    Captain  John,  mentioned 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  67 

below;    Jeremiah,  settled  in  Hempstead;    Sarah;    Dorothy;    Martha;    Debo- 
rah ;    Richard,  lived  at  Hempstead,  became  a  Friend. 

(Vni)  Captain  John  Post,  son  of  Captain  John  Post,  was  born  in  1673,  at 
Southampton,  died  there  in  1741.  In  1690,  when  he  was  about  seventeen 
years  old,  he  was  trading  land,  and  in  1692  he  was  buying  and  selling  land, 
and  his  name  was  on  the  tax  list.  In  171 2  he  was  a  trustee  and  proprietor 
and  purchased  for  the  town  the  North  End  Burying  Ground  in  which  his 
uncle  Joseph  was  the  first  man  buried.  From  1714  to  1739  he  was  many 
times  elected  to  public  office,  serving  as  trustee,  collector  of  taxes,  assessor, 
commissioner  on  disputed  boundaries  and  captain  of  the  military  company 
(as  shown  by  the  records  at  Albany).  He  died  in  1741.  He  married  Mary 
Halsey.  Children;  John,  born  1704,  died  1792,  married  Abigail  Halsey; 
Joseph,  born   1704,  died   1780;    Isaac,  mentioned  below. 

(IX)  Isaac  Post,  son  of  Captain  John  Post,  was  born  in  1712.  died  May 
8,  1785.  He  married  Mary  Jessup,  and  among  his  children  was  Isaac,  men- 
tioned below. 

(X)  Isaac  Post,  son  of  Isaac  Post,  was  born  in  1741,  died  in  1788,  killed 
by  a  fall  from  a  tree.  He  married  Agnes,  born  June  i,  1764,  died  May  2, 
1834,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Deborah  (Hudson)  Rugg  (see  Rugg  II).  His 
widow  married  (second)  Bartlett  Hinds,  born  April  4,  1755,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren: Richard  Hinds,  born  December  17,  1795,  and  Barlett  Hinds,  born 
June  7,  1797.  Children  of  Isaac  and  Agnes  Post:  Isaac,  mentioned  below; 
and  David,  born  July  26,  1786,  died  February  24,  i860. 

(XI)  Isaac  Post,  son  of  Isaac  Post,  was  born  August  12,  1784,  in  South- 
ampton, Long  Island,  New  York,  died  in  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  March 
23,  1855.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania, 
coming  to  Montrose  in  the  early  part  of  1800,  where  he  became  one  of  the 
prominent  men  of  the  community.  He  conducted  a  general  store,  and  also 
kept  an  inn.  He  took  a  foremost  part  in  every  good  project  in  ihe  commu- 
nity, and  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the  first  bank  in  that  section.  He 
held  various  offices  of  honor  and  trust,  was  major  of  the  Second  Battalion  of 
the  State  Militia  in  181 1,  and  was  also  inspector  of  the  Second  Brigade;  he 
was  treasurer  of  Susquehanna  county  in  1812;  a  member  of  the  state  legis- 
lature from  Susquehanna  county  in  1828;  judge  of  Susquehanna  county  in 
1837.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  organization,  holding  membership 
in  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  131,  of  Newburg,  New  York.  He  married,  in  1805, 
Susannah  Hinds,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Thomas  Titfany,  Esq. 
She  was  born  November  10,  1782,  died  November  15,  1846,  daughter  of  Bart- 
lett Hinds  (see  Hinds  V).  Their  children  were:  Mary  Ann,  born  March 
6,  1806,  died  April  17,  1806;  William  Leander,  April  26,  1807,  died  Febru- 
ary 26,  1871 ;  Albert  Lotan,  March  25,  1809,  died  December  6,  1886;  Mary 
Susannah,  May  25,  181 1,  died  March  23,  1812;  Susannah  Jane,  April  4, 
1813,  died  February  9,  1819;  Agnes  Ann,  September  25,  1815,  died  June  22. 
1816;  Isaac  Lucius,  mentioned  below;  Jane  Amanda,  November  14,  1820, 
died  October  25,  1903,  unmarried ;  Elizabeth  Vallonia,  July  4,  1825,  died 
October  4,  1853,  she  married  Gordon  Dimock,  M.  D.,  of  Montrose,  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  was  a  surgeon  in  the  Civil  War;  George  Leonidas,  September  24, 
1828,  died  December  5,   1841. 

(XII)  Isaac  Lucius  Post,  son  of  Isaac  Post,  was  born  July  11,  1818,  in 
Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  died  December  8,  1899.  His  education  was  acquired 
in  the  district  schools.  During  the  Civil  War  he  served  in  the  paymaster's 
department  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under  Colonel  Asa  Holt  Jr.,  and 
after  the  war,  in  1865,  he  removed  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
for  a  number  of  years  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  and  where  he  also 


68  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  alderman.  He  was  active  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Avenue  Baptist  Church,  of  Scranton.  He  was  a  very  stalwart  Repub- 
lican and  was  instrumental  in  bringing  Congressman  Galusha  A.  Grow  before 
the  public,  assisting  materially  in  raising  the  funds  for  his  campaign.  Mr. 
Post  was  married,  July  28,  1846,  by  the  Rev.  H.  A.  Riley,  at  ■Montrose,  Penn- 
sylvania, to  Harriet  Amanda,  born  February  26,  1828,  died  at  Scranton, 
November  22,  1895,  daughter  of  William  and  Amanda  (Harris)  Jessup.  To 
this  union  was  born  one  son,  Isaac,  mentioned  below. 

(XIII)  Isaac  Post,  son  of  Isaac  Lucius  Post,  was  born  November  21,  1856, 
at  Montrose.  Pennsylvania.  He  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Scran- 
ton and  Professor  H.  H.  Merrill's  Academic  and  Primary  Trainmg  School. 
He  began  his  business  career  October  i,  1873,  as  messenger  boy  of  the  Third 
National  Bank  of  Scranton,  and  a  year  later,  December  2,  1874,  became  mes- 
senger of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton.  His  ability  and  fidelity  to 
duty  were  rewarded  by  promotion  and  he  was  advanced  by  various  steps  to 
positions  of  larger  responsibility.  He  became  assistant  cashier,  January  4, 
1886,  and  in  October,  1891,  cashier,  a  position  he  has  filled  since  then  with 
conspicuous  ability.  He  enlisted  in  the  Scranton  City  Guards  during  the 
labor  disturbances  of  1877,  in  Company  A,  and  with  other  members  of  the 
company  was  mustered  into  the  Thirteenth  Regiment,  National  Guard  of 
Pennsylvania,  October  10,  1878.  He  was  discharged  May  25,  1885,  with  the 
rank  of  first  sergeant.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican ;  in  religion  a  Presby- 
terian, being  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  served  as 
trustee  for  several  years. 

He  married,  February  16,  1887,  Emily  Pierson,  born  at  Roselle,  New  Jer- 
sey, April  14,  1861,  daughter  of  Hiram  Pierson  and  Caroline  Elizabeth  (Shny- 
der)  Baldwin,  the  former  late  general  passenger  agent  of  the  Central  Rail- 
road of  New  Jersey.  Children:  i.  Margaret  Baldwin,  born  April  12,  1889; 
married  October  8,  1912,  Reuben  B.  Pitts,  president  of  the  Hermitage  Cot- 
ton Mills,  Camden,  South  Carolina ;  one  daughter.  Emily  Post  Pitts,  born  July 
18,  1913.  2.  Evelyn  Jessup,  February  22,  1892;  married,  June  13,  1913, 
Douglass  T.  Lansing,  of  the  Lansing  Hardware  Company,  Scranton.  3.  Nor- 
man Baldwin,  January  3,  1896,  died  March  26,  1900,  at  Scranton.  4.  Caro- 
lyn Elizabeth,  August  27,   1897. 


WILLIAM  R.  WILLIAMS 

Although  numbered  among  the  older  business  men  of  Scranton,  a  finer 
example  of  well  preserved  manly  vigor,  one  would  have  to  go  far  to  find.  His 
life,  begun  in  far  away  Wales,  the  family  seat  for  many  generations,  has  found 
its  full  fruition  in  the  wonderful  city  his  muscle,  brain  and  genius  has  helped 
to  create. 

William  R.  Williams  was  born  March  10,  1846,  in  the  borough  of  Car- 
marthen, capital  of  the  county  of  Carmarthen,  South  W^ales,  a  city  of  over 
io,coo  inhabitants,  situated  on  the  river  Towy,  eight  miles  from  its  mouth  and 
twenty-three  miles  northwest  of  Swansea.  He  is  the  son  of  Reese  and  Cath- 
erine (James)  Williams,  both  descendants  of  old  Welsh  families.  Reese  Wil- 
liams was  a  man  of  good  education  and  one  of  the  most  expert  cabinet  makers 
and  fine  wood  workers  of  his  city.  He  died  in  his  native  town  in  1851, 
age  twenty-eight  years.  His  wife,  Catherine,  was  a  daughter  of  William 
James,  of  Vrongach,  a  town  in  the  same  part  of  South  Wales. 

William  R.  Williams  at  an  early  age  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources, 
first  obtained  a  good  education,  passing  his  boyhood  years  at  the  home  of  his 
paternal   grandfather,  William   Williams,  owner  and  operator  of   Nanty  bar 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  69 

mill.  William  Williams  was  also  a  carpenter  and  cabinet  maker,  and  on  arriv- 
ing at  suitable  age  William  R.  Williams  became  his  apprentice,  continuing 
until  he  fully  mastered  the  trade.  He  remained  in  Carmarthen  until  his 
twenty-fourth  year,  then  married  and  a  month  later  sailed  for  the  United 
States,  locating  finally  in  Scranton.  This  was  in  the  year  1869,  and  from  that 
date  until  the  present  he  has  been  one  of  the  factors  of  Scranton's  greatness. 
His  first  employment  in  his  adopted  city  was  with  his  cousin,  Daniel  Wil- 
liams, a  contractor  and  builder,  who  appointed  him  foreman  over  his  men, 
then  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  Belleville  Church.  He  continued  as 
journeyman  until  about  1878,  when  he  began  business  for  himself  as  a  con- 
tractor and  builder.  He  had  a  very  successful  career  as  a  builder,  eighteen 
churches  and  innumerable  residences  having  been  erected  under  his  super- 
vision, in  Scranton  and  the  Lackawanna  Valley.  He  continued  in  business  as 
a  contractor  until  1898,  when  in  association  with  Frank  Washburn  and  Evan 
S.  Jones  he  organized  the  Washburn,  Williams  Company,  founded  on  the  re- 
mains of  the  Washburn,  Zearfoss  Company.  Mr.  Williams  was  chosen 
treasurer  of  the  new  company,  a  position  he  yet  holds.  The  business  of  Wash- 
burn, Williams  Company  is  that  of  lumber  dealers  and  contractors,  at  Nos. 
119-131  Meridian  avenue,  with  the  branch  yards  at  other  points.  (A  full  ac- 
count of  the  company  is  found  in  the  sketch  of  Evan  S.  Jones,  president  of 
the  company  (1913).)  A  practical  builder  and  an  experienced  contractor,  the 
services  of  Mr.  Williams  have  been  invaluable  to  the  company,  while  his  wise 
and  careful  management  of  its  finances  has  safely  brought  them  through  the 
difficulties  that  ever  beset  an  industrial  corporation  depending,  as  it  does 
on  so  many  outside  conditions  over  which  it  has  no  control.  That  the  com- 
pany has  reached  its  present  state  of  prosperity  is  a  living  testimony  to  th« 
business  acumen  of  its  owners,  all  men  of  brain,  energy  and  wisdom.  But  in 
every  undertaking  the  final  test  of  strength  is  in  financial  condition  and  here 
the  wisdom  of  Mr.  Williams,  as  a  financier,  has  been  most  conspicuous. 

Not  only  in  the  management  of  the  finances  of  the  Washburn,  Williams 
Company,  has  his  worth  been  appreciated,  but  for  the  past  twenty  years  he 
has  been  a  director  and  vice-president  of  the  West  Side  Bank,  giving  to  that 
institution  the  same  careful  attention  bestowed  on  his  private  and  corporatf 
affairs.  For  twenty-seven  years  he  has  been  treasurer  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  a  term  of  service  unequalled  in  the  history  of  tha\ 
lodge.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  x^rch  Masons. 
and  of  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar.  In  religious  faith  h(. 
is  a  Presbyterian,  a  member,  and  for  the  past  twenty  years  a  deacon  of  the 
Welsh  Presbyterian  Church.  For  many  years  he  was  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday 
school,  which  he  also  served  as  superintendent.  His  wife  is  also  a  communi- 
cant of  the  church,  a  member  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  active  in  genera' 
church  and  benevolent  work. 

Mr.  \A'illiams  married,  in  1869,  in  his  native  land,  Gwenllian,  daughter  oi 
Richard  Rosser,  of  Hirrwain,  South  Wales ;  children :  Gwilyni,  died  age 
thirty-one  years ;  Edna  :  Tudor  R.,  of  further  mention. 

Tudor  R.  Williams,  only  son  of  William  R.  and  Gwenllian  (Rosser)  Wil- 
liams, was  born  in  Scranton,  September  4,  1 88 1.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Scranton  and  graduated  in  1899  frof.i  the  School  of  the  Lacka- 
wanna. He  then  entered  Cornell  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  as 
a  civil  engineer  in  the  class  of  1903.  Returning  to  Scranton  he  was  appointed 
resident  engineer  for  the  American  Railways  Company,  which  position  he 
held  for  three  and  one-half  years.  To  broaden  and  make  more  practical  his 
engineering  training  he  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Washburn,  Williams 
Company,    in   charge   of   the   contracting   department   and   continuing  so    for 


70  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

three  and  one-half  years.  When  the  company  was  organized  he  was  chosen 
vice-president.  In  1910  Mr.  WilHams,  deciding  to  adhere  more  closely  to  the 
engineering  profession,  forrriied  the  partnership  of  Williams  &  Richardson, 
engineers  and  contractors,  for  the  purpose  of  entering  the  field  of  reinforced 
concrete  design  and  construction.  Until  the  formation  of  this  partnership, 
reinforced  concrete  in  this  vicinity  was  very  rarely  used.  Since  that  time, 
however,  many  buildings  have  been  ntade  fireproof  when  originally  designed 
in  wood,  only  by  the  alertness  and  training  of  Williams  &  Richardson  in 
economically  bringing  about  such  a  change  at  no  greater  cost.  Mr.  Williams 
owes  the  foundation  for  his  success  to  the  honor  and  experience  of  his  father 
before  him.  Mr.  Williams  is  a  member  of  the  Engineers'  Society  of  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  and  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  At  Cornell  L^niversity  he  was  elected  to  class  societies  and  the  Kappa 
Sigma  fraternity. 

In  1906  he  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Spencer, 
formerly  of  Oil  City,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  Gwen  and  Janet.  Family 
residence  at  No.   1322  Gibson  street. 


WILLIAM  CAWLEY 


Although  a  young  man  Mr.  Cawley's  banking  experience  covers  a  period 
of  eighteen  years,  in  fact  his  entire  business  life,  he  having  begun  as  book- 
keeper with  the  Dime  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank  when  a  young  man  of  seven- 
teen, fresh  from  school  life.  He  has  held  every  position  in  banking  life  from 
clerk  to  cashier  and  in  all  has  earned  the  right  to  further  promotion.  He  is 
diplomatic  and  friendly  and  has  that  needed  quality  in  the  banking  business, 
the  ability  of  winning  friends  and  holding  them.  Add  to  a  pleasing  person- 
ality and  a  friendly  spirit  a  thorough  knowledge  of  his  business,  and  you  have 
William  Cawley  whom  it  would  be  libel  to  call  anything  but  a  successful  and 
rising  young  man. 

Mr.  Cawley  is  a  grandson  of  Thomas  F.  Cawley,  a  native  of  Ireland  and 
an  early  settler  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania.  When  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
Company  opened  their  mines  at  Dunmore  he  moved  to  that  town  where  as  a 
contract   miner  he  ever  afterward  remained. 

His  son.  Thomas  F.  (2)  Cawley,  was  born  near  the  present  town  of  Jes,sup, 
Pennsylvania :  his  parents  later  moved  to  Dimmore  where  he  attended  the 
public  schools.  He  began  business  life  as  a  merchantile  clerk,  later  he  became 
a  hardware  merchant  and  so  continues,  his  son,  Edward  F.,  being  his  present 
partner.  He  married  Annie  E.  Lynett.  born  in  Dunmore,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  a  sister  of  E.  J.  Lynett ;  children  :  Margaret,  William,  Edward  F., 
Catherine,   Mary,  Ella. 

William  Cawley,  eldest  son  of  Thomas  F.  and  Annie  E.  (Lynett)  Cawley, 
was  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  May  27,  1878.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  continuing  until  January  10,  1895,  when  he  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Dime  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank  of  Scranton  as  assistant  bookkeeper, 
continuing  ten  years,  becoming  paying  teller.  In  1905  he  resigned  to  accept 
the  position  of  cashier  of  the  North  Scranton  Bank,  holding  that  responsible 
position  four  and  a  half  years.  He  then  returned  to  the  Dime  Bank  as  cashier, 
holding  that  position  until  its  consolidation  with  the  Scranton  Savings  Bank. 
Under  the  act  of  consolidation  the  new  institution  became  the  Scranton  Sav- 
ings and  Dime  Bank,  Mr.  Cawley  being  appointed  the  first  cashier,  a  posi- 
tion he  now  holds  and  ably  fills.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks  and  of  the  Scranton  Club. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  jr 

He  married,  June  6,  1906,  Agnes  Morgan,  daughter  of  B.  H.  Morgan, 
an  old  and  present  resident  of  Dunmore ;  children:  Agnes,  Futh,  Louise, 
Jane. 

CHARLES  W.  MATTHEWS 

As  president  of  Matthews  Brothers,  Scranton's  oldest  drug  house,  Mr. 
Matthews  is  at  the  head  of  a  business  with  which  his  father  and  uncles  were 
connected  for  half  a  century,  but  whose  affairs  are  now  wholly  conducted  by 
the  second  generation.  Originally  founded  in  1837,  the  firm  continued  as 
Matthews  Brothers  under  several  changes  until  February  13,  191 3,  when 
Richard  J.  Matthews,  the  last  one  of  the  three  brothers,  William,  Charles  P. 
and  Richard  J.,  to  enter  the  early  firm  and  the  last  to  withdraw,  sold  his  in- 
terest to  Walter  L.  Matthews  and  the  firm  of  Matthews  Brothers  was  in- 
corporated under  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania.  The  president  of  the  company, 
Charles  W.  Matthews  had  been  a  member  of  the  firm  many  years,  succeeding 
his  father,  William  Matthews,  one  of  the  original  members.  Walter  L.,  the 
treasurer  is  a  son  of  Charles  P.  Matthews,  also  an  original  member.  Originally 
a  retail  business  dealing  in  drugs,  paints  and  oils,  a  wholesale  department  was 
added,  both  branches  being  well  established  and  prosperous.  The  wholesale 
trade  is  principally  confined  to  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  this  being  the 
oldest  drug  house  in  that  entire  section.  Under  the  younger  men  now  in 
charge  the  company's  high  reputation,  built  up  through  half  a  century  of 
upright  dealing,  is  fully  maintained  and  progress  is  still  its  motto. 

(H)  William  Matthews,  son  of  Robert  Matthews  (whose  life  is  given  in 
the  sketch  of  Richard  J.  Matthews),  was  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  July 
12,  1826.  Coming  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1841,  he  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  Honesdale,  the 
family's  American  home.  He  was  there  engaged  in  the  meat  business  with 
Mr.  Henwood  for  several  years,  coming  to  Scranton  later,  in  1864,  and  join- 
ing his  brother,  Charles  P.  Matthews,  who  had  there  established  a  drug,  paint 
and  oil  store  in  1857.  The  two  brothers  continued  in  business  for  several 
years,  then  another  brother.  Richard  J.  Matthews,  who  for  nine  years  had 
conducted  a  drug  store  at  Providence,  was  admitted.  In  1872  Charles  P.  re- 
tired from  the  firm,  the  two  remaining  brothers  continuing  until  Charles  W., 
son  of  William,  was  admitted,  he  later  succeeding  to  his  father's  interest. 
William  Matthews  was  for  many  years  superintendent  of  the  People's  Rail- 
way Company,  later  was  its  efficient  president.  He  gave  his  chief  attention 
to  the  railway,  the  store  management  devolving  upon  his  brother  and  son. 
He  was  a  man  of  strong  character,  broad  minded,  public  spirited  and  a  citizen 
beyond  reproach.  In  political  faith  a  Democrat,  he  served  his  city  faithfully 
as  councilman.  He  was  an  attendant  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  a  supporter 
of  all  good  causes.  He  died  December  16,  1803,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  He 
married  (first)  Lottie  Winton,  who  bore  him  a  son  Charles  W.  He  married 
(second)  Emma  Birdsall,  whose  only  child  was  a  daughter  Louise.  He  mar- 
ried (third)  Alice  Bailey,  who  bore  him  sons:  Robert  and  William.  He 
married  (fourth)  Mary  Howell,  who  yet  survives  hmi. 

(Ill)  Charles  W.  Matthews,  only  son  of  Wilham  and  Lottie  (Winton) 
Matthews,  was  born  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  January  16,  1861.  When 
he  was  four  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Scranton  v/here  he  was 
educated  in  the  public  school,  the  School  of  Lackawanna,  and  "Daddy  Mer- 
rill's" school.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  began  work  in  the  drug  store 
of  Matthews  Brothers,  later  being  admitted  to  a  partnership,  then,  succeed- 
ing to  his  father's  interest  at  the  latter's  death,  he  and  his  uncle,  Richard  J 


72  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Matthews,  became  sole  owners  and  proprietors.  The  firm  so  continued  until 
incorporated  February  19,  19 13,  Charles  W.  R'latthews  becoming  first  presi- 
dent of  the  corporation.  He  has  had  thorough  traming  for  the  position,  his 
life  since  sixteen  years  of  age  having  been  devoted  entirely  to  the  business 
over  which  he  now  presides.  The  store,  located  at  No.  320  Lackawanna 
avenue,  has  been  the  location  of  the  business  almost  from  its  first  establish- 
ment. Mr.  Matthews  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  the 
Scranton  Qub  and  of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  married  Emilie,  daughter  of 
William  J.  Pascoe,  of  Philadelphia.  His  two  sons,  Arthur  P.  and  Richard 
J.   (2),  are  both  associated  with  him  in  business. 


DR.  FREDERICK  DOUGLAS  BREWSTER 

There  has  descended  to  the  American  people  of  to-day  from  the  stern, 
courageous  Pilgrims  who  landed  on  the  New  England  shore  in  1620  a  force 
stronger  than  the  example  of  a  perfect  Christian  life,  more  enduring  than  their 
wise,  firm  governments,  and  more  uplifting  than  the  great  moral  lessons  they 
taught,  the  very  blood  of  those  Christian  heroes.  Pure  and  untainted  has  it 
descended  through  the  intervening  generations,  and  nowhere  can  there  be 
found  in  this  broad  land  one  whose  .\merican  ancestor  came  to  this  country 
in  that  Heaven-guided  band  who  does  not  hold  his  head  the  higher  and  feel 
more  keenly  the  nobility  of  his  race  because  of  tliat  fact.  William  Brewster, 
the  ruling  elder  and  spiritual  leader  of  the  company,  he  who  sheltered  the 
small  gathering  in  his  England  home  and  at  last  led  them  forth  to  seek  freer 
lands,  was  the  founder  of  a  family  large  in  number  and  in  greatness  second 
to  none. 

(I)  It  is  of  this  family  that  Dr.  Frederick  Douglas  Brewster  is  a  member, 
although  when  Eldad  Brewster  moved  to  Long  Island  from  Connecticut  the 
family  records  were  lost. 

(II)  James  Brewster,  son  of  Eldad  Brewster,  lived  on  Long  Island,  and 
served  throughout  the  Revolutionary  War  in  the  Second  Continental  Artillery 
from  Suffolk  county,  first  as  lieutenant  and  later  with  the  captain's  rank.  He 
was  the  father  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter,  Daniel  Eldad,  Abigail. 

(III)  Eldad  (2)  Brewster,  son  of  James  Brewster,  in  1800  moved  from 
his  home  at  Sag  Harbor,  Long  Island,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  timbered  land 
at  Montrose,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  which  he  cleared  and  later 
cultivated.  He  spent  his  entire  life  in  this  place  in  the  pursuit  of  agriculture. 
He  married  Hannah  Tyler,  of  Vermont,  a  sister  of  Moses  C.  Tyler,  of  Mont- 
rose. Qiildren  of  Eldad  and  Hannah  Brewster:  Tyler,  born  1814,  married, 
and  had  a  son  Samuel,  who  served  in  the  LInion  army  in  the  Civil  War,  and 
died  in  the  hospital  of  wounds  received  in  battle;  Lucena,  born  1816;  Horace, 
of  whom  further:  Daniel,  born  1820:  Warren,  1822:  Andrew  Jackson,  1824.; 
Sally,  1826:  Ann  Maria,  1828;  Moses  Coleman,  1S30.  All  of  the  above  chil- 
dren, excepting  Moses  Coleman,  attained  an  age  of  four  score  vears  and  over, 
a  wonderful  family  record  for  longevity. 

(IV)  Horace  Brewster,  son  of  Eldad  (2)  Brewster,  was  born  at  Montrose, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  18 18.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
and  after  being  employed  as  a  journeyman  for  a  short  time  began  contracting 
and  building  operations.  Prospering  in  this  line  of  work,  in  his  later  years 
he  desired  respite  from  the  cares  of  business  and  he  moved  to  a  farm  near 
Montrose,  this  being  the  one  cleared  by  Eldad  Brewster  in  1800,  where  his 
remaining  days  were  spent,  his  death  occurring  at  that  place  in  1904,  when  he 
was  eighty-six  years  of  age.  He  married  Augusta  MacNeil.  Children  of 
Horace  and  Augusta  Brewster :     Lizzie,  married  Edward  Smith,  a  resident  of 


/  \l/l^t^<Aj'<i-yi(^L^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  73 

Montrose ;  Frederick  Douglas,  of  whom  further ;  D.  Truman,  an  attorney  of 
Montrose. 

(V)  Dr.  Frederick  Douglas  Brewster,  son  of  Horace  Brewster,  was  born 
at  Montrose,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania.  October  8,  1850.  He  ob- 
tained his  general  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Montrose  and  the  Lands- 
ford  State  Normal  School,  from  which  latter  institution  he  was  graduated 
in  the  class  of  187 1.  For  the  five  following  years  he  taught  school  at  Nichol- 
son, Halstead  and  different  places  in  that  region,  in  1876  realizing  one  of  his 
most  earnest  ambitions  and  matriculating  at  the  New  York  Homeopathic 
Medical  College.  He  received  his  M.  D.  from  this  college  in  1879  and  im- 
mediately began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  situated  for  ten  years,  with  gratifying  results.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  came  to  Scranton,  and  in  that  city  has  met  with  a  large 
share  of  success,  his  patronage  being  wide  and  among  the  best  of  the  city's 
residents.  Dr.  Brewster  is  a  member  of  the  County,  State  and  Interstate 
Medical  societies,  as  well  as  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy.  His 
fraternal  order  is  the  Masonic,  in  which  he  belongs  to  Peter  Williamson 
Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  185.  R.  A.  M. : 
Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery.  Knights  Templar.  His  religious  belief  is  Presby- 
terian and  he  belongs  to  the  Second  church  of  that  denomination  in  Scranton. 

Highly  regarded  in  professional  circles  for  his  strict  adherence  to  the  lofti- 
est of  principles  and  respected  for  the  qualities  of  good  citizenship  he  has 
ever  displayed.  Dr.  Brewster  holds  a  sure  and  secure  place  in  Scranton  so- 
ciety, of  which  he  has  been  a  member  for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century. 


CLARKE  BROTHERS  STORES 

Among  the  representative  men  who  liave  won  a  place  of  prominence  in  the 
commercial  circles  of  Scranton  should  be  mentioned  the  Clarke  Brothers,- 
operating  under  the  name  of  Clarke   Brothers  Stores. 

Edward  M.  and  George  W.  Clarke  are  sons  of  Matthew  W.  Clarke.  Mat- 
thew W.  Clarke  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania, 
when  only  a  boy  in  the  year  of  1850.  He  served  his  time  as  an  apprentice 
and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  in  1857  came  to  Scranton.  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1859.  He  was  of  a  careful  and  frugal  nature 
and  saved  his  money,  and  with  this  small  capital  he  opened  a  general  store 
in  Hyde  Park,  being  one  of  the  first  merchants  there.  By  close  attention  to 
his  business  it  grew  and  was  successful,  and  he  continued  in  this  line  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death  which  occurred  in  1890.  During  the  rebellion  he  enlisted 
in  the  Union  army  and  served  during  the  last  year  of  the  war.  His  political 
affiliations  were  with  the  Democratic  party  in  whose  principles  he  firmly  be- 
lieved. He  took  an  active  and  intelligent  interest  in  the  afifairs  of  the  ward  in 
which  he  lived  and  served  as  one  of  its  school  directors,  assisting  to  the  fullest 
extent  in  bringing  the  public  schools  to  the  highest  standard. 

He  married  Mary  Clarke,  who  was  born  in  Ireland.  Her  parents  settled 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  spent  her  childhood.  They  moved 
from  Philadelphia  to  Scranton  in  1855.  She  survived  her  husband  and  resides 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  now  aged  seventy  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matthew 
W.  Clarke  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  i.  and  2.  Edward  M. 
and  George  W.,  whose  history  is  given  more  fully  further  on  in  this  article. 
3.  Jennie  W.,  who  married  B.  W.  Jenkins,  of  IBaltimore,  Maryland,  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  families  of  that  city,  the 
ancestors  of  whom  came  to  America  with  Lord  Baltimore  in  1632  and  from 
that    time    to    the    present    they    have    always    been    represented    there.     4. 


74  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Isabella,  who  married  Captain  Louis  Mason  Guilick,  of  the  United  States  navy, 
now  attached  to  the  battleship,  Arkansas ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guilick  make  their 
home  in  Washington,  D.  C.  5.  Elizabeth,  who  married  Ashton  Deveraux,  a 
nephew  of  the  late  Archbishop  Ryan,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where 
Mr.  Deveraux  is  a  prominent  lawyer. 

Edward  M.  and  George  W.  Clarke  were  both  born  upon  the  present  site 
of  their  large  store  at  Nos.  310  to  322  North  Main  avenue,  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, which  was  the  home  of  their  father  for  some  years.  The  date  of  the 
birth  of  Edward  M.  was  September  30,  1868,  and  it  was  in  the  public  and 
high  schools  of  his  native  city  that  he  obtained  the  rudiments  of  his  education. 
He  began  his  business  life  as  a  boy  in  his  father's  store  and  continued  in  this 
until  the  death  of  the  latter.  He  then  became  associated  with  his  brother, 
George  W.  Clarke,  forming  the  firm  of  Clarke  Brothers  and  opening  a  de- 
partment store  at  No.  322  North  Main  avenue,  having  at  that  time  a  force 
of  about  twelve  employees.  They  gave  their  entire  attention  to  the  business 
and  have  built  up  a  large  and  flourishing  business.  To  meet  its  demands,  the 
Homestead  was  removed  and  upon  its  site  was  built  the  present  large 
store,  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  front  by  two  hundred  feet  deep  and  four 
stories  high,  having  a  floor  space  of  one  hundred  thousand  square  feet.  This 
building  is  not  only  the  largest  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  but  probably  the 
largest  in  any  city  in  the  country  the  size  of  Scranton,  which  is  given  up  to 
all  the  departments  known  to  the  modern  store. 

But  this  is  only  one  of  their  chain  of  stores ;  they  have  another  at  Nos. 
901  and  903  Pittston  avenue,  one  at  Nos.  loi  and  103  Drinker  street,  one  at 
Nos.  102  and  106  West  Market  street,  all  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
addition  to  these  have  stores  at  Carbondale,  Olyphant,  Dunmore.  Providence, 
Wilkes-Barre,  Nanticoke,  Pittston,  Plymouth,  Shenandoah  and  Mahoney  City. 
The  stores  in  Plymouth,  Shenandoah  and  Mahoney  City  were  opened  in  1914. 
'Not  only  do  they  operate  retail,  but  also  wholesale  departments  in  these  stores, 
and  the  territory  from  Forest  City  to  Shenandoah  is  covered  by  their  rep- 
resentatives and  wagons.  In  November,  1913,  the  firm  of  Clarke  Brothers 
was  terminated  and  its  place  was  taken  by  the  corporation  known  as  the 
Qarke  Brothers  Stores  of  which  Edward  M.  Clarke  is  the  president  and 
George  W.  Clarke  the  treasurer.  Edward  M.  Clarke  is  also  a  director  in  the 
Liberty  Bank  of  Carbondale,  and  on  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Scranton 
Board  of  Trade.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  and  Country  clubs. 

George  Walter  Clarke,  the  youngest  son  of  Matthew  W.  and  Mary  Clarke, 
was  born  January  5.  1870,  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  as  noted  above.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  like  his  brother  obtained  his  early  com- 
mercial training  in  his  father's  store,  continuing  there  until  the  death  of  the 
latter,  when,  in  association  with  his  brother,  Edward  M..  he  formed  the  part- 
nership of  Clarke  Brothers  and  has  been  associated  with  him  to  the  present 
time.  When  the  firm  was  dissolved  and  the  corporation  of  Clarke  Brothers 
Stores  was  formed,  George  W.  Clarke  was  made  treasurer,  which  position 
he  still  holds.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  the  Mer- 
chants' Association  of  New  York  City,  and  the  Scranton  and  Country  clubs. 

He  married,  February  10,  1904,  !\Iercedes  L.,  daughter  of  Richard  Rod- 
riguez, of  New  York  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Clarke  are  the  parents 
of  two  children:  George  Walter  1 2),  born  January  i,  1905;  Richard  R., 
born  November  22,  1906. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  ;5 

JOHN  R.  WILLIAMS 

There  is  an  inspiration  to  future  generations  in  the  recital  of  the  hfe  oi 
anyone  who  has  attained  a  position  of  prominence  in  his  chosen  field  of 
endeavor.  But  for  the  biographer,  who  necessarily  becomes  acquainted  with 
all  the  facts  and  influences  surrounding  or  affecting  the  success  of  an  in- 
dividual, there  is  no  more  genuine  pleasure  than  to  write  the  story  of  one 
upon  whom  fortune  has  disdained  to  smile,  to  whom  all  the  short  cuts  to 
prosperity  were  blocked,  who  has  been  compelled  to  contend  with  all  unfavor- 
able circumstance,  and  has,  with  dauntless  determination,  stormed  the  ram- 
parts of  fortune  and  gained  entrance  to  the  land  of  prosperity  and  reputa- 
tion reached  by  the  road  of  accepted  opportunity.  Such  a  tale  is  that  of  John 
R.  Williams,  such  the  chronicle  herein  unfolded. 

John  R.  Williams  is  the  son  of  John  F.  Williams,  a  native  of  Bryn  Mawr, 
Bredsenshire,  Wales,  a  miner,  who  married  in  his  native  country  and  came 
to  the  LTnited  States  with  his  wife  and  two  sons.  John  F.  Williams  first 
located  at  Weathersfield,  Ohio,  in  1869,  and  after  a  short  time  came  to  Provi- 
dence, where  he  remained  for  about  a  year,  then  moved  to  Peckville,  where 
he  engaged  in  mining.  He  now  lives  retired,  aged  seventy-five  years  with  his 
family,  at  the  old  home.  He  married  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Roberts,  a  native 
of  Wales  and  a  refiner  in  iron  manufacture.  Children:  John  R.,  of  further 
mention ;  Edmund  F. ;  Jennie ;  Margaret,  married  William  J.  Lewis ;  Kath- 
erine,  married  F.  W.  Covert:  Frank.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  communi- 
cants of  the  Episcopal  church. 

John  R.  Williants,  eldest  child  of  John  F.  and  Ann  (Roberts)  Williams, 
was  born  in  Bryn  Mawr,  Bredsenshire,  Wales,  December  ig,  1861.  His  edu- 
cational opportunities  were  decidedly  limited  and  at  the  age  of  nine  years  it 
was  necessary  that  he  find  employment.  This  he  did  in  the  neighboring  mines 
where  he  remained  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  then  was  engaged 
on  the  old  gravity  road  between  Peckville  and  Carbondale,  and  after  two  years 
of  this  service  became  a  teamster  in  Peckville.  This  he  continued  for  one 
year,  his  next  occupation  being  as  motorman  on  the  Scranton  suburban  rail- 
way, a  primitive  affair,  boasting  but  two  cars  of  the  earliest  type,  with  the 
motors  on  the  front  platforms,  chain  driven,  the  chains  running  back  to  the 
rear  axle.  After  four  years  of  this  employment  he  accepted  a  position  with 
the  Scranton  Drop  Forging  Company,  and  in  five  years  gained  a  responsible 
place  in  the  drop  forge  shop.  He  resigned  this  position  and  became  foreman 
in  the  plant  of  the  Suburban  Electric  Light  Company.  Here  his  ability  and 
ambition  speedily  won  him  definite  recognition  and  he  was  elevated  to  the 
office  of  superintendent.  During  the  last  few  years  he  had  been  busily  en- 
gaged in  the  perfection  of  a  horse  shoe  calk,  there  being  nothing  on  the  market 
at  that  time  to  insure  safe  footing  for  horses.  In  December,  1902,  he  severed 
his  connection  with  the  Suburban  Electric  Light  Company  and  began,  with 
but  little  assistance,  the  manufacture  of  his  invention.  .-Mthough  his  output 
was  small,  he  had  at  first  great  difficulty  in  getting  his  product  on  the  market, 
being  greatly  handicapped  by  lack  of  sufficient  capital.  After  the  first  appear- 
ance of  the  article  it  met  with  such  popular  approval  and  the  demand  for  it 
was  so  great  that  he  was  compelled  to  seek  more  spacious  quarters,  and  after 
successive  additions  had  been  made  to  his  plant,  the  present  factory  of  two 
stories,  190  by  100  feet,  was  erected.  Herein  are  employed  over  fifty-five 
hands,  and  the  manufactures  are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  country,  seventy- 
five  per  cent,  of  it  to  points  west  of  Buffalo,  New  York,  through  the  agency 
of  jobbers,  at  the  present  time,  besides  four  different  styles  of  adjustable  calks, 
the  most  important  product  of  the  factory  is  horseshoes,  the  firm  priding  it- 


76  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

self  upon  the  excellence  of  their  make,  an  opinion  held  by  many  satisfied  users. 
Besides  being  the  first  company  to  make  left  and  right  shoes  for  horses,  the 
Williams  Drop  Forging  Company  was  the  leader  in  the  manufacture  of  drop 
forged  shoes  to  compete  in  the  open  market  with  those  made  by  rolling  pro- 
cess. How  successful  that  competition  has  been  is  best  shown  by  figures,  one 
million  shoes  being  the  annual  product  of  the  Williams  Company,  whose  prod- 
uct has  the  reputation  of  being  the  finest  in  the  world.  In  addition  to  the 
above,  forty  thousand  shoe  calks  are  manufactured  per  day;  mine  bits  are 
made,  the  factory  supplying  nearly  all  used  in  the  valley ;  and  a  line  of 
wrenches  is  included  in  the  company's  manufacturers.  On  December  3,  1903, 
the  incorporation  papers  of  the  company  were  granted  by  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania under  the  name  of  the  Williams  Drop  Forging  Company  with  Alfred 
Harvey,  president;  John  R.  Williams,  vice-president  and  general  manager; 
and  W.  J.  Lewis,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  present  officers  are  Alfred 
Harvey,  president  and  treasurer ;  John  R.  Williams,  vice-president  and  general 
manager;  F.  R.  Williams,  secretary  and  assistant  treasurer;  Edward  F.  Wil- 
liams,   superintendent. 

Mr.  Williams  is  a  member  of  the  Iron,  Steel,  and  Heavy  Hardware  Manu- 
facturers Association,  and  also  belongs  to  Scranton's  Board  of  Trade.  He  is 
a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  No.  597, 
F.  and  A.  M. ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Keystone  Con- 
sistory, Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret;  and  to  Irem  Temple,  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Temple  Club.  While 
interested  in  politics  to  the  extent  demanded  of  a  good  citizen,  he  has  never 
sought  office  nor  done  more  than  cast  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party,  in 
whose  principles  he  is  a  firm  believer.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  communicants 
of  the  Baptist  faith. 

He  married  Rose,  daughter  of  W.  A.  Beeman,  of  Scranton.  They  are  the 
parents  of  one  daughter.  Norma.  As  the  inventor  of  an  article  that  has 
opened  a  new  industry,  Mr.  Williams  has  left  a  permanent  record  in  the  his- 
tory of  manufacturing,  while  he  at  the  same  time  plays  the  role  of  benefactor 
in  rendering  the  lot  of  horses  much  more  safe  and  comfortable,  particularly 
in  wintry,  stormy  weather.  In  the  development  of  his  business  he  has  of 
course  been  rewarded  with  a  plentiful  share  of  this  world's  goods,  which  none 
begrudge  him  as  his  just  portion  for  his  persistent,  zealous  endeavors. 


NATHANIEL  H.  COWDREY 

Nathaniel  H.  Cowdrey  is  the  Pennsylvania  representative  of  a  family  that 
has  been  seated  in  Connecticut  since  the  early  Colonial  days  of  that  state. 
His  father,  Nathaniel  A.,  was  born  in  East  Haddam,  Connecticut,  and  there 
grew  to  manhood.  After  preliminary  education  he  entered  the  Yale  Law 
School  and  after  graduation  and  admission  to  the  bar,  spent  his  entire  life 
in  practice  in  New  York,  where  he  died,  aged  s'xty-five  years.  He  married 
Jane  Hartley. 

Nathaniel  H.  Cowdrey,  son  of  Nathaniel  A.  and  Jane  (Hartley)  Cowdrey, 
was  born  in  Hohokus,  New  Jersey,  September  i.  1876  His  early  life  was 
spent  in  New  York,  where  he  attended  the  public  and  private  schools,  com- 
pleting his  studies  at  Yale  University,  whence  he  graduated  A.  B.,  class  of 
1898.  The  Spanish  War  was  the  topic  of  paramount  interest  at  the  time  and 
he  enlisted  in  Battery  A,  First  Regiment  Connecticut  Artillery,  an  organiza- 
tion that  neither  saw  active  service,  nor  was  ordered  from  the  state,  but  was 
mustered  out  in  October.  His  first  business  connection  was  with  the  Western 
National  Bank,  of  New  York  City,  where  he  was  employed  for  two  years. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  77 

resigning  to  accept  a  position  with  the  Morton  Trust  Company.  He  re- 
mained with  this  corporation  until  February  ig,  1910,  when  he  became  treas- 
urer of  the  Title  Guaranty  and  Surety  Company,  an  office  he  still  holds.  With 
the  exception  of  his  volunteer  enlistment  at  the  time  of  the  Spanish  War,  his 
only  other  military  service  has  been  in  the  National  Guard.  In  1906  he  be- 
came second  lieutenant  of  Company  I,  Twelfth  Regiment  New  York  National 
Guard,  and  the  following  year  attained  the  rani<  of  captain.  For  five  years 
that  was  his  title,  until  he  was  made  inspector  general  of  the  First  Brigade 
with  the  rank  of  major,  continuing  as  such  until  his  resignation  from  the 
organization  in  1912.  His  fraternity  is  the  Psi  Upsilon,  with  which  he  became 
affiliated  in  his  college  days.  He  married  Dorothy,  daughter  of  Major  Ever- 
ett Warren,  and  has  two  children  :  Dorothy  and  Jane.  A  capable  financier, 
Mr.  Cowdrey  is  a  worthy  addition  to  Scranton's  business  men,  among  whom 
he  is  well  liked  and  popular. 


JAMES  F.  WARDLE 

James  F.  Wardle,  broker  and  promoter,  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  English 
family,  of  which  but  two  generations  have  been  American  born,  four  having 
lived  on  this  continent. 

(I)  Joseph  (i)  Wardle,  father  of  Rev.  Joseph  (2)  Wardle.  and  grand- 
father of  James  F.  Wardle  of  this  narrative,  was  brought  to  the  United 
States  by  his  parents  when  he  was  four  years  of  age,  his  father  making  New 
York  his  home  for  a  short  time,  later  moving  to  Philadelphia,  and  finally  to 
Lockport,  Illinois,  where  the  family  resided  for  many  years.  Joseph  ( i ) 
Wardle  was  born  January  2"],  1792,  and  was  one  of  the  victims  of  a  destruc- 
tive cholera  epidemic,  his  death  occurring  August  10,  1854.  He  married 
Sarah  Hartless,  born  February  26,  1797,  died  July  30,  1890,  surviving  her 
husband  many  years. 

(II)  Rev.  Joseph  (2)  Wardle,  son  of  Joseph  (i)  and  Sarah  (Hartless) 
Wardle,  was  bom  in  Leicestershire,  England.  Besides  his  public  school  train- 
ing he  was  educated  for  the  Methodist  ministry  at  the  C^arrett  Biblical  In- 
situte,  of  Evanston,  Illinois,  whence  he  was  graduated  B.  D.  He  held  charges 
in  the  different  circuits  of  the  Rock  River  conference,  including  different 
pulpits  in  the  Van  Brocklin  circuit  and  at  Freeport  and  Chicago.  In  1891 
he  retired,  after  an  active  and  useful  life,  spent  profitably  and  blessedly  in 
the  service  of  his  Master.  For  the  past  fifteen  years  he  has  made  his  home 
with  his  son,  James  F.  Wardle.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Carder,  hold- 
ing the  Knights  Templar  degree.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Hiram  and 
Nancy  (Haggard)  Morris.  The  Haggard  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
America,  dating  from  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  and  also  extends  far  back 
into  the  history  of  England.  Among  the  more  famous  of  its  members  is  H. 
Rider  Haggard,  the  celebrated  author. 

(III)  James  F.  Wardle,  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  (2)  and  Mary  (Haggard) 
Wardle,  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  August  17,  1867.  He  received  his 
academic  education  at  Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  whence  he  was  graduated 
A.  B.  in  1890,  thre€  years  later  receiving  his  IVlaster's  degree.  In  the  fall 
of  1893  he  came  to  Philadelphia  and  accepted  a  position  as  road  engineer  for 
a  firm  manufacturing  and  mstalling  heating  and  ventilating  systems,  continu- 
ing in  their  employ  for  eight  years,  and  in  igoi  began  a  connection  with  the 
International  Correspondence  Schools,  that  continued  for  three  years.  He 
then  became  interested  in  Scranton's  new  telepiione  company  and  was  em- 
ployed in  its  interests  for  a  time,  in  1904  entering  the  investment  and  broker- 
age business  independently.     One  of  the  many  companies  which  he  has  pro- 


/8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

.noted,  wholly  or  in  part,  is  the  Mississippi  Pecan  and  Farm  Lands  Company, 
with  main  offices  in  Scranton,  and  of  which  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer.  He 
is  also  vice-president  and  treasurer  of  the  Southern  Lands  Sales  Company, 
and  vice-president  of  the  Mountain  Land  Company.  Mr.  Wardle  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Greek  Letter  Secret  Society,  Phi  Kappa  Psi,  Indiana  Beta  Chapter. 
He  is  also  prominently  connected  with  the  Masonic  Order,  being  past  master 
of  Union  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons :  past  high  priest,  Lackawanna 
Chapter,  No.  185,  Royal  Arch  Masons :  past  thrice  illustrious  master  of  Scran- 
ton Council,  No.  44,  R.  and  S.  M.;  district  deputy  grand  master  of  the  Grand 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  District,  No.  6;  past  eminent  commander  of  Coeur 
de  Lion  Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T. ;  Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes 
of  the  Royal  Secret ;  Irera  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  United  States  Navy  League,  and  is  past  patron  of  the  Martha 
Washington  Chapter.  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Church.  Progressive  and  modern  in 
ideas,  Mr.  Wardle  is  a  dutiful  citizen  of  Scranton.  None  of  her  best  in- 
terests are  disregarded  by  him  and  in  each  forward  movement  he  is  an  im- 
portant  factor. 

Mr.  Wardle  married  Imogene,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Jonas  L^nderwood, 
of  Scranton,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Giurch,  who  occupies  a 
Scranton  pulpit  and  fulfills  regular  ministerial  duties,  although  seventy-eight 
years  of  age.  Children :  Miriam  and  Evelyn.  Mrs.  Wardle  is  a  member  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution ;  she  had  four  ancestors  in  the 
Revolutionary  War. 


WALTER  LINCOLN  HENWOOD 

In  a  business  career,  covering  activities  in  many  states  and  responsibilities 
of  great  weight,  Mr.  Henwood  has  demonstrated  his  value  as  a  constructive 
force  and  proven  his  ability  as  a  wise  capable  man  of  business.  While  he  is 
a  native  born  son  of  Pennsylvania,  his  inheritance  of  English  blood  is  direct 
on  the  paternal  side,  but  through  his  mothei,  his  ancestors,  though  English, 
have  long  been  settled  in  the  New  England  States,  coming  to  Pennsylvania 
from  Connecticut. 

Richard  Henwood,  father  of  Walter  L.  Henwood,  was  born  in  Cornwall, 
England,  August  6,  1815.  He  remained  in  his  native  land  until  eighteen  years 
of  age,  then  came  to  the  United  States,  accomplishing  the  voyage  to  New 
York  in  the  then  quick  time  of  five  weeks,  it  usually  requiring  a  much  longer 
time  for  the  sailing  vessels  of  that  period  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  He  had  not , 
a  relative  anywhere  in  the  country,  but  was  the  first  of  his  family  to  break 
down  tradition  and  come  to  the  United  States.  He  obtained  work  in  Ron- 
dout,  but  for  a  short  time  only,  then  in  company  with  H.  S.  Pi*rce  started  west- 
ward on  a  Delaware  and  Hudson  canal  boat.  At  Cuddebackville,  just  below 
Port  Jervis,  New  York,  obstacles  in  the  canal,  prevented  further  passage  of 
the  boat  and  the  two  men,  followed  the  tow  path  on  foot  until  they  reached 
Honesdale,  June  13,  1833.  The  young  man,  Richard  Henwood,  at  once  se- 
cured work  at  fifty  cents  per  day  with  Daniel  Blandin,  his  first  day's  work 
being  planting  corn  in  a  field  now  the  site  of  Clark  &  Company's  glass  cutting 
works.  The  land  was  then  very  new,  it  often  being  necessary  to  use  an  axe  to 
cut  up  the  fallen  logs,  in  order  to  make  room  for  the  corn  hills.  He  con- 
tinued with  Mr.  Blandin  until  1837,  having  been  engaged  a  good  part  of  that 
time  in  butchering.  In  1837  he  bought  Mr.  Blandin's  meat  business  and 
therein  continued  for  many  years  becoming  prosperous  and  prominent.  In 
1861  he  was  elected  a  commissioner  of  Wayne  county  and  on  the  organiza- 


woIAAJ^XM^^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  79 

tion  of  the  Wayne  County  Savings  Bank,  November  i,  1871,  he  was  elected  a 
director,  continuing  as  such  until  January,  1880.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in 
the  development  of  Honesdale  and  to  him  is  largely  due  its  smoothly  ma- 
cadeniized  streets  and  abundance  of  beautiful  shade  trees  bordering  them. 
In  November.  1874,  he  bade  adieu  to  the  scenes  of  his  forty  years  of  pros- 
perity and  came  to  Scranton,  here  attaining  the  same  high  position  among  men 
of  affairs  as  he  had  held  in  Honesdale,  although  he  lived  a  semi-retired  life, 
not,  however,  withdrawing  to  an  idle  life,  but  keeping  in  close  touch  with  the 
world's  progress.  He  was  an  ardent  Republican,  a  devoted  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a  man  thoroughly  respected  for  his  upright  life 
and  Christian  character.  He  was  sympathetic,  kind  and  generous,  many  a 
kindly  act  done  for  friend  or  neighbor  was  quietly,  unostentatiously  performed, 
his  final  account  with  the  Great  Bookkeeper  containing  numberless  credits 
of  this  nature.  He  was  far  sighted  in  his  investments,  enterprising,  with  a 
rare  judgment  and  great  business  ability.  His  public  spirit  was  manifested  in 
the  generous  support  he  gave  to  all  public  improvements  in  both  Honesdale 
and  Scranton,  the  Henwood  Block  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  Scranton,  stand- 
ing as  one  of  the  monuments  to  his  enterprise,  erected  to  improve  that  sec- 
tion. He  delighted  in  the  society  of  young  people,  and  in  his  family  life  he  was 
most  affectionate,  kind  and  just.  He  lived  a  life  untarnished  by  evil  report 
and  left  to  posterity  the  rich  legacy  of  an  honored  name.  An  incident  that 
illustrates  his  reputation  for  strict  probity  is  well  worthy  of  preservation. 
He  was  obliged  on  one  occasion  to  bring  suit  against  a  fellow  townsman.  The 
defendant  thus  instructed  his  lawyer:  "Do  not  cross  examine  Mr.  Henwood, 
for  whatever  he  testifies  will  be  true  and  I  will  swear  to  it  myself." 

He  was  the  husband  of  four  wives,  marrying  (first)  Mary  Webb,  (second) 
Emma  Pascoe,  (third)  Catherine  Bushnell,  (fourth)  Elizabeth  Pierce.  He 
left  three  sons,  all  residents  of  Scranton :  William  B.,  a  dentist ;  Sidney  R., 
of  the  drug  firm  of  Henwood  &  Company,  and  Walter  L.,  of  whom  further. 

Catherine  (Bushnell)  Henwood,  mother  of  Walter  L.  Henwood,  was  born 
in  Honesdale,  and  there  died  in  1868.  Her  father.  Pope  Bushnell,  was  born 
in  Salisbury,  Connecticut,  February  11,  1783,  died  aged  ninety-thiee  years; 
coming  to  Pennsylvania  in  1817.  He  was  a  major  of  the  First  Battalion, 
Seventieth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  served  two  terms  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Legislature  as  representative  from  Wayne  and  Pike  counties.  He 
worked  for  two  years  aiding  Maurice  Wurts  in  securing  right-of-way  for 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson  canal  and  won  the  open  hostility  of  his  neighbors 
when  later  he  advocated  the  right  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  to  construct 
its  line  through  Wayne  county.  He  married  Sally  Hulbert,  born  in  Goshen, 
Connecticut,  March  26,  1788,  died  January  11,  1882,  at  the  great  age  of 
ninety-four  years.  She  was  one  of  the  celebrated  family  of  triplets  born  to 
her  parents,  Sibyl,  who  died  June  2-j,  1875,  aged  eighty-seven  years;  Susan, 
died  October  6,  1876,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  and  Sally,  died  January  11, 
1882,  aged  ninety-four  years.  These  instances  of  longevity  have  probably 
never  been  equalled  in  one  family,  the  record  of  the  triplets  being  especially 
remarkable. 

The  Bushnell  family  traces  its  ancestry  from  early  Colonial  days,  the  first 
member  settling  in  Connecticut  in  1637.  A  direct  ancestor  of  Walter  L. 
Henwood,  one  Gideon  Bushnell  served  in  the  Revolution.  The  old  Bushnell 
homestead  in  Connecticut,  containing  300  acres  on  which  stands  a  brick  house 
erected  in  1773,  is  yet  owned  in  the  Bushnell  name. 

Walter  Lincoln  Henwood,  youngest  son  of  Richard  Henwood  and  his  third 
wife  Catherine  Bushnell,  was  born  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  November 
8,  1864.     He  attended  Honesdale  schools  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  his 


8o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

parents  then  moving  to  Scranton,  where  he  attended  high  school  and  Merrills 
Academy,  finishing  with  a  course  at  the  business  college.  He  began  business 
life  in  1882  as  clerk  in  the  store  department  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and 
Coal  Company,  remaining  two  years.  In  1884  he  went  to  Crown  Point,  New 
York,  where  he  took  a  special  course  in  chemistry  under  A.  S.  Bertholet,  a 
noted  authority  in  that  field  of  learning.  Mr.  Henwood  then  formed  a  con- 
nection with  the  Hudson  River  Ore  and  Iron  Company  at  their  works  in  Bur- 
den, Columbia  county,  New  York,  remaining  as  chemist  until  June,  1886.  He 
then  went  to  the  Black  Hills  of  Dakota,  there  entering  the  employ  of  the 
Stevens  Tin  Mining  Company,  continuing  as  superintendent  until  the  com- 
pany closed  their  mines  in  that  region.  At  that  time  one  of  the  greatest  rail- 
road contracting  firms  in  the  west  was  Kilpatrick  Brothers  &  Collins,  their 
headquarters  and  offices  located  at  Beatrice,  Gage  county,  Nebraska.  They 
were,  at  the  time  Mr.  Henwood  left  the  Stevens  Company,  engaged  in  rail- 
road construction  very  extensively,  the  Burlington  and  Missouri  and  the 
Union  Pacific  Railroad,  having  entered  upon  their  period  of  greatest  expan- 
sion. Mr.  Henwood  entered  the  employ  of  this  active  concern,  being  first  sent 
to  Fort  Fred  Steele,  Wyoming,  where  he  soon  afterward  was  made  super- 
intendent over  the  construction  of  thirty  miles  of  railroad  in  the  North  Platte 
country.  His  next  assignment  was  supervising  the  laying  of  track  on  the 
Burlington  and  Missouri  extension  from  Curtis,  Nebraska,  to  Cheyenne, 
Wyoming,  the  line  crossing  what  was  formerly  known  as  "The  Great  American 
Desert."  On  the  completion  of  this  line,  Mr.  Henwood  severed  his  connec- 
tion with  Kilpatrick  Brothers  and  Collins  and  returned  to  the  Black  Hills, 
again  entering  the  employ  of  the  Stevens  Tin  Mining  Company,  as  superin- 
tendent, continuing  until  June,  1899,  when  he  left  the  west  and  journeyed 
south.  Locating  in  Virginia,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  a  brother  Penn- 
sylvanian,  A.  S.  Smith  and  began  contracting  railroad  construction  at  Boyd- 
town.  They  built  thirteen  miles  of  the  Atlantic  and  Danville  Railroad,  obtain- 
ing a  substantial  profit.  He  next  contracted,  in  1890,  seven  miles  of  the 
Lackawanna  and  Montrose  branch  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western, 
following  this  by  six  months  spent  on  a  large  contract  in  Maine.  On  January 
I,  1892,  he  returned  to  Scranton,  and  formed  an  association  with  Clark  iS: 
Snover,  one  of  the  largest  of  Pennsylvania  tobacco  manufacturers,  and  of 
this  he  became  secretary  and  treasurer. 

In  1899,  Mr.  Henwood  formed  the  firm  of  Sprague  &  Henwood,  diamond 
drill  contractors,  and  they  have  accomplished  some  of  the  most  notable  engi- 
neering feats  in  this  line,  principal  among  them  being  core  borings  for  the 
great  Catskill  aqueduct  for  the  city  of  New  York,  also  the  successful  boring 
and  completing  of  four  angle  holes  approximately  2000  feet  each  in  length  under 
the  Hudson  river  at  Storm  King,  a  feat  never  before  attempted  by  any  engi- 
neering concern  in  this  country. 

In  1890,  Mr.  Henwood  retired  from  the  Clark  &  Snover  Comipany  and 
with  Edward  F.  Lathrop  and  John  J.  Shea  of  New  York,  organized  the 
Lathrop,  Shea  and  Henwood  Company  of  which  Mr.  Henwood  is  vice-presi- 
dent. This  corporation  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  doing  a  general  con- 
tracting business  and  has  been  eminently  successful.  Among  their  many  con- 
tracts may  be  mentioned  the  building  of  the  South  Buffalo  Railway:  the  mam- 
moth ore  dock  for  the  Lackawanna  Company  of  Bufifalo,  the  largest  dock  in 
the  world  ;  also  the  ore  dock  and  canal  for  the  Buffalo  and  Susquehanna  Iron 
Company,  thirty  miles  of  railroad  for  the  Pittsburgh,  Shawmut  &  Northern 
Railroad  Company,  ten  miles  for  the  Buffalo  &  .Susquehanna  Railrciad  Com- 
pany, twelve  miles  for  the  Erie  Railroad  Company ;  also  the  foundation  for 
the  beautiful  new  Lackawanna  station  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania:  the  power 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  8i 

house  and  reservoir  for  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane  at  Fairview  and  a 
vast  amount  of  other  work  of  a  hke  character.  In  January,  1914,  they 
received  two  very  large  contracts  now  being  carried  out,  for  building  parts 
of  the  great  barge  canal  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

In  the  various  Masonic  bodies  Mr.  Henwood  has  passed  through  the 
different  orders  including,  Peter  Williamson  Blue  Lodge  of  which  he  is  past 
master;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Coeur  de  Lion  Com- 
mandery,  Knights  Templar,  of  which  he  is  past  commander.  He  has  also 
taken  thirty-two  degrees  of  the  Scottish  Rite  Masonry,  and  is  a  member  of 
Keystone  Consistory ;  also  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  In 
addition  to  these  he  is  a  member  of  the  Engineers  Club  of  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and 
Pennsylvania  Society  Sons  of  the  Revolution.  He  has  developed  executive 
and  financiering  ability  of  a  high  order,  while  in  his  special  fieki  of  construc- 
tive activity  he  is  one  of  the  most  successful  in  his  operations.  In  his  rela- 
tions with  his  fellow  men  he  is  a  courteous,  forceful  man  of  affairs,  just,  and 
keenly  alive  to  the  importance  of  straightforward  dealing  with  all.  In  local 
affairs  he  is  public  spirited  and  generous,  aiding  in  all  movements  that  make 
for  progress  and  the  public  good.     He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Walter  L.  Henwood  married  (first)  at  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  December  22, 
1889,  Lena  L.  Pittee,  born  in  California ;  her  parents  were  natives  of  Maine. 
She  died  November  22,  1901,  and  Mr.  Henwood  married  for  his  second 
wife,  January  18,  1905,  Esther  Pray,  of  Albany,  Georgia. 


SAMUEL  SAMTER 


In  many  of  Scranton's  industrial  establishments  may  be  found  men  in 
positions  of  trust,  honor,  and  responsibility,  who  owe  their  exalted  station  to 
the  work  of  their  own  brains  and  hands,  but  among  them  all  there  is  no  story 
more  interesting  or  more  full  of  teaching  and  inspiration  than  that  of  Samuel 
Samter,  founder  of  the  firm  of  Samter  Brothers,  owners  of  the  largest  store 
devoted  exclusively  to  the  outfitting  of  men  and  boys  in  Pennsylvania,  Phila- 
delphia and  Pittsburgh  not  excepted.  We  are  prone  to  believe  that  the 
greatest  successes  in  mercantile,  industrial  or  financial  life  are  those  made  by 
youths  who,  through  some  peculiar  quirk  of  fortune,  are  brought  into  recogni- 
tion and  favor  with  their  employers ;  when  in  reality  as  proven  by  the  follow- 
ing narrative,  it  is  the  young  man  who  is  ever  prompt  at  his  task,  ever  work- 
ing his  hardest  at  that  duty,  and  performing  it  better  than  anyone  else, 
who  receives  the  greatest  reward.  To  anyone  who  is  constantly  looking  for 
something  better  to  the  neglect  of  his  present  obligation,  fortune  never  comes, 
but  the  first  upward  glance  of  the  faithful,  conscientious  employee  lights  upon 
a  vision  of  opportunity  beckoning  him  to  come  to  a  field  of  fairer  endeavor 
and  greater  effort.  So  it  has  been  with  Samuel  Samter,  his  assiduous  at- 
tention to  study,  his  quick,  clear  intelligence,  and  prompt  seizure  of  every 
chance  for  advancement  having  placed  him  in  a  commanding  position  at  the 
head  of  one  of  Scranton's  most  distinguished  business  houses. 

Prussia  is  the  land  from  which  the  father  of  Samuel  Samter,  Jacob  Samter, 
came  to  this  country,  and  there  for  generations  the  family  had  been  known 
as  expert  tailors.  It  is  usual  in  that  country  for  a  trade  or  profession  to  be 
handed  down  from  one  generation  to  another,  the  father  teachmg  his  son  all 
of  the  secrets  of  the  occupation.  So  it  was  that  for  many  years  the  Samters 
had  been  tailors  and,  in  the  usual  line  of  descent,  that  was  the  trade  learned 
by  Jacob  Samter.  He,  however,  appreciating  that  fact  that  through  all  the 
preceding  years  there  had  been  no  advance   in   the   family's  station   in   life, 


82  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

determined  to  break  the  bonds  of  tradition  and  to  come  to  America,  where 
life  might  be  begim  anew  and  fresh  vigor  infused  into  the  blood  of  future 
generations.  He  established  in  business  in  Brooklyn  and  from  the  start  did  a 
flourishing  business,  prospering  in  a  degree  unheard  of  in  his  native  land. 
He  married  Bertha  Lesser  and  became  the  father  of  five  children :  Samuel, 
of  whom  further ;  Jennie,  married  Maurice  Levy,  of  New  York  City ;  Theresa, 
married  Dr.  J.  B.  Potsdamer,  of  Philadelphia;  Isaac,  of  Philadelphia;  Ben- 
jamin,  of   Scranton. 

Samuel  Samter,  son  of  Jacob  and  Bertha  (Lesser)  Samter,  was  born  in  New 
York,  New  York,  October  24,  185 1.  He  was  given  the  opportunity  for  an  excel- 
lent education,  which  he  eagerly  improved,  and  after  completing  a  course  at  the 
public  schools,  entered  Brooklyn  Polytechnic  Institute,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated. Not  caring  to  learn  the  trade  of  his  father,  he  left  home  to  lay  the 
foundation  of  his  future  career  and  directed  his  steps  toward  Scranton,  then 
in  the  full  vigor  of  its  strong  and  rapid  growth.  He  answered  a  newspaper 
advertisement  for  a  boy  to  make  himself  generally  useful  for  three  dollars 
a  week  and  found  it  necessary  to  urge  the  advertiser  to  accept  his  services. 
Before  his  engagement  he  was  able  to  assist  his  later  employer  in  closing  a  sale 
involving  a  large  amount  and  was  placed  upon  the  pay-roll.  Upon  his  de- 
parture, three  weeks  later,  he  was  offered  a  salary  of  $100  a  month  to  re- 
main, but  refused.  He  next  entered  the  employ  of  Moore  &  Finley.  When 
he  began  work,  Mr.  Moore  asked  him  what  salary  he  wanted,  Mr.  Samter 
named  no  figure,  simply  saying,  "It  is  up  to  you  now,  but  it  will  be  up  to  me 
bye  and  bye."  Here  he  remained  for  three  months,  leaving  to  enter  business 
independently.  When  he  announced  his  intention  to  Mr.  Moore,  the  latter,  in 
expressing  his  regret  at  the  loss  of  his  services  to  the  firm  and  in  wishing 
him  good  fortune,  concluded  with  "I  thought  as  much."  In  the  spring  of 
1872,  he  opened  his  store  in  the  Valley  House  block,  employing  only  one 
person,  working  in  the  store  himself.  In  1883  he  moved  to  the  Old  Wash- 
ington Hall,  a  building  up  to  that  time  more  accustomed  to  the  applause  greet- 
ing the  efforts  of  the  best  actors  and  actresses  of  the  day  than  to  the  mingled 
noises  of  a  mercantile  establishment.  This  edifice  was  razed  in  1888  and  in 
its  place  a  four  story  brick  building  erected,  which  has  been  added  to  at 
various  times  until  the  floor  space  of  the  store  is  now  27,000  square  feet. 
A  few  years  after  the  establishment  of  the  business  his  brother,  Benjamin, 
became  partner,  the  business  being  conducted  at  the  present  time,  as  Samter 
Brothers.  In  191 1  incorporation  was  made  and  the  company  organized  with 
Samuel  Samter,  president ;  Benjamin  Samter,  vice-president,  and  A.  J.  Levy, 
secretary   and   treasurer. 

The  store  of  Samter  Brothers  has  an  ideal  location  on  the  ci^rner  of  Penn 
and  Lackawanna  avenues,  at  the  central  city  terminal  of  the  Scranton  Rail- 
way Company.  The  number  of  employees  is  1 10  and  men's  and  boys'  clothing 
is  the  only  line  of  goods  carried.  The  patronage  of  the  firm  has  steadily  in- 
creased and  caters  to  the  best  of  Scranton  trade.  It  is  to  the  credit  of  the 
city  that  it  is  the  home  of  its  largest  men's  and  boys'  outfitting  store,  and 
a  monument  to  the  organizing  power  and  constructive  ability  of  Mr.  Samter. 

Mr.  Samter  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Emanuel  Klauber,  of  Munich, 
Bavaria,  and  has  three  children:  Minnie,  married  A.  J.  Levy,  of  Scranton; 
Jeanne,  married  B.  Heinz,  of  Scranton;  Evelyn. 


JOSEPH  JEFFREY 


Born  in  England,  and  transplanted  to  a  foreign  land  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen years,  Mr.  Jeffrey  has  taken  kindly  to  his  American  surroundings  and  has 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  83 

here  flourished  and  prospered  as  "one  to  the  manner  born."  He  has  won  an 
honored  position  in  the  Scranton  Gas  and  Water  Company  and  has  ably- 
seconded  the  effort  of  the  Scrantons,  father  and  son,  to  extend  that  company, 
to  improve  its  service  and  to  render  it  of  still  greater  importance  in  the 
development  of  the  communities  it  serves.  While  the  responsible  post  of 
secretary  and  treasurer  has  in  a  large  degree  confined  Mr.  Jeffrey  to  office 
activity,  he  has  nevertheless  borne  an  active  part  and  is  a  most  important  part 
of  the  machinery  that  drives  the  corporation  known  as  the  Scranton  Gas  and 
Water  Company. 

Joseph  Jeffrey  was  born  in  Lancaster,  England,  May  23,  1867,  son  of 
William  and  Hannah  (Bees)  Jeffrey,  the  former  now  a  retired  miner  aged 
seventy-one  years.  William  Jeffrey,  born  in  1842,  spent  the  first  forty-one 
years  of  his  life  in  his  native  country,  following  there  the  occupation  of  a 
miner.  In  1883  he  came  to  Scranton  where  he  continued  at  the  business  he 
knew  so  thoroughly,  mining,  continuing  for  several  years  before  laying  aside 
the  implements  of  his  trade  and  calling. 

Joseph  Jeffrey  attended  school  in  his  native  shire  imtil  twelve  years  of 
age,  gaining  a  foundation  for  his  years  of  later  study  and  self -improvement. 
From  twelve  to  sixteen  years  of  age  he  was  employed  at  such  work  as  a 
lad  of  his  years  was  capable  of  performing,  and  in  1883  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Scranton,  which  has  since  been  his  home  as  it  has  theirs.  In  Eng- 
land he  had  been  time-keeper  for  the  Wigan  Coal  and  Iron  Company  and 
in  Scranton  his  first  employer  was  O.  S.  Johnson  in  whose  mine  office  he 
started  work.  Later  he  clerked  in  a  Dunmore  store  for  a  few  years,  then  be- 
came an  employee  of  the  Fairlawn  Store  Company,  remaining  with  them 
until  April  19,  i88g,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Scranton  Gas  and 
Water  Company,  as  bookkeeper.  Here  he  found  his  true  sphere  of  activity 
and  ten  years  later  he  had  risen  to  the  position  of  assistant  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  company,  and  in  1906  was  elected  to  his  present  office,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer,  which  he  most  capably  fills.  The  position  he  holds  has 
been  fairly  won  and  came  to  him  in  the  way  of  promotion  for  valued  service 
to  the  corporation  he  served.  The  men  with  whom  he  has  been  so  long 
associated,  and  who  know  him  best,  appreciate  him  most,  and  consider  no 
honor  they  can  bestow  upon  him  is  undeserved.  Mr.  Jeffrey  is  a  member  of 
the  Dunmore  Presbyterian  Church  and  president  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
He  stands  high  in  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  King  Solomon's  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  which  he  is  an  honored  past  master ;  Lack- 
awanna Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Melita  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ; 
and  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  the  latter  a  Wilkes-Barre 
Temple. 

Mr.  Jeffrey  married,  in  1892,  Annie,  daughter  of  George  Raught  and  sister 
of  John  Raught,  the  well  known  artist  of  Scranton.  Children :  Albert  R., 
Willard,   Louis. 


WILLIAM  G.  O'MALLEY 

There  is  no  more  important  duty  laid  upon  political  officials  of  to-day  than 
to  carry  out  in  all  local  governments  the  phrase  in  the  preamble  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  stating  that  one  of  its  purposes  is  to  "pro- 
mote the  general  welfare."  In  our  municipal  governments  the  public  wel- 
fare is  safeguarded  and  directed  by  the  director  of  public  safety,  necessarily 
a  man  of  action,  decision  and  wise,  far-seeing  judgment.  It  is,  therefore,  no 
mean  tribute  to  the  estimation  in  which  William  G.  O'Malley  is  held  that  he 


84  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

occupied  this  responsible  position   as  the  guardian  of  the  peaceful  and  law 
abiding  citizens  of  Scranton  during  the  years  from  1909  to  1914. 

County  Mayo,  Ireland,  has  been  the  seat  of  the  O'Malley  family  for  many 
generations,  where  all  the  earlier  generations  were  tillers  of  the  soil,  hard- 
working, good  men,  but  who  never  acquired  more  than  a  modest  com- 
petence because  of  the  lack  of  opportunities  in  that  land.  It  was  not  until  three 
generations  ago  that  one  of  the  line  determined  to  break  the  chams  of  patriot- 
ism and  sentiment  that  bound  him  to  the  land  of  bis  fathers,  the  far  famed 
"Emerald  Isle,"  and  to  seek  his  fortunes  across  the  sea.  Edward  O'Malley, 
father  of  Thomas  B.  O'Malley,  and  grandfather  of  William  G.  O'Malley, 
came  to  this  country  about  1848,  settling  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  when 
there  were  but  few  settlers  in  that  place.  He  brought  with  him  his  son, 
Thomas  B.,  who  lived  in  Carbondale  until  his  marriage  to  Miss  Bridget 
Cannon,  who  died  December  8,  1912,  aged  fifty-eight  years,  daughter  of  James 
Cannon,  when  he  moved  to  Scranton.  While  in  his  former  place  of  residence 
he  had  been  employed  in  the  coal  mines,  but  upon  coming  to  Scranton  se- 
cured a  position  in  the  steel  works.  By  his  marriage  with  Bridget  Cannon 
he  had  seven  children :  Michael  F.,  James,  Mary,  William  G.,  Eugene, 
Thomas  F.,  Daniel. 

William  G.  O'Malley,  son  of  Thomas  B.  and  Bridget  (Cannon)  O'Malley, 
was  born  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  July  4,  187S.  He  was  given  the  op- 
portunity of  a  public  school  education,  but  the  ambition  to  begin  work  and 
to  earn  his  own  way  in  the  world  was  too  strong  in  him  to  permit  of  toil- 
some drudgery  at  books.  Consequently  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  he  forsook 
the  school  room  and  obtained  work  on  a  delivery  wagon  for  a  local  meat 
market.  His  next  employment  was  in  a  grocery  store,  followed  by  a  term  of 
service  in  the  Lackawanna  mills.  He  then  became  a  clerk  in  the  ofifice  of  E. 
J.  Walsh  &  Company,  in  1903  entering  the  office  of  the  city  engineer  in  the 
same  capacity.  After  one  year's  service  his  energetic  application  to  duty  gained 
recognition  in  his  promotion  to  the  chief  clerkship  in  the  department  of 
public  works.  In  two  years  he  resigned  his  ofifice  to  become  treasurer  of  the 
O'Malley  Manufacturing  Company,  manufacturers  of  brass  goods  and  plumb- 
ing supplies,  usually  employing  about  seventy-five  men.  and  for  three  years 
was  entirely  out  of  public  service ;  he  also  served  as  director  of  this  company. 
On  April  4,  1909,  he  was  installed  in  the  office  of  director  of  public  safety, 
continuing  there  until  January  i,  1914.  Thoroughly  efficient  in  his  position 
and  striving  constantly  to  raise  his  department  to  the  same  plane  in  every  re- 
spect, Mr.  O'Malley  gained  the  confidence  of  the  city  administration  to  such 
an  extent  that  almost  no  interference  was  made  in  his  execution  of  city  laws 
and  ordinances.  Scranton  may  pride  itself  upon  having  during  the  period  of 
five  years  which  Mr.  O'Malley  served  as  director  of  public  safety  an  official 
whose  one  obsession  was  the  proper  protection  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  and 
who  was  ever  on  the  alert  for  anything  detrimental  to  the  "general  welfare." 

Mr.  O'Malley  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus ;  the  Fraternal 
Order  of  Eagles ;  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  in  which  society  he  is 
treasurer  of  the  local  camp ;  the  Scranton  Bicycle  Qub ;  and  the  Scranton 
Canoe  Club  at  Lake  Winona.  He  married  Anna  O'Hara,  daughter  of  Pat- 
rick O'Hara,  of  Scranton. 


JAMES  E.  DAVIS 


This  branch  of  the  Davis  family  dates  in  Pennsylvania  from  the  time  of 
the  arrival  of  Evan  P.  Davis,  an  orphan  boy  of  about  seven  years,  who  came 
in  company  with  an  uncle  from  his  native  land,  Wales.  With  the  usual' 
thrift  of  his  race  he  prospered  and  left  behind  him  an  honored  name. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  85 

Evan  P.  Davis  was  born  near  Mertliyr  Tydvil,  Glenmorganshire,  Wales, 
December  ig,  185 1,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  2,  1902.  He  w^as 
early  orphaned  and  did  not  long  remain  in  his  native  land.  When  about  seven 
years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States,  coming  with  a  relative  to  Provi- 
dence, Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  obtained  an  education,  began 
working  around  the  coal  mines  and  finally  became  an  efficient  mine  superin- 
tendent. He  was  a  member  of  the  Welsh  Baptist  Church,  and  a  good  man. 
He  married  Mary  Ann  Evans,  born  in  Minersville,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, February  29,  1852,  died  May  11,  1902,  leaving  two  children:  Eliza- 
beth, married  to  Robert  H.  Carson,  of  Scranton ;  and  James  E.,  of  whom 
further. 

James  E.  Davis,  only  son  of  his  parents,  was  born  in  Nanticoke,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  I,  1885.  His  early  and  preparatory  education  was  obtained  in 
the  public  schools,  he  being  a  graduate  of  the  high  school,  class  of  1902.  He 
then  entered  Princeton  University,  whence  he  was  graduated  A.  B.,  class  of 
1906.  After  leaving  the  university  he  began  the  study  of  law  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Samuel  B.  Price,  of  Scranton,  and  after  the  required  examination  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  February,  1908.  For  two  years  following  his  admis- 
sion he  was  associated  in  practice  with  Samuel  B.  Price,  continuing  until  May, 
191 1,  when  he  established  a  private  practice  with  offices  at  Nos.  408-409  Con- 
nell  Building.  His  practice  is  general  in  its  character,  excepting  that  he  does 
not  accept  criminal  cases.  He  has  been  solicitor  for  the  Scranton  school 
district  since  July  i,  1912.  Mr.  Davis  has  obtained  a  good  start  in  his  chosen 
profession  and  has  every  prospect  of  a  successful  future.  He  is  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Lackawanna  Law  and  Library  Association,  a  member 
of  the  First  Welsh  Baptist  Church,  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


MADISON  F.  LARKIN 


To  note  exactly  how  prominent  a  part  heredity  has  played  in  the  mental 
and  moral  composition  of  Madison  F.  Larkin,  a  glance  at  the  following  will 
suffice.  In  him  are  embodied  the  virtues  of  a  parent  of  rare  steadfastness 
of  character,  the  traits  of  the  father  descending  to  the  son,  and  raising  the  one 
to  the  same  station  of  lofty  respect  held  by  the  other  in  a  preceding  day  and 
generation. 

Of  English  ancestry,  the  seat  of  the  Larkin  family  in  its  native  land  was 
Lark  River,  Sufifolk  county,  England,  where  available  records  of  those  of 
the  name  trace  back  to  the  latter  part  of  the  twelfth  century.  The  exact  date 
of  the  American  immigration  is  uncertain,  but  in  the  eighteenth  century 
Botetourt  county,  Virginia,  was  the  home  of  the  branch  of  which  Madison  F. 
Larkin  is  a  member,  later  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  claimed  its  residence  and 
finally   Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Franklin  Larkin.  father  of  Madison  F.  Larkin,  was  born  at  Felicity, 
Clermont  county,  Ohio,  January  12,  1821.  LIntil  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age 
he  attended  the  common  schools  and  numbered  among  his  playmates  and  class- 
mates Ulysses  S.  Grant,  of  Civil  War  and  Presidential  fame,  and,  when  not 
in  school,  performed  farm  labor  on  his  father's  land.  It  was  the  custom  in 
those  days  to  supply  the  field  hands  with  liquor  and  it  was  thus  early  in  life 
that  he  made  a  stand  for  his  principles  and  refused  to  labor  where  such  a 
practice  was  carried  out.  After  holding  a  position  as  clerk  in  a  store  at 
Neville  he  learned  varnishing  in  the  same  village.  He  then  apprenticed  him- 
self as  a  clerk  to  Robertson  &  Shields,  merchants  of  Batavia,  Ohio,  for  a 
term  of  three  years,  in  return  for  "board  and  washing  and  fifty  dollars  a 
year,"  but,  the  firm  discontinuing  before  the  expiration  of  his  contract,  he  was 


86  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

released    therefrom   and    was    employed    in    various    country    stores    until    he 
was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was  offered  a  position  in  the  wholesale 
dry  goods  house  of  Wood  &  Sharp,  in  Cincinnati,  through  the  good  offices 
of  a  friend  of  his  father.  Rev.  Maxwell  P.  Gaddis.     After  a  short  time  spent 
in  the  employ  of  this  firm  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  bank  of  B.  W.  Hew- 
son  &  Company,  in  which  he  became  an  assistant  and  afterward  teller,  making 
his  home  with  Mr.  Hewson's  family  and  enjoying  his  highest  confidence  and 
trust.    The  bank  closing  its  doors  in  1842,  he  identified  himself  with  Hopper, 
Wood  &  Company,  proprietors  of  an  auction  and  commission  house.     Two 
years  later  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  M.  Wood,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Wood  &  Larkin,  wholesale  dealers  in  dry  goods,  and  in  1848  retired  from 
the  firm,  selling  his  interest  to  his  partner.     He  then  purchased  the  store  of 
Hines,  Strobridge  &  Company,  but  soon  after,  finding  the  burden  of  mainten- 
ance too  heavy  for  his  resources,  discontinued  the  business  and  settled  with 
his  creditors  for  forty  per  cent,  of  their  claims.     It  is  here  that  praise  must 
be  given  Mr.  Larkin  for  the  manner  in  which  he  kept  his  credit  and  reputa- 
tion clear  of  any  taint  of  suspicion,  as  twenty-three  years  later  he  assembled 
his  old  creditors  and  made  payment  of  the  balance  with  si.x  per  cent,  interest 
from  the  date  of  his  assignment,  the  honorable  course  of  a  man  of  honor,  who 
disdained  to  use  the  letter  of  the  law  as  a  shield  from  his  just  debts.     From 
1849  to  1853  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Thomas  Sharp  &  Company,  and  the 
following  year  was  connected  with  Morris  S.  Hoi:)per  &  Company,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm,  then  acting  as  collector  in  the  State  of  Indiana.     It  was  in  the 
days  of  free  bank  currency  and  the  unstable  paper  issues  were  used  in  that 
state  at  a  discount  varying  from  five  to  forty  per  cent,  and,  aware  of  the  fact 
that  the  same  money  passed  in  Ohio  at  a  much  higher  rate,  Mr.  Larkin  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  speculation.     Opening  an  office  in  the  banking  house  of 
James  F.  Meline  &  Company,  Cincinnati,  he  began  the  buying  and  selling  of 
free  bank  notes  in  Indiana  and  Ohio  and  negotiating  loans  on  securities  froin 
contractors  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad,  from  which  he  progressed 
into  a  general  brokerage  business,  and  in  1857  entered  upon  a  regular  bank- 
ing business,  subsequently   forming  a  partnersh'p   with   George  and   Thomas 
Fox  under  the  firm  name  of  Larkin,   Fox  &  Brother,  which  continued   for 
three  years.     Mr.  Larkin's  well  known  reputation  for  integrity  and  reliability 
attracted  a  large  clientele,  a  prosperous  business  resulting,  to  which  he  gave 
his  exclusive  attention.     In   1866  the  firm  expired  by  limitation  and  that  of 
Joseph   F.  Larkin  &  Company   rose  from  its  ashes,   capitalized  at  $150,000, 
financed  by  some  of  the  leading  capitalists  of  the  city.     As  the  head  of  this 
institution,  Mr.  Larkin  added  to  his  prestige  in  the  financial  world,  and  at  the 
dissolution  of  the  firm  by  limitation  in   1 87 1,  he  formed  the  firm  of  Larkin, 
Wright  &  Company,  with  a  capital  of  $300,000,  which  straightway  became  a 
power  in  the  business  world  and  transacted  an  immense  business   from   its 
organization.     He  later  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner  and  the  business 
was  continued  until    1881,  safely  weathering  all  the  storms  that  wrecked  so 
many  frailer  barks  on  the  sea  of  finance.     In  the  aforementioned  year  the 
Metropolitan  National  Bank  was  organized  to  take  over  the  business  of  J.  F. 
Larkin  &  Company  with  Mr.  Larkin  as  president,  a  position  he  resigned  in 
1883  to  participate  in  the  formation  of  the  Cincinnati  National  Bank,  of  which 
he  became   president. 

Early  in  1867  he,  with  other  prominent  men,  had  organized  the  LTnion 
Central  Life  Insurance  Company.  The  founders  of  this  com.pany  were  men 
of  integrity  and  high  character  in  the  business  and  religious  world.  There 
are  found  among  them  the  names  of  Adam  Poe,  John  M.  Reid,  R.  S.  Rust, 
D.  D.,  Rev.  A.  Meharry,  Asbury  Lowery,  D.  D.,  Bishop  John   M.  Walden. 


tf<i:D  rV  CH»^:BHKt,l,jrEW  Y 


^TOJuvho^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  87 

Bishop  Davis  W.  Clark,  and  among  the  business  men  such  names  as  John 
M.  PhilHps,  James  Gamble,  William  A.  Proctor,  Justice  Stanley  Matthew;?, 
Dr.  William  B.  Davis,  William  M.  Ramsey  and  Harvey  De  Camp. 

Grateful  in  the  highest  degree  for  the  material  blessings  that  had  been  con- 
ferred upon  him.  Mr.  Larkin  all  his  life  held  to  the  old  system  of  tithes  and 
from  his  earliest  youth  placed  aside  one-tenth  of  his  income  for  use  in  chari- 
table purposes.  The  religious  characteristic  in  his  nature  was  acutely  de- 
veloped and  from  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  iiad  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  later  years  well  deserving  the  misused  title 
of  pillar  of  Saint  Paul's  Church,  Cincinnati.  There  was  nothing  propitiatory 
or  expiating  in  his  religion,  his  was  the  simple,  trusting  love  of  faith.  In  the 
time  of  financial  embarrassment  of  the  Cincinnati  Weslevan  College,  his  were 
the  do:iations  that  kept  life  in  the  institution,  and  he  likewise  gave  generously 
to  the  maintenance  of  Wesley  Chapel,  in  which  he  worshipped  for  forty 
years.  The  Loveland  Camp  Meeting  Association  was  also  the  object  of  his 
generous  contributions  and  he  financed  the  now  famous  Methodist  Book  Con- 
cern, while  the  National  Association  for  the  Promotion  of  Holiness,  formed 
in  Philadelphia,  received  the  benefits  of  his  gifts.  He  was  one  of  the  organiz- 
ers of  the  Freedmen's  Aid  Society,  advancing  its  endeavors  in  everv  possible 
way.  His  entire  life  was  characterized  by  total  abstinence  from  indulgence  in 
any  form  of  narcotics  or  spirituous  liquors. 

Mr.  Larkin  married  (first)  in  1844,  Emeline  Wood;  (second)  Julia  Ann 
Stark,  daughter  of  William  T.  Stark,  of  Xenia,  Ohio,  a  lineal  descendant  of 
the  Stark  family,  boasting  of  John  Stark  of  Revolutionary  fame.  In  her 
young  womanhood  she  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Lucy  Webb,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  a  friendship  continuing  through  life. 

Madison  F.  larkin,  son  of  Joseph  F.  and  Julia  Ann  (Stark)  Larkin,  was 
born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  October  15,  1855.  His  preliminary  education  was 
received  in  the  public  schools,  his  later  academic  training  in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan 
College.  He  began  his  business  career  as  messenger  in  the  private  banking 
house  of  Larkin,  Wright  &  Company,  of  which  his  father  was  senior  mem- 
ber, at  Cincinnati,  and  soon  became  paying  teller.  In  1875  h^  was  seriously 
affected  by  the  deaths  of  a  brother  and  sister,  and,  his  health  demanding  it, 
left  home  in  search  of  outdoor  occupation.  Going  to  Galveston,  Texas,  with  a 
letter  of  introduction  to  a  banker,  who  has  since  become  well  known,  J.  W. 
Seligman,  he  was  prevailed  upon  by  that  gentleman  to  accept  a  position  in  a 
branch  bank  at  Goliad,  in  that  state,  by  the  argument,  that,  with  the  change  of 
air  and  climate,  outdoor  life  was  neither  necessary  nor  desirable.  Only  par- 
tially convinced,  Mr.  Larkin  soon  after  returned  to  his  original  determina- 
tion and  engaged  as  a  drover  (one  of  thirty)  to  drive  4000  head  of  cattle 
from  Goliad  to  Waco,  Texas.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  concatenation  of 
events  that  provided  him  with  many  thrilling  experiences,  which  reached  their 
climax  in  a  fiat-boat  trip  down  the  Red  and  Mississippi  rivers  from  Shreves- 
port  to  New  Orleans,  with  three  companions.  They  reached  their  destination, 
where  they  were  unacquainted,  safely,  but  penniless  and  shabbily  clothed, 
sold  their  craft  for  a  dollar,  bought  bread,  and  endeavored  to  appease  their 
ravenous  hunger.  Mr.  Larkin  was  rescued  from  what  was  fast  becoming  a 
pitiable  plight  by  the  arrival  in  port  of  the  river  steamer  Charles  Morgan,  com- 
manded by  a  friend  of  the  family.  Captain  Stein,  who  fed  and  clothed  him, 
aided  his  companions,  and  gave  him  transportation  to  Cincinnati.  Although 
the  exercise  and  exposure  had  greatly  improved  his  physical  condition,  it  was 
thought  that  he  could  still  further  profit  by  the  bracing  atmosphere  of  the 
west,  and  he  set  out  for  the  home  of  his  uncle,  a  prosperous  trader,  in  Arizona. 
While  in  this  region  he  added  to  his  store  of  adventurous  experiences  by  a 


88  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

hairbreadth  escape  from  a  band  of  Indians,  eluding  them  only  by  the  fleet- 
ness  of  his  horse.  At  Phoenix  he  was  a  clerk  in  a  general  store  and  also 
served  as  agent  for  the  Wells-Fargo  Express,  being  one  of  its  first  agents  in 
Arizona.  While  here  he  had  a  narrow  escape  from  sharing  the  fate  of  a  com- 
panion with  whom  he  was  sleeping,  who  was  crushed  to  death  during  a  terrific 
tornado  by  the  roof  of  their  store  collapsing. 

In  January,  1877,  Mr.  Larkin  accompanied  King  Woolsey,  president  of  the 
Upper  House  of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  to  Tucson,  and  in  that  year's 
session  served  as  secretary  on  the  committee  on  territorial  aflfairs,  which 
reported  favorably  on  the  request  of  the  Southern  Pacific  Railway  for  fran- 
chise. While  in  this  city,  which  was  but  a  rapidly  grown  town,  he  witnessed 
many  of  the  territory's  earliest  political  scenes,  in  which  a  revolver  shot  was 
too  frequently  the  settlement  of  a  dispute. 

In  1879,  through  the  friendly  offices  of  John  J.  Valentine,  president  of  the 
Wells-Fargo  Express  Company,  he  became  employed  in  the  Bank  of  Arizona, 
and  while  engaged  in  that  institution  had  an  interesting  experience  as  a  the- 
atrical manager.  A  company  playing  the  comic  opera  "Pinafore,"  a  produc- 
tion then  in  the  height  of  its  popularity,  with  Pauline  Markham  as  leading  lady, 
was  stranded  in  Tucson. 

Mr.  Larkin,  assuming  the  entire  responsibility  and  expense,  brought  it  to 
Prescott  and  billed  it  for  a  two  weeks'  engagement,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
populace  and  the  benefit  of  the  members  of  the  company,  who  were  nothing 
loath  to  leave  the  scene  of  their  late  misfortune  and  retrieving  triumph.  Fill- 
ing his  bank  position  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employers  and  gaining  their 
confidence  by  his  dependability,  he  was  offered  a  position  in  the  bank  of  Ari- 
zona at  Phoenix,  also  as  the  agent  of  the  stage  company  and  of  the  Wells- 
Fargo  Express  Company.  Resigning  his  position  he  wrote  an  acceptance  of 
the  offer  and  soon  after  followed  his  letter  to  Phoenix,  only  to  learn  that  his 
epistle  had  miscarried  and  that  some  one  else  had  been  called  from  California 
to  fill  the  office.  Disappointed,  of  course,  by  this  vagary  of  fate.  Mr.  Larkin 
nevertheless  was  not  discouraged  or  disheartened  by  his  misfortune,  but,  re- 
turning to  Prescott,  entered  the  service  of  the  quartermaster's  department  at 
Whipple  Barracks  under  Major  Grimes,  and  there  served  until  1881. 

He  bade  farewell  to  the  country  that  had  provided  him  with  such  a  store  of 
adventure  and  experience,  in  1881,  and  returned  east,  entering  the  United 
States  National  Bank  of  New  York,  then  one  of  the  leading  financial  centers 
of  the  metropolis,  and  won  speedy  promotion,  being  thrice  advanced  in  one 
year,  and  at  its  close  holding  a  position  as  individual  bookkeeper.  He  resigned 
this  to  become  president  of  the  East  End  Lumber  Company  of  Cincinnati, 
which  he  conducted  successfully  for  seven  years,  until  the  lumbermen's  war  of 
1890,  which  his  company  could  not  survive,  and  in  consequence  was  forced 
out  of  business.  Returning  to  the  banking  business,  he  entered  the  Market 
National  Bank  of  Cincinnati,  remaining  there  until  the  first  of  January,  1897, 
when  he  moved  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
National  Surety  Company  (now  of  New  York  City),  and  subsequently  of 
Swift  and  Company,  the  celebrated  meat  packers.  Here  he  was  engaged  in 
a  struggle  the  like  of  which  he  had  never  encountered  in  all  his  varied  ex- 
perience, a  conflict  with  himself.  On  the  one  side  there  was  the  necessity 
of  providing  for  his  wife  and  himself,  on  the  other,  the  voice  of  conscience 
which  would  not  permit  him  to  perform  the  Sabbath  labor  required  in  his  new 
situation.  It  was  a  trying  moment  for  a  man  with  no  visible  means  of  sup- 
port .should  he  resign,  for  his  father  had  lost  his  all  in  the  Cincinnati  bank 
closure,  and  more  than  once  he  was  on  the  point  of  giving  in,  but  cast  his  deci- 
sion for  the  right  when  his  devoted  wife,  ever  the  best  of  companions  pro- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  89 

■nounced  herself  as  ready  to  share  any  hardships  or  to  endure  any  privation  in 
order  that  the  lofty  principles,  as  dear  to  her  as  to  him,  should  not  be  dragged 
in  the  dust.  So  was  the  decision  made  and  his  resignation  forwarded,  and 
to  this  pair,  true  to  their  nobler  selves  and  joyful  in  the  costliness  of  their 
sacrifice,  came  a  telegram  from  T.  J.  Foster,  of  Scranton,  offering  him  an  im- 
portant and  lucrative  place  with  the  International  Text  Book  Company.  Surely 
this  was  divine  watchfulness  and  care  of  His  own.  Entering  the  service  of 
this  corporation  with  renewed  zeal  and  strengthened  faith  in  the  security  of 
his  destiny,  he  applied  himself  vigorously  and  devotedly  to  his  duties  and 
won  immediate  attention  by  his  assiduous  application  to  his  tasks.  Attention 
necessitated  favorable  comment,  and  following  this  came  promotion,  first  to 
chief  accountant,  then  assistant  treasurer,  and  finally,  December  i,  1902,  con- 
troller of  the  company.  At  the  present  time  he  fills  this  office  and  the  same  on 
the  officiary  of  the  International  Correspondence  Schools,  truly  a  wonderful 
rise,  possible  only  to  one  of  exceptional  merit.  He  is  also  controller  of  the 
International  Educational  Publication  Company,  treasurer  of  the  Scranton 
Life  Insurance  Company,  and  an  influential  member  and  treasurer  of  the 
Scranton  Board  of  Trade. 

Mr.  Larkin  has  ever  been  a  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Prohibition  party, 
his  views  and  convictions  on  the  subjects  forming  the  basis  of  that  party's 
platform  coinciding  minutely  with  those  of  his  honored  father,  and  in  1910 
he  allowed  his  name  to  be  advanced  as  candidate  for  governor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania on  that  ticket.  Disregarding  his  chances  for  victory,  facing  certain 
defeat,  he  displayed  in  that  campaign  much  of  the  same  spirit  that  caused 
him  to  resign  his  position  in  Mississippi  and  stood  before  the  people  of  Penn- 
sylvania as  the  earnest  exponent  of  a  principle  of  immeasurable  height.  His- 
tory records  that  he  was  defeated,  and  by  the  same  token  records  a  campaign 
that  strengthened  the  prohibition  cause  in  one  of  the  very  strongholds  of  its 
foes  and  showed  the  supporters  of  the  liquor  traffic  an  ever  increasing  power 
that  will,  in  time,  sweep  on  to  victory.  In  1912  he  was  a  candidate  for  Con- 
gress from  the  Tenth  District  and  in  1913  for  treasurer  of  Lackawanna  county, 
both  candidacies  unsuccessful.  He  is  a  devoted  Methodist  and  is  one  of  the 
most  ardent  of  religious  workers  among  the  laity.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
board  of  stewards  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  ex-presi- 
dent of  the  Men's  League  of  Elm  Park,  president  of  the  City  Evangelization 
Union,  president  of  the  Scranton  City  Rescue  Mission,  and  ex-president  of 
the  Lavmen's  Association,  Wyoming  Conference.  His  gifts  to  charities  are 
large  and  his  gifts  of  time  and  service  larger  still,  the  two  combined  making 
him  a  power  for  good  of  inestimable  value  to  the  community  and  a  haven  of 
refuge  to  those  disowned  by  fortune  and  cast  out  by  society. 

Mr.  Larkin  married,  in  1889,  Hattie  E.  Harrington,  daughter  of  David 
Chase  Harrington,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  They  have  one  son,  Curtis 
H.,  who  received  the  major  part  of  his  education  at  the  Bordentown  Military 
Institute,  Bordentown,  New  Jersey,  and  at  this  time  just  out  of  the  Technical 
High  School  of  Scranton.  Mrs.  Larkin's  character  is  one  of  true  nobility, 
peculiarly  adapted  to  her  husband's,  a  union  of  charming  freshness,  beauty  and 
strength  resulting  from  their  marriage. 

Mr.  Larkin's  record  speaks  more  eloquently  than  can  the  pen  of  biographer 
of  what  manner  of  man  he  is.  God-fearing  and  upright  throughout  his  en- 
tire life,  his  is  the  reward  of  fidelity  to  duty  and  the  dictates  of  conscience. 
Having  risen  to  regnance  over  self,  the  greatest  conquest  was  his,  all  his  fol- 
lowing triumphs  and  success  springing  therefrom. 


90  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

HENRY  F.  FERBER 

Henry  F.  Ferber  is  a  descendant  of  a  German  family,  whose  seat  for 
many  generations  has  been  the  grand  duchy  of  Baden,  Germany.  The  emi- 
grant ancestor  of  the  name  was  Augustus  C.  Ferber,  born  in  Baden  in  1824, 
where  he  obtained  his  education  and  learned  the  baker's  trade.  When  he  was 
twenty-four  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Scranton, 
and  for  nine  years  was  employed  by  the  Scranton  Coal  Comi)any,  assisting 
in  the  opening  of  one  of  the  first  mines  ever  worked  on  Roaring  Creek.  In 
1853  he  moved  to  Pittston  and  there  followed  the  trade  he  had  learned  in 
his  native  land,  that  of  baker,  but  only  remained  there  for  five  weeks,  then 
returning  to  Scranton  and  to  his  former  employers.  While  the  family  was 
residing  in  Pittston,  Henry  F.,  (of  whom  further),  was  born.  After  holding 
a  position  as  watchman  at  the  Diamond  Mines,  Augustus  C.  Ferber 
established  in  the  draying  business  and  was  so  engaged  until  the  years  before 
his  death.  For  six  years  he  served  his  city  as  chief  of  police,  during  the 
administration  of  Mayor  Mooney.  At  the  time  of  Lee's  invasion  of  Penn- 
sylvania, he  enlisted  in  one  of  the  companies  of  Emergency  Men  that  were 
formed,  but  never  was  in  active  service.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  active  mem- 
bers and  regular  attendants  of  the  Immanuel  Baptist  Church. 

He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Chester  Fram,  a  veteran  of  the  War  of 
1812.  Her  grandfather  fought  in  both  the  war  for  independence  and  the  War 
of  1812.  Their  children,  who  reached  maturity,  were:  Christina,  Martha. 
Henry  F.,  (of  further  mention),  Elizabeth,  Emma,  Edward,  Ella,  and  Jennie. 

Henry  F.  Ferber,  son  of  Augustus  C.  and  Mary  (Frain)  Ferber,  was  born 
in  Pittston.  April  I,  1853.  He  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  nine 
years  of  age,  but  was  then  compelled  to  discontinue  his  studies  and  to  obtain 
employment  in  a  coal  breaker.  Determined  not  to  be  thus  deprived  of  all  the 
advantages  accruing  from  an  adequate  education,  he  paid  a  Mr.  Kohler  for 
instructing  him  in  the  branches  of  which  he  felt  he  would  have  the  most  need, 
receiving  these  lessons  after  a  day  of  the  most  exhausting  kind  of  labor  in  the 
breaker.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  Scranton 
Stove  Works,  to  learn  the  trade  of  stove  moulder,  following  that  occupation 
until  1875,  when  he  went  into  the  draying  business.  His  business  flourished 
and  he  continued  in  that  line  until  1894.  when  he  sold  his  interests.  He  has 
been  identified  with  the  city  fire  department  since  1866;  was  elected  chief 
1876,  served  one  year;  again  elected  1882,  1883,  and  1884,  but  was  displaced 
by  changes  in  the  administration.  In  1893,  he  was  once  more  appointed  to 
that  position,  serving  three  years  and  in  1901,  August  i,  was  again  appointed 
by  William  L.  Connell  and  has  held  the  position  ever  since.  During  his  con- 
tinuance as  head  of  the  department  it  has  attained  a  high  grade  of  efficiency, 
has  been  provided  with  all  modern  equipment,  and  holds  high  rank  among 
those  of  other  cities  of  the  country.  Mr.  Ferber  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years  of 
age  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  With  the  intense  patriotism  of  youth,  he 
was  eager  to  join  the  army  as  drummer  boy,  but  could  not  of  course  obtain 
parental  permission.  Thoughts  of  battle,  long  marches,  and  stirring  cam- 
paigns became  an  obsession  with  him,  and  on  five  different  occasions  he  made 
an  effort  to  enter  the  service,  claiming  that  his  parents  were  dead.  On  one 
occasion  he  had  been  accepted  and  had  donned  his  uniform,  when  the  chief  of 
police  entered  the  recruiting  office  and  compelled  him  to  return  home.  The 
chief  of  police  was  the  nemesis  that  upset  his  fondest  hopes,  as  on  each  oc- 
casion that  he  tried  to  enlist,  it  was  he  who  detected  him  and  returned  him  to 
his  parents.  They,  while  full  of  pride  in  the  youth  and  his  love  of  country, 
would  not  permit  him  to  go  to  the  front.     His  only  military  connection  ha.s 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


91 


been  three  years  service  in  Company  B,  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
National  Guard,  commanded  by  Captain   Kellogg. 

He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  O.  Jones,  of  Pittston.  Children : 
Harry  F.,  a  member  of  the  Scranton  fire  department ;  Miriam,  married  W. 
W.  Scheuer  and  lives  in  Scranton ;  Lucille,  at  lionie. 

Mr.  Ferber  is  the  able  head  of  the  department  of  Scranton's  municipal 
fire  system  noted  for  its  efficiency.  With  the  best  of  apparatus,  efficiently 
manned  by  a  band  of  brave  and  daring  firefighters,  the  property  of  the  tax- 
payers of  Scranton  is  safeguarded,  as  far  as  is  possible  by  human  means, 
from  the  ravages  of  fire.  Mr.  Ferber  has  been  a  member  since  1876  of  Union 
Lodge,  No.  291,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Scranton,  and  belongs  to  the  Temple 
Club,  a  social  club  of  Masons.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  International 
Associations  of  Chief  Engineers ;  Keystone  Fire  Chiefs ;  Pennsylvania  State 
Firemen's  Association,  in  which  he  has  held  the  office  of  president;  Firemen's 
Relief  Fund  of  Scranton ;  Volunteer  Firemen's  Association  of  Scranton ; 
the  Scranton  Liederkranz,  and  the  German  Alliance  of  Scranton.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Royal  Arcanum.  In  1914,  at  the  beginning  of  Mayor  E.  B. 
Jermyn's  administration.  Fire  Chief  Ferber  recommended  the  elimination  of 
horse  drawn  apparatus  and  to  install  motor  operators  instead ;  this  being  done, 
they  have  seven  pieces  of  motor  apparatus  consisting  of  tractors,  triple 
pieces  and  combination  autos. 


WILLIAM  C.  HESSINGER 

From  Germany,  the  ancient  home  of  the  family,  to  New  York,  thence 
westward  to  Wisconsin,  and  then  to  Scranton,  where  the  present  day  repre- 
sentative of  this  branch  of  the  family  resides,  is  the  course  followed  by  the 
Hessinger  family  in  America.  Ever  a  respected  and  honored  name  during  the 
time  the  family  has  been  in  the  LTnited  States,  none  has  been  more  worthy  of 
honor  and  respect.  All  in  this  country  have  led  busy  and  useful  lives,  engaged 
in  occupations  necessary  to  society,  and  never  committing  depredations  upon 
the  prosperity  of  their  neighbors  or  seeking  for  gain  without  giving  in  re- 
turn of  their  talent  or  labor. 

(I)  The  emigrant  ancestor,  Theodore  Hessmger,  came  to  this  country 
when  a  young  man,  and  settled  in  Williamsburg,  New  York.  While  there 
he  was  married  and  moved  to  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  in  both  places  follow- 
ing his  trade  of  cabinet  maker,  which  he  had  learned  in  his  native  country 
from  a  workman  who  was  a  master  in  his  art  and  of  wide  reputation  for  the 
beauty  and  skillful  execution  of  his  work.  He  later  came  to  Scranton,  being 
among  the  first  settlers,  and  formed  a  triple  partnership  for  work  at  his  trade, 
one  of  the  other  members  being  named  Grieser.  He  became  quite  prominent 
in  the  public  life  of  the  city  and  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  alderman. 

(II)  Henry  Hessinger,  son  of  Theodore  Hessinger,  was  born  in  Sheboy- 
gan, Wisconsin,  in  1856.  He  learned  his  trade  with  his  father,  and  in  1868 
engaged  independently  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  on  the  South 
Side.  His  efforts  met  with  gratifying  success,  the  upbuilding  of  a  flourish- 
ing business  being  interrupted  by  his  death  in  1890.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  German  Presbyterian  Church.  He  belonged  to  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
He  married  Margaret  Kiefer,  daughter  of  Charles  Kiefer ;  children :  Wil- 
liam C,  of  further  mention;  Frank  T.,  of  Philadelphia;  Edward  R.,  of 
Scranton. 

(III)  William  C.  Hessinger,  son  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Kiefer)  Hess- 
inger, was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Augu.st  21,  188 1.    He  obtained  his 


92  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  later  attending  Woods  Busi- 
ness College  in  preparation  for  his  active  career.  For  a  time  he  was  em- 
ployed in  woolen  mills  in  the  city,  and  since  that  time  has  been  actively  engaged 
in  the  establishing  and  conducting  of  the  New  Citizens'  Building  and  Loan 
Association,  of  Scranton,  of  which  he  is  secretary.  While  the  titles  of  the 
other  officers  sound  much  more  imposing  it  is  upon  the  secretary  of  such  an 
organization  that  the  real  burden  of  its  business  falls,  and  Mr.  Hessinger,  with 
his  other  business  interests,  has  his  time  well  filled.  He  is  also  secretary  of 
the  Globe  Silk  Manufacturing  Company,  a  corporation  organized  in  1906  with 
the  following  officers:  H.  J.  Ziegler,  president;  Henry  Frey,  vice-president; 
Henry  F.  Ziegler.  secretary;  Louis  Schumacher,  treasurer;  and  Joseph  A. 
Gnoss,  manager.  At  the  present  time  the  officers  are  unchanged,  except  that 
William  C.  Hessinger  has  replaced  Henry  F.  Ziegler  as  secretary.  The  short 
life  of  this  company  has  still  been  a  prosperous  one.  They  employ  seventy 
operators,  and  have  on  an  average  seventy  looms  running.  This  product 
reaches  the  market  through  commission  merchants. 

Mr.  Hessinger  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
and  General  Grant  Commandery.  Knights  of  Malta.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
belong  to  the  German  Presbyterian  Church  and  are  regular  attendants  at  its 
services.  He  married  Caroline  Naher.  daughter  of  Peter  Naher.  of  Scranton, 
and  they  have  one  son,  Paul  W. 

Tremendously  energetic,  and  directing  his  energies  in  an  intelligent  man- 
ner, Mr.  Hessinger  has  proven  himself  indispensable  to  the  dififerent  organiza- 
tions which  he  serves,  holding  their  highest  confidence  and  giving  the  best 
of  his  labors  to  their  interests. 


THOMAS   B.   HOWE 


Of  English  ancestry.  Captain  Phineas  Howe,  grandfather  of  Thomas  B. 
Howe,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Wayne  county,  securing  land  from  the 
government  and  rendering  service  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  founded  a  large  fam- 
ily, many  descendants  being  found  in  Wayne  and  adjacent  counties,  men  of 
worth  in  their  several  communities.  His  descendant,  Thomias  B.  Howe,  represen- 
tative of  the  Scranton  branch,  is  a  native  son  of  Wayne  county,  Scranton  be- 
ing his  home  by  adoption.  The  old  pioneer  added  to  the  wealth  of  his  country  by 
converting  wild  forest  land  into  fertile  fields,  but  his  grandson  has  created  wealth 
and  prosperity  for  man  through  his  inventive  genius  and  the  thorough  busi- 
ness ability  that  successfully  placed  his  inventions  on  the  market.  The  lot  01 
the  inventor  is  usually  to  furnish  the  genius  to  contrive  and  construct  with- 
out participating  in  tlie  pecuniary  reward  that  follows  each  meritorious  in- 
vention, but  Mr.  Thomas  both  sowed  and  reaped,  gaining  fame  as  an  in- 
ventor of  useful,  long  needed  appliances,  and  a  high  position  in  the  business 
world. 

(H)  His  father,  Abraham  S.  Howe,  son  of  Captain  Phineas  Howe,  was 
born  in  Wayne  county,  there  lived  the  life  of  a  farmer  and  butcher  and  there 
died  in  1856,  meeting  his  death  by  drowning  at  the  age  of  fifty-one  years.  He 
married  Rebecca  Bortree,  daughter  of  an  old  Wayne  county  settler. 

(HI)  Thomas  B.  Howe,  son  of  Abraham  S.  and  Rebecca  (Bortree) 
Howe,  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  14,  1849.  He  was  but 
a  lad  when  his  father  died  and  after  finishing  his  studies  in  the  public  school 
of  his  district,  he  began  learning  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  became  a  skilled 
worker  and  continued  a  builder  for  eleven  years.  About  1878  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  as  fireman,  later 
becoming  an  engineer.     Locomotives  at  that  time  were  built  with  stationary 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


93 


grates,  a  system  both  wasteful  and  inconvenient.  Mr.  Howe  pondered  the 
problem,  long  and  carefull}',  finally  perfecting  and  patenting  a  shaking  grate, 
the  first  one  ever  placed  in  a  locomotive,  being  his  patent  and  used  on  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  engines  running  out  of  Scranton.  After  four 
years  as  fireman  and  engineer  he  resigned  to  take  personal  charge  of  the 
manufacture  and  installation  of  his  grate  and  other  patented  improvements. 
He  is  the  father  of  twenty-eight  patented  inventions  of  practical  value,  the 
last  being  a  steam  dryer  used  for  drying  sand.  Mr.  Howe  many  years  ago 
became  interested  in  sand  and  gravel  banks  in  both  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  has  made  the  development  of  such  properties  his  chief  business. 
He  is  president  of  the  Scranton  Sand  Company,  with  plant  at  Waverly,  New 
York;  manager  of  Sayre  Sand  and  Plaster  Company,  of  Sayre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  is  president  of  the  Ariel  Sand  Company  of  Scranton,  organized  in 
1912,  with  Thomas  B.  Howe,  president  and  manager,  and  R.  C.  Ruthven, 
secretary  and  treasurer.  The  Ariel  Sand  Company  is  one  of  Scranton's  suc- 
cessful concerns,  it  having  been  formed  to  supply  the  large  local  demand  for 
sand  and  gravel,  now  so  plentifully  used  in  constructive  work.  Mr.  Howe 
is  also  a  director  of  the  Waverly  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  an  in- 
dependent in  politics,  always  deferring  to  his  convictions  regardless  of  party 
in  choosing  his  candidates.  He  is  public  spirited  and  generous,  and  so  holds 
the  confidence  of  the  voters  of  his  ward,  the  thirteenth,  that  he  was  chosen 
their  representative  in  the  city  council  serving  one  term.  He  is  a  member  and 
past  master  of  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  is  a  companion 
of  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  a  Sir  K,night  of  Melita  Com- 
mandery.  Knights  Templar  and  a  noble  of  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  mterested  as  a  stockholder  in  the  LInion  National  Bank ; 
First  Mortgage  and  Guaranty  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Black  Diamond 
Silk   Company. 

Mr.  Howe  married,  September  26,  1873,  Maria  H.,  daughter  of  William 
Copeland,  an  Englishman  of  Turnersville,  Lackawanna  county,  where  Mrs. 
Howe  was  born.  Children :  Everett  T.,  now  of  Rochester,  New  York ;  Rean 
M.,  now  widow  of  Dr.  A.  G.  Fall.  Little  more  than  a  glance  is  here  given 
of  the  useful  life  and  manly  character  of  Thomas  B.  Howe.  Broad  minded, 
progressive,  just  and  generous,  it  is  a  matter  of  gratification  to  all,  that  from 
his  genius  of  invention  and  soundness  of  executive  management,  wealth  has 
come  to  him  in  abundance.  It  has  been  fairly  earned  and  is  rightfully  used. 
The  world  is  better,  brighter  and  richer  for  his  having  lived  in  it :  he  has 
created  not  destroyed  and  his  sixty-four  years  of  life  have  been  spent  in  a 
manner  that  can  cause  him  nothing  but  satisfaction  in  its  review. 


SAMUEL  F.   YORK 


Yorkshire,  England,  was  the  home  of  the  early  generations  of  the  York 
family,  represented  in  Scranton  by  Samuel  F.  York,  a  stock  and  bond  broker 
of  Scranton,  his  children  being  the  only  members  of  this  branch  born  in 
America.  Never  identified  with  the  industrial  or  manufacturing  interests 
of  the  great  cities  of  the  country,  the  Yorks  have  ever  been  found  in  the 
country  villages  or  dwelling  on  their  estates  in  rural  England.  Theirs  was 
the  free,  unfettered,  life  in  the  open  fields;  theirs  the  pleasure  of  walking 
through  the  sunlit  meadows  by  the  running  brooks;  theirs  all  the  beautiful 
scenes  of  which  the  English  poets  fondly  sing,  for  which  Browning,  with  a 
son's  love,  pines,  in  his  "Home  Thoughts  From  Abroad."  It  was  because 
of  this  innate  love  of  life  near  to  nature  that  Thomas  York,  grandfather  of 
Samuel  F.  York,  all  his  life  lived  in  Shadforth,  England,  where  he  was  the 


94  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

proprietor  of  one  of  the  inns  for  which  the  English  country  side  is  famous. 
Here  he  Hved  quietly  and  peacefully,  a  courteous,  cordial  host,  keeping  in 
touch  with  the  events  of  the  world  beyond  his  own  immediate  horizon  by  con- 
versation with  the  travelers  who  stopped  at  his  inn  for  supper  or  for  a 
night's  lodging.  Here  William  F.  York  was  born  in  1850  and  grew  to  man- 
hood. In  him  the  instincts  of  the  husbandman  were  lost  and  he  sought  the 
thriving  industries  of  the  city,  learned  the  machinist's  trade,  and  in  1882  came 
to  America.  An  expert  machinist,  familiar  with  every  department  of  his 
trade,  he  found  no  difficulty  in  securing  a  position,  and  was  employed  by  the 
Dickson  Manufacturing  Company  as  erecting  machinist.  He  superintended 
the  erection  of  many  intricately  made  machines,  his  last  work  in  the  em- 
ploy of  this  company  being  done  in  the  construction  of  the  famous  dynamite 
guns  on  Fishers  Island,  New  York.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Westinghouse  Electrical  and  Manufacturing  Company  in  the  main  shops  of 
the  company  at  Pittsburgh,  with  whom  he  has  ever  since  been  identified  and 
in  whose  service  he  has  established  a  well-deserved  reputation  for  sterling 
worth  and  expert  ability.  No  problem  of  mechanics  evades  his  wide  and 
practical  knowledge,  no  process  so  involved  that  he  is  unable  to  swiftly  com- 
prehend its  complicated  workings.  With  his  knowledge  and  ability  he  couples 
a  capacity  for  an  almost  endless  amount  of  work,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
trusted  and  best  regarded  men  in  the  company's  plant,  which  is  of  mammoth 
size.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Samuel  P.  Harris,  a  wholesale  and 
retail  merchant  of  Darlington,  England.  She  died  in  1901,  aged  fifty  years. 
Children:  John  F. ;  Samuel  F.,  of  whom  further;  Ernest  and  Ewart,  all  of 
Scranton;  Harry,  a  resident  of  Carbondale ;  and  Anna,  married  John  F.  Gib- 
son, now  living  in  Birmingham,  Alabama. 

Samuel  F.  York,  son  of  William  F.  and  Elizabeth  (Harris)  York,  was 
born  in  Darlington,  England,  December  10,  1874.  His  early  boyhood  was 
spent  in  the  city  of  Scranton  and  there  he  attended  the  public  schools.  When 
a  young  man  he  learned  the  printer's  trade  and  soon  after  completing  same 
started  in  independent  operations  as  the  York  Printing  and  Publishing  Com- 
pany. Establishing  a  reputation  for  high  class  work,  especially  book  and  maga- 
zine printing,  his  business  rapidly  grew  until  it  was  the  largest  of  its  kind  in 
the  city.  A  great  deal  of  job  work  was  also  handled  at  the  shop,  which  con- 
tinued a  flourishing  career  until  1906,  when  Mr.  York  turned  the  active  man- 
agement over  to  others,  still  retaining  his  interest  in  the  business.  For  a  time 
he  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  other  interests  in  southern  land  companies, 
conducting  later  investment  and  brokerage  operations.  He  is  now  the  ac- 
credited representative  of  a  large  New  York  City  banking  house,  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania.  His  other  business  connections  are  as  vice-president  and 
treasurer  of  the  Baumeister  Drug  Company,  and  treasurer  of  the  Pension 
Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company.  Mr.  York  is  a  member  of  the  Good  Shep- 
herd Episcopal  Church,  while  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Emmanuel  Baptist 
Church.  He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  Schiller  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the 
Royal  Secret,  and  is  a  noble  of  Irem  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  He  is  one  of 
the  active  members  of  the  Temple  Masonic  Club  and  is  vice-chairman  of  the 
Navy  League. 

He  married  Bertha,  daughter  of  Herz  Lowenstein,  an  old  merchant  of 
Scranton,  who  established  the  first  department  .=;tore  in  the  city  of  Scranton, 
on  what  is  now  Cedar  avenue.    Children :    Warren  W.  and  Gladys  H. 


-^^Luyuci^  xTr^fe'-^-^L-'^^'x^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  95 

CYRUS  D.  JONES 

Many  men  pass  from  mortal  view  and  are  only  remembered  through  the 
monument  marking  their  resting  place.  Others  by  chance  are  brought  into  the 
public  eye  through  a  chance  turn  of  fortune's  wheel,  while  others  build  a 
monument  of  commercial  fame  that  endures  forever.  To  this  latter  class 
belongs  Cyrus  D.  Jones,  who  has  seen  the  company  he  founded  grow  to  such 
proportions  that  the  sign.  Grand  Union  Tea  Company,  is  found  in  all  the  cities 
of  our  country.  He  has  seen  it  safely  weather  every  financial  storm,  and 
emerge  from  each  larger,  better  and  stronger.  Such  a  monument,  built  only 
by  unceasing  industry,  careful  judgment  and  wise  executive  ability,  when  built, 
is  one  to  be  proud  of,  and  one  worthy  of  being  used  as  an  example  of  what 
can  be  accomplished  by  well  directed  and  honorable  effort. 

A  glance  at  the  ancestry  of  the  men  of  nerve,  wisdom  and  energy  who 
have  accomplished  so  much,  reveals  the  fact  that  their  forbears  were  men  of 
courage  and  enlightened  minds  and  that  Cyrus  D.  Jones  comes  rightfully  by 
his  pioneer  spirit  and  owes  much  to  the  sturdy  ancestors  who  revolted  against 
kingly  oppression  and  helped  to  found  a  nation  in  a  new  world. 

Colonel  John  Jones,  the  English  ancestor,  was  governor  of  Anglesea, 
member  of  parliament  from  Wales,  colonel  in  Cromwell's  army  and  one  of 
the  court  of  judges  who  decided  the  fate  of  Charles  I.  of  England.  When 
Charles  II.  ascended  the  throne,  he  pardoned  many  who  aided  Cromwell  and 
his  cause,  but  the  members  of  the  court  that  tried  and  sentenced  his  father  to 
death,  he  never  forgave,  but  pursued  them  to  the  grave.  Colonel  Jones  mar- 
ried a  sister  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  his  son,  William  Jones,  a  barrister  of 
London,  came  to  America  with  two  of  the  regicide  judges,  Whalley  and  Gofife, 
assisting  in  secreting  them  from  the  King's  officers  who  were  in  close  pursuit. 
The  record  states  that  Whalley  and  Goffe  were  conducted  by  Jones  and  his 
friends  "some  three  miles  into  the  wilderness  beyond  the  mill,  where  a  booth 
having  been  constructed,  the  party  spent  the  night." 

Deputy-Governor  William  Jones,  the  American  ancestor,  was  born  in  Lon- 
don, England,  in  1624.  He  married,  July  4,  1659,  Hannah,  daughter  of 
Theophilus  Eaton,  governor  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut.  He  came  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  wife  and  two  sons,  William  (2)  and  Nathaniel,  locating  at  New 
Haven  with  his  father-in-law,  Governor  Eaton.  In  May,  1664,  he  was  chosen 
deputy-governor  of  the  colony,  and  had  a  church  seat  on  "the  long  seat" 
with  other  men  of  distinction.  Isaac  Jones,  youngest  son  of  Deputy-Governor 
William  Jones,  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  June  21,  1671.  He 
settled  in  Stratford,  Connecticut,  and  there  married  Deborah  Clark.  Isaac  (2) 
Jones,  sixth  child  of  Isaac  (i)  Jones,  married  and  had  a  son  John,  who  mar- 
ried and  had  a  son  Josiah,  who  married  Sarah  Smith.  Their  son,  Isaac  (3) 
Jones,  was  born  at  Stamford,  Connecticut,  November  11,  1794,  and  married 
Lois  Curtis.  Their  eldest  son,  Isaac  S.  Jones,  was  born  in  Stamford,  Con- 
necticut, there  became  a  merchant,  represented  his  town  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture, also  filled  various  local  offices.  He  married  Frances  J.  Weed,  of  Pound 
Ridge,  New  York ;  children :  Frances  S.,  Mary  E.,  Frank  S.,  Cyrus  D., 
Charles  F.  While  the  three  sons  of  Isaac  S.  Jones,  Frank  S.,  Cyrus  D.,  and 
Charles  F.,  at  first  formed  the  firm  of  Jones  Brothers,  later  the  Grand  LTnion 
Tea  Company,  Frank  S.  and  Cyrus  D.  Jones,  carried  the  burden  longer, 
Charles  F.  retiring  ere  the  business  assumed  its  latter  day  magnitude. 

Cyrus  D.  Jones  was  born  in  Stamford,  Connecticut,  May  i,  1852.  He  at- 
tended school,  then  became  clerk  in  his  father's  store,  later  going  to  New  York 
City,  where  he  clerked  in  a  similar  store,  and  for  one  year  was  with  J.  H. 
Knapp  &  Company,  a  wholesale  wood  and  willow  ware  house  of  New  York. 


96  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

In  the  meantime  Isaac  S.  Jones,  the  father,  had  moved  his  residence  to  Scran- 
ton,  where  in  1871,  he  was  joined  by  his  son,  then  nineteen  years  of  age.  Cyrus- 
D.  Jones  attended  Gardner's  Business  College  and  clerked  in  Scranton  for 
about  a  year,  then  having  attained  his  majority  he  joined  with  his  brothers 
forming  the  firm  of  Jones  Brothers  and  engaging  in  the  tea  business  in  Scran- 
ton. In  1877  they  organized  as  the  Grand  Union  Tea  Company  and  began 
their  wonderful  career  of  growtii  and  expansion.  The  company,  which  started 
so  humbly,  September  i,  1872,  is  now  one  of  the  mammoth  retailing  companies 
of  the  United  States,  regularly  incorporated  with  head  offices  in  New  York 
City,  has  about  200  stores  in  leading  cities,  employs  an  army  of  over  3000 
people  and  does  an  annual  business  of  many  millions.  Of  this  great  company, 
Cyrus  D.  Jones  is  vice-president,  a  position  he  has  held  since  its  formation. 
He  and  his  brother,  Frank  S.,  trading  as  an  individual  firm,  purchase  all  the 
products,  premiums,  etc.,  used  by  the  company,  importing  whole  cargoes  of 
tea  and  supplying  the  capital  for  the  importation  of  the  immense  quantities  of 
coffee  annually  sold  by  the  company.  The  brothers  also  own  the  Anchor 
Pottery  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  the  Grand  Union  using  the  most  of  the  output 
of  that  pottery.  Charles  F.  Jones,  the  third  brother,  retired  in  1893.  While 
the  Grand  Union  Tea  Company,  as  at  present  conducted,  is  a  vast,  well  regu- 
lated machine  that  is  almost  automatic  in  its  workings,  it  was  not  always  so, 
and  while  success  in  its  fullest  sense  has  crowned  the  efforts  of  the  brothers, 
the  result  was  not  attained  without  the  hardest  kind  of  work  and  the  incessant 
exercise  of  all  the  best  merchandising  qualities  of  the  founders. 

During  its  business  life  of  forty  years  the  Grand  Union  has  passed 
safely  through  financial  crises,  weathering  storms  that  have  left  the  country 
strewn  with  the  wrecks  of  much  more  pretentious  concerns.  The  company 
has  so  wisely  conserved  its  resources  that  in  times  of  national  financial  string- 
ency it  has  been  able  to  extend  instead  of  curtailing  its  operations. 
The  history  of  these  operations  is  as  interesting  and  almost  as  dramatic  (but 
happily  less  tragic)  as  the  scenes  the  Jones  ancestors  passed  through,  when 
with  parliament  they  fought  their  King.  When  the  first  start  was  made  in 
1872,  the  brothers  made  a  house  to  house  canvass  for  orders,  and  were  obliged 
to  deliver  on  foot  until  sufficient  means  had  been  accumulated  to  afford  wagon 
delivery.  Frank  S.  Jones  was  the  first  president  of  the  company,  which  was 
not  incorporated  until  1893,  continuing  its  head  until  1903,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  W.  J.  Burke.  The  home  office  in  New  York  City,  (borough  of 
Brooklyn)  covers  an  entire  block  and  is  devoted  entirely  to  the  manufacture 
and  shipping  interests  of  the  Grand  Union  Tea  Company.  It  contains  a  plant 
for  the  manufacture  of  paper  bags,  another  for  making  tin  cans,  a  well 
equipped  soap  factory  and  a  complete  printing  establishment. 

In  addition  to  the  conspicuous  part  he  has  evei-  played  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Grand  Union  Tea  Company,  Cyrus  D.  Jones  holds  important  official  posi- 
tion in  over  thirty  other  corporations  and  firms,  including  the  presidency  of 
the  People's  Bank  of  Scranton,  the  vice-piesidency  of  the  United  States  Lum- 
ber Company  and  a  directorship  in  the  Traders'  Bank  of  Scranton,  also  on  the 
executive  board  of  Scranton  Trust  Company.  But  these  interests,  weighty  as 
they  are,  have  been  voluntarily  laid  aside  so  far  as  active  participation  in  their 
affairs  are  concerned,  Mr.  Jones  having  determined  to  limit  his  personal  effort. 
He  has  so  far  adhered  to  his  resolutions  that  he  now  lives  practically  retired, 
his  connection  being  advisory  and  voluntary.  He  maintains  his  beautiful  home 
in  Scranton  at  No.  901  Olive  street,  and  without  ostentation  is  a  liberal  bene- 
factor of  the  charitable  and  philanthropic  institutions  of  his  city.  Travel  is  his 
chief  relaxation  and  in  pursuit  of  recreation  and  knowledge  he  has  traversed 
Europe  and  America.    His  rare  and  genial  nature  has  endeared  him  to  a  wide 


0M(k^/^imd., 


CITY  OF  SCR.\NTON  97 

circle  of  friends  to  whom  the  charming  hospitality  of  his  home  is  freely  ex- 
tended. Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  has  ever  been  a  friend  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Scranton  and  was  a  strong  pillar  of 
support,  financially,  in  the  erection  of  its  magnificent  building. 

Mr.  Jones  married,  March  23,  1876,  Mary  S.  Horn,  of  Scranton.  Chil- 
dren: I.  Arthur  A.,  president  of  the  Grand  Union  Tea  Company;  married 
Ellazena  Bixby ;  resides  in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  2.  Harry  L.,  connected  with 
the  Grand  Union  Tea  Company  as  treasurer ;  married  Edna  Caryl ;  resides  in 
Brooklyn.  3.  Helen  F.  4.  Frederick  B.,  a  banker  and  broker,  Bank  of  Scran- 
ton. 


DANIEL  R.  WATKINS 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  was  Edward  Wat- 
kins,  grandfather  of  Daniel  R.  Watkins,  of  this  narrative,  who  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1826  from  Breconshire,  Wales,  where  he  followed  the  oc- 
cupation with  which  he  had  been  identified  in  his  native  land,  that  of  a  miner. 
His  last  years  were  spent  with  his  son,  Thomas  E.  Watkins,  at  whose  home 
his  death  occurred  in  1879,  when  he  was  seventy- five  years  of  age. 

(II)  Thomas  E.  Watkins,  son  of  Edward  Watkins,  was  born  in  Carbon- 
dale,  Pennsylvania,  in  1828.  His  earliest  employment  was  in  the  mines  and 
all  his  life  was  spent  in  work  connected  with  mining,  mine  foreman  having 
been  his  position  for  many  years  before  his  death,  on  October  14,  1889,  aged 
sixty  years.  In  1859  he  moved  to  Scranton  and  was  there  employed  for  the 
last  half  of  his  life  in  the  coal  mining  department  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna 
&  Western.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Tabernacle  Congregational 
Church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belonged,  and  held  a  place  on  the  board  of  trus- 
tees. .  His  fraternal  affiliation  was  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. He  married  Rachel  Lewis.  Children :  William  E.,  a  resident  of  New 
York  City;   George  W.    (deceased);   Daniel   R.    (of   further  mention). 

(III)  Daniel  R.  Watkins,  son  of  Thomas  E.  and  Rachel  (Lewis)  Wat- 
kins, was  born  in  Yorktown,  Carbon  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  10, 
1857.  He  was  excellently  educated  in  the  public  schools,  Wyoming  Seminary, 
and  the  Collegiate  Institute,  of  Newton,  New  Jersey.  His  father  was  pro- 
prietor of  a  general  store  in  Hyde  Park,  although  he  did  not  give  it  his  per- 
sonal attention,  and  Mr.  Watkins  entered  the  store  as  manager,  sharing  the 
duties  of  the  position  with  his  brother,  W.  E.  Watkins,  the  two  conducting 
the  business  of  the  store  until  1876.  He  was  then  employed  in  the  hosiery 
department  of  the  Boston  Store  for  two  years,  in  1878  going  to  Philadelphia 
with  Martin  Maloney  to  accept  a  position  with  the  Penn  Globe  Gas  Light  Com- 
pany. Two  years  also  covered  his  period  of  service  with  this  company,  after 
which  he  became  a  bookkeeper  in  the  employ  of  Samuel  Stetler,  at  Duryea. 
In  1882  he  returned  to  Scranton  and  became  the  partner  of  E.  C.  Dimmick, 
engaging  in  the  hardware  business.  At  the  dissolution  of  this  partnership,  on 
February  22,  1886,  he  again  became  a  bookkeeper  this  time  in  the  service  of 
T.  J.  Kelly  &  Company.  In  1895  he  took  a  much  needed  rest  from  business, 
his  health  having  been  poor  for  some  time.  Since  1897  he  has  been  connected 
with  the  department  of  city  assessors  and  since  the  present  administration  came 
into  office  has  been  president  of  the  board. 

Mr.  Watkins  married  Miss  Stella  Josephine  Piatt  Himrod,  daughter  of 
W.  G.  Himrod,  of  Trumansburg,  New  York.  Children :  Thomas  Brunson,  a 
resident  of  BuiiEalo,  New  York,  and  William  E..  living  in  Scranton. 

7 


98  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

JONATHAN  M.  WAINWRIGHT,  A.  B.,  A.  M.,  M.  D. 

Wainwrights  of  tlie  branch  of  which  Dr.  Jonathan  M.  Wainwright.  A.  B., 
A.  M..  M.  D.,  is  a  descendant,  claim  no  very  long  residence  on  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic,  the  first  member  of  this  branch  of  the  family  to  settle  in  this  country 
being  Peter  Wainwright,  an  English  merchant,  who  made  his  home  in  Boston 
shortly  after  the  Revolution.  Since  that  time  the  family  has  been  represented 
in  ecclesiastical  pursuits  by  one  of  the  most  saintly  of  divines,  the  Rev.  Jona- 
than Mayhew  Wainwright,  bishop  of  the  Episcopal  Diocese  of  New  York, 
well  known  for  his  labors  in  the  general  convention  preparing  the  standard 
edition  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Jonathan  M. 
Wainwright,  of  this  narrative.  Among  his  sons  were :  Jonathan  Mayhew, 
who  attained  the  rank  of  commander  in  the  United  States  navy,  and  William 
Augustus  Muhlenburg,  father  of  Dr.  Jonathan  M.  Wainwright.  Dr.  William 
Augustus  Muhlenburg  Wainwright  was  a  noted  physician  and  surgeon,  and 
made  as  valuable  contributions  to  medical,  as  his  revered  father  had  to  eccle- 
siastic literature.  In  his  half  century  of  life  he  gained  wide  distinction  in  his 
profession  and  was  at  one  time  president  of  the  Connecticut  State  Medical 
Society.     His  death  occurred  in  1894. 

Dr.  Jonathan  Mayhew  Wainwright,  son  of  Dr.  William  Augustus  Muhlen- 
burg and  Helena  Barker  (Talcott)  Wainwright,  was  born  in  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, February  20.  1874.  He  bears  the  names  that  were  those  of  his  grand- 
father and  uncle,  and  have  been  borne  nobly  by  at  least  two  generations, 
one  carrying  it  in  priestly  state  in  the  paths  of  peace,  the  other  bearing 
it  to  a  grave  found  in  the  service  of  his  country  and  in  defence  of  her  honor. 
He  studied,  preparatory  to  college  entrance,  at  the  Hartford  High  School, 
and  was  graduated  A.  B.  from  Trinity  College  in  the  class  of  1895.  Attracted 
by  the  profession  of  his  father,  he  entered  the  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  connected  with  Columbia  University,  to  prepare  therefor,  and  was 
graduated  M.  D.  in  1899.  He  was  interne  in  St.  Luke's  Hospital  of  New 
York  City  for  a  period  of  eighteen  months,  and  in  i8gi  came  to  Scranton  to 
accept  a  position  as  surgeon-in-chief  of  the  Moses  Taylor  Hospital.  This  is 
his  present  title  and  while  his  duties  in  connection  with  this  institution  demand 
a  great  deal  of  his  time  and  attention,  he  nevertheless  maintains  a  large  and 
lucrative  private  practice.  One  of  his  professional  connections  is  as  chief 
surgeon  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  In  IQ05  his 
alma  mater.  Trinity  College,  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  A.  ^1.  It  was  at 
this  institution  that  he  became  a  member  of  the  I.  K.  A.,  a  secret  fraternity  of 
the  college.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  County,  State  and  American  iMedical 
societies.  With  his  wife  he  is  a  member  of  St.  Luke's  Episcopal  Church.  Dr. 
Wainwright's  military  career  began  m  1892,  when  he  l>ccame  a  member  of 
Company  F,  First  Regiment,  Connecticut  National  Guard,  as  a  private,  later 
becoming  corporal  on  the  regimental  staff,  a  ranlc  he  held  for  one  year.  He 
was  then  promoted  to  the  grade  of  first  lieutenant,  discharging  the  duties  of 
paymaster,  and  held  that  rank  for  four  years.  When,  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
Spanish-American  War,  his  regiment  enlisted  as  the  First  Regiment  Connecti- 
cut Volunteer  Infantry,  he  received  a  commission  as  captain.  The  First  Con- 
necticut, though  not  in  active  service,  was  held  "in  readiness"  at  Camp  Alger, 
Falls  Church,  Virginia,  where  he  served  as  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  also  as 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general  of  the  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Second 
Army  Corps.  At  the  end  of  the  war  he  received  his  discharge  from  the  serv- 
ice. Dr.  Wainwright's  clubs  are  the  Army  and  Navy  of  New  York  City  and 
the  Scranton. 

Dr.  Wainwright  married  Jessie,  daughter  of  William  E.  Hart,  of  Engle- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


99 


wood,  New  Jersey.  Children :     Jonathan   Mayhew,  Talcott,  Grosvenor.   Ruth 
Wyllys. 

A  progressive  and  efficient  exponent  of  modern  methods  and  practices  in 
surgerj,  Dr.  Wainwright  has  a  record  of  proud  attainment,  and  a  reputation 
as  an  honorable  and  conscientious  practitioner,  brilliant  promise  of  future 
achievement  in  the  profession  which  he  so  worthily  represents. 


JUDGE  ALTON  A.  VOSBURG 

The  Vosburgs  of  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  descend  from  the  Dutch 
settler,  Abram  Pieterse  Vosburg,  one  of  four  brothers  who  settled  on  the  Hud- 
son river  prior  to  165 1.  The  family  were  early  settlers  in  Washington  town- 
ship, Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  are  remembered  by  Vos- 
burg's  Creek  and  Vosburg  Station. 

(I)  Stephen  Vosburg,  grandfather  of  Judge  Vosburg,  was  the  first  of  this 
direct  line  to  settle  in  Scott  township,  (now  Lackawanna  county)  he  coming 
from  Wyoming  county,  where  he  was  born  about  the  year  1800.  He  came  to 
Scott  when  a  young  man,  was  a  farmer  and  there  died  about  1870.  He  mar- 
ried Nancy  Brown,  born  in  Scott. 

(II)  Merritt  B.  Vosburg,  son  of  Stephen  and  Nancy  (Brown)  Vosburg, 
was  born  in  Scott  township,  Pennsylvania,  in  1842,  died  July  13,  1913,  buried 
in  Scott  Valley  Cemetery.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  be- 
came a  prosperous  merchant  of  Montdale,  finally  retiring  and  spending  his 
last  years  free  from  business  cares.  He  was  a  man  of  alert  mind  and  sterling 
character,  these  qualities  being  recognized  by  his  townsmen  and  utilized  for  the 
public  good.  He  served  for  many  years  on  the  school  board  and  as  justice 
of  the  peace  for  five  years.  He  was  held  in  high  regard  by  a  very  large  circle 
of  friends,  among  whom  most  of  the  years  of  his  long  life  were  spent.  He 
was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  RIasonic  Order.  Squire 
Vosburg  married  Sarah  Washburn,  daughter  of  Dexter  Washburn,  of  Sus- 
quehanna county,  Pennsylvania  ;  she  is  now  deceased.  Children  :  Alton  A., 
of  whom  further :  Bernard  V..  of  Scranton ;  Clara.  The  parents  and  children 
were  members  of  the   Baptist  church. 

(III)  Judge  Alton  A.  Vosburg,  eldest  son  of  Merritt  B.  and  Sarah  (Wash- 
burn) Vosburg,  was  born  in  Scott  township,  (now  Lackawanna  county)  Penn- 
sylvania, April  28,  1865.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Keystone 
Academy  of  his  own  county,  then  entered  the  National  University  at  Lebanon, 
Ohio,  pursuing  a  course  in  law  at  the  latter  institution.  He  taught  school  for 
several  terms  during  the  course  of  his  youth,  and  prior  to  completing  his  pre- 
liminary law  studies  with  Gunster  &  Welles,  of  Scranton.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar  in  1887,  practiced  in  Scranton  alone  until  1888, 
then  formed  a  partnership  with  W.  S.  Huslander,  an  association  that  continued 
until  1896.  He  then  became  the  law  partner  of  C.  W.  Dawson,  which  con- 
tinued until  Mr.  Vosburg  was  appointed  judge  of  the  Orphans'  Court  at  the 
time  of  its  establishment  in  igoi.  He  remained  on  the  bench  until  the  first 
Monday  in  January,  1903,  then  resumed  private  practice.  In  his  quarter  of  a 
century  Mr.  Vosburg  has  enjoyed  a  large  practice,  both  civil  and  criminal  in 
the  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district,  to  all  of  which  he  has  been  ad- 
mitted. Notable  cases  with  which  he  has  been  connected  are:  Dickinson, 
versus  G.  B.  Thompson,  in  which  he  represented  the  defendant  in  the  LTnited 
States  Court ;  the  Waverly  Bible  School  case ;  and  the  City  of  Scranton, 
versus  Koehler,  which  was  carried  to  the  superior  and  supreme  courts.  He 
was  elected  city  solicitor  in  1898,  serving  two  years  until  the  office  became 
appointive  under  the  "Ripper  Bill."     In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican,  has 


loo  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

been  a  member  of  the  county  committee  for  twtiity-five  years,  and  for  two 
terms  was  county  chairman.  In  religious  faith  he  is  aftihated  with  the  Providence 
Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  has  served  as  trustee.  He  belongs  to  many 
fraternal  orders,  including:  Hiram  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  all 
bodies  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite ;  Lincoln  Lodge, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  past  noble  grand ;  Scran- 
ton  Encampment,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  Daughters  of  Rebekah ; 
past  district  deputy  grand  master,  Pennsylvania  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows ;  Junior  Order  of  American  Mechanics,  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America.  His  club  is  the  Scranton.  Honored  in  his  profession  as  a 
learned  and  skillful  exponent  and  strong  in  the  confidence  of  his  towns- 
men there  is  surely  a  future  of  still  greater  usefulness  awaiting  Judge  Vos- 
burg. 

Judge  Vosburg  married,  in  December,  1895,  Belle  Thomas,  daughter  of 
William  G.  Thomas,  a  well  known  and  respected  resident  of  Scranton.  They 
have  a  son  Flovd. 


FREDERICK  A.  WAGNER 

For  nearly  a  half  a  century  the  Scranton  Wochenblatt  has  been  one  of  the 
most  widely  read  of  German-American  newspapers  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley 
and  during  its  long  existence  as  the  standard  of  German  newspapers  has  been 
closely  linked  with  the  name  of  Wagner,  the  periodical  having  been  founded 
by  father  and  continued  by  son.  Both  have  held  to  a  lofty  plane  in  all  de- 
partments, both  have  striven  for  the  ideal  newspaper  of  reliability  and  quality, 
the  Wochenblatt  representing  their  years  of  effort  toward  an  agent  of  in- 
telligence free  from  the  contamination  of  sensationalism  or  yellow  journalism. 
'  Frederick  Wagner  was  born  in  Anweiler,  Bavaria,  December  24,  1838, 
died  June  29,  1913.  His  father,  Joseph  Wagner,  brought  him  to  the  United 
States  when  a  youth,  the  family  settling  first  at  Pittston  and  later  moving  to 
Wilkes-Barre  where  the  family  resided  at  the  beginning  of  hostilities  between 
the  North  and  the  South.  Both  father  and  son  enlisted  in  the  Union  army, 
the  younger,  Frederick,  never  being  called  into  service.  His  father,  however, 
became  a  member  of  a  regiment  of  cavalry  and  was  in  General  Sherman's 
army  in  its  historic  march,  immortalized  in  song,  from  "Atlanta  to  the  Sea." 
Frederick  Wagner  learned  the  printer's  trade  early  in  life  and  for  a  time  was 
employed  as  foreman  in  the  shop  of  Robert  Bauer  in  Wilkes-Barre,  where 
was  published  the  Luzerne  County  Wachter.  At  the  close  of  the  Civil  Wai 
he  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton  and  there,  in  1865,  founded  the  Scranton 
Wochenblatt,  of  which  he  was  proprietor  until  his  death,  although  for  several 
years  previous  to  that  his  son,  Frederick  A.,  had  been  in  direct  charge  of  the 
business. 

A  strong  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  it  was  Mr. 
Wagner's  nature  to  labor  earnestly  in  the  cause  of  an  able,  deserving  candidate 
and  to  refuse  all  nominations  for  himself.  Only  twice  was  he  brought  before 
the  public  in  the  role  of  one  seeking  political  preference,  the  first  time  in  1882, 
being  made  a  member  of  the  board  of  poor  directors  elected  by  popular  vote. 
The  elections  were  never  confirmed,  however,  for  before  the  newly  elected 
members  of  the  board  had  entered  upon  the  duties  of  their  ofiice,  the  state's 
courts  declared  the  law  allowing  the  election  unconstitutional  and  invalid,  the 
appointment  of  the  board  being  performed  by  the  courts.  His  other  candidacy 
was  unsuccessful,  when,  several  years  later,  he  was  the  nominee  of  his  party 
for  city  treasurer. 

Until  a  few  years  before  his  death  Mr.  Wagner  was  a  conspicuous  figure 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  loi 

in  fraternal  organizations.  His  was  the  honor  of  founding  and  being  the  first 
president  of  the  German-American  AlHance  of  Lackawanna  County,  whose 
president  emeritus  he  was  at  the  time  of  his  final  summons.  He  also  belonged 
to  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  Roaring  Brook  Con- 
clave of  Heptasophs.  During  his  day  of  most  active  participation  in  busi- 
ness aflFairs  Lackawanna  and  Penn  avenues  were  the  business  centers  of  the 
city  and  it  was  he  who  erected  the  first  store  on  Spruce  street,  opposite  the 
site  now  occupied  by  the  Hotel  Jermyn,  and  attracted  to  that  locality  many  of 
the  commercial  houses  that  now  make  it  their  home.  In  the  seventy-five  years 
of  his  busy  and  useful  life,  forty-eight  were  spent  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  ex- 
cepting two  years,  when  he  was  in  Elmira,  New  York,  publishing  the  Chemung 
County  Journal,  a  German  newspaper. 

He  married  Elizabeth  Hausam,  and  is  survived  by  her.  Children:  Fred- 
erick A.,  of  further  mention :  John  U.,  a  professor  in  the  Scranton  High 
School ;  Dr.  Joseph  A. ;  Anna,  married  William  Morrow  ;  Ida  E. 

Frederick  A.  Wagner,  eldest  son  and  child  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth 
(Hausam)  Wagner,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
February  14,  1864.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Scran- 
ton, and  later  at  Elmira,  New  York,  whither  his  father  had  moved  to  publish 
a  German  newspaper.  He  learned  the  printer's  trade  under  the  preceptorship 
of  his  father  and  all  his  life  has  been  connected  with  the  Scranton  Wochen- 
blatt.  When  his  father  laid  down  the  reins  of  control  in  April,  1890,  Frederick 
A.  assumed  charge  of  the  business  and  has  since  continued  it,  holding  to  the 
course  that  was  ever  that  of  his  lamented  father,  one  of  uprightness  and  honor 
in  all  journalistic  affairs.  His  only  other  business  relation  is  as  director  of  the 
Artisans'  Building  and  Loan  Association,  of  which  he  has  been  vice-president 
and  is  now  a  director.  Mr.  Wagner  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345, 
F.  and  A.  M.,  the  Scranton  Liederkranz,  the  German-American  Alliance,  and 
Heptasophs. 

Mr.  Wagner  married  Minnie  Ailen,  of  Roxbury,  New  York.  Children : 
Frieda  E.,  Mabel  J..  Ralph,  Grace  A.,  Herbert  J.  That  Mr.  Wagner  is  a 
worthy  successor  of  his  honored  father  is  proven  by  the  popularity  of  the 
journal  he  publishes.  Fitted  by  experience,  in  life's  prime,  and  in  an  age  when 
newspapers  are  a  vital  force  and  potent  factor  in  moulding  public  sentiment, 
his  is  a  great  opportunity  to  stand  for  the  best  in  our  modern  day  existence, 
cleanliness  in  social,  honor  in  business,  and  purity  in  political  circles. 


WILLARD  MAINE  BUNNELL 

The  Bunnell  family  of  which  Willard  M.  Bunnell,  of  Scranton,  is  represen- 
tative, came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1760,  Solomon  Bunnell,  of  the  fourth  Ameri- 
can generation,  being  the  original  settler  of  the  family  in  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  a  great-grandson  of  William  Bunnell,  the  emigrant  ancestor  who  came 
with  his  brothers,  Solomon  and  Benjamin,  from  Cheshire,  England,  in  1638, 
settling  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  William  Bunnell  sprang  from  the 
Norman  Knight,  William  La  Bunnell,  who  came  to  England  with  William  the 
Conqueror  in  1066.  From  1638.  the  date  of  emigration  to  America,  the  Bun- 
nells  gained  in  numbers  to  such  an  extent  that  in  1790,  the  date  of  the  first 
national  census,  they  were  found  in  every  one  of  the  original  thirteen  colonies. 
The  record  of  the  family  is  thus  told  by  their  historians :  "Being  without  excep- 
tion men  of  character  and  piety,  who  used  every  opportunity  to  promote  educa- 
tion and  religion  and  were  the  first  to  adopt  a  written  constitution  and  to  re- 
fuse compensation  for  public  service." 

Four  generations  of  the  family,  William   (I^  ;  Benajmin    (II)  ;  Benjamin 


I02  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

(III)  lived  in  Connecticut;  Solomon  (IV)  leaving  there  in  1740,  settling  at 
Kingwood,  New  Jersey,  and  in  1760  continuing  his  migration  to  Pennsylvania, 
settling  in  Middle  Smithfield,  Bucks  county,  now  Monroe  county. 

(IV)  Gershom  Bunnell,  also  of  the  fourth  generation,  son  of  Benjamin 
Bunnell  (III)  and  brother  of  Solomon  Bunnell,  the  first  of  the  family  in 
Pennsylvania,  lived  and  died  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  He  married,  in 
1728,  Margaret  Johnson. 

(V)  Joseph  Bunnell,  fifth  of  the  thirteen  children  of  Gershom  Bunnell, 
was  a  soldier  of  the  French  and  Indian  War  and  also  fought  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary army.  He  married  Abiah  Kirby,  as  patriotic  as  himself,  she  being  one 
of  the' women  of  Litchfield,  Connecticut,  who  melted  the  leaden  statue  of  King 
George  into  bullets  for  the  American  troops.  During  her  husband's  absence 
in  the  army,  an  Indian  attack  was  so  feared  that  for  several  nights  she  carried 
her  young  children  to  a  nearbv  field  of  rye,  for  additional  safety,  if  such  it 
might  be  called. 

(VI)  James  Bunnell,  son  of  Joseph  Bunnell,  the  Revolutionary  soldier, 
died  in  Bridgewater,  Pennsylvania,  August  5,  1841,  at  the  home  of  his  son 
Elijah,  and  was  buried  on  the  latter"s  homestead,  now  owned  by  Willard  M. 
Bunnell,  where  a  suitable  stone  marks  his  resting  place.  He  was  a  black- 
smith and  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Connecticut,  only  spending  his  latter  years 
in  Pennsylvania.  He  married,  in  1797.  Azuba  Carter,  born  in  Susquehanna 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of  James  and  Azuba  Bunnell  settled  in  Penn- 
sylvania, New  York,  Connecticut,  Massachusetts  and  Tennessee. 

(VII)  Elijah  Bunnell,  third  child  of  James  Bunnell,  was  born  January  6, 
1803,  died  September  20,  1873.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  Willard  M.  Bun- 
nell and  the  first  of  his  immediate  family  to  settle  in  Pennsylvania,  coming 
from  Connecticut  to  Bridgewater,  Suscjuehanna  county,  in  the  spring  of  1833. 
He  erected  a  suitable  dwelling  as  soon  as  possible  on  his  farm,  now  the  prop- 
erty of  his  grandson,  Willard  M.  Bunnell,  and  used  by  the  latter  as  a  sum- 
mer residence.  Elijah  Bunnell  was  the  perfect  type  of  a  pioneer,  str.rdy,  strong 
and  a  noted  hunter.  In  the  spring  of  1873  he  visited  his  daughter,  Lucy  J. 
Rogers,  in  Lawrence,  Kansas,  was  there  stricken  with  a  fatal  illness,  died  and 
is  there  buried.  He  married  Lucy  Stone,  daughter  of  .Apollos  and  Eunice 
(Throop)  Stone,  of  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  and  two  of  their  six  chil- 
dren died  yotnig. 

(\^III)  William  Bunnell,  second  son  of  Elijah  Bunnell,  was  born  in  Con- 
necticut, February  27,  1829,  died  February  7,  1898.  He  was  four  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  settled  in  Bridgewater,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  obtained 
a  good  education,  finishing  under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  Lyman  Richardson, 
of  Hartford,  Pennsylvania,  a  noted  early  educator.  Mr.  Bunnell  taught 
school,  but  from  1854  to  1858  was  engaged  as  salesman,  making  several  trips 
through  the  southern  states.  After  his  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
merchandising,  and  in  1881,  with  two  partners,  established  the  National  Record, 
at  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  which  they  edited  as  the  organ  of  the  Greenback 
party.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Montrose  Grange,  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry, was  one  of  the  promotors  of  the  Montrose  branch  of  the  Lehigh  Val- 
ley Railroad  and  throughout  his  entire  life  was  a  useful  and  public-spirited 
citizen.  He  married,  December  21,  1858,  Mary  Jane  Maine,  daughter  of 
Isaiah  and  Polly  May  (Williams)  Maine. 

(IX)  Willard  Maine  Bunnell,  youngest  of  the  four  children  of  William 
and  Mary  Jane  (Maine)  Bunnell,  was  born  at  Dimock,  Susquehanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  14,  1874.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public 
school  and  prepared  for  college  at  Keystone  Academy,  Factoryville,  Penn- 
sylvania.   He  then  entered  Bucknell  College,  whence  he  was  graduated  B.  A., 


MmM^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  lo,^ 

class  of  1897.  Deciding  upon  the  profession  of  law,  he  began  legal  study 
in  the  law  offices  of  Willard,  Wanen  &  Knapp  at  Scranton,  continuing  until 
after  passing  the  required  examinations ;  he  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna 
county  bar,  February  i,  1899.  He  has  since  then  been  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  in  the  public  service,  and  as  vice-president  and  trust  officer  of 
the  Anthracite  Trust  Company  of  Scranton.  He  was  elected  in  igo6  prothono- 
tary  of  Lackawanna  county,  serving  with  such  acceptability  that  in  1909  he 
was  elected  for  a  second  term  of  three  years,  enjoying  the  distinction  of  being 
the  only  Democrat  ever  elected  to  that  ofifice  in  the  county. 

Mr.  Bunnell,  aside  from  his  professional  and  official  duties,  has  always 
found  time  for  social,  philanthropic,  fraternal  and  club  activities.  He  is  a 
member  of  a  number  of  German  and  other  singing  societies,  being  himself 
gifted  with  fine  musical  ability.  He  is  also  a  member  of  St.  Luke's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  and  a  director  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
an  institution  of  which  Scranton  is  justly  proud,  theirs  being  the  finest  build- 
ing owned  by  the  association  in  the  state,,  also  a  director  of  the  board  of  as- 
sociated charities.  He  is  also  a  trustee  of  Keystone  Academy  and  gives  these 
institutions  a  great  amount  of  his  time  and  best  effort.  He  holds  active 
membership  in  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Lacka- 
wanna Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Scranton  Council,  Royal  and  Select 
Masters;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine ;  James  A.  Connell  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows ;  Fairview  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias ;  Scranton  Lodge,  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks ;  Knights  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  is  lieutenant 
commander  of  the  Uniform  Rank  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America.  He  is 
president  of  the  Automobile  Association  of  Scranton  and  thoroughly  enjoys 
the  delights  of  touring  the  rural  regions  of  his  section  and  state.  The  fore- 
going gives  one  an  idea  of  the  all  around  activity  of  Mr.  Bunnell.  Diligent 
in  business,  he  yet  fulfills  all  his  obligations  as  a  citi;:en  and  neighbor;  is 
popular  with  his  friends  "whose  name  is  legion,"  and  stands  as  a  true  type  of 
virile  American  manhood. 

Mr.  Bunnell  married,  December  i,  1897,  Margaret  Irene  Walls,  daughter 
of  George  W.  and  Ventilia  Irene  (Snyder)  Walls,  of  Lewisburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  is  a  great-granddaughter  of  Simon  Snyder,  former  governor  of  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania.  She  descends  from  patriotic  ancestors  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  Shikillemy  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  .American  Revolution,  of 
Lewisburg.  Children:  William  Kirby,  died  in  infancy:  Walls  Willard;  Philip 
Wolfe. 

The  summer  home  of  the  Bunnells  is  the  old  Bunnell  homestead  near  Mont- 
rose, which  Willard  M.  Bunnell  purchased  from  his  sister  who  inherited  it 
from  her  paternal  uncle,  Kirby  Bunnell.  The  farm  is  the  meeting  place  of 
the  Bunnell  clan,  who  there  gather  in  great  numbers  in  annual  reunion.  Their 
city  home  is  at  No.  410  Clay  avenue,  Scranton. 


LEWIS  B.  CARTER 


Three  generations  of  Carters  have  been  born  in  West  Auburn  township, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  descendent  of  Hiram  Carter  of  Con- 
necticut, great-grandfather  of  Levv'is  B.  Carter,  the  able  lawyer  and  successful 
real  estate  dealer  of  Scranton.  Hiram  Carter  came  from  Connecticut,  about 
the  year  1800,  and  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  South  Auburn  where  he 
cleared,  planted  and  hunted.  He  was  a  famous  hunter,  the  many  wild  creatures 
then  inhabiting  the  forest  giving  him  abundant  opportunity  to  display  his  skill. 
He  carved  a  farm  and  home  from  the  wilderness  and,  although  his  many  chil- 


I04  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

dren  were  cradled  in  a  bed  hewn  from  a  sap  log,  they  grew  up  sturdy  and  self- 
reliant,  worthy  pioneer  sons  and  daughters. 

(I)  Daniel  Carter,  son  of  the  pioneer,  was  born  in  Auburn  township,  one 
of  a  family  of  seven  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  lived  the  early  life  of  a 
pioneer  boy  and  spent  his  life  in  his  native  township,  becoming  a  farmer  and 
landowner. 

(II)  Griswold  Carter,  son  of  Daniel  Carter,  was  born  in  Auburn  township,  • 
August  II,  1841,  died  April  i,  1904.  He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  an  active 
member  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  a  landowner.  He  was  a  man  of 
bright  intellect  and  education,  mingling  prominently  in  township  affairs,  serv- 
ing as  school  director,  poor  commissioner  and  township  auditor.  He  was  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Qiurch,  which  he  served  in 
official  capacity.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  He  married  Susan  N.,  daughter  of  Daniel  N.  Seeley,  of  Brooklyn, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  Lewis  B.  Carter,  son  of  Griswold  and  Susan  N.  (Seeley)  Carter, 
was  born  in  Auburn  township,  Susquehanna  county.  May  4,  1870.  He  grew 
to  youthful  manhood  at  the  home  farm  obtaining  in  the  township  schools,  a 
good  public  school  education.  He  taught  school  for  four  winter  terms  in  his 
native  county,  then  entered  State  College,  working  his  way  through,  not  only 
paying  his  own  expenses,  but  leaving  college  with  a  surplus.  He  was  honor 
man  of  his  class  and  was  graduated  B.  S.,  class  of  1896.  Having  finished  his 
classical  course  with  honor  he  at  once  began  the  study  of  law,  first  under  the 
direction  of  Watson  &  Zimmennan,  later  under  Willard,  Warren  &  Knapp  of 
Scranton.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar,  August  14,  1899, 
and  at  once  established  an  office  in  Scranton,  devoting  himself  to  general  prac- 
tice and  so  continuing  until  1903,  since  which  date  he  has  made  a  specialty  of 
the  law  of  corporations  and  real  estate.  At  the  same  time  he  began  the  ex- 
tensive promoting  and  real  estate  operations  that  have  placed  him  foremost 
among  the  leaders  in  that  field.  During  the  years  1903-1905.  he  promoted  the 
Scranton,  Factoryville  and  Tunkhannock  Railroad,  which  later  was  merged 
with  the  Northern  Electric  Railroad :  the  Sunbury  and  Selinsgrove  Electric 
Railway  and  the  Summit  Land  Company,  a  very  successful  company,  handling 
the  Clark's  Summit  tract  and  other  suburban  property.  Of  this  latter  com- 
pany, Mr.  Carter  is  secretary.  In  1908  he  financed  and  built  the  Luther  Apart- 
ment House;  in  1910,  191 1  and  1912,  the  Carter  .\partments  of  twenty- four 
suites  in  main  building;  in  1913,  the  Carter  Apartments  .\nne.x  of  three  suites 
and  store.  In  the  spring  of  1913,  Mr.  Carter  formed  with  Andrew  R.  Muir 
the  firm  of  Carter  and  Muir,  to  conduct  a  law,  real  estate  and  insurance  busi- 
ness, of  which  firm  he  is  the  senior  member.  In  December,  1913,  his  firm 
financed  and  promoted  the  Black  Walnut  Poultry  &  Stock  Farm^  Company  at 
Black  Walnut.  Pennsylvania,  also  Walnut  Park,  a  fine  summer  resort  at  Black 
Walnut,  Pennsylvania.  An  indefatigable  worker  with  keen  business  instinct, 
mind  and  body  ever  alert,  the  success  of  Mr.  Carter,  while  phenomonal  even 
in  Scranton,  is  not  a  matter  of  surprise.  The  qualities  he  possesses  must  ever 
win,  when  backed  by  a  clean  life  and  an  honest  ambition.  Whether  he  be  con- 
sidered as  lawyer,  promoter  or  business  man,  he  meets  every  requirement  and 
the  future  holds  for  him  nothing  but  bright  promise. 

To  turn  to  the  military  career  of  Mr.  Carter,  is  to  reveal  another  ad- 
mirable side  to  his  character.  He  drilled  with  the  Cadet  Battalion  five  years, 
closing  his  senior  year  as  captain  of  Company  D.  and  in  July,  1896,  was  ap- 
pointed brevet  second  lieutenant  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania.  When 
President  McKinley  called  on  Pennsylvania  for  men  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
Spanish  War,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Thirteenth  Regiment,  and  on  April 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  105 

zy,  1898,  marched  away  with  the  regiment.  He  saw  only  camp  and  marching 
service  at  Mount  Gretna,  Pennsylvania,  Falls  Church,  Virginia,  and  Camp 
Young  near  Harrisburg,  but  later  was  sent  to  Savannah,  Georgia,  where  he 
was  mustered  out  March  7,  1899.  In  January,  1901,  he  reenlisted  in  Com- 
pany A,  Thirteenth  Regiment,  National  Guard,  and  on  April  4,  1901,  was  ap- 
pointed inspector  of  rifle  practice  on  the  staff  of  Colonel  L.  A.  Watres,  with 
the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  serving  until  1904.  He  built  up  the  rifle  record 
of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  to  a  height  that  surpassed  all  other  regiments  of 
the  guard.  He  caused  to  be  built  a  regimental  indoor  rifle  range  and  an  out- 
door range  at  Rocky  Glen,  and  during  his  official  term  the  rifle  team  from  the 
Thirteenth  won  two  permanent  trophies  for  excellence  of  marksmanship  in 
competition,  and  the  title  of  the  champion  rifle  team  of  the  Pennsylvania  Na- 
tional Guard  in  1902.  This  team  also  took  honorable  rank  in  all  the  United 
States  rifle  team  matches  at  Sea  Girt,  New  Jersey.  In  1904,  Captain  Carter's 
commission  expired  and  he  retired  from  military  service.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  and  is  trustee  of  General  J.  P.  S.  Goebin  Camp,  No.  41,  U.  S.  W.  V. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
active  in  the  Sunday  school,  and  she  in  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety, of  which  she  is  recording  secretary.  In  political  faith  he  is  independent. 
Mr.  Carter  married,  June  25,  1907,  Mae  Hughes,  daughter  of  Luther  M. 
Jones,  and  granddaughter  of  Benjamin  Hughes  of  the  Delaware.  Lackawanna 
&  Western  Railroad,  through  whose  efforts  so  many  Welsh  emigrants  were 
brought  to  settle  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley.  Mr.  Carter's  home.  No.  331  Col- 
fax avenue,  erected  by  Mr.  Carter  in  1907,  is  one  of  the  many  f:ne  residences 
of  Scranton. 


CHARLES  HARVEY  POND 

The  eighth  generation  of  a  famous  New  England  family,  whose  mem- 
bers were  among  the  earliest  in  Connecticut,  and  whose  immigrant  ancestor 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Windsor,  Connecticut,  Charles  Harvey  Pond, 
of  Scranton,  belongs  to  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  country. 

The  only  son  of  Alvin  Porter  and  Emeline  Thirza  (Clark)  Pond,  was  born 
at  .Southington,  Connecticut,  Decernber  15,  1847.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  Lewis  Academy,  also  located  in  Southington, 
and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  began  his  business  career  in  the  employ  of 
the  hardware  firm  of  George  B.  Curtiss  &  Company,  of  New  York.  In  1868 
he  was  employed  at  Bristol,  Connecticut,  in  the  interest  of  the  same  company, 
and  in  February,  1869,  returned  to  the  place  of  his  birth  in  the  service  of  the 
Aetna  Nut  Company,  as  bookkeeper  and  secretary,  holding  this  position  until 
1873,  when  he  went  to  Ohio  in  the  employ  of  the  Gerard  Rolling  Mill  Com- 
pany at  Gerard,  Ohio,  and  in  1874  became  the  junior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Taylor,  Mitchell  &  Pond,  at  Massilon,  Ohio,  manufacturers  of  merchant  iron 
and  "T"  rails,  both  traveling  in  the  interests  of  the  firm  and  also  attending  to 
the  office  routine. 

After  five  years  he  again  returned  to  Southington  and  was  employed  by  J. 
B.  Savage  for  the  manufacture  of  forgings.  The  seat  of  the  business  was  re- 
moved to  Scranton  in  1887,  because  of  the  greater  advantages  in  the  way  of 
fuel  and  shipping  facilities,  and  was  incorporated  as  the  Scranton  Forging 
Company.  The  factory  was  supplied  with  the  most  modern  of  appliances  in 
the  way  of  equipment,  drop  and  trip  hammers,  which  were  installed,  accomplish- 
ing work  formerly  done  by  hand.  The  first  official  arrangement  was  with 
Mr.  Savage  as  president,  and  Mr.  Pond,  secretary  and  manager  of  the  com- 
pany, but  in  i8go,  Mr.  Pond  succeeded  to  the  presidency  and  has  since  been 


io6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  head  of  the  corporation,  which  has  increased  in  size  and  importance  until 
it  is  now  one  of  Scranton's  prominent  and  flourishing  industries.  In  addition 
to  the  business  of  his  founding,  Mr.  Pond  is  financially  interested  in  various 
other  corporations,  and  holds  position  upon  the  directorates  of  several  in- 
stitutions and  organizations,  among  them  the  North  Scranton  Bank.  He  is 
active  in  the  councils  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Green  Ridge  Club,  also  belonging  to  the  New  England  Society  of  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  of  which  he  is  ex-president.  For  twelve  years  he  was 
treasurer  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Qiurch,  and  for  many  years  was  a 
trustee  of  the  same,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member.  His  political  faith  is 
Republican. 

A  successful  business  man,  Mr.  Pond  does  not  confine  himself  so  closely  to 
the  relations  of  business  but  that  he  finds  time  to  discharge  the  duties  of  a  good 
citizen.  He  is  a  prime  factor  in  all  the  projects  of  the  board  of  trade  and  other- 
wise labors  to  add  to  the  prosperity  of  the  city  that  he  has  made  his  home,  and 
which,  by  the  advantages  it  ofifers,  has  added  so  materially  to  his  prosperity. 

Mr.  Pond  married,  December  15,  1874,  Harriet  I.  Finch,  born  at  South- 
ington.  Connecticut,  December  16,  1850,  daughter  of  Samuel  H.  and  Helen 
(Lee)  Finch.  Children:  i.  Harry  Orlo,  born  at  Massilon,  Ohio,  October  15, 
1875;  associated  with  his  father  in  business;  married,  October  5,  lyii,  Helen 
M.  Heimbach,  of  Scranton.  2.  Charles  Wilcox,  born  at  Southington,  Febru- 
ary 4,  1879,  died  January  24,  1900.  in  Scranton. 


CHARLES  H.  WELLES 

Charles  H.  Welles  is  a  descendant  of  tlie  old  Welles  family  of  Connecti- 
cut, and  the  pioneer  Gay  family  of  the  Wyoming  Valley,  Pennsylvania,  and 
son  of  Charles  H.  and  Sarah   (Gay)  Welles. 

Charles  H.  Welles  Jr.  was  born  in  Dundaff.  Susquehanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, April  16,  1845.  He  obtained  his  preliminary  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  his  final  academic  instruction  at  Luzerne  Institute  at  Wyoming, 
although  his  studies  of  a  legal  nature  continued  for  some  time  thereafter,  first 
under  Samuel  Sherrerd,  of  Scranton,  and  finally  in  the  office  of  Hand  &  Post. 
His  admission  to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county  was  granted,  after  a  successful 
examination  in  February,  1867,  and  to  that  of  Luzerne  county  in  the  following 
month.  His  practice  has  always  been  in  Scranton.  In  1869  he  became  clerk 
of  the  mayor's  court.  The  law  firm  of  Welles  &  Torrey,  of  which  he  is  the 
senior  member,  was  organized  in  1898,  the  junior  partner  being  James  H. 
Torrey,  an  eminent  legal  light.  The  firm  continued  to  the  present  time,  al- 
though three  of  their  sons  have  been  admitted  as  partners,  the  partnership 
now  comprising  a  quintet  of  Welles  and  Torreys,  one  of  the  best  reputed  firms 
in  the  region,  supplying  the  legal  needs  of  a  large  practice. 

Mr.  Welles  has  confined  himself  exclusively  to  civil  practice,  being  minutely 
exact  in  his  knowledge  of  legal  precedent  and  processes.  He  has  been  admitted 
to  all  the  state  and  federal  courts  of  bis  district  and  is  a  member  of  the  County 
and  State  Bar  associations.  His  religious  connection  is  with  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  in  its  organization  he  fills  the  position  of  elder.  A  lawyer 
of  high  reputation  and  a  churchman  of  recognized  worth,  Mr.  Welles  is  also 
keenly  alive  to  the  needs  and  requirements  of  this  city,  meeting  his  share  of  the 
burden  with  the  willingness  of  a  good  citizen. 

Mr.  Welles  married,  October  20,  1869,  Hannah  B.  Sherrerd.  He  has  four 
children,  the  second,  Charles  H.  (3),  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Welles  &  Torrev. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  107 

FREDERICK  WILLIAM   WOLLERTON 

Although  not  a  native  born  son  of  Scranton,  Mr.  Wollerton  is  identified 
with  important  financial  institutions  of  the  city  and  is  one  of  her  loyal  friends 
and  supporters.  He  comes  from  a  Chester  county  family,  adiierents  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  they  coming  to  that  county  from  the  town  of  Hicklin,  Not- 
tinghamshire, England,  at  a  date  not  fixed.  The  first  marriage  of  record  in  the 
family  was  of  Charles  Wollerton,  who  married  Jane  Chilcot  in  Concord  Meet- 
ing, 3rd  mo.  18  day,  1726.  The  line  of  descent  is  through  their  son  John,  his 
son  William  ( i )  to  William  (2),  father  of  Frederick  W.  Wollerton. 

William  (2)  Wollerton  was  prominent  in  the  public  and  business  life  of 
Chester  county.  In  1851  he  was  elected  prothonotary  of  the  countv.  and  in 
1856  Associate  Judge,  serving  in  both  positions  with  honor.  In  business  life 
he  was  best  known  as  the  able  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  West 
Chester,  one  of  the  solid  financial  institutions  of  the  county.  He  married 
Olivia  Work,  who  died  in  1891  ;  he  surviving  her  until  1898. 

Frederick  W.  Wollerton,  son  of  William  (2)  and  Olivia  (Work)  Woller- 
ton, was  born  in  West  Chester,  Pennsylvania,  August  24,  1854.  He  began 
business  life  as  office  boy  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  which  his  honored 
father  was  president  and  passed  through  every  grade  of  service  in  that  institu- 
tion until  finally  he  became  cashier.  In  1902  he  resigned  to  accept  a  similar 
position  with  the  Traders'  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  later  resigning  that  ofifice 
to  aid  in  organizing  the  Union  National  Bank  of  the  same  city.  He  was 
chosen  its  first  vice-president  and  cashier,  holding  this  dual  office  until  he  laid 
down  the  latter,  now  (1914)  being  vice-president  and  member  of  the  board  of 
directors.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Factoryville, 
director  of  the  Old  Forge  Discount  and  Deposit  Bank,  director  of  the  Scran- 
ton Life  Insurance  Company  and  of  the  Scranton  and  Binghamton  Railroad 
Company.  He  is  independent  in  political  action,  but  a  man  interested  in  all 
that  pertains  to  the  public  good.  He  is  fond  of  outdoor  life  and  sports,  iiar- 
ticularly  golf,  being  one  of  the  enthusiasts  of  the  Scranton  Cour.try  Club.  He 
belongs  to  the  Scranton  Country  and  Bicycle  clubs  of  Scranton,  the  West 
Chester  Club  of  West  Chester,  the  Waverly  Country  and  the  Hazleton  Country 
clubs,  taking  active  interest  in  all. 

Mr.  Wollerton  married  Josephine  Brinton  Thompson,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  has  an  only  child,   Martha   I3rinton  Wollerton. 


EDWARD  J.  LYNETT 

Edward  J.  Lynett,  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Scranton  Times,  and  who 
has  made  for  himself  a  notable  record  in  the  field  of  journalism,  as  head  of 
one  of  the  most  influential  newspapers  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Dun- 
more,  Lackawanna  county,  July  15,  1857. 

His  father,  William  Lynett,  was  born  in  county  Sligo,  Ireland,  in  1820, 
and  came  to  America  in  his  sixteenth  year.  For  a  time  he  resided  in  New 
York,  thence  removing  to  the  Dunmore  settlement,  near  Scranton,  where  he 
lived  upwards  of  fifty  years  and  until  his  death.  He  was  a  competent  and 
successful  mining  contractor.  A  man  of  good  practical  education  and  business 
ability,  he  was  influential  in  the  community  and  was  called  to  various  public 
positions,  serving  as  school  director  and  treasurer,  and  borough  treasurer.  He 
was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  wielded  a  potent  influence.  He  married  Cath- 
erine Dowd,  and  their  children  were:  Ann,  who  became  the  wife  of  Thomas 
F.  Cawley,  of  Dunmore;  Margaret,  who  died  in  infancy;  Mary,  deceased  wife 
of  D.  F.  Boland,  of  Scranton;  Edward  J.,  of  whom  further;  Catherine,  who 


io8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

became  the  wife  of  Thomas  N.  Cullen,  of  Scranton ;  Margaret,  unmarried; 
Ellen,  who  was  a  teacher  in  the  Scranton  pubHc  schools,  and  died  unmarried. 
William  Lynett  died  in  1891,  his  wife  surviving  until  November  20.  i8g6. 

Edward  J.  Lynett  was  educated  in  the  borough  schools  and  the  Millersville 
State  Normal  School.  His  first  work  was  in  a  coal  breaker,  but  his  abilities 
were  soon  recognized,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  became  deputy  clerk  in 
the  mayor's  court,  in  which  position  he  served  acceptably  for  a  period  of  three 
years  ending  with  the  abolition  of  the  court.  He  subsequently  spent  a  year 
in  law  studies  in  the  offices  of  D.  W.  and  J.  F.  Connolly.  His  predilection, 
however,  was  for  journalism,  in  which  field  he  was  destined  to  become  emin- 
ently useful  and  successful.  Taking  employment  as  a  reporter  on  The 
Scranton  Free  Press,  a  Sunday  publication,  he  developed  marked  ability,  and 
was  soon  made  editor  and  manager,  and  served  in  this  twofold  capacity  until 
October  10,  1895,  when  he  purchased  The  Scranton  Times,  of  which  he  has 
been  owner  and  responsible  editor  to  the  present  time.  On  becoming  owner, 
Mr.  Lynett  devoted  all  his  energies  to  the  development  of  The  Times,  and  its 
character,  circulation  and  prestige  steadily  advanced.  In  1901  more  ample 
quarters  became  necessary,  and  Mr.  Lynett  erected  the  present  Times  Building, 
in  which  he  installed  a  complete  newspaper  and  job  printing  equipment,  in  all 
respects  adequate  for  every  modern  need.  Beginning  with  The  Times  when 
its  circulation  was  a  scant  three  thousand,  the  smallest  of  any  paper  in  the  city, 
he  advanced  it  to  40,000  copies,  more  than  that  of  all  other  city  newspapers 
combined.  Such  success  affords  ample  evidence  of  Mr.  Lynett's  possession 
of  every  quality  necessary  to  a  leader  in  journalism  in  a  peculiarly  insistent  day 
— literary  ability,  integrity  of  purpose,  and  business  ability.  Honest  and  fear- 
less, even  aggressive  when  need  be,  he  has  at  all  times  championed  the  in- 
terests of  the  people  at  large,  defending  them  in  their  rights  and  earnestly  con- 
tending for  the  remedying  of  their  wrongs.  His  public  spirit  has  constantly 
been  reflected  in  The  Times  in  the  initiation  and  furtherance  of  various  salu- 
tary measures  and  enterprises,  and  with  entire  unselfishness  he  has  ever  heart- 
ily seconded  every  laudable  effort  to  similar  ends,  no  matter  by  whom  conceived 
or  urged.  While  the  material  reward  has  not  been  meagre,  his  greatest  pride 
is,  in  the  true  spirit  of  the  conscientious  journalist,  that  he  is  recognized  as  the 
maker  of  a  clean,  honest  and  well  appreciated  newspaper,  the  most  popular 
and  most  liberally  supported  in  the  city. 

While  The  Times  is  his  first  care,  Mr.  Lynett  has  given  useful  personal 
service  to  the  community  in  various  capacities.  He  was  for  three  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Dunmore  borough  school  board :  burgess  of  Dunmore  borough  for 
two  years ;  was  for  thirteen  years  secretary  of  the  Scranton  poor  district ; 
member  of  the  mine  cave  commission,  191 1- 13 ;  and  for  several  years  a  director 
of  the  Associated  Charities  of  Scranton.  He  is  vice-president  of  the  Dime 
Savings  Bank :  president  of  the  Paragon  Plaster  Company ;  and  is  interested  in 
several  other  industrial  and  commercial  companies.  A  Democrat  in  politics, 
he  has  attended  many  party  conventions  ;  he  was  also  a  delegate  from  his  con- 
gressional district  in  the  Democratic  national  conventions  of  1900  and  190S, 
and  a  delegate-at-large  in  that  of  1912.  He  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Peter's 
Roman  Catholic  Church  ;  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Catholic  Congress  held 
in  Chicago  in  1893  ;  and  is  connected  actively  with  various  societies  affiliated  with 
the  church — the  Catholic  Club,  Holy  Name  Society,  and  the  Knights  of  Co- 
lumbus. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
the  Scranton  Press  Club,  and  the  Scranton  Club. 

Mr.  Lynett  married,  September  30,  1896.  Nellie  A.  Ruddy,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Nallin)  Ruddy,  her  father  a  merchant  of  Scranton. 
Children:    William  R.,  born  September  10,  1899;  Elizabeth  R..  June  23,  1903: 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  loy 

Edward  J.  Jr.,  July  25,  1906.     The  oldest  son,  William  R.,  is  a  student  at  St. 
Thomas  College ;  the  other  children  attend  the  public  schools. 


EDWARD  A.  BURKE 


The  Burkes,  old  time  residents  of  Pennsylvania,  are  represented  in  Scran- 
ton  by  Edward  A.  Burke,  the  young,  enterprising  and  capable  member  of  the 
banking  firm  of  E.  A.  Burke  &  Company. 

Edward  A.  Burke  is  a  son  of  Michael  J.  and  Bridget  A.  (Faddeu)  Burke, 
of  Carbondale  and  Scranton.  Michael  J.  Burke  was  for  many  years  proprietor 
of  the  Eureka  House  on  Diamond  avenue,  and  of  the  "Palace"  on  Lackawanna 
avenue.     He  died  in  1901,  aged  forty-four  years 

Edward  A.  Burke  was  born  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  .September  20,  1882.  He 
came  to  Scranton  when  a  child  with  his  parents  and  there  has  passed  his  subse- 
quent life.  He  was  educated  at  the  Saint  Cecelia  Academy,  and  began  busi- 
ness life  as  a  stenographer  with  I.  F.  Megargel,  the  first  investment  banker 
to  establish  an  office  in  Scranton.  Mr.  Megarge!  was  succeeded  in  business 
by  his  son,  Roy  C.  Megargel,  Mr.  Burke  retaining  the  same  position  under  the 
son  and  his  successors,  as  under  the  father  and  founder.  He  became  thor- 
oughly familiar  with  the  investment  business,  mastering  its  every  intricacy  and 
detail,  fitting  himself  by  experience  and  knowledge  to  conduct  a  similar  business 
for  himself.  In  May,  1907,  he  formed  the  firm  of  E.  A.  Burke  &  Company, 
investment  bankers,  now  located  in  successful  business  on  the  ground  floor  of 
the  Traders  National  Bank  Building.  The  firm  make  a  speciality  of  bank 
stocks  and  of  all  northeastern  Pennsylvania  securities,  both  stocks  and  bonds. 
Mr.  Burke  has  established  a  reputation  among  investors  as  a  wise,  careful  and 
judicious  adviser  and  holds  the  confidence  of  a  large  clientele  of  investors. 
He  has  been  identified  with  the  Northern  Electric  Street  Railway  since  its 
inception,  assisting  the  company  to  finance  the  road  through  sale  of  bonds.  The 
phenomenal  success  of  the  road  is  well  known  and  it  has  returned  substantial 
profits.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade  and  the  Scranton 
Club,  taking  active  part  in  both.  He  has  not  only  built  up  a  good  business  on 
solid  principles,  but  has  made  for  himself  a  host  of  business  and  social  friends, 
and  is  rated  one  of  the  rising  young  business  men  of  the  city  which  has  been 
his  home  since  childhood. 

Edward  A.  Burke  married  Anna,  daughter  of  J.  S.  Rambo,  of  Norristovvn, 
Pennsylvania.  He  has  one  daughter,  Nancy.  The  family  home  of  the  Burkes 
is  at  the  Florence  Apartments. 


JOSEPH  A.  SINN 


The  Sinn  family  is  an  old  one  in  Pennsylvania,  having  been  seated  there 
for  seven  generations.  The  paternal  ancestry  of  the  family  is  German  and  the 
name,  with  precisely  the  same  spelling,  persists  in  the  German  language  to  the 
present  time.  The  maternal  ancestry  traces  to  England.  Chester  county  has 
been  the  place  of  residence  of  all  of  the  name  ever  since  the  arrival  of  the  emi- 
grant, Andrew  C.  Sinn,  he  being  the  first  of  the  line  to  leave  the  immediate  lo- 
cality when  he  moved  to  Philadelphia  in  1840  and  there  established  a  dry  goods 
business.  He  continued  in  this  line  until  he  was  sixty  years  of  age,  when  he 
retired,  accepting  the  presidency  of  the  Merchants'  National  Bank,  of  Philadel- 
phia, to  which  he  devoted  all  of  his  time  and  talents  during  his  remaining  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and  was  past  master  of  Perkins  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Philadelphia.  He  married  Sarah  Ann  Pierce, 
daughter  of  George  Pierce,  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania. 


no  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Joseph  A.  Sinn,  son  of  Andrew  C.  and  Sarah  Ann  (Pierce)  Sinn,  was  born 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  October  17,  1854.  His  preliminary  education 
was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Philadelphia  and  his  college  training  in 
the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated LL.  D.  in  the  class  of  1875.  He  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  law 
until  1866,  when  he  was  retained  as  trust  officer  of  the  City  Trust  Safe  Deposit 
and  Surety  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  later  becoming  vice-president  of  the 
same  institution.  In  1906  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Surety  Underwriters 
Association,  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  that  year  severed  his  connection  with  the 
former  company.  His  presidency  of  the  Underwriters  Association  continued 
until  1908,  when  he  came  to  Scranton,  accepting  the  vice-presidency  of  the 
Title  Guaranty  and  Surety  Company  and  the  managership  of  the  Surety  de- 
partment, an  office  he  holds  at  the  present  time.  Mr.  Sinn  is  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trade  and  an  earnest  advocate  of  any  measures  tending  toward  the 
ultimate  benefit  of  his  recently  adopted  city.  He  belongs  to  the  Scranton  Club, 
the  Country  Club,  the  Underwriters  Club,  of  New  York,  and  the  Union 
League,  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Sinn  married  Ella  T.  Wise,  daughter  of  Jacob  Wise,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  has  three  children:  Clarence  Wise,  of  New  York  City;  Francis  P.,  super- 
intendent of  the  New  Jersey  Zinc  Works  at  Palmerton,  Pennsylvania ;  Esthei' 
M. 


HON.  JOHN  P.  KELLY 

The  Kellys  trace  to  an  ancient  Irish  ancestry.  John  Kelly,  father  of  Judge 
John  P.  Kelly,  was  born  in  county  Down,  Ireland,  and  there  grtvi'  to  youthful 
manhood,  coming  to  the  United  States  when  twenty  years  of  age.  He  was 
employed  by  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  at  their  brick  yard  in 
Scranton  from  1850  until  about  1853,  when  he  established  in  Olyphant,  Penn- 
sylvania, as  a  brick  manufacturer,  having  thoroughly  learned  the  business  from 
his  first  employers.  He  continued  in  successful  business  in  Olyphant  for  sev- 
eral years,  then  moved  to  Dickson,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  there  until  1873, 
when  he  moved  to  Scranton,  where  he  was  proprietor  of  a  hotel  in  Providence 
for  many  years.  He  died  in  April,  1906,  at  the  age  of  eightv-one  years.  In  his 
younger  years  he  took  an  active  part  in  politics.     He  married  Ella  Downey. 

Judge  John  P.  Kelly,  son  of  John  and  Ella  f Downey)  Kelly,  was  born 
in  what  is  now  the  borough  of  Olyphant,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
January  30,  1862.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  young,  leaving  the 
care  of  the  lad  to  his  father,  who  never  remarried,  and  his  older  brother  and 
sisters.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  passing  through  the  various 
grades  and  being  graduated  from  Scranton  High  School,  class  of  1879.  He 
had  formed  an  ambition  for  the  law,  and  soon  after  graduation  he  entered 
the  law  offices  of  Aretus  H.  Winton  and  John  B.  Collings,  as  a  law  student. 
After  thorough  preparation  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county, 
April  23,  1883.  Soon  after  his  admission  he  entered  the  office  of  John  F.  Con- 
nolly, then  district  attorney  of  Lackawanna  county.  He  continued  as  Mr. 
Connolly's  assistant  in  the  district  attorney's  office  until  1886,  when  the  lat- 
ter's  term  expired.  They  practiced  law  together,  but  not  as  partners,  for  two 
years.  In  January,  1888,  Mr.  Kelly  formed  a  partnership  with  Joseph  O'Brien, 
as  O'Brien  &  Kelly,  an  association  that  continued  until  the  election  of  Mr. 
Kelly  as  district  attorney,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  was  elevated  to 
the  bench.  In  1891  he  was  elected  district  attorney  of  Lackawanna  county  on 
the  Democratic  ticket,  serving  most  creditably  for  one  term,  being  defeated 
for  re-election  by  the  great  land  slide  that  swept  about  every  Democrat  in 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  in 

Pennsylvania  out  of  office.  He  resumed  private  practice,  and  as  junior  of  the 
firm  of  O'Brien  &  Kelly,  became  well  known  as  a  learned,  aggressive  and 
successful  lawyer.  He  was  admitted  to  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  dis- 
trict, the  firm  having  important  cases  in  all.  Mr.  Kelly  continued  in  successful 
practice  until  1900.  acquiring  high  reputation  as  a  learned  and  able  lawyer. 
On  April  14,  1900,  he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
to  succeed  Judge  Gunster,  deceased.  In  the  fall  of  1900  he  was  regularly 
elected  judge  to  serve  the  full  term  of  ten  years.  His  career  upon  the  bench 
was  an  honorable  one  and  continued  without  interruption  until  January  1, 
1908,  when  he  voluntarily  resigned,  laying  aside  his  judicial  honors  to  return 
to  the  private  practice  of  his  profession.  He  again  became  a  partner  of  the 
law  firm  of  O'Brien  &  Kelly  and,  has  so  continued,  honored,  respected  and 
popular.  As  attorney  he  has  been  connected  with  many  important  cases,  while 
as  a  judge  he  was  called  upon  to  decide  many  intricate  legal  questions  out 
of  the  ordinary.  He  gained  a  high  reputation  for  judicial  fairness  in  his  hear- 
ing of  cases  and  left  the  bench  with  the  good  will  and  respect  of  the  entire 
bar.  As  an  advocate  he  is  eloquent  and  forcible,  using  his  deep  knowledge  of 
the  law  and  his  powers  of  oratory  with  telling  effect  in  his  pleadings.  He  is 
aggressive  in  his  legal  fights,  but  eminently  fair  to  an  opponent,  winning  his 
cases  by  preponderance  of  evidence  and  masterly  presentation  of  his  carefully 
prepared  attacks  and  defences. 

A  lifelong  Democrat,  Judge  Kelly  has  ever  been  active  in  political  affairs. 
In  November,  1888,  he  was  the  successful  candidate  of  his  party  for  the 
legislature  from  the  first  district  of  Lackawanna  county,  serving  his  full  term 
with  honor.  He  is  the  father  of  the  bill,  which  largely  does  away  with  con- 
tested election  cases,  and  aided  in  the  passage  of  much  useful  legislation 
passed  during  his  term  of  office. 

Judge  Kelly  married  Theresa  E.,  daughter  of  Daniel  B.  Brair.ard,  deceased, 
a  one  time  owner  of  the  Saint  Charles  Hotel  in  Scranton.  Children :  Louise, 
Marion,  Margaret,  Elizabeth.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  920  Olive  street, 
the  office  of  O'Brien  &  Kelly,  Nos.  510-515  Mears  Building. 


JAMES  ALBERT  LANSING 

To  James  Albert  Lansing,  the  prominent  stove  manufacturer  of  Scranton,  is 
accorded  the  unusual  ancestral  distinction  of  a  descent  of  nine  generations, 
both  maternally  and  paternally,  from  the  two  races  which,  more  than  any 
others,  played  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  development  of  the  American  continent, 
who  founded  the  strongest  legal  codes,  fostered  the  deepest  religious  convic- 
tions, and  built  up  the  most  flourishing  and  permanent  communities  in  the 
new  world — the  English  and  Dutch.  The  progenitor  of  the  branch  of  the 
family  of  which  James  Albert  Lansing  is  a  member  was  Gerrit  Frederick  Lan- 
sing, whose  father,  Frederick  Lansing,  was  a  native  of  the  village  of  Hassel, 
Province  of  Overyssel,  Holland.  He  came  to  America  with  his  six  children 
in  1650.  settling  in  New  Amsterdam,  then  governed  by  the  man  so  famous  in 
history,  Peter  Stuyvesant,  who,  in  the  exercise  of  his  authority  made  himself 
so  odious  to  the  colonists  that  he  earned,  beside  their  cordial  dislike,  the  sobri- 
quet, "Peter  the  Headstrong."  A  singular  trait  of  family  constancy  is  found 
in  the  fact  that  since  the  first  pulpit  of  the  first  Dutch  Reformed  church  in 
America  was  set  up  (an  article  of  church  furniture  brought  from  Holland") 
there  has  constantly  been  a  Lansing  in  the  consistory  of  the  historic  church  at 
Albany,  New  York,  the  house  of  worship  attended  by  Theodore  Roosevelt 
while  he  was  governor  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  residing  in  Albany. 

The  line  of  descent  from  the  immigrant  ancestor  of  the  family  to  James  Al- 


112  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

bert  Lansing  is  traced  as  follows:  Gerrit  Lansing  (i),  father  of  Hendrick  G. 
(2),  father  of  Jacob  (3),  the  first  of  the  line  on  American  soil.  Jacob  Lansing 
married  Helena,  daughter  of  Frans  Janse  and  Alida  Pruyn.  Their  son  Hen- 
drick (4),  born  December  i,  1703,  married  Annetye,  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Mayke  (Van  Nes)  Onderkirk,  of  Kinderhook.  At  the  death  of  his  wife 
Hendrick  married  second  Metty,  daughter  of  Abraham  Onderkirk.  Jacob  H. 
(5),  third  son  of  Hendrick  and  Annetye  (Onderkirk)  Lansing,  was  born  April 
4,  1742.  died  in  Watervliet  (now  Cohoes),  New  York,  February  7,  1826.  He 
married,  in  1763,  Maria,  daughter  of  Johannes  and  Helen  (Fonda)  Onderkirk. 
William  (6),  youngest  child  and  only  son  of  Jacob  H.  and  Maria  (Onderkirk) 
Lansing,  was  born  May  12,  1774,  in  Cohoes,  died  in  Mayfield,  New  York,  Jan- 
uary 23,  1853.  He  married  Alida  Fonda.  Jacob  W.  (7),  was  born  in  Cohoes, 
September  7,  1795,  died  November  5,  1848;  married  Helena  Wynkoop.  Their 
son,  William  J.,  was  the  father  of  James  Albert  Lansing. 

The  ancestry  of  Mr.  Lansing  in  the  maternal  American  line  antedates  the 
paternal,  and  has  a  more  stirring  record,  replete  with  patriotic  deeds.  Almira 
Smith  (Cornwall)  Lansing,  wife  of  William  J.  Lansing,  was  descended  from 
William  Cornwall,  a  native  of  England,  who  emigrated  from  his  native  land 
in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century.  He  and  his  wife,  Joan,  are  on 
record  as  having  joined  the  church  at  Roxbury,  Massachusetts,  in  1633.  In 
May  of  the  same  year  he  was  one  of  a  band  of  seventy-seven  soldiers,  who,  in 
revenge  for  constant  depredations,  attacked  and  nearly  exterminated  the  tribe 
of  Pequot  Indians  in  their  fort  at  Mystic,  Connecticut.  He  was  later,  in  1654, 
1664,  and  1665,  a  representative  to  the  colonial  legislature  of  Connecticut  from 
Middletown.  His  son  John  was  a  sergeant  in  the  militia  at  Bunker  HilL 
Benjamin,  son  of  John,  was  one  of  fourteen  volunteers  who  enlisted  from 
Middletown  in  the  expedition  against  Canada  in  1707.  It  is  recorded  that  he 
left  an  estate  valued  at  nine  thousand  pounds.  His  son  Cornelius,  born  in 
1722,  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  militia,  served  in  the  French  and  Indian  War 
and  participated  in  the  siege  of  Quebec,  under  General  Wolfe,  in  1759.  Ashbel, 
son  of  Cornelius,  was  born  in  ^liddletown  in  1754.  He  was  a  private  in  the 
Revolution  in  1775,  fought  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  served  with  Benedict 
Arnold  in  the  expedition  against  Montreal,  and  was  captain  in  the  War  of 
1812-1814,  marching  with  his  company  from  Middletown,  Connecticut,  to 
Sacketts  Harbor,  New  York.  His  old  powder  horn  is  now  in  possession 
of  Mr.  Lansing.  Ashbel,  son  of  Captain  Ashbel  Cornwall,  was  born  in  Mid- 
dletown, Connecticut,  in  1784,  died  in  1868,  and  was  the  father  of  Almira 
Smith  Cornwall,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  J.  Lansing  and  the  mother 
of   James   Albert    Lansing. 

William  J.  Lansing,  was  born  in  Cohoes,  New  York,  August  12,  1818,  died 
in  Champion,  New  York.  January  29,  1864.  He  was  a  carriage  maker  by 
occupation,  a  man  of  sterling  integrity.  Throughout  his  entire  life  he  was 
an  exemplary  adherent  to  the  faith  of  his  forefathers,  and  an  attendant  of 
their  church,  the  Dutch  Reformed.  Early  in  life  a  supporter  of  the  Whig 
party,  his  antipathy  to  human  servitude  made  him  an  uncompromising  Aboli- 
tionist. At  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party,  he  allied  himself  there- 
with, and  cast  his  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont,  its  first  presidential  candidate, 
casting  his  last  ballot  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  married  Almira  Smith  Corn- 
wall, born  in  Broadalbin,  New  York. 

James  Albert  Lansing,  son  of  William  J.  and  Almira  Smith  (Cornwall) 
Lansing,  was  born  in  Montague,  Lewis  county.  New  York,  October  17,  1851, 
Until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  he  attended  the  public  schools,  and  at- 
tracted by  the  school  room,  made  excellent  use  of  his  opportunity  for  study. 
At  that  age  he  left  home  to  support  himself,  a  task  to  which  he  set  himself 


I 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  113 

with  all  of  the  energy  and  enthusiasm  that  has  been  so  conspicuous  in  what- 
ever he  has  attempted.  For  two  years  he  did  a  man's  work  on  a  neighboring 
farm,  attending  school  for  about  two  months  in  the  middle  of  the  winter, 
when  the  weather  was  so  inclement  as  to  make  outside  labor  impossible.  He 
then  apprenticed  himself  to  a  tinsmith,  under  whom  he  so  thoroughly  mastered 
his  trade  that,  at  the  completion  of  his  apprenticeship,  his  preceptor,  then 
his  employer,  offered  to  admit  him  into  equal  partnership  in  the  business. 
While  grateful  for  the  friendly  interest  shown  and  the  generosity  of  the  prop- 
osition, inasmuch  as  he  was  without  funds,  Mr.  Lansing  decided  to  enter  the 
stove  business  as  a  traveling  salesman.  By  this  decision  he  entered  into  a  line 
in  which  he  has  achieved  fortune  and  distinction,  and  was  diverted  both  from 
a  tinsmith's  life  and  that  of  a  lawyer,  the  latter  having  always  been  his 
favorite  profession  and  one  for  which  he  had  done  some  private  preparatory 
study. 

Mr.  Lansing's  connection  with  Scranton  and  her  interests  began  in  Febru- 
ary, 1882,  when,  in  partnership  with  A.  C.  Fuller,  he  purchased  a  controlling 
interest  in  the  Scranton  Stove  Works,  an  industry  founded  in  1866  by  several 
of  the  citizens  of  Scranton  who  formed  the  circle  of  business  men  most  prom- 
inent in  the  city's  enterprises.  Colonel  J.  A.  Price,  J.  J.  Albright,  J.  Curtis 
Piatt,  H.  S.  Pierce,  J.  A.  Linen,  and  William  Connell.  After  the  death  of 
Colonel  Price,  Mr.  Lansing  succeeded  to  the  presidency  of  the  company  and 
has  held  that  office  to  the  present  time.  During  his  regime  a  new  plant,  with 
an  output  three  times  as  large  as  the  old  foundry,  has  been  built,  and  the  loca- 
tion moved  from  West  Lackawanna  avenue  to  its  present  advantageous  site. 
Additions  have  been  made  from  time  to  time,  until  the  Scranton  Stove  Works 
is  the  most  extensive  exclusively  stove  manufactory  in  the  east  and  one  of  the 
largest  in  the  world.  The  principal  product  is  the  celebrated  Dockash  brand 
of  stoves  and  ranges,  whose  reputation  is  country  wide,  and  which  are  shipped 
to  nearly  every   foreign  country. 

Although  a  very  busy  man,  Mr.  Lansing  contrives  to  give  a  great  deal  of 
his  time  to  interests  outside  of  his  own,  although  the  task  of  directing  such 
a  mammoth  industry  as  his  would  more  than  occupy  the  time  of  an  ordinary 
man.  He  was  one  of  the  original  directors  of  the  Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut 
Company,  and  is  now  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Knitting  Mill  and  the  Scran- 
ton Hardware  Company.  In  the  public  service  he  has  also  measured  up 
to  the  obligations  of  a  citizen  with  the  best  good  of  his  community  at  heart 
and  has  given  liberally  of  his  time  and  service  to  his  city.  For  six  years  he 
was  a  member  of  the  select  council  and  was  a  member  of  the  sinking  fund 
commission  for  several  years  after  Scranton  received  its  rating  as  a  city  of 
the  second  class.  The  capacity  in  which  he  has  been  able  to  render  the  most 
important  services  to  the  city  was  as  president  of  the  board  of  trade,  and  as 
member  of  the  manufacturer's  committee  of  the  same  for  the  long  period 
of  eighteen  years.  He  was  ever  one  of  the  board  s  most  progressive  mem- 
bers, abounding  in  new  ideas,  and  always  led  on  to  further  endeavors  by  a 
view  of  a  larger,  richer,  better  Scranton,  the  equal  of  the  inland  manufactur- 
ing cities  and  a  pride  to  the  state.  During  his  presidency  of  the  board  its  pow- 
ers were  enlarged,  its  influence  increased,  and  many  new  and  now  flourishing 
industries  encouraged  in  making  the  city  their  home.  LTnder  Mr.  Lansing's 
leadership  the  board  of  trade  promulgated  and  brought  to  a  successful  con- 
summation a  work  of  nation-wide  importance,  influence,  and  benefit,  for  which 
he  and  his  colleagues  received  warm  and  hearty  commendations  from  all  parts 
of  the  country ;  that  is.  Mr.  Lansing  originated,  and  the  board  backed,  a 
movement  resulting  in  the  passage  by  Congress  of  an  act  providing  for  the 
establishment  of  national  banks  of  issue  with  a  capital  of  $25,000  in  towns 
8 


114  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  less  than  three  thousand  population.  The  passage  of  the  bill  of  our  great 
deliberative  forum  in  the  form  in  which  it  was  presented  by  Mr.  Lansing  and 
in  which  it  emanated  from  the  board  is  an  eloquent  testimonial  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  financial  conditions  of  its  composer  and  testifies  to  the  intelligent  in- 
terest taken  by  him  in  affairs  of  national  importance.  Broadminded,  he  per- 
ceived the  beneficial  effects  of  this  measure,  which  led  to  an  appreciation  of 
the  methods  of  the  national  banking  system,  and  its  extension  of  the  smaller 
towns  in  rural  districts,  a  movement  which  eliminated  many  private  banks, 
instituting  in  their  stead  a  more  stable  and  uniform  chain  of  banks  under 
government  supervision. 

The  most  recent  recognition  of  Mr.  Lansing's  standing  among  those 
engaged  in  stove  manufacturing  came  in  the  form  of  his  unanimous  election 
to  the  presidency  of  the  National  Association  of  Stove  Manufacturers,  as- 
sembled in  their  forty-second  annual  convention  at  New  York.  The  associa- 
tion has  within  its  membership  nearly  every  prominent  stove  manufacturer  in 
the  United  States,  representing  capital  of  $75,000,000  and  giving  employment 
to  25,000  men.  His  election  to  the  presidency  of  this  association,  organized 
for  the  common  benefit  of  its  members,  is  a  marked  tribute  to  the  regard  in 
which  he  is  nationally  held  by  his  associates  in  business  and  testifies  to  his 
value  in  the  councils  of  the  organization. 

Another  proof  of  the  amazing  versatility  of  Mr.  Lansing  is  the  part  b.e 
plays  in  the  religious  life  of  Scranton.  He  is  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  in  the  work  of  the  Sabbath  school  has  always  assumed  a  heavy 
load  of  responsibility,  serving  in  the  capacity  of  superintendent.  It  is  here 
that  he  has  formed  connections  that  will  endear  him  to  the  hearts  of  Scranton's 
citizens  long  after  he  and  his  generation  have  gone  to  immortal  rest.  Gentle 
spirited  and  of  a  kindly  nature,  his  warm,  friendly  and  sympathetic  manner 
has  won  him  many  firm  and  fast  friends  among  the  young  people  of  his  Sun- 
day school,  upon  whom  the  lofty  example  of  his  blameless  life  will  leave  a 
lasting  impression  for  good.  To  various  benevolent  and  charitable  institu- 
tions he  gives  cheerful  and  liberal  support.  In  his  private  philanthropy  he  has 
been  the  agent  by  which  many  a  man,  disheartened  and  discouraged  by  the 
"slings  and  arrows  of  outrageous  fortune,"  has  been  lifted  from  the  depths 
of  despondency  and  often  much  lower  levels,  and  placed  upon  a  plane  leading 
upward  to  higher  and  better  things.  Reckless  giving,  so  often  adding  to  the 
degradation  of  the  beneficiary,  has  had  no  part  in  his  benevolences,  all  of  the 
favors  he  bestows  having  the  aim  of  giving  the  recipient  faith  in  the  powers 
he  has  lost.  His  political  faith  is  Republican,  and  the  principles  of  his  party 
he  forcefully  advocates,  holding  a  firm  position  on  the  questions  of  the  day  in 
regard  to  the  protection  of  American  industries  and  commerce.  The  business 
and  social  organizations  of  which  Mr.  Lansing  is  a  member  are  the  Manu- 
facturers' Club,  of  Philadelphia ;  the  Scranton  and  County  Clubs,  of  Scranton ; 
the  New  England  Society,  of  Scranton ;  the  Pennsylvania  Society,  Sons  of 
the  Revolution,  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Holland  Society  of  New  York. 

He  married.  May  8,  1877,  Mary  Frances  Waters,  of  Copenhagen,  New 
York,  daughter  of  Lyman  Twining  and  Sarah  Jane  (Shepherd)  Waters,  both 
descendants  of  old  New  England  families.  They  are  the  parents  of  one 
daughter,  Ruth,  born  February  14,  1892. 

Of  Mr.  Lansing's  rise  to  his  present  important  and  prominent  station, 
mention  has  been  made,  as  also  his  devoted  service  to  his  church  and  in  be- 
half of  his  city's  welfare.  The  facts  have  been  cited,  and  it  is  only  left  to 
point  to  the  noble  manner  in  which  he  has  held  true  to  the  ideals  of  his  family 
cherished  through  so  many  generations,  and  how,  the  present  day  representa- 
tive of   illustrious    forbears,  has  proven   the   steel   of  his  name  and  brought 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  115 

wealth,  position,  honor,  and  reputation  to  lay  at  the  feet  of  the  shrine  that 
begat  him,  the  houses  of  Cornwall  and  Lansing. 


BENJAMIN  E.  WATSON 

A  resident  of  Scranton  since  boyhood,  Benjamin  E.  Watson,  after  passing 
through  various  positions,  is  now  the  capable  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
Scranton  Stove  Works,  one  of  the  important  industrial  enterprises  of  the  city. 
He  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Jane  (Baxter)  Watson,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  on  their  wedding  trip,  and  to  Scranton  in  about  the  year  1857.  Jane 
Baxter  was  a  member  of  the  Baxter  family,  famous  in  Glasgow  as  book  pub- 
lishers, her  mother  being  buried  in  that  city  in  the  Baxter  family  burial  plot. 

Charles  Watson  was  bom  in  Ayr,  Scotland,  there  grew  to  manhood, 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  immediately  after  his  marriage  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  For  a  time  after  his  loca- 
tion here  he  followed  his  trade  with  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company 
and  in  the  car  shops  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  after 
which  he  began  business  as  a  contractor  and  builder.  In  the  latter  capacity 
he  contracted  for  and  built  the  wooden  portion  of  all  the  depots  on  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  between  Great  Bend  and  Stroudsburg, 
also  the  old  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Station  in  Scranton.  He  was 
successful  as  a  builder  until  the  burning  of  his  shop  and  ill  health  caused  him 
to  abandon  the  city  and  remove  to  Flemington,  New  Jersey.  There  he  lived 
retired  for  a  time,  doing  a  little  farming.  Later  in  life  he  returned  to  Scranton 
where  he  died  in  1893  within  a  few  days  of  his  sixtieth  birthday.  He  was 
reared  in  the  Presbyterian  church  but  was  affiliated  with  the  Adams  Avenue 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  New  Jersey  was  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  After  his  return  to  Scranton  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  all  walks  of  life  was  an 
honorable.  Christian  gentleman.  His  wife,  Jane  (Baxter)  Watson,  died  in 
1903  aged  seventy-eight  years.  Children :  Charles  J.,  John  G.,  James  B., 
George  W.,  Benjamin  E.,  of  whom  further ;  Robert  M.,  deceased. 

Benjamin  E.  Watson  was  bom  in  Flemington,  New  Jersey,  February  9, 
1868.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  there  and  in  Scranton,  finishing  a 
high  school  course.  He  began  business  as  clerk  with  the  Green  Ridge  Coal 
Company,  but  shortly  afterward  entered  the  employ  of  the  Scranton  Stove 
Works  as  office  assistant.  In  January,  1893,  he  was  elected  a  director  of  the 
company,  on  January  11,  1896,  was  elected  secretary,  and  on  June  10,  191 1, 
was  chosen  treasurer,  which  position  he  now  holds.  During  these  years  he 
studied  law  under  the  direction  of  C.  R.  Bedford,  of  Scranton,  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1900,  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar,  but  has  not  ac- 
tively practiced  his  profession.  He  has  given  the  office  management  of  his 
company  his  undivided  energy,  and  in  that  department  ranks  with  the  most 
capable  of  business  men.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
is  active  in  Sunday  school  work,  serving  as  assistant  superintendent.  Mr. 
Watson  married,  April  21,  1897,  Jessie  S.,  daughter  of  A.  H.  Coursen,  of  an 
old  Scranton  family.  Children:  Benjamin  E.  and  Catherine  A.  The  family 
home  is  at  No.  709  Madison  avenue. 


HERSCHEL  J.  HALL 


The  Hall  family  of  Rhode  Island,  a  most  ancient  and  honorable  one,  re- 
mained in  New  England  several  generations,  Jonathan  Hall,  great-grandfather 


ii6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  Herschel  J.  Hall,  of  Scranton,  being  the  first  of  this  branch  to  settle  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  located  at  Abington,  purchasing  land  from  the  government, 
and  there  spent  his  after  life  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  owning  a 
saw  mill,  converting  into  lumber  the  trees  cut  from  his  own  lands. 

(H)  Jabez  G.  Hall,  son  of  Jonathan  Hall,  was  born  in  Abington  and  there 
died  in  1883  aged  eighty-three  years.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  for  many  years 
was  collector  of  taxes  for  his  township.  He  married  Laura  Callender,  seven 
of  their  sons  serving  in  the  Union  army  during  the  war  between  the  states. 

(HI)  Byron  G.  Hall,  son  of  Jabez  G.  Hall,  was  born  in  Abington  in  1837, 
died  June  6,  1912.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  farm,  then  for  twenty- 
five  years  engaged  in  the  butcher  business,  finally  returned  to  his  early  occupa- 
tion, farming,  although  he  continued  to  conduct  a  small  meat  business.  He 
served  as  burgess  for  several  years,  a  member  of  council  and  school  director, 
serving  faithfully  in  every  position  in  which  placed.  He  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army  with  his  six  brothers,  and  was  engaged  in  several  skirmishes  preceding 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  He  and  his  family  were  all  members  of  the  Baptist 
church,  he  serving  many  years  as  trustee.  He  married  Catherine  Kirkman, 
daughter  of  John  Kirkman,  he  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  his  daughter  in 
Yonkers,  New  York ;  children  :    Edward  L.,  Thomas  G.,  Robert  B.,  Herschel  J. 

(IV)  Herschel  J.  Hall,  youngest  son  of  Byron  G.  and  Catherine  (Kirk- 
man) Hall,  was  born  in  Scott  township,  Lackav.'anna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
May  13,  1865.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Abington.  finishing  his 
studies  at  a  business  college  in  Delaware,  Ohio.  Pie  began  business  life  in 
Dickson  City,  Pennsylvania,  holding  his  first  position  under  John  Jermyn,  con- 
tinuing with  him  eighteen  months,  then  for  six  months  was  in  the  employ  of 
the  Scranton  Supply  and  Machinery  Company  and  with  Dale  &  Company 
about  three  months.  At  the  expiration  of  the  latter  period  he  began  his  as- 
sociation with  the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company,  acting  first  as  bookkeeper. 
Two  years  later  the  company  was  reorganized  under  its  present  name  and 
management,  Mr.  Hall  being  advanced  to  the  post  of  secretary,  and  in  1913 
was  appointed  to  the  additional  responsibilities  of  assistant  treasurer.  He  al;o 
holds  these  same  positions  in  the  Scranton  Lace  Company,  a  corporation 
formed  to  act  as  selling  agents  for  the  factory  output  of  the  Scranton  Lace 
Curtain  Company.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Byxbee  Publishing  Company, 
of  Chicago.  Mr.  Hall  possesses  the  essential  qualities  of  the  modern  success- 
ful business  man ;  has  risen  to  his  important  position  in  the  business  through 
his  own  force  of  character  and  in  winning  his  way  has  also  won  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  his  associates.  He  is  an  active  member  of  Abington  Baptist 
Church  and  with  his  wife  is  useful  in  the  Sunday  school  and  missionary  work 
of  the  church,  he  being  one  of  the  deacons  and  the  efficient  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  Mr.  Hall  married  Rene  Shedd,  daughter  of  Walter 
Shedd,  of  Kankakee,  Illinois. 


BENJAMIN  B.  HICKS 

On  arriving  from  England  at  an  early  date  the  Hicks  emigrant  settled  near 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  later  the  family  located  in  Columbia  county, 
where  the  name  is  perpetuated  in  "Hicks  Ferry"  established  in  the  year  1800 
by  Mahlon  Hicks,  grandfather  of  Benjamin  B.  Hicks,  of  Scranton,  and  yet 
in  existence. 

Mordecai  Millard  Hicks,  son  of  Mahlon  Hicks,  was  born  at  Willow  Grove, 
Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  1904,  aged  seventy-two  years.  Though 
originally  of  a  Quaker  family,  Mordecai  Willard  Hicks  became  a  pillar  of 
strength  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Willow  Grove,  serving  as  steward. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  117 

trustee  and  for  many  years  as  class  leader,  his  wife  also  being  an  active  church 
worker.  He  was  a  farmer  all  his  active  years,  and  an  active  member  of  the 
Patrons  of  Husbandry.  He  married  Harriet  M.,  daughter  of  William  Stahl, 
of  Briar  Creek,  Pennsylvania.  Five  of  their  seven  children  grew  to  man  and 
womanhood :  Minnie,  married  Benjamin  F.  Hicks ;  Alice,  married  S.  W.  Kel- 
cher;  Samuel  H.,  Benjamin  B. ;  Susan,  married  C.  H.  Kline,  of  Bloomsburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

Benjamin  B.  Hicks,  youngest  living  son  of  Mordecai  Millard  and  Harriet 
M.  (Stahl)  Hicks,  was  born  at  Willow  Grove,  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  8,  1864.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  farm,  and  obtained  a 
good  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Willow  Grove.  He  continued  his 
father's  assistant  at  the  farm  until  1884,  then  left  home  and  spent  the  follow- 
ing summer  at  Light  Street,  Pennsylvania.  The  next  year  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company  at  Ply- 
mouth, Luzerne  county,  first  as  a  helper  in  the  freight  house.  In  about  a  year 
he  won  promotion  to  the  position  of  baggage  master,  later  being  appointed 
assistant  ticket  agent.  In  1890  he  came  to  Scranton  as  transcript  clerk  for 
the  L'nited  States  Express  Company,  later  becoming  cashier,  a  position  he 
held  three  years.  In  1893  he  began  his  twenty  years  association  with  the  Third 
Natonal  Bank  of  Scranton,  beginning  as  clerk  and  bookkeeper.  He  won  his 
way  steadily  upward  until  1909,  when  he  was  elected  cashier,  which  respon- 
sible position  he  now  holds.  In  matters  religious,  he  has  not  departed  from 
the  example  and  early  teaching  of  his  honored  parents,  but  is  a  valued  and 
useful  member  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Active  in  all 
departments  of  church  work  his  especial  interest  has  ever  been  in  the  Sunday 
school  which  he  has  served  as  assistant  superintendent  for  twenty  years.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  official  board,  chief  usher,  collector  of  pew  lents  and 
always  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  whenever  needed.  His  wife  is  a  co- 
worker in  the  church,  active  in  missionary  work,  and  in  women's  special  de- 
partments. Mr.  Hicks  is  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  of  the  Order  of  Heptasophs.  In  political  faith  he  has 
always  been  a  Republican.  A  trusted  bank  official,  an  upright  citizen,  and  a 
valued  friend,  Mr.  Hicks  has  fairly  earned  the  general  esteem  in  which  he  is 
held. 

Mr.  Hicks  married,  September  9,  1891,  Lydia  M.  Shaffer,  daughter  of 
Samuel  U.  Shaffer,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  Millard  Utley 
and  Harriet  Elizabeth.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  220  Colfax  avenue,  Scran- 
ton. 


RICHARD  J.  MATTHEWS 

Of  English  birth  and  parentage,  Mr.  Matthews  has  been  a  resident  of 
Pennsylvania  since  1841.  when  as  a  child  of  three  years  he  was  brought  by 
his  parents  to  Honesdale.  Since  i860  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  in 
Scranton,  where  the  name  is  a  household  word,  through  the  long  and  active 
business  relations  of  Matthews  Brothers  and  Matthews  &  Sons.  For  over 
a  half  a  century  Matthews  Brothers  have  been  wholesale  and  retail  dealers 
in  drugs,  paints  and  oils,  one  of  the  original  founders  of  the  firm,  Charles  P. 
Matthews,  later  withdrawing  and  is  now  the  head  of  the  wholesale  flour,  feed 
and  grain  firm,  C.  P.  Matthews  &  Sons.  The  present  firm  of  Matthews 
Brothers,  wholesale  and  retail  dealers  in  drugs,  paints  and  oils,  is  a  corpora- 
tion, Richard  J.  Matthews  selling  his  interest  to  a  nepliew,  Walter  L.  Mat- 
thews, treasurer  of  the  present  company;  Charles  W.  Matthews  being  presi- 
dent ;  both  are  sons  of  the  original  partners,  Charles  P.  and  William  Matthews, 


Ii8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

which  after  fifty-six  years  from  its  founding  passed  out  of  existence  as  a 
partnership,  beginning  its  corporate  existence,  February  19,  1913. 

The  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitant  hardly  carries  back  to  a  period  when 
one  of  the  name  of  Matthews  was  not  connected  with  the  mercantile  interests 
of  Scranton,  yet  Richard  J.  Matthews,  whose  career  follows,  gives  no  un- 
usual evidence  or  his  years,  seventy-five,  or  of  his  over  half  a  century  of 
active  business  life,  so  perfect  in  his  health  and  so  active  his  mind. 

Robert  Matthews  and  his  wife,  Ann  (Henwood)  Matthews,  both  of  Corn- 
wall, England,  came  to  the  United  States  about  1841  with  sons,  William, 
Charles  P.,  Richard  J.,  and  daughter,  Elizabeth.  He  did  not  come  in  pursuit 
of  fortune,  as  he  was  an  educated  gentleman  of  means,  but  rather  perhaps 
to  give  his  sons  the  advantages  a  new  country  like  this  offers  to  young  men. 
He  located  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  purchased  land,  engaging  in 
its   management   and   operation  by  tenant   farmers  or  hired   labor. 

Richard  J-  Matthews  obtained  a  good  education  in  public  and  private 
schools  and  remained  at  home  in  Honesdale  until  1858,  when  he  obtained  a 
position  in  a  bank  in  New  York  and  spent  about  one  year  in  that  city.  In 
i860  he  came  to  Scranton  where  for  about  a  year  he  was  clerk  for  his  brother, 
Charles  P.  Matthews,  who  had  a  store  where  the  Fuller  P>uilding  now  stands. 
In  1861  Richard  J.  Matthews  purchased  an  established  retail  drug  store  in 
Providence,  which  he  conducted  for  nine  years.  He  then  returned  to  Scran- 
ton, joining  his  brothers,  William  and  Charles  P.,  who  were  conducting  a 
wholesale  drug,  paint  and  oil  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Matthews 
Brothers,  the  original  business  having  been  established  by  Chs.rles  P.  Mat- 
thews in  1857.  About  1871  he  retired  from  the  firm,  Richard  J.  and  William 
continuing.  William  Matthews  at  this  time  was  also  manager  of  the  People's 
Street  Railway  Company,  consequently  the  burden  of  management  of  Mat- 
thews Brothers  fell  upon  the  younger  brother,  Richard  J.,  who,  however,  was 
fully  equal  to  the  task.  While  in  the  early  years  the  business  was  small,  it 
constantly  increased  until  a  force  of  twenty-eight  men  is  required  in  its 
operation.  It  is  the  oldest  drug  liouse  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  and  has  a 
well  established  trade  in  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  Valleys.  The  pres- 
ent building  at  No.  320  Lackawanna  avenue,  was  erected  prior  to  1870.  Then 
until  January  i,  1913,  the  firm  consisted  of  Charles  W.,  a  son  of  William 
Matthews,  and  Richard  J.  Matthews,  the  only  member  of  the  original  finn 
then  connected  with  the  business.  While  the  principal  burden  of  business 
was  allowed  to  rest  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  younger  man,  the  elder  partner 
was  actively  "in  the  harness"  and  still  has  important  official  connection  with 
other  Scranton  institutions.  He  is  president  of  the  Black  Diamond  Silk  Com- 
pany and  director  of  the  Title,  Guarantee  and  Trust  Company.  He  attends 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral 
School  for  Deaf  Mutes,  an  institution  in  which  be  takes  a  great  interest.  In 
political  preference  he  is  a  Republican. 

Richard  J.  Matthews  married,  March  8,  1864.  Imogene  Leach,  of  Provi- 
dence. Pennsylvania.  Six  children :  Anna,  married  Joseph  J.  H.  S.  Lynch ; 
Flora  L. :  Mary,  married  George  P.  Griffith  Jr. ;  Alice,  married  W.  H.  Storrs, 
deceased  ;  Helen  ;  Burton. 


RALPH  A.  AMERMAN 

Amerman  is  a  name  well  known  in  the  legislative  annals  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  connected  prominently  with  one  of  the  most  far-reaching  beneficial  acts 
ever  passed  in  the  state  i.  e. :  The  Free  School  Bill,  of  which  Lemuel  Amerman, 
father  of  Ralph  A.  Amerman,  was  the  legislative  father.     Prior  to  his  valuable 


'Lemuel  i^^ I 


ttierinan 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  ug 

public  service,  his  father,  Jesse  C.  Amerman,  a  dairy  farmer  near  Danvilk. 
Pennsylvania,  served  several  years  in  the  Pennsylvania  legislature,  as  a  Demo- 
crat. Jesse  C.  Amerman  was  also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  attaining  the 
rank  of   sergeant-major. 

Lemuel  Amerman  was  a  graduate  of  Mansfield  State  Normal  School, 
and  of  Bucknell  College,  and  prior  to  his  legal  study  was  a  teacher  in  the 
former  institution.  He  read  law  with  James  A.  Gordon,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
after  his  admission  to  the  bar  located  in  Scranton,  where  he  was  active  and 
prominent  in  law,  politics  and  business.  He  was  prominent  in  the  develop- 
ment of  water  privileges  of  his  section,  holding  directorship  in  the  Spring 
Brook,  Mansfield,  Minooka  and  Rendaham  water  companies.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  for  several  years  clerk  of  the  Pennsylvania  house  of 
representatives.  He  was  later  elected  a  member  of  the  house  from  Scranton. 
and  among  the  important  bills  he  fathered  and  championed  was  the  acl 
providing  for  free  public  instruction.  He  also  served  a  term  in  Congress. 
His  public  career  was  long  and  honorable,  and  the  results  of  his  wisdom  and 
public  spirit  will  continue  until  "time  shall  be  no  more."  He  was  also  promin- 
ent in  the  legal  profession,  and  served  several  years  as  city  solicitor  of  Scran- 
ton. He  was  an  active  member  of  the  congregation  of  Emmanuel  Baptist 
Church,  and  also  interested  in  Sunday  school  work,  serving  as  superintendent. 
He  married  Mary  Van  Nort,  of  Scranton,  who  bore  him  a  son,  Ralph  A.,  and 
a  daughter,  Mary,  now  the  wife  of  Frederick  Lewis,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia. 

Ralph  A.  Amerman,  only  son  of  Lemuel  and  Mary  (Van  Nort)  Amerman. 
was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  May  19,  1884.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Scranton  and  Worcester  Academy  (Massachusetts),  then  entered 
Cornell  LIniversity,  taking  at  the  latter  institution  the  civil  engineering 
course.  After  finishing  his  college  course  and  arriving  at  legal  age,  he  as- 
sisted in  the  organization  of  the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Company,  and  from 
1905  until  1908  was  engaged  in  the  service  of  that  company.  In  1908  he 
organized  the  Scranton  Automobile  Company  for  the  promotion  and  sale  of 
the  Buick  car.  He  is  the  general  agent  for  the  Buick  car  in  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania,  having  sub-agents  thoroughly  covering  the  territory.  The 
company  also  was  engaged  in  the  sale  of  auto  accessories  and  maintained  an 
extensive  repair  department.  He  also  has  other  extensive  business  affairs, 
including  the  Scranton  Taxicab  Company,  of  which  he  is  president.  His 
college  fraternity  is  Kappa  Sigma  (Cornell);  his  secret  fraternities:  Lodge. 
Chapter,  Commandery,  Shrine  and  Consistory  of  the  Masonic  Order ;  clubs, 
the  Scranton,  Country,  Press,  Bicycle,  Temple.  A  true  son  of  his  honored 
father,  he  is  interested  in  both  church  and  education,  serving  as  trustee  of 
Emmanuel  Baptist  Church ;  president  of  the  board  of  trustee  of  Keystone 
Academy  and  trustee  of  Bucknell  University.  Mr.  Amerman  married  Ada. 
daughter  of  Rev.  John  S.  Wrightnour,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
of  Scranton.     The  family  home  is  at  No.  537  Monroe  avenue. 


JOSEPH  F.  KELLER 


Descendant  of  a  sturdy  German  emigrant,  who  settled  prior  to  the  Revolu- 
tion in  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  Joseph  F.  Keller,  of  Scranton, 
inherits  a  legacy  of  patriotism,  devotion  to  duty  and  manly  character.  These 
traits  have  been  strongly  manifested  in  preceding  generations  and  have  not 
been  lost  in  the  transmission  to  the  present  representative  of  the  family. 

The  emigrant  Keller  fought  in  the  Revolution,  for  the  cause  of  liberty, 
was  captured  by  the  British  at  Marcus  Hook  and  in  his  suffering  kindled  in 
the  blood  a  spirit  that  blazed  forth  in  his  grandson,  Theodore  Keller,  a  soldier 


I20  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  the  Civil  War,  captured  at  Gettysburg  and  confined  at  the  Confederate 
prison  at  Belle  Isle.  But  the  martial  spirit  thus  transmitted  has  been  tempered 
by  a  generation  of  peaceful  pursuits,  tlie  second  generation  having  been 
farmers. 

The  grandfather  of  Joseph  F.  Keller,  born  in  Cherry  Valley.  Monroe 
county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  paternal  farm,  there  lived,  died  and  was  buried, 
an  old  man  of  eighty-five  years.  He  was  a  prominent  man  in  his  locality,  a 
pillar  and  liberal  supporter  of  the  German  Reformed  Church,  commissioner 
of  roads  and  school  director.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Heller)  Keller,  was  also  a 
native  of  Cherry  \'alley. 

Theodore  Keller,  of  the  third  generation  in  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in 
Cherry  Valley,  Monroe  county,  April  26,  1842.  He  learned  the  trade  of  wheel- 
wright and  for  many  years  followed  that  and  house  carpentry.  In  1883  he 
settled  in  Dunmore,  and  shortly  afterward  entered  the  employ  of  the  Dixon 
Manufacturing  Company,  with  whom  he  remained  seventeen  years,  then  re- 
turned to  his  trade.  He  and  his  family  worship  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  During  the  war  between  the  states  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  One 
Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
fought  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his  regiment  was  engaged  until  Gettysburg, 
where  he  was  captured,  taken  South  and  held  a  prisoner  at  Belle  Isle.  He  is  a 
member  of  Griffin  Post.  No.  139,  G.  A.  R.  Theodore  Keller  married  Martha, 
daughter  of  Abel  Staples,  of  Beaver  Valley,  Pennsylvania,  of  ?  family  that 
also  traces  in  Pennsylvania  to  the  days  of  the  Revolution.  Children  (now 
living):  Lily;  Harriet,  married  Arthur  Spencer,  of  Dunmore;  Joseph  F. ; 
May,  wife  of  Richard  Angwin,  of  Dunmore 

Joseph  F.  Keller,  son  of  Theodoie  and  Martha  (Staples)  Keller,  was  born 
at  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  November  12,  1873.  Until  fifteen  vears  of  age 
he  attended  public  school,  then  spent  three  years  en  the  Wagner  cattle  ranch 
in  Texas.  He  then  came  to  Scranton,  and  began  learning  the  carpenter's 
trade,  continuing  as  a  journeyman  four  years  after  finishing  his  apprentice- 
ship. He  was  ambitious  and  was  determined  to  obtain  more  than  a  knowledge 
of  the  correct  use  of  tools.  He  studied  the  principles  of  building  construction 
and  read  such  books  as  treated  on  the  strength  of  timber  and  builder's  ma- 
terials until  he  was  capable  of  superintending  the  erection  of  important  build- 
ings, as  well  as  becoming  expert  in  the  use  of  tools.  In  the  pursuit  of  his  call- 
ing, he  traveled  all  over  the  United  States,  and  was  superintendent  in  charge 
of  some  important  buildings,  including  some  for  the  government  in  Wash- 
ington. He  worked  from  ocean  to  ocean  in  the  large  cities  and  gained  a  vast 
fund  of  valuable  experience  on  the  different  styles  and  quality  of  the  buildings 
he  superintended.  In  1897  he  located  permanently  in  Scranton  as  a  building 
contractor.  In  191 1  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Russel  H  Dean  and  as 
Keller  &  Dean  has  conducted  a  most  successful  business,  making  a  specialty 
of  fine  residential  and  factory  construction.  The  firm  holds  an  enviable  posi- 
tion as  competent,  reliable  builders,  and  have  executed  many  important  con- 
tracts. In  his  relations  with  his  employees,  Mr.  Keller  is  just  to  a  point  of 
generosity,  straining  every  point  possible  in  their  favor.  He  possesses  the 
perfect  confidence  of  his  men,  who  know  their  interests  are  carefully  con- 
sidered. As  a  result  he  has  a  loyal  corps  of  good  workmen  always  at  his 
command  and  is  able  to  better  estimate  on  the  time  clause  of  many  of  his  con- 
tracts, a  most  important  item  on  which  important  contracts  are  often  awarded. 
Still  a  young  man,  Mr.  Keller  deserves  the  highest  encomiums  for  the  position 
he  has  attained  as  a  contractor  and  builder.  He  has  displayed  an  energy  and 
ambition  to  rise  that  has  not  brought  him  mfluential  friends,  but  has  made 
his  further  rise  in  the  building  world  certain.     He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  121 

and  an  attendant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Heptasophs.  Mr.  Keller  married,  January  12, 
1903.  Myrtle  Irene,  daughter  of  Byron  Davis,  of  Dunmore,  and  has  a  daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth  Virginia. 


FRANCIS  O.  MEGARGEE 

To  the  }ilegargee  family,  of  Scranton.  there  is  accorded  the  double  honor 
of  being  descended  from  an  ancestor  whose  voyage  to  America  was  made 
with  the  leader  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  America,  William  Penn,  and  of 
having  continued  in  the  family  for  a  century  and  a  half  the  art  of  paper 
making.  The  first,  an  accident  of  birth  and  residence,  is  nevertheless  a  satis- 
faction to  those  caring  for  the  prestige  attached  to  antiquity  of  family,  while 
the  second  reflects  credit  upon  those  of  the  name  who  perpetuated  the  trade 
instituted  as  a  family  occupation  so  many  years  ago.  The  original  home  of 
the  Megargees  was  in  the  south  of  Ireland  where  the  terminal  letter  was  "1", 
instead  of  "e".  .  With  a  strength  of  conscience  and  a  simplicity  of  character 
that  has  characterized  the  family  through  the  entire  descent,  the  American 
father  of  this  branch  of  the  Megargees  cast  his  lot  with  Penn's  band  of 
Quakers  and  resolutely  set  his  face  toward  the  West,  expecting  to  find  there. 
in  the  wilderness  beyond  the  sea,  not  only  a  richer  home,  but  a  new  land  and 
free,  where  each  man  might  live  out  his  own  salvation,  unbound  by  the  be- 
liefs or  actions  of  his  neighbors. 

Jacob  Megargee,  grandfather  of  Francis  O.  Megargee,  was  a  native  paper 
manufacturer  and  inn  keeper  of  Rising  Sun,  Philadelphia.  His  son,  Sylves- 
ter Jacob  Megargee,  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in  1817.  He  engaged  all  his 
life  in  the  business  instituted  by  his  father,  the  paper  manufacturing,  in  which 
he  was  very  successful.  Book  paper  was  the  line  in  which  he  specialized.  In 
1876  he  retired  from  active  participation  in  any  enterprise  and  lived  a  quiet 
and  peaceful  life  until  his  death  in  1880,  aged  sixty-three  years.  He  married 
Ann  V.  Gafifney,  bom  in  Baltimore,  Maryland.  Of  their  eight  children,  four 
are  living,  two  in  Scranton.  Children:  Sylvester  Edwin,  of  Philadelphia: 
Charles  G.,  of  Florida ;  Bernard  B. :  Francis  Octavius. 

Francis  Octavius  Megargee,  son  of  Sylvester  Jacob  and  Ann  V.  (Gaf?ney) 
Megargee,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  August  10,  1862,  died 
September  3,  1914,  at  his  home  in  Dunmore.  He  obtained  his  education  in  a 
private  school  in  Philadelphia,  in  La  Salle  College,  from  which  he  graduated 
and  in  the  Ross  Military  .-Vcademy.  and  soon  after  the  completion  of  his 
studies  entered  the  employ  of  the  Megargee  Brothers,  the  leading  paper 
manufacturing  house  in  Philadelphia,  as  commercial  traveler.  He  had  been 
with  this  firm  for  about  six  years,  when  they  discontinued  business,  Mr.  Me- 
gargee accepting  a  position  with  I.  M.  Megargee  &  Company.  The  business 
of  this  firm  was  the  same  as  that  of  the  one  by  which  he  had  been  previously 
employed,  and  after  four  and  a  half  years  service,  Mr.  Megargee  came  to 
Scranton,  November  i,  1890,  where  he  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Megargee 
Brothers  in  the  general  paper  business.  He  and  his  brother.  Bernard  B.,  who 
comprised  the  firm,  opened  headquarters  in  the  Burr  building,  and  the  busi- 
ness greatly  expanded,  becoming  the  leader  in  that  line  not  only  in  Scranton 
but  all  through  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  and  parts  of  New  York  state. 
His  business  interests  were  as  vice-president  of  the  International  Poultry 
Supply  Company  of  Brown's  Mills,  New  Jersey,  and  director  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Dunmore.  of  which  he  was  an  organizer.  He  was  mainly  re- 
sponsible for  the  organization  of  the  Scranton  Poultry  .\ssociation,  and  the 
popularizing  of  poultry  raising.     In  that  field   he  was  an  expert.     His  social 


122  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

connections  were  with  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Green  Ridge  Club,  the  Press 
Club,  and  the  Canoe  Club.  He  was  a  member  of  Si.  Paul's  Rcma.T  Catholic 
Church,  of  which  his  wife  is  also  a  member. 

Mr.  Megargee  married,  June  29,  1899,  Katlierine,  daughter  of  William 
W.  Haggerty,  of  Philadelphia.  She  was  the  principal  of  the  commercial  de- 
partment of  the  Central  High  School,  of  Scranton.  Children :  Francis  S., 
Katherine  B.,  Robert  W.,  Ann  E.,  Marjorie  F.,  Edwin  Irvin.  ]\Ir.  Megargee 
was  a  popular  figure  in  Scranton  society,  a  progressive,  public  spirited,  un- 
selfish citizen. 


EDWARD  EISELE 


Edward  Eisele,  city  controller  of  Scranton,  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  Ger- 
man family,  whose  presence  in  the  United  States  dates  back  but  one  generation. 
His  father,  John  F.  Eisele,  was  born  in  Selinger,  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  in 
1830.  He  there  attended  the  elementary  schools  and  the  gymnasium,  learning 
the  tailor's  trade.  When  a  young  man  he  came  to  New  York  and  there  follow- 
ing his  trade,  of  which  he  was  a  skilled  master,  until  1855.  He  then  came  to 
Scranton,  continuing  in  the  pursuit  of  his  occupation  until  his  retirement,  and 
still  making  that  place  his  residence  (although  he  ilid  not  follow  his  calling  for 
many  years),  until  his  death  September  26.  1913,  aged  eighty-three  years. 
With  his  wife  he  was  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  at  whose 
services  both  were  regular  attendants.  He  belonged  to  Alliance  Lodge  No.  540, 
L  O.  O.  F.,  in  which  he  was  past  grand,  and  for  twenty-five  years  was  treas- 
urer of  that  organization. 

He  married  Katherine  Durner.  and  of  this  union  twelve  children  were 
born,  of  whom  five  are  living:  J.  George,  general  salesagent  of  the  Delaware 
and  Hudson  Coal  Company,  resides  in  Scranton ;  Louisa  M.,  married  Emanuel 
Fitzelman,  deceased,  of  Scranton ;  John  F.,  Jr. ;  Charles  W.,  of  Flint,  Michi- 
gan ;  Edward,  of  further  mention. 

Edward  Eisele,  son  of  John  F.  and  Katherine  (Durner)  Eisele,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  July  11,  1875.  He  attended  the  public  schools  in 
his  youth  and  after  discontinuing  his  studies  worked  at  various  industries  at 
one  time  being  employed  in  a  boiler  shop.  He  then  engaged  in  office  work, 
and  was  in  the  office  of  City  Treasurer  Robinson  from  1899  to  1902,  and  later 
in  the  office  of  the  city  controller.  He  there  gained  the  experience  that  has 
been  so  valuable  to  him  in  discharging  the  duties  of  the  office  of  city  controller, 
which  he  has  held  since  April,  1905.  His  rise  to  that  position  has  been  the 
result  of  his  constant  application  to  the  acquiring  of  a  perfect  knowledge  ot 
the  duty  at  hand.  While  acting  in  the  capacity  of  clerk  in  the  office  of  which 
he  is  now  the  head,  there  was  no  detail  of  the  routine  that  escaped  his  vigilant 
notice,  and  when  the  office  of  city  controller  was  left  vacant,  he  was  the  logical 
choice.  He  performs  his  public  duties  thoroughly  and  conscientiously,  an  up- 
right and  incorruptible  official.  In  the  full  vigor  of  youth,  his  opportunity  for 
still  further  exploration  and  conquest  in  political  circles  is  great,  and  it  is  not 
likely  that  he  will  disregard  it.  Mr.  Eisele  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  No. 
345,  F.  and  A.  M.;  of  Alliance  Lodge.  No.  340,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which  he  is 
past  grand:  and  the  Liederkranz,  in  which  he  held  the  office  of  financial  secre- 
tary for  seven  years.  With  his  wife,  he  is  a  communicant  of  the  German 
Lutheran  church. 

He  married  Rose,  daughter  of  Herman  Hagen,  of  Scranton.  Children : 
Ruth  and  Edward,  Jr. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  125 

HUGH  A.  DAWSON 

The  aphorism  to  the  effect  that  "the  earth  is  our  mother"  is  famihar  to  all. 
and  reasoning  to  fundamentals  it  is  an  indisputable  fact  that  all  of  our  neces- 
sities, comforts  and  luxuries  come  to  us  from  this  source.  There  are  no  more 
striking  examples  of  maternal  prodigality  in  the  bestowing  of  gracious  favors 
than  in  the  cases  of  those  to  whom  Mother  Earth  has  opened  the  treasuie 
stores  of  her  bosom  and  given  entrance  to  inestimable  riches.  Hugh  A.  Daw- 
son, of  this  chronicle,  is  one  who  has  been  a  beneficiary  of  her  lavish  generosity, 
his  prosperity  and  success  having  come  through  the  seizure  of  opportunity 
thus  freely  offered. 

This  branch  of  the  Dawson  family  of  which  he  is  a  member  is  of  Irish 
ancestry,  the  home  of  all  of  the  name  having  been  county  Kilkenny,  Ireland, 
whence  came  William  Dawson  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  He  first  lo- 
cated at  Paterson,  New  Jersey,  and  there  followed  the  trade  of  an  iron  moulder 
until  1884,  moving  in  that  year  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  entering  the  employ 
of  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company.  He  had  ever  been  a  strong  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party,  and  in  1896,  when  he  was  elected  city  as- 
sessor for  a  term  of  three  years,  he  resigned  his  position  with  the  Dickson 
Company  to  fulfill  the  duties  of  the  ofifice.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  lie 
accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  state  banking  department  at  Harrisburg  and  after 
five  years  of  service  was  promoted  to  chief  clerk,  remaining  in  that  position 
eight  years.  In  ic)i2  he  returned  to  Scranton,  and  is  now  clerk  in  charge  of 
the  state  tax  in  the  office  of  the  county  commissioners.  He  married  Anna  L.. 
daughter  of  Hugh  Kennedy,  of  Scranton.  Of  their  nine  children,  six  reached 
maturity:  John  J.,  Hugh  A.,  of  further  mention,  William  M.,  James  J.,  Alice 
M.,  Anna  M. 

Hugh  A.  Dawson,  third  son  and  child  of  William  and  Anna  L.  (Kennedy) 
Dawson,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  24, 
1884.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  including  the  high  school. 
and  for  one  year  engaged  in  study  at  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
night  school,  later  taking  a  one  year  course  in  the  civil  engineering  department 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  then  accepted  a  position  with  the  Dela- 
ware and  Hudson  Company  in  the  mining  engineering  department,  his  term 
of  service  covering  a  period  of  five  years,  from  1903  to  igo8,  in  which  time  he 
was  advanced  from  the  position  of  chainman  to  that  of  division  draughtsman. 
In  the  latter  year  he  resigned  to  attend  to  the  details  of  the  incorporation  of 
the  Clearview  Coal  Company,  of  which,  in  partnership  with  L.  B.  Landau,  he 
was  a  promoter.  The  company  was  organized  in  igo8  with  L.  B.  Landau, 
president  and  general  manager,  and  Hugh  A.  Dawson,  treasurer  and  superin- 
tendent. The  field  of  operation  of  the  company  is  a  lease  held  from  the 
heirs  of  Giles  Robinson,  probably  the  last  of  the  coal  fields  in  that  locality  to 
come  under  lease.  The  concern  employs  on  an  average  200  hands,  and  has 
an  output  of  100,000  tons  of  coal  annually.  The  sale  of  the  product  is  largely 
local,  although  part  of  the  output  is  shipped  to  New  York  and  New  England. 
The  officers  of  the  company  were  F.  M.  Van  Horn,  of  New  York,  presidenc, 
F.  P.  Christian,  treasurer  and  general  manager,  and  Hugh  A.  Dawson,  superin- 
tendent. In  191 3  he  negotiated  the  sale  of  the  company  to  a  syndicate  headed 
by  F.  P.  Christian  and  was  retained  by  them  as  general  superintendent.  Mr. 
Dawson  fills  his  position  as  active  director  of  the  business  with  a  great  deal 
of  ability,  making  himself  personally  acquainted  with  all  the  operations,  from 
the  digging  of  the  ore  to  the  shipping  to  the  consumer.  In  this  manner  he  i-^ 
able  to  adjust  all  difficulties  that  may  arise  quickly  and  satisfactorily,  where 
as  an  employer  whose  knowledge  was  limited  to  the  number  of  men  engaged 


124  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

and  their  wages  would  be  compelled  to  depend  upon  a  subordinate  of  doubtful 
reliability.  His  popularity  with  those  engaged  in  his  line  of  activity  is  shown 
by  his  election  as  secretary  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  in  1903.  In  political 
belief  he  is  a  Republican,  holding  the  office  of  judge  of  electors  in  his  district 
for  several  years.  In  May,  1913.  he  was  nominated  for  representative  to  the 
state  legislature  on  the  Republican  ticket  by  the  largest  majority  ever  given  a 
candidate  in  this  district.  .As  the  district  is  normally  Republican  by  1,000 
majority  his  election  in  November  is  a  foregone  conchision. 

Mr.  Dawson  is  a  member  of  the  Greek  letter  fraternity.  Alpha  Tau  Omega. 
Pennsylvania.  Tau  Chapter;  the  Railroad  Young  ;\Ien's  Christian  Association, 
the  Engineers'  Club  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  the  Scranton  Club,  the 
Scranton  Press  Club,  the  Scranton  Bicycle  Club,  of  which  he  is  a  director,  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and 
Lackawanna  Institute  of  History  and  Science.  Mr.  Dawson  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  P.  F.  Weir,  of  Scranton,  a  teacher  in  the  graded  schools. 

Judging  entirely  from  his  successful  career  in  the  coal  business,  a  highly 
useful  and  prosperous  career  may  be  predicted  for  Mr.  Dawson  in  the  wider 
fields  of  endeavor  to  which  he  will  be  called.  Not  yet  thirty  years  of  age,  he 
holds  a  position  of  responsibility  that  would  justify  the  efforts  of  a  much  older 
and  more  experienced  man. 


ELLSWORTH  KELLY 


In  common  with  many  other  Scranton  families  founded  there  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  vast  and  valuable  coal  fields  in  the  contiguous  region,  the  Kellys  are 
of  Welsh  descent.  James  Kelly,  grandfather  of  Ellsworth  Kelly,  came  to  the 
L^nited  States  from  Mountain  Ash,  Wales,  in  about  1865,  bringing  with  him 
his  wife  and  his  son,  John  H.,  and  locating  at  Scranton.  Here  James  Kelly 
obtained  employment  in  the  mines  of  the  neighborhood  and  spent  his  entire  life. 

(II)  John  H.  Kelly,  son  of  James  Kelly,  was  born  in  Mountain  Ash, 
Wales,  November  27,  1855.  He  was  but  a  lad  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
this  country  and  he  was  immediately  placed  in  the  public  schools.  In  early 
young  manhood  he  learned  the  stone  moulder's  trade,  following  that  occupation 
for  many  years.  On  June  i,  i88g,  when  David  M.  Jones  was  postmaster  of 
Scranton,  he  received  an  appointment  as  mail  carrier  in  the  Scranton  office. 
After  twenty-five  years  of  active  service,  during  which  time  regularly  and 
promptness  have  characterized  the  performance  of  his  every  official  duty,  he  is 
still  in  the  government  employ,  a  remarkable  record  of  fidelity.  Mr.  Kelly's 
religious  convictions  are  Baptist,  and  he  is  a  deacon  and  trustee  of  the  First 
Welsh  Baptist  Church.  He  is  an  honored  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  past  grand  of  Silurian  Lodge.  For  over  twenty  years 
he  has  handled  the  finances  of  the  lodge  as  treasurer  and  is  now  past  district 
deputy  grand  master.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  memorial  committee  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  third  decade  of  service  in  the 
lodge,  his  home  organization  presented  him  with  a  medal  in  commendation  of 
his  long  and  useful  career  in  the  fraternity.  He  married  Jane  Evans,  daugh- 
ter of  John  W.  Evans.  Of  their  six  children  tlie  following  four  attained 
maturity:  Bertha,  a  school  teacher  in  Scranton;  Norma;  Ellsworth,  of  further 
mention  ;  Ruth. 

(III)  Ellsworth  Kelly,  son  of  John  H.  and  Jane  (Evans)  Kelly,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  27,  1884.  He  acquired  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city,  and  until  he  attained  his  majority  was  emploved  in 
various  capacities  on  the  staff  of  The  Republican.  His  political  career  be- 
gan May  28,  1905,  when  he  was  appointed  clerk  in  the  department  of  public 


(^-fi_<uok^-ru^^ 


/ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


I2q 


works.  So  efficient  was  he  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  and  so  rapidly  did  he 
famiharize  himself  with  the  method  and  system  of  the  office  that  on  Decem- 
ber I,  1906,  about  a  year  and  a  half  after  his  entrance  into  the  public  works 
department,  he  was  appointed  chief  clerk.  It  was  while  serving  the  city  in 
this  capacity  that  he  became  a  candidate  for  the  city  clerkship  and,  victorious 
in  the  election,  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  new  office,  January  2,  1912. 
He  was  re-elected  city  clerk  at  the  reorganization  of  council  held  January  j, 
1914.  Although  only  having  held  the  position  for  a  short  time,  he  has  proven 
an  able  clerk,  thoroughness  and  system  predominating  in  all  departments  of 
his  work.  Mr.  Kelly  is  prominent  fraternally.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Order,  holding  the  thirty-second  degree,  belonging  to  the  Keystone  Consistory, 
Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret.  He  is  also  a  Noble  of  Irem  Temple, 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  other  relations  are  with  Lodge  No.  123,' 
B.  P.  O.  E. ;  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias;  Green  Ridge  Camp,' 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America ;  Washington  Camp,  No.  178,  P.  O.  S.  A.  The 
Scranton  Athletic  Club  and  Columbia  Hose  and  Chemical  Company,  No.  5,  of 
which  he  is  president,  number  him  among  their  members.  In  religious  belief 
he  is  claimed  by  the  faith  of  his  father,  and  is  a  communicant  of  the  First 
Welsh  Baptist  Church. 

THOMAS  MOORE 

Thomas  Moore  is  of  the  second  generation  of  the  name  attaining  promi- 
nence in  the  financial  and  mercantile  departments  of  Scranton's  industrial 
activity.  Thomas  Moore,  the  elder,  came  of  a  family  who  had  been  school 
masters  for  generations.  Because  of  his  father's  profession,  Thomas  Moore, 
the  elder,  was  granted  an  exceedingly  thorough  and  remarkably  wide  education, 
without  doubt  the  best  that  could  be  obtained  outside  of  the  walls  of  a  uni- 
versity. Early  in  life  he  entered  the  employ  of  a  firm  engaging  in  the  dry  goods 
business,  and  when  he  had  about  attained  his  majority  he  came  to  New  York 
City,  there  establishing  in  the  dry  goods  business,  and  remaining  until  1866. 
In  that  year  he  came  to  Scranton,  and  after  a  short  period  of  independent  deal- 
ing in  his  business,  formed  a  partnership  under  the  firm  name  of  Moore  & 
Finley,  an  association  that  continued  many  years.  For  years  the  name  was 
synonymous  with  excellence  and  reliability  to  the  shoppers  of  Scranton,  and  to 
many  of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  city  in  the  present  day  the  establish- 
ment was  a  training  school  for  their  later  careers,  the  fundamentals  of  every 
lesson  learned  being  fair  dealing  and  courtesy  in  all  transactions.  He  served 
the  Merchants  and  Mechanics  Bank  as  vice-president  for  several  years,  his 
name  lending  strength  to  the  institution  and  confidence  to  its  depositors. 
Thomas  Moore  was  a  strong  supporter  of  any  movement  tending  to  the  educa- 
tional uplift  of  the  commtmity  in  which  he  lived  and  was  especially  active 
in  the  management  of  the  Keystone  Academy  at  Factoryville,  of  which  he 
was  president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  was  the  donor  of  the  dormitory, 
occupied  by  the  girls  of  the  institution,  known  as  Moore  Memorial  Hall.  In  the 
various  organizations  of  the  Penn  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  to  which  both  hi 
and  his  wife  belonged,  he  was  an  earnest  and  useful  worker. 

Mr.  Moore  was  a  generous,  open-hearted  Christian  gentleman,  returning 
to  the  city  much  of  his  worldly  goods  derived  therefrom,  and  held  in  universal 
respect  for  the  enviable  record  he  had  made  in  the  mercantile  world  by  his 
unswervingly  upright  dealings.  He  married  Mary  Rodgers,  of  New  York 
City,  and  of  their  eight  children  two  grew  to  maturity :  Mary,  married  William 
M.  Marple,  of  Scranton;  and  Thomas,  of  further  mention. 

Thomas  (2)  Moore,  son  of  Thomas  (i)  and  Mary  (Rodgers)  Moore,  wa> 


126  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

born  in  New  York  City,  and  when  a  youth  came  with  his  parents  to  Scranton. 
His  education,  preparing  him  for  college,  was  obtained  in  this  city,  but  ill 
health  prevented  the  further  continuance  of  his  studies  and  necessitated  less 
confinement  than  would  have  been  possible  had  he  pursued  his  original  inten- 
tions. He  became  interested  in  the  Scranton  Woodworking  Company,  manu- 
facturers of  cabinet  work  and  interior  finishings,  remaining  identified  with  this 
firm  until  1888,  when  the  partnership  of  Norrman  &  Moore  was  formed, 
general  fire  insurance  being  the  field  of  operation  selected  by  the  partners  as 
the  least  crowded  and  most  lucrative  then  oflfering.  Hardly  had  the  new  firm 
gotten  well  underway  when  Mr.  Norrman 's  death  left  Mr.  Moore  alone  in  the 
business.  In  1898  the  pressure  of  work  and  the  ever  increasing  needs  of  the 
business  for  more  close  personal  supervision  caused  Mr.  Moore  to  form  the 
present  firm  of  Moore  &  Foster.  The  new  association  was  remarkably  con- 
genial and  the  success  of  their  later  enterprises  is  an  encouraging  courier  of 
greater  future  prosperity. 

Mr.  Moore  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  belonging  to  Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret, 
and  is  a  Noble  of  Lu  Lu  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Philadelphia, 
also  a  Knight  Templar,  of  Melita  Commandery.  His  other  fraternal  affilia- 
tion is  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  his  social  rela- 
tions with  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Country  Qub  and  the  Green  Ridge  Club. 

In  his  chosen  line  of  endeavor  Mr.  Moore  has  acquired  a  reputation  for 
his  stability  and  reliability  in  business  dealings,  the  result  of  the  care  he  has 
exercised  in  associating  himself  only  with  propositions  conducted  upon  a 
strictly  business  basis.  Moore  &  Foster,  in  insurance  circles,  are  equalling  the 
name  established  a  generation  before  by  Moore  &  Finley,  in  mercantile  circles ; 
a  notable  achievement,  indeed. 


HENRY  J.  GUNSTER 


The  record  of  the  Gunster  family  in  Scranton  is  one  of  successful  effort 
in  whatever  undertaken.  The  founder  of  the  family  in  Pennsylvania  was 
Joseph  H.  Gunster,  born  in  Lockweiler,  Germany,  where  he  resided  until  the 
age  of  twenty  years,  then  came  to  the  United  States  settling  in  Providence, 
Pennsylvania,  now  a  part  of  the  city  of  Scranton.  He  learned  the  cabinet 
makers'  trade  in  his  native  land  and  after  coming  to  Providence,  worked  with 
David  Harrington  as  journeyman  for  two  years.  He  then  established  in  busi- 
ness for  himself,  having  a  shop  on  Penn  avenue,  where  for  about  twelve  years 
he  made  fine  furniture,  becoming  the  leading  furniture  maker  and  dealer  of 
the  town.  He  prospered  and  when  the  Merchants  and  Mechanics  Bank  was 
organized,  he  became  its  first  secretary.  He  continued  with  this  institution  until 
the  organization  of  the  City  Bank,  in  which  he  assisted.  He  later  became 
cashier  of  the  City  Bank,  continuing  some  years,  then  sold  his  interest  to 
Dr.  Throop  and  resigned.  He  then  served  one  term  as  deputy  treasurer  of 
Lackawanna  county,  and  when  the  Scranton  City  Bank  became  involved  he 
was  appointed  assignee.  After  winding  up  the  affairs  of  that  bank  and  re- 
ceiving his  discharge  from  the  court,  Mr.  Gunster  retired  from  active  life. 
He  was  an  able  business  man  and  a  citizen  above  reproach.  He  stood  high  in 
Masonic  circles,  was  past  master  of  Shiller  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ; 
past  high  priest  of  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  a  sir  knight 
of  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar. 

He  married  Lucina,  daughter  of  Michael  Lutts  of  Greenridge,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Children :  Henry  J.,  of  whom  further ;  Charles  W.,  see  sketch ; 
George  N.,  of  the  firm  of  Gunster  Brothers ;  Lieutenant  Walter  E.,  of  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  12- 

United  States  army ;  Arthur,  member  of  the  firm  of  Gunster  Brothers.  The 
latter  firm  was  established  in  1888  as  Gunster  &  Forsythe,  operating  a  smal! 
hardware  and  plumbing  business.  About  1902  Mr.  Forsythe  withdrew  his  in- 
terest, it  being  purchased  by  George  N.  and  Arthur  Gunster  and  the  name 
changed  to  Gunster  Brothers.  At  that  time  the  firm  employed  three  journey- 
men, now  thirty-five  men  are  necessary  to  promptly  fill  their  many  contract; 
in  the  installation  of  heating  plants  and  the  erection  of  heavy  cornices  and  sky- 
lights, both  in  Scranton  and  outside  points. 

Henry  J.  Gunster,  eldest  son  of  Joseph  H.  and  Lucina  (Lutts)  Gunster. 
was  born  in  Scranton,  January  11,  1858.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  city,  '"Daddy  Merrill's"  private  school  and  Newton  Collegiate 
Institute,  Newton,  New  Jersey.  After  completing  his  years  of  school  life,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Scranton  City  Bank,  continuing  about  three  years, 
then  locating  in  Larimer  City,  Colorado,  where  for  two  years  he  was  engaged 
as  a  retail  grocer.  He  then  moved  to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  entered  the 
employ  of  Sprague  Warner  &  Company,  wholesale  grocers  of  Chicago.  In 
1884  he  returned  to  Scranton,  where  for  a  time  he  was  with  Forrest  Brothers, 
later  with  Connell  &  Son,  plumbers  and  hardware  merchants.  Shortly  after- 
ward he  became  a  member  of  Gunster  &  Forsythe,  a  small  plumbing  and 
hardware  firm.  On  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Forsythe,  his  interest  was  taken  by 
George  N.  and  Arthur  Gunster,  and  the  firm  continued  as  Gunster  Brothers, 
contracting  engineers  of  steam  and  water  heating  apparatus  and  power  plants 
for  manufacturers.  They  also  deal  in  hardware,  glass,  paints  and  oils,  and  are 
contractors  of  all  kinds  of  plumbing,  tinning,  cornice  and  skylight  work  of 
metal  of  every  kind.  The  firm's  warerooms  and  offices  are  at  No.  325-327 
Penn  avenue,  their  sheet  metal  works  at  Nos.  324,  326  and  328  Raymond  Court, 
their  pipe  shop  at  No.  320  and  322  Raymond  Court.  The  firm  is  a  prosperous 
one  and  ranks  high  among  the  enterprising,  modern  institutions  of  Scranton. 
Henry  J.  Gunster,  the  head  of  Gunster  Brothers,  was  for  six  years  a  member 
of  Company  C,  of  the  old  City  Guards  ;  and  is  a  member  of  the  ]3oard  of  Trade, 
and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat, 
but  has  never  sought  or  accepted  office.  He  married  Margaret  Cannon,  of 
Scranton,  and  resides  at  No.  705  Jefferson  avenue. 


CHARLES  W.   GUNSTER 

Charles  W.  Gunster,  second  son  of  Joseph  H.  and  Lucina  (Lutts)  Gunster, 
was  born  in  Scranton,  October  11,  1859,  and  obtained  his  primary  and  pre- 
paratory education  in  the  public  schools,  and  "Daddy  Merrill's"  private  school. 
He  passed  the  examinations  for  admission  to  Yale  University,  but  did  not 
matriculate,  deciding  instead  to  enter  business  life.  He  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Merchants  and  Mechanics  Bank  of  Scranton  as  messenger  boy  and  has 
steadily  risen  through  all  intervening  grades  to  his  present  responsible  posi- 
tion of  cashier,  his  term  of  service  with  this  institution  serving  a  period  of 
thirty-two  years.  He  is  a  thorough  financier,  and  well  informed  in  the  laws 
governing  banking  transactions,  a  close  student  of  finance,  a  wise  and  careful 
banker  and  a  safe  adviser. 

He  is  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
past  high  priest  of  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons :  past  eminent 
commander  of  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  and  a  life  member  of  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  prom- 
inent in  club  life,  belonging  to  the  Scranton  and  Country  clubs,  and  to  the 
Scranton  Liederkranz.  For  sixteen  years  he  was  a  member  of  Company  C, 
Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  enlisting  as  a  private  and 


128  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

attaining  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  He  qualified  as  a  sharp-shooter  and  shot  on 
many  of  the  winning  teams  at  military  tournaments.  His  standing  among  the 
bankers  is  shown  in  his  selection  as  secretary  of  the  Scranton  Clearing  House 
Association,  and  as  secretary  and  chairman  of  a  group  of  banks  comprising 
the  Pennsylvania  Bankers  Association.  Mr.  Gunster,  like  his  father,  is  a  sup- 
porter of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Scranton,  and  interested  in  other 
good  works. 

C.  AUGUSTUS  BATTENBERG 

Descending  from  pure  German  ancestry,  Mr.  Battenberg,  of  the  fir<l 
American  born  generation,  has  made  for  himself  an  honored  name  in  the 
state  in  which  his  father  settled  on  leaving  the  Fatherland.  The  family  record 
in  the  United  States  is  one  most  creditable  and  includes  service  in  the  Union 
army  by  the  then  young  German  emigrant,  Charles  C,  father  of  C.  Augustus 
Battenburg.  The  United  States  cannot  forget,  nor  too  strongly  praise,  the 
military  service  rendered  by  our  foreign  born  sons  in  every  war  we  have  ever 
waged,  nor  can  too  strong  a  wish  be  expressed  that  never  in  the  future  may 
they  have  to  choose  between  loyalty  to  their  native  or  to  their  adopted  land. 
Add  to  their  military  service,  their  wonderful  achievements  in  the  arts  of  peace 
and  to  this  the  example  of  thrift,  energy,  and  perseverance,  and  the  debt  be- 
comes one  that  can  never  be  paid  save  by  the  untramelled  opportunities  our 
land  has  afforded  them  to  exercise  the  traits  mentioned  to  their  everlasting 
advantage. 

Charles  C.  Battenberg  was  born  in  Hofgeismar,  near  Cassel,  Germany,  in 
1841,  died  in  Archbald,  Pennsylvania,  in  1904.  He  was  educated  in  the  excellent 
school  of  his  native  province  and  when  young  came  to  Pennsylvania,  locating 
at  Archbald,  where  he  became  a  stationary  engineer.  When  the  war  between 
the  states  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  52nd  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry ;  re-enlisted,  serving  with  ardor  and  bravery  four  years  and 
receiving  an  honorable  discharge,  as  captain  of  his  company,  from  his  grateful 
adopted  country.  After  the  war  he  located  in  Scranton ;  later  he  moved  to 
Archbald  entering  the  employ  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Company,  rising 
to  the  position  of  outside  superintendent  of  their  colliery  at  that  place.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  postmaster  of  Archbald.  He  was  a  Republican 
in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Amelia  Miller,  born  in  Archbald,  daugh- 
ter of  August  C.  Miller,  a  pioneer  settler  of  that  town,  coming  from  Leipsig, 
Germany.  He  was  a  pianomaker  in  Germany,  but  in  Archbald,  followed  cabi- 
netmaking  and  carpentering,  erecting  many  of  the  older  buildings  there. 

C.  Augustus  Battenberg,  son  of  Charles  C.  and  .Amelia  C.  (Miller)  Batten- 
berg, was  born  in  Scranton,  on  Penn  avenue,  where  the  Eagle  Hotel  now 
stands,  May  20,  1868.  After  graduating  from  the  School  of  the  Lackawanna 
of  Scranton,  he  began  the  study  of  law  under  the  preceptorship  of  James  H. 
Torrey,  and  after  thorough  preparation  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna 
county  bar  in  1894.  He  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession ;  was  as- 
sistant city  solicitor  under  Mr.  Torrey  and  has  attained  a  firm  honorable  posi- 
tion at  the  bar  of  his  native  county.  He  has  been  admitted  to  the  variou- 
State  and  Federal  Courts  of  the  district,  having  a  good  practice  in  them  all. 
In  fraternal  and  church  affairs  he  has  ever  been  active,  useful  and  prominent. 
He  is  a  member  of  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder, 
and  at  the  present  time  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school;  past  master 
of  Aurora  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  Jermyn,  and  past  grand  of 
Archbald  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  129 

ANDREW  B.  WARMAN 

Andrew  B.  Warman  was  born  near  Stewartsville,  New  Jersey,  May  12, 
1863.  His  early  boyhood  was  spent  on  the  farm.  Mr.  Warman's  father, 
Theodore  P.  Warman,  having  sold  his  farming  interests,  moved  to  Easton 
where  he  resided  for  about  two  years;  later  he  came  to  Scranton.  Here  he 
and  his  brother  established  a  wholesale  produce  and  commission  business 
under  the  name  of  E  G.  Warman  &  Brother,  located  at  No.  26  Lackawanna 
avenue.    The  company  continued  a  successful  business  until  the  panic  of  1873. 

Andrew  B.  Warman  attended  West  Ward  Academy  in  Easton,  and  the  pul)- 
lic  schools  of  Scranton  until  he  was  fourteen  years  old.  He  was  first  employed 
by  Frank  L.  Crane,  wholesale  and  retail  hatter  and  furrier  on  Lackawanna  ave- 
nue, remaining  eight  years  with  Mr.  Crane,  until  the  time  he  founded  the 
business  in  which  he  is  at  present  engaged.  In  1885  the  laundry  business  was 
in  its  infancy  and  Mr.  Warman  was  one  of  the  first  pioneers,  for  he  saw  a 
prosperous  future  for  this  new  industry,  so  the  Lackawanna  Laundry  em- 
ploying seven  operators,  was  started  at  231  Wyoming  avenue.  This  site  being 
unfavorably  adapted  to  the  business,  the  plant  was  moved  to  what  is  now  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  Building  where  it  remained  for  six  years.  The 
laundry  business  was  an  established  fact,  and  a  new  building  especially  adapted 
to  the  needs  of  the  business  was  erected  at  308  Penn  avenue.  In  a  few  years 
Nos.  310  and  312  were  added  and  new  buildings  erected.  Continual  changes 
have  taken  place  and  improvements  been  made.  Seven  years  ago  the  plant 
was  incorporated  as  the  A.  B.  Warman  Lackawanna  Laundry  Co.,  A.  B.  War- 
man,  president ;  F.  J.  Donnelly,  vice-president ;  C.  W.  Bertine,  secretary.  At 
present  this  plant  is  the  finest  equipped  in  the  state.  It  covers  33,000  square 
feet  of  ground,  is  equipped  with  the  most  modern  machinery,  run  entirely  by 
electricity,  each  machine  having  an  individual  motor.  The  company  generates 
its  own  electricity  for  power  and  light.  There  are  on  an  average  of  225  per- 
sons employed  summer  and  winter,  of  whom  fifty  are  men.  This  laundry  is 
credited  with  many  innovations,  such  as  the  Sturdevent  System  of  Ventilation ; 
a  circulation  of  filtered  fresh  air  is  taken  from  the  roof  cooled  and  forced  in 
the  several  departments.  Here  for  the  first  time  in  the  United  States  com- 
pressed air  was  applied  to  operating  machines,  thereby  relieving  the  women 
operators  from  much  labor.  The  founder  by  unceasing  labors,  not  only  in  his 
own  plant,  but  also  in  the  National  and  State  Laundry  Association,  serving  in 
the  latter  for  sometime  as  president,  has  helped  to  raise  the  laundry  industry 
to  its  present  state  of  recognition. 

Nor  is  his  private  undertaking  the  only  activity  in  which  he  is  interested. 
Mr.  Warman  has  served  for  years  as  director  of  the  Peoples  National  Bank, 
director  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  director  of  the  Maccar  Company  and  trustee 
of  the  Emanuel  Baptist  Church.  For  ten  years  he  served  as  director  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  the  last  two  also  in  the  capacity  of  president ;  he  was  also  vice- 
president  of  Keystone  Academy.  Mr.  Warman  married  Mary  I.,  daughter  of 
S.  B.  Stillwell  of  Scranton.     Children :  Saron  B.,  Katherine  S.  and  Donald  S. 


BERNARD  P.  CONNOLLY 

When,  in  1892,  Bernard  P.  Connolly  and  H.  Cliflford  Wallace,  trading  as 
Connolly  &  Wallace,  opened  their  dry  goods  store  at  No.  207  North  Washing- 
ton avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  they  established  the  first  of  the  many 
precedents  by  which  the  shoppers  and  clerks  of  Scranton  have  been  benefited. 
It  was  then  considered  business  suicide  to  attempt  to  draw  trade  to  that  avenue, 
Connolly  &  Wallace  being  the  first  merchants  to  attempt  it.     They  began  in  a 

9 


I30  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

small  way  with  few  employes,  themselves  acting  as  clerks.  They  prospered, 
however,  and  for  five  years  did  a  thriving  business  in  their  original  location. 
Their  rapid  growth  drove  them  forth  to  the  enlarged  quarters  they  now  occupy, 
at  Nos.  123-133  Washington  avenue.  These  were  years  of  hard  work  and 
many  discouragements  to  the  young  partners,  as  their  road  was  not  always 
smooth,  nor  the  going  easy.  They  met  with  losses  that  would  have  discouraged 
less  determined,  courageous  men,  but  adversity  only  nerved  them  to  redoubled 
eiTort.  That  they  are  now  rated  among  the  leading  retail  merchants  of  Scran- 
ton  is  entirely  due  to  their  superior  business  ability,  their  indomitable  courage, 
and  their  progressive,  modern  methods.  No  fortunate  chance  turned  the  tide 
in  their  favor;  on  the  contrary,  they  began  under  the  handicap  of  insufficient 
capital  and  a  new,  untried  location.  But,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  they  battled, 
finally  overcoming  adverse  fortune  and  gaining  the  topmost  rounds  of  the  lad- 
der of  mercantile  fame.  They  have  ever  been  leaders  in  all  forward  selling 
movements  and  in  matters  of  store  government.  They  were  the  first  to  demon- 
strate the  advantage  of  shorter  shopping  hours.  The  latest  progressive  move- 
ment which  they  have  inaugurated  is  early  closing  and  Saturday  half-holidays, 
from  June  15  to  September  15,  thus  giving  three  months  of  such  privileges  :o 
their  clerks,  instead  of  the  customary  two  months  of  July  and  August.  In 
many  other  matters  requiring  a  leading  champion  they  have  had  the  courage 
of  their  convictions,  never  fearing  to  defy  established  custom  and  to  lead  in 
new  and  untried  methods  that  their  judgment  or  public  spirit  approved  of. 
The  firm  gives  full  credit  to  their  sales  force  for  its  part  in  the  upbuilding  of 
their  large  and  successful  business  and  in  return  have  done  all  in  their  powet 
to  improve  working  conditions  and  to  make  the  hours  of  duty  in  the  store 
pleasant  and  comfortable  for  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  salespeople 
employed. 

Bernard  P.  Connolly,  the  senior  partner,  was  born  in  Trenton,  Province  of 
Ontario,  Canada,  January  3,  1859,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Connor)  Connolly. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  early  began  mercantile  life  as  a 
clerk.  He  became  manager  of  a  store  in  Warkworth,  Ontario,  continuing  in 
that  capacity  three  years.  In  1879  he  came  to  Scranton,  entering  the  employ 
of  R.  M.  Lindsay,  proprietor  of  the  Boston  Store.  For  thirteen  years  he 
remained  with  Mr.  Lindsay,  gaining  a  knowledge  of  merchandise  and  develop- 
ing plans  for  his  own  future.  In  1892  he  formed  a  partnership  with  H.  Clifford 
Wallace  and  soon  afterward  they  launched  their  little  bark  on  the  stormy  sea 
of  business.  That  the  sturdy  craft  made  a  prosperous  voyage  and  reached  a 
safe  haven  has  already  been  told. 

Mr.  Connolly  is  fond  of  out  of  door  life,  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club, 
Scranton  Bicycle  Club,  Scranton  Canoe  Club,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  Catholic  Club,  and  Liederkranz.  Pleasing  in  his  personality,  he  has 
many  friends  who  appreciate  his  manliness  of  character  as  well  as  his  excellent 
business  qualifications.     Mr.  Connolly  is  unmarried. 


H.  CLIFFORD  WALLACE 

H.  Clifford  Wallace,  of  the  firm  of  Connolly  &  Wallace,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Middletown,  New  York,  and  began  business  life  as  clerk 
in  his  father's  dry  goods  store  in  Middletown,  continuing  until  1882,  when  he 
sought  the  wider  field  of  opportunity  offered  by  Scranton.  He  entered  the 
employ  of  Cleland,  Simpson  &  Taylor,  spending  with  that  firm  ten  fruitful  ana 
valuable  years  preparing  for  the  brilliant  mercantile  career  that  has  been  real- 
ized in  the  years  since  1892,  when  he  formed  his  present  partnership  with 
Bernard  P.  Connolly,  with  whom  he  has  worked  so  successfully  in  establishing 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  131 

the  firm  of  Connolly  &  Wallace.  Mr.  Wallace  enjoys  the  social  and  athletic 
pleasures  of  club  life,  holding  membership  in  the  Scranton,  Country  and  Bi- 
cycle Clubs,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  In  religious 
faith  he  is  a  Methodist,  belonging  to  the  Elm  Park  Congregation.  While  he 
has  outside  business  connections,  the  only  organization  he  serves  officially  is 
the  Union  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  of  which  he  is  a  director. 

Mr.  Wallace  married,  April  18,  1894,  Julia,  daughter  of  Sylvester  Shively, 
of  Scranton.  Children :  Julia,  Jean,  Eleanor,  Harvey.  The  family  home  is  at 
No.  814  Clay  avenue. 


CHARLES  C.  ROSE 


While  Scranton,  as  a  manufacturing  center,  holds  high  place  among  the 
cities  of  its  class  in  the  United  States,  the  foundation  of  its  prosperity  is,  of 
course,  in  the  value  of  the  mineral  deposits  in  the  neighboring  region,  a  large 
part  of  which  is  anthracite  coal.  One  of  Scranton's  foremost  citizens,  oc- 
cupying a  prominent  position  in  the  development  of  this  industry  is  Charles  C. 
Rose,  whose  career  is  herein  recorded. 

The  Rose  family  has  long  been  seated  in  New  York,  and  it  was  in  this 
state  that  William  C.,  father  of  Charles  C.  Rose,  was  widely  known.  He  was 
intrusted  with  the  supervision  of  the  construction  work  on  a  section  of  "Clin- 
ton's Ditch,"  better  known  as  the  Erie  Canal,  a  commission  he  executed  faith- 
fully and  well.  He  remained  here  about  two  years,  and  after  that  was  era- 
ployed  by  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company  as  division  superintendent, 
remaining  in  this  position  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven, 
residing  at  Port  Jervis,  New  York,  at  the  time. 

He  married  Lovina  Shimer,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children,  three 
sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  Charles  C.  was  the  youngest. 

Charles  C.  Rose,  son  of  William  C.  and  Lovina  (Shimer)  Rose,  was  born 
in  Rosepoint,  New  York,  July  20,  1847.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
public  schools  and  at  a  preparatory  academy  at  Norwalk,  Connecticut.  His 
relation  with  Scranton  industries  and  affairs  began  in  1867,  when  he  accepted 
a  position  as  private  secretary  to  Thomas  Dickson,  vice-president  of  the  Dela- 
ware and  Hudson  Company.  After  a  short  time  he  left  Scranton,  going  to 
New  York  where  he  followed  the  profession  of  civil  engineer,  serving  during 
this  time  about  five  years  on  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Co.'s  Lake  Champlaiu 
railway  extension.  In  1880  he  was  employed  by  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad  Co.  upon  the  construction  of  their  new  railroad  from  Bing- 
hamton  to  Buffalo.  After  this  he  was  moved  to  Scranton  where  he  was  .n 
charge  of  the  engineering  work,  including  maintenance  of  way,  for  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Co.  until  1905.  He  was  then  appointed 
superintendent  of  the  coal  department  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Co.,  an  office 
he  still  holds.  His  position  carries  with  it  great  responsibility,  as  the  coal  in- 
terests of  the  company  are  vast  and  cover  a  great  deal  of  territory,  the  details 
requiring  constant  and  minute  attention. 

Mr.  Rose's  other  business  connections  are  as  director  of  the  Scranton  Bolt 
and  Nut  Company  and  of  the  Peoples  National  Bank.  His  social  relations  are 
with  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Country  Club  and  the  Engineers  Club.  In  political 
belief  he  supports  the  Republican  party,  in  whose  principles  he  is  a  firm  be- 
liever. 

In  1879  hs  was  married  to  Emma  K.  Watson,  of  Port  Kent,  New  York,  and 
a  son.  Dr.  Emmason  C.  Rose,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  was  born  in  the  autumn 
of  1881.    Her  death  occurred  in  1881.    In  1888  he  married  Emma,  daughter  of 


132  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

A.  H.  Vandling,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  son,  Vandling  D.,  who  is  now 
a  student  in  the  Sheffield  Scientific  School  of  Yale,  was  horn  in  1894. 

Mr.  Rose  fills  a  position  as  one  of  the  substantial,  successful  business  men 
of  Scranton,  of  proven  ability :  and  forms  one  of  the  company  upon  which 
foundation  of  the  city's  prosperity  has  been  laid. 


GEORGE  SANDERSON 

The  Sandersons  are  among  the  old  Massachusetts  families,  where  the  rec- 
ords show  them  as  early  as  1643.  By  marriage  and  intermarriage  they  relate; 
to  many  of  the  old  and  prominent  families  of  New  England,  the  Kingsburys, 
Spaldings,  Brownes,  Gardners,  and  others.  The  Revolutionary  ancestor  of 
George  Sanderson  was  Captain  Simon  Spalding,  who  enlisted  from  Pennsyl- 
vania and  saw  much  active  service.  He  attained  the  rank  of  captain  in  the 
Revolutionary  army,  and  afterward  was  made  a  general  of  militia,  by  which 
title  he  was  more  generally  known. 

Edward  Sanderson,  the  progenitor  of  the  family  in  America,  is  mentioned 
in  early  records,  found  in  Hampton,  Massachusetts,  from  which  place  he 
moved  to  Watertown,  Massachusetts,  as  early  as  1643,  where,  October  15. 
1645,  he  married  Mary  Eggleston.  He  was  of  English  descent,  but  it  is  not 
known  whether  he  was  born  in  England  or  in  Massachusetts.  The  best  evi- 
dence is  to  the  effect  that  he  was  born  in  England  and  was  the  first  of  his 
■name  to  come  to  America. 

Deacon  Jonathan  Sanderson,  son  of  Edward  Sanderson,  was  born  in  Wat- 
ertown, Massachusetts,  September  15,  1646,  died  September  3,  1673.  He  mar- 
ried, in  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  October  24,  1669,  Abiah,  youngest  daughter 
of  Ensign  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Bartlett)  Bartolf,  of  Watertown.  They  had 
issue. 

Samuel  Sanderson,  sixth  child  of  Deacon  Jonathan  Sanderson,  was  born 
May  28,  1681,  was  killed  by  a  stroke  of  lightning,  July  8,  1722.  He  married, 
April  3,  1708,  Mercy  Gale,  and  settled  in  Watertown. 

Abraham  Sanderson,  son  of  Samuel  Sanderson,  was  born  in  Watertown, 
Massachusetts,  March  28,  171 1.  He  married,  December  6,  1733,  Patience 
Smith  and  they  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children.  They  settled  in  Lunen- 
burg, Massachusetts. 

Jacob  Sanderson,  fourth  child  of  Abraham  Sanderson,  was  born  in  1738. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Child  and  had  four  children. 

Jacob  (2)  Sanderson,  son  of  Jacob  (i)  Sanderson,  married  Elizabeth 
Childs  and  had  issue.     They  resided  in  Lunenburg,  Massachusetts. 

Jacob  (3)  Sanderson,  youngest  child  of  Jacob  (2)  Sanderson,  was  born 
October  17,  1780,  in  Lunenburg,  Massachusetts,  died  December  14,  1853. 
He  married,  November  12,  1807,  Jerusha,  daughter  of  Captain  Lemuel  Gard- 
ner, of  Boston,  and  settled  in  that  city.  Captain  Gardner  was  the  first  com- 
mander of  that  famous  military  organization,  the  Ancient  and  Honorable 
Artillery  Company  of  Boston.    Jerusha  Sanderson  died  June  18,  1843. 

Hon.  George  Sanderson,  second  son  of  Jacob  (3)  Sanderson,  was  born  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  February  25,  1810,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
April  I,  1886.  He  was  educated  at  the  Boston  Latin  School.  After  leaving 
school  he  went  to  New  York  City,  and  was  there  employed  for  a  time  in  the 
store  of  a  relative.  From  there  he  went  to  Geneva,  New  York.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Colonel  Joseph  Kingsbury,  a  large  land-owner  of  Sheshequin,  Brad- 
ford county,  Pennsylvania.  This  led  Mr.  Sanderson  to  Towanda,  the  county  seat, 
where  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law.  He  soon  became  known  as  one  of 
the  leading  lawyers  of  the  county,  being  elected  district  attorney  and  serving 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  133 

for  six  years,  resigning  to  attend  to  his  large  private  business,  lintenng  active- 
ly into  political  life,  he  was  elected  state  senator  from  Bradford  county  in  1853. 
In  the  senate  in  that  year  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Colonel  George  W. 
Scranton,  with  whom  he  co-operated  in  securing  needed  legislation,  which  was 
deemed  necessary  to  insure  the  future  of  the  then  infant  city  of  Scranton.  Mi. 
Sanderson  visited  that  growing  city  in  1854  and  in  the  following  year  pur 
chased  the  Elisha  Hitchcock  farm,  built  a  handsome  residence,  and  soon  after 
became  a  resident  of  Scranton.  The  site  of  his  first  residence  is  now  covered 
by  the  magnificent  building  of  the  Scranton  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion. His  first  business  enterprise  in  Scranton  was  the  organization  of  the 
banking  house  of  George  Sanderson  &  Company,  the  firm  consisting  of  himself 
and  brother-in-law,  Burton  Kingsbury.  This  was  a  private  bank,  that  later 
was  merged  with  the  Lackawanna  Valley  Bank,  and  still  later  into  its  present 
corporate  form.  The  Lackawanna  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  one  of 
the  strong,  conservative,  financial  institutions  of  Scranton.  He  personally 
threw  himself  with  all  his  energy  into  the  development  of  the  city  of  Scranton, 
as  a  real  estate  proposition.  He  laid  out  and  graded  beautiful  streets  through 
what  was  then  farm  property,  and  the  result  of  his  activity  may  now  be  seen 
on  Washington,  Adams  and  Wyoming  avenues  from  Spruce  to  Vine  streets, 
and  in  the  handsome  houses  and  beautiful  grounds  of  the  residential  sections 
of  Scranton.  He  donated  the  lots  upon  which  the  high  school  building  was 
erected,  and  aided  churches  and  philanthropic  enterprises.  He  was  twice 
elected  burgess  of  Scranton  before  it  became  a  city.  Having  disposed  of  most 
of  the  Hitchcock  farm,  he  decided  to  retire  from  active  business  and  soon  after 
moved  to  Germantown,  Pennsylvania.  He  could  not,  however,  get  completely 
out  of  the  harness,  and  soon  afterward  became  president  of  a  coal  company 
with  offices  in  Philadelphia.  Selling  out  to  the  Reading  Coal  Company,  he  re- 
turned to  Scranton  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  the  northern  portion  of 
the  city,  now  called  Green  Ridge.  By  the  construction  of  the  Providence  and 
Scranton  Street  Railroad,  he  drew  to  the  new  suburb  a  community  of  tasle 
and  refinement,  erecting  a  mansion  and  continuing  to  reside  there  until  his 
death. 

George  Sanderson  married,  at  Sheshequin,  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
Marion  W.  Kingsbury,  born  September  30,  1816,  died  at  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  23,  1886,  soon  following  her  husband,  who  died  in  April  of  the 
same  year.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Joseph  Kingsbury,  of  Sheshequin, 
Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania.  Four  children  survived  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
Sanderson ;  James  Gardner ;  George,  of  whom  further ;  Anna  K. ;  Marion, 
married  Edward  B.  Sturgess.  Hon.  George  Sanderson  died  universally  re- 
gretted. He  was  a  sound,  safe,  public-spirited  man,  and  to  him  Scranton  owes 
a  debt  of  gratitude  for  a  wise  and  artistic  development  of  her  suburbs  and  resi- 
dence streets.  His  sons  have  worthily  maintained  their  father's  reputation 
and  are  active  business  men  of  Scranton.  James  Gardner,  the  eldest  son,  was 
born  in  Towanda,  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  lived  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  in  Scranton;  was  a  graduate  of  the  Van  Rensselaer  Polytechnic 
Institute,  of  Troy,  and  was  by  profession  a  civil  engineer ;  he  was  interested  in 
the  Union  Switch  and  Signal  Company  before  it  became  a  Westinghouse  prop- 
erty, and  in  the  early  development  of  Portland  Cement  manufacture,  the 
rotary  kiln  having  been  first  used  bv  him ;  he  married  Eliza  McBrair,  of  New 
York. 

Colonel  George  (2)  Sanderson,  son  of  the  Hon.  George  (i)  and  Marion 
W.  (Kingsbury)  Sanderson,  was  born  at  Towanda,  Bradford  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  22,  1847,  and  for  over  half  a  century  has  been  a  resident  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Scranton  high  school  and 


134  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

from  the  Pennsylvania  Military  Academy  at  Chester,  Pennsylvania.  He  read 
law  in  Philadelphia  under  the  preceptorship  of  Samuel  Robb,  entered  Harvard 
Law  School,  and  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1869,  at  the  unusual  age  of 
twenty-two  years.  He  practiced  his  profession  in  Philadelphia  for  two  years, 
in  1873  locating  permanently  in  Scranton,  where  he  was  soon  recognized  as  a 
lawyer  of  high  qualifications  and  one  well-versed  in  the  law.  He  was  the  lead- 
ing attorney  in  several  important  cases,  notably :  Sanderson  versus  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  in  which  he  obtained  establishment  of 
the  legal  principle  that  lease  of  coal  lands  in  perpetuity  was  in  effect  a  sale  and 
that  the  lessee,  as  a  consequence,  was  liable  for  the  taxes.  This  was  a  far- 
reaching  decision,  affecting  all  perpetual  coal  land  leases  in  the  state,  and  was 
appealed  to  the  Supreme  Court,  which  affirmed  the  validity  of  the  principle, 
for  which  Colonel  Sanderson  contended  at  every  stage  in  the  lower  courts. 
While  always  actively  engaged  in  his  professional  work,  he  has  other  and 
varied  interests.  He  has  long  been  a  director  and  vice-president  of  the  Lack- 
awanna Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  the  oldest  in  the  city.  He  suc- 
ceeded his  father  in  the  management  of  his  Green  Ridge  property,  the  beauti- 
ful suburb  of  Scranton.  He  has  been,  since  his  father's  death,  president  of 
the  Forest  Hill  Cemetery  Association,  and  gave  eight  years  of  membership  to 
the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  gains  his  title  of  colonel. 
He  first  served  with  the  Scranton  City  Guards,  afterward  merged  into  the 
Thirteenth  Regiment,  as  a  private  in  Company  D.  He  was  the  warm  advocate 
of  rifle  practice  for  the  Guard ;  served  upon  the  governor's  staff',  as  inspector 
of  rifle  practice,  and  in  that  position  was  instrumental  in  developing  that  fea- 
ture of  the  service  to  a  degree  that  attracted  to  Pennsylvania  the  favorable 
criticism  of  National  Guardsmen  from  all  over  the  country.  For  eight  years 
Colonel  Sanderson  served  the  Thirteenth  ward  in  Scranton  Select  Council,  a 
large  part  of  the  time  as  president  of  that  body,  and  until  recently  was  presi- 
dent of  the  sinking  fund  commission.  For  the  past  decade  he  has  given  little 
attention  to  his  profession,  devoting  his  time  to  his  business  interests  and  to 
recreation.  Colonel  Sanderson  is  an  influential  Republican  but  not  an  office 
seeker,  and  beyond  the  demands  of  his  city  and  her  interests  he  has  never  en- 
tertained any  proposition  that  involved  personal  office-holding.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  a  Knights  Templar.  His  social  clubs  are 
the  Scranton,  Country,  Green  Ridge  Wheelmen,  Ciermantown  Cricket,  Univer- 
sity of  Philadelphia,  and  the  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  which  he  is  an  ex-president. 

Colonel  George  Sanderson  married,  November  28,  1871,  Lucy  Reed  Jack- 
son, born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  May  30,  1846,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Maria  Louisa  (Reed)  Jackson,  of  the  ninth  generation  from  the  emigrant 
ancestor,  Abraham  Browne,  of  Swan  Hall,  England.  Children  of  Colonel  and 
Mrs.  George  Sanderson:  i.  Edward  Spalding,  a  graduate  of  Cornell  Uni- 
versity, engaged  in  business  at  Waterbury,  Connecticut ;  married  Frederika 
Catlin,  and  has  a  son  Edward.  2.  Charles  Reed,  a  graduate  of  Cornell  Uni- 
versity, engaged  in  business  in  New  York  City ;  married  Edith  S.  Brooks.  3. 
James  Gardner,  a  graduate  of  Cornell  L^iversity  and  of  the  Chicago  Law 
School,  a  practicing  lawyer  of  Scranton :  married  Beatrice  D.  Tyler  and  has  a 
son,  James  Gardner  Jr.  4.  Helen  Louise.  5.  Marion  K.,  married  to  Charles 
G.  Rartlett  Jr.,  now  residing  in  Glen  Ridge,  New  Jersey.  6.  George  Jr.,  a 
graduate  of  the  law  department,  Cornell  University,  class  of  1910,  now  a  prac- 
ticing lawyer  in  Rochester,  New  York. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


MORTON  W.  STEPHENS 


135 


The  father  of  Morton  W.  Stephens,  the  Hon.  A.  Wesley  Stephens,  was 
for  several  years  the  representative  of  Wyoming  county  in  the  Pennsylvania 
legislature,  in  which  body  he  capably  represented  his  district  and  left  behind 
him  a  record  of  able  statesmanship  and  honorable  motive  that  is  a  credit  both 
to  him  and  to  the  district  that  so  wisely  chose  him  to  guard  its  interests  and 
to  act  for  it  in  affairs  of  state.  A.  Wesley  Stephens  was  born  in  Nicholson 
township,  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  for  many  years  was  a  farmer 
later  becoming  a  contractor  and  builder  and  conducting  operations  in  Nichol- 
son borough  where  he  still  resides.  He  married  Emily  D.  Tiffany,  who  died 
February  24.  191 1,  daughter  of  Orvil  Tiffany.  The  Tiffany  family  is  of  Eng- 
lish descent  and  were  early  settlers  in  Susquehanna  county.  Qiildren  of  A. 
Wesley  and  Emily  D.  (Tiffany)  Stephens:  Fannie,  married  F.  L.  Fester,  of 
Nicholson,  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania ;  Ivadean.  married  J.  W.  Kocher, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania  ;  Beatrice,  resides  in  Nicholson  ;  Morton  W.,  of 
whom  further. 

Morton  W.  Stephens  was  born  in  Nicholson  township,  Wyoming  county, 
Pennsylvania,  April  9,  1876.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace 
and  prepared  for  college  at  the  Keystone  Academy,  whence  he  was  graduated 
in  1897.  He  then  obtained  a  teacher's  position  in  Susquehanna  county  and 
was  a  disciple  of  that  profession  for  five  years,  during  that  time  holding  the 
office  of  editor  of  the  county  educational  paper.  In  1901  he  resumed  his 
studies,  attending  Cornell  University,  and  then  entered  the  law  school  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  wlience  he  was  graduated  LL.B.  in  1907.  While 
in  college,  part  of  Mr.  Stephens'  course  was  instruction  in  public  speaking  and 
in  this  he  took  special  interests,  cultivating  his  natural  forensic  talents  witii 
such  success  that  he  was  awarded  a  place  upon  the  debating  team  represent- 
ing the  university  in  the  inter-collegiate  debates.  He  had  begun  this  work  at 
Keystone  Academy,  where  he  took  successful  part  in  several  oratorical  con- 
tests. In  the  same  year  that  he  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Penn- 
svlvania  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  has  been  associate  editor  of  the  Ameri- 
can Law  Register. 

He  married,  in  1907,  Alta  F.  Finn,  daughter  of  Nelson  M.  and  Myra 
(Green)  Finn,  of  Foster,  Pennsylvania.  Nelson  M.  Finn  is  a  member  of  the 
family  of  that  name  that  settled  in  Clifford  township.  Susquehanna  county, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Freda  Eloise,  born  December  22, 
1912.  Thorough,  conscientious,  and  exact  in  the  preparation  of  a  case,  it  is  in 
its  presentation  that  Mr.  Stephens  excels,  his  well  balanced,  musical,  forceful 
and  convincing  sentences  conveying  the  exact  shade  of  meaning  intended. 
Realizing  the  often  salutary  effect  of  a  dramatic  speech,  he  never  descends  to 
cheap  emotionalism,  but  confines  his  efforts  to  influencing  the  reason,  rather 
than  the  emotions,  of  a  jury.  He  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  legal  brethren, 
with  whom  he  has  formed  many  firm  friendships.  He  affiliates  with  the 
Masonic  Order,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Acacia  Fraternity, 
International  Debating  Association,  and  Scranton  Rotary  Club.  His  political 
faith  is  Republican,  and  in  religious  belief  he  adheres  to  the  doctrines  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


HENRY  S.  ALWORTH 

This  family  dates  from  the  earliest  settlement  in  the  region  now  included 
in  the  borough  of  Dxinmore,  William  Alsworth,  a  young  shoemaker,  settling  at 
the  "Four  Corners"  during  the  summer  of  1783.    1'he  descendants  of  the  hardy 


i3t>  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

old  pioneer  have  dropped  the  "s"  from  the  name  m  some  branches,  spelling  the 
name  Alworth.  The  settlement  at  the  Four  Corners  was  accidental,  Mr.  Als- 
worth  being  there  overtaken  by  night,  and  deeming  it  a  suitable  camping-place. 
He  had  been  searching  for  a  location  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  on  land  owned 
by  Connecticut,  but,  liking  the  Dunmore  locality,  determined  on  settlement 
there.  Bringing  his  wife  and  family  with  him  in  a  covered  wagon,  he  took  up 
land  and  built  a  log-cabin  from  the  trees  it  was  necessary  to  remove  to  obtain 
room  for  dwelling  and  garden,  utilizing  the  wagon  as  a  sleeping-place  during 
the  erection  of  the  cabin.  Between  his  cabin  and  the  "Lackawa"  settlement  on 
the  Paupack,  twenty-four  miles  distant,  there  stood  but  two  cabins,  one  ac 
Little  Meadows,  the  other  "Cobb's,"  both  kept  as  houses  of  entertainment. 
There  were  many  emigrants  passing  the  cabin,  needing  convenient  places  of 
rest  and  refreshment,  therefore  quarters  were  provided  for  the  entertainment 
of  such  passers-by  as  chose  to  avail  themselves  of  the  privilege.  The  larder 
of  the  old  inn  was  supplied  by  the  rifle  of  the  proprietor,  all  manner  of  wild 
things  of  the  forest  falling  before  his  deadly  airrt.  For  two  years  he  had  no 
neighbors,  but  in  the  summer  of  1785  others  came,  and  Bucktown,  or  the 
Corners,  became  a  place  of  some  local  note.  William  Alsworth  kept  the  old 
inn  in  the  forest  until  his  death,  his  wife  continuing  it  for  several  years  longer. 
"Widow  Alsworth's"  being  a  favorite  stopping-place.  The  old  tavern,  with 
its  round  swinging  sign  and  long  low  bar-room,  for  years  a  spot  of  historic 
interest,  finalh'  was  destroyed  by  fire.  He  was  a  genial  host,  and  joke  and 
kindly  word  cheered  the  weary  and  often  discouraged  wayfarer.  Here  he 
reared  his  family  and  left  a  posterity  who  honor  his  memory  and  worthily 
bear  the  name. 

Henry  S.  Alworth,  of  Scranton,  is  a  great-grandson  of  the  old  pionee> 
son  of  Milton  S.  and  Nancy  Jane  (Sweet)  Alworth.  He  was  born  in  Cliflford, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  31,  1869,  but  when  he  was  two 
years  of  age  his  parents,  Milton  S.  and  Nancy  J.,  moved  to  Harford,  a  post 
village  of  the  same  county,  about  thirty  miles  north  of  Scranton.  Here  his 
youth  was  spent  attending  the  graded  school  and  working  on  the  farm.  Later 
he  entered  Mansfield  State  Normal  School,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class 
of  1889.  He  began  teaching  soon  after  his  graduation,  and  in  1890-91  was 
principal  of  the  graded  school  at  Bellevue,  Lackawanna  township,  Lacka- 
wanna county,  Pennsylvania.  He  then  entered  the  law  school  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated  LL.B.,  class  of  1893,  and 
in '  September  of  the  same  year  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county 
bar,  at  once  beginning  practice  in  Scranton.  He  has  a  large  practice  in  the 
state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district,  having  been  regularly  admitted  to 
practice  in  all.  He  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  public  affairs,  serving  as  a 
member  of  council  in  1898,  and  in  1912  was  the  successful  candidate  of  his 
party  for  the  state  legislature. 

Mr.  Alworth  married,  February  11,  1897,  Florence  Louise  De  Munn,  and 
has  a  daughter,  Natalie. 

MICHAEL  A.   McGINLEY 

There  is  a  notable  record  of  achievement  in  the  life  of  Michael  A.  Mc- 
Ginley  that  goes  far  toward  proving  the  value  of  ambition,  determination  and 
perseverance,  and  what  these  qualities  will  do  for  the  formation  of  a  career. 
From  the  following  chronicle  may  come  a  gleam  of  hope  or  inspiration  to 
youths  whose  early  circumstances  seem  to  forbid  a  look  above  the  common 
place  to  the  higher  level  of  existence. 

Michael    McGinley,   son    of   John   and    Margaret    (O'Donnell)    McGinley, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  137 

was  born  at  Maiich  Chunk,  Pennsylvania,  in  1873.  All  of  his  school  training 
was  obtained  before  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  when  he  apprenticed  him- 
self to  the  machinist's  trade.  After  three  years  of  service  in  that  occupation 
he  entered  the  railroad  employ  as  a  fireman,  continuing  so  for  two  years. 
Most  of  his  spare  time  and  all  of  his  evenings  during  this  period  had  been 
devoted  to  study,  and  in  1890  he  obtained  a  position  as  court  stenographer. 
The  nature  of  his  duties  allowed  him  much  leisure  time  and  this  he  utilized 
by  entering  the  office  of  O'Brien  &  Kelly  as  stenographer  and  law  student. 
His  studies  were  so  diligently  pursued  and  to  such  excellent  result  that  his 
admission  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar  was  obtained,  after  passing  a  rigid 
examination  in  June,  1893.  So  rapid  was  Mr.  McGinley's  rise  in  his  chosen 
profession  that  in  1896,  when  he  was  but  twenty-three  years  of  age,  he  was 
placed  in  the  office  of  city  solicitor,  an  office  requiring  an  exhausting  knowl- 
edge of  municipal  law.  His  term  as  solicitor  of  Scranton  was  a  very  busy 
one,  as  well  as  most  successful.  He  personally  conducted  all  the  litigation  in 
which  the  city  was  involved,  delegating  nothing  to  assistants  and  has  a  record 
singularly  free  from  reverses  of  any  kind.  As  earnest  of  the  industry  and 
energy  which  he  carried  into  his  daily  duties  is  the  fact  that  while  in  office 
he  was  the  author  of  more  than  iioo  opinions  on  municipal  questions  sub- 
mitted to  him.  Still  further  evidence  of  the  scope  of  his  knowledge  and  the 
authoritative  nature  of  his  opinions  is  that  not  one  of  the  cases  in  which  he  en- 
gaged in  defence  of  the  principles  involved  in  his  opinions  has  been  disturbed 
by  an  appellate  court.  In  his  private  practice  he  has  been  counsel  in  eleven 
cases  where  the  defendants  were  charged  with  murder  and  in  none  of  these 
was  a  first  degree  verdict  rendered.  It  is  also  a  tribute  to  his  legal  genius 
and  ability  that  he  received  the  first  acquittal  in  Lackawanna  county  in  the 
case  of  a  defendant  charged  with  murder  where  the  commonwealth  pressed 
for  a  first  degree  conviction. 

Mr.  McGinley  at  one  time  was  a  candidate  for  election  to  Congress  from 
his  district  and  in  a  close  election  was  defeated.  The  record  that  he  has  made 
in  his  profession  would  have  done  ample  credit  to  a  man  whose  entire  edu- 
cation and  aim  in  life  had  been  for  the  law.  The  fact  that  by  an  uphill  battle 
with  adversity,  buoyed  up  only  by  his  confidence  in  himself  and  the  sight  of 
his  goal,  should  give  a  great  measure  of  satisfaction  to  the  man  who  looks 
back  upon  such  a  past. 


MATHAIS    STIPP 


The  record  of  those  of  the  name  of  Stipp  in  Scranton  has  been  that  they 
have  followed  a  constructive  policy,  working  results  necessary  that  others 
may  prosper  with  them.  Construction  has  indeed  been  the  keynote  of  their 
efforts,  contracting  and  building  being  the  line  followed  successfully  and  with 
profit  by  three  Stipp  brothers.  Their  businesses  have  not  been  parasitic 
growths,  imbedding  themselves  in  and  preying  upon  other  industries  of  the 
city,  but  have  been  those  in  which  achievement  is  proportionate  with  labor  ex- 
pended and  in  which  only  ability  brings  success. 

Mathais  Stipp,  son  of  Ludwig  and  Mary  Anna  (Diedrich)  Stipp,  was  born 
in  Rheinfalz.  Germany,  November  22,  1864.  After  obtaining  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  land  he  came  to  the  ITnited  States,  settling 
in  New  Jersey  in  1883.  The  year  following  his  landing  in  this  country,  he 
came  to  Scranton,  the  city  which  his  since  been  the  scene  of  his  life's  work. 
For  one  year  he  held  the  position  in  the  employ  of  another,  but  since  1885  has 
engaged  in  business  independently,  his  destinies  and  fortunes  shaped  by  his 
own    hands,    he    alone    responsible    for    the    ends    he    has    accomplished.      In 


138  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

T892  he  added  to  his  contracting  and  building  business,  which  he  had  es- 
tablished seven  years  previous,  that  of  brick  manufacture,  the  product  of  his 
factory  being  30,000  bricks  per  day.  Not  alone  in  the  business  world  is  he  re- 
garded as  one  of  Scranton's  worthy  citizens,  but  in  serving  two  terms  as  a 
member  of  the  common  council  of  the  city  he  placed  himself  permanently  on 
record  as  standing  for  cleanliness  in  civil  life,  honor  and  openness  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  municipal  finances,  and  constant  co-operation  between  citizens 
and  their  representatives  in  office  for  the  most  efficient  form  of  city  govern- 
ment. His  fraternity  is  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty- 
second  degree,  and  he  is  a  member  of  Fairview  Lodge.  No.  369,  K.  P. 

Mr.  Stipp  married,  March  10,  1887,  Ellen  A.  Marguart,  and  has  children: 
Arthur   P..  Ezra  F..   Mathais  J.,  Paul. 


LOUIS  P.  WEDEMAN 


The  story  of  the  founding  of  the  Wedeman  family  in  America  reveals 
an  unusual,  to  say  the  least,  method  of  immigration,  and  one  that  one  might 
well  wish  to  avoid.  Daniel  Wedeman,  a  store-keeper  and  a  single  man, 
of  Hamburg,  Germany,  had  made  a  trip  to  London  to  purchase  a  stock  of 
goods  to  replenish  his  depleted  supply,  when  he  was  seized  by  British  soldiers, 
compelled  to  don  an  English  uniform,  and  was  pressed  into  the  service  of  that 
country.  He  was  placed  on  a  transport  bound  for  America,  where  llie  war  for 
independence  was  passing  through  its  birth  throes,  preparatory  to  the  long, 
grueling  struggle  that  levied  such  a  heavy  toll  of  lives.  Enraged  because  of 
the  high  handed  treatment  to  which  he  had  been  subjected,  he  deserted  the 
British  ranks  and  joined  the  Colonial  forces,  entering  into  the  conflict  with 
the  double  incentive  to  aid  a  cause  he  believed  righteous  and  to  avenge  his 
own  abuse.  He  fought  throughout  the  entire  v/ar,  and  after  receiving  an 
honorable  discharge  from  the  service  he  decided  to  remain  in  the  land  to  which 
his  fate  had  led  him,  and  purchased  400  acres  of  land  near  Providence,  being 
the  second  white  settler  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley.  He  erected  a  log  cabin 
on  the  site  until  recently  occupied  by  Daniel  Silkman's  home.  He  married  and 
among  his  children  was  Peter. 

(II)  Peter  Wedeman  was  born  in  Providence,  now  North  Scranton.  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  followed  the  farmer's  occupation.  He  married  and 
was  the  father  of  the  following  children :  Daniel.  Thomas,  John,  Henry, 
Martin  Peter,  Cyrus,  Ensign,  Herman,  Abiah,  married  John  Hudson,  of  Car- 
bondale. 

(III)  Martin  Peter  Wedeman  was  born  where  the  borough  of  Mayfield 
now  stands.  He  was  a  farmer  throughout  his  entire  life,  taking  active  part 
in  local  affairs.  He  supported  first  the  Whig  and  later  the  Republican  party, 
and  as  the  candidate  of  these  organizations  held  many  borough  and  town- 
ship offices,  among  them  school  director,  supervisor  of  roads  and  councilman. 
He  married,  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  in  1840,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Lewis  and  Elizabeth  Jones,  born  near  Merthyr-Tydfil,  county  Glamorgan, 
Wales,  in  November,  1822.  The  Jones  family  above  mentioned  have  long 
been  natives  of  Wales.  Children  of  Martin  Peter  and  Elizabeth  f  Jones) 
Douglas:  John  Daniel,  born  in  .\pril.  1846;  David  Samuel,  born  in  Novem- 
ber, 1849:  Louis  Peter,  of  whom  further:  William  H.  born  in  October,  1859; 
George  Edward,  born  in  August,  1863:  Ella  Elizabeth,  born  in  July,  1865. 
married  W.  D.  Bryden,  a  professor  in  the  Carbondale  High  School. 

(IV)  Louis  Peter  Wedeman  was  born  at  Carl.ondale,  I^ckawanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  March  5,  1856.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  until  he  was  sixteen  vears  of  age  lived  on  his  father's  fa''m.     He  then 


J^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  139 

learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  supplementing  his  income  during  the  winter  sea- 
son by  teaching  school.  After  learning  his  trade  and  working  at  it  for  a  time, 
he  branched  out  in  building  and  contracting  operations,  in  which  he  met  with 
pleasing  success.  Inclining  toward  the  law,  he  abandoned  the  business  he  had 
built  up  and  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Blakeslee  &  Ainey,  at 
Montrose,  Pennsylvania.  In  this  profession  he  found  the  vocation  for  which 
he  is  naturally  fitted  and  since  his  admission  to  the  bar  of  Susquehanna 
county  in  1890  has  been  constantly  engaged  in  practice.  He  has  been  admit- 
ted to  all  the  state  courts,  and  since  1895  has  been  located  in  Scranton.  In 
1890  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  of  Susquehanna  county,  at  Forest 
City,  and  has  been  burgess  of  the  same  borough. 

He  married,  in  New  York  City,  December  20,  1S98,  m  the  Old  Methodist 
Qiurch,  the  first  church  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination  in  the  city, 
Minette,  daughter  of  Warren  and  Sarah  (Gregory)  Barlow.  Warren  Barlow 
is  in  the  stone  business  in  Wyoming  county,  Meshoppen,  in  that  county,  be- 
ing the  birthplace  of  Minette  (Barlow)  Wedeman.  Children  of  Louis  Peter 
and  Minette  (Barlow)  Wedeman:  Louis  W.,  born  July  15,  1900:  John  D., 
born  December   15,   1903. 


JOHN   T.   PORTER 


The  prominence  of  John  T.  Porter  in  the  financial  and  commercial  affairs 
of  the  city  of  Scranton  and  the  Lackawanna  VnIIey  is  amply  attested  by  his 
long  official  connection  with  various  of  their  most  im])ortant  corporations, 
prominent  among  them  being  one  of  his  own  founding,  the  John  T.  Porter 
Company,  wholesale  grocers,  the  largest  house  of  its  class  in  the  entire  north- 
western part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  whose  trade  extends  into  the  adjoining 
states  of  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Delaware.  A  fact  which  further  testifies 
to  his  ability,  enterprise  and  public  spirit  is  his  active  identification  with  the 
Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  almost  from  the  day  of  his  arrival  in  the  city, 
and  of  which  excellent  organization  he  has  been  president  for  two  terms. 

Mr.  Porter  is  a  native  of  Delaware,  born  in  Middletown,  May  24,  1850. 
Here  was  also  born  his  father,  Abel  J.  Porter,  who  passed  his  life  there  as  a 
farmer  and  miller.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  married  Sarah  Ann  Van  Pelt,  who  was  of  Dutch  extraction,  her  father, 
Jesse  Van  Pelt,  being  a  native  of  Holland.  The  children  of  Abel  J.  Porter 
were:  Lydia ;  Ann  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Price,  of  Mary- 
land ;  John  T.,  of  whom  further. 

Jolin  T.  Porter  received  his  education  in  Smyrna  (Delaware)  Seminary. 
At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  was  well  equipped  to  make  his  beginning  in 
an  independent  career,  and  immediately  after  leaving  the  seminary  went  to 
New  York  City,  where  for  five  years  he  was  engaged  as  salesman  in  a  foreign 
fruit  importing  house.  Here  he  served  with  such  ability  and  fidelity  as  to  win 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  employers,  while  the  experience  which  he 
obtained  was  invaluable  to  him  personally,  and  afforded  him  a  substantial 
foundation  for  an  early  establishment  in  business  upon  his  own  account.  In 
1875  he  located  permanently  in  Scranton.  where  he  opened  a  wholesale  grocery 
business  at  Nos.  26  and  28  Lackawanna  avenue,  a  site  which  his  house  has 
uninterruptedly  occupied  to  the  present  time.  While  catering  to  all  immediate 
demands,  he  was  constantly  developing  his  business  into  larger  channels,  and 
added  to  his  lines  of  goods  large  quantities  of  his  own  direct  importation  from 
foreign  markets.  Handling  every  description  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries, 
canned  goods,  produce  and  fruits,  he  made  his  house  a  rival  in  a  large  field 
of  those  of  the  more  pretentious  metropolitan  centres.    He  conducted  this  great 


140  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

enterprise  under  his  own  individual  name  until  il)03,  when  he  effected  its  in- 
corporation under  the  style  of  the  John  T.  Porter  Company.  This  house  gives 
constant  employment  to  more  than  thirty  employes,  many  of  whom  are  heads 
of  families. 

While  it  would  seem  that  the  upbuilding  and  management  of  so  large  an 
enterprise  would  fully  tax  the  capabilities  of  any  one  person,  Mr  Porter's  un- 
bounded energy  and  activity  have  found  other  avenues  in  the  part  he  has  taken 
in  connection  with  numerous  other  large  undertakings,  all  of  which  are  im- 
portant factors  in  the  business  of  the  community.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
incorporators  of  the  Traders'  National  Bank,  served  long  upon  its  directorate, 
and  has  been  president  since  1895.  This  bank,  organized  in  1890,  with  a 
capital  of  $250,000.  is  recognized  as  among  the  safest  and  most  prosperous  of 
the  financial  institutions  of  the  city.  It  has  afforded  judicious  and  valuable 
support  to  numerous  commercial  and  industrial  enterprises  of  merit,  and  in 
all  ways  has  contributed  in  large  degree  to  the  promotion  of  the  material  in- 
terests of  the  community.  .Associated  with  Mr.  Porter  in  the  officiary  are  the 
following  named  gentlemen  of  acknowledged  financial  and  personal  standing : 
J.  J.  Jermyn,  vice-president ;  M.  J.  Murphy,  cashier :  directors :  H.  H.  Brady 
Jr.,  Robert  W.  Beadle,  F.  L.  Belin,  David  Bois,  Joseph  J.  Jermyn,  Cyrus  D. 
Jones,  Edward  S.  Jones,  M.  W.  Collins,  H.  C.  Manchester,  Charles  P.  Mat- 
thews, John  T.  Porter,  R.  H.  Patterson,  H.  Jennings,  R.  E.  Weeks,  James 
G.  Shepherd.  Mr.  Porter  is  treasurer  and  director  in  the  Mississippi  Central 
Railroad,  and  holds  similar  relations  with  the  United  States  Lumber  Com- 
pany, which  has  extensive  lumbering  and  other  interests  in  Mississippi,  which 
are  being  developed  into  mammoth  proportions.  Mr.  Porter  has  been  for 
twenty-five  years  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
of  its  board  of  trustees.  He  is  independent  in  politics.  He  is  a  highly  re- 
garded member  of  various  leading  social  bodies — the  Scranton  Country  Club, 
the  Southern  Society  of  New  York,  and  the  Sons  of  Delaware  in  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Porter  married  Harriet  Schlager,  daughter  of  the  late  John  Schlager. 
Of  this  marriage  have  been  born  six  children :  Elizabeth,  who  became  the 
wife  of  R.  E.  Weeks,  of  the  firm  of  R.  E.  Weeks  Company,  and  president  of 
the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade ;  Florence  S. ;  John  Kenneth  ;  James  Russell ; 
Eleanor. 


JOHN  W.  HOW.\RTH 


In  the  history  of  Scranton  and  her  public  men,  men  who  have  achieved 
success  through  their  own  individual  efforts,  the  direct  result  of  integrity, 
energy  and  perseverance,  it  is  meet  that  mention  should  be  made  of  John  W. 
Howarth,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Price  &  Howarth,  one  of  the  extensive 
lumber  enterprises  of  the  city  of  Scranton. 

John  W.  Howarth  was  born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  November  29, 
1853.  He  spent  his  boyhood  days  at  Carbondale,  attending  the  schools  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  home,  supplementing  this  knowledge  by  a  course  at  Wyoming 
Seminary,  thus  acquiring  an  excellent  education.  His  first  emplovment  was  in 
the  transportation  department  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  with  which  cor- 
poration he  was  connected  for  ten  years.  He  then  took  up  his  residence  in 
Scranton.  Pennsylvania,  becoming  connected  with  the  firm  of  Swan  &  Price, 
the  senior  partner  being  Colonel  Price,  his  brother-in-law.  and  at  the  expira- 
tion of  three  years  Mr.  Howarth  purchased  an  interest  in  the  firm,  and  upon 
the  death  of  Mr.  Swan  the  business  was  continued  by  Colonel  Price  and  IVlr. 
Howarth,  the  name  being  changed  to  Price  &  Howarth.  its  present  stvle. 
Colonel  Price  died  in   1892,  his  estate  continuing  to  hold  interest  up  to  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  141 

present  time.  The  business  is  that  of  wholesale  and  retail  lumber,  their  lumber 
yard  covering  the  entire  block  between  Washington,  Poplar  and  Ash  streets. 
The  business  is  one  of  the  leading  enterprises  of  that  thriving  city,  giving  em- 
ployment to  a  number  of  hands,  thus  adding  to  the  growth  and  development 
of  that  section  of  the  city.  In  addition  to  this  other  business  connection,  he 
serves  as  director  of  the  Scranton  Stove  Works  and  the  Cross  Engineering 
Company,  of  Carbondale,  and  for  many  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  He  is  an  independent  Republican  in  politics,  and 
holds  membership  in  the  Blue  Lodge,  Masonic  Order.  Mr.  Howarth  has  spent 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  within  sixteen  miles  of  the  court  house  in  Scranton. 
Mr.  Howarth  married,  in  1882,  Ina  Price,  born  in  Pittstou,  a  sister  of 
Colonel  Price,  aforementioned,  and  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Zillah  fArm- 
strong)  Price.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howarth  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Marian  and  Helen.  The  family  occupy  an  enviable  position  in  the  social 
circle  of  Dunmore,  where  they  reside,  being  honored  and  respected  by  all  who 
know  them  for  their  many  excellent  characteristics.  They  u-e  active  and 
prominent  in  all  worthy  causes,  ever  ready  and  willing  to  contribute  their  full 
share  toward  the  betterment  of  mankind. 


JOHN  SIMPSON 


The  history  of  the  merchants  of  Scranton,  reveals  that  fact  that  in  nearly 
every  instance,  their  beginnings  were  small  and  that  the  largest  and  most  pros- 
perous firms  of  to-day  are  composed  of  men  who  have  worked  their  way  from 
the  foot  of  the  ladder  to  the  top  most  rounds  of  commercial  success.  The 
present  head  of  the  Cleland-Simpson  Company  furnishes  a  striking  instance 
of  how  a  clean  living,  ambitious  young  man  may  overcome  the  heaviest  handi- 
cap, and  reach  success  through  a  strict  adherence  to  the  three  cardinal  virtues, 
work,  perseverance  and  honesty. 

John  Simpson,  president  of  the  Cleland-Simpson  Company,  was  born  in 
Stonehaven,  Scotland,  January  7,  1852,  son  of  Alexander  and  Margaret 
(Logan)  Simpson.  Until  fourteen  years  of  age  he  attended  the  parish  school, 
then  was  apprenticed  to  a  draper  (dry  goods  dealer)  with  whom  he  remained 
three  years.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  came  to  the  United  States,  locat- 
ing in  Rochester,  New  York,  there  entering  the  employ  of  Sibley,  Lindsay  and 
Curr.  After  eight  months  in  their  employ,  he  came  to  Scranton  as  clerk  in  the 
newly  opened  "Boston  store."  He  remained  in  that  capacity  until  1873,  when 
he  joined  forces  and  capital  with  John  Cleland,  and  opened  a  dry  goods  store 
in  Danville,  Pennsylvania.  They  conducted  a  successful  business  there  until 
1876,  when  Mr.  Simpson  leaving  his  partner  in  charge  of  the  Danville  store, 
returned  to  Scranton  as  a  partner  with  Lindsay  and  Liddle,  proprietors  of  the 
Boston  store.  About  three  years  later,  still  in  partnership  with  John  Qeland, 
he  opened  a  dry  goods  store  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  which  proved  a  success- 
ful venture  from  the  start.  A  few  years  later  they  sold  their  Danville  store 
and  opened  a  similar  store  in  Scranton,  concentrating  their  energies  on  the 
Scranton  and  Pittston  establishments.  The  firm  had  now  passed  through  the 
formative,  experimental  stage  and  had  proved  their  ability  to  conduct  large 
business  undertakings,  with  judgment  and  profit.  Deciding  upon  a  plan  of 
expansion,  they  admitted  a  former  employee,  David  E.  Taylor,  to  a  partnership, 
placing  him  in  charge  of  a  new  branch  store  at  Allentown.  A  few  years  later 
this  branch  was  sold,  a  store  having  been  opened  in  Carbondale,  which  later 
was  also  sold.  Later  the  business  was  incorporated  as  the  Cleland,  Simpson 
Company,  the  present  officials  being :  John  Simoson,  president :  Harry  Simp- 
son, vice-president;  U.  A.  Noble,  secretary  and  treasurer.     The  firm  employ 


142  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

three  traveling  salesmen  in  their  wholesale  department,  and  in  all  their  de- 
partments about  200  people.  An  idea  of  the  growth  of  this  business  may  be 
formed  from  a  comparison  of  their  original,  with  their  present  quarters.  The 
original  building  fifty  by  one  hundred  feet,  one  story  in  height,  was  erected  by 
Horace  B.  Phelps ;  was  sold  by  his  estate  to  Elias  Morris,  from  whom  the 
present  owners  purchased  it.  The  present  building  is  100  feet  front,  167  feet 
in  depth,  five  stories  in  height  with  a  basement :  the  new  addition  built  in 
1913  being  six  stories  in  height.  In  addition  to  his  private  business  and  duties 
as  the  head  of  the  Cleland-Simpson  Company,  Mr.  Simpson  is  a  director  of 
the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company. 

This  showing  of  the  activity  and  success  of  the  strange  young  Scotchman 
in  his  forty  years  of  business  life  in  Scranton,  stamps  him  as  a  man  of  rare 
business  genius,  backed  by  an  untiring  energy,  and  ambition  that  would  not  be 
satisfied  with  even  moderate  success.  Unquestionably.  Mr.  Simpson  deserves 
a  place  among  the  leading  merchants  of  Scranton,  and  none  more  worthilv  or 
justly  bears  tlie  title  of  a  "self-made"  man. 

Mr.  Simpson  married,  in  February,  1877,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Stewart,  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Clara  J.,  married  Urban  A. 
Noble,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Cleland-Simpson  Company ;  Florence , 
Helen  E.,  married  Charles  Manacces,  of  San  Francisco,  California. 


EDWARD  PAYSON  KINGSBURY 

Edward  Payson  Kingsbury,  a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  a  man  whose 
honorable  business  methods  and  frank  and  genial  manner  have  won  for  him 
many  friends  in  the  city  of  his  adoption,  was  born  at  Honesdale.  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  19,  1834,  the  son  of  Hon.  Ebenezer  Kingsbury  and  Elizabeth 
Harlow   (Fuller)  Kingsbury,  his  wife. 

On  both  his  father's  and  his  mother's  side,  i\]r.  Kingsbury  comes  from  a 
long  line  of  distingi:ished  New  England  ancestry ;  they  both  reach  far  back 
into  early  Colonial  days,  and  embrace  a  large  number  of  those  who  were  well- 
known  in  the  professions  and  in  public  life;  many  of  them  were  clergymen. 
These  ancestors  were  conspicuous  for  their  services  to  the  American  cause 
during  the  Revolutionary  War;  among  the  latter  was  Captain  Ebenezer 
Kingsbur)-,  of  Coventry%  Connecticut.  It  is  recorded  of  him  that  "he  was  a 
deacon  in  the  church  and  a  much  valued  citizen :  representative  in  the  general 
assembly  of  the  church  continuously  from  1754  to  1780;"  at  the  same  time  he 
was  captain  of  a  company  of  militia.  It  is  said  of  him  that  during  a  critical 
period  of  the  Revolution  he  returned  from  the  session  of  the  general  assembly 
on  a  Saturday  to  work  for  the  soldiers.  His  daughter,  Priscilla.  moulded 
bullets  from  the  lead  clock  weights,  and  his  son,  Joseph,  made  and  baked 
biscuits,  both  on  the  Sabbath :  "sand  bags  were  substituted  for  the  lead  weights 
in  the  family  clock,  and  on  Monday  he  returned  to  his  post  of  duty,  his  saddle- 
bags balanced  on  one  side  with  food  for  the  soldiers,  and  on  the  other  with 
bullets  for  their  enemies." 

Mr.  Kingsbury's  grandfather  was  Rev.  Ezenezer  Kingsbury,  a  graduate  of 
Yale  College  in  the  class  of  1783.  He  had  his  first  charge  at  Jericho.  Vermont, 
and  in  1810  came  to  Harford.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  preached  and  labored 
for  seventeen  years,  traveling  by  horseback  through  the  wilderness  embraced 
by  the  counties  of  Wayne,  Susquehanna.  Bradford  and  Luzerne,  going  by 
Indian  trails  and  blazed  bridle  paths.  He  died,  greatly  beloved  and  mourned 
at  Harford,  Pennsylvania,  March  22,  1842.  His  wife  was  Hannah,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Noah  and  Hannah  (Payson)  WilHston,  of  West  Haven,  Connecticut. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  143 

She  was  directly  connected  with  the  distinguished  Wilhston  family  of  Mass- 
achusetts. 

Mr.  Kingsbury's  father  was  Hon.  Ebenezer  Kingsbury,  who  was  born  in 
Jericho,  Vermont,  June  18,  1804,  who  came  with  tiie  family  to  Harford,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1810,  where  he  received  his  education.  He  studied  law  with  Hon. 
William  Jessup,  of  Montrose.  On  being  admitted  to  the  bar  he  moved  to 
Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  soon  took  a  leading  position  in  tJie  practice 
of  his  profession.  In  1830  he  became  deputy  attorney  general  of  the  state. 
From  1833  to  1840,  in  addition  to  his  large  law  practice,  he  was  the  editor 
and  proprietor  of  the  Wayne  County  Herald,  the  leading  Democratic  news- 
paper of  Northern  Pennsylvania.  He  was  elected  to  the  senate  of  Penn- 
sylvania for  four  years  from  1837  to  1841,  representing  the  counties  of 
Luzerne,  Monroe,  Pike  and  Wayne.  During  this  term  he  was  elected  speaker 
of  the  senate  and  was,  by  virtue  of  this  office,  next  the  governor  in  rank  and 
succession.  His  journeys  each  year  to  Harrisbnrg  took  several  weeks,  the 
route  being  by  stage  to  Philadelphia,  thence  by  canal  to  Harrisburg,  and  re- 
quired his  absence  from  home  all  winter.  He  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Pres- 
byterian church  of  Honesdale  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  He 
died  April  15,  1844,  a  young  man  barely  across  the  threshold  of  life,  with  a 
great  future  of  promise  and  usefulness  before  him.  It  was  said  of  him,  "A 
man  righteous  before  God  in  all  the  relations  of  life."  He  inarried  Elizabeth 
Harlow  Fuller,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Hannah  West  Fuller,  November  24, 
1829.  Mrs.  Kingsbury  was  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  January  i,  1805, 
and  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Dr.  Samuel  Fuller,  the  beloved  physician  of 
the  "Mayflower."     She  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  13,  1871. 

Their  son,  Edward  Payson  Kingsbury,  was  born  at  Honesdale,  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  19,  1834.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
in  the  academy  in  Honesdale,  remaining  a  pupil  until  ten  years  of  age,  when, 
owing  to  his  father's  death,  he  was  obliged  to  leave  school  and  obtain  employ- 
ment in  Honesdale.  This  he  found  with  a  firm  of  tobacconists,  H.  E.  &  J.  N. 
Conger,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  went  into  the  drug  store  of 
Dr.  Dwiglit  Reed,  after  which  he  entered  the  hat  store  of  John  A.  Brink, 
where  he  remained  until  he  made  an  engagement  with  the  firm  of  Scrantons  & 
Piatt,  to  enter  their  store  at  Scranton,  and  commenced  work  for  them  February 
13,  1850.  In  1853  he  was  transferred  from  the  store  to  the  general  offices 
of  the  company,  by  Mr.  S.  T.  Scranton,  and  was  appointed  assistant  to  the 
chief  bookkeeper.  Shortly  after  this  he  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  com- 
pany, and  held  this  position  until  1859,  when  the  directors  of  the  Lackawanna 
Iron  and  Coal  Company,  successors  to  Scrantons  &  Piatt,  this  firm  having  been 
merged  into  this  corporation,  June  10,  1853,  elected  him  assistant  treasurer  of 
the  company.  This  office  he  held  until  1881,  when,  after  a  service  with  Scran- 
tons &  Piatt,  and  their  successors,  of  thirty-one  years  and  six  months,  he 
identified  himself  with  the  Scranton  Steel  Company,  incorporated  in  that  year, 
with  W.  W.  Scranton  as  president,  Colonel  Walter  Scranton,  vice-president, 
and  E.  P.  Kingsbury,  secretary  and  treasurer.  In  the  year  1891  this  comr 
pany  was  merged  into  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Steel  Company. 

The  Tribune  Publishing  Company  was  incorporated  in  1891,  and  Mr. 
Kingsbury  was  its  first  business  manager.  Later  he  was  elected  president, 
vice  Everett  Warren,  Esq.,  resigned.  He  helped  to  organize  and  became  secre- 
tary and  treasurer  of  the  Enterprise  Powder  Manufacturing  Company  of  this 
city.  Later  on  the  merging  of  this  company  with  the  E.  I.  Dupont  de  Nemours  & 
Company  of  Pennsylvania  occurred  and  he  became  a  director  and  auditor  of  that 
company.  Mr.  Kingsbury  is  now  a  director  in  the  following  companies :  The 
County  Savings  Bank,  the  Scranton  Gas  &  Water  Company,  the  Title  Guar- 


144  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

anty  &  Surety  Company,  E.  I.  Dupont  de  Nemours  &  Company  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, the   Scranton  Trust  Company. 

Mr.  Kingsbury  has  been  a  lifelong  Republican ;  his  first  vote  was  cast  in 
1856  for  John  C.  Fremont  for  president,  and  he  has  given  his  vote  for  the 
Republican  candidates  at  every  presidential  election  since  that  time.  He  was  a 
delegate  to  the  national  convention  of  the  Republican  party  held  in  Chicago  in 
1888,  when  Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Indiana,  was  nominated  for  president  of 
the  United  States.  He  was  appointed  a  notary  public  by  Governor  Curtin, 
and  re-appointed  by  Governors  Geary  and  Hartranft.  He  was  elected  city 
controller  in  1879  and  served  two  terms,  up  to  and  including  1883,  and  upon 
many  occasions  has  presided  at  city  and  county  Republican  conventions.  For 
two  terms  he  served  as  jury  commissioner  of  Lackawanna  county. 

He  has  been  for  many  years  prominently  identified  with  Free  Masonry ; 
he  became  a  Mason  and  member  of  Union  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
January  16,  1857;  elected  junior  warden  in  December,  1857;  senior  warden 
in  1858;  and  worshipful  master  in  1859,  served  as  such  during  the  year  1860- 
61-62.  In  1863  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  lodge,  has  been  re-elected  an- 
nually since  that  time,  and  is  now  serving  his  fifty-first  consecutive  year.  Mr. 
Kingsbury  was  also  district  deputy  grand  master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania  for  several  years,  for  the  county  of  Luzerne.  He  is  a  life  mem- 
ber of  Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M. ;  was  its  high  priest 
for  the  year  i860,  and  district  deputy  grand  high  priest  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  of  Pennsylvania  for  several  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Coeur  de 
Lion  Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T.,  and  was  its  eminent  commander  for  the 
years  1868-69-70.  He  has  also  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Commandery  for 
forty-one  years,  and  was  re-elected  for  the  forty-second  consecutive  time  on 
March  17,  1914. 

From  the  time  of  his  coming  to  Scranton,  when  upon  the  threshold  of 
young  manhood,  Mr.  Kingsbury  has  been  an  ardent  factor  in  the  social, 
religious  and  industrial  life  of  our  city.  He  has  not  only  seen  it  grow — he 
has  been  a  lifelong  pushing  factor  in  its  growth  from  a  wilderness  to  a  great 
and  teeming  municipality.  Scranton  has  been  fortunate  in  having  a  large 
class  of  splendid  men  as  its  builders,  of  which  Mr.  Kingsbury  has  ever  been 
one  of  the  foremost.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Scranton,  and  for  more  than  two  decades  acted  as  its  chorister. 

Mr.  Kingsbury  married  Anna  Louisa  Kressler,  daughter  of  David  K. 
Kressler,  of  Scranton,  February  13,  1861.  Their  children  are:  Henry  Willis- 
ton,  born  December  20,  1861  ;  Emma,  born  May  28,  1863,  died  in  infancy ; 
Lizzie,  born  July  18,  1865,  died  in  infancy ;  Charles  Edward,  born  November 
3,  1867:  Anna  Kressler,  born  October  12,  1869,  became  the  wife  of  Richard 
S.  Storrs,  of  Orange,  New  Jersey;  William  Payson,  born  December  14,  1871, 
died  May  8,  1913.  Mrs.  Kingsbury  was  a  woman  of  strong  character,  charni 
ing  presence  and  rare  personal  qualities.  x\n  earnest  Christian  and  active 
worker  in  the  church,  she  was  an  ideal  home-maker,  than  which  there  can  be 
no  higher  testimony  paid  to  woman.  She  made  her  home  a  sanctuary  for  her 
husband  and  her  children,  for  which  she  will  be  long  loved  and  her  memory 
revered  and  cherished.    She  passed  to  her  rest,  January  26,  191 3. 


MAURICE  T.  MILLER 


Maurice  T.  Miller,  president  and  general  manager  of  the  T.  M.  Miller 
Company,  manufacturers  of  undertakers'  supplies,  is  the  first  of  his  branch 
of  the  family  of  American  birth,  Germany  having  been  the  home  of  all  pre- 
vious generations  of  the  name.     The  origin  of  the  name  was  probably  from 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


145 


the  occupation  of  an  early  member  of  the  family,  most  of  our  surnames  having 
been  derived  in  that  and  similar  manners. 

Theodore  M.  Miller,  son  of  Otto  Miller,  and  founder  of  the  company  of 
which  his  son  is  now  the  able  head,  was  born  in  Leipsic,  Germany,  one  of 
the  oldest  university  cities  in  the  German  Empire,  in  1848.  At  an  early  age  he 
came  to  this  country  with  his  parents,  settling  in  Archbald  about  1852.  Here 
his  father  conducted  a  general  contracting  business  and  also  made  coffins,  as  re- 
quired by  the  undertakers  of  the  vicinity.  In  this  town  Theodore  M.  Miller 
attended  the  public  schools  and  spent  his  boyhood  years.  In  1873  he  inaugu- 
rated the  present  business  at  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania,  twenty  years  later  moving 
to  Scranton.  While  from  a  financial  standpoint  his  enterprise  was  always 
a  success,  it  was  not  until  he  came  to  Scranton  that  it  began  its  greatest  de- 
velopment, in  the  course  of  which  it  has  trebled  in  size  and  has  taken  a  position 
among  the  foremost  houses  of  its  kind  in  the  country. 

Theodore  M.  Miller  was  in  his  youth  a  musician  of  great  talent,  and  with 
the  proper  training,  study  and  instruction  would  doubtless  have  become  one  of 
the  leading  violinists  of  the  day.  While  still  a  lad  in  his  teens  he  played  first 
violin  in  a  theatre  orchestra.  He  was  the  organizer  of  the  Jermyn  Band,  which 
at  one  of  the  Welsh  carnivals  of  the  early  days  won  first  prize,  Mr.  Miller 
was  one  of  the  most  widely  acquainted  men  in  the  Lackawanna  valley  and  was 
held  in  universal  esteem  among  those  with  whom  he  came  into  contract  in 
business  or  social  life.  Friendly,  of  genial  nature,  he  possessed  the  other 
qualities  so  often  the  concomitants  of  those,  quick  sympathy  and  impulsive 
generosity.  He  gave  liberally  to  those  in  need,  his  gifts  being  tendered  in  the 
spirit  of  fellowship  that  took  the  sting  away  from  the  necessity  of  accepting 
charity  and  made  the  recipient  of  his  bounty  his  lifelong  admirer  and  champion. 
There  were  many  in  the  region  through  which  he  traveled  and  in  his  home 
city  who  blessed  his  memiory  and  mourned  his  death  as  a  personal  grief.  He 
was  fraternally  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
was  a  charter  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks.  He  died  in  1906.  He  married  Sarah  Foster,  a  native  of  Eng- 
land. One  of  their  children  died  young.  The  others :  Maurice  T.,  of  further 
mention;  Gertrude,  married  J.  Hitchcock;  Harry  A. ;  Robert  R. 

Maurice  T.  Miller,  son  of  Theodore  M.  and  Sarah  (Foster)  Miller,  was 
born  in  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania,  February  17,  1874.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  and  early  in  life  began  to  learn  the  business  of  his  father, 
working  in  every  department  and  also  as  a  road  salesman.  Taught  to  regard 
this  as  his  life  work  he  made  every  preparation  possible  for  the  position  he 
now  holds,  and  at  the  death  of  his  father  in  igo6,  incorporated  the  business 
as  the  T.  M.  Miller  Company,  with  himself  as  president  and  general  manager, 
and  M.  B.  Gay  as  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  latter  has  since  retired  from 
active  participation  in  affairs,  his  interest  now  being  owned  and  his  office  held 
by  H.  A.  Miller,  giving  the  entire  control  of  the  business  to  the  family  of  the 
founder.  One  of  the  first  houses  of  its  kind  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania, 
the  T.  M.  Miller  Company  is  backed  by  a  reputation  covering  years  of  service 
performed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  undertakers  of  the  state.  Their  catalogue 
includes  all  articles  needed  by  undertakers  in  their  business,  caskets  of  all 
kinds,  dry  goods,  etc.  Their  field  is  country  wide,  seven  salesmen  traveling 
constantly  in  their  employ  and  about  120  undertakers  acting  as  local  agents. 
In  addition  to  this,  through  the  medium  of  an  exhaustive  and  profusely  illus- 
trated catalogue,  a  large  mail  order  business  is  conducted.  Mr.  Miller  super- 
vises this  business  in  a  competent  manner,  maintaining  the  high  standard  set 
by  his  honored  father. 

Maurice  T.   Miller  is  a  member  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.   333,  F.  and 


146  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

A.  M.,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  serves  on  the  Scran- 
ton  Board  of  Trade.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Washburn 
Street  Presbyterian  Church.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Job  Harris,  of 
Scranton,  and  has  two  children,  Theodore  H.  and  Alary. 

Mr.  Miller,  trained  for  the  position  he  now  occupies,  has  had  little  op- 
portunity to  display  his  constructive  ability,  but  in  the  direction  of  the  business 
founded  by  his  father  shows  executive  talent  that  justifies  faith  in  his  future 
achievements,  and  promises  him  to  be  a  worthy  son  of  an  honored  and  re- 
spected, albeit  deeply  mourned,  sire. 


LUTHAN  B.  MOSHER 

Although  a  resident  of  Scranton  since  1892,  and  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
chants, Mr.  Mosher  is  a  native  of  New  York  state,  where  the  Moshers  and 
his  maternal  ancestors,  the  Dickinsons,  are  among  the  oldest  families.  He  is 
a  son  of  Adalbert  and  Susan  (Dickinson)  Mosher,  the  former  for  many  years 
a  merchant  of  Trumansburg,  New  York,  where  he  yet  resides. 

Luthan  B.  Mosher  was  born  in  Trumansburg,  June  8,  1863.  He  was  there 
educated  and  resided  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  then  went  to  Rochester. 
New  York,  always  a  great  clothing  manufacturing  centre,  where  he  learned 
the  trade  of  garment  cutter.  After  mastering  this  art  he  learned  the  tailoring 
part  of  the  business,  becoming  a  finished  workman  in  both  branches  of  the  mer- 
chant tailor's  trade,  cutting  and  making.  In  1892  he  located  in  Scranton  and 
established  a  merchant  tailoring  business  in  association  with  Henry  D.  Hodg- 
son under  the  firm  name  of  Hodgson  &  Mosher.  In  1894  Mr.  Mosher  pur- 
chased his  partner's  interest,  and  later  admitted  as  partner,  J.  W.  Coleman, 
operating  as  Mosher  &  Coleman.  Four  years  later  he  bought  Mr.  Coleman's 
interest  and  has  since  continued  the  business.  In  1903  his  store  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  in  what  is  locally  known  as  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
fire.  He  is  now  located  in  splendidly  appointed  quarters  on  the  first  floor  of 
the  Burr  Building,  No.  138  Washington  avenue,  where  he  conducts  a  most 
exclusive  and  well  patronized  tailoring  establishment.  Mr.  Mosher  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Trumansburg  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Royal  Arch  Masons ; 
Saint  Augi:stine  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  of  Ithaca,  New  York ;  and 
of  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes  Barre,  Pennsylvania. 
In  Scranton  he  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  the  Scranton  Club  and 
St.  Luke's  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Mosher  married  Lois  Burr,  one  of  the  two  daughters  of  Dr.  Andrew 
E.  Burr,  for  forty  years  a  practicing  physician  of  Carbondale  and  Scranton. 
He  was  born  in  Gilbertsville,  New  York,  in  1837,  died  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  7,  1900,  and  is  buried  in  Dunmore  Cemetery.  He  prepared 
for  the  practice  of  medicine  and  in  i860  located  in  Carbondale,  where  until 
1875  he  continued  in  successful  practice.  In  the  latter  year  he  moved  to 
Scranton  where  he  was  in  active  practice  until  failing  health,  only  a  short 
time  prior  to  his  death,  caused  his  retirement.  He  was  a  skillful  physician 
and  a  good  citizen,  aiding  by  his  enterprise  and  foresight  in  the  development 
of  Scranton.  The  Burr  Building  on  Washington  avenue  was  erected  by  Dr. 
Burr  against  the  advice  of  his  friends,  but  in  spite  of  advice  and  ridicule  he 
trusted  his  own  foresight  and  became  the  pioneer  office  builder  in  that  block, 
the  site  of  the  building  being  that  of  his  residence  which  was  removed  to  make 
way  for  the  new  building.  He  was  well  known  and  popular,  had  a  large  prac- 
tice and  a  wealth  of  friends.  While  in  Carbondale  he  married  Miss  Phillios, 
who  died  in  July,  1913. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  147 

EDWARD  O.  KOLB 

In  a  day  when  methods  and  processes  of  food  preparation  have  become  so 
unclean,  unsanitary,  and  unhealthful,  as  to  necessitate  the  vigilance  of  a  Pure 
Food  Commission  and  the  most  stringent  of  laws  to  prevent  the  introduction  of 
adulterants,  preservatives  and  other  deleterious  compounds  into  the  articles 
intended  for  our  consumption ;  and  when  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Chem- 
istry is  constantly  engaged  in  analyzing  food-stuits  and  exposing  their  illegal 
ingredients,  it  is  indeed  a  satisfaction  to  discover  a  place  devoted  to  the  prepara- 
tion of  an  article  of  food  where  cleanliness  and  purity  reign  supreme.  Picture 
a  two-story  edifice,  built  of  Avondale  marble  and  brick,  120  by  150  feet, 
housing  Kolb's  Bakery.  Within,  every  appliance  used  in  the  making  of  the 
bread  is  snowy  white ;  the  sides  of  the  building  are  little  more  than  glass, 
through  which  the  sunlight  streams ;  the  robes  of  the  bakers  are  glistening 
white.  Fresh  air,  sunlight,  and  cleanliness  defy  the  presence  of  dirt  or  dust. 
Here,  safeguarded  from  any  contaminating  germs,  25,000  loaves  of  bread  are 
baked  daily  and  sent  out  to  the  homes  of  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming 
valleys,  their  purchasers  assured  that  here,  at  least,  is  a  product  of  purity. 

The  Kolb  family  on  the  paternal  side  has  long  been  resident  in  Penn- 
sylvania, while  maternally  New  York  has  been  its  home  for  an  equally  long 
time.  John  G.  Kolb  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  1882, 
aged  fifty  years.  His  lifelong  trade  was  that  of  baker,  which  he  followed 
independently,  for  the  most  part.  He  was  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason,  belonging 
to  the  Knights  Templar.  He  married  Sarah  Kaiser,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  several  children. 

Edward  O.  Kolb,  son  of  John  G.  and  Sarah  (Kaiser)  Kolb,  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  May  29,  1875.  He  obtained  an  excellent  education 
in  the  public  schools,  graduating  from  high  school  in  1892.  He  first  obtained 
employment  with  his  three  brothers  and  thoroughly  learned  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, abandoning  that  to  learn  the  baking  business,  practiced  by  his  father. 
In  partnership  with  his  brother,  Robert  C.,  he  opened  a  bakery  in  Trenton. 
No  sooner  was  this  started  upon  a  successful  career  and  its  popularity  and 
permanence  assured,  than,  with  his  brother,  Frank,  he  went  to  Reading  and 
there  performed  the  same  operation.  After  this,  too,  was  firmly  established, 
Edward  O.  Kolb  came  to  Scranton  and  there  built  and  equipped  his  present 
bakery,  a  model  of  modern  and  sanitary  methods.  In  the  beginning  of  the 
bakery's  existence  only  ten  persons  were  employed,  the  force  having  been 
increased  in  accordance  to  the  demands  of  the  business  until  now  seventy- 
five  persons  are  engaged.  A  most  efficient  system  of  distribution  is  main- 
tained, fifty  per  cent,  of  the  daily  output  reaching  families  in  the  Lackawanna 
and  VV'yoming  valleys  outside  of  the  city  of  Scranton.  The  enormity  of  the 
amount  of  bread  baked  is  well  shown  by  the  quantity  of  flour  used  in  its 
making,  two  and  a  half  carloads  being  converted  into  the  "staff  of  life"  weekly. 
Mr.  Kolb  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order  and  is  a  member  of  King  Solomon's 
Lodge.  No.  114,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  Melita  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  He 
also  holds  membership  in  the  Scranton  Bicycle  Club.  He  married  Martha, 
daughter  of  William  Rayer,  of  Rayersville,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  Sarah 
E.  and  Emma. 

An  excellent  organizer,  Mr.  Kolb  has  placed  his  business  in  Scranton  upon 
a  firm  and  lucrative  basis.  Catering  to  the  public  taste  in  a  manner  and  by 
a  system  that  immediately  won  approval,  he  has  built  up  in  Scranton,  as  he  did 
in  Trenton  and  Reading,  a  flourishing  trade.  Progressive  and  modern  in 
ideas,  he  is  a  valuable  acquisition  to  Scranton  society,  as  his  business  is  to  her 
industrial  interests. 


148  CITY  OF  SCRANTC)N 

J.  SCOTT  INGLIS 

Now  one  of  the  oldest  merchants  of  Scranton,  yet  in  active  business,  Mr. 
IngHs  can  boast  of  a  mercantile  experience  in  four  countries,  Scotland,  Eng- 
land, South  America  and  the  United  States.  Coming  to  Scranton  when  a  young 
man  of  about  twenty  years,  his  experience  as  clerk  and  merchant  covers  near- 
ly a  half  century  and  as  the  city  has  grown  and  prospered,  so  has  Mr.  Inglis. 

He  was  bom  in  Newcastleton,  Roxburyshire,  Scotland,  October  lo,  1847, 
son  of  Frank  and  Jeannette  (Scott)  Inglis,  both  descendants  of  old  Scottish 
families,  his  mother  belonging  to  the  same  family  as  Sir  Walter  Scott,  the 
great  novelist.    His  father,  Frank  Inglis,  was  a  sheep  and  wool  dealer. 

J.  Scott  Inglis  was  educated  in  the  parish  schools  of  Newcastleton,  and 
on  arriving  at  a  suitable  age  became  a  draper's  apprentice,  serving  four  years 
in  the  town  of  Hawick.  After  finishing  his  years  of  apprenticeship  he  spent 
some  time  in  Manchester,  England,  as  clerk  for  the  firm  of  Cleaton  &  Williams, 
drapers.  An  opportunity  then  presented  itself,  which  he  embraced,  and  he  is 
next  found  in  Buenos  Ayres,  South  America.  He  did  not  long  remain  in  that 
city,  but  ascending  the  Uruguay  river  to  Roman,  he  found  employment  with 
a  beef  company,  operating  a  large  soladom  there,  dressing  from  one  to  two 
thousand  cattle  daily,  the  carcasses  being  shipped  to  England.  While  in  the 
employ  of  the  beef  company,  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  an  English  com- 
mercial traveler  who  recognized  him  as  a  man  he  had  seen  in  Hicke.  They 
became  friends,  with  the  result  that  the  Englishman  induced  Mr.  Inglis  to 
become  his  assistant  in  handling  the  dry  goods  trade  in  his  South  American 
territory.  In  1866  he  came  to  the  United  States,  going  to  New  York  City  for 
a  short  time,  then  coming  to  Scranton,  being  sent  here  by  Samuel  Rogers,  a 
brother-in-law  of  the  late  Thomas  Moore.  He  was  first  employed  in  a  store 
of  Mrs.  Courtney,  then  was  with  Orr  Brothers  until  they  went  out  of  busi- 
ness. He  next  clerked  for  the  firm  of  Fisher,  Sutphen  &  Whitmore,  whose 
place  of  business  was  at  the  present  site  of  Goldsmith's  Bazaar.  The  next  year 
he  spent  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  then  returned  to  Scranton  and  opened  a  general 
store  in  Dunmore,  continuing  in  business  there  four  years.  After  selling  his 
Dunmore  store  he  opened  a  grocery  at  the  corner  of  Penn  avenue  and  Spruce 
street,  which  after  three  years  he  sold.  He  then  became  a  clerk  in  the  store 
of  R.  L.  Lindsay  in  the  Boston  Store,  continuing  until  1881,  when  he  became 
manager  of  the  carpet  and  furniture  departments  of  Williams  &  McAnulty. 
who  were  just  starting.  Here  he  gained  his  expert  knowledge  of  the  furniture 
and  carpet  trade  and  not  long  afterward  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Hazlett  &  Company,  carpet  and  furniture  dealers.  After  one  and  a  half 
years  he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Hazlett,  but  remained  as  manager  of  the 
store.  During  this  period  he  visited  his  old  Scottish  home,  spending  two 
months  in  revisiting  the  scenes  of  his  youth.  After  his  return  to  Scranton  he 
was  manager  for  H.  D.  Judd  &  Company  until  he  established  a  carpet  store 
of  his  own  at  No.  419  Lackawanna  avenue,  continuing  there  in  successful 
business  for  eleven  years.  In  1906  his  store  was  burned  and  he  did  not  again 
resume  business  until  April  12,  191 3.  He  then  opened  his  present  store  in  the 
new  building.  No.  428  Lackawanna  avenue,  where  he  again  engaged  in  the 
same  lines,  furniture,  carpets  and  wall  paper.  His  life  has  been  an  eventful 
one  and  from  boyhood  to  the  present  has  been  one  of  activity  and  purpose. 
He  is  well  known  and  holds  an  honorable  position  in  the  commercial  world. 
His  interests  extend  beyond  his  store  and  are  of  importance.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Pine  Brook  Bank  and  its  first  president.  In  political 
faith  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  religious  belief  a  Presbyterian,  belonging  to 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  149 

Mr.  Inglis  married  Nancy  Victoria,  daughter  of  Abraham  Robinson,  of 
Canada.  Children :  William  W..  now  manager  of  the  Hillside  Coal  Company 
of  Dnnmore;  Jessie,  married  B.  E.  Aliller,  of  Scranton,  head  painter  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  of  East  Orange;  Helen,  married 
W.  B.  Jennings,  vice-president  of  the  Dime  Bank  of  Pittston  and  superin- 
tendent of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company. 


PHILIP  L.  SYLVESTER 

As  a  successful  inventor  and  vice-president  of  the  Scranton  Butti^n  Com- 
pany, Mr.  Sylvester  is  well  known  to  the  industrial  world. 

Born  in  1852,  he  passed  his  youth  in  New  York  City  where  he  attended 
public  school  until  his  sixteenth  year,  when  he  left  home  and  journeyed  west- 
ward, spending  two  and  one-half  years  in  the  then  sparsely  settled  state  of 
Missouri.  This  separation  from  the  turmoil  of  city  life  gave  him  an  op- 
portunity to  pursue  his  studies,  and  acquire  the  reading  habit,  which  is  still 
one  of  his  greatest  pleasures.  Contact  with  the  free  life  of  the  early  settlers, 
untrammeled  by  conventionalities,  developed  a  liberality  of  thought  and  free- 
dom from  prejudice.  In  the  solitude  of  the  primitive  forest  he  imbibed  a  love 
of  nature,  which  still  remains  a  source  of  keen  satisfaction. 

He  then  returned  to  New  York  City,  and  for  nearly  five  years  was  clerk 
on  the  wharf  of  the  National  Steamship  Company  plying  between  New  York, 
Liverpool  and  London.  Here  he  availed  himself  of  the  fine  opportunity 
offered  for  studying  the  free  play  of  the  emotions  of  traveling  humanity  when 
under  the  stress  and  excitement  of  arriving  and  departing  vessels.  He  ac- 
quired a  good  working  knowledge  of  custom  house  regulations  and  practice,  as 
well  as  experience  in  marine  freight,  and  the  discharging  and  loading  of  trans- 
atlantic steamers.  Always  of  an  inquiring  and  inventive  turn  of  mind,  he  in- 
vented, while  in  the  employ  of  the  company,  a  reel  for  winding  telegraph  tape 
automatically.  The  reels  were  used  successfully  in  the  company's  main  office 
as  well  as  on  the  wharf,  the  manager  expressing  his  appreciation  of  the  ap- 
paratus by  presenting  Mr.   Sylvester  with  a  substantial  bonus. 

His  leanings  towards  industrial  inventions,  however,  became  too  strong 
for  him  to  remain  in  a  clerical  position.  In  1874  he  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  composition  goods.  Realizing  the  importance  and  advantage  of 
producing  a  composition  that  could  be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  buttons, 
dominoes,  checkers,  knobs,  etc.,  he  bent  his  energies  in  this  direction,  and 
finally  perfected  a  substance  that  has  proved  valuable  in  the  manufacture,  not 
only  of  the  articles  mentioned,  but  also  of  many  others,  notably  moulded 
electrical  insulations,  and  its  application  in  this  field  has  kept  pace  with  the 
development  of  the  electrical  industry.  His  invention  of  automatic  machines 
revolutionized  the  business,  and  gave  Mr.  Sylvester  and  his  business  associates 
a  great  advantage  over  competitors. 

After  fifteen  years  spent  in  Auburn,  New  York,  in  the  composition  busi- 
ness, in  1890  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton,  becoming  associated  with 
William  Connell,  and  his  son,  Charles  R.  Connell,  now  president  of  The 
Scranton  Button  Company.  This  proved  an  efficient  combination  of  talent. 
Charles  R.  Connell's  aggressive  business  ability  combined  with  Mr._  Sylvester's 
inventive  and  industrial  executive  ability  have  firmly  established  in  Scranton 
the  largest  manufacturing  plant  of  its  kind  in  the  world,  one  whose  product 
is  shipped  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth. 

Although  Mr.  Sylvester  had  taken  out  more  than  twenty  patents  on  ma- 
terial and  processes,  he  had  been  granted  additional  patents  on  improved 
processes  and  methods  of  manipulation.    He  is  constantly  seeking  to  produce  a 


ISO  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

still  more  perfect  material  and  lessen  the  cost  of  production.  He  is  of  a 
studious  turn  of  mind,  with  leaning  towards  scientific  and  philosophical  sub- 
jects. 

He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge, 
No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.;  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  all 
bodies  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Temple  Club,  the  Scranton  Press  Club  and  the  American  Society 
for  Judicial  Settlement  of  International  Disputes.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

Mr.  Sylvester  married,  in  1874,  Louise  C.  Haendle,  daughter  of  Conrad 
Haendle,  of  New  York  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sylvester  have  three  children: 
Louise  E.,  a  graduate  of  Wellesley  College,  now  Mrs.  Paul  L.  Criblet,  of  San 
Francisco,  California;  Elfreida,  salutatorian  of  Scranton  High  School,  class 
of  1899 ;  Louis  G.,  graduate  of  Cornell  University,  now  assistant  manager  of 
The  Scranton  Button  Company ;  married  Harriet  Lindsay,  daughter  of  Robert 
K.  Lindsay.  Mrs.  Sylvester  and  her  daughter  Elfreida  are  members  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church.     The  family  home  is  at  306  Webster  avenue. 


WILLIAM  J.  DAVIS 

When  the  Bliss-Davis  Building,  at  the  corner  of  Adams  avenue  and  Spruce 
street,  was  thrown  open  to  the  public,  it  was  as  the  business  home  of  one  of 
its  owners,  William  J.  Davis,  merchant  tailor.  Mr.  Davis  was  one  of  the 
early  merchants  and  leading  citizens  of  Forest  City,  Pennsylvania,  until  1896, 
when  he  located  in  Scranton  and  here  has  advanced  to  the  front  rank  in  his 
private  business  and  to  important  position  in  the  various  corporations  in  which 
he  is  interested.  He  was  born  in  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  October  30,  1856, 
son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Brown)  Davis,  both  descendants  of  old  families 
of  that  county  and  freeholders  for  many  generations.  His  father,  Robert 
Davis,  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  of  six  children  in  1864,  and 
purchased  a  farm  on  Long  Island,  New  York,  where  he  engaged  in  agriculture 
until  his  death.  The  old  homestead  still  remains  in  the  possession  of  the  family. 
He  had  seven  children  who  grew  to  mature  years,  William  J.,  of  whom  further  ; 
Margaret ;  Sarah  ;  John  ;  Robert ;  George  ;  Minnie. 

William  J.  Davis  passed  the  first  seven  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  land, 
was  brought  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1864  and  grew  to  man- 
hood at  the  Long  Island  farm.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
neighborhood,  later  continuing  his  studies  at  schools  in  Maine,  and  St.  Albans, 
Vermont.  After  his  marriage  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Wayne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, teaching  school  during  the  winter  months  and  managing  the  farm 
in  the  summer.  In  1884  he  sold  his  farm  and  began  mercantile  life  in  Forest 
City,  then  little  more  than  a  name,  he  being  one  of  the  first  merchants  there. 
For  thirteen  years  he  engaged  in  mercantile  tailoring,  and  as  dealer  in  ready- 
made  clothing  and  all  branches  of  gentleman's  furnishings.  He  prospere(i 
abundantly  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  development  of  Forest  City  from 
hamlet  to  borough.  He  held  many  public  positions,  but  was  especially  inter- 
ested in  educational  matters.  He  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  its 
president  when  the  present  admirable  system  of  schools  was  inaugurated  and 
buildings  erected  for  their  accommodation.  So  carefully  were  they  planned 
and  so  business-like  was  their  erection  that  their  comparatively  small  cost 
caused  public  comment.  Mr.  Davis  also  erected  the  finest  opera  house  in  the 
county,  one  unequaled  anywhere  in  the  country  in  towns  even  much  larger. 
He  also  erected  many  other  buildings ;  was  a  member  of  the  building  com- 
mittee that  erected  the  Episcopal  church,  contributed  the  first  money  for  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  151 

building  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  one  of  the  first  subscribers 
toward  the  building  fund  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  In  1896  he  located 
in  Scranton,  opening  a  merchant  tailoring  establishment  in  the  old  Frothinghani 
Arcade.  Later  he  located  on  Spruce  street,  remaining  there  three  years,  then 
moving  to  the  newly  completed  Bliss-Davis  Building,  corner  Adams  avenue 
and  Spruce  street,  of  which  he  is  part  owner.  He  does  a  very  large  merchant 
tailoring  business,  greater  in  volume  than  any  other  tailor  in  the  city.  He 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Union  National  Bank,  which  he  serves  as 
director,  and  was  president  of  the  Scranton  Fire  Insurance  Company  until 
it  passed  out  of  existence.  He  is  a  member  of  Saint  Luke's  Episcopal  Church 
and  in  political  faith  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Davis  has  acquired  considerable 
valuable  real  estate  in  Scranton  and  other  towns  and  in  connection  with  Mr. 
Valentine  Bliss  he  is  developing  a  section  of  land  consisting  of  forty  acres  iti 
the  eastern  part  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Davis,  married  Frances,  daughter  of  William  B.  Dalton,  of  county 
Clare,  Ireland,  the  Daltons  were  originally  a  family  of  France.  Oiildren : 
I.  William  R.,  a  graduate  of  Friends  School,  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  ana 
of  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  degree  of  C.E.,  now  engaged  in  his 
profession  in  Pittsburgh.  He  was  one  of  the  engineers  engaged  in  the  con- 
struction of  Pittsburgh's  filtration  plant.  2.  Ralph,  graduate  of  Blair  (Penn- 
sylvania) High  School  and  of  Cornell  L'niversity,  class  of  191 1,  C.  E.,  now 
engaged  with  the  great  steel  firm  of  Pittsburgh,  Jones  and  Laughlin.  ^. 
Harold,  graduate  of  Blair  High  School,  received  an  appointment  as  cadet  to 
the  L^nited  States  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis,  spent  one  year  there ;  entered 
the  School  of  Mines  at  Golden,  Colorado,  now  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness in  Scranton.  4.  Dalton,  graduate  of  Blair  High  School,  spent  one  year  at 
Dartmouth  College,  then  entered  Columbia  L'niversity,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated 19 1 3  in  pharmacy. 


JENNIE  LEWIS  EVANS 

That  one  of  the  leading  retail  business  houses  of  Scranton  is  presided 
over  by  a  woman  is  rather  unusual  even  in  this  day  of  advanced  thought  con- 
cerning the  equality  of  the  sexes.  But  when  the  training  previously  secured 
while  in  the  employ  of  others,  her  natural  aptitude  and  her  acute  business 
instinct  is  weighed,  it  causes  no  wonder  that  Mr?.  Evans  has  risen  to  a  high 
position  in  the  mercantile  world.  In  fact  the  qualities  she  possesses  invariably 
lead  in  but  one  direction,  upward.  Thoroughly  a  business  woman  and  asking 
no  favors  from  her  masculine  competitors  on  account  of  sex,  Mrs.  Evans  is  so 
essentially  feminine,  gentle  and  modest,  that  her  success  in  the  stern  world  of 
competitive  business  calls  for  more  than  passing  comment.  This  rare  business 
ability  does  not  come  to  her  as  an  inheritance  from  commercial  ancestors,  as 
their  lot  was  cast  among  the  mountains  of  Wales  where  extracting  minerals 
from  mother  earth  to  enrich  others,  rather  than  themselves,  was  their  por- 
tion. So  as  neither  heredity  nor  environment  can  be  charged  with  her  rise 
in  the  business  world,  the  secret  must  be  in  her  own  character  While  from 
her  Welsh  forbears  strength  of  body,  clearness  of  mind  and  habits  of  industry 
were  obtained,  the  motive  power  that  drives  these  powers  into  her  service  is 
not  difficult  to  find.  Starting  humbly  as  a  clerk,  an  ambition  was  aroused  to 
become  a  merchant  herself.  With  this  definite  ambition,  close  observation,  un- 
tiring energy  and  thorough  study  of  the  principles  underlying  retail  mer- 
chandising, soon  brought  her  to  the  starting  point  of  an  independent  mer- 
cantile career.  The  experience  ripened  her  judgment,  fewer  and  fewer  mis- 
takes were  made,  success  followed  success  as  lines  were  broadened  and  trade 


152  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

increased  until  from  the  little  beginning  with  two  employes,  she  now  is  pro- 
prietor of  the  largest  as  well  as  the  second  oldest  retail  shoe  store  in  Scranton, 
employing  twenty-five  people,  enjoying  a  high  class  of  patronage,  sufficient  to 
keep  them  all  busy.  That  this  has  been  accomplished  in  the  years  since  i88i5 
seems  additional  reason  to  confer  upon  Mrs.  Evans  the  title  of  "Scranton's 
leading  business  woman." 

Mrs.  Jennie  Lewis  Evans  v/as  born  in  Carmarthenshire,  Wales,  daughter 
of  Reese  J.  and  Ann  (Jones)  Lewis.  Her  father,  Reese  J.  Lewis,  was  a  miner 
and  contractor  in  his  native  land,  coming  to  the  United  States  in  1868.  He 
spent  the  remaining  years  of  his  active  life  in  mining  operations,  prospered  and 
spent  his  last  years  retired.  He  died  m  1887.  (P'or  a  more  extended  account, 
see  sketch  of  William  R.  Lewis  in  this  work). 

Jennie  Lewis  was  brought  by  her  parents  to  Scranton  in  1868  and  here  she 
obtained  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools.  Determining  upon  a  busi- 
ness career  she  entered  the  employ  of  Goldsmith  Brothers,  continuing  until 
1888,  when  in  partnership  with  David  M.  Reilly,  she  established  a  letail  shoe 
store  at  No.  114  Wyoming  avenue,  under  the  firm  name,  Lewis  &  Reilly. 
The  business  grew,  and  prosperity  came  as  a  result  of  well  directed  effort  and 
the  best  modern  methods.  The  firm  established  a  high  standing  in  the  business 
world  for  energy  and  integrity,  and  existed  in  the  same  locality  and  under 
the  same  ownership  until  1900,  when  Mr.  Reilly  withdrew.  The  store  is  still 
continued  at  the  same  location  under  the  direct  management  of  Mrs.  Evans,  its 
founder,  but  greatly  enlarged  and  improved. 

Jennie  Lewis  married,  in  1909,  Elias  E.  Evans,  born  in  Wales  in  1862, 
son  of  Daniel  D.  Evans,  who  soon  afterward  came  with  his  family  to  the 
United  States,  locating  at  Hyde  Park  (Scranton)  where  he  organized  the  firm 
of  D.  D.  Evans  &  Company,  which  became  one  of  the  prosperous  busi- 
ness houses  of  that  section.  Elias  E.  Evans,  after  completing  his  studies, 
entered  mercantile  life,  and  is  now  proprietor  of  the  oldest  shoe  store  in 
Hyde  Park,  and  a  successful  and  prosperous  merchant,  senior  partner  of  the 
firm  of  Evans  &  Powell.  He  is  active  in  religious  and  public  life  of  Hyde 
Park,  served  twelve  years  as  school  director  and  is  a  deacon  of  Plymouth  Con- 
gregational Church.     Mrs.  Evans  is  also  a  communicant  of  that  church. 


GARRETT  SMITH 


Garrett  Smith,  a  prominent  and  influential  resident  of  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, traces  his  ancestry  through  a  long  line  of  English  forbears.  He  was 
born  near  Belvidere,  Warren  county.  New  Jersey,  September  17,  1830,  son 
of  Jacob  and  Caroline  (Axford)   Smith. 

Captain  John  Axford,  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Garrett  Smith,  was 
born  in  England,  December  22,  1761,  died  January  14,  1843.  He  came  to  this 
country  previous  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  in  which  he  actively  participated, 
receiving  his  commission  as  captain  under  General  Washington.  During  the 
struggle  he  made  his  home  at  Oxford  Furnace.  New  Jersey,  where  he  be- 
came possessor  of  a  large  tract  of  land  and  where  he  made  his  home  upon  the 
cessation  of  hostilities.  He  subsequently  became  a  drover,  an  occupation  he 
followed  for  many  years,  as  it  was  an  agreeable  and  lucrative  means  of  liveli- 
hood. He  bore  a  reputation  upon  which  there  was  no  suggestion  of  a  smirch, 
his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men  being  honorable  and  upright,  while  his  private 
life  was  scrupulously  clean.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  and  in 
politics  a  staunch  Whig.  He  married  Eleanor  P.  Polhemus,  born  in  the 
colonies,  April  7,  1767,  died  June  22,  1848,  aged  eighty-one  years,  daughter  of 
John  Polhemus,  of  English  birth,  and  granddaughter  of  John  Hart,  one  of  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


153 


signers    of    the    Declaration    of    Independence.      Children :      Abraham,    John, 
Charles,   Montgomery,  Eleanor. 

John  Axford,  maternal  grandfather  of  Garrett  Smith,  was  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  in  1829  moved  from  his  native  state  to 
southern  Michigan,  locating  in  Oakland  county,  a  section  of  the  state  then  a 
wilderness.  He  purchased  640  acres  in  the  oak  openings  and  erected  a  log 
house  in  the  middle  of  the  section.  As  a  farmer  he  was  practical  and  efficient, 
qualities  which  he  also  possessed  in  business  dealings,  together  with  a  keen 
sagacity.  He  married  (first)  Mary  De  Que,  of  French  extraction,  (second) 
Charity  Axford.  Children  of  first  marriage :  Samuel  T.,  John,  Abraham, 
Caroline,  Mary,  Sarah.     Child  of  second  marriage :     William  J. 

(I)  Peter  Smith,  paternal  grandfather  of  Garrett  Smith,  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  followed  his  occupation  of  farmer  in  Warren  county,  near  Oxford 
Furnace,  where  he  was  the  owner  of  260  acres  of  good  farm  land.  Upon  his 
death  the  property  came  into  possession  of  his  sons,  later  becoming  the  prop- 
erty of  Garrett  Smith,  who  still  retains  it,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  lots 
platted  for  the  village  of  Oxford  Furnace,  which  was  named  by  Captain 
John  .Oxford  for  Oxford,  England.  Peter  Smith  died  at  his  home  in  Belvidere, 
New  Jersey,  aged  eighty  years. 

(II)  Jacob  Smith,  father  of  Garrett  Smith,  was  born  in  Warren  counry. 
New  Jersey.  For  a  number  of  years  he  engaged  in  farming  in  the  vicinity 
of  Belvidere,  later  moving  to  near  Oxford  Furnace.  In  1855  he  located  in 
Michigan  and  purchased  a  farm  near  Rochester,  Oakland  county,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  married  Caroline  Axford,  born  in  New 
Jersey  in  1810,  died  in  1848.  Among  their  children  were:  i.  Sarah,  married 
William  Petty,  now  deceased,  of  Washington,  New  Jersey.  2.  Garrett,  of 
further  mention.  3.  John  A.,  a  resident  of  Oakland  county,  Michigan.  4. 
Samuel  T.,  a  resident  of  Rockaway,  New  Jersey,  who  served  as  private  in  a 
Pennsylvania  regiment  in  the  Union  army.  5.  Peter  J.,  a  resident  of  Rochelle 
Park,  now  Passaic,  New  Jersey,  a  lieutenant  in  a  New  Jersey  regiment  during 
the  Civil  War.    6.  Eliza.    7.  Caroline,  who  married  John  Kline. 

(III)  Garrett  Smith,  son  of  Jacob  and  Caroline  (Axford)  Smith,  was  born 
near  Oxford  Furnace,  Warren  county,  New  Jersey,  September  17,  1830,  and 
now  (1914)  in  his  eighty-fourth  year  is  an  honored  resident  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
township,  and  early  in  life  learned  the  miller's  trade.  He  came  to  Scranton  at 
an  early  date.  1848,  and  is  one  of  the  remaining  residents  of  this  city  who 
remember  the  little  settlement  as  Slocum  Hollow,  then  only  a  furnace  and 
rolling  mill.  He  came  here  in  company  witli  John  Landis,  making  the 
journey  from  New  Jersey  by  wagon  and  teams.  Mr.  Smith,  then  only  a 
boy,  drove  six  cows  and  it  took  four  days  to  complete  the  journey.  The  present 
city  was  then  little  more  than  a  hamlet,  giving  little  promise  of  the  prosperous 
Scranton  of  to-day.  Mr.  Smith's  fund  of  experience  in  the  new  section  is  most 
interesting  and  includes  the  fact  that  he  has  hunted  rabbits  over  the  ground 
now  occupied  by  the  Lackawanna  county  court  house.  For  eight  months 
he  worked  on  a  farm  rented  by  Mr.  Landis  and  owned  by  the  Lackawanna 
Iron  and  Coal  Company,  on  which  the  Delaware.  Lackawanna  &  Western  Rail- 
road station  and  shops  are  now  located.  In  the  fall  of  1849  h^  was  employed 
in  the  old  frame  Slocum  mill,  operated  by  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Com- 
pany. In  1850  a  new  mill,  the  Brick  mill,  was  erected  by  the  same  company, 
that  began  grinding  the  same  year,  with  Mr.  Smith  as  foreman  or  head  miller. 
This  mill  turned  out  600  barrels  of  flour  per  month.  For  thirty  years  this 
mill  was  run  by  water  power,  steam  then  being  introduced,  obtained  from  the 


154  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

company's  rolling  mills.  For  fifty-three  years  INlr.  Smith  held  his  position ; 
the  mill  was  abandoned  in  1901,  and  he  then  retired  from  active  labor,  a  most 
wonderful  and  praiseworthy  record  of  loyalty  and  appreciation.  On  April  i, 
i860,  Mr.  Smith  removed  to  his  present  house,  then  a  farm  house  located  upon 
a  farm  owned  by  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company, 
consisting  of  300  acres  and  known  as  the  Griffin  farm  tract.  The  house  in 
which  he  still  resides  was  built  in  181 2,  and  for  many  years  he  not  only  acted 
as  the  chief  miller  for  the  company  by  which  he  was  employed  but  also  had 
the  supervision  of  this  entire  farm,  looking  after  these  two  interests  at  the 
same  time.  This  entire  tract  of  land  has  since  been  sold  for  building  lots  and 
it  is  now  thickly  covered  with  residences. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith  and  for  thirty  years  has  been 
a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Washburn  Street  Presbyterian 
Oiurch,  most  of  that  time  serving  as  president  of  the  board.  His  political 
affiliations  have  always  been  strongly  Republican.  To  few  men  has  so  long  a 
term  of  active  life  been  vouchsafed  as  to  Mr.  Smith.  His  long  and  useful 
life  is  a  record  of  duty  well  performed,  and  now  long  past  the  allotted  term  of 
man's  life  he  takes  a  keen  delight  in  the  doings  of  the  present,  although  for 
him  the  "long  ago''  is  filled  with  the  most  pleasant  reminiscence.  A  com- 
panionable, sprightly  old  gentleman  he  boasts  a  host  of  warm  appreciative 
friends  to  whom  he  is  both  an  inspiration  and  a  delight.  He  is  an  authority 
on  local  history,  his  residence  covering  the  long  gap  between  Slocum  Hollow 
of  1840  and  Scranton,  the  prosperous,  thickly  populated  capital  of  Lackawanna 
county  of  to-day. 

^Ir.  Smith  married  Mary  H.  Landis,  who  died  in  Scranton,  October  9,  1891, 
daughter  of  John  Landis,  with  whom  he  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Scranton. 
Children:  Samuel  Irving,  a  farmer  of  Lackawynna  township;  Li?zie  Bell, 
widow  of  Frank  Freeman,  lives  with  her  father;  Marvin  Colvin.  an  employee 
of  the  Gas  and  Water  Company. 


LAYTON  L.  SHOEMAKER 

A  guest  enjoying  the  genial  hospitality  of  the  Hotel  Jermyn  where  his 
every  need  had  been  anticipated  and  every  provision  made  for  his  comfort, 
gives  little  thought  to  the  master  mind  behind  it  all,  but  regards  only  the  im- 
mediate party  supplying  each  need.  Chef,  cook,  waiter,  clerk  or  maid  are  each 
lauded  in  turn,  but  of  Mr.  Shoemaker,  the  managing  mind  of  it  all,  he  knows 
or  sees  but  little.  Yet  each  detail  of  each  department  is  well  known  to  him, 
its  head  is  selected  and  instructed  by  him  and  the  burden  of  the  management 
of  the  great  hotel,  that  cares  each  day  for  a  number  of  people  greater  than 
the  entire  population  of  many  villages,  rests  entirely  upon  his  shoulders.  So 
the  personality  of  the  man  who  silent  and  unseen,  is  so  important  to  the  pros- 
perity of  the  great  enterprise,  becomes  of  interest. 

Layton  L.  Shoemaker  was  born  in  Cherry  Valley,  Pennsylvania,  October 
23,  1872.  He  is  the  son  of  Theodore  Shoemaker,  born  in  Cherry  Valley  in 
1821,  son  of  German  parents,  died  1888,  his  death  caused  by  accident.  He 
was  a  farmer  of  the  valley  for  several  years,  later  moving  to  East  Stroudsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  entered  the  bridge  building  department  of  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  as  carpenter,  continuing  until  an  un- 
lucky fall  from  a  bridge  on  which  he  was  employed  caused  his  death. 

Lavton  L.  Shoemaker  spent  his  very  early  life  in  Stroudsburg,  coming  to 
Scranton  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  there  passing  through  the  public  schoo', 
finishing  in  high  school,  although  not  completing  the  full  course,  having  ear'y 
in  life  the  problem  of  making  his  own  way  in  the  world  thrust  upon  him.     He 


^-    >3  ^  ^/^^^^-^-^^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  153 

began  his  business  career  as  errand  boy  in  the  employ  of  C.  S.  Woolworlh. 
continuing  six  years,  but  in  higher  position.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of 
The  Grand  Union  Tea  Company,  at  No.  109  Wyoming  avenue,  as  clerk,  re- 
maining five  years,  then  was  transferred  to  the  Lackawanna  avenue  store  of 
the  same  city,  holding  the  same  position  there  for  three  years.  In  1894  he 
became  a  clerk  for  F.  S.  Godfrey,  proprietor  of  the  Lackawanna  Valley 
House,  Scranton,  and  there  gained  his  first  experience  in  the  hotel  business. 
He  remained  with  Mr.  Godfrey  two  years,  then  became  manager  of  the  cigar 
business  of  the  Hotel  Jermyn.  The  following  year  he  was  appointed  cashier 
of  the  hotel,  two  years  later  became  head  clerk,  and  on  January  i,  1912,  was 
appointed  manager  of  the  hotel,  which  position  he  most  capably  fills.  His 
management  of  this  greatest  of  Scranton  hotels  has  met  with  the  entire  ap- 
proval of  the  owners,  while  the  patrons  of  the  hotel  are  loudest  in  its  praise. 
The  knowledge  of  duty  well  performed  brings  its  own  satisfaction  and  reward; 
the  consciousness  that  one's  efforts  are  noted  and  appreciated  is  a  source  of 
gratification  to  any  man,  and  to  none  does  greater  credit  belong  than  to  Mr. 
Shoemaker,  who  has  fairly  won  his  way  from  the  bottom  of  the  ladder.  He 
is  progressive,  energetic  and  practical,  rides  no  hobbies,  but  with  well  formed 
plans,  directs  this  great  house  of  entertainment,  with  strict  regard  for  the 
interest  of  the  owners  and  the  just  rights  of  the  traveling  public.  He  realizes 
that  these  never  conflict  but  are  so  closely  allied  that  should  either  be  neglected, 
both  must  suffer.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottisli 
Rite,  thirty-second  degree,  also  a  "Shriner"  of  Irem  Temple,  Wilkes-Barre. 
In  his  personality  genial  and  generous,  the  number  of  his  friends  is  legion 
and  all  have  for  him  a  sincere  regard. 


EMILIO  DEANTONIO,  1\L  D. 

Of  gentle  blood,  high  university  attainments  and  of  political  importance  in 
the  city  of  his  birth,  Dr.  Deantonio  voluntarily  relinguished  position  and  friends 
to  become  a  resident  of  the  United  States.  His  father,  Francesco  Deantonio, 
was  a  distinguished  scholar,  physician,  naturalist,  for  several  years  professor 
of  natural  science  at  the  Lyceum  of  Alexandria  and  translator  of  the  famous 
Tito  Lucretio  Caro  poem  "De  Rerum  Natura."  This  great  work  was  pre- 
sented in  manuscript  form  to  the  municipality  of  Alexandria,  North  Italy, 
after  the  translator's  death,  by  his  widow.  So  highly  was  the  gift  prized  that 
that  municipality  defrayed  all  cost  of  publication  and  gave  it  to  the  world  in 
book  form.  Professor  Deantonio  married  Angiolina  Rossi,  of  Turin,  Pied- 
mont (North  Italy),  and  had  six  children:  i.  Emilio,  of  further  mention. 
2.  Felix,  prepared  for  the  practice  of  law  under  the  famed  Italian  jurist. 
Vincenzo  Demaria.  co-worker  in  the  promulgation  of  the  New  Italian  Penal 
Code ;  Felix  Deantonio  is  a  leading  criminal  lawyer  of  Turin,  Italy ;  he  mar- 
ried the  then  only  living  descendant  of  the  renowned  Italian  astronomer  and 
mathematician,  Giovanni  Plana:  she  died  in  Turin  in  1913,  leaving  large  estates 
in  Stradella,  Piedmont.  3.  Carlo,  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  skillful  military 
tacticians  of  the  Italian  army  in  which  he  holds  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel : 
resides  in  Milan,  Italy ;  he  was  for  many  years  professor  of  the  Italian  School 
of  War,  has  won  recognition  from  both  his  own  and  other  governments  by 
whom  he  has  been  decorated  with  many  badges  of  honor  ;  he  married  Baroness 
Bichi,  of  one  of  Italy's  noble  families.  4.  Attilio,  now  and  for  many  years 
professor  of  literature  in  the  high  school  of  Casale  Monferrat.  5.  Louise, 
married  Fortunato  Tiscar,  Chevalier  of  the  Crown  of  Italy,  the  well  known 
Italian  consular   agent  of   Scranton.     6.  Josephine,   married   Julius   Fassella, 


156  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

professor  of  physics  and  mathematics  of   Milan  Normal   School,  son  of  the 
late  director  of  the  Italian  Naval  School  at  Genoa. 

Dr.  Emilio  Deantonio  was  born  at  Alexandria,  Northern  Italy,  October  4. 
1870.  He  was  educated  in  the  preliminary  school  of  Alexandria,  the  Roya. 
University  of  Turin  and  Pavia  University,  receiving  from  the  latter  institution 
at  his  graduation  in  1894  the  degree  of  M.D.  He  was  for  one  year  assistant 
to  the  present  deputy,  R.  Rampoldi,  who  is  professor  of  ophtalmology  at  Pavia 
University.  Dr.  Deantonio,  soon  after  taking  his  degree,  entered  the  arena 
'of  public  life  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the  council,  governing  the  city  of 
Alexandria.  Later  he  was  elected  to  select  council,  so  well  had  he  served  the 
interests  of  the  municipality.  During  his  tenure  of  office  as  a  councilman,  he 
visited  the  United  States  in  1903,  arriving  on  the  steamer  '"Lombardia."  He 
traveled  over  the  country  with  an  observant  eye  and  becoming  convinced  of 
the  wisdom  of  such  a  step  resigned  his  official  position  in  Alexandria,  gave 
up  his  practice  and  has  ever  since  been  a  resident  of  Scranton.  He  established 
an  office  at  No.  346  Franklin  avenue  for  the  practice  of  medicine  and  has 
found  a  most  satisfactory  demand  for  his  professional  services.  Thoroughly 
qualified  in  his  profession,  mastering  several  languages,  an  educated  gentleman 
and  a  man  of  refined  tastes  and  habits.  Dr.  Deantonio  has  many  friends,  who 
esteem  him  not  alone  for  his  skill  as  a  physician,  but  as  a  highly  regarded 
friend.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Scranton  Private  Hospital;  fellow 
of  the  .\merican  Medical  .'\ssociation,  and  a  Progressive  in  politics. 


WALTER  LIVINGSTON  LAWRENCE 

The  ancestry  of  the  Lawrence  family  is  to  be  sought  in  that  part  of  Con- 
tinental Europe  that  was  the  home  of  the  Knickerbockers.  The  records  of 
the  Old  Dutch  Church  at  New  York  give  the  arrival  and  marriage  of  the  emi- 
grant ancestor  and  the  baptism  of  his  children,  from  which  it  would  appear 
that  the  surname  of  Lawrence  in  a  less  x'Knglicized  form  was  adopted  by  the 
emigrant,  because  he  was  the  son  of  a  man  whose  Christian  name  was  Laurens, 
and  that  Popinga  was  the  actual  surname  of  the  family,  if  it  had  any,  in 
Holland.  In  the  list  "Niewe  Ledematen  Aengekomen"  is:  "Anno  1662  den  2 
Jul.  Thomas  Laurenszen  Popinga ;"  and  in  the  margin  is :  "Jun.  9  1663  Thomas 
Laurenszen  j.  m.  (bachelor)  Van  Groeningen  en  Marritje  Jans  wede.  (widow") 
Van  Cornells  Langevelt."  A  preceding  entry  is:  "den  19  Januar.  1658  Cornells 
Van  Langevelt  Van  St.  Laurens  in  Vlaenderen  en  Marytje  Jans,  Van  N. 
Amsterdam."  There  are  the  following  baptisms :  Aeltje,  Laurens,  Thomas, 
Samuel,  Rachel,  all  children  of  Thomas  Laurenszen  and  Marritje  Jans,  born 
between  the  dates  March  26,  1664,  and  November  19,  1681.  The  eldest  son 
of  Thomas  and  Marritje  Laurenszen  was  the  father  of  Thomas,  a  councillor 
of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania.  The  same  records  give  his  marriage:  "1687, 
den  15  April  ingeschreven,  Laurens  Thomaszen,  j.  m.  Van  N.  York  en  Cath- 
arina  Lievens  j.  d.  als  boven,  beyde  woonende  alhier,  getrouwt  den  11  May." 
In  a  MS.  which  was  among  Chief  Justice  Tilghman's  papers  are  the  follow- 
ing entries  preceding  the  entries  in  the  handwriting  of  Thomas,  the  councillor: 

"10  May  1687  L:  Thomas  mary'd  Catherin  Lewis,  he  aged  20  years  and  10 
months  and  she  17  years  and  9  months.  Sep.  4  1689  Was  born  Thomas. 
Christened  the  8th.  20  Oct.  1692  Was  born  Mary,  Christened  the  23d.  8 
June  Was  born  Rachell,  Christened  ye  14th.  21st  Jan.  1698  Was  born 
Samuel,  Christened  ye  22nd.  12th  May  1699  Was  born  Cornells,  Christened 
ye  i6th.  9th  ist  1700  Was  born  Lawrens,  Christened  ye  loth.  15  Sep.  1702 
Dyed  Catherin  wife  of  Lawrence  Thomas." 

Lawrens  Lawrence   (mentioned  previously)  married,  in  Jamaica,  Susanna, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  157 

daughter  of  John  Lawrence,  or  Lawrance,  of  that  island,  and  was  the  ancestor 
of  J.  H.  Lawrence-Archer,  compiler  of  "Monumental  Inscriptions  in  the 
British  West  Indies." 

Thomas  Lawrence,  as  the  aforementioned  record  shows,  was  born  Sep- 
tember 4,  1689,  and  the  record  of  his  baptism  in  the  Old  Dutch  Church  at 
New  York  is:  "1689  den  8  Sept.  (Ouders)  Laurens  Thomaszen,  Catharina 
Lievens,  ( Kinders )  Thomas.  ( Getuygen )  Thomas  Laurenszen  Popinga. 
Geesje  Barens."  He  appears  to  have  settled  in  Philadelphia  about  the  be- 
ginning of  1720,  his  son  Thomas  being  born  there  on  April  i6th  of  that  year, 
William  Assheton,  the  admiralty  judge,  and  Thomas  Sober  standing  as  g0(i- 
fathers,  while  Catherine  was  the  godmother  at  the  christening,  on  the  24th  of 
that  month.  He  entered  about  this  time  into  mercantile  life,  being  subse- 
quently mentioned  by  Logan  as  associated  with  niin  in  shipping,  and  in  1730 
he  became  the  partner  of  Edward  Shippen,  who  afterward  moved  to  Lan- 
caster, the  firm  being  Shippen  &  Lawrence.  He  continued  a  merchant  until 
his  death,  residing  on  Water  street,  and  owning  considerable  land  near  the 
city  as  well  as  farms  in  New  Jersey.  Christopher  Gadsden,  one  of  the  m^-n 
who  attained  prominence  in  colonial  affairs  and  a  signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  spent  his  early  years  in  the  countinghouse  of  Thomas 
Lawrence.  Thomas  Lawrence's  family  attended  Christ  Church,  and  in  1722 
he  was  its  junior  warden,  being  in  1749  one  of  the  committee  appointed  to 
draft  its  charter.  He  was  elected  a  common  councilman  of  Philadelphia, 
October  3,  1722;  alderman,  October  6,  1724;  mayor  in  1727-28-34-49-53,  hold- 
ing the  latter  honorable  office  at  his  death.  He  was  invited  to  a  seat  in  the 
Provincial  council  by  Lieutenant-Governor  Gordon,  April  20,  1727,  but  did 
not  qualify  until  May  10,  1728.  In  January,  1736-37,  he  was  despatched  by 
the  council  to  Lancaster  county  in  company  with  Ralph  Assheton  to  take 
measures  for  the  expulsion  of  a  party  of  Marylanders  who  were  endeavoring 
to  dispossess  the  settlers  on  the  Susquehanna  river,  and  returned,  after  an 
absence  of  two  weeks,  reporting  the  organization  of  a  posse  comitatus.  In 
September,  1745.  Mr.  Lawrence  was  deputed  one  of  the  commissioners  from 
Pennsylvania  to  treat  with  the  Six  Indian  Nations  at  Albany.  On  January 
I,  1747-48,  Benjamin  Franklin,  declining  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
Associated  Regiment  of  Foot  for  Philadelphia,  "recommended  Mr.  Lawrence, 
a  fine  person  and  a  man  of  influence,"  says  the  Autobiography,  "who  was  ac- 
cordingly appointed."  Among  his  many  and  varied  activities  Thomas  Law- 
rence was  for  some  time  the  presiding  judge  of  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  s 
subscriber  to  the  Dancing  Assembly,  and  a  trustee  of  the  College. 

His  marriage  is  thus  recorded  by  himself:  "Ye  25th  of  May  1719  I, 
Thomas  Lawrence  was  maryed  to  Rachell  Longfield  at  Raritan  by  Parson 
Vaughn.  Present  our  parents.  I  convened  John  Spratt,  Thomas  Clark  and 
Richard  Ashfield."  She  was  born  in  1689,  died  at  Philadelphia,  and  is  buried 
in  Christ  Church  yard,  daughter  of  Cornelius  Longfield,  of  New  Brunswick, 
East  Jersey,  who  was  probably  the  "Cornells  Langevelt"  who  was  a  son  by 
the  first  marriage  of  Thomas  Lawrence's  grandmother.  Cornelius  Longfield 
had  two  other  children,  Henry  and  Catherine,  who  married  John  Cox,  and 
was  mother  of  John  Cox,  of  Bloomsburg.  New  Jersey,  and  grandmother  of 
the  wife  of  Hon.  Horace  Binney  and  the  wife  of  John  Redman  Coxe,  M.  D., 
of  Philadelphia. 

Thomas  Lawrence  died  April  20,  1754,  and  was  buried  in  the  family 
vault  in  Christ  Church  yard,  the  following  obituary  notice  appearing  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Gazette:  "Last  Sunday,  after  a  tedious  Fit  of  Sickness,  died 
here,  very  much  lamented,  Thomas  Lawrence,  Esq.  He  had  the  Honour  to 
be  a  Member  of  the  Council  of  this  Province,  was  President  of  the  Court  of 


158  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Common  Pleas  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  had  been  five  Times  elected 
Mayor  of  this  City,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  these  Offices  ended  his  life. 
Characters  are  extreamly  delicate,  and  few  or  none  drawn  with  Exactness 
and  at  Length,  are  free  of  Blemish.  Of  this  Gentleman  we  think  it  may  be 
truely  said,  he  was  an  affectionate  Husband,  a  tender  Parent,  a  kind  indulgent 
Master,  and  a  faithful  Friend.  The  Funeral  was  respectfully  attended  on 
Tuesday  Evening  by  a  great  number  of  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  the  Place, 
who  justly  regret  the  Death  of  so  able  and  diligent  a  Magistrate  as  a  public 
Loss."  Children  of  Thomas  and  Rachell  (Longfield)  Lawrence:  i.  Thomas, 
of  whom  further.  2.  Henry,  born  August  10,  1721,  died  in  infancy.  3.  John, 
born  November  20,  1722,  died  in  infancy.  4.  John  Spratt,  born  May  30. 
1724,  educated  at  Oxford,  England,  became  a  prominent  attorney  of  Phila- 
delphia, was  a  member  of  the  council,  an  alderman,  mayor  of  the  city  from 
1765  to  1767,  and  was  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court;  he  married,  April  19. 
1750,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Tench  Francis,  attorney-general  of  Pennsylvania. 
and  Elizabeth  (Turbutt)  Francis,  and  died  January  20,  1799.  5.  Mary,  born 
November  30,  1725,  died  in  1799;  she  married,  August  31,  1754,  William 
Masters,  of  Philadelphia,  son  of  Thomas  Masters,  who  in  1708  was  mayor  of 
the  city  and  was  for  three  years  a  member  of  the  Provincial  council.  6. 
Longfield,  born  January  27,  1727,  died  in  infancy.  7.  Catherine,  born  No- 
vember 5,  1728,  died  January  13,  1729.  8.  Longfield,  born  May  19,  1731,  died 
in  infancy. 

Thomas  (2)  Lawrence,  eldest  child  of  Thomas  (i)  and  Rachell  (Long- 
field)  Lawrence,  was  born  April  16,  1720,  was  baptized  at  Christ's  Church, 
April  24,  1720,  died  in  Philadelphia,  January  21,  1775,  and  is  buried  in  Christ 
Church  yard.  Upon  becoming  of  age  he  engaged  in  business  in  partnership 
with  Peter  Bard,  opening  a  store  on  Water  street,  opposite  that  of  his  father, 
and  prospering.  He  then  became  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  public  life  of 
the  day,  was  chosen  a  common  councilman  of  the  city,  October  4,  1748,  was 
vendue  master  from  1752  to  1765,  became  an  alderman  in  1755,  and  mayor  in 
1758  and  1764.  His  country-seat,  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  the  Northern 
Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  was  called  Clairmont.  He  married,  at  Morrisania, 
New  York,  May  9,  1743,  Mary,  born  November  i,  1724,  died  in  New  York, 
in  1808,  and  is  buried  in  the  North  Church  yard  at  Hamburg,  New  Jersey, 
daughter  of  the  Hon.  Lewis  Morris,  of  Morrisania,  judge  of  the  vice-ad- 
miralty for  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  his  first  wife,  Trintie  or  Catherine 
(Staats)  Morris.  Children  of  Thomas  (2)  and  Mary  (Morris)  Lawrence: 
I.  Katherine,  born  February  5,  1744,  died  May  24,  1784;  married,  in  1765, 
John  Shee,  prominent  in  the  public  service  of  Philadelphia  and  a  soldier  m 
the  Revolution.  2.  Thomas,  of  whom  further.  3.  Rachel,  born  October  30, 
1747,  died  in  February,  1783;  married  John  Marston.  4.  Lewis  Morris,  died 
in  infancy.  5.  John,  born  September  15,  1751,  died  about  1799;  married 
Elizabeth  St.  Clair,  whose  father  was  General  Arthur  St.  Clair,  of  Revolu- 
tionary fame.  6.  Staats,  died  in  infancy.  7.  Robert  Hunter,  died  in  infancy. 
8.  William,  born  September  22,  1755,  died  1795;  married  Jane  Tongalou 
Ricketts,  of  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey.  9.  Morris,  died  young.  10.  Staats, 
lost  at  sea.  11.  Richard  Morris,  died  young.  12.  Mary,  born  November  5. 
1765,  died  before  1796;  married  Warren  DeLancey. 

Thomas  (3)  Lawrence,  second  child  and  eldest  son  of  Thomas  (2)  and 
Mary  (Morris)  Lawrence,  was  born  October  6,  1745,  was  baptized  at  Christ 
Church,  and  died  in  Hamburgh,  New  Jersey,  November  18,  1823.  He  en- 
gaged in  business  in  New  York  City  and  was  afterward  a  merchant  in  New 
Jersey,  becoming  a  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Sussex  county. 
He  married   (first)   Rebecca,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Bond,  the  founder  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  159 

the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  who  resided  at  Kenderton,  in  Philadelphia  county, 
Pennsylvania.  She  died  November  28,  1771.  He  married  (second)  his  cousin 
Mary,  daughter  of  Lewis  Morris,  of  Morrisania,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  She  died  at  New  York  in  July,  1776.  He  married  (third) 
his  cousin,  Catherine  Morris,  a  sister  of  his  second  wife.  Children  of  first 
marriage  of  Thomas  Lawrence:  i.  Mary,  born  October  16,  1769;  married, 
in  December,  1789,  Gabriel  Ludlum,  a  judge  of  Orange  county.  New  York. 
2.  Sarah  Rebecca,  born  June  i,  1771,  died  at  Hamilton,  Madison  county.  New 
York,  July  i,  1850;  married  Warren  De  Lancey,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary 
war.  Child  of  second  marriage  of  Thomas  Lawrence :  3.  Thomas  John,  born 
July  4,  1776;  was  an  ensign  in  the  First  Regiment  United  States  Infantry  in 
1799,  in  which  year  he  died  at  Baltimore.  Children  of  third  marriage  of 
Thomas  Lawrence:  4.  Lewis  Moi  ris,  born  1779,  died  in  early  youth.  5 
Maria,  born  1780,  died  1870;  married,  1810,  Walter  Lewis  Shee,  her  cousin. 
6.  Richard  Morris,  born  1781,  dieci  unmarried  in  1858.  7.  Catherine  Jane 
Tumbull,  born  1782,  died  unmarried  in  1862.  8.  Jacob,  born  1784,  died  in 
boyhood.  9.  William,  born  1785,  died  in  early  youth.  10.  Lena,  born  1787, 
died  in  girlhood.  11.  Thomas  Johnson,  of  whom  further.  12.  Sarah  Morris, 
born  1793,  died  in  November,  1814;  married,  in  1813,  Dr.  Jesse  Arnell. 

Thomas  Johnson  Lawrence,  son  of  Thomas  (3)  and  his  third  wife,  Cath- 
erine (Morris)  Lawrence,  was  born  in  1789,  died  December  7,  185 1.  His 
home  was  at  Morrisvale,  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  although  his  business 
kept  him  much  of  the  time  on  the  road.  He  married,  at  Christ  Church,  De- 
cember I,  1813,  Janet  Willson,  who  died  December  17,  1821.  Children:  i. 
Thomas,  of  whom  further.  2.  Catherine  Morris,  born  November  i,  1816, 
died  unmarried  at  Oaklands,  November  24,  1875.  3.  Euphemia  Ogden,  born 
May  20,  1818,  died  1820.  4.  Julia  Ludlum,  born  May  20,  1818.  5.  Sabina 
Rutherford,  born  1819,  died  young. 

Thomas  Lawrence,  eldest  son  and  child  of  Thomas  Johnson  and  Janet 
(Willson)  Lawrence,  was  born  in  Hamburgh,  New  Jersey,  December  30, 
1814,  died  in  1893.  His  education  was  obtained  principally  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  town,  and  at  the  completion  of  his  studies  he  engaged 
in  the  milling  business  at  Lafayette,  New  Jersey.  He  then  went  to  Sparta, 
New  Jersey,  and  there  for  a  time  engaged  in  the  foundry  business,  leaving 
this  occupation  to  return  to  the  home  farm  at  Hamburgh.  Here  he  remained 
until  his  death,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  public  life  of  the  state.  From  1879 
to  1891  he  was  a  member  of  the  state  senate  and  in  addition  to  this  important 
service  he  was  for  twenty-five  years  interested  in  educational  work  through- 
out the  state  as  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Education.  He  was  also  the 
representative  of  his  county  upon  the  State  Geological  Board  until  his  death.. 
Through  his  wisely  directed  and  willing  efforts  New  Jersey  was  made  the 
beneficiary  of  the  talents  that  have  been  possessed  in  such  great  abundance 
by  the  members  of  the  Lawrence  family,  all  the  previous  generations  of  the 
name  having  oflfered  their  allegiance  to  Pennsylvania,  the  pages  of  whose  his- 
tory they  brightened  to  a  marked  degree  by  the  fidelity  of  their  service.  He 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Martha  (Linn)  Taylor,  of  Sparta. 
New  Jersey.  Children  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Lawrence ;  Martha  Morris, 
Thomas,  Hugh  Taylor,  Janet  Willson,  Robert  Linn,  Staats  Morris,  Margaret 
Rembert,  Walter  Livingston,  of  whom  further ;  Gabriel  Ludlum,  Catherine, 
Maria  Morris. 

Walter  Livingston  Lawrence,  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Taylor)  Law- 
rence, was  born  in  Hamburgh,  Sussex  county,  New  Jersey,  March  10,  1857. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace  and  later  matriculated  at 
Rutgers  College,  whence  he  was  graduated  B.  S.  in  1878.     His  first  employ- 


i6o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ment  was  with  the  United  States  government  as  a  member  of  the  census- 
taking  force  engaged  in  compiling  the  tenth  federal  census  of  1880,  his  first 
business  experience  being  obtained  with  the  Burden  Iron  Company,  of  New 
York,  as  mining  engineer.  He  was  the  chief  promoter  of  the  Hudson  River 
Ore  and  Iron  Company,  organized  at  Hudson,  New  York,  and  until  1886  was 
assistant  general  manager  of  this  company's  interests,  in  that  year  opening  an 
office  in  New  York  City,  where  he  conducted  business  as  a  mining  engineer 
for  a  short  time.  In  October  of  the  same  year  he  accepted  a  position  in  the 
real  estate  office  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company  as  chief  clerk  and  en- 
gineer, and  in  1904  succeeded  to  the  position  of  head  of  the  department,  a 
vacancy  caused  by  the  retirement  of  C.  S.  Weston,  the  former  incumbent. 
He  still  serves  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  in  this  capacity  and  manages  with  wisf 
and  far-seeing  judgment  the  various  real  estate  operations  of  that  company. 
His  length  of  service  in  that  employ  is  an  eloquent  testimonial  to  the  genera! 
satisfaction  with  which  his  work  has  been  regarded,  and  with  the  benefit  of 
twenty  years  experience  he  is  at  the  present  time  better  fitted  to  fulfill  the 
duties  of  his  office  than  at  any  other  time  in  his  career.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  and  in  political  issues  supports 
Republican  principles.  His  church  is  the  Protestant  Episcopal,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  Green  Ridge,  being  a  vestry- 
man and  secretary  from  1887  to  1903. 

Mr.  Lawrence  married  Laura  Lovell  Brown,  daughter  of  John  Hancock  and 
Lucy  (Lovell)  Brown.  Children:  Jeannette  Wilson,  born  1884;  Lovell,  born 
1887;  Morris,  born  1897. 


PETER  WILLIAM  HAAS 

From  Germany  came  Daniel  Haas,  father  of  Peter  W.  Haas,  the  recorder 
of  deeds  of  Lackawanna  county,  descendant  of  an  old  and  honorable  German 
family.  He  was  a  man  of  forty  years  of  age  when  he  arrived  in  Scranton, 
where  he  was  first  employed  in  the  mines,  later  as  a  worker  in  the  employ  of 
the  Lackawanna  Iron  &  Steel  Company  of  this  city.  In  the  discharge  of  his 
duty  he  received  injuries  that  caused  his  death  in  1893.  His  wife,  Amelia 
(Benke)  Haas,  who  survives  him,  is  also  of  German  parentage.  Children: 
Fred  P.,  of  New  Jersey,  connected  with  the  Richardson  and  Boynton  Com- 
pany ;  Peter  W.,  of  whom  further ;  Minnie,  a  clerk  in  the  International  Cor- 
respondence Schools ;  Harriet,  married  Edward  Reese ;  Mary,  married  Herman 
Bonnert ;  Annie,  married  Adolph  Hoffmeister ;  Harry,  residing  in  Detroit ; 
Jeannette,  a  clerk,  residing  in  Scranton  with  her  widowed  mother  and  her 
sister  Minnie. 

Peter  William  Haas,  second  son  of  Daniel  and  Amelia  (Benke)  Haas,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  January  3,  1877.  He  obtained  a  good  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools,  supplemented  by  a  course  at  the  Scranton  Business 
College.  He  began  his  career  as  a  breaker  boy,  graduating  from  that  to  a  posi- 
tion as  clerk  in  a  clothing  store.  This  was  followed  by  a  term  of  service  with 
the  Scranton  Tribune-Republican,  later  with  the  International  Text  Book  Com- 
pany, after  which  he  became  proprietor  of  a  hotel  on  the  South  Side.  In  191 1 
he  was  appointed  clerk  in  the  county  commissioner's  office,  and  in  1913  was 
nominated  by  the  Republican  county  convention  for  the  office  of  recorder  of 
deeds,  and  at  the  following  election,  November  4,  was  elected  by  a  large  ma- 
jority. He  assumed  the  duties  of  that  office  on  January  i,  1914.  This  is  not 
Mr.  Haas'  introduction  to  official  life.  He  served  in  the  common  council  from 
the  nineteenth  ward  for  two  years,  was  select  councilman  from  the  eleventh 
ward,  and  was  chairman  of  the  old  council  that  was  a  victim  of  the  "Ripper" 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  i6i 

bill  that  was  enacted  by  the  Pennsylvania  legislature.  In  all  capacities  he  has 
proved  efficient,  and  has  won  the  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens  to  a  high 
degree.  That  he  measures  up  to  the  same  lofty  standard  as  recorder  of  deeds 
is  a  foregone  conclusion.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Pa- 
triotic Order  Sons  of  America,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the  Scranton 
Athletic  Club,  and  the  German  Presbyterian  Church. 

He  married,  in  October,  1897,  Minnie,  daughter  of  John  Halin.  of  Scranton. 
Children:  Clarence,  Robert,  Peter  William  (2),  Edna.  The  family  residence 
is  at  No.  415  Pittston  avenue. 


ERASMUS  DENTON  AMES 

The  history  of  the  Ames  family  carries  back  to  early  Colonial  days  in  New 
England,  the  settlement  in  Pennsylvania  having  been  made  by  a  descendant  of 
the  emigrant,  Joseph  (2)  Ames,  a  Connecticut  farmer,  grandfather  of  Eras- 
mus D.  Ames,  present  cashier  of  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  Valley  Rail- 
road C'Laurel  Line").  On  leaving  his  Connecticut  farm  Joseph  Ames  settled 
in  Canaan  Corners,  Pennsylvania.  The  family  is  of  English  origin  and  Con- 
necticut the  first  seat  of  this  branch  in  America. 

(I)  Joseph  Ames  was  born  in  Stonington,  Connecticut,  and  there  lived  his 
entire  life,  although  he  made  a  long  visit  with  his  son  Joseph  (2).  He  served 
in  the  Revolutionary  army  and  for  his  services  drew  a  government  pension 
in  his  later  years.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  as  were  his  progenitors 
He  married,  in  1777,  Hannah  Tyler,  and  had  issue:  William,  Erastus,  Han- 
nah, Elijah,  Joseph.  William  Ames  settled  at  Rockford,  Illinois,  and  during 
the  administration  of  President  Pierce  was  United  States  minister  to  Germany. 

(II)  Joseph  (2)  Ames,  son  of  Joseph  (i)  Ames,  was  born  in  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  October  28,  1790,  died  in  Canaan  township,  Wayne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  August,  1849.  He  spent  his  minority  on  the  home  farm,  then,  on 
a  fine  horse,  his  only  possession,  he  rode  westward  to  Wayne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, a  locality  that  lured  many  Connecticut  farmers  from  their  native 
state.  For  the  first  three  years  he  taught  school  in  the  rude  log  schoolhouse 
of  the  county,  married,  and  settled  on  125  acres  of  wild  land  he  had  purchased 
at  Canaan  Corners.  This  he  partially  cleared  and  made  his  home  for  several 
years.  He  then  sold  this  property  and  purchased  150  acres,  100  of  which  he 
lived  to  clear,  cultivate  and  improve  with  substantial  buildings.  He  was  an 
ardent  Whig  politically,  and  in  spite  of  his  modesty  and  retiring  disposition  he 
was  frequently  called  to  public  offices  of  trust  by  his  neighbors.  He  was  a 
member  of  Wymart  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  a  man  highly 
regarded  for  his  uprightness  of  life  and  his  benevolence.  He  married  Ger- 
trude, daughter  of  Colonel  John  H.  Schenck,  of  Monmouth  county.  New  Jer 
sey,  of  Dutch  ancestry.  Colonel  Schenck,  born  in  Monmouth,  was  a  wealthy 
man  and  during  the  Revolution  armed  and  equipped  a  regiment  which  he 
personally  commanded  until  the  war  was  over.  Gertrude,  his  daughter,  was 
born  in  1793,  in  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey,  and  came  to  Wayne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  with  her  father,  who  was  one  of  the  Wayne  county  pioneers. 
Colonel  Schenck  died  at  Canaan  Corners  after  a  life  of  political  prominence 
in  Wayne  county.  Children  of  Joseph  and  Gertrude  .A.mes :  Erasmus  D., 
married  Jane  Clawson ;  Nelson,  married  (first)  Nancy  Hoadley,  (second) 
Susan  Cramer;  Eliza,  married  (first)  Alexander  Andrews,  (second)  William 
Annan;  Tyler,  died  in  boyhood;  George  R.,  married  Catherine  McClain ; 
Clarissa,  married  John  Clawson ;  Henry  C,  a  farmer,  cattle  dealer,  merchant 
and  banker,  married  (first)  Julia  Ann  Enslin,  (second)  Sara  F.  Wheeler; 
Jacob  S.,  merchant,  banker  and  lumberman,  married  Harriet  N.  Woodward : 


i62  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

John  H.,  of  whom  further ;  Reuben  T.,  married  Helen  Thorp ;  Sarah  D.,  mar- 
ried John  Stryker. 

(III)  John  H.  Ames,  ninth  child  of  Joseph  (2)  Ames,  was  born  at  Canaan 
Corners,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1833,  and  now,  after  a  long  life  of 
activity  as  builder,  merchant  and  farmer,  is  living  retired  at  Hawley,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  attended  the  public  schools,  but  early  became  a  worker,  being  a 
driver  for  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company  between  Summit  and 
Carbondale  when  but  nine  years  of  age.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  began  learn- 
ing the  carpenter's  trade  with  the  Plums  of  Hav.dey.  When  the  "Gravity"' 
road  was  in  the  course  of  construction  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  building 
of  engine  house  No.  15,  the  first  building  he  ever  erected  as  superintendent. 
When  the  road  was  completed  and  put  in  operation  he  was  placed  in  charge  of 
the  water  wheel  at  Hawley.  In  i860  he  opened  a  general  store  in  that  town, 
continuing  until  1867,  when  he  became  a  partner  with  his  brothers,  Jacob  S., 
and  Reuben  T.,  trading  as  J.  S.  Ames  &  Brothers,  and  dealing  in  general 
merchandise,  lumber,  cattle,  hay,  grain  and  feed.  The  firm  was  the  largest  in 
Wayne  county,  operated  the  largest  feed  mills  in  the  county,  and  owned  thou- 
sands of  acres  of  timber  land.  Their  cattle  were  driven  to  Newburgh,  New 
York,  there  ferried  across  the  Hudson,  and  driven  to  the  abattoir  then  located 
at  Forty-second  street.  New  York  City.  In  1884  John  H.  Ames  withdrew 
from  the  firm,  which  continued  under  the  same  name  until  1886,  when  the 
property  was  divided.  In  addition  to  money,  John  H.  Ames  received  as  his 
share  a  farm  in  Minnesota  and  one  of  600  acres  at  Winding  Hill,  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  known  as  the  "Ames  Homestead,"  on  which  he  resided 
until  1903.  He  then  sold  the  estate  to  a  New  York  banker  and  retired  to 
private  life  at  Hawley,  his  present  residence  (1914). 

Mr.  Ames  married  Melissa,  daughter  of  Amzi  L.  Woodward,  born  in  1806, 
died  in  1878,  of  P'aupack  township,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  John 
Woodward,  of  Cherry  Ridge  township,  Wayne  county.  Amzi  L.  Woodward 
married  Irene  L.  Kellam,  whose  parents  were  early  settlers  in  the  Paupack 
settlement  on  the  Wallenpaupack,  her  father,  Moses  Kellam,  born  1792,  died 
in  1862,  a  justice  of  the  peace  at  Paupack  settlement  and  for  many  years  county 
surveyor.  Two  of  Amzi  L.  Woodward's  daughters  married  Ames  brothers, 
Melissa  and  Harriet  N.,  the  latter  the  wife  of  Jacob  S.  Ames.  Children  ot 
John  H.  and  Melissa  Ames:  W.  Dewight,  William  C,  Densmore,  Homer  G., 
Erasmus  Denton.  Of  the  eleven  children  of  Joseph  (2)  Ames  the  only  sur- 
vivor at  this  time  (1914)  is  John  H.  Ames,  of  pievious  mention,  who  is  now 
aged  eighty-one  years. 

(IV)  Erasmus  Denton  Ames,  youngest  son  of  John  H.  and  Melissa 
(Woodward)  Ames,  was  born  at  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  October  31,  1874. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Hawley  and  the  Wyoming  Commercial 
College  (1894).  On  completing  his  school  years  he  became  his  father's  as- 
sistant in  the  cattle  buying  business,  continuing  until  1896,  when  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Erie  and  Wyoming  \'alley  Railroad  as  clerk  at  Dunmore  Station 
under  Victor  Burschell.  In  the  fall  of  1897  he  became  connected  with  the 
Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  at  Dunmore,  which  connection  continued  until 
1900.     In  October  of  the  latter  year  he  was  appointed  secretary  to  the  master 

nechanic  of  the  Erie  Railroad  at  Dunmore,  J.  B.  Bronson,  but  a  year  later 
resigned  that  position  to  become  a  clerk  under  A.  M.  Benghan,  chief  clerk  of 
the  Erie  Coal  Company.  When  the  greac  coal  strike  of  1902  paralyzed  the 
coal  industry,  Mr.  Ames  was  one  of  the  many  clerks  laid  off.  When  the  strike 
was  over  and  business  was  resumed,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Spencer 
Coal  Company,  of  Dunmore,  in  charge  of  one  of  the  outside  gangs  of  work- 
men, rigging  new  shafts,  planes,  electric  lights  and  pumps.     He  continued  in 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  163 

this  position  until  May  10,  1903.  On  May  20  following  he  was  appointed 
cashier  of  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad  ("Laurel  Line"), 
to  which  was  also  added  the  position  of  paymaster,  also  that  of  treasurer  of 
the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  Power  Company.  Mr.  Ames  is  eminently 
qualified  for  important  places  he  holds  in  the  business  world,  and  has  the  per- 
fect confidence  of  those  in  authority  in  the  corporations  named.  He  is  very 
popular  with  the  entire  force  of  the  "Laurel  Line,"  his  genial  and  generous 
disposition  making  him  friends  everywhere,  his  manly  and  upright  character 
holding  them  to  him.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Junior  Order  of  L'nited  American  Mechanics. 
In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Ames  married,  February  25,  1899,  Maud  Savage,  daughter  of  Robert 
P.  Savage.     Child,  Charles,  born  February  6,  1900. 


OTTO  I.  EBERHARDT 

There  are  among  the  mixed  peoples  and  races  that  comprise  the  popula- 
tion of  the  city  of  Scranton  but  a  few  who  claim  the  Scandinavian  Peninsula 
as  their  birthplace  or  whose  ancestors  owned  it  proudly  as  their  home.  One 
of  the  few  who  name  it  as  the  land  that  gave  them  birth  is  Otto  Immanuel 
Eberhardt  Jr.,  son  of  Otto  Immanuel  Eberhardt  Sr.  Otto  Immanuel  Eber- 
hardt  Sr.  was  a  lumberman  and  farmer  of  Norway,  married  Laura  Johanna, 
daughter  of  Doctor  Irgens,  of  Skien,  Norway.  She  is  now  living  in  Minne 
sota.  Children  of  Otto  Immanuel  (i)  and  Laura  Johanna  Eberhardt:  Chris- 
tianna  Cornelia,  Otto  I.,  of  whom  further. 

Otto  Immanuel  (2)  Eberhardt  was  born  in  Skien,  a  seaport  of  Norway, 
capital  of  the  amt  of  Bratsberg,  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  Skiensfjorden, 
August  5,  1879.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land  and  was 
graduated  from  the  high  school  in  1897.  On  August  19  of  that  year  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  taking  passage  on  the  steamship  "Island,"  a  vessel  of  the 
Scandinavian-American  line,  the  voyage  consuming  fourteen  days.  He  landed 
in  New  York  City  and  the  following  year  matriculated  at  the  University  of 
Minnesota,  whence  he  was  graduated  E.  E.  in  1903.  Proficient  in  all  branches 
requiring  electrical  skill  and  knowledge,  it  was  not  difficult  for  him  to  obtain 
a  position,  which  he  did  with  the  Minneapolis  General  Electric  Company.  He 
left  the  employ  of  that  firm  after  one  year  and  entered  the  service  of  the 
Western  Electric  Company,  of  New  York  City,  in  the  capacity  of  assistant 
factory  engineer.  His  next  position  was  as  electrical  engineer  for  the  Crocker 
Wheeler  Company,  of  New  Jersey,  later  with  the  Westinghouse  Electric  and 
Manufacturing  Company  at  Philadelphia  as  sales  agent.  He  was  engaged  at 
Philadelphia  for  a  period  of  six  months  and  was  afterward  transferred  to 
the  Hazleton  office  of  the  same  company,  where  he  remained  for  three  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  the  office  was  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  he 
was  in  that  city  until  191 1.  In  this  year  he  became  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Penn  Electrical  Engineering  Company,  of  Scranton,  which  was  incorpor- 
ated in  the  following  year,  when  Mr.  Eberhardt  was  made  secretary  and  sales 
agent.  In  this  position  he  plays  an  important  part  in  the  direction  of  the 
company's  afifairs  and  efficiently  manages  the  distribution  of  its  productions. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Engineering  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  the 
American  Institute  of  Electrical  Engineers,  the  Engineers'  Oub,  of  Scranton, 
the  National  Geographical  Society,  the  Hazleton  Country  Club,  and  the  Nor- 
wegian Society  of  Greater  New  York,  His  membership  in  the  various  en- 
gineering societies  plainly  shows  the  interest  he  takes  in  all  that  pertains  to 
his  chosen  profession,  and  in  the  fact  of  his  membership  in  the  Norwegian 


i64  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Society  is  the  key  to  the  love  and  honor  with  which  he  regards  his  homeland. 
Nor  is  it  strange  that  the  memory  of  a  son  of  Norway  should  hark  back  to 
his  native  country  with  filial  love,  for  few  of  the  Old  World  lands  can  boast 
of  a  history  so  replete  with  thrilling  deeds  and  conquests,  nor  was  any  more 
glorified  in  the  works  of  her  children.  Bold  Vikings  of  the  North,  sons  of 
Thor,  their  imprint  is  left  upon  their  descendants,  and  their  living  and  dying 
made  the  world  richer  by  a  mythology  unrivalled  even  by  that  of  the  Greeks. 
Mr.  Eberhardt  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  Evan- 
gelical Church. 


JOHN  SCHEUER 

In  the  person  of  John  Scheuer,  the  old  German  family  of  the  name  has  an 
American  representative,  who  has  taken  a  prominent  place  in  Scranton  busi- 
ness life  and  in  the  politics  of  both  the  city  and  the  state.  In  both  of  these 
channels  he  has  proven  true  worth,  in  both  has  held  the  confidence  of  his 
fellow-men,  and  in  both  has  attained  that  degree  of  prominence  and  station  that 
men  call  success. 

His  father,  John  Scheuer,  was  born  in  Harxheim,  Rhein  province,  Ger- 
many, and  there  learned  and  following  the  trade  of  linen  weaver.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  rebellion  in  his  native  land  and  in  1848  came  to  this  country 
with  his  father,  Conrad,  landing  in  New  York.  They  had  made  Scranton  their 
objective  point,  and,  in  order  to  husband  their  slender  resources,  made  the 
trip  from  New  York  on  foot.  They  were  unable  to  procure  food  for  a  long 
distance  along  their  route,  so  that,  although  they  die!  not  actually  suflfer  for  lack 
of  nourishment,  the  experience  was  not  of  the  pleasantest.  Arriving  at  their 
goal,  they  sought  and  secured  employment  in  the  blast  furnaces  of  the  Lack- 
awanna Iron  and  Coal  Company,  under  Joseph  H.  Scranton.  After  several 
years  Mr.  Scheuer  worked  for  a  time  with  John  Jermyn,  running  ore  trucks 
from  the  mines  and  logs  to  the  saw-mill.  Not  finding  these  various  occupations 
to  his  liking.  In  i860  he  entered  the  milk  business,  the  first  milk  dealer  in 
the  city  and  the  consignee  of  the  first  can  of  milk  shipped  over  that  division 
of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  the  point  of  shipment  being 
Glenburn.  He  served  a  route  in  the  city  for  six  years  and  then  established 
as  the  proprietor  of  a  retail  grocery  store  on  Willow  street.  In  1874  he  started 
a  bakery  at  342  Locust  street,  in  a  modest  way,  with  only  his  two  sons,  George, 
who  had  just  completed  his  apprenticeship,  and  John,  of  whom  further,  as 
assistants.  In  i88g  he  retired  from  active  business  and  engaged  in  farming 
on  a  moderate  scale  as  a  pastime.  His  sons  succeeded  to  the  management  of 
the  business  under  the  name  of  the  Scheuer  Brothers  Company.  With  his 
wife.  John  Scheuer  was  a  member  of  the  Hickory  Street  Presbyterian  Church, 
of  which  he  was  an  organizer  and  trustee.  He  died  April  11,  191 1.  He  mar- 
ried Petronella,  daughter  of  Conrad  Hofifman,  born  in  Wachenhein,  Rhein- 
Hessen,  Germany,  died  in  Scranton,  May,  1895,  coming  to  that  city  when  a 
young  woman.  Qiildren:  George,  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  Baking 
Company  and  of  the  Scheuer  Baking  Company;  John  (2),  of  whom  further; 
Henry ;  Philip ;  Peter ;  Katherine.  married  Peter  Schillert,  deceased,  and  resides 
in  Scranton. 

John  Scheuer,  son  of  John  and  Petronella  (Hoffman)  Scheuer,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  December  12,  1858.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  his  first 
business  experience  was  obtained  in  his  father's  store,  but  after  a  year  of  tnis 
employment,  he  made  a  thorough  study  of  the  baking  business.  He  continued 
in  business  with  his  father,  taking  several  night  courses  at  neighboring  business 
colleges,  first  at  Gardner's  and  then  at  Prof.  H.  D.  Walker's,  graduating  from 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  165 

the  latter  in  1889.  In  that  year  the  business  founded  by  his  father  was  in- 
corporated as  Scheuer  Brothers,  which  in  igoi  was  replaced  by  the  Penn- 
sylvania Baking  Company.  At  the  incorporation  of  the  Scheuer  Baking  Com- 
pany in  1912,  the  bread  department  of  the  Pennsylvania  Baking  Company  was 
transferred  thereto,  the  latter  company  now  engaging  exclusively  in  the  baking 
of  cakes  and  crackers.  The  bakery  employs  about  125  persons,  consumes  about 
forty-five  barrels  of  flour  a  day,  and  ships  its  products  throughout  northeastern 
and  central  Pennsylvania.  In  addition  to  this,  eight  wagons  are  constantly 
employed  supplying  the  local  needs.  The  Scheuer  Baking  Company,  of  which 
Mr.  Scheuer  is  secretary  and  treasurer,  the  offices  he  holds  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Baking  Company,  engages  only  in  the  baking  of  bread,  their  daily  output  of 
12,000  loaves,  produced  by  sixty  employees,  being  distributed  throughout  the 
valley  by  eighteen  delivery  wagons.  I\Ir.  Scheuer's  only  other  business  con- 
nection is  as  director  of  the  Anthracite  Trust  Company,  although  he  has  helped 
organize  and  has  been  extensively  interested  in  several  building  and  loan  as- 
sociations. He  was  also  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Scranton  Axle  Company, 
performing  service  in  the  same  capacity  for  the  South  Side  Board  of  Trade, 
being  its  president  for  three  years.  In  politics  his  record  as  a  staunch  Re- 
publican reflects  credit  upon  the  party  and  has  been  of  benefit  to  the  city  and 
state.  In  1886  and  1887  he  was  a  member  of  Scranton  select  council  from  the 
eleventh  ward  and  was  repeatedly  a  delegate  from  the  city  to  the  Republican 
state  convention.  From  1899  to  1902  he  was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature, 
representing  his  district  with  distinction  and  securing  the  passage  of  the  State 
Hospital  bill,  a  piece  of  legislation  providing  for  the  state  control  of  the  Lacka- 
wanna Hospital.  He  presented  this  measure  at  the  session  of  1901,  at  the  same 
time  requesting  an  appropriation  of  $200,000  for  its  maintenance  and  improve- 
ment, both  of  which  were  acted  upon  favorably.  His  support  of  measures 
tending  toward  the  benefit  of  other  districts  than  his  own  was  always  enthu- 
siastically given,  but  he  was  ever  the  foe  of  graft  and  the  direction  of  public 
funds  into  private  channels.  He  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  With  his  wife,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Hickory  Street  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Scheuer  is  active  in  the 
various  departments  of  church  service  as  in  the  work  of  the  Young  Women's 
Christian  Association. 

Mr.  Scheuer  married  Anna  M.,  daughter  of  William  Linn,  of  Scranton. 
Children :  William  W.,  associated  with  his  father  in  the  bakery  business : 
Anna  C,  married  Dr.  George  Huber,  a  physician  of  Coffeyville,  Kansas ; 
Dorothy  S. :  John  C. ;  Ruth  L. ;  Bernice  S.  Mr.  Scheuer's  position  among  his 
business  associates  is  one  of  honor  and  respect,  the  former  for  the  high  moral 
character  and  unswerving  integrity  that  have  marked  his  every  relation, 
public,  business,  or  private  ;  the  latter  for  the  ability  he  has  displayed  in  political 
and  financial  dealings. 


ERASTUS  SCRANTON  DOUD 

Like  many  other  names  early  brought  to  America,  this  surname  is  found 
as  Dow,  Douw,  Dowe,  Dowed,  Dowde,  Doude,  Dowd,  D.oud  and  Dodd,  it,  in 
common  with  others,  suffering  from  the  diflferences  of  opinion  and  custom  in 
its  different  branches.  The  name  of  the  emigrant  ancestor,  as  signed  by  him- 
self on  the  papers  signed  by  all  the  planters  before  landing  from  the  ship  at 
Guilford,  Connecticut,  was  Henry  Doude.  Some  of  his  descendants  have  re- 
tained that  form,  others  have  dropped  the  tenninal  "e."  Henry  Doude,  it  is 
believed,  is  the  progenitor  of  all  the  Douds  or  Dowds  who  were  in  this  country 
prior  to  1776.     He  came  from  Surrey  or  Kent  county,  England,  with  a  com- 


i66  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

pany  under  Rev.  Henry  Whitfield,  and  settled  in  Guilford,  Connecticut.  He 
died  in  1668,  thirty  years  after  landing.  His  wife,  Elizabeth,  died  in  1713. 
They  were  probably  married  in  England,  and  were  the  parents  of  four  sons 
and  four  daughters. 

(H)  Thomas  Doud,  the  eldest  son,  is  supposed  to  have  been  born  in  Eng- 
land, as  no  record  of  his  birth  has  been  found  in  Guilford.  He  settled  in  East 
Guilford,  now  Madison.  He  married  Ruth  Johnson  and  both  died  in  1713, 
having  four  sons  and  one  daughter. 

(HI)  Thomas  (2)  Doud,  son  of  Thomas  (i)  Doud,  was  born  in  1684, 
died  in  171 1,  a  resident  of  East  Guilford.  He  married  Silence  Evarts,  and  had 
two  sons  and  a  daughter.  Silence. 

(IV)  Ebenezer  Doud,  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas  (2)  Doud,  was  bom  in 
1707,  died  in  1748.  He  resided  in  that  part  of  Madison,  Connecticut,  known 
as  Hammonasett,  and  was  a  large  land  owner.  Before  his  death  he  took  his 
two  sons  and,  riding  on  horseback,  directed  the  boys  where  to  drive  stakes  in 
a  north  and  south  line  across  his  property.  He  then  said  to  Ebenezer,  "The 
land  on  that  side  of  the  stakes  is  yours;"  to  Timothy,  "The  land  on  this  side 
is  yours."  This  was  his  will  and  the  bounds  thus  fixed  yet  remain.  The  estate 
divided  in  this  manner  remained  longer  in  one  family  than  any  other  in  Madi- 
son.   He  had  but  two  sons  and  a  daughter,  Lydia. 

(V)  Ebenezer  (2)  Doud,  the  eldest  son  of  Ebenezer  (i)  Doud,  reared  a 
family  of  eight  sons  on  the  homestead  received  from  his  father.  He  was  a 
farmer,  and  for  seven  years  served  as  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 
He  endured  many  hardships  during  this  period  which  so  weakened  him  that  he 
was  an  invalid  for  many  years  preceding  his  death.  He  married  Tamar  Wil- 
cox and  left  eight  sons,  Galen  (i),  having  died  in  infancy. 

(VI)  Galen  (2)  Doud,  eighth  son  of  Ebenezer  (2)  Doud,  was  born  in 
1783,  died  in  1851.  He  lived  at  the  east  end  of  Boston  street,  Madison,  and 
was  a  prominent  and  influential  man  in  his  community,  serving  the  town  for 
many  years  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  in  the  state  legislature.  He  married, 
in  181 2,  Mary  Ward,  and  had  six  sons,  one  dying  young,  and  three  daughters. 

(VII)  Charles  Hamilton  Doud,  second  son  and  third  child  of  Galen  (2) 
and  Mary  (Ward)  Doud,  was  born  in  Madison,  Connecticut,  October  6,  1817, 
died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1895.  In  early  life  he  was  a  sea- 
man, rising  to  the  command  of  a  vessel  owned  jointly  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  Sereno  Scranton,  trading  with  Boston  and  New  York.  He  left  the  sea 
while  yet  a  young  man  and  engaged  as  a  general  merchant  in  Madison.  Later 
he  was  in  business  in  Augusta,  Georgia,  returned  to  ^Madison,  Connecticut, 
then  settled  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  a  highly  respected  mci- 
chant  until  his  death,  October  12,  1895.  He  was  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  a  strong,  upright  character.  He  married,  about  1840,  Mary  R., 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Scranton,  of  Madison,  Connecticut,  and  at  their  mar- 
riage it  was  said  they  were  the  handsomest  couple  ever  wedded  in  the  village. 
In  beauty  of  character  they  surely  excelled,  and  in  their  posterity  the  traits 
that  characterized  the  parents  are  plainly  visible.  Children:  i.  Catherine 
Josephine,  bom  in  1842;  married,  in  1864,  William  L.  Wilson,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  cashier  and  president  of  the  Nebraska  City  National  Bank  (Ne- 
braska) 1872  to  191 1,  dying  in  the  latter  year,  his  wife  having  preceded  him 
to  the  grave.  2.  Henry  Charles,  born  in  Augusta,  Georgia,  in  1845,  died  from 
injuries  sustained  from  falling  from  a  balcony  at  Asbury  Park,  Pennsylvania; 
he  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Maloney,  Doud  &  Company,  Scranton ;  he 
married  Elizabeth  Porter  and  left  issue.  3  Erastus  Scranton,  of  whom  further. 
4.  Curtis  William,  born  in  Scranton  in  1856;  became  a  civil  engineer  and  lo- 
cated in  Rochester,  New  York,  where  he  died,  unmarried.     5.  Herbert  Allison, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  167 

born  in  Scranton  in  1859;  he  is  a  graduate  of  Lafayette  College  and  shortly 
after  graduation  was  appointed  to  a  position  in  the  internal  revenue  service 
at  Omaha,  Nebraska,  becoming  chief  clerk,  a  position  he  held  until  Cleveland's 
second  administration,  when  he  resigned ;  four  years  later  he  again  accepted 
the  same  position;  he  is  an  elder  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Qiurch  of  Omaha. 

(VIII)  Erastus  Scranton  Doud,  second  son  and  third  child  of  Charier- 
Hamilton  and  Mary  (Scranton)  Doud,  was  born  in  Madison,  Connecticut, 
July  29,  1849.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  a  grad- 
uate of  the  high  school,  the  State  j\Iodel  School,  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  and 
matriculated  in  Lafayette  College  to  enter  the  sophomore  class  of  the  latter 
institution  in  1867.  On  August  26,  1867,  he  was  offered  a  position  as  messen- 
ger in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  which  he  accepted,  remaining 
until  April  9,  1872,  when  he  became  cashier  of  the  Hazleton  (Pennsylvania) 
Savings  Bank,  later  succeeded  by  the  Hazleton  National  Bank.  Mr.  Doud  re- 
mained with  the  second  named  bank  until  June  i,  1891,  when  he  resigned. 
He  then  became  interested,  with  Alvan  Markle,  in  the  Lehigh  Traction  Com- 
pany, did  a  great  deal  of  preliminary  work  in  the  interest  of  the  company  in 
and  around  Hazleton,  and  was  president  of  the  construction  company  that 
built  the  third  rail  line  between  Hazleton  and  Wilkes-Barre.  From  1901  to 
1905  he  was  secretary  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Hazleton  Railroad  Company, 
making  his  home  in  Hazleton  until  the  latter  year,  locating  in  Scranton  on 
April  9.  He  was  a  public  accountant  until  June  15,  1908,  when  he  became 
secretary  of  the  Nay  Aug  Lumber  Company,  a  position  he  now  holds  (1914). 
While  residing  in  Hazleton  Mr.  Doud  was  especially  active  in  matters  per- 
taining to  public  education  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  performed 
valuable  service  in  increasing  the  usefulness  of  the  public  schools. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson 
Lodge,  No.  323.  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  to  all  bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree.  His  clubs  are  the 
Green  Ridge,  of  Scranton,  and  the  Westmoreland,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  his  mem- 
bership in  the  latter  extending  over  a  period  of  twenty  years.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Doud  and  their  sons,  Harold  and  Lawrence  F.,  are  members  of  the 
Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church.    In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Doud  married,  April  23,  1873,  Ella  Augi'.sta  Chase,  born  January  28, 
1854,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Louisa  (Field)  Chase.  Children:  i.  Joseph 
Chase,  born  March  18,  1875;  married,  March  4,  1896,  Edith  Totten ;  children: 
Lois,  born  in  September,  1897,  and  Marjorie,  born  in  1899.  2.  Walter  Scran- 
ton, born  June  10,  1877;  married  Laura  Becker,  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts, 
and  has  a  son,  Walter  Scranton  (2),  born  in  1907.  3.  Mabel  Louise,  torn  in 
October,  1879.  4.  Eleanor  Wilson,  born  in  December,  1881  ;  married  Fisher 
Hazard  Leisering,  of  Connellsville,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Hazard,  Louise, 
Mary.  5.  Erastus  Raymond,  born  June  11,  1883;  graduate  of  Lafayette  Col- 
lege; married,  July  24,  1912,  Miss  Porter,  of  Connellsville.  6.  Daughter  born 
1885,  died  in  infancy.  7.  Harold,  born  1887;  now  assistant  secretary  of  the 
Scranton  Trust  Company;  married  Margaret  Ives,  on  April  23,  1913,  on  the 
fortieth  anniversary  of  his  parents'  wedding  and  the  twenty-third  anniversary 
of  the  marriage  of  the  bride's  parents.  8.  Ruth,  born  1889.  9.  Lawrence 
Field,  born  June  I,  1891  ;  now  the  Scranton  representative  of  the  American 
Radiator  Company. 


CHARLES  J.  POWELL 

Penn  Yan,  New  York,  has  been  for  several  generations  the  home  of  this 
branch  of  the  Powell  family,  their  settlement  there  dating  from  an  early  day. 


i68  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Charles  J.  Powell  is  the  first  of  his  immediate  family  to  make  permanent  set- 
tlement in  Scranton,  he  being  attracted  here  by  his  uncle,  who  founded  the  busi- 
ness of  which  his  nephew  is  the  honored  head. 

Charles  J.  Powell  is  the  son  of  James  S.  Powell  and  a  grandson  of  John 
Powell,  all  born  in  Penn  Yan.  John  Powell  was  a  farmer,  married  Jane 
Bellows,  daughter  of  Peter  Bellows,  one  of  three  brothers  who  settled  in  Bel- 
lows Falls,  Vermont.  She  was  a  teacher  for  many  years  in  Penn  Yan,  New 
York,  and  left  issue :  Lewis  Bellows,  Jnmes  S.,  Mary,  Sarah,  Charles  F., 
William. 

Lewis  Bellows  Powell,  eldest  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Bellows)  Powell, 
was  born  November  i6,  1838,  in  Penn  Yan,  New  York,  died  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  28,  1881.  He  was  educated  in  Penn  Yan  schools  and  under 
private  tutelage  in  certain  lines  of  study  which  his  mother  taught  him,  and  his 
first  business  venture  was  in  Scranton  in  1859,  establishing  the  first  music  store 
on  Lackawanna  avenue  and  brought  the  first  organ  and  piano  to  Scranton,  con- 
trolling twenty-eight  counties  for  the  sale  of  the  Chickering  Piano  and  Mason 
&  Hamlin  Organ.  He  adhered  to  the  one  price,  not  deviating  an  iota.  The 
one  price  system  was  the  backbone  of  his  success,  and  advertising  judiciously. 
He  was  a  remarkable  reader  of  human  nature  and  he  set  an  example  to  young 
men  of  business  principle  that  many  have  appreciated  in  after  life.  He  was 
a  worker  for  every  good  in  Scranton,  and  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion found  in  him  a  great  supporter.  He  continued  in  business  from  1859  until 
his  death,  though  he  was  not  active  for  the  five  years  preceding  his  death  on 
account  of  a  protracted  illness. 

Mr.  Powell  married,  June  28,  1871,  Ruth  Quincy  Trask,  born  November  18, 
1838,  daughter  of  Rev.  George  and  Ruth  Q.  F.  (Packard)  Trask,  of  Fitch- 
burg,  Massachusetts,  the  former  named  a  Congregational  minister  located  in 
Fitchburg  for  thirty-three  years  and  until  his  death  in  1875.  ^'''-  Powell  was  a 
Mason.  He  died  aged  forty-three  years,  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him.  He 
was  in  love  with  his  business,  and  happy  in  his  home  life.  He  was  a  great 
musician  and  a  great  business  man,  a  combination  not  often  met  with,  and  was 
also  a  Christian  gentleman. 

James  S.  Powell,  second  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Bellows)  Powell,  was  born 
at  Penn  Yan.  New  York.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  and 
later  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  for  many  years.  He  married  Maria 
Easton,  of  Middlesex,  New  York;  children:  George  K.,  died  in  1910;  Nellie 
B.,  now  living  in  Los  Angeles,  California;  Mary  S.,  died  in  1907;  Charles  J., 
of  whom  further. 

Charles  J.  Powell,  son  of  James  and  Maria  (Easton)  Powell,  was  born  in 
Penn  Yan,  Yates  county.  New  York,  August  14,  1856.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Penn  Yan  and  Kingston  Seminary,  taking  a  commercial 
course  at  the  latter  institution,  graduating  in  1874.  On  April  i,  1875,  he  came 
to  Scranton.  Pennsylvania,  entering  the  employ  of  his  uncle.  Lewis  Bellows 
Powell,  then  engaged  in  business  as  a  dealer  in  musical  instruments  and  kindred 
lines.  The  young  man  began  at  the  lowest  round  of  the  ladder,  was  office 
boy,  general  helper,  etc.,  until  he  became  familiar  with  the  business,  then  was 
advanced  to  salesman  and  later  confidential  clerk  and  for  the  last  six  years  of 
his  uncle's  life  was  practically  manager  of  the  entire  business.  He  continued 
as  manager  of  the  business  for  Mrs.  L.  B.  Powell  after  his  uncle's  death,  and 
extended  the  lines  until  the  store  became  a  veritable  headquarters  for  the 
music  trade  in  Scranton.  In  1909  he  formed  a  partnership  with  C.  H.  Chand- 
ler, and  they  purchased  the  stock  and  good  will  of  L.  B.  Powell  &  Company, 
the  firm  trading  as  Powell  &  Chandler.  Mr.  Powell  is  one  of  the  best  known 
men  in  the  trade,  has  a  host  of  friends  and  possesses  the  business  qualities  that 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  169 

make  for  success.  He  has  built  up  a  reputation  for  honorable  dealing  and  fair 
treatment  that  holds  his  customers  to  him  and  makes  them  his  loyal  supporters. 
He  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  first  lodge  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  formed  in  Scranton,  and  with  Frank  Jermyn  and 
George  Throop  was  largely  instrumental  in  founding  the  lodge.  Mr.  Powell 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  an  attendant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  Powell  married  Edith  G.,  daughter  of  Ambrose  Stark,  of  Penn  Yan, 
and  has  children:  Elsie  S.,  born  September  17,  1885,  married  John  Mac 
Meckin  and  resides  in  Seattle,  Washington:  Helen  S.,  born  November  19.  1886; 
Frank  R.,  born  November  27,  1890,  graduate  in  chemistry,  Lafayette  College, 
class  of  1912,  now  in  the  employ  of  the  Giant  Por^^land  Cement  Company. 


GUSTAV  A.  MILLER 


Gustav  A.  Miller,  of  the  ancient  German  family,  is  one  of  the  oldest  and 
best  known  undertakers  in  the  city  of  Scranton.  His  grandfather,  Michael 
Miller,  had  the  distinction  of  being  a  colonel  in  that  most  perfect  of  military 
organizations,  the  Gennan  army,  and  his  father,  Michael  (2)  Miller,  son  of 
Colonel  Michael  (  i  )  and  Margaretta  Miller,  was  born  in  Lutzenhausen,  Rhine 
province,  Germany,  March  17,  1831. 

Michael  (2)  Miller  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  at  the 
gymnasium,  graduating  from  the  latter  when  seventeen  years  of  age.  It  had 
been  his  ambition  to  enter  the  Germany  army  as  a  sharpshooter,  and  although 
filling  the  requirements  as  to  age  and  education,  parental  objections  so  barred 
the  way  that  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  earnest  desire,  and  was  for 
three  years  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  office  of  a  judge.  Wearying  of  this  oc- 
cupation and  thwarted  in  his  attempt  to  choose  a  career,  he  resolved  to  im- 
migrate to  the  United  States,  and  in  fulfillment  of  that  resolution  he  took 
passage  on  the  sailing  vessel,  "Emma,"  a  craft  which  the  following  year  was 
wrecked  and  sank  in  mid-ocean.  It  is  a  peculiar  fact  that  the  boat  which  car- 
ried Mr.  Miller  back  to  Germany  for  a  visit,  in  1889,  the  "Elba,"  met  the 
same  fate  the  year  after  his  voyage  was  taken.  After  a  passage  of  forty-nine 
days,  uneventful  for  the  most  part,  the  "Emma"  made  Philadelphia  harbor  in 
safety,  and  Mr.  Miller  had  reached  the  land  of  promise.  He  came  immediately 
to  Scranton.  It  was  a  period  of  depression  in  the  mercantile  and  manufactur- 
ing industries  and  employment  was  difficult  to  find,  but  he  finally  secured  work 
chopping  wood,  where  the  court-house  now  stands,  at  wages  of  forty  cents 
per  day.  As  the  various  activities  and  industries  of  the  growing  city  were 
once  more  opened  at  full  pressure  under  the  stimulus  of  better  times,  em- 
ployment became  more  plentiful,  and  Mr.  Miller  entered  the  service  of  the 
Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company  in  the  rolling  mill,  remaining  there  for 
thirteen  years  and  becoming  a  practical  iron  roller.  In  1863  he  established  a 
grocery  store  in  the  twelfth  ward,  remaining  in  business  there  for  twelve 
years.  Popular  and  well  liked,  all  of  his  acquaintances  became  his  patrons,  a 
large  and  lucrative  business  resulting  from  their  generous  trade.  He  purchased 
the  site  of  his  present  business  in  1874,  and  moved  his  grocery  business  to 
that  place,  starting,  in  connection  therewith,  a  livery  stable.  Eleven  years 
later,  when  both  his  grocery  and  livery  businesses  were  firmly  established  and 
steadily  paying  properties,  he  lent  his  name  to  an  enterprise  managed  by  his 
son,  Gustav  Adolph  Miller,  the  undertaking  business.  This,  too,  met  with  the 
success  that  had  attended  all  of  his  other  dealings,  and  acquired  a  well-deserved 
reputation  as  one  of  the  leading  houses  of  its  kind  in  the  city. 

When  Mr.  Miller  retired  from  active  business  relations,  he  placed  his  son 
and  daughters  in  charge  of  his  varied  interests,  built  up  by  him  in  such  a  thor- 


I70  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ough  and  able  manner  by  the  work  of  his  hands  and  the  genius  of  his  mind, 
the  latter  seeing  the  opportunity  and  the  former  carrying  the  plans  of  the  lat- 
ter to  a  successful  consummation  whenever  that  was  possible  by  dint  of  hard 
and  unremitting  toil.  Mr.  Miller  retained  title  to  five  residences  and  a  block 
in  the  business  section  of  the  city,  properties  he  had  acquired  as  investments 
with  the  proceeds  from  the  different  undertakings  he  has  planted  and  nursed 
to  a  vigorous  maturity. 

He  was  a  follower  of  the  faith  that  has  been  cherished  by  the  family  for 
many  generations,  the  German  Presbyterian.  While  holding  to  family  tradi- 
tion in  this  respect,  Mr.  ■\Iiller  broke  a  time-honored  custom  of  all  of  his  name 
for  many  years  by  not  identifying  himself  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  a  Mil- 
ler of  his  branch  always  having  been  a  member  of  that  order.  His  political 
beliefs  were  strongly  Republican,  and  the  principles  of  the  party  he  firmly 
supported. 

Michael  Miller  married,  in  Dunmore,  in  1852,  Maria  M.  Fickinger,  a  native 
of  Rhine  province,  Germany.  Children :  C.  Mary ;  Gustav  Adolph,  of  whom 
further ;  Louisa,  married  Stephen  Spruks,  and  resides  in  Scranton.  Mr,  IMillcr 
died  November  9,  1904. 

Gustav  Adolph  Miller,  son  of  Michael  (2)  and  Maria  M.  (Fickinger; 
Miller,  was  born  July  29,  i860.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  there 
obtained  all  the  education  he  ever  received  under  graded  instruction.  In  early 
youth  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  father  in  the  latter's  grocery  store.  In 
1878  he  went  to  New  York  City  and  there  learned  undertaking  and  the  art  of 
embalming,  and  upon  his  return  to  Scranton  he  engaged  in  business  under  his 
father's  name,  being  the  first  undertaker  of  the  city  with  a  knowledge  of  em- 
balming. His  place  of  business  has  always  been  on  the  South  Side  and  he  is 
now  one  of  the  oldest  established  undertakers  in  the  city,  bearing  an  excellent 
reputation  backed  by  years  of  experience.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Livery- 
mens  and  Undertakers  Association  since  its  organization.  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  is  past  master  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  291,  F. 
and  A.  M.,  and  belongs  to  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Coeui 
de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign 
Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  and  is  a  noble  of  Lu  Lu  Temple,  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  of  Philadelphia.  He  also  affiliates  with  James  Connell  Lodge, 
No.  170,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Comet  Lodge,  No.  413,  K.  of  P.,  and  Camp  No.  430, 
P.  O.  S.  of  A.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  German  Presbyterian 
Church  and  play  an  active  part  in  all  of  its  associations.  He  has  been  treas- 
urer of  the  Men's  Society  of  the  church  since  the  second  year  of  its  ex- 
istence, while  his  wife  and  daughter  are  prominent  in  the  Sunday  school 
organization.  He  married  Clara  Bodenstine,  of  Philadelphia.  Children :  Mary 
Louise,  and  Madeline  Spruks. 

A  lifelong  resident  of  Scranton,  Mr.  Miller  has  many  warm  admirers  in 
the  city  who  are  held  close  to  him  in  the  firmest  of  friendship's  ties.  The 
veritable  "thousandth  man"  of  whom  Kipling  tells,  he  is  ever  at  the  service 
of  those  who  are  privileged  to  know  him  best.  His  life  is  exemplary  in  char- 
acter, his  influence  for  the  best  and  far-reaching  in  its  effect. 


ROBERT  WILLIAM  ALLEN 

Prior  to  his  settlement  is  Scranton,  George  Allen,  father  of  Robert  William 
Allen,  the  present  efficient  commissioner  of  Lackawanna  county,  resided  in 
Bath,  New  York,  having  settled  there  on  coming  to  this  country.  He  was 
born  in  Ireland,  one  of  a  family  of  five:  i.  John,  deceased.  2.  William,  now 
living  in   Bath,  New   York;  married   Ellen   Crai<^  and  has  children:  George: 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  i-l 

Elizabeth,  deceased ;  Annie ;  May ;  William,  deceased.     3.  Richard,  deceased. 

4.  George,  see  forward.  5.  Annie,  married  Michael  Connor  and  resides  in 
Scranton ;  children :  William,  manager  of  the  Armour  Beef  Company  at 
Wilkes-Barre  ;  Jennie  ;  Thomas,  deceased  ;  John  and  Mary. 

George  Allen,  on  coming  to  Scranton,  found  employment  in  the  shops  of 
the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  became  later  affiliated  with 
the  Knights  of  Labor  and  took  an  active  as  well  as  prominent  part  as  one  of 
the  leaders  of  that  organization.  He  became  a  member  of  the  police  force  of 
Scranton,  under  Terence  V.  Pbwderly,  and  continued  thereon  until  a  few  years 
prior  to  his  death,  in  1894.  He  took  active  pari  in  the  division  of  Luzerne 
county  whereby  Lackawanna  county  was  created  and  was  one  of  the  strong 
men  of  his  day.  He  married  Catherine  Smith  and  had  issue:  1.  Katherine, 
deceased.     2.  Louise,  deceased.     3.  Thomas,  deceased.     4.  George,  deceased. 

5.  Edward,  deceased.  6.  John,  now  spinner  in  a  woolen  mill ;  married  Annie 
Kblb  and  resides  in  Scranton.  7.  Robert  William,  see  forward.  8.  Joseph, 
clerk  in  the  tax  commissioner's  office ;  married  Ellen  Ronton  and  has  seven 
children. 

Robert  William  Allen  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  November  i-^, 
1871.  He  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  the  city  of  his  birth,  working  himself  ever 
upward  from  a  lowly  position  to  one  of  honor  and  influence.  He  was  educated 
in  Scranton  schools  and  began  his  wage  earning  life  as  a  bell  boy  in  the  old 
Wyoming  House  then  conducted  by  John  E.  Allen.  He  was  promoted  from 
bell  boy  to  the  billiard  room  force,  continuing  with  Mr.  Allen  seveial  years. 
He  then  was  employed  at  the  Valley  House  under  Fred  Godfrey,  next  spend- 
ing five  years  at  the  old  Westminster  Hotel.  When  the  Westminster  was 
sold  to  William  McBride,  Mr.  Allen  remained  with  him  one  year,  then  was 
with  Charles  S.  Gilbert  at  the  Central  Park  House.  He  then  decided  to  enter 
business  as  proprietor  and  for  three  years  conducted  the  Coleman  House.  In 
1903  he  was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  register  of  wills,  was  elected  and 
served  the  legal  term  of  three  years.  In  1906  he  was  a  candidate  for  re-elec- 
tion, but  was  defeated  at  the  polls.  Until  igoS  he  was  m  the  employ  of  the 
Anthracite  Brewing  Company  as  collector.  In  the  latter  year  he  was  elected 
county  commissioner  and  in  191 1  re-elected.  He  has  served  the  county  well 
in  official  position  and  has  the  confidence  of  the  voters  as  his  repeated  elec- 
tions indicate.  Mr.  Allen  is  president  of  the  Anthracite  Brewing  Company, 
treasurer  of  the  Scranton  Base  Ball  Association  and  interested  in  other  enter- 
prises of  this  city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Camp  No.  242 ; 
B.  P.  O.  E.,  Lodge  No.  123;  F.  O.  E.,  Eyrie  No.  304;  Saint  Luke's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church.  In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Allen  married 
Catherine  Dice,  of  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  descendant  of  a  German  family. 


FRANCIS  OSCAR  STONE 

This  is  a  well  known  family  name  in  Pennsylvania  and  one  springing  from 
different  nationalities.  The  branch  herein  followed  was  planted  in  Pennsyl- 
vania by  Benoni  Stone,  of  the  New  England  family,  who  settled  in  Waverly, 
Lackawanna  county,  where  his  long  life  of  ninety -five  years  was  spent  in  farm- 
ing and  farm  management.  He  was  the  founder  of  a  large  and  influential 
family  among  his  children  being  a  son,  Oscar. 

Oscar  Stone  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood  in  Lackawanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, his  residence  being  at  Hawley.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  worked  on  the  farm  for  a  time,  later  being  a  conductor  on  the  Gravity 
Road  running  between  Pittston  and  Hawley.  He  received  a  serious  injury  in 
a  wreck  on  this  road  and  was  unable  to  continue  *.he  active  life  demanded  of  a 


172  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

railroad  employee.  He  later  became  a  stationary  engineer  at  Hawley,  con- 
tinuing until  his  death  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years.  He  married  Alvira  L. 
Mitchell,  of  HJolIisterville,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  bore  him  seven 
children,  two  of  whom  died  in  childhood :  Victor  B.,  of  further  mention  ;  John 
M.,  of  Hawley,  a  railroad  man  ;  Earl  W.,  a  stone  cutter  and  contractor  of 
Scranton;  Sidney  S.,  a  train  dispatcher  on  the  Erie  &  Wyoming  Railroad; 
Arthur  K.,  born  January  ii.  1862,  a  journalist,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
News  at  East  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  married  Minnie  A.  Turner,  deceased. 

Victor  B.  Stone  was  born  in  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  resided 
for  many  years  in  HIawley.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  during 
his  early  manhood  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He  then  entered  the 
emplov  of  the  Erie  Railroad  as  fireman,  received  in  due  time  his  promotion  to 
engineer  and  for  twenty-five  years  held  the  throttle  on  one  of  the  company's 
engines.  He  moved  to  Scranton  in  1888  and  here  yet  resides.  Pie  is  a  member 
of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers,  an  independent  in  politics,  and 
a  valued  and  trusted  employee  of  the  company  he  has  served  so  long  and  faith- 
fully. He  married  Mary  May  Enslin  and  has  children :  Francis  Oscar,  of 
whom  further ;  Friend  A.,  a  foreman ;  Mark  V.,  chief  clerk  in  the  Erie  Rail- 
road shops  :  May ;  Madge. 

Francis  Oscar  Stone  was  born  at  Port  Jervis,  New  York,  September  17, 
1883.  His  parents  moved  to  Scranton  when  he  was  five  years  of  age  and  in 
the  public  schools  of  this  city  he  obtained  his  elementary  education,  finishing 
his  study  at  Pennsylvania  State  College.  He  began  business  life  in  the  store 
department  of  the  Erie  Railroad,  continuing  two  years,  then  was  with  M.  P. 
Michel  until  igo6.  In  that  year  he  became  attached  to  the  clerical  force  of  the 
surveyor  of  Lackawanna  county,  contimiing  in  subordinate  position  until  191 1. 
For  a  short  time  he  was  connected  with  the  engineering  department  of  the 
Scranton  Gas  and  Water  Company,  but  later  in  the  year  was  nominated  by  the 
Republican  party  for  the  office  of  conntv  surveyor  and  in  the  following  Novem- 
ber election  was  chosen  by  the  electors  of  the  county  to  fill  that  important  posi- 
tion which  his  technical  training  and  years  of  experience  eminently  quali- 
fied him  to  fill. 

He  married,  June  14,  1910,  Marian  E.  Swartz,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Frank  E.  and  Emma  Swartz ;  her  father  vice-president  of  the 
Fidelity  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank  and  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Ceme- 
tery Association  of  Dunmore.     One  daughter,  Eleanor  Swartz  Stone. 


FREDERICK  H,  EMERY 

In  the  manv  years  spent  at  the  mines  as  breaker  boy,  Mr.  Emery  saw  the 
need  of  a  machine  that  would  separate  slate  from  coal,  work  of  a  trying  and 
dangerous  character,  then  performed  by  beys.  Ht  was  not  the  first  to  invent 
such  a  machine,  but  followed  with  a  perfect  picker  the  inventions  of  Captain 
Thomas  and  Charles  W.  Zeigler,  both  of  whose  machines  allowed  the  loss  of 
more  or  less  coal.  So  successfully  did  he  plan,  that  to-day  his  invention  (the 
Shaker  Picker)  is  in  use  by  the  leading  coal  companies  of  the  anthracite 
region,  and  many  have  been  sent  to  Canada,  Wales  and  England,  and  Mr. 
Emery  is  now  in  communication  with  other  coal  operators  in  foreign  countries. 
In  the  anthracite  region  as  well  as  in  the  foreign  countries,  tb.e  slate  has  a 
flat  smooth  surface,  and  is  not  separated  from  the  coal  by  the  ordinary 
machine.  By  the  use  of  the  Emery  oscillating  machine,  the  slate  is  given  a 
backward  movement  carrying  it  under  the  coal  and  through  openings  under- 
neath into  a  receptacle,  the  coal  going  forward  through  the  regular  breaker. 
The  following  is  an  illustration  of  the  machine  above  described. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


173 


Another  machine  which  Mr.  Emery  invented  is  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
out  heavy  rock  and  is  so  constructed  that  instead  of  dropping  the  rock  through 
continuous  openings,  a  portion  of  the  coal  is  taken  away  from  the  slate  and  is 
converted  into  a  separate  pan ;  the  balance  of  the  coal  and  rock  that  drops 
through  the  first  opening  is  repeated  in  the  same  manner  until  the  final  separa- 
tion is  niade.  Thereby  no  coal  is  lost  in  the  process  and  is  entirely  free  from 
slate  and  rock.    The  following  is  an  illustration  of  the  machine. 


^■- 

Emery  Slate  Picker 

IQl-*    IMPROVIEir?    CIOHTDCCK 

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Drawing  2Z3>        June  19 14 

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^^^ 

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^^^^ll^'^vT"^^^      n 

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^ 

/"^'T'^^n/^^ '^^■' 

'^^^^^«::--' 

1914  improved  eight  deck  ten  pickings  and  repickings  obtained  in  one  opera- 
tion. Covered  by  patents  issued  to  F.  H.  Emery  as  follows :  599569,  March, 
1887;  640549,  June,  1900;  755472,  March,  1904;  7S4783,  March,  1905  ;  969048. 
August,  1910.     Other  patents  pending. 

The  Emery  Shaker  Picker  and  the  Rock  Separator  are  not  the  result  of  a 
dream  or  an  inspiration,  but  the  result  of  the  labor  of  years,  during  the  hours 


174  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  inventor  could  spare  from  his  regular  duties,  and  often  were  hours  that 
could  profitably  have  been  spent  in  sleep.  The  machines  are  valuable  con- 
tributions to  the  labor  saving  machinery  of  this  day  and  reflect  the  highest 
credit  upon  their  inventor. 

Frederick  H.  Emery  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  14,  1865, 
son  of  George  and  Anna  (Richardson)  Emery.  George  Emery  was  born  in 
Morganshire,  England,  and  there  lived  until  after  his  marriage  to  Anna,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  Richardson.  They  came  to  the  United  States  about  1863,  set- 
tling in  Scranton,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  miner  until  his  death 
at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  both  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Children:  Elizabeth,  Frederick  H.,  Nora,  Bertha,  Daniel,  the  latter  deceased; 
a  sixth  child  died  young. 

Frederick  H.  Emery  attended  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  but  early  in 
life  became  a  breaker  boy,  later  working  in  the  mines  and  continuing  until  1893. 
During  these  years  he  evolved  his  idea  of  a  slate  picker,  but  so  closely  was  he 
confined  by  his  duties  in  the  mine  that  he  could  find  no  opportunity  to  work 
out  his  ideas  of  a  picker.  In  1893  he  abandoned  a  miner's  life  and  for  fourteen 
years  was  in  government  employ  at  the  post  office  in  Scranton.  During  these 
years  he  worked  his  great  invention,  the  Emery  Slate  Picker,  secured  his 
patents,  proved  its  value,  and,  resigning  his  position,  began  manufacturing  the 
machine.  The  firm  of  F.  H.  Emery  &  Company  was  formed,  consisting  of 
F.  H.  Emery,  T.  R.  Hughes  and  J.  R.  Richardson,  the  latter  now  deceased, 
the  first  two  named  partners  taking  over  his  interest.  The  business  of  the 
firm  is  the  manufacture  of  slate  pickers  from  Mr.  Emery's  patents,  a  force  of 
twenty-five  men  being  constantly  employed.  It  is  gratifying  to  note  that  Mr. 
Emery  reaps  the  reward  of  his  years  of  persistent  effort  and  controls  both  the 
manufacture  and  sale  of  this  child  of  his  brain.  He  has  other  business  in- 
terests, principally  connected  with  the  coal  trade,  being  a  director  of  the  South- 
western Anthracite  Coal  Company  and  of  the  Scranton  Anthracite  Coal  Com- 
pany, both  operating  from  Clarksville,  Kansas.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  in  political  faith  is  a  Republican. 


CHARLES  HENRY  LINDSAY 

A  resident  of  Scranton  since  1870,  Mr.  Lindsay  has  been  for  over  forty 
years  connected  with  important  commercial  enterprises  of  the  city  in  positions 
of  trust  and  responsibility.  He  was  born  in  Bath,  New  York,  March  9,  1846, 
son  of  James  and  Maria  (Richardson)  Lindsay,  the  former  born  in  Sligo, 
Ireland,  in  1799,  the  latter  in  Bath,  New  York,  in  1806. 

Charles  Henry  Lindsay  obtained  a  good  public  school  education  in  Bath 
and  until  1870  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  that  city.  In  that  year 
he  came  to  Scranton  where  until  1880  he  was  associated  with  Hunt  Brothers 
&  Company,  from  1881  to  1903  with  E.  I.  DuPont  de  Nemours  &  Company 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  from  1885  to  the  latter  year  was  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Consumers  Powder  Company.  In  1903  he  was  elected  treasurer  of 
DuPont  de  Nemours  &  Company  of  Pennsylvania  and  as  such  continues  at  the 
present  date  (1914).  In  addition,  from  1877  to  1891,  he  was  manager  of  the 
Academy  of  Music.  The  family  are  members  of  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  political  faith  Mr.  Lindsay  is  a  Republican. 

He  married,  in  Washington,  D.  C,  October  5,  1886,  Annie  Mitchell, 
daughter  of  William  H.  and  Eliza  (Cropley)  Tenney,  of  that  city.  Children: 
William  Tenney,  now  clerk  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton ;  Carl 
Ludovic,  now  clerk  for  the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company ;  Louise ;  Stewart. 
The  family  residence  is  No.  1631  Washington  avenue,  Scranton. 


-:^<">"i*  jVlft^fma'/'i^    .. 


-ir^e 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


ROBERT  THOMPSON  BLACK 


17= 


When  the  history  of  Scranton  and  her  public  men  shall  have  been  completed 
its  pages  will  bear  no  more  illustrious  name  and  record,  no  more  distinguished 
career  than  that  of  the  late  Robert  Thompson  Black,  in  whose  demise  the  city 
of  Scranton  lost  one  of  its  representative  citizens,  a  man  of  uncompromising 
integrity,  unassailable  character,  keen  perception  and  shrewd  judgment,  an 
active  and  potent  factor  in  the  financial  and  mercantile  affairs  of  his  adopted 
city,  whose  aggressive  opposition  to  public  or  private  fraud  made  him  a  man 
whose  influence  invariably  assisted  in  turning  the  balances  in  favor  of  the 
right. 

Robert  Thompson  Black  was  born  October  i,  1821,  in  Rath  Melton,  six 
miles  from  Londonderry,  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  a  descendant  of  a  Scotch- 
Irish  lineage.  He  was  reared  to  maturity  in  his  native  town,  attended  the 
district  school,  and  in  1842,  upon  attaining  his  majority,  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  sailing  from  Londonderry  on  the  ship  Lafayette,  arriving  in 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  the  journey  covering  a  period  of  six  weeks.  From 
Philadelphia  he  removed  to  Zanesville,  Ohio,  where  he  clerked  for  a  time  in  a 
store  owned  by  his  brothers,  John  and  Peter  Black,  later  assumed  charge  of  a 
store  in  McConnellsville,  Ohio,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Springfield,  Ohio, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  retail  mercantile  trade,  continuing  along  that  line  for 
eight  years,  during  which  time  he  achieved  a  large  degree  of  success.  He  then 
returned  to  Philadelphia  and  directed  his  attention  to  the  dry  goods  business, 
purchasing  an  interest  in  the  firm  of  Eschrick,  Penn  &  Company,  he  assuming 
the  active  management  of  the  business,  which  prospered  abundantly  under  his 
control,  he  being  progressive  in  his  ideas,  although  conservative  in  his  methods, 
and  later  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  coal  business,  which  was  also  a  lucra- 
tive enterprise.  In  1861  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  firm  of  Eschrick, 
Penn  &  Company  to  his  brother,  and  in  1866  removed  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  became  connected  with  the  Vulcan  Iron  Works  and  later 
turned  his  attention  to  the  coal  business,  in  which  he  had  become  an  expert. 

In  1867  Mr.  Black  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  residing  there  for  more  than  three 
decades,  being  busily  engaged  in  divers  pursuits.  His  first  business  venture 
after  moving  to  Scranton  was  in  connection  with  two  brothers-in-law  in  coal 
operations  at  Minooka ;  later  he  was  appointed  treasurer  and  general  manager 
of  the  Pennsylvania  and  Susquehanna  Coal  Company,  which  at  first  had  but 
one  colliery,  but  Mr.  Black  built  another  and  operated  the  two  for  a  number 
of  years,  making  shipments  by  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  and  Delaware,  Lacka- 
wanna &  Western  railroads,  the  business  growing  steadily  in  volume  and  im- 
portance under  his  competent  guidance  and  excellent  administration  of  affairs. 
About  the  year  1878  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  company. 

During  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Scranton  Mr.  Black  was  actively  and 
prominently  identified  with  many  leading  enterprises  which  had  for  their  ob- 
ject the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  city.  He  assisted  in  the  organization  of 
the  Second  National  Bank,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  of  which  he  was  a  director  for 
more  than  twenty  years,  and  at  different  times  served  as  vice-president  and 
president  of  the  Lackawanna  Valley  Bank,  of  Scranton,  holding  the  latter  posi- 
tion at  the  time  of  its  reorganization  as  the  Lackawanna  Trust  and  Safe 
Deposit  Company,  and  was  a  director  of  the  concern  at  the  time  of  his  decease. 
He  was  a  shrewd  investor,  a  close  scrutinizer  and  conservative  adviser,  and  he 
knew  the  value  of  bank  stock,  government  bond'  and  securities  as  very  few 
of  his  compatriots  did,  hence  his  value  in  high  official  positions,  which  he  filled 
acceptably  and  commendably. 


176  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

For  six  years  Mr.  Black  represented  the  eighth  ward  upon  the  board  of 
control,  and  also  held  the  position  of  member  of  the  poor  board  for  a  number 
of  years,  finally  tendering  his  resignation.  He  was  a  staunch  adherent  of  the 
principles  of  the  Republican  party,  in  whose  interests  he  labored  faithfully, 
but  he  steadfastly  declined  nomination  for  local  office,  preferring  to  render  his 
service  in  a  less  conspicuous  manner.  He  was  a  vigorous  fighter  in  the  cause 
of  good  government  against  lawlessness.  In  the  memorable  series  of  prosecu- 
tions by  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  successively  conducted 
by  its  presidents.  Colonel  Henry  M.  Boies  and  Edward  B.  Sturges,  in  the  early 
seventies,  against  saloon  keepers  for  violation  of  the  liquor  laws,  Mr.  Black  was 
the  financial  backer,  and  again  in  1876  he  rendered  a  like  service  in  the  graft 
prosecution  of  F.  A.   Beamish. 

During  his  later  years  Mr.  Black  withdrew  somewhat  from  the  public  eye 
and  from  the  active  furtherance  of  public  work,  but  he  never  ceased  to  hold 
a  gentle  sway  in  the  hearts  of  countless  friends,  to  whom  his  demise  was  a  sad 
affliction.  He  loved  hnmanitv  and  was  never  content  unless  doing  something 
for  others,  but  his  charity  was  simple  and  was  prompted  by  the  purest  motives 
of  a  kindly  and  sympathetic  heart.  Especially  in  his  later  years  he  possessed 
a  most  striking  personality ;  having  a  full  head  of  hair  as  white  as  snow  and 
by  contrast  a  fair  and  ruddy  complexion ;  an  extremely  vivacious  manner  of 
speech  and  a  high  keyed  treble  voice ;  plain  in  dress,  invariably  wearing  the 
conventional  black.  He  had  a  remarkable  memory  and  his  mind  was  a  store- 
house of  facts,  incidents  and  reminiscences,  and  he  enjoyed  a  good  joke  and 
could  tell  many.  He  was  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scran- 
ton,  in  the  work  of  which  he  took  an  active  interest. 

Mr.  Black  married,  July  15,  1858,  Caroline  A.  Perkins,  who  survived  him. 
Children :  Robert  Thompson  Jr.,  who  was  a  resident  of  Scranton,  died  in 
1907 :  Thomas  Atherton.  a  resident  of  Scranton :  Mary  S.,  who  became  the 
wife  of  C.  E.  Judson,  of  Wyoming,  who  for  a  number  of  years  has  managed 
an  extensive  cattle  ranch  in  that  state  belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  Black. 
Around  the  fireside  of  his  happy  home,  surrounded  by  his  family  that  he  loved 
dearly,  Mr.  Black  passed  many  of  his  happiest  hours,  enjoying  to  the  full 
their  companionship  and  love.  He  was  a  loving  husband,  an  indulgent  father, 
a  good  friend,  a  kind  person,  an  estimable  citizen  and  an  honest  man,  which 
tribute  is  more  to  be  desired  than  any  other. 

Mr.  Black  died  at  his  home  in  Scranton,  May  25,  1900,  and  mterment  was 
made  in  the  family  vault  in  Dunmore  Cemetery.  The  funeral  services  were 
conducted  by  the  Rev.  James  McLeod,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Logan,  both  of  whom  spoke  eulogistically  of  the  character 
of  the  deceased.    The  following  was  Dr.  Logan's  tribute : 

It  is  fully  fifty  years  since  I  first  met  Mr.  Black,  and  for  twenty-five  years  I  held 
toward  him  the  intimacy  of  a  recognized  pastor.  When  I  first  met  him  he  had  recently 
arrived  in  the  county  and  was  hard  at  work  on  what  was  then  the  frontier.  With  a 
Scotch  ancestry  and  an  Irish  birth-place,  he  belonged  to  that  race  of  Presbjlierians — the 
Scotch-Irish — who  placed  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  country.  He  called  himself  a 
Presbyterian.  I  once  told  him  I  thought  him  more  of  a  Presbyterian  than  a  Christian, 
and  he  said  he  was.  From  early  life  he  had  connected  himself  with  the  church,  but  in 
the  active  and  multifarious  contact  with  the  world  in  business,  for  a  time  he  departed 
from  it,  and  it  was  my  privilege  to  bring  him  back  to  the  church  in  which  he  maintained 
his  worthy  Christian  life  through  the  last  half  of  it. 

Robert  Black  was  a  man  of  strong  characteristics.  Honest  and  true  in  whatever  he 
undertook,  he  was  the  kind  of  stuff  out  of  which  the  citizenship  of  such  a  land  as  this 
is  made.  His  life  was  energetic,  industrious  and  kind,  and  he  was  more  than  ordinarily 
successful.  There  was  stalwart  truthfulness  without  effort  at  polish  and  yet  in  his  heart 
a  kindness  and  geniality  which  always  bound  men  to  him.  During  the  last  thirty  years 
he  walked  among  us  engaged   in  great  personal   enterprises,  but   always  ready  to  work 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


1/7 


and  sacrifice  for  the  building  up  of  a  Christian  city.  His  courage  in  resisting  the  wrongs 
m  our  citizenship  and  maintaining  the  right  was  more  than  conspicuous.  Twenty-three 
^ears  ago,  when  the  honest  and  good  citizens  of  Scranton  were  searching  for  friends  to 
protect  them  from  dislionesty  in  office,  from  ignorance  and  vice  in  our  citizenship,  he 
was  found  among  the  first. 

Just  as  in  the  day  when  the  nation  was  searching  in  all  byways  for  men  who  by 
strength  and  sacrifice  could  s-ave  the  country  in  the  dreadful  war,  he  was  true  and  per- 
petually active,  and  his  manliness  and  steadfastness  ought  to  be  remembered.  There  is 
preserved  in  the  archives  of  this  city  and  in  the  .archives  of  his  family,  I  trust,  a 
worthy  testimonial  to  the  fidelity  and  honest  and  worthy  citizen's  sacrifice  of  Robert 
Black.  It  is  where  all  the  best  men  of  the  city  have  certified  to  his  devotion  and  testi- 
mony for  the  right.  His  service  is  a  part  of  the  heritage  of  this  peaceful  and  prosper- 
ous city. 

He  had  his  faults,  but  we  can  as  Christians  speak  no  evil  of  the  dead ;  even  the 
heathen  would  not  do  that.  He  was  rugged  and  too  earnest  and  honest  to  spend  his 
time  polishing  down  his  points  of  contact  with  the  forces  he  proposed  to  meet  and  per- 
haps men  of  as  good  qualities  as  he  may  have  done  the  same  work  with  less  friction,  but, 
with  all  which  seemed  to  be  rugged  badness,  to  the  worthy  and  true,  he  always  mani- 
fested a  great,  generous  heart.  And  his  work  has  gone  into  the  warp  and  woof  of  those 
labors  and  sacrifices  which  have  made  our  city  a  joy  and  blessing  to  the  coming  gen- 
eration. 

Our  life  is  indeed  short  and  busy,  and  it  is  very  easy  for  him  who  is  spared  to  re- 
spectable old  age  to  find  his  work  entirely  forgotten.  The  children  enter  into  the  heri- 
tage of  the  fathers,  and  in  a  very  short  possession  will  apply  it  as  their  own.  Yet  it  is 
true  that  God  does  not  forget ;  the  worthy  life  will  have  its  telling  power,  and  the  vir- 
tuous, honest  citizenship  resigned  shall  still  remain  a  potency  which  God  himself  will 
demonstrate  in  the  end  of  the  days. 

As  Mr.  Black's  old  friend  and  pastor,  I  feel  it  to  be  a  pleasure  to  recall  his  rugged 
manly,  patriotic  and  honest  life.  And  there  are  many  within  the  sound  of  my  voice 
who,  I  know,  will  appreciate  the  tribute  which  I  have  brought  to  his  memory.  He  was 
not  only  a  man  that  aimed  to  do  right,  but  had  no  hesitancy  in  using  all  the  power  that 
God  gave  him  to  make  others  do  likewise. 

Our  sympathies  go  out  to  his  family,  where  as  husband  and  father  he  was  its  light 
and  in  whose  joys  and  sorrows  he  always  appeared  at  his  best.  Let  us  all  realize  that 
our  time  is  short,  and  what  we  do  for  ourselves,  for  our  country  and  for  our  God  must 
be  done  speedily.  Let  us  gird  ourselves  and  go  forward  with  new  zeal,  realizing  that  it 
is  not  vain  to  serve  God,  and  work  righteousness  among  our  fellowmen. 


JOSEPH  CURTIS  PLATT 

To  Joseph  Curtis  Piatt,  who  came  to  the  present  site  of  Scranton  in  1846, 
the  city  owes  much  of  its  early  prosperity  and  present  greatness.  He  had 
married  in  his  boyhood  home,  Connecticut,  Catherine  Serena  Scranton,  ant! 
when  Slocum  Hollow  emerged  from  its  chrysalis  condition,  took  on  manufac- 
turing dignity  and  demanded  a  inore  suitable  name,  he  was  instrumental 
in  securing  the  adoption  of  the  name  of  Scranton,  out  of  compliment  to  Messrs. 
George  W.,  Selden  T.,  and  Joseph  H.  Scranton. 

The  Platts,  of  Scranton,  are  of  the  Saybrook,  Connecticut,  branch,  descen- 
dants of  Frederick  Piatt,  who  settled  in  Killingworth,  Connecticut,  about  1790, 
supposedly  a  descendant  of  Richard  Piatt,  the  emigrant  of  1638,  who  settled 
at  New  Haven  and  Milford,  Connecticut.  At  the  latter  place,  among  the 
coping  stones  of  the  beautiful  memorial  bridge  over  the  Wapawaug  to  perpet- 
uate the  memory  of  the  early  settlers,  is  one  bearing  this  inscription : 

Deacon 

Richard  Piatt 

Obit  1684 

Mary  His  Wife. 

Frederick  Piatt  married  a  Miss  Fox,  of  New  London,  Connecticut.  His 
third  son  married  Hannah  Lane  and  located  at  Saybrook  in  the  part  now  called 
Winthrop.  Captain  Dan  Piatt,  son  of  Obadiah  Piatt,  was  an  officer  of  the 
Revolutionary  army.     He  was  born   1735,  died  aged  eighty-eight  years.     He 


178  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

married,  January  12,  1763,  Jemima  Pratt.  Deacon  Dan  Piatt,  son  of  Captain 
Dan  Piatt,  was  born  June  21,  1764,  married  Catherine  Lane,  December  20, 
1787,  and  died  in  Madison,  Connecticut,  aged  over  seventy-eight  years.  He  had 
five  sons  and  five  daughters.  Joseph  Piatt,  eldest  son  of  Deacon  Dan  Piatt, 
was  born  in  1789,  married  Lydia  Pratt,  and  died  aged  thirty-seven  years. 
He  was  a  lawyer  and  an  associate  of  the  father  of  Chief  Justice  W  aite  of  the 
United  States  Supreme  Court. 

Joseph  Curtis  Piatt,  son  of  Joseph  Piatt,  the  lawyer,  was  born  in  Saybrook, 
Connecticut,  September  17,  1816.  Left  fatherless  when  ten  years  of  age,  he 
began  at  eleven  years  to  earn  his  own  living  as  clerk  in  a  country  store.  In 
1836  he  had  accumulated  sufficient  capital  to  begin  business  for  himself.  He 
opened  a  general  store  at  Fair  Haven,  Connecticut,  carried  on  a  successful 
business  there  for  eight  years,  then  married  and  two  years  later  moved  to 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  His  marriage,  April  2,  1844,  to  Catherine  S.,  daugh- 
ter of  Jonathan  Scranton,  of  Madison,  Connecticut,  was  the  cause  of  this 
removal.  Her  brother  had  become  deeply  interested  in  iron  manufacture  in 
the  Lackawanna  Valley,  the  company  also  operating  a  store  which  in  1846 
needed  a  new  manager.  Joseph  H.  Scranton,  on  one  of  his  trips  East,  per- 
suaded his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Piatt,  to  visit  the  Valley  in  November,  1845. 
The  result  of  this  visit  was  that  the  following  year,  having  converted  his  prop- 
erty into  cash,  interested  his  friends  with  capital  to  also  invest,  he  located  in 
Slocum  Hollow  to  the  everlasting  benefit  of  the  then  village,  now  city.  To 
illustrate  the  change  in  transportation  facilities,  Mr.  Piatt  later  in  life  wrote 
the  following  account  of  his  coming  to  Scranton  with  his  little  family  in 
March,  1846: 

There  being  no  railroad  we  came  by  night  steamer  from  New  Haven,  and  arriving 
in  New  York,  the  next  morning  found  the  streets  so  full  of  snow  that  our  carriage 
could  hardly  get  to  the  Franklin  House  on  Broadway,  corner  of  Dey  street.  After  break- 
fast we  found  it  impossible  to  get  a  carriage  to  take  us  to  the  ferry  at  the  foot  of  Cort- 
land street,  on  account  of  the  depth  of  the  snow,  consequently  we  had  to  walk,  and  a  hand 
cart  took  our  baggage.  At  that  time  the  Morris  and  Essex  Railroad  only  ran  between 
Newark  and  Morristown.  Our  car  was  hauled  by  the  Camden  and  Amboy  Company 
over  its  road  to  Newark  where  it  was  disconnected  and  drawn  by  four  horses  up  the 
jame  heavy  grade  that  is  now  operated  by  steam.  From  this  point  we  were  taken  by  a 
locomotive  with  one  pair  of  driving  wheels  to  Morristown.  At  Summit  Station  we  found 
a  novel  plan  for  supplying  the  engine  with  water.  .A.  pair  of  wheels  on  a  line  of  shaft- 
ing were  placed  beneath  the  track,  the  upper  side  of  them  being  in  line  and  level  with  its 
top.  The  locomotive  was  chained  with  its  drivers  resting  on  the  wheels  beneath  its 
track,  when  the  engineer  put  on  steam  and  pumped  what  water  he  needed.  At  Morris- 
town we  took  a  stage  and  arrived  at  Oxford  about  dark.  There  we  spent  about  a  week, 
owing  partly  to  a  heavy  rain  which  had  so  raised  the  Delaware  River  that  we  had  to 
cross  it  by  the  bridge  at  Belvidere  and  struck  the  river  again  at  what  is  now  Portland. 
We  were  delayed  in  the  Water  Gap  by  ice  and  logs  in  the  road.  After  covering  small 
bridges  with  slabs  of  wood  hauled  out  of  the  river,  we  finally  reached  Tannersville  and 
spent  the  night.  The  next  morning,  finding  good  sleighing  at  Forks,  we  changed  our 
vehicle  to  runners  and  again  for  wheels  at  Greenville  (now  Nay- Aug)  and  arrived  at 
Selden  T.  Scranton's  house  about  dark  March  17,  1846.  the  traveling  time  being  one  day 
from  New  York  to  Oxford  and  two  more  to  reach  here.  At  present  the  trip  is  made 
over  substantially  the  same  route  in  4V2  hours  and  from  New  Haven  in  8  hours.  This 
route  generally  took  2j4  days  to  or  from  New  York  and  was  the  usual  one  followed. 
The  only  way  to  shorten  the  time  was  to  take  the  stage  at  Hyde  Park  at  noon  and  rid- 
ing through  the  night  reach  Middletown.  New  York,  in  the  afternoon,  then  taking  the 
Erie  Railroad  to  Piermont  and  steamer  down  the  Hudson,  arriving  in  New  York  about 
6   P.   M.  the  next   day  after   leaving  home. 

April  I,  1846,  San  ford  Grant,  having  retired  from  the  association  with  the 
Scrantons  and  their  iron  and  coal  enterprises,  Mr.  Piatt  took  charge  of  the 
store  operated  by  them,  and  in  November  of  that  year  the  firm  was  reorganized 
as  Scrantons  &  Piatt,  with  a  capital  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  179 

Later  in  the  same  year  Joseph  H.  Scranton  and  Mr.  Piatt  purchased  the  inter- 
est of  E.  C.  Scranton,  the  firm  continuing  as  Scrantons  &  Piatt  until  1853, 
when  having  far  outgrown  their  original  plans,  the  business  was  incorporated 
as  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company.  In  all  the  formative  period  of 
the  new  settlement  on  the  Lackawanna,  the  laying  out  of  the  town  plot  of 
lots,  the  founding  of  its  churches,  schools,  lodges,  etc.,  Mr.  Piatt  bore  a  lead- 
ing part  and  it  is  to  him  that  Scranton  owes  its  broad  straight  streets  and  all 
the  liberal  features  of  the  original  plan.  In  1850  the  first  steps  were  taken  to 
lay  out  the  village  plot  and  of  this  Mr.  Piatt  writes:  "I  felt  it  a  matter  of 
importance  to  start  right  and  held  many  consultations  with  Joel  Anderson, 
the  engineer."  So  interested  was  he  in  the  planning  and  building  of  the  town 
that  this  department  was  given  into  his  full  charge,  and  until  he  retired  from 
active  business  in  1874  he  continued  in  full  charge  of  the  company's  real  estate 
interests  with  the  title  of  vice-president. 

In  1856  the  borough  of  Scranton  was  organized,  Mr.  Piatt  becoming  one 
of  the  members  of  the  first  council.  On  August  27,  1858,  the  first  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  was  organized  with  Mr.  Piatt  as  one  of  its  man- 
agers. On  March  20,  1862,  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company  was  organ- 
ized for  the  manufacture  of  machinery  needed  in  many  plants  starting  in  the 
Lackawanna  Valley.  Of  this  company  he  was  one  of  the  first  directors,  for  a 
number  of  years  was  treasurer,  continuing  as  director  until  his  death.  In 
1863  the  First  National  Bank  was  organized  with  Mr.  Piatt  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors.  In  1864  he  became  a  member  of  the  milling  and  grain  fiim 
of  C.  T.  Weston  &  Company.  In  1865  he  was  chosen  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  The  great  demand  for 
powder  to  be  used  in  the  blasting  demanded  a  better  source  of  supply,  and  in 
April,  1865,  the  Moosic  Powder  Company  was  formed  with  Mr.  Piatt  a  di 
rector,  this  connection  continuing  until  death,  he  also  serving  for  a  time  as 
treasurer.  In  1867-1868  the  mercantile  interests  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and 
Coal  Company  demanding  enlarged  quarters,  a  large  and  commodious  store 
building  was  erected  under  Mr.  Piatt's  plans  and  direction.  In  1871  he  became 
a  director  of  the  People's  Street  Railroad  Company.  In  August,  1872,  he 
was  elected  vice-president  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Steel  Company  and  the 
same  year  was  chosen  vice-president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  a  position  to 
which  he  was  annually  re-elected  until  his  death.  In  1874  the  firm  of  C.  F. 
Weston  &  Company  was  incorporated  as  the  Weston  Mill  Company,  with  Mr. 
Piatt  as  director,  and  the  same  year  he  became  a  director  of  the  re-organized 
Lackawanna  Hospital. 

But  now  the  heavy  burdens  he  had  carried  since  a  boy  of  ten  years,  and  the 
demands  of  fifty  years  of  a  busy  and  useful  life,  made  themselves  felt  and  he 
determined  to  spend  the  afternoon  of  life  in  a  less  strenuous  manner.  To  this 
end  he  resigned  his  office  of  vice-president  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal 
Company  in  1874  and  seriously  tried  to  retire  from  the  more  arduous  of  his 
activities — but  in  vain- — he  could  not  shake  off  the  habits  of  a  lifetime  and 
roon  he  was  again  in  even  heavier  harness.  In  1876  he  became  a  director 
of  the  Riverton  Mills  Company  of  Virginia,  an  offshoot  from  the  Weston 
Mills  Company.  In  1877  he  resigned  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school 
after  twelve  years  service.  In  1879  he  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  People's  Street  Railway  Company,  and  the  same  year  became  a  member 
of  the  First  Board  of  Health  of  the  City  of  Scranton.  In  1880  he  was  chosen 
a  director  of  Ihe  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  and  in  1882  a  director 
of  the  newly  finished  Moses  Taylor  Hospital.  In  1883  he  joined  with  others 
in  the  creation  of  an  institution  to  bring  "speech  to  the  silent"  and  accepted  a 
directorship  on  the  board  governing  the  Pennsylvania  Oral  School  for  Deaf 


i8o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mutes,  one  of  Scranton"s  most  successful  and  characteristic  philanthropies.  In 
1886  he  was  chosen  director  of  the  newly  formed  "Lackawanna  Institute  of 
History  and  Science."  In  1887  he  resigned  as  secretarj-  and  treasurer  of  the 
People's  Street  Railway  Company,  but  the  same  year  became  a  director  of  the 
Scranton  Forging  Company,  a  new  company  transplanted  from  Connecticut. 

In  July,  1887,  he  experienced  a  great  grief  in  the  death  of  his  wife,  whom 
forty-three  years  previous  he  had  led  to  the  altar  and  whose  loss  he  was 
destined  not  long  to  sun-ive.  He  had  now  reached  the  age  of  seventy-one 
years,  sixty  of  which  had  been  years  of  business  activity,  seldom  equalled.  He 
was  in  full  possession  of  his  physical  and  mental  faculties,  when,  in  October, 
1887,  he  was  suddenly  stricken  with  that  dread  disease,  paralysis,  and  although 
provided  with  the  best  medical  attention  and  every  comfort,  he  did  not  recover, 
but  on  November  15  following,  his  spirit  fled  its  mortal  frame  and  on  unseen 
wings,  joined  his  life's  mate  in  the  ''house  of  many  mansions." 

This  brief  review  of  the  life  of  one  of  Scranton's  "benefactors"  shows 
imperfectly  how  much  he  did  and  how  well  he  performed  his  every  duty. 
He  died  "in  the  harness,"  although  in  his  latter  years  he  labored  less  for 
the  material  things,  becoming  more  and  more  interested  in  plans  and  enter- 
prises for  the  betterment  of  his  fellow  men  and  the  relief  of  suffering  humanity. 
The  year  prior  to  his  death  he  contributed  to  the  archives  of  the  Lackawanna 
Institute  a  valuable  historical  paper,  containing  a  full  account  of  the  develop- 
ment of  the  Lackawanna  \'alley  from  the  view  point  of  an  actual  participant. 
This  paper  since  his  death  has  been  printed  and  is  a  recognized  authority  on 
the  period  and  events  it  covers.  The  life  work  of  Joseph  Curtis  Piatt  shows 
him  to  have  been  possessed  of  more  than  average  ability  and  good  judgment, 
but  the  mainspring  of  his  success  was  his  untiring  energy,  reinforced  by  in- 
domitable courage.  He  lived  the  simple  life  and  cared  little  for  wealth,  ex- 
cept for  the  opportunity  it  gave  him  to  carry  out  ambitious  plans  for  the 
good  of  Scranton  and  her  people.  He  retained  his  connection  with  the  cor- 
porations previously  named,  and  on  his  death  his  associates  in  each  ex- 
pressed their  profound  sorrow  by  appropriate  resolutions.  He  is  buried  in 
Dunmore  Cemetery  by  the  side  of  his  beloved  wife. 

As  previously  stated,  ]\Ir.  Piatt  married.  April  2,  1844.  Catherine  Serena, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Scranton,  of  Madison.  Connecticut,  and  sister  of  the 
Scranton  brothers  famed  in  early  annals  of  the  city  that  bears  their  name. 
She  died  July  4,  1887,  preceding  her  husband  to  the  grave  by  about  four 
months,  they  having  enjoyed  an  ideal  married  life  of  forty-three  years. 
Children:  i.  Joseph  Curtis  Jr.,  (q.  v.).  2.  Ella  J.,  a  resident  of  Scranton  until 
her  death,  January  28,  1908.     3.  Frank  Elbert,  of  whom  further. 

Frank  Elbert  Piatt,  youngest  son  of  Joseph  Curtis  and  Catherine  Serena 
(Scranton)  Piatt,  was  born  in  Scranton,  February  21,  1859.  After  preparation 
at  the  Peekskill  Military  Academy  he  entered  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute 
of  Troy,  New  York,  whence  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Civil  En- 
gineer, in  the  class  of  1879.  After  his  graduation  he  followed  his  profession 
as  civil  engineer  for  several  years  in  the  Water  Works  Department  of  the  City 
of  Troy,  in  the  bridge  department  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company  and 
on  the  preliminary  survey  and  location  of  the  New  York,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad  between  Binghamton  and  Buffalo  under  the  late  James 
Archbald,  chief  engineer.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  iron  manufacture 
and  was  uniformly  successful  as  superintendent  of  the  blast  furnaces  of  the 
Franklin  Iron  Works,  Clinton,  New  York,  of  the  Hudson  River  Iron  Ore 
Company.  Cold  Spring.  New  York,  and  of  the  Chestnut  Hill  Iron  Ore  Com- 
pany, Columbia.  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania. 

On  the  death  of  his  father,  the  settlement  and  management  of  his  estate 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  i8i 

recalled  him  to  Scranton  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  become  identified 
with  many  of  the  business  enterprises  with  which  his  father  had  been  asso- 
ciated. He  is  a  director  in  the  following  local  corporations :  The  Scranton  Coal 
Company,  Pine  Hill  Coal  Company,  Elk  Hill  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  Scran- 
ton Electric  Construction  Company,  Susquehanna  County  Light  and  Power 
Company,  The  Penn  Store  Company,  Central  Realty  Company,  Keystone  Store 
Company,  Dickson  Store  Company,  Lackawanna  Institute  of  History  and 
Science,  the  Pennsylvania  Oral  School  for  the  Deaf,  and  the  Scranton  Forging 
Company.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton 
since  1905.  He  is  a  member  of  the  University  Club  of  New  York,  of  the  Scran- 
ton Club,  the  Engineers  Club,  and  is  president  of  the  Country  Club  of  Scran- 
ton. For  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  been  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Scra^i- 
ton  Coal  Company  which  operates  thirteen  collieries  along  the  line  of  the 
New  York,  Ontario  &  Western  Railway  Company.  He  possesses  not  only  the 
technical  skill  of  the  trained  engineer,  but  the  wise  business  sagacity  required 
of  the  modern  business  man,  an  equipment  rendering  him  a  valuable  acquisi- 
tion to  the  companies  in  which  he  is  interested.  With  cultured  tastes  and  in- 
stincts he  enjoys  the  world  of  art,  science  and  literature,  and  the  pleasures 
of  a  gentleman  of  means.  In  political  faith  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party,  and  in  religious  preference  is  a  Presbyterian. 

Frank  Elbert  Piatt  married  Elizabeth  Augusta  Skinner,  of  Guilford,  Con- 
necticut, born  i860.  Children:  i.  Margaret  Scranton,  born  in  New  York  City. 
2.  Joseph  Curtis  (3),  born  in  Cold  Spring,  New  York,  November  18,  1887; 
graduated  from  Yale,  1910;  business,  lumber.  3.  Philip  Skinner,  born  in 
Scranton,  November  26,  1889 ;  graduated  from  Yale,  1912 ;  business,  public 
health  and  hygiene.     4.  Leonard  Scranton,  born  in  Scranton,  June  12,   1900. 


FREDERICK  JOSEPH  PLATT 

Joseph  Curtis  (2)  Piatt,  son  of  Joseph  Curtis  (i)  Piatt  (q.  v.),  was  born 
in  Fair  Haven,  Connecticut,  January  9,  1845,  died  in  Waterford,  New  York, 
July  7,  1898.  The  year  following  his  birth,  his  parents  moved  to  what  is  now 
the  city  of  Scranton,  an  interesting  story  of  their  journey  being  given  in  the 
preceding  sketch.  The  boyhood  of  Joseph  C.  Piatt  was  spent  in  Scranton  and 
his  early  education  there  obtained.  He  prepared  at  Phillip's  Andover  Academy, 
whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1862,  then  entered  Rensselaer  Polytechnic 
Institute,  Troy,  New  York,  continuing  until  1866,  when  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  that  year  receiving  the  degree  for  which  he  had  qualified,  that  of 
Civil  Engineer.  His  youthful  manhood  was  spent  in  the  services  of  the 
Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company  of  Scranton,  where  he  added  to  hi.s 
previous  qualifications  those  of  a  mining  engineer.  He  rose  to  eminence  in 
his  dual  professions  and  in  iron  manufacture,  and  while  still  a  young  man  had, 
as  consulting  engineer,  charge  of  the  construction  and  later  operations  of  the 
Franklin  Furnaces  in  New  Jersey,  then  considered  a  very  large  and  important 
iron  manufacturing  plant.  He  remained  at  Franklin  Furnace  until  1875,  when 
he  moved  to  Waterford,  New  York,  where  for  nearly  twenty  years  he  was 
one  of  the  leading  manufacturers.  He  was  president  of  the  Mohawk  and  Hud- 
son Manufacturing  Company  and  of  its  successor,  the  Eddy  Valve  Company, 
also  proprietor  of  the  Button  Boiler  Company,  leading  industries  of  that  sec- 
tion. He  retired  from  active  business  life  during  his  last  years,  devoting  him- 
self to  his  earlier  professional  pursuits  by  the  preparation  of  essays  on  tech- 
nical engineering  subjects  for  the  scientific  journals. 

He  was  a  successful  man  in  both  professional  and  business  life,  held  to 
the  highest  code  of  honor  and  followed  his  convictions  with  fearless  and  out- 


i82  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

spoken  candor.  He  was  ever  an  enemy  of  the  liquor  traffic,  denouncing  i; 
publicly  and  privately,  fighting  it  almost  single  handed  in  his  town.  Yet  so 
consistent  was  his  life  and  so  honorable  and  open  his  opposition,  that  he  was 
held  by  the  liquor  men  in  greater  respect  than  any  other  man  in  Waterford.  In 
religious  faith  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  was  a  trustee  of  the  Waterford  congre- 
gation, chairman  of  its  finance  committee,  and  for  several  years  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  He  also  took  a  deep  interest  in  all  charitable  and  bene- 
volent work,  contributing  liberally  of  his  time,  good  judgment  and  means. 

Joseph  Curtis  Piatt  married,  December  8,  1869,  Katherine  Judd  Jones,  of 
Penn  Yan,  New  York,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Backus  (2)  Jones,  born  in  Troy, 
New  York,  September  5,  1808,  died  May  24,  1892,  and  his  wife,  Lucy  (Judd) 
Jones,  born  in  Rhinebeck,  New  York,  in  1812,  died  September  i,  1889.  Mr. 
Jones,  a  successful  man  of  high  character,  was  engaged  for  many  years  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Penn  Yan,  a  son  of  Ebenezer  Backus  ( i )  Jones,  of 
Troy.  Lucy  (Judd)  Jones  was  a  daughter  of  Uri  Judd.  of  Woodbury,  Con- 
necticut. Children  of  Joseph  Curtis  Piatt:  i.  Frederick  Joseph,  of  whom 
further.  2.  Llewellyn  Jones,  born  at  Franklin  F^trnace,  .New  Jersey,  July  23, 
1873,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  15,  1876.  3.  Elbert  Scranton,  born 
December  21,  1876;  graduate  of  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute,  now  in  the 
chemical  department  of  that  institution  in  Troy,  New  York ;  married  Angelica 
Schuyler  Thompson,  and  has  a  son,  Elbert  Scranton  Piatt.  4.  Edward  How- 
ard, born  November  5,  1878,  died  in  infancy. 

Frederick  Joseph  Piatt,  eldest  son  of  Joseph  Curtis  (2)  and  Katherine 
Judd  (Jones)  Piatt,  was  born  at  Franklin  Furnace,  New  Jersey,  July  21,  1871. 
He  prepared  for  college  at  the  Peekskill  Military  Academy,  Peekskill,  New 
York,  then  entered  Cornell  University,  pursuing  the  full  mechanical  and  elec- 
trical engineering  course  and  was  graduated  M.  E.,  class  of  1892.  He  later 
located  in  Scranton,  where  he  has  attained  eminence  as  an  electrical  and 
mechanical  engineer.  He  is  president  of  the  Scranton  Electrical  Construction 
Company,  and  treasurer  of  the  Susquehanna  County  Light  and  Power  Com- 
pany, director  of  County  Savings  Bank,  director  of  Scranton  Trust  Company, 
director  of  United  Service  Company,  and  has  other  business  interests  of  im- 
portance. He  is  a  Kappa  Alpha,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the 
Scranton  Club  and  Scranton  Engineers'  Club. 

Mr.  Piatt  married,  January  24,  1895,  Jessie  Gay  Blair,  of  Scranton.     Chil 
dren:  Joseph  Curtis  (3),  Austin  Blair,  Frederick. 


ARCHIBALD  F.  LAW 


There  has  been  much  in  the  history  of  the  Law  family  in  Pennsylvania  to 
make  the  name  honored  among  the  most  celebrated  of  the  state.  Inseparably 
connected  with  the  coal  mining  industry  in  the  first  generation  in  this  country, 
a  pillar  of  the  mercantile  world  in  the  second,  and  a  power  in  many  of  the 
industrial  enterprises  of  the  present  day,  one  of  the  name  has  ever  been  a  prom- 
inent figure  ever  since  the  United  States  became  the  scene  of  the  family's 
conquests.  The  Laws  are  of  great  antiquity  in  Scotland  and  its  members  -n 
that  country  have  been  elevated  to  positions  of  height  in  professional  and  civil 
life.  The  fruits  of  the  latter  generation  are  but  the  realization  of  the  promise 
of  earlier  days. 

(I)  Archibald  Law,  grandfather  of  Archibald  F.  Law.  was  the  chief  engi- 
neer in  Scotland  of  the  Duke  of  Buccleuh,  and  he  came  to  this  country  on 
the  invitation  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Railroad  to  take  charge  of  their  ex- 
tensive mining  operations.  This  was  in  1830,  when  he  was  thirty-one  years  of 
age,  and  to  him  is  due  the  praise  for  the  introduction  of  the  present  method 


^ 


d/,/ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  183 

of  underground  mining  used  in  place  of  the  system  then  in  vogue,  the  working 
of  the  vein  from  the  surface  by  stripping  or  quarrying.  At  Wanlockhead, 
Scotland,  his  birth-place,  he  had  been  taught  the  profession  of  mining  engineer- 
ing, and  upon  his  arrival  in  Pennsylvania  he  obtained  employment  with  the 
Delaware  &•  Hudson  Coal  Company  in  that  capacity.  His  extended  knowledge 
of  his  profession,  gained  from  a  close  study  of  the  properties  of  anthracite 
and  the  best  miethods  of  working,  soon  made  him  a  recognized  authority  upon 
these  subjects,  and  the  innovation  he  introduced  in  the  extraction  of  coal  only 
served  to  add  to  his  fame  and  increase  his  prestige  in  his  field  of  operations.  It 
was  Mr.  Law's  efficiency  in  mining  matters  that  led  to  the  accident  causing  his 
death.  Although  he  suffered  severe  injuries  in  the  year  1836  by  a  falling 
roof  in  a  mine,  that  was  only  incidental  to  the  life  of  a  miner  and  was  a  part  of 
the  daily  risk  run  by  all  who  elected  to  spend  their  working  hours  buried  be- 
neath thousands  of  tons  of  earth  and  rock,  far  below  the  light  of  day.  His 
really  fatal  injury  was  received  in  1843,  after  he  had  been  promoted  to  the 
office  of  chief  nxining  engineer  and  first  inspector  of  coal,  to  determine  its 
qualities  of  combustion,  appointed  by  the  Delaware  &  Hud.son  Company.  It 
was  necessary  that  an  inspection  of  the  mine  pumps  be  made,  a  duty  re- 
quiring the  services  of  an  expert  engineer  and  involving  the  life  and  safety  of 
hundreds  of  miners,  one  which  no  conscientious  and  honorable  engineer  could 
assign  to  a  subordinate.  While  engaged  in  his  task  a  mass  of  slate  roofing  fell, 
severely  injuring  his  spine  and  permanently  disabling  him,  its  effects  hastening 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1848.  That  a  life  from  which  so  much  of  use- 
fulness was  expected  in  the  service  of  his  fellowmen  should  be  so  unduly 
shortened  was  indeed  deplorable.  In  commemoration  of  his  momentous  rev- 
olution of  the  mining  industry,  a  massive  monument  was  erected  on  the  oc- 
casion of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  city  of  Carbondale.  marking  the  spot 
first  worked  in  this  manner  and  honoring  the  man  introducing  it. 

(II)  Charles  Law,  father  of  Archibald  F.  Law,  was  born  in  Carbondale, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1833,  and  there  attended  the  public  schools.  His  business  life 
began  at  the  early  age  of  thirteen  years,  when  he  became  an  indentured  ap- 
prentice to  the  mercantile  business  in  an  establishment  conducted  by  Law  & 
Howell,  the  senior  partner  being  his  elder  brother.  After  eight  years  spent  in 
the  service  of  others,  he  establishd  a  mercantile  business  in  Pittston  under  the 
firm  name  of  Charles  Law  &  Company,  which  was  subsequently  changed  to 
Law  &  Campbell,  so  continuing  until  1878,  when  Mr.  Law  withdrew  from  the 
firm,  at  that  time  conducting  an  extensive  business.  After  his  retirement  from 
this  field,  Mr.  Law  contracted  connections  with  many  important  enterprises 
about  Pittston,  and  was  actively  engaged  until  his  death,  the  Hendrick  Manu- 
facturing Company  of  Carbondale  being  one  of  his  chief  interests.  He  mar- 
mied,  November  25,  1854,  Ellen  Atwater,  daughter  of  Charles  Atwater,  an 
early  merchant  and  postmaster  of  Providence,  Pennsylvania.  The  Atwaters 
were  of  English  origin,  and  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, and  Providence  Plantations.  Pennsylvania,  all  of  the  name  in  this 
country  tracing  to  David  Atwater,  the  immigrant.  On  November  25,  1904, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Law  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  anniversary. 

(III)  Archibald  F.  Law,  eldest  of  a  family  of  ten  children  of  Charles  and 
Ellen  (Atwater)  Law,  was  born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  June  21,  1856,  died 
at  his  home  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  18,  1914.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  and  by  private  tutors  in  preparation  for  a  college  course, 
but  having  an  inclination  for  active  work  he  did  not  complete  the  course  and 
began  his  business  career  in  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  at  Cox- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  capacity  of  weighmaster,  and  as  such  was  engaged  at 
Pittston  for  a  period  of  six  years.     From  1879  to  1885  he  was  cashier  of  the 


i84  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Canada  Southern  Railway,  at  Buffalo,  New  York,  acquiring  a  good  knowl- 
edge of  modern  railroading,  and  in  the  latter  named  year  became  connected 
with  the  large  coal  operating  firm  of  Simpson  &  Watkins  at  Scranton  as  secre- 
tary and  confidential  man.  Finding  the  occupation  well  to  his  liking,  Mr.  Law 
acquainted  himself  with  all  departments  of  the  business,  subsequently  ac- 
quiring an  interest  therein.  In  1899  the  interest  of  this  firm  was  merged  with 
that  of  the  Temple  Iron  Company,  Mr.  Law  being  made  secretary.  Later  the 
duties  of  treasurer  were  added  to  those  of  this  office,  while  shortly  afterward 
he  was  made  vice-president,  with  absolute  control  over  the  entire  administration 
of  the  business  of  the  company,  a  position  of  great  responsibility,  which  he 
held  until  the  dissolution  of  the  Temple  Iron  Company  in  April,  1914.  The 
business  of  the  company  included  the  furnace  at  Temple,  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  eight  collieries  in  Lackawanna  and  Luzerne  counties,  namely: 
The  Northwest,  Edgerton,  Babylon.  Mount  Lookout,  Forty  Fort,  Sterrick 
Creek.  Harry  E.  and  Lackawanna,  employing  in  rill  eight  thousand  men.  He 
had  in  him  the  true  American  spirit  of  fair  plav,  and  was  always  personally 
responsible  to  his  employees  for  any  official  action,  his  equable  disposition  and 
genial  personality  rendering  impossible  all  of  the  conflict  so  often  found  be- 
tween employer  and  employed.  So  considerate  had  lie  been  of  the  rights  and 
needs  of  the  host  of  men  dependent  upon  him,  and  upon  whom  he  depended, 
that  no  formal  request  within  reason  was  ever  refused  them,  while  many  of 
their  desires  were  anticipated  and  fair  action  taken. 

In  addition  to  the  responsibilities  of  this  office,  to  which  most  of  his  time 
was  devoted,  he  was  actively  connected  with  the  following  industrial  and 
financial  organizations :  The  Northwest  Coal  Company,  of  which  he  was  presi- 
dent :  the  Edgerton  Coal  Company,  of  which  he  was  president :  !Mt.  Pleasant 
Coal  Company,  of  which  he  was  president  ■  Sterrick  Creek  Coal  Company,  of 
which  he  was  president ;  Babylon  Coal  Company,  of  which  he  was  president ; 
Forty  Fort  Coal  Company,  of  which  he  was  president ;  the  Cross  Engineering 
Company,  manufacturers  of  mining  machinery,  of  which  he  was  president, 
which  company  recently,  owing  to  their  greatly  increased  business,  gave  their 
employees  a  bonus  of  five  per  cent,  on  their  earnings  for  the  past  year,  they 
having  in  their  employ  about  fifty  men,  the  amounts  varying  from  $30.00  to 
$50.00,  and  to  Mr.  Law  is  due  the  credit  of  instituting  the  profit-sharing  plan 
in  Lackawanna  county ;  the  Wyoming  Electric  I  .ight  &  Pbwer  Company,  of 
which  he  was  president ;  the  Mears  Mining  Company  of  Joplin,  Missouri,  of 
which  he  was  director  and  treasurer ;  the  Title  Guaranty  and  Surety  Company, 
of  which  he  was  a  director ;  the  Peckville  National  Bank,  the  Scranton  Trust 
Company,  the  Forty  Fort  Silk  Company  and  the  Lytle  Store  Company,  at 
Minersville,  in  all  of  which  he  was  a  director.  Mr.  Law's  knowledge  of  each 
of  the  industries  and  organizations  was  complete,  thorough  and  systematic, 
the  policy  of  each  and  the  state  of  its  business  all  being  the  property  of  his 
wonderfully  retentive  mind. 

It  is  doubtful  whether  a  college  education  could  have  improved  Mr.  Law's 
literary  tastes  or  widened  the  fields  open  to  him  in  that  direction.  With  a 
strong  instinct  for  all  that  is  best  in  the  world  of  letters,  he  found  his  chief 
recreation  in  the  recesses  of  his  library,  a  large  well-filled  room,  the  shelves 
stocked  with  all  the  works  of  the  classics  and  the  best  of  modern  authors.  Many 
of  his  books  are  so  rarely  valuable  as  to  make  duplication  almost  impossible 
and  in  these  he  took  the  fond  pride  of  the  literary  connoisseur.  While  con- 
tinued and  diligent  reading  often  tends  toward  an  absorption  almost  selfish. 
Mr.  Law  escaped  the  construction  of  the  only  evil  that  could  result  from  deep 
pursuit  of  the  master  writers  of  the  world,  and  ever  delighted  to  have  others 
participate  in  his  pleasures.     To  this  end  he  was  primarily  the  founder  of  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  185 

A.  F.  Law  Library  Association,  which  was  given  his  name  in  lecognition  of 
his  generosity  and  pubHc  spirit.  To  this  institution,  dedicated  at  Jessup,  Janu- 
ary 24,  1905,  in  the  presence  of  over  1000  of  the  townspeople,  deeply  apprecia- 
tive and  grateful,  he  contributed  more  than  1000  carefully  selected  volumes. 
As  a  result  of  this  splendid  gift,  Jessup  prides  itself  upon  the  possession  of  a 
public  library  unequalled  by  that  of  any  town  of  its  size  in  the  valley. 

Mr.  Law  was  a  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral  School  for  the  Deaf, 
by  appointment  of  Governor  Tener,  and  was  a  member  of  the  advisory  board 
of  the  Hahnemann  Hospital  Association.  He  was  a  member  of  the  following: 
American  Society  of  Mining  Engineers:  Engineers'  Society  of  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania;  International  Society  of  Social  Insurance,  of  which  he  was  the 
American  delegate-at-large,  headquarters,  Paris,  France,  this  institution  being 
for  the  purpose  of  discussing  and  devising  ways  and  means  for  the  protection 
and  insurance  of  working  men ;  the  Scranton  Club :  the  Green  Ridge  Club ; 
the  Country  Club,  all  of  Scranton:  the  Westmoreland  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
and  various  other  societies  and  clubs.  In  the  Masonic  order  he  held  the  thirty- 
second  degree.  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite.  His  only  military  service 
was  for  three  years  in  an  independent  company  of  the  National  Guard  of 
New  York,  the  Buffalo  City  Guards.  He  was  a  member  and  trustee  of  the 
Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  and  politically  he  was  a  strong  supporter  of 
the  Republican  party. 

Mr.  Law  married,  September  25,  1878,  Eva  G.  Brenton,  daughter  of  Joel 
Brenton,  of  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  and  three  children  were  born  to  them,  two 
of  whom  were :  Frank  E.,  a  graduate  of  Ya'e  University,  living  at  the 
present  time  (1914)  :  Grace  B.,  married,  September  4.  1908,  Frank  B.  Rutter, 
who  was  vice-president  of  the  Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut  Company,  and  both 
were  instantly  killed  in  a  New  Haven  Railroad  coach  near  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, September  2,  1913,  their  bodies  arriving  in  Scranton  on  the  fifth  an- 
niversary of  their  wedding. 

Mr.  Law  was  a  good  citizen,  and  in  the  development  of  the  anthracite  in- 
dustry in  the  valley  none  played  a  more  prominent  role.  He  learned  the  mining 
business  from  the  beginning  and  no  coal  expert  was  more  versed  on  mining. 
He  also  displayed  remarkable  ability  and  a  vast  capacity  for  governing  men  in 
the  various  positions  to  which  he  was  called.  He  was,  moreover,  a  Christian 
gentleman  of  high  type,  kind,  considerate,  benevolent  and  philanthropic. 


J.  BENJAMIN  DIMMICK 

That  the  name  of  Dimmick,  so  closely  related  to  many  of  most  im- 
portant financial  institutions  and  commercial  enterprises  of  Scranton,  and 
with  numerous  educational  and  humanitarian  projects  in  the  vicinity,  should 
be  one  of  the  most  highly  regarded  and  respected  is  only  returning  to  an 
ancient  and  honorable  lineage  its  just  due.  Although  in  the  pages  of  history 
the  name  appears  as  Dymock,  Dimmock  and  Dimick,  modern  usage  sanctions 
only  the  spelling  used  in  this  chronicle,  Dimmick,  The  Rev.  Dr.  Miller  casts 
the  following  light  upon  the  derivation  of  the  surname :  "The  Dymocks  come 
down  from  Tudor,  Prince  and  Chief  of  the  Welsh  Marches,  to  David  ap  Madoc, 
some  five  hundred  years,  they  being  known  in  Wales  as  Dai  (from  Dy),  Dai 
being  in  Welsh  the  diminutive  of  David.  His  successors  were  known  as 
Daimoc,  and  Sir  William  Dymock,  the  sixth  in  descent  from  him,  had  the 
spelling  in  that  form."  Although  in  the  days  of  George  IV.  the  office  of 
hereditary  champion  of  England  was  abolished,  from  an  early  period  it  had 
been  occupied  by  the  English  Dymock,  acquired  by  the  marriage  of  Sir  John 


i86  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Dymock,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III.,  to  the  sole  heirship  of  the  Marmions,  ni 
whose  family  the  position  had  previously  been  held. 

It  is  Elder  Thomas  Dimmock  that  all  bearers  of  the  name  in  New  Eng- 
land recognize  as  their  common  ancestor.  He  came  from  Barnstable,  England, 
and  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  town  of  that  name  in  ^Massachusetts, 
in  which  state  he  held  residence  in  1635,  although  the  exact  date  of  his  arrival 
is  unknown.  In  the  judicial,  public,  military  and  religious  life  of  Barnstable 
he  held  positions  of  responsibility  and  honor.  In  religious  convictions  he  was 
years  n  advance  of  his  generation,  a  firm  advocate  of  the  tolerance  he  person- 
ally ex,;rcised.  In  the  early  settlements  of  the  new  country  it  was  frequenth- 
to  one  man  that  the  other  citizens  looked  for  guidance  in  all  their  public  action 
and  it  was  Elder  Thomas  Dimmock  who  served  the  village  as  leader  in  all 
matters  of  town  government  and  improvement. 

Timothy  Dimmick,  the  fourth  generation  of  the  name  in  this  country, 
married  Ann,  daughter  of  Joseph  Bradford,  a  direct  descendant  of  Governor 
Bradford,  who  came  to  America  in  the  "Mayflower." 

Alpheus  Dimmick  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  make  his  permanent  resi- 
dence outside  of  the  boundaries  of  New  England.  He  attained  eminence  among 
the  legal  lights  of  New  York  state  and  represented  Sullivan  county  in  the 
state  legislature.  He  was  the  father  of  Samuel  Erskine  Dimmick  and  grand- 
father of  J.   Benjamin  Dimmick,  whose  careers  are  herein  recorded. 

Samuel  Erskine  Dimmick  was  born  December  24,  1822.  He  was  granted 
opportunities  for  a  liberal  education,  and,  improving  these,  began  his  honor- 
able and  eventful  legal  career  with  an  excellent  and  comprehensive  foundation 
for  the  more  involved  and  more  important  legal  questions  he  afterward 
learned.  The  office  in  which  he  was  entered  as  a  student  at  law  was  that  of 
his  cousin.  William  H.  Dimmick,  and  it  was  here,  in  the  years  from  1844  to 
1846,  that  he  received  much  valuable  and  well-directed  advice  upon  the  legal 
lore  that  he  was  required  to  peruse,  his  relationship  to  Mr.  Dimmick  causing 
the  latter  to  take  special  interest  and  concern  in  his  welfare.  On  May  6,  1846. 
he  was  admitted  to  the  Wayne  county  bar  and  subsequently  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  his  cousin  and  former  preceptor  which  continued  until  the  latter"s 
death  in  1861.  In  addition  to  his  large  general  practice  he  was  retained  as  at- 
torney for  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company,  the  county  commission- 
ers, and  the  Honesdale  Bank,  whose  interests  he  guarded  in  a  most  satis- 
factory manner  during  the  years  of  his  connection  in  that  capacity.  In  1856 
he  was  the  choice  of  the  Republican  party  of  his  district  for  the  congressional 
election,  his  opponent  being  William  H.  Dimmick.  The  campaign  was  full  of 
interest  because  of  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case,  the  two  contestant.-- 
being  blood  relations,  law  partners,  and  the  one  having  been  the  instructor 
of  the  other  in  the  very  matters  upon  which  the  qualifications  of  each  for 
office  were  based.  The  district  being  strongly  Democratic  the  public  choice 
fell  upon  the  older  man,  the  Hon.  W.  H.  Dimmick. 

Samuel  E.  Dimmick  was  a  loyal  member  of  the  Republican  organization 
and  a  potent  factor  in  the  innermost  councils  of  the  party,  to  whose  national 
convention  he  was  a  delegate  in  i860.  1864  and  1868.  In  1872  he  was  elected 
a  delegate  to  the  constitutional  convention  of  Pennsylvania,  a  splendid  tribute 
to  his  worth  in  council  and  intimate  knowledge  of  the  political  and  economica' 
conditions  of  the  country.  His  ap])ointment  by  Governor  Hartranft  as  at- 
torney-general of  the  commonwealth  was  another  proof  of  the  confidence  and 
reliance  placed  in  his  powers  as  a  lawyer  by  those  in  authority  above  him.  Plis 
usefulness  in  his  new  office  was  ended  on  October  11,  1875,  by  the  grim  hand 
of  the  Great  Reaper  removing  him  from  a  position  in  which  he  was  only  be- 
ginning to  grasp  the   opportunity  to  exercise   unrestrainedly   the   vast   talent.'^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  187 

with  which  he  had  been  endowed  and  which  had  increased  abundantly  under 
his  careful  husbandry.  The  following  is  the  official  gubernatorial  proclamation 
issued  the  day  after  Mr.  Dimmick's  death  : 

Executive    Mansion, 
Harrisburg,    October    12,     1875. 
To  the   People  of  the   Commonwealth  of   Pennsylvania : 

It  is  with  profound  sorrow  that  I  make  official  announcement  of  the  death  of  Sam- 
uel E.  Dimmick,  which  took  place  in  this  city  last  evening.  The  high  tone  of  his  public 
life,  the  talents  and  the  private  virtues  of  this  distinguished  man.  will  be  his  enduring 
memorial  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  Pennsylvania.  Out  of  respect  to  his  eminent 
services  the  several  departments  of  government  will  be  draped  in  mourning  for  the 
period  of  thirty  days,  and  closed  on  Friday.  October  13,  when  his  funeral  will  take 
place.  J.   T.   Hartranft. 

Probably  there  is  no  more  sincere  and  better  deserved  memorial  to  the 
worth  of  any  public  official  spread  upon  state  or  national  records  than  that 
dedicated  by  the  executive  head  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  to  Samuel  E. 
Dimmick  in  his  message  of  1876: 

In  October  last  the  mortal  remains  of  the  late  .Attorney-General  Samuel  E.  Dim- 
mick were  reverently  laid  to  rest  in  the  little  cemetery  at  Honesdale.  Three  years  ago 
the  character,  integrity,  and  recognized  legal  abilities  of  this  lamented  man  designated 
him  for  the  important  position  he  filled  with  so  much  dignity  and  honor,  and  the  full 
measure  of  popularity  he  enjoyed  at  the  time  of  his  death  showed  how  satisfactorily  he 
discharged  his  responsible  duties.  Generous,  manly,  and  upright  in  all  the  relations  of 
life,  and  administering  his  high  office  with  a  stern  and  uncompromising  fidelity  to  the 
interests  of  the  state,  the  deceased  attorney-general  tempered  his  decisions  with  so  much 
benevolence  and  courtesy  that  it  is  difficult  to  say  whether  as  a  man  or  official  he  was 
most  beloved.  Of  delicate  health  and  suffering  from  the  affliction  that  resulted  in  his 
death,  in  response  to  what  he  believed  a  call  of  duty.  Mr.  Dimmick  died  while  in  at- 
tendance upon  the  Board  of  Pardons,  where  his  merciful  disposition  and  mature  and 
correct  judgment  were  invaluable  helps  in  dispensing  justice.  With  the  public  grief 
that  deplores  his  loss,  I  may  be  permitted  to  mingle  my  private  sorrow,  for  while  the 
State  mourns  for  a  just  and  incorruptible  officer,  the  administration  has  been  deprived 
of  a  careful  and  wise  counsellor,  and  the  executive  of  a  disinterested  and  devoted 
friend. 

Samuel  Dimmick  married,  January  28,  1855,  Lucretia  M.  Benjamin,  who 
died  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  February  14,  1880,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Benjamin,  Esquire,  of  New  York. 

J.  Benjamin  Dimmick,  son  of  Samuel  Erskine  and  Lucretia  M.  (  Benja- 
min) Dimmick,  was  born  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  October  3,  185S.  His 
opportunities  for  liberal  education  were  well  improved,  his  studies  preparatory 
to  college  entrance  being  pursued  at  Adams  Academy,  Quincy,  Massachusetts, 
and  at  Phillips  Exeter  Academy.  In  1881  he  matriculated  at  Yale  College  and 
was  nearing  the  completion  of  his  academic  course,  when,  in  the  last  term  of 
his  senior  year,  failing  health  necessitated  the  discontinuance  of  his  studies. 
His  vitality  strengthened  and  his  energies  recruited  by  an  extended  European 
tour,  he  returned  to  Yale,  subsequently  receiving  from  that  institution  the  de- 
grees of  Bachelor  and  Master  of  Arts.  Upon  his  return  home  he  drcided  upon 
the  legal  profession  as  the  career  best  suited  to  his  talents  and  liking,  and  after 
instruction  in  the  office  of  William  H.  Dimmick  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Wayne  county  in  1882.  His  active  practice  began  in  1883,  in  which  year  he 
located  in  Scranton  and  formed  a  partnership  with  his  cousin,  Edward  C. 
Dimmick,  an  association  that  continued  for  but  a  short  tiine  before  continued 
ill-health  compelled  him  to  withdraw  from  the  firm  and  seek  a  change  of  air 
and  climate.  He  again  went  abroad,  spending  most  of  his  time  in  Switzer- 
land, until,  fully  recovered,  he  returned  to  Scranton.  Here  he  became  inter- 
ested in  financial  and  industrial  affairs  rather  than  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 


i88  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

fession  and  has  become  a  notable  figure  in  many  of  the  leading  institutions 
of  this  kind  in  the  city.  He  is  president  of  the  Lackawanna  Trust  and  Safe 
Deposit  Company,  and  of  the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company,  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  First  National  Bank  and  in  the  South  Side  Bank  he  holds  the 
office  of  director. 

Mr.  Dimmick  has  always  been  a  close  student  of  political  economy  and 
has  a  broad  and  comprehensive  knowledge  of  national,  state  and  municipal 
needs  and  conditions.  As  a  resident  of  the  City  of  Scranton  he  has  taken 
especial  interest  in  its  civic  progress  and  betterment,  and  in  1906,  in  response 
to  an  urgent  request  of  the  citizens  of  the  city,  he  permitted  his  name  to  be 
used  as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  the  city's  chief  executive.  His  election 
and  induction  into  office  was  immediately  followed  by  unusual  activity  and 
progress  along  all  municipal  lines,  health  conservation,  recreation  and  improved 
highways  receiving  especial  attention.  While  acting  as  mayor  his  name  was 
first  mentioned  as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  United  States  senator,  but  it 
was  not  until  the  year  19 14  that  he  became  an  active  candidate  for  this  im- 
portant office.  Although  defeated  by  the  powerful  influences  arrayed  against 
him  the  strong  personality  of  the  man  was  manifest  in  the  support  given  him 
throughout  the  state.  As  is  natural  with  one  of  his  wide  education  he  realizes 
the  value  and  companionship  of  good  books  to  the  individual  and  is  a  firm 
friend  and  supporter  of  the  Scranton  Public  Library.  His  kind,  benevolent, 
and  warmly  sympathetic  nature  is  testified  by  his  interest  in  the  Scranton 
Society  for  the  Prevention  and  Cure  of  Consumption,  and  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Oral  School  for  the  Deaf  Mutes,  in  both  of  which  he  is  a  trustee.  In  the 
leading  literary  and  social  organizations  of  the  city  he  is  a  prominent  member, 
belonging  to  the  L^niversity  Club,  the  Yale  Club,  of  New  York  City,  and  the 
Scranton  and  Country  clubs,  of  Scranton. 

Mr.  Dimmick  married,  November  9,  1881,  Louisa  H.  Hunt,  daughter  of 
Dr.  E.  K.  and  Mary  (Crosby)  Hunt,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut.  Children: 
Jeannette  Hunt,  born  July  28,  1883;  Lucretia  Benjamin,  born  May  20,  1889, 
died  January  4,  1893;  Mary  Crosby,  born  February  10,  1894. 


COLONEL  LOUIS  ARTHUR  WATRES 

\\''hile  the  records  of  the  past  are  practically  bare  of  reference  to  the  Watres 
family  of  which  Colonel  Louis  A.  Watres  is  a  member,  the  generations  of  the 
name  to  come  will  seek  no  fairer  heritage  than  the  honor  descending  to  them 
found  from  the  part  played  in  all  the  different  paths  of  life  by  those  with 
whom  this  narrative  deals.  Patriotism  in  time  of  national  need,  activity  in 
the  aid  of  all  humanitarian  enterprises,  unselfish  devotion  to  public  duty,  and 
eminence  in  political  life,  are  a  few  of  the  glorious  attributes  which  make  the 
name  of  Watres  one  of  the  proudest  of  the  present  day. 

Lewis  S.  Watres,  father  of  Colonel  Louis  A.  Watres,  was  born  in  Phoenix- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  in  1808,  died  August  i,  1882.  When  he  was  twenty-seven 
years  of  age  he  became  a  resident  of  the  Lackawanna  Valley,  in  whose  material, 
intellectual  and  moral  progress  he  was  ever  after  a  prominent  factor.  Hav- 
ing purchased  400  acres  of  land  in  iMount  Vernon,  now  Winton,  he  first  turned 
his  attention  to  its  clearing  and  to  disposing  of  the  lumber  secured  through  this 
process.  Besides  being  the  proprietor  of  many  of  the  business  enterprises 
of  the  vicinity,  he  opened  the  first  coal  mine  in  the  valley  below  Carbondale. 
His  activity  in  the  development  of  that  section  of  the  valley  made  him  widely 
acquainted  throughout  the  region,  and  for  several  years  he  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Blakeley  township.  After  coming  to  Scranton,  his  participa- 
tion in  political  matters  was  confined  to  holding  the  office  of  alderman  from 


-^^ 


'      /^~-y-^< 


-j^j 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  189 

the  ninth  ward  for  seventeen  years,  from  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  the  city 
in  1865  until  his  death. 

Although  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  physical  weakness  prevented  him 
from  going  to  the  front,  his  patriotic  sympathy  for  the  Union  cause  led  him 
to  recruit  a  company  which  was  mustered  in  at  Harrisburg  and  assigned  as 
Company  H,  Fifty-second  Pennsylvania  Infantry.  He  later  formed  another 
company,  which  was  attached  as  Company  I.  Fifty-sixth  Regiment,  and  by  his 
successful  eiiforts  in  raising  equipment  and  money,  and  by  sturdy  defense  of  the 
war  policy  of  the  administration,  was  quite  as  useful  to  the  cause  of  the  North 
as  though  he  had  enlisted.  Hearty  sympathizers  at  home  were  of  great  value 
at  the  time,  the  complaints  of  the  stay-at-homes  often  proving  as  troublesome 
to  the  officials  in  charge  as  the  attacks  of  the  opposing  army.  Mr.  Watres  was 
a  communicant  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was  the  donor  of  the  first 
church  of  any  denomination  erected  in  the  valley,  Pecktown  Presbyterian 
Church.  His  strong  and  uplifting  influence  was  felt  by  all  of  his  associates, 
his  sympathetic  and  considerate  character  making  him  a  figure  admired  and 
loved.  Contact  with  him  lent  a  freshness  to  daily  life  that,  lingering,  abided 
long. 

Mr.  Watres  married  Harriet  G.  HoUister,  a  poetess,  possessing  unusual 
talent,  whose  poems  made  a  peculiar  appeal  to  popular  tastes  and  were  widely 
read.  Among  her  poems  was  "Send  Them  Home  Tenderly,"  which  was  set  to 
music  and  became  a  popular  camp  fire  song.  All  were  printed  over  the 
pseudonym  "Stella  of  Lackawanna,"  and  some,  since  her  death,  have  been 
published  in  a  volume  entitled  "Cobwebs." 

Colonel  Louis  Arthur  Watres,  son  of  Lewis  S.  and  Harriet  G.  (Hollister) 
Watres,  was  born  in  (now)  Winton,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  Ap'^il 
21,  1851.  His  education,  as  far  as  school  training  was  concerned,  was  curtailed 
by  the  necessity  of  earning  his  own  livelihood.  He  was  employed  in  various 
ways,  utilizing  all  his  spare  time  for  study  and  for  attendance  at  night  school. 
While  still  a  young  man,  he  secured  a  position  as  teller  of  the  Merchants'  and 
Mechanics'  Bank,  of  Scranton,  later  becoming  cashier  of  the  County  Savings 
Bank  and  Trust  Company,  of  Scranton.  His  youthful  ambition,  a  desire  in- 
creasing with  the  passing  years,  had  been  to  qualify  himself  for  admission  to 
the  bar.  Assiduous  study  and  increasing  application  to  the  mastery  of  the 
principles  of  the  law  enabled  him  to  reach  the  goal  of  his  striving,  and  in 
1878  he  successfully  passed  the  examination  securing  him  admission  to  the 
Lackawanna  county  bar.  Having  thus  gained  recognition  as  the  possessor  of 
the  necessary  knowledge  for  the  practice  of  the  law,  he  immediately  set  him- 
self to  the  task  of  proving  himself  worthy  of  his  chosen  profession.  He  ad- 
vanced steadily  in  his  profession,  and  in  due  course  of  time  his  ability  and 
dependency  as  an  attorney  was  proven  and  testified  to  by  a  Urge  and  thor- 
oughly representative  clientage,  and  he  stands  among  the  foremost  lawyers 
of  the  state.  For  a  dozen  years,  however.  Colonel  Watres,  by  reason  of  his 
other  mterests,  has  been  obliged  to  withdraw  from  the  active  practice  of  the 
law. 

The  experience  that  he  gained  in  business  before  his  adoption  of  the  law 
has  been  invaluable  to  him  as  adviser,  in  private,  and  as  counsel,  in  profes- 
sional relations,  with  various  business  enterprises  in  Scranton.  His  keen  judg- 
ment and  discernment  make  him  a  most  able  and  successful  financier,  and  his 
services  are  eagerly  sought.  He  is  a  stockholder  and  director  of  many  corpora- 
tions in  the  Scranton  and  Lackawanna  Valley.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Scranton  Passenger  Railway  Company,  of  which  he  became  president. 
He  is  president  also  of  the  County  Savings  Bank,  of  the  Spring  Brook  Water 
Supply  Company,  of  the  Mansfield  Water  Company,  of  the  Scranton  Trust 


I90  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Company  and  of  the  Boulevard  Company,  and  is  a  trustee  of  the  American 
Surety  Company  of  New  York.  As  the  executive  head  of  these  various  cor- 
porations he  has  added  to  his  legal  achievements  those  of  a  financier  of  the 
highest  order,  all  of  his  concerns  having  a  firm  and  sound  basis  and  enjoy- 
ing the  confidence  of  all  investors.  So  well  known  is  his  reputation  for  the 
strictest  sort  of  business  dealing  and  so  free  his  record  from  the  slightest  taint 
of  suspicion  of  irregular  transactions,  that  his  name  upon  the  directorate  of  a 
concern  is  proof  positive  of  its  reliability. 

Not  too  deeply  engrossed  in  his  professional  and  practical  pursuits  to  rec- 
ognize his  public  duties,  Colonel  Watres  has  been  a  notable  figure  in  the  po- 
litical events  of  the  day,  his  rise  in  that  field  being  on  the  same  broad  scale  as 
his  advance  in  the  other  walks  of  life  to  which  he  has  been  called.  Well 
versed  in  all  political  issues,  and  giving  support  and  allegiance  to  the  Re- 
publican party,  as  the  representative  of  that  party  he  attained  prominence  that 
has  brought  fame  to  him  and  honor  to  the  Republican  organization.  In  1881 
he  was  elected  county  solicitor  of  Lackawanna  county  and  retained  that  posi- 
tion until  1890.  From  1883  to  1891  he  was  state  senator,  and  in  the  senate, 
the  highest  deliberative  forum  of  the  state,  was  a  commanding  power,  pro- 
posing and  aiding  in  the  enactment  of  many  of  the  most  important  measures 
before  that  body  during  his  years  of  service.  Here  his  training  as  a  lawyer 
stood  him  in  excellent  stead,  his  forensic  talents  often  making  him  the  choice 
of  his  party  for  the  defence  of  legislation  requiring  exact  and  lucid  explanation 
and  forceful  and  convincing  support.  Called  from  his  senatorial  service  to 
the  duties  of  lieutenant-governor,  he  fully  justified  in  this  lofty  office  the  choice 
of  the  people  by  the  competent  manner  in  which  he  bore  its  weighty  responsi- 
bilities. Proof  of  his  place  in  the  estimation  of  the  voters  of  the  state  is 
given  in  the  figures  of  the  election,  his  plurality  being  22,365,  while  that  of 
Mr.  Pattison,  candidate  for  governor  on  the  opposing  ticket.  Democratic,  was 
17,000.  Among  the  more  important  duties  devolving  upon  his  office  were 
those  of  president  of  the  senate  and  president  of  the  board  of  pardons.  In 
the  former  he  controlled  legislation  with  a  masterly  hand,  causing  the  strictest 
decorum  and  dignity  to  prevail  during  the  consideration  of  any  measure,  and 
in  the  latter  tempering  the  severity  of  the  statutes  with  a  mercy  as  wise  as  it 
was  kind,  yet  observing  the  strictest  justice  throughout.  By  an  act  of  the 
state  assembly  he  v\'as  appointed  commissioner  from  Pennsylvania  to  the 
World's  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago,  and  subsequently  he  was  elected 
vice-president  of  the  board.  In  August,  1891,  he  was  chosen  chairman  of  the 
Republican  state  committee.  For  thirty  years  Colonel  Watres  has  been  a 
vital  force  in  molding  the  affairs  of  the  Republican  party  and  in  safeguarding 
and  directing  its  interests  in  Pennsylvania.  He  has  always  been  an  exponent 
of  the  most  progressive  movements  of  the  party,  an  advocate  of  the  best  and 
purest  in  politics. 

The  same  open  plan  of  procedure  has  been  followed  by  ColoTiel  Watres  in 
his  public  life  as  in  all  his  other  dealings,  and  his  political  record  is  an  open 
book,  each  page  free  for  the  perusal  of  any  one  who  cares  to  read.  He  has 
been  actively  associated  with  the  National  Guard  of  the  State  for  many  years, 
and  during  his  service  in  that  body  he  gained  the  rank  of  colonel.  As  a  state 
official  he  did  much  toward  promoting  the  efficiency  of,  and  toward  creating 
interest  in,  that  excellent  organization,  whose  importance  and  usefulness  can- 
not be  over-estimated.  He  was  in  continuous  ser\'ice  from  1877  to  1891,  and 
again  from  August,  1898,  to  August,  1904,  seven  years  of  this  time  as  captain 
of  Company  A,  Thirteenth  Regiment.  From  1887  to  1891  he  was  a  member 
of  the  governor's  staff,  as  inspector  of  rifle  practice,  with  the  rank  of  colonel, 
and  subsequently,  during  the  period  of  the  Spanish  War,  became  colonel  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  191 

the  Eleventh  Regiment  Provisional  Guard.  On  the  return  of  the  Thirteenth 
Regiment  from  the  field  and  after  its  muster  out  of  service,  he  became  colonel 
of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania.  At  the  organ- 
ization of  the  National  Guard  Association  of  Pennsylvania,  he  became  its  first 
president,  holding  that  office  for  two  years.  Colonel  Watres  is  a  member  and 
past  master  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  elected  junior 
grand  warden  in  1909,  and  at  the  present  time  (1914)  is  right  worshipful 
deputy  grand  master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  in  Pennsylvania. 

Colonel  Watres  married,  in  1874,  Efifie  Hawley.  and  of  this  union  three 
sons  were  born  :  Harold,  died  September  16,  1905,  aged  twenty-six  years ; 
Lawrence  and  Reyburn. 

In  the  course  of  his  unusually  useful  life.  Colonel  Watres  has  engaged  in 
a  variety  of  pursuits  that  proclaim  him  the  gifted  and  talented  man  of  parts. 
Perhaps  his  greatest  achievements  have  been  as  a  public  servant,  yet  none  of 
the  many  phases  of  his  life's  work  can  be  disregarded.  His  assumption  and 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  good  citizenship  have  been  admirable  and  thorough, 
an  honor  to  himself  and  the  state  he  served.  The  influence  of  his  gentle  char- 
acter and  of  his  upright  example,  so  worthy  and  yet  so  difficult  of  emulation, 
will  live  long  after  the  body  of  Colonel  Louis  Arthur  Watres  has  returned 
to  its  natural  elements  and  his  spirit  to  everlasting  life. 


LUCIUS  C.  KENNEDY,  M.  D. 

John  Kennedy,  who  came  from  Bangor,  county  Down,  Ireland,  in  1763, 
and  settled  in  Kingston,  New  York,  is  the  first  of  the  family  of  whom  we  have 
absolute  knowledge.  He  was  born  April  24,  1739.  Owing  to  his  being  of  the 
Scotch  Presbyterian  faith  and  having  lived  but  a  few  miles  from  the  Kennedys 
of  Cultra,  some  have  thought  him  related  to  that  ancient  family,  who  were 
doubtless  connected  with  the  Earls  of  Casselis  in  Scotland,  in  which  the  name 
John  was  given  to  the  oldest  son  for  seven  or  eight  generations.  Be  that  as 
it  may,  family  tradition  assures  us  that  John  Kennedy,  the  emigrant,  was  a 
man  of  ability,  clear-headed  and  kind-hearted.  Like  the  majority  of  those 
who  came  early  to  this  country  he  had  a  trade,  being  a  tailor,  an  occupation 
he  pursued  after  coming  to  America.  In  Kingston,  New  York,  he  married 
Mrs.  Josiah  Van  Fleet,  whose  maiden  name  was  Armstrong.  There  were  sev- 
eral children  born  of  her  first  marriage  who  settled  in  Galena,  Ohio.  The 
time  and  place  of  her  death  is  unknown,  but  her  husband  long  survived  her. 
He  settled  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  in  1780.  He  died  August  20,  1809,  aged 
seventy  years,  and  was  buried  in  Plains  township  cemetery,  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania.  To  John  Kennedy  and  his  wife  were  born  five  children,  four  cf 
whom  married  into  families  who  were  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  previous  to  the 
massacre,  several  members  of  them  being  in  that  memorable  conflict.  Cath- 
erine, married  Cornelius  Courtright ;  Elizabeth,  married  Henry  Stark ;  John, 
married  Sallie  Abbott;  James,  married  Nancy  Armstrong;  Thomas  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  Thomas  Kennedy,  son  of  John  Kennedy,  married,  in  1801,  Elizabeth 
Schofield,  born  April  15,  1784,  in  Kingston,  New  York,  a  gentle  little  woman, 
much  beloved  by  her  children,  grandchildren  and  great-grandchildren.  She 
was  descended  from  the  Pinckneys  of  South  Carolina,  and  in  many  respects 
was  a  remarkable  woman.  Left  a  widow  at  twenty-five  years  of  age  with  five 
little  children,  she  managed  her  aflfairs  in  such  a  manner  that  they  grew  to 
manhood  and  womanhood,  a  credit  to  their  mother's  training.  She  died 
April  12,  1880,  at  the  home  of  her  son,  James  Schofield  Kennedy,  where  she 
had  long  resided.    The  children  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Schofield)  Kennedy 


192  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

were :  John,  married  Polly  Campbell ;  Sarah,  married  William  H.  Sherman ; 
Polly,  married  Crandall  Wilcox ;  Henry,  married  Julia  Mills ;  James  Scho- 
field,  of  whom  further. 

(Ill)  James  Schofield  Kennedy,  son  of  Thomas  Kennedy,  was  born  Janu- 
ary 28,  1808.  Early  in  life  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  and  was  a  con- 
tractor for  several  years.  He  afterward  purchased  a  farm  in  Lackawanna 
township,  now  Taylor,  and  in  connection  with  his  farm  did  an  extensive 
business  in  grain  and  flour,  selling  to  the  merchants  all  along  the  Valley  from 
Pittston  to  Carbondale.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  from  1843  to  1845.  He 
sold  his  farm  in  Lackawanna  just  before  coal  was  discovered,  and  moved 
to  Hyde  Park.  In  1850  he  opened  a  store  in  Providence  in  the  old  Arcade 
Building  on  North  Main  avenue,  long  occupied  as  an  office  by  the  Providence 
Water  Company.  Later  he  carried  on  business  on  Providence  Square,  being 
a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Kennedy  &  Osterhout.  In  1854-56  he  had  a  contract 
to  build  a  section  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western  Railroad,  then 
being  constructed  between  New  York  and  Scranton.  He  was  active  in  public 
affairs,  serving  on  the  borough  council  and  also  on  the  school  board.  In 
1865  he  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  store  to  his  son,  William  DeWitt  Kennedy, 
and  retired  from  active  business.    He  died  March  7,  1885. 

He  married,  September  26,  1833,  Pauline  Jayne,  born  December  13, 
181 5,  died  May  16,  1897,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elsie  (Stephens) 
Jayne.  The  Jaynes  were  descended  from  Henry  de  Jeanne,  a  pro- 
fessor in  Oxford  University.  His  son,  William,  a  student  in  the  Uni- 
versity, afterward  married  in  England,  name  of  wife  not  known.  In  1652 
he  was  chaplain  in  Cromwell's  army.  In  1670,  his  wife  having  died 
and  the  cause  of  Cromwell  being  no  longer  popular,  he  emigrated  to 
America,  settling  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  leaving  three  grown  sons  in 
England.  At  that  time  he  took  the  name  of  Jayne.  In  1675  he  married  Annie 
Beigs,  and  soon  after  with  thirteen  or  fifteen  others  crossed  over  to  Long 
Island,  purchased  land  of  the  Indians,  and  settled  the  town  of  Brookhaven. 
The  graves  of  the  first  settlers  are  to  be  found  there,  and  the  old  farm  is 
still  owned  by  one  of  the  family.  William  and  Annie  (Beigs)  Jayne  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children.  Their  oldest  son,  William  Jayne,  married  Eliza- 
beth Woodhull,  whose  oldest  son,  William  Jayne,  married  Tabitha  Norton; 
they  were  the  parents  of  Rev.  David  Jayne,  born  May  14,  1751,  died  March 
9,  1837,  who  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  afterward  given 
a  section  of  "Soldier  Land"  on  Lake  Cayuga.  The  wife  of  the  Rev.  David 
Jayne  was  Elizabeth  DeWitt,  born  May  3,  1754,  died  February  15,  1825, 
whose  father,  Daniel  DeWitt,  also  served  in  the  Revolution.  The  son  of 
the  Rev.  David  Jayne  was  Samuel  Jayne,  bom  February  4,  1779,  married 
Elsie  Stephens,  May  2,  1796,  died  at  Factory ville,  Pennsylvania,  August  12. 
i860.  The  grandfather  of  Elsie  (Stephens)  Jayne  was  Eliphalet  Stephens. 
He  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  although  his  military  service  is  credited  to 
New  York,  from  which  he  enlisted,  then  his  home.  After  the  war  he  settled 
in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  where  he  was  a  man  of  substance  and  importance. 
In  the  court  house  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  (book  of  deeds  No.  3, 
page  46)  it  is  recorded,  "James  Finn  to  Eliphalet  Stephens  (Stevens),  land 
in  Pittston  township,  on  the  Lackawanna  river,  and  one-half  interest  in  a 
Saw  Mill  May  25,  1795;  consideration  600  pounds  sterling."  Other  deeds 
are  recorded  showing  him  to  have  been  a  large  land  owner.  Eliphalet  Stephens 
was  born  in  Massachusetts,  in  1731,  and  died  in  Nicholson,  Pennsylvania,  in 
August,  1814.  Early  in  life  he  removed  to  Connecticut,  from  thence  to 
Dutchess  county.  New  York.  On  July  31,  1775,  he  enhsted  in  Third  Regiment 
New  York  Continental  Line,  Captain  Jacob  S.  Bruyn's  company,  under  Colonel 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


193 


Clinton.  He  is  described  as  a  man  five  feet  seven  inches  in  height,  Ught  hair, 
fair  complexion,  age  44,  occupation  blacksmith.  He  married,  in  1751,  Elsie 
Holloway,  who  died  at  Nicholson,  Pennsylvania,  in  April,  1820.  Eliphalet 
Stephens  had  a  son,  Ebenezer  Stephens,  born  in  Goshen,  New  York,  May  12, 
1759.  He  was  also  in  the  Revolution,  entering  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  and 
served  during  the  entire  seven  years.  He  was  a  pensioner  until  his  death,  in 
Nicholson,  Pennsylvania,  November  15,  1839.  He  married,  at  Goshen,  New 
York,  May  16,  1780,  Rachel  Squirrel,  born  at  Goshen,  in  1758,  died  at 
Nicholson,  Pennsylvania,  August  2,  1848.  After  the  death  of  her  husband, 
his  widow,  Rachel  (Squirrel)  Stephens,  received  the  pension  during  her  liff 
time.  They  were  the  parents  of  Elsie  Stephens,  who  married  Samuel  Jayne; 
she  was  born  May  15,  1780,  died  November  10,  i860. 

James  Schofield  and  Pauline  (Jayne)  Kennedy  were  the  parents  of  thir- 
teen children:  Mary  L.,  married  James  Hicks:  Catherine  H.,  married  Rev. 
Lyman  C.  Floyd;  John  Jayne,  married  Mehitable  Griffin,  he  died  July  21, 
1897;  Sarah  E.,  married  (first)  Isaac  H.  Heermans,  (second)  A.  B.  Crandall . 
William  De  Witt,  of  whom  further;  James  Thomas,  married  Angeline  Carey; 
Julia  A.,  married  Rev.  George  Forsyth;  Charles  Henry,  died  September  11, 
1806,  unmarried;  Nancy  Elizabeth,  died  young;  Adelaide  May,  married  David 
F.  Shook;  Frank  E.,  married  Sylvia  Davis;  Clara  Augusta,  married  George 
R.  Clark,  she  died  October  5,  1895  ;  Helen,  married  William  H.  Stevens. 

(IV)  William  De  Witt  Kennedy,  son  of  James  Schofield  and  Pauline 
(Jayne)  Kennedy,  was  born  in  Lackawanna  township,  Luzerne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, September  24,  1842.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Scranton,  and  Eastman's  Business  College,  Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  Mr. 
Kennedy  was  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Savings  Bank  until  it  was  mergeci 
with  the  Dime  Bank,  now  the  Scranton  Savings  &  Dime  Bank,  and  otherwise 
prominent  in  the  business  life  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  trustee  in  the  Providence  Presbyterian  Church,  and  now  serves  in  the 
same  capacity  in  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  on  the  records  of  Eliphalet 
and  Ebenezer  Stephens  and  Daniel  De  Witt.  He  belongs  to  the  Country  Club 
and  the  New  England  Society.  He  served  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  in 
the  Thirtieth  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  during  the  invasion  of  Pennsylvania  by 
the  Southern  army  under  General  Robert  E.  Lee.  During  the  last  year  of  the 
war  he  was  quartermaster's  clerk  in  the  Fiftieth  New  York  Regiment  (En- 
gineer Corps).    He  is  a  member  of  Ezra  Griffith  Post,  No.  139,  G.  A.  R. 

Mr.  Kennedy  married,  February  11,  1868,  Amelia  Maria  Carter,  born 
April  29,  1844,  daughter  of  Pulaski  Carter  (see  Carter).  Through  her  father, 
Mrs.  Kennedy  descends  from  sterling  New  England  ancestry,  notable  for 
patriotism  and  high  public  spirit.  Mrs.  Kennedy  graduated  from  East  Green- 
wich Seminary,  East  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island,  in  1865.  She  has  been  for 
many  years  interested  in  the  philanthopic  movements  of  the  city,  particularly  in 
connection  with  the  Home  for  the  Friendless.  She  has  been  on  its  board  of 
managers  for  twenty-three  years,  and  has  held  many  offices  from  secretary  to 
president.  For  some  years  she  has  been  vice-president  of  the  Young  Woman's 
Christian  Association.  For  over  fifty  years  she  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  for  the  first  thirty  years  of  this  period  affiliating  with  the 
church  of  that  denomination  in  the  Providence  section,  but  since  1893  has  been 
identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Green  Ridge. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  De  Witt  Kennedy  are  the  parents  of  three  sons  and 

one  daughter:     i.  William  Pulaski,  born  October  30,   1869;  graduated   from 

the  Scranton   (Pennsylvania)   High  School,  class  of  1889;  he  was  for  fifteen 

years  teller  of  the  People's  National  Bank  of  Scranton,   Pennsylvania,  now 

13 


194  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

cashier  of  the  Tribune  Republican;  he  married  December  ii,  1895,  Georgina, 
daughter  of  George  R.  and  Harriet  (Westbrook)  Kittle;  she  was  graduated 
from  the  same  high  school  class  as  her  husband;  they  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Olive  Ingalls,  born  December  15,  1896,  graduated  at  Scranton  High 
School,  June  19,  1914,  and  Hilda  De  Witt,  born  June  14,  1901.  2.  Dr.  Lucius 
Carter,  of  whom  further.  3.  Katharine  May,  born  November  11,  1875;  grad- 
uated from  the  School  of  Lackawanna,  class  of  1895,  afterward  attending  Miss 
Baldwin's  School  for  Young  Ladies  at  Bryn  Mawr,  Pennsylvania ;  she  married, 
June  25,  1902,  Dr.  William  Anthony  Sherman,  son  of  Albert  K.  and  Mary 
(Barker)  Sherman,  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  descended  from  Philip  Sherman, 
one  of  the  eighteen  persons  who  purchased  the  Island  of  Rhode  Island  from  the 
Indians;  Dr.  Sherman  was  graduated  from  Harvard  University  in  1899,  and 
from  the  medical  department  in  1902 ;  Dr.  William  A.  and  Katharine  May 
Sherman  are  the  parents  of  two  children :  William  Albert,  born  May  12,  1903 ; 
Charlotte  Carter,  born  June  20,  191 1.  4.  Harold  Sherman,  born  November  28, 
1884;  graduated  from  Blair  (New  Jersey)  Academy  in  1905;  later  entered  the 
law  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  class  of  1910,  admitted  to  bar 
of  Lackawanna  county,  October,  1910,  and  is  practicing  his  profession  in 
Scranton. 

(V)  Dr.  Lucius  Carter  Kennedy,  second  son  of  William  De  Witt  and 
Amelia  Maria  (Carter)  Kennedy,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Septem- 
ber 8,  1872.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Scranton  High  School,  class  of  1889,  School 
of  the  Lackawanna,  1891,  Princeton  University,  A.  B.,  class  of  1895,  University 
of  Pennsylvania  Medical  Department,  M.  D.,  1898.  After  graduation  Dr. 
Kennedy  spent  eighteen  months  as  a  member  of  the  medical  staff  of  Moses 
Taylor  Hospital,  Scranton,  then  pursued  a  post-graduate  course  at  the  Uni- 
versrty  of  Vienna,  Austria.  He  then  returned  to  Scranton  and  in  1900  began 
the  active  practice  of  his  profession  in  this  city  where  he  is  thoroughly  estab- 
lished in  public  regard  as  a  physician  of  learning,  skill  and  honor.  He  is  chief 
of  the  staff  of  one  of  the  departments  of  the  State  Hospital  at  Scranton  and 
ministers  to  a  large  private  clientele.  In  1907  Dr.  Kennedy  was  president  of 
the  Lackawanna  County  Medical  Society;  is  a  member  of  the  American  and 
Pennsylvania  State  Medical  associations  and  interested  in  the  work  of  all. 
His  clubs  are  the  Scranton,  Country,  and  Green  Ridge.  In  political  faith  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  in  religious  association  a  member  of  Green  Ridge  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Dr.  Kennedy  married,  April  14,  1914,  Margaret,  daughter  of  William 
Robertson,  of  Branford,  Canada.  His  offices  are  at  No.  1030  Green  Ridge 
street,    Scranton. 


PULASKI  CARTER 


Pulaski  Carter,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  strongest  characters  and  most 
useful  men  of  his  day.  He  inherited  in  marked  degree  the  sterling  traits  of  his 
New  England  ancestry,  and  his  name  was  ever  a  synonym  for  the  strictest 
integrity  and  most  uncompromising  devotion  to  principle.  His  family  has  been 
from  the  beginning  of  its  history  in  America  notable  for  patriotism  and  public 
spirit  of  the  highest  quality. 

(I)  The  first  Carters  of  whom  we  have  authentic  record  in  this  country  are 
Thomas  Carter,  blacksmith,  and  Mary  his  wife.  Their  names  appear  upon 
the  church  record  in  Charlestown,  Massachusetts,  in  1636.  They  were  married 
in  England.  Their  children  were :  Thomas,  Joseph,  Samuel,  John,  Mary,  Han- 
nah. The  will  of  Thomas  Carter  Sr.  was  recorded  in  1652.  He  died  possessed 
of  considerable  landed  property.  His  wife  Mary  died  in  1664,  and  her  death 
is  thus  recorded :  "Mary  Carter,  mother  of  the  Carters  in  town." 


f( 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  195 

(II)  Joseph  Carter,  second  son  of  Thomas  Carter,  was  a  currier.  He 
was  first  of  Charlestown,  but  later  lived  on  the  old  Billerica  road,  Woburn, 
Massachusetts,  with  his  son,  Joseph  Jr.    He  died  December  30,  1676. 

(III)  Joseph  (2)  Carter,  son  of  Joseph  (i)  Carter,  lived  in  Woburn, 
Massachusetts,  married  Bethia  Pearson,  and  at  his  demise  in  1692  left  three 
sons  and  three  daughters. 

(IV)  John  Carter,  son  of  Joseph  (2)  Carter,  was  born  February  26,  1676, 
moved  to  Canterbury,  Connecticut,  with  his  wife  Mary  about  1706. 

(V)  John  (2)  Carter,  son  of  John  (i)  Carter,  was  born  in  Canterbury, 
February  24,  1709.     He  married  Deborah  Bundy,  and  they  had  nine  children. 

(VI)  Joseph  (3)  Carter,  son  of  John  (2)  Carter,  was  born  July  18,  1736. 
He  married  Patience  Pellet,  October  3,  1762.  He  served  as  quartermaster  in 
the  Revolution,  and  died  August  15,  1796. 

(VII)  Phineas  Carter,  son  of  Joseph  (3)  and  Patience  (Pellet)  Carter, 
was  born  November  23,  1766.  He  was  a  landed  proprietor  of  Westminster, 
Connecticut,  and  a  man  of  strong  character  and  strict  integrity,  upright  to  the 
point  of  austerity ;  a  devout  Christian  of  the  Congregational  faith,  rigid  in  ex- 
acting observance  of  religious  forms  and  ceremonies ;  and  strict  in  his  family 
discipline.  He  married  Cynthia  Butts,  a  woman  of  gentle  nature  and  lovable 
traits  of  character.  She  was  born  March  16,  1773,  and  came  of  a  family  of 
prominence  in  the  public  and  private  colonial  life  of  New  England.  Her  father, 
Deacon  Stephen  Butts,  of  Westminster,  Connecticut,  born  June  15,  1749,  was 
the  son  of  Joseph  Butts,  born  March  17,  171 1.  The  father  of  Joseph  Butts 
was  Samuel  Butts,  who  married  Sarah  Maxfield,  July  22,  1701.  Samuel 
Butts  was  a  man  of  distinction  in  many  respects,  and  the  record  of  his  official 
services  is  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  state  of  Connecticut.  He  was 
elected  thirteen  times  to  the  colonial  assembly  from  Canterbury,  Connecticut, 
during  the  period  between  1715  and  1729,  and  was  otherwise  conspicuous  in 
the  community.  His  father  was  Richard  Butts.  He  married  Deliverance  Hop- 
pin,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Hoppin,  who  came  from  England  to 
Dorchester,  Massachusetts,  in  1636.  Phineas  Carter  died  November  8,  1840, 
long  surviving  his  wife,  who  died  March  19,  1814. 

(VIII)  Pulaski  Carter,  son  of  Phineas  and  Cynthia  (Butts)  Carter,  was 
born  in  Westminster,  Windham  county,  Connecticut,  June  23,  1813.  was  only 
nine  months  old  when  his  mother  died.  His  father  desired  for  him  the  career 
of  a  physician,  and  was  much  disappointed  when  the  young  man's  inclina- 
tion turned  toward  mechanics,  and  he  went  to  Brooklyn,  Connecticut,  where  he 
learned  blacksmithing.  On  completing  his  apprenticeship  he  went  to  Winsttd, 
Connecticut,  where  he  entered  the  shop  of  Captain  Wheelock  Thayer,  and 
there  gained  a  thorough  practical  knowledge  of  scythe-making.  He  first  visited 
Pennsylvania  in  1840,  at  which  time  he  went  to  Honesdale  and  several  other 
localities,  finally  deciding  to  locate  in  Providence  (now  the  first  ward  of  Scran- 
ton).  In  1841  he  returned  there  and  engaged  in  scythe-making.  In  June  of 
the  following  year,  in  company  with  Jerrison  White,  he  purchased  the  Sager 
&  White  Axe  factory,  and  began  the  manufacture  of  axes  as  well  as  scythes — • 
the  first  factory  of  the  kind  in  the  state.  He  shortly  afterward  acquired  his 
partner's  interest,  and  in  1843  associated  with  himself  a  boyhood  friend, 
Henry  Harrison  Crane.  Mr.  Crane  subsequently  disposed  of  his  interest  in 
the  business,  but  stil!  remained  in  the  works.  Mr.  Carter  then  took  as  a 
partner  Artemus  Miller,  but  this  partnership  was  soon  dissolved,  Mr.  Carter 
assuming  the  entire  ownership  and  management  of  the  business. 

Meanwhile  Mr.  Carter  had  laid  the  foundations  of  the  enterprise  which 
came  to  be  known  as  "The  Capouse  Works"  (so  named  after  the  old  Indian 
chief  of  the  Monseys,  from  whom  also  the  Capouse  Meadows  received  their 
name),   purchasing  a  thirty-acre  tract  of  land   from  Henry  Heermans,   arid 


196  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

erecting  thereon  shops,  etc.,  sufficient  to  commence  business,  and  here  was 
made  the  wide  reputation  of  the  "Carter  axes"  which  were  for  many  yeats 
unrivaled.  In  1864  the  factory  burned  down,  entaihng  a  most  serious  loss,  the 
insurance  being  wholly  inadequate  to  defray  the  cost  of  rebuilding.  In  this 
hour  of  his  great  disaster,  Mr.  Carter  was  proffered  abundance  of  financial 
aid  by  persons  who  appreciated  his  enterprise  and  had  implicit  confidence  in 
his  ability  and  integrity.  These  evidences  of  confidence  he  gratefully  declined, 
and  he  built  and  equipped  an  entirely  new  and  improved  factory  which  for 
many  years  was  one  of  the  important  industries  of  the  valley,  and  this  was 
accomplished  with  the  preservation  of  that  personal  independence  and  self- 
reliance  of  which  he  was  so  justly  proud.  His  business  career  ended  only  with 
his  death,  and  he  maintained  to  the  last  his  deep  interest  and  pride  in  the  great 
enterprise  which  was  the  creature  of  his  own  brain  and  hands. 

In  his  relations  to  the  community  at  large,  Mr.  Carter  bore  himself  with 
the  same  dignity  and  conscientiousness  that  characterized  the  conduct  of  his 
business  affairs.  Whatever  claimed  his  attention  received  from  him  the  deepest 
interest  and  best  efforts  of  which  his  heart  and  mind  were  capable.  The 
parental  training  had  indoctrinated  him  with  the  loftiest  conceptions  of  an  all- 
comprehending  morality,  and  when  he  first  left  the  paternal  roof  he  came  undc" 
influences  which  intensified  his  thought  along  the  same  lines.  In  the  first  days 
of  his  blacksmith  apprenticeship,  youth  as  he  was,  he  became  acquainted  with 
the  philosophy  of  the  famous  Concord  and  Brook  Farm  School.  This  was 
brought  about  through  the  Unitarian  minister  at  Brooklyn,  Connecticut,  the 
Rev.  Samuel  J.  May  (intimate  friend  of  \'\^lliam  Lloyd  Garrison,  Wendell 
Phillips  and  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson),  who  allowed  him  free  access  to  his  library 
and  aided  him  in  his  reading.  So  impressed  was  the  young  man  with  the  field 
of  thought  to  which  he  was  thus  introduced  that  in  after  years  he  was  able 
to  repeat  from  memory  entire  pages  from  the  volumes  which  he  read  in  those 
early  days,  and  the  sentiments  which  he  imbibed  colored  his  whole  life.  A 
signal  exemplification  of  this  was  seen  in  1847,  when  the  free  school  idea  was 
first  broached.  With  a  heart  inspired  with  the  most  liberal  New  England  ideas 
as  to  education,  Mr.  Carter,  then  a  young  man  of  thirty-four,  threw  himself 
into  the  struggle  with  all  the  intensity  of  his  nature,  and  traversed  the  valley 
back  and  forth,  preaching  the  gospel  of  free  schools.  An  earnest  and  forceful 
speaker,  he  produced  a  deep  impression.  Nor  was  he  content  with  this  effort; 
he  followed  his  appeals  with  labors  of  organization,  and  when  the  question 
came  before  the  people  he  had  his  followers  so  well  in  hand  that  a  decisive 
victory  was  won  at  the  polls.  Thus  was  the  free  school  planted  in  Providence, 
at  a  time  when  Scranton  was  little  more  than  a  name  upon  the  map.  Mr.  Carter 
followed  his  success  with  yet  more  practical  effort,  donating  the  land  on  which 
was  erected  the  first  free  school  building  in  the  place,  and  he  maintained  an 
undiminished  interest  in  educational  affairs  throughout  his  life.  In  1857  the 
first  graded  schoolhouse  was  built,  and  in  the  public  celebration  of  that  event 
Mr.  Carter  was  awarded  high  praise  as  the  corner-stone  upon  which  the  free 
school  cause  had  been  founded.  For  twenty-eight  years  he  served  as  director 
and  treasurer  of  the  Providence  school  board,  and  this  fact  speaks  yet  more 
eloquently  of  his  heartfelt  interest  in  the  cause  which  he  had  so  long  and  faith- 
fully championed,  for  naturally  of  a  retiring  disposition  and  averse  to  public 
prominence,  he  had  steadfastly  declined  the  mayoralty  and  other  important 
positions  which  he  was  solicited  to  accept.  His  considerate  humanitarianism 
found  eloquent  expression  in  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  temperance.  His  voice 
was  ever  heard  in  denunciation  of  the  evils  of  the  liquor  traffic,  persistently  op- 
posed the  granting  of  license,  and  the  saloon  keepers  greatly  dreaded  and  feared 
him.     But  he  went  far  in  advance  of  the  great  mass  of  temperance  agitator^. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  197 

He  gave  his  personal  effort  to  the  reclamation  of  the  drunkard,  and  rescued 
many  a  one  from  a  life  of  poverty  and  shame,  and  aided  him  to  an  honest  and 
happy  establishment  in  life. 

Mr.  Carter  married  (first)  August  5,  1839,  Susan  S.  Spaulding,  of  Abington, 
Connecticut,  about  the  time  he  had  completed  his  trade,  and  two  years  before 
he  located  in  Providence.     The  year  of  his  coming  (1841)  a  child  was  born 
to  them,  but  death  claimed  the  young  mother  a  month  later,  and  in  the  following 
summer  the   little   one   also   died.     Mr.   Carter   married    (second)    August  7, 
1843,  Olive  Ingalls,  of  Canterbury,  Connecticut,  a  double  cousin  of  his  first 
wife.    Her  ancestry  is  traced  to  the  early  colonial  period,  her  emigrant  ancestor 
being  Edmund  Ingalls,  son  of  Robert  Ingalls,  and  grandson  of  Henry  Skirbeck. 
Edmund  Ingalls  was  a  native  of  England,  born  in  Lincolnshire  in  1598.     He 
came  to  Salem,  Massachusetts,  in  1628,  with  Governor  Endicott's  company.    In 
1629,  with  his  brother  Francis  and  four  others,  he  founded  the  settlement  at 
Lynn,   Massachusetts.     In   1648,  while  traveling  on  horseback  to  Boston,  he 
came  to  his  death  by  drowning  in  the  Saugus  river,  the  accident  resulting 
from  a  defective  bridge.     His  son  Henry,  born  in  1627,  died  1719,  was  a  land- 
owner in   Ipswich,  and  was  one  of  the  first   settlers  of  Andover,  where  he 
bought  land   from  the   Indians,   making  payment   with   clothing  and   trinkets. 
He  was  a  wealthy  man  for  the  times,  and  took  a  leading  part  in  town  affairs. 
He  married  Mary  Osgood,  July  6,  1653,  a  daughter  of  John  Osgood,  who  was 
the  first  representative  to  the  general  court  from  Andover,  in  165 1.     It  is  th* 
first  record  of  a  marriage  in  Andover.    The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Rev 
Simon  Bradstreet,  following  the  Puritan  doctrine  and  belief  in  marriage  as  a 
civil  compact.     Their   son   Henry,  like  his   father,  was  prominent  in  colonia/ 
affairs.     Joseph  Ingalls,  son  of  Henry  Ingalls  Jr.,  was  born  in  Andover  in 
1697,  and  married  Phoebe,  daughter  of  John  Farnham.    Their  son,  Joseph  Jr., 
born  1723,  removed  to  Pom  fret,  Connecticut;  he  married  Sarah  Abbott,  daugh- 
ter of  Paul  and  Elizabeth  (Gray)  Abbott,  and  died  in  1790.     Their  son,  Peter 
Ingalls,  born  1752,  died  1783,  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.     He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Ashley,  and  the  homestead  built  by  him  is  still  standing  and  re- 
mains in  the  ownership  of  descended  relatives  of  his  daughter,  at  Elliott,  Con- 
necticut.    His  son  Marvin,  who  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  born  1789,  married 
Amelia  Spaulding,  who  came  from  an  old  colonial  family.     Her  father,  James 
Spaulding,  lived  at  Windham,  and  was  one  of  Putnam's  militia  that  marched 
to  Lexington,  and  was  also  in  the  company  that  marched  to  Cambridge  in  the 
early  period  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  his  name  appears  on  the  pension 
roll   of   Revolutionary   soldiers   in    181 5.      He   was   descended    from    Edward 
Spaulding,  whose  family  records  go  back  to  an  early  period  of  English  his- 
tory, and  numbered  at  least  one  eminent  divine  among  its  members.     Edward 
Spaulding  settled  in  Braintree,  Massachusetts,  between  1630  and  1633,  where 
he  was  prominent  in  town  affairs,  being  a  selectman  and  also  for  many  years 
a  surveyor  of  highways.     He  was  a  landed  proprietor  and  left  a  large  estate 
The  crest  of  the  Spaulding  family  bears  the  motto  Hitic  iiiilii  saltis.     Pulaski 
and  Olive  (Ingalls)   Carter  had  three  children:  Amelia  Maria.  Pulaski  Pliny, 
Marvin  Phineas,  all  of  whom  further. 

(IX)  Amelia  Maria  Carter,  first  child  of  Pulaski  and  Olive  (Ingalls) 
Carter,  was  born  April  29,  1844.  She  married  William  DeWitt  Kennedy 
February  11,  1868.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  of  Scotch-Irish  and  French-Dutch  an- 
cestry. One  of  his  ancestors  of  his  mother's  side  was  chaplain  in  Cromwell's 
army.  His  father  was  James  Schofield  Kennedy,  who  was  the  son  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  (Schofield)  Kennedy.  The  father  of  Thomas  Kennedy  was 
John  Kennedy,  whose  family  was  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage.  He  was  born 
April  24,  1739,  and  came  to  America  from  Bangor,  Ireland,  in  1763.     He  was 


198  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  faith.  He  settled  in  Kingston,  New  York,  and 
later  married  Mrs.  Josiah  (Armstrong)  Van  Fleet,  widow.  Soon  after  his 
marriage  in  1780  they  moved  to  Wyoming  Valley.  His  mother  was  Pauline 
Jayne  (the  original  form  of  the  family  name  being  "De  Jeanne")  the  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Elsie  Stephens  Jayne,  the  latter  being  the  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  David  Jayne,  whose  wife  was  Elizabeth  DeWitt,  a  cousin  of  the  wife  of 
General  James  Clinton,  of  Revolutionary  fame.  The  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Kennedy,  the  Rev.  David  Jayne,  served  in  a  New  Jersey  regiment  in  the 
Revolution,  and  took  up  a  large  and  valuable  section  of  "soldier  land"  near 
Lake  Cayuga,  New  York.  Her  great-grandfather,  Eliphalet  Stephens,  and 
his  grandfather,  Ebenezer  Stephens,  were  both  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 
and  remained  in  service  the  entire  seven  years  of  the  war.  Ebenezer  Stephens 
drew  a  pension  at  Wilkes-Barre  as  long  as  he  lived. 

(IX)  Pulaski  Pliny  Carter,  second  child  of  Pulaski  and  Olive  (Ingalls) 
Carter,  was  born  June  6,  1849.  He  was  educated  at  East  Greenwich,  Rhode 
Island,  and  at  Fort  Edward  Institute.  He  is  largely  interested  in  real  estatt 
enterprises,  and  is  owner  of  the  large  office  building  at  the  corner  of  Adam.>i 
avenue  and  Linden  street,  Scranton.  He  married,  June  6,  1882,  Venitia  White, 
born  February  11,  1862,  daughter  of  Joseph  M.  and  Phebe  A.  (Cole)  White, 
daughter  of  Immanuel  Cole,  the  latter  of  excellent  English  descent.  Joseph 
White  was  the  son  of  Ephraim  White,  of  White's  Mills,  near  Honesdale,  who 
was  the  son  of  Ezekiel  (3)  White,  the  son  of  Ezekiel  (2)  and  Sarah  (Vinton) 
White.  He  was  the  son  of  Ezekiel  ( i )  White,  who  married  Abigail  Blanchard. 
Ezekiel  (i)  White  was  the  son  of  Captain  Ebenezer  White,  whose  wife  was 
Hannah  Phillips.  Captain  Ebenezer  White  was  born  in  Weymouth,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  was  a  son  of  Thomas  White  (wife's  name  unknown)  who  was 
admitted  a  freeman  in  Massachusetts  colony,  1635-36.  Place  of  nativity  in 
England  unknown.  He  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Weymouth,  and  a 
member  of  the  church  there;  many  years  a  selectman,  often  on  important  com- 
mittees, and  also  commanded  a  military  company,  and  was  representative  to 
the  general  court  in  1637-40-57-71. 

There  were  bom  to  Pulaski  Pliny  and  Venitia  (White)  Carter  six  chil- 
dren: I.  Pulaski,  born  June  2,  1883;  educated  in  the  Scranton  High  School, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  the  class  of  1903,  the  Boston  School  of  Tech- 
nology and  Columbia  LTniversity ;  married  Pearl  Lidstone.  2.  Phebe,  born 
September  14,  1885  ;  educated  in  the  Scranton  High  School,  Smith  College, 
Northampton,  Massachusetts,  and  Columbia  LTniversity,  receiving  the  degree 
of  A.  M.  in  1913  ;  teacher  in  Technical  High  School,  Scranton.  3.  Ina,  born 
March  i,  1888,  died  January  26,  1897.  4.  Olive  Ingalls,  born  Novem- 
ber 9,  1890;  educated  in  Scranton  High  School,  Smith  College,  North- 
ampton, Massachusetts,  and  Columbia  University,  receiving  the  degree  of 
A.  M.  in  1913;  teacher  in  Meriden  High  School,  Meriden,  Connecticut.  5. 
Ada,  born  November  3,  1893;  educated  in  Scranton  High  School  and  Smith 
College,  attending  the  latter  institution  at  the  present  time  (1914).  6.  Roy, 
born  July  13,  1899 ;  a  student  in  Scranton  High  School. 

(IX)  Marvin  Phineas  Carter,  youngest  child  of  Pulaski  and  Olive  (In- 
galls) Carter,  was  born  November  28,  1857.  He  was  educated  at  East  Green- 
wich, Rhode  Island.  He  is  one  of  the  successful  business  men  in  Scranton, 
the  owner  of  valuable  real  estate,  a  director  in  the  People's  Bank,  and  other- 
wise actively  identified  with  the  business  of  the  city.  He  married  Minnie 
Parmelia  Murphy,  born  June  26,  1863,  daughter  of  John  Archbald  Murphy,  of 
Warrenville,  Connecticut.  He  was  several  times  elected  to  the  state  legisla- 
ture, and  was  a  man  of  business  prominence  in  the  town  where  he  resided. 
His  mother  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Spaulding,  descended  from  Ed- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


199 


mund  Spaulding,  who  came  to  Braintree.  Massachusetts,  about  1630.  T(3 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carter  were  born  three  children:  i.  Marvin  Clarence,  born 
July  29,  1885  ;  a  graduate  of  the  high  school,  class  of  1905,  graduate  of  Lafay- 
ette College.  2.  Lucius,  born  November  20,  1887,  died  June  3,  1889.  3. 
Marguerite,  born  May  30,  1889;  graduate  of  Scranton  high  school,  graduate  of 
Mt.  Holyoke  College,  Mt.  Holyoke,  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  Carter,  the  father  of  the  family  above  named,  whose  career  as  a  man 
of  affairs  and  a  humanitarian  has  been  treated  of  in  the  foregoing  narrative, 
met  with  a  dreadful  accident  from  the  effects  of  which  he  never  entirely  re- 
covered, and  which  doubtless  shortened  his  life.  In  November,  1876,  while 
driving  in  his  carriage,  his  vehicle  was  driven  into  by  two  teams  driven  by 
drunken  racers.  Mr.  Carter  was  caught  in  the  wreckage  and  so  seriously  in- 
jured that  for  some  days  his  life  was  despaired  of.  His  excellent  constitution, 
unimpaired  by  reason  of  his  abstemious  habits,  enabled  him  to  resume  his 
accustomed  avocations,  but  he  never  regained  his  old  vigor.  He  died  October 
13,  1884,  aged  seventy-one  years,  leaving  to  survive  him  his  widow  and  their 
three  children.     His  widow  died  December  8,  1898. 


GEORGE  J.  LUCAS,  J.  U.  D.,  D.  D. 

There  is  found  in  Rev.  George  J.  Lucas,  J.  U.  D..  D.  D.,  rector  of  St. 
Patrick's  Roman  Catholic  Quirch,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  a  blending  of 
scholarly  attainments  and  ministerial  fidelity  that  do  credit  to  the  man  possess- 
ing them.  If  culture  may  be  gained  in  excess  and  the  lure  of  study  become 
harmful,  its  harm  is  in  the  temptation  it  brings  to  give  to  it  paramount  im- 
portance and  to  allow  the  delights  of  deep  intellectual  pursuits  to  exclude  the 
sterner  duties,  the  less  inviting  realities  of  iife,  to  place  a  clouding  veil  over  the 
features  of  existence  more  enjoyably  forgotten.  Despite  the  honors  that  have 
been  showered  upon  Dr.  Lucas,  the  distinction  that  he  has  received  as  an  author, 
educator  and  scholar,  has  neither  made  him  regardless  of  his  priestly  responsi- 
bilities nor  lessened  his  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  the  people  to  whom  he 
ministers. 

The  Lucas  family  is  of  French  origin,  the  line  having  been  founded  in 
Ireland  by  a  Huguenot  ancestor  who  had  fled  the  land  of  his  birth.  The 
grandfather  of  Rev.  George  J.  Lucas  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  env 
braced  the  religion  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  His  son  George,  father  of  Rev. 
George  J.  Lucas,  was  a  master  of  the  workhouse  at  Youghl,  county  Cork,  and 
in  that  locality  passed  his  entire  life.  He  married  Margaret  Field,  of  county 
Cork,  a  communicant  of  the  Catholic  faith,  and  in  that  their  children  were 
reared.  George  and  Margaret  (Field)  Lucas  were  the  parents  of:  .Margaret, 
Thomas,  Mary,  George  J.,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch ;  Frederick,  John, 
William. 

Rev.  George  J.  Lucas  was  born  at  Youghl,  connty  Cork,  Ireland,  May  22, 
1852.  Almost  from  his  childhood  his  education  was  directed  toward  the  priest- 
hood, his  early  training  being  received  under  the  direction  of  the  Christian 
Brothers  of  Cork,  and  after  coming  to  the  L^nited  States  his  preparation  con- 
sisted of  a  three  years'  course  in  philosophy  and  a  four  years'  course  in  the- 
olog}'  under  the  Jesuit  Fathers  at  Woodstock,  Maryland.  He  was  ordained  in 
St.  Mary's  LTniversity,  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  October  28,  1889,  Cardinal 
Gibbons  officiating  at  the  ceremony,  and  in  June  of  the  following  year  he 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  the  same  university,  his  first 
charge  after  his  ordination  being  as  assistant  to  Rev.  E.  J.  Melley,  of  St. 
John's  Church.  When  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon 
him  at   St.   Mary's  University,   Cardinal   Gibbons,  and  the  chancellor  of  the 


200  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Catholic  University  of  America,  then  onl)  one  year  in  existence,  and  Mon- 
seigneur  Schroeder,  the  dean  of  the  Catholic  l^niversity.  requested  Bishop 
O'Hara,  then  Bishop  of  Scranton,  to  permit  Rev.  Dr.  Lucas  to  prepare  a 
standard  of  degrees  of  theology  for  the  Catholic  University  of  America,  to 
which  candidates  for  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  should  conform,  and  the 
permission  of  the  Bishop  having  been  granted.  Rev.  Dr.  Lucas  prepared  such 
a  standard,  which  was  accepted  by  the  authorities  of  the  institution.  In 
order  to  prepare  this  work,  Rev.  Dr.  Lucas  entered  upon  a  five  year  period 
of  study,  the  first  of  which  was  spent  in  the  Catholic  University  of  America, 
and  the  remaining  four  in  private  research  and  study.  The  greater  part  of 
this  time  was  devoted  to  the  preparation  and  vvruing  of  a  dissertation  for  the 
doctorate  in  theolog}'  at  the  above  mentioned  university,  the  subject  of  which 
is  "Agnosticism  and  Religion,"  the  whole  being  an  examination  of  Spencer's 
"Religion  of  the  Unknowable,"  preceded  by  a  history  of  agnosticism,  from 
Xenophanes  to  Herbert  Spencer.  This  is  probably  the  most  standard  work  on 
the  subject  from  the  point  of  Christianity,  regardless  of  denominational  dif- 
ferences, that  has  ever  been  written,  and  its  fairness  of  treatment,  as  well 
as  the  high  literary  standard  that  has  been  maintained  throughout,  has  won 
for  it  the  most  favorable  criticism  from  the  American  and  European  press. 
One  of  the  most  commendatory  notices  that  has  come  to  the  hand  of  the  author, 
and  one  especially  valued  because  of  its  celebrated  source,  is  a  personal  letter  of 
three  pages  from  the  late  William  E.  Gladstone,  the  famous  English  statesman, 
in  which  he  expresses  his  great  satisfaction  with  the  scholarly  disquisition  and 
his  appreciation  of  the  spirit  of  toleration  which  pervades  the  book.  The 
work  was  published  by  the  Christian  Press  Association  Publishing  Company, 
of  New  York,  in  1895,  and  it  was  after  submitting  his  dissertation  to  the 
Catholic  University  of  America  that  he  was  awarded  his  Doctor  of  Divinity 
degree  from  that  institution  in  1903,  a  degree  that  has  been  conferred  but  four- 
teen times  in  nineteen  years  by  that  university,  his  being  the  first  to  be  con- 
ferred. 

Dr.  Lucas  is  the  author  of  a  series  of  articles  on  the  "Origin  of  Evil,"' 
mainly  in  refutation  of  the  well  known  publication  of  Professor  Fisk  dealing 
with  that  subject,  through  which  Dr.  Lucas  added  to  the  brilliancy  of  his 
literary  fame  and  gained  still  greater  repute  as  a  thinker,  logician  and  scholar. 
He  has  taken  a  place  among  the  most  noted  writers  of  the  day  on  religious 
topics,  and  aside  from  the  substantial  value  of  his  writing  the  reflection  of  the 
workings  of  a  master  intellect,  the  ease  and  grace  of  his  expression  wins  the 
admiration  of  those  who  care  to  delve  no  deeper  than  the  surface  beauty  of  his 
work.  Numerous  articles  above  Dr.  Lucas'  signature  have  also  appeared  in 
the  New  Catholic  Encyclopaedia.  In  1910  the  Papal  University  at  Rome,  com- 
monly known  as  the  "Apollonaire,"  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Canon  Law,  one  year  later  adding  to  this  that  of  Doctor  of  Roman  Civil 
Law,  the  two  expressed  by  J.  U.  D.,  a  degree  with  which  but  very  few  priests 
in  the  United  States  have  been  honored.  Di'.  Lucas  has  had  the  honor  of  being 
invited  to  be  present  as  a  special  examiner  of  all  the  candidates  for  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Divinity  in  the  Catholic  LTniversity  of  America.  This  is  the  only 
post-graduate  Catholic  University  in  the  world,  one  of  the  requirements  for 
admission  being  a  certificate  of  graduation  from  a  duly  recognized  seminary, 
and  the  scholarship  of  graduates  is  perhaps  the  highest  of  any  Catholic 
university  in  the  world. 

Dr.  Lucas'  ministerial  record  comprises  eight  months  of  service  as  assistant 
of  Rev.  A.  J.  Melley,  of  St.  John's  Church,  after  which  he  became  assistant 
to  Rev.  John  Moylan  and  T.  J-  Comerford,  of  St.  Thomas'  Church,  Archbald, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  for  four  years.    For  the  next  five  months  he 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  2oi 

served  in  the  same  capacity  with  Rev.  J.  B.  Donovan,  of  Dunmore,  then  being 
appointed  to  his  first  rectorate,  at  St.  Andrew's  Church,  of  Blossburg,  Penn- 
sylvania. His  ministry  in  this  place  extended  over  a  period  of  twelve  and  one- 
haJf  years,  during  which  time  he  conducted  a  valuable  work  among  his 
parishioners,  and  the  following  three  years  he  was  rector  of  St.  Mary's  Church, 
at  Pittston.  On  January  i,  191 2,  he  received  his  appointment  as  rector  of  St. 
Patrick's  Church,  in  Scranton,  which  church  and  city  has  since  been  the  scene 
of  his  ministerial  endeavors.  His  church  is  a  thriving  and  prosperous  one, 
financially  strong  and  spiritually  powerful,  exercising  an  influence  potent  and 
far-reaching  in  the  community.  He  has  been  appointed  as  examiner  of  the 
clergy  of  Scranton,  serving  for  the  past  nine  years,  and  of  the  most  important 
local  offices  in  the  diocese.  He  is  also  one  of  the  directors,  and  the  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  St.  Patrick's  Orphan  Asylum.  On  October  28,  1914,  Father 
Lucas  will  have  been  priest  for  twenty-five  years  and  on  Sunday,  October  25, 
1914,  he  will  celebrate  the  silver  jubilee. 


GEORGE  L.  PECK 


Those  who  cavil  at  ancestry  and  deride  the  doctrine  of  heredity  may  with 
profit  study  the  history  of  the  Peck  family  in  America.  From  the  days  of 
heraldry,  three  crosses  formed  the  principal  part  of  the  Peck  coat-of-arms. 
This  indicates  service  in  the  Crusades,  which  proves  the  militant  trait.  Many, 
many  years  thereafter  this  trait  shows  in  Jesse  Peck,  of  the  fifth  American 
generation,  who  with  three  of  his  sons  served  in  the  Revolutionary  army.  In 
the  next  generation,  the  spirit  of  the  three  crosses  is  manifested  in  Luther 
Peck  with  whom  Methodism  came  into  the  family.  He  was  for  many  years  a 
class  leader  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  distinguished  for  his 
fidelity  to  every  duty  and  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christianity,  the  same 
spirit  that  drove  the  old  Crusader  to  the  Holy  Land  in  an  endeavor  to  wrest  the 
Saviour's  tomb  from  the  grasp  of  the  Saracen.  Witness  the  result  of  heredity 
in  the  sons  of  this  God-fearing  old  Methodist  class  leader.  All  five  of  them 
became  eminent  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  one  of  them. 
Rev.  Jesse  Truesdell  Peck,  D.  D.  LL.D.,  being  elected  in  1872  bishop  of  that 
churcli  and  serving  with  such  distinction  that  the  name  Peck  vies  with  that 
of  Simpson  in  the  affection  and  esteem  of  Methodists  everywhere.  Two  of  these 
sons  were  also  distinguished  authors.  Five  of  the  grandchildren  of  Luther 
Peck  were  also  eminent  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  So 
we  can  let  heredity  answer  for  itself  through  this  wonderful  Peck  family,  so 
honored  and  revered  in  the  annals  of  Methodism  and  eminent  in  whatever 
station  placed  or  profession  followed.  The  name  Peck  is  of  great  antiquity  in 
England,  and  is  found  in  every  civilized  country.  In  America  it  first  appears 
with  Henry  Peck  one  of  the  founders  of  the  New  Haven  Colony  and  his  name 
appears  as  one  of  the  subscribers  to  the  charter  of  the  New  Haven  Colony. 
He  settled  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  in  1638.  The  family  home  continued 
in  New  Haven  during  the  next  two  generations,  headed  by  John  ( I )  and  John 
(2)    Peck. 

(I\')  Fliphalet  Peck,  son  of  John  (2)  Peck,  and  of  the  fourth  American 
generation,  left  New  Haven  when  young,  spending  most  of  his  life  in  Dan- 
bury,  Fairfield  county,  Connecticut. 

(V)  Jesse  Peck,  eldest  son  of  Eliphalet  Peck,  settled  in  the  southern  part 
of  Danbury  (now  Bethel)  where  he  cleared  a  farm  from  the  original  forest. 
In  Jesse  and  his  son  was  revived  the  ancient  military  spirit  of  the  family,  he 
with  his  three  sons  enlisting  in  the  Revolutionary  army :  Jesse  and  his  son 
Nathaniel  contracted  smallpox  and  died  before  the  war  ended.    The  other  two 


202  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

sons  were  captured  in  battle,  carried  to  New  York  City  and  confined  in  the 
old  hulk  Jersey  anchored  in  the  East  river,  and  used  by  the  British  as  a  prison 
ship.  Here  they  suffered  the  greatest  horrors,  and  when  finally  released  and 
carried  home  were  to  broken  down  by  disease  and  brutal  treatment  that  for  a 
time  they  were  unable  to  recognize  their  own  mother.  Jesse  Peck  married 
Ruth  Hoyt,  born  February  26,  1738,  died  February  2,  1809. 

(\'I)  Luther  Peck,  son.  of  Jesse  Peck,  the  Revolutionary  soldier,  left  Con- 
necticut with  his  family  in  1794,  settling  in  what  is  now  Middlefield  Center, 
Otsego  county,  New  York.  With  Luther  Peck  begins  the  connection  of  the 
family  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  a  class  leader  for  many 
years,  and  a  man  of  most  exemplary  Christian  life.  He  reared  a  remarkable 
family,  all  of  his  five  sons  becoming  eminent  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  as  were  five  of  his  grandchildren.  He  married  Annis  Collar, 
whose  father  was  also  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  the  youngest  being  Rev.  Jesse  Truesdell  Peck,  a  well  known 
and  greatly  beloved  bishop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who  died  May 
17,    1883,   eleven   years   after  his   elevation   to   the    Episcopacy. 

(VH)  Rev.  George  Peck,  D.  D.,  second  of  the  five  famous  sons  of  Luther 
Peck,  was  born  in  Otsego  county.  New  York,  August  8,  1797,  died  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  May  20,  1876.  He  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at 
the  age  of  fifteen  years,  and  three  years  later  was  licensed  as  an  exhorter. 
The  following  year,  1816,  he  was  licensed  a  local  preacher  and  served  on  the 
Cortland  (New  York)  circuit  without  salary.  In  the  same  year  he  was  re- 
ceived into  the  Genesee  Conference  on  trial.  He  advanced  rapidly  in  the 
esteem  of  his  brethren,  becoming  in  1824  presiding  elder  of  the  Susquehanna 
district,  being  then  but  twenty-seven  years  of  age.  In  1835  he  was  elected 
principal  of  Cazenovia  Seminary,  continuing  three  years.  In  1839  he  was 
again  presiding  elder  of  the  Susquehanna  district,  and  frona  1840  until  1847 
was  editor  of  the  Methodist  Quarterly  Review,  his  editorship  marking  a  new 
era  in  ttie  history  of  that  magazine;  from  1847  until  185 1  he  was  editor  of  the 
official  organ  of  the  church.  The  Christian  Advocate.  In  1852  he  returned  to 
the  active  ministry,  stationed  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  In  1854  he  was 
presiding  elder  of  the  Wyoming  district;  in  1855  of  the  Binghamton  district; 
in  1856  and  1857  in  charge  of  Scranton  Mission  (now  Elm  Park  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church);  in  1858  presiding  elder  of  the  Wyoming  district;  sta- 
tioned in  1866-67  ^'^  Providence;  in  1868  at  Dunmore ;  in  i86g  presiding  elder 
of  the  Wyoming  district.  In  1873  he  was  placed  on  the  supernumerary  list, 
having  most  gloriously  served  his  church  as  exhorter,  preacher,  presiding  elder 
and  editor  for  fifty-eight  years.    Three  years  later,  in  1876,  he  died. 

His  interest  in  educational  matters  was  intense.  He  had  labored  for  the 
advancement  of  Cazenovia  Seminary  long  before  he  became  its  efficient  presi- 
dent in  1835.  One  of  his  biographers  claims  that  he  was  "the  orginator  of 
the  first  course  of  study  prescribed  by  tlie  general  conference  for  traveling 
preachers"  and  that  he  was  "the  originator  and  first  moving  spirit  in  the  found- 
ing of  Wyoming  Seminary."  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  general  conference  in 
thirteen  sessions,  1824  to  1872,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance 
which  met  in  London,  England,  in  .\ugust.  1846.  Throughout  almost  his  entire 
ministerial  career,  he  was  a  valuable  contributor  to  the  literature  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  and  in  other  fields  of  literature,  enjoying  tlie  reputation 
of  a  faithful  and  accurate  writer. 

In  1835  Wesleyan  University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  oi 
Arts  and  in  1840  Augusta  College  bestowed  that  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  Says 
another  of  his  biographers :  "I  view  him  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men 
of  our  times,  one  whose  genius  and  piety  are  indelibly  stamped  on  the  ec- 


CITY  OF  SCR  ANTON  203 

clesiastical  policy  and  wonderful  growth  of  the  church,  whose  wise  counsels 
and  herculean  labors  are  interwoven  in  its  development.  For  the  past  fifty 
years  of  his  life  he  has  been  distinguished  by  a  de^'oted  love  to  the  church,  and 
unswerving  loyalty  to  the  honest  convictions  of  truth." 

Rev,  George  Peck  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Martha  (Bennett) 
Myers.  Of  his  five  children  two  sons.  Rev.  George  Myers  Peck  and  Rev. 
Luther  Wesley  Peck,  were  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  a 
third  son  died  in  infancy ;  a  fourth,  Wilbur  Fisk  Peck,  was  a  graduate  in 
medicine,  of  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York  and  a  surgeon  in  the 
Union  army.  An  only  daughter,  Mary  Helen,  married  Rev.  J.  T.  Crane,  a 
graduate  of  Princeton  College  and  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

(VIII)  Rev.  Luther  Wesley  Peck,  second  son  of  Rev.  George  Peck,  D.  D., 
was  born  in  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  June  14,  1825,  died  at  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  31,  1900.  He  spent  one  year  at  Wesleyan  University  (1842) 
then  entered  the  L'niversity  of  the  City  of  New  York,  whence  he  was  graduated 
Master  of  Arts,  class  of  1845,  receiving  from  his  alma  mater  in  1878  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  After  leaving  the  university  he  finished  a 
course  of  theological  study,  and  in  1845  was  admitted  to  the  New  York  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  following  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
honored  father.  He  was  stationed,  under  the  itinerant  law  of  the  church,  as 
pastor  of  churches  in  New  York,  Brooklyn,  Durham,  Rhinebeck.  Newburgh, 
Poughkeepsie,  Kingston,  Middletown  and  other  places  until  1S68.  when  he 
was  transferred  to  the  Wyoming  conference,  Pennsylvania.  He  continued 
in  the  mlinistry  forty-five  years ;  was  presiding  elder  of  the  Honesdale  district, 
1876-79,  and  retired  from  active  ministry  in  1891  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years. 
He  was  a  rarely  eloquent  pulpit  orator,  a  pastor  of  great  usefulness  and  a 
forceful,  graceful,  pleasing  writer  of  both  poetry  and  prose.  His  published 
works  include:  "The  Golden  Age"  (1858)  ;  "The  Flight  of  Humming  Birds" 
(1895)  ;  A  Poem  "The  Burial  of  Lincoln"  for  Rev.  Jesse  T.  Peck's  "History 
of  the  Great  Republic,"  and  edited,  "A  View  From  Campbell  Lodge  in  Wyom- 
ing" written  by  his  father.  Rev.  George  Peck.  He  was  also  an  extensive  and 
valued  contributor  to  the  National  Magazine,  the  Quarterly  Review  and  the 
Ladies  Repository.  In  his  long  and  active  life  he  accomplished  great  good  and 
added  additional  lustre  to  the  name  of  Peck,  already  illustrious  in  the  annals 
of  Methodism. 

Rev.  Luther  Wesley  Peck  married,  January  18,  1848,  Sarah  Maria,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Ransom  Hall  and  Hielen  (Whitbeck)  Gibbons.  She  was  born  in 
Dormansville,  Albany  county,  New  York,  in  1828,  died  June  17,  191 1,  in  Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania.  Children:  Helen,  Mary  E.,  Emma  D.,  Frances  A.,  Sarah 
M.,  Susan  G.,  Jessie  T.,  Fanny  M.,  George  L. 

(IX)  George  L.  Peck,  only  son  of  Rev.  Luther  Wesley  Peck,  D.  D.,  was 
born  in  Susquehanna,  Pennsylvania,  February  \2,  i86g.  After  a  course  of 
study  in  the  public  schools,  he  prepared  for  a  higher  institution  of  learning 
at  Cazenovia  Seminary,  a  school  that  for  three  years  was  presided  over  by  his 
grandfather.  Rev.  George  Peck.  D.  D.  In  1886  he  entered  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity, whence  he  was  graduated  Bachelor  of  Arts,  class  of  1890.  Breaking  away 
from  family  tradition,  he  chose  the  profession  of  law,  preparing  under  the 
preceptorship  of  Cornelius  Comegys,  an.  eminent  lawyer  of  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania. Passing  the  necessary  examinations,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Lack- 
awanna county  bar.  April  10,  1893.  He  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  Scranton  and  so  continues,  having  attained  high  standing  at  the  bar 
and  practices  in  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district. 

Not  only  has  Mr.  Peck  gained  honorable  distinction  in  his  profession  but  is 


204  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

numbered  among  the  active,  useful  and  successful  business  men  of  his  citj 
He  is  president  of  the  Electric  City  Bank  of  Scranton.  a  sohd,  prosperous, 
financial  institution,  and  is  manager  of  the  Board  of  Tiade  and  Real  Estate 
Company,  with  offices  in  the  Board  of  Trade  Building.  Adhering  strictly  to 
the  faith  of  his  fathers,  he  is  a  useful  member  of  Simpson  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  president  of  its  board  of  trustees  and  for  the  past  eighteen  years  has 
been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  Thoroughly  informed  in  church 
government,  history  and  precedent,  ]\Ir.  Peck  has  rendered  valuable  layman 
service  to  tlie  church,  and  in  1912  was  chosen  lay  delegate  to  the  quadrennial 
general  conference,  held  that  year  in  Minneapolis,  ably  representing  there  the 
lay  interests  of  his  church. 

Through  the  service  of  his  patriotic  ancestor,  Jesse  Peck,  the  Revolutionary 
soldier,  Mr.  Peck  had  gained  membership  to  Pennsylvania  Chapter,  Sons  of 
the  Revolution,  an  association  he  greatly  values.  He  is  also  prominent  in  the 
Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Coui- 
mandery.  Knights  Templar  (of  which  he  is  past  eminent  commander)  :  Irem 
Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

This  brief  account  of  the  life  and  activity  of  Mr.  Peck  gives  but  an  idea  of 
his  usefulness  to  his  community,  but  does  fully  prove  his  own  worthiness  and 
the  high  character  of  his  forbears,  dating  from  the  first  American  ancestor, 
Henry  Peck.  As  a  study  in  heredity,  it  is  of  deep  interest  and  furnishes  an 
unswervable  arginnent  in  favor  of  the  exponents  of  the  theory  that  "blood  will 
tell." 

George  L.  Peck  married,  September  10,  1896.  Helen  Abigail,  daughter  of 
Frank  W.  and  Harriet  C.  (Kilmer)  Mott.  Children:  George  Francis,  James 
Knickerbocker,  Jesse  Truesdell,  Mott.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  145  South 
Hyde  Park  avenue. 


JOHN  VON  BERGEN,  JR. 

As  chief  executive  of  Scranton  borough,  Alayor  Von  Bergen  justified  the 
wisdom  of  the  voters  of  the  city,  and  so  far  as  his  power  extended  he  gave 
the  friends  of  good  government  satisfaction  in  their  choice.  While  not  a  native 
born  son  of  Scranton,  his  earliest  recollection  does  not  carry  him  beyond  the 
city,  as  he  was  but  a  child  of  three  years  when  his  parents  first  made  Scranton 
their  residence.  Here  he  was  educated  and  grew  to  manhood,  imbibing  the 
true  Scranton  spirit  of  progress,  engaged  in  business,  entered  public  life  and 
gained  the  prominence  and  reputation  that  resulted  in  his  election  to  the  high 
office  of  mayor  of  the  third  most  important  city  of  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  The  V^on  Bergens  are  a  Swiss  family,  Mayor  Von  Bergen  being  rep- 
resentative of  the  first  American  born  generation.  The  first  of  the  family  to 
leave  their  far  away  mountain  home  and  to  come  to  the  LInited  States  was 
Andrew  Von  Bergen,  who  with  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  and  children,  came  about 
1 85 1,  settling  in  Jackson,  Illinois.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  after 
working  in  Illinois  until  1856,  came  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  in  Taylor,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming. 

(II)  John  Von  Bergen,  son  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  \'on  Bergen,  was 
born  in  Berne,  Switzerland,  April  18,  1845.  He  was  brought  to  the  L'nited 
States  by  his  parents  when  about  six  years  of  age,  and  to  Taylor,  Pennsyl- 
vania, when  eleven,  having  spent  the  intervening  years  in  Jackson,  Illinois. 
He  received  such  education  as  the  public  schools  afforded,  and  at  Taylor  as- 
sisted his  father  in  farm  labor  until  of  suitable  age  to  enter  the  coal  mines.  He 
worked  at  mining  several  years,  winning  his  way  upward  until  he  became  a  min- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  205 

ing  contractor.  In  1877  he  located  in  Scranton  and  there  was  actively  engaged 
in  business  until  his  death,  April  15,  1910.  He  was  a  man  of  forceful  char- 
acter, genial  and  kindly  in  nature,  but  of  so  retiring  and  quiet  disposition  that 
he  was  known  as  the  "Silent  Swiss."  He  was  a  director  of  the  Providence 
Bank,  served  two  terms  as  councilman  in  Scranton,  then  was  elected  di- 
rector of  the  poor  of  the  city,  holding  that  office  until  his  death.  He  was  a 
member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  Greuth-Verein.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  religion 
though  not  a  professed  member  of  any  denomination  and  was  liberal  to  all 
churches.  It  is  in  commemoration  of  these  characteristics  of  Mr.  Von  Bergen 
that  the  congregation  of  the  Court  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  are 
now  assembled  by  the  tones  of  a  strong,  richly  toned  bell,  inscribed  "Pre- 
sented to  the  Court  Street  ^Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  March  23,  191 3,  by 
John  Von  Bergen,  Junior,  in  memory  of  his  father,  John  Von  Bergen,  de- 
ceased." In  presenting  the  bell  to  the  congregation,  the  donor  said  in  part. 
"I  believe  that  whatever  honor  accrues  from  this  contribution  should  go  to 
him  who  first  conceived  it :  Should  go  to  him  in  whose  honor  this  contribution 
is  now  made.  I  believe  that  it  belongs  to  him,  rather  than  to  me  who  am  now 
carrying  out  what  I  know  to  have  been  his  most  heart- felt  wish.  My  satis- 
faction will  come  too,  with  every  toll  of  this  bell,  for  the  sound  of  it  as  it  peals 
forth  from  the  belfry  of  this  church,  will  bring  back  to  me  a  very  vivid  recol- 
lection of  one  whom  I  believe  to  have  been  the  best  father  that  a  son  ever 
had."  John  Von  Bergen  married  Caroline  Weisen,  born  in  Scranton,  daugh- 
ter of  Nicholas  Weisen.  She  was  also  a  devoted  Christian.  Children :  Eliza- 
beth, married  Wells  Hockenberry,  of  Scranton;  John,  of  whom  further; 
Caroline,  a  teacher  in  Scranton  public  schools ;  Mildred,  married  R.  W. 
Jefifers,  of  Scranton ;  Louis,  of  Stanton ;  Helen. 

(Ill)  John  (2)  \^on  Bergen,  eldest  son  of  John  (i)  and  Caroline  (Weisen) 
Von  Bergen,  was  born  in  Taylor,  Pennsylvania,  November  15,  1874.  He  was 
educated  in  the  Scranton  public  schools  and  Wood's  Business  College,  begin- 
ning business  life  as  weighmaster  in  the  employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna 
&  Western  Railroad  Company.  He  continued  in  the  employ  of  that  company 
until  1900,  serving  in  different  capacities,  rising  to  a  position  virtually  that  of 
outside  assistant  superintendent.  He  then  resigned,  becoming  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  commissioners  of  Lackawanna  county,  remaining  four  years.  Ir 
1904  he  was  elected  clerk  of  courts  for  Lackawanna  county,  serving  one  term, 
but  failing  of  re-election.  In  1909  he  was  successful  candidate  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  for  mayor  of  Scranton.  He  was  sworn  into  office,  April  5,  1909, 
and  served  the  city  with  a  fidelity  and  zeal  that  won  him  hosts  of  friends  ann 
warm  supporters.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Providence  Bank  and  of  the  Anthra- 
cite Traction  Company,  and  interested  in  other  business  enterprises.  He  has 
attained  prominence  in  the  Masonic  Order,  .belonging  to  Queen  Ridge  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  to  all  bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  Keystone  Consistory,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is 
also  a  Noble  of  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Celestial  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  being  very  highly  esteemed 
by  his  brethren  in  these  orders. 

Mr.  Von  Bergen  married,  September  28,  1904,  Emma,  daughter  of  Chris- 
tian G.  Schwindt,  of  Scranton.     Children:  Mildred  and  John  (3). 


2o6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

FRIEND  A.  CROSS,  M.  D. 

It  has  been  a  noticeable  feature  of  American  life,  and  indeed  of  the  age, 
that  the  tendency  in  all  of  the  sciences  and  professions  has  been  to  develop 
men  complete  masters  of  one  branch  of  a  calling.  The  depth  of  research  and 
the  profundity  of  theories  advanced  have  been  accompanied  by  the  realization 
that  life  is  too  short  and  the  undertaking  too  vast  for  one  to  learn,  under- 
stand and  be  an  authority  upon  all  departments  of  even  one  science  or  pro- 
fession. So  the  need  of  specialization  has  been  felt  and  to  accommodate  this 
want  learned  men  in  all  walks  of  life  have  concentrated  their  mental  faculties 
upon  one  subject,  or  part  of  a  subject,  making  everything  known  thereof 
their  own  and  ceaselessly  experimenting,  searching  and  studying  to  add  to 
this  store  of  accurate  evidence.  As  one  wise  man,  apt  in  expression,  summed 
up  the  need  of  the  times,  what  is  required  is  not  simply  broad  men,  but  "broad 
men  sharpened  to  a  point."  It  is  in  the  application  of  this  method  to  the 
medical  profession  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Friend  A.  Cross  that  the  above  is 
pertinent  at  the  present  time. 

Dr.  Friend  A.  Cross  is  a  descendant  of  a  family  old  in  Wayne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  his  grandfather,  James  Cross,  having  been  an  early  settler  who 
there  engaged  in  lumber  dealing.  The  father  of  Friend  A.  Cross,  Albert  James 
Cross,  was  born  in  Sterling,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1849,  ^nd  was 
for  several  years  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  later  opening  a  general  store 
in  the  place  of  his  birth,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business. 
He  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Albert  James  Cross 
married  Mary  E.  Hildebrandt,  of  Columbia,  New  Jersey,  and  has  children: 
Freeman  H.,  Clarence  G.,  Friend  A.,  of  whom  further ;  Russell  E.,  deceased ; 
Earl  B.,  Beulah  C,  H.  Milton. 

Dr.  Friend  A.  Cross,  son  of  Albert  James  and  Mary  E.  (Hildebrandt) 
Cross,  was  born  in  Sterling,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  8,  1882.  After 
a  public  school  education  he  attended  the  East  Stroudsburg  State  Normal 
School.  For  two  years  he  was  a  school  teacher,  in  1903  entering  the  Medico- 
Chirurgical  College  of  Philadelphia,  whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.  four 
years  later,  then  serving  for  one  year  as  interne  in  the  State  Hospital.  In  1908 
he  moved  to  South  Scranton,  beginning  the  practice  of  his  profession  on 
Pittston  avenue,  a  short  time  afterward  enrolling  in  the  New  York  Post 
Graduate  School  and  Hospital,  in  New  York  City,  where  he  specialized  in  the 
study  of  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat,  returning  to  Scranton  in  August,  1913.  His 
present  office  is  in  the  Dime  Bank  Building,  in  which  place  he  receives  the 
many  patrons  of  his  large  practice,  his  knowledge,  skill  and  ability  as  a  phy- 
sician being  universally  known.  From  1908  to  July  i,  1914,  Dr.  Cross  was  an 
assistant  to  Dr.  Mears  and  Dr.  C.  L.  Frey,  of  the  State  Hospital,  in  cases  where 
the  disease  is  of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  or  throat,  his  advanced  study  making  him  an 
assistant  of  worth.  On  July  i,  1914,  he  was  made  chief  of  the  eye  depart- 
ment of  that  hospital.  The  many  years  that  in  all  probability  stretch  before 
Dr.  Cross  offer  excellent  ground  for  the  laying  of  a  career  of  brilliance  and 
usefulness,  for  he  is  absorbed  in  his  profession,  a  tireless  worker,  and  a  con- 
stant student.  His  medical  societies  are  those  of  the  county  and  state,  and 
he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  330,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Hamlin,  Pennsylvania. 
His  church  is  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal.  Dr.  Cross  married,  Decem- 
ber I,  1909,  Lulu  A.,  daughter  of  Hon.  John  D.  and  Mary  Houck. 


MAJOR  EVERETT  WARREN 

There  is  a  spirit  in  the  American  people  that  in  some  manner  can  never 
resist  the  appeal  made  to  the  senses  by  the  words  of  Bunker  Hill.     The  mere 


(Of  ^.  -0^i>^ef-^'^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  207 

utterance  of  these  magic  syllables  causes  each  head  to  be  held  a  trifle  higher, 
each  pair  of  shoulders  to  be  raised  a  little  more  erect  and  each  breath  to  come 
a  little  quicker  than  its  predecessor.  It  is  a  glorious  monument  to  the  Warren 
family  herein  recorded,  that  the  name  of  one  of  its  members  has  been  written 
indelibly  upon  the  records  of  our  mighty  republic,  as  the  hero  of  that  historic 
conflict.  General  Joseph  Warren. 

(i)  Isaac  Warren,  related  to  General  Joseph  Warren  in  a  collateral  line, 
has  the  distinction  of  introducing  a  new  industry  in  this  country,  the  manufac- 
ture of  calf  skin  boots.  He  was  the  father  of  several  children,  one  of  his 
sons,  George  Frederick  Warren,  serving  with  honor  in  the  Civil  War,  and 
being  placed  upon  the  stafif  of  General  Grant  at  the  request  of  that  officer. 

(II)  Harris  Franklin  Warren,  son  of  Isaac  and  Leonora  Warren,  was 
born  in  Bethany,  Connecticut,  March  10,  1824.  In  1838  he  went  with  his 
brother  to  Newburgh,  New  York,  where  for  a  year  he  attended  high  school. 
Going  west  in  1843,  he  was  employed  as  a  bookkeeper  in  the  large  wholesale 
establishment  of  Reuben  Towne  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  a  position  he  resigned 
in  1848  to  enter  the  service  of  the  mercantile  house  of  Zach,  Chandler  &  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  became  junior  partner  in  1850.  The  western  climate  prov- 
ing unfavorable  to  his  delicate  health,  Mr.  Warren  returned  to  the  east  and 
accepted  a  position  in  Scranton  in  the  car  and  machine  shops  of  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  For  almost  ten  years  he  suffered  as  a  semi- 
invalid,  finally  recovering  the  strength  and  robustness  that  have  always  char- 
acterized the  family,  and  lived  to  an  advanced  age.  Had  his  health  been  as 
vigorous  as  his  spirit,  it  is  possible  that  his  efforts  in  a  military  line  would  have 
redounded  quite  as  much  to  the  honor  of  the  family  as  did  the  deeds  of  his 
valiant  ancestor,  as  his  enlistment  in  the  Lmion  army  at  the  time  of  the  Civil 
War  was  barred  by  the  examining  physician.  He  married  twice  and  became 
the  father  of  three  children. 

(III)  Major  Everett  Warren,  son  of  Harris  Franklin  and  Marian  Mar- 
gery (Griffin)  Warren,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  27,  1859. 
Having  obtained  from  the  public  schools  of  the  day  all  that  they  had  to  offer, 
his  insatiable  desire  for  learning  as  a  means  of  self  improvement  led  him  to 
enter  Merrill's  Academic  School,  where  he  obtained  instruction  in  Latin  and 
Greek,  preparatory  to  entrance  into  college,  payiiig  his  tuition  fee  with  his 
earnings  as  a  carrier  of  the  Scranton  Republican,  subsequently  for  the  Scranton 
Times.  Not  having  all  the  preparation  necessary  for  college  entrance,  he  con- 
tinued to  study  under  the  tutorship  of  Frank  Bentley,  paying  for  this  service 
with  three- fourths  of  the  wages  he  earned  as  clerk  and  office  boy  in  the  office 
of  A.  H.  Winton  and  later  of  Hand  &  Post.  Such  perseverance  and  am- 
bition, such  undaunted  and  immovable  determination  to  obtain  an  education, 
such  sincere  desire  for  better  things,  could  not  remain  unrewarded,  the  fall 
of  1877  witnessing  the  fulfillment  of  his  college  hopes  and  the  gratification  of 
a  wish  for  which  he  labored  long  and  unceasingly,  his  matriculation  at  Yale 
University.  Here  he  applied  all  the  energy  and  labor  to  the  different  depart- 
ments of  his  course  that  he  had  previously  devoted  to  obtaining  entrance, 
gaining  special  pleasure  from  the  literary  and  debating  work  of  the  college,  in- 
cluding an  editorship  of  the  Yale  News,  and  graduating  A.  B.  in  the  class  of 
1881.  After  graduation  he  studied  for  the  legal  profession,  and  soon  after 
his  admission  to  the  bar  became  the  partner  of  the  Hon.  E.  N.  Willard.  Judge 
H.  A.  Knapp  joining  the  firm  in  1892,  the  triple  alliance  continuing  until  June, 
1895,  when  Mr.  Willard  received  appointment  as  a  superior  court  judge  from 
Governor  Hastings.  Since  that  time  Major  Warren  has  been  the  head  of  the 
firm,  and  has  maintained  a  position  as  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the 
Scranton  bar,  the  business  of  the  firm  thriving  because  of  the  excellent  reputa- 


2o8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

tion  borne  by  all  partners.  The  firm  was  Warren  &  Knapp  until  Judge  Willard 
retired  in  1898  and  resumed  his  place  in  it,  continuing  until  his  death,  March 
2,  1910.  The  firm  then  became  Warren,  Knapp  &  O'Malley,  remaining  such 
until  January  i,  1914,  when  it  became  Warren,  Knapp,  O'Malley  &  Hill.  Mr. 
Warren  has  represented  individuals  as  well  as  corporations  in  as  fully  im- 
portant controversies  as  those  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western,  the 
New  York  Central,  the  Lehigh  Valley,  the  Erie  and  the  Erie  &  Wyoming 
Valley  railroads,  the  Scranton  Traction  Company,  the  Lackawaima  Iron  and 
Steel  Company,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company.  We  cite  the  Crawford 
will  case,  and  the  Martin  case  against  the  Delaware  &  Hudson,  Susquehanna 
&  Western  Canal  companies,  when  the  biggest  verdict  was  given  that  was  ever 
obtained  in  a  persona!  injury  case  in  Pennsylvania.  To  recount  the  reasons 
for  his  continued  success  in  his  chosen  profession  entails  a  description  of  the 
qualities  of  the  man  himself,  his  strong  mentality,  prepossessing  personality  and 
confident  self  assurance,  which  make  a  most  favorable  impression  upon  all  with 
whom  he  comes  into  contact.  All  of  his  success,  of  course,  is  laid  upon  his 
extremely  intimate  and  thorough  knowledge  of  fundamentals,  which  enables 
him  to  unravel  thread  by  thread  the  most  complicated  and  abstruse  of  legal 
problems ;  but  aside  from  this,  without  which  a  lawyer  could  never  be  truly 
great,  his  remarkable  forensic  gifts  have  been  the  greatest  aid  to  him  in  his 
profession.  Just  as  the  most  beautiful  of  songs  loses  its  entire  charm  by  a 
poor  rendition,  so  the  strongest  legal  attack  loses  its  force  and  power  of  con- 
viction unless  its  delivery  is  eloquent,  well  balanced  and  emphatic.  In  the 
presentation  of  his  cases.  Major  Warren  combined  all  of  these  qualities,  with 
a  result  shown  by  the  number  of  decisions  in  his  favor. 

Major  Warren's  distinction  is  not  confined  to  the  bar  of  his  state,  but 
reaches  into  political  and  military  circles.  His  connection  with  the  Penn- 
sylvania National  Guard  began  in  1881,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Com- 
pany A,  Thirteenth  Regiment,  then  commanded  by  Captain  Louis  A.  Watres, 
who  afterward  became  lieutenant-governor  of  Pennsylvania.  His  promotion 
to  sergeant-major  followed  in  three  years,  his  next  rank  being  that  of  adjutant 
and  finally  judge  advocate  of  the  Third  Regiment  with  the  rank  of  major  on 
the  staff  of  General  J.  P.  S.  Cobin.  In  1891  he  resigned  as  judge  advocate 
and  closed  an  association  with  the  National  Guard  which  had  covered  a  period 
of  ten  years,  during  which  time  he  had  been  constantly  active  in  the  work  ol 
the  organization.  He  was  offered  a  position  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Hastings 
as  colonel,  which  he  refused,  and  he  also  declined  the  position  of  judge  ad- 
vocate on  Major  General  Snowden's  staff  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel. 

In  the  field  of  Republican  politics  he  has  gained  a  position  of  influence  and 
power,  and  is  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  party  in  that  state.  In  1887  the  first 
convention  of  the  recently  organized  National  League  of  Republican  Clubs 
was  held  in  the  old  Chickering  Hall  in  New  York,  where  Major  Warren  was 
the  representative  of  the  Central  Republican  Club  of  Scranton.  and  in  the 
election  of  National  ofiicers  was  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  Pennsylvania 
delegation  for  treasurer.  At  the  organization  of  the  State  League  of  Penn- 
sylvania at  Scranton  in  April,  1888,  he  was  chosen  the  first  of  three  vice- 
presidents  and  six  years  later  was  elected  president  by  acclamation,  and  at 
York  in  1895  was  re-elected,  continuing  as  the  cliief  executive  officer  of  the 
league  until  1896.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  advisory  committee  of  the 
National  Republican  League,  his  advice  and  opinions  carrying  great  weight 
whenever,  after  mature  consideration  of  the  subject  at  hand,  he  either  gives 
the  one  or  advances  the  other.  Twice  he  has  declined  allowing  his  name  to  be 
used  in  connection  with  a  nomination  for  Justice  of  Supreme  Court  of  Penn- 
sylvania.    In  local  politics,  too,  his  knowledge  of  affairs  has  called  him  into 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  209 

service.  As  secretary  of  the  county  committee,  chairman  of  the  city  com- 
mittee, and  as  a  member  of  the  advisory  board  of  the  state  committee,  he  has 
fulfilled  all  the  duties  of  a  good,  conscientious  citizen.  At  the  state  conven- 
tion in  Harrisburg  in  1896  he  was  nominated  presidential  elector  from  the 
eleventh  congressional  district. 

Major  Warren  and  his  wife  are  communicants  of  St.  Luke's  Episcopal 
Church,  he  serving  as  vestryman.  He  has  been  a  member  of  standing  in  com- 
mittees of  the  diocese  of  Bethlehem  for  twenty  years,  and  deputy  to  the 
General  Convention  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  holds  fraternal  affiliation 
with  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  and  Melita  Com- 
mandery,  No.  68,  K.  T.  He  was  chairman  of  the  First  City  Planning  Com- 
mission of  Scranton  under  appointment  of  Mayor  Von  Bergen.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Yale  Club  of  New  York,  the  University  Club  of  New  York,  the 
Scranton  Club  and  Country  Club  of  Scranton. 

On  May  31,  1883,  Major  Warren  married  Ellen  H.,  daughter  of  Hon.  E. 
N.  Willard.  Children:  i.  Marian  Margery,  married  Worthington  Scranton, 
vice-president  of  the  Scranton  Gas  &  Water  Company.  2.  Dorothy  J.,  mar- 
ried Nathaniel  H.  Cowdrey,  of  New  York  City.  3.  Edward  Willard.  Major 
Warren  personified  the  type  of  American  citizen  in  whom  lies  the  hope  of 
purity  in  our  local,  state  and  national  politics.  An  honorable,  upright,  Chris- 
tian gentleman,  deserving  and  holding  the  regard  of  all,  highly  trained  in  legal 
matters,  and  closely  acquainted  with  the  vital  issues  of  the  day,  his  life  has 
shown  nothing  but  a  lofty  attitude  of  service  to  society  and  earnest  effort  in 
behalf  of  his  city  and  state. 


ELIAS  G.  ROOS,  M.  D. 

At  the  close  of  his  quarter  of  a  century  of  professional  relation  to  the 
city  of  Scranton,  it  is  the  privilege  of  Dr.  Elias  G.  Roos  to  look  back  upon  that 
period  and  find  therein  only  that  which  has  added  to  his  fame  in  his  profession 
and  has  raised  him  to  a  lofty  place  in  the  regard  of  the  many  friends  he  has 
made  since  coming  to  that  city.  Beyond  the  peradventure  of  a  doubt  one  of 
the  most  learned  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  city  and  state,  the  nobility  of 
his  character  and  his  attractive  personality  would  have  gained  him  prominence 
had  not  his  professional  ability  been  of  so  high  an  order.  He  is  a  member  of 
an  old  German  family  and  in  that  country  prepared  himself  for  the  practice 
of  medicine  and  surgery,  attending  the  best  of  the  many  excellent  universities 
of  which  that  country  boasts. 

His  grandfather,  Samuel  Roos,  and  his  father.  Rabbi  Kaufman  Roos,  were 
both  life-long  residents  of  Germany,  where  the  latter  was  born,  in  Lichtenau, 
Baden,  in  1809.  Kaufman  Roos  obtained  his  education  for  the  rabbinal  at 
the  world  famous  university,  Heidelberg,  in  the  grand-duchy  of  his  birth. 
After  the  completion  of  his  theological  studies  he  was  honored  with  a  call 
to  the  old  and  well  known  Jewish  Community  in  Schmilheim,  Baden,  where 
he  performed  the  duties  as  District  Rabbi  for  forty-one  years  or  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death.  He  married  Zippora  Rice,  whose  paternal  line  for  three  genera- 
tions had  been  rabbis  and  teachers  of  the  Jewish  law.  Her  brother,  Simon, 
born  in  Breisach,  Baden,  Germany,  came  to  the  United  States  when  he  was 
seventeen  years  of  age,  and  in  i860  established  himself  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness. Several  years  later  he  admitted  his  brother.  Max,  to  a  partnership  in 
the  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Simon  Rice  and  Brother.  They  engaged 
in  a  wholesale  grocery  business  in  Scranton  until  the  retirement  of  Simon 
from  the  firm,  aged  forty-seven  years,  after  which  time  Max  Rice  continue'! 
14 


2IO  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  business  independently.  Simon  Rice  died  in  1901.  He  had  been  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  the  city  of  Scranton  and  was  a  member  of  the  "Old  Guard'" 
of  business  men  of  that  place.  While  he  did  not  reap  as  abundantly  of  the 
harvest  of  wealth  that  the  region  offered  as  some  of  his  contemporaries  and 
those  that  followed  them,  all  of  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  city  were  tendered 
in  open-hearted  generosity  and  not  through  hope  or  desire  of  private  gain. 
He  was  a  supporter  of  Republican  principles  and  as  the  candidate  of  that 
party  was  twice  elected  a  member  of  the  Scranton  council,  in  which  body  he  had 
a  fuller  opportunity  to  work  effectively  for  the  city's  advancement,  which  he 
did  with  energetic  zeal.  For  many  years  he  was  an  official  of  the  Madison 
Avenue  Jewish  Synagogue,  in  which  faith  he  had  been  strengthened  by  the 
self-sacrificing  example  of  his  father,  his  grandfather,  and  his  great-grand- 
father. Rabbi  Kaufman  Roos  died  in  1875,  his  wife  surviving  him  eighteen 
years,  her  death  occurring  in  1893.  Children  of  Rabbi  Roos:  Gotthilf,  born  in 
1857;  Frida,  born  1858;  Elias  G.,  of  whom  further;  Sara,  1865;  Emilie,  1868. 

Dr.  Elias  G.  Roos  was  born  in  Schmilheim,  Baden,  Germany,  February  7, 
i860.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  high  school  at  Ettenheim  and 
later  on  in  the  gymnasiums  at  Freiburg,  Rastadt  and  Mannheim,  from  which 
latter  place  he  was  graduated  in  1881  after  a  course  of  study  extending  over 
a  period  of  nine  years,  so  minute  and  thorough  is  the  German  system  of  edu- 
cation. He  then  entered  the  University  at  Freiburg,  subsequently  attending 
those  at  Konigsburg  and  Berlin,  receiving  after  seven  years  of  the  most  ardu- 
ous study  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  soon  after  came  to  Scranton  and  im- 
mediately began  practice  in  that  city.  His  rise  to  popular  favor  was  rapid  and 
for  seven  years  he  continued  a  prosperous  practice.  At  the  expiration  of  that 
time,  in  spite  of  his  unusually  liberal  education,  he  felt  that  he  would  be  bene- 
fitted by  a  course  in  an  American  institution,  and  accordingly  enrolled  at  the 
Philadelphia  Polyclinic  College  for  Graduates  in  Medicine  in  1897  and  in  this 
college  was  the  winner  of  a  fellowship.  There  is,  in  that  action  of  Dr.  Roos  a 
sermon  for  many  a  youth,  or  indeed,  for  those  of  more  mature  age,  that  is, 
that  in  direct  proportion  to  the  amount  of  knowledge  acquired,  unexplored 
fields  open  ahead.  He  then  returned  to  his  Scranton  patronage  and  has  there 
ever  since  remained,  ever  becoming  more  firmly  intrenched  in  the  affection  of 
those  who  are  privileged  to  know  him  best,  and  as  constantly  rising  in  the 
respect  of  the  many  who  are  acquainted  with  him  only  through  reputation  and 
the  report  of  his  achievements  along  medical  and  surgical  lines.  He  holds 
position  as  consulting  surgeon  to  the  Midvalley  Hospital  and  as  one  of  the 
visiting  surgeons  to  the  State  Hospital  in  the  city,  and  is  examiner  for  several 
life  insurance  companies.  Dr.  Roos  belongs  to  the  County,  State  and  American 
Medical  societies,  and  to  the  Congress  of  Surgeons  of  North  America.  His 
political  views  are  Republican  in  sympathy,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Madi- 
son Avenue  Temple. 

He  married  (first)  in  1891,  Frances  Wertheimer,  of  Philadelphia,  who 
died  in  1895;  (second)  Edith  Hirschmann,  of  Binghamton,  New  York.  Chil- 
dren of  first  marriage :  Beatrice  Frances  and  Henrietta  Frances. 

Perhaps  the  most  attractive  point  about  the  career  of  Dr.  Roos  is  the  vast 
amount  of  good  he  lias  been  able  to  accomplish  as  the  direct  result  of  the  years 
of  study  and  preparation  spent  in  Germany.  He  could  not  possibly  have  seen 
the  goal  of  his  efforts  and  yet  the  faith  that  kept  him  so  closely  to  his  studies 
has  been  more  than  justified  in  the  reward  that  has  come  to  him  in  the  lessen- 
ing of  human  suff'eiing  and  in  restoring  to  some  the  use  of  faculties  long 
dormant,  bringing  to  many  the  light  and  inspiration  of  fresh  hope  for  useful 
lives. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  211 

CHARLES  H.  VON  STORCH 

In  Charles  H.  Von  Storch  the  city  of  Scranton  has  found  a  citizen  who, 
called  upon  to  fill  numerous  responsible  positions  in  municipal  life,  has  never 
failed  to  respond  willingly,  to  accept  any  trust,  and,  having  accepted  it,  has  re- 
mained true  thereto  until  his  every  obligation  has  been  discharged.  Numerous 
of  Scranton's  institutions  have  felt  his  strengthening  guidance,  and  for  two 
decades  he  has  been  prominent  in  the  work  of  the  school  board,  having  several 
times  been  its  president,  an  office  he  ably  administers  at  the  present  time.  But  a 
full  recital  of  his  activities  follows  in  its  proper  place. 

The  family  of  Von  Storch  was  a  noted  and  famous  one  in  Germany,  from 
which  country  the  name  has  disappeared,  one  branch  becoming  numerous  in 
Russia,  another,  founded  by  Heinrich  Ludwig  Christopher  Von  Storch,  flour- 
ishing in  the  United  States.  The  family  record  traces  to  Per.  Staerch,  who 
married,  at  Wassbro,  a  daughter  of  Lars  Oloffson.  His  coat-of-arms  was 
adopted  by  his  son,  Jon  Persson  Staerck,  upon  his  introduction  into  the  Hall 
of  Knighthood  of  Sweden. 

Jon  Persson  Staerck,  on  June  5,  1608,  was  made  groom  of  the  bedchamber 
by  King  Charles  IX,  and  on  August  7,  of  the  same  year,  equerry  to  the  King. 
In  161 1,  at  the  head  of  a  company,  acting  without  special  order,  he  drove  the 
Danes  out  of  Skara  and  out  of  Sweden.  For  this  he  was  highly  praised  by 
Gustavus  Adolphus  II,  receiving  title  and  deed  to  the  Castle  of  Salis,  Germany, 
afterward  being  granted  Delstorp  at  Mitau  for  an  eternal  possession,  also  becom- 
ing captain  of  a  company  of  horsemen.  He  received  from  the  same  monarch  the 
promise  of  a  diploma  of  nobility,  but  because  of  the  illness  of  the  recipient 
of  this  honor,  it  was  not  granted  until  his  death.  This  diploma  was  dated 
August  12,  1632,  and  was  confirmed  by  the  royal  authorities.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Christopher  Goeranssen  and  had  children,  one  Johann,  who  was 
first  called  Von  Storch,  and  four  others,  one  Isaac  Jonsson,  founder  of  the 
Swedish  line  of  the  name. 

Through  Johann,  who  married  Elizabeth  Hammerstein,  the  descent  to 
Charles  H.  Von  Storch  is  through  Gustav,  who  married  Anna  Von  Moisling, 
and  had  children :  Lucas  Frederick,  councillor  of  commissions ;  Johann  Gustav, 
of  whom  further;  Carl  Frederick,  councillor  of  ecclesiastical  economy;  and 
Christian  Heinrich,  a  pastor. 

Dr.  Johann  Gustav  Von  Storch,  son  of  Gustav  and  Anna  (Von  Moisling) 
Von  Storch,  was  councillor  and  burgomaster  of  Guestrow,  Mecklenburg,  Ger- 
many, and  grand  duke  of  Mecklenburg-Schwering.  He  married  Sophia 
Schoeppfer.  among  his  five  children  being  Christian  Theodosius. 

Christian  Theodosius  Von  Storch,  son  of  Dr.  Johann  and  Sophia  (Schoep- 
pfer) Von  Storch,  was  doctor  and  pastor  at  Lohman,  Mecklenburg,  Germany, 
and  was  twice  married,  the  children  of  his  first  union,  with  Margaret  Sophia 
Conradina  Schoeppfer,  founding  the  Russian  family  of  Von  Storch,  while 
Heinrich  Ludwig  Christopher  Von  Storch  was  a  child  by  his  marriage  with 
Anna  Sophia  Conradina  Von  Wick,  and  the  founder  of  the  family  in  the 
United  States,  represented  in  the  city  of  Scranton  by  Charles  H.  Von  Storch 
attorney,  financier,  and  public  servant. 

Heinrich  Ludwig  Christopher  Von  Storch  was  born  in  Lohman,  Mecklen- 
burg, Germany,  in  1772,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  April  10,  1826.  He 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1794,  in  the  company  of  a  countryman,  as  a 
fur  hunter,  and  after  following  this  occupation  for  a  time  purchased  three 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  North  Scranton.  He  afterward  returned 
to  Philadelphia,  where  he  had  landed  upon  immigrating  to  this  country,  soon 
coming  once  more  to  the  Scranton  district,  marrying  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Penn- 


212  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

sylvania,  Hannah  Miner,  daughter  of  Wilham  Searle,  a  settler  from  Con- 
necticut. After  his  marriage  he  brought  his  bride  to  his  log  cabin  on  what  is 
now  the  southeast  side  of  Main  avenue  and  Green  Ridge  street.  Ludwig  Von 
Storch  was  the  proprietor  of  the  first  store  opened  in  North  Scranton,  and 
after  his  death  his  wife  and  eldest  son  managed  the  farm  and  store.  His  wife 
was  a  woman  of  intellectual  brilliance,  possessing  both  business  capacity  and  a 
knowledge  of  the  law,  and  for  many  years  prepared  deeds  and  other  legal 
papers  for  the  neighborhood,  her  death  occurring  after  she  had  been  a  widow 
for  thirty-six  years.  May  14,  1862.  Heinrich  Ludwig  Christopher  and  Hannah 
Miner  (Searle)  Von  Storch  were  the  parents  of  seven  children:  i.  Ferdinand, 
bom  December  4,  1810,  died  November  21,  1868;  married  January  17,  1873, 
Caroline,  daughter  of  Sidney  and  Jane  (La  France)  Slocum,  and  had  issue. 
2.  Theodore,  bom  May  19,  1812,  died  May  30,  1886;  married,  October  21,  1863, 
Josephine  Deborah,  daughter  of  Hiram  and  Orpha  (Church)  Barney,  and  had 
children.  3.  Leopold,  born  May  8,  1814,  died  November  4,  1882;  married, 
August  22,  1839,  Julia  Ann,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Anna  D.  Gregory,  and 
had  issue.  4.  Ludwig,  born  April  28,  1816,  died  April  12,  1886.  5.  William, 
born  February  9,  1819.  6.  Godfrey,  of  whom  further.  7.  Justus,  born  April 
15,  1824,  married,  August  9,  1882,  Serena,  daughter  of  Leonard  and  Mary 
Ann  Boice. 

Godfrey  Von  Storch,  son  of  Heinrich  Ludwig  Christopher  and  Hannah 
Miner  (Searle)  Von  Storch,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  24,  1821, 
died  December  3,  1887.  When  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  his  father's  estate 
was  divided  between  the  mother  and  the  seven  sons,  and  in  his  youth  he  ob- 
tained employment  upon  the  canal,  working  on  the  Lehigh  for  several  sea- 
sons. He  later  engaged  in  farming,  becoming  owner  of  a  saw-mill,  afterward 
operating  in  coal,  superintending  the  sinking  of  the  \'on  Storch  and  Leggett's 
Creek  shafts.  Prospering  in  material  matters,  he  found  time  for  public  serv- 
ice, and  was  several  times  elected  burgess  of  Providence,  for  three  years  repre- 
senting the  second  ward  in  the  select  council  of  Scranton.  He  married,  at 
Providence,  Pennsylvania,  May  22,  1859,  Mary,  born  in  Exeter,  Luzerne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  April  4,  1830.  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Jane  (Durliii) 
Rogers,  and  had  children:  Bell  and  Charles  Henry,  of  whom  further. 

Charles  Henry  Von  Storch,  son  of  Godfrey  and  Mary  (Rogers)  Von 
Storch,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1863.  .A^fter  prepara- 
tory training  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton  and  Merrill's  private  school  he 
entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  leaving  this  institution  in  1885,  and 
two  years  later  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  having  since  been  active  in  his  pro- 
fession in  the  city  of  Scranton.  He  has  made  an  estimable  record  in  legal 
circles,  and  at  the  present  time  is  president  of  the  Providence  Bank.  Among 
the  public  service  that  he  has  performed  in  his  native  city  is  twenty  years  as 
a  member  of  the  school  board,  several  of  which  were  passed  as  president,  an 
office  he  now  holds,  having  been  last  elected  thereto  in  1910.  He  has  given 
to  the  city  a  business  administration  of  school  affairs,  has  devoted  himself 
to  his  arduous  duties  with  praiseworthy  fidelity,  and  has  raised  the  public 
school  standard  of  Scranton  to  a  plane  worthy  of  a  city  of  its  standing.  He 
is  a  citizen  of  unselfish  instincts,  has  made  for  himself  an  enviable  reputation 
in  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  is  universally  recognized  at  his  true  worth,  a 
lawyer  of  talent,  a  municipal  executive  of  sterling  principles,  and  a  gentleman 
of  the  noblest  instincts. 

Mr.  Von  Storch  married  Carrie  A.,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Harriet  C. 
Mott,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  son,  Searle,  born  January  3,  1899. 
Carrie  A.  Von  Storch  died  June  3,  1914. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  213 

WILLIAM  ROWLAND  DAVIES,  M.  D. 

Dr.  William  Rowland  Davies,  one  of  the  prominent  physicians  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  a  leader  among  his  professional  brothers  in  the  state,  comes  of  a 
family  originally  Welsh,  and  representative  of  the  best  type  of  that  stalwart 
race,  which  has  contributed  to  valuable  an  element  to  the  composite  citizenship 
of  the  United  States.  Small  in  numbers  comparatively  with  the  representa- 
tions of  many  European  countries  here,  the  Welsh  contingent  in  America  is  not 
less  valuable,  forniing,  as  it  does,  a  leaven  of  its  own  peculiar  virtues  for  great 
capacity  for  labor,  industry  and  strong  moral  sense. 

(I)  Dr.  Davies'  grandfather  in  the  paternal  line  was  John  W.  Davies,  a 
native  of  Glamorganshire,  Wales,  where  he  was  born  probably  in  the  first 
decade  or  two  of  the  nineteenth  century.  This  ancestor  was  the  founder  of 
the  family  in  America.  He  was  married  to  Magdalen  Daniels,  also  a  native  of 
Glamorganshire,  Wales,  and  the  daughter  of  Morgan  Daniels,,  who  was  born 
in  Neath,  in  the  same  Welsh  county  in  1775.  Morgan  Daniels  married  Mary 
Gibbs  in  his  native  land,  and  in  1832  emigrated  from  there  to  the  United  States. 
He  died  not  live  a  great  while  in  his  new  home,  however,  his  death  occurring 
at  Spring  Brook,  Pennsylvania,  in  1846.  Mr.  Daniels  was  a  prominent  figure 
in  both  his  native  and  adopted  communities  and  was  the  father  of  nine  children. 
When  John  W.  Davies  came  to  this  country  he  settled  in  Carbondale,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  his  eldest  child,  William  J.,  was  born. 

(II)  William  J.  Davies,  father  of  Dr.  Davies  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
in  the  month  of  June,  1844,  and  as  above  stated,  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania. 
As  a  boy  he  attended  the  Carbondale  public  schools,  and  later  pursued  a  more 
advanced  course  at  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  Upon  completing  his  studies  he 
took  up  construction  work,  and  has  been  employed  during  most  of  his  life  in 
railroad  construction  and  on  public  works.  He  married  Jemima  A.  Rowland, 
a  native  of  Carbondale,  daughter  of  Moses  T.  and  Ann  (Rogers)  Rowland, 
of  that  place,  where  Mr.  Rowland  was  a  tailor  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  War.  They  were  from  Llangesny,  North  Wales.  The  children  born 
to  William  J.  and  Jemima  A.  (Rowland)  Davies  are  as  follows:  Laura, 
who  became  Mrs.  John  B.  Nicholas,  of  Hazelton,  Pennsylvania;  William  Row- 
land, of  this  sketch:  Esther,  who  is  now  a  teacher  in  School  No.  13,  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  Dr.  William  Rowland  Davies,  the  second  living  child  of  William  J. 
and  Jemima  A.  (Rowland)  Davies,  was  born  November  2,  1875,  a*  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania.  He  received  the  elementary  portion  of  his  education  in  the  local 
public  schools,  but  supplemented  this  with  a  course  of  study  in  the  Keystone 
Academv  at  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  prepared  himself  for  a  col- 
legiate course.  It  had  been  his  intention  from  an  early  age  to  devote  his 
life  to  the  profession  of  medicine,  and  accordingly,  after  completing  his  pre- 
paratory work,  he  matriculated  in  the  Medical  School  of  the  LIniversity  of 
Pennsylvania  in  1895.  He  graduated  with  the  class  of  1899,  taking  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  The  summer  following  his  graduation  he  spent  as  house  surgeon 
in  the  Pittston  Hospital.  He  opened  an  office  at  No.  221  South  Main  avenue, 
and  has  remained  in  that  location  ever  since.  He  is  a  member  of  the  County 
Medical  Society,  the  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  .Associa- 
tion. In  these  he  has  representated  the  county  society  in  the  state  body,  and 
was  chosen  by  the  latter  to  represent  it  in  turn  in  the  national  organization. 
He  is  chairman  of  the  public  safety  and  legislative  committees  in  the  Lacka- 
wanna County  Association.  Besides  these  honorable  and  responsible  posts, 
he  serves  on  the  staff  of  the  West  Side  Hospital  of  Scranton,  and  is  consulting 
physician  of  the  Mid  Valley  Hospital.     He  is  a  member  of  the  progressive 


214  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

section  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  interested  in  music  and  art.  He  is 
a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  Keystone 
Consistory. 

Dr.  Davies  married,  June  20,  1902,  Helen  Clara  Bard,  a  native  of  Factory- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  was  born.  Mrs.  Davies  is  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam W.  and  Alma  (Newton)  Bard,  and  a  descendant  of  the  old  and  dis- 
tmguished  New  England  family  of  that  name.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Davies 
have  been  born  three  children,  as  follows:  Frederick  Bard,  born  January  12, 
1905;  Ralph  William,  born  October  25,  1906;  Alary  Alma,  born  November 
10,  1910.  Dr.  Davies  and  Mrs.  Davies  attend  the  First  Baptist  Church  of 
Scranton.     They  are  active  in  church  work. 


JOSEPH  H.  STEELE 

In  the  death  of  Joseph  H.  Steell,  late  of  Scranton,  who  for  many  years 
was  an  influential  citizen  of  that  city,  where  he  was  effective  in  promoting 
the  business,  social  and  moral  advancement  of  the  community,  well  known  for 
his  great  ability  and  unflinching  adherence  to  principle,  his  adopted  city  lost 
one  of  its  most  esteemed  and  honored  members. 

Mr.  Steell  was  born  in  the  village  of  St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, December  2,  1846,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  9,  1900,  in 
the  prime  of  life  and  when  he  had  but  reached  the  zenith  of  his  powers.  He 
grew  to  maturity  and  was  educated  in  his  native  village,  residing  there  until 
the  year  1878,  when  he  located  in  Scranton,  in  which  city  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  He  at  once  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Beadle  & 
Steell,  which  established  and  conducted  an  extensive  grocery  business  on 
Lackawanna  avenue,  later  the  site  of  the  Grand  Central  Hotel,  which  proved  ati 
exceedingly  lucrative  enterprise.  Later  the  business  was  removed  to  the  cor- 
ner of  Penn  avenue  and  Center  street,  where  they  conducted  successful  opera- 
tions until  the  general  store  firm  of  J.  H.  Steell  &  Company  was  organized, 
with  offices  in  the  Traders'  Bank  building  in  Scranton.  This  corporation,  with 
Mr.  Steell  as  manager,  operated  six  stores  at  one  time,  located  at  various  com- 
manding points  in  the  anthracite  region,  and  the  success  achieved  was  due  ir 
a  large  degree  to  the  sagacity,  foresight  and  executive  ability  displayed  by  Mr. 
Steell  in  his  management  of  affairs.  In  addition  to  this  extensive  business  en- 
terprise, he  was  an  active  and  potent  factor  in  various  other  large  commercial 
and  industrial  concerns.  He  was  actively  and  prominently  identified  with  the 
Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  his  connection  with  this  being  the  founda- 
tion upon  which  was  built  the  Steell  Store  Company.  He  was  numbered 
among  the  largest  lumber  operators  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley,  connected  with 
two  of  the  most  important  corporations  in  that  trade,  and  served  for  many 
years  as  president  of  the  Allegheny  Lumber  Company,  operating  plants  at  Bell- 
haven,  North  Carolina,  which  were  the  very  extensive  dressing  mills  formerly 
owned  and  operated  by  the  Bellhaven  Lumber  Company.  He  was  among  the 
incorporators  of  the  Lackawanna  Lumber  Company  of  Scranton,  of  which 
he  was  also  president,  his  tenure  of  office  being  noted  for  the  utmost  con- 
servatism compatible  with  progressive  ideas,  which  policy  aided  materially  in 
the  development  and  progress  of  the  company.  There  were  few  enterprises  of 
any  magnitude  in  the  city  of  Scranton  in  which  he  was  not  interested,  in  one 
capacity  or  another,  and  his  counsel  and  advice  was  always  eagerly  sought  and 
earnestly  followed,  it  proving  of  great  advantage  in  every  case. 

Mr.  Steell  displayed  his  love  for  his  country  by  enlisting  his  services  in 
its  defence  during  the  trying  period  of  the  Civil  war,  he  being  then  but  a  lad 
of  fifteen,  but  he  faithfully  performed  the  duties  allotted  to  him  as  a  mem- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  215 

ber  of  the  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  derived  his  greatest  pleasure  in  the 
companionship  of  his  family,  which  consisted  of  his  wife,  and  four  daughters: 
Nellie,  Leila,  Katherine,  Ruth,  to  whom  he  was  always  most  devoted,  doing 
all  in  his  power  for  their  comfort  and  happiness,  and  to  these  his  untimely 
demise  was  the  greatest  affliction  that  could  befall  them.  His  club  membership 
was  limited  to  the  Scranton  Club  and  the  Country  Club.  Mr.  Steell  possessed 
all  the  attributes  of  a  highly  successful  business  man,  ability,  sagacity,  perse- 
verance and  tact,  and  probably  the  greatest  compliment  that  can  be  paid  him  is 
that  he  made  himself  an  honor  to  the  great  commercial  world,  as  well  as  a 
credit  to  the  mercantile  community  in  which  he  lived. 

The  directors  of  the  Traders'  Bank,  in  which  Mr.  Steell  was  a  director,  he 
numbering  among  its  board  of  directors  some  of  his  most  trusted  personal 
friends,  passed  the  following  resolutions  at  the  time  of  his  death :  "He  was  a 
man  of  excellent  judgment,  honest,  upright,  warm-hearted,  and  ever  more 
willing  to  give  than  to  receive.  Many  business  institutions  of  the  city  will 
miss  his  wise  and  t'mely  counsel."  The  directors  of  the  Allegheny  Lumbe' 
Company  placed  upon  its  records  and  before  the  public  equally  fervent  tribute . 
"In  the  loss  of  our  president  we  part  with  one  who  has  been  energetic,  intel- 
ligent, and  has  shown  great  sagacity  and  good  business  judgment  as  the  chief 
officer  and  manager  of  the  affairs  of  this  company.  The  business  community 
also  mourns  the  loss  of  one  who  has  largely  helped  to  mould  and  shape  many 
successful  business  enterprises  of  this  flourishing  city."  The  same  body,  at 
the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner,  touched  a  responsive  chord  in  every 
heart  in  the  community  by  its  touching  phrasing  of  the  personal  worth  of 
the  friend  whom  they  mourned:  "His  private  life  was  without  blemish,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  he  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  business 
associates,  neighbors  and  closest  friends.  We  desire  to  express  to  the  bereaved 
family  our  sorrow  in  the  loss  of  a  beloved  husband  and  father,  and  commend 
them  to  Him  who  is  the  Father  of  the  fatherless  and  the  widow's  God.  Life  i=;, 
as  Prospero  says:  'such  stuff  as  dreams  are  made  of,  and  our  little  life  is 
rounded  with  a  sleep.'  " 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  JAMES   W.   OAKFORD 

The  ancestors  of  the  Oakford  family,  represented  in  the  present  genera- 
tion by  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  W.  Oakford,  a  prominent  resident  of  Scran- 
ton, were  among  the  earliest  residents  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  several 
of  them  were  settled  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  when  William  Penn  firsc 
sailed  up  that  river  to  the  present  site  of  Philadelphia.  In  the  years  when 
Philadelphia  was  the  chief  port  of  the  New  World,  members  of  the  family 
held  prestige  as  leading  merchants,  being  active  factors  in  the  growth  and 
development  of  that  flourishing  city.  Being  of  Quaker  ancestry,  they  con- 
formed to  all  the  doctrines  of  that  sect,  leading  peaceful  and  quiet  lives. 

Colonel  Richard  A.  Oakford,  son  of  Joseph  Oakford,  who  was  a  prominent 
importer  of  china  and  tea,  as  was  his  father,  Isaac  Oakford,  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  December  8,  1820.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of 
that  city,  and  also  studied  at  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
specialized  in  languages,  and  studied  German,  French,  Spanish  and  Italian, 
which  he  read  with  ease,  and  he  spoke  two  of  these  languages  fluently.  He 
also  studied  engineering.  Owing  to  failing  health,  he  moved  from  Philadelphia 
to  the  Wyoming  Valley.  Later  he  was  engaged  in  the  coal  business  in  Pitts 
burgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  made  extended  trips  down  the  Mississippi  Valley 
as  far  as  New  Orleans,  thus  becoming  acquainted  with  the  southern  viewpoint 
in  regard  to  secession,   slavery  and   likelihood  of  war.     Because  of  this   he 


2i6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

held  a  more  exact  and  comprehensive  idea  of  the  attitude  of  that  section  tha'.l 
most  northerners,  not  exxepting  those  in  authority.  He  realized  that  in  the 
South  there  would  be  no  compromise,  and  knowing  well  the  position  of  the 
North,  was  prepared  at  any  time  for  the  announcement  of  war.  At  the  out- 
break of  hostilities,  at  which  time  he  was  a  resident  of  Scranton,  he  was 
among  the  first  to  volunteer  for  service,  enlisting  for  three  months,  and  was 
elected  colonel  of  the  Fifteenth  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Infantry.  He  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  post  at  Camp  Curtin,  Harrisburg,  named  in  honor 
of  Governor  Curtin,  where  the  mobilization  of  the  state  troops  was  taking 
place,  and  when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  field,  he  commanded  it  in  thf 
Shenandoah  Valley.  On  August  15,  1862,  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry  was  mustered  into  service,  and  he 
was  chosen  colonel.  He  was  not  destined  to  hold  his  new  position  long,  for 
on  September  17,  1862,  while  leading  his  men  into  the  fray  at  the  battle  of 
Antietam,  a  bullet  from  the  enemy's  first  volley  found  a  vital  spot  in  his  boay. 
killing  him  instantly.  Although  he  had  been  in  the  service  but  a  short  time, 
he  had  found  that  place  in  the  regard  and  respect  of  his  fellow  officers  and 
the  men  of  his  regiment  ever  held  by  a  true  gentleman  and  a  gallant  soldier. 
In  the  official  report  of  the  battle  forwarded  to  the  War  Department  at  Wash- 
ington by  Brigadier-General  Kimball,  the  following  notice  of  his  death  occurs : 
"Among  the  killed  and  wounded  are  many  brave  and  gallant  soldiers.  Colonel 
Richard  A.  Oakford,  132nd  Pennsylvania,  was  killed  while  leading  his  regi- 
ment." The  fearless  manner  in  which  he  went  to  his  fate,  and  the  able  training 
he  had  given  his  regiment  for  service,  were  recognized  in  a  set  of  resolutions 
drawn  up  by  the  commissioned  officers  of  the  regiment  and  presented  to  the 
family,  testifying  to  his  heroic  action  and  paying  tribute  to  him  as  a  patriotic 
officer  of  unblemished  reputation.  That  Colonel  Oakford  fully  appreciated 
the  awful  danger  of  the  engagement  in  which  he  lost  his  life,  is  shown  in 
Colonel  Hitchcock's  history  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Pennsyl- 
vania in  the  war — "War  from  the  Inside" — in  which,  concerning  the  eve  of 
the  battle  of  Antietam  he  writes,  "I  can  never  forget  the  quiet  words  of  Colonel 
Oakford,  as  he  inquired  very  particularly  if  my  roster  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  regiment  was  complete,  for,  said  he  with  a  smile,  'We  shall  not  all  be 
here  tomorrow  night.'  "  Then  after  a  description  of  the  events  previous  to 
Colonel  Oakford's  death,  he  continues,  "He  had  been  in  command  of  the 
regiment  a  little  more  than  a  month,  but  during  that  brief  time  his  work  as  a 
disciplinarian  and  drillmaster  had  made  it  possible  for  us  to  acquit  ourselves  as 
creditably  as  they  all  said  we  had  done.  General  Kimball  was  loud  in  our 
praise  and  greatly  lamented  Colonel  Oakford's  death,  whom  he  admired  very 
much.  He  was  a  brave,  able  and  accomplished  officer  and  gentleman,  and  his 
loss  to  the  regiment  was  irreparable.  Had  Colonel  Oakford  lived  his  record 
must  have  been  brilliant  and  his  promotion  rapid,  for  very  few  volunteers  had 
so  quickly  mastered  the  details  of  military  tactics  and  routine.  He  was  a 
thorough  disciplinarian,  an  able  tactician,  and  the  interests  and  welfare  of  his 
men  were  constantly  upon  his  heart."  To  the  words  of  a  comrade  of  those 
stirring  times  little  can  be  added,  except  in  regret  that  a  life  promising  so 
much  usefulness  and  service  in  the  less  violent  paths  of  existence  should  be  so 
sacrificed. 

Colonel  Oakford  married,  December  27,  1843,  Frances  Carey  Slocum. 
By  the  marriage  of  Colonel  Richard  A.  Oakford  with  Frances  Carey  Slocum, 
the  English  and  Swedish  blood  of  the  Oakford  family  became  allied  with 
another  strain  of  English  origin.  Members  of  the  Slocum  family  have  been 
connected  with  the  history  of  Scranton  since  the  day  when  it  derived  its 
name  from  them  and  was  known  as  Slocum's  Hollow.     The  records  of  the 


Siufdb-f  CitmpbEll  Bruzhsr^-Ky. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  217 

town  of  Warwick,  Rhode  Island,  contain  the  certificate  of  marriage  of  Johna- 
than  Slocum  and  Ruth  Tripp,  on  February  23,  1758,  both  of  Portsmouth,  New- 
port county,  Rhode  Island.  In  November,  1777,  Jonathan  Slocum  settled  on 
land  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  purchased  two  years  before.  It  was  from  his 
home  in  this  valley  that  on  November  2,  1778,  his  daughter,  Frances,  then  about 
four  years  of  age,  was  stolen  and  carried  away  into  captivity  by  the  Indians. 
The  grief-crazed  father  was  an  implacable  enemy  of  the  Indians,  and  met  his 
death  in  struggle  with  them  in  the  battle  which  has  come  to  be  known  in  his- 
tory as  the  Wyoming  Massacre,  fought  July  3,  1778.  Isaac  Tripp,  his  father- 
in-law,  was  likewise  killed  at  that  time.  The  search  for  Frances  Slocum  was 
never  abandoned  and  fifty-nine  years  later  she  was  discovered  with  a  tribe  of 
Indians  near  Logansport,  Indiana,  by  her  brothers.  She  had  been  kindly 
treated,  had  married  into  the  tribe,  was  the  mother  of  several  children,  and 
was  accorded  far  more  consideration  than  the  Indian  squaws.  The  Indians, 
in  deference  to  her  superior  intelligence,  conferred  with  her  on  many  matters, 
and  she  had  instructed  them  in  numerous  useful  arts,  which  had  been  her 
natural  heritage.  During  her  long  stay  with  them,  she  had  completely  for- 
gotten her  native  tongue  and  was  compelled  to  converse  with  her  brothers 
through  an  interpreter.  Realizing  that  it  was  for  her  best  good  not  to  attempt 
to  take  her  from  what  had  become  a  congenial  environment,  they  left  her.  Her 
death  occurred  near  Peru,  Wabash  county,  Indiana,  March  23,  1847.  William, 
son  of  Jonathan  and  Ruth  (Tripp)  Slocum,  was  bom  January  6,  1762,  died 
in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  October  20,  1810.  From  1796  to  1799  he  served  a? 
sheriff  of  Luzerne  county.  He  married,  June  4,  1786,  Sarah  L.  Sawyer. 
Laton,  the  fourth  child  of  William  and  Sarah  L.  Slocum,  was  born  in  Pitts- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  August  16,  1792,  died  January  16,  1833.  He  married 
Gratey,  daughter  of  James  Scoville,  and  it  is  through  the  marriage  of  his 
daughter,  Frances  Carey,  that  the  lines  of  the  Slocum  and  Oakford  familie.^ 
meet. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  James  W.  Oakford,  son  of  Colonel  Richard  A.  and 
Frances  Carey  (Slocum)  Oakford,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June 
5,  1859.  After  a  preparatory  education  he  matriculated  at  Yale  College,  whence 
he  was  graduated  A.  B.,  class  of  1884.  At  the  completion  of  his  college  course 
he  entered  upon  the  study  of  law,  in  the  ofhce  of  Judge  Archbald.  Upon  the 
elevation  of  that  gentleman  to  the  bench,  he  was  court  clerk  in  the  prothono- 
tary's  office  and  later  continued  to  study  in  the  office  of  S.  B.  Price,  Esq.,  until 
his  admission  to  the  bar.  He  remained  in  Mr.  Price's  office  for  one  more 
year  after  gaining  the  right  to  practice,  and  then  established  an  office  inde- 
pendently. While  meeting  with  success  in  his  chosen  profession,  he  grad- 
ually acquired  so  many  business  interests  that  he  gave  less  and  less  attention 
to  legal  matters.  The  chief  of  his  varied  interests  are  the  Cherry  River  Boom  & 
Lumber  Company  and  the  Hebard  Cypress  Company,  both  controlled  b)' 
Scranton  capital,  holding  the  office  of  president  in  both.  He  is  also  a  director 
of  the  Scranton  Savings  Bank  and  the  Third  National  Bank. 

With  a  love  of  military  affairs  inherited  from  a  father  who  drank  war's 
cup  to  the  dregs,  he  has  always  been  active  in  the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard, 
and  on  two  occasions  has  seen  service  at  the  call  of  the  governor,  once  ar 
Homestead  and  again  at  Hazleton.  Before  leaving  home  for  college  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Scranton  City  Guard  and  continued  in  membership  while  away. 
Returning  to  Scranton,  he  became  identified  with  the  Thirteenth  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  serving  six  years  in  the  ranks,  later  as  regi- 
mental quartermaster  and  commissary,  and  afterward  as  brigade  judge  advocate, 
with  the  rank  of  major,  and  as  division  judge  advocate  ranking  as  lieutenant- 
colonel.     His  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the  Masonic  Order,  Peter  Williamson 


2i8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  and  Coeur  de  Lion 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar.  With  his  wife  he  is  a  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal church. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Oakford  married  Mary,  daughter  of  William  Manness, 
of  Scranton.     Children :  Frances  Slocum  and  Mary. 


CHARLES  E.  THOMSON,  V.  S..  M.  D.,  LL.  B. 

A  learned  physician  and  a  skilled  surgeon.  Dr.  Charles  E.  Thomson,  is 
one  of  the  most  conspicuous  figures  in  the  medical  and  surgical  profession  in 
Scranton.  Educated  for  his  life  work  in  the  highest  degree  and  with  a  prac- 
tical experience  gleaned  from  the  most  arduous  of  service,  Dr.  Thomson  has 
identified  himself  with  the  Scranton  Private  Hospital  as  superintendent,  and 
as  the  head  of  that  institution  gives  to  Scranton  the  fruits  of  his  years  uf 
study  and  the  reward  of  his  wide  and  varied  practice.  Gives  these  to  Scran- 
ton only  in  so  far  as  Scranton  is  the  seat  of  the  hospital  of  which  he  has  the 
honor  to  be  the  leader ;  in  a  fuller  and  truer  sense,  gives  of  his  vast  store  of 
medical  and  surgical  science  for  the  relief  of  suffering  humanity.  Not  only 
that,  but  through  those  whose  instruction  is  received  in  the  hospital,  his  in- 
fluence and  power  is  extended  an  hundred  fold,  reaching  thousands  of  the 
mained,  sick  and  helpless,  a  mighty  work  of  mercy. 

Dr.  Charles  E.  Thomson,  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary  ( Vaugh )  Thomson, 
was  bom  in  the  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada,  October  23,  1859.  He  was 
educated  in  the  provincial  schools,  later  attending  school  at  Canandaigua, 
New  York.  He  then  entered  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College,  whence  he  was 
graduated  in  1884  and  for  five  years  practiced  as  a  veterinary.  Impressed  by 
the  extent  of  this  field  and  appealed  to  by  the  wider  field  of  service  in  the  cur- 
ing of  human  ills  and  the  alleviation  of  bodily  pain,  he  decided  to  engage  in 
the  study  of  medicine  and  entered  P>ellevue  Medical  College,  New  York,  grad- 
uating M.  D.  in  the  class  of  1891.  After  receiving  his  degree  he  remained  in 
the  hospital  for  a  period  of  six  months,  performing  the  duties  of  an  interne, 
and  here  gained  a  fund  of  invaluable  knowledge  and  experience.  He  was  then 
offered  the  opportunity  of  accompanying  a  scientific  expedition,  sent  out 
under  the  direction  of  the  New  York  State  Colonization  Society  of  Liberia,  as 
a  physician.  On  this  African  trip  he  was  by  far  the  most  necessary  member 
of  the  party,  as  in  the  unaccustomed  climate  many  of  the  men  sickened  with 
fever  and  for  a  time  were  in  a  very  perilous  condition.  Dr.  Thomson,  how- 
ever, although  new  to  the  practice,  met  with  excellent  success  in  combating  the 
ravages  of  the  fever  and  not  one  of  the  cases  proved  fatal.  This  was  the  first 
real  test  of  his  resourcefulness  and  ability,  for  without  the  numberless  con- 
veniences of  an  office  and  with  inadeiiuate  supplies,  the  seriousness  of  the  task 
and  the  responsibility  for  the  health  of  his  party  would  have  appalled  a  man 
of  less  sturdy  courage  or  with  less  self  reliance.  After  the  return  of  the 
scientific  expedition  and  his  release  from  further  duty  in  that  capacity  he  be- 
came an  interne  in  the  hospital  for  the  cure  of  Ruptured  and  Crippled,  in  New 
York  City,  and  after  one  year's  service  then  came  to  Scranton  in  1894,  ac- 
cepting the  superintendency  of  the  Moses  Taylor  Hospital.  Upon  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Scranton  Private  Hospital  in  that  year,  he  was  appointed 
its  superintendent,  an  office  for  which  he  has  proven  himself  eminently  fitted 
and  whose  duties  are  discharged  in  the  most  thorough  and  able  manner.  To 
this  hospital  belongs  the  honor  of  establishing  the  first  hospital  training  school 
in  Scranton,  its  seal  antedating  that  of  the  State  Hospital.  Dr.  Thomson  per- 
sonally supervises  the  work  of  each  department,  his  zeal  in  working  for  the 
continual  improvement  of  the  institution  being  responsible  for  the  high  stan- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  219 

dard  that  it  has  set  up  and  maintains.  Engaged  in  a  noble  work,  much  of  the 
nobility  of  Dr.  Thomson's  character  shows  in  his  performance  of  his  daily 
duties.  The  responsible  head  of  a  great  organization,  he  so  directs  his  co- 
workers that  the  results  of  their  labors  are  blessings  to  their  fellow-men, 
whose  blessings,  in  return,  come  to  those  who  relieve  their  pain  and  lessen 
their  anguish. 

In  the  pursuance  of  his  policy  of  keeping  abreast  of  the  most  modern  move- 
ments in  his  profession.  Dr.  Thomson  is  an  active  member  of  the  County  and 
State  Medical  societies  and  American  Medical  Association.  He  also  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  of  Scranton.  But  perhaps  the  most  wonderful 
achievement  in  the  life  of  Dr.  Thomson  was  his  successful  graduation  from 
Columbia  College  in  June,  1914,  when  he  received  the  title  of  LL.  B.  He  en- 
tered this  college  in  191 1  and  for  the  following  three  years  attended  lectures 
weekly,  commuting  between  his  home  in  Scranton  and  New  York  City,  travel- 
ing in  this  time  more  than  thirty-five  thousand  miles. 

Dr.  Thomson  married  Saraii,  daughter  of  Richard  Donnelly,  of  Ontario. 
Children;  Marion,  Charles  C,  Kenneth,  Janett,  Kelvin. 


CHARLES  HENWOOD 

The  life  of  Charles  Henwood  is  a  splendid  example  of  the  position  ot 
prestige  and  influence,  honor  and  affection,  to  which  sincerity,  unimpeachable 
integrity  and  earnest  effort  will  carry  him  who  strictly  adheres  to  them.  He 
came  of  an  old  Cornish  family,  and  represented  that  best  type  of  Englishman 
which  formed  the  great  preponderance  of  our  colonial  population,  and  upon 
which,  as  on  a  sure  foundation,  the  subsequent  structure  of  American  citizen 
ship  has  been  safely  built. 

His  father,  Charles  P.  Henwood,  was  employed  in  the  English  revenue 
service  and  in  that  capacity  was  obliged  to  move  much  about  the  coasts  of 
England  and  Scotland,  being  stationed  at  various  points  thereon.  His  death 
occurred  at  Wellington,  Somersetshire.  Mr.  Henwood  married  Sarah  Kosking, 
a  native  of  Penzance,  Cornwall,  and  by  her  had  two  children,  Charles,  of  whom 
further,  and  a  daughter  Elizabeth,  who  became  Mrs.  Scott  Hammett,  of  Well- 
ington, Somersetshire. 

Charles  Henwood  was  born  May  28,  1846,  at  Penzance,  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land. He  was  educated  in  Ottery,  St.  Mary,  Devonshire,  and  in  William 
Corner's  Academy.  He  used  to  accompany  his  father  on  the  latter's  various 
excursions  about  the  United  Kingdom,  while  still  a  lad,  but  in  1861,  when  he 
had  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  and  completed  his  studies,  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  a  pharmacist,  Thomas  E.  Hooker,  who  afterwards  became  well 
known  in  London  as  an  electrician.  Continuing  in  this  service  five  years,  Mr. 
Henwood,  then  a  young  man  of  twenty,  removed  to  Bath,  where  his  skill  and 
knowledge  of  his  subject  soon  won  him  an  e.xcellent  position  as  an  assistant 
pharmacist.  Equipped  as  he  was  with  theoretical  and  practical  knowledge, 
there  is  no  doubt  that  he  might  have  had  a  successful  career  in  his  native  land, 
but  his  ambitious  nature  continually  urged  him  to  explore  fresh  fields  of  en- 
deavor, and  it  was  not  long  before  his  attention  was  directed  to  the  United 
States.  Upon  reaching  his  majority  in  1867,  Mr.  Henwood  set  sail  for  America 
and  upon  arriving  here  settled  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  which  from  that 
time  on  was  to  be  his  home.  The  first  employment  which  he  found  was  along 
the  line  of  his  former  endeavors,  with  the  firm  of  Matthews  Brothers,  phar- 
macists, with  whom  he  continued  for  three  years.  By  1870,  as  a  result  of  his 
constant  industry  and  a  worthy  spirit  of  economy,  he  had  amassed  a  con- 
siderable sum  of  money,  sufficient  to  purchase  the  drug  establishment  of  Rich- 


220  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ard  J.  Matthews  on  the  corner  of  North  Main  avenue  and  Market  street. 
This  purchase  was  made  January  i,  1870,  and  the  enterprise  thus  begun  was 
soon  an  assured  success.  His  business  grew  rapidly  and  ere  long  had  reached 
such  large  proportions  that  he  found  it  convenient,  if  not  necessary,  to  remove 
to  larger  and  more  appropriately  located  quarters  at  No.  1909  North  Main 
avenue,  where  he  continued  until  his  death.  In  the  year  1886  he  admitted  into 
partnership  with  himself  his  cousin,  Sidney  R.  Henwood. 

Despite  the  size  of  his  business  and  die  demands  necessarily  made  by  it 
upon  his  time  and  attention,  Mr.  Henwood  did  not  confine  his  activities  to 
his  personal  interests  but  gave  generously  of  both  to  the  general  life  of  the 
city.  He  was  keenly  interested  in  all  proposals  looking  toward  the  industrial 
development  of  Scranton,  and  an  unusual  clear  sightedness  and  practical  sense. 
made  his  advice  in  such  matters  of  great  value  and  caused  it  to  be  eagerly 
sought.  He  was  one  of  the  most  active  of  the  organizers  of  the  Scranton 
Woodworking  Company,  and  held  the  position  of  treasurer  of  the  concern  for 
a  number  of  years  prior  to  his  death.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  and  of  the  Druggists'  Association,  and  in  both  wielded  a  large  influence, 
born  of  his  recognized  integrity  and  worth.  Always  appealed  to  strongly  by 
philanthropic  causes,  he  was  one  of  the  supporters  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  of  Scranton,  and  was  a  charter  member  of  the  same.  He  was 
a  very  successful  advocate  in  charitable  work  generally  for  he  had  earned  the 
right  to  be  regarded  as  a  practical  man  and  one  unappealed  to  by  chimerical 
schemes,  and  as  such  was  the  more  readily  listened  to  by  business  men 
generally.  Indeed  it  may  be  said  that  many  of  the  industrial  propositions  which 
he  furthered  were  in  his  intentions  philanthropic  in  part,  for  it  was  a  favorite 
purpose  of  his  to  furnish  legitimate  means  of  occupation  to  the  needy.  Mr. 
Henwood  was  a  modest  and  unassuming  man,  but  of  very  strong  convictions, 
and  in  a  quiet  way  influenced  not  a  little  the  community  of  which  he  was  a 
member.  In  politics  he  was  a  staunch  member  of  the  Republican  party, 
moulding  his  opinions  not  on  questions  of  selfish  interest,  but  upon  his  ideals 
of  the  highest  civic  duties,  which  he  counted  only  less  important  than  the 
obligations  of  religion.  He  was  a  man  of  deep  religious  sentiment  and  one  of 
the  most  highly  valued  members  of  the  Penn  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  serving 
for  many  years  as  deacon  and  giving  generously  of  his  means  to  its  support. 
He  was  also  much  interested  in  the  success  of  the  North  Main  Baptist  Church, 
a  younger  organization,  and  it  was  in  a  great  measure  due  to  the  aid  which  he 
rendered  it  that  this  church  was  early  placed  upon  a  fimi  foundation  and 
enabled  to  attain  to  its  present  useful  ministry.  It  was  in  his  home  life,  how- 
ever, that  Mr.  Henwood's  fine  traits  of  character  were  perhaps  the  most 
beautifully  displayed,  and  his  afl^ection  and  generosity  formed  for  his  family 
circle  the  true  atmosphere  of  home. 

Mr.  Henwood  was  married  in  Glenwood,  Pennsylvania,  to  Ada  Hartley, 
a  native  of  that  place,  and  a  daughter  of  James  Hartley,  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henwood  were  born  five  children,  as  follows : 
Elizabeth  May;  Frederick,  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years;  Julia  Alice;  Charles 
Hartley;  Ethel,  who  died  in  her  fifth  year. 

Mr.  Henwood's  death  occurred  suddenly,  February  22,  1902,  in  the  fifty- 
sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  was  universally  deplored  in  the  city  which  had  so 
long  been  the  scene  of  his  active  life,  the  community  paying  him  the  unusual 
honor  of  closing  the  places  of  business  about  the  public  square  during  the 
funeral  services.    The  interment  was  made  in  the  Forest  Hill  Cemetery. 


'Ai^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  221 

LEWIS  MARTIN  BUNNELL 

Lewis  Martin  Bunnell,  who  has  achieved  prominence  as  an  attorney  in 
Scranton  and  the  adjoining  country,  represents  a  family  which  has  attained 
distinction  in  this  country  and  in  England  for  many  generations.  He  traces 
his  ancestry  to  William  La  Bunnell,  the  Norman  knight,  who  came  to  Englanc 
with  William  the  Conqueror  in  1066.  In  this  country  the  family  was  founded 
by  William,  Solomon  and  Benjamin  Bunnell,  who  emigrated  from  England 
in  1638  and  settled  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  In  1790,  when  the  first  federal 
census  was  taken,  representatives  of  this  family  were  to  be  found  in  each  of 
the  thirteen  original  states.  Historians  speak  of  them  as  follows :  "Being 
without  e.xception  men  of  character  and  piety,  who  used  every  opportunity  to 
promote  education  and  religion  and  were  the  first  to  adopt  a  written  consti- 
tution and  to  refuse  compensation  for  public  service."  The  first  four  genera- 
tions—  (I)  William,  (II)  Benjamin,  (III)  Benjamin,  (IV)  Solomon — lived 
in  Connecticut.  Solomon  removed  to  Kingwood,  New  Jersey,  in  1740,  and  to 
Pennsylvania  in  176c,  settling  at  Middle  Smithfield,  Bucks  (now  Monroe  1 
county.  Miles  Bunnell,  son  of  Solomon,  and  great-grandfather  of  Lewis  M. 
Bunnell,  was  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  came  to  Pennsylvania,  locat- 
ing at  a  place  called  Auburn  Corners.  His  son.  Miles  M.,  grandfather  of  Mr. 
Bunnell,  was  born  in  Danville,  Connecticut,  and  also  came  to  Auburn,  Penn- 
sylvania. Martin  Bunnell,  son  of  Miles  M.  Bunnell,  was  born  in  Danbury, 
Connecticut,  December  11,  1800.  He  married  Permelia  Doud,  from  Con- 
necticut also.  They  settled  in  Herrick  township,  Susquehanna  county,  coming 
there  from  Delaware  county,  New  York,  in  1827.  Mr.  Bunnell  now  owns  the 
home  farm.  Martin  and  Permelia  (Doud)  Bunnell  had  nine  children,  five 
boys  and  four  girls,  of  whom  three  boys  and  one  girl  are  living  in  1914,  in- 
cluding Lewis  M.,  mentioned  below. 

Lewis  Martin  Bunnell  was  born  in  Herrick  township,  Susquehanna  county. 
Pennsylvania,  December  8,  1835,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
township  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  In  his  sixteenth  year  he  was  sent 
to  Herrick  Center,  where  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of  wagon 
building  with  Patrick  McGunigal,  but  at  the  end  of  one  year,  went  to  Dundaff, 
and  there  assisted  in  a  blacksmith's  shop.  He  worked  at  Keene's  Pond,  near 
Honesdale,  during  the  season  of  1852,  then  returned  to  his  home  because  of 
an  accident  to  his  father,  and  entered  the  employ  of  Captain  James  Giddings. 
Later  he  matriculated  at  Harford  LTniversity,  remaining  there  two  years,  and 
taught  school  two  years,  1856-57,  near  Idlewild,  then  known  as  Long  Pond. 
Kingston  was  his  next  abiding  place,  and  there  he  studied  elocution,  Latin, 
etc.,  under  Professor  Nelson,  after  which  he  was  again  occupied  as  a  black- 
smith for  one  year,  and  then  for  a  short  time  as  an  agent.  He  became  principal 
of  a  school  in  Danbury,  New  Jersey,  and  upon  his  return  to  Susquehanna 
county,  taught  school  there  until  April,  1859.  The  following  month  he  went  to 
Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  took  up  the  study  of  law  with  R.  B.  Little, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Susquehanna  county,  August  6,  1862,  his 
studies  having  been  interrupted  by  his  military  service,  a  detailed  account- 
of  which  is  given  below.  Upon  his  return  from  the  war  he  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  law  in  Montrose  for  one  year,  then  traveled  three  years,  after 
which  he  located  in  Scranton,  where  he  has  been  actively  identified  with  the 
legal  profession  since  that  time.  He  has  had  charge  of  much  important  litiga- 
tion, and  has  been  connected  as  attorney  with  many  large  estates,  among 
these,  acting  as  attorney  to  John  Hernans,  trustee  of  the  estate  of  the  late 
Joseph  Fellows,  a  connection  which  existed  sixteen  years.  Several  millions 
of  dollars  were  involved  in  this  and  some  of  the  property  consisted  of  coat 


222  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

lands  in  and  near  the  city  of  Scranton.    From  1873  to  1876  Mr.  Bunnell  served 
as  school  director  of  Hyde  Park,  now  a  portion  of  the  city  of  Scranton. 

Mr.  Bunnell  married,  January  i,  1866,  Anna  M.,  born  in  Newport,  Oneida 
county,  New  York,  a  daughter  of  Richard  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Briggs)  Davis,  a 
native  of  Wales.  Children :  Mary  R.,  Lewis  M.,  Bessie  A.,  Anna  M.  and 
Ralph  Decatur. 

The  following  record  of  the  military  service  of  Mr.  Bunnell  was  compiled 
from  official  and  authentic  sources  by  The  Soldiers  and  Sailors  Historical  and 
Benevolent  Society : 

"Lewis  M.  Bunnell  enlisted  from  Susquehanna  County,  Pennsylvania, 
April  10,  1861,  to  serve  three  months,  and  was  the  first  man  to  enlist  from 
that  county,  in  what  was  expected  to  become  Company  A,  Twenty-fifth  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  Colonel  Henry  L.  Cake  commanding, 
but  this  company  was  not  mustered  into  service,  Ringgold  Light  Artillery,  one 
of  the  original  five  companies  of  the  state  having  been  substituted  in  its  place, 
the  regiment  having  gone  forward,  and  his  company  was  broken  up.  He, 
however,  took  the  drill,  and,  as  a  camp  follower,  was  with  the  regiment, 
without  muster  into  service  or  pay  until  it  was  mustered  out  at  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  July  26,  1861,  its  term  having  expired. 

"This  was  one  of  the  first  regiments  to  organize  at  the  opening  of  the 
Civil  War,  Companies  A,  D,  E,  G  and  H,  being  the  five  original  companies  of 
the  State,  and  engaged  in  barricading  and  guarding  the  Capitol  until  the  ar- 
rival of  the  Massachusetts  Sixth,  and  the  New  York  Seventh,  a  period  of  about 
ten  days.  Companies  A,  B,  C,  E  and  H  were  on  duty  at  the  Arsenal,  during 
the  greater  part  of  their  service,  and  Companies  D,  F,  G,  I  and  K,  moved,  on 
June  15,  to  Rockville,  reaching  there  next  day.  July  i,  moved  to  Pooleville, 
and  reported  to  General  Charles  P.  Stone,  commanding  the  Rockville  expedi- 
tion, thence  via  Point  of  Rocks  to  Sandy  Hook,  Williamsport  and  Martins- 
burg,  where  it  was  assigned  to  the  Seventh  Brigade,  Third  Division,  of  Gen- 
eral Patterson's  Army.  On  July  15,  marched  to  Bunker  Hill,  thence  to 
Charlestown  and  Harper's  Ferry,  where  it  remained  until  July  23,  when  it 
was  ordered  home  for  muster  out  of  service. 

"He  re-enlisted,  October  2,  1862,  to  serve  nine  months,  and  was  mustered 
into  service  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  November  11,  1862,  and  commis- 
sioned captain  of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-seventh  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  Colonel  George  B.  Wiestling  commanding. 
"The  companies  composing  this  regiment  were  chiefly  from  the  counties 
of  Lycoming,  Susquehanna,  Dauphin,  Luzerne,  Perry  and  Indiana,  and  were 
organized  at  Camp  Curtin,  Harrisburg,  during  the  months  of  October  and 
November,  1862.  A  regimental  organization  was  effected  on  November  20.  On 
December  3,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  and 
proceeded  thence  to  Newport  News,  Virginia,  reporting  to  General  Corcoran, 
where  schools  for  officers  were  at  once  established  and  drill  commenced.  De- 
cember 17  it  was  transferred  to  Suffolk,  to  the  command  of  General  Viele,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  brigade  of  Colonel  Alfred  Gibbs  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Nansemond  River  on  the  opposite  side  of  which  was  a  pine  forest,  which 
General  Viele  ordered  to  be  cleared.  Details  from  the  One  Hundred  and 
Seventy-seventh  were  assigned  to  this  duty,  and  although  the  growth  of  the 
timber  was  heavy  and  the  labor  very  severe,  by  persistent  and  unceasing  efforts 
a  tract  of  several  hundred  acres  was  swept.  At  intervals  of  about  ten  days 
reconnoissances  were  made  toward  Blackwater,  the  enemy  being  met  near 
Deserted  House,  seven  miles  south  of  Suffolk,  where  skirmishing  commenceo. 
On  January  30,  1863,  the  entire  force  in  and  about  Suft'olk  had  gone  on  an 
expedition   except   the   One    Hundred    and    Seventy-seventh,   and    during   the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  223 

absence  of  the  forces,  Colonel  Wiestling  was  attacked  by  a  body  of  rebel 
cavalry,  which  was  handsomely  repulsed.  Upon  the  return  of  the  expedition, 
General  Corcoran  with  his  stafT,  arriving  after  nightfall,  attempted  to  pass  the 
lines  without  the  countersign,  and  nearly  lost  his  life.  On  March  8,  the  regi- 
ment moved  to  Norfolk,  thence  to  Deep  Bottom,  on  the  Albemarle  and 
Chesapeake  Canal,  and  here  the  regiment  built  a  fort,  also  a  stockade  at  Great 
Bridge,  breaking  up  a  notorious  rebel  mail  route,  capturing  letters  from  the 
hems  of  dresses,  hollow  handles  of  umbrellas,  hollow  spokes  and  rails  of  carts 
and  other  vehicles.  The  command  also  took  part  in  several  expeditions,  cap- 
turing a  number  of  rebel  schooners,  steamers,  stores  and  prisoners,  perform- 
ing valuable  service,  and  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania. 
On  July  10,  it  was  ordered  to  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  and  as- 
signed to  the  Second  Brigade,  of  Geary's  Division,  Twelfth  Corps,  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  performing  duty  at  Maryland  Heights  and  other  points  until 
ordered  home  for  muster  out  of  service. 

"The  said  Lewis  M.  Bunnell  was  appointed  enrolling  Marshall  in  1862,  at 
the  time  of  the  draft;  enrolled  the  Township  of  Herrick  previous  to  the  said 
draft,  and  was  elected  either  lieutenant  or  captain  of  such  company  which  he 
drilled  and  returned  again  on  recruiting  duty.  Between  July  26,  1861,  and 
October,  1862,  at  the  request  of  Governor  Andrew  G.  Curtin,  he  recruited  six 
companies  of  infantry  and  one  of  cavalry.  In  February,  1863,  Captain  Bun- 
nell was  promoted  to  Brevet  Major,,  and  placed  in  command  of  four  companies 
occupying  an  improvised  tent  on  the  Nansemond  River.  He  was  sick  and 
disabled  with  camp  fever  and  diarrhoea  which  resulted  in  hemorrhoids  at  the 
time  of  his  discharge.  He  was  sent  with  a  command  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  infantry  and  cavalry  about  one  hundred  miles  to  Currituck,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  had  a  skirmish  with  Walker's  guerrillas.  After  leaving  South  Mills, 
North  Carolina,  moved  four  miles  south  to  the  Bay,  sank  two  barges,  destroyed 
four  hundred  bushels  of  salt,  captured  and  paroled  a  number  of  prisoners, 
and  upon  his  return  liad  a  severe  encounter  on  the  bridge  with  Bushwhackers, 
in  which  the  Union  forces  were  finally  victorious.  He  received  a  final  honor- 
able discharge  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  August  6,  1863,  by  reason  of  ex- 
piration of  his  term  of  service,  and  after  his  discharge  recruited  for  the  old 
regiment  and  spent  three  and  one-half  years  in  earnest  effort  for  the  Union 
cause." 

He  is  a  member  of  Griffin  Post,  No.  139,  Department  of  Pennsylvania. 
G.  A.  R. ;  a  member  of  the  Union  Veteran  Union ;  was  commander  of  the  De- 
partment of  Pennsylvania  for  three  and  one-half  years;  is  a  member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  has 
held  public  office  as  a  school  director.  His  wife  has  ever  been  active  as  a  friend 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic ;  is  a  member  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah. 


LEONARD  M.  HORTON 

Leonard  M.  Horton,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut 
Company,  is  a  true  son  of  Pennsylvania,  the  commonwealth  having  been  the 
home  of  many  of  his  line,  most  of  whom  resided  in  Bradford  county.  John 
M.  Horton,  father  of  Leonard  M.  Horton,  was  a  follower  of  the  shoemaker's 
trade  and  later  conducted  a  hotel  at  what  is  now  Terrytown,  where  he  died 
at  the  early  age  of  thirty-seven  years.     He  married  Susan  L.  Bacon. 

Leonard  M.  Horton  was  born  in  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  30, 
1854.  He  was  but  seven  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  for  the  four 
following  years  he  lived  in  Illinois.  He  then  came  to  Harveyville,  Luzerne 
county.  Pennsylvania,  and  obtained  his  first  position  in  a  mercantile  house, 


224  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

remaining  in  the  mercantile  business  until  he  came  to  Scranton  in  1872,  and 
began  a  long  and  honorable  career  in  the  office  of  the  Moosic  Powder  Com- 
pany, continuing  for  eighteen  years.  He  was  then  connected  with  the  Boies 
Steel  Wheel  Company  for  a  period  of  seven  years,  then  moving  to  Easton  to 
become  secretary  of  the  Sterlingworth  Railway  Supply  Company,  remaining 
two  years.  He  then  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut 
Company,  in  1899,  was  elected  a  director  and  its  secretary  and  treasurer, 
which  position  he  has  filled  continuously  ever  since. 

Mr.  Horton  has  always  been  prominently  affiliated  with  religious  move- 
ments in  Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Immanuel  Baptist  Church,  in  which 
for  many  years  he  held  the  office  of  trustee,  for  fifteen  years  was  treasurer, 
and  for  the  past  eighteen  years  has  been  a  deacon,  and  is  an  ardent  and  de- 
voted worker  in  all  the  interests  of  the  church  and  its  societies.  He  has  served 
on  the  executive  committee  of  the  Scranton  Baptist  City  Mission  Society,  in 
which  organization  his  active  co-operation  has  had  a  most  desirable  effect  in 
furthering  the  projects  of  the  society.  To  another  branch  of  religious  work 
which  aims  at  the  strengthening  of  the  foundation  of  our  nation,  its  young 
men,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  he  has  also  given  unsparingly 
of  his  time  and  labor,  as  well  as  of  his  means.  For  thirty-three  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors,  and  for  ten  years  the  watchful  and  faith- 
ful guardian  of  the  association  finances.  He  is  still  a  participant  in  the  magnifi- 
cent undertakings  of  the  Scranton  branch  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
full  of  interest  for  and  pride  in  the  splendid  organization  of  the  city,  as  is  his 
right,  after  the  struggle  to  raise  it  to  such  a  fair  eminence,  in  which  his  part 
has  been  willingly  borne.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Scranton  Club  and 
Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  His  military  connections  have  been  confined  to 
four  years'  service  in  the  Scranton  City  Guard  and  four  years  as  commissary  of 
the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  National  Guard.  He  belongs  to  the 
Navy  League,  of  which  he  has  been  a  member  since  its  organization.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  New  York,  and  was  one  of  the  eight 
original  charter  members  of  the  Scranton  Bicycle  Club. 

Mr.  Horton  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Lewis  W.  Keller,  of  Scranton. 
Children:  Dickson  M.,  associated  with  his  father  in  the  Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut 
Company,  and  John  M.,  an  employee  of  the  Lincoln  Trust  Company. 

In  the  fifteen  years  of  his  membership  of  the  officiary  of  the  company  of 
which  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer,  Mr.  Horton  has  filled  his  position  in  a 
most  efficient  and  competent  manner.  Of  high  moral  standard,  identified  witri 
the  best  of  the  city's  society,  and  of  unimpeachable  integrity,  he  is  of  the  type 
that  founded  the  city's  greatness  and  insures  it  for  the  future. 


SAMUEL   HINES 


Of  distinguished  Colonial  ancestry,  and  of  a  family  noted  in  the  military 
history  of  his  country,  Samuel  Hines,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  his  own 
person  has  been  an  important  and  conspicuous  figure  in  the  state  for  many 
years.  His  maternal  great-grandfather,  Daniel  Carroll,  was  a  member  of  the 
commission  that  met  at  Suters  Tavern,  Georgetown,  March  30,  1791,  when 
the  proclamation  directing  commissioners  to  determine  and  lay  out  the  boun- 
daries of  the  District  of  Columbia  was  signed  by  George  Washington,  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  Thomas  Jefferson,  Secretary  of  the  State.  Here 
also  the  commissioners,  Thomas  Johnson,  David  Stuart  and  Daniel  Carroll, 
met  September  9,  1791,  and  declared  that  the  name  of  the  national  capital 
should  be  the  "City  of  Washington."  Mr.  Hines  paternal  grandfather,  John 
Hines,  and  a  brother,  Rudolph  Hines,  were  soldiers  of  the  Revolution,  serving 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  225 

in  a  Maryland  regiment.  His  father,  Philip  Hines,  with  five  of  his  brothers, 
served  in  the  War  of  1812.  His  brother,  William  Hines,  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Mexican  war;  two  brothers,  Thomas  and  Daniel  Hines,  were  soldiers  in  the 
Confederate  army,  and  two  others,  William  and  George  Hines,  served  in  the 
Union  army,  during  the  Civil  War. 

Samuel  Hines  was  born  in  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  July  21, 
1843,  ^nd  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city  and  at  Union  Academy, 
attending  the  latter  institution,  1850-1858.  In  the  latter  year  he  commenced 
his  remarkable  business  career  as  a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  commissioners  of 
customs,  serving  until  1861,  when  he  entered  the  military  service  of  the  United 
States  as  chief  clerk  to  Colonel  Henry  B.  Blood,  deputy-quartermaster  of  the 
armies  operating  against  Richmond,  and  continuing  until  1865.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  began  his  long  and  valuable  service  in  Pennsylvania  as  pay- 
master, later  as  general  agent  of  the  Mercer  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  and 
treasurer  of  the  Jamestown  and  Franklin  Railroad  Company,  covering  the 
period  1866-1873.  He  then  became  intimately  associated  with  the  subsidiary 
companies  of  the  New  York,  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad  Company  in 
Pennsylvania,  holding  important  positions  in  the  following,  between  1874-1896: 
President,  superintendent  and  general  manager  of  the  Hillside  Coal  and  Iron 
Company ;  Towanda  Coal  Company ;  Northwest  Mining  and  Exchange  Com- 
pany ;  Blossburg  Coal  Company ;  director  of  the  New  York,  Lake  Erie  & 
Western  Railroad  Company ;  Dagus  Cahonda  Railroad  Company  and  Toby 
Creek  Railroad  Company.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Erie  &  Wyo- 
ming Valley  Railroad  Company,  and  was  a  director  in  this  from  1885  to  1890. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Traders  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  in 
1889,  was  elected  the  first  president,  and  was  the  incumbent  of  that  office  until 
1896.  This  institution  commenced  doing  business  in  January,  1890.  with  a  di- 
rectorate and  board  of  officers  composed  of  some  of  the  most  influential  and 
representative  men  in  the  city.  It  was  capitalized  to  the  extent  of  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and  with  its  conservative  and  farsighted  man- 
agement has  become  one  of  the  most  stable  and  leading  of  the  city's  numerous 
financial  institutions.  This  result  has  been  acquired  in  a  great  measure 
through  the  able  offices  of  Samuel  Hines,  who  enjoys  and  merits  the  confidence 
of  the  business  and  commercial  circles  generally.  He  follows  closely  the 
financial  questions  of  the  day,  and  is  particularly  conversant  with  the  value  and 
fluctuations  of  local  securities. 

While  the  services  of  Mr.  Hines  have  been  invaluable  to  the  corporations 
mentioned  above  in  every  particular,  there  are  one  or  two  instances  of  per- 
sonal influence  that  worked  such  great  advantage  to  the  Erie,  that  they  de- 
serve especial  mention.  In  1886  and  1887  suit  brought  by  Dr.  C.  K.  Earley,  of 
Ridgway,  Pennsylvania,  was  tried  and  decided  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  Penn- 
sylvania against  the  Northwest  Mining  and  Exchange  Company  (owned  by  the 
Erie  Railroad  Company)  escheating  to  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  bituminous 
coal  lands  belonging  to  the  defendant  company.  The  verdict  in  favor  of  the 
company  was  appealed  from  Elk  county  court  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  attorney-general  of  the  state  being  the  appellant.  The  decision 
was  aflirmed  by  the  Supreme  Court,  in  terms  that  rendered  it  necessary  to 
pass  an  act  of  "legislature  to  enable  the  company  to  hold  the  lands  against  the 
escheat.  There  was  strong  opposition  to  the  bill  among  the  members  of  the 
house  representing  organized  labor.  At  the  request  of  the  lawyers  represent- 
ing the  Erie,  Mr.  Hines  went  to  Harrisburg  in  the  interest  of  the  bill  and 
through  his  friendship  with  Henry  Hall,  a  member  of  the  house,  head  of 
the  Knights  of  Labor,  and  an  old  Scranton  friend  of  Mr.  Hines,  he  obtained 
a  hearing.     The  result  of  his  argument  with  Mr.  Hall,  lasting  several  hours, 

15 


226  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

was  the  withdrawal  of  opposition  and  passage  of  the  bill  that  saved  to  the  Erie 
coal  lands  valued  at  millions  of  dollars,  for  had  the  escheat  held,  it  would 
have  involved  the  other  coal  companies  owned  by  the  Erie. 

Some  years  after  the  above  occurrence,  a  general  strike  was  ordered 
among  the  bituminous  coal  miners  of  the  United  States,  which  if  carried  into 
effect  among  the  Erie  miners  would  have  entailed  serious  loss  upon  the  com- 
pany. At  the  earnest  request  of  President  King  and  Vice-President  Felton, 
of  the  Erie,  Mr.  Hines  assumed  control  of  efforts  to  prevent  a  strike,  using 
his  great  personal  influence  with  the  miners  so  successfully  that  the  men  re- 
fused to  join  the  strikers  and  during  the  strike's  duration  the  Erie  mines  were 
the  only  ones  in  operation  in  the  district,  their  contracts  were  fulfilled,  and 
their  engines  well  supplied  with  fuel,  while  other  railroads  were  greatly  hamp- 
ered and  caused  excessive  extra  expense.  In  carrying  out  his  negotiations  with 
the  miners,  frequently  meetings  were  necessary  at  distant  points,  and  for 
weeks  Mr.  Hines  was  continually  on  the  road,  making  many  trips  by  rail  and 
wagon  between  the  different  mines,  and  keeping  the  strikers  from  influencing 
the  loyal  miners.  On  one  of  these  trips  in  Bradford  county,  his  team  ran 
away,  throwing  him  from  the  wagon  and  breaking  his  shoulder  and  also  caus- 
ing concussion  of  the  brain.  From  this  accident  Mr.  Hines  has  never  fully 
recovered,  both  shoulder  and  nervous  system  still  showing  the  effects  of  this 
strain. 

The  use  of  small  anthracite  coal  by  the  Erie  locomotives  may  also  be 
attributed  to  Mr.  Hines,  they  having  an  abundance  of  a  size  then  unmarketable. 
A  volume  would  not  contain  the  record  of  Mr.  Hines'  valuable  service,  but 
another  instance  of  his  business  ability  must  not  be  omitted.  As  president  of 
the  Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  he  drew  up  a  lease  in  1887  for  anthracite 
coal  lands  to  the  company,  that  was  duly  executed,  providing  for  a  royalty 
based  on  the  price  of  coal  received  by  the  company.  In  1910  the  lease  was 
contested  by  its  holders  and  suit  involving  six  hundred  thousand  dollars,  for 
that  year,  was  begun.  The  case  was  tried  in  the  county  court  and  decided  in 
favor  of  the  Hillside  Company,  a  new  trial  resulting  from  the  same  verdict. 
An  appeal  was  taken  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  judg- 
ment of  the  lower  court  sustained.  On  a  retrial  by  the  Supreme  Court,  the 
same  verdict  was  rendered,  the  lease  being  so  perfectly  drawn  that  no  other 
verdict  was  possible  under  the  law. 

The  standing  of  Mr.  Hines  in  matters  pertaining  to  mines  and  mining  was 
so  generally  recognized  that  in  1883  and  1884  he  was  appointed  chairman  of  the 
anthracite  coal  commission,  formed  to  prepare  an  anthracite  coal  law  for 
presentation  to  the  legislature.  In  1897  he  became  agent  for  the  Price,  Parker, 
Pancost  and  Throop  estates,  in  Lackawanna  county,  and  is  now  agent  for  the 
estates  of  Joseph  Price,  Eli  K.  Price  and  Dr.  Benjamin  H.  Throop,  Erie 
estates.  Mr.  Hines  was  one  of  the  original  members  and  first  sergeant  of 
Company  D,  Scranton  City  Guard,  which  was  finally  merged  into  the  famous 
Thirteenth  Regiment.  He  was  elected  second  lieutenant,  August  25,  1877; 
first  lieutenant,  November  15,  1878;  captain,  July  6.  1880. 

While  the  foregoing  would  indicate  a  busy  life,  the  social  side  of  life  has 
not  been  neglected  nor  the  duties  of  a  good  citizen.  Through  the  services  of 
his  patriotic  ancestors  he  received  the  right  of  membership  in  the  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution,  a  right  he  exercises,  belonging  to  District  of  Columbia 
Chapter,  his  serial  mmiber  being  T228  of  the  Chapter,  and  24,376  of  the  Na- 
tional Society.  He  joined  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  1870.  and  is  now  past 
master  of  Lake  Lodge,  No.  434.  having  accepted  this  chair  in  1873.  He  is  a  de- 
voted churchman,  and  from  1875  to  1883  and  again  from  1902  to  1912,  served 
as  vestryman,  senior  warden  and,  treasurer  of  St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  227 

Church  of  Scranton.  In  poHtical  faith  he  is  a  Democrat  and  influential  in 
party  councils.  When  the  Democratic  convention  was  in  session  in  Scranton 
to  nominate  their  candidates  for  the  fifty-second  congress,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  wait  upon  Mr.  Hines  and  tender  him  the  nomination,  the  conven- 
tion taking  a  recess  of  one  hour  to  wait  for  the  report,  although  eloquently 
urged  by  the  chairman,  Frank  Thompson,  he  would  not  accept  the  honor.  He 
was  then  asked  to  make  his  choice  for  the  position  and  responded,  "Lemuel 
Ammerman,"  who  was  then  in  Europe.  Upon  the  return  of  Mr.  Ammerman 
to  this  country  he  at  first  refused  to  accept,  but  through  the  earnest  entreaty  of 
his  friend,  Mr.  Hines,  he  finally  accepted  reluctantly.  His  opponent  was  Joseph 
A.  Scranton,  a  very  strong  and  popular  man.  An  ante-election  canvass  near 
election  day  showed  that  if  a  change  of  a  few  hundred  votes  could  be  effected 
in  the  Carbondale  district,  the  then  lead  of  Mr.  Scranton  could  be  overcome. 
To  this  task  Mr.  Hines  addressed  himself  with  such  good  effect  that  his 
friend,  Ammerman,  for  whose  candidacy  he  was  responsible,  was  elected,  and 
served  in  the  fifty-second  congress,  1890-91.  In  the  latter  year  the  Democratic 
city  convention  tendered  Mr.  Hines  the  nomination  for  mayor  of  Scranton,  but 
he  declined  this  honor  also,  and  suggested  the  name  of  Joseph  Bailey,  who  was 
then  nominated  and  elected.  Thus  loyal  to  his  friends,  and  a  tower  of  strength 
in  their  behalf  in  politics,  as  in  everything,  Mr.  Hines  seeks  not  his  own  ad- 
vancement, but  as  a  good  citizen  uses  his  best  efforts  to  promote  the  public 
good.  His  long  life  has  been  one  of  honorable  service  and  in  whatever  light 
he  be  viewed,  the  verdict  must  be  "Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant." 
Mr.  Hines,  married,  in  1867,  Rose  Nolan,  of  Hamilton,  Canada. 


ERNEST  GLOOR 


A  Swiss  by  birth,  and  intensely  patriotic  in  his  sentiment  toward  the  home- 
land, Ernest  Gloor,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Gloor  &  Strubi  Embroidery 
Company,  has  nevertheless  to  all  outward  signs  and  purposes  completely  trans- 
ferred his  allegiance  to  the  land  of  his  adoption,  and  in  thought  and  feeling 
is  as  true  an  American  as  though  his  birthplace  had  been  upon  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic.  John  Gloor,  father  of  Ernest  Gloor,  was  born  in  Leutwyl,  Canton  of 
Argovie,  Switzerland,  and  was  identified  with  the  civil  life  of  his  native  town 
for  many  years  as  town  recorder.  He  married  Elizabeth  Rupp  and  had  chu- 
dren :  Frederick,  died  in  Paris,  France,  in  1913;  Gustavus,  an  employee  of  the 
Petersburg  Silk  Mills ;  Elise,  married  a  Mr.  Haggi,  of  Oftringer,  Switzerland ; 
Ernest,  of  whom  further;  Emma,  died  in  1910,  married  a  Mr.  Werder.  The 
father  of  the  above  children  died  in  the  land  of  his  birth  in  1864. 

Ernest  Gloor,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Rupp)  Gloor,  was  born  in 
Leutwyl,  Canton  of  Argovie,  Switzerland,  April  14,  1861,  and  for  ten  years 
was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace,  six  years  being  spent  in 
preparatory  study  for  the  high  school  course  of  four  years.  In  1882  he  en- 
gaged passage  on  the  steamer  "Province,"  a  French  liner,  and  after  an  unevent- 
ful voyage  landed  at  New  York,  proceeding  directly  to  Philadelphia,  where  for 
two  years  he  was  employed  by  the  Sauquoitt  Silk  Company.  This  company 
later  transferred  him  to  their  mills  at  Scranton  and  he  was  identified  with 
that  company  in  this  city  until  1905.  In  the  latter  year  he  grasped  an  op- 
portunity for  the  realization  of  a  plan  he  had  long  cherished,  the  establishment 
of  an  independent  business,  and  in  partnership  with  Ernest  Strubi,  in  March 
of  that  year,  he  opened  a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  embroideries.  From 
its  inception  the  project  was  an  assured  success  and  by  1908  its  business  had 
branched  into  such  diverse  channels  that  to  facilitate  the  administration  of  the 
company's  affairs  incorporation  papers  were  taken  out,  and  the  Gloor  &  Strubi 


228  CITY  OF  SCRAT^ITON 

Embroidery  Company  took  its  place  among  the  industries  of  Scranton,  housed 
in  a  large  store  and  ample  factory  at  Nos.  533-537  Orchard  street.  The  fac- 
tory is  equipped  with  the  last  word  in  embroidery  manufacturing  machinery, 
capable  of  turning  out  the  finest  and  most  delicate  work,  the  annual  output 
of  the  firm  having  a  value  of  approximately  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars.  To  Mr.  Gloor  is  due  a  generous  share  of  the  credit  that  attached 
itself  to  the  founding  of  a  business  and  the  introduction  of  an  industry  into  a 
community  where  it  was  previously  unknown,  and  a  portion  of  like  dimensions 
is  deserved  by  Mr.  Strubi,  his  partner  in  the  venture.  Mr.  Gloor  is  a  mera- 
ber  of  the  Zion  Lutheran  Church  on  Mifflin  avenue.  He  has  taken  an  inde- 
pendent political  stand,  and  belongs  to  the  Scranton  Gruetli  Association,  a 
Swiss  patriotic  organization,  the  Scranton  Liederkranz,  and  the  German  Al- 
liance. He  married  Amelia  Hungerbuhler,  of  Philadelphia,  and  is  the  father 
of  one  daughter,  Amelia. 

Ernest  Strubi,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  firm  of  Gloor  &  Strubi,  is  the 
only  son  of  George  Strubi,  a  life-long  resident  of  Switzerland,  his  birth-place, 
and  was  born  at  Degersheim.  St.  Gall,  Switzerland,  in  1873.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  and  high  school  of  St.  Gall,  and  in  1904  immigrated  to  the  United 
States,  the  following  year  becoming  a  member  of  the  partnership  alluded  to 
above.  He  and  Mr.  Gloor  have  ever  worked  in  frictionless  sympathy  for  the 
advancement  of  their  mutual  interest,  to  the  effect  that  they  are  the  owners  of 
a  profitable  business,  a  structure,  the  work  of  their  own  hands.  Mr.  Strubi 
is  a  member  of  the  Junger  Mannerchor,  while  his  political  convictions  betray 
him  to  no  party  alliance.     He  married  Anna  Landeck. 


EDWARD  MERRIFIELD 

For  fifty-nine  years  a  lawyer  of  Pennsylvania,  most  of  that  time  passed 
in  the  city  of  Scranton,  Edward  Merrifield  has  in  that  time  achieved  brilliant 
success  and  has  been  accorded  abundant  honor.  It  has  been  thirty  years  since 
he  began  to  loosen,  one  by  one,  the  ties  of  his  profession,  gradually  with- 
drawing from  active  practice,  and  even  now,  when  he  has  passed  the  four 
score  mark  in  years,  his  abandonment  thereof  is  not  complete.  He  is  venerated 
by  the  members  of  his  profession,  and  particularly  by  those  who  were  at  the 
bar  when  his  activities  were  at  their  height,  as  a  lawyer  who  has  ever  remained 
true  to  the  code  of  honor  that  embodies  lofty  principles,  as  a  gentleman  whose 
consideration  of  the  rights  and  feelings  of  others  has  made  his  life  gentle  and 
full  of  virtue,  and  as  a  man  who  in  the  service  of  a  client  or  of  the  public, 
whatever  his  remuneration  or  reward,  has  fulfilled  every  obligation  and  has 
satisfied  every  trust.  Not  one  of  his  many  talents  has  been  wasted,  and  from 
each  there  has  come  benefit  to  the  cause  of  right  and  justice,  of  which  he  is  an 
unfaltering  champion. 

Edward  Merrifield  was  born  at  Hyde  Park,  Scranton,  July  30,  1832.  He 
began  his  studies  in  the  public  schools,  later  becoming  a  student  in  Wyoming 
Seminary,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1849,  completing  his  academic  studies 
at  Oxford  Academy,  of  New  York.  In  1852  he  entered  the  law  school  presided 
over  by  Judge  MacCartney,  of  Easton,  and  the  following  year  became  a  stu- 
dent at  law  in  the  office  of  Harrison  Wright,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania. 
In  1855  Mr.  Merrifield  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  bar  of  Luzerne  county, 
in  that  year  opening  an  office  and  beginning  practice  in  Hyde  Park,  six  yeai  s 
later  transferring  his  activities  to  Scranton.  with  which  city  he  has  been  since 
prominently  identified  in  legal  and  political  circles. 

As  he  attained  prominent  and  honorable  position  at  the  bar  through  the 
exercise  of  legal  ability  of  unusual  worth,  proving  his  strength  as  an  attorney 


^^^cuJ^<^  i^,'^^^/h\. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  229 

in  contest  with  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  region,  so,  through  devoted  and 
efficient  service,  he  gained  like  station  in  political  circles.  As  a  Democrat,  in 
1870  he  was  nominated  for  the  office  of  recorder  of  the  mayor's  court  of  Scran- 
ton,  and  in  1884  for  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Lackawanna  county, 
and  in  1894  was  the  choice  of  his  party  for  Congress,  a  similar  honor  being 
conferred  upon  him  in  1896.  In  1878  Mr.  Merrifield  was  the  author  of  the 
new  county  bill,  and  was  appointed  to  use  his  efforts  and  influence  to  secure  the 
passage  of  the  bill.  Journeying  to  Harrisburg,  in  order  that  he  might  the 
more  closely  watch  the  deliberations  of  the  state  legislature,  he  there  worked 
valiantly  that  the  proposed  legislation  might  be  accomplished,  but  it  was  not 
until  six  years  later  that  the  bill  he  had  drawn  up  became  a  law.  This  was  Mi. 
Merrifield's  second  victory  in  securing  the  possibility  of  a  new  county,  as  in 
1873  he  had  been  deputized  to  attend  the  constitutional  convention  to  advocate 
a  change  in  the  constitution  in  regard  to  the  creation  of  new  counties  upon 
which  the  convention  took  favorable  action. 

Mr.  Merrifield's  services  were  again  required  when  the  people  of  Scranton 
desired  the  establishment  of  a  United  States  district  court  in  this  city,  and  he 
was  delegated  to  present  the  plea  of  the  people  to  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  assembled  at  the  Capitol.  Proof  of  the  success  of  his  mission  is  the  dis- 
trict court  that  has  since  sat  at  Scranton.  Thus  might  the  story  of  the  projects 
he  has  guided  to  a  successful  consummation,  of  his  achievements  at  the  bar,  and 
of  his  invaluable  public  service,  continue  at  great  length,  but  it  is  sufficient  here 
to  repeat  that  failure  has  been  recorded  against  him  only  when  he  has  been 
confronted  by  impossibilities  and  that,  having  accepted  a  trust,  he  remains 
faithful  until  the  complete  fulfillment  of  its  terms.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  was  vice-president  of  the  Lackawanna  Institute  of  History  and  Science,  and 
since  March,  1914,  Mr.  Merrifield  has  filled  the  office  of  president,  to  which  he 
was  elected  at  that  date.  For  years  and  since  the  death  of  Dr.  E.  Fisher  he 
has  been  the  acting  president  of  The  Animal  Rescue  League  of  Lackawanna 
county,  a  chartered  institution  for  the  prevention  of  cruelty  to  animals,  to  the 
duties  of  which  he  has  given  much  time  and  attention. 

Mr.  Merrifield  married,  in  November,  1855,  A.  Jennie  Eldridge,  of  Owego, 
New  York,  and  has  one  daughter,  Jessie  M.,  who  married  John  H.  Blackwood, 
of  Los  Angeles,  California. 


DAVID  B.  HAND,  M.  D. 

While  in  his  own  person  Dr.  Hand,  an  eminent  and  representative  physician 
of  Scranton,  is  a  most  interesting  personality,  a  study  of  his  ancestry  on  both 
the  paternal  and  maternal  sides  is  also  one  of  absorbing  interest. 

The  ancestors  on  the  paternal  side  came  from  England  in  the  early  part  of 
the  seventeenth  century,  settling  in  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island.  Stephen 
Hand,  the  great-grandfather  of  Dr.  Hand,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  was  the 
father  of  twenty  children,  and  was  a  descendant  of  the  Connecticut  and  Long 
Island  family  of  Hand,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  His  son,  Nathan 
Hand,  born  in  Morris  county.  New  Jersey.  November  13,  1781,  died  in  Cortland 
county.  New  York,  aged  sixty-four  years.  He  married  Margaret  Crandel- 
meyer,  born  in  Germany,  was  brought  to  New  Jeresy  when  five  years  of  age, 
and  died  at  Damascus,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  aged  eighty-seven,  at  the 
home  of  her  son,  Nathan,  who  is  living  at  the  present  time,  aged  ninety-six 
years.  Her  father  died  at  the  great  age  of  one  hundred  years.  Their  son, 
Robert  Hand,  was  born  in  Wantage,  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  November 
26.  1806,  died  in  1854.  In  1831  he  moved  to  Hawley.  then  a  wilderness  with 
but  four  or  five  houses,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable 


230  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

timber  land,  cleared  fifty  acres,  and  erected  a  large  dwelling.  He  then  en- 
gaged extensively  in  lumbering,  owning  vast  tracts  of  timber  land,  then  of 
little  value.  The  logs  were  rafted  down  the  Lackawaxen  and  Delaware  rivers 
to  mills  below.  Later  he  erected  saw  mills,  prospering  in  all  his  undertakings. 
His  death  was  the  result  of  fever  contracted  from  exposure  during  a  freshet, 
he  being  away  from  home  at  the  time.  He  married,  in  New  Milford,  New 
Jersey,  in  1827,  Susan  Goble,  who  bore  him  the  following  named  children: 
I.  Nathan  G.,  died  in  a  Philadelphia  hospital  from  disease  contracted  in  the 
army.  2.  Charles  F.,  an  engineer,  died  at  the  Wayne  county  homestead,  aged 
thirty-three  years.  3.  Elizabeth  L.,  married  Dr.  H.  B.  Stephen,  and  after  be- 
coming a  widow  she  became  noted  as  an  evangelist  and  worker  in  the  Women'*; 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  being  president  of  the  county  unions,  state  super- 
intendent of  Mothers"  Work  and  state  organizer.  4.  Melissa  A.,  whose  first 
husband,  Nelson  Wilber,  died  from  wounds  received  in  battle  while  serving 
in  the  Union  army.  5.  William  J.,  served  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Third 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps,  fought  in  thirteen  battles,  was  twice 
wounded,  and  at  Gaines  Mills,  June  27,  1862,  was  taken  prisoner.  6.  David 
B.,  of  whom  further.  7.  Sarah  A.,  aged  four  years  when  her  father  died ;  be- 
gan teaching  at  fifteen  years  of  age  and  continued  until  she  was  thirty;  she 
labored  in  all  departments  of  W'omen's  Christian  Temperance  Union  work  ami 
contributed  largely  to  the  educational  work  of  that  association  of  devoted 
women;  she  married.  May  18,  1880,  Jonathan  Brown,  of  Lake  Ariel. 

The  progenitor  of  the  family  in  America  on  the  maternal  side  was  Stephen 
Roy,  great-grandfather  of  Dr.  Hand,  who  at  the  time  of  the  great  persecutions 
in  Scotland  migrated  to  America,  settling  at  Valley  Forge,  Pennsylvania.  He 
became  a  wealthy  land  owner  there,  and  during  the  winter  that  General  Wash- 
ington's army  was  quartered  at  Valley  Forge,  he  almost  impoverished  himself 
in  his  efforts  to  relieve  their  sufferings.  In  later  years,  when  offered  remunera- 
tion by  the  government,  he  refused  to  accept  it,  saying  "My  country's  freedom 
is  my  reward."  A  daughter  of  Stephen  Roy  became  the  wife  of  Nathan  Goble, 
born  in  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  where  he  was  a  farmer  and  stockman, 
and  of  this  union  a  daughter,  Susan,  was  born,  who  became  the  wife  of  Robert 
Hand,  aforementioned.  Mrs.  Hand  was  a  granddaughter  of  Francis  Price, 
who  served  as  judge  of  Sussex  county  for  thirty-two  years.  She  was  also  a 
niece  of  Governor  Price,  of  New  Jersey.  Mrs.  Hand  was  a  remarkable  woman, 
remarkable  for  her  mental  strength,  noble  traits  of  character,  loving  and  lovable 
disposition,  and  true  charity.  Quoting  from  a  lifelong  friend  and  neighbor 
biographer  under  the  caption  "Life  of  a  Truly  Great  Woman:"  "How  much 
may  be  bound  up  in  life  of  a  human  being  cannot  be  measured  or  appreciated. 
Influence  can  be  traced  for  ages,  but  who  shall  drive  the  golden  nail  and  say 
'Here  influence  stops.'  We  are  constrained  to  this  remark  when  considering  the 
life  and  work  of  Airs.  Susan  Hand,  of  Hawley,  Wayne  County."  "Mrs.  Susan 
Hand's  birth-place  was  in  Sussex  County,  New  Jersey.  Through  her  veins 
flowed  Scottish  and  French  blood,  and  the  history  of  her  ancestors  would 
sound  like  a  page  of  romance  from  a  master's  hand.  It  would  give  a  glimpse 
at  a  picture  of  contentment  amid  the  streams  and  hills  of  'Bonnie  Scotland.' 
Then  a  scene  of  persecution  would  appear  culminating  in  a  flight  for  life  from 
Scotland  to  the  wilds  of  America."  "Then  as  time  passed  on,  we  would  catch 
a  glimpse  of  \'alley  Forge,  with  its  suffering  and  starving  patriots.  We  would 
see  her  grandfather  impoverishing  himself,  spending  nearly  his  entire  fortune 
in  furnishing  food  and  comfort  to  those  who  suft'ered  so  awfully  in  that  memor- 
able epoch  of  the  American  Revolution.  We  would  hear  the  noble  old  patriot 
say  proudly  at  the  close  of  the  war,  when  offered  pay  for  what  he  had  done, 
'My  country's  freedom  is  sufficient  pay."     Would  that  there  were  more  such 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  23T 

spirit  in  these  days  of  selfishness  and  political  dishonesty."     Mrs  Susan  Hand 
died  September  17,  1891,  aged  eighty  years. 

Dr.  David  B.  Hand,  youngest  son  of  Robert  and  Susan  ( Goble)  Hand, 
was  bom  in  Hawley,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  31,  1848.  He  ob- 
tained a  good  public  school  education,  and  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age 
worked  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  was  for  a  time  his  mother's  only  as- 
sistant. He  then  began  the  study  of  medicine,  impelled  thereto  as  artists  to 
paint  or  musicians  to  sing,  and  at  once  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  George  B. 
Curtis,  who  was  pleased  to  say  that  he  had  a  better  knowledge  of  anatomy  and 
physiolog}'  than  half  the  doctors.  He  matriculated  later  in  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated, 1868,  but  being  only  twenty  years  of  age  the  college  would  not  grant 
him  his  degree  of  M.  D.  until  he  should  attain  legal  age.  He,  however,  began 
practice,  locating  at  South  Canaan,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  remaining 
there  three  years  and  a  half,  and  laying  the  foundation  for  his  reputation  as 
one  of  the  most  skillful  of  physicians.  He  then  located  at  Carbondale,  where 
he  continued  in  successful  practice  for  seven  years.  Overwork  now  told  on  hi*; 
health,  and  he  was  obliged  to  desist  for  a  time.  He  sold  his  practice  and  for 
several  months  traveled  in  California  and  other  western  states,  then  returned 
to  Pennsylvania,  settling  at  Columbia.  But  he  loved  the  mountains  and  valleys 
of  the  coal  regions,  and  in  the  spring  of  1880  he  came  to  Scranton  and  there 
purchased  the  practice  of  Dr.  Horace  Ladd,  one  of  the  oldest  physicians  of  the 
city  who  moved  to  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Hand  succeeding  him  in  practice  and  still 
continues. 

Dr.  Hand  has  always  had  a  very  large  practice,  and  during  his  long  life  has 
been  brought  into  contact  with  all  forms  of  disease.  His  knowledge,  skill, 
experience  and  successful  treatment  of  baffling  intricate  cases  have  brouglit  him 
into  prominence  in  his  profession,  while  in  his  special  field  of  diseases  of  chil- 
dren he  stands  unrivaled.  He  loves  children  and  perhaps  no  physician  has 
labored  more  earnestly  or  efi^ectivelv  in  their  behalf.  So  he  loves  nature,  ani- 
mals and  the  soil.  In  gratification  of  this  craving  for  nature  and  her  works, 
he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  at  Waverly  and  there  revels  in  fine 
stock  and  a  model  dairy.  He  began  operations  on  the  farm  by  thoroughly  drain- 
ing it,  using  eleven  miles  of  tiling.  In  stocking  it,  he  moved  cautiously,  mak- 
ing careful  study  of  the  different  strains,  finally  deciding  on  Holstein.  He  pur- 
chased only  registered  cows,  most  of  his  herd  being  found  in  the  "Advanced 
Registry."'  His  young  Holstein  bull,  "King  Pontiac,"  the  finest  bred  bull 
perhaps  in  the  world,  he  purchased  when  six  weeks  old  at  a  cost  of  three 
thousand  dollars,  his  neighbors  considering  him  raving  mad  to  pay  such  a  price 
for  so  young  an  animal.  Dr.  Hand  and  "King  Pontiac"  are  familiar  sights  at 
the  Lackawanna  County  Fair,  where  the  latter  is  exhibited  with  great  prit^e  by 
his  owner.  The  milk  from  his  herd,  about  five  hundred  quarts  daily,  is  sold 
to  dairies,  about  one-third  of  it  bottled,  especially  nrepared  for  babies.  The 
farm  is  Dr.  Hand's  greatest  enjoyment  and  on  it  he  has  adopted  every  modern 
adjunct  to  successful  dairy  farming.  His  name  is  a  familiar  one  all  over  the 
United  States  and  Canada  from  his  long  connection  with  remedies,  which  he 
has  placed  upon  the  market  for  the  alleviation  of  suffering  and  the  cure  of 
infant's  troubles.  Early  in  his  professional  career  he  discovered  that  he  wa? 
very  successful  in  treating  children.  He  found  certain  remedies  very  effective 
and  for  years  he  labored  to  secure  just  the  proper  ingredients  and  proportion?,, 
then  resigning  from  the  medical  societies  to  which  he  belonged,  he  placed 
these  remedies  on  the  market  under  the  name  "Dr.  Hand's  Remedies  for  Chil- 
dren." These  covered  the  various  diseases  of  the  little  ones  and  have  always 
had  a  large  sale. 


232  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

In  the  business  world,  Dr.  Hand  holds  a  high  position.  He  has  aided 
largely  in  the  development  of  Scranton  along  industrial  lines  and  holds  of- 
ficial relations  with  eighteen  corporations  of  importance.  He  is  also  prominent 
in  the  fraternal  world,  belonging  to  Union  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
of  which  he  is  past  master ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Coeur 
de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  of  which  he  is  a  past  eminent  com- 
mander;  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  to  all  bodies  of  Keystone 
Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  thirty-second  degree,  and  to  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican, 
serving  in  Waverly  as  a  member  of  council. 

Dr.  Hand  married  (first)  in  1870,  Sarah  T.  Cromwell,  born  May  2,  1851, 
in  Hawley,  daughter  of  James  Cromwell,  and  granddaughter  of  Oliver  Crom- 
well, who  settled  in  Canterbury  near  Newburgh,  New  York.  She  was  an  earnest 
temperance  worker,  president  of  the  Lackawanna  County  Women's  Christian 
Temperance  L^nion,  and  a  devoted  worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mrs.  Sarah  T.  (Cromwell)  Hand  died  in  1903,  aged  fifty-two  years.  Children 
of  this  union:  I.  Mary  Isabella,  died  at  Columbia,  Pennsylvania,  aged  six  years. 
2.  Fred  Cromwell.  3.  Elizabeth,  married  (first)  Stephen  F.  Dunn,  of  Battle 
Creek,  Michigan,  deceased;  married  (second)  Russell  H.  Dean,  of  Scranton; 
children  of  first  marriage;  David  Hand  Dunn  and  Stephen  F.  Dunn  Jr.  Chil- 
dren of  second  marriage:  Goble  Davis  Dean  and  Howard  D.  Hand  Dean,  de- 
ceased. Dr.  Hand  married  (second)  Charlotte  W.  Wilcox,  of  Carbondale, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Joseph  N.  and  Adaline  (Marshall)  Wilcox.  Joseph 
N.  Wilcox  came  from  England  in  1874,  settling  in  Carbondale.  Mrs.  Wilcox 
is  a  native  of  Carbondale.  Mother  of  Joseph  N.  Wilcox  whose  maiden  name 
was  Newton  was  a  direct  descendant  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton.  Mr.  Wilcox  is  a 
mathematician  which  faculty  comes  naturally  to  him  although  never  having 
taken  up  the  study  of  mathematics. 

This  record  of  a  useful  active  career  is  not  complete,  as  Dr.  Hand  is  hale 
and  vigorous  with  many  plans  for  the  future  that  will  no  doubt  be  realized  ere 
"Finis"  is  written  on  the  volume  of  his  life's  deeds.  He  sprang  from  honored 
sires  and  in  turn  transmits  to  his  posterity  the  record  of  a  life  spent  largely 
in  the  service  of  humanity  and  one  that  from  the  time,  when  as  a  boy  of 
thirteen,  he  stood  by  his  honored  mother's  side,  her  strong  support,  down 
to  the  present  hour  has  never  known  one  dull,  unprofitable  hour. 


CAPTAIN   JAMES   MOIR 

A  resident  of  Scranton  since  1871,  Captain  James  Moir  has  attained  the 
highest  civic  honor  the  city  can  bestow,  the  office  of  mayor.  In  the  military- 
service  of  his  adopted  state  he  has  also  been  honored,  having  for  ten  years 
prior  to  1894  served  as  the  regularly  commissioned  captain  of  Company  C, 
Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  National  Guard.  He  has  also  merited  the 
confidence  that  for  ten  successive  terms  he  was  chosen  by  the  voters  of  the 
Ninth  Ward  as  theii  rejjresentative  in  councils.  That  such  high  civic  and 
military  preferment  have  been  bestowed  upon  Captain  Moir,  can  only  be  con- 
strued as  a  recognition  of  his  worth  as  a  citizen  of  his  adopted  city. 

(I)  Captain  Moir  descends  from  Scotch  forebears,  his  grandfather,  John 
M.  Moir,  having  been  a  resident  of  one  of  the  Orkney  Islands,  lying  north  cf 
Scotland.     His  maternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Aberdeenshire,  Scotland. 

(II)  John  Moir,  son  of  John  M.  Moir,  was  born  in  the  Orkney  Islands, 
and  married  Elspath  Robertson,  of  Aberdeenshire.  He  spent  many  years  of 
his  life  in  the  Saskatchewan  region  of  Canada,  in  the  employ  of  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company.     He  was  there  brought  in  contact  with  the   Indians  of  that 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  233 

region,  spoke  many  of  the  tribe  dialects  and  was  always  a  friend  of  the  Red 
Men.  He  finally  returned  to  Scotland,  where  he  died,  leaving  a  family  ci 
seven  children,  of  whom  James  was  the  eldest. 

(Ill)  The  boyhood  of  Captain  James  Moir  was  spent  in  Scotland,  but  he 
was  obliged  to  become  a  wage  earner  early  in  life.  He  went  from  Scotlan  1 
to  London,  England,  where  he  learned  the  tailor's  trade  and  worked  until  1867. 
In  that  year  he  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  remained  until  taking  up  his  residence  in  Scranton  in  1871. 
He  there  opened  a  merchant  tailoring  establishment  on  Lackawanna  avenue 
and  in  time  built  up  a  business  of  large  proportions.  His  military  service  began 
in  1877,  he  being  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  old  Scranton  City  Guard, 
which  later  became  Company  C,  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard.  He  rose  from  the  ranks,  passing  through  successive  promotions  until 
in  1884  he  was  elected  captain,  serving  in  that  rank  two  terms  of  five  years  each. 
At  the  expiration  of  his  second  term,  in  October,  1894,  he  received  an  honorable 
discharge.  Captain  Moir  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  has  been  for  many 
years  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  public  life  of  Scranton.  He  was  elected  mayor 
of  Scranton  in  1899,  and  during  his  administration  the  present  City  Hall  was 
erected  and  his  name  is  on  the  corner  stone.  His  term  as  mayor  was  preceded 
by  a  long  term  in  council,  being  president  three  years  and  also  serving  as  chair- 
man of  the  judiciary  committee  and  a  member  of  other  important  committees. 
At  the  expiration  of  his  term  as  mayor  in  1908  he  was  elected  an  alderman 
of  the  Ninth  Ward,  serving  until  1913  when  he  was  again  elected  to  the  same 
office  and  in  which  he  is  still  serving.  He  attends  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Caledonian  Club  and  chief  of  this ;  a  mem- 
ber of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  a  member  of 
Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  holding  the  thirty-second 
degree;  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Robert  Burns 
Lodge,  of  which  he  is  a  charter  member,  and  now  has  the  forty-five  year  badge 
of  this  organization.  He  is  past  treasurer  of  the  Encampment  and  a  Patriarch 
Militant  of  the  same  order.  He  is  also  a  knighted  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Malta,  Columbus  Commandery;  also  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  O.  E.,  of  Scran- 
ton, No.  123,  and  has  held  various  offices.  Thus  in  business,  military,  civic 
and  fraternal  life,  Captain  Moir  has  actively  borne  his  part  and  in  the  distribu- 
tion of  honors  he  has  been  awarded  a  generous  share. 

Captain  Moir  married,  in  London,  England,  Frances  Flint,  born  in  London, 
England ;  children :  James  S.,  John  W.,  Helen,  Robert  B.,  Wallace  W.,  Frank- 
lin, Wilfred,  Flora,  Elsie,  Fannie.  Robert  B.  Moir  was  a  cadet  at  West  Point 
Military  Academy,  appointed  from  Scranton,  but  in  his  second  year  was  so 
badly  poisoned  by  poison  ivy  that  after  three  months  he  received  an  honorable 
discharge  for  disability.  After  his  return  home  and  recovery,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  a  position  on  the  city  engineering  staff,  continuing  in  that  position 
imtil  his  death  in  February,  1896. 


WILLIAM  LUTSEY  HOUCK 

William  Lutsey  Houck,  of  the  firm  of  Houck  &  Benjamin,  one  of  the 
most  able  of  Scranton's  many  legal  firms,  is  a  member  of  a  family  long  native 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  since  1904  has  made  his  residence  in  Scranton,  that  year 
also  marking  the  formation  of  the  above  mentioned  firm  and  its  establishment 
in  that  city. 

(I)  Fle  is  a  descendant  of  John  Wesley  Houck,  born  in  Bushkill  township, 
Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  i.  1809,  died  in  Columbia  county, 
Pennsylvania,  July  2,    1884.     He  spent  his  early  years  in  the  region  of  his 


234  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

birthplace  and  when  a  young  man  came  to  Luzerne  county  in  the  pursuit  of  his 
trade,  that  of  millwright.  Later  in  life  he  abandoned  that  occupation  and  en- 
gaged in  farming,  continuing  so  until  the  infirmities  of  old  age  compelled  his 
retirement  from  active  participation  in  manual  labor.  This  he  was  loth  to 
do  and  in  his  latter  years  chafed  under  the  enforced  idleness  caused  by  years, 
his  whole  life's  creed  being  industry,  from  which  he  derived  more  genuine 
enjoyment  than  is  obtained  by  most  people  engaged  in  nothing  more  strenuous 
than  a  hunt  for  pleasure.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  Methodist  in 
religion,  having  been  reared  by  parents  of  that  faith  and  having  united  with 
that  denomination  in  early  youth.  He  married  and  was  the  father  of  five 
children :  Julia,  Sarah,  Samuel,  John,  Florence  Elizabeth,  the  third  and  last 
named  now  deceased. 

(H)  Samuel  Houck,  son  of  John  Wesley  Houck,  and  father  of  William 
Lutsey  Houck,  was  born  in  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  6,  1838,  died 
in  Berwick,  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania.  April  20,  1906.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  there  resided  until  his  thirtieth 
year,  when  he  moved  to  Briar  Creek  township,  Columbia  county,  buying  a 
farm  in  that  township  and  there  living  until  1904.  In  that  year  he  sold  his 
land  and  moved  to  Berwick,  in  the  same  county,  there  remaining  until  his 
death.  He  had  prospered  in  his  fanning  operations  and  after  moving  to  Ber- 
wick lived  retired.  His  religious  beliefs  were  those  of  his  father,  and  in  all 
departments  of  the  service  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  he  played  a 
prominent  part,  contributing  generously  to  its  maintenance  and  varied  bene- 
ficences. Education  was  a  subject  upon  which  he  favored  the  most  advanced 
views,  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Briar  Creek  township  he  was 
ever  progressively  in  favor  of  improved  educational  advantages  for  the  chi! 
dren  of  the  locality.  In  the  cases  of  his  sons  he  carried  out  his  convictions 
and  rejoiced  in  his  ability  to  afford  them  all  a  college  education.  He  mar- 
ried Huldah  Jane  Lutsey,  born  June  19,  1832,  died  September  26,  1906.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  William  Lutsey,  a  successful  and  prosperous  farmer  of 
Slocum  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  was  a  grandson  of  John 
Lutsey,  the  pioneer  of  the  name  in  Pennsylvania,  who  came  thither  from 
Connecticut  soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  for  independence.  Samuel  ami 
Huldah  Jane  Houck  were  the  parents  of  Ulysses  G.,  William  Lutsey,  of  whom 
further;  John  W.,  Harry  M. 

(Ill)  William  Lutsey  Houck  was  born  in  Slocum  township,  Luzerne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  November  11,  1871.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
in  his  youth  and  was  graduated  from  the  Berwick  High  School  in  the  class 
of  1887,  holding  first  honors  in  his  class  and  delivering  the  valedictory  ad- 
dress. He  then  attended  Dickinson  Seminary,  Williamsport.  Pennsylvania, 
and  upon  his  graduation  from  that  institution  held  first  honors  in  his  course, 
class  of  1892,  and  was  awarded,  as  well,  a  special  prize  for  excellence  m 
psychology  and  the  prize  offered  in  oratory  by  the  president  of  the  Seminary. 
He  then  took  up  his  residence  on  his  father's  farm  in  Briar  Creek  township 
for  a  time,  and  prior  to  entering  law  school  he  taught  school,  being  vice-prin- 
cipal of  the  Berwick  .schools  in  1897  and  1898  and  for  the  two  following  years 
principal  of  the  schools  of  Freeland.  Pennsylvania.  In  1901  he  entered  the  Dick- 
inson School  of  Law,  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated  in 
1904.  As  in  his  earlier  school  days,  he  displayed  high  proficiency  in  his 
studies,  and  was  awarded  prizes  in  Real  Property.  Evidence,  and  Constitu- 
tional Law,  which  augured  well  for  his  success  when  he  should  begin  prac- 
tice. This  he  did  in  the  year  of  his  graduation  from  Dickinson,  receiving  his 
credentials  of  admission  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar  in  the  same  year. 
In  October,   1904,  he  formed  a  partnership  with   Frank  P.   Benjamin,  as  be- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  235 

fore  stated,  and  this  connection  continues  to  the  present  time,  to  the  mutuai 
satisfaction  and  benefit  of  those  most  vitally  concerned.  The  offices  of  the 
firm  are  in  the  Miller  Building,  Scranton,  and  here  they  have  attracted  a 
clientele  among  the  most  desirable  legal  patrons  in  the  city.  The  early  liking 
for  legal  procedure  which  Mr.  Houck  displayed  during  his  college  days  has 
ripened  into  a  more  mature  respect  for  his  profession.  Nor  was  the  prophecy 
of  his  earlier  days  false,  for  in  the  nine  years  of  his  active  career  he  has  per- 
formed much  legal  work  of  merit,  which  has  been  characterized  by  the  thor- 
ougiiness  of  its  preparation  and  the  minute  knowledge  of  the  law  shown. 
With  his  no  less  able  partner,  he  has  raised  the  fimi  of  Houck  &  Benjamin  to 
a  position  of  place  among  others  of  longer  standing  and  has  proved  himself 
nc  mean  adversary  in  a  legal  contest.  Mr.  Houck  is  a  Republican  in  political 
action,  and  fraternally  affiliates  with  Knapp  Lodge,  No.  462,  F.  and  A.  M., 
Berwick,  Pennsylvania,  of  which  he  is  past  master. 

Mr.  Hijuck  married,  in  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  October  28,  1908,  Katherine 
May  Klink.  With  his  wife  he  is  a  member  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian 
Church. 


FENWICK  L.  PECK 


The  line  of  American  descent  of  Fenwick  L.  Peck,  of  Scranton,  is  from 
Joseph  Peck,  who  came  to  Hingham,  Massachusetts,  in  1638,  from  Hingham, 
England,  with  three  sons,  a  daughter,  two  men  servants  and  three  maid  ser- 
vants. He  was  representative  to  the  general  court,  1639-42,  removed  to 
Rehoboth  in  1645  ^"c'  there  died  December  22,  1663. 

(II)  Simon  Peck,  son  of  Joseph  Peck,  born  in  England,  was  a  glazier  by 
trade,  lived  in  Dorchester,  Massachusetts,  where  he  served  as  selectman  in 
1667.,     He  married    ( first )    Hannah   Farnsworth,    ( second )    Prudence   Clapp. 

(III)  Samuel  Peck,  son  of  Simon  Peck  and  his  second  wife,  was  born 
April  20,  1667,  settled  in  Mendon,  Massachusetts,  where  he  died  September 
6,  1725.  He  belonged  for  many  years  to  the  Presbyterian  church.  His  first 
wife,  Sarah  (Wilson)  Peck,  born  June  20,  1792,  married,  December  31,  1816, 
died  July  17,   1842,  leaving  several  children. 

(IVj  Jonathan  Wilson  Peck,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Peck, 
was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Massachusetts,  July  9,  1826,  died  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  October  14,  1895.  When  but  a  lad  his  parents  settled  in  that, 
then  unbroken,  section  of  Pennsylvania,  which  later  became  Peckville,  named 
in  honor  of  Samuel  Peck.  Jonathan  W.  Peck  engaged  in  lumbering  with  his 
father  on  arriving  at  a  suitable  age,  and  became  a  most  influential  and  promin- 
ent man  in  his  section.  He  was  keenly  active  to  the  unusual  opportunities 
ofifered  at  that  time  and  was  foremost  in  the  development  of  Peckville,  estab- 
lishing and  supporting  the  various  financial  and  industrial  companies  there 
organized.  Capable  business  man  that  he  was,  he  did  not  rise  at  the  expense 
of  others,  but  aided  all  who  came  under  his  observation.  He  is  remembered 
in  Peckville  as  mcst  kindly-hearted  and  generous,  one  of  his  last  kindnesses 
to  the  village  being  to  present  the  Baptist  congregation  with  a  new  parsonage, 
an  unsolicited  gift.  Some  ten  years  prior  to  his  death  he  moved  to  Scranton, 
where  he  spent  the  closing  period  of  his  useful  life  in  retirement.  Mr.  Peck 
married  (first)  Mercyette  Hall,  born  in  Abington,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  26,  1834,  died  in  1874,  daughter  of  Sheldon  Hall.  He  married 
(second)  Hattie  A.  Clapp,  who  survived  him.  Three  of  the  children  of  Jon- 
athan W.  Peck  yet  survive:  Fenwick  L.,  of  whom  further;  Edson  S.,  of 
Scranton  ;  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Everett  A.  Bush,  of  Orange,  New  Jersey. 

(V)   Fenwick  L.  Peck,  eldest  son  of  Jonathan  Wilson  Peck  and  his  first 


236  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

wife,  Mercyette  (Hall)  Peck,  was  born  near  what  is  now  known  as  Elm- 
hurst,  Pennsylvania,  September  18,  1854.  His  early  life  was  spent  in  Peck- 
ville,  where  he  obtained  a  public  school  education.  He  then  entered  Wyoming 
Seminary  at  Kingston,  whence  after  a  three  years'  course  he  was  graduated, 
class  of  1875.  He  was  his  father's  assistant  in  his  lumber  business  until  he 
was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  then  was  admitted  to  a  partnership,  the  firm 
becoming  J.  W.  Peck  &  Son,  and  continuing  until  1886.  During  these  years 
the  younger  man  was  in  charge  at  the  Dunning  ( now  Elmhurst )  tract  where 
saw  mills  had  been  erected.  His  days  were  spent  in  the  woods  and  mills,  his 
evenings  being  devoted  to  accounts  and  correspondence  of  the  finn.  In  1880 
the  Dunning  tract  being  exhausted,  similar  operations  were  begun  at  Spring- 
brook,  continuing  there  five  years,  making  nine  years  the  young  man  had  spent 
at  the  two  tracts.  They  were  valuable  years  to  him,  aside  from  the  pecuniary 
reward  they  brought.  He  had  developed  into  the  strong,  sturdy,  physical 
man  and  had  gained  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  value  of  standing  timber, 
and  an  intimate  and  expert  knowledge  of  lumber  manufacture  in  its  every 
detail.  In  about  a  year  after  the  working  out  of  the  Springbrook  tract,  he 
discovered  and  after  thoroughly  investigating  a  tract  of  hemlock  timber  in 
Potter  county,  Pennsylvania,  organized,  with  the  aid  of  his  father  and  some 
of  the  wealthy  men  of  Scranton,  the  Lackawanna  Lumber  Company  with 
$200,000  capital.  Jonathan  W.  Peck  was  chosen  president  of  the  company 
and  Fenwick  L.  Peck,  in  whose  ability  perfect  confidence  was  placed,  was 
appointed  general  manager  of  all  operations  necessarj'  to  convert  the  timber 
into  lumber  and  find  for  it  a  market.  In  1887  the  first  saw  mill  was  built  at 
Mina.  Air.  Peck  making  that  town  his  residence.  Later  two  mills  were  acquired 
on  the  Allegheny  river,  logs  being  supplied  to  them  by  raft.  The  capital  stock 
of  the  company  was  increased  in  1892  to  $750,000,  additional  timber  lands 
being  purchased  and  new  mills  erected.  The  annual  output  of  the  company 
rose  to  one  hundred  million  feet  of  manufactured  lumber.  All  through  the 
panicky  years  from  1893,  Mr.  Peck  continued  his  extensive  operations  and 
instead  of  the  prophesied  failure  earned  substantial  dividends  for  his  stock- 
holders, a  result  speaking  volumes  for  his  courage  and  executive  ability. 

Later  he  was  induced  to  purchase  an  interest  in  the  J.  J.  Newman  Lumbei 
Company,  operating  in  the  yellow  pine  belt  of  the  state  of  Mississippi.  In 
order  to  thoroughly  acquaint  themselves  with  this  property  and  the  adjacent 
territory  it  became  necessary  for  Mr.  Peck  and  his  associates  to  make  a  trip 
over  the  entire  tract  by  team,  the  distance  traveled  being  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles.  The  capital  stock  of  the  Newman  Company  was  increased 
and  three  hundred  thousand  acres  of  additional  long  leaf  pine  timber  lani 
purchased  and  large  lumbering  operations  begun.  In  1899  he  assisted  in  or- 
ganizing the  Cherry  River  Boom  and  Lumber  Company,  capital  $1,000,000,  and 
they  purchased  a  large  tract  of  spruce  and  hard  wood  timber,  located  in 
Pocohontas,  Greenbrier,  Nicholas  and  Webster  counties,  West  Virginia.  A 
large  mill  was  built,  but  before  operations  were  fairly  begun  the  property  was 
sold,  the  price  offered  being  irresistible. 

As  the  advantages  of  combination  became  apparent,  Mr.  Peck  and  hi? 
associates  formed  the  plan  of  consolidating  their  interests  into  one  corpora- 
tion. In  1901  this  plan  was  carried  out  by  the  formation  of  the  United  States 
Lumber  Company,  that  corporation  taking  over  both  the  Lackawanna  Lumber 
Company  and  the  I.  J.  Newman  Company.  The  new  company,  with  a  capital 
of  $5,000,000,  purchased  additional  lands  and  so  expanded  that  their  annual 
output  reached  two  hundred  and  fifty  million  feet  of  manufactured  lumber. 
At  the  head  of  this  corporation  was  Fenwick  L.  Peck.  He  was  eminently 
fitted  for  the  head  of  such  a  company,  and  has  successfully  managed  the  field 


y*'*-*  . 


JLun4 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


237 


operations  from  its  beginning  and  as  the  executive  head,  planned  with  a  far- 
sightedness and  courage  that  has  brought  important  results.  The  operations 
in  Mississippi,  at  the  Hattiesburg  mills,  have  been  very  extensive  and  the 
corporation  successful. 

Mr.  Peck's  activity  in  the  lumber  world  naturally  led  him  into  other  fields 
of  progress.  He  became  one  of  the  organizers  and  large  stockholders  in  the 
Mississippi  Central  Railroad  Company  and  was  elected  president  of  that 
company.  He  was  also  led  into  the  field  of  finance,  becoming  a  director  of  the 
State  Bank  of  Sumrall,  Mississippi ;  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Commerce  of  Hattiesburg,  Mississippi;  director  of  the  Guardian  Trust  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  and  in  his  own  city,  Scranton,  is  a  director  of  the  Scran- 
ton  Savings  Bank  and  of  the  Dime  Bank. 

In  other  industrial  fields  he  has  also  invested  largely.  He  is  vice-president 
and  director  of  the  Peck  Lumber  and  Manufacturing  Company;  director  of 
the  Scranton  Mills ;  director  of  the  Scranton  Textile  Company  and  has  in- 
terests in  many  others  not  necessarily  of  a  minor  character.  He  continues 
in  addition  to  all  these  important  interests,  president  of  the  United  States  Lum- 
ber Company,  with  its  varied  and  important  business  that  has  not  diminished 
with  the  lapse  of  time. 

Scranton  is  Mr.  Peck's  home  city  and  here  at  No.  545  Jefferson  avenue,  in 
that  choice  residential  district,  he  erected  a  house  that  is  remarkable  in  even 
this  city  of  handsome  residences.  Nor  have  the  demands  of  business  taken 
away  his  enjoyment  of  the  social  side  of  life,  nor  his  interest  in  his  fellowmen, 
nor  his  thirst  for  knowledge  of  the  world.  He  has  visited  Europe  several 
times  and  has  toured  his  own  country  many  more.  His  early  days  in  the 
woods  bred  in  him  a  love  of  out-of-doors  and  he  has  seen  a  great  many  of 
natures  wonders  everywhere.  His  clubs  are  the  Country  and  Scranton  of 
Scranton,  and  the  Railroad  Club  of  New  York.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican ; 
in  fraternal  relations  a  Mason,  holding  membership  in  Lodge,  Chapter  and 
Commandery. 

Mr.  Peck  married  (first)  November  20,  1881,  Jessie  V.  Mott,  who  died  m 
March,  1883,  daughter  of  James  Mott,  of  Blakeley,  Pennsylvania.  She  left  a 
daughter,  Jessie  Mott.  He  married  (second)  February  5,  1885,  Mina  V.. 
daughter  of  William  and  Grace  (Oliver)  Pethick,  of  Wayne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. A  daughter  was  also  born  of  this  marriage,  Florence  Louise,  and  a 
son,  Charles  Wilson,  who  died  in  infancy. 


WILLIAM  R.  LEWIS 


Wales,  "the  country  of  mountains  and  each  mountain  a  mine,"  is  the 
land  claimed  by  William  R.  Lewis,  of  the  law  firm  of  Taylor  &  Lewis,  as  his 
birth-place.  Wales  has  been  the  home  of  his  family  for  many  generations, 
his  father,  Reese  J.  Lewis,  being  the  first  of  the  line  to  leave  his  native 
country  and  to  seek  his  fortunes  in  a  newer  and  richer  land.  Reese  J.  Lewis 
was  a  miner  and  contractor  in  Carmarthenshire,  Wales,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1868.  Attracted  to  Pennsylvania  by  the  similarity  of  its 
topography  with  that  of  his  home  land,  he  settled  in  the  mountains  of  north- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  at  Scranton.  Here  he  engaged  in  mining  and  through 
his  native  habits  of  industry  and  thrift  was  able  to  save  a  large  part  of  his 
income  which  he  invested  wisely  and  profitably,  so  that  during  the  last  ten 
years  of  his  life  he  was  freed  from  the  cares  of  active  participation  in  business. 
The  customs  of  years,  however,  were  too  strong  to  be  snapped  at  once  and 
to  occupy,  partially,  his  time,  he  gave  his  various  properties  much  of  his  per- 
sonal care  and  supervision,  seeing  that  they  were  kept  in  repair  and  attend- 


238  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ing  to  many  of  the  smaller  improvements  himself.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  whose  work  he  was  very  active.  His  death 
occurred  in  1887,  he  having  survived  his  wife,  Ann  (Jones)  Lewis,  by  eighteen 
years.  His  children  were:  Joseph  R.,  deceased;  Mary,  married  William  Lewis, 
of  Scranton;  Annie,  widow  of  Daniel  James,  of  Wilkes- Barre;  Jennie,  married 
Elias  E.  Evans,  of  Scranton ;  Katherine,  married  John  J.  Davis,  of  Scranton ; 
William  R.,  of  whom  further. 

William  R.  Lewis  was  born  in  Carmarthenshire,  Wales,  February  26, 
1876.  He  was  but  a  year  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  the  United 
States.  He  was  educated  at  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School,  whence 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1886.  For  five  years  thereafter  he  held  the 
position  of  deputy  prothonotary  under  Thomas  H.  Dale,  during  that  time 
reading  law  under  Judge  Gunster  and  afterwards  under  Judge  Alfred  Hand. 
He  obtained  admission  to  the  bar  in  September,  1893,  and  in  January  of  the 
year  following  formed  the  present  partnership  of  Taylor  &  Lewis  for  general 
practice.  In  his  chosen  profession,  Mr.  Lewis  has  had  gratifying  success.  One 
of  the  honors  that  came  to  him  as  a  result  of  the  standing  he  had  attained 
among  those  versed  in  legal  affairs,  was  the  election  as  district  attorney,  an 
office  he  filled  with  conspicuous  ability  from  1901  to  1906.  Aside  from  hii 
public  service  he  has  been  a  potent  factor  in  the  success  of  his  firm,  which 
bears  a  reputation  for  integrity  and  fair  dealing  gained  through  the  learning, 
uprightness  and  honor  of  the  partners.  Mr.  Lewis'  only  business  connection  is 
with  the  Scranton  Big  Muddy  Coal  Mining  Company,  of  which  he  is  presi- 
dent. He  is  a  director  of  the  West  Side  Hospital,  to  whose  affairs  he  gives  a 
great  deal  of  time  and  attention. 

Mr.  Lewis  married  Josephine,  daughter  of  Joseph  D.  Doyd,  of  Scranton. 
Their  children  are :  Mary,  Ruth,  Gertrude.  Mr.  Lewis'  residence  is  at  No. 
614  North  Main  avenue,  where  he  enjoys  an  ideal  home  life. 


JOHN  B.  CORSER,  M.  D. 

This  family,  whose  name  was  spelled  both  Corser  and  Courser,  was  brought 
to  America  in  1635  by  William  Corser.  The  Corser  family  descending  from 
this  Puritan  sire  has  proved  a  valuable  one,  contributing  to  the  public  service 
many  military  men  and  many  who  have  served  equally  well  in  business  and 
professional  walks  of  life. 

Dr.  John  B.  Corser,  of  Scranton,  descends  from  the  New  Hampshire 
branch  founded  by  John  Corser,  born  about  1678,  who  settled  in  Boscawen, 
New  Hampshire,  in  the  early  settlement  of  that  town.  In  April,  1776,  "Articles 
of  Association,"  including  a  declaration  of  independence  antedating  that  issued 
by  Congress  in  Philadelphia,  July  4,  1776,  were  subscribed  to  by  citizens  of 
Boscawen  and  among  the  signers  were  David,  John  (i),  John  (2),  John  Jr., 
Asa,  Nathan,  Samuel  and  Thomas  Corser.  David  (3),  Asa  and  Jonathan 
Corser  fought  at  the  battle  of  Bennington ;  Asa  and  William  Corser  at  Bunker 
Hill,  while  Samuel,  John,  Thomas  and  other  Corsers  were  also  in  the  service. 
Similar  service  has  been  rendered  by  Corsers  in  every  war  waged  by  this 
country. 

John  F.  Corser,  father  of  Dr.  John  B.  Corser,  came  from  New  Hampshire, 
settling  in  Towanda,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  a  successful  merchant  for 
many  years,  moving  to  Scranton  about  the  year  1900.  He  married  Harriet  E. 
Smith. 

Dr.  John  B.  Corser  was  born  in  Towanda,  Pennsylvania,  October  14, 
1873.  He  was  educated  at  Susquehanna  Collegiate  Institute,  Towanda,  then 
spent  two  years  at  Princeton  University,  but  deciding  upon  the  profession  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


239 


medicine  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.,  class  of  1898.  He  took  post-graduate  courses 
at  Lackawanna  Hospital,  then  for  three  and  a  half  years  engaged  in  general 
practice  in  Scranton.  Deciding  to  make  a  specialty  of  diseases  of  the  eye, 
ear,  nose  and  throat,  he  made  special  preparation  in  hospitals  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  Vienna.  Austria,  for  eighteen  months,  then  returned  to 
Scranton  and  began  his  successful  career  as  a  specialist  in  the  diseases  named. 
He  is  occulist  at  the  West  Side  Hospital  and  at  the  State  Hospital,  member 
of  the  Pennsylvania  State  and  American  Medical  associations,  and  has  been 
president  of  the  Lackawanna  County  Medical  Association.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  Lincoln  Trust  Company,  but  gives  his  profession  his  chief  attention, 
study  and  best  effort.  He  obtains  relaxation  from  the  exactions  of  his  pro- 
fession in  the  social  and  athletic  features  of  the  Scranton,  Country  and  Bicycle 
clubs  of  Scranton. 

Dr.  Corser  married  Fannie  G.,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Helen  E.    (Pier- 
son)    Laverty,   of  Elizabeth,   New  Jersey.   Mrs.   Laverty   was  a  daughter  of 

Pierson,  first  president  of  the  coal  company.     Children :   John   B., 

Helen  Elizabeth,  Anna  Laverty  and  Dorothy  Gildersleeve. 


HENRY  REED  VANDEUSEN 

The  VanDeusens  of  "VanDeusen  Manor,"  Great  Barrington,  Massachusetts, 
descend  from  Isaac  ( i )  VanDeusen,  "Rich  Isaac,"  who  was  the  son  of 
Abraham  and  Jemima  ( Schoonhoven )  VanDeusen  and  grandson  of  Matthew 
Abrahamsen  VanDeursen,  one  of  the  five  brothers  who  came  to  New  Amster- 
dam (New  York)  about  1650.  These  brothers  were  sons  of  Abraham  Van- 
Deursen, a  resident  of  Deursen,  a  small  village  in  North  Brabant,  Nether- 
lands, and  of  an  old  Dutch  family.  Matthew  Abrahamsen  VanDeursen  lived 
in  Albany.  New  York,  from  1657  to  1700,  and  his  son  Abraham  in  Kingston 
and  Albany.  "Rich  Isaac"  VanDeusen  remained  in  Kinderhook  on  the  Hud- 
son until  May,  1735,  then  moved  with  his  family  to  the  Housatonic  settle- 
ment, where  he  built  a  log  house  on  the  land  of  his  father-in-law,  Coonrod 
Burghardt,  near  the  site  of  the  manor-house  erected  a  few  years  later.  "Rich 
Isaac"  acquired  an  estate  of  several  hundred  acres  in  the  upper  part  of  Greut 
Barrington,  some  of  it  lying  along  the  Housatonic  river.  This  was  known  as 
"VanDeusen  Manor."  He  owned  other  lands  in  the  neighborhood  and  hid 
sons  added  largely  to  their  inherited  estates.  The  VanDeusens  and  the  Burg- 
hardts  were  the  largest  land-holders  in  western  Massachusetts,  and  the  old 
manor-house,  of  Dutch  architecture,  built  of  wood  and  brick,  stood  for  more 
than  a  century,  the  home  of  Isaac  (i),  Isaac  (2)  and  Isaac  (3),  the  first 
known  as  "Rich  Isaac,"  the  last  as  "Wise  Isaac."  After  the  death  of  the  latter 
in  1 83 1  the  manor  passed  out  of  the  family  and  speedily  began  to  deteriorate. 
The  main  part  was  taken  down  in  i860,  the  wing  having  been  removed  at  an 
earlier  date.  Not  a  vestige  of  the  original  building  remains,  and  the  stone 
gate-post  is  the  sole  memorial  of  the  manor  building. 

"Rich  Isaac"  VanDeusen  married,  January  14,  1730,  at  Kinderhook,  New 
York,  Fiche,  daughter  of  Coonrod  and  Gesie  (VanWie)  Burghardt.  His  six 
sons  all  settled  upon  lands  owned  by  their  father,  which  he  deeded  to  them  in 
1787.  He  acknowledged  the  deeds  in  1787.  but  they  were  not  recorded  until 
after  his  death  in  1796,  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  years.  These  sons,  Abraham 
Coonrod,  John.  Matthew,  Jacob,  Isaac  (2),  were  noted  for  their  uncommon 
height,  the"  tallest  being  six  feet  seven  and  one-half  inches,  the  shortest,  six  feet 
two  inches. 

"Wise  Isaac"  VanDeusen,  who  afterward  added  an  "I"  as  an  initial,  was 


240  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  eldest  son  of  Isaac  (2)  and  grandson  of  "Rich  Isaac"  VanDeusen.  He 
was  a  man  of  high  character,  a  staunch  churchman,  and  a  fine  French  scholar. 
He  lived  in  Great  Barrington  until  1806,  when  he  moved  to  Ohio,  later  to 
Louisiana,  returning  to  Great  Barrington  in  1818.  In  1829  he  wrote  a  history 
of  St.  James  Church.  He  inherited  the  manor-house  from  his  father  in  1816, 
and  from  1818  until  his  death  in  1831  made  it  his  home. 

Coonrod  VanDeusen,  second  son  of  "Rich  Isaac"  VanDeusen,  was  bom  at 
Kinderhook,  New  York,  February  4,  1735,  died  December  26,  1808,  at  the 
"old  stone  house"  and  was  buried  in  Mahaime  Cemetery,  Great  Barrington. 
The  "old  stone  house,"  built  in  1771,  stood  on  the  east  road  to  Housatonic  at 
the  western  base  of  Monument  i\lountain,  Coonrod  receiving  lands  there  from 
his  father.  He  married,  in  1763,  Rachel  Hollenbeck,  and  had  by  her  several 
children. 

John  VanDeusen,  third  son  of  "Rich  Isaac"  VanDeusen,  was  born  March 
19,  1737,  died  January  13,  1820,  and  is  buried  in  the  Buel  Cemetery,  Cana- 
joharie.  New  York.  He  lived  in  the  brick  house  in  Great  Barrington,  north 
of  the  family  burial  ground,  on  land  given  him  by  his  father.  He  married, 
in  June,  1762,  Catherine  Hollenbeck,  who  died  August  4,  1789,  and  is  buried 
in  the  VanDeusen  burial  ground. 

John  (2)  VanDeusen,  son  of  John  (i)  and  Catherine  (Hollenbeck)  Van- 
Deusen, was  born  in  1763.  He  married  (second)  January  28,  1796,  Rhoda 
Tuller,  of  Egremont,  Massachusetts,  and  had  issue. 

Henry  VanDeusen,  eldest  son  of  John  (2)  and  Rhoda  (Tuller)  VanDeusen. 
was  born  in  Great  Barrington,  Massachusetts,  in  1797,  and  spent  his  life 
as  a  farmer.  He  married  Julia  Ann  Reed  and  had  issue:  George  S.,  died  in 
191 1  ;  Henry  Newton,  of  whom  further;  Albert,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church ;  Sylvania,  married  J.  Snyder,  of  Cherry  Valley,  New  York. 

Rev.  Henry  Newton  VanDeusen,  son  of  Henry  and  Julia  Ann  (Reed) 
VanDeusen,  was  born  in  Cherry  Valley,  New  York,  in  1836,  and  after  an 
active,  honorable  life  spent  in  the  service  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
is  now  living  a  retired  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  Conference  aru 
served  many  churches  in  both  New  York  and  Pennsylvania.  He  was  educated 
at  Cazenovia  Seminary  and  the  Methodist  BibHcal  Institute,  the  latter  now 
the  theological  department  of  Boston  University.  Rev.  Henry  N.  VanDeusen 
married  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  James  Porter,  of  English  descent.  On  Sep- 
tember 8,  1913,  the  aged  couple  celebrated  their  golden  anniversary,  amid  the 
happy  rejoicings  of  their  many  friends  and  relations.  Children:  Porter  B., 
of  Rochester,  New  York;  Ellen  G.,  married  Frederick  O.  Spooner,  of  Syracuse, 
New  York;  Henry  Reed,  of  whom  further;  Julia,  married  P.  B.  Genger. 

Henry  Reed  VanDeusen,  second  son  of  Rev.  Henry  Newton  and  Mary 
Jane  (Porter)  VanDeusen,  was  born  at  Laurens,  Otsego  county,  New  York, 
June  2,  1872.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  different  towns 
to  which  his  father's  ministerial  duties  called  him,  and  after  preparatory 
courses  entered  Wesleyan  University,  Middletown,  Connecticut,  whence  he 
was  graduated  A.  B.,  class  of  1894.  After  graduation  he  was  instructor  in 
Greek  and  Latin  at  Dickinson  Seminary,  at  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania.  He 
studied  law  under  John  J.  Reardon  Esq.,  of  Williamsport,  later  entering  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated  LL.  B.,  class  of  1899. 
In  February,  1900,  he  located  in  Scranton  and  has  since  been  there  engaged  in 
active  practice  of  the  law.  He  has  served  as  assistant  solicitor  for  the  city 
and  has  a  well-established  practice.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club 
and  the  Scranton  Bicycle  Club,  having  been  president  of  the  latter  for  several 
terms.  In  political  faith  he  is  a  Rei)ublican,  and  in  religion  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  241 

Mr.  VanDeusen  married  Jessie  L.,  daughter  of  Edward  J.  Dimmick. 
Children:  WiUiam,  deceased;  Lawrence  Reed,  born  July  8,  1906;  Henry  Reed 
(2),  born  April  19,   1909. 


CLARENCE  D.   SIMPSON 

Prominence  in  the  business  world  carries  with  it  certain  responsibilities 
that  must  be  met.  Among  these  are  an  upright  life,  and  one  free  from  every- 
thing but  what  would  serve  as  an  example  of  business  probity  to  the  young 
men  who  strive  to  emulate  their  successful  elders.  While  Mr.  Simpson  is 
not  an  old  man,  his  success  in  business  life  has  brought  him  prominently  into 
the  public  eye,  and  rendered  him  an  object  of  interest  to  young  men  and  it  is 
to  him  they  have  often  turned  for  example  and  advice.  In  following  his  busi- 
ness course,  it  reveals  nothing  but  what  has  been  accomplished  in  the  most 
honorable  manner,  the  secret  of  his  life,  not  being  hidden  in  mystery,  can,  be 
attributed  to  hard  work,  great  energy,  laudable  ambition,  clean,  upright  living 
and  wonderful  executive  ability. 

(I)  Mr.  Simpson  comes  from  an  early  Rhode  Island  family,  his  grand- 
father, Christopher  Simpson,  settling  in  Albany  county.  New  York,  during 
the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century.  He  was  born  in  Rhode  Island  in 
1 78 1,  there  married  his  wife  Dolly,  born  1786,  and  soon  afterward  emigrated 
to  New  York  State. 

(II)  William  S.  Simpson,  son  of  Christopher  and  Dolly  Simpson,  was 
born  in  Rensselaerville,  New  York,  April  2,  1825,  died  at  his  home  in  West 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  December  5,  1912,  one  of  the  best  known  and  respected 
of  men.  After  attending  public  schools  until  his  sixteenth  year,  he  became  a 
carpenter's  apprentice  at  Prattsville,  New  York,  becoming  an  expert  worker 
in  wood.  In  after  life  he  took  great  pride,  not  only  in  the  constructive  work 
in  which  he  was  engaged  but  in  his  personal  skill  as  a  workman,  equaling  that 
of  his  best  men.  He  located  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged 
in  building  operations.  He  supervised  the  erection  of  the  tannery  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  borough,  erected  the  tannery  buildings  at  Brackney  and  also  built 
many  dwellings  for  the  workmen  at  Brackneyville  near  Binghamton.  His  long 
connection  with  the  Scranton  district  began  in  1856  when  he  settled  in  Dun- 
more,  engaging  in  general  contracting  and  building.  He  superintended  the  con- 
struction there  of  many  public  buildings  and  residences,  among  them  the  old 
Dunmore  Presbyterian  Church  and  Dunmore  Christian  Church.  He  became 
interested  in  the  construction  of  breakers,  to  him  belonging  the  honor  of  erect- 
ing at  Archbald  for  Eaton  &  Company  (afterward  Jones,  Simpson  &  Company) 
the  first  coal  breaker  erected  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley.  He  continued  a 
private  contractor  until  1861,  when  he  was  induced  to  accept  the  position  of 
superintendent  of  construction  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  then 
having  their  headquarters  at  Pittston.  This  necessitated  the  removal  of 
his  residence  to  Pittston,  and  from  that  time  until  the  close  of  his  long 
and  useful  life  that  was  his  home.  His  work  for  the  company  covered 
extensive  operations  in  the  erection  of  breakers,  trestles  and  colliery  build- 
ing in  endless  variety.  This  exacting  position  he  filled  to  the  perfect  satis- 
faction of  his  company,  retaining  through  all  the  years  of  his  connection  their 
confidence  and  respect.  With  his  men  he  was  ever  the  thoughtful  employer 
and  their  friend.  He  was  cheerful  and  optimistic,  his  morning  greetings  always 
pleasant  and  friendly.  As  he  advanced  in  years  he  retained  his  youthful  man- 
ners and  ever  enjoyed  the  companionship  of  the  young,  his  home  being  a  gath- 
ering place  for  old  and  young  alike.  At  the  age  of  seventy-two  years  he  re- 
tired, having  amassed  a  competency,  living,  therefore,  some  fifteen  years   to 

16 


242  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

enjoy  it.  He  died  in  his  eighty-eighth  year,  and  though  of  rugged  physique 
the  ravages  of  time  made  themselves  felt,  his  end  coming  not  through  any 
organic  complaint,  but  was  caused  by  the  general  wearing  away  of  all  his  parts. 
In  his  death  almost  the  last  link  was  broken  that  bound  the  formative  early 
days  of  Pittston  with  the  present.  That  he  had  borne  so  prominent  a  part  in 
the  upbuilding  of  the  section  was  ever  to  him  a  pleasant  reminiscence,  and 
surely  none  builded  better  or  more  wisely  than  he.  He  saw  the  little  town  ot 
his  adoption  grow,  expand  and  prosper  until  it  took  front  rank  among  the 
cities  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  He  won  to  him  many  staunch  friends, 
was  one  of  the  best  known  men  of  his  section,  having  spent  the  greater  part 
of  his  years,  eighty-eight,  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  His  death,  though 
expected,  was  deeply  regretted  and  was  received  with  many  expressions  of 
sorrow. 

Mr.  Simpson  married  (first)  December  26,  1846,  Catherine  Brandow,  of 
Prattsville,  New  York,  who  died  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  in  1854;  he 
married  (second)  A^larch  26,  1867,  Mary  Emmeline  Whalen  Rice,  of  Dunmore, 
who  died  in  West  Pittston,  August  30,  1884;  he  married  (third)  January  12, 
1887,  Mary  J.  Price,  of  West  Pittston,  who  survived  him.  In  religious  faith  he 
was  a  devoted  Methodist,  serving  the  church  in  official  capacity. 

(Ill)  Clarence  D.  Simpson,  son  of  William  S.  and  Catherine  (Brandow) 
Simpson,  was  born  at  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  April  4,  1849.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Dunmore  and  Pittston,  beginning  a  wage  earner's  life 
when  young  as  water  boy  for  a  gang  of  his  father's  carpenters.  Advancing 
sufficiently  in  years  he  became  clerk  for  the  Butler  Colliery  Company  at  Pitts- 
ton, remaining  in  that  employ  several  years,  constantly  rising  in  rank,  event- 
ually becoming  superintendent.  He  resigned  this  position  and  in  Buffalo,  New 
York,  became  western  representative  of  C.  A.  Blake  &  Company,  anthracite 
coal  dealers.  After  nine  years  there  he  returned  to  Pittston,  becoming  super- 
intendent of  the  Enterprise  Colliery  near  Wilkes-Barre.  About  1881,  in  as- 
sociation with  C.  M.  Sanderson,  he  leased  and  opened  the  Pancoast  Colliery, 
continuing  its  operation  successfully  about  four  years,  when  he  sold  his  inter- 
est to  his  partner.  He  then  joined  forces  with  Thomas  Watkins  in  leasing 
the  Grassey  Island  Colliery.  He  was  now  successfully  started  in  coal  operations 
and  in  succession  organized  and  operated  with  success  the  Northwest  Coal 
Company,  the  Edgarton,  Babylon,  Mount  Lookout,  Harry  E.  and  Forty  Fort 
collieries,  all  later  sold  to  the  Temple  Iron  Company.  In  1901  he  organized 
the  West  End  Coal  Company,  in  which  he  has  a  large  interest.  Besides  his 
large  private  interests,  Mr.  Simpson  is  a  director  of  the  International  Text 
Book  Company,  the  Cherry  River  Boom  and  Lumber  Company,  the  Hebard 
Cypress  Company  and  other  corporate  enterprises.  He  is  a  man  of  large  affairs 
and  controls  a  vast  amount  of  capital,  engaged  in  the  industrial  enterprises  of 
Pennsylvania.  While  not  a  practical  builder  like  his  father,  he  is  none  the 
less  a  great  constructor  and  much  that  is  lasting  and  beneficial  has  arisen 
through  his  constructive  ability.  One  of  his  enterprises,  launched  about  1897, 
was  the  New  Mexico  Railroad  and  Coal  Company.  Their  465  miles  of  rail- 
road and  their  25,000  acres  of  coal  land  was  made  possible  by  Scranton  capital, 
Mr.  Simpson  aiding  in  the  organization  of  the  company  and  becoming  chair- 
man of  the  first  board  of  directors. 

Mr.  Simpson  is  emphatically  a  man  of  business,  but  also  enjoys  the  social 
side  of  life  and  the  companionship  of  his  fellow-men.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Scranton  and  Country  clubs,  also  of  the  Union  League  of  New  York  City.  He 
gave  to  the  city  the  Catherine  Simpson  Young  Girls'  Home  and  the  land  for  the 
Hahnneman  Hospital  and  contributed  a  large  portion  of  the  capital  to  build 
the  same. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  243 

Mr.  Simpson  married  Katherine,  daughter  of  George  Perrin,  of  Pittston; 
she  died  in  1906,  leaving  a  daughter,  Clara,  now  wife  of  H.  H.  ]3rady. 

There  is  much  to  be  gained  from  a  study  of  the  two  men  whose  careers 
are  herein  traced.  Like  his  honored  father,  Mr.  Simpson  Jr.,  began  at  the 
foot  of  the  ladder  and  like  him  also  reached  the  topmost  round,  although  in 
a  different  line  of  activity.  Both  were  graduates  of  the  stern  school  of  neces- 
sity and  the  secret  of  their  rise  in  life  may  be  found  in  their  tireless  energy 
and  upright  lives. 


MICHAEL  J.  MARTIN 

One  of  the  most  distinguished  members  of  the  bar  of  Pennsylvania  is 
Michael  J.  Martin,  whose  family,  on  the  paternal  side,  came  originally  from 
France,  but  during  a  residence  of  many  years  in  Ireland  became  united  with 
a  family  of  that  land,  a  combination  which  has  more  than  once  resulted  in 
great  talents  and  ability,  the  clear  annalytical  powers  of  the  French  mind  en- 
lightening and  in  turn  being  informed  by  the  imaginative  and  romantic  spirit 
of  their  northern  kin. 

(I)  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Martin  also  bore  the  name  of  Michael 
Martin  and  was  born  in  France,  being  one  of  those  members  of  his  family 
who  came  from  that  country  and  settled  in  Ireland  during  the  early  part  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  It  seems  that  the  Martins  were  connected  in  some  way 
with  one  of  the  many  attempts  of  that  period  to  restore  independence  to  Ire- 
land, which  in  this  case  actually  reached  the  stage  of  an  armed  expedition,  of 
both  land  and  naval  forces  against  England.  However,  the  expedition  came  to 
naught,  being  defeated  by  the  British  force  sent  against  them,  and  the  Martins 
among  others  were  obliged  to  seek  refuge  in  Ireland.  From  this  country  they 
never  returned,  but  after  a  while  settled  in  that  most  picturesque  region  on  the 
northwest  coast  of  Ireland,  Sligo  county,  near  Sligo  bay.  From  this  region 
northward  through  Donegal  was  a  favorite  resort  of  many  French  fugitives, 
especially  the  Huguenots,  so  that  it  is  likely  that  the  Martins  often  looked 
upon  the  faces  of  their  countrymen,  a  sight  which  could  not  have  been  wholly 
unwelcome,  despite  the  difference  in  faith,  for  the  Martins  were  Roman 
Catholics. 

(II)  Patrick  Martin,  the  father  of  Michael  J.  Martin,  and  son  of  the 
Michael  Martin  just  mentioned,  was  born  in  Sligo,  Ireland,  October  26,  1846, 
and  there  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  up  to  the  time  he  was  seventeen  years 
of  age.  He  was  educated  in  the  local  public  schools,  and  upon  completing  his 
studies  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  the  great  coal  region  of  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania.  Here  he  found  employment  in  the  mines,  and  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  miner  for  a  number  of  years,  but  later  in  life  took  to 
farming,  from  which  he  gained  lucrative  returns,  and  in  which  he  continued 
until  his  death,  September  13,  191 3.  He  married  Margaret  Sullivan,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  and  Jane  (Stanton)  Sullivan,  of  Denville,  New  Jersey,  where 
she  was  bom  May  12,  1848.  To  them  were  born  ten  children,  as  follows: 
Michael  J.,  of  whom  further;  Jane,  now  Mrs.  Bagley,  of  Carbondale,  Penn- 
sylvania; John,  now  a  resident  of  Moscow,  Pennsylvania;  Dr.  Thomas  P.,  a 
resident  of  Jermyn ;  Margaret,  now  Mrs  Eagan,  of  Jermyn ;  Frank,  a  resident 
of  the  same  place ;  James ;  Katherine  and  William,  all  residents  of  Daleville, 
Pennsylvania.  It  was  in  Daleville,  Pennsylvania,  that  Mr.  Martin  spent  the 
latter  years  of  his  life,  where  he  eventually  met  his  death  and  where  Mr.i. 
Martin  and  the  three  youngest  children  still  reside.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin 
were  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  and  in  that  faith  reared  their 
large  family  of  children. 


244  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

(III)  Michael  J.  Martin,  the  eldest  child  of  Patrick  and  Margaret  (Sul- 
livan) Martin,  was  born  December  29,  1871,  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where 
his  parents  were  then  residing.  When  he  was  but  two  years  old  his  parents 
removed  from  the  city  of  Moscow,  Pennsylvania,  so  that  the  earliest  associa- 
tions of  childhood  dwelling  in  his  memory  are  with  the  latter  place.  He  re- 
ceived the  elementary  portion  of  his  education  at  the  local  public  schools, 
and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  found  employment  as  a  clerk  in  a  country  store. 
He  did  not  remain  in  this  service  for  a  great  while,  inclination  and  ability 
having  destined  him  to  a  different  sort  of  career.  He  entered  the  Wyoming 
Seminary  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  to  prepare  for  a  college  course,  and  hav- 
ing graduated  from  this  institution  in  1891  he  matriculated  soon  after  at 
Cornell  University,  Ithaca,  New  York,  from  which  he  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1895.  Returning  then  to  Scranton,  the  city  of  his  birth,  he  registered  a; 
a  law  student  in  Scranton,  with  Hon.  Lemuel  Amerman,  and  after  reading 
law  in  his  offices  for  the  prescribed  period,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Penn- 
sylvania, February  22,  1896.  Two  years  later,  in  1898,  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  before  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  state.  From  the  outset  Mr.  Martin's 
career  was  assured.  His  practice  was  rapidly  developed,  and  his  handling  of 
the  important  cases  entrusted  to  him  was  such  as  to  increase  his  reputation 
and  bring  him  to  the  notice  of  litigants  in  all  parts  of  the  state.  His  services 
were  in  quarters  to  which  talent  and  ability  always  find  their  way,  and  he  be- 
came attorney  for  a  number  of  large  transportation  and  industrial  corpora- 
tions. On  February  24,  1906,  Mr.  Martin  was  admitted  to  practice  before 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  Both  the  volume  and  the  importance 
of  his  cases  now  increased,  and  he  was  one  of  the  eminent  counsel  chosen  to 
defend  Judge  Archbald  at  the  time  of  that  jurist's  impeachment.  He  was  one 
of  those  who  defended  Judge  Archbald  in  the  preliminary  proceedings  before 
the  house  of  representatives,  and  in  December,  1912,  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  the  United  States  senate,  sitting  as  a  high  court  of  Impeachment,  and  took 
part  in  that  now  famous  trial.  Mr.  Martin,  as  a  result  of  his  brilliant  record, 
not  alone  in  this  case,  but  in  many  others,  only  less  important,  is  now  regarded 
as  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  bar  both  of  the  state  and  the  nation.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lackawanna  Law  Library  Association,  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Bar  Association  and  the  American  Bar  Association,  member  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Bar  Association  and  also  holds 
membership  on  the  committee  of  the  American  Bar  Association. 

Besides  his  chosen  profession,  his  very  obvious  abilities  have  been  in  de- 
mand in  other  quarters,  and  he  is  a  director  of  the  LInion  National  Bank  of 
Scranton,  and  of  several  large  mining  companies.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  but  though  an  interested  and  intelligent  observer  of  the 
great  movements  taking  place  in  the  political  world  of  today,  has  never  been 
tempted  to  take  an  active  part  in  that  department  of  public  life,  notwithstanding. 
He  takes  an  active  part  in  the  social  life  of  his  community,  and  is  a  member 
of  a  number  of  organizations,  such  as  the  Scranton  Club.  C3ne  of  Mr.  Martin's 
chief  interests  lies  in  the  delightful  realm  of  horticulture,  and  he  might  be 
called  a  gentleman  farmer  on  a  large  scale.  He  belongs  to  the  Lackawanna 
County  Horticultural  Society,  and  to  the  Grange  of  Covington  township,  where 
he  owns  two  farms,  upon  one  of  which  is  situated  his  delightful  summer  home, 
and  where  he  engages  extensively  in  the  cultivation  of  fruit,  having  there  ovev 
a  thousand  fruit  trees  of  many  varieties. 

Mr.  Martin  married,  November  6,  1906,  Ellen  Griffin,  a  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Sarah  (McWade)  Griffin,  of  Scranton.  Mr.  Griffin  was  a  native  of 
Scranton,  where  he  held  the  office  of  superintendent  for  the  Delaware,  Lacka- 
wanna &  Western  Railroad.     His  death  occurred  in  1883  and  he  was  survived 


j-.-~,^J/7s/ef,c^//^^  ^'^ 


I 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


245 


by  Mrs.  Griffin  until  January,  191 1.  By  his  wife,  who  was  Miss  Sarah  Mc- 
Wade,  a  native  of  Covington  township,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  he 
had  three  children,  daughters,  as  follows:  Ellen,  now  Mrs.  Michael  J.  Martin; 
Grace,  wife  of  Frank  H.  Jermyn ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  W.  W.  Lathrope.  Mrs. 
Martin  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton. 


COLONEL  FREDERICK  W.  STILLWELL 

Colonel  Frederick  W.  Stillwell,  who  has  made  a  most  brilliant  military 
record  and  enjoys  wide  acquaintance  in  the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania, 
among  whom  he  is  highly  regarded  for  his  fine  soldierly  qualities,  was  born  in 
Scranton,  June  14,  1865,  a  son  of  Captain  Richard  and  Margaret  (Snyder) 
Stillwell.  His  father  was  actively  and  intimately  associated  with  that  splendid 
group  of  pioneers — the  Scrantons,  Charles  F.  Mattes,  William  W.  Manness, 
and  others,  who  laid  the  foundations  of  the  present  greatness  of  the  city  of 
Scranton.  Captain  Stillwell  also  had  an  enviable  military  record.  In  his 
seventeenth  year  he  enlisted  in  Captain  Reeder's  ( Easton )  company,  and  rose 
to  the  rank  of  orderly  sergeant.  In  1854  he  organized  the  original  Scranton 
Guard,  was  its  first  captain,  and  made  it  a  notable  organization.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  served  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment, as  captain,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Antietam ;  and  was  of  the 
forlorn  hope  which  charged  Mary's  Heights,  at  Fredericksburg,  in  which  he 
was  so  severely  wounded  that  he  was  obliged  to  resign.  After  this  he  served 
as  assistant  provost  marshal,  and  performed  arduous  service  in  enforcing  vari- 
ous drafts  for  fresh  troops,  and  in  the  apprehension  of  deserters.  Besides 
his  active  professional  career  in  connection  with  coal  and  iron  industries,  ke 
gave  to  the  city  valuable  services  as  chief  of  the  fire  department,  member  of 
the  city  council,  and  m  other  capacities.  His  wife  was  descended  from  General 
Peter  Kichlein,  who  commanded  a  regiment  of  riflemen  in  the  famous  battle 
of  Long  Island  (Brooklyn). 

Colonel  Frederick  W.  Stillwell,  son  of  Captain  Richard  Stillwell,  was 
educated  in  the  Scranton  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  became  a  messenger 
in  the  First  National  Bank.  He  acquitted  himself  with  marked  fidelity,  and  in 
1893  was  promoted  to  receiving  teller,  in  which  responsible  position  he  has 
continued  to  the  present  time.  He  is  also  treasurer  of  the  Wayne  Development 
Company,  and  of  the  Pennsylvania,  New.  York  &  New  Jersey  Power  Company, 
which  are  developing  a  large  power  enterprise  on  the  Wallenpaupack  river  in 
Wayne  and  Pike  counties,  Pennsylvania.  The  doctrine  of  heredity  finds  ample 
illustration  in  his  military  life.  On  January  12,  1885,  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  A.  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
National  Guard,  was  promoted  to  corporal,  July  5,  1886,  to  sergeant,  January 
22,  1888,  and  to  second  lieutenant.  January  14,  1889.  In  1892  Lieutenant  Still- 
well performed  eighteen  days  duty  with  his  company  at  the  scene  of  the  Home- 
stead riots.  He  was  promoted  to  captain,  January  22,  1894,  and  to  major, 
April  9,  1897,  and  with  that  rank  performed  duty  for  seventeen  days  in  Sep- 
tember of  that  year  in  the  coal  fields  on  the  occasion  of  the  Lattimer  riots. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  Spanish-American  war  six  companies  of  the  Thirteenth 
Regiment,  all  of  Scranton,  volunteered  for  field  service,  and  with  them  Major 
Stillwell.  The  regiment,  under  command  of  Colonel  H.  A.  Courson,  was 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  LTnited  States  at  Camp  Hastings,  near  Harris- 
burg,  May  13,  i8g8,  and  from  May  19  to  August  30  was  stationed  at  Camp 
Alger,  Virginia.  It  was  then  ordered  to  Camp  Meade,  at  Middletown,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  Major  Stillwell  was  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel,  October 
21.  same  year.  On  November  14th  the  regiment  was  transferred  to  Camp  Mc- 


246  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Kenzie,  at  Augusta,  Georgia,  to  make  preparations  for  a  campaign  in  Cuba. 
The  war,  however,  came  to  an  abrupt  close,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stillwell 
was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment,  March  ii,  1899.  During  its  term  of 
service  the  command  suffered  severely  from  disease,  losing  by  death  nineteen 
men.  Twelve  officers  out  of  thirty-six  were  in  hospital  at  the  same  time. 
Officers  and  men,  whatever  their  disappointment  in  not  being  participants 
in  the  active  operations  in  Cuba,  had  the  proud  satisfaction  that  comes  from 
doing  all  that  a  soldier  may — obey  the  call  of  country,  and  perform  such  service 
as  demanded.  The  Thirteenth  Regiment  returned  to  its  place  in  the  National 
Guard  establishment,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stillwell  retaining  his  rank  therein. 
In  1902,  during  the  coal  strike,  he  served  for  forty  days  at  Olyphant,  taking 
the  regiment  to  that  point  and  commanding  it  until  the  arrival  of  Colonel  L.  A. 
Watres.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stillwell  was  commissioned  colonel,  August  25, 
1904,  and  still  commands  the  regiment. 

The  foregoing  presents  an  unusual  record  of  service — long  and  honorable, 
without  a  tinge  of  personal  vainglory.  Colonel  Stillwell  takes  a  laudable  pride 
in  the  splendid  body  of  citizen  soldiery  with  which  he  has  so  long  been  identi- 
fied, and  it  is  the  concensus  of  opinion  of  both  officers  and  men  that  its  ex- 
cellent condition  and  esprit  de  corps  is  in  very  large  degree  due  to  his  military 
ability  and  the  enthusiasm  which  he  awakened  and  sustained.  Within  six 
months  after  he  assumed  command  the  regiment  had  attained  such  a  degree 
of  efficiency  that  it  passed  from  ninth  to  third  place  among  the  regiments  of  the 
National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  and  it  now  ranks  first  in  efficiency,  accord- 
ing to  reports  on  file  in  the  War  Department.  Of  Colonel  Stillwell  personally. 
it  is  to  be  said  that  throughout  his  career  his  various  promotions  have  been 
solely  upon  merit,  and  he  holds  his  subordinates  to  the  same  lofty  standard 
which  at  the  beginning  he  set  up  for  himself,  and  all  appointments  and  promo- 
tions recommended  by  him  are  based  only  upon  demonstrated  ability  and  de- 
servingness,  his  judgment  uncolored  by  aught  of  a  personal  or  political  nature. 
With  a  well  selected  corps  of  officers,  commissioned  and  non-commissioned, 
constituted  through  his  unyielding  adherence  to  these  tenets,  his  ample  techni- 
cal knowledge  and  his  strict  disciplinarianism,  the  Thirteenth  stands  forth  as 
a  regiment  not  to  be  surpassed  in  the  National  Guard  establishment  of  any 
state  in  the  Union. 


EDWIN  C.  AA-IERMAN 

A  graduate  of  Bucknell  University  and  Dickinson  College,  from  which 
latter  institution  he  received  the  bachelor's  degree  in  both  arts  and  law,  Ed- 
win C.  Amerman  has  been  a  legal  practitioner  in  Scranton  since  his  admission 
to  the  bar,  his  active  work  in  the  city  covering  a  period  of  ten  years.  That 
this  decade  has  been  spent  in  nothing  but  diligent  professional  application  is 
evidenced  by  his  present  legal  status  and  the  dimensions  of  the  practice  that 
he  has  acquired  in  that  time. 

Mr.  Amerman  is  a  native  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  his  father,  Jesse 
C,  born  at  that  place  in  1821.  Jesse  C.  Amerman  was  a  farmer.  He  was 
twice  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  state  legislature.  He  married  Margaret  Ap- 
pleman,  and  had  children:  Charles  \'.,  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania;  Edwin  C. 
of  whom  further. 

Edwin  C.  Amerman,  son  of  Jesse  C.  and  Margaret  (Appleman)  Amerman, 
was  born  November  20,  1878,  and  in  his  boyhood  was  a  student  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  place.  After  attending  the  Mansfield  State  Normal  School 
he  matriculated  at  Bucknell  University,  later  entering  Dickinson  College  and 
there  completed  the  prescribed  classical  course  and  received  the  degree  of  A.  B. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


247 


and  then  took  up  the  study  of  law,  being  graduated  LL.  B.  in  1904.  On  October 
10,  1904,  Mr.  Anierman  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  immediately  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Scranton,  remaining  in  that  city  to  the  present 
time.  He  is  now  associated  in  the  practice  of  law  with  George  M.  Maxey. 
Mr.  Amerman  has  succeeded  in  his  profession  not  only  through  natural  talents 
that  have  been  strong  factors  in  his  rise  to  prominence  in  legal  affairs,  but 
through  his  quick  comprehension,  easy  adaptability,  and  intimate  knowledge  of 
the  law.  He  has  passed  the  period  when  books  are  his  study,  and  derives  much 
of  his  legal  prowess  from  close  scrutiny  of  men,  motives  and  facts.  At  the 
bar  he  is  a  trained  and  fluent  speaker,  a  forceful  advocate,  full  of  conviction, 
gaining  the  ear  of  his  audience  through  his  intense  earnestness  quite  as  much 
as  through  the  plea  he  presents.  Mr.  Amerman  is  a  thirty-second  degree 
Mason,  belonging  in  that  society  to  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  also  affiliates  with  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks.  His  political  views  are  strongly  Democratic,  that  be- 
ing the  party  he  has  ever  supported.  He  married  Lillian,  daughter  of  William 
Rechel,  of  Rupert,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  daughter,   Margaret. 


I.  RAYMOND  VINCENT,  M.  D. 

Dr.  I.  Raymond  Vincent,  one  of  the  most  successful  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion of  physicians  of  Scranton,  is  a  member  of  a  family  of  Scotch-Irish  origin, 
and  typical  of  the  best  character  of  that  strong  and  dominant  race,  which  has 
contributed  so  large  and  valuable  an  element  to  the  make-up  of  the  composite 
citizenship  of  this  country,  and  impressed  our  people  with  no  little  share  of 
their  own  hardy  virtues  of  indomitable  courage  and  practical  sense.  Of  this 
race  in  the  first  place,  the  X'incents  have  nevertheless  dwelt  for  so  many  genera- 
tions in  America,  in  that  part  comprised  within  the  limits  of  Eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania, that  they  have  become  completely  identified  with  the  life  and  traditions 
of  that  region. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Dr.  Vincent  was  Isaac  Vincent,  a  native, 
himself,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  life-long  resident  of  that  state,  where  he 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming  with  a  high  degree  of  success.  He  was 
a  well  known  figure  in  his  community.  He  married  Phoeba  Watson,  of  what 
is  now  known  as  Watson  Town,  named  after  her  family.  Her  father  and  his 
three  brothers  were,  indeed,  the  original  settlers  in  and  the  founders  of  the 
place.  They  were  pioneers  in  that  region,  making  their  way  at  that  early  date 
through  what  was  virgin  wilderness.  Arriving  at  the  site  of  the  present  Wat- 
son Town,  they  proceeded  to  clear  the  land,  and  built  the  first  rough  dwell- 
ings. Coming  some  years  later  to  the  spot,  Isaac  \'incent  met  and  wed  the 
daughter  of  one  of  these  hardy  pioneers,  Phoeba  W'atson.  To  the  couple 
were  born  five  children,  as  follows:  i.  George,  the  father  of  our  subject. 
2.  Rebecca,  who  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  L.  Lowrie,  of  Winchester,  Illinois, 
deceased ;  they  had  two  children.  Paulina  and  William.  3.  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs. 
Frederick  Van  Fleet,  and  the  mother  of  one  son.  Vincent.  4.  Henry  Clay, 
who  married  Bertie  Opp ;  they  had  four  children :  Hazel,  Fred,  Dudley  and 
Margaret.     5.  Charles,  now  a  resident  of  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

George  Vincent,  father  of  Dr.  Vincent  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Watson 
Town,  where  his  father  had  settled  some  years  previously,  in  the  year  1852, 
and  following  in  the  elder  man's  footsteps  he  engaged  in  farming  all  his  life. 
He  was  very  successful  in  this  and  became  a  man  of  substance  and  a  con- 
spicuous figure  in  Watson  Town  and  the  surrounding  country.  His  death 
occurred  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years.  He  was  married  to  Laura  B. 
McKaen,  a  native  of  Jacksonville,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Samuel 


248  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

McKaen  of  that  place.  To  George  and  Laura  B.  (McKaen)  Vincent  were 
born  five  children,  as  follows:  i.  Dr.  I.  Raymond,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
2.  Elizabeth  Lowry,  now  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  B.  F.  Bieber,  a  clergyman  of 
the  Lutheran  church,  and  the  mother  of  one  daughter,  Laura  Frances.  3. 
Phoeba  Rebecca,  resides  at  the  home  of  her  parents.  4.  Lucy  Bell.  5.  Wil- 
liam Mark. 

Dr.  L  Raymond  Vincent,  the  eldest  child  of  George  and  Laura  B.  (Mc- 
Kaen) Vincent,  was  born  December  25,  1878,  at  Watson  Town,  Northumber- 
land township,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  the  elementary  portion  of  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Watson  Town,  and  graduated  from  the  high 
school  there  in  the  year  1896,  having  prepared  himself  for  college.  Upon 
completing  his  studies  at  these  institutions,  he  matriculated  at  Bucknell  Col- 
lege, Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  therefrom  with  the  class  of 
1900,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  He  then  took  up  the  profession 
of  teaching,  and  for  two  years  after  his  graduation  occupied  the  post  of  in- 
structor in  the  schools  of  Watson  Town  and  the  adjoining  districts.  In  tne 
meantime,  however,  the  purpose  had  been  growing  in  the  young  man's  mind  to 
devote  his  life  and  energies  to  the  profession  of  medicine,  to  which  he  was 
strongly  drawn  by  interest  and  inclination.  Accordingly,  at  the  end  of  the  two 
years  mentioned,  he  returned  to  his  studies,  this  time  matriculating  at  the  Jef- 
ferson Medical  College  in  Philadelphia.  Here  he  set  himself  to  the  task  of 
mastering  the  great  subject  he  had  chosen  as  his  life  work,  with  all  his  char- 
acteristic aptitude  and  zeal,  distinguishing  himself  highly  during  the  three 
years  he  remained  in  the  institution,  and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1905,  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
graduation,  but  instead  of  immediately  beginning  his  active  practice,  he  spent 
six  months  at  Wolmesdorf,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  following  six  months  in 
the  employ  of  the  Great  Lakes  Coal  Company,  at  Taylor,  Pennsylvania.  On 
June  18,  1906,  Dr.  Vincent  came  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  there 
established  himself  in  the  medical  practice  which  has  steadily  developed  since 
that  time.  It  is  beyond  doubt  that  his  choice  of  medicine  as  a  career  was  a 
wise  one  on  the  part  of  Dr.  Vincent.  His  practice  is  demonstrating  his  ability, 
not  only  to  his  own  clientele,  but  to  his  colleagues  throughout  the  region.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Lackawanna  County  Medical  Society,  and  the  State  Medical 
Association.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  328,  F. 
and  A.  M. ;  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret; 
Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  of  the  Temple  Club.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  all  political 
questions,  whether  the  issues  involve  merely  local  or  larger  considerations, 
and  is  an  intelligent  observer  of  local  politics,  albeit  his  duties  preclude  any 
participation  in  them  on  his  part.  His  religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  he  attends  the  Second  Church  of  that  denomination  in 
Scranton.  He  is  active  in  so  far  as  his  professional  duties  permit,  in  the  work 
of  the  church,  and  materially  supports  the  many  benevolences  in  connection 
therewith. 

Dr.  Vincent  married  (first)  Kate  G.  Dunkel,  a  daughter  of  Hiram  Dunkel, 
of  Watson  Town,  where  she  was  born.  This  marriage  took  place  on  Septem- 
ber 26,  1906.  Mrs.  Vincent  died  August  25,  1908.  Dr.  Vincent  married 
(second)  Mrs.  Bessie  F.  Flemming,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  is  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania. 


c^ry 


t'-e-^VtJ^i^-ZT^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  249 

FORREST  FRANK  HENDRICKSON 

There  is  a  certain  satisfaction  that  follows  duty  well  performed,  even  when 
results  are  not  as  hoped  for,  but  to  Mr.  Hendrickson  has  been  granted  the 
higher  satisfaction  of  seeing  his  labors  crowned  with  the  best  of  success.  The 
Eureka  Specialty  Printing  Company,  organized  with  small  capital,  has  grown 
in  importance  and  influence  until  it  is  a  firm  to  be  reckoned  with,  even  in  im- 
portant governmental  printing,  and  consultations  are  not  infrequent  with  high 
government  officials  connected  with  the  bureau  of  engraving  and  printing  at 
Washington.  Forrest  F.  is  a  son  of  John  Hendrickson,  and  a  grand- 
son of  Uriah  Hendrickson,  of  Great  Bend,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  of  Dutch  ancestry. 

John  Hendrickson  was  born  in  Great  Bend,  September  11,  1825,  died  in 
1899.  He  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  early  life,  but  later  engaged  in 
farming,  owning  his  own  abundant  acres.  He  followed  agriculture  for  several 
years,  finally  selling  his  farm  and  returning  to  the  shoe  business.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Ann  Curtis  and  had  issue :  William,  Fred  J.,  Forrest  F.,  Grace. 

Forrest  F.  Hendrickson  was  born  in  Jackson,  Susquehanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  21,  1870.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  finishing  at  Gib- 
son Graded  School,  winning  by  his  excellent  scholarship  the  coveted  honor 
of  valedictorian  of  the  graduating  class.  After  completing  his  studies  he 
taught  for  two  years  and  in  1891  located  in  Scranton.  He  began  business  life 
as  a  bookkeeper  for  the  Elk  Hill  Coal  Company,  remaining  with  that  concern 
for  three  years.  He  then  became  salesman  for  the  Eureka  Cash  Register  and 
Credit  Company,  introducing  their  system  of  cash  and  credit  accounting.  He 
was  with  the  Eureka  four  years,  then  was  in  the  retail  grocery  business  with 
his  brother,  Fred,  for  two  years.  At  the  end  of  his  mercantile  experience  he 
sold  out  to  his  brother  and  returned  to  the  employ  of  the  "Eureka."  That 
company  had  become  sadly  in  the  toils,  but  Mr.  Hendrickson  effected  a  re- 
organization under  the  present  style  and  title.  The  Eureka  Specialty  Printing 
Company,  with  himself  as  president.  The  combined  cash  capital  of  the  owners 
was  but  $5,000,  and  with  this  the  company  started  business  anew,  but  con- 
fining themselves  to  specialty  printing.  The  working  force  in  1903,  at  the 
start,  consisted  of  five  boys,  but  under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  Hendrickson  work 
of  quality  and  attractive  design  was  turned  out  from  the  presses  and  orders 
flowed  in.  From  this  small  start,  advance  has  been  con,stant,  the  end  of  the 
first  decade  in  business,  1913,  finding  one  hundred  and  twenty  people  on  the 
payroll  of  the  company,  and  the  tiny  $5,000  capital  carrying  a  business  of  a 
quarter  of  a  million  dollars  annually,  with  goods  being  shipped  to  every  part 
of  the  United  States.  Pages  of  laudation  could  not  equal  these  facts  in  esti- 
mating Mr.  Hendrickson's  efficiency  as  an  executive  manager.  He  founded, 
built  up,  and  is  the  present  head  of  a  most  prosperous  company.  In  1909  he 
with  others  organized  the  Green  Ridge  Bank,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000.  Of 
this  prosperous  financial  institution  Mr.  Hendrickson  is  president.  He  is  also 
owner  of  the  Green  Ridge  Department  Store,  East  Market  street,  corner  of 
Boulevard  avenue,  which  is  under  the  management  of  his  brother,  Fred  J. 
Hendrickson.  Probably  no  man  in  business  in  Scranton  can  show  such  a 
record  of  achievement  in  a  single  decade  as  herein  recorded. 

Mr.  Hendrickson  is  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  is  a  trustee  of  the  same.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  and  Press  clubs, 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  of  Camp  No.  400,  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 
While  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  public  welfare  of  his  city,  state 
and  country,  he  has  never  entered  into  political  life  save  in  the  exercise  of  his 


250  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

franchise,  his  ballot  usually  being  cast  for  the  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party. 

Mr.  Hendrickson  married,  March  lo,  1892,  Eva  May,  daughter  of  John 
and  Anna  Price.  Children :  Blanche,  Edna,  Mildred,  Marion,  Evelyn,  Forrest, 
died  in  1908,  Ollie,  Kenton,  Robert,  Elinor. 


CAREY  P.  WILLIAMS 

The  men  of  deeds  are  the  men  who  excite  the  admiration  of  the  world,  and 
when  a  man  rises  to  a  position  of  prominence,  whether  it  be  in  the  business 
world  or  in  private  life,  he  merits  and  receives  the  esteem  and  respect  of  all 
by  reason  of  the  sterling  qualities  he  must  undoubtedly  possess.  It  is  of  such 
a  man  that  this  review  treats,  in  the  person  of  Carey  P.  Williams,  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania. 

The  Williams  family  of  Wales  and  England  is  of  great  antiquity.  The  sur- 
name is  derived  from  the  ancient  personal  name  William.  Sir  Robert  Wil- 
liams, ninth  baronet  of  the  House  of  Williams  of  Penrhyn,  was  a  lineal 
descendant  from  Marchudes  of  Cyan,  Lord  of  Abergelen,  in  Denbighshire,  of 
one  of  the  fifteen  tribes  of  North  Wales  that  lived  in  the  time  of  Roderick  the 
Great,  King  of  the  Britons,  about  A.  D..  849.  In  Wales  it  was  formerly  ap 
Williams,  and  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  Morgan  ap  Williams,  of  Glamorgan- 
shire, Gentleman,  married  a  sister  of  Lord  Thomas  Cromwell,  afterwards 
Earl  of  Essex,  who  was  the  ancestor  of  the  noted  Puritan,  Oliver  Cromwell. 
The  ancient  Williams  coat-of-arms  of  the  Welsh  family  is:  Sable  a  lion  ram- 
pant argent  armed  and  langued  gules.  The  crest  is  a  moor  cock.  The  seat  of 
the  family  was  at  Flint,  Wales,  and  in  Lincolnshire.  The  Williams  families 
of  America  descend  from  more  than  a  score  of  different  immigrant  ancestors, 
the  branch  in  question  here  having  landed  in  1636.  The  immigrant  ancestor's 
name  was  Robert. 

(I)  Erastus  Polodore  W'illiams,  great-grandfather  of  Carey  P.  Williams, 
and  lineal  descendant  of  Robert  Williams,  was  one  of  the  earliest  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  in  Vermont,  coming  there  from  Massachusetts.  He  died  in 
Northfield,  Vermont. 

( II )  Silas  Williams,  son  of  Erastus  Polodore  Williams,  was  born  in  Rai'.- 
dolph,  \'ermont.  He  was  a  farmer  there,  and  died  there  at  an  advanced  age. 
He  married  Cornelia  Safiford.  who  died  in  Randolph,  \"ermont,  at  the  age  of 
eighty  years,  and  of  their  four  children  those  now  living  are:  Carlos  D.,  cf 
further  mention ;  Persis  Ann,  married  Frank  A.  Preston. 

(III)  Carlos  D.  Williams,  son  of  Silas  and  Cornelia  (Safiford)  Williams, 
was  born  in  Randolph,  \'ermont,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  His  educa- 
tion was  acquired  partly  in  his  native  town  and  partly  in  Northfield,  where 
he  learned  the  drug  trade,  with  which  he  has  been  successfully  identified  a'l 
the  business  years  of  his  life.  From  Northfield  he  came  to  Burlington,  \'er- 
mont.  where  he  established  himself  in  the  drug  business  and  has  one  of  the 
finest  and  oldest  stores  in  the  city.  He  has  won  a  reputation  for  the  reliability 
with  which  his  business  is  transacted,  a  matter  of  paramount  importance  in  a 
concern  of  this  nature.  He  was  in  active  service  throughout  the  duration  of 
the  Civil  war,  being  first  lieutenant  in  Company  F,  Twelfth  Regiment  Vermont 
Volunteer  Infantry.  His  last  position  during  this  struggle  was  in  the  com- 
missary department.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local  post.  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  has  served  for  some  time  as  commander,  and  is  holding  this  office 
at  the  present  time.  He  al.so  served  on  the  staff  of  the  state  department  com- 
mander, and  has  taken  an  active  part  and  interest  in  all  Grand  .Army  matters. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Loyal  Legion  and  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


251 


Mr.  Williams  married  (second)  Ellen  Thayer,  born  in  Northfield,  Vei- 
mont,  and  their  only  child  is  Carey  P.,  of  further  mention.  Mrs.  Williams 
is  a  daughter  of  James  C.  B.  Thayer,  a  prominent  resident  of  Northfield,  Ver- 
mont, where  he  was  connected  officially  with  several  banks.  She  has  a  sister, 
Alice,  who  married  W.  M.  Rennbough,  and  resides  in  Dales,  Oregon,  and  a 
brother,  H.  B.  Thayer,  vice-president  of  a  corporation  in  New  York  City. 
In  our  New  England  Colonial  history  the  family  name  Thayer  has  been 
known  since  the  first  half  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  is  closely  connected 
with  John  and  Priscilla  (Mullins)  Alden,  of  "Mayflower"  fame.  The  name 
came  to  us  from  England,  from  the  village  of  Thaydon,  in  Essex,  about 
eighteen  miles  north  of  London.  Augustine  Thayer,  of  Thaydon,  through  the 
grace  of  his  sovereign,  was  granted  a  coat-of-arms,  and  received  other  marks 
of  the  royal  favor.  Evidently  he  was  a  person  of  considerable  distinction  and 
exercised  an  influence  in  the  shire  in  which  he  lived.  Both  in  the  mother 
country  and  in  New  England  this  surname  is  found  written  Thear,  Their  and 
Theyer,  as  well  as  Thayer,  the  latter  being  the  generally  accepted  form  of 
spelling  by  virtually  all  of  the  families  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 
The  immigrant  Thaycrs  were  Richard  and  Thomas,  the  former  of  whom  had 
lands  granted  him  in  1635,  and  was  made  freeman  the  same  year,  and  the 
latter  in  1640.  They  are  believed  to  have  come  to  America  as  early  as  1630, 
from  Braintree,  Essex,  England,  and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Braintree,  Massachusetts,  in  New  England. 

(IV)  Carey  P.  Williams,  son  of  Carlos  D.  and  Ellen  (Thayer)  William^:, 
was  born  in  Northfield,  Vermont,  May  11,  1880.  He  received  his  preparatory 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  the  high  schools  of  Burlington,  Vermont, 
after  which  he  matriculated  at  the  University  of  Vermont,  and  was  graduated 
from  that  institution  in  the  class  of  1902.  His  first  business  position  was 
with  the  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works,  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  one 
year:  he  then  devoted  himself  to  the  telephone  business  in  Philadelphia,  then 
remained  one  year  at  Jenkintown  ;  three  years  at  Norristown  ;  one  and  a  half 
years  at  Scranton ;  one  and  a  half  years  at  Reading,  Pennsylvania;  then  re- 
turned to  Scranton,  in  October,  191 1,  and  his  business  interests  have  since 
been  identified  with  that  city.  He  was  made  traffic  supervisor  of  the  Scranton- 
Wilkes-Barre  District,  comprising  a  section  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  miles 
wide  and  two  hundred  miles  long,  and  he  has  developed  this  up  to  the  highest 
possible  standard.  He  has  executive  ability  of  a  high  order,  and  this  com- 
bined with  his  foresight  make  of  him  "the  right  man  in  the  right  place."  Mr. 
Williams  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  Scranton,  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Boy  Scout  Council,  and  has  held  official  position  in 
this  body  since  1909.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Delta  Psi  fraternity ;  the  Loyal 
Legion  of  the  United  States,  a  military  organization ;  the  Rotary  Club  of 
Scranton  Scouts;  master  of  the  Boy  Scouts;  and  organized  the  Reading 
Council.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church.  Mr. 
Williams  married,  in  October,  1908,  Edith  C.  Lynch,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
they  have  children :  Carey  P.  Jr..  Charlotte  T.,  John  Alden. 


FRED    ELIAS    BEERS 


From  Pennsylvania  via  New  Jersey,  Connecticut  and  England,  the  Beers 
genealogy  may  be  traced  to  Holland,  in  Europe.  The  settlement  in  America 
was  made  in  Connecticut  at  an  early  day,  from  thence  two  brothers  settled 
in  Morris  county,  New  Jersey,  from  whence  came  Elias  Tompkins  Beers, 
grandfather  of  Fred  Elias  Beers,  of  Scranton.  locating  in  Honesdale,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  birth-place  of  the  two  succeeding  generations  of  this  branch. 


252  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Elias  Tompkins  Beers,  who  came  from  Morris  county,  New  Jersey,  to 
Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  in  1835,  was  a  son  of  David  Beers,  and  grandson  of 
Nathan  Beers,  one  of  the  two  brothers  above  referred  to.  He  was  a  mason, 
contractor  and  builder  and  for  many  years  conducted  a  large  business  in  and 
around  Honesdale.  Monuments  to  his  mechanical  skill,  sterling  integrity  and 
uncompromising  honesty,  there  exist  in  number,  including  the  Methodist,  Bap- 
tist, Presbyterian  and  Lutheran  churches,  the  public  building  and  finest  private 
residences  of  his  day.  He  married  Harriet  Pruden,  and  left  issue:  Ulysses  F., 
of  whom  further;  Fannie,  died  in  191 1;  Delia,  married  S.  A.  Roper  and  yet 
resides  in  Dandy,  New  York. 

Ulysses  F.  Beers,  only  son  of  Elias  Tompkins  Beers,  was  born  in  Hones- 
dale, Pennsylvania,  October  15,  1842,  where  he  resided  until  1913  when  he 
came  to  reside  with  his  son  in  Scranton.  He  spent  his  active  years  as  a 
builder,  having  been  a  contractor  of  all  forms  of  mason  work,  a  trade  he 
learned  in  all  its  branches  and  followed  until  his  retirement.  He  married 
Amelia  S..  daughter  of  Z.  M.  Pike  Bunnell,  of  Pennsylvania.  Children,  all 
deceased  except  Fred  E. :  Kniven  Kirk,  Harriet  A.,  Roscoe  D.,  Carlton  F., 
Fred  Elias. 

Fred  Elias  Beers  was  born  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  November  20,  1870. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Honesdale,  finishing  at  high  school, 
Wyoming  Business  College  ( 1888-89 )  then  spent  two  years  at  Susquehanna 
Collegiate  Institute  at  Towanda,  Pennsylvania.  At  that  point  in  his  career  he 
decided  upon  the  law  as  his  profession,  entered  the  law  department  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated  LL.  B.,  class  of  1896, 
returning  the  following  year  and  taking  a  post-graduate  course.  He  registered 
as  a  law  student  with  Patterson  &  Wilcox,  of  Scranton,  and  in  1896  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar.  After  his  post-graduate  course  he 
opened  a  law  office  in  the  Connell  Building,  and  was  there  until  1913  when  he 
moved  to  the  Pauli  Building.  He  is  a  well  established,  highly  regarded  at- 
torney of  the  city,  piacticing  in  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district,  in 
association  with  R.  Louis  Grambs,  a  graduate  of  the  law  department  of  Cor- 
nell L'niversity,  forming  the  firm  of  Beers  &  Grambs  at  No.  419  Connell  Build- 
ing. Mr.  Beers  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  County  Bar  associations,  the 
Knights  of  Malta,  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America  and  Green  Ridge  Club, 
and  in  political  action  is  strictly  independent.  For  five  generations  in  direct 
line  the  family  heads  have  been  elders  and  deacons  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  pillars  of  strength  in  their  respective  congregations. 

Mr.  Beers  married,  in  1899,  Mazie  P.,  daughter  of  John  and  Jemima 
(Matthews)  Davis.  Children:  Fred  Sturges.  born  November  9,  1900;  John 
Robert,  November  20,  1901.    The  family  residence  is  at  Dalton,  Pennsylvania. 


SCRANTON  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

It  was  indeed  a  fortunate  coincidence  for  the  city  of  Scranton  that  in  1889, 
when  a  special  committee  of  the  Board  of  Trade  presented  a  report  to  the 
eflfect  "that  they  considered  the  starting  of  a  free  public  library  in  Scranton 
as  feasible,  provided  the  sum  of  at  least  $35,000  could  be  raised  by  subscription, 
and  tliat  the  chance  of  being  able  to  do  so  was  sufficiently  good  to  warrant 
the  effort,"  that  John  Joseph  Albright,  now  of  Buft'alo,  New  York,  came  to  the 
front  and  offered  to  donate  the  site  and  building  as  a  memorial  to  his  parents, 
Joseph  J.  and  Elizabeth  Albright.  Mr.  Albright  determined  that  the  build- 
ing should  be  centrally  located  on  the  Albright  homestead  site,  at  the  inter- 
section of  Washington  avenue  and  Vine  street ;  his  brother  and  sisters  joining 
him  in  the  gift  of  land,  and  the  entire  tender  was  submitted  to  the  city  with  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  253 

following  conditional  clauses :  I.  For  the  establishment  of  a  free  public  library 
for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  citizens  and  residents  of  Scranton.  II.  That  the 
building  be  called  the  Albright  Memorial  Building.  III.  That  the  library  there- 
in placed  be  reasonably  maintained.  IV.  That  the  same  be  managed  and  con- 
trolled by  a  board  of  sixteen  trustees,  to  be  selected  and  appointed  in  manner 
as  specified.  V.  That  the  management  and  control  provided  for  may  be 
changed  at  any  time  to  conform  to  any  general  laws  of  the  commonwealth 
regulating  free  public  libraries,  when  accepted  by  a  majority  of  the  trustees. 

In  due  time  city  councils  made  formal  acceptance  of  Mr.  Albright's  gift, 
by  an  ordinance  passed  and  approved  April  5,  1890,  in  accordance  with  a  deed 
of  gift  which  conveyed  the  property  to  trustees  named  for  the  purpose.  Build- 
ing operations  were  not  begun  for  twelve  months,  the  time  being  occupied  by 
the  preparation  of  plans,  letting  of  contracts,  and  for  study  of  the  entire  situa- 
tion. 

Stimulated  by  Mr.  Albright's  magnificent  gift,  the  "Citizens  Subscription 
Fund"  soon  reached  $25,000;  contributions  of  one  hundred  and  forty-one  per- 
sons, in  sums  ranging  from  $3.00  to  $1,000,  and  one  of  $5,000.  The  success 
of  this  movement,  designed  for  the  purchase  of  books,  was  due  largely  to  the 
constant  and  untiring  solicitations  of  the  Rev.  S.  C.  Logan,  D.  D.,  and  the 
equally  earnest  labors  of  Henry  Belin  Jr.,  treasurer  of  the  committee.  The  first 
stock  of  books  purchased  numbered  about  fourteen  thousand  six  hundred 
volumes,  all  of  which  were  minutely  catalogued  and  placed  in  condition  for 
use ;  so  that,  on  the  completion  of  the  building,  and  its  dedication,  the  latter 
occurring  on  May  25,  1893,  the  library  was  ready  to  be  opened  to  the  public, 
whose  use  of  the  same  began  on  the  first  of  June,  following.  As  soon  as  the 
proposed  library  became  a  certainty,  negotiations  were  begun  by  the  librarv 
board  for  a  librarian,  their  choice  falling  upon  Henry  J.  Carr,  a  most  fortu- 
nate selection,  who  was  engaged  to  undertake  the  organization  of  the  library  ; 
a  work  he  accomplished  with  painstaking  fidelity  and  has  since  continued  as 
librarian. 

By  a  subsequent  will  of  Trustee  William  Tallman  Smith  $1,000  was  be- 
queathed the  library,  which  has  been  invested  to  found  the  "William  Tallman 
Smith  Mining  Section  Fund,"  the  income  from  the  bequest  to  be  used  for  the 
purchase  of  technical  works  on  mines  and  mining.  The  library  depends  solely 
upon  city  appropriations  for  its  support,  which  it  has  received  annually,  since 
its  founding,  in  sums  varying  from  $10,000  to  $15,000  and  upwards.  By  judic- 
ious application  of  those  somewhat  limited  appropriations  the  library  has  been 
able  to  fill  a  long  felt  need  in  the  life  of  the  city ;  and,  as  an  educational  centre, 
has  served  well  the  purpose  of  its  founder  and  is  an  enduring  memorial  to  the 
parents  of  John  Joseph  Albright.  The  success  of  the  library,  too,  has  been  due 
to  the  stability  of  the  board  of  trustees,  several  of  the  original  members  still 
serving. 

The  Albright  Memorial  Building  was  erected  at  a  final  cost  to  its  donor  oF 
$125,000,  and  is  a  substantial  structure  of  pleasing  architecture,  in  Franch 
chateau  style  of  the  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  centuries;  the  exterior  material 
being  gray  Indiana  limestone,  based  on  brown  Medina  stone,  all  laid  in  coursed 
ashlar.  The  main  portion  of  the  building  runs  parallel  with  Vine  street,  and 
is  two  stories  in  height,  with  a  basement,  from  which  a  right  angle  wing  pro- 
jects, slightly  lower,  containing  three  stack  room  floors  and  a  large  room  above 
The  roofs  are  high,  of  steep  pitch,  with  twelve  dormer  gables,  covered  with 
black  Spanish  tiles.  In  the  panels  of  the  dormers,  as  on  other  parts  of  the 
building,  are  elaborately  carved  symbols  of  the  notable  early  bookmakers. 
Iron  window  sash,  English  casement  style,  have  the  glass  leaded  in  various  pat- 
terns, and  the  transoms  contain  leaded  medallions,  showing  the  distinguishing 


254  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

marks  and  devices  used  by  the  early  printers ;  while  large  colored  glass  win- 
dows, in  prominent  portions  of  the  building,  depict  celebrated  book-bindings 
of  past  centuries.  The  entrance  hallway  is  laid  in  marble  mosaic  and  the  in 
terior  finish  is  in  quartered  oak,  including  the  first  story  ceiling.  Plate  glass 
partitions  divide  the  lower  floor  into  rooms,  a  view  of  the  entire  length  being 
possible.  Three  fireplaces  constructed  of  imported  marbles  give  a  striking 
eflfect.  Including  the  stack-rooms,  main  building  and  basement,  there  is  shelv- 
ing space  possible  for  seventy  thousand  volumes.  In  the  near  future  an  ad- 
dition will  be  necessary;  a  prediction  based  upon  the  past  growth  and  the  al 
ready  crowded  conditions  now  existing. 

Henry  James  Carr,  librarian  of  the  Scranton  Public  Library,  son  of 
Colonel  James  Webster  and  Jane  D.  (Goodhue)  Carr,  was  born  in  Pembroke, 
New  Hampshire,  August  i6,  1849.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  grammar 
and  high  schools  of  Manchester,  New  Hampshire,  and  Grand  Rapids,  Michi- 
gan. From  1867  to  1886  he  was  accountant  and  cashier  in  commercial  and 
railway  offices,  later  taking  a  partial  law  course  at  the  University  of  Michigan 
and  gaining  admission  to  the  bar  in  1879,  although  never  engaging  in  the  prac- 
tice of  the  profession.  In  1886  he  became  librarian  of  the  Grand  Rapids  Pub- 
lic Library,  continuing  as  such  until  1890,  when  he  went  to  Saint  Joseph, 
Missouri,  to  organize  a  free  public  library  in  that  city.  In  the  following  year 
he  came  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  assisted  the  board  of  managers 
in  their  plans  for  the  new  institution,  his  experience  being  a  great  help  to 
those  in  authority.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  the  capable  head  of  the  active 
library  work,  the  city  receiving  from  his  competent  management  a  library  of 
exceptional  system.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Library  Association  and 
from  1886  to  1893  was  its  treasurer;  from  1895  to  1896  recorder;  vice-presi- 
dent in  1896;  secretary  from  1898  to  1900;  president  from  1900  to  1901  ;  and 
a  member  of  its  council  to  the  present  time.  In  other  organizations  relative 
to  his  calling  he  has  also  been  prominent  and  is  past  vice-president  and  past 
president  of  the  Pennsylvania  Library  Club;  and  past  president  of  the  Key- 
stone State  Library  Association.  He  is  a  contributor  to  several  technical 
periodicals,  his  articles  being  mainly  on  commercial  accounting  and  library 
topics.  In  his  chosen  calling,  Mr.  Carr  has  achieved  an  enviable  reputation, 
his  prominence  among  others  of  the  same  following  proving  his  worth,  inas- 
much as  the  judgment  of  one's  colleagues  is  the  final  test  of  merit.  Mr.  Carr 
married.  May  13,  1886,  D.  Edith  Wellbridge,  of  Springfield,  Illinois. 


CHARLES  DUDLEY  SANDERSON 

In  the  person  of  Charles  Dudley  Sanderson  the  Scranton  district  is  pos- 
sessed of  a  citizen,  who  besides  holding  a  prominent  position  in  many  circles, 
is  backed  by  the  prestige  of  ancestry  through  "Mayflower"  descent  through 
his  father's  mother,  Mary  (Cook)  Sanderson,  a  member  of  this  family  hav- 
ing had  passage  on  that  famous  vessel. 

(I)  The  pioneer  ancestor  of  the  Sanderson  family  settled  in  Waltham, 
Massachusetts,  in  1636,  marrying.  October  15,  1645,  Mary  Eggleston,  of  Dor- 
chester, and  had  children :  Deacon  Jonathan,  of  whom  further ;  Hester. 

(II)  Deacon  Jonathan  Sanderson,  of  Cambridge,  was  born  September  15, 
1646,  probably  moved  to  Piety  Corner,  Waltham,  about  1689,  died  September 
3,  1735,  and  is  buried  in  the  old  graveyard  at  Waltham.  He  married,  October 
24,  1669,  Abbie  Bartlett,  born  May  28,  1651,  died  September  13,  1723,  and  was 
buried  by  the  side  of  her  husband.  They  were  the  parents  of:  John;  Samue', 
of  whom   further;  Edward,  died  in   1776.  married  Mary  Parkhurst  and  had 


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MonK.Mft  jemrp  Hahcock  amp  Adams. 


ntfuft  ,r   THC   NIfiHT   „,     , 
WstE   ALSe    TAKEN   BACK    WlTn'RECERE. 


Tah/ef  on  the  roac/fo  Concorc/ 
(in  fhe  tpwn  ofUhco/n) 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


255 


two  children ;  Hannah,  married  George  Stearns,  of  Lexington,  and  settled  at 
Waltham. 

(HI)  Samuel  Sanderson,  son  of  Deacon  Jonathan  and  Abbie  (Bartlett) 
Sanderson,  was  born  May  28,  1681,  and  was  killed  by  lightning,  July  8,  1722. 
He  married,  April  13,  1708,  Mercy  Gale,  born  September  16,  1683,  died  May 
8,  1776.  Children:  Samuel,  served  in  the  French  and  Indian  war;  Abraham, 
married  Patience  Smith,  settled  in  Lunenburg  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children;  Jonathan,  of  whom  further;  Mercy;  Moses,  married  (first) 
Mary  Flagg,  (second)   Elizabeth  Goddard. 

(IV)  Jonathan  (2)  Sanderson,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mercy  (Gale)  Sander- 
son, was  born  February  24,  17 14,  died  March  31,  1780.  He  married  (first)  Mar)' 
Stearns,  (second)  Mary  Bemis,  born  March  10,  1722,  died  August  16,  1801, 
their  marriage  having  been  solemnized  February  26,  1744.  He  was  the  father 
of:  Mary;  Esther,  married  Captain  Phineas  Stearns,  being  his  second  wife; 
Samuel,  of  whom  further;  Sarah;  Elijah  David;  Nathan,  married  (first) 
Elizabeth  Bond,  (second)  Mrs.  Mary  Hastings,  and  had  ten  children,  all  by  his 
first  marriage ;  Jacob  Jonathan,  married  Mary  Adams ;  Anna,  married  Isaac 
Pierce. 

(V)  Samuel  (2)  Sanderson,  son  of  Jonathan  (2)  and  Mary  (Bemis) 
Sanderson,  was  born  September  8,  1748,  moved  to  Lancaster  about  1776,  and 
died  in  1800.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was  captured 
on  the  same  evening  and  at  the  same  place  as  Paul  Revere,  as  is  told  in  the 
following  lines : 

TABLET   ON   THE  ROAD   TO   CONCORD. 

(In  the  Town  of  Lincoln) 

AT  THIS  POINT 

On  the  old  Concord  road,  as  it  then  was,  ended  the  midnight  ride  of  Paul  Revere.  He 
had  at  about  two  o'clock  of  the  evening  of  April  19,  1775,  the  night  being  clear  and 
the  moon  in  its  third  quarter,  got  thus  far  on  his  way  from  Lexington  to  Concord,  alarm- 
ing the  inhabitants  as  he  went,  when  he  and  his  companions,  William  Dawes,  of  Boston, 
and  Dr.  Samuel  Prescott,  of  Concord,  were  suddenly  halted  by  a  British  patrol,  who  had 
stationed  themselves  at  this  bend  of  the  road.  Dawes,  turning  back,  made  his  escape. 
Prescott,  clearing  the  stone  wall  and  following  a  path  known  to  him  through  the  low 
ground,  regained  the  highway  at  a  point  further  on,  and  gave  the  alarm  at  Concord. 
Revere  tried  to  reach  the  neighboring  wood,  but  was  intercepted  by  a  party  of  officers 
accompanying  the  patrol,  detained  and  kept  in  arrest.  Presently  he  was  carried  by  the 
patrol  back  to  Lexington,  and  there  released,  and  that  morning  joined  Hancock  and 
Adams.  Three  men  of  Lexington,  Sanderson,  Brown,  and  Loring,  stopped  at  an  earlier 
hour  of  the  night  by  the  same  patrol,  were  also  taken  back  with  Revere. 

Mr.  Sanderson  married  at  Lexington,  Massachusetts,  October  27,  1772, 
Mary  Monroe,  who  died  in  Lexington,  October  15,  1852,  at  the  marvelous  age 
of  one  hundred  and  four  years.  In  the  Hand  Book  of  Lexington  Massa- 
chusetts, published  in  1891,  under  the  direction  of  the  Lexington  Historical 
Society,  Mary  Monroe  Sanderson  is  mentioned  as  follows :  "Near  the  old 
Monroe  Tavern,  a  little  below  and  on  the  same  side  of  the  road,  is  the  old 
Sanderson  House  in  which  a  wounded  soldier  was  left  by  the  British  under  the 
care  of  Mrs.  Sanderson.  She  lived  to  the  remarkable  age  of  one  hundred 
years  and  used  to  tell  that  the  English  soldier  feared  that  she  ineant  to  poison 
him  and  would  not  take  food  or  drink  until  some  member  of  the  family  had 
tasted  it.  In  this  house  was  born  Lewis  Downing,  the  famous  coach  builder." 
Samuel  and  Mary  (Monroe)  Sanderson  had  issue:  Amos;  Mary,  married 
Daniel  Clark;  Samuel,  of  whom  further;  Nancy;  Lydia,  married  Ezra  Fiske, 
of  Weston,  Massachusetts ;  Isaac,  of  East  Cambridge. 


256  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

(VI)  Samuel  (3)  Sanderson,  son  of  Samuel  (2)  and  Mary  (Monroe) 
Sanderson,  was  born  January  17,  1776,  died  July  18,  1829.  He  married 
Eunice,  daughter  of  George  L.  Lawrence,  born  May  3,  1784,  and  had  children: 
Benjamin  Lawrence,  of  whom  further;  Marshall;  Chester,  married  Sarah 
Stickney;  Caroline,  married  Edward  Goodnow ;  Grace;  Elizabeth  Herrick; 
Harriet. 

(VII)  Benjamin  Lawrence  Sanderson,  son  of  Samuel  (3)  and  Eunice 
(Lawrence)  Sanderson,  was  born  in  West  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  and 
was  a  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Massachusetts  Militia,  his  commission  from 
Levi  Lincoln,  governor  of  the  state,  reading  as  follows : 

His  Excellency,  Levi  Lincoln,  Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts  to   Benjamin  L.   Sanderson,   Esq.     Greetings — 

You  have  been  elected  on  the  loth  day  of  July,  1832,  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the  First 
Regiment  of  Cavalry  in  the  First  Brigade  and  Third  Division  of  the  Militia  of  the 
Commonvifealth  ;  reposing  special  trust  and  conlidence  in  your  ability,  courage,  and  good 
conduct,  I  do,  by  these  presents,  Commission  you  accordingly.  You  will  therefore  with 
honor  and  fidelity  discharge  the  duties  of  said  office  according  to  the  laws  of  this  Com- 
monwealth and  to  the  Military  Rule  and  Discipline.  And  all  inferior  Officers  and  sol- 
diers are  hereby  commanded  to  obey  you  in  your  said  capacity,  and  you  will  yourself 
observe  and  follow  such  Orders  and  Instructions  as  you  shall  from  time  to  time  receive 
from  the  Commander  in  Chief,  or  others  your  Superior  officers. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  seal  of  the  Commonwealth  the  14th  day  of  July,  1832, 
and  in  the  57th  year  of  the  Independence  of  the   United  States  of  America. 

By  His  Excellency,  the  Governor, 

Signed,  LEVI    LINCOLN. 

EDWARD   BANGS,   Secretary   of  the   Commonwealth. 

Benjamin  L.  Sanderson  married  j\Iary  C.  Cook  and  had  children:  Theo- 
dore Lyman,  born  in   1824,  married   (first)   Mary  ,   (second)    Lizzie 

Corey;  Emily,  married  William  Kidder;  Clarence  Marcellus,  of  whom  further. 

(VIII)  Clarence  Marcellus  Sanderson,  son  of  Benjamin  L.  and  Alary  C. 
(Cook)  Sanderson,  was  born  at  Charlestown  Neck,  now  Arlington,  Massa- 
chusetts, June  9,  1829,  and  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  attended  the 
comtnon  school  of  West  Cambridge,  at  that  age  moving  to  Vermont.  Upon 
attaining  his  majority  he  engaged  in  business  in  the  copper  mining  regions 
of  Lake  Superior,  in  1865  becoming  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Day,  Huddle 
&  Company,  coal  dealers,  in  Maiden,  Massachusetts,  and  in  1876  became  the 
owner  of  the  Phoenix  Colliery  at  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  organizing  the  Pan- 
coast  Coal  Company,  of  Scranton,  the  property  of  that  company  being  in 
Throop.  This  concern  enjoyed  a  successful  continuance  and  Mr.  Sanderson 
was  connected  therewith  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  He  maintained  his 
residence  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  his  summer  home  being  in  the  beautiful 
village  of  Madison,  New  Jersey.  He  was  well  known  in  social  and  fraternal 
organizations,  belonging  to  the  Essex  Club  of  Newark,  Lodge,  Chapter,  Com- 
mandery  and  Shrine  of  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Knights  of  Honor.  He  married 
(first)  in  1851,  Mary  Orinda,  who  died  in  1864,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  John 
Waite,  of  West  Randolph,  Vermont;  (second)  in  1866,  Mrs.  Eliza  A.  Bellman, 
of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of  first  marriage :  Mary  Emma,  born 
in  1853 ;  Charles  Dudley,  of  whom  further.  By  his  second  marriage  he  ha& 
one  son,  James  Murray,  born  in  1872,  a  graduate  of  Columbia  Law  School, 
class  of  1895. 

(IX)  Charles  Dudley  Sanderson,  son  of  Clarence  Marcellus  and  Mary 
Orinda  (Waite)  Sanderson,  was  born  at  Rockland,  Ontonagon  county,  Michi- 
gan, October  13,  1856.  His  birthplace  was  a  log  cabin,  and  in  1862  he  ac- 
companied his  parents  to  Maiden,  Massachusetts,  and  to  Newark,  New  Jer- 


1 


^;^^^^/ 


~-"-^^~^^\\^'^^»^«^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  257 

sey,  in  1866.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  pubHc  and  private  institutionb 
of  Maiden,  Massachusetts,  and  Newark,  New  Jersey,  in  December,  1874, 
moving  to  Waverly,  New  York,  three  years  later  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  April,  1879,  'i*^  returned  to  Waverly,  learning  the  trade  of  machinist 
in  the  locomotive  works  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company,  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  at  Waverly.  Moving  to  Throop,  Pennsylvania,  on  January  26, 
1882,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pancoast  Coal  Company,  subsequently 
serving  that  corporation  in  a  variety  of  capacities,  among  them  locomotive  en- 
gineer, weighmaster,  bookkeeper  and  paymaster,  being  made  general  superin- 
tendent of  the  company  on  October  i,  1888.  For  fourteen  years  and  two 
months  he  directed  the  multifarious  and  complicated  affairs  of  this  concern, 
resigning  his  position  at  the  end  of  that  time,  the  ownership  of  the  company 
having  changed  hands.  Mr.  Sanderson  took  up  his  residence  in  the  city  of 
Scranton,  April  I,  1901,  entering  into  business  as  a  stock  broker,  his  services, 
because  of  his  well  known  business  record,  being  greatly  in  demand.  He  was 
later  appointed  treasurer  of  a  manufacturing  concern,  and  was  afterward  en- 
gaged as  manufacturer's  agent  in  the  sale  of  machinery  and  supplies,  a 
business  oiifering  practically  inexhaustible  resources  in  such  a  community  as 
Scranton.  While  a  resident  of  Throop,  Mr.  Sanderson  took  an  active  part 
in  all  public  aft'airs  and  gave  abundantly  of  his  time  and  efficient  service  to  his 
city,  the  same  characteristics  having  marked  his  career  as  a  member  of  the 
Scranton  community.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Throop  by  President 
Arthur,  January  5,  1882,  holding  this  office  continuously  for  nineteen  years, 
and  on  February  17,  1885,  was  elected  burgess  of  Dickson  City  borough,  serv- 
ing one  year.  He  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Dickson  City  borough, 
being  elected  in  February,  1887,  serving  as  secretary  for  three  years,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  being  re-elected  and  was  made  president  of  the  board.  When 
the  setting  off  of  Throop  from  the  borough  of  Dickson  City  was  proposed 
he  was  prominent  in  the  agitation  of  this  matter  and  instrumental  in  securing 
incorporation  papers  for  the  new  borough,  which  were  granted  April  16, 
1894.  On  May  i,  1894,  he  was  elected  school  director  of  the  borough  of 
Throop,  holding  the  office  of  secretary  for  one  year,  being  re-elected  the  fol- 
lowing year,  and  for  three  years  was  president,  secretary  and  treasurer,  respec- 
tively. For  seven  years  he  was  treasurer  of  Throop  Hose  Company,  No.  i, 
of  which  he  was  a  founder,  a  fire-fighting  organization  which  has  performed 
meritorious  service  in  the  borough.  Since  April  i,  1898,  Mr.  Sanderson  has 
been  a  vestryman  of  St.  Luke's  Episcopal  Church,  having  been  re-elected  each 
year  since  that  date.  He  is  a  Thirty-second  Degree  Mason,  belonging  to  Peter 
Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  past  master;  Lacka- 
wanna Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M. ;  Scranton  Council,  No.  44,  R.  and  S.  M. ; 
Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret ;  Coeur  de  Lion 
Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T.,  of  which  he  is  a  past  eminent  commander;  and 
Lulu  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  Scranton  Council,  No.  923,  R.  A.;  I.  O.  of  H.,  Providence  Coun- 
cil, No.  195  ;  Scranton  Board  of  Trade ;  and  the  Scranton  Engineers'  Club. 
Mr.  Sanderson  is  numbered  among  the  members  of  the  New  England  So- 
ciety, of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  of  which  he  is  vice-president,  and  the 
Pennsylvania  Society,  Sons  of  the  Revolution. 

Mr.  Sanderson  married,  September  10,  1887,  Gertrude,  daughter  of  Andrew 
Jackson  and  Jemima  Ellen  (Sax)  Griffith,  of  West  Pittston,  Pennsylvania, 
and  has  children :  Charles  Dudley  Jr.,  born  at  Throop,  Pennsylvania,  the  birth- 
place of  his  brother  and  sister,  October  14,  1889;  Lucy  Griffith,  born  May  15, 
1893;  Clarence  Marcellus,  born  November  4,  1894. 
17 


258  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

RUFUS  J.  FOSTER 

Rufus  James  Foster,  son  of  Clement  Storer  and  Rebecca  (McCamant)  Fos- 
ter, and  cousin  of  Thomas  Jefferson  Foster,  founder  of  the  International  Corres- 
pondence Schools,  was  born  in  Minersville,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  lo,  1856.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  and  private  schools  of  Ash- 
land, Pennsylvania,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  secured  a  position  in  the 
mining  engineering  department  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron 
Company,  a  connection  which  continued  greatly  to  his  benefit,  because  of  the 
vast  fund  of  practical  experience  he  was  accumulating,  until  the  fall  of  1887, 
when  upon  resigning  his  position  he  associated  himself  with  his  cousin,  Thomas 
Jefferson  Foster,  in  the  publication  of  the  Colliery  Engineer,  a  technical  min- 
ing paper  then  published  at  Shenandoah,  Pennsylvania,  now  its  seat  of  pub- 
lication being  Scranton,  whither  it  was  moved  in  1888.  With  Mr.  Foster  as 
editor,  a  circulation  campaign  was  inaugurated,  the  highest  authorities  on  min- 
ing subjects  were  obtained  as  contributors,  and  the  general  tone  of  the  jour- 
nal so  raised  that  as  a  conservative  and  reliable  organ  of  mining  information 
it  was  unsurpassed,  in  consequence  of  which  it  is  now  the  most  widely  read 
of  all  periodicals  in  its  special  field.  Upon  the  incorporation  of  the  company 
in  1890,  Mr.  Foster  became  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  and  at  the 
organization  of  that  body  was  elected  president. 

In  1890  he  assisted  Thomas  J.  Foster  in  the  formation  and  organization 
of  the  first  department  of  the  International  Correspondence  Schools,  and 
since  that  year  has  been  continuously  connected  with  the  International  Text- 
book Company,  of  which  he  is  now  vice-president  and  was  formerly  presi- 
dent. This  company  is  one  of  the  largest  publishers  of  technical  works,  and 
prepares  the  textbooks  used  by  the  International  Correspondence  Schools.  Mr. 
Foster's  personal  ability  and  energetic  enthusiasm  has  contributed  largely  to 
the  success  which  has  attended  the  company  since  its  incorporation  and  many 
new  features  are  the  result  of  his  careful  planning. 

Mr.  Foster  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  of  the  Engineers'  Club  of 
Scranton  and  the  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers ;  is  an  associate 
member  of  the  American  Society  of  Mechanical  Engineers,  and  is  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Coal  Mining  Institute  of  America.  In  the  Masonic  Order  he 
is  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Lackawanna 
Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M. ;  Scranton  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters; 
Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T. ;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Scranton  Club, 
the  Scranton  Country  Club,  the  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, of  which  he  was  president  in  1910-11,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Societv, 
Sons  of  the  Revolution.  Politically  he  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  holds  religious  affiliation  with  St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  is  a  vestryman. 

Mr.  Foster  married,  September  9,  1884,  Jane  Bennett  Taylor,  born  Janu- 
ary 9,  1858,  youngest  daughter  of  Joseph  F.  and  Adeline  (Nice)  Taylor,  of 
Minersville.  Joseph  F.  Taylor  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  a 
pioneer  coal  operator  of  the  Schuylkill  region.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster  have  one 
son,  Joseph  T.,  a  graduate  of  Yale  University,  A.  B.,  class  of  1908,  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  brokerage  firm  of  Montgomery,  Clothier  &  Tyler,  of  Phila- 
delphia. I 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  259 

JAMES  W.  GUERNSEY 

For  a  half  of  a  century  a  business  man  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  James  W. 
Guernsey  entered  business  life  only  after  failing  health  had  compelled  the 
abandonment  of  a  plan  of  activity  that  he  had  cherished  through  young  man- 
hood, the  practice  of  law.  He  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  descendant  of  a 
New  England  family  that  was  settled  in  Pennsylvania  by  James  W.  Guernsey's 
grandfather,  Joseph  U.  Guernsey,  coming  from  Connecticut. 

(I)  Joseph  U.  Guernsey  made  his  home  in  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1802,  and  there  become  a  man  of  position  and  prominence.  He  mai- 
ried  and  they  had  children :  John  W.,  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania state  legislature;  Peter  B. ;  Warren;  Levi  B.,  of  whom  further; 
Hiram  C. ;  Anna ;  Sophia,  married  Peter  William  and  had  a  son,  Henry  W., 
for  many  years  a  judge  of  the  superior  court  of  Pennsylvania,  passing  a  great 
part  of  that  time  as  president  judge. 

(H)  Levi  B.  Guernsey,  son  of  Joseph  U.  Guernsey,  was  born  in  Canaan, 
Connecticut,  in  1798.  He  married  Hannah  P.  Carrier  and  they  had  children: 
George  M.,  married  Martha  Roche  and  they  had  children,  Maud  and  Fannie; 
Peter  C,  married  Martha  Allen  and  they  had  children ;  James  W.,  of  whom 
further;  J.  Frank;  Ophelia  C,  died  young;  Abbie  M.,  married  George  M. 
Sweet,  a  soldier  of  the  Union  army,  who  met  his  death  at  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg; Sophia  W.,  married  William  Clark;  Almira  C,  married  Alonzo  M. 
Stearns ;  Marie  M.,  married  J.  K.  Brady,  of  Scranton ;  Alice,  married  Frank 
Lamberson. 

(HI)  James  W.  Guernsey,  son  of  Levi  B.  and  Hannah  P.  (Carrier; 
Guernsey,  was  born  at  Bridgewater,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 31,  1846.  He  there  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age.  After  graduating  from  Montrose  Academy,  he  was  for  one  year 
a  school  teacher,  then  went  to  Michigan  and  for  three  years  taught  in  the 
State  Reform  School  at  Lansing.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  began  the  studv 
of  law  under  the  direction  of  Professor  Angell,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  law- 
yers and  most  able  jurists  of  his  day,  but  ill  health  made  it  necessary  to  re- 
linquish his  legal  ambitions.  After  discontinuing  his  studies  for  the  pro- 
fession of  law  Mr.  Guernsey  moved  to  Scranton,  there  establishing  himself 
in  the  sale  of  musical  instruments,  a  line  he  had  since  followed.  His  stock  in- 
cludes instruments  of  all  kinds,  wind  and  string,  all  of  a  high  and  reliable 
grade,  and  through  his  long  continuance  in  this  business  he  has  come  to  own  a 
steady  patronage,  held  to  his  store  because  of  the  uniformly  courteous  and 
attentive  treatment  there  received  and  because  there  value  is  given  in  every 
transaction.  He  has  prospered  in  gratifying  measure,  his  business  being  not 
only  the  oldest  of  its  kind  in  the  city,  but  one  which  compares  more  than  favor- 
ably with  others  of  a  §imilar  nature.  Mr.  Guernsey  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Order,  with  which  he  became  identified  in  Lansing,  Michigan,  and  be- 
longs to  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton.  His  political  stand 
is  independent. 

Mr.  Guernsey  married  Mary  C.  Ives,  a  teacher  of  the  Scranton  public 
schools,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Jessie,  married 
N.  B.  Spencer,  of  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  mother  of  James  and 
Ruth ;  May,  married  A.  C.  Curtis ;  Edwin ;  Bertha,  married  John  Roderick, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  Lois  and  Mary ;  Clara,  unmarried,  acting  book- 
keeper and  active  in  the  business  with  her  father. 


26o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

REV.   WILLIAM    P.   O'DONNELL 

Father  O'Donnell  has  been  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  a  priest  of  the 
Roman  CathoHc  church  in  the  Scranton  district,  in  that  time  .identified  with 
two  churches.  His  administration  has  been  in  every  way  a  success,  and  the 
expansion  that  has  taken  place  under  his  leadership  has  been  of  far-reaching 
influence,  its  outward  evidence,  the  erection  of  a  new  and  costly  house  of 
worship,  being  one  of  its  least  important  effects. 

Rev.  William  P.  O'Donnell  is  a  son  of  Patrick  and  Ann  (McNelis)  O'Don- 
nell. His  father  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  here  he  passed  his  entire  life, 
a  butcher  and  dealer  in  cattle.  William  P.  O'Donnell  was  born  in  Donegai, 
Ireland,  October  lo,  1855,  and  there  obtained  his  early  education,  his  native 
land  being  his  home  for  the  first  thirteen  years  of  his  life.  Coming  to  the 
United  States  at  that  age  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
later  taught  in  Sugar  Notch,  afterward  entering  Kingston  Academy,  whence 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1878.  He  then  became  a  student  in  St. 
Charles  College,  receiving  a  diploma  of  graduation  from  this  institution  in 
1880,  and  then  took  up  the  study  of  theology  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Seminary, 
at  Baltimore,  Maryland.  After  completing  his  course  he  was  ordained  into  the 
ministry  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  at  Scranton,  July  25,  1889,  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  O'Hara  officiating  at  the  ceremony.  On  November  19,  following 
his  ordination,  he  was  appointed  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Father  McManus,  pas- 
tor of  the  Providence  church,  and  was  there  in  service  until  May  i,  1897, 
when  he  was  appointed  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Holy  Cross  Church,  of  Scran- 
ton, by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  O'Hara,  the  dignitary  who  performed  the  rites 
that  made  him  a  priest  of  the  Church. 

Since  this  date  Rev.  Father  O'Donnell  has  been  in  charge  of  the  Holy 
Cross  congregation,  first  building  for  their  use  a  temporary  church  at  the 
corner  of  Fifth  avenue  and  Broadway,  the  structure  being  dedicated  on  July 
4,  1897.  The  congregation  has  now  in  the  course  of  erection  a  church  edifice 
that,  when  completed,  will  have  cost  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  and  will  be 
a  worthy  temple  for  a  congregation  of  the  strength  of  that  of  the  Holy  Cross 
Church.  Rev.  Father  O'Donnell  has  here  perfected  a  church  organization 
efficient  and  useful,  his  leadership  able  and  inspired.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Holy  Name  Society  and  the  Catholic  Alutual  Benefit  Society.  His  political 
convictions  are  according  to  the  teachings  of  no  political  organization. 


DAVID  J.  REEDY 


David  J.  R«edy  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  8,  1871, 
son  of  John  and  Hannah  (O'Malley)  Reedy,  who  passed  the  greater  part 
of  their  lives  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  where  John  Reedy  was  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business,  in  which  he  was  highly  successful.  They  were  the  parents 
of  five  children:  Walter  M.,  a  practicing  physician  of  Scranton;  David  J.,  of 
this  review;  Mary  E.,  John  J.,  William  A. 

David  J.  Reedy  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  then  pursued 
a  course  of  study  in  the  parochial  schools,  after  which  he  matriculated  in  St. 
Michael's  College,  Toronto,  Canada,  and  subsequently  became  a  student  in  the 
law  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  October  i,  1892,  and  he  established  in  general  practice  in  Scranton,  for  a 
time  serving  as  solicitor  of  the  local  school  board,  and  on  September  i,  1907, 
receiving  an  appointment  as  first  assistant  district  attorney.  Becoming  thor- 
oughly familiar  with  the  duties  and  requirements  of  the  office  by  his  in- 
cumbency of  that  position,  upon  his  appointment  as  district  attorney,  January 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  261 

2,  1912,  he  entered  vigorously  upon  his  administration,  serving  with  useful- 
ness until  January  5,  1914,  when  his  term  expired.  During  that  period  and 
all  through  his  professional  career  his  conduct  has  been  marked  by  a  strict 
sense  of  honor,  from  which  neither  desire  nor  temptation  has  induced  him  to 
swerve.  The  Democratic  party  is  that  which  has  ever  claimed  his  allegiance, 
and  he  is  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  Among  the  or- 
ganizations in  which  he  holds  membership  are  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Improved  Order  of 
Red  Men  and  the  Scranton  Country  Club. 

Mr.  Reedy  married,  October  23,   1901,  Agnes  Crossen,  deceased,  and  has 
one  daughter,  Margaret. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON   SLOCUM 

The  first  Slocum  of  record  in  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  Valleys  cf 
Pennsylvania  is  Joseph  Slocum,  the  great-great-great-grandfather  of  George 
Washington  Slocum,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Joseph  Slocum  was  a  great- 
great-grandson  of  Anthony  Slocum,  the  founder  of  the  family  in  America,  a 
family  of  honorable  record  from  early  colonial  times.  While  the  name  is 
found  under  varied  spellings,  the  form  "Slocum"  has  been  quite  uniformly  ad- 
hered to  since  1700,  by  the  descendents  of  Giles  Slocum,  eldest  son  of  Anthony, 
who  is  the  common  ancestor  of  all  Slocums  in  America  claiming  colonial 
ancestry  dating  prior  to  the  year  1700.  Anthony  Slocum  was  of  English 
birth,  Somersetshire  believed  to  have  been  the  family  seat,  and  1637  the  year 
of  the  arrival  in  New  England.  The  coat-of-arms  of  "Slocombe"  of  Somer- 
setshire is  thus  described.  "Argent  on  a  fess  gules  between  three  griffins'  heads 
couped  sable,  as  many  sinister  wings  or."  Crest :  "Griffin's  head  gules  be- 
tween two  wings  extended  or." 

(I)  Anthony  Slocum,  the  emigrant,  is  recorded  as  one  of  the  forty-six 
"first  and  ancient  purchasers"  in  1637  of  the  territory  of  Cohannet,  which  was 
incorporated  as  Taunton  in  New  Plymouth,  now  Massachusetts,  March  3, 
1639.  In  1662  he  moved  to  that  part  of  New  Plymouth,  which  in  1664  was 
incorporated  as  Dartmouth  township.  He  is  believed  to  have  become  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  which  was  the  cause  of  his  removal  to  Dart- 
mouth and  his  exclusion  from  the  rights  of  citizenship.  His  wife  is  believed 
to  have  been  a  sister  of  William  Harvey,  who  was  also  one  of  the  "first  pur- 
chasers" of  Taunton. 

(II)  Giles  Slocum,  eldest  son  of  Anthony  Slocum,  was  born  in  1618  In 
Somersetshire,  England,  died  in  Portsmouth  township,  Rhode  Island,  1682. 
He  was  a  land  owner,  prosperous  and  energetic,  and  a  member  of  the  Society 
of  Friends.  His  wife,  Joan  (Barton)  Slocum,  "the  wife  of  old  Giles  Slocum 
she  Dyed  at  Portsmouth  the  3idt  6  mo  1679,"  according  to  Friends'  record  of 
Portsmouth,  was  the  mother  of  nine  sons  and  daughters. 

(III)  Samuel  Slocum,  the  seventh  child  of  Giles  and  Joan  (Barton)  Slo- 
cum, was  born  November  4,  1657.  He  resided  in  or  near  Newport,  Rhoae 
Island,  where  he  married  and  had  a  son  Giles  (2). 

(IV)  Giles  (2)  Slocum,  son  of  Samuel  Slocum,  was  born  in  Newport, 
Rhode  Island,  1680,  was  there  admitted  a  freeman  in  May,  1707,  and  died 
prior  to  1724.  He  married,  at  Newport,  November  27,  1707,  Alary,  daughter 
of  Ralph  and  Dorothy  Paine,  of  Freetown. 

(V)  Hon.  Joseph  Slocum,  eldest  son  of  Giles  (2)  and  Mary  (Paine) 
Slocum,  was  born  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  was  married  there  to  Patience 
Carr,  September  27,  1724,  and  moved  to  East  Greenwich  township,  Rhode 
Island.     He  was  admitted  a  freeman  there  in  1732  and  became  a  farmer  and 


262  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

land  dealer.  He  was  deputy  to  the  general  assembly  of  Rhode  Island,  1741- 
1742  and  1744.  There  is  little  known  of  his  later  life,  but  in  Miner's  "History  of 
the  Wyoming  Valley"  (Pennsylvania)  he  is  named  as  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Kingston,  about  1768.     His  first  wife.  Patience,  was  a  daughter  of  Caleb 

Carr,  of  Jamestown.     He  married   (second)   in  1743,  Hannah  ,  who 

bore  him  a  daughter.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  six  children,  all  daughters,  ex- 
cept the  fourth  child,  Jonathan. 

(VI)  Jonathan  Slocum,  son  of  Hon.  Joseph  and  Patience  (Carr)  Slocum, 
was  born  in  East  Greenwich  township,  Kent  county,  Rhode  Island,  May  i, 
1733,  was  killed  by  the  Indians  on  the  town  plot  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, December  6,  1778.  He  married,  February  23,  1757,  Ruth  Tripp,  born 
March  21,  1736,  died  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  May  6,  1807,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  Tripp,  of  Warwick.  After  his  marriage  they  lived  in  Warwick. 
where  he  purchased  land  of  his  father-in-law  and  followed  his  trade  of  black- 
smith. His  father,  Joseph  Slocum,  and  Isaac  Tripp,  his  father-in-law,  went 
to  the  Wyoming  Valley  of  Pennsylvania  about  1768.  Jonathan  Slocum,  leav- 
ing his  family  behind,  followed  them  and  bought  land  now  within  or  very 
near  the  present  city  of  Scranton.  Afterward  he  returned  to  Rhode  Island, 
coming  again  to  the  Wyoming  Valley  in  the  year  1774,  settling  with  his 
family  in  a  house  within  one  hundred  yards  of  Wilkes-Barre  Fort.  On  No- 
vember 2,  1778,  a  party  of  Delaware  Indians  invaded  the  settlement  and  car- 
ried away  his  five  year  old  daughter,  Frances.  In  1835  she  was  found  living 
in  Miami  county,  Indiana,  widow  of  an  ^ndian  Chief,  possessed  of  consider- 
able property  and  a  person  of  influence  among  the  Indians.  She  died  March 
9,  1847.  On  December  16,  1778,  Jonathan  Slocum  and  his  father-in-law, 
Isaac  Tripp,  were  killed  by  the  Indians  and  Tories,  and  William  Slocum,  son 
of  Jonathan  Slocum,  wounded,  although  he  escaped.  Jonathan  Slocum  was  a 
member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  kindly  disposed  toward  the  Indian', 
from  whom  he  considered  himself  free  from  attack,  being  a  non-combatant. 
His  eldest  son,  Giles,  was  one  of  the  few  who  escaped  massacre  after  the 
battle  of  Wyoming;  Judith,  his  eldest  daughter,  married  Hugh  Forsman,  who 
fought  in  the  same  battle  and  was  one  of  the  fifteen  of  Captain  Hewett's  com- 
pany that  escaped  slaughter  and  the  only  one  to  bring  off  his  gun ;  William, 
the  second  son,  was  wounded  as  stated,  later  became  sheriff  of  Luzerne  county, 
jnd  one  of  the  prominent  and  influential  members  of  his  company ;  Ebenezer, 
of  further  mention ;  Mary,  the  second  daughter,  married  Joseph  Towne ; 
Frances,  "the  Indian  Captive,"  was  called  by  the  Indians  Ma-con-a-quah, 
meaning  "young  bear,"  she  married  (first)  an  Indian  "Little  Turtle,"  (second) 
ihe  chief  of  the  Miamis  named  She-poe-kew-ah,  but  called  by  the  whites  "The 
Deaf  Man;"  she  was  later  in  life  reunited  with  her  family,  but  never  returned 
,0  them;  she  had  forgotten  her  own  tongue;  she  was  well  cared  for  and  lived 
in  comfort  with  her  Indian  friends  until  her  death ;  a  portrait  of  Frances 
Slocum  appears  in  Lossing's  "Field  Book  of  the  Revolution"  and  in  Peck's 
'History  of  Wyoming,"  engraved  from  an  oil  painting,  painted  for  her  brother, 
Joseph,  in  1839;  Benjamin,  the  fourth  son,  was  the  first  postmaster  in  the 
Lackawanna  Valley  and  in  1826  occupied  his  farm,  now  the  site  of  the  present 
tillage  of  Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania ;  Isaac,  Joseph  and  Jonathan,  the  eighth, 
ninth  and  tenth  children,  all  married  and  reared  families. 

(VII)  Ebenezer  Slocum,  third  son  and  fourth  child  of  Jonathan  and  Ruth 
(Tripp)  Slocum,  was  born  in  Warwick  township,  Kent  county,  Rhode  Island, 
January  10,  1766.  He  came  to'  Pennsylvania  when  eight  years  of  age,  and  died 
from  apoplexy  on  the  street  while  on  a  visit  to  Wilkes-Barre.  Pennsylvania, 
July  25,  1832.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Providence,  (now 
Scranton)  and  in  1798  purchased  an  interest  in  a  grist  mill  at  Deep  Hollow, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  263 

which  he  named  L"nionville,  carrying  that  name  on  his  books  until  1828,  when 
he  adopted  the  local  name  for  the  place  "Slociim  Hollow."  He  there  built  a 
distillery  in  1798  and  a  saw  mill  in  1799.  In  the  latter  year  his  brother 
Benjamin  purchased  the  interest  of  James  Duwain.  The  brothers  in  1800 
built  an  iron  forge  and  in  181 1  another  distillery.  The  isolated  settlement 
became  an  important  trading  point  and  so  continued  until  the  iron  ore  was  ex- 
hausted in  1822  and  the  partnership  between  the  brothers  dissolved.  Ebenezet 
Slocum  built  the  first  frame  house  at  the  "Hollow"  in  1805  and  it  was  a  land- 
mark known  as  the  "Old  Slocum  red  house,"  the  oldest  house  in  Scranton. 
The  first  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Scranton  was  organized  in  this  house  and 
for  a  time  meetings  were  held  in  a  room  over  the  kitchen.  In  1875  the  old 
house  was  torn  down  to  give  further  room  for  the  extensive  street  works. 
In  1821  Ebenezer  Slocum  was  justice  of  the  peace,  the  district  then  including 
the  present  Pittston,  Providence  and  Exeter  townships.  He  was  a  good  thrifty 
man  of  business  and  acquired  1800  acres  now  included  within  the  limits  of 
Scranton  and  all  underlaid  with  coal.  He  gave  the  first  period  of  business 
prosperity  to  Scranton  (as  it  is  now)  and  when  the  brothers  ceased  operations 
progress  was  checked  in  the  "Hollow"  for  several  years. 

Ebenezer  Slocum  married,  in  Warwick,  Rhode  Island,  December  3,  1790, 
Sarah  Davis,  born  August  31,  1771,  died  November  i,  1842,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Joseph  and  Obedience  (Sperry)  Davis.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen 
children,  nine  of  them  sons.  All  of  these  married  except  Charles  Miner  and 
Mary. 

(VIH)  Joseph  (2)  Slocum,  fifth  child  and  fourth  son  of  Ebenezer  and 
Sarah  (Davis)  Slocum,  was  born  at  the  home  of  his  grandfather.  Dr.  Davis, 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  July  15,  1800,  died  in  Scranton,  June  22,  1890. 
During  his  minority  he  was  employed  in  the  different  lines  of  activity  with 
his  father  and  became  an  expert  worker  in  metal,  being  able  to  forge  anything 
from  a  horse  shoe  to  the  complicated  parts  of  machines.  He  also  made  all 
the  boots  and  shoes  for  the  family,  was  a  good  horseshoer  and  for  a  time 
ran  the  saw  mill.  He  worked  on  the  Delaware  and  Hud.son  Canal  for  a  few 
months  and  for  eighteen  months  for  Rodolphus  Bingham.  He  then,  in 
association  with  his  brother,  Samuel,  managed  his  father's  estate  and  was  so 
employed  until  the  latter's  death  in  1832.  The  estate  of  1800  acres  was  di- 
vided by  the  administrator  into  four  parcels,  Joseph  and  Samuel  obtaining 
lot  No.  4,  containing  505  acres.  He  bought  from  his  brothers  and  sisters  until 
he  owned  626  acres,  located  in  the  heart  of  Scranton,  and  on  account  of  the 
coal  underneath  it  of  great  value.  He  was  a  man  of  remarkable  endurance, 
and  was  the  victim  of  more  serious  accidents  than  is  believable,  yet  lived 
to  a  good  old  age  although  crippled  by  the  many  broken  ribs  and  bones  he 
carried.  The  sale  of  his  lands  realized  him  a  handsome  fortune,  and  no  man 
was  more  highly  respected  in  the  city  than  "Uncle"  Joseph  Slocum.  He  never 
used  tobacco  or  ardent  spirits.  He  was  a  Whig  and  Republican,  was  the  first 
burgess  of  Scranton  borough,  and  held  many  local  offices.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  poor  directors  and  while  he  was  in  office  no  taxes  were  levied  on  the  poor. 

Mr.  Slocum  married,  December  22,  1830,  Edilda  Bingham,  daughter  of 
Rodolphus  and  Sally  ( Kimball )  Bingham,  of  Palmyra,  Pike  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, becoming  acquainted  with  her  while  working  for  her  father.  For 
two  years  after  marriage  they  each  lived  with  their  parents,  beginning  house- 
keeping in  a  new  frame  house  near  the  old  stone  still  house.  Later  they 
moved  to  the  "Old  red  Slocum  house."  She  was  born  December  24,  1805, 
and  on  December  22,  1880,  the  aged  couple  celebrated  their  golden  wedding. 
Children:  Joseph  W^arren,  of  whom  further:  Rodolphus  Bingham,  born  May 
4,  1845,  married,  in  May,  1874,  Anna  Lloyd,  and  moved  to  Jonesville,  Wis- 
consin. 


264  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

(IX)  Joseph  Warren  Slocum,  eldest  son  of  Joseph  (2)  and  Edilda  (Bing- 
ham) Slocum,  was  born  July  23,  1833,  in  Scranton,  died  August  31,  191 3. 
He  was  one  of  the  seven  children  who  comprised  the  first  school  in  Slocum 
Hollow.  He  was  a  lumber  dealer  in  Scranton,  and  for  twenty  years  was 
deputy  United  States  marshal.  He  married,  in  Salem,  Wayne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, February  21,  1856,  Hannah  M.  Collins.  Children:  Florence  Weston. 
born  April  3,  1858;  Frank  Huntington,  born  June  20,  1861,  married  Carrie 
Faust;  Kate,  born  July  22,  1865,  married  F.  A.  Taylor,  income  assessor  in 
Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  and  they  have  three  children,  Helen,  Philip  and  Al- 
len, and  reside  in  Janesville,  Wisconsin :  Joseph,  born  November  22,  1867, 
married  Eunice  Kimble;  Ida,  born  May  7.  1870,  died  in  infancy;  Bessie,  born 
October  16,  1871,  died  October  8,  1877;  George  W. 

(X)  George  W.  Slocum,  youngest  child  of  Joseph  Warren  and  Hannah 
M.  (Collins)  Slocum,  was  born  in  Scranton,  May  25,  1876.  He  was  in  busi- 
ness in  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  in  the  sale  of  coal  and  wood,  farming  imple- 
ments, etc.  He  returned  to  Scranton,  in  1904,  and  was  associated  with  his 
father  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  married,  August  14,  1902,  Clara, 
daughter  of  Herman  Kellogg.  Children:  Jay  Warren,  born  July  i,  1905; 
George  K.,  November  16,  1907;  Louis  C,  August  12,  1913. 


LOUIS  WATRES  HEALY 

The  business  activities  of  Louis  Watres  Healy,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
have  at  this  time  assumed  a  more  general  turn  than  earlier  in  his  career, 
when  his  profession,  that  of  electrical  engineer,  claimed  all  of  his  time  and  at- 
tention. The  Westinghouse  Electrical  and  Manufacturing  Company  and  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  were  the  companies  with  which  his  early 
experience  as  an  electrical  engineer  was  obtained,  while  the  greatest  work  he 
accomplished  along  electrical  lines  was  as  president  and  general  manager  of 
the  LTnited  Power  Company,  of  East  Liverpool,  Ohio.  Business  interests  in 
Scranton  know  him  now  as  secretary  of  the  Wayne  Development  Company, 
secretary  of  the  Scranton  Cold  Storage  Company,  as  president  of  the  Shoshone 
Tungsten  Mining  Company,  of  Nevada,  vice-president  of  the  Spring  Brook 
Water  Supply  Company,  while  he  is  associated  in  an  advisory  capacity  with  a 
number  of  the  city's  institutions. 

Mr.  Healy  is  a  son  of  Samuel  Healy,  the  latter  born  in  1836.  Samuel 
Healy  was  educated  for  the  profession  of  a  civil  engineer,  and  followed  that 
calling  for  several  years.  He  became  a  soldier  in  the  Fifty-sixth  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  when  war  was  declared  between  the  states,  and 
served  through  that  struggle  as  adjutant  with  the  rank  of  captain.  He  was 
engaged  in  many  of  the  most  important  conflicts  of  the  war,  and  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  receiving  an  honorable  discharge  from  duty  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  The  strain  and  exposure  of  life  at  the  front  had  so  lowered 
his  vitality  and  strength  that  his  death  occurred  a  short  time  after  the  cessation 
of  hostilities.  He  married  Florence  Eugenia,  daughter  of  Louis  S.  Watres, 
and  they  had  one  son,  Louis  Watres,  of  whom  further. 

Louis  Watres  Healy,  son  of  Samuel  and  Florence  Eugenia  ( Watres "1 
Healy,  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  December  4,  1866.  His  pre- 
liminary education  was  obtained  in  the  public  institutions  of  Scranton  and  un- 
der private  instruction,  and  in  1886  he  entered  Cornell  LIniversity,  receiving 
his  degree  of  electrical  engineer  from  that  institution  in  1890.  He  first  entered 
the  service  of  the  Wightman  Electric  Company,  of  Scranton,  one  year  later 
going  with  the  Westmghouse  Electric  and  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Pitts- 
burgh, with  which  corporation  he  remained   for  three  years.     While  still  as- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  265 

sociated  with  the  Westinghouse  Company,  Mr.  Healy  received  an  appoint- 
ment to  the  electrical  department  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  being  lo- 
cated at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  corporation  his  employer  for  a 
period  of  three  years. 

With  his  appointment  to  the  presidency  of  the  East  Liverpool  Railroad 
Company,  Mr.  Healy  transferred  the  scene  of  his  activities  from  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Ohio.  Not  long  afterward  he  became  president  and  general  manager 
of  the  Ceramic  City  Electric  Light  Company,  and  then  president  and  general 
manager  of  the  Wellsville  Electric  Light  Company,  three  important  concerns 
controlling  public  utilities,  there  being  associated  with  Mr.  Healy  in  these  com- 
panies Colonel  Watres  and  William  F.  Hallstead.  Through  the  activity  of 
Mr.  Healy,  these  three  companies  were  consolidated  under  the  title  of  the 
United  Power  Company,  of  which  he  was  president  and  general  manager  until 
the  Liverpool  properties  were  disposed  of.  While  holding  these  high  positions 
in  the  United  Power  Company,  Mr.  Healy  was  likewise  president  and  general 
manager  of  the  Island  Run  Coal  Company,  having  acquired  valuable  coal 
lands  to  which  the  railroad  extended  its  line  for  operation.  His  administra- 
tion of  his  various  offices  was  in  every  way  a  success,  and  in  the  merging  of 
the  individual  companies  into  one  controlling  interest  he  put  into  practice  or- 
ganizing powers  and  abilities  that  made  his  work  perfect  and  complete. 

Mr.  Healy's  return  to  Scranton  was  for  the  purpose  of  undertaking  the 
utilization  of  the  Paupack  river  water  power  for  the  generation  of  electricity 
to  supply  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  valleys  and  since  that  time  he  ha'^ 
remained  in  the  city.  He  is  now  secretary  of  the  Wayne  Development  Com- 
pany, holding  the  same  office  in  the  Scranton  Cold  Storage  Company,  and  is 
vice-president  of  the  Spring  Brook  Water  Supply  Company.  He  is,  as  pre- 
viously stated,  president  of  the  Shoshone  Tungsten  Mining  Company,  owning 
properties  in  Nevada.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  and  the  Theta 
Nu  Epsilon  fraternities,  to  which  he  was  elected  while  a  student  at  Cornell 
University. 

Mr.  Healy  married,  in  1896,  Louise  Bright  Rowe,  of  Atlanta,  Georgia, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  Joel  Watres,  born  May  20,  1900;  Louis  Hollister, 
born  March  16,  1904. 


FRANK  RAYMOND  STOCKER 

Paternal  grandfather,  Albert  Stocker,  came  to  Salem  township,  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1840  from  Fairfield  county,  Connecticut,  where  the 
family  had  lived  since  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  having  emigrated 
from  England.  Paternal  grandmother,  Lydia  Rebecca  ( Peet )  Stocker,  whose 
earliest  American  ancestor,  John  Peet,  came  from  Duffield  Parish,  Derbyshire, 
England,  to  New  England,  on  the  ship  "Hopewell"  in  1635  and  became  one 
of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Stratford,  Connecticut.  Maternal  grandfather,  Al- 
bert R.  Raymond,  was  a  Presbyterian  minister,  educated  at  L^nion  College,  and 
at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary.  He  preached  for  upwards  of  forty  years 
in  the  villages  of  Hamlinton  and  Sterling,  Wayne  county.  The  Raymond 
family  were  French  Huguenots  and  emigrated  to  England  at  the  time  of  the 
persecution  of  Nantes  and  from  England  emigrated  to  the  Genesee  Valley, 
New  York  State.  Maternal  grandmother,  Mary  (Wright)  Raymond,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Wright  family  of  Massachusetts. 

(II)  James  D.  Stocker,  son  of  Albert  and  Lydia  Rebecca  (Peet)  Stocker, 
was  born  in  Salem  township,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  9,  1850. 
He  received  a  good  education  and  spent  his  early  life  in  Wayne  county,  going 
to  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania,  in   1872,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 


266  CITY  OF  SCR.\NTON 

ness,  at  first  for  himself  and  later  in  partnership  with  S.  W.  Cook,  until 
1898.  He  is  interested  in  various  enterprises,  among  others  the  Wilson  Lum- 
ber &  Milling  Company,  the  Huntingdon  Water  Supply  Company,  the  Arm- 
strong Water  Company,  the  National  Water  Works  &  Guarantee  Company, 
the  Consumers  Water  Company  of  Montrose,  in  all  of  which  institutions  he  is 
an  officer. 

(HI)  Frank  Raymond  Stocker,  son  of  James  D.  and  Frances  (Raymond) 
Stocker,  was  born  in  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania,  July  24,  1876.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  in  Jermyn,  and  prepared  for  college  in  the  School  of  the  Lacka- 
wanna at  Scranton,  graduating  from  the  latter  institution  in  the  class  of  1894. 
He  then  entered  Yale  Liniversity,  whence  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts  in  the  class  of  1898.  At  college,  he  stood  eleventh  in  his 
class  and  took  special  honors  in  Economics  and  History.  At  graduation,  on 
account  of  the  illness  of  his  father,  he  assisted  in  his  business  for  a  year  ani 
a  half,  and  then  entered  upon  the  study  of  law  in  the  offices  of  Willard, 
Warren  &  Knapp,  and  on  January  29,  1901,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Lackawanna  county  and  later  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  as  well 
as  the  Federal  courts  of  the  districts,  in  which  he  practices.  For  several  years 
he  had  charge  of  the  legal  and  claim  departments  of  the  Pennsylvania  Casualty 
Company,  a  position  he  resigned  in  the  spring  of  1909.  Since  April  i,  1909, 
he  has  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  law,  with  offices  at  603-04  Mears 
building,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  In  1912  and  1913  he  was  assistant  dis- 
trict attorney  of  Lackawanna  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat  and 
served  one  term  as  chairman  of  the  Lackawanna  County  Democratic  Commit- 
tee. 

On  October  17.  1901,  he  married  Marion  Fraser  Crane,  daughter  of  Israel 
and  Mary  (Lathrope)  Crane,  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Stocker 
died  March  18,  1914.  Children:  James  D.,  born  September  10,  1902;  Dwight 
L.,  born  February  8,  1904:  Frank  R.  Jr.,  born  January  3,  1909.  Mr.  Stocker 
lived  in  Jermyn  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
living  at  92  Lincoln  avenue.  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania. 


GEORGE   F.    HOWER 


Hower  &  Stender,  lumber  dealers,  hold  high  position,  not  only  among 
firms  operating  in  their  line,  but  among  the  flourishing,  substantial  and  re- 
liable institutions  of  the  city  of  Scranton.  The  business  of  the  firm  is  a  large 
one,  giving  employment  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  men.  George  F.  Hower. 
one  of  the  members  thereof,  is  a  descendant  of  a  German  family,  Germany 
having  been  the  birthplace  of  his  ancestors.  The  grandfather  of  George  F 
Hower  died  as  the  result  of  injuries  sustained  in  an  accident  in  a  stone  c|uarry,, 
where  he  was  employed,  and  he  was  survived  by  two  children,  Mary,  Jacob  J., 
of  whom  further.     His  wife  died  aged  eighty-two  years. 

Jacob  J.  Hower  was  born  in  Germany  in  1834,  died  in  1888.  In  the  yea? 
that  he  attained  man's  estate  he  came  to  the  United  States,  after  learning  the 
trade  of  blacksmith,  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad.  Several  years  afterward  Mr.  Hower  resigned  from  this 
service,  and  in  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law  established  a  grocery  store 
at  Hyde  Park,  trading  as  Warnke  &  Hower.  This  firm  continued  for  a  period 
of  thirteen  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  Mr.  Hower  sold  his  interest 
and  became  barn  boss  at  Briggs  shaft  for  the  Lackawanna  Coal  Company,  and 
while  discharging  the  duties  of  that  office  met  with  an  accident  that  caused 
his  death,  the  second  of  his  line  to  have  his  life  shortened  bv  casualty.     He 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  267 

married  Elizabeth  Fern,  and  had  children:  i.  Mary,  deceased.  2.  George  F., 
of  whom  further.  .3.  Martha,  married  A.  F.  Rickert,  of  Scranton ;  children ; 
Elizabeth,  Anna,  May,  Mabel,  George.  4.  August,  engaged  in  business  in 
Scranton;  married  Bessie  Wagstaff.  5.  Annie,  married  Jacob  Ullendick ; 
children:  Edna  and  Ruth.  6.  Emma,  married  John  J.  F.  York,  of  Scranton; 
children :  Albert  and  Darwin.  7.  Mary,  married  Joseph  M.  Thompkins.  8. 
John  Jacob,  employed  by  his  brother,  George  F. ;  married  Bessie  Powell ;  chil- 
dren :  Helen,  Mildred,  John. 

George  F.  Hower,  son  of  Jacob  J.  and  Elizabeth  (Fern)  Hower,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  November  26,  1865,  and  until  he  was  thirteen 
years  of  age  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools.  At  that  age  he  began  picking 
slate  in  the  breaker,  later  becoming  a  driver,  and  was  then  for  one  year  em- 
ployed with  the  Lackawanna  Bakery  Company,  leaving  this  company  to  learn 
the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  followed  for  eighteen  years.  For  a  time  his 
employer  was  John  D.  Kohl,  and  he  served  in  the  capacities  of  carpenter,  fore- 
man and  superintendent,  afterward  forming  a  partnership  with  his  former  em- 
ployer, an  association  which  the  death  of  Mr.  Kohl,  which  took  place  nine 
months  later,  brought  to  an  abrupt  termination.  On  March  15,  1897,  Mr.  Hower 
entered  into  partnership  with  Herman  F.  Stender,  the  present  firm  of  Hower 
&  Stender  the  result  of  that  combination,  its  prosperous  condition  the  result 
of  the  progressive  ideas  and  unremitting  toil  of  the  two  men  who  have  well 
and  successfully  conducted  their  business  for  seventeen  years.  Hower  & 
Stender  do  not  confine  their  operations  to  lumber  dealing,  contracting  and 
building  being  lines  in  which  they  have  been  active  and  in  which  they  hav; 
met  their  competitors  with  as  favorable  issue  as  in  lumber  dealing.  The 
business  of  the  firm  in  the  past  year  totalled  three  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
a  sum  attained  through  steady  increase  annually,  and  which  it  is  but  reason- 
able to  believe  will  lemain  the  high  water  mark  of  the  concern  for  but  a 
short  time.  In  the  transaction  of  the  firm's  business  the  services  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  employees  are  required,  and  on  the  seventeenth  anniversary  oi 
the  founding  of  Hower  &  Stender  this  force  presented  their  employers  with 
a  large  and  beautiful  flag,  mounted  on  a  staff,  in  honor  of  the  occasion  and  as 
an  expression  of  their  good  will  and  esteem.  Mr.  Rower's  business  activitie^^ 
are  to  a  large  extent  confined  to  the  management  of  the  firm's  affairs,  al- 
though he  finds  time  to  serve  as  a  director  of  the  Central  Loan  and  Invest- 
ment Company.  He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  his  lodge  the  Green 
Ridge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  while  he  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Malta,  and  for  the  past  thirty  years  has  be- 
longed to  Camp  No.  178,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  His  church  is  the  Lutheran,  and 
in  politics  he  recognizes  the  dictates  of  no  party,  acting  independently  in  local 
and  national  affairs. 

Mr.   Hower  married,   December   28,    1892,   Anna  W.,   daughter  of   Frank 
Earley.  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hower  are  the  parents  of 
Floyd  Earley,  born  August  18,  1896;  George  F.  Jr.,  born  November  22,  1899 
Martha  Elizabeth,  born  October  28,   1909. 


JAMES   HUMPHREY   TORREY 

James  Humphrey  Torrey,  a  prominent  attorney  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
is  descended  from  an  English  family  whose  first  representative  in  this  coun- 
try was  William  Torrey,  of  Combe,  St.  Nicholas,  England,  who  settled  in 
Weymouth,  Massachusetts,  about  1640.  His  descendant  in  the  tenth  genera- 
tion was  Major  Jason  Torrey,  who  settled  in  northeastern  Pennsylvania  in 
1794,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  promoters  of  Wayne  county.     He 


268  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

built  the  first  house  ever  erected  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  and  among  his 
eleven  children  were :  Hon.  John  Torrey,  of  Honesdale ;  Rev.  Stephen  Torrey, 
of  Honesdale ;  Mrs.  Colonel  Richard  L.  Seeley,  of  Honesdale,  mother  of  Hon. 
H.  M.  Seeley ;  Mrs.  Elijah  Weston,  mother  of  E.  W.  Weston,  Esq.,  of  Scran- 
ton  ;  and  Rev.  David  Torrey,  D.  D.,  the  youngest,  who  was  graduated  from 
Amherst  College  and  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  ordained  a 
minister  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  pastor  in  Delhi,  Ithaca  and 
Cazenovia,  New  York,  and  in  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan.  He  married  Mary  E., 
a  daughter  of  Rev.  Heman  Humphrey,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  and  Sophia  (Porter) 
Humphrey;  a  grand-niece  of  Dr.  Noah  Porter,  of  Farmington,  Connecticut; 
and  a  cousin  of  Dr.  Noah  Porter,  president  of  Yale  University.  The  first 
American  ancestor  of  the  Humphrey  family  was  Michael  Humphrey,  who 
came  from  England  to  Windsor,  Connecticut,  in  1643.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Torrey 
had  children :  Sarah  M.  and  James  Humphrey. 

James  Humphrey  Torrey  was  born  at  Delhi,  Delaware  county,  New  York, 
June  16,  1 85 1.  After  preparation  in  the  lower  public  schools,  he  became  a 
pupil  in  the  high  schools  of  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  and  of  Northampton. 
Massachusetts,  and  then  became  a  member  of  the  class  of  1873  o^  Amherst 
College.  He  left  during  his  junior  year,  but  has  since  received  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts  from  that  institution.  On  January  10,  1872,  Mr.  Torrey  com- 
menced the  study  of  law  in  the  offices  of  Willard  &  Royce,  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  end  of  six  months  formed  a  connection  with  the 
Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company,  first  as  a  member  of  the  engineer  corps, 
then  as  weighmaster  at  the  mines,  the  latter  position  enabling  him  to  find 
sufficient  leisure  time  to  pursue  his  legal  studies,  which  he  did  to  such  good 
effect,  completing  them  in  the  office  of  E.  B.  Sturges,  in  Scranton,  that  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Luzerne  county,  November  20,  1876.  From  the 
time  of  his  admission  to  the  bar  Mr.  Torrey  has  devoted  himself  to  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  with  a  very  satisfactory  amount  of  success.  The  Scranton 
Board  of  Trade  appointed  him  as  its  representative  in  the  inter-municipal 
conventions  of  1886-87,  3-"^  he  was  one  of  three  engaged  in  drafting  and 
securing  the  passage  of  the  act  of  May  24,  1887,  for  the  government  of  the 
smaller  cities  of  the  state.  From  the  time  of  its  organization,  Mr.  Torrey  was 
the  treasurer  of  the  Lackawanna  Bar  Association,  for  a  number  of  years 
secretary  of  the  Lackawanna  Law  Library  Association,  and  has  served  as 
chairman  of  the  board  of  examiners  of  law  students.  He  was  for  many  years 
a  manager,  and  for  two  terms  the  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  of  Scranton.  Church  afi:'airs  have  also  engaged  a  considerable 
share  of  his  attention,  and  he  served  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school 
of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  appointed  an  elder  in  the  church 
in  1886. 

Mr.  Torrey  married,  December  10,  1872,  Ella  C,  a  daughter  of  Douglas 
H.  Jay,  of  Scranton,  whose  great-great-uncle  was  John  Jay.  the  first  chief 
justice  of  the  L^nited  States,  and  whose  grandfather,  Joseph  Jay.  of  New 
Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  distinguished  himself  as  an  officer  during  the  Revo- 
lution, and  later  destroyed  his  vouchers  for  payment  for  the  services  he  had 
rendered.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Torrey  have  children :  Mary  Humphrey,  married  to 
A.  E.  Fitch;  William  Jessup ;  Elizabeth  Jay,  married  to  W.  B.  Kirkpatrick; 
Douglas  Jay. 


PROFESSOR  FRANK  J.  DANIEL,  F.  A.  G.  O. 

Possessor  of  a  musical  training  received  in  the  conservatories  of  Scotland, 
England   and   the   Continent,    Professor   Frank  J.    Daniel,    F.   A.    G.   O.,   has 


/>U:i^p^^  Jj '  J()cuu<^<jL^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  269 

since  1906  been  a  most  welcome  addition  to  musical  circles  in  the  city  of 
Scranton,  a  city  noted  for  the  excellence  of  its  talent  along  that  line  and  for 
the  strength  and  ability  of  its  organizations  for  the  promotion  and  fostering  of 
musical  taste  in  Scranton.  Professor  Daniel  is  organist  and  musical  di- 
rector of  St.  Peter's  Cathedral,  of  Scranton,  a  position  he  has  held  for  the 
past  eight  years,  and  in  that  time  has  gained  high  praise  for  the  musical  serv- 
ices of  the  Cathedral,  which  he  has  placed  upon  a  high  plane. 

Professor  Frank  J.  Daniel  was  born  in  Carlisle,  England,  June  3,  1874, 
and  began  his  musical  career  as  a  choir  boy  in  a  church  at  Oban,  county  of 
Argyle,  Scotland,  where  he  remained  for  seven  years,  during  that  time  placing 
himself  under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  Clemens,  a  noted  performer  and  teacher. 
He  remained  abroad  until  1900,  studying  ceaselessly  all  of  that  time,  and  in 
that  year  came  to  the  United  States,  for  five  years  residing  in  Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  organist  at  Trinity  Church,  teaching  music  a'^ 
well.  In  1906  he  became  organist  and  musical  director  at  St.  Peter's  Cathedral, 
and  since  his  arrival  in  Scranton  has  specialized  in  vocal,  organ  and  piano  con- 
cert work,  many  of  his  efforts  coming  before  the  public  through  his  connection 
with  the  Catholic  Hall  Club.  Not  only  have  the  recitals  given  under  his  di- 
rections been  unusually  fine  productions,  calling  the  notice  of  the  city  to  the 
extraordinary  talent  within  their  midst,  but  through  his  connections  abroad  be 
has  been  directly  responsible  for  the  American  visits  of  some  of  Europe's 
favorite  artists.  Professor  Daniel  is  a  Fellow  of  the  American  Guild  of  Or- 
ganists, a  degree  which  is  a  coveted  honor,  about  sixty  belonging,  election 
thereto  being  based  upon  excellence  as  a  performer  and  theoretical  attainments 
of  a  very  high  order.  With  Professor  Daniel  his  art  is  an  all-absorbing  pas- 
sion, and  he  finds  no  pleasure  equal  to  encouraging  the  development  of  talent 
in  a  brilliant  pupil,  in  whose  musical  conquests  he  takes  as  great  delight  aa 
though  they  were  his  own,  as  indeed  they  are.  The  works  of  the  old  masters 
are  known  to  him  with  a  familiarity  almost  amazing,  and  to  hear  him  perform 
upon  the  organ  is  to  have  a  revelation  of  the  power  and  beauty  of  that  sym- 
pathetic instrument.  In  the  rise  of  Scranton  to  further  prominence  among 
the  American  cities  known  as  art  centers.  Professor  Daniel  will  have  a  leading 
part,  for  in  such  efl^ort  no  labor  is  too  great,  no  detail  too  minute,  to  receive 
his  faithful  attention. 

Professor  Daniel  married,  in  1903,  Charlotte  Mitchell,  born  in  Syracuse, 
New  York,  and  is  the  father  of:  Cuthbert  Francis,  Maude,  William,  Gabriel. 


WILLIAM  McCLAVE 


The  life  of  William  McClave,  a  representative  citizen  of  Scranton,  ha> 
been  an  active  one,  and  his  enterprises  are  such  as  have  added  to  the  general 
wealth  and  welfare  of  his  adopted  city.  Scrupulously  honorable  in  all  his 
dealings  with  mankind,  he  bears  a  reputation  for  public  and  private  integrity, 
and  being  sociable  and  genial,  he  has  a  host  of  friends,  composed  of  all  classes 
of  society. 

William  McClave  was  born  in  Scotland,  February  7,  1844,  but  was  reared 
and  educated  in  the  United  States,  being  brought  to  this  country  by  his  par- 
ents when  he  was  two  years  of  age,  they  settling  in  Boonton,  New  Jersey, 
where  they  resided  until  1850,  a  period  of  four  years,  and  then  took  up  their 
residence  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  William  McClave  receiving  a  practical 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city.  He  then  became  an  employee  of 
W.  G.  Doud  &  Company,  at  Hyde  Park,  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  the  trade 
of  tinsmith,  in  which  line  of  work  he  became  highly  proficient,  later  working 
for  several  years  as  journeyman,  and  subsequently  established  a  business  on 


270  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

his  own  account  in  Pittston,  carrying  a  full  line  of  stoves  and  hardware,  and 
in  the  conduct  of  this  enterprise  he  achieved  a  large  degree  of  success,  it  be- 
ing the  foundation  for  his  future  success.  Being  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind, 
and  possessing  genius  of  a  high  order,  he  invented  a  stove-grate,  known  as 
the  Dockash  grate,  which  was  placed  in  the  stoves  manufactured  by  the  Scran- 
ton  Stove  Works,  and  which  proved  of  such  practical  value  as  to  at  once  at- 
tract the  favorable  attention  of  dealers.  As  a  result,  Mr.  McClave  disposed 
of  his  store,  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Scranton  Stove  Works,  traveling 
in  their  interest  for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  succeeded  in  creating 
a  large  demand  for  their  product. 

At  the  expiration  of  his  three  years'  travel,  Mr.  McClave  sold  his  patent 
to  Colonel  J.  A.  Price,  of  the  Scranton  Stove  Works,  and  he  directed  his  at- 
tention to  the  invention  of  means  for  more  efifectually  consuming  the  waste 
products  of  the  anthracite  coal  fields,  culm  and  buckwheat  as  they  were  known. 
Various  attempts  had  already  been  made  in  this  direction,  but  with  only 
partial  success.  Nothing  daunted  by  the  failures  of  his  predecessors,  and  pos- 
sessing a  strength  and  force  of  character  which  would  overcome  obstacles 
which  to  others  less  hopeful  and  less  courageous  would  seem  unsurmountable, 
he  persisted  in  his  experiments,  and  finally  perfected  the  excellent  device 
known  as  the  McClave  Grate  and  Argand  Steam  Blower,  which  has  proved  of 
great  value  and  which  has  been  used  extensively.  He  then  entered  into  busi- 
ness relations  with  Reese  G.  Brooks,  and  for  a  number  of  years  they  had  the 
grates  and  blowers  manufacti:red  in  the  machine  shop  of  I.  A.  Finch  &  Com- 
pany. As  their  business  increased  rapidly  in  volume  and  importance,  it  was 
found  imperative  to  increase  their  facilities,  and  with  this  end  in  view  they 
organized  the  firm  of  McClave,  Brooks  &  Company,  which  rented  the  old 
foundry  of  the  Scranton  Stove  Works,  in  West  Lackawanna  avenue.  Sub- 
sequently the  firm  purchased  a  site  on  Seventh  street,  near  the  bridge  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  with  a  six-story  building  upon 
it,  and  a  commodious  foundry  and  suitable  ofifice  buildings  were  erected,  af- 
fording ample  accommodations  for  that  time.  In  1902  the  business  was  in- 
corporated as  the  McClave-Brooks  Company,  and  a  site  was  purchased  com- 
prising about  thirteen  acres  on  Diamond  Flats.  Upon  this  was  at  once  com- 
menced the  erection  of  an  immense  modern  plant,  covering  nearly  eight  acres 
of  the  area,  increasing  the  capacity  of  the  work  five-fold.  With  the  increased 
facilities  they  added  to  the  scope  of  their  work,  beginning  the  manufacture  of 
mechanical  stokers,  and  other  devices  in  the  same  line,  and  giving  employment 
to  four  hundred  men  when  running  to  full  capacity.  The  McClave  appliances 
have  from  that  time  to  the  present  been  in  general  use,  and  well-nigh  without 
a  rival.  They  are  adapted  to  every  description  of  fuel,  and  can  be  placed  un- 
der boilers  and  in  furnaces  of  nearly  every  description.  Their  trade  extends 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  United  States,  maintaining  branch 
offices  in  nearly  all  the  principal  cities.  Mr.  McClave  invented  his  first  article, 
the  Dockash  grate,  in  the  autumn  of  1877.  and  since  then  the  patents  issued 
in  his  name  from  the  LTnited  States  and  foreign  offices  number  upwards  of 
eighty,  all  covering  devices  of  approved  practicability  and  worth. 

Mr.  McClave,  although  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  is  a  true  American,  and  his 
loyalty  and  patriotism  was  proven  by  his  answering  President  Lincoln's  first 
call  for  troops  at  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  War,  becoming  a  member 
of  Company  K,  Fifteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  In  1862  he  re- 
enlisted,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  K,  Fifty-second  Regiment  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  being  chosen  to  the  grade  of  first  (orderly)  sergeant.  He 
served  efficiently  under  General  McClellan  in  the  peninsular  campaign,  but  the 
excessive  duties  and  continual   exposures   incident   to  those  operations,   in  a 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  271 

region  of  swamp,  and  during  the  rainy  season  of  the  year,  so  impaired  his 
health  as  to  bring  upon  him  a  severe  attack  of  typhoid  fever,  and  he  was  hon- 
orably discharged  from  the  government  service  upon  a  surgeon's  certificate 
of  disability.  He  suffered  for  some  time  from  the  effects  of  his  strenuou.~, 
service,  but  finally  recovered  his  health  and  was  able  to  resume  his  daily 
avocations. 

Mr.  McClave  is  a  member  of  the  Penn  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  serving  in 
the  capacity  of  trustee,  and  also  taking  an  active  interest  in  all  the  work  con- 
nected therewith.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  has  never  sought  or  held 
public  ofiice,  his  time  being  entirely  devoted  to  his  business  pursuits.  He  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade  of  Scranton ;  of  the  Engineers'  Club; 
of  Lieutenant  Ezra  S.  Griffith  Post,  No.  139,  G.  A.  R. ;  of  the  Fifty-second 
Regiment  Association  of  Pennsylvania  \'olunteers,  of  which  he  is  president; 
and  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  325,  F.  and  A.  M. 

Mr.  McClave  married,  April  11,  1864,  Mary  Rowland,  a  native  of  Wales, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  William  R.,  who  was  formerly  connected 
with  the  Scranton  Steel  Works  in  the  capacity  of  assistant  paymaster,  and  is 
now  associated  with  his  father  in  business,  being  manager  and  treasurer  of 
McClave-Brooks  Company;  he  married  Margaret  Brooks,  daughter  of  Reese 
G.  Brooks  and  his  wife,  Mary  H.  (Morgan)  Brooks,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  three  children :  Robert  Brooks,  Mary  Brooks,  Arthur  Brooks. 


CLARENCE  S.  WOODRUFF 

In  the  two  generations  of  Woodruffs  with  which  this  narrative  deals  the 
pursuit  of  the  pedagogical  profession  played  a  prominent  part,  although  both 
abandoned  it  after  a  time,  one  in  favor  of  the  mercantile  business,  the  other 
to  study  law.  Lewis  H.  Woodruff  was  son  of  Andrew  Woodruff,  born  at 
Litchfield,  Connecticut,  in  1758.  Lewis  H.  Woodruff  was  also  born  in  Litch- 
field, Connecticut,  February  25.  1798.  This  was  his  home  until  he  was  seven 
years  of  age,  when  his  parents  moved  to  Triangle,  New  York,  in  which  place 
he  received  the  major  part  of  his  early  education.  He  later  entered  Hamilton 
College  and  in  1824  was  awarded  an  A.  B.  by  that  institution.  For  the  ne.xt 
five  years  he  engaged  in  teaching,  first  at  Binghamton,  New  York,  for  three 
years,  and  then  at  Montrose,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  for  two  years. 
Subsequently  he  moved  to  Le  Raysville,  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
there  became  the  proprietor  of  a  general  store,  also  teaching  for  a  time  a  pri- 
vate school.  He  married  Almeda,  daughter  of  William  Hutchinson.  Chil- 
dren :  Maria,  married  Dr.  T.  J.  Wheaton ;  Alice ;  Lewis  H.,  a  graduate  of  Madi- 
son University ;  Caroline  M. ;  Fannie  M. ;  William  H. ;  Sarah  A. ;  Isadore 
N. ;  Clarence  Samuel,  of  whom  further ;  Clara  S. 

Clarence  Samuel  Woodruff  was  born  in  Dimock,  Susquehanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  March  6,  1855.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  later  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  at  Binghamton,  New  York.  He  then  entered 
Yale  and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1878,  a  classmate  of  Ex-President  Taft.  He 
then  obtained  a  position  as  instructor  in  the  Mansfield  (Pennsylvania)  Nor- 
mal School,  continuing  for  two  years,  read  law  in  Montrose,  Pennsylvania, 
and  later  became  principal  of  the  Montrose  (Pennsylvania)  High  School,  con- 
tinuing in  that  capacity  for  three  years.  In  the  fall  of  1884  he  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Scranton,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  political 
belief,  Mr.  Woodruff  is  a  strict  Prohibitionist,  observing  with  conscientious 
regard  the  principles  of  his  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Hepta- 
sophs  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America. 


272  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mr.  Woodruff  married  (first)  August  i,  1881,  Susan  M.,  daughter  of  Asa 
and  Lucretia  (Sweet)  Bullock;  (second)  August  27,  1896,  Agnes  Muskett. 
Children:  Clara  L.,  a  graduate  of  Bryn  Mawr  College,  A.  B.,  class  of  1905, 
married  Robert  A.  Hull ;  Lelia  T.,  a  graduate  of  Bryn  Mawr  College,  A.  B., 
class  of  1907,  married  F.  J.  Stokes ;  Margaret,  a  graduate  of  Wells  College,  A. 
B.,  class  of  1909;  A.  Allen,  a  graduate  of  Yale  University,  A.  B.,  class  of  1912; 
Lewis  H.,  a  graduate  of  Yale  University,  class  of  1914,  A.  B. ;  Amy,  a 
student  at  Scranton  High  School,  class  of  1915 ;  Ruth,  a  student  at  Scranton 
High  School,  class  of  191 5;  Alice;  Francis  and  Florence,  twins;  Dorothy; 
Clarence  S.  Jr.;  Eleanor;  Rollin  S.,  deceased. 


GEORGE  LARDNER  BRECK 

Major  George  Laidner  Breck,  born  in  Wilmington,  Delaware,  August  23, 
1837,  son  of  William  and  Gabriella  Breck,  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  the 
city  of  his  birth.  After  leaving  school  he  went  to  New  York  in  the  office  ot 
Howland  &  Aspinwall,  one  of  the  largest  shipping  firms  of  New  York;  this 
was  in  1857;  he  went  in  as  junior  clerk,  advanced  to  be  cashier  of  the  firm 
and  remained  there  five  years.  Then  he  went  into  the  ship  brokerage  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account,  and  remained  in  that  business  five  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  came  to  Scranton  to  engage  in  the  coal  mining  business  at 
Mocanaqua,  Pennsylvania.  He  remained  in  this  business  until  the  property 
was  sold  in  1875,  when  he  retired. 

The  military  career  of  George  Lardner  Breck  is  one  of  which  he  may 
well  feel  proud.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Twenty-second  Regiment,  National 
Guard  of  New  York,  which  he  joined  in  1861  as  a  private,  and  served  the 
full  term.  In  1862,  at  the  time  of  the  invasion  of  Lee,  the  Twenty-second 
Volunteers  were  ordered  to  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia,  where  they  remained 
over  three  months.  Their  time  expiring  about  that  time,  the  secretary  of 
war  asked  them  to  stay  longer,  or  until  reinforcements  came  to  Harper's 
Ferry.  When  the  relief  came,  consisting  of  twelve  thousand  men,  the  Twenty- 
second  with  one  or  two  other  regiments  returned  to  New  York.  However, 
again  in  1863,  the  Twenty-second  was  called  out,  and  in  June  went  first  to 
Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  remained  there  a  few  days,  and  on  being  ordered 
to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  met  this  army  at  Wainsboro.  While  they 
were  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  the  Confederates  shelled  the  town  and  burned 
the  United  States  barracks.  They  did  not  participate  in  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg on  account  of  not  reaching  that  place  in  time.  After  this  great  battle, 
as  their  services  were  no  longer  needed,  the  Twenty-second  Regiment  again 
returned  to  New  York,  at  which  time  Mr.  Breck  was  honorably  discharge. 

In  1877,  at  the  time  of  the  riots  in  Scranton,  the  Battalion  of  City  Guard  of 
four  companies  were  formed  under  Major  Boies.  Mr.  Breck  joined  Com- 
pany D,  Captain  Ripple's  company.  Subsequently  this  battalion  with  four 
ether  companies  was  formed  into  the  Thirteenth  Regiment,  National  Guard  of 
Pennsylvania ;  then  Mr.  Breck  was  made  inspector  of  rifle  practice  with  the 
rank  of  captain.  They  developed  many  fine  marksmen  on  the  old  range  on 
the  hill,  under  the  captaincy  of  Mr.  Breck,  and  they  had  such  promising  num- 
bers of  crack  shots,  that  it  was  suggested  they  go  to  Creedmoor,  New  York, 
to  compete  with  the  several  teams  from  the  National  Guards  throughout  the 
country.  This  was  in  1879,  but  they  took  away  no  prizes  until  1882,  when 
they  won  the  Army  and  Navy  Journal  Cup,  a  regimental  trophy ;  the  Inter 
state  Match,  the  Soldier  of  Marathon  Statue;  and  the  Hilton  trophy,  pre- 
sented by  Henry  Hilton,  of  New  York,  costing  $3,000.  This  was  a  great 
event  for  Scranton.     With  much  rejoicing  the  victors  were  welcomed  home 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  273 

And  there  was  not  one  wlio  did  not  realize  that  in  good  measure  the  triumph'^ 
were  due  to  Captain  Breck's  good  judgment  in  the  selection  of  his  competitors, 
his  patience  in  training  them,  and  the  encouragement  he  gave  them.  In  1885 
Captain  Breck  won  the  appointment  he  deserved,  as  division  inspector  of  rifle 
practice  of  the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  with  the  rank  of  major. 
And  in  1887  he  was  detailed  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Pattison,  during  the 
absence  of  Colonel  Shakespear,  who  was  the  general  inspector  of  rifle  prac- 
tice.   After  Colonel  Shakespear  returned.  Major  Breck  sent  in  his  resignation. 

Major  Breck  married,  September  28,  1882,  Mary  Hale  Breck,  daughter  of 
George  and  Emily  McQuean  (?Iale)  Breck,  both  natives  of  Philadelphia.  Major 
and  Mrs.  Breck  have  no  children,  but  they  have  an  adopted  son,  George  Wil- 
liam Breck,  a  son  of  Mrs.  Breck's  brother  who  died  about  the  time  his  son 
was  born  and  whose  wife  died  five  years  later.  The  son  is  now  residing  in 
New  York  City. 

Both  Major  and  Mrs.  Breck  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the 
Good  Shepherd.  He  is  also  allied  with  the  Ezra  Griffith  Post,  No.  139,  G.  A. 
R.  Of  the  members  of  his  rifle  team  that  shot  on  the  Creedmoor  range, 
only  five  are  now  living :  Charles  H.  Welles,  E.  W.  Ives,  Henry  M.  Ives, 
James  H.  Rittenhouse  and  Majoi'  Breck.  Major  Breck"s  home  is  at  No.  1649 
Sanderson  avenue. 


RALPH  E.  WEEKS 
ARTHUR  L.  WEEKS 


In  commemorating  and  perpetuating  the  lives  of  those  men  whose  careers 
have  been  of  signal  usefulness  and  honor  to  the  city  of  Scranton,  it  is  neces- 
sary that  mention  be  made  of  Ralph  E.  Weeks,  a  prominent  and  active  factor 
in  a  number  of  the  leading  enterprises  of  that  thriving  city,  and  probably  the 
greatest  compliment  that  can  be  paid  to  him  is  that  he  has  made  himself  an 
honor  to  the  great  commercial  world,  as  well  as  a  credit  to  the  mercantile  com- 
munity in  which  he  lives.  Public-spirited  to  the  highest  degree,  he  is  ever  for- 
ward in  encouraging  enterprises  which  can  in  any  way  advance  the  interests  of 
Scranton. 

(I)  Levi  Weeks,  grandfathei  of  Ralph  E.  Weeks,  was  bom  in  Draycott, 
England,  in  which  country  he  was  reared  and  educated,  emigrating  to  the  New 
World  in  1842,  aged  eighteen  years,  settling  in  Skaneateles,  Onondaga  county, 
New  York.  Later  he  purchased  a  farm  located  one  and  a  half  miles  outside 
the  village  of  Skaneateles,  on  which  he  resided  for  many  years,  and  this  he 
cultivated  to  a  high  state  of  perfection,  deriving  therefrom  a  goodly  income. 
The  last  twenty-five  years  of  his  life  he  lived  retired  in  the  village  of  Skaneat- 
eles, enjoy  a  well  earned  rest,  the  sequel  of  a  life  of  activity  and  toil.  He  was 
a  staunch  Republican  in  politics,  and  although  he  never  sought  or  held  public 
office,  he  took  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  party  of  his  choice.  He 
and  his  family  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  regular  at- 
tendants at  the  services,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  the  various 
societies  connected  therewith.  He  married  Eliza  Radford,  a  native  of  England, 
who  bore  him  children:  Thomas:  Levi  Jr..  married  and  was  the  father  of 
Harry,  Maud,  Mary;  William  T..  of  whom  further;  C.  Albert,  married  Anna 
Feltus  and  their  children  were :  Lambert  L.,  Melwin  R.,  G.  Rosswell,  Forest, 
Zorada.  Mr.  Weeks  died  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  and  his 
wife  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years,  and  their  remains  are  interred  in  Skan- 
eateles Cemetery. 

(II)  William  T.  Weeks,   father  of  Ralph  E.  Weeks,  was  born  in  Skan 
eateles.  New  York,  September,  1844,  died  April  3,   1893,  at  the  early  age  of 

18 


274  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

forty-nine  years,  while  still  in  the  prime  of  life.  His  boyhood  days  were 
spent  on  the  homestead  farm,  and  his  education  was  obtained  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  neighborhood  and  Cazenovia  Seminary.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Skaneateles  and  entered  the  employ  of  his 
uncle,  Forest  G.  Weeks,  a  paper  manufacturer  of  Skaneateles  Falls,  New 
York,  remaining  with  him  for  a  short  period  of  time.  He  then  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Knox  &  Weeks,  shoe  merchants,  and  after  severing 
his  connection  with  that  concern  again  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  con- 
ducting his  operations  on  the  old  homestead  farm  of  his  wife's  people,  which 
then  belonged  to  his  father-in-law,  David  Cuddeback,  a  successful  farmer,  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  the  farm  proving  a  profitable  source  of 
income  under  his  capable  management.  He  cast  his  vote  for  the  candidates 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  also  interested  in  the  work  of  the  Sunday  school  connected  with  it. 
He  married  Martha  M.  Cuddeback,  born  in  Skaneateles,  New  York,  November 
9,  1853,  daughter  of  David  Cuddeback.  She  is  living  at  the  present  time 
(1914)  and  is  a  member  of  the  Elmpark  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Scranton,  also  holding  membership  in  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  the  same. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weeks  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely:  i.  Ernest 
H.,  president  of  the  Weeks  Hardware  Company,  and  interested  in  the  R.  E. 
Weeks  Company,  both  of  Scranton ;  married  Harriet  C.  Hineman,  of  Syra- 
cuse, New  York.  2.  Ralph  E.,  of  whom  further.  3.  Arthur  L.,  of  whom 
further.  4.  Fanny  J.,  wife  of  Winford  B.  Hornbaker,  secretary  and  general 
manager  of  the  Blackhorn  Sales  Company ;  son,  Robert  W.  5.  Nellie  G., 
wife  of  Frederick  A.  Lyford,  treasurer  of  the  Weeks  Hardware  Company ; 
daughter,  Mary  Elizabeth.  6.  Theodore  W.,  secretary  of  the  Weeks  Hard- 
ware Company ;  married  Doris  Short,  of  Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey.  7. 
Marguerite  E.,  wife  of  Roy  W.  Cobb,  secretary  and  manager  of  the  Ashley 
Silk  Manufacturing  Company. 

(HI)  Ralph  E.  Weeks  was  born  in  Skaneateles,  New  York,  February  9, 
1878.  He  was  reared  on  the  homestead  farm,  gaining  health  and  strength  in 
the  open  life  of  the  country  which  thoroughly  prepared  him  for  the  activities  of 
life,  and  his  education  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  and  Skaneateles 
high  school,  graduating  from  the  latter  institution  in  the  class  of  1895.  In 
July  of  the  same  year  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and 
accepted  the  position  of  assistant  bookkeeper  for  the  Foote  &  Shear  Company, 
located  at  No.  1 19  Washington  avenue.  The  valuable  service  he  rendered 
the  company  was  appreciated,  and  three  years  later,  in  1898,  he  was  promoted 
to  a  more  responsible  position,  that  of  treasurer,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
until  1902,  when  he  was  appointed  president,  a  still  further  honor,  and  per- 
formed the  duties  of  that  high  office  until  the  firm  was  succeeded  by  the 
Weeks  Hardware  Company,  in  1908,  and  he  acted  as  president  of  that  con- 
cern for  the  first  year,  then  became  the  vice-president,  which  position  he  has 
since  held,  his  brother,  Ernest  H.  Weeks,  being  the  president.  In  addition  to 
this  office  he  is  president  of  the  Ralph  E.  Weeks  Company,  Weeks  Realty 
Company,  Capouse  Warehouse  Company,  Danville  Hardware  and  Supply 
Company  of  Danville,  a  director  of  the  J.  D.  Williams  Stores,  treasurer  of 
the  Blackhorne  Leather  Company,  and  director  of  the  Trader's  National  Bank. 
He  is  equally  active  and  prominent  in  other  lines  of  activity,  serving  as  presi- 
dent of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  treasurer  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  and  one  of  the  seven  members  of  the  Recreation  Bureau  of  Scran- 
ton, institutions  of  great  value  to  the  community. 

Mr.  Weeks  married,  November  22,  1904,  Elizabeth  Porter,  born  in  Scran- 
ton, April  6,   1883,   eldest  daughter  of  John  T.   and   Harriet   S.    (Schlager) 


'^ixA^, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  275 

Porter,  of  Scranton.  Mrs.  Weeks  is  a  member  of  the  Century  Club  of  Scran- 
ton.  Children:  Clara  E.,  born  December  15,  1906;  John  Porter,  born  May  24, 
1908;  Eleanor  M.,  born  January  31,  1910.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weeks  are  prominent 
in  the  social  life  of  the  community  in  which  they  reside,  and  have  a  wide  circle 
of  friends  and  acquaintances. 

(Ill)  Arthur  L.  Weeks  was  born  at  Skaneateles,  New  York,  February 
10,  1882.  He  came  to  Scranton,  February  25,  1897,  where  he  was  a  pupil  at 
Public  School  No.  ^^,  and  also  at  the  Scranton  High  School,  and  was  well 
equipped  for  entrance  upon  a  business  career.  He  accepted  a  position  with 
Foote  &  Shear  Company,  whose  business  was  carried  on  at  the  present  site  of 
the  Weeks  Hardware  Company.  In  1905,  when  the  Ralph  E.  Weeks  Com- 
pany was  organized,  Arthur  L.  Weeks  was  made  secretary  of  the  corporation, 
and  so  excellent  were  his  services  in  this  office  that  at  the  present  time  (1914) 
he  fills  the  dual  office  of  secretary  and  sales  manager,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
connected  with  it.  They  handle  all  kinds  of  plumbing  and  heating  supplies 
and  sheet  metal  products,  their  business  being  a  most  extensive  one,  some  of 
their  patrons  coming  from  great  distances.  Mr.  Weeks  is  also  secretary  of  the 
Capouse  Warehouse  Company.  In  his  political  opinions  Mr.  Weeks  is  inde- 
pendent, and  in  religion  he  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Church. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  323,  R.  A.  M. ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Com- 
mandery.  Knights  Templar ;  Moses  Taylor  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics ;  and  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

Mr.  Weeks  married,  in  1907,  Grace  E.,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah 
(Sargeant)  Maycock.  James  Maycock  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  in 
Slocum  Hollow,  now  Scranton,  and  was  closely  identified  with  the  early  growth 
and  development  of  the  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weeks  have  had  children :  Warren 
L.,  born  July  i,  1908;  Lester  J.,  born  February  19,  1912. 


LOWELL  MASON  GATES,  M.  S.,  M.  D. 

Both  the  paternal  and  maternal  grandparents  of  Dr.  Gates  were  pioneer 
settlers  of  Pennsylvania,  the  former  of  Wayne  county,  the  latter  of  Susque- 
hanna county.  They  were  of  old  New  England  stock,  the  Gates  and  Bigelows 
coming  from  Massachusetts,  the  Halls  and  Lambs  from  Connecticut.  They 
brought  with  them  to  their  forest  surroundings  the  spirit  of  the  Puritan  for- 
bears, and  in  their  lives  exemplified  the  virtues  that  in  their  ancestors  made 
history,  of  which  as  a  nation,  we  are  proud.  Speak  slightingly  as  we  may  of  the 
"Blue  Laws,"  the  age  that  produced  them  also  produced  men  and  women  who 
laid  broad  and  deep  the  foundation  of  our  nation's  greatness,  and  left  an  ex- 
ample of  self  sacrifice,  patriotism  and  godliness  that  has  never  been  equalled. 
They  so  bred  their  principles  into  the  blood  and  sinew  of  their  descendants 
that  wherever  found  they  possess  those  traits  of  character  that  make  for 
splendid  lives  and  lofty  achievement.  Like  the  Gulf  Stream,  the  New  Eng- 
land character  is  separate  and  distinct,  following  along  through  the  broad 
ocean  of  life  in  a  well  defined  course,  giving  succor  and  refuge  to  the  storm 
tossed,  and  even  when  far  from  its  source  bringing  blessings  to  those  de- 
pendent on  it  for  even  life  itself.  So  this  strong  Gates  blood,  transplanted 
to  the  wild  forests  of  Pennsylvania,  ran  so  true  to  all  the  best  instincts  of 
character  that  for  nearly  ninety-three  years  Alpheus  W.  Gates,  father  of  Dr. 
Lowell  M.  Gates,  walked  the  earth,  exemplifying  in  his  life  the  virtues  of  his 
sires  and  leaving  a  posterity  equipped  by  birth,  example  and  precept  to  worthily 
bear  the  name  of  Gates  and  add  to  it  fresh  lustre. 

Alpheus  W.  Gates  was  born  in  Mount  Pleasant,  Wayne  county,  Pennsyl- 


276  CIT\   OF  SCRAN  TON 

vania,  July  28,  1820,  died  in  Scranton,  February  14,  191 3,  nearly  ninety-three 
years  of  age.  He  spent  all  but  his  last  years  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering, 
and  when  he  retired  from  active  life  came  to  Scranton,  the  home  of  his  chil- 
dren. He  was  a  Baptist  in  religion,  a  man  of  pure  life,  and  honored  wherever 
known.  He  married  Semantha,  daughter  of  Major  Martin  Hall,  of  Jackson, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  veteran  officer  of  the  War  of  1812; 
children:  Quincy  A.,  an  eminent  lawyer  of  Wilkes-Barre ;  Lowell  Mason,  of 
whom   further ;  Delcie,  married  J.  W.  Browning,  of  Scranton. 

Dr.  Lowell  Mason  Gates,  second  son  of  Alpheus  W.  and  Semantha  (Hall) 
Gates,  was  born  in  Scott  township,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  26, 
1852.  After  preparatory  courses  he  entered  Hillsdale  College,  Hillsdale, 
Michigan,  whence  he  was  graduated  B.  S.,  class  of  1876,  the  same  college 
later  conferring  the  degree  of  M.  S.  He  then,  in  pursuance  of  an  ambition 
long  cherished,  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.,  class  of  1878.  In  the  two  vacations  prior  to 
matriculation  at  Ann  Arbor  he  had  read  medicine  under  Dr.  O.  T.  Bundy.  01 
Deposit,  New  York,  and  after  obtaining  his  degree  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  his  former  preceptor,  practicing  in  Deposit  for  eighteen  months.  In  No- 
vember, 1879,  Dr.  Gates  came  to  Scranton  and  established  in  general  practice. 
After  one  year  he  was  appointed  superintendent  and  house  surgeon  of  the  old 
Lackawanna  Hospital,  continuing  as  such  two  years,  and  then  resumed  private 
practice,  although  he  was  a  member  of  the  medical  and  surgical  staff  for 
twenty  years,  serving  until  the  hospital  became  a  state  institution.  Dr.  Gates 
has  firmly  established  himself  in  the  regard  of  the  people  of  Scranton  as  an 
honorable  and  skillful  physician,  as  an  affable  gentleman  and  public-spirited 
citizen.  He  is  with  few  exceptions  the  oldest  in  practice  in  Scranton.  Ever  a 
student,  wide  reader  and  deep  thinker,  he  has  kept  pace  with  modern  progress, 
and  in  the  practice  of  his  healing  art  is  thoroughly  modern.  He  is  held  in 
highest  regard  by  his  brethren  of  the  profession,  who  have  chosen  him  as 
president  of  their  County  Medical  Society  and  vice-president  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Medical  Society.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  and  at  their  annual  meeting  in  1913  Dr.  Gates  sat  as  representative 
from  the  State  Medical  Society  of  Pennsylvania.  With  this  public  endorse- 
ment from  his  professional  brethren,  and  with  the  encouragement  of  a  large 
practice,  it  is  apparent  that  Dr.  Gates  is  a  worthy  descendant  of  his  Ne-.v 
England  progenitors  from  whom  he  inherited  the  qualities  that  he  has  culti- 
vated and  strengthened,  reaching  a  position  of  professional  excellence  a.  d 
manly  development  of  character.  He  is  a  member  of  Immanuel  Baptist 
Church,  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  and  of  Lackawanna  Lodge,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Dr.  Gates  married  (first)  Helen,  daughter  of  Rev.  Ransom  Dunn,  D.  D., 
one  of  the  founders  and  later  president  of  Hillsdale  College,  Michigan,  and 
for  many  years  head  of  the  theological  department.  Mrs.  Gates  was  a  Hills- 
dale college  classmate  of  her  husband,  a  graduate,  and  a  woman  of  great 
mentality,  possessed  of  every  womanly  grace.  She  was  a  useful  worker  in  the 
Immanuel  Baptist  Church ;  president  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society 
at  the  time  of  her  death  and  of  other  church  activities.  She  was  the  organizer 
and  first  president  of  the  Young  Woman's  Christian  Association  of  Scranton, 
and  chairman  for  many  years  of  the  department  of  Pennsylvania,  including 
also  the  states  of  Delaware  and  Maryland.  An  eloquent  public  speaker,  in 
the  furtherance  of  her  work  she  had  spoken  in  every  city  of  Pennsylvania. 
She  was  also  an  able  writer,  and  contributed  richly  to  the  literature  of  her  day. 
On  May  25,  1910,  her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years.  Dr. 
Gates  married   (second)   in   1912  Mrs.  Minnie  C.    (Bittenhender)   Brader,  of 


^^O^lZ^^ 


,  /i^f-l'T^      \J-'>rf''^W 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


277 


Scranton.  Children,  all  by  first  wife:  i.  Wayland  D.,  a  graduate  of  Hillsdale 
College,  and  now  professor  in  the  Technical  High  School  of  Scranton ;  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  M.  A.  from  Columbia  University,  then  for  three  years 
served  as  missionary  teacher  in  China,  giving  part  of  his  attention  during  this 
time  to  the  study  of  the  Chinese  language;  he  married  Gertrude  Pugh,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Dorothy.  2.  Evelyn,  married  Forest  P.  Knapp ;  he  and 
his  wife  are  graduates  of  Hillsdale  College;  he  is  secretary  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  at  Hillsdale,  Michigan;  they  have  three  children:  Delcie, 
Mildred,  Francelia.  3.  Helen  M.,  a  graduate  of  Mt.  Holyoke  College ;  now 
teacher  in  the  Allentown  College  for  Women.  4.  Edith  M.,  now  a  student  at 
Oberlin  College. 


JOHN  JERMYN 


To  write  the  life  record  of  John  Jermyn  from  the  time  he  arrived  in  the 
United  States  in  1847  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1902,  is  to  also  write  a 
history  of  the  development  of  the  Scranton  district.  Nor  does  the  record  end 
with  his  own  life,  as  there  are  now  in  the  city  of  Scranton  four  of  his  five 
sons,  worthily  bearing  the  name,  administering  the  estate  they  helped  to  create, 
and  heading  individual  enterprises  of  great  importance. 

The  record  of  the  wonderful  life  of  John  Jermyn  is  more  than  a  chronicle 
of  a  successful  business  man  who  rose  from  humble  position  to  one  of  affluence 
and  influence.  He  won  his  own  way,  it  is  true,  but  in  winning  it  he  provided 
for  its  permanence  by  inculcating  the  principles  that  won,  into  his  sons  and  in 
bequeathing  to  Scranton  his  family  of  capable  sons  he  left  a  richer  legacy 
than  his  buildings,  his  mines  oi'  his  lands.  From  early  life  they  were  his 
associates  and  from  the  example  of  their  sturdy  energetic  father,  and  no  less 
capable  mother,  learned  not  only  the  value,  but  the  dignity  of  labor ;  became 
his  valued  assistants,  and  when  the  master  mind  was  stilled  forever,  they  con- 
fidently and  ably  carried  on  the  plans  and  enterprises  that  constituted  the 
Jermyn  estate  in  addition  to  their  own  private  interests. 

Little  can  be  told  of  John  Jermyn  that  is  not  familiar  to  every  Scrantonian, 
the  impetus  he  gave  to  its  building  movement,  his  furtherance  of  industrial 
development  and  the  progressive  character  of  his  operations.  He  was  a  hard 
worker,  daring  in  his  plans,  but  with  a  confidence  in  himself  that  often  led 
him  to  disregard  the  caution  of  his  friends.  Yet  he  was  unassuming  and  most 
democratic  in  his  personal  life.  The  coat-of-arms  carried  in  the  furnishings 
of  the  Jermyn  Hotel  are  rightfully  his,  but  he  relied  on  himself  to  create  a 
name  and  from  mines  and  rocks  and  lands  he  builded  that  name  and  fortune 
which  endures. 

Under  the  direction  of  the  sons  of  John  Jermyn,  every  interest  of  the 
estate  left  in  their  care  has  been  wisely  handled,  and  when  in  twenty  years 
from  the  death  of  the  founder  the  estate  shall  be  divided  according  to  the 
terms  of  his  will,  it  will  be  found  that  the  stewardship  of  the  sons  and  daugh- 
ter has  been  a  wise  and  profitable  one.  Of  the  six  sons  of  John  Jermyn,  four 
are  active,  leading  business  men  of  Scranton,  one  resides  in  New  York  City, 
another  has  gone  to  his  long  home,  accidently  killed  in  San  Francisco.  One 
of  his  daughters  resides  in  Scranton,  and  one  in  Oswego,  New  York. 

John  Jermyn  was  born  in  Rendham,  SuiTolk,  England,  in  1825.  died  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  May  29,  1902.  Early  thrown  on  his  own  resources, 
he  made  his  way  to  London  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  with  little  besides 
a  rugged  frame  and  a  stout  English  heart,  came  to  this  country.  In  1847 
he  arrived  in  New  York  City  and  learning  of  a  need  for  men  at  Slocum's 
Hollow.  Pennsylvania,  (now  Scranton)  made  his  way  thither.     His  first  day's 


278  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

work  was  cleaning  up  the  lawn  of  the  old  Piatt  mansion,  then  at  the  old  ore 
mine,  now  known  as  Burnt  Ridge  on  the  East  Mountain.  His  compensation  in 
these  early  days  was  seventy-five  cents  per  day.  He  soon  accumulated  a  small 
capital  and  made  some  good  friends,  the  result  being  that  he  was  able  to  assume 
the  responsibility  of  small  contracts  which  he  executed  so  faithfully  that 
larger  ones  followed.  One  of  these  was  the  Diamond  Mine,  Mr.  Jermyn  be- 
ing the  first  man  to  strike  a  pick  in  that  later  famous  mine.  About  1854  lie 
was  fully  engaged  in  developing  the  coal  properties  of  the  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania  Anthracite  Coal  Companies  of  Lackawanna  county,  near  the 
Notch,  of  which  he  was  general  manager,  and  on  its  completion,  five  years 
later,  developed  the  White  Oak,  then  Archibald,  then  Jermyn,  then  Rockwell 
mines,  thus  becoming  possessed  of  capital  sufficient  to  justify  him  in  beginning 
private  mining  operations.  In  1859  he  arranged  with  Judson  Clark  the  terms 
of  an  agreement  to  sink  a  slope  and  mine  coal  on  property  owned  by  Mr. 
Clark  on  the  Abington  turnpike,  Rockwell  mine.  On  Mr.  Clark's  death,  a 
few  years  later,  Mr.  Jermyn  formed  a  company  and  leased  the  mines  from  the 
Clark  estate,  operating  for  three  years  as  Jermyn,  Wells  &  Company,  then 
abandoning  the  mines.  Then  came  the  leasing  of  the  abandoned  mines  of  the 
Gibson  estate  at  Rushdale,  now  the  thriving  borough  of  Jermyn,  having  at 
present  ( 1914)  three  thousand  three  hundred  people.  These  mines  had  been  a 
failure  in  the  hands  of  others  and  Mr.  Jermyn's  friends  strongly  remonstrated 
with  him  for  attempting  so  great  a  risk  as  their  reopening.  But  he  had  con- 
fidence both  in  the  mines  and  himself  and  went  forward  with  the  undertaking, 
which  proved  successful  and  laid  the  foundation  of  his  future  prosperity. 
He  bought  new  machinery  and  in  1862  opened  the  plant.  His  first  lease  was 
for  one  million  tons,  which  later  he  increased  to  three  million  tons,  and  in  a 
few  years  delivered  that  amount  entire.  This  placed  him  among  the  largest 
and  wealthiest  private  operators  in  the  valley,  and  his  future  career  was  one 
of  constant  acquisition.  In  1880  he  built  and  equipped  a  modern  breaker  at 
Rush  Brook  near  Peckville,  which  the  estate  still  owns.  In  1881  he  leased  the 
Price  tract  of  nine  hundred  acres  of  coal  land  near  Dickson,  a  section  then  hav- 
ing but  a  few  houses,  now  containing  thousands  and  known  as  the  borough  of 
Jermyn.  Also  after  selling  out  his  interest  in  Priceburgh  he  started  operations 
in  Old  Forge  borough  and  the  town  is  now  named  Rendham  in  honor  of  Mr. 
Jermyn"s  birth-place  in  England.  About  1882  he  opened  the  Rendham  Col- 
lieries which  are  still  operated  by  the  Jermyn  estate.  In  1884  he  moved  his 
residence  to  Scranton  which  was  ever  afterwards  his  home.  In  1885  he  erected 
the  Coal  Exchange  Building,  and  in  1895  built  the  Hotel  Jermyn.  He  became 
one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in  Scranton  and  in  surrounding  towns.  With 
wonderful  foresight  he  chose  his  lines  of  operation  and  made  few  mistakes. 
He  was  identified  with  many  enterprises  with  others,  also  conducting  ex- 
tensive private  operations.  He  was  public-spirited  and  in  his  improvements 
awakened  a  great  spirit  of  progress  in  Scranton.  One  of  his  greatest  build- 
ing improvements  was  the  erection,  in  1895,  of  the  large  hotel  that  bears 
his  name,  and  which  is  yet  part  of  the  Jermyn  estate.  He  had,  however,  be- 
gun his  building  operations  much  sooner,  erecting  the  Coal  Exchange  Build- 
ing in  1885  and  followed  these  with  many  buildings  and  residences,  including 
his  own  at  Jefferson  and  Vine  streets.  He  was  a  heavy  stockholder  and  a  di- 
rector of  the  First  National  Bank,  until  his  death  the  estate  still  retaining  this 
valuable  interest.  He  was  the  princijja!  factor  in  bringing  the  New  York, 
Susquehanna  &  Western  Railroad  to  Scranton,  built  the  line,  and  in  1886  ac- 
cepted the  general  managership  of  the  road.  He  had  many  interests  and 
neglected  none,  working  them  with  his  sons'  assistance,  the  eldest,  Joseph  J., 
having  been  his  constant  associate  from  boyhood.     He  was  of  a  generous  dis- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


279 


position  and  noted  for  his  hospitality.  He  never  forgot  his  own  humble  start 
and  often  aided  others  who  were  struggling  as  he  struggled.  He  was  not 
only  well  known,  but  well  liked,  and  in  accumulating  his  estate  of  $7,000,000, 
he  invoked  no  governmental  favor  or  special  privilege.  He  fought  his  own 
battle  in  the  open  and  gained  an  honest  victory. 

John  Jemiyn  married,  October  19,  185 1,  Susan,  daughter  of  Joseph  Knight, 
of  West  Scranton.  There  were  no  railroads  in  those  days  and  their  wedding 
trip  was  a  stage  coach  ride  to  Pittston  and  return.  Mrs.  Jermyn  survived  her 
husband  three  years,  dying  January  17,  1906,  aged  seventy-two  years.  She  was 
a  true  helpmeet,  bore  her  full  share  of  their  earlier  burdens  and  worked  hand 
in  hand  with  her  husband  to  obtain  their  start  in  life  and  foothold  on  pros- 
perity's ladder.  She  was  kindly,  gentle  and  charitable ;  very  unobtrusive, 
but  very  practical  in  her  charities.  She  was  a  liberal  donor  to  the  Home  for 
the  Friendless  and  to  the  Woman's  Guild  of  St.  Luke's  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  she  was  a  member  for  many  years.  Born  in  Lostwithal,  Cornwall, 
England,  June  12,  1833,  she  was  brought  to  this  country  at  so  early  an  age 
that  she  had  little  recollection  of  her  English  home.  Children  of  John  and 
Susan  (Knight)  Jermyn:  Joseph  J.,  of  whom  further;  William  H.,  died  aged 
nineteen  years ;  Frank  H.,  of  whom  further ;  Myron,  died  aged  two  years ; 
George  B.,  of  whom  further;  Walter  M.,  of  whom  further;  Edmund  B.,  of 
whom  further ;  Emma,  married  D.  W.  Mears,  of  Scranton  ;  Susan,  married 
R.  A.  Downey,  of  Oswego,  New  York,  president  of  the  Second  National  Bank 
there,  and  vessel  owner  and  grain  shipper  on  the  Lakes  and  a  very  prominent 
man  in  all  the  affairs  of  the  town,  they  have  two  children :  Robert  A.  Jr.  and 
Jermyn ;  Rollo  G.,  of  whom  further. 

Joseph  J.  Jermyn,  eldest  child  of  John  Jermyn,  was  born  in  Hyde  Park, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1852.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  Kingston  Seminar}' 
and  Bucknell  College,  but  from  boyhood  was  associated  with  his  father,  ac- 
companying him  to  and  in  the  mines  when  a  boy  of  twelve.  He  has  worked 
at  everything  connected  with  the  business,  aided  in  the  store,  delivered  goods 
to  the  miners,  powder,  oil,  wick,  etc.,  and  has  never  ceased  his  activity  but 
conducts  large  private  interests  in  addition  to  his  duties  as  executor,  chosen 
under  the  terms  of  his  father's  will  to  act  with  his  brother,  George  B.,  and 
sister,  Emma,  to  administer  the  Jermyn  estate  for  twenty  years  from  the  date 
of  death  of  the  founder,  when  it  may  be  divided.  He  is  a  man  of  great  energy 
and  public  spirit  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  strong  men  of  his  city.  He  is 
president  of  the  Taylor  Bank  of  Taylor,  Pennsylvania;  president  of  the  Gulf, 
Texas  &  Western  Railroad  Company ;  president  of  the  Tintern  Manor  Water 
Company,  of  Long  Branch,  New  Jersey;  vice-president  of  the  Traders  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Scranton,  is  a  large  mine  owner  and  has  a  fine  stock  farm  at 
Greenfield  as  well  as  other  farm  property  in  the  valley.  The  Tintern  Manor 
Water  Company,  of  which  he  is  owner,  consists  of  a  pumping  plant  on  Swim- 
ming river,  near  Red  Bank,  New  Jersey,  and  one  hundred  miles  of  mains  ex- 
tending through  Red  Bank  along  the  famed  Rumson  road  to  Sea  Bright,  down 
the  coast  supplying  all  the  towns  as  far  south  as  Asbury  Park.  The  franchise 
is  perpetual  and  the  water  rate  fixed.  In  acquiring  this  great  property  and 
franchise,  Mr.  Jermyn  had  a  hard  legal  battle,  but  won  out  against  the  efforts 
of  some  of  the  officials  who  sought  to  efifect  personal  gain.  The  Gulf,  Texas 
&  Western  Railroad  is  also  his  own  property  and  at  present  consists  of  one 
hundred  and  thirty  miles  of  well  built,  perfectly  equipped  railroad,  in  Texas, 
planned  to  extend  west  from  Dallas  and  Fort  Worth  to  a  connection  with  the 
Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  at  Lubbock,  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles 
west  of  Dallas.  Mr.  Jermyn  is  fond  of  his  horses  and  stock,  taking  a  great 
deal   of  pleasure    from   the   operation   of   his    farm.     He   belongs   to   Lodge, 


28o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Chapter,  Commandery,  Shrine  and  Consistory  of  the  Masonic  Order,  holding 
the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is  a  supporter  of  church  and  philanthropic  insti- 
tutions and  aids  in  every  way  the  cause  of  progress. 

Frank  H.  Jermyn,  third  child  of  John  Jermyn,  was  born  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1858,  died  in  San  Francisco,  California,  January  3,  1910. 
He  was  injured  in  a  trolley  car  collision  and  died  shortly  afterward  in  the 
hospital.  His  body  was  returned  to  Scranton  and  rests  in  Dunmore  Cemetery. 
He  had  lived  in  California  for  about  ten  years,  having  purchased  Pleasanton 
Stock  Farm,  where  he  gratified  his  love  for  fine  horses  and  outdoor  life.  He 
sold  this  farm  in  1907  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  living  in  San  Francisco. 
He  was  a  good,  true  and  manly  man,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  his  many 
friends.  He  married  Grace  G.  Griffin,  who  died  in  April,  1907.  Their  only 
daughter,  Frances,  was  educated  in  music  at  Berlin,  Germany,  and  married  La 
Mott  Belin,  of  Scranton. 

George  B.  Jermyn,  fifth  child  of  John  Jermyn,  was  born  in  Jermyn,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  9,  1862.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  "Daddy 
Merrill's  School"  and  Granville  Military  Academy,  of  Granville,  New  York. 
After  completing  his  school  years  he  began  active  business  life  as  manager  of 
the  Standard  Oil  Company's  interests  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  continu- 
ing there  five  years.  He  then  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Rendham, 
Pennsylvania,  continuing  until  the  death  of  his  father  in  May,  1902.  He  wa= 
appointed  under  his  father's  will  one  of  the  executors  of  the  Jermyn  estate 
and  has  since  devoted  himself  to  the  administration  of  that  trust,  although  he 
has  large  private  and  corporate  interests.  He  is  president  of  the  Scranton 
Savings  and  Dime  Bank,  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Gulf,  Texas  &  Western 
Railroad  Company ;  vice-president,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Hallstead 
Water  Company ;  vice-president,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Great  Bend 
Water  Company ;  treasurer  of  the  Tintern  Manor  Water  Company,  Long 
Branch,  New  Jersey ;  and  a  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral  School  for  Deaf 
Mutes.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton,  Press  and  Country  clubs ;  holds  all 
degrees  of  Masonry  in  both  York  and  Scottish  Rites  up  to  arid  including  the 
thirty-second.  He  is  also  a  Noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  a  member  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  most  democratic  and  public- 
spirited,  believes  in  the  cause  of  the  "public  good"  and  throws  the  weight  of 
his  influence  in  favor  of  good  government.  Most  energetic  in  business,  he 
is  a  fine  type  of  the  successful  modern  business  man.  He  married,  April  20, 
1892,  Annie  Adams,  of  Fair  Haven,  \'ermont,  daughter  of  Hon.  A.  W. 
Adams,  the  genealogist  of  the  Adams  family,  now  deceased.  Children :  Mar- 
garet, a  graduate  of  Mrs.  Dow's  Briarcliffe  School,  and  Ruth,  aged  thirteen 
years.  Mr.  Jermyn's  residence  at  No.  616  Webster  avenue  is  a  fine  Colonial 
style  building,  erected  by  W.  H.  Taylor,  who  occupied  it  but  eight  months, 
then  moved  to  New  York,  leaving  his  costly  residence  vacant  for  ten  years  until 
purchased  by  Mr.  Jermyn. 

Walter  M.  Jermyn,  sixth  child  of  John  Jermyn,  was  born  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  June  2,  1864.  He  was  educated  in  the  Granville  Military 
Academy,  and  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute,  of  Troy,  New  York,  an  in- 
sitution  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  C.  E.  He  was  en- 
gineer in  charge  of  the  Jermyn  mining  interests,  later  general  su]U'rintendent. 
He  then  located  in  Oswego,  New  York,  being  president  and  general  manager 
of  the  Oswego  Boiler  Works.  After  operating  that  plant  for  several  years  he 
sold  out  entirely  and  retired  from  active  business  life.  His  city  home  is  The 
Great  Northern  Hotel,  New  York;  his  summer  home,  "Little  Grenadier  Isl- 
and," one  of  the  Thousand  Islands  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  He  married  Lena 
Kehoe,  of  Oswego. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  281 

Edmund  B.  Jermyn.  seventh  child  of  John  Jermyn,  was  born  in  Jermyn, 
Pennsylvania,  April  12,  1867.  He  was  educated  in  public  schools,  Jermyn 
public  school,  Peekskill  (New  York)  Military  Academy,  Harry  Hillman 
School,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  Pierce's  Business  College,  Phila- 
delphia. He  began  business  life  in  his  father's  Scranton  office,  continuing  three 
years,  then  becoming  manager  of  the  grist  mill  at  Jermyn.  In  1896  he  became 
manager  of  the  Jermyn  mining  properties  at  Old  Forge,  which  is  yet  his  busi- 
ness headquarters.  He  is  president  of  the  Traders  Coal  Company,  of  Laflin, 
Pennsylvania,  president  of  the  Archbald  Bank  of  Archbald,  Pennsylvania, 
and  has  many  other  private  and  corporate  interests.  He  was  president  of  the 
Taylor  Hospital,  Taylor,  Pennsylvania,  for  seven  years  and  is  now  chairman 
of  the  executive  committee.  He  is  a  man  of  energy,  has  a  clear  record  as  a 
business  man,  and  while  never  a  politician  in  1913  led  the  forces  of 
reform  in  the  battle  to  obtain  the  chief  magistracy  of  Scranton.  He  made 
his  primary  fight  successfully,  and  also  made  a  strong  plea  for  a  business 
administration  of  city  affairs.  An  extract  from  his  letter  to  the  voters  is  ap- 
pended:  'T  would  like  to  be  Mayor  to  demonstrate  how  easy  it  is  to  render 
better  service  in  every  respect  to  the  taxpayer,  without  any  more  cost.  I  want 
to  take  hold  of  the  City  Hall  and  run  public  business  as  an  up-to-date  private 
successful  business  is  run."  His  wish  was  granted  and  he  was  elected  in  No- 
vember, 1913,  and  is  now  serving  in  that  office.  Mr.  Jermyn  is  a  membei 
of  all  bodies  of  the  Masonic  Order  in  both  York  and  Scottish  Rites,  including 
the  thirty-second  degree,  and  is  a  Noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Scranton  Club,  Country  Club,  Bicycle  Club,  Engineers  Society  of  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  Sportsmen  of  America,  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America,  Crafts  Club,  Masonic  Lodge  of  West  Scranton,  Scranton  Rod  and 
Gun  Club,  Wooden  Plate  Club,  of  Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania,  Westmoreland 
Club  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  City  Club  of  Oswego,  New  York. 
He  married  Mary  Decker,  of  Scranton.  Children:  Edmund  B.  (2),  Prince- 
ton, 1915;  Elizabeth,  married  Major  Lee  White,  of  Madison,  new  Jersey,  and 
has  a  son.  Major  Lee  White  (2),  born  September  18,  1913;  William  S.,  a 
student  at  Hill's  School,  Pottstown.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  621 
Jefferson  avenue. 

Rollo  G.  Jermyn,  tenth  child  of  John  Jermyn,  was  born  in  Jermyn.  Penn- 
sylvania, March  3,  1873.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Jermyn  and  Scranton,  after  which  he  entered  St.  Paul's  School  at 
Garden  City,  Long  Island,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  class  of  1892.  At 
the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  began  business  life  as  his  father's  assistant  in  the 
Scranton  office,  having  charge  of  the  real  estate  books  for  one  year.  He  then 
was  in  charge  of  the  Oswego  Boiler  Works,  belonging  to  the  family  until 
their  sale  in  1903.  He  then  was  in  charge  of  an  independent  telephone  line 
in  Syracuse,  New  York,  belonging  to  his  brother  Joseph  J.  until  1905, 
when  the  line  was  sold.  Mr.  Jermyn  then  returned  to  Scranton.  and  pur- 
chased a  half  interest  in  the  mercantile  business  of  his  brother,  George  B., 
at  Rendham,  which  he  still  retains.  In  1909  he  became  treasurer  of  the  Jermyn 
Hotel,  the  property  of  the  Jemiyn  estate.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Dime 
Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  other  and  varied  business  in- 
terests of  importance.  Like  all  the  sons  of  John  Jermyn  he  is  gifted  with  keen 
business  talent  and  a  capacity  for  work,  that  accomplishes  much  without  ap- 
parent effort.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge,  Chapter  and  Commandery  of  the 
Masonic  Order  in  Oswego,  and  of  Media  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
of  Watertown,  New  York,  also  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  of  Oswego.  His  clubs  are  the  Scranton,  of  which  he  is  di- 
rector :  the  Countrv  and  Canoe,  all  of  Scranton.     In  church  relation  he  is  a 


282  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

member  of  St.  Luke's  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Jermyn  married  Kate,  daughter 
of  Douglass  Jay,  of  Scranton  and  has  a  son  Rollo  G.  (2).  The  family  resi- 
dence is  at  No.  539  Clay  avenue,  Scranton. 


JAMES  N.  RICE,  M.  D. 

It  is  certainly  within  the  province  of  history  to  commemorate  and  perpetu- 
ate the  lives  of  those  men  whose  careers  have  been  of  signal  usefulness  and 
honor  to  the  city  in  which  they  resided,  and  in  this  connection  it  is  not  only 
compatible  but  absolutely  imperative  that  mention  be  made  of  the  late  Dr. 
James  N.  Rice,  of  Scranton,  who  was  not  only  an  eminent  and  successful 
medical  practitioner,  but  an  inventor,  and  one  of  the  most  expert  authorities 
in  mining  operations  in  the  anthracite  region  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania. 

William  Rice,  father  of  Dr.  James  N.  Rice,  was  among  the  early  settlers 
of  Abington,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  residing  on  a  farm  at  Fac- 
toryville,  which  he  cultivated  and  improved,  and  from  which  he  derived  a 
lucrative  means  of  livelihood.  He  was  a  devout  Christian,  and  his  advocacy 
of  the  cause  of  temperance  was  wide  and  enduring.  His  death  occurred  in 
1858,  and  he  was  survived  by  his  wife,  Sarah  (Reynolds)  Rice,  daughter  of 
George  Reynolds,  who  was  also  among  the  early  settlers  of  Abington.  Mrs. 
Rice  was  a  woman  of  great  force  of  character,  cultured  and  refined,  a  devout 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  for  forty-si.x  years,  and  an  earnest  advocate  of 
the  cause  of  temperance.  During  the  Civil  War  period  her  patriotism  wa^ 
most  ardent  and  intense.  She  survived  her  husband  many  years,  her  death 
occurring  in  1874.  She  was  the  mother  of  seven  children:  Norman,  Edson 
J.,  Freelove,  Elvira  (Mrs.  Green),  Nicholas  E.,  James  N.  and  Stephen  L., 
three  of  the  sons  serving  during  the  Civil  War,  one  of  whom,  Captain  Edsoi; 
J.  Rice,  being  killed  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  He  entered  the  service  as 
first  lieutenant  and  participated  in  nearly  all  the  battles  under  General  Mc- 
Clellan,  and  also  in  that  at  Fredericksburg  under  General  P.urnside ;  he  was 
slightly  wounded  at  Fair  Oaks,  and  was  promoted  to  captain  a  few  months 
before  his  untimely  but  glorious  death.  The  mother  met  this  dreadful  affliction 
with  Christian  resignation,  and  found  some  surcease  of  sorrow  in  devoting 
herself  with  redoubled  energy  to  the  work  in  which  she  had  been  foremost 
from  the  beginning,  the  providing  of  comfort  for  the  sick  and  wounded  sol- 
diers in  the  hospital,  and  of  necessities  for  the  families  whose  bread-earner ^ 
were  at  the  front. 

Dr.  James  N.  Rice  was  born  in  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania,  in  1845,  '^'^'^ 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  December  y,  1902,  after  an  illness  of  but  a  few 
hours.  He  attended  the  public  schof)ls  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home,  and 
later  became  a  student  in  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan, at  Ann  Arbor,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated,  and  subsequentb. 
took  a  post-graduate  course  at  the  Bellevue  Medical  College,  New  York  City, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1867.  He  began  the  active  practice  of  his  choseii 
profession  in  his  native  town,  continuing  until  1870,  achieving  a  large  degree 
of  success,  when  he  removed  to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  resided  for 
nineteen  years,  during  which  time  lie  built  up  an  enviable  practice,  winning 
and  retaining  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  many  patrons,  and  a  place  01 
prominence  among  his  professional  brethren.  In  addition  to  his  professional 
career,  Dr.  Rice  was  actively  interested  in  the  coal  industry,  to  which  he  had 
devoted  considerable  time  and  attention,  and  he  became  the  owner  of  a  small 
mine  in  Pittston  known  as  the  Cork  and  Bottle,  which  he  operated  successfully 
for  a  number  of  years. 

In  1889,  having  decided  to  change  his  field  of  labor  and  enter  upon  an  en- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  283 

tirely  different  line  of  work,  which  he  had  successfully  tried  and  proven,  he 
removed  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  which  was  his  home  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  At  that  time  he  was  interested  in  the  development  of  the  property  of 
the  Mt.  Lookout  Coal  Company  at  Wyoming,  Pennsylvania,  and  shortly  af- 
terward he  organized  the  Blue  Ridge  Coal  Company,  which  operated  a  mine 
at  Peckville,  and  this  he  later  disposed  of  to  the  (Dntario  &  Western  Coal  Com- 
pany at  an  advantageous  price.  He  then  directed  his  attention  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Riverside  and  West  End  Coal  companies,  in  the  former  of  which 
he  held  a  controlling  interest,  acting  as  general  manager  of  the  latter,  each 
operating  one  mine.  Subsequently  he  was  an  active  factor  in  several  of  the 
extensive  individual  coal  industries  in  Lackawanna  and  Luzerne  counties,  and 
at  one  time  was  also  extensively  interested  in  mining  operations  in  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  attained  the  same  degree  of  success  in  this  as  in  his 
professional  labors,  owing  to  his  thorough  mastery  of  detail  in  whatever  en- 
gaged his  attention,  and  his  skill  and  ability,  one  of  his  properties,  the  Blue 
Ridge  Colliery,  being  one  of  the  best  paying  coal  properties  in  the  Valley. 

Dr.  Rice  was  not  only  successful  as  a  manager,  but  was  entirely  familiar 
with  the  conditions  and  possibilities,  making  an  exhaustive  and  thorough  study 
of  the  same,  and  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  expert  authorities  in  that 
locality.  President  P'owler,  of  the  Ontario  &  Western  Railroad,  said  of  him, 
that  his  views  with  reference  to  the  coal  industry  were  fully  four  years  in  ad- 
vance of  the  average  thought  of  coal  operators.  An  evidence  of  his  practical 
ability  is  afforded  in  the  instance  of  the  coal  breaker  at  Riverside,  which 
was  built  after  his  own  ideas  and  under  his  own  supervision,  and  which  en- 
abled twenty  boys  to  secure  the  same  results  which  had  previously  required 
five  times  that  number.  He  possessed  inventive  skill  of  a  superior  order, 
which  he  used  to  good  advantage,  one  of  his  inventions,  the  Rice  Coil  Car- 
riage Spring,  including  the  machine  to  make  it.  being  now  in  general  use.  This 
was  manufactured  in  Pittston  for  a  number  of  years  by  a  company  of  which 
he  was  the  head,  and  later  was  made  by  the  Columbus  Buggy  Company.  He 
was  interested  in  the  work  of  the  strike  commission  for  the  independent  min- 
ing companies,  his  influence  being  ever  on  the  side  of  right  and  justice. 

Dr.  Rice  added  patriotism  to  his  many  excellent  characteristics,  and  at 
the  early  age  of  sixteen  years,  at  the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  the 
North  an  South,  he  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Battery  L,  Second  Pennsylvania 
Artillery,  with  which  he  participated  in  several  hard-fought  battles,  being 
severely  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor.  He  served  until  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  enlistment,  his  duties  being  performed  in  a  highly  credit- 
able manner,  and  after  his  honorable  discharge  from  the  service  of  the  United 
States  government  he  returned  to  his  home  and  resumed  his  interrupted  studies. 

Dr.  Rice  married.  May  9,  1876.  Sarah  E.  Cake,  who  survived  him,  maintain- 
ing the  family  home  in  .Scranton,  honored  and  esteemed  by  all  who  have  the 
honor  of  her  acquaintance.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children  :  Homer 
Cake,  Earl  Leroy,  both  of  whom  inherit  in  large  degree  the  inventive  genius 
of  their  honored  father,  and  Marion  Helene. 

This  brief  resume  of  Dr.  Rice's  many  spheres  of  activity  proved  the  broad- 
ness of  his  mental  vision,  and  whether  considered  as  physician,  manager,  in- 
ventor, employer  or  soldier,  he  was  found  to  be  a  man  true  to  himself  and 
true  to  his  fellows.  To  a  natural  dignity  of  manner  Dr.  Rice  added  a  genial- 
ity that  won  him  hosts  of  friends  and  made  him  welcome  everywhere,  but 
he  found  his  jarincipal  interest  and  relaxation  in  his  home,  surrounded  by  his 
wife  and  children,  to  whom  he  was  devotedly  attached. 


284  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

WILLIAM  ALONZO  WILCOX 

One  of  the  best  known  lawyers  of  Wyoming,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, is  William  Alonzo  Wilcox,  who  has  inherited  many  of  the  distinguishing 
traits  of  his  incestors,  the  earliest  of  whom  were  among  the  first  settlers  of 
New  England. 

(I)  Edward  Wilcox,  of  Portsmouth,  and  Kingstown,  Rhode  Island,  was 
one  of  the  free  inhabitants  of  that  place  in  1638  and  was  one  of  those  who 
formed  the  civil  combination  or  compact  of  government.  May  28,  1638.  In 
partnership  with  Roger  Williams  he  had  a  trading  house  at  Narragansett 
about  this  time,  and  prior  to  1648  he  died,  probably  at  that  place.  In  1653 
there  was  a  guardian  for  his  eight  children,  among  whom  was  Stephen,  of 
whom  further. 

(II)  Stephen  Wilcox,  son  of  Edward  Wilcox,  born  about  1633.  He  was 
a  resident  of  Portsmouth,  Rhode  Island,  1655.  He  was  one  of  the  settlers  of 
Westerly  in  1661,  and  when  the  town  was  incorporated  in  May,  1669,  he 
was  among  the  freemen,  and  was  one  of  the  first  delegates  to  the  general 
assembly,  being  re-elected  in  1672.  The  old  Wilcox  farm,  near  Watch  Hill, 
is  still  occupied  and  owned  by  his  descendants.  He  is  mentioned  as  deceased 
in  a  paper  dated  February  6,  1689-90.  Stephen  Wilcox  married,  in  the  spring 
of  1658,  Hannah,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Hazard,  of  Portsmouth,  who  came 
from  Wales  to  Boston  about  1635.  Children:  Edward,  of  whom  further, 
Thomas.  Daniel,  William,   Stephen,  Hannah  and  Jeremiah. 

(III)  Edward  (2)  Wilcox,  eldest  child  of  Stephen  and  Hannah  (Hazard) 
Wilcox,  was  born  about  1662.  and  administration  on  his  personal  estate  was 
granted  his  widow,  November  15,  171 5.  He  was  the  incumbent  of  several 
public  offices  of  responsibility,  among  them  being  delegate  to  the  general  as- 
sembly in  1693.  Judging  from  the  inventory  of  his  estate  he  must  have  been 
a  man  of  considerable  wealth.  He  married  (first)  a  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Mary  (Brownell)  Hazard,  (second)  in  1698,  Tamzin,  daughter  of  Richard 
Stevens,  of  Taunton,  Massachusetts.  By  the  first  marriage  he  had :  Mary, 
Hannah,  Stephen,  of  whom  further.  Edward,  and  by  the  second :  Sarah, 
Thomas,  Hezekiah,  Elisha,  Amy,  Susannah. 

(IV)  Stephen   (2)   Wilcox,  son  of  Edward   (2)   and  (Hazard) 

Wilcox,  left  a  will  dated,  January  i,  1753.  He  married,  July  12,  1716,  Mercie, 
a  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Eleanor  Randall,  of  Westerly.  He  had  children : 
David,  Mercy,  Eunice,  Stephen,  Valentine,  Isaiah,  of  whom  further. 

(V)  Rev.  Isaiah  Wilcox,  son  of  Stephen  (2)  and  Mercie  (Randall) 
Wilcox,  was  born  in  1738,  died  March  3,  1793.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers, 
in  1765,  of  the  Third  Church  of  Christ  in  Westerly,  popularly  known  as  the 
"Wilcox  Church,"  and  was  its  first  pastor,  having  been  ordained  February  14, 
1771.  He  married,  October  15,  1761,  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Lewis,  of 
Westerly,  and  had  twelve  children. 

(VI)  Deacon  Isaiah  (2)  Wilcox,  eldest  son  of  Rev.  Isaiah  (i)  and  Sarah 
(Lewis)  Wilcox,  was  born  in  Westerly,  January  31,  1763,  died  at  Newville, 
Herkimer  county.  New  York,  July  13,  1844.  He  was  not  old  enough  to  enlist 
in  the  Continental  army  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  but  was  accepted 
in  the  "Home  Guard,"  made  up  chiefly  of  "the  undisciplined,  the  youthful 
and  the  aged,  spared  by  inefficiency  from  the  distant  ranks  of  the  rejiublic." 
Colonel  William  Pendleton  was  the  commander  of  this  brave  band,  and  they 
rendered  efficient  service  in  guarding  the  coast,  and  also  were  engaged  in 
many  land  skirmishes.  He  removed  with  his  family  to  Danube.  Herkimer 
county,  in  1792,  and  was  a  man  of  influence  in  the  councils  of  the  Democratic 
party.     He  married,  January   22,    1788,   Polly,   daughter  of  Colonel   William 


W.^l'Wi/c 


€01 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  283 

Pendleton,  and   had :   Polly,    Isaiah,   William    Pendleton,   Asa,   Lydia,   Nancy, 
Nathan  Pendleton,  of  whom  further. 

(VII)  Nathan  Pendleton  Wilcox,  youngest  son  of  Deacon  Isaiah  (2)  and 
Polly  (Pendleton)  Wilcox,  was  born  in  Danube,  New  York,  May  3,  1804, 
died  April  24,  1833.  He  was  a  farmer  and  contractor,  and  had  already  shown 
much  ability  as  a  business  man.  He  married,  October  9,  1828,  Lurancia, 
daughter  of  Lieutenant  William  and  Sarah  (Norton)  Richardson,  and  they 
had  one  child,  Nathan  Pendleton,  of  whom  further. 

(VIII)  Nathan  Pendleton  (2)  Wilcox,  only  child  of  Nathan  Pendleton 
(i)  and  Lurancia  (Richardson)  Wilcox,  was  born  at  Nunda,  New  York, 
May  16,  1832,  died  at  Nicholson.  Pennsylvania.  April  25,  1904.  His  educa- 
tion was  a  liberal  one,  and  upon  its  completion  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  in 
McKean  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1847-48  and  1852-53.  From  1848  to  1852 
he  was  also  employed  in  the  store  of  his  uncle,  Jeremiah  W.  Richardson,  at 
Nunda,  then  was  with  Smith  Brothers  and  N.  S.  Butler,  in  Olean,  New  York. 
In  1856-57  he  was  senior  member  of  the  mercantile  firm  of  N.  P.  Wilcox  & 
Company,  the  junior  member  being  J.  K.  Comstock,  and  in  1858,  in  association 
with  Frederick  Eaton,  formed  the  firm  of  W'ilcox  &  Eaton,  continuing  until 
1862.  He  removed  to  Nicholson,  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  spring 
of  1862,  and  was  a  merchant  there  until  1886.  He  was  very  prominent  in 
church  affairs,  and  was  chosen  one  of  the  ruling  elders  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Nicholson  when  it  was  organized.  He  was  a  teacher  in  and  super- 
intendent of  the  Sabbath  school,  and  had  charge  of  an  adult  Bible  class. 
Politically  he  was  a  Democrat  always,  and  filled,  very  efficiently,  a  number 
of  local  offices,  among  them  that  of  magistrate  and  surveyor.  Mr.  Wilsou 
married,  October  6,  1856,  Celestine,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Little) 
Birge,  of  Coventry,  Chenango  county.  New  York,  and  they  had  children ; 
William  Alonzo,  of  whom  further;  Henry  Pendleton,  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Nicholson ;  Clara  B. ;  Anna  J. 

(IX)  William  Alonzo  Wilcox,  son  of  the  late  Nathan  Pendleton  (2)  and 
Celestine  (Birge)  Wilcox,  was  born  July  25,  1857,  at  Olean,  New  York, 
where  his  father  was  a  merchant.  The  son  attended  Keystone  Academy  in 
1874  and  1875;  taught  "the  Hack  School"  in  Benton  the  winter  of  1875-76; 
was  employed  in  his  father's  hardware  store  in  1876  and  1877,  and  studied 
law  in  Tunkhannock  in  1878  and  1879  with  Robert  R.  Little  and  his  sons, 
William  Ernest  and  Clarence  A.  Little.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Wyoming  county  in  January,  1880;  in  Lackawanna  county  the  same  month, 
and  opened  an  office  in  Scranton,  where  he  has  since  continued.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania  in  1882.  His  residence  was 
with  his  parents  at  Nicholson  until  his  marriage  in  1885.  In  the  first  Pattison 
campaign  (1882)  he  was  chairman  of  the  Democratic  county  committee  and 
secured  the  largest  Democratic  vote  and  majority  in  the  history  of  Wyoming 
county  before  or  since.  He  is  a  past  master  of  Nicholson  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  past  high  priest  of  Factoryville  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons. 

Mr.  Wilcox  has  served  many  years  as  a  director  of  the  Lackawanna  Law 
and  Library  Association;  was  an  incorporator  of  the  Pennsylvania  Bar  As- 
sociation ;  member  of  the  American  Bar  Association ;  organized  the  Farmers 
National  Bank  of  Montrose,  of  which  he  was  many  years  a  director ;  is  a 
corresponding  member  of  Wyoming  Historical  &  Geological  Society  at  Wilkes- 
Barre ;  a  vice-president  and  prominent  in  Wyoming  Commemorative  Associa- 
tion ;  was  a  ruling  elder  in  Presbyterian  church  in  Wyoming  while  resident 
there;  was  title  officer  and  trust  officer  of  The  Title  Guaranty  &  Trust  Com- 
pany and  trust  officer  of  The  Scranton  Trust  Company  for  many  years ;  pub- 


286  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

lished  a  volume  of  law  reports,  a  Wilcox-Brown-Medbery  genealogy ;  some 
historical  addresses,  etc.  He  has  been  president  of  the  New  England  Society 
of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania;  was  given  the  degree  A.  M.  by  Hamilton  Col- 
lege in  1908;  is  now  president  of  the  Waterloo  Water  Company  (Seneca  coun- 
ty. New  York)  and  (1914)  chairman  of  the  Democratic  county  committee  of 
Lackawanna  county.  He  assisted  Colonel  Hitchcock  in  the  preparation  of 
portions  of  this  history — the  chapter  on  the  Bench  and  Bar  is  largely  from  his 
pen. 

Mr.  Wilcox  married,  April  22,  1885,  Katharine  J.,  youngest  daughter  of 
Hon.  Steuben  and  Catharine  (  Breese)  Jenkins,  of  Wyoming.  The  children 
of  this  marriage  are:  William  Jenkins,  A.  M.  (Hamilton)  LL.  B.  (Washington 
and  Lee),  a  member  of  the  Lackawanna  bar;  Emily  (Mt.  Holyoke)  ;  Helen, 
and  twins,  Stephen  and  Henry,  born  1898,  died  young.  The  first  two  children 
were  bom  at  Wyoming;  the  latter  three  at  Scranton.  Mrs.  Katharine  J. 
Wilcox  died  at  Lake  Winola,  September  3,  1913. 


CHARLES  F.  MILLER 

Massachusetts,  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  are  the  states  that  have  been 
graced  by  the  residences  of  this  branch  of  the  Miller  family,  settled  in  Massa- 
chusetts at  an  early  period  in  Colonial  history,  some  of  the  family  members 
of  the  band  of  Puritans  that  founded  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Colony.  In 
England  those  of  the  name  bore  an  honorable  record  and  in  the  rolls  of  the 
volunteer  regiments  raised  in  Massachusetts  to  throw  off  the  dominion  of  the 
King  of  England,  the  name  Miller  appears  with  a  frequency  that  eloquently 
attests  their  patriotism  and  sturdy  independence.  Nor  was  such  spirit  lacking 
in  the  maternal  forbears  of  Charles  F.  Miller,  of  this  chronicle,  for  the  Van 
Olindas,  of  Holland  ancestry  in  both  lines  of  the  family,  were  also  numerously 
represented  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  In  the  later  war  that  has  distressed 
our  nation,  the  struggle  between  the  North  and  the  South,  three  Miller  brothers 
served  in  the  Northern  army,  one  of  whom  was  Milton,  father  of  C.  F.  Miller. 
He  was  a  first  lieutenant  in  a  company  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth 
Regiment  New  York  Volunteers,  participating  in  all  the  campaigns  in  which 
that  regiment  was  in  action  from  the  declaration  of  war  until  the  signing  of 
the  articles  of  peace.  Milton  Miller  came  from  Wales,  Massachusetts,  to  New 
York,  in  which  state  his  son,  Charles  F.,  was  born. 

Charles  F.  Miller  was  born  on  a  farm  at  Brewerton,  New  York,  and  ob- 
tained his  entire  graded  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  locality. 
When  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  engaged  in  independent  business, 
for  a  time  conducting  farming  operations,  after  which,  until  he  was  thirty-six 
years  old,  he  was  a  manufacturer,  continuing  in  this  line  for  nine  years.  He 
then  entered  the  law  office  of  Newell  &  Chapman,  of  Syracuse,  New  Nork, 
as  a  student,  but  after  a  short  time  decided  against  the  legal  profession  and 
secured  an  engagement  in  the  journalistic  field,  becoming  connected  with  the 
advertising  department  of  the  Syracuse  Post  Standard,  and  for  some  time 
was  a  well  regarded  member  of  the  staff  of  that  paper.  After  leaving  the  em- 
ploy of  that  periodical,  Mr.  Miller  formed  association  with  the  Boyd  Publish- 
ing Company  of  Syracuse,  remaining  with  that  firm  until  1899.  when  he  re- 
signed his  position  and  moved  to  Scranton.  Here  he  established  in  the  pub- 
lishing business,  his  first  work  being  the  publication  of  a  pamphlet  of  mine 
laws,  of  which  more  than  100,000  copies  were  distributed  in  the  adjacent  min- 
ing regions.  This  pamphlet,  reproducing  in  full  and  interpreting  all  legisla- 
tion enacted  on  this  subject  performed  a  great  work  in  enlightening  the  native 
and   foreign  mine  workers  as  to  the  obligations  and  responsibilities  of  both 


"^^i^^Tt^a^ — 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  287 

employer  and  employed,  and  received  the  liearty  commendation  of  the  press, 
those  interested  in  humanitarian  projects  and  the  general  public.  In  1903 
Mr.  Miller  began  the  publication  of  the  Board  of  Trade  Journal,  at  the  time 
one  of  three  publications  of  its  kind  in  the  United  States,  the  two  others  be- 
ing published  in  Portland,  Maine,  and  at  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  He  is 
still  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  this  periodical,  which  is  of  valuable  assistance 
to  the  administration  and  to  those  interested  in  the  welfare  and  advancement 
of  Scranton's  industrial  expansion  and  development.  The  strength  and  power 
of  this  journal,  universally  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  progressive  municipal 
publications  in  the  country,  is  in  large  measure  due  to  its  skillful  guidance, 
judicious  editing  and  careful  arrangement  by  Mr.  Miller,  who  places  in  its 
pages  much  of  his  own  spirit  of  progress  and  action. 

Besides  his  affiliations  with  the  Board  of  Trade,  Mr.  Miller  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  and  member  of  Irem 
Temple,  Mystic  Shrine,  the  Engineers'  Club,  and  is  past  commander  of  the  local 
organization  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans.  In  his  contact  with  the  business  men 
of  Scranton,  Mr.  Miller  has  made  many  firm  friends,  and  is  accepted  by  all  in 
social  or  business  circles  as  an  earnest  and  disinterested  worker  for  the 
city's  best  good. 


JUDGE  MICHAEL  FRANCIS  SANDO 

Dating  in  the  United  States  from  the  year  1826  and  from  the  early  pioneer 
days  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  the  Sandos  have  occupied  prominent  place 
in  their  communities.  The  emigrant,  Michael  Sando,  was  born  in  Cornwall, 
England,  and  there  passed  his  early  life,  becoming  a  practical  deep  mine 
worker  in  the  famous  mines  of  his  native  shire.  In  1826  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  being  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers there.  He  became  one  of  the  first  coal  operators  of  that  district,  be- 
ginning at  a  date  prior  to  the  coming  of  the  railroads.  The  coal  he  mined  in 
the  earlier  days  was  marketed  in  Philadelphia,  but  was  transported  by  wagon 
and  teams.  For  the  first  twenty-seven  years  in  Pottsville  district  he  was 
general  superintendent  of  mines  for  others,  but  later  engaged  in  the  same 
business  for  himself.  He  was  successful  and  ere  the  close  of  his  sixty-nine 
years  of  life  was  able  to  retire  with  a  competence.  He  married  Jane  Gould, 
born  in  Devonshire,  England,  died  in  1884,  aged  ninety-three  years,  retaining 
excellent  health  and  full  mental  powers  until  her  last  short  but  fatal  illness. 
Two  of  the  children  of  Michael  and  Jane  Sando  are  yet  living — Joseph  W. 
was  the  youngest  and  the  only  son. 

Joseph  W.  Sando  was  born  in  Coal  Castle,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  2,  1835.  He  attended  the  public  schools  until  sixteen  years  of  age, 
then  began  active  business  life  as  a  lumberman,  working  in  the  woods  and 
for  a  time  in  a  saw  mill  as  sawyer.  After  two  years  spent  in  this  manner,  he 
began  a  regular  apprenticeship  at  the  machinist's  trade  with  the  Orchard  Iron 
Works  at  Pottsville.  He  served  three  years  as  apprentice,  then  two  additional 
years  were  spent  as  journeyman  with  the  same  company.  In  August,  1859,  he 
located  in  Scranton,  obtaining  employment  as  machinist  with  the  Dickson 
Manufacturing  Company,  then  engaged  in  the  building  of  locomotives,  sta- 
tionary engines,  mining  machinery,  boilers,  etc.  He  continued  as  journeyman 
machinist  until  1872,  when  he  was  promoted  foreman  of  the  machinery  de- 
partment, holding  that  position  twenty-four  years,  earning  the  fullest  con- 
fidence of  his  employers  and  the  respect  of  the  men  over  whom  he  had  control. 
The  position  he  capably  filled,  was  one  of  great  responsibility,  demanding  not 
only  mechanical  skill  beyond  that  of  any  of  his  men,  but  tact  and   a  high 


288  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

order  of  managerial  ability.  These  qualities  Mr.  Sando  possessed  and  in  his 
twenty-four  years  as  foreman  he  proved  equal  to  every  emergency,  meeting 
every  demand  made  upon  him  and  establishing  for  his  department  a  high  record 
of  efficiency.  In  July,  1896,  the  management  of  the  company  passed  into 
other  hands,  and  Mr.  Sando,  having  reached  the  age  of  sixty-one  years,  re- 
signed his  position  and  retired  from  active  business  life.  He  had  played  well 
his  part  and  in  his  own  sphere  had  rendered  important  service  to  his  adopted 
city.  In  his  political  belief  Mr.  Sando  is  a  Democrat,  but  is  not  radical  or 
partisan.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  attending 
Saint  Peter's  Cathedral  with  his  family.  Mr.  Sando  married  Mary  Grogan ; 
children :  Alichael  F.,  of  whom   further ;  William  J.,  a  mechanical  engineer. 

Judge  Michael  Francis  Sando  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  May 
8,  1862.  He  was  educated  in  the  city  schools,  finishing  at  the  high  school, 
whence  he  was  graduated  in  class  of  1879.  He  decided  upon  the  profession 
of  law,  preparing  therefor  under  the  preceptorship  of  W.  H.  Gcaihart,  an 
attorney  of  Scranton.  Completing  the  course  of  study  and  passing  the  re- 
quired examination  he  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar  in  1883 
and  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Scranton,  and  so  continued 
until  his  elevation  to  the  bench  in  1902.  From  his  early  manhood.  Judge 
Sando  was  active  in  the  Democratic  party  and  an  effective  party  worker.  For 
about  fourteen  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  county  and  city  political  com- 
mittees, was  delegate  to  state  conventions  and  from  1885  until  1888  was 
deputy  collector  of  internal  revenue.  He  was  twice  elected  to  the  state  legis- 
lature, serving  from  1888  to  1892.  While  a  member  of  the  house  he  served 
on  committees :  Appropriations,  municipal  corporations  and  judiciary  general. 
In  1898  he  was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  Congress  from  the  Eleventh 
Congressional  District,  but  failed  to  secure  the  election.  He  continued  the 
private  practice  of  law,  was  admitted  to  practice  in  all  state  and  federal  courts 
of  the  district  and  was  in  command  of  a  good  law  practice.  In  1902  he  was 
nominated  for  judge  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  Lackawanna  county  and  at 
the  following  November  election  was  the  successful  candidate.  He  assumed 
his  judicial  duties,  January  i,  1903,  and  is  still  the  honored  judge  of  that 
branch  of  the  county  judicial  system.  He  had  presided  over  the  sessions 
of  the  Orphans'  Court  with  fairness,  justice  and  dignity,  and  has  so  far  as  able 
expedited  the  important  business  of  his  court  without  doing  any  injustice  to 
those  dependent  upon  his  decisions  or  rulings.  He  has  earned  the  title  of  a 
"just  judge"  and  is  held  in  highest  esteem  by  his  brethren  of  the  bar.  In 
religious  faith  he  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  an  attendant  of  Saint  Peter's  Cathedral. 
Scranton. 

Judge  Sando  married,  in  Scranton,  August  28,  1885,  Anna  L.  Blair; 
children :  Joseph  B.  and  Francis  B. 


JAMES  EDWARD  BURR 

Member  of  a  distinguished  New  England  family  that  found  its  way  to 
Pennsylvania  by  way  of  New  York,  James  Edward  Burr,  of  Scranton,  is  a 
native  of  the  former  state  and  has  been  a  prominent  legal  practitioner  of 
Lackawanna  county  ever  since  the  formation  of  that  political  division.  The 
family  of  Burr  is  one  whose  members  have  ever  held  high  position  among 
their  fellows,  one  of  the  famous  historical  characters  belonging  thereto  being 
Aaron  Burr. 

(I)  James  Edward  Burr  is  a  grandson  of  Isaac  Burr,  a  native  of  Fair- 
field, Connecticut,  a  surveyor  and  land  agent,  who  married  Deborah  Raymond, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  289 

of  Norwalk,  Connecticut,  and  had  children:  i.  Dr.  George,  practiced  the  medi- 
cal profession  first  in  Ohio  and  later  in  Binghamton,  New  York ;  married 
Eunice  Swift,  and  was  the  father  of  Dr.  Daniel  S.,  of  Binghamton,  New  York, 
and  George  M.,  a  prominent  banker  and  lumber  merchant  of  Manistee,  Alichi- 
gan.  2.  Dr.  Charles,  a  physician  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania ;  married  Lenora 
Farrer,  and  was  the  father  of  Charles  R.  and  Mary.  3.  Isaac,  of  Meredith, 
New  York ;  married  a  widow,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Johnston.  4.  Raymond,  died 
in  Columbus,  Ohio;  married  Elizabeth  Runyon.  5.  Elizabeth,  married  Rev. 
Crispus  Wright,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  6.  Jane,  married 
Orrin  Porter,  deceased,  of  Delaware  county.  New  York.  7.  Washington,  of 
whom  further. 

(II)  Washington  Burr,  son  of  Isaac  and  Deborah  (Raymond)  Burr,  was 
born  in  Meredith,  Delaware  county.  New  York,  in  August,  1824.  He  was 
a  jeweler  and  watch-maker,  conducting  retail  dealings  along  these  lines  until 
his  death,  the  business  that  he  founded  now  managed  by  his  son,  Frank  E. 
He  married  Lucinda,  daughter  of  Elbert  Bradley,  of  Carbondale,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  had  two  sons,  James  Edward,  of  whom  further;  Frank  E.,  of  whom 
further. 

(HI)  James  Edward  Burr,  son  of  Washington  and  Lucinda  (Bradley) 
Burrj_was  born  in  Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  8, 
1852.  After  completing  courses  in  the  public  school  and  preparatory  schools, 
he  matriculated  at  Princeton  University,  of  which  one  of  his  ancestors  had 
been  president  at  an  early  date,  and  in  1875  was  graduated  A.  B.,  afterward 
receiving  the  degree  of  M.  A.  He  then  became  a  student  at  law  in  the  office  of 
E.  P.  and  J.  B.  Darling,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1877  w^s 
admitted  to  the  bar.  Mr.  Burr  was  one  of  the  first  lawyers  to  engage  in 
practice  at  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county,  being  admitted  thereto  immediately 
after  the  erection  of  the  county.  Since  coming  to  Scranton  he  has  been  re- 
tained as  counsel  in  many  important  cases.  Air.  Burr  is  a  member  of  the 
Scranton  Club  and  of  the  Princeton  Club,  of  New  York.  His  church  is  the 
First  Presbyterian,  of  Scranton,  and  he  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  session 
of  the  First  Church  of  that  denomination  at  Carbondale. 

Mr.  Burr  married  ( first )  Matilda  Parsons,  daughter  of  Rev.  Edward 
Bryan,  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania;  (second)  Harriet  A.,  daughter  of  Le 
Grange  Hulse,  of  Middletown,  New  York,  and  widow  of  Dean  H.  Bassett,  of 
Carbondale,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of  his  first  marriage:  i.  Sarah,  mar- 
ried Philip  Coan,  a  member  of  the  editorial  stafif  of  the  New  York  Evening 
Sun,  and  has  one  son,  Philip,  and  a  daughter,  Leonie.  2.  Edward  Bryan, 
married  Amber  Jadwin,  daughter  of  J.  S.  Jadwin,  of  Carbondale.  3.  Lily 
Paxton,  married  Donald  Bassett,  of  Carbondale.  4.  Kathryn  Meigs,  mar- 
ried Robert  A.  Gardner,  of  Scranton.  Mr.  Burr  is  the  father  of  one  daugh- 
ter by  his  second  mairiage,  Constance  Hulse. 


FRANK  E.  BURR 


A  farsighted  business  man  and  a  progressive,  public  spirited  citizen  vr. 
Frank  E.  Burr,  proprietor  of  the  leading  jewelry  store  of  Carbondale,  Lacka- 
wanna county,  Pennsylvania. 

Frank  E.  Burr  was  born  in  Carbondale  in  January,  1862,  son  of  Washing- 
ton Burr  (q.  v.),  and  received  a  substantial  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city.  L'pon  the  completion  of  his  education,  he  became  associated 
with  his  father  in  the  business  founded  by  the  latter,  and  upon  the  death  of 
the  senior  member  of  the  firm  assumed  sole  control  and  has  conducted  this 
business  successfully  up  to  the  present  time.  The  store  is  located  at  No.  35 
19 


290  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

North  Main  street,  in  a  building  erected  by  the  elder  Air.  Burr,  and  now  owned 
by  Frank  E.  Burr.  Mr.  Burr  is  possessed  of  a  remarkable  degree  of  enerf^y 
and  executive  ability,  and  keeps  his  business  up-to-date  in  every  particular, 
and  is  the  originator  of  a  number  of  novel  ideas.  He  is  also  interested  in  a 
number  of  other  business  concerns,  among  them  being  the  First  National 
Bank,  in  which  he  is  a  stockholder.  He  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
Mason,  having  passed  through  all  the  degrees  up  to  that  of  the  Shrine.  He 
married  Grace  SicMillan,  daughter  of  James  and  Jean  (Maxwell)  McMillan; 
of  Carbondale ;  children :  Marion  Grace,  married  Joseph  Winter  Johnston, 
and  Betty  J. 


HON.  WILLIAM  J.  LEWIS 

The  Hon.  William  J.  Lewis,  deceased,  of  Scranton.  was  one  who  in  his 
life  stood  conspicuously  in  the  community  as  a  splendid  exemplification  of 
noble  manhood.  He  was  among  the  foremost  men  of  affairs  in  the  city,  ac- 
tively identified  with  numerous  commercial  and  financial  interests  which  were 
strong  factors  for  the  general  welfare.  With  lofty  conceptions  of  the  duties 
of  citizenship,  he  ever  exercised  his  influence  in  behalf  of  that  which  was  de- 
manded by  the  highest  standards  of  conduct  both  in  personal  and  official  life. 
He  served  the  state  and  the  community  in  important  positions  with  signal 
ability  and  unblemished  integrity.  In  his  purely  personal  character  he  was  an 
ideal  Christian  gentleman.  He  was  a  son  of  John  D.  Lewis,  and  a  grandson 
of  David  J.  Lewis,  who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Wales  and  died  in 
Carbondale  aged  seventy-six  years. 

John  D.  Lewis,  whose  experience  as  a  practical  miner  made  his  services 
of  great  value,  was  of  material  assistance  in  developing  the  coal  industry  in 
Carbondale  and  its  vicinity.  Some  years  were  spent  in  the  employ  of  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company,  but  he  abandoned  mining  in  1858  and 
engaged  in  farming  in  Clifford  township,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  again  made  his  home  in  Carbondale  in  1866,  when  he  retired  from  stren- 
uous work.  After  the  death  of  his  wife,  ten  years  later,  he  removed  to  Scran- 
ton, where  he  lived  with  his  son,  William  J.,  until  his  death  in  May,  1880.  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years.  He  married  Anna  Hopkins,  who  like  himself 
was  born  in  Wales,  and  died  in  Carbondale,  in  March,  1876,  aged  seventy-six 
years.  They  had  children:  David,  who  went  to  California  in  1852;  Lewis, 
died  in  i860;  Gwennie,  died  in  1856;  John  F.,  in  the  employ  of  the  American 
Safety  Lamp  and  Mine  Supply  Company,  in  Scranton ;  Thomas,  lives  in  San 
Francisco,  California;  Margaret  E.  Kenvin,  also  lives  in  San  Francisco;  Wil- 
liam J.,  of  this  sketch. 

Hon.  William  J.  Lewis  was  born  in  Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  27,  1843,  died  in  Scranton,  January  25,  1902.  The  family 
was  a  fairly  numerous  one,  and  it  became  necessary  for  even  the  youngest 
child  of  the  family  to  lend  his  assistance  in  its  support.  Accordingly,  when 
he  was  but  nine  years  of  age,  he  commenced  working  in  the  mines,  but  a.-- 
this  occupation  did  not  appeal  to  him,  he  accepted  a  position  on  a  farm  quite 
far  from  his  home.  When  his  father  bought  the  farm  in  Clifford  township, 
young  Lewis  was  his  assistant  in  its  cultivation.  In  the  fall  of  1862  he  could 
no  longer  resist  the  calls  of  patriotism  and  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Seventy-seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  a 
nine  months'  term.  During  the  term  of  his  enlistment  he  was  mainly  in  \'ir- 
ginia,  but  when  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  about  to  be  fought,  this  regi- 
ment made  a  forced  march  in  order  to  reach  the  scene  of  this  conflict.     They 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


291 


were  not  in  time  to  render  any  assistance  in  the  fighting,  but  did  excellent 
service,  as  a  part  of  General  Slocum's  corps,  in  pursuing  the  enemy  in  their 
retreat  to  the  south.  In  September,  1863,  Mr.  Lewis  was  honorably  dis- 
charged with  his  regiment,  which  was  commended  for  its  bravery  and  courage. 
While  Mr.  Lewis  had  attended  school  but  a  few  years,  he  had  spent  all  of 
his  spare  time  in  study  and  wide  and  diversified  reading,  and  was  well  equipped 
for  the  profession  of  teaching,  which  he  now  followed  for  a  time  with  great 
success.  The  school  terms,  however,  were  extremely  short  ones,  and  the  pay 
moderate.  The  work  in  the  coal  mines  was  uncongenial  labor,  but  it  was  com- 
paratively well  paid,  and  the  means  thus  acquired  could  then  be  utilized  for 
some  other  advance  in  life.  Having  well  considered  these  matters,  Mr.  Lewis, 
in  1864,  with  his  brother,  John  F.,  engaged  in  mining  in  Jermyn.  He  fol- 
lowed this  two  years,  then  removed  to  Scranton  where  he  opened  a  general 
merchantile  business  in  the  Providence  section  of  the  city.  After  a  short  time 
he  sold  this  and  opened  a  hardware  store  in  the  same  section,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Lewis  &  Fish,  at  the  end  of  two  years  bought  out  the  interests  of  his 
partner,  and  continued  it  alone  for  a  further  five  years.  In  spite  of  strenuous 
labor  this  business  was  not  the  success  which  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Lewis  would 
have  warranted,  and  he  lost  the  entire  capital  he  had  invested.  He  then  em- 
barked in  business  as  an  insurance  agent  and  conveyancer,  and  built  up  a  large 
enterprise. 

Mr.  Lewis  had  been  appointed  paymaster  of  the  Ninth  Regiment,  National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1875  by  Governor  Hartranft,  an  appointment 
which  was  in  the  nature  of  honor  paid  to  his  ability  and  integrity,  as  it  in- 
volved heavy  responsibilities,  but  was  very  poorly  paid.  The  same  governor,  in 
1879,  appointed  him  as  one  of  the  first  auditors  of  Lackawanna  county,  but 
Mr.  Lewis  declined  this  office.  When  Lackawanna  county  was  separated 
from  Luzerne  county,  Mr.  Lewis  was  appointed  associate  judge,  and  held 
court  for  a  period  of  five  years  in  Washington  Hall,  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  in 
association  with  Judges  Handley,  Hand  and  Moffit.  Lender  the  provisions  of 
the  new  constitution  this  office  was  then  abolished,  and  in  1885,  after  a  hotly 
contested  election,  he  was  made  sheriff  of  the  county  by  a  Republican  plurality 
of  one  thousand  votes,  a  fine  testimony  to  his  personal  popularity,  as  the  sec- 
tion was  a  strongly  Democratic  one.  During  his  term  of  three  years,  which 
commenced  January  i,  1886,  Mr.  Lewis  made  the  banner  record  for  efficiency 
in  that  office.  In  1889,  after  the  failure  of  the  Scranton  City  Bank,  Judge 
Lewis,  representing  the  depositors,  and  Dr.  Throop,  representing  the  stock- 
holders, were  appointed  trustees  of  the  property  then  known  as  the  "Jessup 
leases,"  and  it  was  largely  due  to  his  financial  ability  that  the  depositors  were 
paid  in  a  comparatively  short  time.  His  financial  and  executive  ability  hav- 
ing been  thus  publicly  demonstrated,  Mr.  Lewis  became  a  director  and  the 
general  manager  of  the  New  York,  Susquehanna  &  Western  Coal  Company, 
October  i,  1890.  This  controlled  the  output  of  eighteen  breakers,  and  was 
under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Lewis  until  merged  with  the  Erie  Company.  Other 
important  enterprises  also  claimed  his  time  and  attention.  He  was  chosen 
president  of  the  Susquehanna  Connecting  Railroad  Company,  of  which  he 
had  been  one  of  the  incorporators,  in  1896 ;  a  leading  spirit  in  the  organization 
of  the  North  Scranton  Bank,  its  first  president,  and  was  still  holding  this  office 
at  the  time  of  his  death ;  president  of  the  Lackawanna  Telephone  Company  of 
Scranton ;  a  director  in  the  Dime  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank ;  and  was  offi- 
cially and  otherwise  connected  with  other  institutions  and  enterprises  in  Scran- 
ton and  its  vicinity. 

In  political  opinion  he  always  sided  with  the  Republican  party,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  President  Lincoln.     At  various  times  he  served  on  state  and 


292  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

county  committees,  and  sat  as  a  delegate  in  the  conventions  of  his  party.  He 
was  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  but  later  resigned  from  all  the  bodies  of  this 
order  with  the  exception  of  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  261,  of  which  he  was  a  life 
member.  He  was  an  active  member  of  Griffin  Post,  No.  139,  G.  A.  R.  He 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  North  End  Board  of  Trade,  and  served  as 
president  of  the  body  until  he  positively  declined  re-election.  His  connection 
with  the  Providence  Presbyterian  Church  was  a  most  meritorious  one.  He 
served  fifteen  years  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees,  during  this  time 
was  chairman  of  this  body,  a  part  of  this  time  being  the  years  when  the  new 
church  was  erected.  Generous  as  he  was  in  his  contributions  to  this  worthy 
object,  the  physical  and  moral  support  he  gave  to  this  undertaking  was  of 
incalculable  benefit,  as  he  was  rarely  absent  from  morning  and  evening  service. 
It  was  said  of  him :  "he  was  a  regular,  devout  and  reverent  worshiper  in  God's 
house  on  the  Sabbaih  day,  and  was  a  Christian  man  of  a  rare  type  of  excel- 
lence. His  fervent  belief  in  God  and  Christ,  and  his  faith  in  prayer,  were 
real  things  to  him.  He  practiced  religion  in  his  daily  walk  and  conversation."' 
Judge  Lewis  married  (first)  December  31,  1863,  Adeline  Wells,  a  native 
of  Susquehanna  county,  who  died  there  April  14,  1864.  He  married  (second) 
in  Scranton,  in  March,  1867,  Cassandra,  daughter  of  William  Bloss,  a  con- 
tractor and  builder,  and  a  member  of  an  old  Pennsylvania  family.  She  died 
May  30,  1877,  leaving  two  children:  William  J.  Jr.,  whose  sketch  follows; 
Efifa,  who  married  Arja  Powell.  He  married  (third)  June  2,  1882,  Mary 
Griffith,  a  native  of  Wales.  They  had  three  sons,  one  of  whom  died  at  the  age 
of  two  years,  another  at  three  years  of  age,  and  the  third  is  Walford  C.  No 
more  fitting  or  accurate  estimate  can  be  given  of  the  character  of  Mr.  Lewis 
than  is  to  be  found  in  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  bank  of  which  he  had  been  president  so  long  a  time.  They  were  in  part 
as  follows : 

A  manly  man,  Christian  gentleman,  the  president  of  this  bank,  is  dead — William  J. 
Lewis,  for  many  years  a  resident  of  North  Scranton.  We  all  knew  the  Hfe  he  led.  To 
this  community  it  was  a  benediction,  and  to  all  of  his  neighbors  an  inspiration.  Right 
minded,  strong  and  courageous  in  his  convictions  from  a  proper  sense  of  duty,  he  never 
wavered.  Bright  and  cheerful  in  disposition,  his  presence  on  any  occasion  was  grate- 
ful, his  unexpected  or  enforced  absence  invariably  deplored.  Rare,  indeed,  was  his  per- 
sonality. The  heart  and  the  head  each  seemed  to  play  an  equal  part,  the  one  compelling 
respect  and  admiration  by  the  e.xercise  of  its  powers;  the  other  inspiring  love  and  de- 
votion by  the  exhibition  of  its  virtues.  As  a  neighbor  he  was  hospitable  to  all.  and  kind 
to  the  poor.  A  man  of  affairs,  and  exceptionally  wide  experience,  in  both  private  and 
public  life,  he  was  honest  and  true  to  the  best  and  highest  ideals.  From  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  North  Scranton  Bank  until  the  hour  of  his  untimely  death,  he  was 
president  of  the  institution.  A  member  of  our  board  of  directors,  he  was  sagacious 
and  conservative  in  consultation.  The  highest  executive  officer  of  the  bank,  no  detail 
of  its  business  escaped  his  notice,  nor  did  any  matter  appear  too  trifling  to  claim  his  at- 
tention. Not  a  little  of  the  bank's  present  highly  satisfactory  condition,  not  a  little 
of  its  promising  future,  is  to  be  attributed  to  his  indefatigable  and  unselfish  devotion 
to  its  interests.  And  now,  finally,  it  may  be  said  of  him  that  he  was  a  man  of  many 
friends  and  no  enemies. 


WILLIAM  J.  LEWIS  JR. 

The  name  that  heads  this  chronicle  is  one  that  in  a  past  generation  was 
familiar  to  and  its  bearer  loved  by  a  wide  circle  in  Lackawanna  county,  and 
in  the  present  day  designates  one  who  is  a  worthy  successor  of  his  sire.  Wil- 
liam J.  is  the  son  of  William  J.  (q.  v.)  and  Cassandra  (Bloss)  Lewis. 

William  J.  Lewis  Jr.  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  27, 
1869,  and  after  obtaining  a  public  schools  education  began  work  in  the  mines 
of  the  region.     He  was  active  in  the  construction  of  the  Suburban  Railroad 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


293 


and  Electric  Line,  foi  a  year  and  a  half  having  control  of  its  operation.  He 
operated  one  of  the  first  street  cars  used  in  Scranton,  and  when  the  electric 
road  supplanted  the  Peoples  Road  he  became  associated  with  the  former. 
When  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age  he  was  the  principal  factor  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  first  union  of  street  car  men  formed  in  Scranton,  and  the  second 
in  the  United  States,  the  other  being  in  New  York  City,  and  after  the  affilia- 
tion of  this  organization  with  the  Knights  of  Labor  Mr.  Lewis  became  worthy 
master  of  the  lodge.  For  two  years  he  was  a  clerk  in  an  establishment  at 
Providence,  resigning  to  take  a  course  in  Wood's  Business  College,  and  while 
attending  this  institution  he  studied  practical  electricity,  and  later  installed  the 
first  electric  hoisting  signal  service  in  Leggett's  Creek  Mine,  owned  by  the 
Delaware  &  Hudson  Company.  He  was  then  appointed  weighmaster  for  the 
New  York,  Susquehanna  &  Western  Coal  Company,  serving  in  this  capacity 
for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  becoming  assistant  general  coal  in- 
spector, continuing  so  for  four  years.  The  following  year  he  passed  in  Mauch 
Chunk  as  a  motorman,  and  was  then  offered  the  superintendency  of  the  Mauch 
Chunk  Power  Plant,  which  he  accepted  and  held  for  two  years.  He  then  re- 
turned to  his  native  city  and  was  connected  with  the  New  York,  Susquehanna 
&  Western  Coal  Company  as  assistant  general  coal  inspector  until  that  con- 
cern was  absorbed  by  the  Erie  Railroad.  Remaining  in  the  same  line  he  be- 
came weighmaster  at  Johnson's  No.  2  Colliery,  owned  by  the  New  York, 
Ontario  &  Western  Railroad,  later  aiding  in  the  organization  of  the  Williams 
Drop  Forge  Company,  of  which  he  was  secretary  and  treasurer  for  five  years. 
His  present  occupation  is  insurance  and  real  estate  dealing,  and  he  is  also 
interested  in  advertising  novelties  and  specialties,  in  both  of  which  lines  he 
has  met  with  success,  in  the  latter  having  a  reputation  for  the  originality  and 
attractiveness  of  the  plans  and  novelties  he  has  introduced.  Mr.  Lewis  holds 
the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Union  Lodge,  No. 
291,  Keystone  Consistory,  and  to  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
and  holds  membership  in  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Benevolent 
Order  of  Beavers,  Lodge  No.  150,  the  Commercial  Travelers  of  Utica,  and 
S.  of  V.  Camp,  No.  8,  of  Scranton. 

Mr.  Lewis  married,  in  1902,  Margaret  A.  Williams,  daughter  of  John  F. 
and  Margaret  A.  (Roberts)  Williams,  of  Peckville,  Pennsylvania.  Children: 
Cassandra  B.,  Margaret  A.  and  Effie;  also  Amanda,  who  died  in  infancy. 


ALFRED  L.  DERRY 


Walsall,  Staffordshire,  England,  is  the  birthplace  of  Alfred  L.  Derry  and 
the  home  of  his  ancestors,  his  grandfather,  John  Derry,  having  been  born  there. 
John  Derry  was  a  brick  manufacturer  of  Walsall,  England,  continuing  in  that 
line  throughout  his  long  career,  his  death  occurring  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-seven  years,  his  wife,  Martha,  dying  when  she  had  attained  the  won- 
derful age  of  one  hundred  and  one  years,  husband  and  wife  presenting  re- 
markable cases  of  longevity.  They  are  buried  near  their  home.  Both  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  Wil- 
liam, Henry,  John,  of  whom  further. 

(H)  John  (2)  Derry.  son  of  John  (i)  and  Martha  Derry.  was  born  in 
Walsall,  England,  and  for  many  years  was  an  iron  master  in  a  furnace  at 
Bentley,  England.  He  immigrated  to  the  LInited  States  after  his  second  mar- 
riage, and  settling  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  he  became  a  brick  manufacturer 
and  building  contractor,  afterward  moving  to  Covington,  Kentucky,  remaining 
in  that  place  until  his  death,  aged  ninety-six  years,  the  family  trait  of  long  life 
prevailing  in  him.     He  was  the  successor  in  the  brick  business  of  McKeever 


294  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Brothers,  at  Minooka,  Pennsylvania,  and  with  Jerry  W'ilHams  erected  the 
original  buildings  of  the  Sarquoit  Mills,  then  owned  by  Harvey  Brothers.  He 
superintended  the  erection  of  many  buildings  in  Scranton,  and  was  likewise  in 
charge  of  the  first  street  grading  done  in  that  city,  on  the  Genett  Estate,  on 
what  is  known  as  the  South  Side.  He  was  a  man  of  excellent  education,  and 
was  at  one  time  a  local  preacher  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  John 
Derry  attained  prominence  and  influence  in  the  Scranton  district,  having  risen 
to  this  position  by  the  tireless  application  of  the  talents  with  which  he  was  en- 
dowed, energy,  industry,  persistence,  perseverance  and  the  faculty  of  seizing 
opportunity  at  its  flood.  He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  those  with  whom  he 
associated,  and  died  as  he  had  lived  during  his  long  life,  loved,  honored  and 
respected. 

He  married  (first)  at  Walsall,  England,  Anna  Jordon,  a  native  of  that 
place,  who  died  aged  forty-eight  years,  and  is  bi:ried  in  England;  (second) 
Anne  Dash,  a  native  of  England.  Children  of  first  marriage:  Stephen,  John, 
Alfred  L.,  of  whom  further,  Clara,  Mary  Ann.  Children  of  second  marriage : 
Jasper,  resides  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio ;  Clarence,  lives  in  Cleveland,  Ohio ;  Anna, 
married  Herbert  Yewell,  of  Chicago,  Illinois;  Nellie,  married  D.  R.  Burley, 
and  resides  in  High  Spring,  Florida. 

(Ill)  Alfred  L.  Derry,  son  of  John  (2)  and  his  first  wife  Anna  (Jordon) 
Derry,  was  born  in  Walsall,  Staffordshire.  England,  July  9,  1856,  and  wa'i 
there  reared  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age.  when  he  was  brought  to  Pennsyl- 
vania by  his  parents.  His  education  begun  in  his  native  land,  was  continued 
in  his  new  place  of  abode,  and  as  a  youth  he  became  employed  in  the  breaker  at 
the  Meadow  Brook  Mines,  owned  by  William  Connell,  later  being  transferred 
to  clerk  duty  in  the  store  of  the  company.  For  the  twelve  following  years  he 
was  clerk  in  the  Scranton  Post  Office,  and  then,  until  1900,  was  employed  as 
a  commercial  traveler.  Since  1900  Mr.  Derry  has  been  engaged  in  railroao 
contractors'  supplies,  his  ofiice  in  the  Connell  Building,  and  in  this  line  he  ha; 
been  successful  in  gratifying  measure,  directing  a  business  substantial  and 
lucrative,  the  prosperity  of  which  is  due  to  his  strenuous  efforts  in  its  found- 
ing. Mr.  Derry  is  prominent  in  the  Masonic  Order,  holding  the  thirty-second 
degree,  and  belongs  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of 
which  he  is  past  master;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M. ;  Scranton 
Council,  No.  44,  R.  and  S.  M. ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  No.  17.  K.  T. ; 
Keystone  Consistory.  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret :  and  Irem  Temple. 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  political  faith  is 
Republican,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Science  church. 

Mr.  Derry  married,  October  14.  1880.  Harriet  M..  born  in  Scranton, 
daughter  of  Charles  C.  and  Southard  Rogers,  and  has  children :  Ralph  B., 
Charles  R.,  Walter  T.,  Wesley  A.,  Florence  J.,  married  Rothell  K.  Coan,  of 
Scranton,  and  has  one  daughter,  Jeannette  Grace.  The  family  residence  i; 
at  No.  442  Colfax  avenue,  Scranton,  where  he  built  a  house  in  1900. 


THOMAS  F.  WELLS 


Following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father.  Corydon  H.  Wells,  who  located  in 
Scranton  in  1854.  Thomas  F.  Wells  has  in  his  profession  and  in  his  de- 
votion to  the  church  honorably  filled  the  place  left  vacant  in  both  by  the 
death  of  his  honored  sire.  The  career  of  the  elder  Wells  began  in  Scranton 
with  the  early  days  and  covered  activities  as  merchant,  insurance  agent  and 
lawyer.  He  was  successful  in  all,  and  two  of  the  large  fire  insurance  agencies 
of  to-day  were   founded  by  him.     The  career  of  the  son  covers  thirty-eight 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


295 


years  of  successful  Itgal  practice  in  the  city,  and  nearly  sixty  years  contmuous 
residence,  dating  from  1854,  the  year  succeeding  his  birth, 

Corydon  H.  Wells  was  born  in  Dundaff,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, died  in  Scranton,  in  1888,  aged  sixty-two  years.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  Waverly  Academy,  beginning  business  life  in  Scranton  in 
1854  in  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  George  F.  Bass,  the  firm  trading  as 
Wells  &  Bass.  He  was  married  prior  to  coming  to  Scranton,  where  he  did 
not  long  continue  in  mercantile  life.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and 
during  his  incumbency  of  that  office  studied  law,  one  of  his  preceptors  being 
Colonel  Wright,  of  \\'ilkes-Barre.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  at  once 
began  practice  in  Scranton.  During  his  early  years  in  practice  he  also  con- 
ducted a  fire  insurance  business,  the  present  important  agencies  of  R.  W. 
Luce  &  Son  and  W.  W.  Phillips  &  Company  having  been  established  by  Mr. 
Wells  during  this  period.  He  gained  in  reputation  as  an  able  lawyer,  and  as 
practice  increased  he  withdrew  from  the  insurance  field.  He  practiced  alone 
until  the  admission  of  his  son,  Thomas  F.  Wells,  to  the  bar.  then  they  became 
partners,  an  association  that  continued  until  a  few  years  prior  to  the  death  of 
Mr.  Wells  Sr.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  city  assessors,  but 
before  he  had  entered  upon  the  duties  of  that  office  death  ended  the  useful 
career,  council  electing  his  son,  Thomas  F.,  to  fill  his  place  on  the  board. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Washburn  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he 
joined  after  his  marriage,  his  wife  being  one  of  the  original  members  of  that 
congregation.  He  was  clerk  of  sessions  for  many  years,  and  an  elder,  taking 
a  deep  interest  in  tho  welfare  of  the  church  and  actively  engaging  in  its  up- 
building. Corydon  H.  Wells  married  Mary  G.,  daughter  of  Thomas  H.  and 
Ann  (Chittenden)  Bass,  of  Pleasant  Mount;  children:  Thomas  F. ;  Jennie  R., 
wife  of  Rev.  William  Irwin  Steans,  D.  D.,  of  Westfiekl,  New  Jersey. 

Thomas  F.  Wells  was  born  in  Dimdaiif,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  17,  1853.  He  was  about  one  year  old  when  his  parents  moved  to 
Scranton,  which  has  ever  since  been  his  home.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
of  the  city,  and  after  due  preparation  entered  Lafayette  College,  class  of  1874. 
He  chose  his  father's  profession,  studying  in  the  office  of  Hand  &  Post,  of 
Scranton,  and  after  passing  satisfactory  examination  was  admitted  to  the 
Luzerne  county  bar  in  1875.  He  was  at  once  admitted  to  a  partnership  with 
his  father,  who  had  a  well  established  practice  and  together  they  continued 
until  a  few  years  prior  to  the  death  of  the  senior  partner.  Mr.  Wells  has  been 
admitted  to  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district  and  has  an  extensive  civil 
practice,  large  corporate  and  orphans"  court  business.  He  is  a  thorough!) 
capable  and  reliable  lawyer  and  has  gained  high  standing  among  his  profes- 
sional brethren  and  with  a  class  of  most  desirable  clients.  Mr.  Wells  has  also 
allied  himself  with  several  of  Scranton's  industries  and  holds  directorships  in 
the  Spencer  Heater  Company,  the  J.  A.  Breman  Drilling  Company,  the  Wolf 
Creek  Coal  Company,  the  Lackawanna  Mountain  Ice  Company,  the  Lehigh 
and  Lackawanna  Ice  Company,  the  Gouldsboro  Ice  Company,  the  Saylers- 
burg  Ice  Company  and  the  W.  L.  Carr  Mercantile  Company  of  Gouldsboro. 
While  active  and  busily  engaged  in  professional  labor  and  in  his  official  busi- 
ness relations  with  corporate  interests,  Mr.  Wells  also  is  active  in  church  and 
fraternity.  He  is  a  member  of  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he 
serves  as  elder  and  clerk  of  session  and  for  thirteen  years  was  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school,  having  previous  to  his  going  to  Green  Ridge  been 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  of  another  church.  He  is  a  member  of 
Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  for  twenty-five 
years  has  been  district  deputy  grand  master  of  the  Thirteenth  District  of  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania.    He  is  also  a  companion  of  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal 


296  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Arch  Masons,  and  a  Sir  Knight  of  Melita  Commandery,  Knights  Templar. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Country  Club. 

Mr.  Wells  married  E.  Louise  Jenkins,  born  in  Crompton,  Wayne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  ( Sherman )  Jenkins,  the  latter 
a  connection  of  the  General  Sherman  family ;  children :  Anna,  married  Frank 
L.  Phillips,  of  New  York;  Harold  Sherman,  now  a  resident  of  Portland, 
Oregon. 


HERMAN  C.  RUTHERFORD 

Of  Scotch  ancestry  on  his  paternal  side,  born  in  New  York  state  where 
he  obtained  his  professional  education,  Mr.  Rutherford  has  since  1894  been 
a  resident  of  Scranton,  where  he  is  rated  one  of  the  leading  architects  of  the 
city.  He  is  a  son  of  Robert  Rutherford,  and  a  grandson  of  George  Ruther- 
ford, both  born  in  Scotland,  and  the  latter  coming  to  the  United  States  with  his 
brothers.  Walker,  Robert  and  John;  sisters,  Janet  and  Isabel,  and  his  own  wife 
and  children.  The  family  settled  in  New  York  state  soon  after  their  arrival 
in  1853  and  there  George  Rutherford  died.  His  children :  Robert  W.,  William, 
Archibald.  Agnes,  Mary,  all  deceased. 

Robert  W.  Rutherford  was  born  in  Scotland  in  the  year  1838  and  when 
a  lad  of  fourteen  years  came  with  his  parents,  uncles  and  aunts  to  the  United 
States.  After  some  time  spent  in  different  locations  they  settled  in  Edmeston, 
Otsego  county.  New  York.  Robert  W.  went  away  to  learn  the  machinist's 
trade  and  followed  it  many  years,  but  owing  to  poor  health  was  compelled  to 
give  it  up,  and  moved  back  to  Edmeston.  where  he  died  in  1881.  He  married 
Caroline,  the  youngest  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cyrus  Steere,  of 
Norwich,  New  York,  who  came  with  the  early  settlers  of  that  county  from 
the  state  of  Rhode  Island  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1800,  and  had  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Herbert  G.,  Herman  C.,  Nealon. 

Herman  C.  Rutherford,  second  son  of  Robert  W.  and  Caroline  (Steere) 
Rutherford,  was  born  at  Edmeston,  Otsego  county.  New  York,  October  10, 
1872.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  primary,  grammar  and  high  schools, 
and  later  took  up  the  study  of  architecture,  and  has  since  followed  that  pro- 
fession, opening  an  office  for  himself  in  Scranton  in  1898.  During  the  past 
fifteen  years  of  active  professional  and  business  life  in  Scranton  he  has  be- 
come well  and  favorably  known  in  the  city  as  a  man  of  ability,  integrity 
and  sound  judgment,  these  qualities  attracting  a  patronage  most  satisfactory. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Williams  Drop  Forging  Company,  the  Spencer  Heater 
Company,  the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Company,  the  Pine  Brook  Bank  and  many 
other  industries  in  the  city  as  well  as  outside.  He  is  a  member  of  Elm  Park 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  No.  597,  F.  and  A.  M., 
and  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  all  of  the  bodies  of  Keystone 
Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and  to  Irem  Temple,  the  Mystic 
Shrine. 

Mr.  Rutherford  married  Nettie  S.  Davis  and  they  have  the  following 
children :  Robert  W..  born  1903 ;  Catherine,  born  1908. 


MILTON  W.  LOWRY 


Tradition,  that  elastic  authority  that  while  often  misleading,  sometimes 
preserves  facts  otherwise  lost,  weaves  a  dramatic  story  around  John  Lowry, 
the  founder  of  the  family  now  represented  in  Scranton  by  Milton  W.  Lowry, 
of  the  Lackawanna  bar.  John  Lowry  came  from  Ireland  to  Lowell,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  according  to  tradition  was  the  son  of  a  nobleman  and  induced  to 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


297 


make  the  trip  across  the  Atlantic  by  an  uncle  named  Lowell,  after  whom  Lowell 
was  named.  The  vessel  on  which  he  sailed  was  shipwrecked  and  young  Lowry 
lost  all  the  papers  and  documents  that  could  have  proven  his  identity,  only 
escaping  from  the  wreck  with  his  life  and  a  belt  around  his  waist  in  which 
was  a  quantity  of  gold  coins.  He  reached  safety  and  continued  his  journey 
to  Lowell,  where  later  he  married  Sabra  Hunt  and  reared  a  large  family. 

(I)  One  of  the  descendants  of  the  emigrant,  George  Lowry,  with  his  wife, 
Mary,  moved  to  Sparta,  New  Jersey,  prior  to  the  year  1800  and  there  con- 
ducted his  trade  of  cooper  for  several  years.  In  1806  he  continued  westward 
to  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  later  settled  in  Clifford  township  Sui- 
quehanna  county.  There  he  bought  land,  but  later  by  reason  of  defective  titles 
he  lost  it  all.  Mary  Lowry  lived  many  years  after  the  death  of  George,  her 
husband,  later  having  married  a  Mr.  Wilcox.  She  died  in  1870,  aged  nearly 
one  hundred  years.  George  and  Mary  Lowry  had  children :  Holloway,  of 
further  mention ;  Nancy,  married  Chauncey  Deming ;  Polly,  married  Jeremiah 
Tuttle ;  John,  removed  to  the  West  and  settled  in  Kansas ;  Catherine,  married 
P.  S.  Foster ;  George,  unmarried ;  Sarah,  married  Orin  Griswold. 

(II)  Holloway  Lowry,  eldest  son  of  George  and  Mary  Lowry,  was  born 
in  Sparta,  New  Jersey,  in  1801,  died  in  Clifford  township,  Susquehanna 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1875.  In  1822  he  bought  land  in  Clifford  township. 
but  his  title  was  also  faulty  and  the  money  paid  was  lost.  In  1823  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Clifford  township,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  also 
ownin?  ere  on  the  southern  slope  of  the  South  Knob  of  Elk  Mountain.  He 
was  a  prosperous  farmer,  very  systematic  and  careful  in  his  business  affairs 
after  his  first  bitter  experience,  and  left  an  estate  that  was  easily,  quickly  and 
cheaply  settled  by  the  executor,  his  son,  James  W.  Lowry.  He  married,  in 
1824,  Sophia  Wells,  of  Clifford  township.  Children:  Charles,  born  1826.  a 
farmer  of  Lackawanna  county;  Martha,  born  1828.  married  Rev.  G.  M.  Dim- 
mick;  James  W.,  of  further  mention;  John,  born  1832,  a  farmer  of  Lacka- 
wanna county;  Amy,  born  1834.  married  J.  F.  Kenback ;  Sarah,  born  1836. 
died  1863,  married  Elias  E.  Lowrie ;  Wright,  born  1838,  a  farmer  of  Lacka- 
wanna county;  Clark,  born  1840,  a  merchant  of  Scranton ;  Benjamin,  born 
1842,  a  carpenter  and  builder  of  Luzerne  county;  Hezekiah.  born  1844,  a 
farmer  on  the  homestead;  Samantha,  born  1847.  married  (first)  Thomas 
Kelly,  (second)  John  Philbin. 

(III)  James  W.  Lowry,  second  son  of  Holloway  and  Sophia  (Wells) 
Lowry,  was  born  in  Clifford  township,  Susquehanna  county.  Pennsylvania, 
July  18,  1830,  died  December  3,  1908.  He  was  educated  in  public  schools, 
Dundaff  and  Waverly  academies,  and  for  seven  years  in  early  life  taught  in 
the  public  schools  of  Susc|uehanna  and  Wayne  counties.  In  1854  he  married 
and  purchased  a  farm  near  Elkdale  on  the  east  branch  of  Tunkhannock  creek 
and  there  installed  his  bride.  He  conducted  a  lumber  business  with  his  father, 
built  a  saw  mill  on  the  farm  and  continued  in  business  eight  years.  In  1862 
he  purchased  a  large  farm  and  residence  in  Elkdale,  to  which  he  then  re- 
moved and  there  conducted  an  agricultural  implement  business,  engaged  large- 
ly in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  farm  stock  and  was  interested  in  farming  and 
bee  culture.  He  enlisted  with  three  of  his  brothers  when  Pennsylvania  was 
threatened  with  invasion  and  with  other  volunteers  went  to  Harrisburg  to  be 
sworn  in,  but  the  need  for  their  service  quickly  passed  by  General  Lee's  retreat 
from  Pennsylvania,  and  they  returned  home.  Squire  Lowry  held  the  office 
of  justice  of  the  peace  nearly  forty  years,  was  school  director  fifteen  years,  and 
in  1878  was  the  Republican  candidate  for  the  state  legislature,  failing  of 
election  by  but  twenty-eight  votes.  He  was  clerk  and  long  time  member  of 
Elkdale  Baptist  Church,  was  active  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work,  one  of 


298  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  strong  men  of  his  comniunity,  and  one  of  the  original  trustees  of  thf^ 
Abington  Baptist  Association,  of  Lackawanna,  Susquehanna,  Wyoming  ana 
Wayne  counties,  which  position  he  held  from  the  incorporation  of  the  associa- 
tion until  his  death. 

He  married,  in  1854.  Alma  Taylor,  born  November  17,  1830,  daughter  oi 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Worth)  Taylor,  her  father,  Thomas  Taylor,  born  n^ 
Providence,  Pennsylvania,  in  1797,  died  1892.  Children:  Wells  J.,  a  physiciai; 
of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  married  ( first )  Celia  M.  Fuller,  ( second )  Flora 
M.  Hammond;  ]\Iilton  W.,  of  further  mention;  Samuel  E. ;  Eva  L.,  married 
to  John  E.  \\'illiams,  of  Ceres,  California;  Susan  A.  and  George  E.,  who  died 
in  childhood. 

(I\'j  Milton  W.  Lowry,  second  son  of  "Squire"  James  W.  and  Alma 
(Taylor)  Lowry,  was  born  at  Elkdale,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
iVlarch  10,  1859.  He  began  his  studies  in  the  public  schools,  continuing  at 
Keystone  Academy,  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania,  where  all  the  children  of 
Squire  Lowry  attended,  and  where  his  preparatory  courses  were  finished. 
He  then  entered  Pennsylvania  State  College,  by  appointment  of  Senator 
Nelson  to  a  scholarship,  made  on  competitive  examination,  whence  he  was 
graduated  with  honors,  class  of  1884.  In  his  junior  year  he  won  the  class  ora- 
torical prize,  and  in  1884,  delivered  the  salutatory  oration.  Possessing  the  great 
requisite  for  a  successful  lawyer,  the  gift  of  graceful  and  forceful  oratory 
and  with  his  classical  education  meeting  all  requirements,  Mr.  Lowry,  more- 
over, with  an  inherited  love  for  the  legal  profession,  decided  to  prepare  himself 
for  the  bar.  He  began  the  study  of  law  under  the  preceptorship  of  Hon. 
W.  W\  Watson,  and  in  1886  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  bar  after  suc- 
cessfully passing  the  required  examinations.  He  began  private  practice  at 
Scranton  soon  after  having  served  as  deputy  prothonotary  of  Lackawanna 
county,  which  office  he  filled  until  April,  1888,  when  he  resigned  to  devote 
his  entire  time  to  his  law  practice.  He  has  risen  to  the  front  rank  in  his  pro- 
fession, and  in  contact  with  the  strong  men  of  the  Lackawanna  bar  has  so 
proved  his  fine  natural  gifts  that  no  man  may  claim  to  be  his  superior  in 
forcibly,  clearly  and  eloquently  presenting  his  case  before  judge,  jury  or 
tribunal.  He  has  been  admitted  to  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district 
and  in  all  transacts  a  large  amount  of  legal  business. 

Strong  as  is  his  position  at  the  bar,  Mr.  Lowry  is  not  less  prominently 
or  less  favorably  known  in  the  public  life  of  city,  county  and  state.  A  Re- 
publican in  politics,  he  has  been  active  and  influential  in  party  councils,  and 
as  a  campaign  orator  his  eloquence  and  personal  magnetism  has  strengthened 
the  wavering  and  brought  new  recruits  to  the  party  standard.  He  was  elected 
president  of  the  Republican  State  League  by  the  Altoona  Convention  in  1909 
and  served  a  term  in  that  capacity.  In  1904  he  was  appointed  by  the  governor 
of  Pennsylvania  a  trustee  of  Pennsylvania  State  College,  his  alma  mater, 
and  for  upwards  of  ten  years  has,  by  reappointment,  been  associated  with 
General  James  A.  Beaver,  Andrew  Carnegie,  M.  E.  Olmstead,  Charles  S. 
Schwab,  Vance  McCormick  and  other  eminent  Pennsylvanians  and  for  a  term 
of  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  board.  Also 
for  twenty  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Keystone 
Academy,  Factoryville.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  prepared  for  college,  an  in- 
stitution for  which  he  has  a  most  tender  regard.  In  city  affr'rs  he  has  for 
years  been  a  leading  figure.  He  was  a  member  of  select  council  for  several 
years,  and  during  the  administration  of  Mayor  Dimmick  served  as  president 
of  that  body.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  Scranton  Board  of 
Trade,  also  member  of  the  Committee  on  Municipal  Afifairs,  and  was  appointed 
with  Judge  Kelly  who  together  acted  as  attorneys  for  the  Board  of  Trade  to 


^ila/oH^oL,  .^).  ^ij 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  299 

write  an  opinion  and  later  to  draft  a  series  of  ordinances  to  regulate  the  opera- 
tions of  the  coal  companies  mining  beneath  the  city  of  Scranton.  Mr.  Lowry 
is  a  member  of  the  county  and  state  bar  association  and  many  other  bodies 
of  varied  purpose  and  in  all  is  held  in  high  esteem.  He  meets  every  issue 
in  law,  politics  or  in  general  debate  fairly  and  squarely,  uses  no  subterfuge  to 
gain  his  ends,  but  by  a  thorough  knowledge  of  his  cause  and  forceful  and 
eloquent  presentation  depends  for  victory. 

Mr.  Lowry  married,  in  October,  1885,  Annie  Lowry,  of  English  birth  and 
parentage,  and  a  graduate  of  Bucknell  University,  in  1883.  Since  1884  his 
residence  has  been  in  Scranton,  his  present  home  being  at  601  Clay  avenue, 
comer  of  Olive  street,  a  beautiful  residential  section.  He  has  one  son,  Robert, 
a  graduate  of  Princeton  L^niversity,  class  of  1912.  Mr.  Lowry  is  a  member 
of  the  Immanuel  Baptist  Church  of  Scranton,  and  one  of  the  official  board  and 
is  president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  In  1910  he  was  elected  as  a  trustee  of 
the  Abington  Baptist  Association  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  decease 
of  his  father. 


MAJOR  JOHN   BILLINGS  FISH 

Major  John  Billings  Fish  was  a  fine  type  of  that  character  which  has 
contributed  in  such  large  degree  to  the  development  of  the  resources  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  to  the  extension  of  its  splendid  industrial  enterprises. 
While  thus  acting  as  a  prime  factor  in  the  accomplishment  of  great  results, 
which  have  largely  benefitted  the  entire  community,  he  also  accumulated  con- 
siderable personal  interests  as  the  reward  of  his  intelligent  and  industrious 
effort,  preserving  throughout  his  entire  career  a  spotless  character.  He  came 
of  an  old  family,  distinguished  for  active  and  clean  lives,  and  he  inherited  in 
rich  measure  the  patriotic  spirit  which  animated  his  forebears,  and  was 
among  the  first  to  respond  to  his  country's  call  when  there  was  need  for  his 
service  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Edmond  Fish,  grandfather  of  Major  John  Billings  Fish,  was  an  active 
participant  in  the  stiuggles  of  the  Continental  army  during  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  was  one  of  the  most  patriotic  of  the  brave  men  of  those  days. 
Daniel  Fish,  father  of  Major  John  Billings  Fish,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years  in  Damascus,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Major  John  Billings  Fish  was  born  at  Liberty,  Sullivan  county,  New  York, 
March  14,  1829,  died  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  15,  1905.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  upon  the  completion  of  hi> 
studies  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of  tinning  and  sheet  iron  working, 
being  in  the  employ  of  others  until  he  had  almost  attained  his  majority.  He 
then  established  himself  in  this  line  of  business  independently  at  Liberty,  but 
not  long  afterward  removed  his  business  to  Hancock,  Delaware  county.  New 
York,  where  he  continued  for  about  one  year,  then  sold  his  business  and  re- 
moved to  Bainbridge,  New  York,  worked  there  at  his  trade  as  a  journeyman 
for  about  two  years,  then  spent  one  year  in  Deposit,  New  York.  In  1854  he 
removed  to  Pittston,  Pennsvlvania,  where  he  served  as  burgess  in  1858  and 
1859. 

In  1861.  when  President  Lincoln  issued  his  call  for  three  months  men. 
Major  Fish  was  one  of  the  first  to  volunteer  his  services,  and  enlisted  in  the 
Eleventh  Regiment  Maine  ^^olunteer  Infantry.  He  was  advanced  to  the  rank 
of  lieutenant,  was  with  the  first  troops  to  cross  the  Potomac  above  Washington, 
and  his  was  the  first  Maine  company  to  have  blood  spilled  during  the  war. 
He  re-enlisted  at  the  close  of  his  first  term  of  service,  becoming  first  lieutenant 


300  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  the  Fifty-second  Regiment  Pennsylvania  \'olunteer  Infantry,  and  his  men 
were  the  first  to  drive  the  Confederate  forces  from  Chickahominy.  At  that 
point  he  had  his  first  meeting  with  General  Negley,  and  thereafter  was  in  h's 
command  as  a  scout  and  on  reconnoitering  duty.  In  1863  he  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  captain  at  Morris  Island.  He  was  mustered  out,  January  27, 
1865.  His  service  was  varied  and  distinguished  throughout  for  fidelity  and 
bravery,  taking  part  in  the  occupation  of  Martinsburg,  siege  of  Yorktown, 
Lee's  Alills,  Williamsburg,  Seven  Pines,  seven  days  before  Richmond  and  Mal- 
vern Hill.  He  sailed  for  Beaufort,  South  Carolina,  December  31,  1862,  taking 
part  in  the  assault  on  Fort  Johnson,  action  at  Secessionville,  bombardment  of 
Fort  Sumter,  having  charge  of  three  guns,  also  of  picket  boats  in  Charleston 
Harbor:  capture  of  Fort  Cregg,  in  command  of  Mortar  and  Columbian  Bat- 
tery on  Morris  Island,  and  was  complimented  highly  by  the  commanding  gen- 
eral. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Major  Fish  took  up  his  residence  in  Providence, 
Scranton,  which  was  the  seat  of  his  business  activity  from  that  time  until  his 
death.  In  association  with  Sheriff  Lewis  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business 
in  1866,  but  sold  his  interest  in  this  in  1868.  He  accepted  a  position  as  super- 
intendent of  the  Providence  Gas  and  Water  Company,  an  office  he  filled  many 
years.  He  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the  organization  of  the  North  Scranton 
Bank,  of  which  he  served  as  a  director  many  years,  and  was  personally  inter- 
ested in  a  number  of  other  important  business  enterprises.  He  was  a  man  of 
superior  business  ability,  and  his  rank  in  the  business  world  was  a  more  than 
ordinarily  high  one. 

In  military  matters  his  e.xecutive  ability  was  no  less  pronounced,  and  he 
served  five  years  as  captain  of  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Regiment  National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  being  elected  captain,  October  20,  1885:  major,  Octo- 
ber 4,  1888,  and  was  in  active  duty  with  this  rank  four  years.  In  political  af- 
fairs Major  Fish  was  an  active  and  consistent  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  while  his  labors  in  the  field  of  politics  were  of  great  benefit  to  the 
community,  he  never  held  nor  desired  to  hold  a  salaried  public  office.  Hi-, 
fraternal  affiliation  was  as  follows :  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the 
L^nited  States,  to  which  he  was  elected  May  6,  1896,  Class  I,  Insignia  11448;  a 
charter  member,  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  control  of  Lieutenant  Ezra 
Griffin  Post,  No.  139,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Scranton:  Susquehanna  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  of  Bainbridge ;  Celestial  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  of  which  he  was  the  first  noble  grand.  He  served  as  an  elder  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  of  Providence,  and  was  a  liberal  contributor  to  the 
support  of  this  institution. 

Major  Fish  married,  October  5,  1853,  Sarah  A.,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Laura  Turner,  of  Bainbridge,  New  York,  whose  ancestors  also  took  part  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  Children:  Laura  T. ;  James  B.,  married  Edith  Arnold  and 
has  one  son  Robert ;  Morris  P.,  deceased.  Mrs.  Fish,  who  was  born  in  Deposit, 
New  York,  passed  to  her  eternal  rest  some  months  before  her  husband,  her 
death  being  hastened  by  the  shock  due  to  a  fall  experienced  at  her  own  home, 
some  weeks  previously.  She  left  behind  her  a  record  of  good  deeds  and  loving 
kindness,  which  will  be  long  remembered.  Major  and  Mrs.  Fish  had  the  rare 
pleasure  of  celebrating  their  golden  wedding  anniversary,  and  this  occasion 
was  one  which  will  not  be  soon  forgotten. 

We  cannot  better  show  the  high  esteem  in  which  Major  Fish  was  held 
than  by  giving  an  extract  from  an  article  which  appeared  in  the  principal 
newspaper  of  Scranton  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

His  purity  of  inner  life,  his  fervent  love  for  the  Word  of  God,  his  loyalty  to  Zion, 
his   Christian   liberality  and   stanch   type  of  practical   purity,   form   a   rich   legacy  to   the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  ,01 

church  in  which  he  was  esteemed  and  loved. — Major  Fish  was  a  good  man.  He  was  a 
Christian  man  and  never  uttered  a  harmful  word  about  his  fellow  man.  He  died  as  he 
had  lived,  with  a  faith  in  the  true  Christian's  hope  for  the  future.  He  was  a  true 
friend  to  those  with  whom  he  was  mostly  intimate.  The  writer  knows  whereof  he 
speaks.  For  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  was  an  adviser,  a  patron,  a  friend  in  time 
of  need,  and  we  shall  miss  his  kind  counsel.     But  he  is  gone  to  a  rest  well  earned. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  directors  of  the  North 
Scranton  Bank : 

For  many  years  a  resident  of  North  Scranton,  we  well  knew  the  life  he  led.  To 
this  community  it  was  a  benediction,  and  to  all  his  neighbors  an  inspiration;  high- 
minded,  strong  and  courageous  in  his  convictions,  from  a  proper  sense  of  duty,  he  never 
wavered.  Bright  and  cheerful  in  disposition,  his  presence  on  any  occasion  was  grateful, 
his  absence  invariably  deplored.  From  the  organization  of  The  North  Scranton  Bank 
until  the  hour  of  his  untimely  death  he  was  the  promoter  and  father  of  the  institution, 
always  taking  deep  interest  in  its  success  and  ever  ready  to  promote  its  welfare.  A 
member  of  our  board  of  directors,  he  was  sagacious  and  conservative  in  consultation, 
no  detail  of  its  business  escaped  his  notice,  nor  did  any  matter  appear  too  trifling  to 
claim  his  attention.  And  now,  finally,  may  it  be  said  that  he  was  a  man  of  many  friends 
and  no  enemies. — P.  J.  Ruane,  J.  A.  LaBarr.  J.  R.  Atherton.  Committee. 


ROBERT  JOSIAH  BAUER 

Of  the  fourth  American  generation  of  his  family,  Professor  Bauer,  the 
well  known  band  master  and  musical  director  of  Scranton,  traces  his  ancestry 
to  Abraham  Bauer,  who  came  with  his  family  from  Germany,  settling  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  served  as  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  later 
made  settlement  at  Wind  Gap,  now  a  borough  of  Northampton  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, near  the  Killany  Mountain,  thirteen  miles  from  Easton  on  the  New 
Jersey  Central  and  ether  railroads.  He  had  sons,  Charles,  Jacob,  Abraham, 
Samuel,  Adam,  Reuben.  From  these  spring  all  the  different  branches  of 
the  Bauers  claiming  descent  from  the  brave  old  Revolutionary  soldier  and 
pioneer  settler. 

(II)  Charles  Bauer,  son  of  Abraham  Bauer,  "the  settler,"  became  a  school 
teacher  in  early  life  at  Wind  Gap,  later  engaging  in  other  occupations  more 
profitable  in  that  day.  He  married  Alary  Wever,  of  Plainfield,  New  Jersey, 
and  had  issue:  Abraham,  William,  Frank,  Kate,  Einma,  Josiah. 

(III)  Josiah  Bauer,  son  of  Charles  Bauer,  was  born  at  Wind  Gap,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1829.  He  became  a  large  and  wealthy  contractor,  owning  con- 
siderable property  which  he  lost  during  the  war  between  the  states.  In  1869 
he  came  to  Scranton,  where  for  $303  he  was  offered  a  large  tract  of  land,  now 
valuable,  but  then  so  swampy  that  he  failed  to  see  its  future  value.  He  con- 
ducted business  in  painting  and  contracting  until  his  death  in  1876.  He  was 
possessed  of  marked  musical  ability,  a  talent  that  he  transmitted  to  his  son.  He 
married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Frederick  Warner,  and  had  issue :  Augusta,  mar- 
ried Bromley  Williams,  of  Scranton ;  Robert  Josiah,  of  further  mention ;  Rev. 
Benjamin,  Minnie,  Ellen,  Emma,  Amanda,  all  deceased  except  the  two  first 
named. 

(IV)  Professor  Robert  Josiah  Bauer,  son  of  Josiah  Bauer,  was  born  at 
Nazareth,  Pennsylvania,  April  17,  1857.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  and 
in  1869  came  with  his  parents  to  Scranton.  He  displayed  a  decided  musical 
talent  from  his  youth  and  was  taught  by  his  father  until  the  death  of  the  latter 
in  1876.  The  young  man  then  spent  a  year  in  New  York  City  under  a  noted 
violin  instructor,  returning  to  Scranton  in  1877.  He  was  then  not  only  an  ac- 
complished performer  but  a  capable  leader,  and  having  decided  upon  a  musical 
career  he  organized  "Bauer's  Military  Band  and  Orchestra,"  an  organization 
he  has  successfully  conducted  for  thirty-five  years.     The  band  and  orchestra 


302  ■  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

has  ever  been  one  of  the  leading  musical  organizations  and  its  leader  one  ot 
the  noted  conductors  of  northeastern  Pennsylvania.  He  has  developed  a 
perfect  musical  organization  and  from  its  ranks  many  noted  performers  have 
been  graduated.  The  band  at  present  numbers  forty  musicians,  perfectly 
trained,  held  under  perfect  control  by  the  baton  of  their  talented  leader,  who 
carries  them  through  the  difficult  scores  with  a  skill  that  perfectly  interprets 
the  theme  of  the  composer.  Professor  Bauer  is  not  alone  an  artist  and  con- 
ductor, but  is  also  a  composer  of  band  and  orchestral  music,  many  of  his 
compositions  having  brought  him  fame  in  that  field.  He  is  a  musical  authority 
in  the  city  and  has  achieved  a  fame  that  extends  far  beyond  local  limits.  He  i?, 
a  member  of  Scranton's  well  known  musical  organizations,  the  Leiderkrantz  and 
Junger  Mannerchor ;  belongs  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Coeur  de  Lion  Com- 
mandery,  Knights  Templar ;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine;  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Temple  Club. 
In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

Professor  Bauer  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  Lexshen,  and  has 
children  :  Allen,  a  surveyor ;  Theodore,  a  musician  ;  Helen ;  Florence,  deceased , 
Julian,  deceased. 


GEORGE  W.   MAXEY 


The  Welsh  founders  of  the  city  of  Carbondale  number  among  them  several 
of  the  name  of  Maxey  and  Evans,  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  ancestors 
of  George  W.  Maxey,  they  having  come  nearly  a  century  ago  from  Wales  to 
Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  many  of  the  family  still  reside 
Benjamin  Maxey,  father  of  George  W.  Maxey,  is  at  the  present  time  mine 
inspector  of  the  twenty-first  inspection  district,  comprising  the  counties  of  Sus- 
quehanna, Wayne  and  Sullivan.  He  is  the  son  of  George  and  Mary  Daniels 
Maxey.  George  W.  Maxey 's  mother,  now  deceased,  was  Margaret  (Evans) 
Maxey,  the  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Ann  Evans. 

George  W.  Maxey  was  born  in  Forest  City,  Pennsylvania,  February  14, 
1878.  He  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town.  He  also 
worked  as  a  miner  and  in  other  capacities  in  the  mines  of  Vandling  near 
Forest  City.  He  prepared  for  college  at  the  Mansfield  State  !^ormal  School. 
In  1898  he  entered  the  L^niversity  of  Michigan,  where  he  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  A.  B.,  in  the  year  1902.  While  a  student  at  the  LTniversity  of  Michi- 
gan, Mr.  Maxey  was  interested  in  debating  and  oratory,  winning  first  prizes 
in  several  contests  and  representing  the  University  of  Michigan  in  several 
inter-collegiate  debates  with  teams  from  the  L^niversities  of  Chicago  and  Min- 
nesota and  the  Northwestern,  his  university  winning  the  championship  of  the 
Central  Debating  League.  Mr.  Maxey  held  among  other  important  elective 
positions  at  the  LTniversity  the  position  of  managing  editor  of  the  University 
of  Michigan  Daily  News.  The  year  following  his  graduation  at  Michigan, 
Mr.  Maxey  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
completing  the  prescribed  course  in  less  than  three  years.  In  this  college 
also  he  was  prominent  in  debating  circles  and  won  the  first  prize  in  debat- 
ing. He  twice  led  the  L^niversity  team  in  debates  with  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, in  both  of  which  his  team  was  successful.  He  was  also  elected  presi- 
dent of  his  class  in  this  institution. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county,  March  12,  1906, 
and  has  since  been  active  in  the  practice  of  law  in  this  county  and  has  fre- 
quently appeared  in  court  at  Montrose,  the  county  seat  of  Susquehanna,  his 
native  county.     Soon  after  his  admission  to  the  bar  he  formed  a  partnership 


■s  ^'j?^^  jvy 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  303 

with  Edwin  C.  Amerman,  the  offices  of  the  firm  being  in  the  Republican 
Building.  On  September  16,  1913,  Mr.  Maxey  was  nominated  both  by  the 
Republican  and  Washington  parties  for  the  office  of  district  attorney,  his 
majority  in  both  parties  at  the  primaries  being  about  twenty-five  hundred 
votes.  On  the  4th  of  the  following  November  he  was  elected  district  attorney 
by  a  plurality  of  thirty-eight  hundred  and  sixty-five  votes  over  his  Demo- 
cratic opponent.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  January  5,  1914. 
That  no  influence  can  be  brought  to  bear  upon  Mr.  Maxey  to  cause  him  to 
deviate  from  a  path  of  the  strictest  rectitude  is  well  known  to  all  acquainted 
with  his  professional  career,  and  to  those  who  are  privileged  to  be  his  friend.-: 
in  private  life  he  is  known  for  his  loyalty  and  fair  dealing.  He  has  made  an 
auspicious  beginning  upon  a  career  of  promise  and  he  has  the  natural  talents 
and  habits  of  industry  that  insure  his  continued  success. 


JOHN   WESLEY   PINNELL 

The  Pinnell  family  was  founded  in  the  United  States  by  the  immigration 
of  two  brothers,  Robert  and  Charles,  both  natives  of  England,  and  the  only 
members  of  their  line  who  left  the  home  land.  Robert  Pinnell  was  born 
February  22,  18 1 7,  and  was  reared  to  manhood  and  educated  in  England, 
coming  to  this  country  in  1848.  Both  he  and  his  brother  settled  in  New  York 
state,  he  making  his  home  in  Bovina,  Delaware  county,  New  York,  where  he 
was  joined  by  his  wife  1849.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  was  pro- 
prietor of  a  shop  in  Delaware  county  for  fifteen  years,  a  part  of  that  time 
being  associated  with  John  Johnson.  In  1864  he  moved  to  Dunmore,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  was  employed  in  the  machine  shops  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
Company  until  his  retirement,  his  death  occurring  in  Dunmore  in  1882,  his 
wife  also  dying  in  that  place.  He  married,  in  1845,  Mary  Hyam,  born  in 
England,  September  25,  1822,  and  had  children:  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Jon.'s 
T.,  of  whom  further;  John  Wesley,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Jones  T.  Pinnell,  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Hyam)  Pinnell,  wa-. 
born  in  Bovina,  Delaware  county.  New  York,  May  6.  1850.  He  obtained  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place  and  in  the  Dunmore  High  School, 
to  which  latter  place  the  family  home  was  changed  in  1864.  He  served  a 
five  years'  apprenticeship  in  the  moulder's  trade  in  the  foundry  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Coal  Company,  his  instructor  being  John  Deacon,  one  of  the  most 
skillful  and  adept  masters  of  his  trade  in  that  locality.  He  was  successively 
employed  in  the  Dickson  Works,  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Rail- 
road, the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Steel  Company,  then  returning  to  the  service 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company.  His  independent  start  in  business  was 
on  a  modest  scale,  but  industry  and  ceaseless  application  had  made  him  the 
the  proprietor  of  a  firmly  estahlished  and  paying  business,  his  iron  and  brass 
foundry,  a  well  equipped  plant  forty-five  by  forty  feet,  housing  a  thriving 
concern.  Mr.  Pinnell  has  attracted  a  large  trade  by  the  excellence  of  hi.-, 
work  along  special  lines  and  performs  all  kinds  of  jobbing  and  mine  work. 
Soon  after  its  invention  in  1887  he  placed  on  the  market  Pinnell's  Sash  Weight, 
one  of  the  most  efficient  devices  of  its  kind  manufactured,  which  met  with  a 
welcome  reception  from  builders  and  householders.  His  first  invention  was  a 
belt  tightener,  and  ami)ng  many  other  useful  articles  he  devised  a  can  top 
straightener,  made  of  aluminum,  an  indispensable  adjunct  of  the  fruit  jars 
in  common  use  among  housekeepers,  the  best  of  his  inventions  all  covered  by 
patents.  Mr.  Pinnell  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  American  Mechanics. 

Mr.  Pinnell  married  (first)  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  Clara  Bailey,  born 


304  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  Waymart,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  June  i,  1888, 
daughter  of  William  Bailey,  former  principal  of  the  Green  Ridge  School. 
Children:  i.  Lizzie,  married  a  Mr.  Oliver,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  2. 
Edward,  a  moulder,  associated  in  business  with  his  uncle,  J.  W.  Pinnell.  3. 
Wesley,  a  machinist  in  the  employ  of  the  Finch  Manufacturing  Company.  4. 
Howard,  foreman  for  his  uncle,  J.  W.  Pinnell.  5.  Nettie,  wife  of  Henry 
Zeigler,  superintendent  of  Clotts  Silk  Mills,  Alexandria,  Virginia.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pinnell  were  also  the  parents  of  a  daughter  Clara,  who  died  in  infancy. 
He  married  (second)  November  24,  1898,  Arbelle  Barton,  only  daughter  of 
David  and  Metahetable  (Krotzer)  Barton,  of  Washington,  D.  C,  died  at 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  Her  parents  had  two  sons.  No  children  to  Seconal 
marriage. 

(H)  John  Wesley  Pinnell,  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Hyam)  Pinnell, 
was  born  at  Bovina,  Delaware  county.  New  York,  July  11,  1852.  He  ob- 
tained his  scholastic  training  in  the  schools  of  New  York  state  and  of  Dun- 
more, Pennsylvania.  His  connection  with  manufacturing  began  in  1881,  and 
he  still  continues  in  that  line.  His  first  venture  was  in  partnership  with  Ed- 
ward Gibson,  the  two  establishing  in  the  foundry  business  on  First  street, 
Jersey  City,  New  Jersey,  Mr.  Pinnell  selling  his  interest  the  following  year  and 
returning  to  Dunmore.  Here  he  entered  the  same  line  in  conjunction  with 
his  brother,  Jones  T.,  the  firm  transacting  business  as  Pinnell  Brothers,  Jones 
T.  Pinnell  becoming  sole  proprietor  when  his  brother  entered  hardware  deal- 
ing in  1885.  This  line  Mr.  Pinnell  abandoned  in  1894,  re-entering  the  foundry 
business  and  continuing  until  the  purchase  of  his  plant  by  the  Scranton  Steam 
Pump  Company  in  1901,  being  employed  by  this  concern  as  foundry  super- 
intendent for  the  two  following  years.  In  1903  he  once  more  became  inde- 
pendently engaged  in  foundry  work,  his  place  of  business  being  on  Green  Ridge 
street,  where  he  remained  until  1906,  when  he  purchased  his  present  plant 
at  No.  1200-1208  Capouse  avenue.  In  this  place  Mr.  Pinnell  conducts  an 
e.s  tensive  and  lucrative  business,  his  wide  experience  in  and  extensive  rela- 
tions with  foundry  work  giving  him  a  firm  basis  upon  which  to  found  the 
prosperity  of  his  plant.  This  is  his  only  business  interest,  and  he  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Anthracite  Bank  of  Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Dunmore  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  choir  of  that 
church  for  forty-six  years,  first  singing  as  a  member  thereof  in  1868,  and 
still  singing  there  (1914).  His  fraternal  orders  are  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  in 
which  he  has  been  treasurer  of  trustees,  outer  guard,  inner  guard,  master  at 
arms,  vice-chancellor,  chancellor  commander,  past  chancellor,  prelate ;  the 
Knights  of  Malta,  and  has  filled  all  the  chairs,  having  been  senior  warden, 
captain  general,  generalissimo,  sir  knight  commander,  and  prelate ;  and  the 
Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs. 

Mr.  Pinnell  married,  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  September  21,  1876. 
Junia  Frances  Dilley,  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  April  27,  1856,  daugh- 
ter of  Stewart  Dilley,  born  at  Hanover,  Pennsylvania,  January  23,  1829,  and 
Lucinda  (Wert)  Dilley,  born  near  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  June  5,  1833. 
Stewart  Dilley  was  superintendent  of  the  Pennsylvania  blacksmith  shops  at 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  from  1854  until  his  accidental  death  in  1869.  Chil- 
dren of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dilley :  Junia  Frances,  above  mentioned ;  Mary,  married 
E.  W.  Bishop;  Lydia,  deceased;  Ruth,  married  S.  M.  Ives,  of  Taylor,  Penn- 
sylvania; S.  G.,  deceased.  John  Wesley  and  Junia  Frances  (Dilley)  Pin- 
nell are  the  parents  of:  i.  Lydia  Mae.  born  in  Jersey  City,  New  Jersey,  No- 
vember 29,  1880;  married  a  Mr.  Shafifer.  and  has  one  daughter.  Ruth,  born 
in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  February  16,  1902.  2.  Hope  Junia,  born  in  Dun- 
more,    Pennsylvania,     November    5,    1884;    married     Stewart    B.    Seigle.      3. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  305 

Lucinda,  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  March  19,  1892.  It  is  curious  to 
note  that  the  birth  dates  of  Mr.  Pinnell,  his  wife  and  children,  as  well  as  the 
date  of  marriage  of  the  parents,  fall  in  a  bissextile  or  leap  year,  a  coincidence 
seldom  occurring 


OSEE  D.  DEWITT 


The  lines  of  business  in  which  Osee  D.  DeWitt  is  known  to  the  city  of 
Scranton  are  lumber,  planning  mill,  insurance,  real  estate,  and  automobiles. 
In  the  eighteen  years  covering  the  time  Mr.  DeWitt  has  been  in  Scranton  he 
has  become  well  and  favorably  known  in  the  city  of  his  adoption.  He  is  a 
son  of  Isaac  DeWitt,  born  in  New  Jersey,  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  Isaac  De- 
Witt  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in  1862  and  fought  in  the  ranks  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  in  one  battle  receiving  a  severe  wound  in  the  hand.  Upon 
the  signing  of  articles  of  peace  he  was  given  an  honorable  discharge,  but  the 
wound  in  his  hand  had  incapacitated  him  for  delicate  work,  so  that  he  was 
compelled  to  abandon  his  trade.  He  engaged  in  farming  operations  and  lum- 
ber dealing  until  his  death,  holding  membership  in  the  Grand  Anny  of  the 
Republic.  He  married  Lucy  Spencer,  of  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
had:  Eva,  deceased:  G.  Dow;  Osee  D.,  of  whom  further;  Warren  Spencer, 
president  of  the  DeW  itt  Lumber  Company ;  Martha ;  Walter,  met  an  accidental 
death  by  drowning. 

Osee  D.  DeWitt,  son  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  ( Spencer )  DeWitt,  was  born  in 
Rockford  City,  Illinois,  June  9,  1858.  His  parents  moving  to  Susquehanna 
county,  Pennsylvania,  when  he  was  a  child,  he  was  there  educated  in  the 
public  schools.  In  later  life  he  engaged  in  lumber  dealing,  managing  the  luni- 
ber  mill  of  DeWitt  Brothers  in  Wyoming  county,  and  in  1896  moved  to  Scran- 
ton, there  engaging  m  the  same  business  until  1907.  In  that  year  he  sold  his 
interests  in  the  firm  and  established  in  insurance  and  real  estate  dealing  at 
Green  Ridge,  later  moving  his  office  to  the  Miller  Building,  Scranton.  When 
he  first  came  to  Scranton  he  became  associated  with  his  brother,  W.  S.  De- 
Witt,  in  a  retail  lumber  and  planing  mill  business  in  which  he  continued  until 
1906.  The  partnership  being  dissolved  at  that  time  he  entered  into  the  real 
estate  and  insurance  line  alone;  later  in  1912  became  interested  in  the  auto- 
mobile business  and  organized  the  Eureka  Motor  Car  Company,  later  be- 
coming manager.  In  191 2  he  located  at  No.  319  Washington  avenue,  there 
adding  automobile  activity  to  his  earlier  lines,  being  president  and  manager  of 
the  Eureka  Motor  Car  Company.  He  holds  the  agency  for  the  Franklin  car 
and  the  Brockway  truck,  both  machines  with  many  desirable  features,  both 
meeting  other  cars  and  trucks  upon  a  level  of  efficiency,  in  the  one  elegance 
and  comfort  in  construction,  in  the  other,  strength  and  durability.  Mr.  De- 
Witt's  only  other  business  connection  is  as  vice-president  of  the  Green  Ridge 
Bank.  His  fraternal  society  is  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in 
which  he  belongs  to  the  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  holding  a  place  upon  the  board  of  trustees. 

He  married,  October  26,  1881,  Priscilla  A.,  daughter  of  Mark  A.  and 
Priscilla  Gardner,  of  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  DeWitt 
are  the  parents  of;  Harry  G.,  born  July  4,  1886,  and  Hazel  P.,  born  August 
14,  1896. 


JUSTIN  ELISHA  PARRISH 

A  descendant  of  the  Connecticut  Parrish   family,  and  of  Archibald   Par- 
rish,  who  settled  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  shortly  after  the  "Massacre,"  Justin 


20 


3o6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

E.  Parrish  possesses  an  ancestry  that  in  both  states  helped  to  lay  the  founda- 
tion for  future  greatness.  On  the  site  of  the  present  Courthouse  Square  hi 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  once  stood  one  of  the  old  taverns  or  inns  of  the 
early  day.  This  tavern  was  kept  by  Archibald  Parrish,  and  after  his  death 
by  his  widow,  Phoebe  ( ^liller )  Parrish,  who  died  at  the  great  age  of  ninety- 
eight  years.  Archibald  and  Phoebe  Parrish  had  issue :  Bradley,  served  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  war  between  the  states ;  Archibald,  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  Adams  Express  Company ;  Gould,  built  the  first  powder  mill 
in  northeastern  Pennsylvania ;  Charles,  organized  the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Lehigh 
Coal  Company,  and  was  one  of  the  leading  coal  operators  of  his  day ;  Sarah, 
married  Frank  Hunt  and  had  issue,  Charles  P.,  Elwood,  Anna ;  Mary  G. ; 
George  H. 

George  H.  Parrish  was  born  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  in  1823,  there 
grew  to  manhood,  learning  and  following  the  trade  of  blacksmith.  He  after- 
ward moved  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  there  opening  and  conducting  a  shop 
devoted  to  his  trade.  After  the  destruction  of  his  plant  by  fire,  he  moved  to 
Beaver  Dam,  Wisconsin.  In  1864  he  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre  where  he  be- 
came associated  with  his  brother,  Charles,  in  coal  mine  operations.  The  latter 
had  recently  opened  the  Dundee  Shaft  at  Buttonwood  near  Wilkes-Barre,  now 
owned  by  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Coal  Company.  Charles 
Parrish  had  in  1864,  in  association  with  Samuel  Thomas,  established  the  firm 
of  Parrish  &  Thomas  and  operated  what  is  now  known  as  Breaker  No.  9  of  the 
Lehigh  &  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company,  at  Sugar  Notch,  near  Wilkes-Barre, 
then  an  undeveloped  coal  property.  There  were  several  changes  of  owner- 
ship and  finns  in  the  early  operations,  Parrish  &  Drake  becoming  owners  of 
Breaker  No.  g.  and  m.ines  at  Pine  Ridge  and  the  mine  then  operated  by  Thomas 
Broderick,  now  known  as  the  Empire  Mine,  these  properties  forming  th.e 
nucleus  of  the  present  Lehigh  &  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company,  organized  by 
Charles  Parrish  and  now  one  of  the  strong  coal  companies  of  the  anthracite 
region.  George  H.  Parrish  was  interested  with  his  brother  in  the  business 
until  his  death. 

Mr.  Parrish  married  Charlotte  Matilda  Brown,  of  New  Jersey,  their  wed- 
ding journey  being  taken  in  one  of  the  coaches  of  the  old  Wilkes-Barre  and 
Easton  stage  line.  They  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  five  of  whom 
are  yet  living:  Justin  Elisha,  of  whom  further;  Ernest  L.,  Harry  Edsal, 
Nellie  B.,  Esther"  N. 

Justin  Elisha  Parrish  was  born  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  November  23, 
1854,  residing  in  boyhood  in  that  city,  Beaver  Dam,  Wisconsin,  and  coming 
with  his  parents  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  in  1864.  He  was  educated  in 
public  schools  and  Lawrenceville  Preparatory  School,  beginning  active  busi- 
ness life  in  1874  when  he  entered  the  Wilkes-Barre  branch  shops  of  the  Dick- 
son Manufacturing  Company  of  Scranton.  He  began  work  in  the  machine 
shop  and  after  a  time  went  to  the  draughting  room  and  was  in  that  room  two 
years,  then  was  transferred  to  the  same  department  at  the  works  in  Scranton. 
While  there  he  assisted  in  preparing  the  designs  and  later  in  the  erection  of 
the  five  blowing  engines  installed  by  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company, 
then  an  innovation  in  coal  mining.  In  1880  he  was  retransf erred  to  the  \\'ilkes- 
Barre  shops,  but  in  a  much  difi^erent  and  higher  capacity.  The  superintendent 
of  the  works.  James  E.  Dickson,  having  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health,  Mr. 
Parrish,  who  had  made  such  progress  in  his  mastery  of  the  business,  succeeded 
him.  He  continued  as  superintendent  for  five  years,  then  resigned  in  order  to 
avail  himself  of  expert  instruction  in  the  application  of  electricity  to  ma- 
chinery, and  for  illuminating  purposes,  this  agent  then  just  coming  into  use. 
He  spent  several  months  in  New  York  City  with  the  Arnoux  &  Hochhausen 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  307 

Company,  gaining  the  desired  information  concerning  electrical  machinery 
and  installation.  Returning  to  Wilkes-Barre  he  was  appointed  superintendent 
of  the  Wilkes-Barre  Electric  Light  Company,  organized  by  his  father,  George 
H.  Parrish.  four  years  earlier.  The  company  at  this  time  was  operating  seven, 
ten  arc  light  dynamos  for  street  illumination,  the  cost  to  the  city  being  seventy- 
five  cents  nightly.  In  1886-87  Jwstin  E.  Parrish  constructed  and  operated  the 
incandescent  lighting  system  for  the  entire  city.  At  the  same  time  W.  B.  Rock- 
well had  organized  a  company  in  Scranton  under  the  name  of  the  Illuminat- 
ing Heat  and  Power  Company  located  on  Lackawanna  avenue  at  the  foot  of 
Linden  street.  In  1888  Mr.  Parrish  came  to  Scranton  succeeding  Mr.  Rockwell 
as  superintendent  of  the  company  just  mentioned.  The  company  at  that  time 
had  a  plant  of  sufficient  power  to  operate  two  thousand  incandescent  and  thirty 
arc  lights,  but  so  popular  did  the  new  light  become  that  when  later  the  com- 
pany sold  out  to  the  Electric  Company  of  America  it  was  operating  thirty 
thousand  incandescent  lights,  one  thousand  arc  lights  and  generating  two 
thousand  horse  power  for  motor  service.  At  the  same  time  Mr.  Parrish  came 
to  Scranton  (  1888 )  E.  B.  Sturgess  installed  and  was  operating  the  first  electric 
street  car  system  used  in  the  United  States,  his  power  plant  being  on  Wash- 
ington avenue.  He  later  sold  to  the  Scranton  Railroad  Company  but  retained 
his  power  plant  changing  his  generators  and  machinery,  making  them  effective 
for  electric  lighting  purposes.  Mr.  Parrish,  as  superintendent,  was  called  un- 
expectedly to  face  a  great  emergency,  when  on  January  i,  1897,  the  com- 
pany's lighting  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire.  This  would  have  left  the  city 
without  light  but  Mr.  Parrish  had  power  and  light  brought  from  the  Street 
Car  Company,  the  Suburban  Light  Company  and  the  Electric  Light  Plant  of 
the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company.  At  the  end  of  seventy-two  hours  he 
had  an  efficient  lighting  plant  built  and  in  operation  on  the  ruins  of  the  old 
one,  installing  eight  dynamos  and  four  engines  for  incandescent  lighting  and 
one  for  arc  lighting.  When  a  few  years  later  the  Electric  Company  of  America 
purchased  the  Dunmore  and  the  Suburban  Electric  Light  Companies,  the  Il- 
luminating Power  and  Heat  Company  and  Scranton  Electric  Light  and  Power 
Company,  Mr.  Parrish  remained  with  the  new  company  under  the  consoli- 
dation, but  later  decided  to  engage  in  business  privately.  He  did  so  for  the  en- 
suing two  years,  but  was  then  induced  in  addition  to  his  own  business,  to  return 
to  the  company  as  superintendent  of  their  entire  system.  He  remained  as  such 
two  years,  when  the  American  Gas  and  Electric  Company  of  New  York  City, 
Henry  L.  Doherty,  president,  purchased  the  system.  Mr.  Parrish  then  re- 
turned to  private  business  and  so  continues,  one  of  the  leading  electrical  and 
mechanical  engineers  of  his  state. 

Mr.  Parrish  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  brethren  of  the  Engineers  Asso- 
ciation of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  various  Masonic  bodies  with 
which  he  is  affiliated,  having  a  wide  circle  of  business  and  social  acquaintances 
outside  the  bodies  named.  The  fraternal  orders  which  he  is  connected  with 
are :  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chap- 
ter, Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ;  Irem 
Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine :  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  thirty-second  degree ;  Independent  Order  of  Heptasophs  and 
Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  an  independent  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Sec- 
ond Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Parrish  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Washington  La  Grand,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  a  blacksmith,  and  his  brother,  Louis, 
a  carriage  maker  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  1865  Washington  La  Grand  moved  to 
Sugar  Notch,  there  taking  charge  of  the  smithing  department  and  machine 
shops  of  Parrish  &  Thomas.     When  Mr.  Parrish  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre, 


3o8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mr.  La  Grand  accompanied  him,  becoming  manager  of  the  Empire  shops.  He 
died  in  May,  1913,  aged  eighty-four  years.  Children  of  Justin  E.  and  Eliza- 
beth (La  Grand)  Parrish :  Helen  J.,  married  E.  H.  Clark,  of  Scranton; 
Justin  Elisha  {2),  now  of  Montreal,  Canada:  Charlotte  B.,  a  graduate  of 
Wellesley  College ;  La  Grand,  now  a  student  at  Lawrenceville  Preparatory 
School,  Lawrenceville,  New  Jersey,  an  institution  from  which  his  father  grad- 
uated in  1874,  and  has  the  same  room  his  father  had. 


EDWARD  LATOX  FCLLER 

The  late  Edward  Laton  Fuller,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  was  a  man 
whose  death  was  deeply  and  sincerely  deplored  by  all  classes  of  society.  It 
was  not  alone  that  he  accomplished  great  things  for  the  business  world  of 
Scranton  that  made  him  a  noted  personality,  but  his  large  heart,  his  liberal 
ideas  on  all  subjects,  endeared  him  to  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  The 
fine  traits  which  characterized  him  were  inherited  from  an  honorable  ancestry 
which  can  be  readily  traced  to  the  Pilgrims  of  1620. 

(I)  Dr.  Edward  Fuller,  the  direct  ancestor  of  Edward  Laton  Fuller,  came 
to  this  country  on  the  "Mayflower."  in  1620,  and  landed  at  Plymouth  with 
his  wife  and  son  Samuel.  Dr.  Fuller  and  his  wife  could  not  long  endure  the 
hardships  the  early  settlers  in  this  country  were  called  upon  to  contend  with, 
but  their  son  grew  to  manhood,  married,  and  his  descendants  have  added 
prestige  to  the  family  name.  We  find  the  second  and  third  generations  in 
Connecticut,  from  whence  they  migrated  to  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  when 
that  section  of  the  country  was  still  a  wilderness.  Edward,  great-grandfather 
of  Edward  Laton  Fuller,  married  Hannah  West,  who  was  interred  in  the 
cemetery  in  Scranton.  They  had  children :  Charles,  Edward,  Henry,  Isaac. 
George,  I\Iary  L.,  Elizabeth,  Deborah. 

(II)  Charles  Fuller,  son  of  Edward  and  Hannah  (West)  Fuller,  was  born 
in  New  London,  Connecticut,  November  i.  1797,  died  November  29,  1881. 
The  family  removed  to  Bridgewater  township,  Luzerne  county  (now  Susque- 
hanna county),  Pennsylvania,  in  1806,  and  in  this  section,  which  boasted  of  but 
few  settlers,  the  opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education  were  very  limited. 
At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  sought  and  found  employment  in  a  country 
store  at  Tunkhannock,  and  subsequently  held  a  similar  position  in  Kingston. 
In  1817  he  established  himself  as  the  proprietor  of  a  drug  store  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  when  he  sold  this  business  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  his 
products  being  taken  by  team  over  the  Pocono  to  Easton,  then  the  only  market 
for  the  Wyoming  \'alley.  In  1848  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton, 
where  he  became  bookkeeper  for  Scranton  &  Piatt,  and  later  for  the  Lacka- 
wanna Iron  and  Coal  Company,  with  whom  he  remained  some  years.  Still 
later  he  devoted  his  energies  and  fine  business  ability  to  the  insurance  business, 
in  which  he  was  very  successful.  October  14,  1848,  he  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Scranton,  and  the  scope  of  the  work 
he  thus  created  can  scarcely  be  overestimated.  Mr.  Fuller  married,  January 
8,  1818,  Maria  Scoville,  of  Exeter  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
who  had  been  born  in  Connecticut,  in  1802,  and  their  children  were :  James. 
Edward  C,  Laton  S.,  John,  Mary,  Catherine,  Penelope,  Francis,  Eudora. 

(III)  Edward  C.  Fuller,  son  of  Charles  and  Maria  (Scoville)  Fuller,  was 
born  in  Wyoming,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  8.  1826,  and  received 
an  excellent  education  in  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  had  learned  the  art  of 
manufacturing  rope  under  the  able  instruction  of  his  father,  and  then  traveled 
two  years  as  salesman  for  the  output  of  their  factory.  He  then  took  up  the 
study  of  pharmacy  under   the  preceptorship  of   Dr.   Throop,   later  becoming 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


309 


associated  with  him  in  the  drug  business,  the  partnership  being  dissolved  in 
1851.  Mr.  Fuller  then  opened  a  drug  store  in  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  con- 
ducted this  one  year,  then  removed  to  Scranton,  which  city  was  his  place  of 
residence  from  that  time.  Associated  with  him  was  his  brother,  and  the  drug 
business  at  No.  303  Lackawanna  avenue  was  conducted  under  the  style  of 
L.  S.  and  E.  C.  Fuller,  until  four  years  prior  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Fuller.  His 
interest  in  the  Republican  party  was  an  active  one,  and  he  became  associated 
with  it  when  Fremont  was  its  first  presidential  candidate.  He  was  elected 
school  controller  in  i860,  held  this  office  some  years,  and  was  honored  with  the 
office  of  treasurer  of  the  school  board  during  the  greater  part  of  this  time. 
President  Garfield  appointed  him  postmaster  of  Scranton,  May  16,  1881,  and  he 
was  continued  in  office  by  President  Arthur.  He  was  elected  city  assessor  in 
1890,  and  served  three  years.  When  the  Lackawanna  Hospital  was  organized, 
Mr.  Fuller  was  chosen  for  the  responsible  and  honorable  post  of  director 
and  treasurer,  an  office  he  filled  with  ability  until  his  death.  He  was  also 
president  of  the  Dunmore  Cemetery  Association  from  the  time  of  its  organiza- 
tion until  his  death.  In  early  manhood  he  became  one  of  the  charter  members 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Fuller  married  Helen  Ruthven,  who 
died  in  October,  1892,  and  they  were  the  parents  of:  Charles  R.,  who  mar- 
ried (first)  Frances  Penman,  (second)  Catharine  Scranton;  Edward  Laton, 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch ;  James  A.,  married  Eva  Davis ;  Harry  G.,  mar- 
ried Ida  Frink,  and  died  in  November,  1893. 

(IV)  Edward  Laton  Fuller,  son  of  Edward  C.  and  Helen  (Ruthven)  Ful- 
ler, was  born  at  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  October  10,  1851,  died  suddenly  at 
Augusta,  Georgia,  whither  he  had  gone  to  recuperate,  January  29,  1909.  The 
public  schools  of  Scranton  furnished  him  with  educational  advantages,  which 
he  utilized  to  the  utmost.  Throughout  his  life  he  was  earnest  and  thorough 
in  whatever  he  undertook.  Having  accumulated  a  sufficient  capital,  he  in- 
vested it  in  the  purchase  of  coal  lands,  operated  these  to  advantage,  sold  them 
and  with  the  money  thus  obtained  made  larger  purchases,  and  continuing  along 
these  lines  for  some  years,  he  finally  came  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  largest 
individual  coal  operators  in  the  anthracite  section.  At  various  times  he  owned 
the  Mount  Pleasant  Colliery,  at  Scranton :  the  Seneca  Coal  Company's  prop- 
erties, the  Newton  Coal  Mining  Company,  the  old  Forge  Coal  Mining  Com- 
pany, at  Pittsburgh  and  the  Girard  Coal  Company,  at  Mount  Camiel,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  the  organizer  of  the  Fuller  Syndicate,  and  by  means  of  his 
influence  as  a  director  in  the  Western  Maryland  Railroad  Company  and  the 
West  Virginia  Central  and  Pittsburgh  Railroad  Companies,  secured  control 
of  these  corporations.  His  connection,  official  and  otherwise,  with  a  number 
of  other  important  enterprises  is  partially  as  follows:  President  of  the  Em- 
pire Limestone  Company,  of  Buffalo ;  the  Retsof  Mining  Company,  of  New 
York;  the  Avery  Rock  Salt  Mining  Company,  of  Louisiana;  and  the  Genesee 
and  Wyoming  Railroad  Company.  He  was  a  director  in  the  Penn  Casualty 
Company  and  the  Wyoming  Shovel  W^orks.  But  his  principal  interests  were 
connected  with  the  salt  industry,  and  as  president  of  the  International  Salt 
Company  he  was  a  dominant  factor.  His  efforts  in  other  directions  have  been 
of  lasting  benefit  to  the  city,  and  his  influence  will  be  felt  for  generations  to 
come.  It  was  through  his  instrumentality  that  the  Erie  Railroad  Company 
purchased  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  and  the  Wyoming  \'alley  Railroad, 
and  obtained  important  and  favorable  contracts  for  the  individual  operators 
for  the  sale  of  their  coal.  This  was  one  of  the  great  changes  in  the  coal  in- 
dustry. 

Mr.  Fuller  ever  had  the  welfare  of  the  city  deeply  at  heart,  and  was  fore- 


310  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

most  in  furthering  all  projects  which  could  benefit  it  in  any  manner.  He  wa:> 
the  head  of  the  Municipal  League  of  Scranton,  a  member  of  the  Scranton 
Board  of  Trade  and  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  State  Hospital  at 
Scranton,  formerly  known  as  the  Lackawanna  Hospital,  which  had  had  the 
generous  support  of  his  family  for  generations,  had  the  benefit  of  his  active 
support,  and  he  served  as  oresident  of  its  executive  committee  and  treasurer 
of  its  board  of  trustees.  The  cause  of  education  also  had  in  him  a  warm  sup- 
porter and  friend,  and  in  connection  with  this  work  he  gave  much  of  his  time 
and  attention  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  making  liberal  do- 
nations, and  serving  as  president  of  its  board  of  trustees.  He  was  also  a  di- 
rector of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral  School  for  Deaf.  He  was  for  many  years 
a  member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton,  served  as  president 
of  its  board  of  trustees,  and  in  commemoration  of  the  celebration  of  his  silver 
wedding  he  and  his  wife  erected  an  addition  to  the  church  building.  His 
membership  in  organizations  of  various  kinds  was  a  large  one,  a  partial  list 
being  as  follows :  Society  of  American  Engineers ;  Transportation  Club,  of 
New  York;  Union  League  Club,  of  New  York;  Lawyers'  Club,  of  New  York; 
City  Midday  Club,  of  New  York;  Scranton  Club;  Country  Club  of  Scranton; 
New  York  Yacht  Club;  Maryland  Club  of  Baltimore;  Bulifalo  Club  of  Buffalo, 
New  York;  Westmoreland  Club,  of  Wilkes-Barre ;  Atlantic  Yacht  Club; 
Economic  Club ;  Pen  Club ;  New  England  Society,  of  Scranton  and  New  York. 

Mr.  Fuller  married,  in  1876,  Helen  M.  Silkman,  and  they  had  one  son: 
Mortimer  Bartine,  whose  sketch  follows.  ]\Irs.  Fuller,  who  died  in  August, 
1912,  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel  Silkman,  for  many  years  resi- 
dents on  North  Main  avenue,  Scranton,  and  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Byron  Winton. 
who  died  a  few  years  ago;  Mrs.  Charles  Mercer,  of  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia ;  and  Mrs.  John  Ryon,  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania.  The  death  of 
Mrs.  Fuller  was  a  sudden  and  unexpected  one,  and  was  probably  hastened  by 
the  burning  of  the  bam  and  stables  at  her  magnificent  country  seat,  "Over- 
look," three  weeks  previously,  when  a  number  of  valuable  pet  horses  lost  their 
lives.  She  had  apparently  recovered  from  this  shock,  however,  but  it  had 
evidently  been  too  much  for  her  sensitive  and  sympathetic  nature,  and  she 
succumbed.  Like  her  lamented  husband,  she  was  a  woman  of  unbounded 
charity  and  nobility  of  character,  and  her  benefactions,  however  liberal,  were 
always  bestowed  in  an  unostentatious  manner.  The  amount  of  them  will 
never  be  known  save  by  the  immediate  recipients.  In  the  world  of  society 
she  held  a  leading  position,  to  which  her  grace,  beauty  and  tact  fully  entitled 
her.  Her  personality  was  a  most  charming  one.  Simplicity  of  manner  was 
combined  with  rare  intelligence  and  a  never-failing  courtesy,  which  made  her 
the  center  of  her  social  circle.  As  a  hostess  her  receptions  were  characterized 
by  an  originality  it  would  be  difficult  to  duplicate.  In  every  respect  she  was  a 
fitting  and  charming  helpmate  to  her  honored  husband. 

A  review  of  the  character  of  Mr.  Fuller  can  be  best  given  in  a  few  ex- 
tracts from  editorials  in  the  leading  papers  of  Scranton  at  the  time  of  his 
death.     From  the  Scranton  Times  we  glean  the  following: 

Mr.  Fuller  was  a  very  steam  engine  of  effort.  He  had  built  up  great  enterprises.  Hav- 
ing been  with  them  from  the  start  he  knew  every  detail  of  the  business  and  would  not 
recognize  the  fact  that  they  had  grown  to  such  enormous  proportions  that  the  work  of 
looking  after  details  was  beyond  the  power  of  any  one  man.  At  home  he  worked  many 
hours  every  day.  When  he  traveled  for  alleged  rest  or  recreation  his  stenographer  was 
with  him  and  he  kept  in  touch  with  the  several  plants  of  his  various  companies  by  tele- 
phone and  telegraph.  Ordinary  men  might  envy  him  his  wealth,  but  they  did  not  ap- 
preciate the  tremendous  physical  effort  spent  in  obtaining  it. 


CITY  OF  SCR  AN  TON  31 1 

The  Scranton  Republican  wrote  as  follows : 

Few  men  in  any  community  have  achieved  so  early  the  place  that  this  man  has 
filled.  He  has  made  ineffaceable  marks  in  this  region  of  his  home.  His  example  of 
indomitable  courage  under  disheartening  circumstances,  of  undreamed  success  that  left 
him  still  sunny  of  temperament,  imspoiled  and  kind,  is  a  heritage  to  his  city  that  has  its 
value.  The  e.xample  of  his  ever  ready  generosity  and  sympathy,  his  exceptional  e.xecutive 
ability,  will  remain  as  a  tribute  to  his  memory.  That  Scranton  has  lost  one  of  its  fore- 
most citizens  is  too  sad  a  fact  to  need  elaboration.  He  was  a  man  of  high  ideals,  a 
loyal  friend  and  a  wortliy  exponent  of  America's  possibilities. 

From  the  Scranton  Truth  we  have : 

When  death  robs  a  community  of  a  man  in  the  full  vigor  of  middle  life,  of  a  man 
whose  generosity  aided  a  hundred  and  one  worthy  projects  of  a  busy  city  and  whose 
means  were  ample  to  gratify  this  desire  to  be  generous,  of  a  man  who  gave  time  and 
thought  to  the  uplift  of  the  locality  that  was  always  his  home,  that  community  has 
indeed  sustained  a  loss.  And  it  is  such  a  loss  that  Scranton  is  now  called  upon  to 
bear  in  the  death  of  E.  L.  Fuller.  Those  who  have  had  occasion  to  solicit  funds  for 
the  numerous  benefactions  that  distinguish  this  city,  know  that  they  were  never  turned 
away  empty  handed  when  application  was  made  to  E.  L.  Fuller.  He  was  a  wealthy  man 
but  he  shared  his  wealth  with  the  city  of  his  choice.  He  possessed  a  genius  for  or- 
ganization and  a  mind  that  could  grasp  the  practical  advantages  of  almost  any  proposi- 
tion. On  more  than  one  occasion  he  utilized  this  ability  for  the  benefit  of  the  city.  It 
was  due  to  him  more  than  to  any  other  man  that  the  State  Hospital  was  located  here, 
and  his  indomitable  energy  was  applied  to  building  up  this  institution  after  it  had  been 
located  here. 


MORTIMER  BARTINE  FULLER 

The  amount  of  real  work  which  may  be  accomplished  by  well  directed  and 
well  ordered  effort,  energy  and  ability  has  been  shown  most  conclusively  in  the 
career  of  Mortimer  Bartine  Fuller,  of  Scranton.  Pennsylvania,  who,  while  ju.=t 
on  the  borderland  of  middle  age,  is  connected  officially  with  such  a  large  num- 
ber of  important  enterprises  that  it  would  seem  almost  a  matter  of  impossibility 
for  one  brain  to  control  them.  He  is  the  only  child  of  the  late  Edward  Laton 
and  Helen  M.  (Silkman)  Fuller. 

Mortimer  Bartine  Fuller  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September, 
1877.  He  received  his  preparatory  education  at  Dr.  Cann"s  School,  now  The 
School  of  the  Lackawanna,  and  at  the  Lawrenceville  School,  Lawrenceville, 
New  Jersey.  He  then  matriculated  at  Princeton  University,  being  graduated 
from  this  institution  in  the  class  of  1899.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Tiger  Inn 
Club,  of  Princeton.  Upon  his  return  to  his  home  in  Scranton  he  became  ac- 
tively identified  with  the  many  financial  and  industrial  concerns  with  which 
his  father  was  connected,  and  since  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1909  has  suc- 
ceeded to  the  presidency  of  the  International  Salt  Company  of  New  Jersey  and 
of  the  subsidiary  companies.  His  other  business  connections  are :  President  of 
the  Detroit  Rock  Salt  Company,  the  Empire  Limestone  Company,  Genesee  and 
Wyoming  Railroad  Company ;  director  in  the  Marine  National  Bank  of  Buf- 
falo, Scranton  Savings  Bank,  Dime  Bank  of  Scranton.  Spencer  Heater  Com- 
pany of  Scranton.  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company,  and  the  Mason-Seainan 
Transportation  Company  of  New  York.  Like  his  father,  he  is  a  philanthropist 
of  high  standing.  He  is  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the  State  Hospital  at  Scran- 
ton, an  office  his  father  filled  many  years,  and  of  which  his  grandfather  was 
also  the  incumbent  when  the  institution  was  known  as  the  Lackawanna  Hos- 
pital. He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Young  Rien's  Christian 
Association,  and  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  funds  of  this  worthy  organization. 
His  religious  meinbership  is  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  he  is 
a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees.  His  social  membership  is :  Director  and 
secretary  of  the  Scranton  Club;  director  in  the  Scranton  Country  Club;  mem- 


312  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ber  of  the  Railroad  Club  of  New  York,  Union  League  Club  of  New  York, 
City  Midday  Club  of  New  York,  Princeton  Club  of  New  York,  New  York 
Yacht  Club,  Buffalo  Club  of  Buffalo,  Nassau  Club  of  Princeton,  Blooming 
Grove  Hunting  and  Fishing  Club,  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  New  York. 

Mr.  Fuller  married,  in  February,  1904,  Kathryn,  daughter  of  Joseph  H. 
and  Fannie  (Van  Derwarker )  Steell,  of  Scranton,  and  they  have  children: 
Edward  Laton,  Mortimer  Bartine  Jr.,  Henry  O.  Mr.  Fuller  has  a  clear  con- 
ception of  all  aft'airs  with  which  he  is  connected  and  the  right  regard  for  what 
is  best  in  the  exercise  of  human  activities.  With  all  the  elements  of  a  strong 
character,  he  shoulders  his  exacting  responsibilities,  and  by  his  prudence,  fore- 
sight and  ability  increases  them  largely  in  value.  In  all  his  relations — busi- 
ness, public  and  personal — he  measures  up  to  the  standard  of  a  splendid  citizen. 


HENDRICK  ELSWORTH  PAINE 

The  Paine  family,  represented  in  the  present  generation  by  Hendrick  Els- 
worth  Paine,  numbered  among  the  foremost  citizens  of  Scranton,  where  he 
has  resided  for  more  than  three  decades,  was  planted  by  Stephen  Paine  on  the 
rugged  coast  of  New  England  in  the  year  1635,  and  his  numerous  descendants 
are  to  be  found  in  many  states  of  the  Union,  engaged  in  the  various  walks  of 
life,  performing  well  their  part  in  whatever  duties  are  assigned  to  them. 

The  family  has  furnished  one  signer  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
Robert  Treat  Paine.  The  name  has  been  variously  spelled :  Pain,  Payn,  Paine 
and  Payne,  and  it  is  first  mentioned  in  Bloomfield's  "History  of  Norfolk  County, 
England,"  printed  in  13 16.  This  shire  was  the  earliest  recorded  seat  of  the 
family,  which  traces  its  lineage  to  the  ancient  Britons,  or  Angles.  The  Els- 
worth  family,  related  to  the  Paine  family  by  marriage,  claims  among  its 
members  one  who  attained  the  honored  position  of  chief  justice  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court,  and  another  one  that  of  governor  of  Connecticut. 

Stephen  Paine,  the  immigrant  progenitor  of  the  family,  settled  in  Hingham, 
Massachusetts,  in  1635,  and  the  line  from  him  to  Hendrick  E.  Paine,  of  this 
review,  is  through  the  following  generations :  Stephen  Paine,  who  removed  to 
a  little  village  then  called  Indian  Seacouck,  and  changed  the  name  to  Rehoboth. 
Stephen  Paine,  removed  to  Pom  fret,  Connecticut,  served  in  the  old  Colonial 
wars,  fought  at  the  battle  of  Louisburg,  and  was  with  Wolfe  on  the  Heights 
of  Abraham.  Stephen  Paine,  removed  to  East  Windsor,  Connecticut,  and  waj 
residing  there  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  serving  in  two  enlistments.  Eleazer 
Paine,  born  in  East  Windsor,  Connecticut,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  later  was  commissioned  colonel  of  the  Nineteenth  Connecticut  Regiment, 
receiving  his  commission  from  the  hand  of  Governor  Jonathan  Trumbull  in 
the  year  1803:  he  married  Auriel  Elsworth,  daughter  of  Job  Elsworth,  of  East 
Windsor,  Connecticut.  Colonel  Hendrick  Elsworth  Paine,  born  in  East  Wind- 
sor, Connecticut,  died  at  Monmouth,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  aged  ninety- 
three  years.  He  served  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  removed  to  Painesville, 
Ohio,  with  his  parents  in  1803,  and  he  built  the  first  forge  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  merchant  bar  iron  that  was  erected  in  northern  Ohio  and  thus  be- 
came the  pioneer  ironmaster  in  a  field  that  is  now  one  of  the  greatest  iron 
and  steel  centers  of  the  world.  In  1809  he  married  Harriet  Phelps,  a  mem- 
ber of  an  old  and  distinguished  Phelps  family  of  Connecticut.  Major  Henry 
Paine,  born  in  Painesville,  Ohio,  February  4.  1810.  lost  his  life  by  an  accident 
at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years.  He  succeeded  his  father  in  the  management 
of  the  iron  business,  and  was  also  engaged  in  the  lumbering  business  and  in 
farming.     He  married  Harriet  N.  Tuttle,  daughter  of  Ira  and  Charry  (Mills) 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  313 

Tuttle,  of  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio.  Their  children  were:  Elizabeth  E.,  Auriel, 
Mary  D.,  Charlotte  I.,  Hendrick  Elsworth,  Ira  T.,  Charry  M.,  Harriet  N., 
Stella  A.,  Henry. 

Hendrick  Elsworth  Paine,  of  this  review,  eldest  son  of  Major  Henry  and 
Harriet  N.  (Tuttle)  Paine,  was  born  at  Paine's  Hollow,  near  Painesville,  Ohio, 
March  12,  1845.  He  received  a  practical  education  in  the  district  school,  thi,-^ 
knowledge  being  supplemented  by  attendance  for  one  term  at  Madison  Semin- 
ary, located  near  his  home,  and  by  a  course  of  reading  in  the  school  library. 
In  1861,  when  President  Lincoln  issued  his  first  call  for  troops  to  aid  in  de- 
fense of  the  Union,  Hendrick  E.  Paine  oflfered  his  services,  but  was  refused 
on  account  of  his  youth,  but  in  the  following  year  he  was  accepted  as  a  drum- 
mer boy  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry.  His  term  of  enlistment  was  for  three  years,  dating  from  July  31, 
1862,  but  he  was  discharged  for  pliysical  disability  at  Gallatin,  Tennessee,  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1863.  In  the  following  year,  having  recovered  his  usual  health  and 
strength,  he  again  enlisted,  this  time  for  one  hundred  days,  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-first  Regiment  Ohio  \'olunteer 
Infantry.  This  time  he  served  his  full  term,  discharging  his  duties  with  signal 
ability  and  bravery,  as  he  also  did  in  his  first  enlistment,  performing  the  duties 
of  a  soldier,  although  only  enlisting  as  a  drummer  boy. 

After  his  honorable  discharge  from  the  service  of  the  government,  he  went 
to  the  oil  fields  of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  the  following  eighteen  years  he  was 
actively  engaged  in  drilling  and  operating  oil  wells,  and  mastered  the  business 
in  all  its  details.  He  gradually  advanced  from  one  position  to  another,  and  in 
due  course  of  time  became  the  manager  of  companies  amongst  the  most  ex- 
tensive in  the  oil  field.  He  also  operated  on  his  own  account,  achieving  a  fair 
degree  of  success,  and  in  1882  he  disposed  of  his  oil  wells,  and  retired  from 
that  line  of  business. 

He  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1883,  and  there 
engaged  in  the  fire  insurance  business,  his  present  line  of  work.  Seven  years 
later  he  admitted  his  only  son  into  the  business,  changing  the  name  to  H.  E. 
Paine  &  Son,  its  present  style,  and  they  conducted  a  general  agency  business, 
their  field  of  operations  covering  all  northeastern  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Paine 
has  also  given  his  attention  to  other  lines  of  business,  actively  and  prominently 
identified  with  several  of  the  best  known  corporations  of  Scranton.  He  is  a 
firm  advocate  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  but  he  casts  his  vote 
for  the  candidate  who  in  his  opinion  is  best  qualified  for  office,  irrespective  of 
party  affiliation.  He  represented  his  ward  in  the  city  councils,  his  influence 
being  on  the  side  of  right  and  justice,  and  he  gives  his  earnest  support  to  every 
movement  calculated  to  benefit  his  adopted  city.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  Penn  Avenue  Fiaptist  Church,  in  which  he  serves  in  the  capacity  of  deacon ; 
in  Griffin  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  the  largest  post  of  this  order 
in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania ;  in  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  ;  in  the  New  Eng- 
land Society,  being  one  of  its  charter  members. 

Mr.  Paine  married,  December  25,  1866,  Jennie  L.  Powers,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Ann  Powers,  of  Perry,  Ohio.  One  child,  Ernest  Ira,  born 
November  12,  1867.  He  is  now  the  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  H.  E.  Paine 
&  Son,  and  is  also  interested  in  other  business  matters  with  his  father.  He 
is  past  master  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of 
Scranton.  He  married,  October  14,  1891,  Nettie  Moore,  daughter  of  John  and 
Fannie  Moore,  of  Scranton.     Children :  Harriet  Eleanor  and  Arthur  Ernest. 


314  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

PHILLIP  RINSLAND 

Closely  identified  with  important  business  enterprises  in  Scranton,  Phillip 
Rinsland,  present  state  inspector  of  dairies  and  watersheds,  is  a  conspicuous 
example  of  a  self-made  man,  who  from  an  humble  beginning  has  risen  to  a 
position  of  honor  and  influence.  He  has  been  a  potent  factor  in  the  develop- 
ment of  Scranton  and  has  in  all  his  enterprises  shown  an  integrity  of  purpose 
and  a  public  spirit  that  has  won  him  an  honored  name  among  his  fellowmen. 

Phillip  Rinsland  is  a  son  of  John  Rinsland,  born  in  Oppenheim,  Germany,. 
who  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  first  in  New  York  City.  He  followed 
his  trade  of  tanner  in  New  York  and  Susquehanna,  Pennsylvania,  residing  in 
the  latter  place  in  1883,  when  he  met  his  death  at  Carbondale,  under  the 
wheels  of  a  passenger  train,  he  being  then  in  the  employ  of  the  Delaware  & 
Hudson  Railroad  Company.  He  was  fifty-two  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  He  left  a  widow,  Victoria  (English)  Rinsland,  and  children:  Louis,. 
Henry,  Josephine,  Phillip,  Christine,  Mary. 

Victoria  (English)  Rinsland,  born  January  13,  1843,  was  the  daughter  ot 
John  English  and  his  first  wife,  Barbara  ( Speizer )  English,  who  died  re- 
spectively, September  14,  1852,  and  July  15,  1846.  John  English,  of  German 
birth,  came  to  New  York  City,  where  at  No.  62  Bleecker  street,  he  carried 
on  an  extensive  tobacco  manufacturing  business  for  many  years  until  finally 
selling  out  to  the  Lorillard  Tobacco  Company.  He  then  moved  to  Liberty,. 
Sullivan  county.  New  York,  where  he  resided  until  death.  At  the  time  of  his 
removal  to  Liberty  he  overlooked  a  small  favorable  balance  in  the  Bleecker 
Street  Bank  which  was  not  discovered  by  his  heirs  until  fifty-two  years  later 
in  1904.  although  the  bank  had  regularly  advertised  the  account  each  year. 
When  rightful  ownership  was  proven,  the  account  was  settled.  John  English 
married  (first)  Barbara  Speizer,  October  16,  1833;  children:  Mary,  born  June 
19,  1835;  John,  September  9,  1837:  Elizabeth,  July  30,  1840;  Victoria,  Jan- 
uary 13,  1843,  married  John  Rinsland.  By  a  second  wife,  Mr.  English  had 
Josephine,  born  November  19,   1848:  Louis,  September  10,  1851. 

Phillip  Rinsland  was  born  at  Callicoon,  Sullivan  county,  New  York,  Jan- 
uary 20,  1873.  He  was  ten  years  of  age  when  his  father  was  killed  and  as 
there  were  three  boys  in  the  family,  both  older  than  Phillip,  the  main  burden 
of  the  support  of  their  mother  and  sisters  fell  at  first  on  them.  Phillip,  how- 
ever, added  his,  at  first,  small  earnings  to  the  family  fund  and  as  he  grew  in 
earning  ability  bore  his  full  share  of  family  expense.  He  was  first  a  door 
tender  in  a  coal  mine,  later  a  driver  boy  at  Simpson  &  W'atkins  mine  at  Car- 
bondale. He  came  to  Scranton  in  1883  and  began  learning  the  barber's  trade 
in  the  shop  of  John  Wahl,  becoming  an  e.xpert  in  that  line.  His  education  had 
not  been  neglected,  but  during  the  years  outlined  he  had  attended  the  public 
schools  and  improved  his  opportunities.  He  established  a  tonsorial  estab- 
lishment in  Scranton  after  attaining  proficiency  at  his  trade,  attracted  a  very 
large  patronage  and  had  the  largest  and  best-appointed  shop  in  the  city.  He 
prospered  in  business  for  several  years,  then  disposed  of  his  interest  and  de- 
voted himself  thereafter  to  the  real  estate  business,  later  becoming  senior 
partner  of  the  firm  of  Rinsland  &  Jones  and  adding  an  addition  to  the  citj 
of  Scranton  in  the  Hyde  Park  district,  devoting  it  to  the  best  class  of  resi- 
dential buildings.  He  also  organized  (1903)  the  Keiser  Land  and  Improve- 
ment Company  of  Scranton,  and  in  1906  the  All  America  Powder  Company 
of  which  he  is  now  a  director.  A  close  student  of  real  estate  values,  Mr.  Rins- 
land has  made  few  errors  in  judgment  in  determining  upon  investments.  He 
purchased  the  old  Nettleton  property  at  No.  920  Green  Ridge  street  and  there 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  315 

erected  "Rinsland's  Hall,"  a  three-story  brick  building  with  all  modern  safety 
and  sanitary  features,  the  third  floor  equipped  for  fraternal  society  uses  of  the 
Green  Ridge  section.  The  floor  is  now  occupied  by  the  Royal  Arcanum,  Junior 
Order  of  American  Mechanics,  Knights  of  Malta  and  the  ladies'  branch  of  the 
Modem  Woodmen.  He  broadened  out  in  other  lines  of  activity,  becoming 
one  of  the  strong  and  active  operators  of  the  city.  He  is  president  of  the 
Moscow  Sand  and  Gravel  Company,  a  director  of  the  Clarks  Summit  Land 
Company,  has  interests  in  silver  mines  in  New  Mexico,  gold  mining  interest.-: 
in  Alontana,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Youngstown  Hard  Wall 
Cement  Company,  whose  plant  was  erected  in  Scranton  in  1905.  These  ac- 
tivities were  carried  on  successfully  and  profitably,  Mr.  Rinsland  being  also  the 
owner  of  valuable  real  estate  in  the  city. 

Mr.  Rinsland's  public  service  has  been  most  valuable.  He  was  elected 
city  assessor  over  seventeen  candidates  and  so  worthily  did  he  fill  the  office 
that  he  was  continued  therein  nine  years  under  three  mayors  and  administra- 
tions. He  was  a  most  capable,  just  and  upright  assessor  and  withal  so  courte- 
ous and  conscientious  that  he  was  regarded  as  a  model  official.  After  nine 
years'  service  in  the  assessor's  office  he  was  appointed  state  inspector  of  dairies 
and  watersheds  for  Lackawanna  county,  and  wag  appointed  county  detective, 
January  i,  1914,  under  George  W.  Maxey,  district  attorney.  He  is  a  life 
member  of  Scranton  Lodge,  No.  123,  B.  P.  O.  E. ;  member  of  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America ;  Junior  Order  of  American  Mechanics ;  Royal  Arcanum ; 
Knights  of  Malta  ;  German  Alliance  of  America  and  other  organizations.  He 
was  an  active  member  of  the  Million  Dollar  Industrial  Development  Company, 
city  of  Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a 
Republican  in  politics.  For  five  years  he  served  in  the  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard,  a  member  of  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Regiment.  Highly  as  Mr.  Rins- 
land is  regarded  for  his  business  ability  and  official  efficiency,  he  is  not  less 
highly  esteemed  as  a  friend  and  neighbor.  C)f  genial  personality  and  ab- 
solute friendliness  to  all,  he  has  won  a  wealth  of  personal  friends,  and  in  all 
departments  of  his  active  life  numbers  among  his  warmest  friends  those  who 
know  him  best. 


THOMAS  SPRAGUE 


The  Sprag^e  family  of  Scranton,  represented  in  the  present  generation  by 
Thomas  Sprague,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Sprague  &  Henwood,  con- 
tractors and  prospectors  for  coal  and  other  minerals,  is  an  old  and  honored 
family  of  Rhode  Island,  several  generations  of  the  family  residing  there, 
having  been  activelv  interested  in  various  lines  of  work,  and  contributing 
greatly  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  communities  in  which  they  resided. 

(I)  Thomas  Sprague,  the  first  of  the  line  herein  recorded  of  whom  we 
have  definite  information,  was  a  native  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  and 
there  spent  his  entire  lifetime,  honored  and  esteemed  by  his  business  associates 
and  personal  friends.  In  early  life  he  led  a  seafaring  existence,  being  captain  on 
a  mrchant  vessel,  and  later  turned  his  attention  to  the  cotton  manufacturing 
business,  establishing  a  mill  in  the  vicinity  of  Providence,  and  in  due  course  of 
time  this  section  became  sufficiently  inhabited  to  become  a  village,  to  which 
was  given  the  name  of  Spragueville,  in  honor  of  Thomas  Sprague.  The 
business  prospered  under  his  competent  management,  and  he  became  a  man 
of  considerable  means,  wielding  an  influence  for  good  in  that  section  of  his 
native  state.  He  married  Sarah  Fenner,  and  among  their  children  was  Ed- 
ward H.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Edward  H.  Sprague,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah   (Fenner)   Sprague, 


3i6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

was  born  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  in  1812,  died  in  1891.  After  com 
pleting  his  studies  in  the  schools  of  his  native  city,  he  followed  in  the  foot- 
steps of  his  father,  becoming  a  cotton  manufacturer,  conducting  his  opera- 
tions in  Woonsocket,  Rhode  Island,  and  while  a  resident  of  that  city  he  served 
in  the  state  militia,  taking  part  in  the  suppression  of  the  Dorr  rebellion  in  1842. 
He  removed  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1861,  and  was  instrumental  in 
founding  the  IManufacturers'  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  which  be- 
came one  of  the  strongest  companies  in  its  line  in  the  east,  and  of  which  he 
was  secretary  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  member  and  vestryman  of 
St.  Mark's  Church  in  Boston,  and  was  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  mar- 
ried Clara  P.  Smith,  a  native  of  Middlebury,  Vermont,  daughter  of  Reuel  P. 
Smith,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  among  whom  was  Thomas, 
of  whom  further. 

(Ill)  Thomas  (2)  Sprague,  son  of  Edward  H.  and  Clara  P.  (Smith) 
Sprague,  was  born  in  Woonsocket,  Rhode  Island,  May  15,  1845.  He  at- 
tended the  schools  of  his  native  place,  acquiring  a  practical  education  which 
thoroughly  qualified  him  for  the  active  duties  of  life.  His  first  employment 
was  with  the  Boston  &  Albany  Railroad,  and  later  he  was  in  the  setvice  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  in  Ohio,  the  Hartford,  Providence  &  Fishkill  Rail- 
road, the  New  York  &  New  England  Railroad,  and  the  New  York,  New 
Haven  &  Hartford  Railroad,  thus  being  employed  from  1867  to  1886,  a  period 
of  nineteen  years.  In  the  latter  named  year  he  located  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  engaged  in  coal  operations  with  the  late  William  T.  Smith, 
of  the  Mt.  Pleasant  and  Sterrick  Creek  collieries,  and  continued  in  that  rela- 
tion until  1900,  when  he  entered  into  partnership  with  W.  L.  Henwood,  un- 
der the  style  of  Sprague  &  Henwood,  now  Sprague  &  Henwood,  Inc.,  suc- 
ceeding to  the  business  of  H.  P.  Simpson,  and  have  successfully  executed  many 
large  contracts  for  drilling  for  coal  and  iron  mining  companies,  railroad  com- 
panies and  individuals.  In  these  undertakings  they  have  used  with  entire 
success  a  most  excellent  device  known  as  the  Diamond  Drill,  which  bores  a 
perfectly  straight  smooth  hole  to  any  depth  and  in  any  given  direction  from 
vertical  to  horizontal,  bringing  to  the  surface  a  solid  section  or  "core"  of 
all  strata  passed  through,  in  order,  revealing  their  exact  individual  depth, 
thickness  and  character  of  all  stone  or  other  deposits  passed  through,  thus 
affording  accurate  knowledge  of  the  material  to  be  encountered  in  sinking  a 
shaft,  and  providing  data  for  a  close  estimate  of  the  cost  of  sinking  the 
shaft,  and  an  appromixate  idea  of  the  value  of  the  workable  mineral  strata. 
Mr.  Sprague  is  a  man  of  keen  judgment  and  foresight,  essential  characteristics 
in  the  man  who  follows  his  line  of  work,  and  being  careful  and  methodical  in 
all  his  habits,  has  become  recognized  as  a  safe  counsellor  in  everything  per- 
taining to  mining  operations,  and  this  fact  has  gained  for  him  the  patronage 
of  an  extensive  and  representative  clientele.  He  is  also  serving  in  the  capacity 
of  director  and  vice-president  of  the  People's  Bank  of  Scranton,  and  he  was 
a  director  and  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  State  Hospital  at 
Scranton.  He  is  a  member  and  vestryman  of  St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church,  a  member  of  the  Scranton  and  Engineers'  clubs,  and  a  staunch 
adherent  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 

In  1862,  shortly  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War.  when  he  was  sev- 
enteen years  of  age,  he  displayed  his  love  of  country  by  offering  his  service 
in  her  behalf,  enlisting  in  Bigelow's  Massachusetts  Battery,  actively  participat- 
ing in  all  the  engagements  in  which  it  took  part,  including  the  battles  of  Gettys- 
burg, the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Bethesda  Church,  the  oper- 
ations against  the  Weldon  Railroad,  and  against  Petersburg  and  Richmond. 
He  received  an  honorable  discharge   from  the  service  of  the   United    States 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  3,7 

government  in  June,  1865,  at  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  Mr.  Sprague  is  a 
representative  of  that  class  of  citizens  who  are  worthy  of  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  their  fellows,  men  who  labor  earnestly  to  build  up  our  business  en- 
terprises, who  give  employment  to  the  masses,  and  whose  efforts  in  life  have 
tended  to  make  Scranton  a  great  mercantile  and  manufacturing  center. 

Mr.  Sprague  married  Frances  E.  Duncan,  daughter  of  Samuel  Duncan, 
of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  daughters:  Grace  D.. 
wife  of  Jerome  W.  Leverich ;  Gertrude  H.,  wife  of  Nelson  R.  Osborne. 


WILLIAM  SWEET 


Although  a  native  of  England,  and  responsible  to  that  country  for  his 
education  and  the  calling  of  which  he  is  so  able  a  master,  the  business  life 
of  William  Sweet  is  entirely  a  story  of  American  endeavor.  His  father,  George 
Sweet,  was  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  and  throughout  his  entire  active  life 
was  manager  and  gamekeeper  of  a  large  estate  in  his  native  land.  In  the  ca- 
pacity of  superintendent  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  cultivation  of  the  lantl 
were  brought  to  him  for  approval  and  advice,  and  he  became  an  authority 
upon  the  relation  of  soil  and  crops,  being  thoroughly  informed  as  to  the  eiYect 
of  ground  containing  certain  ingredients  upon  grains  and  food-stuffs  and  the 
chemical  explanation  thereof.  He  married  Lydia  Hawke,  their  children  being : 
Thomas,  a  resident  of  New  York  City;  George,  lives  in  Lock  Haven,  Penn- 
sylvania ;  Samuel  J.,  of  Denver,  Colorado ;  Emma,  married  E.  D.  Webster, 
and  resides  in  Denver,  Colorado ;  William,  of  whom  further. 

William  Sweet,  son  of  George  and  Lydia  (  Hawke )  Sweet,  was  born  in 
Cornwall,  England,  November  27,  1862.  After  completing  his  youthful  studies 
he  became  apprenticed  to  the  British  government  to  learn  the  art  of  stone  cut- 
ting, the  seal  of  Queen  Victoria  being  attached  to  his  indenture.  Having 
learned  this  trade  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania,  on  November  i,  1881,  there  obtaining  work  at  his  oc- 
cupation, then  moving  to  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  in  the  latter  place 
for  two  years.  From  that  time  until  September,  1889,  he  traveled  in  the  pur- 
suit of  his  calling,  working  in  nearly  all  of  the  large  cities  from  the  Atlantic 
Coast  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  since  the  latter  date  has  been  engaged  in 
stone  cutting  contracting  in  Scranton.  He  is  one  of  the  best  in  his  line  of 
business,  his  delicate  work  adorning  many  stately  and  imposing  edifices  in 
all  parts  of  the  country.  Mr.  Sweet's  worth  as  a  citizen  and  qualities  of  up- 
right manhood  have  been  recognized  by  his  associates  in  his  nomination  for  the 
state  legislature  on  the  Prohibition  ticket,  also  a  candidate  for  county  prothon- 
otary  of  Lackawanna  county,  and  he  is  assured  of  the  support  of  many  of  the 
best  and  most  loyal  citizens  of  Scranton.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Church 
of  the  Good  Shepherd  (Episcopal),  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order  and  to 
the  Sons  of  St.  George  and  Knights  of  Malta. 

Mr.  Sweet  married,  April  14,  1886,  at  St.  Stephen's  Church,  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  Lydia,  daughter  of  Francis  Hawke,  of  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land. Their  children:  i.  William  George  Francis,  born  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1887.  2.  Samuel  Edward,  born  June  30,  1888.  at 
Meshoppen,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Philip  Anthony,  born  at  Black  Walnut,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  2^,  1889.  4.  Robert  John  Stephen,  born  March  12,  1891 
at  Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Henry  Thomas,  born  June  10,  1893,  at 
Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania.  6.  Ewart  Gladstone,  born  at  Nicholson,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  11,  1895.  7.  Herbert  Nelson  Hawke,  born  at  Nicholson, 
Pennsylvania,  February  25,  1898.  8.  James  Paul  Ethelbert,  born  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  March  25,  1900. 


3i8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

WILLIAM   S.   MEREDITH 

This  Welsh  family  in  Pennsylvania  has  held  residence  mainly  in  Schuyl- 
kill and  Lackawanna  counties,  although  those  bearing  the  name  have  found 
homes  in  other  localities  within  the  borders  of  the  state,  others  going  beyond 
its  limits. 

(Ij  The  first  of  the  line  in  the  former  region  was  Thomas  Meredith,  a 
native  of  Wales,  who  upon  immigrating  to  the  United  States  settled  in 
Tamaqua,  Pennsylvania,  in  that  state  passing  his  remaining  years.  He  mar- 
ried   .     Children:      i.  Jane,  married  William  Watkins,  a   soldier  of 

the  Union  army  in  the  Civil  War,  who  was  wounded  in  action,  his  death  re- 
sulting from  the  injury  thus  received ;  they  were  the  parents  of  George,  Fred. 
Edith.  2.  Mary,  married  Thomas  Samuels,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania ; 
children,  Meredith,  M.  D.,  Carrie,  Catherine.  3.  Hattie,  married  Charles 
Keech.  4.  Deborah,  married  Monroe  Brundage.  5.  Thomas  G.,  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  Thomas  G.  Meredith,  son  of  Thomas  Meredith,  was  born  in  Tamaqua, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1849,  and  when  a  lad  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Scranton,  the  family  settling  on  the  Von  Storch  Slope,  father  and 
son  obtaining  mine  employment.  Thomas  G.  Meredith  later  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  operations,  residing  in  Providence  and  Leggett's  Creek,  and  af- 
terward went  to  Brisbane  Shaft,  there  being  employed  as  engineer  until  hi;-, 
death.  He  married  Mary  Evelina,  daughter  of  William  Anderson,  of  Provi- 
dence, Pennsylvania,  and  had  children:  i.  George  Lester,  a  druggist  of  Provi- 
dence, Pennsylvania.  2.  Eva,  married  a  Mr.  Schwartz,  and  resides  in  Dun- 
more,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Gertrude  and  Ethel.  3.  William  S.,  of  whom 
further. 

(III)  William  S.  Meredith,  son  of  Thomas  G.  and  Mary  Evelina  (An- 
derson) Meredith,  was  born  in  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  August  31,  1878. 
In  his  boyhood  he  attended  Public  School  No.  25,  of  that  place,  and  his  first 
employment  was  in  the  breakers  of  the  neighboring  coal  mines.  He  then  be- 
came errand  boy  for  the  Green  Ridge  Lumber  Company,  next  returning  to  his 
studies  at  school.  After  leaving  school  permanently  he  was  employed  in  a 
meat  market  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  passed  a  short  time 
in  Middletown,  New  York,  as  agent  for  the  Grand  Union  Tea  Company.  Re- 
turning to  Providence,  he  established  a  meat  market,  in  partnership  with  F.  F. 
Hendrickson.  at  the  corner  of  Parker  street  and  North  ]\Iain  avenue,  and  a 
short  time  afterward  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner,  continuing  the 
business  under  his  own  name.  In  1902  he  sold  his  business  in  Providence,  and 
forming  a  partnership  with  Herbert  Day  he  founded  a  business  of  the  same 
nature  in  Binghamton,  New  York,  of  which  they  later  disposed.  Lfpon  once 
more  returning  to  Scranton,  where  he  has  since  remained,  he  was  placed  in 
charge  of  the  meat  department  of  George  A.  Dickerson's  establishment,  sub- 
sequently buying  out  his  employer.  Of  this  store  he  was  the  proprietor  until 
his  retirement,  September  i,  1914,  handling  a  full  line  of  groceries  and  meats, 
transacting  business  under  his  name,  the  excellent  appearance  of  both  de- 
partments of  his  store  making  a  favorable  impression  upon  patrons,  freshness 
and  cleanliness  predominating.  Mr.  Meredith  was  a  genial  merchant,  pos- 
sessed a  wide  acquamtance,  and  personally  attended  to  the  details  of  manage- 
ment of  his  store,  taking  pride  in  its  appearance  of  immaculate  order  and 
tastefully  arranged  displays,  the  market  value  of  which  he  had  a  full  realiza- 
tion and  appreciation.  Mr.  Meredith  holds  membership  in  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  in  political  action  is  independent  of  any  organization  associations, 
his  vote  at  the  polls  being  cast  entirely  according  to  his  judgment.     He  be- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


319 


longs  to  Celestial  Lodge,  No.  833,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  261, 
F.  and  A.  M. 

Mr.  Meredith  married  Carrie  C,  daughter  of  Lewis  Hut¥,  of  Providence, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has:  Lewis,  born  May  7,  1905;  Bernice,  born  November 
10,  1909. 


MYRON  STEPHEN  KNIGHT 

Mr.  Knight  claims  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  as  his  birthplace, 
while  his  forbears  claim  New  York  state  as  their  home,  and  there  they  bore 
their  full  share  in  the  development  and  improvement  of  the  communities 
wherein  they  resided. 

(I)  Nicholas  Knight,  the  first  of  the  line  here  under  consideration  of 
whom  we  have  information,  was  born  in  New  York  state,  October,  1754,  died 
September    12,   1828,  aged  seventy-three  years  and  eleven  months.      He  was 

the  son  of and (Bennett)  Knight,  the  latter  named  having 

been  a  relative  of  Hon.  Ziba  Bennett,  formerly  of  Wilkes- Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Nicholas  Knight  married  Elizabeth  Case,  and  they  made  their  home  in 
Goshen,  Orange  county.  New  York.  Among  their  children  was  Benjamin,  of 
whom  further. 

(II)  Benjamin  Knight,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Elizabeth  (Case)  Knight, 
was  born  in  Goshen,  Orange  county,  New  York,  December  10,  1797,  died  in 
1892,  aged  ninety-five  years.  He  spent  his  early  life  in  Goshen  and  Monroe, 
New  York,  and  in  1832,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  removed  to  North 
Abington,  Pennsylvania,  at  that  time  in  Luzerne  county,  where  he  settled  on 
a  large  tract  of  land,  mostly  new  land,  located  near  W'allsville,  where  he  re- 
sided until  1856,  when  he  moved  to  a  smaller  fann  near  Waverly,  selling  his 
farm  to  his  son,  Jeremiah  D.,  and  in  1888  he  retired  from  active  pursuits  and 
removed  to  Waverly  borough,  where  with  his  second  wife  he  quietly  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  long  and  useful  life.  With  Benjamin  Knight  came  various 
other  families  from  Orange  county.  New  York,  and  they  being  mostly  Metho- 
dists they  formed  what  was  called  "The  Orange  County  Class,"  which  con- 
vened in  the  Aylesworth  school  house  in  North  Abington,  and  this  was  the 
foundation  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Wallsville.  Benjamin  Knight 
retained  his  faculties  to  an  advanced  age,  being  able  to  hear  very  quickly  when 
spoken  to  in  a  loud  voice  in  his  ninety-fourth  year.  He  was  a  constant  reader 
of  the  Christian  Advocate  of  New  York,  and  the  Scranton  Republican,  these 
papers  representing  his  church  and  politics.  Mr.  Knight  married  (first)  Mr,^. 
White,  who  was  the  mother  of  three  children  by  her  first  marriage :  Mrs. 
Mary  A.  Sherman,  William  and  John  White.  By  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Knight 
she  became  the  mother  of  four  children:  Jeremiah  D.,  of  whom  further; 
George  B.,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  King,  Mrs.  Emeline  Grififin.  Mr.  Knight  married 
(second)  . 

(III)  Jeremiah  D.  Knight,  eldest  son  of  Benjamin  and (White) 

Knight,  was  born  in  Orange  county.  New  York,  July  15,  1826,  died  April  25, 
1906,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  He  came  to  Pennsylvania  with  his  father, 
the  latter  settling  on  a  farm  adjoining  the  Benton  township  line,  and  about 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years  Jeremiah  D.  purchased  this  farm  from  his  father 
for  the  sum  of  twelve  thousand  dollars.  In  the  spring  of  1869  he  moved  to 
Clarks  Green,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  there  engaged  in  the  cattle  business,  ship- 
ping five  to  six  car  loads  of  cattle  per  month  from  Buffalo  and  selling  to  the 
butchers  of  Scranton.  During  the  panic  of  1873  ^^  gave  up  the  cattle  business 
and  turned  his  attention  to  the  dairy  business,  operating  an  extensive  dairy 
on  both  his  farms.    He  was  a  great  horse  fancier  and  usually  had  from  twenty 


320  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

to  thirty  head  of  horses  and  colts.  At  the  death  of  his  second  wife,  in  1884. 
he  sold  most  of  his  horses,  keeping  only  three  or  four  driving  horses,  in  which 
he  took  the  greatest  pride,  and  rented  his  farms.  Within  a  year  of  his  deatli 
he  drove  a  pair  of  registered  geldings  that  could  step  together  in  2  130,  and 
it  was  a  source  of  great  irritation  to  him  if  any  one  passed  him  on  the  road, 
which  very  rarely  occurred.  He  married  (first)  Delilah  Ann  Parker,  born 
June  10,  1836,  died  November  23,  1865,  aged  twenty-nine  years,  of  pneumonia. 
She  traced  her  ancestry  to  John  Parker,  born  September  18,  1747,  and  his 
wife,  Tabitha  Parker,  born  December  17,  1747;  among  their  offspring  were: 
Charles,  born  July  27,  1777,  died  March  25,  1872,  and  Stephen,  born  October 
27,  1779,  and  the  line  is  traced  through  Stephen  Parker,  son  of  the  above 
named  Charles,  who  was  born  May  10,  1810,  died  July  21,  1893;  he  married 
Asenath  Parker,  his  cousin,  and  daughter  of  the  above  named  Stephen  Parker, 
born  August  30,  1814,  died  June  20,  1890,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  Delilah 
Ann,  above  mentioned.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Knight  were  the  parents  of  three  chil 
dren :  Elmer  Wilmot,  born  in  1858,  died  July,  1906,  after  an  operation  for 
appendicitis;  Myron  Stephen,  of  whom  further;  Charles  B.,  born  in  1864, 
manager  for  the  Union  Central  Life  Insurance  Company  for  Greater  New 
York.  Mr.  Knight  married  (second)  in  1868,  Emily  A.  Clark,  of  Clarks 
Green,  Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  Myron  Stephen  Knight,  son  of  Jeremiah  D.  and  Delilah  Ann  (Park- 
er) Knight,  was  born  in  North  Abington  township,  Lackawanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  3,  1861.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  Keystone 
Academy,  later  thoroughly  qualifying  for  the  profession  of  civil  engineer. 
In  i88i  he  began  his  business  career  in  the  mine  department  of  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  continuing  until  1882,  and  from  then  until 
1889  was  connected  as  civil  engineer  with  the  construction  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road branch,  from  Hawley  to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania.  From  1889  to  1891 
he  was  engaged  on  the  construction  of  the  Scranton  branch  of  the  New  York, 
Ontario  &  Western  Railroad.  In  the  latter  named  year  he  established  an  office 
in  Scranton  as  consulting  engineer,  and  in  1892-93  was  employed  in  building 
the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Eastern  Railroad.  From  1894  to  1904  he  was  engineer 
of  the  borough  of  Dunmore.  During  the  years  1895-96-97  he  was  also  en- 
gaged in  surveying  the  road  from  Fort  Plain  to  Richfield  Springs.  New  York, 
and  in  the  mining  department  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Steel  Companv. 
On  April  i,  1897,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  George  E.  Stevenson,  of 
Waverly,  Pennsylvania,  an  association  that  still  exists.  The  finn  is  Steven- 
son &  Knight,  Civil  and  Mining  Engineers,  725-26-27-28  Connell  Building. 
Scranton.  They  are  well  established  in  business  and  have  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion for  ability,  skill  and  integrity.  Mr.  Knight  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  of  Dunmore,  King  Solomon's  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, all  bodies  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  in 
which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree,  and  Irem  Temple.  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Scranton  Club, 
Scranton  Country  Club,  Green  Ridge  Club,  Temple  Club,  Engineers'  Club  of 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers. 

Mr.  Knight  married,  January  23.  1889.  Linda  S.  Fowler,  born  September 
I,  1868,  daughter  of  Professor  Leroy  R.  and  Lamira  Fowler.  Children:  Lerov 
F.,  born  August  26,  1895;  Gladys  D.,  born  August  18,  1901. 


^^^^^  ^.^^^l^^- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  321 

JOHN  A.   MEARS 
JOHN   F.   MEARS 

Much  of  the  best  in  American  hfe,  customs  and  civilization  has  come  to 
this  country  from  the  British  Islands.  Not  only  have  the  benefits  of  their  old- 
er civilization  come  to  us,  not  only  have  we  learned  from  them  in  a  few  de- 
cades what  it  took  the  people  of  those  lands  centuries  to  learn,  not  only  have 
they  paved  the  way  for  a  greater  intellectual  and  material  advance  on  this 
side  of  the  ocean,  but  these  countries  are  constantly  sending  to  us  the  strength 
and  sinew  of  their  lives,  their  young  men.  By  this  heroic  transfusion  of  the 
only  power  that  can  give  a  nation  permanence  and  vigor  we  are  strengthening 
ourselves  at  their  expense.  Scotland  is  one  of  the  countries  to  whom  we  owe 
a  great  debt  for  service  of  this  kind,  for  from  her  shores  have  come  hundreds 
of  youths  who  have  given  fully  of  their  vigor  and  strength  to  their  adopted 
country. 

(I)  Among  those  of  Scotch  ancestry  who  have  come  to  the  United  States 
from  their  homes  in  that  land  was  Sidney  C.  Mears,  who  emigrated  at  about 
the  same  time  as  the  Linen  and  Bryden  families,  settling  at  Greenfield,  near 
Carbondale,  Pennsylvania.  In  1856  he  moved  to  Hyde  Park  and  became  a 
general  contractor  in  the  employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western 
Railroad,  specializing  in  the  planning  and  construction  of  bridges.  This  one 
of  his  talents  he  willingly  offered  to  the  federal  government  at  the  time  of  the 
Civil  War,  and  he  was  in  Sherman's  army  in  the  capacity  of  bridge  builder 
when  it  made  the  historic  march  from  "Atlanta  to  the  Sea."  In  that  cam- 
paign some  of  the  finest  and  most  difficult  work  of  his  career  was  performed, 
since  to  construct  a  temporary  structure  of  sufficient  strength  to  bear  up  the 
marching  hosts  with  the  limited  materials  at  hand  meant  a  triumph  of  en- 
gineering and  constructive  skill.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his 
position  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  con- 
tinuing with  that  road  until  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death.  He  was  an  earnest, 
devout  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  his  wife,  Janet  (Affleck) 
Mears,  whom  he  had  married  as  a  widow,  and  who  bore  him  seven  children. 

(II)  John  A.  Mears,  third  child  of  Sidney  C.  and  Janet  (Affleck)  Mears, 
was  born  at  Greenfield,  Pennsylvania,  April  11,  1849,  ^^id  there  died  April  24, 
1905.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  early  in  life  learned  the 
trade  of  carpenter,  at  which,  however,  he  did  not  long  continue,  obtaining  a 
position  with  the  concern  that  had  formerly  employed  his  father,  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company.  He  became  superintendent  of 
stone  construction  between  Scranton  and  New  York,  remaining  in  this  posi- 
tion for  many  years.  For  a  time  he  was  contractor  on  the  Binghamton  division 
of  the  road  with  John  Flynn,  with  whom  he  afterward  organized  the  Old 
Forge  Coal  Company,  miners  and  shippers  of  coal  at  Pittston,  Pennsylvania. 
In  1893  Mr.  Mears  severed  his  connection  with  this  company  by  the  sale  of  his 
stock,  then  began  his  operations  in  and  about  Scranton.  He  attained  wide 
prominence  in  the  city  and  held  interests  in  many  of  the  local  business  and  in- 
dustrial institutions,  also  having  position  upon  the  directorates  of  the  Moscow 
Water  Company,  the  Fairview  Park  Land  Company,  the  Honesdale  Water 
Company,  the  Nicholson  Water  Company,  the  Halstead  Water  Company,  the 
Great  Bend  Water  Company,  and  was  president  of  the  Ale.x  Car  Replacer 
Manufacturing  Company,  also  for  a  time  being  president  of  the  People's  Coal 
Company.  In  1896  the  Mears  Building,  the  first  ten-story  office  building  to 
be  erected  in  Scranton,  was  competed,  a  structure  that  will  long  stand  as  a 
monument  to  his  business  achievements  and  constructive  ability  and  as  a 
memorial  to  one  of  Scranton's  most  progressive,  energetic  and  successful  men 

21 


322  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  affairs.  He  was  identified  with  the  Masonic  Order,  and  passed  all  of  the 
chairs  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

Mr.  Mears,  in  business  foresight  and  sagacity,  stood  without  peer  in  the 
business  world  of  Scranton.  In  his  wisdom  and  judgment  he  prospered,  and 
seizing  upon  the  opportunities  that  lay  at  his  feet,  made  each  a  link  in  his  splen- 
didly formed  chain  of  success.  Those  who  were  associated  with  him  in  busi- 
ness and  those  who  were  acquainted  with  the  moves  of  his  active  life  are 
aware  of  the  high  moral  force  that  predominated  in  his  character,  which,  trans- 
lated into  spotless  integrity,  made  uprightness  and  honor  the  principles  that 
governed  his  every  transaction. 

John  A.  Mears  married,  November  12,  1888,  Eva  V.  Farnham,  born 
in  Taylor,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Alpheus  Farnham,  a  lumber  dealer  and 
mill  owner  of  Benton,  Pennsylvania,  afterward  connected  with  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company.  Of  the  children  of  John  A.  and 
Eva  V.  (Farnham)  Mears,  but  two  survive,  John  F.,  of  whom  further,  and 
Frances,  married  Warren  Acker  and  has  one  child,  Marion  F.,  her  husband 
engaged  in  insurance  dealing  in  Scranton.  Mrs.  Mears  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  her  husband  having  been  a  believer  in  the  Presbyterian 
faith. 

(Ill)  John  F.  Mears,  son  of  John  A.  and  Eva  V.  (Farnham)  Mears, 
was  born  August  6,  1883,  and  was  educated  in  the  Scranton  public  schools  and 
at  Cornell  LIniversity.  Charge  of  his  father's  estate  supplies  him  with  re- 
sponsible business  duties,  and  he  has  become  vice-president  of  the  Anthracite 
Traction  Company.  To  him  has  descended  much  of  his  father's  business 
talent  and  surety  of  judgment,  and  in  him  will  be  found  a  worthy  successor 
to  his  honored  sire.  He  fraternizes  with  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which  he  ha? 
held  ofiice.  His  church  is  the  Second  Presbyterian.  He  married  Ruth  C., 
daughter  of  O.  H.  Loomis,  of  Meshoppen,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  father  of 
two  sons,  John  F.  Jr.  and  Theodore  L. 


JAMES   H.   RITTENHOUSE 

In  the  world  in  which  James  H.  Rittenhouse  has  cast  his  lot  and  has 
made  the  impression  always  left  by  true  worth  and  merit,  in  a  community 
where  men  are  judged  and  take  place  with  their  fellows  each  according  to 
his  ability,  there  is  little  time  and  less  attention  given  to  ancestry.  In  the 
myriad  activities  of  a  large  manufacturing  centre,  in  the  midst  of  construc- 
tive operations  of  stupendous  size,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  the  roar  of  in- 
dustry, and  enveloped  in  the  rush  of  progress,  a  man  may  be  of  royal  blood  and 
yet,  if  in  the  contest  he  is  found  wanting,  he  is  cast  aside  with  no  more  con- 
sideration than  is  given  a  piece  of  machinery  in  which  a  flaw  has  been  detected. 
Nevertheless,  to  one  who  has  been  a  part  in  the  vast  enterprises  that  have 
centered  in  Scranton,  and  has  acquitted  himself  in  a  manner  highly  creditable, 
it  is  fitting  that  space  be  given  to  his  honored  forbears. 

The  family  of  James  H.  Rittenhouse  traces  with  perfect  authenticity  to 
Mathias  Rittenhouse,  of  Holland,  the  surname  originating  when  in  1591  he 
was  knighted.  The  third  generation  following  Mathias,  Wilhelm  Rittenhouse, 
came  to  America  in  1688,  founding  the  family  that  has  since  become  so  strong, 
both  in  numbers  and  in  achievements,  the  descent  to  the  present  generation 
being  through  William,  Nicholas,  Mathias,  Benjamin,  David  and  Benjamin 
Franklin. 

The  father  of  James  H.  Rittenhouse,  Benjamin  Franklin  Rittenhouse,  was 
born  at  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  August  7,  1805,  died  in  1883.  When  a  young 
man  he  received  an  appointment  in  the  register's  office  of  the  treasury  de- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  323 

partment  from  his  uncle.  Michael  Noiirse,  who  was  placed  in  the  govern- 
ment service  by  appointment  of  President  George  Washington.  For  sixty- 
two  years  he  was  employed  in  that  office  as  chief  clerk,  a  record  of  constancy, 
lo)alty  and  fidelity  seldom  equalled.  He  married  (first)  in  1829,  Isabel, 
daughter  of  Dr.  James  and  Elizabeth  Scott  Laurie,  both  natives  of  Scotland 
and  residents  of  Washington.  She  died  in  February,  1833.  He  married 
(second)  Henrietta  Waring,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  ( Higginbotham) 
Davidson,  the  marriage  ceremony  being  performed  by  the  Rev.  Hawley,  an 
Episcopalian  minister,  of  Washington,  D.  C.  Children  of  Benjamin  Franklin 
Rittenhouse  by  his  first  marriage :  Elizabeth  Scott,  married  William  Henry 
Fitzhugh  Gurley ;  S.  Emily ;  Isabel  Laurie,  married  Joseph  Harvey  Nourse. 
Children  of  his  second  marriage:  Mary  Davidson,  married  A.  Miller  Woods; 
Henrietta  Waring,  married  Captain  Thomas  Wilson,  United  States  army ; 
Benjamin  Franklin,  brevet  major  LInited  States  army,  married  Elizabeth 
Shapter ;  David  Rittenhouse,  married  Mary  Tilghman  Earle ;  Clementinea 
Crawford,  married  Dr.  Richard  S.  T.  Cissel ;  James  Delozier,  married  Dolores 
Casillas ;  Helen  Murray ;  James  Hall,  of  whom  further ;  Charles  Edwin,  mar- 
ried Helen  S.  Good;  John  D.,  died  in  infancy. 

James  Hall  Rittenhouse  was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C,  February  13, 
1851,  and  was  there  educated  in  the  public  schools,  later  attending  Lafayette 
College,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1872.  He  soon  after  es- 
tablished in  Scranton  as  a  civil  and  mining  engineer  and  there  continues  at 
the  present  time  in  partnership  with  his  son,  Leonard  Cole.  In  the  pursuit  of 
his  profession  of  civil  engineer  he  has  been  employed  by  several  railroad  com- 
panies in  laying  new  road,  among  them  the  Ontario  &  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany, also  performing  all  of  the  engineering  work  on  the  Laurel  Line  Railroad. 
He  has  also  made  surveys  of  many  iron  mines  in  the  Adirondacks  and  in  New 
Jersey,  as  well  as  of  the  zinc  mines  in  the  latter  state.  In  1892  he  was  en- 
gineer in  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  Winton  dam  and  has  also  sunk 
many  coal  shafts.  In  both  branches  of  his  profession  his  work  has  been  ably 
and  thoroughly  performed,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  numerous  corporations 
and  companies  that  have  engaged  his  services. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  married,  in  1878,  Ida  Cole.  Children :  Lucia,  born  May 
3,  1879,  married  Dr.  Charles  G.  Shoemaker,  of  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Rulp,  died 
in  1903;  Leonard  Cole,  born  October  31,  1884.  associated  with  his  father  in 
business ;  Karl  David,  born  March  2,  1888,  an  employee  of  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Coal  Company. 


JOHN  LINCOLN  LUTSEY 

When  the  commanders  of  the  English  army  which  was  striving  to  quench 
the  flames  of  liberty  that  were  raging  in  the  heart  of  every  American  during 
that  terrible  revolutionary  period  called  upon  their  ruler  for  reinforcements 
and  the  paid  hosts  of  the  Germany  army  were  pressed  into  service  in  answer 
to  their  call,  little  did  they  imagine  the  ultimate  consequences.  To  them  the 
Hessian  troops  were  but  instruments  of  war,  to  be  used  and  returned  to  the 
government  from  which  they  were  obtained,  instead,  many  remained  in  Amer- 
ica when  the  conflict  was  over  and  became  the  heads  of  families  that  are  today 
among  the  proudest  in  the  LInited  States.  When  an  army  leaves  conquered 
territory  there  are  always  stragglers  who  remain  behind  in  the  hope  of  ac- 
quiring spoils  and  booty,  but  such  was  not  the  case  with  those  who  deserted 
from  the  departing  English  army,  for  two  reasons,  the  victory  of  the  colonies 
and  the  impoverished  condition  of  the  land  after  the  ravages  of  seven  years' 
warfare.     Those  who  left  their  regiments  to  take  a  part  in  the  erection  of  a 


324  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

government  they  had  fought  desperately  to  prevent  did  so  because  the  undying 
spirit  with  which  the  colonists  had  striven  for  a  principle  by  which  they  were 
determined  to  stand  or  fall  had  inspired  their  enemies  with  respect  and  honor, 
and  had  given  birth  to  a  desire  to  share  in  the  greatness  and  prosperity  of  a 
nation  with  a  foundation  of  so  sturdy  and  so  enduring  a  fabric. 

(I)  Such  an  one  was  John  Lutsey,  and  the  ship  that  carried  away  his  former 
comrades  carried  with  it  all  the  allegiance  he  owed  by  pledge  to  England,  or 
by  birth  to  his  mother  country,  and  left  him,  in  spirit,  sympathy  and  fact,  an 
American.  He  soon  after  married,  in  Connecticut,  a  widow,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Gilbert,  and  settled  in  Slocum  township.  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  Al- 
though war  had  formerly  been  his  trade,  and  despite  the  fact  that  he  had  held 
membership  in  the  most  dreaded  of  military  bodies,  the  German  Hessians,  he 
made  one  of  the  gentlest  arts  of  peace,  farming,  his  occupation,  and  was  so 
engaged  at  his  death. 

(H)  William  Lutsey.  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Gilbert)  Lutsey,  was 
born  in  Slocum  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  followed 
the  same  occupation  as  his  father,  the  tilling  of  the  soil.  The  larder  of  the 
families  of  those  days  was  more  often  dependent  upon  the  rifle  of  the  master 
of  the  house  than  upon  a  local  butcher,  and  William  Lutsey  gained  a  local 
reputation  for  his  accuracy  of  aim  and  his  skill  as  a  hunter.  He  married 
Rachel  Payne. 

(HI)  Edward  Lutsey,  son  of  William  and  Rachel  (Payne)  Lutsey,  was 
born  in  Slocum  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  7,  1826.  He 
was  educated  in  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  in  early  life  followed  agriculture 
as  a  livelihood,  abandoning  this  to  establish  as  a  merchant  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania.  Not  finding  mercantile  life  to  his  liking  he  sold  his  business 
and  moved  to  Clarks  Green,  once  more  becoming  a  farmer  and  so  remaining 
until  his  death.  He  was  held  in  high  regard  by  his  townsmen  and  neighbors, 
and  was  by  them  placed  in  many  positions  of  public  responsibility,  among  them 
the  offices  of  supervisor  and  town  clerk.  His  religion  was  the  Methodist,  and 
of  the  services  of  this  church  he  was  a  regular  attendant.  He  married 
Amanda,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Jane  (Lines)  Lee.  Stephen  Lee  was  a 
son  of  James  Lee,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Newport  township,  Luzerne 
county,  Pennsylvania.  After  his  marriage.  February  10.  1834,  Stephen  Lee 
moved  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  where  he  purchased  land,  and  as  rapidly 
as  the  forest  retreated  before  the  swing  of  his  axe,  cultivated  the  cleared  area. 
As  other  houses  were  built  in  the  locality  he  was  given  opportunity  to  work  at 
his  trade,  that  of  plasterer,  at  the  same  time  giving  needed  attention  to  his 
farm.  Six  years  later  he  returned  to  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  locating 
in  Wright  township,  where  he  erected  a  saw  mill  and  purchased  a  farm,  for 
twenty-two  years  engaging  in  the  joint  operation  of  his  property.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  this  time  he  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre  and  became  the  owner  of  a 
planing  mill  at  the  corner  of  Canal  and  North  streets.  He  was  the  proprietor 
of  this  establishment  at  his  death,  June  12,  1874,  aged  sixty-two  years.  His 
wife's  death  occurred  September  25,  1881,  at  her  home  on  North  street,  where 
she  had  lived  since  her  husband's  death.  Children  of  Stephen  and  Jane  (Lines) 
Lee:  Conrad,  John  R.,  Mary,  Priscilla,  Amanda,  of  previous  mention,  mar- 
ried Edward  Lutsey.  Children  of  Edward  and  Amanda  (Lee)  Lutsey:  Nel- 
son; Walter;  Ida,  married  F.  F.  Sprague;  Mary  P.;  Millie,  died  in  infancy: 
John  Lincoln,  of  whom  further. 

(IV)  John  Lincoln  Lutsey,  youngest  child  of  Edward  and  Amanda  (Lee) 
Lutsey,  was  bom  in  Wright  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  He 
obtained  an  excellent  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  township, 
a  Commercial  College,  and  Wyoming  Seminary,  in  which  latter  institution  his 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  325 

studies  were  completed.  His  first  business  experience  was  received  in  Jermyn 
in  the  employ  of  C.  L.  Bell  as  bookkeeper,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for 
four  years.  He  next  secured  an  interest  in  the  Eureka  Coffin  Company  and 
became  treasurer  of  that  concern,  selling  his  interest  after  a  connection  cov- 
ering a  period  of  two  years,  and  returning  to  his  early  occupation  of  book- 
keeper, this  time  with  the  Glove  Warehouse  in  Scranton,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained for  two  and  a  half  years.  In  the  five  following  years  he  was  em- 
ployed by  W.  A.  McConnell  and  the  International  Correspondence  Schools, 
holding  a  position  with  the  latter  corporation  for  four  years.  The  Lackawanna 
Dairy  Company  was  the  ne.xt  firm  by  which  he  was  employed,  and  in  that 
service  he  rose  from  a  position  as  bookkeeper  to  the  general  managership  of 
the  business,  discharging  the  duties  of  the  latter  position  until  April,  191 1, 
when  he  resigned  to  take  charge  of  a  business  he  had  recently  purchased,  and 
of  which  he  is  now  president  and  treasurer  under  the  name  of  J.  L.  Lutsey 
Company,  manufacturers  of  ice  cream  and  dealers  in  dairy  products.  This 
business,  of  which  Mr.  Lutsey  is  the  able  head,  is  located  at  No.  216  Adams 
street,  and  at  Nos.  414-416  Kressler  court  is  located  his  factory  in  which  he 
has  installed  all  of  the  latest  and  most  improved  machinery.  As  the  leader  of 
this  enterprise  and  as  tlie  custodian  of  its  funds  Mr.  Lutsey  has  proved  him- 
self the  possessor  of  business  ability  of  no  small  merit,  and  the  company  bear- 
ing his  name  reflects  credit  upon  him  from  whom  it  derived  its  title.  He  is 
a  Methodist  in  religious  conviction  and  belongs  to  the  Elm  Park  Church  of  that 
faith.  Fraternally  he  affiliates  with  Electric  Star  Lodge,  No.  290,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
of  Clarks  Green,  and  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Union  Lodge,  No.  291, 
F.  and  A.  M. ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M. ;  Scranton  Council, 
No.  44,  R.  and  S.  M. :  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar. 

Mr.  Lutsey  married,  September  2,  1890,  Georgianna  Mary,  daughter  of 
Frank  Gill,  of  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  son, 
Samuel  Francis,  born  May  i,  1894,  was  a  student  in  the  Scranton  Technical 
High  School,  now  with  his  father  in  business,  also  interested  in  electricity  and 
wireless  telegraphy. 


WILLIAM  A.   HARVEY 

Scotch  ancestry  and  in  the  L'nited  States  residence  in  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania  has  been  the  part  of  the  family  of  Harvey  of  which  William 
A.  Harvey,  for  seventeen  years  an  electrical  contractor  of  the  city  of  Scran- 
ton, is  a  member.  For  more  than  fifty  years  Scranton  has  been  the  home  of 
the  family  founded  in  the  LTnited  States  by  James  Harvey,  a  native  of  Ruth- 
erglen,  Scotland.  James  Harvey  came  to  the  LInited  States  when  a  boy  and 
made  his  home  in  New  York  state,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  working 
for  the  greater  part  of  his  life  at  his  trade  of  millwright.  He  married  Janet 
Arbuckle,  and  they  had  children:  John  A.,  of  whom  further;  William,  de- 
ceased ;  Marion,  deceased,  married  James  Cartwright  and  is  the  mother  of 
Janet,  Helen,  James ;  Susan,  married  James  Seaman,  and  has  children,  Janet, 
James,  Helen ;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  married  John  Blackwood,  and  had  John 
H.  and  Harvey  J. ;  James,  deceased,  unmarried. 

(II)  John  A.  Harvey,  son  of  James  and  Janet  (Arbuckle)  Harvey,  was 
born  in  Newburgh,  New  York,  February  11,  1846,  and  when  he  was  fifteen 
years  of  age  came  to  Scranton,  becoming  a  car-builder  in  the  employ  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  afterward  rising  to  the  position 
of  engineer  with  that  road.  Subsequently  he  became  superintendent  of  repairs 
for  the  Scranton  school  board,  being  so  engaged  for  fifteen  years,  and  at 
this  time  is  a  carpenter  employed  by  that  board.    He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


326  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

and  a  member  of  Union  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  which  he  is 
past  master.  He  married  Alice  J.,  daughter  of  Charles  Holstead,  and  has 
children:  Harriet  A.,  married  Rev.  W.  J.  Ford,  a  minister  of  the  Baptist 
church  who  for  several  years  held  a  charge  in  Scranton,  and  is  the  mother  of 
Ruth  and  Helen;  William  A.,  of  whom  further:  Alice  V.,  married  William 
J.  Revell. 

(HI)  William  A.  Harvey,  son  of  John  A.  and  Alice  J.  (Holstead)  Harvey, 
was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  28,  1874,  and  as  a  boy  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Scranton  and  Dunmore.  After  a  course  in  the  Lacka- 
wanna Business  College,  he  became  associated  with  the  Lackawanna  Power 
Company,  later  forming  connections  with  the  Scranton  Street  Railway  Com- 
pany and  the  Wightman  Electric  Company.  Then  entering  the  Pennsylvania 
State  College,  he  took  a  course  in  electrical  engineering  in  that  institution,  and 
after  his  graduation  accepted  a  position  as  superintendent  of  the  electrical  de- 
partment of  the  New  Jersey  Magnetic  Construction  Company.  After  resigning 
from  his  position  with  this  concern,  Mr.  Harvey  established  himself  in  an  inde- 
pendent business  in  his  native  city  as  an  electrical  contractor,  and  in  this  he 
has  since  continued.  The  seventeen  years  that  have  elapsed  since  the  founding 
of  his  business  have  witnessed  its  steady  and  vigorous  growth,  the  vast  amount 
of  electrical  work  that  has  been  done  in  the  locality  under  Mr.  Harvey's  di- 
rection showing  well  the  confidence  that  is  placed  in  his  knowledge  and  ability. 
So  well  was  Mr.  Harvey  prepared  by  practical  experience  for  the  study  of  his 
profession  that  he  was  able  to  complete  his  course  in  the  electrical  engineering 
department  of  Pennsylvania  State  College  in  three  years,  the  responsible  posi- 
tion that  he  occupied  immediately  after  his  graduation  having  been  offered 
him  largely  on  the  strength  of  the  work  he  accomplished  in  that  college.  His 
study  of  his  profession  has  been  deep  and  scientific,  and  in  the  application  of 
the  knowledge  thus  gained  he  has  put  to  excellent  and  practical  use  his  mas- 
tery of  that  strange  and  powerful  force  that  has  so  revolutionized  the  con- 
ditions of  modern  life. 

Mr.  Harvey  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Builders'  Exchange,  the  Scranton 
Electrical  Contractors'  Association,  the  Scranton  Engineers'  Club,  the  Temple 
Club,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  holds  the  thirty-second  degree  in 
the  Masonic  Order,  in  that  society  belonging  to  Lodge,  Chapter.  Consistory  and 
Shrine.  His  political  faith  is  Republican.  He  married  Rose  E.,  daughter  of 
John  W.  and  Helen   (Chase)  Riley. 


CHARLES  BENJAMIN  NOECKER,  M.  D. 

To  be  a  successful  physician  one  must  possess  not  only  exceptional  ability 
and  skill  in  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  disease  of  every  form,  but  a  genial 
and  kindly  disposition  and  tender  and  sympathetic  heart,  an  acute  sense  of 
honor  and  integrity  of  a  high  order,  all  of  which  attributes  are  possessed  in 
large  degree  by  Dr.  Charles  Benjamin  Noecker,  a  member  of  the  surgical  staff 
of  the  State  Hospital  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  John  Noecker,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Charles  B.  Noecker,  was  born 
at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  there  passed  his  entire 
life,  following  the  occupation  of  agriculture,  in  which  he  was  highly  suc- 
cessful, and  his  death  occurred  there  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  as  was  also  his  wife,  and  he  was  a  staunch 
adherent  of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party.  His  wife,  Sarah  (Reed) 
Noecker,  who  died  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  in  1897,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  bore 
him  the  following  named  children :  Lewis,  of  whom  further :  Sarah,  widow  of 
Hiram   Berger,   of   South    Bend,    Indiana;   Mary,   widow   of   William   Reber; 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  327 

Emma,  wife  of  Samuel  Dewalt,  of  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana;  Fayette;  Katherine, 
wife  of  Adam  Schwenk,  of  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana. 

(II)  Lewis  Noecker.  son  of  John  Noecker,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  Haven, 
Pennsylvania,  September,  1839.  He  grew  to  maturity  on  his  father's  farm, 
gaining  health  and  strength  from  the  out-door  labor,  and  his  education  was 
obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  that  day  and  place.  Being  inured  to  farm 
labor  he  chose  that  occupation  for  his  life  work  upon  attaining  suitable  age, 
and  has  successfully  conducted  operations  on  a  farm  located  near  Schuyl- 
kill Haven,  his  land  being  devoted  to  the  raising  of  general  produce.  He 
followed  the  example  of  his  father  in  politics,  casting  his  vote  for  the  candi- 
dates of  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  has  filled  one  public  office,  that  of 
school  director,  in  which  he  served  capably  and  efficiently.  During  the  Civil 
War  he  displayed  his  patriotism  by  enlisting  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 
eighth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  participating  in  all  the  battles  and 
engagements  in  which  it  took  part.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  have  always  taken  an  active  interest. 

Lewis  Noecker  married  Mary  Moyer,  born  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Philip  Moyer,  a  prosperous  agriculturist  of  near  Schuyl- 
kill Haven,  whose  death  occurred  on  his  farm  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  three  of  whom  are  living  at  the 
present  time  (1914):  Mary,  aforementioned  as  the  wife  of  Lewis  Noecker; 
Cornelius  Moyer,  a  resident  of  Schuylkill  Haven ;  William  Moyer,  a  resident 
of  Schuylkill  Haven ;  Philip  Moyer,  who  died  at  age  of  seventy-three ;  Mrs. 
Katherine  Weaver,  who  died  at  age  of  seventy ;  Mrs.  Matilda  Kneer,  who  died 
at  age  of  sixty-six;  Mrs.  Fayette  Reber,  who  died  at  age  of  sixty-five.  Ten 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noecker:  i.  Kate,  a  resident  of  Schuylkill 
Haven.  2.  William,  married  Anna  Koch ;  resides  in  Schuylkill  Haven.  3. 
Frank  M.,  married  Cornie  Hall ;  resides  in  Renovo.  4.  James,  an  attorney-at- 
law ;  married  Ethel  Hancock ;  resides  in  Schuylkill  Haven.  5.  Sallie,  became 
the  wife  of  Frank  Matz ;  resides  in  Harrisburg.  6.  Charles  Benjamin,  of 
whom  further.  7.  George  Alfred,  a  railway  mail  clerk;  married  Anna  Berger ; 
resides  in  Pottsville.  8.  Carrie  Ann,  became  the  wife  of  Harry  Nissley;  re- 
sides in  Hummelstown.  9.  Lewis,  a  railway  mail  clerk ;  married  Minnie  Cram- 
er; resides  in  Schuylkill  Haven.  10.  Mame  Ida,  became  the  wife  of  William 
Repp,  an  assistant  manager  of  a  typewriter  concern ;  resides  in  Harrisburg. 

(Ill)  Dr.  Charles  Benjamin  Noecker,  son  of  Lewis  Noecker,  was  born  in 
Schuylkill  Haven,  Pennsylvania,  February  8,  1874.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm 
located  two  and  a  half  miles  outside  of  Schuylkill  Haven.  He  obtained  an 
excellent  education  by  attendance  at  the  Schuylkill  Haven  High  School,  Kutz- 
town  State  Normal  School,  and  he  prepared  for  the  medical  profession  by  a 
course  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  graduating  from  the  medical  de- 
partment in  1902.  He  began  his  active  career  at  the  age  of  seventeen  by 
teaching  in  the  public  schools,  serving  in  the  capacity  of  teacher,  a  vocation 
for  which  he  was  well  qualified,  for  a  period  of  five  years,  during  the  summer 
months  attending  Kutztown  State  Normal  School.  The  year  following  his 
graduation  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  he  spent  in  the  State  Hospital  at  Scranton. 
thereby  adding  greatly  to  the  knowledge  gained  during  his  University  course, 
and  at  the  present  time  (  1914)  is  a  member  of  the  surgical  stafif  of  the  same 
institution.  His  devotion  to  his  chosen  calling  is  deep  and  abiding,  and  his 
success  has  been  worthily  achieved.  He  has  acquired  a  high  reputation  among 
his  professional  brethren,  and  he  is  equally  prominent  in  social  circles.  He 
keeps  in  touch  with  the  advanced  thought  of  the  day  by  membership  in  the 
American  Medical  Association,  the  State  Medical  Association,  and  the  Lacka- 


328  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

wanna   County   Medical    Society.      Dr.    Noecker  is   a   Republican   in   politics. 
He  married  Victoria  Connell. 

The  career  of  Dr.  Noecker  affords  a  most  interesting  example  of  the 
achievements  of  one  who  may  be  regarded  as  a  worthy  representative  of  a 
class  of  Americans  whose  versatile  talent  would  command  success  in  almost 
any  field  which  they  might  choose  to  enter,  and  who  rise  to  high  place  in  that 
which  ultimately  claims  their  effort.  Dr.  Noecker  is  interested  in  all  that  pertair,> 
to  the  welfare  of  his  adopted  city,  Scranton,  is  charitable  and  benevolent,  and 
worthy  demands  of  the  needy  are  seldom  made  in  vain.  He  has  a  large  circle 
of  appreciative  friends,  and  in  his  professional  capacity  is  well  known  through- 
out his  section  of  the  state,  an  honor  to  the  profession  by  which  he  has  been 
especially  distinguished. 


DR.  WILLIAM  E.  ALLEN 

Of  all  the  professions  that  of  medicine  and  surgery  is  perhaps  the  shortest- 
lived,  and  yet  the  most  glorious  and  honored.  There  are  many  to  criticize  the 
enormous  fees  received  by  some  physicians  from  the  wealthy  classes  for  im- 
portant operations,  yet  they  do  not  stop  to  consider  how  frequently  the  same 
physician  will  give  his  services  entirely  without  remuneration  of  any  kind, 
when  the  patient  to  be  attended  is  one  of  the  poorer  class,  and  it  is  not  of  in- 
frequent occurrence  that  a  goodly  share  of  the  fee  obtained  from  some 
wealthy  patient  is  utilized  to  relieve  the  sufferings  of  one  less  fortunately 
situated.  There  is  never  a  thought  on  the  part  of  the  physician  that  the  time 
he  spends  in  attendance  on  a  patient  who  is  unable  to  pay  for  such  service 
might  be  better  employed  in  looking  after  some  rich  patient ;  there  is  never  a 
moment's  thought  of  his  own  physical  discomfort,  when  the  physician  is 
called  out  in  all  sorts  of  inclement  weather ;  and  many  a  brave  man  of  this 
profession  has  knowingly  gone  to  his  own  death  in  order  to  save  another's 
life  by  his  skill.  A  well  known  member  of  this  noble  profession,  and  one  to 
whom  the  foregoing  remarks  are  particularly  applicable,  was  the  late  Dr. 
William  E.  Allen,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  be- 
loved physicians  of  that  city. 

(I)  Gabriel  Allen,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Allen,  was  a  sea  captain  by  oc- 
cupation, making  his  home,  when  on  land,  in  Connecticut,  where  he  was  born. 

He  married  Churchill,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  sons  and 

four  daughters. 

(II)  Rev.  Edward  Allen,  son  of  Captain  Gabriel  and  (Church- 
ill) Allen,  and  father  of  Dr.  Allen,  was  born  in  Saugatuck,  now  Westport, 
Connecticut,  June  8,  1792,  died  at  Harford,  August  i,  1877.  His  native  town 
furnished  the  educational  advantages  which  prepared  him  for  entrance  to 
college,  and  he  then  entered  the  junior  class  at  Princeton  College,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  181 5.  He  became  principal  of  the  academy  at 
Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey,  and  at  Trenton,  in  the  same  state,  continuing  for 
three  years,  and  during  this  time  made  an  exhaustive  study  of  the  Hebrew 
language,  in  preparation  for  entrance  into  the  ministry.  Early  in  1818  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Jersey  conferred  upon  him  the  license  to  preach,  and 
toward  the  end  of  the  same  year  he  was  ordained  by  the  same  body.  He  re- 
tired from  the  ministry  in  1874,  and  for  some  years  prior  to  his  death  con- 
ducted a  family  school  for  boys  at  Harford.     He  married  Elizabeth . 

(III)  Dr.  William  E.  Allen,  son  of  Rev.  Edward  and  Elizabeth  Allen, 
was  born  in  Wantage,  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  October  8.  1836,  died 
at  his  home  on  North  Washington  avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1903. 
His  earlier  educational  training  was  received  at  the  Belvidere  Academv,  and 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  329 

he  studied  Latin  and  Greek  with  his  father;  taking  up  the  study  of  medicine 
with  his  brother,  Dr.  J.  Linn  Allen,  of  Branchville,  Sussex  county,  New  Jer- 
sey, he  continued  his  studies  at  the  Albany  Medical  College,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  that  institution  in  the  class  of  1856,  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine being  conferred  upon  him.  One  year  was  spent  in  the  active  practice  of 
his  profession  at  Milford,  Pike  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  then  failing  health 
obliged  him  to  abandon  medical  practice  for  two  years.  He  purchased  a  drug 
store  in  Hyde  Park,  now  West  Scranton,  and  conducted  this  until  1859,  when 
he  opened  an  office  there  for  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  was  identified  with 
this  for  about  forty  years.  The  only  interruption  to  this  was  the  period  he 
spent  in  military  service  during  the  Civil  War.  In  July,  1862,  he  went  to 
Fortress  Monroe,  as  assistant  surgeon,  LTnited  States  army,  in  the  Chesapeake 
General  Hospital.  One  and  a  half  years  were  spent  there,  during  the  last 
third  of  this  period  Dr.  Allen  was  the  executive  officer  of  the  hospital.  Ill 
health  again  gained  the  upper  hand,  and  he  was  compelled  to  resign  his  posi- 
tion and  return  to  his  home.  He  re-entered  the  service  in  June,  1864,  and 
his  services  were  invaluable  as  an  officer  of  the  Christian  Street  Hospital, 
Philadelphia,  until  this  institution  was  discontinued.  Upon  returning  to  his 
home  he  was  appointed  examining  surgeon  for  the  provost  marshal  of  the 
Scranton  district  and  filled  this  office  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Until  ten  years  prior  to  his  death  Dr.  Allen  lived  in  West  Scranton,  in 
the  old  homestead  at  Price  street  and  North  Main  avenue,  which  has  since 
been  destroyed  by  fire.  There  he  built  up  his  practice,  which  was  the  largest 
in  the  city,  and  no  better  reason  can  be  given  for  his  change  of  residence,  than 
his  own  words,  in  speaking  to  a  friend.    They  were : 

I'm  getting  on  in  years,  I  can't  expect  to  have  many  more  years  of  hard  work.  I 
have  given  my  best  to  the  public ;  I  have  got  to  get  out  of  this  rut ;  I  believe  I  can  do 
better  financially  and  not  work  so  hard  in  the  Central  City ;  I  love  Hyde  Park ;  I  came 
here  a  boy,  without  health  or  money,  almost  gone  with  consumption ;  I  have  improved 
in  health ;  grown  up  with  the  place ;  feel  I  have  a  father's  care  over  hundreds  of  peo- 
ple ;  have  unnumbered  friends ;  have  tried  to  do  the  square  thing,  but  I  am  a  comparative- 
ly poor  man;  I  have  an  immense  practice;  keeps  me  going  day  and  night,  but  I  must 
shut  down  some  time.  Well,  don't  feel  bad,  if  I  do  go  over  town.  I'll  come  just  the  same 
to  my  old  friends,  but  yon  see  there  are  advantages  over  there  I  can't  have  here,  and 
I  must  make  a  break,  and  I  feel  as  bad  as  you  do  over  the  matter.  I  have  been  thinking 
a  good  deal  about  it.  My  best  friends  urge  me  to  make  the  change.  What  to  do  about 
my  accounts  puzzled  me  a  good  deal.  I  had  a  man  go  over  my  books  and  make  out  3 
list  of  those  who  owe  me.  I  looked  them  over.  I  made  out  four  piles.  One  was 
marked  good:  the  second,  doubtful;  third,  bad;  the  fourth,  charity.  I  looked  over 
the  second  and  third  piles  three  or  four  times.  I  thought  of  the  condition  of  each 
family,  of  their  troubles  and  hardships,  for  your  doctor  knows  a  good  deal  of  family 
secrets  and  a  good  many  skeletons  hidden  away  from  others,  and  I  got  near  to  the  stove, 
and  threw  in  one  bill  after  another,  until  the  three  piles  were  gone.  They  footed  up 
thirty  thousand  dollars.  Then  I  got  new  ledgers,  transferred  the  good  accounts, 
burned  my  old  books,  and  have  let  all  they  contained  that  was  unpleasant  pass  from 
my  memory. 

This  line  of  conduct  was  in  keeping  with  his  actions  throiisho"*^  his  life. 
Always  alleviate  suffering,  was  his  watchword. 

Dr.  Allen  was  appointed  health  officer  in  1886,  by  Colonel  Ezra  H.  Ripple, 
then  mayor  of  the  city,  and  filled  this  office  uninterruptedly  until  a  bureau  of 
health  was  created,  when  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  that  body,  and 
served  throughout  the  administration  of  Recorder  W.  L.  Connell,  displaying 
extraordinary  executive  ability  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  office. 

Dr.  Allen  married,  June  6,  1865,  Amelia  B.  Clapp,  born  at  Athens,  Penn- 
sylvania, July  5,  1842,  died  at  Clifton  Springs  Sanitarium,  Clifton  Springs, 
New  York,  in  July,  1912,  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Cynthia  Clapp,  and  they 
had  one  child,  Julia,  who  survived  her  mother.     Rich  and  poor  alike  sincerely 


330  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

mourned  the  death  of  Dr.  Allen,  and  we  cannot  show  the  high  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  better  than  by  giving  a  few  extracts  from  the  daily  papers  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

Thousands  can  testify  to  his  faithfulness  and  skill  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  ann 
those  thousands  and  other  thousands  counted  him  as  friend  and  counsellor,  and  will 
mourn  his  passing.  He  has  come  as  a  bright  star  of  hope  to  the  bed  of  sickness,  and 
when  science  could  no  longer  avail,  he  eased  the  pain  until  the  last  sleep  came.  In  the 
homes  of  the  poor,  at  all  hours,  in  all  kinds  of  weather,  without  a  thought  or  hope  of 
remuneration,  the  good  doctor  responded  as  cheerfully  and  as  faithfully  as  to  the  call 
from  the  mansions  of  the  wealth.  Not  only  free  services,  but  medicines  and  tinancial 
aid,  nursing  and  help  cnme  to  many  homes  where  sickness  and  poverty  had  laid  their 
hands.  Not  ostentatious,  but  in  so  quiet  a  way,  that  the  recipients  did  not  know  the 
donors,  has  the  generous  doctor  come  to  homes.  No  friend  could  be  truer  or  stauncher. 
Always  ready  to  believe  the  good,  censuring  and  condemning  calumny  and  suspicion, 
broad  and  liberal  in  thought  and  deed,  a  nobleman,  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word,  was 
Dr.  Allen.  Gifted  and  learned,  a  fine  conversationalist,  with  fund  of  anecdote  and  wide 
experience  with  men  and  things,  he  was  a  delightful  companion. 

Dr.  Allen's  reputation  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  was  early  established.  It  was  of  a 
high  order  and  was  so  recognized  by  the  medical  fraternity.  He  was  naturally  a  man  of 
decided  ability  and  strong  individuality,  such  as  would  have  won  him  distinction  in 
any  walk  of  life.  He  was  more  than  a  physician  to  hundreds  of  families.  He  was  a 
friend  and  counsellor  to  them,  always  sympathetic,  and  ever  ready  to  aid  them.  Those 
who  knew  Dr.  Allen  find  no  difficulty  in  accounting  for  the  deep  feeling  of  sorrow  that 
followed  the  announcement  of  his  death.  His  interesting  personality,  his  philosophy, 
common   sense  and  good   cheer,   make  his  loss   wide   spread   in  its  influence. 

He  never  wronged  anyone  in  his  whole,  long,  kindly  life.  He  never  did  an  in- 
justice that  was  known  to  his  gentle  heart.  He  followed  the  Golden  Rule  if  ever  a 
man  followed  it  in  this  age  of  the  world,  and  the  world  is  poorer  since  he  left  it.  He 
might  have  made  his  life  very  different ;  he  might  have  been  grasping — have  held  much 
of  the  world's  goods  in  his  hands,  but  those  hands  were  ever  open  and  never  closed  to 
humanity's  needs.  There  are  many  who  are  richer  in  health  and  richer  in  wealth  be- 
cause  Dr.   Allen   lived. 


LEONIDAS  WILLIAM  MORSS 

It  seldom  occurs  that  remarkable  capability  for  the  conduct  of  large  indus- 
trial afifairs  is  found  in  the  same  individual,  associated  with  highly  cultivated 
literary  tastes  and  such  habits  of  life  as  permit  of  their  enjoyment.  A  marked 
exception  to  the  general  rule  was  to  be  found  in  the  person  of  the  late  Leonidas 
William  Morss,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  whose  business  activities  extended 
to  numerous  of  the  most  important  and  exacting  industrial  interests  of  the 
Lackawanna  \'alley,  yet  who  found  abundant  time  for  those  mental  pursuits 
which  find  their  epitomization  in  the  words  of  one  of  the  deepest  thinkers  of 
old:  "My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is."  Coming  from  an  excellent  ancestry,  his 
character  aflforded  evidence  of  the  stock  whence  he  came,  and  there  was  wit- 
ness to  it  in  his  physiognomy,  showing,  as  it  did,  great  strength  of  character, 
reserve  energy  and  kindliness  of  disposition.  He  was  fortunate  in  his  for- 
bears, both  in  the  land  of  their  origin  rnd  that  of  their  adoption ;  there  and 
here  they  were  men  of  intelligence  and  conscience,  and  led  him  into  that  avoca- 
tion in  which  he  conquered  the  largest  measure  of  success.  He  was  a  son 
of  Burton  Gilbert  and  Caroline  ( Kirtland )  Morss. 

Mr.  Morss  was  born  at  Red  Falls,  Greene  county,  New  York,  January 
17,  1838,  died  suddenly,  of  heart  trouble,  at  his  home,  No.  21 15  North  MaiiT 
avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Novetnber  20,  1912.  He  stud'ed  at  the  dis- 
trict schools  near  his  home  and  under  private  tuition  in  preparation  for  his 
entrance  to  college,  matriculating  at  Williams  College  in  1856,  and  being  grad- 
uated from  this  institution  with  honor  in  the  class  of  i860.  After  graduation 
he  returned  to  his  native  town,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  cotton  mills  of 
his  father  until   1864,  and  then  went  to  Ledgedale,  Wayne  county,  Pennsyl- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  331 

vania,  in  which  place  his  father  was  the  owner  of  a  large  tannery,  as  well  as 
of  about  twenty  thousand  acres  of  timber  and  bark  land.  This  was  a  very 
important  and  profitable  industry,  and  was  managed  by  jMr.  Morss  with  con- 
summate ability  for  twenty  years,  until  the  death  of  his  father,  when  he  be- 
came the  owner  of  this  property.  He  disposed  of  it  in  1893  to  the  United 
States  Leather  Company,  and  at  that  time  removed  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  made  his  home  from  that  time  forth.  He  was  a  man  of  many  sided 
ability,  and  had  he  chosen  to  devote  his  talents  to  financial  matters  exclusively, 
would  undoubtedly  have  become  one  of  the  "Napoleons  of  finance,"  of  his 
generation.  As  it  was,  he  was  a  leading  spirit  in  the  directorates  of  several 
banks,  and  he  was  also  active  in  developing  the  interests  of  slate  quarries. 
Some  years  prior  to  his  death  his  health  had  become  greatly  impaired,  and  he 
was  a  frequent  sufferer,  but  he  bore  his  sufferings  with  the  patience  which 
characterized  him  in  all  the  conditions  of  life. 

Mr.  Morss  married,  October  18,  1866,  Merrilla  E.  Morss,  a  native  of  Car- 
bondale,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  had  children :  George  L.,  Louis  R.,  Minnie 
E.,  Julian  S.,  Mabel  B.,  died  June  17,  1877;  Clarence  R.,  Leigh  ]\L,  Burton  G. 
Mrs.  Morss  is  a  woman  of  high  intelligence  and  cultivated  mind  and  was  in 
complete  harmony  with  her  husband  in  disposition,  tastes  and  love  for  good 
works,  and  they  were  as  one  in  thoughtfulness  for  the  welfare  of  others, 
particularly  for  the  needy  and  distressed,  and  counselled  fully  together  in  the 
disposal  of  their  means  in  all  charitable  ways.  It  is  pleasurable  to  note  that  she 
continues  to  bestow  her  benevolence  with  the  same  graciousness  and  liberal- 
ity, and  in  the  same  unostentatious  manner,  many  of  her  gifts  reaching  the 
beneficiaries  so  quietly  that  none  others  know  of  them.  The  conduct  of  Mr. 
Morss  combined  with  a  pleasing  personality  all  that  was  dignified  and  courtly. 
Unassuming  in  manner,  he  was  free  from  obtrusive  self-assertion,  and  in  hi.s 
intercourse  with  his  friends  and  familiars  was  delightful  in  conversation; 
fond  of  anecdote,  possessing  a  rare  store  of  information,  a  gentle  humor  that 
always  bore  testimony  to  his  kindliness  of  disposition,  he  was  in  his  social 
life  a  most  interesting  and  attractive  companion.  By  such  manners  and  qual- 
ities, by  such  a  life,  he  made  for  himself  an  honorable  career,  and  dying, 
left  no  stain  nor  tarnish  upon  the  imperishable  monument  which  he  himself, 
while  living,  erected  to  the  memory  of  a  just  man. 


WILLIAM  H.  HAGEN 


Henry  Hagen,  father  of  William  H.  Hagen,  was  born  in  Hagen,  Ger- 
many, and  when  eight  years  of  age  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States, 
settling  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools.  As 
a  young  man  he  learned  the  trades  of  blacksmith  and  carriage  builder,  and  was 
employed,  soon  after  completing  his  apprenticeship,  by  the  Delaware,  Lacka 
wanna  &  Western  Railroad  as  tool  dresser.  He  became  a  resident  of  Scranton, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  to  enlist  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
National  Guard,  of  which  he  was  for  many  years  a  member.  He  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  married  Marion,  daughter  of  William  Walsh, 
of  Honesdale.  Children:  Louise,  married  George  B.  Carson,  of  Scranton; 
Ella,  married  Andrew  Johnson,  of  Brooklyn;  William  H.,  of  whom  further; 
Frank,  married  Alice  Deppen,  of  Scranton;  Lillian,  married  Fred  Wicks,  a 
resident  of  Scranton.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hagen  were  members  of  the  Simpson 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

William  H.  Hagen,  son  of  Henry  and  Marion  (Walsh)  Hagen,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September  27,  1861.  He  obtained  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  and  when  a  lad  spent  several  years 


332  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  Newark  \'alley,  New  York,  whither  his  family  had  moved  and  where  they 
remained  until  1873,  when  they  returned  to  Scranton.  In  the  latter  named 
city  Mr.  Hagen  entered  the  employ  of  Moore  &  Finley,  merchants,  and  ob- 
tained considerable  valuable  experience  in  and  knowledge  of  the  mercantile 
business,  training  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  him  in  his  later  life.  In  1894 
he  and  Joseph  A.  Mears  established  the  business  which  has  since  become  the 
Hagen  &  Wagner  Company,  as  i\Iears  &  Hagen,  their  line  being  then,  as  now, 
dry  goods  and  furnishings  for  men  and  women.  From  a  concern  employing 
six  persons,  their  sales  force  now  numbers  seventy-five,  and  in  September,  1914, 
they  moved  into  their  newly  remodeled  store  on  Washington  avenue,  now  oc- 
cupied by  the  Prendergast  firm  and  the  Jones'  Tea  Company.  Mr.  Hagen 
serves  the  Asbury  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  as  a  member  of  the  official 
board  and  as  trustee,  also  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  local  branch  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  His 
only  fraternal  connection  is  with  the  Masonic  order,  in  which  he  holds  the 
thirty-second  degree,  and  is  a  member  of  Irem  Temple.  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.    He  is  president  of  the  Scranton  Rotary  Club. 

Mr.  Hagen  married  Carrie  Munson,  daughter  of  \\'illiam  Munson.  Children: 
Helen,  married  Leland  Marsh,  a  resident  of  Scranton ;  Hoadley,  a  graduate 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  class  of  1912. 


STEPHEN  M.  CONGER 

Representative  of  his  English  family  in  Scranton,  Stephen  M.  Conger  is  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  his  family  old  in  New  Jersey.  In  this  latter  state  his 
grandfather,  whose  name  he  bears,  Stephen  M.  Conger,  was  born,  Newark 
the  city  of  his  birth,  and  there  he  was  long  a  well-known  carriage  builder,  a  line 
in  which  his  son,  W^illiam  H.,  continued  during  his  active  career.  Stephen  M. 
Conger  was  the  father  of:  William  H.,  of  whom  further;  David  M.,  Charles 
A.,  Stephen  M.,  Charlotte  M. 

(II)  William  H.  Conger,  son  of  Stephen  M.  Conger,  was  born  in  New- 
ark, New  Jersey,  and  in  manhood  followed  the  calling  that  had  previously 
claimed  his  father,  carriage  manufacturing.  He  was  a  loyal  supporter  of 
the  Republican  party.  He  and  his  wife,  Charlotte  E  Conger,  she  a  native  of 
Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  were  the  parents  of;  William  A.,  born  December  12, 
1856;  George  H.,  September  16,  1857;  Stephen  M.,  of  whom  further;  Frank 
W.,  October  12,  1863;  Charlotte  E.,  October  i,  1874. 

(III)  Stephen  M.  (2)  Conger,  son  of  \Mlliam  H.  and  Charlotte  E.  Con- 
ger, was  born  in  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  March  3,  1859.  He  was  prepared 
for  college  in  the  puhlic  schools  of  New  York  City,  and  was  later  graduated 
from  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York.  His  active  business  life  has 
been  passed  in  successful  mercantile  dealing,  his  present  line  in  the  city  of 
Scranton,  and  he  is  highly  regarded  in  this  place  as  a  business  man  of  stand- 
ing and  reputation,  his  association  with  the  business  world  of  Scranton  having 
been  both  pleasant  and  profitable.  Mr.  Conger's  club  is  the  Green  Ridge,  and 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  a  Re- 
publican, he  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

Mr.  Conger  married  (first)  January  7,  1887,  ^t  Bridgeport.  Connecticut, 
Evelyn  A.  Holly,  one  child,  Evelyn,  born  January  24,  1890,  married  L.  A. 
Hamilton,  and  has  one  son,  James  Conger;  (second)  December  4,  1894, 
Morna  M.,  bom  in  Lockport,  New  York,  daughter  of  George  Perrigo ;  one 
child,  Marcia,  born  December  29,  1897.  George  Perrigo  was  a  journalist,  and 
during  the  Civil  War  a  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  navy ;  he  was  the  father 
of  two  daughters,  Morna  M.,  of  previous  mention,  married  Stephen  M.  Con- 
ger, and  Meta  E.,  married  Thomas  F.  Kennedy,  of  Highland,  Wisconsin. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


PHINNY  D.  CLANCY 


333 


For  more  than  half  of  a  century  Scranton  has  known  Phinny  D.  Clancy  as 
a  contractor  and  builder,  and  in  the  city  that  line,  which  has  been  the  starting 
point  of  the  growth  of  some  of  Scranton's  most  prosperous  fortunes,  has 
known  no  name  to  which  more  honorable  record,  in  regard  to  excellence  of 
work  and  fairness  of  dealing,  attaches.  This  line  of  the  family  came  to  Penn- 
sylvania from  Maryland,  Baltimore  having  been  the  place  of  birth  of  David 
Nelson,  father  of  Phinny  D.  Clancy.  David  Nelson  Clancy  was  a  blacksmith 
in  calling,  and  followed  that  occupation  in  Bradford  and  Susquehanna  coun- 
ties, his  death  occurring  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  four  score  years, 
his  wife,  Mary  (Stevens)  Clancy,  born  in  Dundaff,  Pennsylvania,  dying  aged 
eighty-five  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  Phinny  D.  the 
fourth  of  those. 

Phinny  D.  Clancy  was  born  near  Raysville,  Bradford  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  29,  1840.  In  his  youth  he  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools, 
principally  in  Susquehanna  county,  whither  his  father's  business  took  the 
family,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  education  he  apprenticed  himself  to  and 
mastered  the  trade  of  carpenter.  This  he  did  in  Susquehanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  i860  moved  to  Scranton,  where  he  at  once  established  as  a 
contractor  and  builder.  The  contracts  that  he  has  fulfilled  in  that  time  and 
the  homes  and  other  buildings  that  he  has  erected  are  almost  without  number, 
and  he  gained  a  reputation  as  a  builder  of  reliability,  one  to  whom  the  wishes 
of  him  for  whom  work  was  being  done  was  of  paramount  importance  and  one 
whose  judgment  might  be  safely  trusted.  No  inconvenience  did  he  consider 
too  great  if  by  its  incurrence  the  satisfaction  of  the  future  owner  of  the  house 
or  building  upon  which  he  worked  might  be  heightened,  and  by  the  observance 
of  such  a  policy  of  accommodation  he  grew  in  public  favor.  During  his 
greatest  activity  in  contracting  and  building,  Mr.  Clancy  employed  twenty-five 
men  in  his  working  force,  but  of  late  years  he  has  gradually  lessened  his  busi- 
ness dealings  until  most  of  his  work  is  jobbing  and  repairing.  For  this  he 
employs  men  trained  in  their  trade,  so  that  even  in  a  day  of  modern  methods, 
when  rapidity  of  operation  and  showy  architecture  have  superseded  fineness 
and  substantiality  of  labor,  his  name  in  connection  with  carpentering  work 
will  be  sufficient  guarantee  of  its  quality.  IMr.  Clancy  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  is  identified  with  the  North  Main  Avenue  Baptist  Church. 

Mr.  Clancv  married,  in  Greenfield,  Pennsylvania.  Arminda  Dann,  a  na- 
tive of  that  place,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Dann.  her  father  a  pioneer  of  Green- 
field, Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Clancy  died  May  21,  1914,  aged  about  seventy  years. 
Children  of  Phinnv  D.  and  Arminda  (Dann)  Clancy:  Etta,  married  Russell 
Emery,  and  has  two  children ;  Mary,  married  John  Finnity ;  Bertha,  married 
Burton  Clease,  and  has  two  children ;  Alma,  married  A.  J.  ATorgan,  and  has 
three  children :  Flora,  died  unmarried,  aged  twenty-four  years ;  and  two  sons, 
who  died  in  infancv. 


WALTER   A.   McCONNELL 

Canadian  born  and  bred,  it  has  been  as  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  and 
as  a  merchant  of  Scranton  that  Walter  A.  McConnell  has  achieved  business 
success,  having  come  to  that  city  in  his  youth  and  there,  after  a  short  term  as 
an  employee,  established  in  independent  mercantile  dealings.  He  is  a  son  of 
Joseph  McConnell,  a  retired  hotel  proprietor  of  Kingston,  Ontario,  Canada, 
where  he  was  born.  Joseph  McConnell  left  home  as  a  lad  of  twelve  years,  his 
first  employment  being  as  a  driver  on  the  Welland  Canal,  after  which  he  moved 


334  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

to  New  York  City.  Here,  through  his  unaided  efforts,  he  accumulated  suffi- 
cient funds  to  embark  in  the  hotel  business,  and  after  so  engaging  in  New 
York  for  a  time,  returned  to  the  place  of  his  birth,  purchasing  a  building  three 
houses  removed  from  that  in  which  he  was  born  and  there  opening  a  hotel. 
Of  this  hotel  he  was  owner  and  manager  until  his  retirement  from  active 
business,  and  attained  prominent  position  in  the  community.  Although  no 
longer  an  extensive  participant  in  local  affairs,  he  bore  with  him  to  private 
life  a  record  of  upright  integrity,  a  reputation  of  lifelong  adherence  to  straight- 
forward principles  from  which  he  has  never  been  known  to  deviate  ever  so 
slightly,  and  the  good-will  and  friendship  of  all  who  know  him  in  any  walk 
of  life.  Such  is  the  regard  in  which,  after  years  of  acquaintance,  his  fellow- 
citizens  hold  Joseph  McConnell.  He  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  his  father,  a 
resident  of  Kingston,  his  mother  having  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years,  af- 
ter bearing  nineteen  children,  five  of  whom  survive  to  the  present  time : 
Joseph,  of  previous  mention ;  John ;  Mary,  married  John  Newlands,  and  has  a 
daughter,  Jennie;  Margaret,  married  William  Hamilton,  and  is  the  mother  of 
William  and  Harold ;  Elizabeth,  married  William  Adair.  Joseph  McConnell 
married  Elizabeth  White,  and  has  children:  Robert  J.,  deceased;  Joseph  A., 
deceased ;  John  G.,  of  whom  further ;  Walter  A.,  of  whom  further. 

Walter  A.  McConnell,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (White)  McConnell. 
was  born  in  Kingston,  Ontario,  Canada,  October  28,  1874,  and  was  there 
educated.  After  his  graduation  from  the  public  schools  he  was  employed  as 
parcel  boy  in  a  grocery  store,  soon  afterward  becoming  cashier  in  the  same 
store,  leaving  there  after  two  years  to  come  to  Scran  ton  to  accept  a  position 
under  his  brother,  John  G.,  at  that  time  manager  of  the  Globe  Warehouse.  He 
remained  with  his  brother  for  one  year,  then  became  associated  with  W.  E. 
Smith,  a  merchant  of  the  South  Side,  and  after  two  years  he  decided  to  enter 
the  mercantile  field  as  the  proprietor  of  an  establishment,  and  purchased  the 
business  of  G.  A.  Pyle  &  Company,  at  No.  1004  South  Washington  avenue. 
The  business  that  he  built  up  soon  outgrew  these  quarters  and  Mr.  McConnell 
bought  the  adjoining  building,  No.  loio,  formerly  occupied  by  his  previous 
employer,  W.  E.  Smith.  Here  Mr.  McConnell  has  since  conducted  a  general 
merchandise  business,  the  expansion  that  made  necessary  larger  quarters  con- 
tinuing in  gratifying  measure,  his  patrons  numerous  and  regidar.  The  strict- 
est business  principles  prevail  throughout  the  establishment,  which  is  known 
for  the  uniformly  high  grade  of  goods  handled  and  the  unfailing  courtesy 
accorded  all  customers.  Mr.  McConnell  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason, 
also  belonging  to  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  ]\Iystic  Shrine,  besides  his 
Masonic  associations  affiliating  with  the  Temple  Club  and  the  James  Council 
Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  political  party  is  the  Republi- 
can, and  he  attends  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  McConnell  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  ex-County  Commissioner  Wil- 
liam Franz,  deceased,  and  has  children :  Robert,  born  November  5,  1898,  a 
student  in  the  Scranton  High  School,  class  of  1916;  Lillian,  born  April  25, 
1903. 


JOHN  G.  McCONNELL 

Schooled  in  business  in  Scranton,  John  G.  McConnell  has  in  that  city 
put  into  practice  that  which  he  was  there  taught,  his  high  position  in  the  mer- 
cantile world  of  that  place  showing  him  to  have  been  an  apt  pupil  and  one 
who  could  indeed  "better  the  example"  of  his  instructors.  During  his  resi- 
dence in  Scranton  success  and  prosperity  as  a  business  man  are  not  all  that 
he  has  achieved,  for  he  has  taken  a  firm  stand  for  all  of  the  best  in  the  life 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  335 

and  activity  of  the  city  and  is  universally  esteemed  as  a  citizen  of  high  mo- 
tives and  beneficent  influence. 

John  G.  McConnell,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Jane  (White)  McCon- 
nell,  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January  27,  1873.  In  his  boyhood  his  father 
returned  to  Kingston,  Ontario,  and  there  he  attended  the  public  schools, 
leaving  that  place  when  fifteen  years  of  age  and  proceeding  to  Rochester, 
New  York.  He  was  here  identified  in  business  with  Sibley,  Lindsay  &  Curr, 
and  A.  S.  Mann,  one  year  afterward  moving  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and 
becoming  connected  with  Clelland,  Simpson  &  Taylor.  His  first  position  was 
as  salesman  on  the  retail  floor,  after  which  he  succeeded  H.  C.  Wallace  in  the 
wholesale  department,  a  short  time  later,  when  twenty  years  of  age,  assuming 
the  management  of  the  entire  store,  filling  this  position  with  able  satisfaction 
for  seven  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  Mr.  McConnell  made  his  entry 
into  business  independently,  establishing  at  No.  402  Lackawanna  avenue,  a  site 
now  occupied  by  the  Lackawanna  Trust  Company.  Five  years  later  he  lo- 
cated at  his  present  place  of  business.  No.  427  Lackawanna  avenue,  making 
women's  ready  to  wear  garments  his  specialty,  his  store  carrying  the  most 
complete  line  of  such  apparel  and  equalling  in  accommodations  and  capacity 
for  trade  any  emporium  of  a  similar  nature  throughout  the  state.  Mr.  Mc- 
Connell has  been  not  so  entirely  absorbed  in  the  upbuilding  of  his  present  flour- 
ishing trade  that  all  else  has  been  excluded  from  his  daily  life,  but  in  the 
numerous  trade  movements  aiming  at  better  condition  and  relations  of  busi- 
ness he  has  been  an  enthusiastic  worker.  He  has  for  many  years  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade ;  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  first  presi- 
dent of  the  Commercial  Association,  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  Scranton's 
business  men's  organizations ;  and  is  a  member  of  the  Boosters'  Club,  which  is 
now  in  the  process  of  organization. 

Prominent  as  has  been  Mr.  McConnell's  position  in  the  mercantile  world 
of  the  city,  his  standmg  in  that  line  of  Scranton  life  has  been  equalled  by  his 
conspicuous  connection  with  every  project  having  as  its  goal  the  uplift  of  the 
standard  of  civic  morality  and  the  promotion  of  righteousness,  and  of  these 
may  be  mentioned,  "The  Boy  Scouts,"  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  council.  He 
has  long  been  identified  with  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
has  been  the  leader  of  the  largest  Bible  classes,  mixed  and  men's,  that  have 
ever  congregated  in  the  city.  His  testimony  carries  the  more  weight  because 
those  whom  he  teaches  have  the  realization  that  in  the  practice  of  the  principles 
that  he  expounds  he  has  risen  to  the  hightest  level  of  public  esteem :  that  he 
does  not  advocate  impracticalities ;  that  he  teaches  possibilities  after  accom- 
plishment ;  and  that  his  words  are  deep  sincerities  spoken  in  love  for  his 
fellows. 

In  national  issues  Mr.  McConnell  adheres  to  the  Republican  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Press  and  Temple  clubs,  and  holds  the  thirty-second  degree 
in  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Lackawanna  Chapter.  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Scranton  Council,  Royal 
and  Select  Masters;  Melita  Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  and  Keystone 
Consistory,  also  holding  membership  in  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  other  fraternal  order  is  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  these  organizations  Mr.  McConnell  finds  con- 
genial intercourse  with  his  fellows,  while  he  and  his  wife  are  socially  prominent 
in  Scranton. 

Mr.  McConnell  married  Sally  M.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Rosanna  Se- 
ward, her  father  for  many  years  superintendent  of  construction  for  the  Lack- 
awanna Coal  and  Iron  Company.  They  are  the  parents  of  Ruth  S.,  Florence 
E.,  Rosanna,  Edith  Evelyn. 


336  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

SAMUEL  N.  CALLENDER 

The  history  of  the  Callender  family  dates  back  to  before  the  Revolution- 
ary War  period,  in  which  one  of  its  members  actively  participated,  and  in  the 
various  communities  in  which  the  family  have  resided  they  have  taken  an 
active  and  prominent  part,  wielding  an  influence  for  good. 

(I)  The  ancestry  of  Samuel  N.  Callender  on  the  paternal  side  is  traced 
to  Samuel  Callender,  a  resident  of  Virginia,  whose  son,  Samuel  (2)  Callender. 
was  born  in  that  state,  and  who  served  as  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  attached  to 
the  personal  guard  of  General  Washington;  after  the  conclusion  of  hostilities 
he  went  to  Connecticut,  where  he  married  the  sister  of  an  old  comrade,  and 
later  moved  to  New  York  state,  and  from  there  to  the  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
being  among  the  pioneers.  His  son,  Samuel  (3)  Callender,  born  in  New  York 
state,  removed  with  his  parents  to  Pennsylvania,  the  locality  in  which  they 
settled  being  known  as  "Callender's  Corners,"  now  Green  Grove.  Two  sons  of 
the  family  remained  in  Green  Grove,  but  Samuel  removed  to  Blakely,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  married  Elizabeth  London,  daughter  of  a  pioneer  family. 
He  purchased  and  cleared  up  a  farm,  and  in  due  course  of  time  became  pros- 
perous, being  among  the  prominent  men  of  the  community.  He  served  as 
deacon  of  the  church,  and  a  Baptist  Memorial  Chapel  was  erected  in  his 
memory.  The  maternal  ancestry  of  Samuel  N.  Callender  dates  to  Captain 
Daniel  Kelley,  an  officer  of  the  Revolution,  who  after  that  war  ended  settled 
in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania. 

(H)  Rev.  Newell  Callender,  son  of  Samuel  (3)  Callender,  was  born  at 
Blakely  Center,  Pennsylvania,  February  27,  1821,  died  August  13,  191 1,  aged 
ninety  years.  He  received  an  excellent  education,  and  began  his  active  career 
as  teacher  in  a  public  school  and  was  also  an  instructor  in  music.  Later  he 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  Baptist  church,  continuing  active  minister- 
ial work  for  many  years.  He  was  a  strong  temperance  worker  and  identified 
with  the  Washingtonian  movement  of  many  years  ago.  He  married  Harriet 
Ferris,  born  in  Blakely,  Pennsylvania,  April  11,  1823,  died  in  1902.  Seven 
of  the  ten  children  of  Rev.  Newell  Callender  are  living  at  the  present  time 
(1914)  and  of  these  Samuel  N.  is  the  second  eldest. 

(HI)  Samuel  N.  Callender  was  born  in  Blakely,  Pennsylvania,  Februar)' 
28,  1847.  He  attended  public  school  in  Blakely  until  eight  years  of  age,  when 
the  family  moved  to  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  also  attended 
school,  and  later  the  family  returned  to  Luzerne  (now  Lackawanna)  county. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  enlisted  in  the  Second  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
Heavy  Artillery,  mustered  in  March  8,  1864,  honorably  discharged  and  mus- 
tered out  January  29,  1866.  He  returned  to  Blakely  where  he  established  a 
mercantile  business  which  he  continued  until  1888.  He  then  rented  his  store 
and  opened  an  office  in  Scranton  for  the  transaction  of  the  insurance  and  real 
estate  business,  in  which  he  was  then  and  is  now  successfully  engaged.  About 
1898  he  moved  his  residence  to  Scranton  and  now  resides  at  No.  414  Ouincy 
avenue.  Mr.  Callender  is  a  member  of  Immanuel  Baptist  Church,  and  in 
political  faith  is  a  Progressive,  known  as  the  Washington  party  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Grand  Anny  of  the  Republic,  past  com- 
mander of  W.  W.  Walters  Post,  No.  414,  at  Olyphant,  senior  vice-commander 
of  Lieutenant  Ezra  Griffin  Post,  No.  139.  at  Scranton,  in  1913,  also  served  as 
chief  of  staff  of  the  Department  of  Pennsylvania  under  State  Commander  Cap- 
tain P.  DeLacy. 

Mr.  Callender  married  Margaret  J.  Jones,  daughter  of  Edward  Jones,  of 
Blakely,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  Mabel  C. :  Grace  H. ;  Edward  J.,  died  aged 
twenty- four  years;  Jessie,  married  Edward  A.  Harmes,  of  Great  Bend,  Penn- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  337 

sylvania ;  Clarence  N.,  who  is  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Graham  &  Cal- 
lender,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania;  Margaret;  Gordon  S. 


JAMES  J.  O'MALLEY 


Born  and  reared  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley,  Mr.  0"Malley  has  by  force 
of  character  and  assiduous  attention  to  his  profession  gained  a  leading  posi- 
tion among  her  sons.  He  is  a  grandson  of  Michael  and  a  son  of  Michael  D. 
O'Malley,  both  born  in  Ireland,  as  was  his  mother. 

James  J.  O'Malley,  son  of  Michael  and  Annie  O'Malley,  was  born  in 
Olyphant,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  27,  1870.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  borough  and  in  The  School  of  the  Lacka- 
wanna, at  Scranton.  He  began  business  life  as  a  telegraph  operator  at  Oly- 
phant, later  prepared  for  the  legal  profession,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Lacka- 
wanna county  bar,  February  22,  1896.  He  has  practiced  in  Scranton  continu- 
ously since  his  admission  and  has  a  large  and  influential  clientele.  He  has 
been  admitted  to  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district,  his  practice  ex- 
tending to  all.  In  1900  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  district  attorney 
and  is  the  present  attorney  for  the  Olyphant  Bank.  He  served  two  terms  on 
the  school  board  of  his  native  borough,  and  in  all  things  is  the  public-spirited 
and  progressive  citizen.  He  has  confined  himself  closely  to  his  practice,  but 
has  outside  interests  of  importance,  holding,  among  other  positions,  a  director- 
ship on  the  Olyphant  Bank  board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church  and  of  the  Heptasophs. 

Mr.  O'Malley  married,  November  28,  1901,  Margaret  Murphy,  born  in 
Scranton,  daughter  cf  Michael  and  Anna  Murphy,  the  former  a  foreman  for 
the  Scranton  Gas  and  Water  Company,  holding  that  position  at  the  time  the 
mains  were  first  laid  in  Scranton.  The  following  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murphy:  Thomas  P.,  Michael  (2),  James  Philip,  William, 
Nellie,  Mira,  Dorothy  M.,  married  George  Palmer;  Margaret,  married  James 
J.  O'Malley.  Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O'Malley:  Girard,  Russell,  Willard, 
Robert,  Margaret,  Anna. 


JAMES  B.   SCHRIEVER 

Probably  no  science  has  ofifered  a  wider  expanse  for  exploration  and  unique 
discovery  than  photography.  In  the  appliances  invented,  methods  devised 
and  processes  discovered,  a  new  art  has  been  given  to  the  world,  an  art  of 
fact,  not  of  fancy,  beautiful  with  the  beauty  of  nature,  not  of  the  imagination, 
a  portrayer  of  things  as  they  are,  not  as  they  might  be.  A  leader  in  the  revo- 
lution that  has  brought  all  this  to  pass,  one  of  the  most  active  workers  for 
perfect  photography,  and  a  successful  artist  in  every  branch  of  his  profession 
is  James  B.  Schrievei. 

He  is  a  son  of  German  parents,  his  father,  Jacob  Schriever,  having  been 
born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  in  18 14,  whence  he  came  to  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
later  moving  to  Emporium,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  latter  place  he  engaged  in 
wholesale  grocery  dealing,  and  was  so  busied  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1877. 
He  married  Veronica  Schmondt.  They  had :  Maria,  Elizabeth,  Gertrude, 
James  B.,  of  whom  further ;  Julia. 

James  B.  Schriever  was  born  in  Brookville,  JeiTerson  county,  Pennsylvania, 
April  30,  1868.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  and  com- 
pleted by  a  course  in  a  business  college,  after  which,  at  the  age  of  ninetee 
years,  he  entered  the  photograph  business  in  Kane,  Pennsylvania,  later  moving 
to  Emporium,  in  the  same  state,  where  he  still  conducted  his  operations,  and 


338  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  which  place  he  married.  In  1900  he  came  to  Scranton  and  opened  a  studio 
at  No.  no  Wyoming  avenue,  where  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  and 
conducts  a  business  far  in  advance  of  any  of  a  like  nature  in  this  city.  In  the 
equipment  of  this  studio  nothing  has  been  left  undone  to  make  it  the  most  com- 
plete possible.  This,  combined  with  Mr.  Schriever's  artistic  ability,  has  drawn 
to  him  a  well  merited  class  of  trade  from  the  best  people  of  the  city.  The 
negatives  he  has  been  able  to  make  under  the  conditions  include  nearly  every 
person  of  prominence  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  and  also  those  in  the  surrounding 
country,  and  the  reputation  which  he  enjoys  justly  places  him  at  the  head  of 
his  profession  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Schriever  has  not  confined  his  interests  and  works  in  photography  to 
his  studio,  but  has  compiled  and  published  a  complete  photographic  encyclo- 
pedia of  ten  volumes,  endorsed  and  approved  by  testimonials  from  the  gov- 
ernment and  from  universities.  The  only  practical  work  on  every  thing 
photographic  ever  published.  Realizing  that  associations  are  one  of  the  best 
means  for  the  dissemination  of  knowledge  and  information  in  any  line  of  en- 
deavor, he  has  ever  supported  such  institutions  as  would  advance  his  art, 
and  is  at  the  present  time  (  1914)  president  of  the  Professional  Photographers 
Society  of  Pennsylvania,  members  thereof  representing  three  states,  Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland,  Delaware,  and  the  District  of  Columbia.  In  March,  1913, 
this  organization  numbered  sixty-six  members,  and  while  only  a  beginning  was 
of  little  practical  value.  Since  Mr.  Schriever  became  connected  with  it  new 
life  has  been  infused  into  its  arteries,  and  largely  through  his  eiTorts  the  mem- 
ship  has  been  increased  until  the  total  list  numbers  over  eight  hundred. 
Through  this  association  he  has  probably  done  more  to  further  the  hi^b.er 
possibilities  of  photography  than  any  other  exponent  of  the  art  in  this  locality, 
and  has  begun  to  make  possible  great  achievements  in  the  way  of  public  ex- 
hibitions and  other  demonstrations  of  like  nature.  That  he  is  striving  in  a 
good  cause,  and  that  there  is  a  wonderful  future  for  advanced  photography 
is  shown  by  its  introduction  into  many  educational  institutions  and  other  or- 
ganizations of  a  social  and  instructive  nature.  In  the  coalition  of  photograph- 
ers and  a  sympathetic  union  for  the  common  good  lies  the  true  hope  of  the 
most  potent  results,  while  in  the  education  of  the  public  tastes  will  the  seed  of 
future  popularity  be  planted.  It  is  along  both  these  lines  that  Mr.  Schrieve: 
has  been  active,  and  although  his  relation  with  such  movements  covers  a 
period  of  but  fourteen  years,  in  that  time  he  has  accomplished  much  of  real 
value  and  perpetual  efifect.  Besides  holding  membership  in  several  social  or- 
ganizations and  in  those  whose  members  are  restricted  to  those  of  his  pro- 
fession, he  belongs  to  the  Business  Men's  Commercial  Association. 

Mr.  Schriever  married,  at  Emporium,  Pennsylvania,  Katie,  daughter  of 
Charles  Zarps.    Mr.  and  INIrs.  Schriever  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Irene. 


WILLIS   A.   KEMMERER 

When  in  1910  the  Bittenbender  Hardware  Company  was  incorporated  there 
appeared  the  name  of  Willis  A.  Kemmerer  as  vice-president.  This  marked 
the  remarkable  rise  of  Air.  Kemmerer  during  his  then  eighteen  years'  connec- 
tion with  the  firm,  he  having  begun  as  office  boy  in  1892,  reaching  the  vice- 
presidency  in  1910,  and  so  continues  at  the  present  time,  1914. 

He  is  a  grandson  of  \\^illiam  Kemmerer,  a  farmer  near  Stroudsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, who  had  children,  John  M.,  Jacob  E.,  Joseph,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Jen- 
nie. John  M.  Kemmerer  was  born  near  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  in  1846, 
and  during  his  early  life  was  a  farmer.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age,  in 
1867,  he  came  to  Scranton  where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  and  was 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  339 

a  resident  until  his  death  in  1908.  He  married  Marilla,  daughter  of  Jacob  E. 
Bittenbender,  who  bore  him :  WilHs  A.,  Joseph,  Jake,  Charles,  Jerome,  Peter, 
Frank,  Kate,  Mary,  Ida.  Ella,  Anna. 

Willis  A.  Kemmerer  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  21,  1872. 
He  was  educated  in  public  and  private  schools  of  the  city,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years  entered  the  employ  of  the  Bittenbender  Hardware  Company  of 
Scranton,  beginning  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder.  He  rose  steadily  in  position,  and 
when  the  firm  was  incorporated  in  1910  he  was  chosen  vice-president.  He  is 
thorough  master  of  his  business  and  has  been  one  of  the  strong  factors  in 
the  upbuilding  of  the  business.  He  has  fairly  won  his  present  position,  and 
has  gained  at  the  same  time  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  business  asso- 
ciates. He  is  a  member  of  Union  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Lacka- 
wanna Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons-;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar;  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  Thirty-second 
Degree,  and  a  Noble  of  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  the  lat- 
ter body  of  Wilkes-Barre,  the  others  all  of  Scranton.  He  has  other  fra- 
ternal relations,  notably,  the  Heptasophs  and  the  Scranton  Engineers'  Associa- 
tion. He  attends  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  In  political  faith  he  is  a 
Republican.  Mr.  Kemmerer,  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  William  Scott, 
of  Binghamton,  New  York. 


ALLAN   LAWRENCE 


Bearing  a  name  honored  in  American  history,  Mr.  Lawrence  has  in  his 
own  right  earned  a  place  in  the  annals  of  his  adopted  city,  Scranton.  He  is  one 
of  the  well  known  musicians  of  the  city,  and  during  his  twenty-two  years  as 
leader  of  the  orchestra  of  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  his 
twenty  years  leadership  of  Lawrence's  Band  and  Orchestra,  he  became  thoi- 
oughly  well  known  and  appreciated  among  music-loving  people,  whom  he  has 
entertained  and  instructed. 

(I)  He  descends  from  the  Connecticut  Lawrence  family,  is  a  son  of  Mil- 
ton and  a  grandson  of  John  Lawrence,  the  latter  born  in  New  York  state  in 
1808.  He  was  a  blacksmith,  and  in  1830  moved  to  Bethany,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  until  death.  He  married,  June  26,  1829,  Marie 
E.  Stoat,  and  had  issue :  Horatio  N.,  now  living  at  Elk  Lake,  Pennsylvania ; 
Milton,  of  whom  further ;  Harriet,  deceased. 

(II)  Milton  Lawrence,  son  of  John  and  Marie  E.  (Stoat)  Lawrence,  was 
born  in  1835,  died  in  May,  1912.  He  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  with  his 
father  and  followed  it  during  his  active  years.  He  married  Charlotte,  daugh- 
ter of  Abraham  and  Julia  Brink,  of  Syracuse,  New  York.  Children :  Allan, 
of  whom  further ;  Daisy,  married  Wallace  Hacker. 

(III)  Allan  Lawrence,  only  son  of  INIilton  and  Charlotte  (Brink)  Law- 
rence, was  born  in  Bethany,  Pennsylvania,  August  23,  1864.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Bethany  and  Honesdale,  finishing  in  the  high  school  at  the 
latter  town.  His  father,  a  capable  musician,  taught  him  instrumental  music 
to  the  extent  of  his  ability,  then  he  studied  under  private  teachers,  finishing 
with  musical  courses  at  Saginaw  and  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan.  When  he 
came  to  Scranton  in  1891,  he  was  a  finished  musician  and  soon  attracted  the  at- 
tention of  music  lovers.  He  was  employed  for  two  years  in  the  music  store  of 
J.  W.  Guernsey  and  there  formed  a  wide  acquaintance.  In  1892  he  was 
chosen  leader  of  the  orchestra  connected  with  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  in  1894  organized  the  band  and  orchestra  that  bears  his  name.  He 
is  also  a  composer,  a  popular  conductor,  and  the  services  of  band  and  or- 
chestra under  his  leadership  are  in  constant  demand.    There  are  few  occasions 


340  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  note  where  their  appearance  is  not  one  of  the  features  and  not  only  is  this 
true  in  Scranton,  but  in  a  wide  extent  of  territory.  Mr.  Lawrence  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Lodge  and  Consistory,  holding  the  thirty-second  degree,  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite;  is  a  noble  of  Irem  Temple;  member  of  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  Scranton  Press  Association;  the  German  Al- 
liance ;  the  Episcopal  church,  and  is  chief  musician  of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment 
Band  Pennsylvania  National  Guard.     In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Lawrence  married,  February  8,  1888,  Louisa,  daughter  of  David  Man- 
ning, of  Bethany,  and  has  children :  Isabel,  born  May  22,  1893 ;  Karl,  Jan- 
uary 30,  1900;  Harriet,  May  25,  1901  ;  Gertrude,  July,  1902. 


THOMAS  J.  PRICE 

Thomas  J.  Price,  alderman  of  the  Thirteenth  Ward  of  Scranton,  is  a 
descendant  of  Welsh  ancestry,  Wales  having  been  the  birth-place  of  his  father, 
David  Price.  As  a  young  man,  the  elder  Price  came  to  the  United  States  and 
became  an  employee  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Coal  Com- 
pany in  Lackawanna  county,  holding,  at  his  death,  the  position  of  a  fire  boss. 
David  Price  held  membership  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He 
married  and  was  the  father  of  Mary,  Elizabeth,  William,  Thomas  J.,  of  whom 
further,  Matilda,  John. 

Thomas  J.  Price  was  born  in  Minersville,  Pennsylvania,  November  27, 
1856.  When  he  was  twelve  years  of  age  he  came  to  Scranton  with  his  par- 
ents and  until  he  was  seventeen  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines.  At  that  age 
he  renounced  the  miners'  life  and  learned-  the  barber's  trade,  following  that 
occupation  for  thirteen  years,  during  most  of  which  time  he  used  his  evenings 
for  study,  obtaining  through  his  own  efforts  a  generous  education.  He  entered 
political  life  as  deputy  sheriff  under  Frank  Clemmons  and  Frank  Becker, 
and  on  July  12,  1909,  was  appointed  alderman  from  the  Thirteenth  Ward  by 
Governor  Stuart,  the  appointment  being  confirmed  by  election  in  the  spring  of 
the  following  year.  Mr.  Price  has  been  an  efficient  and  faithful  servant, 
capably  filling  the  positions  to  which  he  has  been  elected.  His  fraternal  rela- 
tions are  with  the  Masonic  Order  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  married,  in 
1880,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Professor  Robert  Jones,  of  Scranton.  Children: 
Palmer,  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1881  ;  Olive  J.,  married  F.  G. 
Hamilton.     The  Price  home  is  at  No.  131 1  Capouse  avenue. 


CHARLES  S.  SEAMANS 

Descendant  of  English  ancestors  who  were  among  the  disciples  of  Roger 
Williams  in  the  founding  of  the  first  settlement  of  Rhode  Island,  Providence, 
the  Seamans  were  residents  of  that  state  until  the  founding  of  the  line  in 
Pennsylvania,  when  John  Seamans,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  settled  in  Fac- 
toryville,  Pennsylvania.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Charles  S.  Seamans  was 
William  Green,  likewise  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  who  came  to  Pennsylvania 
in  young  manhood  and  became  a  pioneer  farmer  of  Benton  township,  Lacka- 
wanna (then  Luzerne)  county,  where  the  mother  of  Charles  S.  Seamans  was 
born. 

(II)  Hon.  John  M.  Seamans,  son  of  John  Seamans,  was  born  in  Factory- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  and  for  more  than  forty  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Wallsville,  Pennsylvania.  He  attained  a  prominence  in  business 
life  that  soon  won  him  recognition  as  available  material  for  public  service,  and 
in  1887  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  seventh  district  of  Luzerne  county 
(now  the  third  district  of  Lackawanna  county)   in  the  state  legislature.     His 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  341 

action  as  a  member  of  this  body  did  not  disappoint  those  who  had  persuaded 
him  to  announce  his  candidacy,  and  his  share  in  the  legislation  that  was  en- 
acted during  his  tenure  of  office  was  one  to  which  no  shame  could  be  at- 
tached, and  on  the  contrary,  reflected  happily  upon  the  maturity  and  sound- 
ness of  his  judgment.  In  the  midst  of  exciting  debate  or  sharp  party  contest  he 
ever  maintained  his  mental  poise,  striving  to  see  none  of  the  trivial  issues  but 
ever  the  ultimate  good  of  the  commonwealth. 

(Ill)  Charles  S.  Seamans,  son  of  the  Hon.  John  M.  Seamans,  was  born 
in  Benton  township,  Lackawanna  (then  Luzerne)  county,  Pennsylvania,  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1856.  He  was  reared  in  Wallsville,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  father 
was  engaged  in  business,  and  was  educated  in  the  district  school  of  that  lo- 
cality and  at  Keystone  Academy,  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania.  In  November, 
1 88 1,  he  established  in  the  grocery  business,  his  store  being  at  No.  317  Penn 
avenue,  and  for  eighteen  years  he  successfully  conducted  a  retail  trade  of 
generous  dimensions.  Ever  since  taking  up  his  residence  in  Scranton  Mr. 
Seamans  has  manifested  a  genuine  and  active  interest  in  all  phases  of  city 
life,  and  has  always  been  a  sincere  worker  for  its  betterment  and  advance- 
ment. This  interest  found  expression  in  a  manner  that  redounded  decidedly  to 
the  benefit  of  Scranton  during  the  seven  years  in  which  he  was  secretary  of  the 
Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  when  besides  securing  the  city  several  important 
industries  he  strove  indirectly  to  raise  its  standard  and  to  increase  its  at-' 
tractions.  He  was  elected  to  the  common  council  for  a  two  years'  term  and 
staunchly  supported  all  measures  that  appealed  to  him  as  being  designed  only 
with  the  city's  welfare  at  heart,  and  himself  fathered  the  fender  ordinance, 
relating  to  the  equipment  of  the  rolling  stock  of  local  traction  companies,  which 
was  adopted  and  is  in  etifect  at  the  present  day,  a  most  worthy  measure  in  safe- 
guarding the  Scranton  public.  Mr.  Seamans'  present  business  activities  are 
largely  confined  to  Sprague  &  Henwood,  an  incorporated  company,  the  Eureka 
Specialty  Printing  Company,  and  the  Scranton  Savings  and  Dime  Bank.  In 
the  officiary  of  the  two  first  named  concerns  he  holds  the  position  of  vice- 
president,  while  of  the  latter  he  has  been  a  director  for  a  period  covering 
twenty  years.  His  fraternal  society  is  the  Masonic  Order  and  he  is  a  past 
master  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  291,  F.  and  A.  M.,  a  charter  member  and  first 
master  of  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  No.  597,  past  high  priest  of  Lackawanna  Chap 
ter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  past  commander  of  Melita  Commandery,  No. 
68,  K.  T. 

Mr.  Seamans  married,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  Emma  A.,  daughter 
of  Peter  Raeder,  an  early  inhabitant  of  that  city.  The  Seamans'  home  i=.  at 
No.  1528  Wyoming  avenue. 


JAMES  B.  DOYLE 

A  merchant  of  West  Scranton  of  more  than  thirty  years'  standing.  James 
B.  Doyle  has  there  achieved  material  success  and  prosperity  in  his  line,  hard- 
ware dealing,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  independently  for  the  past  ten 
years,  his  present  location  being  at  No.  212  North  Main  avenue.  He  is  a 
native  of  county  Westmeath,  province  of  Leinster,  Ireland,  son  of  Michael 
and  Anna  (Bray)  Doyle,  his  father  having  died  in  the  homeland.  Children 
of  Michael  and  Anna  (Bray)  Doyle:  Christopher,  deceased;  Thomas,  lives 
in  British  Columbia,  Canada ;  Michael,  a  resident  of  New  York  City ;  John, 
resides  in  Scranton ;  James  B.,  of  whom  further. 

James  B.  Doyle,  son  of  Michael  and  Anna  (Bray)  Doyle,  was  born  May 
13,  1854.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land,  coming 
to  the  United  States  when  a  youth  of  seventeen  years,  entering  the  machine 


342  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

shops  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  After  a  short 
term  of  employment  in  these  shops  he  was  for  three  and  one-half  years  ap- 
prenticed to  the  plumber's  and  tinner's  trade  with  C.  H.  and  W.  G.  Dowd. 
spending  some  time  thereafter  in  New  York  City  and  some  time  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Scranton.  In  1882  he  returned  to  Scranton,  whither  he  had  come  im- 
mediately upon  landing  in  this  country,  and  established  in  hardware  dealing, 
in  partnership  with  C.  A.  Foss,  also  conducting  plumbing  and  tinning  opera- 
tions, his  place  of  business  being  at  No.  224  North  Main  street,  and  later 
their  location  was  changed  to  No.  124  North  Main  avenue,  where  it  remained 
until  1902  when  Mr.  Doyle  bought  the  property  at  No.  212  North  Main  ave- 
nue, there  building  the  large  store  which  his  business  now  occupies,  and 
at  which  advantageous  place  he  conducts  a  generous  and  lucrative  business. 
His  partnership  was  dissolved  in  1893  and  since  that  time  he  has  continued  his 
business  alone.  His  trade  is  probably  the  largest  of  its  nature  in  West  Scran- 
ton, for  with  all  outward  conditions  of  the  best,  such  as  favorable  location 
and  attractive  store,  the  excellent  stock  of  standard  materials  carried  and  the 
uniformly  careful  consideration  tendered  each  patron  causes  the  most  de- 
sired impression  to  remain  with  each  customer  visiting  the  store.  Mr.  Doyle 
is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  the  Master  Plumbers'  Associa- 
tion, and  the  Master  Tinners'  Association.  He  affiliates  with  the  Democratic 
party,  and  belongs  to  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Mr.  Doyle  mar- 
ried, in  1898,  Anna  Wymbs,  of  Scranton. 


JOHN   E.  ROCHE 

As  a  member  of  the  Scranton  council  and  as  representative  of  that  district 
in  the  Pennsylvania  legislature,  John  E.  Roche  has  performed  services  of 
signal  value  to  his  community.  In  other  branches  of  the  city's  activities  and 
in  all  things  that  pertain  to  the  conduct  of  a  good  and  loyal  citizen  his  part 
has  been  as  nobly  borne  and  as  capably  executed.  He  was  born  on  June  12. 
1850,  at  Cecilstown,  county  Cork,  Ireland,  eldest  son  of  Cornelius  and  Mary 
(O'Connor)  Roche.  In  the  year  of  his  birth  his  parents  immigrated  to  Canada 
and  it  was  there,  in  the  Province  of  Ontario,  that  his  youth  was  spent.  He 
obtained  a  meagre  education  in  a  school  at  a  Mohawk  settlement,  near  Deser- 
onto,  most  of  his  classmates  being  Mohawk  Indians.  In  perception  and  in- 
telligence he  was  far  superior  to  his  aboriginal  comrades,  and  his  ambitious 
spirit  chafed  under  the  slow  advance  made  necessary.  He  did  not,  however, 
confine  his  study  to  school  hours,  but  read  a  prodigious  amount  of  the  best 
of  literature.  Throughout  his  entire  life  he  has  pursued  this  course  and, 
though  he  has  never  been  within  the  confines  of  college  walls,  he  has  acquired 
a  vast  and  diversified  fund  of  general  and  accurate  information  and  culture 
that  has  served  him  well,  enabling  him  to  come  into  contact  with  men  of 
academic  learning  far  in  advance  of  the  ordinary  individual  and  feel  no  loss 
of  prestige  or  embarrassment  because  of  imperfect  scholastic  attainments. 
In  i860  his  parents  moved  to  Pennsylvania  settling  near  Middle  Valley,  Wayne 
county,  where  his  father,  he  lending  boyish  assistance,  cleared  a  place  in  the 
wilderness  to  erect  a  home.  Three  years  later  they  moved  to  Hawley  and 
here  Mr.  Roche  engaged  in  various  kinds  of  labor,  picking  slate  on  the  coal 
docks,  driving  mules  on  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal,  peeling  bark,  cut- 
ting lumber,  and  finally  acting  in  the  capacity  of  brakeman  on  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Coal  Company's  Gravity  Railroad,  until  1872,  when  he  came  to  Scran- 
ton, his  present  home.  He  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  provision  business  in 
1876  and  as  a  merchant  of  the  city  became  well  known  to  a  large  proportion 
of  its  inhabitants.    Six  years  later  he  was  compelled  to  retire,  owing  to  failing 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  343 

health,  and  in  that  year  was  the  Democratic  nominee  for  assembly,  being, 
elected  to  represent  the  city  from  1883-1884  inclusive.  He  immediately  en- 
tered into  the  affairs  of  that  body  with  enthusiastic  energy  and  was  an  ardent 
supporter  of  the  ballot  reform  bill  and  the  appropriation  bill  for  the  Lacka- 
wanna State  Hospital,  at  Scranton,  for  whose  support  and  maintenance  the 
legislature  appropriated  $40,000,  the  largest  amount  ever  granted  by  the  state 
to  any  public  institution  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  up  to  that  time.  With 
his  past  record  so  strongly  in  his  favor,  in  1884  he  was  a  candidate  for  re- 
election, but  owing  to  the  large  Democratic  defection  to  James  G.  Blaine, 
presidential  candidate  for  that  year,  he  was  defeated,  as  was  all  the  rest  of 
the  ticket.  After  the  inauguration  of  President  Grover  Cleveland  he  received 
an  appointment  as  cashier  of  the  Scranton  post  office,  but  in  February  1889, 
resigned  that  position  to  become  the  local  representative  of  a  wholesale  hard- 
ware and  mine  supply  house,  known  as  the  Hunt  &  Connell  Company,  a  posi- 
tion he  held  until  January  i,  1901.  This  house  went  out  of  business  at  this 
time;  but  in  1899  the  stockholders  had  disagreed  and  the  business  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  three  trustees  of  which  Mr.  Roche  was  one.  He  held  this 
position  and  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  business  conducting  it  so 
successfully  that  when  it  was  closed  up  the  trustees  received  three  dollars  for 
every  dollar  they  had  invested  in  the  business.  In  1892  he  began  his  connection 
with  local  politics  as  a  member  of  the  Scranton  select  council,  and  in  1896 
was  re-elected  without  opposition.  On  several  occasions  he  was  the  candi- 
date of  his  party  for  the  presidency  of  that  body.  While  a  member  of  the 
council  he  was  the  principal  promoter  of  many  municipal  improvements, 
among  them  the  Linden  street  and  Roaring  brook  bridges,  both  substantial  and 
beautiful  structures,  erected  at  an  aggregate  cost  of  $275,000.  His  wise  fore- 
sight and  energetic  promotion  have  achieved  for  the  city  many  needed  im- 
provements, that  have  tended  toward  its  transformation  from  a  mere  manu- 
facturing centre  to  one  of  residential  use  as  well,  because  of  the  activity  of  the 
city  administrations  in  raising  the  municipal  standard.  For  several  years  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Democratic  county  committee,  being  chairman  of  that 
body  in  1894-1895,  was  for  two  years  a  member  of  the  Democratic  state  cen 
tral  committee  of  Pennsylvania,  was  a  delegate  to  several  state  conventions, 
and  was  acting  delegate  to  the  national  convention  of  1896,  at  which  W.  J. 
Bryan  was  nominated.  These  attest  his  prominence  in  the  political  matters 
of  the  day  outside  of  his  city  and  demonstrate  the  confidence  placed  in  his 
judgment  and  deliberative  ability,  as  it  is  in  the  gatherings  above  mentioned 
that  the  party  policy  is  formed  and  a  line  of  action  determined  upon.  When 
the  city  of  Scranton  was  added  to  those  of  the  second  class  he  was  the  un- 
successful candidate  for  mayor  against  Captain  Mair.  It  was  evidently  the 
opinion  of  Captain  Mair  that  Mr.  Roche  was  too  valuable  a  man  to  be  outside 
of  the  administration  and  immediately  after  Captain  Mair's  inauguration  he 
appointed  Mr.  Roche  director  of  public  works,  and  while  in  this  office  Mr. 
Roche  did  much  of  the  work  in  laying  and  building  Nay  Aug  Park.  So 
conscientiously  and  sc  ably  did  he  officiate  in  this  capacity  and  so  many  were 
the  benefits  accruing  from  his  well  directed  efforts  that  upon  his  retirement 
from  the  office  he  was  lauded  by  the  press,  commended  by  the  administration, 
and  congratulated  by  his  wide  circle  of  friends.  Among  his  other  public  acts 
he  was  the  promoter  of  the  viaduct  on  West  Lackawanna  avenue,  and  one 
of  the  principal  promoters  of  the  opening  of  Wyoming  avenue.  Since  then 
he  has  been  again  elected  councilman  and  held  that  office  until  it  was  abolished. 
In  his  business  pursuits  Mr.  Roche  has  been  no  less  successful  than  in 
his  public  and  political  life.  For  a  time  he  was  manager  of  the  business  of 
A.  J.  and  P.  J.  Casey,  and  at  present  is  manager  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  branch 


344  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  the  wholesale  flour  and  grain  business  of  C.  P.  Matthews  &  Sons  (Incor- 
porated). In  the  organization  of  the  Pine  Brook  Bank  and  at  the  first  meet- 
ing of  its  directorate  he  was  elected  vice-president :  still  serving  the  institution 
as  the  incumbent  of  that  office,  he  has  declined  the  presidency  of  this  bank, 
although  urged  to  accept  it.  In  May,  1908,  he  was  appointed  receiver  of  the 
New  Equitable  Building  and  Loan  Association,  of  Scranton,  and  continues  to 
discharge  the  duties  of  the  receivership. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Roche's  arrival  in  Scranton  he  affiliated  with  the  Father 
Matthew  Abstinence  Society,  and,  becoming  interested  in  the  movement,  gave 
to  it  his  hearty  support.  He  was  one  of  the  foremost  organizers  of  the  Catho- 
lic Total  Abstinence  Union  of  the  diocese  of  Scranton,  and  in  compliment  to 
his  useful  services  was  elected  its  first  president.  The  magnitude  of  the  work 
was  not  apparent  at  the  time  of  its  inception,  but  the  fact  that  the  union  now 
numbers  ten  thousand  members  proves  that  it  founders  builded  better  than  they 
knew,  and  they  built  strongly,  firmly,  and  well,  else  on  their  foundation  could 
never  have  been  raised  the  splendid  superstructure  that  the  years  have  brought 
forth.  He  is  also  a  member  and  has  been  the  president  of  the  St.  Vincent 
de  Paul  Society  of  the  Cathedral  parish  and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in 
this  and  all  church  matters.  To  summarize  the  life  of  ]\Ir.  Roche  it  can  only 
be  said  that  in  his  wake  have  followed  the  love  of  friends,  the  gratitude  of 
his  city,  and  praise  for  faithful  service,  nobly  conceived  and  masterfully  exe- 
cuted. 

John  E.  Roche  married.  May  27,  1877,  Mary  L.  Campbell,  of  Carbondale, 
daughter  of  Henry  C'ampbell,  an  engineer.  His  wife  died  January  3,  1912.  A 
daughter,  Mary  Louise,  died  in  infancy.  They  adopted  by  law,  two  daugh- 
ters, at  ten  months  and  five  months  of  age,  now  (1914)  twenty  and  eighteen 
years  of  age,  Genevieve  and  Esther. 


WILLIAM  THOMAS  HACKETT 

The  history  of  this  branch  of  the  Hackett  family  begins  in  the  United 
States  with  Richard  Miller  Hackett,  who  came  in  early  life,  finally  settling  in 
Carbon  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  son,  William  T.  Hackett,  was  born. 
Richard  M.  Hackett  was  born  in  Warwickshire,  England,  in  ]VIarch  1807, 
died  in  1885  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  became  an  e.xpert  miner,  being 
for  many  years,  and  at  time  of  his  death,  a  mine  foreman  in  the  employ  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Episcopal  church  and  a  man  of  strong  character.  He  married  Susan 
Cooper,  also  of  English  parentage,  who  died  in  1895,  aged  eighty-six  years. 
Children:  Hannah  H.,  married  Casper  Weissenflue ;  Sarah  H.,  married  Colonel 
E.  H.  Ripple ;  William  Thomas. 

William  Thomas  Hackett,  only  son  of  Richard  Miller  and  Susan  (Cooper) 
Hackett,  was  born  at  Buck  Mountain,  Carbon  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  26, 
1851.  He  attended  public  schools  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  then  began  busi- 
ness life  as  office  boy  for  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Steel  Company.  He  con- 
tinued his  business  life  as  clerk  in  the  employ  of  Coursen  Hitchcock  &  Com- 
pany for  one  year,  then  became  clerk  in  the  purchasing  department  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  following  with  a  short  period 
as  bookkeeper  for  L.  B.  Powell.  He  later  returned  to  the  employ  of  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western,  entering  the  coal  department  offices  as  clerk. 
After  a  satisfactory  term  of  general  clerical  service  he  was  promoted  to  the 
position  of  private  clerk  to  William  F.  Halstead.  general  manager  of  the  road. 
Finally  leaving  the  railroad  service  he  became  chief  accountant  for  the  Stowers 
Packing  Company,  continuing  until  1883.     In  the  latter  year  he  became  cashier 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


345 


of  the  Scranton  Republican,  continuing  three  years.  In  1888  he  estabHshed  a 
real  estate  and  fire  insurance  business  in  Scranton  in  which  he  is  still  success- 
fully engaged.  He  has  during  this  period  been  connected  with  many  im- 
portant real  estate  activities  that  tended  to  promote  the  prosperity  and  improve- 
ment of  his  city,  also  with  enterprises  that  have  proven  advantageous  to  his 
community.  He  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Grace  Reformed  Episco- 
pal Church,  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  first  vestry  of  which  he  has  been  con- 
tinuously a  member.  He  has  for  many  years  been  interested  in  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  is  a  director  of  the  Scranton  branch  and  present 
recording  secretary  cf  the  board.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  and  useful  in  the  operations  of  that  body  in  promoting  Scranton's  wel- 
fare.    In  political  faith  Mr.  Hackett  is  a  Progressive. 

Mr.  Hackett  married  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  George  and  Amanda  Mayer, 
of  Scranton.  Pennsylvania,  her  father  a  leading  merchant  of  that  city.  Chil- 
dren: Mary,  married  Dr.  W.  H.  Philip,  of  Cape  May;  Emily,  a  violinist  of 
high  reputation. 


DAVID  SPRUKS 


Not  only  as  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the  largest  wholesale  grocery  houses 
in  the  city  of  Scranton  is  David  Spruks  known  to  the  business  world  of  the 
city,  but  likewise  as  an  officer  of  several  companies  engaged  in  the  working  of 
the  natural  resources  of  the  region. 

(I)  The  family  of  which  David  Spruks  is  a  member  is  of  German  origin, 
John  Spruks  being  the  first  of  the  name  to  leave  the  homeland  and  to  embaik 
upon  a  career  in  the  United  States.  He  settled  near  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
where  he  pursued  agricultural  operations  until  his  death. 

(II)  John  (2)  Spruks,  son  of  John  (i)  Spruks,  was  born  in  Germany  m 
1824,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age.  He 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  as  he  gradually  acquired  sufficient  capital  he 
branched  out  into  contracting,  in  which  he  met  with  more  than  moderate 
success.  He  was  a  tireless  worker  and  in  his  unflagging  energy  lay  the  secret 
of  his  success.  He  died  in  August,  1903,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  He  married 
Hannah  Fenne,  a  native  of  Germany.  Children :  Thomas,  deceased ;  Jo- 
sephine, married Huber,  of  Scranton ;  John,  deceased ;  Henry  J.,  a 

resident  of  Scranton;  Stephen  S.,  lives  in  Scranton;  Annie,  married  

Huber,   of   Scranton ;    Bertha,   married   Muller ;     Dena.    deceased ; 

David,  of  whom  further;  Charles,  of  Scranton. 

(III)  David  Spruks,  son  of  John  (2)  Spruks,  was  born  in  Wayne  count). 
Pennsylvania,  August  21,  i860.  Although  never  possessed  of  the  opportunity 
to  attend  college,  he  obtained  a  thorough  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  birth-place  and  in  the  high  school  at  West  Brighton,  Staten  Island,  New 
York,  also  in  the  academy  at  Beech  Lake.  For  four  years  he  taught  school 
in  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  1882  until  1888  he  was  engaged  in 
business  at  Honesdale,  coming  to  Scranton  in  the  latter  year,  and  identifying 
himself  permanently  with  that  city.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  began  in  the 
wholesale  grocery  business  at  No.  23  Lackawanna  avenue,  and,  as  in  the 
growth  of  his  business  larger  quarters  became  necessary,  he  erected  a  fine 
structure  at  the  corner  of  Spruce  street  and  Lackawanna  avenue,  the  present 
home  of  his  business.  In  this  line,  the  first  in  which  he  engaged  in  Scranton, 
he  has  established  a  reputation  for  fairness  and  honor  in  all  dealings,  and  has 
prospered  in  large  measure.  His  other  business  connections  are  with  the 
Scranton  Tobacco  Company,  of  which  he  was  an  organizer  and  of  which  he  is 
president,  a  position  he  has  held  since  the  first  election  of  the  board  of  di- 


346  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

rectors;  the  Scranton  Cold  Storage  Company,  of  which  he  is  president ;  the 
Bulls  Head  Coal  Company,  whose  treasurer  he  has  been  since  1906;  the  Bright 
Coal  Company,  of  which  he  was  made  treasurer  in  1909,  still  holding  these 
offices ;  and  the  Scranton  Savings  and  Dime  Bank,  of  which  he  is  director 
and  secretary.  Mr.  Spruks'  wise  counsel  and  sound  advice  are  large  factors 
in  the  control  of  these  organizations,  his  experience  in  business  matters  and 
his  safe  and  conservative  judgment  making  him  a  valuable  advisor.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  in  political  issues  supports  the  Democratic 
party.    He  married  Ada,  a  daughter  of  George  Baties,  of  Philadelphia. 


MAXWELL  CHAPMAN 

The  career  of  Maxwell  Chapman  that  has  led  up  to  his  successful  establish- 
ment in  business  in  the  city  of  Scranton  is  one  that  holds  a  story  of  pro- 
fessional achievement,  of  attainment,  and  of  commissions  efficiently  executed, 
the  recital  filled,  not  only  with  interesting  narration,  but,  upon  closer  reading, 
an  example  of  an  opportunity  profitably  seized.  He  is  the  third  of  his  family 
in  direct  line  to  follow  engineering  professions,  his  grandfather,  Isaac  A.  Chair- 
man, having  in  1822  built  the  first  railroad  from  Summit  Hill  to  Slack  Water 
Navigation  at  Mauch  Chunk,  and  was  the  first  civil  engineer  to  undertake  the 
problem  of  slack  water  navigation  on  the  Lehigh  river. 

(II)  Charles  I.  A.  Chapman,  son  of  Isaac  A.  Chapman,  was  born  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania ;  and  after  graduation  from  Lafayette  College  and 
the  Philadelphia  Law  School,  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  Luzerne  county 
bar.  The  wearing  nature  of  his  profession  and  its  confinement  telling  upon 
his  health,  he  withdrew  from  legal  associations  and  turned  to  civil  engineer- 
ing, being  employed  by  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  in  the  construction  of 
the  gravity  railroad  from  Pittston  to  Hawley,  later  entering  the  state  service 
on  the  North  Branch  canal.  He  married  Martha  S.  Blanchard,  and  had  chil- 
dren:  Maxwell,  of  whom  further;  Blanchard;  May  Elizabeth,  married  Wil- 
liam Dean,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  Maxwell  Chapman,  son  of  Charles  I.  A.  and  Martha  S.  (Blanchard) 
Chapman,  was  born  at  Port  Blanchard,  Pennsylvania,  January  i,  1856.  His 
preparatory  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools,  and  his  first  busi- 
ness experience  was  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  J.  H.  Swoyer,  after  which 
he  became  a  mining  engineer  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company,  being 
attached  to  a  corps  at  Hazleton.  The  three  following  years  he  was  on  the 
Second  Geological  Survey  of  Pennsylvania,  his  connection  with  state  work 
ceasing  when  the  final  report  of  that  commission  was  submitted  to  the  author- 
ities. The  Mexican  government  having  granted  the  concession  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  Mexico  National  and  Central  railroads,  he  made  a  contract 
with  the  Mexican  government  and  went  to  that  country  as  division  engineer, 
running  the  first  preliminary  line  from  Alexico  City  to  Vera  Cruz  by  way  of 
Jalapa,  his  connection  with  the  railroad  company  enduring  for  two  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  organized  the  Mequeta  Gold  and  Copper  Alining 
Company  in  Mexico  City,  the  capital  for  this  enterprise  being  advanced  by 
Mexico  City  financiers.  It  was  necessary  to  send  to  Chicago  for  machinery 
to  operate  on  the  property  of  the  company,  a  ten  stamp  goldmill,  made  in 
Chicago,  being  shipped  to  Vera  Cruz  by  water,  via  New  York,  from  there 
hauled  sixty  miles  to  Jalapa  in  mule  carts  and  carried  down  into  the  mines  by 
Indians.  In  Rhode  Island  he  engaged  a  mechanical  engineer  to  assemble  the 
mill,  and  after  the  entire  plant  was  in  regular  operation  he  was  active  manager 
for  three  years,  installing  numerous  contrivances  to  facilitate  the  workings  in 
the  dififerent  departments,  among  them  a  telephone  line  connecting  the  mine 


9)ujmajl^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  347 

and  the  mill,  a  tramway  bringing  the  ore  from  the  first  to  the  latter  for  mill- 
ing. He  was  then  engaged  by  the  Mexican  Central  Railroad  to  explore  the 
state  of  Jalisco  for  coal,  and  after  a  year's  prospecting  came  north  to  Laredo, 
Texas,  and  made  report  of  territory  rich  in  the  deposits  of  this  mineral,  at 
that  time  being  county  surveyor  of  Grant  county.  New  Mexico.  Cattle  raising 
then  attracted  his  notice  as  a  profitable  field  of  endeavor  apd  he  purchased  a 
large  ranch  in  the  \'ictoria  Valley  in  New  Mexico,  at  that  time  being  the  only 
settler  in  the  valley.  The  discovery  of  water  on  his  property  removed  the 
only  difficulty  that  had  confronted  an  enterprise  ofifering  otherwise  excellent 
possibilities,  and  he  immediately  purchased  five  hundred  head  of  the  best  breed- 
ing cattle  obtainable,  later  securing  Ohio  capital  and  incorporating  the  Buck 
Eye  Land  and  Live  Stock  Company.  This  concern  in  1887  owned  six  thousand 
head  of  cattle,  grazing  over  territory  seventy-two  square  miles  in  extent,  wind 
mills  and  steam  pumps  at  convenient  locations  supplying  the  stock  with  water, 
cattle  being  shipped  to  eastern  and  western  markets.  Mr.  Chapman  sold  his 
interest  in  the  live  stock  company  in  1891  and  came  east  in  the  interest  of  the 
Swartzschild  and  Sulzberger  Beef  Company,  at  that  time  in  the  thick  of  con- 
flict with  the  Chicago  beef  trust,  thus  ending  his  connection  with  western  life 
as  a  resident.  Part  of  his  work  in  Grant  county.  New  Mexico,  had  been  the 
laying-out  of  the  present  school  districts,  and  he  had  built  the  first  six  miles 
of  railroad  grade  south  of  the  international  line,  on  the  Mexican  Southern 
Railroad.  For  eight  years  he  was  manager  of  the  business  of  the  Swartzschild 
and  Sulzberger  Beef  Company  in  Scranton,  selling  the  first  dressed  beef  in  the 
coal  region  and  erecting  three  beef  houses  in  their  interest.  Roosevelt's  war  on 
the  beef  trust  introducd  conditions  whereby  an  individual  possessed  as  great 
opportunities  in  shipping  and  dealing  in  beef  as  those  enjoyed  by  the  cor- 
porations, and  Mr.  Chapman,  perceiving  the  advantages  open,  resigned  his 
position  with  the  corporation  employing  him  and  in  1904  established  in  inde- 
pendent dealing.  Journeying  to  Iowa  he  there  made  a  personal  contract  with 
a  small  packing-house  of  reliable  reputation  and  has  since  conducted  his 
business  in  Scranton,  Forest  City,  and  Wilkes-Barre,  his  venture  being  ac- 
corded a  favorable  leception  in  the  regions  that  he  has  invaded,  the  domina- 
tion of  trusts,  corporations,  and  syndicates  having  become  exceedingly  irk- 
some to  retailers  and  small  dealers.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Lincoln  Trust 
Company,  of  Scranton. 

Political  and  public  afifairs  have  not  been  omitted  from  Mr.  Chapman's 
scheme  of  existence,  and  as  chairman  of  the  county  committee  of  the  Pro- 
gressive party  he  has  been  so  stalwart  a  supportr  of  Progressive  principles 
that  he  is  his  party's  candidate  for  state  senator.  He  will  carry  to  the  polls 
the  good-will  and  b.".cking  of  a  wide  circle  of  admirers  and  friends,  whose 
respect  he  holds  for  the  fearless  and  upright  manner  in  which  he  states  his 
convictions,  having  the  courage  with  them  to  stand  or  fall.  His  fraternal 
society  is  the  Masonic  order,  in  which  he  belongs  to  lodge,  consistory  and 
shrine. 

Mr.  Chapman  married,  in  1886,  Kate  A.,  daughter  of  Charles  A.  Ryon,  of 
Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Charles  L., 
born  in  New  Mexico  in  1888,  a  graduate  of  State  College,  at  the  present  time 
a  mining  engineer  at  Big  Stone  Gap,  West  Virginia,  the  fourth  of  his  line  to 
devote  his  life  to  engineering. 


JOHN  ZIMMER 


First  as  a  shoe  merchant  and  later  as  furniture  dealer  John  Zimmer  has 
been  engaged  in  business  independently  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  although  prior 


348  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

to  entering  these  fields  he  had  been  employed  in  different  capacities  by  various 
firms  in  the  city.  His  father,  John  Zimmer,  was  likewise  a  merchant  of  Scran- 
ton  until  his  death.  John  Zimmer  was  a  son  of  George  A.  Zimmer,  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany,  which  country 
had  been  the  family  home  for  many  generations.  George  A.  Zimmer  was  the 
father  of:  John,  of  whom  further;  Kate,  Emma,  Nellie,  Elizabeth,  George,  de- 
ceased ;  Jacob. 

John  Zimmer,  son  of  George  A.  Zimmer,  was  born  September  5,  1866,  met 
an  accidental  death,  July  4,  1912.  His  business  career  was  begun  in  the  Green- 
wood Pottery  Works  in  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  and  when  he  was  fifteen  years 
of  age  he  was  there  employed  as  a  potter  and  later  as  a  china  decorator,  after 
some  years  becoming  associated  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Decorating  Company  as 
assistant  foreman  in  the  china  decorating  department.  In  1896  he  was  com- 
missioned to  open  a  store  for  this  company  at  No.  140  North  Main  avenue, 
Scranton,  and  of  this  store  he  was  manager  until  the  dissolution  of  the  com- 
pany employing  him.  This  occurred  in  1900,  in  which  year  he  purchased  the 
store  of  which  he  had  formerly  been  in  charge  and  continued  in  business  in 
that  place,  decorating  his  wares  in  a  shop  of  his  own  and  transacting  his  affairs 
independently.  His  patronage  increased  and  his  quarters  became  cramped,  sO 
that  he  moved  into  a  larger  and  more  conveniently  planned  store.  This  perform- 
ance was  repeated  several  times  and  he  finally  located  permanently  at  Xo.  121 
North  Main  Avenue,  where  he  gradually  withdrew  from  china  decorating  and 
dealing,  in  its  stead  handling  furniture,  until  in  time  he  dealt  exclusively  in  the 
latter  line,  in  which  his  former  success  was  duplicated,  his  new  business  at- 
taining even  greater  dimensions  than  his  old.  Mr.  Zimmer  belonged  to  the 
Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  He  married  Theresa,  daughter  of  John  Pirola,  a 
notary  public  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  and  had  two  sons,  John,  of  whom  fur- 
ther, and  William. 

John  (2)  Zimmer,  son  of  John  ( i  )  and  Theresa  (Pirola)  Zimmer,  was  born 
in  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  March  8,  1889.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Allentown  and  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Keystone  Academy,  and 
Pennington  Seminary,  at  Pennington,  New  Jersey.  His  studies  completed  he 
entered  the  Star  Line  Messenger  Service,  and  was  then  assistant  bookkeeper 
in  the  employ  of  the  McClave  Brooks  Company,  afterward  becoming  a  surveyor 
for  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company.  His  next  posi- 
tions were  in  a  clerical  capacity  with  A.  P.  Brown  and  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association,  after  which  he  entered  the  journalistic  field  as  advertising 
representative  of  the  New  York  World,  later  becoming  a  member  of  the 
reportorial  staff  of  the  Hudson  County  Observer,  of  Hoboken,  New  Jersey. 
In  1912,  in  partnership  with  L.  Fred  Hayes,  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  Mr. 
Zimmer  began  shoe  dealing  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  a  relation  which  was  dis- 
continued upon  the  death  of  his  father  when  he  became  the  head  of  the  busi- 
ness formerly  conducted  by  the  elder  Mr.  Zimmer.  In  the  two  years  that  have 
passed  since  that  time  he  has  enlarged  his  place  of  business,  making  improve- 
ments to  the  value  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  and  has  so  increased  its  breadth 
and  scope  that  he  is  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the  most  extensive  furniture 
businesses  in  West  Scranton,  from  which  he  realizes  a  generous  revenue.  Mr. 
Zimmer  is  a  charter  member  and  the  first  president  of  the  Ad-Crafters'  Asso- 
ciation of  New  York  City,  holds  independent  political  opinions,  and  attends  the 
Washburn  Street  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Zimmer  married,  November  12,  1912,  Esther  Louise,  daughter  of  Leo- 
pold Lutz,  and  they  have  one  son,  John  Jr..  born  January  24,  1914. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  349 

JAMES  B.  GARVEY,  M.  D. 

There  is  no  truer  index  to  the  impression  made  by  a  man's  life  than  the 
breadth  of  grief  felt  when  he  is  called  from  this  to  his  eternal  home.  Truly, 
then,  was  the  life  of  Dr.  James  B.  Garvey  one  in  which  each  of  his  many  natures 
was  allowed  full  play,  for  from  the  children  who  were  his  devoted  friends  to  his 
bereaved  family  many  were  the  classes  and  manners  of  people  to  whom  his 
death  came  as  a  distinct  and  personal  loss.  His  friends  reached  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  Pacific,  and  the  inspiration  of  his  manly,  Christian  life,  the  nobility 
of  his  splendid  spirit  and  courage,  will  endure  even  though  he,  in  the  flesh,  has 
departed  to  claim  his  fairly-won  reward. 

To  trace  the  career  of  Dr.  James  B.  Garvey  is  to  follow  a  most  unusual 
line,  for  while  it  was  in  the  medical  profession  that  he  was  pre-eminently  noted, 
he  did  not  enter  that  field  until  he  had  started  himself  well  upon  the  highway 
to  prominence  and  success  in  educational  fields.  He  was  a  son  of  Michael  and 
Catherine  ( Boylan  )  Garvey,  the  parents  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  survive : 
Right  Rev.  Eugene  A.,  of  Altoona,  Pennsylvania ;  Catherine,  who  married 
Timothy  Curtin ;  Mary  A.,  who  married  Patrick  J.  Horan. 

Dr.  James  B.  Garvey  was  born  in  Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  5,  1843.  his  parents  making  their  home  in  Dunmore,  Penn- 
sylvania, from  the  time  he  was  seven  years  of  age.  He  here  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools,  and  continued  his  studies  in  St.  Mary's  College,  of  Wilmingtou. 
Delaware.  When  a  young  man  of  twenty  years  he  journeyed  to  California,  and 
became  a  school  teacher  in  Calaveras  county,  his  eiiforts  in  that  place  being  so 
cordially  received  that  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools,  an 
office  he  filled  with  signal  ability  for  two  terms.  Remaining  in  that  part  of  the 
country,  he  was  subsequently  elected  to  the  sherifif's  office,  and  for  four  years 
held  this  position  upon  the  executive  branch  of  the  county  government,  his 
administration  a  satisfactory  one  in  every  respect.  In  1878  the  confidence  re- 
posed in  him  by  his  fellows  was  evidenced  by  his  election  to  the  state  constitu- 
tional convention,  and  in  this  body  he  represented  Calaveras  county,  serving 
on  the  legislative  committee  of  which  General  Terry  was  chairman.  Two  years 
afterward  Mr.  Garvey  returned  east,  beginning  the  study  of  medicine  in  the 
Baltimore  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  receiving  his  M.  D.  from  that 
institution  in  1884,  and  then  returning  for  one  year  of  post-graduate  work 
Active  work  in  his  profession,  begun  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  was  here  con- 
tinued until  his  death,  which  occurred  August  23,  1914,  and  few  physicians 
are  there  who  may  boast  of  a  prouder  record  or  a  professional  career  that  has 
adhered  more  closely  to  the  highest  ideals  and  traditions  of  medical  practitioners. 
While  gaining  prominence  in  the  medical  world  he  also  gained  the  regard  and 
favor  of  all  whom  he  met,  whether  in  a  social,  business  or  professional 
capacity,  and  it  is  especially  significant  of  his  tender  sympathy  and  all-em- 
bracing good  fellowship  that  his  most  loyal  and  devoted  friends  were  the  chil- 
dren of  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  resided. 

During  the  seventy-one  years  of  his  life  he  gradually  accumulated  a  library 
in  which  he  took  a  natural  pride  and  great  comfort.  Herein  he  had  gathered, 
besides  his  professional  works,  the  masterpieces  of  the  world's  literature,  with 
which  he  was  as  familiar  as  with  old  friends,  as,  indeed,  the  volumes  were. 
From  a  well-stored  mind  he  drew  upon  solid  information  in  conversation,  and 
his  pleasant  manner  made  his  fluent  speech  the  delight  of  those  privileged  to 
know  him  intimately.  In  reasoning  temperate,  in  judgment  calm,  and  in  outlook 
upon  life  well  balanced  and  clear,  he  filled  his  career  to  overflowing  with  acts 
of  usefulness,  kindness  and  charity,  so  living  that  his  death  caused  a  void  that 
can  be  bridged,  but  never  filled. 


3SO  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Dr.  Garvey  married,  August  31,  1881,  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Judge  Thomas 
Conins,  of  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  sister  of  Hon.  Frank  D.  Collins, 
of  whom  further.  Mrs.  Garvey  was  formerly  a  school  teacher,  a  woman  of 
education,  culture  and  refinement.  She  is  the  mother  of  two  sons :  Dr.  Frank 
C,  of  Scranton,  and  Eugene  A.,  of  Bufifalo.  Dr.  Garvey  was  buried  from  St. 
Mary's  Church,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  his  brother.  Right  Rev.  Eugene  A. 
Garvey,  being  the  celebrant  at  the  solemn  high  mass  of  requiem  which  was 
held  on  the  day  of  his  burial. 

Judge  Thomas  Collins  was  born  in  Ireland,  June  24,  181 1.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1839  and  located  in  Ulster  county.  New  York.  In  1845  he 
removed  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  secured  a  position  as  ham- 
mer man  in  the  iron  works,  and  being  a  powerful  man  as  well  as  prompt  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duties,  he  soon  rose  in  favor.  In  1849,  when  the  Pennsylvania 
Coal  Company  began  the  survey  of  their  railroad  between  Pittston  and  Hawley, 
he  took  a  contract  for  the  construction  of  two  miles  of  the  road,  and  removed 
his  family  to  Dunmore  where  he  erected  a  large  store  building  and  conducted 
an  extensive  mercantile  business  until  185 1,  when  his  property  was  destroyed 
by  fire  sustaining  a  heavy  loss.  Nothing  daunted  he  rebuilt  and  continued  busi- 
ness until  1866,  when  he  was  elected  associate  judge  of  Luzerne  county,  a  posi- 
tion he  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents. 
About  a  year  prior  to  his  death  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis  and  died  Jan- 
uary 9,  1878.  His  widow,  Catharine  (Dolan)  Collins,  and  two  children,  Hon. 
Frank  D.  Collins  and  Mary  A.  Collins,  survived  him. 

Hon.  Frank  D.  Collins,  son  of  Judge  Thomas  and  Catharine  (Dolan)  Col- 
lins, was  born  in  Saugerties,  LTlster  county.  New  York,  March  5,  1841.  In 
early  boyhood  his  parents  removed  to  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  and  his  educa- 
tion was  acquired  at  St.  Joseph's  School,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  year  1866,  and 
three  years  later  w.is  elected  district  attorney  of  Scranton.  In  1872  he  was 
elected  state  senator;  in  1874  was  elected  to  Congress  from  the  eleventh  dis- 
trict known  as  the  "Shoestring  District,"  embracing  the  counties  of  Monroe, 
Pike,  Carbon,  Columbia,  Northumberland  and  a  part  of  Luzerne.  He  was  re- 
elected in  1876,  representing  his  district  in  the  forty-fourth  and  forty-fifth  Con- 
gresses. He  continued  the  practice  of  law  in  Scranton  until  he  was  called  to  his 
final  rest,  November  21,  1891.  He  married  Mary  McNichols,  who  died  about 
eighteen  months  prior  to  his  death,  leaving  two  children  who  found  a  pleasant 
home  with  Dr.  Gar^'ey  and  wife. 


MICHAEL  J.  MURRAY 

This  is  the  life  story  of  a  poor  Irish  boy,  who  at  seven  years  of  age  came 
to  the  L^nited  States,  began  working  in  a  coal  mine  at  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
in  middle  life  was  a  successful  coal  operator  and  now  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven 
years  is  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Dunmore,  one  of  the  solid  and 
substantial  business  men  of  his  adopted  state.  There  is  more  than  one  useful 
lesson  that  may  be  learned  from  Mr.  Murray's  successful  life,  the  greater,  per- 
haps, being  his  belief  in  himself.  This  does  not  imply  that  he  is  engrossed  in 
self  or  that  self  importance  is  a  characteristic,  for  a  more  modest  and  retiring 
man  never  lived.  It  does  mean  that  he  has  a  supreme  confidence  in  his  own 
ability  to  overcome  difficulties  by  preseverence,  hard  work  and  good  judgment. 
Utterly  unaffected,  plain  in  speech  and  apparel,  tall  with  shoulders  bowed  by  his 
years  of  labor  in  low  roofed  mines,  big  hearted,  generous  and  neighborly,  he 
is  the  same  in  manner  to-day  in  his  beautiful  banking  offices  as  he  was,  not 
many  years  ago,  when  with  pick  and  drill  he  wrought  in  the  mines.     No  story 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  35c 

of  sudden  riches,  luck  investment  or  of  fortune's  favor  can  here  be  told;  Mr. 
Murray's  success  came  after  years  of  toil,  after  successfully  achieving  where 
others  feared  to  venture,  and  there  is  no  taint  upon  his  wealth.  It  has  been 
honestly  and  fairly  earned  and  better  still  it  is  being  honestly  used.  No  man 
stands  higher  in  the  respect  of  his  fellowmen,  nor  is  there  one  to  cavil  at  his 
success.    He  fought  a  good  fight,  played  well  his  part  and  all  honor  is  his. 

Michael  J.  Murray  was  born  in  Ireland,  March  10,  1846,  son  of  Peter 
Murray,  who  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  1853,  settled  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania, 
and  there  died  in  1889.  He  married  Bridget  Walsh,  who  bore  him  children: 
Patrick,  Mary,  John,  Michael  J.,  Anthony. 

Michael  J.  Murray  was  seven  years  of  age  when  his  parents  left  Ireland  and 
came  to  Dunmore.  He  attended  school  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  then 
began  working  in  the  mines.  For  twenty  years  he  continued  a  miner,  filling  all 
the  different  positions  from  breaker  boy  upward  until  he  was  rated  a  capable 
miner.  He  worked  in  the  mines  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  and 
established  his  own  humble  home  in  Dunmore.  He  lived  the  life  of  the  aver- 
age miner,  earned  a  good  living  for  his  family,  but  was  ever  on  the  lookout 
for  opportunities  to  better  his  condition.  He  thoroughly  understood  mines 
and  mining,  but  having  little  capital,  did  not  start  independent  operations  until 
about  1883,  when  he  saw  his  chance.  The  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  had  an 
upper  vein  of  coal  that  their  engineers  could  not  plan  to  handle  profitably,  the 
vein  being  near  the  surface  and  the  roof  bad.  Rlr.  Murray  learned  that  the 
company  would  gladly  sell  their  rights  in  this  vein,  deeming  it  of  no  value. 
He  believed  that  there  was  a  great  deal  more  coal  in  the  vein  than  was  sup- 
posed, and  further  believed  in  his  ability  to  work  it  safely  and  profitably. 
He  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother,  Anthony  J.  Murray,  Thomas  Brown 
and  John  Carney,  secured  a  ten  years'  lease  from  the  Throop  and  Parker 
estates  and  on  the  strength  of  his  lease  and  his  demonstration  of  its  value  ob- 
tained a  loan  of  $20,000,  and  began  operations  in  a  small  way.  They  met 
with  discouragements  in  plenty  during  the  early  operations  and  at  times  failure 
seemed  sure.  To  less  detemiined  men  than  the  Murray  Brothers  failure 
would  have  followed,  but  they  had  faith  in  the  mine,  faith  in  themselves,  and 
each  discouragement  but  nerved  them  to  greater  efforts.  At  last  the  day  broke 
and  the  black  night  of  doubt  and  gloom  was  dispelled.  The  small  plant  was 
enlarged,  and  a  breaker  with  a  daily  capacity  of  350  tons  erected.  All  the  ex- 
pectations of  Mr.  Murray  were  realized,  and  in  eighteen  months  the  borrowed 
$20,000  was  repaid  and  capital  began  accumulating  in  the  bank.  Prosperity 
continued,  more  coal  area  was  leased  and  operations  continued  until  October. 
1905,  when  Messrs.  Brown  and  Carney  purchased  the  interest  of  the  Murray 
Brothers,  paying  them,  therefore,  in  cash  $152,000.  With  his  half  of  the 
amount,  M.  J.  Murray  purchased  and  leased  464  acres  of  coal  land  at  Bernice, 
Sullivan  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  then  organized  the  Northern  Anthracite 
Coal  Company  which  operates  the  mines,  which  proved  valuable  and  very  profit- 
able from  the  very  beginning.  Mr.  Murray  was  the  first  president  of  the  com- 
pany and  continues  its  capable  and  efficient  head.  He  has  other  important 
business  interests  and  continues  as  ever,  the  earnest  worker. 

Mr.  Murray  was  for  some  years  a  director  of  the  Fidelity,  Deposit  and  Dis- 
count Bank  of  Dunmore,  but  resigned  upon  the  organization  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Dunmore,  of  which  he  was  elected  president.  This  bank 
opened  for  business,  November  i,  1910,  in  its  own  building  at  Dunmore, 
"Four  Corners,"  its  opening  being  marked  with  conspicuous  success.  Ten 
thousand  people  are  estimated  to  have  visited  the  beautiful  building  during 
the  day  and  two  thousand  depositors  were  entered  on  the  books  of  the  bank, 
their  deposits  amounting  to  $144,000.     The  bank  has  since  the  opening  day 


352  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

steadily  advanced  in  public  favor  and  in  material  prosperity.  This  record 
covers  a  half  a  century  of  the  business  life  of  Mr.  Murray  from  breaker  boy 
to  bank  president.  View  him  as  you  will,  he  is  one  of  the  remarkable  men  of  a 
remarkable  age,  and  has  won  distinction  in  a  community  of  strong  men,  not 
weaklings.  The  doctrine  of  the  "survival  of  the  fittest"  prevails  in  the  coal 
region  perhaps  with  greater  force  than  anywhere  else — hence  the  only  in- 
ference is  that  Mr.  Murray  is  a  "strong"  man  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 

Mr.  Murray  married  (first)  Bridget  Carney,  who  died  in  1875,  th^  mothei 
of  ten  children;  those  living  are:  Peter  J.,  general  manager  of  the  Northern 
Anthracite  Coal  Company ;  Lydia,  a  graduate  from  Providence  Hospital,  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia;  Bridget,  married  James  McDade ;  Michael  J.,  a  lawyer; 
Loretta,  wife  of  W.  J.  Dooley ;  Agnes,  a  sister  of  the  Immaculate  Conception, 
connected  with  the  Convent  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  Mr.  Murray  mar- 
ried (second)  Bridget  McAndrew  ;  children:  Anthony,  a  graduate  of  Bucknell 
University,  now  a  law  student  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania ;  Catherine, 
a  teacher;  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  E.  Mongan ;  Margaret.  One  of  the  features 
of  the  furnishing  of  the  First  National  Bank  Building  is  an  oil  painting  of  the 
president,  Michael  J.  Murray,  a  gift  to  the  bank  from  the  children  above  enum- 
erated, in  honor  of  their   father. 


MICHAEL  J.  MURRAY  JR. 

A  son  of  Michael  J.  Murray,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Dun- 
more,  and  grandson  of  Peter  Murray,  the  founder  of  this  branch  of  the  Mur- 
ray family  in  the  United  States,  Michael  J.  Murray  Jr.  has  achieved  prominence 
in  his  community  in  his  own  right.  The  settlement  of  his  forbears  in  Dunmore, 
Pennsylvania,  dates  from  1853,  and  in  the  more  than  half  century  of  residence, 
no  name  has  become  more  favorably  or  better  known. 

Michael  J.  (2)  Murray,  son  of  Michael  J.  (i)  Murray  and  his  first  wife. 
Bridget  (Carney)  Murray,  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  January  20, 
1878.  His  youth  was  spent  in  acquiring  a  public  school  education,  and  after 
passing  through  the  Dunmore  schools  he  took  a  full  course  at  Stroudsburg 
State  Normal  School,  there  fitting  himself  for  the  profession  of  teacher.  After 
his  graduation  from  Normal  School  he  taught  for  two  years  in  the  Dunmore 
schools,  first  as  assistant  and  second  as  principal.  He  then  decided  to  pre- 
pare for  the  legal  profession  and  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  graduated  LL.  B.,  class  of  1902,  and  in  the  samt 
year  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar,  beginning  practice  the  same 
year.  He  was  in  due  season  admitted  to  the  state  and  federal  courts  of  the 
district  and  is  now  well  established  in  practice.  In  October,  1904,  he  was  ap- 
pointed justice  of  the  peace  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  at  the  election  in  1905  wai 
duly  elected  for  a  full  term.  In  February,  1910,  he  was  re-elected  and  is  yet 
in  office.  He  is  also  attorney  for  the  Dunmore  School  District ;  attorney  for 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Dunmore ;  attorney  for  and  a  director  of  the 
Northern  Anthracite  Coal  Company,  of  Murray,  Sullivan  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  County  Bar  associations,  and  is  highly 
regarded  by  his  professional  brethren.  Although  one  of  the  younger  members 
of  the  Lackawanna  bar,  he  has  won  distinction  as  a  learned  and  able  lawyer, 
and  one  in  whom  all  confidence  may  safely  be  placed. 

He  married,  in  1904,  Alice  M.,  daughter  of  James  and  Cecelia  Gilmartin. 
Children:  Clare,  born  August  20,  1906;  Agnes,  November  28,  1907;  Alice, 
July  30,  191 1  ;  James  Francis,  November  9,  1912. 


O  ^.^^ypi^ 


'^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


ADELBERT  E.  ROGERS 


353 


Although  a  native  born  Pennsylvanian,  Mr.  Rogers  spent  a  part  of  his  early 
life  in  Binghamton,  New  York,  and  there  learned  the  trade  and  business  he 
now  is  engaged  in  at  Scranton.  He  is  the  son  of  George  W.  Rogers,  born  in 
Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1833,  died  in  1887.  He  was  a  conductor  on 
the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  and  during  his  long  term  of 
service  resided  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Binghamton,  New  York,  Honesdale, 
Pennsylvania,  and  Waymart,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Eliza  Harris,  of 
Honesdale,  who  survived  him  twenty-four  years  dying  in  191 1.  Children: 
Alvadora,  Theodore,  Adelbert  E.,  of  whom  further,  and  William  W. 

Adelbert  E.  Rogers,  son  of  George  W.  and  Eliza  (Harris)  Rogers,  was 
born  in  Waymart,  Pennsylvania,  December  12,  1862.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Scranton  and  of  Binghamton,  New  York,  finishing  his  studies 
in  the  high  school  of  the  latter  city.  He  there  became  a  jeweler's  apprentice 
and  thoroughly  mastered  the  watchmaker's  trade.  He  continued  work  at  his 
trade  in  Binghamton  until  1885,  when  he  located  in  Scranton,  working  for 
C.  W.  Freeman  until  1889,  when  he  started  in  business  for  himself.  He  built 
up  a  good  business  along  conventional  jewelers'  lines,  continuing  until  191 1, 
when  the  corporation,  A.  E.  Rogers  Company,  was  formed  with  Adelbert  E. 
Rogers,  president,  E.  M.  Rogers,  vice-president,  J.  W.  McAuric,  secretary  and 
treasurer.  The  firm  is  well  known  to  the  trade  as  manufacturing  jewelers 
and  silversmiths,  located  at  No.  425  Lackawanna  avenue.  Mr.  Rogers  is  thor- 
oughly practical  in  his  knowledge  of  the  jewelry  business  in  its  manufacturing, 
wholesale  and  retail  branches  and  conducts  the  large  business  of  his  company 
with  judgment  and  success.  He  is  a  member  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  291,  Scran- 
ton, F.  and  A.  M.,  holds  the  thirty-second  degree  in  Scottish  Rite  Masonry  and 
is  a  Noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

He  married,  in  1893,  Eva  M.,  daughter  of  Dr.  H.  M.  Kelly,  of  Nicholson, 
Pennsylvania.  Children:  Florence  E.,  born  May  28,  1894;  Geraldine  K.,  born 
May  12,  1896;  Grace  M.,  born  March  17,  1898. 


GEORGE  C.  BROWN,  M.  D. 

Scion  of  a  New  England  family  and  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
George  C.  Brown,  of  this  chronicle,  has  achieved  prominence  and  honorable 
position  in  the  medical  profession  and  for  more  than  twenty  years  has  given 
of  his  services  to  the  Dunmore  community,  where  he  is  held  in  general  likin.g 
and  universal  high  regard.  He  is  a  grandson  of  Asa  Brown,  born  in  Vermont, 
April  25,  1795.  He  was  a  farmer  in  calling  and  moved  with  his  family  to 
Wyoming  county.  New  York,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  August  8, 
i860.  He  married  Susan  Mosher,  born  in  Vermont,  August  24,  1782,  died 
October  6,  1881.  both  being  buried  in  Wyoming  county.  New  York. 

Milton  R.  Brown,  son  of  Asa  and  Susan  (  Mosher )  Brown,  was  born  in 
Vermont,  December  29,  1824,  died  in  Gainesville,  New  York,  April  3,  1900. 
He  moved  with  his  parents  to  New  York,  and  in  that  state  engaged  in  the 
publishing  business,  also  owning  and  operating  a  farm.  He  married  Caroline 
Hardin,  born  in  New  York  state,  September  8,  1824,  died  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  May  21,  1883,  while  in  search  of  relief  from  the  poor  health 
from  which  she  had  suffered.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  sons  and  three 
daughters. 

Dr.  George  C.  Brown,  son  of  Milton  R.  and  Caroline  (Hardin)  Brown, 
was  bom  in  Wethersfield,  Wyoming  county.  New  York,  April  23,  1858,  and 
was  there  reared.    He  attended  the  Gainesville  and  the  Pike  seminaries,  obtain- 

23 


354  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ing  his  professional  education  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadal- 
phia,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1880.  After  making  a  European 
tour  he  was  for  four  months  ship's  physician  in  the  employ  of  the  Red  Star 
Steamship  Company,  serving  on  vessels  on  the  transatlantic  passenger  trade. 
He  then  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Gainesville,  New  York, 
and  was  there  located  for  ten  years,  spending  the  two  following  years  in 
Avoca,  Pennsylvania,  and  then  moved  to  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  in  which 
place  he  is  now  a  successful  practitioner.  Outside  of  a  large  general  practice, 
Mr.  Brown  serves  as  medical  examiner  for  numerous  insurance  companies,  and 
holds  membership  in  the  County,  State,  and  American  Medical  associations, 
at  one  time  having  held  the  office  of  district  censor  for  several  years.  He  holds 
membership  in  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  in  political  action  is  a  Democrat. 

As  a  physician  Dr  Brown  stands  in  the  front  rank  of  his  profession,  and 
during  his  Dunmore  residence  has  become  a  worthy  member  of  that  calling  in 
the  borough.  In  private  and  professional  life  his  actions  are  directed  by  a 
lofty  sense  of  honor,  and  the  generous  instincts  of  his  nature  have  caused  him 
to  give  liberally  of  his  professional  services  to  those  in  need.  A  wide  circle 
of  friends  testify  to  his  many  agreeable  and  lovable  traits  of  character. 

He  married  Florence  Rowland,  born  in  Pike  county,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter of  George  Rowland,  who  moved  from  Syracuse,  New  York,  to  Pike 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  young  manhood,  and  was  at  different  times  a  repre- 
sentative to  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature  from  Pike  county. 


JUDGE  JAMES  J.  O'NEILL 

For  five  years  a  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  in  the  Scranton  dis- 
trict, the  capable  manner  in  which  James  J.  O'Neill  has  filled  the  judicial 
position  to  which  he  was  elected  in  1909  has  brought  him  into  prominent 
notice  as  a  jurist  of  fine  and  discriminating  judgment  and  as  a  student  of  the 
law  who  has  delved  deep  into  his  subject,  his  earnest  study  productive  of  a 
knowledge  wide  and  certain.  Temperate  reasoning  and  integrity  incorruptible 
complete  his  full  qualifications  for  his  high  office,  in  which  under  his  present 
ten-year  term  he  remains  until  1919.  The  presidency  of  such  a  jvidge  has 
given  to  the  attorneys  appearing  before  Judge  O'Neill  assurance  and  con- 
fidence that  merit  and  soundly  based  legal  argument  alone  will  avail,  and  to 
litigants  that  justice  and  the  right  will  be  unfailingly  upheld. 

Judge  James  J.  O'Neill,  son  of  Hugh  and  Ann  (Henry)  O'Neill,  was 
born  in  Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  27,  1854.  He 
was  reared  in  the  place  of  his  birth,  there  attending  the  public  schools,  com 
pleting  his  education  in  an  institution  maintained  by  the  Christian  Brothers  in 
New  York.  Subsequently  he  became  a  student  at  law  in  the  office  of  Judgi: 
P.  P.  Smith,  of  Honesdale,  and  in  1882  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Wayne 
county,  two  years  later  gaining  entrance  to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  count}. 
While  building  up  a  large  private  practice  he  was  assistant  district  attorney 
under  Judge  Kelly,  and  at  the  same  time  became  prominent  in  political  mat- 
ters, for  several  years  serving  as  chairman  of  the  Democratic  county  committee. 
He  served  two  years  as  mayor  of  Carbondale,  and  was  city  solicitor  of  that 
city  for  one  term.  In  1909  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  the  judgeship 
he  now  occupies,  and  has  served  half  of  a  ten-year  term.  Judge  O'Neill  is  a 
lawyer  of  established  reputation,  and  the  high  legal  ability  and  wise  perspicac- 
ity he  has  displayed  while  upon  the  bench  has  given  added  lustre  to  the  fame 
achieved  as  an  advocate. 

Judge  James  J.  O'Neill  is  a  member  of  the  Sportsmen  of  America,  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  and  the  Catholic  ^Mutual  Benefit  Association.  His  club 
is  the  Scranton,  and  he  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Rose  Roman  Catholic  Church. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  355 

LEONARD  G.  REDDING,  M.  D. 

A  physician  of  five  years'  standing,  Leonard  G.  Redding,  M.  D.,  of  Dun- 
more,  Pennsylvania,  has  in  that  brief  period  attained  a  position  in  his  profes- 
sion that  is  at  once  worthy  and  responsible,  one  to  the  arduous  duties  of 
which  he  ably  measures  up  and  in  which  he  has  gained  favorable  recognition. 

Dr.  Leonard  G.  Redding  is  the  only  child  of  William  and  Catherine  (Con- 
roy)  Redding,  and  was  born  on  Jefferson  avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
July  27,  1885.  His  public  school  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  institu- 
tions of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  after  which  he  became  a  student  in  St. 
Thomas'  College,  the  medical  profession  then  attracting  him  to  its  study. 
Matriculating  in  Medico-Chirurgical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  he  was  grad- 
uated therefrom  in  the  class  of  1908.  passing  the  following  year  in  the  Scran- 
ton State  Hospital,  and  in  igog  began  general  practice  in  Dunmore.  There  he 
continues  to  the  present  time,  having  been  elected  a  member  of  the  local  board 
of  health,  caring  for  the  needs  of  the  large  clientele  that  he  has  gradually 
acquired,  living  a  busy  and  useful  professional  life.  For  the  past  three  year's 
he  has  been  on  the  staff  of  the  Scranton  State  Hospital,  the  institution  with 
which  he  was  formerly  connected,  and  during  1913-1914  served  as  chairman  of 
the  public  policy  committee  of  Lackawanna  county.  The  County,  State  and 
American  Medical  associations  held  his  name  upon  their  rolls,  and  thus, 
as  in  numerous  other  ways,  he  keeps  in  touch  with  the  newest  developments 
in  his  ever  advancing,  ever  changing  calling.  His  church  is  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic,  and  he  is  an.  adherent  to  Republican  principles.  Dr.  Redding's  home 
is  at  No.  106  Blakely  street,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  lives  with  his 
widowed  mother. 


REV.  JOHN  J.  RUDDY 

In  Rev.  John  J.  Ruddy  the  priesthood  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  has 
a  member  who  for  nearly  four  decades  has  devoted  his  life  to  the  service  of 
the  church.  He  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  has  made  that  state  the  field  of  h's 
labors  and  has  produced  therefrom  wonderful  fruits  for  Christianity  and  hi? 
church.  He  was  born  in  Hawley,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  November 
24,  1850,  and  was  reared  in  Scranton.  Educated  for  the  ministry  of  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  church,  he  was  ordained  in  1877.  From  that  time  until  the 
present  the  story  of  his  life  is  one  of  continuous  service,  first  for  twenty  years 
in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  since  1899  '"  Scranton,  Hyde  Park, 
Ashley,  Parson  and  Dunmore,  in  which  last-named  place  he  is  now  located. 
His  pastorates  have  all  been  successful  ones,  marked  by  an  increase  in 
spiritual  and  material  welfare  in  the  congregations  to  which  he  has  ministered, 
and  in  his  service  in  Dimmore  a  past  of  achievement  leads  to  a  future  of 
promise,  to  be  fulfilled  under  his  leadership. 


FRANK  S.  BENEDICT 

Sufficient  time  will  never  elapse  for  those  who  knew  Frank  S.  Benedict  to 
forget  the  manliness  of  his  character  and  the  purity  of  the  motives  that  filled 
his  life.  To  few  men  it  is  given  to  hold  so  universally  the  respect  and  regard 
of  so  large  a  number  of  friends  during  life,  and  to  the  memory  of  a  smaller 
number  is  accorded  the  reverent  love  that  follows  him  even  after  his  departure 
from  his  daily  path.  At  his  death  he  was  past  the  allotted  three  score  years 
and  ten,  and  for  twenty-five  years  had  lived  retired  from  the  mercantile  opera- 
tions that  had  filled  his  active  years  and  in  which  he  achieved  success  and 


356  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

fortune.  His  disposition  was  sunshiny,  and  his  cheerfulness  and  humor  t.u 
infective  as  to  brighten  the  Hves  of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
Unselfish,  he  was  always  considerate  of  the  feelings  of  others.  He  was  noted 
for  his  sterling  integrity  and  his  whole  life  was  noble. 

Of  old  Massachusetts,  New  England,  stock,  Frank  S.  Benedict  was  born 
at  Starrucca,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  6,  1836,  died  February 
9,  1913.  He  was  the  son  of  David  Benedict,  who  came  from  Massachusetts, 
and  who  died  in  April,  1875,  aged  seventy-five  years,  and  Sarah  Benedict,  who 
died  August  6,  1871,  aged  sixty-four  years,  and  of  a  family  of  eight  children: 
Nelson  M. ;  Truman ;  Ruth,  widow  of  Nelson  Callendar ;  Frank  S. ;  Albert 
H. ;  Delia,  widow  of  Samuel  Clark;  Mira,  widow  of  Columbus  H.  Hubbard; 
Olive,  wife  of  T.  K.  Laidler.  Frank  S.  Benedict  is  survived  by  one  brother, 
Albert  H.,  of  Green  Grove,  Pennsylvania,  and  two  sisters,  Olive,  wife  of  T.  K. 
Laidler,  of  Tunkhannock,  Pennsylvania,  and  Mira  Hubbard,  of  Scranton, 
widow  of  Columbus  H.  Hubbard.  Frank  S.  Benedict  was  reared  in  the  county 
of  his  birth,  and  in  boyhood  was  a  student  in  the  village  school,  later  at- 
tending Madison  University.  He  afterwards  went  to  Poughkeepsie,  New 
York,  studied  under  Professor  Stoddard,  and  graduated  from  one  of  the  best 
business  colleges  in  the  land.  Then  becoming  a  clerk  in  Major  Strong's  mer- 
cantile establishment,  he  was  so  employed  until  the  beginning  of  active  war- 
fare between  the  North  and  South,  when  he  enlisted  August  5,  1861,  in  Com- 
pany F,  First  Regiment  of  Light  Artillery,  recruited  in  Wayne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. Prior  to  the  battle  of  Antietam  he  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  corporal, 
and  in  that  conflict  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  hand,  as  a  result  of  which 
he  was  for  several  months  confined  in  the  hospital,  subsequently  receiving 
honorable  discharge  from  the  service.  Returning  from  the  front,  he  came 
to  Scranton,  then  followed  an  active  mercantile  life  at  Green  Grove  near 
Scranton,  during  which  time  he  was  also  postmaster,  a  combination  of  duties 
frequently  found  in  rural  districts.  He  then  retired  from  trade,  took  a  trip 
through  the  west,  and  for  about  ten  years  resided  at  Clarks  Green,  Pennsyl- 
vania, whence  he  moved  to  Scranton  where  he  remained  for  twelve  years, 
afterwards  making  his  home  at  No.  1712  Madison  avenue.  During  the  last 
quarter  of  his  life  he  purchased  a  considerable  amount  of  property  in  Scranton, 
Dunmore  and  vicinity.  Fraternally  Mr.  Benedict  was  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Order  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  religion  he  and 
his  family  were  regular  attendants  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  Mr. 
Benedict  participating  in  the  services  as  choir  leader,  for  which  position  a 
strong  and  musical  voice  well  fitted  him.  Music  was  his  delight,  and  in  its 
enjoyment  he  and  his  friends  spent  many  happy  hours.  He  was  a  logical 
thinker  and  careful  reader ;  and  as  he  was  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  right 
and  naturally  refined  his  influence  was  always  ennobling  and  helpful.  Tem- 
perance ruled  his  life  in  word  and  action  as  well  as  in  matters  of  physical 
import.  His  political  party  was  the  Republican.  As  a  sportsman  he  was  an 
enthusiast  in  hunting  and  fishing,  and  took  advantage  whenever  opportunity 
ofifered  for  recreation. 

Mr.  Benedict  married  Katherine  Smith,  born  in  Green  Grove,  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Valentine  and  Eliza  (Fellers)  Smith,  and  had  one  daugh- 
ter, Cora  Mae,  a  graduate  of  the  Scranton  High  and  Training  Schools,  having 
taken  a  special  course  in  music  and  art  and  specialized  in  vocal  culture  at 
Wyoming  Seminary,  and  for  two  and  one-half  years  a  teacher  in  Scranton 
Public  School,  No.  27 ;  married  H.  Earle  Morgan,  a  government  employee 
in  the  Scranton  post  office,  and  has  two  sons,  Frank  Benedict  and  Robert 
Earle.    Her  home  is  with  her  mother  at  No.  171 2  Madison  avenue. 

Born  of  Christian  parents,  in  youth  Mr.  Benedict  dedicated  his  life  to  God. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  357 

The  teachings  of  His  Holy  Word  he  followed  in  precept  and  example  all  the 
days  of  his  life.  The  Sabbath  day  always  found  him  in  church,  weighing  the 
thought  of  the  sermon  and  assisting  in  singing  or  leading  the  choir.  He  at- 
tended Sabbath  school  and  for  many  years  was  Sunday  school  superintendent. 
His  home  influence  was  ideal  and  his  loss  is  keenly  felt.  He  loved  his  home 
and  family  devotedly  and  was  a  most  thoughtful  and  tender  husband  and 
father.  As  he  was  ever  of  a  kind  and  jovial  disposition  and  optimistic  in  all 
his  views  of  life,  his  genial  nature  won  for  him  a  host  of  friends.  Broad- 
minded,  even-tempered  at  all  times  and  deeply  sympathetic,  he  was  an  interest- 
ing conversationalist  and  companion.  It  was  his  desire  to  serve  others,  and  he 
was  the  special  friend  of  the  strugglling  and  deserving  young  man,  the  coun- 
sellor and  confidant  of  many  such.  He  is  gone!  Yes,  but  he  still  lives;  his 
friends  will  never  forget  the  sweetness  of  his  disposition.  Kindness  and  good 
cheer  radiated  from  his  spirit  as  perennially  as  sunshine  and  warmth  radiate 
from  the  orb  of  day.  His  faith  was  in  the  Son  of  God,  and  he  abides  with 
those  who  have  washed  their  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb. 


MARION  D.  SNYDER,  M.  D. 

One  of  the  two  sons  of  David  N.  Snyder  who  have  chosen  the  medical  pro- 
fession as  the  field  of  their  careers.  Dr.  Marion  D.  Snyder,  of  Dunmore,  Penn- 
sylvania, has  in  the  seventeen  years  that  have  elapsed  since  his  entrance  into 
that  calling  achieved  worthy  position  and  made  an  honorable  record. 

David  N.  Snyder  was  born  in  Scott  township,  Lackawanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  passed  his  early  life,  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  finding 
him  a  soldier  in  the  volunteer  ranks  of  the  Union.  He  served  throughout 
the  four  years  of  the  war,  and  although  his  company  was  numerously  en- 
gaged and  saw  some  severe  fighting,  he  was  neither  wounded  nor  taken  prisoner 
during  that  time.  y\fter  the  war  he  made  his  home  in  Susquehanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  there  his  wife,  Mary  J.  Snyder  (not  a  relative)  died,  aged 
forty-five  years.  Mr.  Snyder  owned  land  one  mile  east  of  Dundaff,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  there  since  resided.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  as  was 
also  his  wife.  David  N.  Snyder  is  a  loyal  Republican  in  political  sympathy 
and  action,  having  been  elected  to  several  local  offices  as  the  candidate  of  that 
party,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  the 
Masonic  Order.  David  N.  and  Mary  J.  (Snyder)  Snyder  were  the  parents 
of  five  children,  their  eldest  child,  a  daughter,  dying  in  infancy.  Those  who 
attained  mature  age  are:  Abram  E.,  a  physician  of  New  Milford.  Susquehanna 
county,  Pennsylvania;  Ella  M.,  a  trained  nurse,  educated  for  her  profession 
in  the  New  York  Training  School ;  Myrtle  B.,  now  deceased,  was  a  trained 
nurse  of  New  York  City,  married  Charles  Marvin,  an  attorney  of  New  York 
City ;  Marion  D.,  of  whom  further. 

Dr.  Marion  D.  Snyder,  youngest  of  the  five  children  of  David  N.  and  Mary 
J.  (Snyder)  Snyder,  was  born  in  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  May 
27,  1870.  After  obtaining  an  elementary  and  preparatory  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  Keystone  Academy  he  entered  Jefferson  Medical  College,  of 
Philadelphia,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1896.  January  i,  of  the  following 
year,  found  him  established  in  "the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Dimmore,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  has  since  been  located.  His  work  has  been  general  in 
character  and  he  has  frequently  found  his  surgical  training  of  use  and  benefit, 
while  the  passing  years  have  steadily  raised  him  to  positions  of  greater  in- 
fluence among  his  professional  brethren.  He  is  recognized  as  a  physician  of 
upright  and  manly  attributes,  a  thorough  master  of  his  profession,  and  those 


358  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

whom  he  serves  in  a  professional  capacity  place  in  him  the  most  absolute  trust 
and  confidence.  Dr.  Snyder  is  medical  examiner  for  the  local  Brotherhood  of 
Railroad  Engineers  and  Firemen,  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  also 
serving  numerous  other  organizations  in  a  similar  capacity.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Lackawanna  County  Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Snyder  married  Kathryn  Birdsall,  a  native  of  Susquehanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  William  Birdsall,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Marion  David  and  Gordon. 


EDWARD  W.  OSTERHOUT 

For  many  years  one  of  the  representative  business  men  of  Scranton  and 
vicinity,  and  one  who  made  his  influence  felt  in  business  circles  and  many 
other  lines,  was  the  late  Edward  W.  Osterhout.  He  was  born  June  9,  1864, 
in  Nicholson,  Pennsylvania,  died  June  20,  1912,  buried  in  Dunmore  Cemetery. 

He  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Dunmore,  aged  seven  years,  where  he 
grew  up,  and  after  finishing  the  course  in  the  public  schools  of  the  place  he 
attended  Eastman's  Business  College,  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  leaving 
that  institution  in  1884  with  the  foundations  well  laid  for  beginning  a  business 
career.  At  first  he  was  associated  with  his  father  in  the  building,  contracting 
and  lumber  business  and  the  business  through  his  initiative  and  energy  be- 
came imbued  with  new  strength  and  vigor;  the  firm  of  W.  D.  Osterhout  & 
Son  which  continued  as  such  up  to  1905,  the  year  of  death  of  the  elder  Mr. 
Osterhout,  was  in  the  forefront  of  firms  of  its  line,  second  to  none  in  poinc 
of  excellence  of  workmanship  and  satisfaction  to  its  patrons.  Edward  W. 
Osterhout  had  fraternal  connections  with  King  Solomon  Lodge.  No.  584, 
F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Dunmore;  K.  of  P.,  Lodge  No.  167,  and  while  in  business 
was  also  a  member  of  the  Builders'  Exchange  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Osterhout  was  an  ardent  believer  in  the  principles  and  policies  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  but  in  no  sense  a  politician,  finding  that  he  could  best  express  his 
opinion  at  the  ballot  box  in  favor  of  those  candidates  who  in  his  best  judg- 
ment ministered  to  the  public  good  and  not  bosses  with  only  personal  end'^ 
and  aims  in  view. 

Edward  W.  Osterhout  married,  September  15,  1885,  Mary  E.  Herold, 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Ann  M.  (Finkler)  Herold,  of  North  Main  avenue, 
Scranton.  Children:  i.  Cora,  born  June,  1887,  died  at  the  age  of  two  and  a 
half  years.  2.  William  J.,  born  February  13,  1890;  educated  at  Dunmore 
school,  and  is  now  engaged  as  a  printer  at  I.  C.  S. ;  past  chancellor  of  Dunmore 
Lodge,  No.  167.  K.  of  P.,  and  member  of  Camp  No.  795,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Peters- 
burg. 3.  Ralph  E.,  born  February  28,  1893  ;  educated  at  Dunmore  school ;  now 
engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  private  auto  garage ;  member  of  Dunmore  Lodge, 
No.  167,  K.  of  P.,  and  Junior  Order  LTnited  American  Mechanics.  4.  and  5. 
Twins,  Beth  and  Ruth,  born  August  30,  1894;  at  home.  6.  Helen,  born  August 
21,  1896;  at  home.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  159  East  Grove  street,  Dun- 
more, where  Mrs.  Osterhout  is  favorably  known  for  the  generous  hospitality 
which  she  extends  to  all  who  come  within  the  circle  of  her  acquaintance.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  Eastern  Star,  Martha  Washington  Chapter,  No.  3,  and  also 
attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


FRANCIS  LEO  MURPHY,  M.  D. 

A  graduate  of  the  Dunmore  High  School,  educated  for  the  medical  pro- 
fession in  a  southern  university.  Dr.  Francis  Leo  Murphy  is  one  of  the  latest 
additions  to  Dunmore's  competent  corps  of  medical  men,  and  has  before  him 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  359. 

every  prospect  for  a  life  of  professional  usefulness  and  good.  His  ancestry  is 
Irish,  his  father,  John  C.  Murphy,  having  been  born  in  Ireland,  and  after  im- 
migrating to  the  United  States  became  a  jobber.  He  married  Mary  McMunn, 
of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  and  had  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three 
daughters. 

Dr.  Francis  Leo  Murphy,  youngest  of  the  seven  children  of  John  C.  and 
Mary  ( McAlunn )  ^lurphy,  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  May  20. 
1890.  He  received  his  scholastic  training  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place, 
graduating  from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1909.  Strongly  attracted  to 
the  medical  profession  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  Georgetown 
University,  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  completing  his  course  in 
that  institution  in  1913.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  practice  in  the 
borough  of  his  birth,  and  is  now  connected  with  the  State  Hospital  at  Scran- 
ton.  He  is  examiner  for  Erie  Railroad,  Brotherhood  of  Trainmen,  and  Pro- 
tected Home  Circle.  He  is  a  member  of  Washington  Council,  Washington, 
D.  C.  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  the  Phi  Beta  Phi  fraternity,  to  which  he  was 
elected  while  at  Georgetown  University.  His  church  is  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic. 


JOHN  J.  GILLIGAN 


The  arrival  of  the  year  1914  ushered  from  the  office  of  burgess  of  the 
borough  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  John  J.  Gilligan,  the  incumbent  of  that 
office  since  March  i,  1909.  Born  in  Dunmore,  he  has  ever  since  lived  in  that 
borough,  and  has  there  built  up  a  business  in  fire  insurance  and  real  estate  deal- 
ing, a  business  founded  on  the  same  trustworthiness  and  stability  of  characte- 
that  placed  him  in  the  office  of  chief  executive  and  that  has  given  him  prom- 
inent position  in  local  afifairs. 

He  is  of  Irish  descent,  his  father,  John  Gilligan,  born  in  Ireland.  He 
was  there  reared  and  educated,  in  young  manhood  coming  to  the  United 
States,  where  he  married.  His  occupation  was  that  of  miner,  and  he  was  so 
employed  throughout  his  active  years,  dying  aged  seventy-one  years.  He 
was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  with  his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Roman 
Catholic  church.  He  married  Anna  Cunnion,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  now 
resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Edward  Cawley,  at  No.  224  West  Drinker 
street,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  They  were  the  parents  of  si.x  daughters  and 
two  sons,  all  now  living  with  the  exception  of  one  daughter. 

John  J.  Gilligan,  third  child  of  John  and  Anna  (Cunnion)  Gilligan,  wa^ 
born  in  Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  21,  1877.  As  a 
youth  he  attended  the  public  educational  institutions  of  that  place.  His  first 
employment  was  in  tl'.e  coal  breaker  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  after 
which  he  was  for  fourteen  years  a  clerk  in  the  general  store  conducted  by 
F.  T.  Mongan.  In  the  meantime  he  had  secured  an  agency  for  a  reliable  fire 
insurance  company,  and  as  his  dealings  in  this  line  increased  in  volume  he 
devoted  his  entire  time  thereto,  adding  real  estate  dealing,  in  which  he  now 
continues.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Council,  Knights  of  Columbus, 
Dunmore  Council,  Young  Men's  Institute,  Dunmore  Lodge,  Woodmen  of  the 
World,  Scranton  Lodge,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Scran- 
ton Bicycle  Club,  the  Old  Girard  Club,  of  Scranton,  the  Eclipse  Hose  Com- 
pany, and  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  His  political  beliefs  are  Demo- 
cratic and  it  was  as  the  candidate  of  this  party  that  he  was  elected  burgess  of 
Dunmore,  in  which  office  he  achieved  a  splendid  record.  During  the  course 
of  his  administration  many  municipal  improvements  were  inaugurated  and 
carried    to    a    successful   conclusion,   among  them   the   laying   of   pavements 


36o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

throughout  the  borough ;  the  signing  of  a  new  lease  with  an  electric  lighting 
company  with  more  efficient  service  at  a  reduced  rate :  the  equipment  of  the 
fire  company  with  a  motor  truck,  the  installation  of  which  reduced  insurance 
rates  twenty-five  per  cent. ;  the  organization  of  adequate  police  protection ;  and 
the  completion  of  the  sewer  system,  which  is  now  the  equal  of  that  of  any 
borough  of  the  size  of  Dunmore.  This  is  but  part  of  the  benefits  he  ad- 
vocated and  secured  for  the  borough  through  immediate  legislation,  and  Dun- 
more  gratefully  remembers  an  administration  productive  of  so  much  good. 

Mr.  Gilligan  married  Susan  M.  Kennedy,  a  native  of  Binghamton,  New 
York,  and  had  one  child,  deceased.  Their  home  is  at  No.  1531  Electric 
street,  Dunmore. 


MARCUS  L.  DEUBLER 

Marcus  L.  Deubler,  a  contractor  of  Scranton,  is  a  descendant  of  Fred- 
erick Deubler,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  upon  coming  to  the  United  States 
made  his  home  in  Barrett  township,  Monroe  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  this 
locality  he  conducted  agricultural  operations  during  his  active  career,  and  was 
twice  married.  By  his  first  marriage  he  was  the  father  of:  i.  Frederick,  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Smith ;  children :  Jane,  Charlotte,  Emily,  Delilah,  James,  Watson, 
Frank,  Newton.  2.  John,  married  Lydia  Mann ;  children :  Ellen,  Amy,  Wil- 
liam, George,  Annie.  3.  Alexander,  married  a  Miss  Rockerfeller ;  children : 
Henry  and  Eliza.  4.  Edward,  married  Hannah  Lunnex ;  children :  Charles, 
Robert,  Sophia,  Katie,  Maud,  Mena.  5.  George,  married  and  was  the 
father  of  fourteen  children.  6.  Christian,  married  and  had  children: 
James,  Nathan,  Levi,  Alfred,  Ella.  7.  Henry,  of  whom  further.  8.  Nathan, 
a  resident  of  Wisconsin ;  married  and  had  six  children.  9.  Catherine,  mar- 
ried Nicholas  Lisk ;  children :  Lizzie,  Ellen,  Ida.  10.  Lizzie,  married  Adam 
Hensler;  children:  Conrad,  Adam,  Kate,  Lizzie,  Maggie.  Children  of  second 
marriage  of  Frederick  Deubler:  11.  Martin.  12.  Otto,  married  and  had 
children  :  Dora,  Rowen,  Nelson.     13.  Dora. 

(II)  Henry  Deubler,  son  of  the  first  marriage  of  Frederick  Deubler,  was 
born  in  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  in  1836.  He  married  Luretta  Boyer,  and 
had  children:  i.  Charles  W.,  a  farmer  and  school  teacher,  married  Annie 
Starner;  fifteen  children,  two  of  his  children  deceased.  2.  Horace  E.,  a  farme*' 
until  he  attained  mature  age,  then  a  stenographer,  at  the  present  time  cashier 
of  the  Pine  Bush  Bank  of  New  York ;  married  Mary  Mann ;  three  children. 
3.  Marcus  L.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Lewis  R.,  died  October  15,  1891.  5.  Flora 
C,  married  Chester  Staples ;  children :  Clara,  Belle,  Ella,  Francis,  Marvin, 
Arthur.  6.  William  K.,  a  contracting  builder  of  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
owner  of  much  real  estate  in  that  place  and  a  member  of  the  common  council. 
7.  Edward,  deceased ;  married  Anna  Price.  8.  Ida,  married  Grove  Gilpin ; 
one  daughter,  Etta.  9.  Harry,  married  Jennie  Whittaker ;  two  children.  10. 
Daisy. 

(III)  Marcus  L.  Deubler,  son  of  Henry  and  Luretta  (Boyer)  Deubler, 
was  born  at  Factory ville,  Pennsylvania,  April  22,  1862.  Until  he  was  four- 
teen years  of  age  he  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  at  Canadensis,  then 
working  on  his  father's  farm.  After  mastering  the  mason's  trade  he  studied 
civil  engineering  under  the  tutelage  of  George  S.  Schafer,  at  one  time  sur- 
veyor of  Monroe  county.  Upon  attaining  his  majority  he  began  to  follow  his 
trade,  that  of  mason,  working  at  all  of  its  branches,  stone  masonry,  brick 
laying,  and  plastering,  also  doing  considerable  stone  cutting.  He  became  super- 
intendent of  construction  on  buildings  in  New  York  City,  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Newark,  New  Jersey,  in  1883  being  engaged  in  work  on  the  Vosburg 


^^^Qy\  6AyU)^^  Js)^i.,,..<J^Cf^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  361 

Tunnel.  In  1886  Mr.  Deubler  moved  to  Scranton  and  for  three  years  was  there 
employed ;  among  the  numerous  buildings  upon  whose  erection  he  was  en- 
gaged were  the  Moses  Taylor  Hospital  and  the  Lackawanna  County  Jail,  and 
in  1889  he  went  to  New  York.  While  working  on  the  Prudential  Insurance 
Building  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  he  formed  a  connection  with  Crowell  Mundy 
that  endured  for  four  years,  and  which  was  followed  by  three  years  of  as- 
sociation with  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  at  Bayonne,  New  Jersey.  Then, 
after  a  four  years'  relation  with  Norcross  Brothers,  of  New  York  City,  Mr. 
Deubler  returned  to  Scranton,  where  he  has  since  remained.  While  em- 
ployed as  erecting  engineer  for  Edwin  S.  Williams,  of  Scranton,  he  superin- 
tended the  building  of  the  State  Hospital,  the  Manual  Training  School,  the 
building  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  that  of  the  Railroad 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  the  Delaware  Water  Gap  Station,  his 
association  with  Mr.  Williams  ending  in  1907,  when  Mr.  Deubler  established 
in  independent  contracting  operations.  Since  that  time  he  has  erected  under 
his  own  name  some  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  city,  and  has  created  a  favor- 
able impression  by  the  excellent  specimens  of  his  work  that  adorn  Scranton. 
Among  these  may  be  mentioned  Charles  Schrader's  residence,  one  of  the  finest 
in  the  city ;  rebuilding  James  Connell's  residence,  also  George  H.  Catlin's  resi- 
dence and  many  others.  In  no  way  could  he  have  been  better  fitted  for  the 
work  he  has  undertaken  and  in  which  he  has  been  so  uniformly  successful, 
since  his  employers  have  long  entrusted  all  practical  arrangements  to  his  wist 
and  experienced  judgment.  In  his  work,  since  in  business  for  himself,  Mr. 
Deubler  has  secured  able  assistants,  men  whose  knowledge  of  the  business  and 
whose  ability  conforms  to  the  high  standard  he  has  reared,  which  is  evidenced 
in  the  many  edifices  beautifying  the  city,  erected  under  his  direction. 

Mr.  Deubler  is  a  member  of  the  Immanuel  Baptist  Church,  an  Independent 
in  politics,  fraternizes  with  the  Masonic  Order  and  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  in  the  former  society  belonging  to  Union  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  in  the  latter  to  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  11,  of  New 
Jersey,  and  to  Providence  Encampment. 

Mr.  Deubler  married,  in  1885,  Linda,  daughter  of  Julius  Gorman,  of  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  an  adopted  daughter,  Frances. 


ROY  EUGENE  COBB 


The  Electric  City  Throwing  Mills,  one  of  the  largest  throwing  mills  of  the 
city  of  Scranton,  is  served  at  the  present  time  by  representatives  of  two  genera- 
tions of  the  Cobb  family.  William  Jasper,  treasurer,  and  his  son.  Roy  Eugene, 
secretary  and  manager.  The  name  Cobb  has  long  been  a  familiar  one  in 
Scranton,  the  family  having  early  settled  in  Slocum  Hollow  from  its  New 
York  home. 

(I)  Mount  Cobb,  Pennsylvania,  bears  the  family  name,  and  in  this  place 
Asa  Cobb,  grandfather  of  Roy  E.  Cobb,  was  minister  of  the  Methodist  church 
nearly  all  of  his  life.  Asa  Cobb  married  Elizabeth  Enslin  and  they  had  eight 
children  :  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  married  W.  G.  Doud,  a  well  known  hardware 
merchant  in  Scranton ;  Ida,  a  musician :  Lillian,  a  missionary  in  China,  mar- 
ried Henry  Ferguson  and  had  four  children ;  Jennie,  married  George  Rozelle, 
a  fruit  grower  in  California;  Lulu;  Eugene,  farmer,  in  1867  journeyed  to  tlie 
gold  fields  of  California,  and  after  returning  married  Adelaide  Snyder;  John 
G.,  farmer  and  lumberman  of  Maple  Lake,  married  Frances  Wilson,  sister  of 
John  Wilson,  a  well  known  Scranton  attorney,  and  they  have  two  children; 
William  Jasper,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  William  Jasper  Cobb,  son  of  Asa  Cobb,  was  born  in  Mount  Cobb. 


362  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Pennsylvania,  in  1857,  and  lived  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  seventeen 
years  old.  In  that  time  he  acquired  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools. 
He  supplemented  this  training  with  a  course  in  Wyoming  Seminary.  His 
first  business  venture  was  as  a  lumberman  at  Marshwood.  For  seven  years 
he  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  of  Jefferson  township,  Lackawanna  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Alasonic  Order  and  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  March,  1885,  he  married  Harriet  Almeda  Kizer, 
daughter  of  John  D.  Kizer,  a  well  known  lumberman  of  Kizers,  Pennsylvania. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  five  children:  Roy  Eugene,  of  whom  further; 
Grace,  Wyoming  Seminary  graduate ;  Leila,  an  accomplished  musician ;  Isa- 
belle,  Wilson  College  graduate  and  violinist ;  Willard,  still  in  the  gramma: 
schools. 

(Ill)  Roy  Eugene  Cobb,  oldest  son  of  William  Jasper  Cobb,  was  born  at 
Marshwood,  Pennsylvania,  January  26.  1886.  He  studied  for  a  time  in  the 
public  schools,  then  went  to  Bellefonte  Academy,  and  later  went  to  Wyoming 
Seminary.  After  completing  a  business  course  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  he  be- 
came secretary  of  the  Ashley  Silk  Company.  Later  he  was  elected  manager 
of  that  company.  When  the  Electric  City  Throwing  Mills  was  organized,  he 
was  elected  secretary-manager  of  that  company.  His  capable  administration 
of  this  position  is  full  of  promise  and  future  time  will  record  his  deeds  anci 
accomplishments  in  the  business  and  industrial  world.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Republican 
party.  On  April  15,  1914,  he  married  Marguerite  Weeks,  youngest  sister  of 
Ralph  E.  Weeks. 


EDWIN  S.  WILLIAMS 

As  father  and  son,  the  name  has  been  intimately  connected  with  large 
building  operations  in  Scranton  ever  since  1862,  when  Jeremiah  Williams 
located  in  this  city,  where  hardly  a  street  but  some  building  stands  as  a  monu- 
ment to  skill  of  either  father  or  son.  Not  only  has  Edwin  S.  Williams  demon- 
strated his  ability  in  actual  construction,  but  in  the  founding  of  builders'  ex- 
changes perhaps  no  man  in  this  country  has  been  more  active  or  useful. 
While  neither  streets  nor  buildings  constitute  a  city,  but  its  inhabitants,  so  to 
the  building  of  this  human  side  of  Scranton  Mr.  Williams  has  also  con- 
tributed valuable  service.  As  a  citizen  he  has  been  allied  with  the  forces  of 
good  working  through  church  and  social  organizations  for  all  that  concerns 
the  public  welfare. 

Jeremiah  Williams  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  iir 
1830,  died  in  Scranton  in  1892.  He  spent  his  early  life  in  Stroudsburg  and 
there  learned  the  mason's  trade,  beginning  contracting  when  quite  a  young  man 
and  continuing  until  1862,  when  he  moved  to  Scranton.  He  at  once  began 
business  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  continuing  in  successful  operation  until 
his  death.  In  connection  with  his  building  operations  he  had  a  stone  quarry 
at  Nicholson  for  about  eight  years  and  another  at  West  Mountain  from  which 
flagging  and  cut  stone  was  produced.  A  few  of  his  largest  operations  were 
the  erection  of  the  Second  National  Pjank.  now  used  as  offices  by  the  Scranton 
Railway  Company ;  the  McCann  Building  on  Lackawanna  avenue ;  the  Handley 
Building  and  several  for  Richard  McHugh,  which  have  since  b-cn  remodeled; 
the  brick  work  on  the  old  Penn  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  now  the  Columb-'a 
Theatre ;  the  Hunt  and  Connell  Building  at  the  corner  of  Lackawanna  and 
Wyoming  avenues.  He  also  built  the  Roman  Catholic  church  at  Susquehanna 
and  a  great  many  other  buildings  outside  of  Scranton.  He  was  not  only  a 
reliable  builder  but  a  man  of  straightforward  manner  and  upright  life,  hold- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  363 

ing  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  all  who  had  dealings  with  him.  He  was  a 
Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  and  attended  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  his  wife  was  a  member. 

He  married  ( first )  Mary  Diehl,  born  in  Stroudsburg,  who  bore  him  three 
children:  Ellen,  married  C.  H.  Chandler;  Edwin  S. ;  and  one  who  died  in  child- 
hood. Mrs.  Mary  Williams  died  in  1869,  aged  thirty-seven  years.  Jeremiah 
Williams  married  ( second )  Mildred  Leary,  born  in  Canada  by  whom  he  had ; 
Frederick,  now  of  Kansas;  George  W.,  now  of  Schenectady,  New  York; 
Bessie. 

Edwin  S.  Williams,  only  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Mary  (Diehl)  Williams,  was 
born  in  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania,  October  27,  1862.  He  attended  public 
school  No.  I,  in  Scranton,  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  then  entered  the 
business  of  life  by  beginning  work  with  his  father,  then  worked  in  the  planing 
mill  of  Hull  &  Parker,  receiving  as  wages  twenty-five  cents  per  day.  In  the 
morning  before  going  to  work  he  delivered  the  Times  over  a  route  in  the 
city,  which  increased  his  weekly  earnings  considerably.  After  a  year  in  the 
planing  mill,  he  began  learning  the  stone  cutter's  trade,  continuing  until  he 
was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  was  then  placed  in  charge  of  his  father's  stone 
quarry  at  Nicholson,  but  soon  after  leased  a  quarry  which  he  operated  on  his 
own  account,  continuing  quarrying  there  and  in  other  places  for  about  ten 
years.  In  the  meantime  he  established  a  cut  stone  yard  in  Scranton  and  later 
began  contracting  the  stone  for  buildings  and  then  added  building  construction. 
His  first  large  contract  was  to  cut  the  stone  used  in  the  erection  of  the  new 
County  Jail  and  a  little  later  he  furnished  the  cut  stone  for  the  City  Hall, 
erected  in  1888.  He  also  obtained  the  contract  to  lay  the  sidewalks  around 
Court  House  Square,  and  then  began  figuring  on  contracts  for  an  entire  build- 
ing. He  secured  a  number  of  small  contracts,  one  of  the  first  being  the  re- 
modeling of  N.  Morton's  store  after  a  fire  had  partially  destroyed  it.  About 
the  same  time  he  did  the  mason  and  steel  work  on  what  is  now  known  as  the 
Weeks  Building.  This  was  in  1892  and  he  was  yet  running  his  stone  yard,  in 
fact,  did  so  until  1898,  when  he  began  devoting  himself  exclusively  to  the  erec- 
tion of  buildings.  He  has  built  a  number  of  fine  private  residences  including 
the  Jordan  house  on  North  Park,  the  Barryman  and  C.  P.  Matthews  residences. 
The  notable  public  and  business  buildings  he  has  erected  include  the  Scranton 
Savings  Bank,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  the  Railway  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  Immanuel  Baptist  Church,  the  State  Hospital, 
Hahnemann  Hospital,  the  brick  work  on  the  Karser  \'alley  Shops  and  on  build- 
ing and  round  house  at  Taylor  for  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western ; 
depots  for  the  same  company  at  Harrison,  New  Jersey ;  Moscow,  Clarks  Sum- 
mit, Delaware  Water  Gap,  Bangor,  Pennsylvania ;  Norwich,  New  York ;  a 
round  house  at  Utica,  New  York ;  coal  pocket  at  Syracuse,  New  York,  and  the 
brick  works  on  the  company  shops  at  Ampere  and  Kingsland,  New  Jersey. 
He  did  the  interior  mason  work  on  the  Church  of  the  Nativity,  Scranton.  re- 
modeled the  Williams  and  McAnulty  Building  for  the  Globe  Warehouse  Com- 
pany, erected  public  school  buildings  Nos.  9,  13  and  23,  an  addition  to  No.  33. 
and  many  others.  He  bears  a  high  reputation  as  an  honorable  and  capable 
builder,  and  an  upright  man  and  a  good  citizen.  He  has  the  courage  of  his 
strong  convictions,  is  tenacious  of  purpose,  an  untiring  worker  and  fully  alive 
to  the  responsibilities  of  life.  He  early  in  life  embraced  the  cause  of  prohibi- 
tion and  has  steadfastly  maintained  that  principle.  He  has  sufifered  himself 
to  be  placed  at  the  head  of  their  ticket  as  candidate  for  mayor  and  city  con- 
troller, not  in  the  expectation  or  hope  of  election  but  to  show  his  devotion 
to  an  unpopular  cause,  in  which  he  firmly  believes  as  the  correct  and  only 
solution  of  the  liquor  problem.     For  twelve  years  he  was  president  of  the 


364  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Builders'  Exchange  of  Scranton  and  has  been  instrumental  in  the  organization 
of  many  similar  bodies  in  other  places.  In  1903  he  aided  in  the  forming  of  a 
State  Association  of  Builders'  Exchanges,  and  in  1907  in  forming  a  National 
Association  of  the  same.  He  is  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  and  of  Immanuel  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  is  a 
deacon.  He  also  served  ten  years  as  assistant  superintendent  and  teacher  m 
the  Sunday  school  and  two  years  as  superintendent.  For  nineteen  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Vesper  Literary  Society,  three  terms  its  president,  and  is 
now  president  of  Vesper  League  of  Immanuel  Church.  Just  now  in  the  full 
vigor  of  his  manhood,  Mr.  Williams'  opportunities  of  usefulness  are  full  of 
promise. 

Mr.  Williams  married  Grace  H.  White,  in  Plantsville,  Connecticut,  Decem- 
ber 18,  1893.     Children :  Louise  M.,  Marjorie  O.,  Francis  E. 


CHARLES  L.  MERCEREAU 

For  forty  years  Charles  L.  Mercereau  was  active  in  the  business  world 
of  Scranton  as  a  jewelry  dealer,  and  for  the  past  eight  years  he  has  lived 
retired  in  that  city.  Mr.  Mercereau  may  look  back  over  a  career  that  em- 
bodies not  only  success  in  business,  but  which  includes  two  and  a  half  years  of 
service  that  sounded  the  greatest  depths  of  patriotism  and  the  firmest  founda- 
tions of  manhood,  these  being  spent  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War. 
He  is  a  descendant  of  a  family  of  French  origin,  which  was  founded  in  the 
United  States  by  Huguenot  ancestors  who  fled  their  native  country  upon  the 
revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes.  Their  first  place  of  refuge  was  England, 
but  James  the  Second  having  just  ascended  the  throne,  they  feared  further 
persecution,  and  continued  their  migration  to  America.  Captain  Lawrence 
Mercereau,  an  ancestor  of  the  Mr.  Mercereau  of  this  sketch,  was  in  Paris 
at  the  time  of  the  Massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew,  escaped  with  his  family  to 
England,  later  immigrating  to  America,  where  he  arrived  at  the  time  of  the 
arrival  of  William  Penn.  New  York  became  the  home  of  the  branch  of  the 
family  of  which  Charles  L.  Mercereau  is  a  member. 

(III)  John  Mercereau,  son  of  Joshua  Mercereau,  and  grandson  of  Joshua 
Mercereau,  was  born  on  Staten  Island,  New  York,  March  2,  1732,  died  at 
Union,  New  York,  February  21,  1820.  He  served  with  his  brother  Joshua 
during  the  Revolution,  the  latter  being  a  member  of  the  New  York  house  of 
assembly  from  1777  to  1786.  John  Mercereau  was  instrumental  in  saving  the 
retreat  of  General  Washington's  army  after  crossing  the  Delaware  river,  by 
discovering  a  sunken  boat  and  destroying  it.  He  drove  the  post  coach  from 
New  York  to  Philadelphia,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  turned  his  horses 
over  to  the  American  army.  L^pon  the  conclusion  of  the  war  he  removed  with 
his  family,  that  of  his  brother  Joshua,  and  many  others,  to  the  wilderness  on 
the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna  river,  and  founded  the  village  of  LInion,  New 
York.  September  25,  1804,  he  wrote  a  letter  from  this  village  to  his  brothei 
Cornelius,  residing  on  Staten  Island,  condoling  upon  the  recent  death  of 
their  brother  Jacob.  In  this  letter  he  copies  the  record  and  mentions  the  old 
Dutch  Bible.  The  letter  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  George  B.  Mercereau. 
of  New  York  City.  John  Mercereau  married  (first)  November  i,  1756, 
Maria  Prawn  or  Prall,  who  died  in  1770.  He  married  (second)  Barbary 
Van  Pelt,  born  October  19,  1752,  died  March  10,  1847.  Children  by  first  mar- 
riage :  Maria ;  Joshua,  of  further  mention ;  Mary ;  Abram  and  John,  twins ; 
Allada.  Children  by  second  marriage :  David,  Israel  and  Peter.  John  Mer- 
cereau was  also  a  brother  to  David,  Mary,  Caroline,  Paul  and  Rachel. 

(IV)  Joshua  Mercereau,  son  of  John  and  Maria  (Prawn  or  Prall)   Mer- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  3^5 

cereau,  was  born  on  Staten  Island,  October  4,  1762,  died  December  4,  1804. 
He  married,  December  17.  1784,  Keziah  Drake,  born  May  6,  1769-70,  died 
August  2,  1843,  snc'  after  marriage  removed  to  Union,  New  York.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  Colonel  Drake,  an  officer  under  General  Washington,  and  a 
descendant  of  Sir  Francis  Drake,  the  famous  English  navigator  and  hero. 
Children  :  Jane,  married  Elias  Morse ;  John  D.,  married  Sallie  Skillman,  and 
had:  Aletta,  James  S.,  Joshua,  Eliza,  Eliza,  the  second,  Sarah  [ane,  Lydia, 
Nancy,  John  D.,  Abby  and  Hannah;  James;  Barbary,  married  Elias  Skillman, 

Mary,  married Kernochan ;  Henry,  married  Catherine  Bartholomew ; 

Joshua,  of  further  mention. 

(V)  Joshua  (2)  Mercereau,  son  of  Joshua  (  i  )  and  Keziah  (Drake)  Mer- 
cereau,  was  born  in  Union,  New  York,  September  25,  1804,  died  July  28,  1882. 
He  was  a  farmer  on  an  extensive  scale,  held  in  high  repute  in  the  community 
in  which  he  lived  for  the  exacting  honesty  and  ujirightness  that  directed  his 
daily  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married,  March 
20,  1834.  Julia  Lamonte,  born  November  8,  1814,  died  March  26,  i860.  Chil- 
dren :  James,  a  brilliant  scholar  and  ministerial  student,  was  born  February 
14,  1836,  died  in  1861;  Keziah,  born  February  4,  1838,  died  in  infancy; 
Charles  L.,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch ;  Caroline  L.,  born  September  23, 
1842,  married  Nathan  Chandler,  deceased;  Henry  C,  born  March  7,  1845, 
married  Mary  Gumaer;  Jane  L.,  born  April  6,  1847;  Mary,  born  July  25, 
1849,  married  Wallace  W.  Duncan;  John  D.,  born  November  6,  1851,  married 
Geraldine  Wagner:  Clara,  born  March  20,  1854,  married  J.  H.  Nicholson. 

(VI)  Charles  L.  Mercereau,  son  of  Joshua  (2)  and  Julia  (Lamonte)  Mer- 
cereau, was  born  in  Union,  New  York,  May  14,  1840.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  there  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  finishing  his  studies  in  Owego 
and  Athens  academies.  April  23,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  a  regiment  of  volunteer 
infantry,  recruited  in  Illinois  for  a  short  term  of  service,  in  the  Union  army, 
and  was  mustered  out,  August  31,  1861.  He  then  became  a  clerk  in  his 
brother's  store,  and  upon  the  death  of  his  brother,  re-enlisted  in  the 
Union  army,  this  time  becoming  a  soldier  in  a  company  of  Pennsyl- 
vania cavalry,  which  he  joined  August  23,  1863.  In  February,  1864, 
this  company  and  others  were  united  to  form  the  Twenty-second  Regi- 
ment of  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  In  May,  1865,  the  Twenty-second 
and  the  Eighteenth  regiments  of  Pennsylvania  cavalry  were  consolidated  as  the 
Third  Regiment  Provisional  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  which  was  mustered  out 
of  service,  October  31,  1865,  at  which  time  Mr.  Mercereau  held  the  rank  of 
first  lieutenant.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  nearly  all  of  the  battles  of  the 
Shenandoah  \'allev,  and  in  the  engagement  at  Mount  Vernon  Forge  was 
taken  captive  by  the  Confederate  force,  and  sent  to  Libby  Prison.  From  this 
place  they  were  transferred  to  Salisbury  Prison,  where  almost  unbelievable 
hardships  were  endured,  twelve  thousand  prisoners  dying  in  this  place  of  con- 
finement within  one  year.  Lieutenant  Mercereau  was  also  held  prisoner  at 
Danville,  Virginia,  returning  to  his  home  just  prior  to  the  evacuation  of  Rich- 
mond. 

In  1866  he  came  to  the  city  of  Scranton,  establishing  himself  at  once  in 
the  jewelry  trade,  was  in  this  business  forty  years,  retiring  from  active  partici- 
pation therein  in  1906,  after  having  built  up  a  well  patronized  and  flourishing 
business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  has  all 
his  life  upheld  Republican  principles.  During  his  residence  in  Scranton,  Mr. 
Mercereau  has  formed  numerous  associations  outside  of  those  required  by 
business  and,  a  gentleman  of  culture  and  refinement,  represents  a  high  type 
of  citizenship. 

Mr.  Mercereau  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  William  and  Caroline  Olm- 


366  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

stead,  of  Union,  New  York.  Children:  Josephine,  married  Franl<  Littell,  and 
has :  Marion  and  Charles ;  Burton,  married  Hilda  Goodman  and  has  one  son, 
Wayne. 


ARTHUR  A.  WEINSCHENK 

The  past  fourteen  years  have  witnessed  the  professional  labors  in  the 
city  of  Scranton  of  Arthur  A.  Weinschenk,  who  in  1900  opened  an  architect's 
office  in  this  city,  his  training  having  been  received  under  special  instruction 
in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  in  offices  in  New  York  City.  That 
space  of  time  has  been  sufficient  for  him  to  gain  recognition  as  a  master  of  his 
profession,  an  architect  of  bold  and  original  ideas,  and  his  work  has  found  favor 
with  his  professional  brethren  and  persons  of  discerning  taste,  for  whose  ap- 
proval he  has  submitted  plans  and  drawings. 

Mr.  Weinschenk  is  a  son  of  Anton  Weinschenk,  born  in  Wasser  Alfingen. 
Wittenberg,  Germany,  July  7,  1829.  Anton  Weinschenk  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  land,  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  moulder,  as  a  youth 
of  twenty  years  coming  to  Pennsylvania  and  locating  in  Carbondale,  where 
he  was  employed  at  his  trade.  Two  years  after  his  arrival  in  this  place  he 
moved  to  Slocum  Hollow  (Scranton)  and  there  entered  the  service  of  the 
Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company.  From  the  rank  of  moulder,  in  which 
capacity  he  was  first  engaged,  he  advanced  through  various  promotions  to  the 
position  of  superintendent  of  the  foundry,  filling  this  important  place  until 
his  retirement  in  1896.  He  was  a  trusted  employee,  vested  with  full  authority 
in  the  foundry  of  the  company,  and  organized  an  efficient  and  industrious 
working  force,  which  he  headed  in  an  able  manner.  Mr.  Weinschenk  was  a 
musician  of  no  mean  talent,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Burger  Band,  later 
Diller's  Band,  the  first  organization  of  its  kind  in  the  city  of  Scranton.  From 
1878  to  1886  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  the  city,  elected  as  an 
independent,  faithful  in  his  discharge  of  the  responsibilities  and  duties  such 
membership  carried.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church, 
which  the  family  attended.  He  was  president  of  the  German  Building  and 
Loan  Association  No.  9,  having  been  a  member  of  the  boards  of  directors  of 
associations  Nos.  i  to  8,  and  his  son,  Arthur  A.,  succeeded  him  in  the  presi- 
dency of  Association  No.  8.  Anton  Weinschenk  died  in  1905;  his  wife  died 
in  1909,  and  both  are  buried  in  Dunmore  Cemetery. 

He  married,  in  1851,  Maria  Christman,  born  in  Monroe  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  25,  1834.  Children:  i.  Elizabeth,  married  George  F.  Kellow ; 
a  member  of  the  board  of  aldermen,  representing  the  fourteenth  ward :  re- 
sides in  Scranton.  2.  Delilah,  a  teacher  in  Scranton  Public  School  No.  3.  3. 
Delphine,  married  Dr.  A.  Kolb;  resides  in  Scranton.  4.  Arthur  A.,  of  whom 
further. 

Arthur  A.  Weinschenk  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  20,  1871. 
He  obtained  his  general  education  in  the  public  schools  of  this  city.  After 
a  special  course  in  architecture  in  the  L^niversity  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Phila- 
delphia, he  was  emploved  in  several  architects'  offices  in  New  York,  after 
which,  in  1900,  he  returned  to  Scranton  and  there  began  work  in  his  pro- 
fession. He  has  been  successful  to  an  unusual  degree,  work  designed  by  him 
apoearing  in  abundance  throughout  the  locality,  many  of  the  most  attractive 
residences  of  the  region  executed  after  his  plans.  To  a  complete  and  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  technique  of  his  calling  he  has  added  an  individuality  of 
expression  that  distinguishes  his  work,  and  has  won  him  praise  and  reputation. 
Mr.  Weinschenk  is  a  Republican  in  political  sympathy,  and  was  at  one  time  a 
member  of  Company  A,  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  National  Guard. 


C^jT^.  (^^^l.A.i^'^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  367 

He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  his 
wife  is  also  a  member,  Mrs.  Weinschenk  active  in  the  work  of  the  societies  of 
that  organization.  His  fraternal  order  is  the  Masonic,  in  which  he  holds  the 
thirty-second  degree,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and  he  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Weinschenk  married,  June  20,  1898,  Helen,  daughter  of  Dr.  William 
and  Lydia  (Wade)  Barnes,  her  parents  natives  of  Connecticut.  They  have 
children,  both  born  in  Scranton :  Carl  A.,  born  in  1904;  Arthur  A.  Jr.,  born  in 
1909. 


HON.  HENRY  M.  EDWARDS 

Hon.  Henry  M.  Edwards,  a  lawyer  of  exceptional  ability,  president  judge 
of  the  courts  of  Lackawanna  county,  by  his  own  honorable  exertions  and  moral 
attributes  has  carved  out  for  himself  friends,  affluence  and  position.  By  the 
strength  and  force  of  his  own  character,  he  has  overcome  obstacles  which  to 
some  would  seem  unsurmountable,  and  his  mind  has  ever  been  occupied  with 
enterprises  for  the  advancement  and  welfare  of  Scranton,  the  city  of  his  adop- 
tion. Scrupulously  honorable  in  all  his  dealings  with  mankind,  he  bears  a  repu- 
tation for  public  and  private  integrity,  and  being  sociable  and  genial,  his  friends 
are  legion,  composed  of  all  classes  of  society,  who  estimate  him  at  his  true 
worth. 

He  was  born  in  Monmouthshire,  South  Wales,  February  12,  1844,  son 
of  John  M.  and  Margaret  (Morgans)  Edwards,  who  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1864,  locating  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  the  father  engaged 
in  mining,  and  his  death  occurred  there  in  July,  1884;  the  death  of  his  wife 
occurred  in  September,  1874,  while  on  a  visit  to  Wales. 

The  educational  advantages  enjoyed  by  Henry  M.  Edwards  were  obtained 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place,  and  in  London  University,  which  he 
entered  at  the  age  of  sixteen  and  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Arts  in  1863.  In  the  following  year  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  the 
United  States,  locating  in  Hyde  Park,  Scranton,  and  being  well  educated  and 
unusually  intelligent,  soon  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Welsh  literary  circle 
that  was  then  a  prominent  feature  in  West  Side  life.  A  year  after  his  arrival 
in  this  country,  his  fluent  pen  won  for  him  a  position  on  the  New  York  Tribune, 
the  attention  of  the  staff  of  that  paper  being  attracted  to  him  by  articles  that  he 
had  written  for  the  metropolitan  journals,  touching  on  important  doings  in 
the  everyday  world  in  Scranton.  In  the  following  year,  1866,  he  returned 
to  Scranton  to  edit  the  Banner  of  America,  a  newspaper  devoted  to  the  in- 
terests of  Welsh-Americans,  which  attained  a  large  circulation  and  wielded 
considerable  influence  in  its  day,  and  for  two  years  he  remained  at  the  helm  of 
this  publication. 

At  this  period  of  his  career,  his  thoughts  turned  to  the  study  of  what  be- 
came his  life  work,  the  law,  and  in  1870  he  entered  as  a  student  the  law  office 
of  the  late  Hon.  Fred  W.  Gunster,  who  afterwards  became  judge,  and  with 
whom  he  was  later  a  colleague  on  the  bench.  In  1871  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  at  the  bar  of  Luzerne  county.  Later  he  former  a  partnership  with  the 
late  Judge  William  Ward,  which  connection  continued  for  three  years,  when 
Mr.  Edwards  withdrew  and  opened  offices  of  his  own,  and  enjoyed  a  large  and 
lucrative  general  practice,  rising  to  the  forerank  of  the  younger  member  of  the 
bar. 

While  a  hard  w'orker  as  a  lawyer,  Mr.  Edwards  was  also  active  in  politics, 
and  his  ability  as  a  speaker  becoming  widely  known,  his  services  on  the  stump 
were  in  great  demand,  always  in  the  interests  of  the  Republican  party,  and  he 


368  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

spoke  in  various  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  in  Ohio,  Maryland,  New  York  and 
Vermont.  His  work  in  behalf  of  his  party  won  for  him  the  nomination  for 
district  attorney  of  Lackawanna  county  in  1885.  and  his  election  followed,  he 
receiving  a  handsome  majority.  As  public  prosecutor  he  earned  an  excellent 
reputation  for  fairness  and  good  judginent,  while  his  legal  ability  won  favor- 
able comment  from  the  profession.  In  1888  he  was  re-elected  to  that  office, 
proof  positive  of  his  popularity  and  efficiency.  In  1891,  upon  his  retirement 
from  the  district  attorney's  office,  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  only  to  again 
enter  the  political  arena  in  1893,  in  the  fall  of  which  year  he  was  elected 
additional  law  judge.  In  1901  he  became  president  judge  upon  the  retirement 
of  Judge  Robert  W.  Archbakl,  and  in  1903  he  was  re-elected  without  opposi- 
tion for  a  second  term  of  ten  years.  In  the  fall  of  1913  he  was  again  elected 
to  the  same  high  office,  being  the  sole  nominee.  Although  Judge  Edwards  has 
passed  the  three  score  and  ten  mark,  he  has  lost  none  of  his  keenness  or  capacity 
for  work,  and  time  has  not  dimmed  his  talents  in  the  slightest  degree. 

For  the  past  three  or  four  decades  Judge  Edwards  has  been  a  familiar 
figure  at  every  large  Welsh  gathering  of  local  and  international  prominence. 
He  has  filled  the  position  of  either  adjudicator  or  conductor  at  all  of  the  large 
Eisteddfods  that  have  been  held  this  side  of  the  Mississippi  in  recent  years. 
He  is  an  Elk,  a  Mason,  a  Druid,  member  of  the  Scranton  Club  and  of  several 
other  organizations.  On  the  eve  of  his  seventieth  birthday,  Judge  Edwards 
was  tendered  a  testimonial  dinner  by  the  county  officials,  and  on  his  birthday' 
was  tendered  a  dinner  by  the  members  of  the  Lackawanna  County  Bar.  A 
pleasing  feature  of  the  former  named  dinner  was  the  presentation  of  a  large 
portrait  of  Judge  Edwards  to  himself,  his  colleague  on  the  bench,  Hon.  Ed- 
ward C.  Newcomb,  making  the  presentation.  The  portrait,  done  in  oil  on 
canvas,  is  the  work  of  J.  B.  Schriever,  and  it  is  enclosed  in  a  large  gilt  frame. 

Judge  Edwards  married,  November  3,  1870,  Jennie  Richards,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Richards,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  the  ceremony  being  performed 
in  the  city  of  Scranton.  Children :  John  R.,  of  whom  further ;  Margaret,  mar- 
ried Edward  W.  Thayer ;  May,  married  Edgar  A.  Jones,  attorney  and  trust 
officer  of  the  Lackawanna  Savings  &  Trust  Company;  Anna,  married  Pro- 
fessor Eugene  H.  Fellows,  teacher  in  the  Scranton  High  School:  Henry  M. 
Jr.,  resides  at  home. 

John  R.  Edwards  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  15,  1875. 
After  a  course  in  the  public  schools  he  entered  Lawrenceville  Preparatory 
School  (New  Jersey)  later  matriculating  at  Princeton  L'niversity.  Returning 
to  Scranton  he  prepared  for  the  practice  of  law  under  the  direction  of  his 
father,  and  in  1897  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar.  He  formed  a 
partnership  with  J-  Alton  Davis,  with  whom  he  was  associated  until  the  death 
of  Mr.  Davis.  He  has  been  admitted  to  all  the  state  and  federal  courts  of 
the  district,  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  County  Bar  Association  and  has 
obtained  a  secure  position  among  the  leading  practitioners  of  the  Lackawanna 
bar.  In  1900  he  was  appointed  supervisor  of  the  twelfth  federal  census  for 
the  counties  of  Lackawanna,  Monroe  and  Pike :  in  1904  and  1905  was  col- 
lector of  poor  taxes  and  in  1910  was  supervisor  of  the  thirteenth  federal  censu'^ 
for  Lackawanna  county. 


WALTER  H.  TONES 


From  Wales  came  Daniel  Jones,  grandfather  of  Walter  H.  Jones,  one  of 
the  organizers  and  present  cashier  of  the  Electric  City  Bank,  Scranton.  Daniel 
Jones  reached  American  shores  in  a  highly  dramatic  but  perilous  manner.  The 
ship  in  which  he  crossed  the  ocean  was  wrecked  on  the  New  Foundland  rocks. 


Jm^2fir0trjJ^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  369 

he  and  two  companions  reaching  the  shore  on  bits  of  wreckage.  After  re- 
gaining their  strength,  the  three  men  secured  work  in  a  slate  quarry  and  when 
again  in  funds  proceeded  to  Boston.  Later  Daniel  Jones  settled  in  Carbondale, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  practical  miner  and  after  moving  to  Newcastle  opened 
the  first  coal  mine  in  that  district.  He  married  and  was  the  father  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  i.  Annie,  married  David  Jones,  born  in  Wales,  and  before 
coming  to  the  United  States  served  in  the  British  navy;  he  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  navy  during  the  Civil  War  and  was  one  of  the  crew  of  the  war- 
ship "Congress"  and  escaped  from  her  by  swimming  when  the  "Merrimac' 
destroyed  the  Cumberland  and  created  such  dire  havoc  ere  sufifering  defeat 
from  the  "Monitor;"  he  later  joined  the  army  and  served  until  the  war  closed. 
2.  Roderick.  3.  James.  4.  William.  5.  Henry  D.,  of  whom  further.  6. 
Ebenezer,  his  father's  clerk,  then  with  Dale  &  Company  on  Lackawanna  ave- 
nue, Scranton,  until  his  death.  During  the  Civil  War  Daniel  Jones,  with  three 
of  his  sons,  Roderick,  James  and  William,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  and  saw 
hard  service,  Roderick  losing  an  arm  in  battle.  When  shot,  his  friend  and 
comrade,  Thomas  Allen,  now  living  on  North  Hyde  Park  avenue,  saw  him 
fall  and  at  once  bore  him  to  the  rear,  where  his  arm  was  amputated.  James 
contracted  fever  and  returned  home.  David  Jones  and  William  continued  in 
the  service  without  serious  mishap  until  the  war  closed.  William  and  Roderick 
yet  reside  in  Scranton,  the  former  a  member  of  Griffin  Post,  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic. 

(H)  Henry  D.  Jones,  son  of  Daniel  Jones,  was  born  in  Newcastle,  a  suburb 
of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  in  1852.  He  began  work  in  a  coal  breaker  when  but 
six  years  of  age,  being  so  small  at  the  time  that,  when  snow  was  deep  on  the 
ground  his  father  would  carry  him  to  the  breakers.  He  worked  as  breaker- 
boy  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  The  family  then  moved  to  a  place 
called  Sandy  Bank,  a  suburb  of  Scranton,  now  in  the  city,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed as  a  clerk  by  the  Richards  &  Howell  Company,  on  South  Main  ave- 
nue. Later  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  provision  business  at  105  South 
Main  avenue.  After  one  year  there  he  bought  the  building  at  1109  Jackson 
street,  where  he  continued  in  business  until  1898.  From  that  year  until  his 
death  he  was  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  married  (first)  in  1871, 
Mary,  daughter  of  John  L.  and  Elizabeth  Lewis,  and  they  are  the  parents  of: 
Lewis,  now  a  meat  merchant  on  North  Main  avenue,  married  Annie  Broad- 
bent,  and  they  have  Lois,  Wright  V.,  Helen,  Mary;  Walter  H.,  of  whom 
further;  Mina,  deceased.  He  married  (second)  Mary  Jane  Lowry,  who  bore 
him  a  son,  Oscar  Stanley,  now  in  the  employ  of  Rogers  &  Company,  of  Scran- 
ton. Henry  D.  Jones  was  a  member  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  339,  F.  and 
A.  M.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  at  one  time  city  assessor.  In 
religious  faith  he  was  a  Methodist. 

(Ill)  Walter  H.  Jones,  second  son  of  Henry  D.  and  Mary  (Lewis)  Jones, 
was  bom  in  Scranton,  December  27,  1873.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  city,  which  he  attended  until  his  sixteenth  year.  He  then 
entered  his  father's  employ  as  clerk,  remaining  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age.  He  then  entered  the  State  Normal  School  at  Bloomsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, remaining  until  his  graduation  in  June,  1900.  The  following  year  he  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  West  Side  Bank,  remaining  until  1904.  In  that  year 
he  entered  the  newly  organized  Keystone  Bank  as  teller.  Later  he  resigned 
and  for  eight  months  was  associated  with  the  Dime  Deposit  Bank,  now  the 
Scranton  Savings  and  Dime  Bank.  He  then  began  the  organization  of  the 
Electric  City  Bank,  which  was  chartered  June,  1910,  and  opened  its  doors  for 
business,  July  i,  1910,  with  Mr.  Jones  as  cashier.  He  brings  to  this  position  a 
well-trained  mind,  years  of  banking  experience,  and  an  earnestness  of  purpose 
24 


370  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

that  eminently  qualifies  him  for  so  important  a  trust.  The  bank  is  a  suc- 
cessful one  and  has  already  gained  a  strong  position  in  financial  affairs.  Mr. 
Jones  is  a  member  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  IMasons ;  Wash- 
ington Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  West  Scranton  Council,  No.  497,  R.  and 
S.  M. ;  Lackawanna  Council,  No.  1143,  R-  ^- !  Junior  Order  of  United  Amer- 
ican Mechanics,  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  and  Simpson  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  deeply  interested  in  all  that  pertains 
to  public  progress,  but  never  an  office-seeker.  His  career  has  been  an  honorable 
and  successful  one,  and  the  future  holds  for  him  bright  promise. 

Mr.  Jones  married,  August,  1907,  Rachel  Jones,  daughter  of  the  late 
Thomas  H.  Jones,  the  pioneer  stone  cutter  and  marble  worker  of  this  section. 
His  wife  taught  school  in  No.  14  for  twelve  years.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Simpson  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


DANIEL  W.  EVANS,  M.  D. 

The  city  of  Scranton  lays  a  great  deal  of  claim  to  Dr.  Daniel  W.  Evans 
for  the  splendid  benefit  that  has  been  derived  from  his  useful  activities  in  that 
place.  While  a  native  of  Wales  and  educated  in  western  institutions,  all  but 
six  years  of  his  professional  career  has  been  passed  in  Scranton;  here  he  has 
carved  for  himself  a  niche  high  in  the  medical  wall,  in  addition  to  holding  as 
sincere  a  regard  for  the  welfare  of  the  city  of  his  adoption  as  though  his  entire 
life  had  been  passed  therein. 

His  family  is  an  old  one  in  Wales,  their  residence  in  the  south  of  that 
country  having  been  built  about  1600,  since  which  time  it  has  been  continuously 
owned  and  occupied  by  the  descendants  of  the  Evans  who  caused  its  erection, 
it  now  being  the  home  of  a  cousin  of  Daniel  W.  Evans.  Many  recruits  from 
the  family  have  seen  service  in  the  army  and  navy  of  the  king,  several  partici- 
pating in  Napoleon's  down-fall  at  \\'aterloo,  while  James  Lewis,  a  great- 
uncle  of  Mr.  Evans,  was  distinguished  for  his  bravery  in  the  War  of  the 
Crimea.  David,  grandfather  of  Daniel  W.  Evans,  was  born  in  Carmarthen- 
shire, South  Wales,  in  1800,  one  of  seven  brothers  and  two  sisters  all  of  whom, 
excepting  him,  engaging  in  farming,  his  occupation  being  that  of  shoemaker. 
He  married  Mary  Thomas  and  had  children :  Margaret  E.,  Elizabeth,  and  Mor- 
gan L.,  of  whom  further. 

Morgan  L.  Evans,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Thomas)  Evans,  was  born  in 
Tascon,  South  Wales,  in  1837,  and  in  that  country  grew  to  maturity  and  mar- 
ried. He  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1868,  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  five  children,  settling  in  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  until  1881.  His 
trade  is  that  of  shoemaker,  and  in  the  latter  year  he  moved  to  the  western 
part  of  the  state  of  Iowa  and  after  engaging  in  farming  for  a  short  time  he 
retired,  his  present  home  being  in  Adair,  Iowa.  He  married  Jane,  born  in 
1840,  daughter  of  James  and  Jane  Lewis,  of  Pennywren,  South  Wales,  and 
has  children:  Jane,  deceased;  David,  a  physician  of  Iowa;  James,  engaged  in 
business  in  Garfield,  Washington;  Mary,  died  in  1879;  Daniel  W.,  of  whom 
further ;  Margaret,  resides  in  North  Dakota ;  William,  deceased ;  Ann,  lives 
in  Silver  Park,  Saskatchewan,  Canada;  Harriet,  resides  in  Adair,  Iowa;  Flor- 
ence, lives  in  Adair,  Iowa ;  Ruth,  lives  in  Kimball,  Nebraska. 

Daniel  W.  Evans,  son  of  Morgan  L.  and  Jane  (Lewis)  Evans,  was  bom 
in  Tascon,  South  Wales,  June  14,  1866,  being  brought  to  the  United  States 
by  his  parents  when  he  was  a  child  of  two  years.  He  obtained  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Iowa  City,  in  1891,  after  a  four  years'  course, 
graduating  from  the  high  school  at  Panora,  Iowa.  Enrolling  in  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  Iowa  he  continued  studies  there  for  one  year. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  371 

subsequently  matriculating  in  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  an  in- 
stitution which  has  since  joined  forces  with  the  University  of  Illinois,  receiving 
his  M.  D.  in  the  class  of  1894.  His  first  field  was  in  South  Dakota,  where  he 
established  in  practice  the  year  of  his  graduation,  continuing  there  until  1900, 
when  he  came  to  Scranton  and  began  the  association  that  has  endured  with 
pleasure  and  advantage  for  fourteen  years.  In  April  of  that  year  he  opened 
an  office  at  No.  217  North  Main  avenue,  remaining  in  that  place  until  1909. 
when  he  took  up  his  present  favorable  location  at  No.  157-159  South  Main 
avenue,  where  he  has  attracted  and  whence  he  has  visited  a  generous  and  select 
patronage.  Not  long  after  his  arrival  in  Scranton  Dr.  Evans  opened  an  in- 
stitution known  as  the  Scranton  Sanitarium  and  Medical  Baths,  its  present 
name  being  the  Dr.  Evans'  Hospital.  The  hospital  has  a  capacity  of  fifteen 
patients,  and  during  its  existence  Dr.  Evans  has  there  treated  cases  with  baflling 
complications  requiring  the  highest  of  the  surgeon's  and  physician's  art.  Aside 
from  the  success  that  has  come  to  him  through  its  agency  Dr.  Evans  is  a  lover 
of  his  profession,  an  enthusiastic  student  and  worker,  and,  if  the  human  qual- 
ities ab»ound  in  him  a«  strongly  as  in  most  men,  he  should  rejoice  and  be  glad 
in  the  power  that  has  been  given  him  and  which  he  has  used  so  wisely  and 
well.  There  has  been  an  up-hill  feature  to  Dr.  Evans'  life,  for  the  obtaining  of 
his  wide  and  complete  education  came  through  his  personal  labor,  not  only  in 
the  difficult  study  but  in  securing  funds  to  defray  his  tuition.  Since  becoming 
an  active  practitioner  he  has  at  dififerent  times  left  his  practice  to  take  post- 
graduate courses  in  the  leading  institutions  of  Chicago,  New  York,  and  Phila- 
delphia, study  which  has  raised  him  to  the  height  of  efficiency.  His  medical  so- 
cieties are  the  County,  State,  and  American,  and  besides  having  been  pension 
examiner  and  medical  examiner  for  numerous  insurance  companies,  he  was 
health  officer  in  Dell  Rapids,  South  Dakota. 

It  is  one  of  Dr.  Evans'  greatest  enjoyments  to  serve  his  city  in  any  man- 
ner, and  as  a  private  citizen  has  worked  earnestly  to  propagate  civic  pride 
and  to  aid  in  the  establishment  of  a  more  strict  moral  code  in  the  city.  In 
other  departments  he  has  also  labored  for  the  best  interests  of  Scranton,  and 
on  February  19,  1913,  he  was  one  of  a  committee  of  three  appointed  by  the 
Scranton  West  Side  Board  of  Trade  to  devise  some  means  of  protection  for 
the  citizens  of  Scranton  against  the  frequent  "cave-ins"  that  have  caused  so 
much  expense  to  the  property  owners  of  the  city.  These  accidents  are  caused 
by  miners  cutting  away  the  pillars  supporting  the  roof  of  the  tunnels  which 
ramify  under  the  city  from  the  main  shafts  outside  of  its  borders,  the  only 
excuse  for  their  occurrence  being  the  greed  of  the  owners  for  the  supporting 
column  of  coal.  Dr.  Evans  and  his  committee  have  given  this  lawless  practice 
wide  publicity,  all  of  the  newspapers  having  taken  up  the  subject,  with  the 
result  that  two  hundred  and  twenty  articles  dealing  therewith  have  appeared 
in  reputable  periodicals.  Whatever  of  benefit  shall  result  from  the  work  of  this 
commission,  which  has  been  truly  faithful  to  the  trust  reposed  in  it,  will  bear 
with  it  credit  to  Dr.  Evans  as  a  loyal  and  energetic  member  of  the  committee 
that  brought  the  atrocity  forth  to  the  criticism  of  a  suflfering  public.  His 
political  convictions  are  progressive  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Washington 
party.  Dr.  Evans  organized  the  Tuesday  Club,  and  is  president  at  the  present 
time,  the  object  of  the  club  being  for  the  betterment  of  national,  state  and  local 
civic  government,  making  a  special  effort  towards  keeping  officials  in  the  line 
of  duty. 

On  November  11,  1898,  Dr.  Evans  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Daniel 
and  Janet  (Williams)  Williams,  of  Scranton,  and  has  three  children:  Jeannette, 
a  freshman  member  of  the  class  of  1914,  Scranton  High  School,  and  Bayard 
and  Aubrey,  both  students  in  the  Scranton  public  schools. 


372  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

WILLIAM  JOSEPH  DOUGLAS 

It  is  eminently  fitting  and  proper  that  as  preface  to  a  recital  of  the  life  of  a 
member  of  the  ancient  Douglas  family  of  Scotland  there  should  be  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  coat-of-arms  of  that  race,  whose  part  in  the  glorious  and  ofttimes 
bloody  history  of  Scotland  was  as  glorious  as  the  history  itself.  It  is,  in 
heraldric  terms,  "Argent,  a  man's  heart  gules,  ensigned  with  an  imperial  crown 
proper ;  on  a  chief  azure,  three  stars  of  the  first."  This,  in  ordinary  language 
would  be:  L^pon  a  field  of  silver,  a  man's  heart,  red,  beneath  an  imperial  crown 
in  its  proper  colors ;  above  the  dividing  line,  upon  a  blue  ground,  three  stars  of 
silver.  Burke's  Heraldry  names  this  as  "the  Paternal  arms  of  the  name  of 
Douglas,"  and  quoting  Sir  Walter  Scott's  "Alarmion,"  is  "the  cognizance  of 
Douglas  blood  wherever  found  and  with  whatever  arms  combined."  In  Great 
Britain  the  several  branches  of  the  Douglas  family  bear  different  crests  and 
mottoes  in  addition  to  the  Douglas  anns  which  are  common  to  all  the  race. 
Thus  some  bear  above  the  shield  a  winged  heart,  a  hand  grasping  a  broken 
spear,  a  wild  boar,  or  other  device ;  while  there  are  several  mottoes  used,  as 
Lock  Sicker,  Forward,  Audax,  Jamais  Arricrc,  Nuiiquam  Post  Remits,  and 
Never  Behind,  most  of  them  having  a  meaning  similar  to  the  latter.  While  it 
is  believed  that  the  three  stars  in  the  arms  imply  relation  to  the  Murrays  of 
Scotland,  from  the  fact  that  their  arms  also  contained  three  stars,  nothing  more 
definite  is  known,  but  of  the  crowned  beast  an  interesting  story  is  told.  It 
was  assumed  by  the  family  as  a  memorial  of  the  fate  of  the  Good  Sir  James 
of  Douglas  who  perished  in  Spain  in  1330,  while  on  a  journey  to  the  Holy 
Land  with  the  heart  of  Robert  Bruce.  The  dying  king  had  bequeathed  his 
heart  to  the  Good  Sir  James,  who  had  been  his  greatest  captain,  with  the  re- 
quest that  he  would  carry  it  to  Jerusalem  and  there  bury  it  before  the  High 
Altar.  It  is  some  times  stated  that  Sir  James  died  on  his  way  to  the  Holy 
Land  and  that  he  had  the  heart  with  him  at  the  time  in  a  silver  box,  but  of  this 
Hume,  the  historian  of  the  family,  says:  "He  carried  with  him  to  Jerusalem 
the  King's  Heart,  embalmed  and  put  into  a  Box  of  Gold,  which  he  solemnly- 
buried  before  the  high  Altar  there ;  and  this  is  the  Reason  why  the  Douglas 
bear  the  crowned  Heart  in  their  Arms  ever  since."  Truly  a  beautiful  de- 
rivation and  one  well  worthy  of  honor  and  belief. 

The  descent  of  the  American  members  of  the  family  is  from  Deacon  Wil- 
liam Douglas,  born  in  Scotland  in  1610,  who  settled  in  New  London,  Con- 
necticut, in  1659.  There  are  many  interesting  points  in  connection  with  the 
generations  between  this  emigrant  ancestor  and  William  Joseph  Douglas,  of 
this  narrative,  but  space  does  not  permit  of  their  full  mention  and  will  only 
allow  the  bare  outline.  For  two  hundred  years  the  estate  of  Deacon  Douglas 
remained  in  the  family,  his  lineal  descendants  being  Deacon  William  (2) 
Douglas,  born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  1645  <  Richard  Douglas,  bora  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  1682 ;  Deacon  William  Douglas,  born  in  New  London, 
Connecticut,  1708;  William  Douglas,  born  in  New  London,  1731-32;  William 
Douglas,  born  in  New  London,  1753;  Samuel  Douglas,  born  in  Richmond,  Ver- 
mont, 1784;  Samuel  Douglas,  born  in  Richmond,  Vermont,  1821  ;  William  Jo- 
seph Douglas.  In  the  immediate  families  of  the  direct  line  from  Deacon  Wil- 
liam Douglas  to  William  Joseph  Douglas,  there  have  been  sixty-six  members, 
a  number  which  has  been  mulitplied  many  times  by  the  marriages  of  children. 

Samuel  Douglas,  father  of  William  Joseph  Douglas,  was  born  in  Richmond, 
Vermont.  He  made  agriculture  his  life  pursuit  and  became  a  man  of  prom- 
inence in  his  community,  holding  numerous  local  offices,  among  them  that  of 
supervisor  of  roads.  He  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Levi  and  Hannah  Ban- 
croft, members  of  the  family  embracing  the  famous  historian  of  that  name. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  373 

Children  of  Samuel  and  Harriet  Douglas :  John  J.,  a  commission  merchant  of 
Worcester,  Massachusetts;  Clara,  deceased;  Bertha,  married  William  A.  Doug- 
las, of  Syracuse,  New  York;  William  Joseph,  of  whom  further;  Henry  B.,  a 
merchant  of  New  York;  George  C,  a  lawyer,  practicing  in  Worcester,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

William  Joseph  Douglas  was  born  in  Louisville,  New  York,  March  9,  1865. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Louisville  and  the  Potsdam 
Nomial  School,  and  then  entered  Middlebury  College,  receiving  the  degree  of 
B.  S.  from  the  latter  institution  in  1893,  ^"d  subsequently  held  the  chair  of 
natural  science  in  Williamsport  Seminary  for  four  years.  He  forsook  a 
pedagogical  for  a  legal  career  and  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  W. 
D.  Crocker,  at  Williamsport.  In  1897  he  was  granted  admission  to  the  bar  of 
Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  following  year  the  same  privilege  was 
extended  to  him  by  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county.  Since  his  admission  to 
the  bar  he  has  engaged  in  continuous  practice,  his  patronage  growing  to  a  large 
and  prosperous  clientele.  His  success  has  been  due  largely  to  the  honorable 
and  open  course  he  has  pursued  in  every  business  relation.  Mr.  Douglas' 
place  of  business  is  at  No.  216  Miller  Building.  Mr.  Douglas  is  a  member  of 
the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  acts  independently. 
In  191 1  he  was  appointed  vice-president  of  the  Delta  Kappa  Alumni  Associa- 
tion and  Eastern  Pennsylvania  Association.  In  191 3  he  was  a  candidate  for 
judge  of  the  orphans'  court,  his  opponent  being  Judge  Sando. 

Mr.  Douglas  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Warren  and  Nicena  (Derby) 
Dunshee,  who  had  been  a  member  of  his  class  at  college.  Children :  Stewart 
D.,  born  September  2,  1897;  Dorothy,  born  January  24,  1899;  Harriet  Bedford, 
born  November  19,   1910. 


WILLIAM  G.  VAN  DE  WATER 

The  early  history  of  the  Dutch  settlement  of  Long  Island  and  New  York 
City  contains  frequent  mention  of  the  Van  De  Water  family,  they  having  been 
among  the  pioneer  emigrants  who  laid  the  foundation  for  the  present  great- 
ness and  prominence  of  that  section. 

Peter  Van  De  Water  emigrated  from  Holland  in  1644  and  was  the  pro- 
genitor of  the  Van  De  Waters  in  America.  His  son  Jacobus  was  a  prominent 
man  and  was  appointed  by  Governor  Colvey  in  1660  town  major  of  New 
Amsterdam  in  charge  of  the  Dutch  forces  at  the  Battery.  Hendrick  Van  De 
Water,  great-grandson  of  Jacobus,  was  an  officer  in  the  Continental  army 
under  General  George  Washington.  Edwin  Van  De  Water,  son  of  Hendrick  was 
a  farmer,  married  and  left  issue :  John,  William  C,  Edwin,  Emily,  Elizabeth. 
William  Curtis  Van  De  Water  was  born  at  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  October 
2,  1804.  His  boyhood  was  spent  on  the  farm,  but  later  he  learned  the  trade 
of  locksmith.  He  located  in  that  district  of  New  York  City  known  as  Green- 
wich Village,  now  that  populous  portion  of  the  city  lying  between  Canal  and 
Fourteenth  streets.  Mr.  Van  De  Water  there  engaged  in  business,  becoming 
well  known  and  prosperous.  He  married  Sarah  A.  Norris,  daughter  of  Israel 
and  Mary  Norris;  children:  Mary,  born  in  1853,  died  in  infancy;  Mary  (2), 
born  in  1856,  died  September  21,  1903;  William  G.,  of  whom  further. 

William  G.  Van  De  Water,  only  son  of  William  Curtis  and  Sarah  A. 
(Norris)  Van  De  Water,  was  born  in  New  York  City  and  there  educated.  He 
began  business  life  in  1873  as  errand  boy  for  Calhoun,  Robbins  &  Company,  of 
that  city,  remaining  three  years.  In  1876  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  under  R.  F.  Westcott,  at  that  time 
general  transportation  agent  of  the  company,  and  manager  of  the  old  Dela- 


374  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Express.  His  initial  duties  were  the  carrying 
of  mail  and  communication  to  the  office  of  President  Sloan  in  New  York,  and 
shortly  thereafter  Air.  Westcott  obtained  control  of  the  Long  Island  Express 
Company,  and  the  young  man  was  transferred  to  that  line  as  express  messen- 
ger, baggage  master  and  solicitor  between  Bushwick  and  Rockaway.  After 
three  months'  service  in  these  capacities  he  was  returned  to  the  general  offices 
of  the  company  at  Hoboken,  where  he  remained  until  1886  in  the  service  of 
the  Express  Company,  passing  through  many  grades,  including  messenger, 
bill  clerk,  cashier,  agent  and  auditor  of  express  accounts.  He  was  employinl 
in  Hoboken  during  the  great  railroad  strike  of  1877  and  had  a  full  share  in 
the  exciting  occurrences  of  those  weeks  of  disaster  to  both  sides  of  the  con- 
troversy. In  1886  he  was  transferred  to  the  Lackawanna's  general  office  in 
New  York  City,  where  until  1906  he  was  connected  with  the  auditing  depart- 
ment in  various  responsible  capacities.  In  1906  he  was  appointed  auditor  of 
disbursements,  and  on  December  7,  1908,  auditor  of  the  coal  department,  suc- 
ceeding A.  S.  Baker,  and  assigned  to  headcjuarters  in  Scranton.  This  responsi- 
ble position,  which  his  long  years  of  experience  so  eminently  fit  him  to 
fill,  Mr.  Van  De  Water  now  occupies,  making  Scranton  his  home.  His  term 
of  service  covers  a  period  of  thirty-seven  years  and  during  this  time  his  rise 
has  been  continuous,  a  wide  gap  now  separating  him  from  the  messenger  boy 
of  1876.  He  has  not  only  won  his  way  to  the  confidence  of  his  superior 
officers  but  has  the  love  and  respect  of  every  man  along  the  line  with  whom 
he  comes  in  contact.  He  is  a  member  of  several  societies  and  organizations, 
professional  and  otherwise,  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  faith,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church.  His  Scranton  club  is  the  Green  Ridge ;  his  resi- 
dence No.  533  Madison  avenue. 

Mr.  Van  De  Water  married  Charlotte  M.  Cook,  daughter  of  George  and 
Charlotte  (Day)  Cook,  of  English  birth,  who  came  with  her  parents  to  the 
United  States  when  two  years  of  age.  Their  only  child,  Helen,  died  in  1893 
aged  seven  months.  While  this  review  of  the  career  of  Mr.  Van  De  Water 
marks  him  as  a  man  of  ability  and  integrity,  it  would  be  incomplete  without 
mention  of  his  standing  as  a  citizen,  friend  and  neighbor.  While  he  is  best 
known  among  the  men  to  whom  his  business  relations  are  mainly  confined,  he 
has  many  friends  beyond  the  railroad  world.  He  is  most  genial,  kindly- 
hearted  and  sympathetic;  lives  not  to  himself  alone  and  delights  to  lend  the 
helping  hand  to  the  boys  traveling  the  same  road  over  which  he  has  passed. 
In  rising  from  the  ranks  a  man  often  encounters  the  jealousies  of  meaner 
minds,  but  in  Mr.  Van  De  Water's  rise  it  is  safe  to  assert  there  was  no  man 
who  did  not  rejoice  as  his  worth  was  recognized  by  the  corporation  to  which 
he  has  given  so  many  of  his  best  years. 


REESE  HARVEY  HARRIS 

Reese  Harvey  Harris  is  the  son  of  Dr.  John  Howard  and  Lucy  (Bailey) 
Harris.  The  Harris  family  is  of  Welsh  origin,  but  a  century  old  in  this  country, 
Reese  Harris,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the  line,  having  come  from  Wales  about 
1800,  when  but  a  lad  three  years  of  age.  He  settled  in  Indiana  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  married  Isabel  Coleman,  a  native  of  that  county;  children: 
Elizabeth,  married  John  Stilts ;  Reese ;  John  Howard,  of  whom  further ;  Har- 
riet;  William. 

Dr.  John  Howard  Harris  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1847.  As  a  lad  he  engaged  in  the  Civil  War  and  was  among  the  Union  troops 
who  entered  Richmond,  April  3,  1865.     A  student  of  great  capacity  and  con- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  375 

centration,  he  acquired  a  broad  and  thorough  education.  Matriculating  a) 
Bucknell  College  in  1865  he  there  received  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  1869,  and 
of  A.  M.  in  1872.  In  1885  he  was  given  the  honorary  degree  of  Ph.  D.  by 
Lafayette  College.  In  1889  Dickinson  College  honored  him  with  the  degree 
of  LL.  D.,  Colgate  University  conferring  a  like  title  upon  him  in  the  same  year. 
His  active  educational  work,  after  leaving  college,  began  in  1869,  when  ht 
founded  the  Keystone  Academy  at  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania,  and  for  twenty 
years  was  the  efficient,  able  and  honored  head  of  that  institution.  In  i88q 
he  was  called  to  a  higher  and  more  useful  field  of  service,  bdcommg  president 
of  Bucknell  university.  Here  for  a  quarter  of  a  centuiy  the  influence  of 
his  character,  personality  and  teaching  has  been  felt  by  thouoands  of  students. 
For  the  past  ten  years.  Dr.  Harris  has  been  a  member  of  the  College  and  Uni- 
versity Council  of  Petmsylvania.  Dr.  Harris'  first  wife  was  Mary  Ellen  Mace, 
who  died  in  1879,  leaving  two  children  surviving:  i.  Mary  Belle,  who  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Ph.  D.  from  the  University  of  Chicago  in  1899,  and  is  at 
present  studying  at  the  University  of  Berlin.  Germany.  2.  Herbert  F.,  a 
lawyer,  practicing  in  Philadelphia.  In  1881  Dr.  Harris  married  Lucy  A. 
Bailey,  daughter  of  Harvey  H.  and  Harriet  (Tillinghast)  Bailey,  members  of 
the  Bailey  and  Tillinghast  families  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  which 
settled  in  Lackawanna  county  in  1816.  Children  of  John  Howard  and  Lucy  A 
(Bailey)  Harris:  3.  Reese  Harvey,  of  whom  further.  4.  George  Bailey,  of 
Detroit,  Michigan.  5.  Spencer  T.,  an  instructor  in  the  Wilkes-Barre  High. 
School.  6.  Coleman  L,  an  instructor  in  the  Keystone  Academy.  7.  Jame? 
P.,  a  student  in  the  University  of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor.  8.  Walter  W.,  a 
student  at  Bucknell  University,  class  of  1914.  9.  Stanley  N.,  a  student  in 
Bucknell  Academy. 

Reese  Harvey  Hams  .vas  born  at  Factoryville,  Wyoming  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, July  3,  1883.  His  preparatory  education  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  at  Lewisburg  and  at  Bucknell  Academy,  from  which  latter  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  1899  from  the  classical  and  scientific  courses.  In  the  same 
year  he  matriculated  at  Bucknell  College  and  was  graduated  four  years  later, 
in  1903,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  For  an  additional  year's  work  in  political 
science  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  After  leaving  college  he  was  for  two 
years  in  charge  of  the  department  of  history  of  the  State  Norma!  School 
at  Mansfield,  Pennsylvania,  resigning  at  the  end  of  the  second  year  to  enter  the 
law  school  of  Harvard  University,  from  which  in  1908  he  was  graduated 
LL.  B.,  "Cuin  Laudc."  In  March,  1909,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  became  associated  in  legal  business  with  the  well-known  Scran- 
ton  law  firm  of  Warren.  Knapp  &  O'Malley,  of  which  firm  he  became  a  mem- 
ber on  January  i,  1914.  Mr.  Harris  is  a  member  of  the  college  fraternity.  Phi 
Gamma  Delta,  is  a  Republican  in  political  affiliations  and  belongs  to  the  Bap- 
tist church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons. 

On  June  i,  1910,  Mr.  Harris  married  Christine  A.  Richards,  daughter  of 
Dr.  William  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Graham)  Richards.  Her  father,  Dr.  William 
C.  Richards,  who  was  a  prominent  physician  of  Bristol,  Connecticut,  died  in 
1909.  Children  of  Reese  Harvey  and  Christine  A.  Harris:  i.  Reese  Harvey 
Jr.,  born  April  28,  191 1.  2.  Elizabeth  Graham,  born  February  9,  1913.  The 
family  residence  is  at  La  Plume,  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Harris'  place  of  business 
being  No.  602  Connell  Building,  Scranton. 


376  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

HENRY  J.  SCHUBERT 

With  a  record  of  twenty-eight  years  of  continuous  service  in  the  employ 
of  the  Prudential  Insurance  Company  of  America,  Henry  J.  Schubert,  super- 
intendent of  the  company's  interests  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
has  filled  this  office  for  a  longer  period  of  consecutive  time  than  any  of  liis 
co-workers.  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  are  the  only  fields  in  which  he  has 
represented  this  great  organization,  and  for  the  past  twenty-three  years  he 
l.as  been  located  in  Scranton,  where  his  record  of  service  and  his  able  nandlinj^ 
of  the  company's  affairs  have  won  him  high  favor. 

William  Schubert,  his  father,  was  born  in  Arnst  Hank,  near  Neustadt. 
Germany,  February  19,  1815,  died  at  Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  July  31,  189S. 
He  received  an  excellent  education,  especial  attention  being  paid  to  the  lan- 
guages and  music,  and  after  his  graduation  from  college,  was  employed  in 
stores  in  Weimar,  Saxony.  While  in  that  city  he  heard  many  accounts  of 
America  which  inspired  him  with  the  desire  to  go  to  that  country,  and  there 
seek  his  fortune.  He  accordingly  sailed  in  1836,  on  the  ship,  "Vesta,"  and 
after  a  voyage  of  ninety-six  days  arrived  at  New  York.  After  a  short  time 
spent  in  that  city  he  left  for  Philadelphia,  in  which  city  his  money  was  stolen, 
and  he  then  made  his  way  to  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  found  em- 
ployment in  assisting  the  farmers  in  threshing,  etc.,  later  taking  up  the  work 
of  a  millwright.  His  progress  toward  wealth  was  not  a  satisfactory  one, 
and  he  journeyed  to  Weisenburg,  Lehigh  county,  and  from  there  to  Sumney- 
town,  Montgomery  county,  where  he  worked  in  a  powder  mill,  and  accumulated 
a  considerable  capital.  He  then  removed  to  Ziegle's  Church,  where  he  be- 
came the  friend  of  the  German  school  teacher  and  Rev.  John  Helflfrich, 
pastor  of  the  congregation.  Through  the  latter's  offices  Mr.  Schubert  be- 
came the  organist  at  Dankel's  Church,  in  Greenwich  township,  and  remained 
there  almost  five  years.  During  this  time  he  became  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
The  Hamburg  Schnell  Post,  a  paper  having  a  large  circulation  for  that  time 
and  place.  He  made  the  trip  to  Hamburg  from  his  home  daily,  on  foot,  the  dis- 
tance being  six  miles.  He  was  finally  elected  organist  of  the  Longswamp 
Church,  moved  into  the  house  belonging  to  that  congregation,  and  occupied 
this  for  a  period  of  fifty-two  years.  He  was  also  organist  of  Lehigh  Church 
for  twenty-two  years,  and  at  Mertztown  for  fifteen  years.  He  had  charge  of 
the  choir  and  taught  the  school  connected  with  the  church.  At  times  he 
had  as  many  as  one  hundred  pupils,  each  paying  at  the  rate  of  two  cents  per 
day,  and  he  taught  them  reading,  writing,  arithmetic  and  the  study  of  the  Bible. 
In  addition  to  these  labors  he  taught  a  number  of  adults  Latin  and  French, 
many  of  his  scholars  in  later  years  becoming  distinguished  in  the  professions, 
and  ascribing  much  of  their  success  to  the  thorough  training  they  had  re- 
ceived at  the  hands  of  Mr.  Schubert.  He  gave  instruction  in  vocal  music  and 
on  the  organ,  piano,  violin  and  flute,  had  charge  of  a  large  class  of  singers,  and 
was  the  conductor  of  an  orchestra  for  some  time.  To  a  certain  extent  he  fol- 
lowed the  profession  of  civil  engineering,  which  he  had  studied  in  his  native 
land.  He  was  notary  public  five  years ;  revenue  assessor  for  the  districts  of 
Longswamp,  Maxatawny,  Kutztown  and  Rockland,  five  years ;  and  for  forty 
years  a  justice  of  the  peace.  His  counsel  was  sought  by  many  persons  coming 
from  great  distances,  and  his  influence  was  felt  for  good  throughout  the  com- 
munity. He  was  a  member  of  Reading  Lodge,  No.  62,  F.  and  A.  M.  His 
parents  were  John  Gottlieb  and  Christianna  (Roersch)  Schubert,  and  he  had 
a  brother  Lewis,  of  Allentown ;  Gustave,  of  Reading ;  and  a  sister  who  lived  in 
Springfield,  Illinois. 

Mr.    Schubert  married    (first)    December   9,    1838,   Sarah,   born   in   Marl- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  377 

borough  township,  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  29,  1820,  died 
January  31,  1856,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Eva  Zepp.  He  married  (second) 
October  8,  1857,  Matilda  Zepp,  born  in  Marlborough  township,  April  4,  1835, 
died  January  20,  1905,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  Children  by  first  marriage: 
I.  Amelia,  born  in  Marlborough  township,  April  6,  1839,  died  September  28, 
1884;  married  Edwin  Bortz,  and  had  children:  Edwin,  VVilliam,  Ida,  Alavesta, 
Ellen,  Mary.  2.  John,  born  in  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  19,  1840.  3.  William,  born  in  Greenwich  township,  August  26. 
1841 ;  married  Caroline  Fegely,  and  had  children :  Ellen,  Frederick,  Herbert, 
Charles,  John  H.,  Harry  F.,  Lovenia,  Sarah,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  with 
the  exception  of  Harry  F.  4.  Sarah,  born  in  Longswamp  township.  May  15, 
1843;  married  William  H.  Keyser,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  had  children: 
Ida,  Mamie,  Frank,  William.  5.  Eliza,  born  in  Longswamp  township,  Febru- 
ary 19,  1845,  died  there.  May  31,  1909;  married  Henry  Wendling,  and  had 
children :  Maggie,  William,  Frederick,  Eva.  6.  Alfred,  born  in  Longswamp 
township,  June  30,  1847,  died  there,  December  20,  1847.  7-  Martha,  born  in 
Longswamp  township,  November  11,  1849;  married  Charles  Walbert.  8. 
Henry  J.,  of  further  mention.  9.  Mary,  bom  in  Longswamp  township.  Jan- 
uary 25,  1853,  now  deceased  ;  she  married  Frederick  Bermelin,  and  had  children : 
John,  Jennie,  Edwin.  Children  by  second  marriage :  10.  James,  born  in  Long- 
swamp township,  September  11,  1858,  died  October  i,  of  the  same  year.  11.  Mil- 
ton Z.,  born  in  Longswamp  township,  November  i,  1859:  married  Annie  Fred- 
erick, and  has  had  children:  Gertrude,  Raleigh  M.  12.  Harvey  Franklin,  born 
in  Longswamp  township,  October  11,  1861  ;  now  lives  in  Pittsburgh;  unmar- 
ried.    13.  Edwin  Lewis,  born  in  Longswamp  township.  May  6,  1864;  married 

Louisa ,  and  has  had  children :  Paul,  Maude,  Grace,  Mildred,  Harold, 

Edward.  14.  Annie  Matilda,  born  in  Longswamp  township,  December  18, 
1865  ;  married  Charles  Neese,  of  Lansdale,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  children : 
Frances  and  John.  15.  Ellen  Jane,  born  in  Longswamp  township,  December 
10,  1867 ;  married  Frank  Davenport,  of  Pitman,  New  Jersey,  and  has  child, 
Harry.  16.  Rosa  Emma,  born  in  Longswamp  township,  February  14,  1870; 
married  Samuel  Biery,  of  Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  children:  Erma, 
Mary.  Ellen,  James,  Woodrow. 

Henry  J.  Schubert  was  bom  in  Longswamp  township,  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  17,  1851.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
there.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  studies  he  assisted  his  father  for  a  time  in 
the  marble  yard  owned  by  the  latter,  then  became  a  clerk  in  a  store  conducted 
by  one  of  his  brothers,  at  that  time  associated  with  John  Landes.  After  a 
term  of  service  with  Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stuart,  Mr.  Schubert  formed  a  part- 
nership with  a  Mr.  Schweyer,  the  two  conducting  a  store  under  the  firm 
name  of  Schweyer  &  Schubert.  Retiring  from  mercantile  pursuits.  May  4, 
1886,  Mr.  Schubert  became  an  agent  for  the  Prudential  Insurance  Company  of 
America,  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  in  January  of  the  following  year  being 
advanced  to  the  post  of  assistant  superintendent  at  Phillipsburg,  New  Jersey. 
Soon  afterward  he  returned  to  Reading  in  a  similar  capacity,  in  May,  1889, 
being  stationed  at  Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  as  assistant  superintendent,  and 
on  February  i,  1891,  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  superintendent.  He  wa,< 
then  transferred  to  Oil  City,  Pennsylvania,  and  on  May  22,  1891,  assumed 
the  duties  of  superintendent  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  where  he  has  remained 
up  to  the  present  time.  It  has  been  Mr.  Schubert's  care  that  the  business  of 
bis  company  in  the  Scranton  region  should  show  the  increase  that  the  rapidly 
growing  population  of  the  city  would  justify  and  to  keep  the  ratio  between 
the  business  and  industrial  expansion  and  his  business  an  even  one.  The  pros- 
perity that  has  attended  the  affairs  of  the  Prudential  Insurance  Company  dur- 


378  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ing  his  incumbency  of  his  responsible  office  is  ample  proof  that  in  this  he  has 
been  successful,  and  that  through  his  wise  direction  the  company  has  been  a 
full  sharer  in  the  wonderful  progress  that  has  attended  Scranton  in  the  past 
quarter  of  a  century. 

Mr.  Schubert  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  lodge,  chapter, 
commandery,  consistory  and  shrine,  and  is  trustee  of  the  Scranton  Council 
His  club  is  the  Temple,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade. 
The  Republican  party  receives  his  loyal  support,  and  he  is  a  communicant  of 
the  English  Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  He  married  Maria  H.,  a  daughter  of 
William  Mertz,  and  has  had  children:  Sallie  E.,  deceased;  Susie  M.;  Mayme 
J.,  married  K.  H.  Landt ;  Ruth  E. 


FRANCIS  SCHEINFELTER  PAULI 

Francis  Scheinfelter  Pauli  was  one  of  those  energetic  and  sagacious  men 
of  business  whose  presence  in  any  community  imparts  a  healthy  impetus  to 
the  current  of  financial  and  commercial  affairs.  He  was  a  man  of  great  force 
of  character  and  personal  magnetism,  and  it  was  owing  to  these  qualities  which 
he  infused  into  all  he  did  that  his  success  was  in  a  great  measure  due.  He 
was  of  the  third  generation  of  his  family  in  America,  and  of  the  tenth  genera- 
tion of  the  family  in  Europe,  it  having  been  prominent  in  the  early  days  of  the 
Reformation.  In  the  maternal  line  he  is  descended  from  the  \"an  der  Sloats. 
an  ancient  family  of  Virginia.  The  Pauli  family  has  especially  distinguished 
itself  in  professional  lines. 

Adrian  Pauli  was  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  Leipsic,  Germany,  and 
died  in   1611. 

George  Pauli,  second  son  of  Adrian  Pauli,  studied  in  the  Reformed  Gym- 
nasium at  Dantzic,  then  at  Heidelberg  University,  and  became  professor  ot 
ethics  in  the  first  named  institution,  and  the  successor  of  Fabricius  as  preacher 
in  Trinity  church.  After  the  death  of  Fabricius  in  1631,  a  Lutheran  was  called 
to  the  rectorship  of  the  Gymnasium,  with  whom  he  had  often  to  combat  in 
polemics  for  the  Reformed  faith.     He  died  in  1650. 

Reinhold  Pauli,  younger  son  of  Adrian  Pauli,  was  a  student  at  the  Bremen 
Gymnasium  under  Professor  Martinius.  He  then  studied  three  years  at  Groen- 
tengen,  and  also  at  the  L'niversity  of  Leyden,  under  the  celebrated  Professor 
Coccius.  In  1663  he  went  to  Heidelberg  University,  where  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Theology  was  conferred  upon  him,  and  he  was  then  called  to  the 
Gymnasium  in  Berzstein,  as  professor  of  theology.  He  married  into  the  fam- 
ily of  the  renowned  Reformed  minister,  Tossamus  (or  Toussaint),  whose  an- 
cestor, Peter,  had  been  the  friend  of  Calvin  and  the  reformed  of  Monpelzard. 
He  then  became  professor  extraordinary  at  the  Marburg  LJniversity,  and  was 
appointed  a  regular  professor  in  1674.  One  of  his  daughters  married  Pro- 
fessor Lewis  Christian  Meig,  of  Heidelberg;  the  other  married  Professor  J.  H. 
Hottinger. 

Rev.  Herman  Reinhold  Pauli,  son  of  Reinhold  Pauli,  was  bom  in  1682, 
the  year  his  father  died,  and  studied  at  Marburg  and  Bremen.  He  was  scarcely 
twenty  years  of  age  when  he  became  court  preacher,  or  chaplain,  to  the  widow 
of  Count  Adolph,  of  Nassau-Dilleinberg,  and  in  1705  went  to  Brunswick  as 
the  first  pastor  of  the  Reformed  congregation  there.  He  married  (first)  Eliza- 
beth Meig,  and  (second)  in  1709,  a  daughter  of  the  Bremen  Professor  Yungst. 
In  1723  he  was  called  to  Frankenthal,  in  the  Palatinate,  where  his  mother  had 
been  born,  and  he  was  then  called  to  Halle,  to  the  cathedral  built  by  the  colon- 
ists from  the  Palatinate.  January  20,  1728,  the  King  of  Prussia  named  him 
the   second  minister  there,   as  a  pious   and   learned  man   "of  great  gifts   of 


0''CirhC-i<) 


^  /• 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  371^ 

preaching."  While  at  Frankenthal  he  had  published,  in  1726,  a  collection  of  his 
sermons,  "Die  Pfalzische  Erstling,"  also  an  edition  of  the  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism, and  a  translation  of  Placette's  "The  Death  of  the  Righteous,"  and  these 
works  had  spread  his  fame.  May  23,  1728,  he  was  installed  at  Halle,  and  also 
became  the  first  professor  of  theology  in  the  Academic  Gymnasium,  which 
had  been  established  in  1709.  When  the  consistorial  scharden  died,  in  1734, 
he  was  made  the  head  minister  of  the  cathedral  at  Halle,  and  because  of  the 
increased  responsibilities  and  duties,  resigned  the  professorship  of  theology. 
In  1736  he  was  appointed  an  inspector  of  the  Reformed  churches  and  schools 
at  Halle,  Wettin,  Calve  and  Aken.  November  28,  1727,  King  Frederick 
William  of  Prussia  wrote  a  letter  showing  his  high  regard  for  Mr.  Pauli,  and 
this  was  followed  by  thirteen  other  letters  from  this  august  hand.  Mr.  Pauli 
published  twelve  doctrinal  letters  to  the  students  after  the  style  of  Professor 
Frank,  of  the  Halle  Orphans'  Homes.  In  1740  he  published  an  edition  of  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism;  in  1745  he  presented  the  congregation  with  a  hymn 
book  he  had  compiled,  and  which  contained  a  hymn  of  eight  stanzas  written  by 
himself,  "Lobe,  lobe,  mein  Herr  Zebaoth."  The  greatest  men  of  the  time  were 
attracted  by  his  sermons,  and  the  king  made  earnest  endeavor  to  have  him  as 
court  preacher  at  the  palace  in  Berlin,  but  he  consistently  declined.  He  died 
February  5,  1750.  His  eldest  son,  Ernest  L.,  became  court  preacher  at  Brens- 
berg,  and  the  youngest,  George  Jacob,  became  his  successor  at  the  cathedral 
at  Halle. 

Rev  Philip  Reinhold  Pauli,  was  born  at  Magdeburg,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation at  the  Gymnasium  in  Berlin  and  the  University  of  Halle.  He  traveled 
extensively  in  Europe  with  a  wealthy  uncle,  and  came  to  America  in  1783  as  a 
teacher  in  the  Academy  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  received  his  degree  as  Mas- 
ter of  Arts.  He  was  a  preacher  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Miss 
Musch,  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  Johannes  Pauli,  a  native  of  Magdeburg,  Germany,  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  young  manhood,  made  his  home  in  Philadelphia,  and  there  became  a  pro- 
fessor in  a  college.  He  was  an  excellent  classical  scholar  and  linguist,  and  a 
preacher  in  the  German  Reformed  church.  He  went  to  the  front  in  defense 
of  American  interests  during  the  War  of  1812,  and  died  in  Reading,  where  his 
later  years  were  spent. 

Lewis  J.  Pauli,  son  of  Rev.  Johannes  Pauli,  was  born  in  Reading,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  died  in  Easton,  in  the  same  state,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years. 
In  association  with  several  others,  he  owned  the  present  site  of  Pottsville. 
where  they  located  a  number  of  coal  mines.  For  a  time  he  lived  in  Philadel- 
phia, then  removed  to  Easton.  He  married  Sarah  Scheinfelter,  bom  in  Read- 
ing, died  in  Philadelphia,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  but  her 
four  children  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  German  Reformed  church. 

Francis  Scheinfelter  Pauli,  son  of  Lewis  J.  and  Sarah  (Scheinfelter)  Pauli. 
was  born  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  March  28,  1823,  died  in  Green  Ridge, 
Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  20,  1899.  The  earlier  years  of  his 
life  were  spent  in  Reading,  Pottsville  and  Philadelphia,  and  his  education  was 
acquired  in  private  schools  in  these  cities.  When  he  was  about  twenty  years 
of  age  he  established  himself  in  the  mercantile  business  near  Pottsville,  con- 
ducted this  a  few  years,  when  he  went  to  Philadelphia  for  a  time,  and  then 
to  New  York,  being  in  the  employ  of  Alexander  T.  Stewart,  in  the  last  men- 
tioned city,  for  one  year.  He  removed  to  Scranton.  in  1857,  starting  a  store 
on  Lackawanna  avenue,  subsequently  building  the  block  at  Nos.  225-227,  on 
the  same  street,  and  personally  conducted  his  business  there  until  1881.  His 
methods  were  progressive,  and  he  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  every  detail, 
and  as  a  result  amassed  a  considerable  fortune  by  this  enterprise.     Indeed,  his 


38o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

fortune  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  after  1881  his  entire  time  was  occupied 
in  looking  after  his  various  and  numerous  investments.  His  old  home  where 
his  daughter  Margaret  now  resides,  is  a  beautiful  dwelling  at  No.  1554  Sander- 
son avenue,  and  was  one  of  the  first  buildings  erected  in  Green  Ridge.  In  his 
earlier  years  Mr.  Pauli  gave  his  political  support  to  the  Democratic  party,  but 
upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  Republicans, 
and  affiliated  with  that  party  until  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  Union 
Lodge,  No.  291,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Scranton,  and  while  living  in  Easton  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  a  connection  he 
severed  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton.  In  his  youth  he  was 
brought  up  in  the  creed  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  but  as  there  was  no 
church  of  this  denomination  when  he  came  to  Scranton,  he  joined  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  remained  a  member  of  that  until  the  Green  Ridge 
Presbyterian  Church  was  ready  for  services,  when  he  joined  that,  and  was 
one  of  its  most  liberal  supporters.  He  also  continually  and  consistently  gave 
support  to  the  Calvary  Reformed  Church,  in  memory  of  his  early  training. 

Mr.  Pauli  married  Martha  Young,  of  Easton,  and  they  had  one  child: 
Margaret  F.  He  was  a  cheerful  and  liberal  supporter  of  various  benevolent 
and  charitable  institutions,  and  his  private  benefactions  were  numerous.  His 
philanthropy  was  ever  tempered  with  that  wise  judginent  which  seeks  such 
means  of  relieving  the  necessitous  as  will  tend  to  the  elevation  rather  than  the 
degradation  of  the  beneficiary,  and  he  aided  many  to  an  honorable  establish- 
ment in  life. 


MARTIN  RYERSON   KAYS 

The  late  Martin  Ryerson  Kays,  of  Scranton,  whose  early  death,  April  29, 
"iSgi,  was  a  great  loss  to  the  community,  was  a  great-grandson  of  John  Kays, 
lieutenant  in  the  Continental  army  and  aide  to  General  Washington,  grandson 
of  Benjamin  Kays,  and  son  of  James  Hopkins  and  Martha  Jane  (Slocum) 
Kays,  the  latter  named  a  daughter  of  Sidney  Slocum,  and  granddaughter  of 
Ebenezer  Slocum,  the  founder  of  Slocum  Hollow. 

Martin  Ryerson  Kays  was  born  in  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  July  8,  1858. 
He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Edward  B.  Sturgis  and  afterward  matriculated 
in  Columbia  Law  School,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1883,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  January,  1884.  A  short  time  afterward  he  became  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  McAskie,  Kays  &  Bradbury.  He  was  a  lawyer  of  much  promise. 
He  was  treasurer  of  the  People's  Printing  and  Publishing  Company  which 
published  the  Prohibition  newspaper  entitled  The  People,  also  secretary  of 
the  Wilson  Lumber  Company,  and  a  director  of  the  Eureka  Laundry  Com- 
pany. Like  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Fordham,  he  was  an  ardent  Prohibitionist 
and  devoted  considerable  time  and  energy  to  fighting  the  saloon  evil.  In  1888 
he  was  elected  and  ordained  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian 
Church,  one  of  the  youngest  men  to  be  thus  honored  in  that  church,  being  only 
thirty-two  years  of  age.  He  married,  June  26,  1884,  Mary  Augusta  Fordham, 
daughter  of  John  R.  and  Isabel  Linen  (Dickson)  Fordham,  the  latter  named  a 
daughter  of  James  Dickson.  Four  children  were  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kays, 
two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  the  two  who  survive  are  George  Dickson 
and  Mary  Isabel  Ryerson. 


JOHN  R.  FORDHAM 


Among  the  men  who  came  to  Scranton  in  the  middle  fifties,  there  was  no 
more  forceful  character  than  John  R.  Fordham.     He  was  born  in  Montrose, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  381 

Pennsylvania,  December  6,  1821.  Arriving  at  the  age  of  manhood  in  the 
forties  he  moved  to  Carbondale  and  there  met  and  on  October  30,  1851,  mar- 
ried Isabel  L.  Dickson,  daughter  of  James  Dickson,  and  sister  of  the  late 
Thomas  Dickson,  George  L.  Dickson,  John  A.  Dickson,  and  Mary  Helen 
Dickson,  who  became  the  wife  of  Andrew  Watt,  and  later  the  wife  of  Hon. 
Joseph  Van  Bergen,  all  deceased  excepting  George  L.  Dickson.  He  came  to 
Scranton  with  the  Dicksons,  father  and  son,  in  1855,  on  the  establishment  of  the 
Dickson  Works,  later  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company,  making  his  resi- 
dence in  Providence.  For  many  years  he  was  outside  superintendent  of  that 
company,  later,  on  the  increase  of  that  great  business,  he  was  made  superin- 
tendent of  the  shipping  department,  a  position  which  he  filled  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Fordham  was  a  man  fearless  moral  courage,  of  most  exemplary  habits, 
and  an  earnest  Christian.  He  had  radical  convictions  against  the  institution 
of  slavery  during  the  antebellum  days,  and  was  therefore  an  outspoken  mem- 
ber of  the  Abolition  party,  when  to  be  such  was  to  be  called  a  "crank,"  and  he 
was  very  unpopular.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  "Underground  Rail- 
road," by  means  of  which  many  fleeing  slaves  were  assisted  on  their  way  to 
Canada  and  freedom.  He  lived  to  rejoice  in  the  abolition  of  slavery  for 
which  he  had  long  worked  and  prayed.  He  was  equally  pronounced  in  opposi- 
tion, not  only  to  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors  of  any  kind,  but  to  the  (to  him) 
abomination  of  all  abominations,  the  saloon.  He  was  therefore  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  Prohibition  party  in  this  country,  and  of  the  Prohibition  paper, 
that  was  for  some  time  published  as  its  organ,  entitled  The  People.  With  nc 
hope  of  election,  and  at  much  trouble  and  considerable  expense,  Mr.  Fordham 
several  times  suffered  the  use  of  his  name  as  a  candidate  for  public  office  on  the 
Prohibition  ticket  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  the  cause.  His  name  was  therefore 
thoroughly  familiar  throughout  the  country  as  an  uncompromising  fighter 
against  the  liquor  traffic.  Whilst  not  permitted  to  live  to  see  it,  he  fully  be- 
lieved the  time  would  come  when  the  liquor  traffic  and  the  use  of  liquors  as  a 
beverage,  with  their  unmitigated  evils,  like  the  curse  of  slavery,  would  be 
done  away.  Mr.  Fordham's  hostility  to  saloons  was  made  practical  in  his 
sturdy  fighting  against  any  licensed  saloons  in  the  thirteenth  ward,  where  he 
lived,  and  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  maintaining  a  "dry"  ward  so  long  as  he 
lived.  He  was  no  less  outspoken  against  the  use  of  tobacco  and  all  other  vicious 
narcotics.  The  following  tribute  is  from  the  pen  of  one  of  the  friends  and 
intimates  of  his  family  life:  "Mr.  Fordham  will  live  in  the  memories  of  his 
friends  as  a  man  of  great  activity  and  ceaseless  energy,  of  clear  and  decided 
views,  and  the  utmost  courage  of  his  convictions.  But  the  inner  circle  who 
knew  him  best  will  dwell  upon  the  thought  of  his  sweet  and  loving  home  life, 
which  in  all  these  years  God  rendered  so  precious  and  restful  to  his  own  fam- 
ily." In  1871  Mr.  Fordham  moved  to  Green  Ridge  and  built  a  handsome  resi- 
dence on  the  southeast  corner  of  Sanderson  avenue  and  Delaware  street,  which. 
is  now  occupied  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Martin  R.  Kays.  Mr.  Fordham  died 
February  10,  1891.  There  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fordham  five  daughters, 
all  of  whom  passed  away  in  infancy  save  one,  Mary  A.,  who  married  Martin 
R.  Kays.  Mr.  Fordham  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  supporters  of  the  Green 
Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and  a  trustee 
for  many  years. 

DR.  JOSEPH   VILLONE 

Two  generations  of  Villones  have  fostered  two  exponents  of  the  medical 
profession,  who,  although  the  width  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean  separated  the  fields 
in  which  they  lived  and  worked,  nevertheless  each  gave  to  the  locality  contain 


382  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ing  them  the  fullest  fruits  of  lives  passed  in  constant  practice  and  the  greatest 
benefits  of  years  of  study  and  of  experience.  The  first  has  gone  to  claim  the 
reward  of  a  life  of  devoted  and  unselfish  service;  the  second,  strong  and  vigor- 
ous in  his  work,  spends  his  days  in  healing  and  curing  the  physically  infirm 
The  first  stood  in  the  foremost  rank  of  his  profession  in  Italy,  his  native  land, 
and  there  mingled  with  his  people  in  the  performance  of  his  duty ;  the  second, 
in  a  land  far  from  that  of  his  birth,  is  intent  upon  a  like  mission. 

Vitale  Villone,  father  of  Dr.  Joseph  V'illone,  was  born  in  the  province  of 
Pokenza,  Italy,  in  1820.  He  was  educated  for  the  medical  profession  in  the 
gymnasium,  the  Lyceum,  and  in  the  University  of  Naples,  immediately  after  his 
graduation  from  the  latter  institution  establishing  in  practice  at  Cirigliano,  and 
was  there  for  half  a  century  actively  engaged  in  professional  work.  He  was 
among  the  most  learned  practitioners  of  that  locality,  and  was  moreover  a 
sympathetic  and  skillful  physician.  He  married  Rosa  Fanelli,  and  was  the 
father  of  ten  children. 

Dr.  Joseph  Villone,  son  of  Vitale  Villone,  was  born  in  the  province  of  Pok- 
enza, Italy,  November  12,  1859.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  same  insti- 
tutions that  had  furnished  instruction  to  his  father,  although  his  decision  for  the 
medical  profession  had  not  been  made  as  early  in  life  as  that  of  his  parent, 
and  he  was  graduated  M.  D.  from  the  University  of  Naples,  December  28 
1888.  His  career  further  resembles  that  of  his  father  in  that  he  first  established 
in  practice  at  Cirigliano,  where  for  three  years  he  was  an  officer  of  the  public 
health  department,  and  in  which  city  he  was  professionally  engaged  for  seven 
years.  Realizing  that  in  his  profession,  as  in  all  other  walks  of  life,  America 
and  the  United  States  meant  opportunity,  he  engaged  passage  for  New  York, 
landing  in  that  city  in  1895.  He  immediately  proceeded  to  Scranton,  where  he 
became  a  medical  practitioner  with  an  office  at  No.  425  Sixth  street.  He  was 
here  located  for  three  years,  then  moved  to  Hyde  Park  avenue,  and  after  a 
two  years'  residence  in  that  place  purchased  the  property  at  No.  206  Chestnut 
avenue,  whither  he  moved  his  office  and  where  he  maintains  the  same  at  the 
present  time.  On  December  26,  1904,  Dr.  Villone  took  and  successfully  passed 
the  examination  of  the  state  medical  board  at  Harrisburg.  and  holds  member- 
ship in  Lackawanna  County  Medical  Society.  He  has  lately  received  an  ap- 
pointment from  the  government  of  his  native  land  as  medical  examiner  of  the 
applicants  for  admission  into  the  Italian  army.  To  Dr.  Villone  belongs  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  first  Italian  physician  in  the  Lackawanna  \'alley  and  it 
has  been  great  good  fortune  for  the  residents  of  that  locality  that  the  first 
doctor  of  that  nationality  to  come  into  their  midst  should  have  been  one  not 
only  of  learning  and  wisdom  in  medical  and  surgical  lore,  but  a  gentleman  in 
instincts  and  deportment,  one  who  graces  the  profession  in  the  county  and 
state.  An  Independent  in  politics.  Dr.  Villone  holds  membership  in  Lodge  No. 
339,  F.  and  A.  M.,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Victor 
Alfieri  Club. 


JOHN  BENORE 


There  are  in  Scranton  to-day  a  small  number  of  men  who  have  been  inti- 
mately connected  with  its  growth  from  a  small  forest  settlement  to  a  large, 
prosperous  manufacturing  center  with  a  population  running  well  up  into  its 
second  hundred  thousand.  One  of  the  members  of  this  Old  Guard  is  John 
Benore,  a  Canadian,  whose  association  with  the  business  enterprises  of  the 
city  has  covered  a  period  of  fifty-five  years,  although  for  part  of  that  time 
New  York  state  claimed  his  private  and  business  residence. 

John  Benore  was  born  in  Montreal,  Canada,  September   15.   1832,  son  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  383 

John  and  Sarah  Benore.  In  his  youth  his  parents  moved  to  Ogdensburg,  New 
York,  where  his  early  Hfe  was  spent  and  where  he  obtained  his  education.  His 
first  employment  was  in  the  United  States  revenue  service  on  Lake  Ontario,  in 
which  he  continued  for  three  years,  when  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age. 
After  a  two  years'  residence  in  Sacket  Harbor,  New  York,  he  moved  to  Red- 
field,  New  York,  where  he  purchased  fifty  acres  of  land  and  built  thereon  a  log 
house.  He  soon  sold  his  property  and  moved  to  Oswego,  New  York,  for  a  time 
conducting  a  market  as  well  as  participating  in  other  business  ventures,  final- 
ly coming  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1858.  Here  he  entered  the  service  of 
the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  passing  through  various  condi- 
tions of  service,  finally  becoming  a  railroad  contractor.  While  holding  this 
position  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  tunnel  used  by  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  road.  About  the  beginning  of  the  Civil 
War,  he  returned  to  New  York  state  and  was  there  engaged  in  business  until 
the  close  of  that  conflict,  when  he  once  more  located  in  Scranton  and  has  there 
ever  since  resided.  He  was  one  of  the  first  building  contractors  in  the  city, 
erecting  many  houses  for  the  accommodation  of  the  rapidly  incoming  settlers, 
to  whom  the  vast  industrial  advantages  of  the  region  were  just  becoming  ap- 
parent. In  connection  with  his  contracting  operations,  Mr.  Benore  opened  a 
mill  and  lumber  yard,  conducting  a  thriving  business.  As  the  contractor  who 
houses  the  population  of  a  growing  city  is  always  indispensable,  Mr.  Benore's 
services  at  this  time  were  particularly  valuable,  since  without  houses  the  new 
arrivals  could  not  remain  in  the  locality,  and  upon  them  depended  the  develop- 
ment of  the  rich  natural  resources  of  the  country  round  about.  His  work  was 
done  upon  a  large  scale,  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  being  employed  by  him  at 
one  time.  As  soon  as  the  future  expansion  and  growth  of  Scranton  became  a 
certainty,  other  contractors  flocked  in  and  the  task  of  building  the  city  was 
divided  among  many  hands.  At  the  present  time  Mr.  Benore  employs  about 
sixty-five  men  in  his  contracting  work,  which  is  managed  largely  by  his  sons. 
A  new  line  of  activity  was  opened  about  twenty-eight  years  ago  when  he  be- 
gan the  manufacture  of  coffins  for  T.  N.  Miller,  which  he  still  continues. 

Not  only  in  his  chosen  line  of  endeavor  has  Mr.  Benore  been  active,  but  he 
is  an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  anything  that  promises  for  the  benefit  of  his 
city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  played  a  prominent  part  in 
the  organization  of  the  Scranton  Fire  Insurance  Company.  In  the  Builders' 
Exchange  he  is  a  director,  in  which  capacity  he  is  also  associated  with  the 
Master  Carpenters'  Association.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  which  latter 
he  is  a  charter  member  and  for  many  years  was  trustee. 

Mr.  Benore  married  Sarah  Haywood,  a  native  of  England,  and  of  their 
children  three  sons  reached  maturity:  i.  George  H.,  deceased.  2.  William 
A.,  born  November  14,  1871  ;  was  educated  at  XVyoming  Seminary;  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Joseph  B.  Morgan,  of  Scranton,  who  died  March  26,  1909. 
3.  Frank  C,  born  September  9,  1875;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles  and  the  Firemen's  Relief  Association ;  married  Jessie  W.,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Jefifrey,  of  Scranton ;  he  has  two  children :  George  J.  and  Frank. 
At  the  age  "of  eighty-one  Mr.  Benore  retains  all  of  his  youthful  business 
acumen  and  keenness,  withstanding  the  attack  of  approaching  age  through  the 
strength  of  well  preserved  vitality  and  the  vigor  of  a  fresh,  active  mind.  In 
his  sons  he  has  able  assistants  and  the  assurance  of  the  continuance  of  the 
business  which  he  founded  and  brought  to  a  condition  of  useful  prosperity. 


384  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

PATRICK  F.  CALPIN 

As  a  member  of  the  council  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  as  sheriff  of  Lacka- 
wanna county,  and  as  a  member  of  the  state  senate  from  Lackawanna  coun- 
ty, that  district  has  been  well  and  faithfully  served  by  Patrick  F.  Calpin. 
He  is  a  son  of  Patrick  Calpin,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  Scrati- 
ton  in  1865,  being  employed  in  the  coal  mines  of  the  locality.  He  was  ever 
active  in  public  affairs  and  was  elected  assessor  of  his  ward  in  1880.  He  was 
killed  while  working  at  his  daily  tasks,  a  mine  accident,  the  terror  of  such  a  life 
and  such  a  community,  causing  his  death.  He  married  Mary  Conway,  and 
had  children:  Kate,  married  John  Flinn ;  Patrick  F.,  of  whom  further;  James 
A.,  married  Clara  Griffith;  Margaret,  married  M.  J.  Noon;  Thomas  F.,  mar- 
ried Margaret  Joyce. 

Patrick  F.  Calpin,  son  of  Patrick  and  Mary  (Conway)  Calpin,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  25,  1872.  After  attending  the  public  schools 
and  there  obtaining  a  general  education,  he  completed  his  studies  in  Wood's 
Business  College.  Ufntil  1890  he  was  employed  in  the  mines,  in  that  year  ap- 
prenticing himself  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  four  years  later  engaging  in  con- 
tracting and  building,  which  has  been  his  line  for  the  past  twenty  years,  and  in 
which  he  has  prospered  in  a  satisfactory  degree.  He  was  elected  to  the  com- 
mon council  of  Scranton  in  1898,  meeting  with  no  opposition  in  the  two  follow- 
ing elections,  serving  as  president  of  that  body  during  1900  and  1901,  and  in 
1902  he  was  the  successful  Democratic  candidate  for  the  state  senate,  serving 
in  the  sessions  of  1903,  1905,  and  1906,  in  July  of  the  latter  year  receiving  the 
nomination  of  the  Democratic  party  for  sheriff  of  Lackawanna  county,  an 
office  to  which  he  was  elected  and  which  he  filled  with  able  constancy  for  three 
years,  his  term  expiring  in  1909.  Mr.  Calpin  then  returned  to  private  life  and 
now  is  occupied  by  his  many  business  relations,  that  of  building  and  real  estate, 
being  the  principal.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Keystone  Bank.  His  political 
record  is  one  that  has  done  him  credit  and  that  has  been  beneficial  to  the  dis- 
tricts he  represented.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks  and  the  Board  of  Trade. 

Mr.  Calpin  married,  January  22,  1902,  Jennie  Clark,  daughter  of  Miles 
and  Mary  (Conway)  Clark,  both  of  Scranton,  and  resides  at  No.  1616  Mul- 
berry street. 

WESLEY  J.  WEBBER 

Wesley  J.  Webber,  of  Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  is  a 
fine  type  of  that  English  character  which  has  contributed  so  largely  to  the 
development  of  the  splendid  industrial  enterprises  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania. 

Richard  Webber,  his  father,  was  born  in  England,  and  was  twelve  years 
of  age  when  he  arrived  in  this  country.  He  found  employment  on  the  old 
"Gravity  Road,"  and  later  became  a  stationary  engineer.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican in  political  allegiance,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  a  daughter  of  John  Powell,  and  had  seven  children,  of  whon. 
five  are  living. 

Wesley  J.  Webber,  the  fifth  child  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Powell) 
Webber,  was  born  on  Harper  street,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  in  July  i,  1884. 
He  received  such  educational  advantages  as  the  public  schools  afforded.  From 
his  earliest  years  he  displayed  mechanical  and  inventive  ability  of  a  high  order, 
and  the  years  of  his  attendance  at  school  were  shortened  so  that  he  might 
devote  all  his  time  to  the  calling  for  which  he  was  so  evidently  fitted  by  nature 
and  by  inclination.     He   found  employment  with  the  Scranton   Steam   Pump 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  385 

Company,  and  after  a  time  with  the  Sprague  &  Henwood  Diamond  Drill 
Company,  with  whom  he  remained  for  some  years.  He  then  established  him- 
self in  business,  and  has  been  eminently  successful  from  the  very  outset.  He 
is  a  mechanical  engineer  and  the  proprietor  of  a  garage  at  No.  107  North 
Apple  street,  and  has  three  men  and  one  boy  in  his  employ  constantly.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics,  of  Dunmore, 
tlie  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Dunmore,  and  holds  membership  in 
the  Presbyterian  church.    He  takes  no  active  part  in  politics. 

Mr.  Webber  married,  June  29,  191 1,  Jennetta,  a  daughter  of  John  Mac- 
Millan,  born  in  Scotland,  August  18,  1862,  came  to  America  in  1884,  lived 
in  Scranton  three  years,  then  removed  to  Dunmore.  He  is  a  carpenter,  having 
learned  the  trade  in  Scotland.  He  married  Ellen  Jeffrey,  also  a  native  of 
Scotland,  and  they  have  had  six  children :  Jennetta,  mentioned  above ;  Thomas, 
John  Jr.,  Alexander  J.,  two  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  MacMillan  is  a  Repub- 
lican, a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  a  member  of  Robert  Burns 
Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  of  King  Solomon  Lodge,, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webber  reside  at  No.  208  Andrew 
street,  Dunmore,  where  they  have  a  beautiful  and  commodious  house  where 
their  child,  Jessie,  was  born  September  2,  1914. 


WALTER  J.  DEVEREAUX 

Educated  in  Scranton  institutions  for  the  joint  calling  of  civil  and  mining 
engineer,  Walter  J.  Devereaux  has  followed  that  profession  in  the  Scranton 
locality  all  of  his  active  life.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Annie  Devereaux,  and 
was  bom  in  South  Wales,  September  9,  1878,  being  brought  by  his  parents  to 
the  LInited  States  when  two  years  of  age.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Scranton,  and  after  finishing  his  general  studies  took  a  corres- 
pendence  course  under  the  direction  of  Professor  Buckhart  in  civil  and  min- 
ing engineering.  In  addition  to  this  preparation  Mr.  Devereaux  successfully 
took  the  state  examinations  for  mine  foreman  and  superintendent,  passing  them 
with  a  wide  margin.  He  has  been  extensively  employed  with  the  Delaware. 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Company  and  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company,  and 
has  also  been  connected  with  the  state  department  of  highways.  For  nine 
years  he  was  assistant  to  M.  P.  Mitchell,  county  surveyor,  and  at  the  last  elec- 
tion was  candidate  for  the  county  surveyorship.  The  past  two  years  have  wit- 
nessed Mr.  Devereaux's  independent  establishment  in  his  profession  in  Dun- 
more, his  advent  into  this  field  having  been  favorably  received.  His  political 
faith  is  the  Republican,  with  which  party  he  has  ever  taken  his  stand. 


HERBERT  L.  TAYLOR 

Representative  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Providence  township  (now 
Scranton),  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  Herbert  L.  Taylor,  an  eminent 
lawyer  of  Scranton,  descends  from  an  ancestry  among  the  earliest  in  New 
England.  The  Taylor  family  is  one  of  great  antiquity  in  England,  tracing  to 
the  Norman  Knight  Taillerfer,  who  fought  at  Hastings,  1066,  there  meet- 
ing his  death  at  the  hands  of  Leofinine,  brother  of  the  Saxon  king.  The  fam- 
ily of  the  dead  knight  was  liberally  endowed  with  lands  in  England  by  Wil- 
liam the  Conqueror,  who  held  the  slain  knight  in  high  regard,  publicly  lament- 
ing his  death.  The  estates  in  Kent,  England,  descended  to  Hanger  Taylefer. 
1256.  and  from  him  sprang  John  Taylor,  who  came  to  America  with  Governor 
Winthrop  in  1630,  founding  a  family  now  widely  dispersed  among  the  states  of 

25 


386  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  Union.  The  name  has  passed  through  many  orthographical  changes  to  its 
present  form  Taylor,  but  through  them  all  the  line  can  be  traced  as  indicated. 

In  Pennsylvania  the  family  trace  to  Reuben  W.  Taylor,  a  Revolutionary 
soldier,  an  early  settler  and  miller,  owning  the  first  grist  mill  in  his  section, 
Providence  township.  This  mill  was  built  by  James  Abbott  and  sold  by  him 
to  his  brother,  Philip  Abbott,  and  Reuben  W.  Taylor,  his  brother-in-law.  John 
Abbott  Taylor  was  born  in  Providence  township,  but  spent  the  greater  part  of 
his  life  in  Scott  township,  Lackawanna  county,  where  he  owned  a  farm  of 
several  hundred  acres.  He  died  in  1866,  aged  seventy-six  years.  He  married 
Gartry  Ackley,  born  in  New  Jersey,  whose  father  was  slain  by  the  Indians  at 
Wyoming.  Their  son,  Silas  A.  Taylor,  was  born  in  Scott  township,  Lacka- 
wanna county,  October  31,  1818,  died  aged  about  eighty  years.  He  was  a 
farmer  of  Scott  township  all  his  life.  He  married  Louise  Carpenter,  of 
Abingdon.  Their  son,  Reuben  W.  Taylor,  was  born  in  Scott  township,  April 
II,  1842.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home 
farm  and  passed  the  active  years  of  his  life  engaged  in  agriculture  and  kindred 
pursuits.  He  is  now  living  in  Hyde  Park,  a  well  preserved  and  vigorous  gentle- 
man of  seventy  years.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  and  tax  collector  of  Scott 
township  for  several  years ;  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Joseph  Wheeler,  of  Greenfield  township,  a  native  of 
Rhode  Island,  who  died  in  1844.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Taylor  is  living.  Children: 
Dr.  Claude  E.,  a  physician  of  Hyde  Park ;  Herbert  L.,  of  further  mention ; 
George  L.,  of  Forest  City;  Harry  E.,  of  Scranton. 

Herbert  L.  Taylor,  son  of  Reuben  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Wheeler)  Taylor, 
was  born  in  Scott  township,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  5, 
1865.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Keystone  Academy,  en- 
gaging as  a  teacher  after  finishing  his  years  of  study.  Later  he  began  the 
study  of  law  as  a  student  under  Judge  Edwards,  an  eminent  lawyer  and  jurist. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar,  October  5,  1886,  and  at  once 
began  practice  in  Scranton.  He  was  assistant  district  attorney  under  Judge 
Edward  with  whom  he  was  associated  until  1894,  when  he  became  a  member 
of  the  law  firm  of  Taylor  &  Lewis,  with  which  he  is  yet  connected.  Mr.  Tay- 
lor has  been  admitted  to  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district  and  has  a 
well  established  general  practice.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  County  Bar 
associations,  Scranton  Board  of  Trade  and  other  organizations  and  societies. 
He  has  always  been  an  active  Republican,  was  chairman  of  the  Lackawanna 
county  central  committee  for  several  years,  was  county  solicitor  three  years  and 
is  now  collector  of  poor  taxes  for  Providence  township,  of  Scranton  city  poor 
district. 

Mr.  Taylor  married,  July  20,  1892,  Minnie,  daughter  of  William  B.  and 
Annie  Phillips.  Children :  William  W.,  Herbert  L.  Jr.,  Annie  R.,  Elizabeth 
W.,  John  A.,  deceased,  Reuben  W. 


ALEXANDER  BRYDEN. 

There  are  few  Pennsylvania  families  which  have  been  so  continuously  and 
so  honorably  connected  with  one  industry  or  calling  as  has  the  Scotch  family 
of  Bryden  with  the  development  of  coal  properties  and  mining  in  general,  a 
connection  that  began  in  the  homeland,  Scotland,  and  has  been  continued 
through  three  generations  in  this  country.  The  first  of  these  three  generations 
was  represented  by  Alexander  Bryden,  born  in  Dailly  Parish,  Ayrshire,  Scot- 
land, March  6,  1799.  His  home  was  among  the  coal  mines  of  that  district 
and  soon  after  he  finished  school  he  began  work  as  a  miner,  later  becoming 
a  shaft  sinker  and  mine  foreman,  qualifying  in  experience  and  ability  for  the 


/C^&r^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  387 

higher  grades  of  mine  employment.  In  1836  he  leased  some  coal  property 
on  the  Polquhirter  estate,  at  New  Cumnock,  Ayrshire,  and  also  began  opera- 
tions on  a  lease  on  the  Downiestown  estate  at  Patna,  work  on  his  mine  at  the 
latter  place  being  discontinued  because  of  an  inflow  of  water  from  the  river 
Doon,  the  stream  immortalized  by  the  poet  Burns. 

Alexander  Bryden  and  one  of  his  sons  came  to  the  United  States  in  1842, 
proceeding  directly  to  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  arrived  in  July. 
Mining  operations  were  at  low  ebb  at  that  time  and  Mr.  Bryden  accepted  the 
first  employment  that  came  to  his  notice,  which  was  with  Hugh  Brown,  fore- 
man of  day  laborers  for  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company.  He  was 
afterward  placed  in  charge  of  the  mine  pumps,  and  in  March,  1843,  was  ap- 
pointed mine  foreman  to  succeed  Archibald  Law,  who  was  permanently  dis- 
abled, caused  by  a  fall  of  roof  slate.  Mr.  Bryden  continued  in  this  position 
until  1852,  when  he  moved  to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  there  to  assume  charge 
of  the  operations  of  the  Pittston  Coal  Company.  On  January  i,  1854,  he  be- 
came the  mining  superintendent  for  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Coal  Company, 
which  position  he  held  at  death.  His  death  occurred  in  Carbondale,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  20,  1854.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
He  married  (first)  Margaret  Dick,  a  native  of  Scotland,  (second)  Janet  Bell, 
also  a  native  of  Scotland.  At  his  death  he  left  a  widow  and  twelve  surviving 
children. 

Andrew  Bryden,  son  of  Alexander  and  Margaret  (Dick)  Bryden,  was 
born  in  Dailly  Parish,  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  January  10,  1827,  and  there  resided 
until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  and  his  mother  and  some  of  his 
brothers  and  sisters  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  Carbondale, 
Pennsylvania,  May  31,  1843,  there  to  join  the  husband  and  father,  who  had 
preceded  them  to  this  country.  His  trade  learned  in  Scotland  was  that  of 
blacksmith,  but  after  coming  to  this  country  he  engaged  as  a  miner  at  Carbon- 
dale, working  thus  until  October  i,  1850,  then  becoming  mine  superintendent 
at  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company. 
On  April  i,  185 1,  he  was  transferred  to  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  He  re- 
mained there  for  about  one  year  in  charge  of  the  Dunmore  mines  of  the  com- 
pany, in  1853  returning  to  Pittston.  In  May,  1853,  he  resigned  from  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  and  for  one  year  was  mine  superin- 
tendent for  the  Baltimore  Coal  Company,  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  at 
the  expiration  of  that  time,  June,  1854,  resuming  his  former  relation  with  the 
Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  as  mine  superintendent  at  Pittston.  In  July, 
1895,  he  became  consulting  superintendent  of  mines  for  the  same  company 
and  this  was  the  capacity  in  which  he  served  until  his  resignation  from  the 
company's  employ  and  his  retirement  to  private  life,  which  took  place  in  May, 
1901,  his  death  occurring  at  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  August  29,  1901.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  and  was  a  prom- 
inent man  of  afifairs,  being  president  of  the  Pittston  Water  Company,  which 
was  afterward  sold  to  the  Spring  Brook  Water  Supply  Company,  president 
of  the  Pittston  Gas  Company,  and  one  of  the  original  stockholders  and  board 
of  directors  of  the  Miners'  Savings  Bank,  of  Pittston,  an  institution  that  from 
its  founding  in  1869  was  a  marked  success.  He  held  membership  for  several 
terms  on  the  school  board  of  Jenkins  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  affiliated  with  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  joining  Cambria  Lodge,  No.  i,  of  Car- 
bondale ;  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Pittston  he  transferred  his  mem- 
bership to  Thistle  Lodge  of  that  place. 

Mr.  Bryden  married  (first)  Ann  Law,  born  in  Scotland,  daughter  of  Archi- 
bald Law;  after  her  death  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight  years  he  married 


388  CITY  OF  SCR  ANTON 

Isabella  Young,  likewise  a  native  of  Scotland.  His  third  wife  was  Elizabeth 
MacDougall,  who  was  also  born  in  Scotland,  who  survived  him.  By  his  first 
marriage  he  was  the  father  of  six  children :  Alexander,  deceased ;  Archibald 
L.,  of  whom  further ;  Alexander,  of  whom  further ;  Robert,  deceased ;  Mary, 
deceased ;  Ann,  deceased.  The  children  of  his  second  marriage  were  five  in 
number:  Margaret,  deceased;  James,  deceased;  James  Y.,  of  whom  further; 
Mary ;  Elizabeth,  deceased.     There  was  no  issue  from  his  third  union. 

Archibald  L.  Bryden,  son  of  Andrew  and  Ann  (Law)  Bryden,  was  born 
in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  March  3,  1848.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Jenkins  township,  and  Wyoming  Seminary,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  in  young  manhood  moved  to  New  York  City,  there  becoming  a  clerk 
and  salesman  in  the  employ  of  a  dry  goods  house.  Gaining  experience  in  this 
establishment  he  moved  to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  began  independent 
dealings  in  the  same  line,  so  continuing  for  thirteen  years.  He  was  for  a  time 
treasurer  and  collector  of  the  Pittston  Water  Company,  and  after  a  venture 
in  insurance  dealing  became  chief  clerk  in  the  mining  department  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Coal  Company,  where  he  remained  until  the  purchase  of  that  con- 
cern by  the  Erie  Company  in  1901.  Mr.  Bryden  then  returned  to  the  insurance 
business,  which  he  followed  until  a  protracted  illness  in  191 1  made  imperative 
his  retirement  from  active  employment.  He  married,  in  October,  1876,  Anna, 
born  in  \\'est  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  La  Grange  and  Mary 
(Brown)  Daman,  and  is  the  father  of:  Andrew  Clinton,  married  Elizabeth 
Nance,  of  Texas;  and  Marion  Daman,  who  lives  at  home.  He  is  a  member  and 
elder  of  the  Dunmore  Presbyterian  Church.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  500 
North  Blakely  street,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania. 

Alexander  Bryden,  son  of  Andrew  and  Ann  (Law)  Bryden,  was  bom  in 
Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  2,  1850,  and  when  a  boy 
attended  the  common  schools  of  Jenkins  township,  Luzerne  county,  after  which 
he  matriculated  at  Lafayette  College,  whence  he  received  his  degree  in  mining 
engineering  in  the  class  of  1871.  Prior  to  his  college  entrance  he  had  served 
in  the  engineer  corps  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company.  After 
graduation  he  renewed  his  association  with  this  corporation  in  the  capacity 
of  mining  engineer.  In  November,  1878,  he  went  to  Central  City,  Colorado,  a« 
assistant  superintendent  of  a  gold  mine,  in  the  interest  of  some  of  the  directors 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  the  president  of  that  company  being  a 
member  of  the  party.  Returning  to  Pennsylvania,  Ostober  i,  1879,  he  was 
once  more,  in  April,  1880,  sent  west  as  superintendent  of  the  Colorado  Prince 
Gold  Mining  Company,  with  which  also  some  of  the  officers  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Coal  Company  were  financially  interested,  and  was  located  at  Leadville, 
Colorado,  for  a  period  of  two  and  one-half  years.  He  once  more  returned  east 
and  became  mine  foreman  for  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  at  Pittston, 
Pennsylvania.  December  i,  1882,  five  months  later,  in  April,  1883,  journeyed 
to  Arizona  to  accept  the  superintendency  of  the  Detroit  Copper  Mining  Com- 
pany, of  Morenci,  Arizona.  For  fourteen  months  he  remained  in  the  service 
of  that  concern  in  Graham  county,  Arizona ;  in  June,  1884,  returning  east  be- 
coming assistant  mine  superintendent  at  Pittston  for  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
Company.  In  July,  1895,  he  was  promoted  to  the  superintendency  of  the  mines  of 
the  company  in  both  Pittston  and  Dunmore  districts,  an  office  he  held  until  the 
purchase  of  these  interests  by  the  Erie  Company  in  1901.  For  one  year  there- 
after Mr.  Bryden  was  their  mining  engineer ;  in  October.  1902,  becoming  con- 
sulting engineer  for  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  the  Hillside  Coal  and 
Iron  Company,  and  the  New  York,  Susquehanna  &  Western  Coal  Company, 
offices  he  holds  at  this  time  (1914). 

Mr.  Bryden  is  a  member  and  past  president  of  the  Engineering  Society  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  389 

Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  member  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining  En- 
gineers, and  the  Geographical  Society  of  Washington,  District  of  Columbia, 
while  aside  from  his  scientific  connections,  he  affiliates  with  the  societies  of 
Knights  of  Honor  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  a  member  and  trustee  of  the 
Dunmore  Presbyterian  Church,  and  as  a  Republican  was  at  one  time  a  member 
of  the  school  board  of  Pittston,  Pennsylvania.  His  only  outside  business 
relation  is  as  a  director  of  the  Miners'  Saving  Bank  of  Pittston,  a  position, 
which,  like  so  many  of  his  offices,  his  father  held  before  him.  Mr.  Bryden's 
achievements  in  his  profession  have  been  far  removed  from  the  ordinary,  and 
are  the  works  of  a  man  trained  and  proficient  in  a  difficult  calling,  one  in  which, 
as  in  everything  worth  while,  the  battle  goes  only  to  the  strong. 

Mr.  Bryden  married,  October  18,  1872,  Margaret,  daughter  of  William  and 
Catherine  Law,  her  parents  natives  of  Scotland.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bryden. 
whose  home  is  at  Fifth  and  Dudley  streets,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  the  fol- 
lowing children  were  born:  Annie,  Katherine,  William  L.,  Andrew  D.,  Helen, 
deceased,  and  Margaret.     Mrs.  Bryden  died  July  31,  1905. 

James  Y.  Bryden,  son  of  Andrew  and  Isabella  (Young)  Bryden,  was 
born  in  Jenkins  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  26,  1866,  and 
in  his  youth  attended  educational  institutions  in  Pittston  and  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania,  also  spending  one  year  in  Lafayette  College,  at  Easton,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  then  entered  the  engineering  department  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Coal  Company  and  was  assigned  to  duty  at  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  afterward 
becoming  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  Scranton  Gas  and  Water  Company. 
Since  1910  Mr.  Bryden  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Dunmore  Cemeterj' 
Association,  whose  aiifairs  he  capably  directs  (1914).  His  political  creed  is 
Republican,  and  he  is  a  communicant  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  mar- 
ried Florence,  born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Alexander  Robert- 
son, and  has  one  daughter,  Isabell.  He  resides  at  No.  511  Elm  street,  Dun- 
more, Pennsylvania. 


GEORGE  W.  B.  ALLEN 

Mr.  Allen's  activities  since  becoming  a  resident  of  the  Scranton  district 
have  been  varied  in  nature  and  include  mercantile  dealing,  employment  with 
the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  and  finally  insurance  dealing,  in  which  he 
engages  at  this  time,  being  city  manager  and  special  agent  of  the  Prudential 
Life  Insurance  Company,  his  office  No.  824  Connell  Building,  Scranton. 
Mingled  with  these  business  connections  have  been  several  terms  of  public 
service  in  Dunmore,  of  which  borough  he  has  been  a  resident  for  twenty- 
eight  years,  so  that  his  life  has  been  one  of  busy  interests,  to  all  of  which  he 
has  attended  with  constant  fidelity. 

George  W.  B.  Allen  was  the  first  of  his  line  to  move  to  Pennsylvania,  the 
family  being  of  New  England  ancestry,  his  parents,  Jabez  and  Olive  (Barnum) 
Allen,  moving  from  that  region  to  New  York  state,  where  they  died,  he  in  1886. 
aged  eighty-two  years,  she  in  1868,  aged  fifty-eight  years.  Jabez  Allen  was  a 
farmer  and  carpentei,  at  ditiferent  times  operating  a  sawmill  and  managing 
a  wheelwright  shop.  Jabez  and  Olive  (Barnum)  Allen  were  the  parents  of 
five  children,  of  whom  but  two  survive,  George  W.  B.,  of  whom  further,  and 
William. 

George  W.  B.  Allen  was  born  in  Monticello.  New  York,  October  16,  1848, 
and  was  there  educated,  in  young  manhood  teaching  school  for  three  years. 
Prior  to  moving  to  Pennsylvania  he  was  for  two  years  a  clerk  in  a  general 
store.  In  1871  he  began  an  association  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company 
that  endured  for  twenty-two  years,  all  of  which  were  spent  in  the  shipping 


390  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

department,  sixteen  years  being  passed  in  Hawley.  For  the  past  twelve  years 
he  has  been  handhng  fire  and  life  insurance,  and  has  been  connected  with  the 
Insurance  Title  Guaranty  Company,  being  now  city  manager  and  special  agent 
for  the  Prudential  Life  Insurance  Company.  In  1887  he  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile dealings  in  Dunmore.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  been  thrice 
elected  for  three-year  terms  as  assessor  of  Dunmore,  resigning  in  the  latter  half 
of  his  third  term  to  devote  his  entire  time  to  his  business  relations,  and  has. 
at  different  times,  furnished  bond  for  the  borough  treasurer  and  collector  of 
Dunmore.  Mr.  Allen  is  a  member  of  King  Solomon  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Malta,  in  the  latter  having  been 
recorder  for  nine  years  and  treasurer  for  two  years,  his  membership  therein 
covering  a  period  of  seventeen  years. 

As  a  Presbyterian,  Mr.  Allen  has  been  exceptionally  active  in  church  work, 
holding  position  in  the  session  for  twenty  years  and  the  superintendency  of 
the  Sunday  school  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  In  these  capacities  he  has  been 
the  instrument  of  great  good  in  the  Dunmore  community,  accepting  his  duties 
in  a  spirit  of  reverence  and  discharging  them  to  the  fullest  extent  of  his  ability 
for  the  advancement  of  Christianity  and  the  benefit  of  his  people  in  church  and 
Sabbath  school. 

He  married  Harriet  E.,  daughter  of  David  J.  Smith,  an  early  settler  of 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  superintendent  of  the  water  works  at  that  place. 
Mrs.  Allen  is  the  eldest  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Andrew  C, 
of  Pittston ;  Mrs.  Edward  Gogel.  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  whose  hus- 
band is  chief  engineer  of  the  New  York,  New  Haven  &  Hartford  Railroad" 
and  Mrs.  Allen.  She  has  taken  an  active  part  in  church  work  and  has  been 
secretary  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  for  twenty-five  years. 


PATRICK  T.  KORAN 


If  there  is  one  business  concern  in  the  Scranton  district  whose  strength 
and  prosperity  justly  reflects  the  efforts  that  have  been  put  forth  to  raise  it 
to  the  head  of  institutions  of  its  kind,  that  one  is  the  LTnion  Cash  Stores 
Company,  conceived  and  founded  by  Patrick  J.  Horan,  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
chants and  financiers  of  the  locality.  Patrick  J.  Horan  is  a  son  of  Patrick 
Horan  who  moved  to  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  in  1845,  entering  the  mines  of 
the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company.  He  was  afterward  appointed  tipstaff  under 
Judge  Handley,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  retired  to  private 
life,  his  death  occurring  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine 
years.  He  married  Catherine  Ford,  who  died  July  i,  1896.  They  were  the 
parents  of :  Anthony,  one  of  the  superintendents  of  the  coal  department  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  died  September  30,  1896 ;  Patrick  J.,  of  whom 
further ;  Bridget,  died  in  Dunmore ;  Meche  J.,  senior  partner  of  the  firm  of 
Horan  &  Merrill,  of  Scranton ;  Catherine  and  Annie. 

Patrick  J.  Horan  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  was  brought  to  Carbondale  by 
his  parents  when  he  was  one  year  old.  He  was  there  reared  and  educated,  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  years  beginning  his  business  career  as  a  driver  in  the  coal 
mines  in  Dunmore.  Later  becoming  a  practical  miner,  he  was  thus  employed 
for  several  years,  afterward  accepting  a  position  as  weighmaster,  serving  thus 
for  ten  years.  At  the  close  of  that  time  he  made  his  entry  into  the  mercantile 
world,  his  success  and  prosperity  dating  from  that  period,  for  two  years  be- 
ing associated  with  the  firm  of  Bryden  Brothers  &  Cooper,  later  forming  a 
partnership  with  Williamson  &  Company.  They  established  in  business  on 
Chestnut  street,  for  two  years  conducting  profitable  general  mercantile  dealing. 
In   1870  the  firm  of  Horan  &  Healy  was   fonned,  and  in   1881   Mr.   Horan 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


391 


purchased  the  stock  and  store  of  Hinsdell  clothing  house  in  Scranton,  manag- 
ing the  same  for  three  years.  Retiring  from  this  line,  Mr.  Horan  organized 
the  wholesale  grocery  firm  of  T.  J.  Kelley  &  Company  which  operated  until 
1905.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Healey  who  was  at  the  head  of  the  company,  the 
firm  went  out  of  business.  While  under  the  firm  name  of  Horan  &  Healey, 
Mr.  Horan  continued  in  general  trade  on  Chestnut  street,  Dunmore.  In  1896 
in  conjunction  with  Messrs.  Manley  and  Swift,  two  prominent  merchants  of 
Dunmore,  he  incorporated  the  Union  Cash  Stores  of  Dunmore,  the  duties  ot 
the  partners  being  scj  divided  that  the  responsibility  of  the  grocery  department 
rests  with  Mr.  Swift,  that  of  the  general  store  with  Mr.  Manley,  and  the  weiglit 
of  the  whole  upon  Mr.  Horan,  the  president.  He  was  also  president  of  the 
Scranton  Packing  Company,  which  is  now  out  of  business;  director  of  the 
Economy  Light  and  Heating  Company,  now  controlled  by  the  Scranton  Electric 
Company;  has  been  president  of  the  Fidelity  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank  of 
Dunmore  from  its  organization  in  1903 ;  director  of  the  Lackawanna  Trust 
and  Safe  Deposit  Company.  Some  of  the  other  organizations  with  which  Mr. 
Horan  is  connected  are :  Eureka  Specialty  Company ;  Consumers'  Ice  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers,  the  company  controlling  Lake 
Henry  and  Lake  Poyntelle,  on  which  bodies  of  water  vast  storage  houses  are 
built.  He  was  interested  in  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad  Company;  was 
one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  Lackawanna  Lumber  Company,  later  changed 
to  the  United  States  Lumber  Company,  and  is  now  holding  large  interests  in 
that  company,  and  at  the  present  time  holds  wide  interests  in  real  estate  and 
building  operations.  He  was  president  of  the  Dunmore  Board  of  Trade,  and 
in  this  position  did  much  to  publish  the  attractions  of  the  city  and  to  place 
the  attractions  of  the  city,  its  desirability  and  advantages  before  those  whose 
presence  would  benefit  Dunmore.  For  three  years  he  served  as  a  member 
of  the  borough  council,  there,  as  everywhere,  gladly  giving  his  best  advice  in 
earnest  suggestion,  and  after  the  adoption  of  a  plan,  placing  his  shoulder  to 
the  wheel  and  laboring  tirelessly  to  realize  the  goal  to  which  the  body  aspired. 
The  even,  attractive  sidewalks  of  Dunmore  are  largely  due  to  Mr.  Horan's 
agitation  of  the  subject  of  improving  the  borough's  walks,  which  at  the  begin- 
ning of  his  campaign  were  in  a  disfiguring  condition,  Dunmore  now  having 
more  miles  of  this  kind  of  sidewalk  than  any  other  place  of  its  size  in  the  state. 

It  would  be  too  great  a  task  to  enumerate  the  virtues  and  qualities  that 
have  induced  the  above  record.  Let  it  suffice  to  say  that  from  a  lowly  posi- 
tion to  recognizance  in  the  mercantile  world  and  a  high  position  in  other  lines 
of  endeavor  he  has  striven  earnestly,  relentlessly,  and  cheerfully,  accepting 
his  triumphs  without  undue  ostentation,  learning  wisdom  and  caution  from 
each  reverse.  The  strictest  honor  and  the  most  upright  integrity  have  per- 
meated his  slightest  dealing,  and  progress  has  been  the  watchword  of  his  up- 
ward course. 

Mr.  Horan  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Catharine  Garvey, 
of  Dunmore,  and  a  sister  of  Bishop  Garvey,  of  Altoona,  Dr.  James  B.  Garvey, 
of  Dunmore,  and  Catharine  Garvey  Curtin,  of  Dunmore. 


MICHAEL  J.  SWIFT 


Michael  J.  Swift,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Swift,  McCrindle  &  Com- 
pany, wholesale  merchants,  of  No.  440  Sixth  avenue,  Scranton,  has  been  all 
his  life  connected  with  mercantile  dealings.  He  is  a  son  of  Michael  and 
Honora  (O'Boyle)  Swift,  both  deceased,  and  was  born  in  Dimmore,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  24,  1859,  there  attending  the  public  schools,  his  scholastic 
training  including  high  school  instruction.     In   1882  he  began  his  association 


392  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

with  mercantile  firms  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  T.  H.  Watts,  later  becoming 
a  road  salesman  and  so  continuing  for  twenty  years,  during  the  last  five  years 
of  that  time  being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  T.  H.  Watts  &  Company.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  McCrindle  as  Swift, 
McCrindle  &  Company,  wholesale  merchants,  their  line  including  flour,  cheese, 
butter  and  eggs.  The  firm's  business  is  one  of  generous  proportions,  and  is 
conducted  on  safe  and  conservative  business  lines,  both  partners  merchants 
of  long  standing,  men  of  sound  and  honorable  principles  which  they  apply  to 
all  of  their  dealings.  Mr.  Swift  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  has  held  public 
office  as  the  candidate  of  that  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board 
of  Trade,  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  belongs  to  St.  ]\Iary"s  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

Mr.  Swift  married  Etta,  daughter  of  Cormick  Cummings,  of  Honesdale, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  children :  Harold,  Horace,  Regina,  Laura.  The  family 
home  is  at  No.  1739  Quincy  avenue,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania. 


HARRY  M.  SPENCER 


The  history  of  the  development  of  the  natural  resources  of  the  Scranton 
district,  and  particularly  of  the  locality  now  known  as  Providence,  contains 
prominently  the  name  Spencer,  the  connection  extending  over  three  genera- 
tions. It  is  now,  in  the  person  of  Harry  M.  Spencer,  associated  with  the 
manufacturing  interests  which  the  development  of  the  natural  riches  of  the 
region  made  possible,  Mr.  Spencer  president  of  the  Perpetual  Spark  Plug  Com- 
pany, of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Spencer  is  a  great-grandson  of  Sylvester  Spencer,  a  victim  of  the 
Wyoming  Massacre,  grandson  of  Edward  Spencer,  and  son  of  Andrew  D. 
Spencer.  Edward  Spencer,  soon  after  making  his  home  in  the  Lackawanna 
Valley,  became  owner  of  all  the  land  between  East  and  West  Mountains,  the 
greater  part  of  which  he  retained,  mining  coal  and  operating  in  timber.  A 
small  part  he  sold,  and  some  he  leased  to  the  Roaring  Brook  Coal  Company,  his 
sons,  F.  M.  and  Andrew  D.,  later  assuming  the  conditions  of  the  lease,  and 
with  their  nine  brothers  and  sisters  forming  the  Spencer  Coal  Company. 

Harry  M.  Spencer,  son  of  Andrew  D.  and  Emma  (Albright)  Spencer,  was 
born  in  Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania.  June  21,  1867.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  Dunmore  public  schools,  the  Keystone  Academy, 
and  the  University  of  New  York,  graduating  from  the  last-named  institution 
in  the  class  of  1886.  After  a  course  in  Rogers'  Business  College,  of  New 
York,  he  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  the  Spencer  Coal  Company, 
previously  mentioned,  and  for  seven  years  was  connected  with  the  direction 
of  its  business.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  organized  the  Perpetual  Spark 
Plug  Company,  of  Dunmore,  and  has  since  devoted  himself  to  its  interests,  al- 
though retaining  his  one-fourth  ownership  in  the  Spencer  Coal  Company. 

The  Perpetual  Spark  Plug  Company,  H.  M.  Spencer,  president,  H.  E. 
Twaddle,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  J.  Warfel,  superintendent,  has  been 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  spark  plugs  for  the  past  two  years,  having  been 
established  in  1912.  On  April  i,  1914,  the  company  placed  upon  the  market 
the  "Ezekleen,"  a  plug  for  which  its  manufacturers  claim  superiority  above 
all  other  makes,  claims  substantiated  by  its  many  users.  Permanence  is  only 
one  of  its  points  of  difference,  for  it  is  not  known  ever  to  have  been  short- 
circuited  by  oil  or  carbon,  a  most  unusual  record.  The  plant  of  the  Perpetual 
Spark  Plug  Company  is  at  No.  330  East  Drinker  street,  Dunmore,  and  al- 
though the  parts  of  the  plug  are  manufactured  elsewhere,  assembly  is  made  at 
this  place,  where  the  thirteen  persons  employed  complete  the  assembly  of  three 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  393 

■hundred  plugs  daily.  Mr.  Spencer  is  the  sole  owner  of  this  business,  which 
is  but  in  its  infancy,  and  with  the  perfection  of  the  marketing  system  of  the 
company's  product,  which  already  is  widely  handled,  the  Perpetual  Spark 
Plug  Company  should  experience  almost  unprecedented  growth  and  expansion. 
Mr.  Spencer's  other  business  relations  are  as  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  of  Dunmore,  of  which  he  was  the  first  vice-president  and  an  organizer, 
as  executor  of  the  A.  D.  Spencer  Estate,  and  as  trustee  of  the  A.  O.  Spencer 
Trust,  of  Philadelphia.  He  was  formerly  president  of  the  Roxbury  Distilling 
Company,  of  Roxbury,  Maryland.  Mr.  Spencer  fraternizes  with  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  is  an  Independent  in  politics,  and  was  at  one 
time  a  member  of  the  Dunmore  school  board. 

Mr.  Spencer  married  Callie  P..  daughter  of  the  late  D.  Frank  and  Clarissa 
(Pratt)  Hayes,  her  father  born  in  Tariff ville,  Connecticut,  her  mother  in  North 
Middleboro,  Connecticut.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spencer  have  one  daughter,  Cath- 
erine, aged  eleven,  attending  the  School  of  the  Lackawanna ;  two  of  their 
children  died  in  infancy. 


JOHN  F.  McGUIRE 


John  F.  McGuire,  a  native  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  has  there  passed 
his  entire  life,  in  his  youth  attending  the  public  schools  of  that  place,  now  an 
undertaker  and  funeral  director  there.  He  was  born  May  24.  1878,  son  of 
Stephen  and  Bridget  McGuire,  and  after  finishing  school  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  a  Mr.  Kane,  opening  an  office  at  No.  312  Chestnut  street.  This 
association  was  begun  in  August,  1900.  and  later  dissolved,  Mr.  McGuire 
establishing  in  independent  business  on  January  16,  191 1.  In  1913  he  moved 
to  his  present  location  at  No.  319  Chestnut  street,  where  he  has  since  been 
successfully  engaged  in  business.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Liverymeti 
and  Undertakers  Association,  Nine  County  Funeral  Directors  Association,  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the  ]\Iodern  Woodmen  of  the  World,  the  Knights 
of  Columbus,  the  Young  Men's  Institute,  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  Home 
Circle,  and  the  Young  Men's  Temperance  Literary  and  Benevolent  Association. 
His  political  party  is  the  Democratic. 


FRANK  J.  SEDLAK.  M.  D. 

A  native  of  Austria  Hungary  and  since  seven  years  of  age  a  resident  of  the 
United  States,  Dr.  Frank  J.  Sedlak  has  devoted  his  life  to  medical  work,  all 
of  his  active  practice  having  been  confined  to  the  city  of  Scranton.  He  was 
born  October  16,  1873,  son  of  John  and  Anna  Sedlak.  His  general  education 
was  obtained  in  the  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  his  prepara- 
tory course  for  the  medical  college  under  A.  C.  Staley  of  Chicago.  He  then 
entered  the  Illinois  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  whence  he  was  graduated 
M.  D.  in  the  class  of  1906.  Since  that  year  he  has  been  a  practitioner  of  Scran- 
ton, his  office  at  No.  950  Prescott  avenue,  where  he  has  attracted  a  considerablc 
patronage.  He  holds  membership  in  the  County  and  American  Medical  so- 
cieties. He  belongs  to  Holy  Trinity  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Politically  he  is 
independent,  clinging  to  no  one  system  of  party  action  nor  adhering  to  one 
political  creed.  Dr.  Sedlak  married  Mar}'  Joseph,  daughter  of  Michael  and 
Mary  Joseph,  a  native  of  Mount  Carmel,  Pennsylvania. 


394  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

PATRICK  D.  MANLEY 

First  as  a  merchant,  later  as  a  lumber  dealer,  and  finally  as  a  dealer  in 
real  estate,  Patrick  D.  Manley  has  been  connected  with  the  business  interests 
of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  continuing  in  the  last-named  line  as  the  largest 
individual  real  estate  dealer  in  the  borough.  Patrick  D.  Alanley,  born  in 
Ireland,  is  a  son  of  Dominick  and  Bridget  Manley,  both  natives  of  that  country, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  with  a  family  of  nine  children  in  1863,  his 
father  dying  at  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  his  mother  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania, 
both  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church. 

Patrick  D.  Manley  was  born  in  Ireland,  May  i,  1843,  tli^^re  being  educated 
and  coming  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  twenty  years  of  age. 
He  remained  in  Hawley,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  from  June  21  until 
November  i,  1863,  at  the  latter  date  proceeding  to  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  has  since  resided  with  the  exception  of  two  years  passed  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania.  While  living  at  home  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm, 
later  opening  a  small  mercantile  establishment  on  Chestnut  street,  Dunmore, 
where  he  remained  until  1876.  In  this  place  he  gained  some  invaluable  ex- 
perience in  methods  of  operating  a  store,  knowledge  which  was  secured  in 
rather  a  costly  and  unpleasant  manner  but  which  he  well  remembered  and 
made  use  of  at  future  dates.  The  lesson  referred  to  was  the  extension  of 
credit  to  irresponsible  persons,  bills  accumulating  upon  which  he  was  never 
able  to  collect.  In  1876  he  moved  to  a  large  brick  store  one  block  below  hi> 
former  place  of  business,  his  new  location  being  No.  213  Chestnut  street,  ad- 
mitting to  partnership  Thomas  F.  Cawley  and  John  E.  Swift,  the  establishment 
now  known  as  the  Union  Cash  Store.  Mr.  Manley  later  sold  his  interest  in 
this  business  and  for  fourteen  years  was  a  lumber  dealer  under  the  name  of 
the  Dunmore  Lumber  Company,  selling  the  business  that  he  had  built  up  on 
February  28,  1912.  Since  that  time  he  has  applied  himself  entirely  to  real 
estate  transactions,  and  at  the  present  time  holds  title  to  more  real  estate  in 
the  vicinity  of  Dunmore  than  any  one  other  man,  and  since  making  that  his 
chief  concern  has  been  involved  in  the  transference  of  a  great  deal  of  prop- 
erty. His  only  other  business  association  is  as  a  director  of  the  Fidelity  Bank. 
Mr.  Manley  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Mutual  Beneficial  Association,  the 
Temperance  Society,  and  belongs  to  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
A  Republican  in  politics,  he  has  for  seven  years  served  Dunmore  in  the  capacity 
of  borough  treasurer,  holding  that  office  for  six  consecutive  years. 

Mr.  Manley  married  ( first )  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  Margaret  Eliza- 
beth Harrison,  born  in  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Patrick  Harrison. 
a  native  of  Ireland,  who  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Hawley, 
Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Manley  died  in  1885.  Mr.  Manley  married  (second) 
Mary,  daughter  of  Patrick  Seery,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of 
Mr.  Manley's  first  marriage :  John,  Frank,  Elizabeth,  Alary,  Genevieve,  de- 
ceased. Children  of  second  marriage  :  Catherine  ;  Josephine,  deceased  ;  Joseph, 
deceased. 


JAMES  RUSSELL  MURPHY,  M.  D. 

A  decade  is  the  space  of  time  that  has  elapsed  since  there  was  taken  from 
his  earthly  walk  Dr.  James  Russell  Murphy,  who  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
century  prior  to  that  time  had  been  a  familiar  figure  in  Dunmore  as  he  went 
about  on  his  errands  of  mercy.  More  than  another  decade,  and  still  another, 
will  be  necessary  to  blot  from  the  minds  and  hearts  of  those  who  knew  him 
the  sweetness  of  his  character,  the  kind  consideration  of  his  nature,  the  warmth 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  395 

and  cordiality  of  his  presence.  It  is  the  hves  of  such  as  he  that  give  vakie 
to  a  look  into  the  past  pages  of  life,  and  make  otherwise  melancholy  retrospect 
worth  while. 

Dr.  James  Russell  Murphy,  born  in  Ireland,  was  a  son  of  Columbus  and 
Eleanor  (Russell)  Murphy,  his  mother  dying  in  Ireland,  his  father  in  Rhode 
Island,  whither  the  family  had  immigrated  when  James  Russell  was  a  boy  of 
thirteen  years.  After  obtaining  a  general  education,  he  attended  the  Medical 
University  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  receiving  his  M.  D.  from  that  institution 
in  the  class  of  1882.  In  November  of  the  year  of  his  graduation  he  moved  to 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  Vi'here  he  was  continuously  engaged  in  practice  until 
his  death,  March  27,  1905.  Usefulness  was  the  keynote  that  sounded  through- 
out his  entire  career,  and  the  sacrifices  that  he  made  in  the  line  of  duty  moulded 
his  life  and  character  into  radiant  beauty  that  endeared  him  to  the  hearts  of 
many.  He  was  a  member  of  several  medical  societies.  He  belonged  to  St. 
Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  affiliated  with  the  Improved  Order  of 
Heptasophs. 

Dr.  Murphy  married,  April  24,  1884,  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Michael  and 
Sarah  (Ferguson)  O'Neill,  a  native  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  where  she 
was  reared.  She  was  for  sixteen  years  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Dunmore, 
resigning  her  position  prior  to  her  marriage.  Michael  O'Neill  was  a  son  of 
John  O'Neill,  who  in  Ireland,  the  homeland,  was  a  butcher,  living  retired  after 
settling  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  a  pioneer  settler.  Michael 
O'Neill  met  an  accidental  death  in  the  coal  mines  of  Dunmore,  in  1852.  His 
wife  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  Ferguson,  of  Ireland.  Children  of  James 
Russell  and  Sarah  A.  (O'Neill)  Murphy:  Joseph  R.,  ex-borough  engineer  of 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania ;  Eleanor,  Bessie,  Mary,  Sallie. 


FRANK  V.  MATTHEWS 

Since  1904  an  employee  of  the  Erie  Railroad,  Frank  V.  Matthews  is  now 
associated  with  that  road  as  store-keeper  of  the  Wyoming  Division,  and  is 
located  at  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  in  which  borough  he  also  holds  residence. 
He  is  a  son  of  Sidney  and  Sophia  (Vaughn)  Matthews,  and  was  born  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  8,  1881. 

Sidney  Matthews  was  born  in  England,  where  he  also  received  his  school- 
ing, coming  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  thirty  years.  He  took  up  his 
residence  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  employed  for  a  great  many 
years  by  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Railroad  as  locomotive  engineer.  He  is  an 
Independent  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  resides  in 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  He  retired  some  twenty  years  ago  from  the  rail- 
road business.  He  married,  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  Sophia  Vaughn,  a 
native  of  Manchester,  England,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Vaughn.  She  came  to 
Scranton  at  about  the  age  of  twenty-five  years.  She  knew  her  future  hus- 
band in  England.  She  became  the  mother  of  eight  children:  i.  Edith  S., 
wife  of  William  R.  Wilson,  deceased,  of  Dunmore.  2.  Eva,  died  at  age  of 
one  year.  3.  Stella  A.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Homer  Miller,  of  Ancran, 
Columbia  county,  New  York.  4.  Annie  E.,  wife  of  G.  E.  Card,  of  Ancran, 
Columbia  county,  New  York.  5.  Maude,  wife  of  W.  H.  Williams,  of  Sala- 
manca, New  York.  6.  Gertrude  M.,  wife  of  Captain  L.  G.  Adams,  of  Greens- 
burg,  Pennsylvania.  7.  Frank  V.,  of  whom  further.  8.  Stanley  W.,  unmar- 
ried, of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 

Frank  V.  Matthews  received  his  school  training  in  the  institutions  of  the 
city  of  his  birth  and  of  Dunmore.  Leaving  school,  he  was  for  a  short  time 
connected  with  the  Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut  Company,  leaving  that  company 


396  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

to  accept  a  clerkship  with  the  Erie  Railroad,  being  first  time-keeper  in  the 
Dunmore  shops  of  that  company.  In  1910  he  was  raised  to  the  position  he 
now  occupies,  that  of  division  store-keeper,  discharging  the  duties  of  his  place 
in  a  capable  and  reliable  manner  that  has  won  him  favor  and  approbation  from 
his  employers.  Mr.  Matthews  fraternizes  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Masonic  Order,  in  the  latter  society  belonging  to  King  Solo- 
mon's Lodge.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Railway  Storekeepers'  Association, 
and  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Mark's  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Fidelity  Deposit  Bank,  of  Dunmore,  and  a  staunch  Republican.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  borough  auditor  since  1908,  having  been  first  elected  in  that 
year  and  re-elected  three  years  later. 

Mr.  Matthews  married  Grace,  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Devine,  her 
father,  who  was  a  son  of  Albert  and  Grace  Devine,  was  superintendent  of  the 
Dickson  Works  for  thirty  years,  now  deceased,  of  Scranton.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Matthews,  whose  home  is  at  No.  316  North  Blakely  street,  are  the  parents 
of:  Margaret  Romaine,  born  in  1906;  Donald  V.,  born  in  1909. 


EDWIN  M.  BEYEA 


For  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  Edwin  M.  Beyea,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  associated  in  different  capacities  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Com- 
pany, Hillside  Coal  &  Iron  Company,  and  Erie  &  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad 
Company,  a  connection  he  was  obliged  to  discontinue  recently  owing  to  ill 
health  to  accept  a  position  as  special  agent  with  the  same  companies  requiring 
less  responsibility.  He  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Nay  Aug  Stone  Company, 
and  is  connected  with  other  business  interests  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley. 

He  is  a  son  of  the  late  Henry  Beyea,  who  was  treasurer  and  paymaster  of 
the  old  Erie  &  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad  Company,  and  cashier  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Coal  Company  up  to  the  time  it  was  taken  over  by  the  Erie  Railroad. 
Previous  to  his  illness  in  1913,  Mr.  Beyea  was  regarded  as  an  expert  with  gun 
and  rod  and  there  is  no  one  more  familiar  with  the  forests  of  Wayne  and  Pike 
counties  than  he.  Mr.  Beyea  is  a  fancier  of  Jersey  blooded  cattle  and  has 
most  valuable  stock  under  one  roof  in  Pennsylvania,  on  farm  at  Maplewood, 
which  was  left  by  his  father.  He  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Taxpayers 
Association  of  Lackawanna  Valley,  holds  membership  in  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  His  present  residence  is  at  1630  Monroe 
avenue,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  Air.  Beyea  married  Ida  May  Slullen,  of 
New  Jersey,  and  has  one  son,  Frank  Darns. 


PATRICK  H.  CAWLEY 

Appointed  justice  of  the  peace  in  19 12  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term  of 
B.  J.  Kelly,  and  on  November  21,  1913,  elected  to  that  office  for  a  term  of  six 
years,  five  years  must  still  pass  before  Patrick  H.  Cawley  will  have  completed 
the  duties  of  justice  of  the  peace,  which  he  has  for  two  years  discharged  with 
competent  ability.  He  is  a  native  of  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  his 
birthplace  Gouldsboro,  the  date  of  his  birth  February  28,  1869.  He  was 
reared  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  attended  school,  afterwards  be- 
coming associated  with  F.  J.  Johnston,  of  Scranton,  painter  and  paper-hanger, 
a  business  in  which  Mr.  Cawley  embarked  independently  in  1903,  adding  to  his 
activities  in  this  line  a  collection  agency,  which  he  still  maintains.  Hi,-> 
responsibilities  to  himself  in  the  care  of  his  business  and  to  Dunmore  in  the 
conscientious  filling  of  his  office  are  met  on  a  fair  footing,  both  receiving  his 
undivided  attention  in  their  own  proper  time  and  place.     He  is  a  member  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  397 

Scranton  Lodge,  No.  123,  B.  P.  O.  E.,  the  Temperance  Lodge,  and  the  Ancient 
Order  of  Hibernians.  Politically  a  Democrat,  he  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's 
Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Cawley  married  Millie  Corcoran,  born  in  Olyphant,  Lackawanna 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  children :  Julietta,  born  in  Pittston,  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  John,  born  in  Olyphant,  Pennsylvania ;  Edward  and  Regina,  born  in 
Olyphant ;  Mary,  Harry,  Willard,  and  Helen,  all  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Mr.  Cawley's  office  is  at  No.  214  East  Drinker  street,  Dunmore,  Pennsyl- 
vania, while  his  residence  is  No.  332  Blakely  street. 


JOHN  CARNEY 


The  president  of  the  Carney  and  Brown  Coal  Company,  of  Dunmore. 
Pennsylvania,  is  John  Carney,  with  whose  life  this  brief  account  will  concern 
itself.  Son  of  Michael  and  Winifred  ( Connell )  Carney,  he  was  born  in  Ire- 
land, January  29,  1843,  ^"^1  when  he  was  five  years  of  age  was  brought  to  the 
United  States  and  to  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  by  his  parents.  In  this  latter 
locality  he  was  educated,  after  the  completion  of  his  schooling  entering  the 
employ  of  the  Delaware  &  Lackawanna  Railroad  Company,  later  becoming 
identified  with  the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  and  following 
that  the  Gravity  Railroad.  For  mor?  than  twenty  years  he  was  then  a  railroad 
engineer,  in  1888  resigning  from  the  railroad  service  and  associating  himself 
with  coal  dealing,  in  which  he  now  engages  as  the  president  of  Carney  and 
Brown  Coal  Company,  of  which  he  has  been  the  head  since  its  organization. 
His  entire  active  life  has  been  passed  in  Dunmore,  which  has  been  his  home 
for  sixty-five  years,  and  there  he  has  been  connected  with  numerous  enter- 
prises and  movements  for  the  advancement  and  welfare  of  that  place.  School 
improvement  is  a  form  of  municipal  responsibility  in  which  he  has  worthily 
borne  his  part,  having  served  as  school  director  and  for  three  years  as  school 
controller.  He  holds  membership  in  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 

Mr.  Carney  married  ( first )  Mary  Caveny,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  had  two 
children,  Mary  and  Sara;  (second)  Catherine  Fitzpatrick,  of  Jefferson  town- 
ship, Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  daughter,  Helen. 


GEORGE  E.  STEVENSON 

Among  the  ranks  of  civil  and  mining  engineers  in  the  city  of  Scranton. 
George  E.  Stevenson  holds  a  conspicuous  position,  both  because  of  his  high 
standing  in  his  profession  and  the  prominence  of  the  firm  of  which  he  is  a 
member,  Stevenson  &  Knight,  and  because  of  his  wide  experience  in  his  chosen 
calling.  His  parents  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  his  maternal  great- 
grandfather, Stephen  Parker,  having  been  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  town- 
ship of  Abington,  Lackawanna  county.  His  mother  is  still  the  possessor  of  a 
portion  of  the  land  that  formed  the  original  homestead,  and  there  lives. 

George  E.  Stevenson  was  born  at  Danville,  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  30,  i860,  and  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  old  farm  in  Abington.  He 
obtained  his  early  education,  preparatory  to  his  entrance  of  Cornell  University, 
in  the  public  school  at  Clarks  Green.  His  father  was  a  civil  and  mining  en- 
gineer, having  been  employed  in  the  construction  of  the  original  line  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  and  by  acting  as  his  assistai.t 
in  his  youth,  Mr.  Stevenson  acquired  a  vast  fund  of  practical  knowledge  that 
has  been  of  the  greatest  value  to  him  in  his  business  life.     In  this  manner  he 


398  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

received  instruction  that  it  would  have  been  almost  impossible  to  have  ob 
tained  elsewhere,  as  the  patience  and  interest  of  a  father's  instruction  cannot 
be  matched  by  a  paid  teacher.  He  then  entered  Cornell  University  and  re- 
mained in  that  institution  for  two  years,  a  student  of  the  agricultural  course. 
His  first  employment  as  an  engineer  did  not  come  until  he  had  attained  his 
majority,  although  so  proficient  had  he  become  that  at  different  times  he  was 
placed  in  full  charge  of  an  operation  by  his  father.  This  was  in  the  coal  min- 
ing department  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western,  then  engaged  in 
the  building  of  the  Storrs  branch  and  the  construction  of  the  Pancoast  Colliery 
at  Throop.  He  was  next  engaged  by  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  when 
the  old  Pennsylvania  Gravity  Railroad  from  Scranton  to  Hawley  was  replaced 
by  the  present  steam  railroad,  the  Erie  and  Wyoming  Valley.  At  the  com- 
pletion of  this  operation  Mr.  Stevenson  journeyed  to  Arkansas  to  supervise 
some  engineering  work  in  that  locality,  and  upon  his  return  from  the  West 
devoted  a  portion  of  his  time  to  conducting  operations  on  his  farm  at  Abing- 
ton,  making,  as  well,  local  land  surveys  and  acting  as  engineer  in  the  building 
of  highways  in  the  vicinity.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  he  was  once 
more  entirely  engaged  in  engineering,  being  employed  at  Hancock,  New  York, 
as  resident  engineer  for  the  Ontario  &  Western  Railroad,  later  entering  the 
service  of  the  Lackawanna  Lumber  Company  in  Potter  county,  Pennsylvania. 

About  1892  Mr.  Stevenson  made  Scranton  his  permanent  home  and  there 
opened  an  office,  his  services  being  so  greatly  in  demand  that  in  a  short  time 
the  pressure  of  work  became  too  great  for  him  to  conduct  the  business  single- 
handed  with  any  degree  of  satisfaction,  in  consequence  of  which  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  M.  S.  Knight.  This  connection  continues  to  the  present 
time,  the  firm  of  Stevenson  &  Knight  having  offices  at  725-26-27  Connell 
Building,  where  they  transact  a  large  and  lucrative  business.  The  firm  has 
gained  a  reputation  for  honorable  and  upright  dealing,  its  name  in  connection 
with  any  operation  being  ample  assurance  that  the  work  will  be  carried  to 
completion  with  conscientious  and  able  supervision.  The  other  capacities  in 
which  Mr.  Stevenson  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  are 
as  engineer  for  the  laying  out  of  timber  lands  for  the  Almogordo  Lumber 
Company  in  the  Sacramento  Mountains,  New  Mexico,  and  for  a  time  he  was 
in  charge  of  the  development  of  the  tract  owned  by  that  company.  Besides 
being  one  of  the  promoters,  he  was  engineer  in  charge  of  the  construction  of 
the  Northern  Electric  Street  Railway,  an  enterprise  he  carried  to  a  most  suc- 
cessful close.  While  serving  a  term  as  surveyor  of  Lackawanna  county,  he  in- 
troduced throughout  the  locality  over  which  he  had  supervision  the  use  of 
solid  concrete  floor  bridges,  which  have  been  substituted  for  those  of  more 
ancient  design  all  over  the  county,  and  also  advocated  reinforced  concrete 
arch  bridges,  together  with  the  low-riveted  truss  bridge  with  a  solid  concrete 
fioor,  of  which  manv  have  been  built  in  Lackawanna  county.  During  his  term 
of  office  there  was  no  effective  method  of  sprinkling  the  large  court-house  lawn 
until  he  installed  the  present  system  of  stationary  sprinklers  all  draining  to  one 
outlet. 

Quite  aside  from  his  professional  activities,  Mr.  Stevenson  has  become 
one  of  the  leading  agriculturalists  along  scientific  lines  in  the  county,  a  call- 
ing for  which  he  was  prepared  by  a  course  at  Cornell  University.  One  of 
the  departments  of  his  farm  that  has  created  country  wide  attention  is  that 
devoted  to  the  raising  of  Holstein  cattle,  his  herd  being  the  only  natural'y 
hornless  herd  in  the  world.  At  his  farm  in  Waverly  his  sons  are  conducting 
tests  and  making  official  records  under  the  supervision  of  State  College  and 
the  herd  now  hold  the  world's  record  for  polled  cattle  of  all  ages.  A  junior 
three  year  old  heifer  has  just  completed  the  following  records:  7  days,  593  lbs. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  399 

of  milk,  26  lbs.  of  butter;  30  days,  2,472  lbs.  of  milk,  108  lbs.  of  butter;  60 
days,  4,800  lbs.  of  milk,  204  lbs.  of  butter.  These  records  are  the  highest  ever 
produced  in  Pennsylvania  by  a  junior  three  year  old  of  any  breed,  and  the 
highest  in  the  world  for  a  hornless  animal.  So  wide  spread  is  the  interest 
demonstrated  in  this  effort  to  raise  blooded  cattle  devoid  of  horns  that  in 
October,  1913,  W.  J.  Spillman,  connected  with  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
at  Washington,  visited  Mr.  Stevenson's  farm  to  inspect  the  famous  herd,  and 
complimented  Mr.  Stevenson  upon  the  practical  and  scientific  value  of  his  ex- 
periments. Another  earnest  of  Mr.  Stevenson's  interest  in  affairs  agricultural 
is  his  incumbency  of  the  office  of  treasurer  of  the  Lackawanna  County  Farm 
Bureau.  Mr.  Stevenson  is  a  member  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining 
Engineers,  and  of  the  Engineers  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  also  a 
life  member  of  the  Holstein  Friesian  Association  of  America,  and  president 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Holstein  Friesian  Association. 

In  spite  of  his  professional  duties  and  agricultural  experiments  Mr.  Stev- 
enson still  finds  time  to  fulfill  the  many  duties  of  good  citizenship,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  both  in  business  and  private  life. 


GEORGE  W.   HORNBAKER 

As  a  wholesale  commission  merchant,  George  W.  Hornbaker  has  achieved 
his  greatest  success  in  business  in  Scranton,  having  entered  that  line  after  a 
varied  career  in  other  callings,  in  which  he  engaged  at  times  as  an  employee 
and  at  other  times  independently.  His  parents  were  Joseph  and  Catherine 
(Hawk)  Hornbaker.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Luzerne  county  and  hi.i 
mother  of  Christmantown,  New  Jersey,  a  place  near  Blairstown.  After  their 
marriage  they  moved  to  Wayne  county,  later  coming  to  Lackawanna  cpunty, 
Pennsylvania. 

George  W.  Hornbaker  was  born  in  Luzerne  county,  now  Lackawanna 
county,  March  23,  i860.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lacka- 
wanna and  Wayne  counties,  leaving  school  when  he  was  fourteen  years  of 
age  and  engaging  in  fami  labor,  being  so  employed  until  1880.  In  the  spring 
of  this  year  he  came  to  Scranton  in  the  employ  of  the  Lackawanna  Coal  and 
Iron  Company,  working  as  blacksmith  for  about  one  year.  On  April  i,  1881, 
he  began  dealing  in  meat  in  Green  Ridge,  Scranton,  continuing  in  this  line 
of  trade  for  fifteen  years,  then  changing  his  line  to  general  merchandise, 
selling  his  business  at  the  end  of  two  and  one  half  years.  He  then  became 
identified  with  the  Scranton  Cold  Storage  Plant,  and  there  remained  for  eight 
years,  when  he  established  in  his  present  business,  that  of  wholesale  com- 
mission dealer  in  butter  and  eggs,  his  place  of  business  being  No.  22  Lacka- 
wanna avenue,  Scranton.  He  does  a  large  business  in  these  products,  and 
has  prospered  materially.  His  only  other  business  interest  is  as  a  stockholder 
in  the  Scranton  Savings  and  Dime  Bank.  His  political  convictions  are  Repub- 
lican, and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  in  the  Odd  Fellows  has  passed 
all  of  the  chairs.     He  belongs  to  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Hornbaker  married,  April  22,  1892,  Lulu  B.,  born  in  Factory ville, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Cyrus  B.  and  Ellen  Gardner,  of  Factoryville,  both 
deceased.  Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hornbaker:  Eleanor  Catherine  and 
Marian  Virginia,  both  born  in  Scranton,  the  family  home  being  at  No.  1660 
Adams  avenue,  Dunmore. 


400  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

THOMAS  J.  HUGHES 

Although  now  retired  from  active  business,  Thomas  J.  Hughes  is  well- 
remembered  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  and  his  plumbing  establishment  at 
No.  129  Chestnut  street,  Dunmore,  was  one  of  the  borough's  institutions  that, 
now  departed,  was  once  most  familiar.  Thomas  J.  Hughes  is  a  son  of  John 
Hughes,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  was  reared  to  manhood  and  married  in  his 
homeland,  afterward  immigrating  to  the  United  States.  Enlisting  in  the 
Union  army,  he  served  through  the  war  between  the  states,  his  death  oc- 
curring in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  when  he  was  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  He 
was  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of  that  place.  He  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  the  only  survivor  of  whom  is 
Thomas  J.,  of  whom  further. 

Thomas  J.  Hughes,  son  of  John  Hughes,  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Lacka- 
wanna county,  Pennsylvania,  in  March,  1867,  and  there  attended  school.  .His 
education  completed,  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  plumber's  trade,  and  af- 
ter learning  this  was  for  eight  years  a  gold  prospector  in  the  West,  then  re- 
turning to  the  place  of  his  birth  and  establishing  in  the  plumbing  business. 
His  beginning  was  assuredly  humble,  his  cash  capital,  and  he  had  few  other 
assets,  being  eighty  cents.  The  first  call  that  he  received  after  announcing 
that  he  would  perform  plumbing  work  of  all  kinds,  was  for  a  water  trap.  The 
market  price  of  this  article  was  seventy-five  cents,  and  it  was  necessary  to 
journey  to  Scranton  to  procure  it.  The  price  of  the  trap  and  the  car-fare  be- 
tween Dunmore  and  Scranton  completely  exhausted  his  small  funds,  and  he 
was  compelled  to  walk  back  to  Dunmore  to  install  the  trap.  This  was  the 
starting  point  of  his  business,  and  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  find  a  lower 
place  of  departure  upon  a  business  career,  but  untiring  application  and  earnest 
labor  brought  their  inevitable  rewards  in  patronage  and  prosperity,  so  that 
from  that  time  until  his  retirement  his  business  was  a  most  flourishing  one, 
his  service  to  the  ptiblic  most  excellent.  Mr.  Hughes  is  a  director  of  the 
Fidelity  Bank,  of  Dunmore ;  a  charter  member  of  the  Smith  Fire  Company, 
and  belongs  to  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  His  career  as  a  plumber 
in  Dunmore  was  twenty-three  years  in  duration,  and  during  that  time  his 
working  force  ranged  from  one  to  four  men. 

He  married  Mary  Mack,  born  at  Xiagara  Falls,  New  York,  their  home  be- 
ing now  at  No.  228  Chestnut  street,  Dunmore. 


JESSE  PALMER 

The  American  life  of  this  line  of  Palmers  begins  three  years  prior  to  the 
birth  of  Jesse  Palmer,  when  his  father,  Charles  Palmer,  emigrated  from  his 
native  country,  England,  and  found  residence  in  Hyde  Park,  Scranton,  in 
1865.  Charles  Palmer  married  Caroline  House,  and  in  1878  moved  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  mines.  Charles  and 
Caroline  (House)  Palmer  were  the  parents  of  eight  children. 

Jesse  Palmer,  son  of  Charles  and  Caroline  (House)  Palmer,  was  born  in 
Hyde  Park,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  29,  1868,  and  until  he  was  eleven 
years  of  age  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools.  He  then  obtained  employ- 
ment as  a  slate  picker  in  the  colliery  of  J.  H.  Swoyer  &  Company,  also  W.  G. 
Payne  &  Company,  later  being  advanced  to  more  responsible  grades  of  mine 
labor.  He  subsequently  became  connected  with  the  mining  corps  of  the  Le- 
high Valley,  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio,  and  the  Wilkes-Barre  &  Eastern  rail- 
roads, being  engaged  on  construction  work  with  these  roads  until  September 
17,  1894.     On  this  date  he  became  a  member  of  the  engineering  corps  of  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  401 

Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  a  position  that  he  filled  until  July,  1906,  when 
he  was  promoted  to  the  place  of  general  foreman  of  the  company's  Colliery 
No.  6,  at  Pittston,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  the  incumbent  of  this  position  for 
four  years,  in  October,  19 10,  coming  to  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  as  the  dis- 
trict superintendent  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  his  present  status  in 
the  company's  employ.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Engineering  Society  of 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  Valley  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Palmer's  advance  in  the  service  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Coal  Company  can  be  attributed  to  no  other  fact  than  his  capacity  for 
measuring  up  to  the  magnitude  of  the  task  confronting  him,  and  it  has  beeii 
this  constant  preparedness,  this  willingness  and  ability  to  face  and  to  overcome 
unfamiliar  conditions,  that  has  placed  him  high  in  the  company's  esteem. 

Mr.  Palmer  married,  September  14,  1892,  Bessie  Crocker,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam H.  Crocker,  and  is  the  father  of  William,  Harry,  Margaret,  Elba,  and 
Frank,  his  two  eldest  sons  employed  in  the  engineering  corps  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Coal  Company. 


JOHN  McCRINDLE 


At  the  present  time  junior  member  of  the  mercantile  firm  of  Swift,  Mc- 
Crindle  &  Company,  John  McCrindle  has  been  for  thirty  years  a  merchant  of 
Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  having  been  engaged  in  that  line  in  Moosic 
and  Scranton,  the  last-named  place  his  present  location.  His  has  not  always 
been  a  life  of  trade,  for  in  young  manhood  he  followed  the  occupation  of  his 
father,  coal-mining.  Should  evidence  be  sought  in  his  former  or  his  present 
business  relations,  none  would  be  found  that  would  indicate  aught  but  a  mer- 
chant of  principle  and  honor,  one  who  founded  his  business  upon  fair-dealing 
and  open  transactions,  and  one  who,  after  a  career  in  business  stretching  over 
three  decades,  is  looked  up  to  in  genuine  regard  by  associates  and  friends  as  a 
gentleman  of  unblemished  reputation. 

John  McCrindle  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  January  17,  i860,  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  McCrindle,  who  came  to  the  United  States  when  he  was  a 
boy  of  five  years.  His  father  was  a  coal  miner.  He  died  aged  seventy  years, 
his  wife  dying  aged  seventy-one  years.  The  second  of  the  eight  children  of 
this  marriage  was  John  McCrindle,  who  in  his  youth  was  a  student  in  the 
public  schools,  in  those  institutions  obtaining  all  of  his  scholastic  training. 
Mining  offered  him  his  first  employment,  and  he  was  so  engaged  until  he  was 
twenty-four  years  of  age,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  McMillan 
and  established  in  general  mercantile  dealings  in  Moosic,  the  house  trading 
as  McCrindle  &  McMillan.  This  firm  continued  in  prosperous  circumstances 
for  eleven  years,  when  Mr.  McCrindle  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  T.  H. 
Watts  &  Company,  of  Scranton,  still  retaining  his  interest  in  the  Stevenson 
Hailstone  Company  the  name  having  been  changed  to  the  corporated  form  of 
McCrindle  &  McAIillan.  After  five  and  a  half  years  he  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  his  present  firm.  Swift  &  McCrindle.  For  twelve  and  a  half  years 
this  firm  has  been  located  at  No.  440  Sixth  avenue,  Scranton,  the  store  force 
numbering  four,  including  the  proprietors,  and  for  a  like  period  of  time  Mr. 
McCrindle  has  been  a  resident  of  Dunmore.  Mr.  McCrindle  is  a  member  of 
the  local  Board  of  Trade  and  is  president  of  the  Bufifalo  Creek  Coal  and 
Lumber  Company,  of  Tennessee,  this  being  his  only  other  business  relation. 
He  fraternizes  with  the  Masonic  Order,  and  in  religious  belief  is  a  Presby- 
terian. His  political  stand  has  ever  been  taken  with  the  Republican  party,  and 
he  held  the  postmastership  of  Moosic  under  Presidents  Harrison,  McKinley 
and  Roosevelt,  retiring  from  office  under  the  last-named  executive.  While 
26 


402  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  Moosic  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  that  place.  His  standing 
as  a  merchant,  his  wide  popularity,  and  his  prominence  as  a  government  official 
of  Moosic  have  made  him  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Dunmore,  in  whose 
welfare  and  advancement  he  has  anxious  interest  and  to  which  end  he  is  ever 
ready  to  lend  his  aid. 

Mr.    McCrindle  married   Mary   McMillan,   and   is  the   father   of :   Charles 
L. ;  Thomas  W.,  deceased ;  James,  deceased ;  J.  Gordon ;  Marion  M. ;  Jean. 


FRANK  C.  WALLACE 


The  position  of  general  foreman  of  the  shops  of  the  Wyoming  Division 
of  the  Erie  Railroad  is  a  place  requiring  in  its  occupant  an  expert  knowledge 
of  mechanics,  initiative  and  executive  ability  of  no  mean  order,  and  above  all 
the  gift  of  managing  and  dealing  with  men  in  a  manner  that  escapes  resentment 
or  friction  of  any  kind.  All  of  the  above  are  found  in  Frank  C.  Wallace,  the 
present  incumbent  of  that  position,  and  to  them  are  added  a  strict  sense  of 
honor,  a  loyalty  to  employers  unfailing,  and  an  unrelaxing  energy  and  ap- 
plication. 

Frank  C.  Wallace,  son  of  Charles  R.  and  Oranna  (Humphrey)  Wallace, 
was  born  in  Elmira,  New  York,  August  7,  1879,  and  there  lived  until  he  was 
ten  years  of  age,  his  parents  then  moving  to  Susquehanna,  Pennsylvania,  where 
his  education  was  completed.  He  began  his  career  as  a  bread  winner  by  ap- 
prenticing himself  to  the  machinist's  trade  in  the  machine  shop  at  Susque- 
hanna, where  he  remained  from  June,  1897,  until  September,  1900,  passing 
the  four  following  years  as  a  draughtsman  in  Susquehanna  and  Meadville, 
Pennsylvania.  From  March,  1904,  until  July,  1905,  he  was  employed  by  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and  for  the  next  year  was 
foreman  in  the  roundhouse  at  that  place.  In  October,  1906,  Mr.  Wallace  was 
appointed  piece  work  inspector  in  the  shops  of  the  Erie  Railroad  at  Buffalo, 
New  York,  holding  that  position  until  February,  1907,  at  which  latter  date 
he  became  assistant  general  foreman  at  Jersey  City.  He  came  to  Dunmore  as 
general  foreman  of  the  Wyoming  Division  of  the  same  road,  and  there  con- 
tinues, ably  directing  the  work  of  the  shops,  calling  upon  his  wise  judgment 
and  knowledge  to  solve  the  problems,  often  vital  and  perplexing,  that  arise  in 
the  course  of  the  day.  He  is  both  liked  and  respected  by  his  associates,  and 
between  him  and  them  exists  a  feeling  of  cordial  friendship.  Mr.  Wallace 
married  Margaret  E.  Elston,  born  in  Elmira,  New  York,  and  resides  at  No. 
118  Dudley  street,  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania. 


THOMAS  F.  HARRISON 

After  a  varied  business  career  in  the  Scranton  district,  Thomas  F.  Har- 
rison, of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  of  Irish  descent,  found  his  true  calling  and 
sphere  of  usefulness  as  master  mechanic  and  foreman  in  the  employ  of  the 
Railway  Steel  Spring  Works,  with  which  he  has  been  connected  for  almost 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  is  a  son  of  James  Harrison,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
who  after  his  immigration  to  the  United  States  settled  in  Hawley,  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  early  employed  on  the  canal,  later  movr 
ing  to  Scranton.  In  the  latter  city  he  was  employed  for  the  greater  part  of  his 
residence  there  by  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  dying  in  1898,  aged  about 
fifty-four  years,  his  wife  having  died  seven  years  previously.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  Peter's  Cathedral.  He  married  Catherine  Clark,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
and  had  children,  all  but  the  last  named  born  in  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  he  in 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  403 

Scranton :  Patrick  J.,  Mary  E.,  Margaret  A.,  Jennie  E.,  Catherine  B.,  James 
C,  Thomas  F.,  of  whom  further. 

Thomas  F.  Harrison  was  born  in  Pine  Brook,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
December  16,  1875,  and  was  reared  in  that  city,  there  attending  school.  He 
began  his  business  career  as  a  messenger  boy  in  the  employ  of  the  Western 
Union  Telegraph  Company,  at  which  he  worked  for  one  year  and  a  half,  and 
after  one  year  as  a  rivet  heater  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Boise  Car  Wheel 
Works.  This  plant  was  afterward  sold  and  the  Railway  Steel  Spring  Works 
housed  therein,  in  the  employ  of  which  concern  Mr.  Harrison  has  since  re- 
mained, a  period  of  twenty-three  years,  eight  of  which  have  been  spent  in  the 
capacity  of  master  mechanic  and  foreman,  positions  for  which  a  long  ex- 
perience and  an  extensive  practical  knowledge  of  mechanics  has  ably  fitted  him. 
Mr.  Harrison  is  a  member  of  Scranton  Council,  Modern  Woodmen  of  the 
World,  Dunmore  Commandery,  Workers  of  the  World,  and  Father  McManus' 
Total  Abstinence  Beneficial  Society,  to  which  he  has  belonged  for  the  past 
eight  years.  He  was  treasurer  of  the  local  order  for  three  years,  vice-presi- 
dent for  two  years,  and  president  for  two  years,  his  fellow-members,  upon  his 
retirement  from  the  president's  chair,  presenting  him  with  a  handsome  gold 
watch  in  grateful  acknowledgment  of  his  competent  leadership  and  as  a  re- 
membrance of  their  universal  esteem.  He  has  been  a  Democrat  all  his  life, 
and  is  now  serving  the  third  year  of  a  six  year  term  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  of  Dunmore,  having  been  secretary  of  that  body  during  his  first  year  of 
membership  and  president  during  his  second  year. 

Mr.  Harrison  married  Anna  T.,  born  in  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter of  Michael  and  Mary  (Harrison)  O'Malley,  her  father  a  stationary  engineer 
in  calling,  for  several  years  a  member  of  the  Scranton  council.  Children  of 
Thomas  F.  and  Anna  T.  (O'Malley)  Harrison,  all  bom  in  Dunmore.  Penn- 
sylvania :  Catherine,  Thomas  L.,  Margaret,  all  attending  school.  The  first 
child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harrison  died  in  infancy. 


WILLIAM  W.  INGLIS 


The  record  of  William  W.  Inglis  is  one  that,  fully  narrated,  illustrates  well 
the  beneficial  results  of  persistent  application  and  concentration  upon  one  line 
of  action,  the  advisability  of  devotion  to  one  end,  the  constant  presence  of  that 
trait  in  his  business  career  having  placed  him  in  his  present  important  position 
as  general  manager  to  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  the  Hillside  Coal  and 
Iron  Company,  and  the  New  York,  Susquehanna,  and  Western  Coal  Company. 
As  a  youth  of  fourteen  years  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Hillside  Coal  and 
Iron  Company,  having  determined  upon  business  of  that  nature  as  his  life 
work,  and  during  the  years  from  1885  to  19 13  rose  in  the  service  of  that  com- 
pany from  office  boy  to  general  manager.  His  willing  and  able  performance  of 
the  duties  that  were  entrusted  to  him  in  one  position  constantly  led  to  the  re- 
posing of  still  greater  responsibility  until  he  has  reached  the  office  of  general 
manager  of  these  allied  companies.  Energy  in  labor  and  force  of  character 
are  the  agents  that  have  opened  for  him  the  door  of  opportunity  through 
which  he  has  passed  into  constantly  enlarging  fields  of  service,  and  increasing 
trust  and  duty. 

William  W.  Inglis  was  born  on  Jefferson  avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
January  19,  1871,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city, 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  becoming  an  office  boy  in  the  employ  of  the  Hill- 
side Coal  and  Iron  Company.  He  has  served  through  various  grades  of  em- 
ployment in  the  service  of  this  company,  and  in  February,  1913,  was  elevated 
to  the  general  managership  of  the  company,  and  the  same  position  with  the 


404  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  and  the  New  York,  Susquehanna,  and  Western 
Coal  Company.  Mr.  Inglis  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Lincoln  Trust  Company,  holding  the  same  position  in  the  Scranton  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  and  belongs  to  the  Scranton  Club,  of  Scranton. 
and  the  Engineers  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  His  lodge  is  the 
Peter  Williamson,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  he  has  attained  the  thirty-second 
degree  Scottish  Rite,  belonging  to  Irem  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  trustee 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  and  politically  is  a  Republican  sympathizer. 

Mr.  Inglis  married  Gertrude  Jayne,  born  in  Scranton,  daughter  of  John 
and  Hettie  Kennedy,  and  is  the  father  of  John,  born  in  1895,  and  Mary, 
born   in    1898. 


WALTER  H.  DAVIDSON 

Coming  from  his  Scotland  home  after  becoming  a  worker  in  wood  in  that 
country,  Walter  H.  Davidson  has  since  his  twenty-seventh  year  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  living  for  all  but  one  year  of  that  time  in  the  Scran- 
ton district  and  for  the  past  quarter  of  a  century  in  Dunmore.  He  is  a  son  of 
James  and  Joanna  (Lainge)  Davidson,  his  parents  likewise  natives  of  Scotland, 
the  parents  of  five  children.  James  Davidson  died  aged  sixty-seven  years,  his 
wife  aged  seventy-seven  years. 

Walter  H.  Davidson  was  born  in  Rocksbury,  Scotland,  May  3,  1855.  He 
was  reared  in  Peeblesshire,  where  he  lived  from  his  fourth  until  his  si.xteenth 
year,  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter.  In  1882  he  immigrated  to  the 
United  States,  settling  first  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  where  he  remained  for 
one  year,  at  the  end  of  that  time  coming  to  Scranton,  where  he  obtained  em- 
ployment at  his  trade.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  there  engaged  at  his  trade  until  his  retirement.  In  addition  to  being  skilled 
in  the  constructive  work  of  his  trade,  such  as  house-building,  Mr.  Davidson 
is  master  of  the  cabinet-maker's  art  and  an  accomplished  worker  in  hard  woods, 
specimens  of  his  work  showing  delicacy  and  fineness  of  execution.  Mr.  David- 
son is  an  Independent  in  political  action,  never  entering  the  public  service. 
While  no  more  loyal  citizen  of  the  United  States  than  he  could  be  found,  he 
retains  a  deep  and  reverential  love  for  the  country  of  his  birth,  and  visited 
Scotland  in  191 1. 

Mr.  Davidson  married,  in  Scotland,  Jane,  born  in  Peeblesshire,  Scotland, 
daughter  of  Wildon  and  Elizabeth  (Scott)  Whitson,  and  has  children:  James, 
a  resident  of  Buflfalo,  New  York ;  Frederick,  an  engineer  in  the  employ  of 
the  Erie  Railroad ;  Elizabeth  Scott,  employed  by  the  International  Correspon- 
dence Schools;  Andrew  Edgar,  a  fireman  on  the  Erie  Railroad;  Benjamin  H., 
met  an  accidental  death  when  sixteen  years  of  age. 


ALBERT  F.  WESTPFAHL 

Proprietor  of  the  business  conceived  and  founded  by  his  father,  the  late 
John  Westpfahl,  Albert  F.  Westpfahl  is  one  of  the  popular  and  prominent 
merchants  of  the  city  of  Scranton.  He  has  fostered  the  welfare  of  his  con- 
cern, and  by  his  assiduous  application  has  increased  its  prosperity,  widened  its 
scope,  and  strengthened  the  firm  foundation  laid  by  the  elder  Westpfahl. 
John  Westpfahl,  father  of  Albert  F.  Westpfahl,  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
in  1863  came  to  the  United  States.  In  his  native  land  he  had  watched  with 
interest  and  strong  sympathy  the  civil  strife  in  that  country  and  upon  his  ar- 
rival immediately  took  steps  for  enlistment  in  the  LInion  army,  serving  for  nine 
months  until  wounded  by  a  bursting  shell.     He  came  to  Scranton  after  re- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  405 

ceiving  his  discharge  and  was  employed  in  a  blacksmith's  shop  until  1886, 
in  that  year  opening  a  grocery  store  at  Nos.  629-631  Pittston  avenue,  and  was 
actively  engaged  until  his  death,  November  13,  1903.  At  his  death  his  business 
was  established,  was  of  vigorous  growth,  and  gave  promise  of  the  prosperity 
it  has  since  attained.  He  married  Augusta  Rabe.  Children :  Amelia ;  Charles 
W.,  assistant  city  clerk  of  the  city  of  Scranton ;  Wanda,  married  Theodore 
Bauschman ;  Albert  F.,  of  whom  further. 

Albert  F.  Westpfahl  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September  25, 
1870.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city  and  at  the  completion 
of  his  studies  entered  his  father's  store.  Here  he  was  employed  until  the 
death  of  his  father  when  he  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  business,  which 
he  has  conducted  since.  He  is  also  interested  in  the  Rice  Grocery  Compan)-. 
a  concern  transacting  one  of  the  largest  wholesale  grocery  businesses  in  the 
city,  and  Mr.  Westpfahl  is  president  of  this  corporation.  His  pleasing  per- 
sonal qualities  have  gained  him  popularity  in  his  native  city,  and  he  is  uni- 
versally regarded  as  a  citizen  of  public  spirit  and  one  who  heads  a  business 
that  is  a  credit  to  Scranton  institutions.  Fraternally  he  is  also  prominent,  be- 
longing to  Shiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M.,  holding  the  thirty-second  de- 
gree in  the  Masonic  Order  and  membership  in  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine ;  the  Knights  of  Malta ;  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America ;  the 
Junger  Mannerchor;  the  Liederkranz;  the  Saengerbunde ;  the  Royal  Arcanum; 
the  Scranton  Athletic  Club ;  the  South  Side  Republican  Club ;  and  the  Deutsch- 
Amerikanicher  Bund.  His  only  other  business  interest,  excepting  the  presi- 
dency of  the  Rice  Wholesale  Grocery  Company,  is  as  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  South  Side  Bank.  His  church,  of  which  his  wife  also  is  a 
member,  is  the  First  German  Presbyterian. 

Mr.  Westpfahl  married,  April  15,  1897,  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Charles 
Shelp,  of  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  father  of  three  children :  Fred- 
erick, John,  Frank. 


JOHN  H.  KEAST 

The  association  begun  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  thirty-two 
years  since  by  John  H.  Keast  exists  at  the  present  time,  although  the  relation 
has  been  broken  by  a  term  of  service  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  West- 
ern Railroad  Company.  In  both  instances  his  duties  have  been  connected  with 
stone-cutting  and  masonry,  his  present  capacity  with  the  first-named  com- 
pany being  that  of  superintendent  of  masonry.  Mr.  Keast  is  a  native  of  Corn- 
wall, England,  and  it  was  there  that  his  father,  John  Keast,  was  born.  John 
Keast  was  a  stone-cutter  by  trade  and  for  twenty-five  years  was  employed  as 
foreman  on  work  of  that  nature  in  the  homeland.  He  married  Jane  Polgrean, 
who  died  in  1892,  aged  seventy-two  years,  John  Keast  marrying  a  second  time. 

John  H.  Keast,  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Polgrean)  Keast,  was  born  May  11, 
i860,  and  resided  in  his  native  country  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
when,  with  his  wife,  he  came  to  the  United  States.  Making  Scranton  his  first 
stopping  place,  he  was  for  a  time  employed  in  the  Jermyn  mines  at  Priceburg, 
now  Dickson  City.  He  had  been  there  working  for  but  a  short  time  when  an 
accident,  bringing  death  to  several,  occurred,  and  Mr.  Keast,  learning  of  the 
frequency  of  these  happenings,  which  modern  engineering  has  greatly  lessened, 
abandoned  mine  labor.  LTntil  March,  1882,  a  period  of  only  a  month  or  two, 
he  engaged  in  stone  cutting  on  the  Lackawanna  County  Court  House  then  in 
the  course  of  construction,  afterward  working  at  Winton  Bridge  until  a 
strike  ended  his  employment  at  that  place.  Returning  to  work  on  the  Court 
House,  the  construction  of  that  edifice  gave  him  occupation  for  two  seasons, 


4o6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

after  which  he  was  identified  with  Rice  and  Warner,  contractors,  and  Burke 
Brothers,  in  the  order  named,  stone  cutting  being  then  his  principal  hne.  In 
April,  1885,  he  formed  a  connection  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  as 
stone  cutter,  which  ceased  when  he  engaged  under  D.  Y.  Williams  as  gang 
foreman  and  mason  for  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany. In  1896  Mr.  Keast  began  the  association  that  continues  to  the  present 
time  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  becoming  a  mason  under  Super- 
intendent of  Masonry  Patrick  Blewitt,  and  worked  as  a  mason  until  a  serious 
illness  compelled  a  ten  months'  retirement.  With  health  and  vigor  restored 
he  returned  to  his  work,  and  until  February,  191 1,  was  employed  as  gang 
foreman,  at  that  date  being  raised  to  the  position  of  superintendent  of 
masonry  and  concrete  construction.  His  territory  covers  three  counties,  and 
he  has  upon  an  average  nine  gangs  of  men  engaged  on  work  under  his  direc- 
tion, whose  labor  he  directs,  through  foremen,  with  strong  ability  and  the  as- 
surance of  knowledge.  Mr.  Keast  is  a  member  of  St.  Mark's  Episcopal  Church, 
holding  membership  in  the  vestry,  and  for  the  past  fifteen  years  has  been 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  connected  with  that  church,  giving  to  his 
work  as  its  head  the  devoted  service  that,  in  the  business  world,  has  gained 
him  responsible  position.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Foresters 
has  been  through  all  the  chairs  and  for  fourteen  years  served  as  secretary.  Hia 
political  faith  is  Republican. 

Mr.  Keast  married,  December  18,  1881,  Mary  Elizabeth  Angwin,  born  in 
Cornwall,  England,  daughter  of  John  and  Frances  (Toman)  Angwin,  whose 
mother  died  aged  thirty-two  years.  John  Angwin  and  his  children  came  to  the 
United  States  about  1869,  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  and  engaged  in  coal 
mining  in  the  Jermyn  mines.  Children  of  John  H.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Ang- 
win )  Keast :  Frances  Jane,  Helen  Mabel,  Annie,  died  aged  two  years ;  John 
Henry   (Harry),  Maude  Elizabeth,  Sarah  Mildred,  Edward  Charles. 


THOMAS  J.  McNULTY 

Among  those  of  Dunmore's  citizens  whose  part  in  the  development  of  the 
vast  coal  deposits  which  are  one  of  the  greatest  sources  of  the  locality's  wealth 
has  been  a  practical  one,  who  has  wrought  from  Nature  her  valuable  treasure 
with  his  muscles  and  hands,  is  Thomas  J.  McNulty,  who  has  been  a  miner  in 
that  region  since  he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  A  native  of  Dunmore,  that  was 
the  home  of  his  parents,  James  and  Susan  (Teevan)  AIcNulty,  both  deceased. 
James  McNulty  was  employed  at  outside  work  in  connection  with  coal  mining, 
and  for  ten  years  was  a  member  of  the  borough  council  of  Dunmore,  to  which 
he  had  been  elected  as  a  Democrat.  His  death  occurred  when  he  was  sev- 
enty-eight years  of  age,  his  wife  dying  in  1866. 

Thomas  J.  McNulty,  son  of  James  and  Susan  (Teevan)  McNulty,  was 
bom  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  March  14,  1864,  and  there  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  obtained  mine  employ- 
ment and  has  so  since  continued.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Mutual 
Benefit  Association,  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  the  Workers  of  the 
World,  and  Emerald  Temperance  Society.  A  Roman  Catholic  in  religion,  he 
belongs  to  St.  Mary's  Church,  and  has  always  adhered  to  Democratic  principles 
in  politics.  He  is  now  serving  in  the  third  year  of  a  six  year  term  as  member 
of  the  Dunmore  school  board.  His  residence  is  the  place  of  his  birth  at  No. 
1007  East  Drinker  street,  Dunmore.  Mr.  McNulty  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Michael  and  Sarah  Golden,  of  Dunmore,  both  deceased,  and  is  the  father 
of  Leo,  Florence,  Joseph,  all  living  at  home. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  407 

ARTHUR  W.  CLOSE 

The  name  of  Close  is  one  that  will  be  long  and  lovingly  remembered  in 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  through  the  life  of  Rev.  J.  Edward  Close,  deceased, 
who  was  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  that  place,  in  which  position  he 
not  only  endeared  himself  to  the  hearts  of  his  parishioners  but  firmly  en- 
trenched himself  in  the  memory  of  the  entire  community.  He  was  a  gentle- 
man of  all  good  works,  and  never  did  man  find  happier  direction  in  the  choice 
of  a  calling  than  did  he  when  he  entered  the  minstry,  for  in  service  to  his 
fellows  he  found  the  deepest  joy. 

Arthur  W.  Close,  son  of  Rev.  J.  Edward  and  his  wife,  Mary  E.  (Hooperj 
Close,  was  born  in  Auburn,  New  York,  March  29,  1875.  As  a  boy  he  obtained 
the  greater  part  of  his  general  education  in  the  schools  at  Pittsford,  Monroe 
county,  New  York,  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years  accompanying  his  parents  to 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  In  this  latter  place  he  was  for  two  years  a  student  in 
the  high  school  and  for  two  years  attended  night  school  in  Scranton,  without 
completing  the  second  term.  He  entered  the  business  world  as  private  secretary 
to  the  general  manager  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  George  B.  Smith, 
an  office  he  held  for  ten  years,  during  which  time  he  also  served  under  John 
Smith.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  accepted  a  position  as  secretary  to 
Postmaster  Ripple,  of  Scranton,  and  afterward  was  associated  with  the  gov- 
ernment postal  service  in  the  Scranton  post  office  as  cashier,  an  office  he 
held  for  five  years,  assistant  postmaster,  and  after  the  death  of  Postmaster 
D.  W.  Powell  he  became  acting  assistant  postmaster.  Resigning  from  the 
government  employ  Mr.  Close  was  for  one  year  cashier  of  R.  E.  Weeks 
Company,  then  being  elevated  to  the  office  of  treasurer,  which  he  now  holds, 
also  being  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  concern.  Mr.  Close  holds 
like  positions  in  the  R.  E.  Weeks  Realty  Company,  and  in  the  management 
of  the  finances  of  these  companies  has  proven  himself  reliable,  able  and  trust- 
worthy. He  is  a  member  of  Dunmore  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  having  filled  all  the  chairs,  and  in  political  belief  is  a  Republican. 
He  has  been  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  Dunmore,  of 
which  his  father  was  a  former  pastor. 

Mr.  Close  married  Edith  Wert,  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  daughter 
of  Elnathan  E.  and  Jane  (McCullough)  Wert,  her  father  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  her  mother  a  sister  of  John  McCullough.  the  renowned  actor.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Close  are  the  parents  of  John  Edward,  Willis,  Elizabeth  and  Jane. 
The  family  home  is  at  No.  418  Elm  street. 


IRVIN  C.  MILLER 


In  business  connected  with  the  International  Correspondence  Schools,  of 
Scranton,  Irvin  C.  Miller  is  a  resident  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  his  birth- 
place, and  prominent  in  the  public  life  of  that  borough  through  his  service  in 
its  civil  administration  as  auditor  and  controller.  He  is  the  first  incumbent 
of  this  latter  office,  which  in  191 3  was  created  from  that  of  auditor.  In  the 
year  1914  he  entered  upon  a  four  year  term  in  the  capacity  of  controller. 

Irvin  C.  Miller  is  a  son  of  Orville  J.  Miller,  his  father  a  native  of  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  reared.  Orville  J.  Miller  has  for  the 
past  thirty-five  years  served  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad 
Company  in  the  capacity  of  conductor,  his  long  record  a  continuous  repetition 
of  loyalty,  fidelity  and  competence.  He  married  Mary,  born  in  Dunmore, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Archibald  McAllister,  and  had  eleven  children. 

Irvin  C.  Miller,  third  of  the  eleven  children  of  Orville  J.  and  Mary  (Me- 


4o8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

AUister)  Miller,  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  29,  1877.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birth-place  and  grad- 
uated, then  graduated  from  the  Scranton  Business  College,  after  which  he 
obtained  a  position  with  the  International  Correspondence  Schools,  of  Scranton, 
as  stenographer.  He  resigned  from  this  employ  to  accept  a  similar  place 
with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  subsequently 
returning  to  the  International  Correspondence  Schools  as  clerk  in  the  general 
correspondence  department,  his  present  capacity.  He  is  a  trusted  employee, 
able  and  willing,  and  is  thorough  master  of  the  efficient  routine  of  his  de- 
partment. 

Mr.  Miller's  political  convictions  are  Democratic,  and  it  was  as  the  can- 
didate of  this  party  that  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  borough  auditor  of 
Dunmore,  his  administration  of  his  duties  so  entirely  satisfactory  that  upon 
the  creation  of  the  new  office  of  controller  in  1913.  Mr.  Miller  was  elected  to 
fill  that  place  for  a  term  of  four  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Dimmore  Tem- 
perance Society,  the  Young  Men's  Institute,  the  International  Correspondence 
Schools  Association,  and  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Miller  married,  in  September,  1910,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas 
J.  Brown,  a  contractor  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  father  of  Marian 
and  Tom.    The  family  home  is  at  No.  1531  Electric  street,  Dunmore. 


EDWARD  P.  MOORE 


Edward  P.  Moore,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  now  serving  in  his  third 
term  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  that  borough,  is  a  native  of  Lacka- 
wanna county,  having  been  bom  in  Scranton,  September  30,  1872.  He  has 
been  a  resident  of  Dunmore  since  he  was  six  years  old,  and  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  place  obtained  the  major  part  of  his  education,  from  his  eighth 
until  his  thirteenth  year  being  employed  in  the  coal  mines  of  the  region  during 
his  vacations  from  school  work.  At  the  latter  age  he  left  school  and  devoted 
himself  to  mine  employment,  in  which  he  has  continued,  working  in  the  mines 
at  this  time  (1914).  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians, 
the  Young  Men's  Temperance  Institute,  the  Industrial  Workers  of  the  World, 
the  Miners'  Union,  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Eclipse  Hose  Company. 
His  church  is  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic.  Mr.  Moore  has  been  thrice  a 
member  of  the  Dunmore  school  board,  and  in  1912  was  elected  for  a  six  year 
term. 

Mr.  Moore  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (McMunn) 
Murphy,  of  Dunmore.  Pennsylvania,  and  has  two  children,  Genevieve  and 
Edward.     The  family  home  is  at  No.  424  Bloom  street,  Dunmore. 


JOHN   MELLODY 


The  ancestry  of  this  line  of  Mellodys  is  Irish,  one  of  the  present  day 
representatives  of  the  family  being  John  Mellody,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania. 
He  is  a  son  of  James  Mellody,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  when  a  young  man,  and  soon  after  his  arrival  settled  in  the  Scranton 
district,  building  the  first  house  erected  on  "Johnson's  Patch"  by  a  private 
individual,  although  the  company  developing  the  coal  resources  of  the  locality 
had  previously  built  numerous  dwellings  for  their  employees.  James  Mellody 
was  the  first  to  open  a  chamber  for  operations  in  "Johnson's  Patch,"  and  was 
a  miner  all  of  his  life,  retiring  from  active  labor  when  sixty  years  of  age,  his 
death  occurring  five  years  afterward.  His  manner  of  life  was  simple  and 
his  savings  amounted  to  a  comfortable  fortune,  from  which  he  frequently  drew 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  409 

for  the  assistance  of  a  neighbor  in  trouble  or  less  fortunate  than  he,  holding 
the  universal  regard  of  all  and  the  undying  gratitude  of  the  many  whom  he 
was  able  to  help  conquer  unexpected  adversity.  He  married,  in  Scranton, 
Bridget,  born  in  Ireland,  daughter  of  Dominick  Dempsey,  and  with  her  was  a 
member  of  St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  he  a  Democrat  in  political  action. 
James  and  Bridget  ( Dempsey )  Mellody  were  the  parents  of  nine  children. 

John  Mellody,  third  child  of  James  and  Bridget  (Dempsey)  Mellody,  was 
torn  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  March  23,  1880.  and  there  passed  his  youth, 
obtaining  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  remaining  in  the  family  home 
until  his  marriage.  He  is  at  the  present  time  a  salesman  in  the  employ  of  the 
Atlantic  Oil  Refining  Company,  and  since  his  connection  with  that  firm  in  the 
capacity  of  salesman  has  been  successful,  possessing  many  of  the  qualities  that 
make  for  excellent  salesmanship,  the  greatest  of  which  he  has  in  large  measure, 
a  willingness  and  desire  for  hard  and  persistent  effort.  In  December,  1913,  as 
a  Democratic  candidate,  he  was  elected  to  membership  in  the  Dunmore  school 
board,  and  since  that  time  has  held  a  seat  in  that  body.  The  political  party  that 
has  ever  claimed  his  support  is  the  Democratic,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  the  Total 
Abstinence  Beneficial  Society,  and  a  charter  member  of  O.  S.  Johnson  Hose 
Company,  No.  7.     His  church  is  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic. 

Mr.  Mellody  married,  June  19,  1907.  Mary  Ursula  Davitt,  born  in  Dun- 
more, Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  James  H.  and  Mary  (Kane)  Davitt.  James 
H.  Davitt,  a  native  of  Ireland,  was  reared  in  England,  and  after  coming  to 
the  United  States  was  married,  his  death  occurring  in  191 1.  He  was  the 
proprietor  of  the  first  bottling  establishment  in  Dunmore,  and  prospered  in 
every  business  relation.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  his  family 
were  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  He  was  the  father  of  eleven 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living,  his  widow  residing  at  the  corner  of 
Webster  and  Drinker  streets.  Dunmore.  Mr.  Mellody,  since  his  marriage,  has 
lived  at  No.  437  West  Drinker  street,  Dunmore.     They  have  one  son,  James. 


CARL  W.  F.  NEUFFER 

During  the  two  decades  that  he  has  been  associated  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Coal  Company,  Carl  W.  F.  Neuffer,  of  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  has  risen  stead- 
ily from  a  humble  situation  to  a  position  of  responsibility  in  the  mining  engineer- 
ing department  of  that  concern.  He  came  to  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company 
fully  prepared  for  a  career  of  usefulness,  and  in  that  service  has  found  the 
reward  of  application,  industry,  and  fidelity.  He  is  a  son  of  Charles  D.  and 
Anna  (Weber)  Neufl^er,  his  father  having  come  to  Scranton  from  New  York 
in  1857,  in  the  former  place  accepting  a  position  as  clerk  with  the  Lackawanna 
Iron  Company.  In  1862  he  established  a  gentlemen's  furnishing  store  on 
Lackawanna  avenue,  where  he  was  a  well-known  merchant  for  forty-two 
years,  his  death  occurring  when  he  was  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  He  saw 
service  in  the  Union  army  during  the  war  between  the  states,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  devotion  to  business  was  matched 
only  by  his  ceaseless  endeavors  in  church  work,  his  membership  being  in  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  he  fraternized  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  His  wife  died  aged  sixty-three 
years,  the  mother  of  seven  children,  of  whom  Carl  W.  F.  and  four  sisters 
survive. 

Carl  W.  F.  NeufTer,  son  of  Charles  D.  and  Anna  (Weber)  Neuffer,  was 
born  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  29,  1872,  and  after 
study  in  the  public  schools  which  included  a  high  school  course  he  entered  Le- 


4IO  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

high  University,  South  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated 
C.  E.  in  1894,  four  years  after  his  graduation  from  the  Scranton  High  School. 
He  immediately  became  employed  by  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  and 
after  spending  considerable  time  in  minor  positions,  familiarizing  himself  with 
the  work  of  the  company  and  the  methods  used,  he  was  promoted,  in  June, 
1901,  to  the  rank  of  mining  engineer.  From  this  time  his  rise  was  rapid, 
and  in  June,  1906,  he  was  made  district  superintendent,  one  year  later  mining 
inspector,  and  in  July,  1909,  a  member  of  the  mining  engineering  department, 
his  present  rank.  Mr.  Neuffer  holds  a  similar  position  with  the  Hillside  Coal 
and  Iron  Company.  Since  1902  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Engineering 
Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania ;  a  Republican  in  politics,  belongs  to  the 
Episcopal  church,  and  also  the  Lackawanna  Historical  Society. 

He  married  Almira,  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
Francis  A.  and  Julia  (Lathrop)  Ramsay,  both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neuf- 
fer's  children  are :  Louise  and  Julia.  Mrs.  Neuffer,  tracing  her  ancestry  to 
colonial  days,  holds  membership  in  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 


CHARLES  H.  STEVENS 

Both  of  the  line  of  Stevens  mentioned  in  this  record  are  natives  of  Dun- 
more,  Pennsylvania,  they  being  Charles  H.  and  his  father,  Fred  D.  Stevens. 
The  former  is  at  the  present  time  connected  with  the  coal  mining  industry 
of  the  locality  as  weigh  master  and  coal  inspector  for  the  Nay  Aug  Coal  Com- 
pany, while  the  latter  was  a  produce  dealer  of  Scranton.  Fred  D.  Stevens  was 
born  February  26.  1858,  died  January  7,  1902.  Politically  a  staunch  adherent 
to  Republican  principles,  his  church  was  the  Methodist  Episcopal.  He  married, 
in  Newton,  New  Jersey,  Elsie  J.  Space,  who  after  his  death  married  a  second 
time,  her  husband  bemg  C.  H.  Biesecker,  her  residence  at  Newton,  New  Jersey. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens  were  the  parents  of  but  one  child,  Charles  H. 

Charles  H.  Stevens  was  born  October  20,  1881.  and  until  he  was  fifteen 
years  of  age  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birth-place.  His  first  position 
in  the  business  world  was  as  shipping  clerk  in  the  employ  of  G.  B.  Miller  & 
Company,  after  which  he  was  a  clerk  in  his  father's  produce  establishment  on 
Lackawanna  avenue.  He  then  became  associated  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
Company  as  inspector  of  coal  and  e.xtra  weigh  master,  remaining  with  that 
concern  until  June,  1913,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  positions  of  weigh 
master  and  coal  inspector  with  the  Nay  Aug  Coal  Company,  his  present  em- 
ployers, in  which  company  he  holds  a  position  of  importance  and  responsibility, 
and  enjoys  the  confidence  and  favor  of  his  employers.  Mr.  Stevens'  home  is 
at  No.  125  West  Drinker  street,  Dunmore.  He  fraternizes  with  the  Masonic 
Order,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Stevens  married,  September  26,  1907,  Elizabeth  Winters,  born  in  Dun- 
more,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  John  Winters,  a  conductor  on  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  in  which  employment  he  met  an  accidental 
death.     Mr.  and  Airs.  Stevens  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Jane  Elizabeth. 


HAROLD  S.  BRIGGS 


Musical  interests  in  the  city  of  Scranton  have  an  accomplished  and  able  ex- 
ponent in  the  person  of  Harold  S.  Briggs.  Trained  by  the  most  renowned 
teachers  of  this  and  European  countries,  a  teacher  whose  skill  and  talent  make 
him  the  admiration  of  his  pupils,  an  artist  with  a  reputation  of  national  scope. 


m: 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  411 

Scranton's  musical  coterie  has  received  a  valuable  addition  through  his  eight 
years  of  residence  in  the  city.  His  family  is  an  old  one  in  this  country,  his 
grandfather,  Nathan  Briggs,  having  been  a  nephew  of  George  Nathan  Briggs, 
a  former  governor  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts.  Nathan  Briggs  had  three 
sons:  William  P.,  of  whom  further;  Oscar;  George. 

(II)  William  P.  Briggs,  son  of  Nathan  Briggs,  was  born  in  1851,  died  in 
1910.  He  was  vice-president  and  general  manager  of  a  firm  manufacturing  and 
selling  farm  implements,  an  occupation  in  which  he  continued  until  just  prior 
to  his  death.  He  married  Ella  Stewart,  and  had  children:  Rae,  deceased; 
Clare,  a  cartoonist  on  the  staff  of  the  New  York  Tribune ;  George  Nathan, 
managing  editor  of  Efficiency,  a  business  magazine  published  in  Chicago, 
Illinois ;  Glen  William,  a  mid-shipman  in  the  United  States  navy,  stationed  at 
Annapolis. 

(III)  Harold  S.  Briggs,  son  of  William  P.  and  Ella  (Stewart)  Briggs, 
was  born  at  Reedsburg,  Wisconsin,  October  3,  1882.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  attending  the  high  school  of  that  city. 
Akiopting  music  as  his  life  work  he  studied  in  this  country  and  abroad,  taking 
a  special  course  at  Columbia  University  and  supplementing  this  with  two  years 
in  Berlin,  Germany.  Since  engaging  in  professional  work  in  the  United  States 
Mr.  Briggs  has  thrice  traveled  to  the  musical  and  art  centres  of  the  Old  World 
in  order  to  pursue  his  studies  under  the  direction  of  the  best  masters.  For 
six  years  he  was  in  New  York  City,  and  during  that  time  "coached"  for  the 
celebrated  Francis  Fischer  Powers  of  that  city,  also  teaching  in  Carnegie 
Music  Hall,  and  for  four  years  conducted  a  summer  music  school  in  Kansas 
City.  In  1906  Mr.  Briggs  took  up  his  residence  in  Scranton,  and  for  some  time 
was  a  piano  teacher  in  The  Allen-Freeman  Studios,  since  which  time  he  has 
given  instructions  privately  in  a  studio  maintained  by  himself.  Mr.  Briggs 
is  a  no  less  skillful  performer  upon  the  pipe-organ  than  upon  the  piano,  and 
at  the  present  time  is  organist  in  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  is  frequently  heard  at  concerts  and  recitals  and  his  name  upon  a  programme 
is  an  assurance  of  at  least  one  number  enjoyable  to  those  taking  pleasure  in 
the  work  of  a  proficient  artist.  He  holds  the  works  of  the  greatest  composers 
at  his  fingers'  ends,  his  faultless  rendition  of  the  most  difficult  compositions 
revealing  the  beauty  placed  therein  by  the  masters,  which  would  be  lost  in  a 
less  sympathetic  interpretation.  Of  him  all  has  been  said  when  it  is  stated 
that  up  to  this  period  he  has  devoted  himself  solely  to  his  art,  that  to  it  he 
has  given  the  best  of  himself,  his  talent,  and  his  time,  receiving  in  return  for 
this  complete  surrender  to  his  muse  the  gratification  and  deep  satisfaction  that 
can  only  come  to  those  who  have  sounded  the  wells  of  the  works  of  master 
musicians,  have  imbibed  their  sweetness  and  charm,  and  have  led  others  to 
these  discoveries,  always  old  yet  ever  new. 


CHARLES  E.  WENZEL 

Among  the  merchants  of  Scranton,  whose  business  is  to  provide  for  the 
comfort  and  convenience  of  the  residents  of  the  city  the  firm  of  Wolf  & 
Wenzel,  plumbers,  tinners  and  heating  contractors,  holds  a  prominent  place. 
Engaged  in  the  line  of  business  indispensable  in  modern  days,  their  admini-,- 
tration  of  their  affairs  and  their  strict  application  of  principles  of  fair  deal- 
ing has  been  such  as  to  gain  the  confidence  and  support  of  a  generous  patronage. 

Conrad  Wenzel,  father  of  Charles  E.  Wenzel,  was  born  in  Germany,  June 
29,  1835,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September  25,  1905.  He  resided 
in  Grossallmerode,  Hessen-Cassel,  from  whence  he  emigrated  to  this  country. 
April  25,  1 87 1,  arriving  in  New  York,  May  13,  1871,  and  took  up  his  residence 


412  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  For  the 
first  three  months  after  his  arrival  in  that  city  he  was  employed  in  a  black- 
smith's shop.  Gathering  in  this  time  a  knowledge  of  American  ways  of  trans- 
acting business,  he  established  a  hardware  store  and  continued  in  successful 
operation  until  1877,  when  he  moved  to  a  building  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  the 
site  now  occupied  by  the  freight  house  of  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey. 
Here  he  opened  a  hotel  and  was  proprietor  of  the  same  until  1881,  in  that 
year  establishing  a  brewery  at  Dunmore,  discontinuing  its  operation  after  two 
years.  In  1883  he  returned  to  the  scene  of  his  initial  business  venture  and 
opened  a  tinner's  shop  in  the  basement  of  a  building  occupied  by  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  was  there  engaged  in  business  for  two  years, 
then  moved  to  No.  712  West  Lackawanna  avenue,  building  up  a  sound  and 
sturdy  business  by  his  indefatigable  energy  and  untiring  industry.  In  1896 
he  retired  from  active  business  pursuits  and  so  lived  until  his  death.  His 
fraternal  order  was  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  and  for  some  years  president  of  the  Scranton  Liederkranz.  He  mar- 
ried Louise  C.  Rueppel,  born  January  4,  1835,  died  January  14,  1908.  Their 
children  were :  Ida,  Ifmma,  Charles  E.,  of  whom  further ;  Gustave,  \'ictor  A., 
Siebert  E.,  Emilia  and  Wilhelmina,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Charles  E.  Wenzel,  son  of  Conrad  and  Louise  C.  (Rueppel)  Wenzel,  was 
born  in  Germany,  December  2,  1866.  He  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his 
parents  when  five  years  of  age,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  Scranton 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  He  then  worked  about  a  year  in  the  Ever- 
hart  Brass  Works,  at  the  brass  finishing  trade,  and  then  worked  with  his  father 
at  the  tinsmith  trade.  Although  not  having  the  advantage  of  serving  an  ap- 
prenticeship, after  working  with  his  father  for  the  short  period  of  five  months, 
the  elder  Air.  Wenzel  fell  from  a  ladder  and  broke  his  leg,  and  Charles  E. 
being  the  eldest  of  four  boys,  he  was  compelled  to  assume  charge  of  the  busi- 
ness, in  which  capacity  he  was  quite  successful,  although  owing  to  lack  of  ex- 
perience he  was  compelled  to  work  night  and  day,  also  on  Sundays,  in  order 
to  keep  abreast  of  his  work.  Fortunately  for  him  the  instruction  he  had  re- 
ceived up  to  that  time  had  been  much  more  interested  and  thorough  than  that 
ordinarily  accorded  a  tyro  at  a  trade,  and  he  was  enabled  to  assume  the  burden 
of  responsibility  thus  laid  upon  him,  making  estimates,  ordering  material, 
employing  assistants,  and  attending  to  all  the  minute  details  falling  to  the  lot 
of"^  proprietor.  For  several  years  Charles  E.  Wenzel  worked  every  night  until 
midnight,  and  with  a  portion  of  the  money  received  therefrom  he  took  a  course 
in  Hinman's  Business  College,  and  this  he  always  considered  one  of  his  great- 
est assets.  He  continued  to  work  and  assist  in  managing  his  father's  business 
until  his  father's  retirement,  and  on  April  i,  1896,  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  Joseph  Wolf  under  the  name  of  Wolf  &  Wenzel,  and  succeeded  the  elder 
Mr.  Wenzel  in  the  business,  which  has  been  a  decided  success  owing  to  the 
fact  that  both  are  practical  workmen,  always  cater  to  high  grade  work,  using 
the  best  material,  and  give  each  and  every  contract  their  own  personal  attention. 
Among  the  many  plumbing  jobs  performed  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  installed 
and  superintended  by  Mr.  Wenzel  are  the  following:  The  First  National  Bank, 
the  Dime  Deposit  Bank,  the  Scranton  Textile  Company,  the  Derry  Silk  Mill, 
E.  Robinson's  Sons,  the  T.  M.  Miller  Casket  Company,  Schools  Nos.  14,  15, 
42,  the  Scranton  House,  Century  Club,  the  beautiful  residences  of  Miss  Helen 
Winton,  August  Robinson,  Samuel  Frank,  J.  G.  Hufnagel,  Frank  Becker, 
Thomas  E.  Jones,  the  Jermyn  and  Carter  Apartment  Houses,  German  Presby- 
terian Church  and  many  others  too  numerous  to  mention. 

Mr.  Wenzel,  as  well  as  his  parents  and  family,  have  alwavs  borne  the 
best  reputation  and  have  been  considered  among  the  prominent  and  foremost 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  4115 

Germans  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  always  taking  an  active  part  in  all  German 
undertakings.  Mr.  Wenzel  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  being  a  member 
of  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M.;  Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign 
Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Schlaraffia  Scrantonia  and  the 
Scranton  Liederkranz.  in  the  latter  organization  having  been  a  prominent  mem- 
ber for  the  past  twenty-seven  years,  qnd  has  held  every  position  of  trnst  and 
honor  within  the  gift  of  its  members  repeatedly. 

Mr.  Wenzel  married,  in  1889,  Frances  Laderer,  born  November  26,  1868. 
Their  children :  Ida  G.,  born  February  18,  1890,  and  Carl  Victor,  born  October 
4,  1891.     Mrs.  Wenzel  died  April  9,  1913. 


SAMUEL  J.  FUHRMAN 

Three  generations  of  this  branch  of  the  Fuhrman  family  have  resided  U, 
the  United  States,  coming  from  Germany,  where  the  family  had  long  been 
seated  in  comfortable  circumstances.  Among  the  heirlooms  brought  from  the 
fatherland  is  a  massive  mahogany  table,  now  the  property  of  Samuel  J.  Fuhr- 
man, once  the  cherished  possession  of  his  great-grandfather,  one  hundred  and 
seventy-one  years  ago.  Another  memento,  highly  prized,  of  a  later  day  but 
dramatic  in  significance  is  the  gun  and  sword  of  a  Confederate  soldier  with 
whom  Jacob  S.  Fuhrman,  father  of  Samuel  J.,  engaged  in  a  death  struggle, 
resulting  in  the  death  of  one  and  the  severe  wounding  of  the  victor.  Two 
generations  of  the  family  have  resided  in  Scranton,  Jacob  S.  Fuhrman  com 
ing  in  1866;  a  skilled  worker  in  copper  and  other  metals,  he  left  many  monu- 
ments of  his  handicraft,  notably  the  copper  crosses  on  the  Cathedral,  corner 
of  Wyoming  avenue  and  Linden  street,  Scranton,  and  the  spire  ornaments  on 
the  chapel  of  the  Archbald  Church.  Probably  no  two  men  of  the  city  have 
had  a  more  varied  or  useful  connection  with  its  lesser  activities  than  Jacob  S. 
and  Samuel  J.  Fuhrman,  father  and  son,  both  artisans  and  capable  business 
men. 

Samuel  J.  Fuhrman  was  born  in  New  York  City,  October  21,  1849,  son 
of  Jacob  S.  Fuhrman,  and  grandson  of  Jacob  Henry  Fuhrman,  both  of  German 
birth.  Jacob  Henry  Fuhrman  with  his  wife  Mary  came  from  Germany  to  the 
United  States  at  about  the  same  time  as  their  son,  Jacob  S.,  located  in  New 
York,  where  both  died,  leaving  issue :  Jacob  S.,  Bertha,  Jeanette,  Hannah,  all 
deceased. 

Jacob  S.  Fuhrman  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1828,  and  in  youth  came  to  the 
United  States.  He  settled  in  New  York  City  where  he  followed  his  trade  of 
tin  and  coppersmith,  owning  a  hardware  store  and  shop  on  Houston  street. 
He  continued  in  business  successfully  until  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  then  with 
a  patriotic  zeal  unlooked  for  in  an  alien  he  gave  up  his  business  and  offered  his 
services  as  a  soldier.  He  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant.  Sixth  Regiment 
New  York  Militia,  and  spent  his  first  term  of  enlistment,  four  months,  prin- 
cipally at  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia.  After  being  mustered  out  in  February,  he 
re-enlisted  in  the  Sixty-sixth  New  York  Regiment  Volunteers,  recruited  by 
Colonel  Pinckney  in  New  York  City,  and  again  went  to  the  front  as  captain 
of  Company  E,  the  flag  company,  then  numbering  one  hundred  and  thirty-two 
men  and  officers.  He  was  a  participant  in  many  of  the  hard  fought  battles  of 
the  war  preceding  Gettysburg.  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  Seven  Days  and  others. 
In  an  encounter  with  the  Confederates  on  the  day  before  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg began,  he  was  savagely  attacked  and  wounded  by  a  bayonet  thrust  but 
came  off  victorious,  with  his  enemy's  weapons  as  souvenirs.  After  recovering 
from  his  injuries.  Captain  Fuhrman  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned 


414  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

to  New  York,  entering  the  employ  of  Walker  &  Connor  on  Water  street.  Heri- 
he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Joseph  Scranton,  at  whose  solicitation  he  came  to 
Scranton,  November  7,  1866.  He  was  engaged  at  his  trade,  tin  and  copper- 
smith, and  in  merchandising  until  his  death,  May  5,  1877.  On  first  coming  to 
the  city  he  was  manager  of  the  tinning  department  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron 
and  Coal  Company,  continuing  three  years.  He  was  then  with  the  firm  of 
Connell  &  Batten  on  Lackawanna  avenue  two  years,  then  with  Lynott  Broth- 
ers (now  T.  F.  Lynott  &  Company),  later  with  Hunt  &  Connell  for  five  years. 
During  these  years  he  erected  many  enduring  monuments  to  his  skill  as  a 
coppersmith  and  installed  the  copper  and  tinwork  in  many  large  buildings  and 
breweries  where  copper  pipes  and  fixtures  were  a  necessity.  After  five  years 
with  Hunt  &  Connell  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  opening  a  store  for 
the  wholesale  and  retail  sale  of  notions,  tents,  awnings  and  kindred  goods,  con- 
tinuing until  his  death.  He  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Seligman  Bideman,  and 
had  issue:  Samuel  J.,  see  forward;  Hannah,  deceased;  Mary,  deceased;  Caro- 
line, married  Herman  Abrams,  of  Brooklyn;  Solomon,  a  resident  of  Scranton; 
David ;  Jennie,  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

Samuel  J.  Fuhrman  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
New  York  City,  which  he  attended  until  thirteen  years  of  age.  Since  then  his 
education  has  progressed  in  the  great  university  of  experience,  from  which 
the  real  man  never  graduates  until  he  lies  down  for  his  long  sleep.  At  age  of 
thirteen  he  became  a  wage  earner  and  from  that  day  has  made  his  own  path  in 
the  world,  through  storm  and  sunshine,  often  hard  buffeted  by  adverse  fortune, 
but  now  at  age  of  sixty-four  years  can  safely  rest  in  the  consciousness  that  he 
has  fought  well  life's  battle  and  gained  a  well  earned  success.  His  first  em- 
ployment was  in  the  printing  house  of  Fair,  White  &  Ross,  New  York.  There 
he  worked  during  the  regular  hours,  then  until  12  o'clock  at  night  on  the  New 
York  Weekly.  When  the  firm  of  Fair,  White  &  Ross  dissolved  some  years  later, 
Mr.  Ross  and  Mr.  Fuhrman  became  employees  of  the  lithographing  and  print- 
ing firm  of  Gray  &  Green,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1863,  when  he  was 
appointed  to  a  clerkship  in  the  office  of  the  provost  marshal  at  Washington. 
D.  C,  remaining  until  December  23,  1865.  The  following  year  he  joined  his 
father  in  Scranton  and  was  there  first  employed  by  J.  A.  Scranton  on  The 
Republican,  then  published  at  No.  324  Lackawanna  avenue.  Two  years  later 
he  abandoned  the  printer's  trade,  spending  the  ensuing  three  years  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  The  next  threi 
years  were  spent  with  Slockbower  &  Son  in  the  market,  then  he  joined  his 
father  in  his  tent  and  awning  business,  continuing  his  father's  assistant  until 
the  latter's  death  in  1877,  then  succeeded  him  as  proprietor,  conducting  his 
operations  in  the  same  loft  for  thirty-four  years.  To  the  business  as  originally 
conducted  he  has  added  many  features  that  have  brought  him  unusual  prom- 
inence far  and  near.  In  the  line  of  electrical  display,  signs  and  decorations  he 
is  unsurpassed.  In  proof  thereof  is  the  result  of  the  competition  in  building 
decoration  at  Buffalo,  July  10-15,  1905,  in  honor  of  the  convention  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Seven  prizes  were  ofifered,  of 
which  Mr.  Fuhrman  won  four:  first  $150,  third  $100,  sixth  $30,  seventh  $20. 
The  winning  buildings  he  decorated  were:  The  D.  S.  Morgan  block,  the  Ohio 
Hotel,  the  Desbecker  &  Company  store  and  the  C.  A.  Weed  &  Son  store.  A 
further  evidence  of  his  genius  is  the  fact  that  since  1900  he  has  annually 
decorated  Cornell  University  building  for  the  celebration  of  "Commencement 
Week."  He  has  patented  camp,  awning  and  automobile  devices  that  have  met 
with  great  favor ;  a  camp  and  automobile  water  bucket ;  a  roll  awning  and 
one  that  requires  no  frame.  With  his  decorative  special  and  regular  lines,  Mr. 
Fuhrman  has  built  up  a  large  and  profitable  business,  all  over  the  LTnited  States 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


415 


and  other  countries,  of  which  he  is  the  active  and  capable  head.  Mr.  Fuhrman 
is  a  member  of  tlie  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  Knights  of  the 
Maccabees,  Scranton  Athletic  Association ;  Junger  Mannerchor ;  Leiderkranz, 
Electricians  Union.  He  was  an  active  member  of  Scranton  Volunteer  Fire 
Department  and  for  many  years  was  a  member  of  the  Nay  Aug  Hose  Com- 
pany. He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  St.  Luke's  Episcopal 
Church. 

Mr.  Fuhrman  married  (first)  Ida,  daughter  of  Whitney  Westcott ;  children: 
Jacob  Raymond,  Mary,  George.  He  married  (second)  Gertrude,  daughter  of 
Willett  Gearhart,  the  latter  a  veteran  of  Company  G.,  One  Hundred  and  Seven- 
teenth Regiment  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  died  in  1901. 


JOHN  S.  DUCKWORTH 

The  Duckworth  family  is  of  English  ancestry,  descending  from  Admiral 
Duckworth,  of  the  English  navy,  and  Canon  Duckworth,  whose  monumental 
flag  may  be  seen  in  Westminster  Abbey. 

(I)  The  Duckworths,  on  coming  to  America,  settled  in  New  Jersey, 
where  John  Duckworth,  grandfather  of  John  S.  Duckworth,  of  Scranton,  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  bore  a  full  share  in  the  gaining  of  independence. 
John  Duckworth  was  a  sculptor  of  more  than  local  fame,  but  later  engaged  in 
monumental  decorative  plaster  work  in  Paterson,  his  native  city.  In  1856  he 
moved  to  Toronto,  Canada,  where  he  remained,  engaged  in  contracting  until 
his  death  in  1881,  his  wife  also  dying  in  that  city.  She  was  Maria  M.,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Nightingale,  of  New  York  City,  also  of  English  descent.  The 
Nightingale  home  later  was  for  many  years  in  Brooklyn.  John  and  Maria 
M.  Duckworth  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  John  A.  being  the  fifth. 

(II)  John  A.  Duckworth,  son  of  John  Duckworth,  was  born  in  Toronto, 
Canada,  in  1869,  died  November  9,  1912.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Upper  Canada 
College,  class  of  1877,  then  took  a  special  course  in  architecture  at  Mechanics 
Institute,  completing  his  studies  with  credit  and  graduating  therefrom.  For 
more  perfect  instruction  in  his  profession  he  enrolled  as  a  student  under  the 
celebrated  Scotch  architect,  William  Trouig,  remaining  under  his  capable  teach- 
ing for  five  years,  designing  the  Parliament  Buildings  in  Toronto  and  many 
other  important  buildings.  He  gained  fame  in  his  profession  and  in  1880 
moved  to  New  York  City,  where  he  was  associated  with  D.  and  J.  Jardine,  a 
noted  firm  of  architects  in  that  city.  Later  Mr.  Duckworth  was  professionally 
engaged  for  short  periods  in  San  Francisco,  Chicago  and  Buffalo,  then  spent 
another  year  in  New  York  City.  In  1882  he  located  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Neier  &  Duckworth,  but  in  1883 
came  to  Scranton.  After  a  year  spent  in  the  employ  of  others  he  opened  an 
office  and  began  his  long  career  in  Scranton,  attaining  eminence  in  his  pro- 
fession and  prominence  as  a  citizen.  His  work  was  not  confined  to  Scranton, 
but  in  every  part  of  the  Lackawanna  Valley  specimens  of  his  ability  as  an 
architect  and  builder  are  found.  He  designed  the  Coal  Exchange  Building,  at 
the  time  of  its  erection  the  largest  building  in  the  city ;  the  Wells  Building  in 
Wilkes-Barre ;  the  Hotel  Jermyn  in  Scranton ;  public  school  buildings  Nos.  7, 
13,  and  25,  Scranton;  the  high  school  building  and  schools  Nos.  i,  2,  and  3, 
at  Dunmore ;  the  Home  for  Poor  and  Insane,  at  Ransom ;  St.  Mary's  Church, 
of  Mt.  Carmel ;  St.  Rose  Church,  Carbondale ;  St.  Thomas  Aquinas  Church, 
Archbald ;  Carbondale  Public  Hospital ;  the  W.  W.  Watts  Bank  and  "Leader" 
buildings  at  Carbondale ;  and  over  six  hundred  other  prominent  buildings  and 
residences  erected  in  Scranton  and  vicinity  at  a  cost  of  over  ten  million  dollars. 
His  offices  in  the  Coal  Exchange  were  veritable  "hives  of  industry,"  and  from 


4i6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

them  went  out  the  plans  and  specifications  that  resulted  in  the  beautifying  of  the 
city  and  in  the  employment  of  thousands  of  workmen  in  their  execution.  He 
was  a  recognized  leader  in  his  profession  and  in  every  way  was  a  man  worthy 
of  the  high  position  he  occupied.  He  was  a  member  of  professional  and 
scientific  societies,  was  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  Elk,  a  member  of  the  Scranton 
Rowing  Club,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  religious  faith  a  Presbyterian. 
He  married  Elizabeth  De  \'ede,  daughter  of  A.  D.  Spencer,  and  granddaughter 
of  Edward  Spencer,  of  the  early  Spencer  family  of  Pennsylvania.  His  city 
residence  is  No.  607  Webster  avenue,  Scranton.  Children :  John  S.,  Harry 
A.,  Emily  M. 

(HI)  John  S.  Duckworth,  son  of  John  A.  Duckworth,  was  born  in  Scran- 
ton, 1889,  and  after  passing  through  the  public  schools  of  that  city,  including 
the  entire  high  school  course,  entered  Cornell  University,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated, class  of  191 2,  having  specialized  in  the  study  of  architecture  and  ob- 
tained his  degree,  B.  Arch.  After  graduation  he  went  abroad,  visiting  the  noted 
countries,  and  studying  the  architecture  of  Greece,  Italy,  Switzerland,  France, 
England  and  Scotland.  This  extended,  interesting  and  valuable  journey  was 
taken  with  seven  companions,  forming  a  party  under  the  personal  direction  of 
Professor  Phelphs,  of  Cornell  University.  From  the  study  of  the  famous  mas- 
terpieces of  the  genius  of  the  Old  World  Mr.  Duckworth  returned  to  the  United 
States  and  spent  one  year  with  Welch,  Steurtevant  &  Pogge,  architects  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  then  returned  to  Scranton,  where  he  was  associated  in  business 
with  his  honored  father  until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1912.  He  then  suc- 
ceeded to  full  control  and  conducts  the  large  and  prosperous  business  along 
the  same  lines  of  loyalty  and  efficiency  upon  which  it  was  originally  founded. 
During  the  past  year  he  has  planned  many  new  buildings,  including  banks  at 
Archbald  and  Dunmore,  three  schools  for  the  borough  of  Old  Forge,  altera- 
tions to  the  Coal  Exchange,  and  Parochial  Hall,  at  Archbald,  comfort  station, 
city  of  Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of  L'Agrie  Architectural  Society,  the  Country 
and  Canoe  clubs,  of  Scranton,  and  of  the  Board  of  Trade.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


J.  MOULTON  WALKER 

Sabinus  Walker,  grandfather  of  J.  Moulton  Walker,  of  Scranton,  was  a 
farmer  of  South  Gibson,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  son,  George  A.  Walker, 
was  born  February  21,  1828.  The  early  life  of  George  A.  Walker  was  the 
usual  one  of  a  farmer's  boy  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  left 
the  farm  and  apprenticed  himself  to  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  Honesdale.  After 
completing  his  apprenticeship  years  he  became  a  journeyman  smith,  settling  in 
Warren,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  became  foreman  for  the  Struthers- Wells 
Company.  He  embarked  in  mercantile  life  in  1870  by  establishing  a  retail  hard- 
ware store  at  St.  Marys,  Pennsylvania,  removing  four  years  later  to  Emporium. 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  continued  in  business  until  his  death.  He  became 
prominent  in  the  business  world  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  November  3, 
1905,  was  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Emporium  and  of  the  Em- 
porium Water  Company.  He  married,  in  January,  1853,  Amanda  Inglesby, 
who  died  in  January,  1904;  children:  Stella  L.,  married  William  L.  Sykes ; 
William  S.,  Gertrude  A.,  Grace  A.,  George  A.  Jr.,  J.  Moulton,  of  whom  further. 

J.  Moulton  Walker  was  born  at  St.  Marys,  Elk  county,  Pennsylvania. 
October  17,  1870.  He  prepared  for  college  in  the  public  schools  of  Emporium, 
later  entering  Pennsylvania  State  College,  whence  he  was  graduated  class  of 
1890.  He  pursued  the  study  of  law  under  able  preceptorship  until  May,  1893, 
when  he  was  admitted  to  the  Cameron  county  bar.    He  practiced  in  Emporium 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


417 


for  two  years,  coming  to  Scranton  in  June,  1895,  where  he  has  a  well  estab- 
lished practice  in  the  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district.  Mr.  Walker  is 
senior  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Walker  &  Capwell,  Nos.  808-811  Peoples 
Bank  Building,  his  residence  No.  1715  Penn  avenue.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
State  and  County  Bar  associations,  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Presbyterian  church., 
and  in  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Walker  married,  October  18,  1892,  Elizabeth  C,  daughter  of  Robert 
W.  and  Ella  Hanna,  of  Lock  Haven,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  Helen  Louise, 
bom  July  8,  1894;  James  Edward,  March  25,  1898;  Robert  Hanna,  July  27, 
1901. 


JOHN  J.  BRENNAN,  M.  D. 

Three  quarters  of  a  century  covers  the  American  life  of  this  family,  founded 
in  the  United  States  by  the  immigration  of  John  Brennan,  of  Ireland,  grand- 
father of  Dr.  John  J.  Brennan,  of  Scranton,  and  his  family,  which  consisted 
of  one  son  and  one  daughter.  Leaving  his  two  children  with  relatives  in  New 
York,  John  Brennan  joined  the  rush  for  the  California  gold  fields  in  1849, 
after  which  time  nothing  is  known  concerning  his  fate  or  whereabouts.  The 
two  children  who  accompanied  him  to  the  United  States  in  1845  were  Edward 
C,  of  whom  further,  and  Nellie,  married  a  Mr.  Nash. 

(II)  Edward  C.  Brennan,  son  of  John  Brennan,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and 
when  a  child  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  father.  He  was  reared 
in  the  home  of  relatives,  and  after  attending  school  for  a  time  became  em- 
ployed at  mine  labor,  meeting  an  accidental  death  while  so  engaged  in  1890. 
He  married,  in  1868,  Margaret  Purcell,  member  of  a  family  founded  in  the 
United  States  by  three  brothers,  who  landed  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  two 
of  them,  neither  of  whom  married,  moved  to  New  Orleans  and  became  whole- 
sale merchants,  the  other  settled  in  Pennsylvania  and  became  the  progenitor 
of  the  branch  of  the  family  of  which  Margaret  (Purcell)  Brennan,  now  a 
resident  of  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  is  a  member.  Children  of  Edward  C. 
and  Margaret  (Purcell)  Brennan:  Jennie,  married  Cornelius  O'Donnell,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  Helen  and  Stella ;  Mary,  married  a  Mr. 
Grines,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  a  son,  Gerald ;  Nellie,  mar- 
ried John  Maher,  of  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  mother  of  Bernardine, 
Alberta,  Eleanor;  John  J.,  of  whom  further;  Joseph,  deceased;  Edward,  a 
druggist,  of  Providence,  Pennsylvania;  James,  deceased;  Margaret,  a  trained 
nurse ;  Lillian  ;  Joseph,  deceased. 

(HI)  Dr.  John  J.  Brennan,  son  of  Edward  C.  and  Margaret  (Purcell) 
Brennan,  was  born  in  Heckscherville,  Pennsylvania,  September  14,  1874.  Af- 
ter attending  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth  he  completed  his  general  studies 
in  the  Wyoming  Seminary  and  St.  Thomas'  College.  Making  his  decision  for 
the  medical  profession  he  entered  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College,  of  Phila- 
delphia, whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.  in  1898.  He  was  for  a  short  time  a 
practitioner  of  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania,  on  June  6,  1899,  establishing  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Scranton,  where  he  continues  to  the  present  time. 
His  patronage  has  m.aintained  a  steady  rate  of  increase  until  its  present  pro- 
portions cause  him  close  confinement  and  steady  application  to  his  professional 
tasks,  and  he  has  become  well-known  as  a  physician,  capable,  reliable  and 
upright,  his  standing  in  the  ranks  of  those  associated  with  him  in  medical  pur- 
suits being  full  assurance  of  his  professional  worth.  The  demands  of  his  pro- 
fessional duties  have  left  Dr.  Brennan  little  time  for  participation  in  activities 
along  other  lines,  and  practically  none  for  business  relations,  although  he  is  a 
director  of  the  Keystone  Bank.     Dr.  Brennan  affiliates  with  no  political  party, 

27 


4i8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

his  action  along  this  Hne  being  governed  entirely  by  circumstances  and  issues, 
his  choice  of  candidates  predicated  solely  upon  their  records  and  tlieir  ability 
for  service.  He  is  identified  with  the  County  and  State  Medical  societies  and 
the  American  Medical  Association,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
the  World,  the  Knights  of  St.  George,  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  His 
church  is  St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic. 

Dr.  Brennan  married  Loretta,  daughter  of  Patrick  F.  and  Henrietta 
(Musky)  Cannon,  and  has  children:  John,  born  September  27,  1904;  Robert, 
born  June  6,  1912. 


ANDREW  H.  DOWNING 

Andrew  H.  Downing,  president  of  the  Scranton  Engraving  and  Electrotyp- 
ing  Company,  operating  at  Nos.  1138-1144  Capouse  avenue,  founded  in  this 
city  a  business  with  which  he  had  become  familiar  in  Philadelphia,  and  which 
he  had  followed  with  profit  in  that  place.  He  is  of  Irish  descent,  Ireland 
having  been  the  birth-place  of  his  father,  Thomas  Downing,  in  1845. 

Thomas  Downing  left  Londonderry,  his  home,  when  he  was  but  three 
years  of  age  and  accompanied  an  uncle,  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  to  the  United 
States.  When  war  between  the  states  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
Twelfth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  his  regiment  being  attached  during 
the  early  part  of  the  war  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  participated  in  all 
the  battles  and  movements  engaging  his  regiment,  fighting  in  the  Wilderness 
campaign  and  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  The  rigors  of  warfare  seriously  under- 
mined his  health,  although  he  remained  with  his  company,  and  he  never  entirely 
recovered  from  illness  contracted  during  that  period,  his  death  resulting  from 
that  cause  in  1869.  He  married  Mary  T.,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
(Rusk)  Gibson,  her  mother  a  grand-niece  of  Lydia  Darrah,  of  historical  fame. 
James  Gibson  was  born  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  died  in  1864.  He  fought  under 
Commodore  Decatur  in  the  war  with  the  pirates  of  Tripoli  and  was  at  one 
time  a  sailor  on  the  "Alligator,"  an  American  privateer.  James  and  Elizabeth 
(Rusk)  Gibson  were  the  parents  of:  George,  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness; Samuel;  William;  Walter;  Mary  T.,  of  previous  mention,  married 
Thomas  Downing ;  Anna ;  Kate,  married  Charles  Hankins,  who  fought  in 
Company  A,  Twelfth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Reserves.  Thomas  and  Mary  T. 
(Gibson)  Downing  had  children:  Andrew  H.,  of  whom  further;  Elizabeth, 
married  a  Mr.  Thompson,  of  Scranton,  and  is  the  mother  of  Edna,  Marie, 
Lillian. 

Andrew  H.  Downing,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  T.  (Gibson)  Downing, 
was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  May  17.  1866.  For  eight  years  he 
was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  later  becoming  associated 
with  an  electrotyping  concern.  Having  learned  the  business  he  followed  it  for 
three  years  in  Philadelphia  and  then  came  to  Scranton,  forming  a  partnership 
with  Edwin  G.  Walford  and  establishing  the  Scranton  Engraving  and  Electro- 
typing  Company,  a  connection  and  a  firm  that  endures  to  the  present  time, 
the  relation  having  been  filled  with  mutual  satisfaction,  congenial  dealings  and 
profit.  Mr.  Downing  holds  the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  Masonic  Order, 
also  belonging  to  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  United  Sportsmen's  Association  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  the  Electrotypers'  Union.  Politically  he  is  a  Progressive  Repub- 
lican, and  he  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


IRWIN  W.  SEVERSON,  M.  D. 


419 


Of  the  three  generations  of  the  Severson  family  with  whom  this  chronicle 
is  concerned,  two  have  been  members  of  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  the  third  a  medical  practitioner.  The  family  is  of  Holland  descent, 
tracing  a  direct  ancestry  to  William  the  Silent,  prince  of  Nassau,  New  York 
state  being  the  first  American  home  of  the  family,  which  was  afterwards 
founded  in  Pennsylvania.  Rev.  George  Severson,  grandfather  of  Irwin  W. 
Severson,  was  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  during  his 
active  life  held  pastorates  in  numerous  places  in  Pennsylvania,  including  Wav- 
erly  and  Dunmore.  He  married  Helen  Hogan,  and  had  children :  Oscar  L., 
of  whom  further;  Wesley,  married,  and  is  the  father  of  Howard  and  William; 
Nelson,  died  in  1914;  Selina,  married  a  Mr.  Bleaksley,  and  lives  in  Binghamton, 
New  York,  the  mother  of  Frank,  George,  Harry,  Minnie,  and  Ida ;  Ursula, 
lives  in  Binghamton,  New  York. 

(II)  Rev.  Oscar  L.  Severson,  son  of  George  and  Helen  (Hogan)  Severson, 
was  born  in  Binghamton,  New  York,  and  followed  his  father  into  the  ministry 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  majority  of  his  charges  were  in  New 
York  state,  where  he  is  affectionately  remembered  as  a  minister  of  sincere 
devotion  and  good  works  and  a  preacher  of  earnest  eloquence.  Despite  his 
ministerial  position  he  found  little  difficulty  in  reconciling  his  principles  with 
his  sense  of  patriotic  duty,  feeling  that  the  liberation  of  a  people  from  bondage 
would  justify  man  killing  man,  and  early  in  the  conflict  between  the  north  and 
the  south  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army.  He  was  a  soldier  in  Company  E, 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  participated  in  many  of  the  most  memorable  battles  of  the  war,  including 
Gettysburg,  Fredericksburg,  and  Lookout  Mountain,  at  which  last  place  he  was 
wounded.  Rev.  Oscar  L.  Severson  married  Ella  Sanders,  his  wife  a  promin- 
ent member  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  being  entitled  to 
membership  therein  through  four  ancestral  lines.  Children  of  Oscar  L.  and 
Ella  (Sanders)  Severson:  Mabel,  married  a  Mr.  Page,  a  bank  examiner,  and 
resides  in  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  the  mother  of  Ellen,  Dorothy,  and  Eunice ; 
Malvern,  a  graduate,  C.  E.,  of  Cornell  University,  class  of  1899,  married  Mar- 
garet Saunders,  of  Belfast,  New  York,  and  is  the  father  of  Malvern,  Paul, 
and  Philip ;  Irwin  W.,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  Dr.  Irwin  W.  Severson,  son  of  Rev.  Oscar  L.  and  Ella  (Sanders) 
Severson,  was  born  in  Smyrna,  New  York,  May  10,  1880,  there  attending 
the  public  schools,  later  entering  Wyoming  Seminary,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated in  the  class  of  1900.  For  one  year  he  was  a  student  in  Wesleyan  Semin- 
ary, then  beginning  the  study  of  medicine,  he  became  a  student  in  the  medical 
department  of  the  University  of  Columbia.  From  this  institution  he  received 
his  M.  D.  jr)  1906,  in  June  of  that  year  being  admitted  to  practice  in  the  state 
of  Pennsylvania ;  on  September  28,  1906,  being  granted  his  practitioner's 
rights  in  New  York  state.  Dr.  Severson  has  been  identified  with  the  pro- 
fessional life  of  Scranton  since  January  i,  1907,  and  at  the  present  time  is 
both  well  established  in  practice  and  the  estimation  of  his  professional  brethren. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  medical  staff  of  the  West  Side  Hospital  and  belongs 
to  the  County,  State,  and  National  Medical  associations.  His  church  is  that 
with  which  the  name  Severson  has  been  so  long  and  so  honorably  connected, 
the  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  in  political  faith  he  is  a  Progressive  Republican. 
His  club  is  the  Craftsman,  of  Hyde  Park,  and  he  belongs  to  Hyde  Park  Lodge, 
No.  339,  F.  and  A.  M. 

Dr.  Severson  married  Sophia  Jane,  daughter  of  Frank  H.  Kyte,  of  West 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  father  of  Wendell  and  Dorothy. 


420  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

JOHN  L.  JENKINS 

Mr.  Jenkins  is  a  native  of  Glamorgan  county,  Wales,  that  locality  the  home 
of  many  previous  generations  of  his  family,  where  it  is  identified  with  the 
families  of  Davis,  Evans,  Lewis,  many  of  whose  members  have  achieved 
honorable  reputation  in  America,  where  they  were  founded  at  an  early  date. 
John  L.  Jenkins  is  a  grandson  of  Thomas  Jenkins,  who  married  Sarah  Davis, 
and  had  children :  David,  of  whom  further ;  Edward,  deceased ;  Thomas,  de- 
ceased ;  Richard,  deceased ;  Jenkins,  deceased ;  Sarah,  deceased.  All  of  the  son.> 
of  Thomas  Jenkins  followed  agriculture  as  their  life-long  occupation. 

(II)  David  Jenkins,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Davis)  Jenkins,  was  born 
in  Glamorgan  county.  Wales,  died  there  about  1888.  His  calling  was  that 
which  claimed  all  of  his  brothers,  farming,  and  in  this  line  he  met  with  favor- 
able results.  He  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Davis)  Lewis. 
Mary  a  sister  of  Sarah  Davis,  who  married  Thomas  Jenkins.  Children  of 
David  and  Jane  (Lewis)  Jenkins:  Thomas,  married  Jane  Miller;  John  L.,  of 
whom  further ;  Sarah,  married  Thomas  Evans,  and  has  four  daughters  and  two 
sons,  all  residents  of  Wales;  William,  married  Lydia  Williams,  and  has  David, 
Jane,  John. 

I  (III )  John  L.  Jenkins,  son  of  David  and  Jane  (Lewis)  Jenkins,  was  born 
in  Glamorgan  county,  Wales,  December  15,  1840,  and  was  there  educated  in 
the  public  schools.  When  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  he  established  in 
drug  dealings  in  his  native  land,  so  continuing  until  his  immigration  to  the 
United  States  in  1879.  In  April,  1882,  he  moved  to  Scranton,  and  became  a.s- 
sociated  with  B.  G.  Morgan  &  Company,  at  the  corner  of  Jackson  and  Main 
avenues,  the  present  site  of  the  West  Side  Bank,  thus  beginning  an  arrange- 
ment that  existed  for  sixteen  years  with  mutual  profit  and  satisfaction.  At  the 
expiration  of  his  time  Mr.  Jenkins  started  independent  drug  dealings,  his  form- 
er business,  at  No.  1528  Jackson  street,  where  he  has  since  been  proprietor  of 
a  drug  store.  He  has  been  successful  in  business,  and  is  known  as  one  of  the 
most  exacting  and  scrupulous  of  druggists,  observing  the  letter  of  the  regula- 
tions governing  his  business  and  in  all  things  acting  with  honor  and  integrity. 
Mr.  Jenkins  has  been  a  member  of  the  First  Welsh  Baptist  Church  since  his 
arrival  in  Scranton  thirty-two  years  ago,  while  for  thirty-one  years  of  that 
time  he  has  served  on  the  board  of  deacons.  His  political  party  is  the  Repub- 
lican. 

Mr.  Jenkins  married  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas  Williams,  of  Tredegar, 
county  of  Monmouth,  England,  the  ceremony  being  solemnized,  October  4, 
1864.  Their  children :  Jane,  unmarried ;  Margaret  A.,  unmarried  ;  Thomas  W., 
married  Mary  Jane  Davis,  daughter  of  Evan  J.  Davis,  of  South  Main  avenue, 
Scranton ;  David  J.,  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Rev.  Edmund  Probert,  a 
minister  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Olyphant,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the 
father  of  John  Probert,  David  Gwynn,  Edmund  Lewis,  Mary  Evelyn. 


JOHN  D.  JONES 


As  assistant  to  the  head  of  the  International  Correspondence  Schools,  of 
Scranton,  John  D.  Jones  occupies  a  position  in  the  affairs  of  that  organiza- 
tion well  suited  to  his  talents  and  abilities.  His  worth  having  been  proven  as  a 
field  representative  of  the  school,  his  present  high  place  is  the  evidence  of 
worth  realized  and  merit  rewarded. 

In  1897  he  began  his  connection  with  the  International  Correspondence 
Schools,  as  manager  of  the  field  force,  a  position  that  necessitated  travel  in  al! 
parts  of  the  United   States  and  Canada.     At  the  present  time  he  is  in  the 


^■f/^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  421 

Scranton  office  as  assistant  to  Thomas  J.  Foster,  president  of  the  company,  and 
discharges  his  manifold  duties  in  a  manner  that  in  itself  explains  his  rise  to 
his  responsible  position.  Many  of  the  managerial  details  of  the  vast  system  o£ 
the  schools  are  left  in  his  care,  and  in  no  case  has  the  confidence  of  Mr.  Foster 
been  misplaced.  Mr.  Jones  is  prominent  in  two  fraternities,  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  in  which  he  is  past  exalted  ruler  of  the  Scran- 
ton Lodge,  and  past  grand  esteemed  lecturing  knight  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  L^nited  States ;  and  the  Masonic,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree, 
belonging  to  Otseningo  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Binghamton  Chap- 
ter, Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Malta  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  Otseningo 
Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret ;  Kalurah  Temple,  Nobles  ot 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  all  of  Binghamton,  New  York.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trade,  Scranton  Country  Club,  the  Scranton  Club  and  the  Engineers' 
Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Jones  married,  February  6,  1899,  Erma,  daughter  of  Angus  and 
Christie  (Smith)  Bethune,  both  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts.  Children:  Ken- 
neth B.  and  Erma  H.  Both  Mr.  Jones  and  his  wife  are  communicants  of  St 
Luke's  Episcopal  Church. 


MILTON  ROBLEE 


Into  his  less  than  half  century  of  life  Milton  Roblee,  the  well  known  and 
popular  manager  of  the  Casey  Hotel,  has  crowded  an  amount  of  action,  ex- 
perience, fortune  and  misfortune  that  woven  together  by  the  skilled  pen  of 
the  novelist  would  make  a  drama  of  real  life  equal  to  any  of  those  of  the  stage 
in  which  Mr.  Roblee  has  portrayed  other  characters  than  his  own.  His  path 
has  led  him  into  what  the  majority  of  people  consider  the  enchanted  region 
beyond  the  foot  lights,  and  his  name  is  not  unknown  to  histrionic  fame.  But 
to  connect  the  incidents  of  his  life  chronologically. 

Milton  Roblee  was  born  at  Saratoga  Springs,  New  York,  June  i,  1864. 
Until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  he  attended  the  public  schools,  completing 
his  preliminary  studies  and  entering  Warrensburg  Academy  where  he  took  the 
four  year  preparatory  course  for  Cornell  LTniversity.  Although  he  had  al- 
ways anticipated  with  pleasure  a  college  career,  instead  of  entering  college  he 
accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  the  Woodruff  House  at  Watertown,  New  York, 
this  being  his  first  connection  in  the  business  to  which  he  afterward  devoted 
so  much  of  his  time  and  talents.  While  at  this  place  he  became  actively  inter- 
ested in  amateur  theatricals,  and  displayed  abilities  of  such  high  order  that 
upon  attaining  his  twenty-first  year  he  was  offered  an  engagement  in  profes- 
sional ranks.  From  1885  until  1892  he  successfully  executed  leading  roles  in 
many  of  the  favorite  plays  of  the  day,  including  "Siberia,"  "The  White  Slave." 
"Lights  o'London,"  "Silver  King."  "James  O'Neill,"  "Mme.  Jamescheck,"  and 
was  featured  as  Phileas  Fogg  in  the  gigantic  production  of  "Around  the  World 
in  Eighty  Days."  Between  seasons  he  made  profitable  use  of  his  knowledge  of 
the  hotel  business  by  accepting  positions  as  steward,  clerk  and  manager  of  hotels 
at  summer  resorts.  In  1892  he  retired  from  the  stage  to  accept  a  position  ai 
clerk  in  the  Hotel  Bartholdi,  at  that  time  one  of  the  most  exclusive  of  the  large 
New  York  hotels,  and  when  the  Hotel  Imperial  was  opened  joined  the  office 
force  of  that  house.  He  resigned  his  latter  place  to  become  manager  of  the 
Barrett  House,  later  named  the  Cadillac,  now  known  to  the  public  as  Wallick's. 
His  next  business  venture  was  in  Jersey  City,  where  he  leased  Taylor's  Hotel, 
and  after  conducting  that  hotel  for  two  years  he  leased  and  managed  the  Hotel 
Bartholdi,  Broadway  and  Twenty-third  street,  where  he  achieved  the  greatest 
success  of  his  career  up  to  that  point.     He  enlarged  his  field  and  the  Hotel 


422  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Belleclaire,  Broadway  and  Seventy-seventh  street,  a  magnificnt  three  hundred 
room  hotel,  erected  at  a  cost  of  more  than  a  milhon  dollars,  was  built  at  his 
direction.  For  four  years  he  fought  a  losing  fight  against  what  appeared  to  be 
doomed  failure,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  was  abliged  to  retire  from  business 
with  a  loss  of  nearly  half  a  milion  dollars,  having  fought  desperately  to  avert 
this  issue  and  to  make  his  establishment  a  paying  investment.  When  Casey 
Brothers  of  Scranton  planned  and  erected  the  stately  and  imposing  Hotel 
Casey,  a  matter  that  gave  them  no  little  concern  was  the  selection  of  a  man  to 
place  in  charge  of  their  costly  and  valuable  establishment.  From  a  thousand 
applicants  for  the  position,  the  past  records  of  all  of  whom  were  searched  with 
minute  care  to  determine  their  responsibility,  Mr.  Roblee  was  chosen.  More 
than  once  have  the  owners  of  the  establishment  found  cause  to  congratulate 
themselves  upon  the  excellence  of  their  judgment;  more  than  once  have  the 
patrons  of  the  Hotel  Casey  felt  themselves  fortunate  in  having  their  com- 
fort and  convenience  guarded  by  so  solicitous  a  host ;  and  more  than  once  has 
Mr.  Roblee  found  pleasure  in  the  favor  his  efforts  have  received,  in  the  increas- 
ingly wide  reputation  of  his  hotel  and  the  commanding  position  it  holds  among 
houses  of  a  like  nature  in  Scranton. 

In  Scranton,  as  in  New  York,  Mr.  Roblee  has  become  prominent  socially 
and  fraternally,  although  in  the  former  city  he  was  more  closely  identified 
with  political  situations.  In  later  years,  too,  he  has  withdrawn  entirely  from 
theatrical  connections,  but  while  manager  of  the  Hotel  Bartholdi  leased  and 
managed  several  productions,  among  them  "A  Temperance  Town,"  "The  Alid- 
night  Bell,"  "Haverly's  Mastodon  Minstrels,"  and  "Two  Nights  in  Rome." 
While  in  this  city  he  was  general  director  of  what  was  probably,  from  a  finan- 
cial point  of  view,  the  most  successful  fair  ever  given.  The  Actor'  Fund  Fair, 
given  at  the  Metropolitan  Opera  House  the  week  of  May  4,  1907,  more  than 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars  being  realized  for  the  fund  in  one  week.  Mr. 
Roblee  is  a  gentleman  of  dignity  and  courtesy,  agreeable  and  affable  to  every  on<: 
at  all  times.  He  is  a  virtuoso  in  gems  and  paintings  and  has  a  lapidary's 
knowledge  of  the  value  and  desirability  of  diamonds,,  and  has  advised  many 
of  his  friends  in  the  purchase  of  such  stones,  besides  owning  many  fine  speci- 
mens. He  is  familiar  with  all  the  master  pieces  of  the  world's  greatest  artists 
of  all  schools  and  finds  in  them  a  source  of  much  enjoyment.  These  are  the 
diversions  with  which  he  relieves  the  tedium  of  business,  for  even  with  the 
varied  experiences  one  meets  in  his  line  such  occupation  is  found  restful  and 
refreshing,  besides  its  cultural  benefits  and  the  place  it  affords  among  art  con- 
noisseurs. 

Mr.  Roblee  married,  October  25,  1909,  Margaret  A.  Gould,  of  Poultney, 
Vermont. 


GEORGE  W.  'W ATKINS 

Born  in  England  and  there  educated,  Mr.  Watkins  has  so  thoroughly  fallen 
into  accord  with  his  surroundings  and  so  ably  availed  himself  of  his  oppor- 
tunities in  his  adopted  country  that  he  stands  at  the  head  of  his  especial  busi- 
ness, interior  decoration  of  all  kinds.  The  originality  and  beauty  of  his  designs 
and  the  high  quality  of  all  his  furniture  and  decorations  have  not  alone  won 
the  regard  and  patronage  of  Scranton's  best  people,  but  in  thirty-eight  states 
of  the  Union  are  his  customers  found.  This  recognition  of  merit,  while  pleas- 
ing to  the  recipient,  is  not  undeserved,  but  has  been  won  by  thorough  prepara- 
tion, close  attention  to  detail,  and  constant  search  for  new  designs,  better 
materials,  and  more  skillful  workmen.  To  this  end  he  has  traversed  Mexico, 
Canada,  and  the  United  States  in  search  of  ideas ;  four  times  has  he  toured 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  423 

Europe  for  designs  and  study  of  the  furniture  and  decoration  of  the  different 
periods.  His  American  automobile  that  he  took  with  liim  on  his  last  trip  car- 
ried him  everywhere  that  he  wished  to  go  and  greatly  added  to  the  pleasure 
and  success  of  his  journeying.  As  head  of  his  own  business,  Mr.  Watkins 
can  review  his  career  with  satisfaction,  trace  his  course  from  clerk  steadily 
upward,  and  know  that  success  has  been  honorably  won.  Mr.  Watkins  traces 
his  descent  from  a  long  line  of  English  ancestors,  his  grandfather,  a  mine- 
owner,  having  inherited  ancestral  lands.  He  is  a  son  of  Celia  Watkins  and 
Elizabeth  W'hislance,  who  were  married  in  England.  When  his  son,  George 
W.,  was  four  years  of  age,  Celia  Watkins,  the  father  was  accidentally  killed. 
His  widow  yet  survives  him,  a  resident  of  England. 

George  W.  Watkins  was  born  in  Abergavenny,  England,  January  6,  1864, 
and  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  began  business  life  as 
clerk  in  the  office  of  his  uncle,  who  was  superintendent  of  an  important  steel 
plant.  He  remained  in  that  position  for  two  years,  then  suddenly  decided  to 
come  to  the  United  States  in  company  with  a  young  man  who  was  an  engineer 
in  the  same  plant.  His  decision  was  made  Thursday,  and  on  Saturday  he  left 
his  native  land,  arriving  in  due  time  in  New  York  City.  This  was  in  the  year 
1885,  and  after  a  short  time  spent  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  he  located  in 
Scranton.  He  here  obtained  employment  with  S.  G.  Kerr,  at  406  Lackawanna 
avenue,  carpet  and  drapery  store.  While  this  business  was  entirely  new  to  him, 
Mr.  Watkins,  beginning  at  the  bottom,  mastered  its  every  detail.  In  an 
emergency  his  knowledge  of  machinery,  gained  in  the  steel  plant  in  England, 
was  of  service  to  his  firm,  and  for  a  short  time  was  in  charge  of  the  carpet 
cleaning  and  manufacturing  plant.  He  later  was  a  member  of  the  firm  S.  G. 
Kerr  &  Company,  and  of  the  succeeding  firm,  Kerr,  Siebecker  &  Company,  he 
representing  the  company  in  Kerr,  Siebecker  &  Company.  He  developed  an 
unusual  selling  ability,  and  gained  the  reputation  of  being  "the  best  salesman  in 
the  Lackawanna  \'alley"  among  those  who  were  qualified  to  judge.  In  1894  Mr. 
Kerr  retired  from  the  firm,  which  continued  as  Siebecker  &  Watkins.  In  1899 
Mr.  Watkins  became  sole  owner  and  has  so  continued.  His  business  is  manu- 
facturing and  retailing  interior  decorations  of  all  kinds,  including  fine  furniture 
and  hangings.  He  has  attracted  the  attention  of  people  of  means  and  ap- 
preciation, resulting  in  calls  for  his  services  in  decorating  and  furnishing  many 
fine  homes.  An  instance  may  be  quoted  that  will  illustrate  the  extent  of  his 
operations.  During  the  summer  of  1913  he  employed  fourteen  men  in  the  city 
of  Brooklyn  alone.  His  entire  force  in  all  departments  numbers  125.  Tlic 
specially  designed  furniture.  While  his  designs  are  all  original  and  the  work- 
fabrics  used  in  his  hangings  are  imported,  as  is  much  of  the  wood  used  in  his 
manship  the  best,  the  mainspring  of  his  success  is  quality  and  a  high  sense  of 
business  honor.  To  him  profit  is  not  a  matter  that  outweighs  all  else,  but  is 
secondary  to  a  faithful  execution  of  all  his  contracts.  His  business  has  stead- 
ily grown  until  he  is  head  of  the  largest  interior  decorative  business  in  this 
section,  and  one  not  surpassed  in  volume  by  any  retail  house  outside  of  the  large 
cities.  He  moved  to  his  present  location  at  the  corner  of  Jefferson  avenue  and 
Spruce  street  in  1910,  and  there  has  attracted  the  liberal  patronage  of  people 
of  wealth  and  taste  in  thirty-eight  states. 

Mr.  Watkins  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  the  Commercial 
Association,  the  Scranton  and  Temple  clubs,  and  the  Navy  League,  the  latter 
a  body  of  patriotic  citizens  interested  in  the  American  navy,  meeting  annually 
in  March,  when  they  entertain  and  are  entertained  by  the  highest  government 
officials  and  representatives.  He  belongs  to  all  Masonic  bodies  in  both  York 
and  Scottish  rites,  holding  in  the  latter  the  thirty-second  degree.  These  bodies 
are :  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chap- 


424  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Scranton  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters ;  Melita 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  Keystone  Lodge  of  Perfection;  Keystone 
Council,  Princes  of  Jerusalem ;  Keystone  Chapter,  of  Rose  Croix ;  Keystone 
Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  all  of  Scranton ;  and  Irem 
Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
Mr.  Watkins  married,  in  1885,  Hannah  E.  Evans,  of  Merthga.  Children: 
Marian,  married  Harry  D.  Justin ;  Emily,  married  Charles  Watres ;  Florence, 
single  and  at  home  with  her  parents.  The  family  residence  is  No.  235  Jeffer- 
son avenue. 


JAMES  A.  HANNON 


As  yet  a  tyro  in  the  business  world,  Mr.  Hannon,  by  his  ability  and  special 
courses  of  preparatory  study,  has  gained  a  position  that  promises  well  for  his 
future.  Born  and  educated  in  Scranton  he  has  availed  himself  of  the  best 
of  her  school  advantages  and  so  far  as  possible  has  fitted  himself  for  positions 
of  honor  and  trust.  To  this,  years  of  experience  must  be  added,  but  as  the  law 
of  supply  and  demand  will  govern  in  the  future  as  in  the  past,  and  the  doctrine 
of  the  "survival  of  the  fittest"  will  always  prevail,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the 
biographer  of  the  future  will  find  a  great  deal  more  to  record  of  the  business 
rise  of  Mr.  Hannon  than  is  possible  at  this  early  stage  of  his  career. 

He  is  the  son  of  James  J.  Hannon,  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland,  coming 
to  the  United  States  a  lad  of  seventeen  years.  He  located  in  Scranton  where  he 
was  an  iron  mill  worker  in  employ  of  Connolly  &  Wallace.  He  married  Ellen 
Cawley,  who  bore  him :  Joseph  T.,  a  resident  of  Scranton ;  Mary,  married  M. 
F.  Reardon,  of  Scranton  ;  Helen  ;  Elizabeth  ;  Theresa  ;  .Ann ;  Agnes ;  Loretta ; 
James  A.  and  William. 

James  A.  Hannon,  was  born  in  Scranton,  September  12,  1891.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  and  Saint  Cecelia  Academy  and  after  a  three  years"  course 
at  the  latter,  entered  Scranton  Central  High  School,  whence  he  was  graduated 
class  of  1909.  He  began  business  life  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad  Company,  later  becoming  bookkeeper  with  the  Merchants 
and  Mechanics  Bank  of  Scranton,  a  position  he  now  fills.  To  his  years  of 
general  study,  Mr.  Hannon  has  added  the  courses  prescribed  by  the  Wharton 
School  of  Finance,  an  extension  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Scranton  Chapter,  American  Institution  of  Banking,  supple- 
menting his  practical  work  in  the  bank  by  means  of  instruction  and  method 
gained  by  connection  with  these  valuable  institutions.  He  is  a  member  of 
Saint  John's  Total  Abstinence  Society  and  interested  in  the  healthy  athletic 
sports  and  diversions  of  the  clean  minded,  enthusiastic  American  young  man. 


JOHN  G.  HUGHES 

Born  and  educated  in  Scranton,  Mr.  Hughes  here  began  his  business  life 
and  has  ever  been  connected  with  the  house  of  which  he  is  now  an  honored 
member,  The  Pierce  Company.  His  father,  Evan  D.  Hughes,  was  born  in 
Butler,  Pennsylvania,  in  1837,  later  becoming  a  merchant  of  Scranton.  He 
served  in  the  Civil  War  in  the  Sixth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  attached 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  At  the  battle  of  Beverly  Ford  he  was  wounded 
and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  but  before  the  day  ended  was  recaptured 
by  the  Federal  troops.  After  the  war  ended  he  returned  to  Scranton  and  be- 
came a  conductor  on  the  Lackawanna  and  Bloomsburg  Railroad,  a  position  he 
held  until  his  death  in  1908.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,   was  a   past   eminent  commander   of   Crusader   Commandery,    Knights. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  425 

Templar,  and  held  the  thirty-second  degree  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite. 
He  married  Ahna  M.,  daughter  of  John  Grover,  of  Hicks  Ferry,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Children:  Thomas  R.,  Carl  S.,  John  G.,  Ida  B.,  Emory,  Elizabeth, 
married  Dr.  Charles  Hoose,  of  Albany,  New  York. 

John  G.  Hughes  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  9,  1870.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  beginning  busi- 
ness life  in  1888  with  the  firm  of  Pierce  &  Holgate.  He  continued  with  that 
firm  until  1894,  vi'hen  The  Pierce  Company  was  incorporated  as  its  successor. 
Mr.  Hughes  becoming  a  member  of  the  corporation.  Until  191 1  he  was  vice- 
president  and  manager  of  the  wholesale  department,  in  the  latter  year  becoming 
president  and  general  manager  of  both  stores  operated  by  The  Pierce  Com- 
pany. He  is  a  member  of  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  No.  597,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Lacka- 
wanna Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Melita  Commandery,  Knights  Templar, 
Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  the  Heptasophs,  the  Modern  Wood- 
men, and  the  Fraternal  Mystic  Circle.  In  politics  Mr.  Hughes  is  an  inde- 
pendent Republican,  holding  principles  and  men  above  party  allegiance.  He 
married,  May  23,  1894,  Bertha  C,  daughter  of  Dr.  A.  B.  Longshore,  of  Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania. 


ALFRED   MILTON    BAKER  JR. 

Although  the  search  of  Alfred  Milton  Baker  for  a  vocation  carried  him  to 
far  away  New  Mexico,  where  he  was  not  content  to  remain,  it  appears  that 
as  the  agent  and  distributor  of  the  Hupp  Motor  Car  Company,  manufacturers 
of  the  Hupmobile,  in  northeastern  Pennsylvania,  he  has  found  a  field  of  en- 
deavor both  to  his  liking  and  for  which  he  is  peculiarly  well  fitted. 

Mr.  Baker's  birthplace  is  Michigan,  but  in  spite  of  this  fact  he  is  justly 
claimed  as  a  Pennsylvania  product,  inasmuch  as  that  state  was  the  birthplace 
of  the  two  generations  of  his  family  preceding  him,  Vermont  being  the  birth- 
place of  his  great-grandfather.  His  grandfather,  John  Baker,  was  in  his  early 
life  a  resident  of  Clififord,  Pennsylvania,  but  in  later  years  moved  to  Scran 
ton,  engaging  in  the  livery  business  and  for  several  years  running  a  stage  from 
Factoryville  to  Tunkhannock,  long  before  the  days  of  electric  roads.  He  mar- 
ried Nancy  Callander,  a  member  of  the  family  whose  part  in  the  struggle  for 
independence  was  so  conspicuous  and  glorious.  His  children  were:  Alfred 
Milton,  of  whom  further ;  Herbert  L.,  an  attorney  of  Detroit ;  Julietta ;  Ade- 
laide; Boyman ;  Emma.    The  two  latter  are  deceased. 

Alfred  Milton  Baker  was  born  in  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  July 
20,  1835.  For  several  years  he  was  engaged  in  business  in  partnership  with 
W.  S.  Courtright,  and  after  the  dissolution  of  that  connection  became  a  com- 
mercial traveler  in  the  employ  of  a  Detroit  shoe  manufactory.  He  then  purchased 
a  farm  in  Michigan  and  resided  thereon  for  fifteen  years,  coming  to  Penn- 
sylvania in  1884,  where  he  resided  up  to  his  death,  March  15,  1914,  at  seventy- 
nine  years.  He  married  Josephine,  daughter  of  John  Milton  Witherbee.  Chil- 
dren of  Alfred  Milton  and  Josephine  Baker:  John  E.,  secretary  of  the  Hupp 
Motor  Car  Company,  of  Detroit ;  Helen  J. ;  Alfred  Milton,  of  whom  further. 

Alfred  Milton  Baker  Jr.  was  born  at  Clarkstown,  Michigan,  October  26, 
1879.  In  his  early  youth  his  parents  moved  to  Scranton,  and  in  the  public 
schools  and  Central  high  school  of  that  city  he  received  the  major  part  of  hi> 
education,  completing  his  studies  at  the  Keystone  Academy.  His  first  business 
experience  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Alomogordo  Lumber  Company,  in  New 
Mexico.  After  a  year's  service  with  this  company  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
International  Correspondence  Schools,  of  Scranton,  and  in  1908  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Hupp  Motor  Car  Company.     As  the  history  of  Mr.   Baker's 


426  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

connection  with  this  company  is,  to  a  great  extent,  the  story  of  that  company's 
extension  and  development,  a  short  outline  of  the  company's  existence  will 
be  given.  In  the  spring  of  1908,  with  the  modest  capital  of  twenty-five  thous- 
and dollars,  a  company  was  formed  in  Detroit  to  build  a  motor  car  of  grace- 
ful and  pleasing  design,  built  on  the  same  principles  of  construction  and  with 
as  finished  workmanship  as  found  in  the  highest  priced  cars  on  the  market. 
By  November  of  that  year  the  first  experimental  car  was  in  operation  and  a 
factory  had  been  rented  to  produce  the  first  output  of  five  hundred  cars.  As 
the  car  found  favor  with  the  public,  both  in  appearance  and  endurance,  the 
factory  was  deluged  with  orders  far  beyond  its  small  capacity  and  a  large 
factory  with  every  modern  equipment  of  machinery  for  the  special  require- 
ments of  the  Hupmobile  was  biiilt  on  Jefferson  and  Concord  avenues.  In  the 
beginning  of  the  1910  season  the  company  was  prepared  to  meet  a  demand  for 
five  thousand  cars,  but  during  the  next  two  seasons  even  that  provision  proved 
entirely  inadequate,  and  the  company  was  compelled  to  conduct  many  of  its 
operations  in  shops  and  factories  separate  from  the  main  plant  and  scattered 
throughout  the  city.  In  November,  191 1,  plans  were  drawn  up  and  ground 
broken  for  a  five  acre  plant.  One  of  the  most  interesting  points  about  the 
erection  of  the  factory  was  the  manner  in  which  the  handicap  of  severe  cold 
was  overcome.  At  one  time,  with  the  temperature  below  zero,  the  contractors 
raised  a  large  circus  tent,  two  hundred  feet  in  length,  over  the  site  of  the 
administration  building,  then  under  way,  and  under  this  protecting  canvas  a 
boiler  and  salamanders  were  installed.  By  this  method  the  bricklayers  and 
ironworkers  were  able  to  resume  operations  at  the  comfortable  temperature 
of  sixty-five  degrees,  although  bitter  cold  prevailed  without.  The  buildings 
were  finally  completed  in  March,  1912.  The  plant  comprising  three  main  in- 
dustrial buildings,  two  stories  in  height,  covering  factory  floor  space  of  several 
hundred  thousand  square  feet,  is  erected  in  parallel,  with  road  trackage  and 
avenues  between  each  pair  of  structures.  These  buildings  are  connected  on  the 
upper  floors  by  means  of  communicating  bridges,  and  are  bounded  on  the 
rear  by  belt  line  tracks,  along  which  is  an  immense  shipping  platform.  An 
administration  building,  two  stories  in  height,  which  includes  a  floor  space  of 
nearly  thirty  thousand  square  feet,  extends  completely  across  the  front  of  the 
industrial  buildings.  Since  March,  1912,  two  additional  buildings,  one  for  the 
final  assembly,  and  the  other  a  storage  warehouse  for  parts,  have  been  erected. 
To  provide  for  the  Canadian  trade,  a  factory  was  begun,  simultaneous  with 
the  erection  of  the  Detroit  plant,  at  Windsor,  Ontario,  with  a  capacity  of 
three  thousand  cars  per  year,  so  constructed  that  additions  may  be  made  at 
any  time  to  increase  the  capacity.  Because  so  many  of  the  parts  can  be  manu- 
factured from  material  obtainable  in  Canada,  a  substantial  reduction  in  price 
can  be  made  to  Canadian  purchasers. 

In  1909  Mr.  Baker  was  appointed  distributing  agent  for  northeastern, 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  four  years  of  his  incumbency  of  that  position  has 
persistently  and  energetically  labored  to  keep  his  car  in  the  front  rank  of 
automobile  trade,  an  endeavor  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  The 
agent  for  a  car  of  quality,  at  a  price  not  prohibitive,  and  with  recorded  tests 
proving  its  superiority  in  many  departments,  he  is  backed  by  an  argument  more 
powerful  and  convincing  than  words,  a  machine  of  beauty  and  grace  of  design, 
strength  of  construction,  and  moderateness  of  price.  Mr.  Baktr  is  a  Republi- 
can in  political  belief,  belongs  to  the  Automobile  Association,  and  is  a  member 
of  Waverly  Lodge,  No.  301,  F.  and  A.  M. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  427 

JOHN  T.  CORLEY 

County  Mayo,  Ireland,  was  the  original  home  of  the  ancestors  of  John  T. 
Corley,  one  of  Scranton's  most  enterprising  and  active  real  estate  dealers. 
It  was  in  this  part  of  Ireland  that  his  grandfather,  Michael  Corley,  and  his 
father,  Andrew  Corley,  were  born.  Andrew  Corley  followed  the  sea  all  his 
life  and  for  many  years  was  first  officer  on  a  transatlantic  liner.  He  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Edward  McCormick,  a  native  of  Ireland.  Among  his 
children  was  John  T. 

John  T.  Corley  was  born  near  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1863,  where  he 
made  his  home  during  the  absence  of  his  father  on  his  many  voyages.  When  he 
was  seven  years  of  age  his  family  moved  to  Ireland  and  there  he  obtained  an 
education  in  the  public  schools,  attending  the  same  until  he  was  si.xteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  went  to  England,  apprenticed  himself  to  the  landscape  gard- 
ener's trade,  and  for  five  years  was  employed  in  that  business  at  Yorkshire. 
He  then  determined  to  come  to  the  United  States,  and  engaged  passage  on  the 
"Baltic,"  of  the  White  Star  Line.  After  an  uneventful  voyage  of  ten  days, 
the  vessel  docked  at  Castle  Garden,  New  York.  Mr.  Corley  came  at  once  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  obtained  his  first  employment  as  a  laborer  in  Avoca,  three 
months  later  entering  the  mines.  Three  years  of  this  labor  left  him  with  a 
decided  distaste  for  any  more  of  the  same,  and  he  moved  to  Scranton,  en- 
gaging in  landscape  gardening,  the  trade  he  had  learned  in  England.  In  con- 
nection with  this  work  he  began  to  conduct  real  estate  operations,  and  on 
April  4,  1904,  was  appointed  general  manager  of  the  Globe  Real  Estate  Com- 
pany, of  Scranton.  After  a  year's  service  with  that  corporation  he  decided  to 
begin  operations  independently  and  resigned  his  position,  confident  in  his  own 
business  ability  and  with  faith  in  his  future  success,  a  confidence  and  faith 
that  the  passing  years  have  proved  to  be  founded  upon  the  keenest  introspective 
observation.  In  1907,  his  real  estate  dealings  having  assumed  dimensions 
that  made  it  imperative  that  more  time  be  given  thereto,  he  withdrew  from 
landscape  work  and  has  since  concentrated  all  of  his  attention  and  time  to  the 
former  business.  Mr.  Corley  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Church,  and  belongs 
to  St.  Paul's  Pioneer  Corps.  His  political  stand  is  made  according  to  the 
dictates  of  no  party,  his  action  in  political  matters  depending  entirely  upon 
his  judginent  in  regard  to  the  situation. 

Rlr.  Corley  has  in  his  business  life  shown  resourcefulness  and  determination 
that  has  led  to  his  ultimate  success,  a  spirit  that  to  those  who  credit  heredity 
must  have  descended  to  him  from  his  sailor  father  who,  often,  when  in  com- 
mand of  the  vessel  of  which  he  was  first  mate,  was  forced  to  pit  his  brain 
and  nautical  knowledge  against  the  power  and  strength  of  the  elements,  witii 
a  far  greater  prize  at  stake  than  his  own  fortune.  Many  times  the  fate  of  the 
entire  ship  was  in  his  hands  and  with  the  courage  of  decision  and  quick  re- 
sourcefulness that  he  developed  he  preserved  the  safety  of  his  precious  freight 
of  human  lives,  and  this  trait  has  descended  in  full  force  to  his  son,  so  that,  in 
overcoming  the  obstacles  of  business,  he  has  made  for  himself  a  reputation 
as  a  clever,  able,  albeit  fair  and  honorable,  business  man. 

Mr.  Corley  married,  in  1878,  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  and  Bessie  (Finn) 
Murphy.  Children :  Margaret,  John,  Bessie,  Andrew,  Rhoda,  Mary,  deceased  ; 
Mary,  Sarah. 


WILLIAM  CARL  SCHOENFELD 

Scranton  has  known  two  generations  of  Schoenfelds  in  connection  with  the 
undertaking  business,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  same  name,  identified  with 


428  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

that  occupation,  will  continue  for  at  least  one  more  generation.  The  relation 
began  with  Reinhard  Schoenfeld,  born  in  Weisbaden,  Nassau,  Germany,  Jan- 
uary 13.  1835,  son  of  George  William  Schoenfeld,  who  was  a  native  of  the 
same  locality,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  owning  the  fertile  acres  that  he  tilleci, 
and  in  addition  to  agricultural  operations  was  also  a  boot  and  shoemaker,  his 
death  occurring  in  1849,  when  he  was  fifty-three  years  of  age.  He  was  the 
parent  of  six  children  who  survived  childhood.  The  form  of  the  name  as  it 
is  spelled  at  the  present  time  is  not  that  which  was  used  in  the  homeland,  but 
because  of  the  difficulty  experienced  by  foreigners  and  those  unversed  in  the 
German  tongue  in  acquiring  a  correct  pronunciation  of  vowels  marked  with  an 
umlaut,  "oe"  was  substituted  for  "o"  with  this  modifying  designation. 

Reinhard  Schoenfeld's  mother  died  when  he  was  two  years  of  age,  and 
twelve  years  later  he  was  left  an  orphan,  being  apprenticed  to  the  wheelwright's 
trade  when  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  In  1853,  the  ties  of  home  having  been 
most  efifectually  sundered  by  the  death  of  his  parents,  he  engaged  passage  in  a 
sailing  vessel  leaving  Antwerp  and  two  months  later  landed  in  New  York  City. 
He  at  once  proceeded  to  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  there  being  employed  for  a 
short  time  at  the  coal  docks  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company,  for 
the  next  two  years  following  the  trade  he  had  learned  in  Germany  in  a  wagon 
shop.  Coming  to  Scranton  in  1855,  he  entered  the  car  shops  of  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  and  was  there  employed  for 
about  thirteen  years,  in  1868  establishing  an  independent  business  as  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  general  provision  store  on  Cedar  avenue.  Dissatisfied  with  the  re- 
turns from  this  venture  in  proportion  to  the  capital  and  labor  expended,  at 
the  end  of  a  year  he  retired  therefrom  and  engaged  in  carpentering.  In  1869 
he  embarked  in  the  undertaking  business,  managing  in  connection  therewith  for 
several  years  a  furniture  store,  his  first  location  being  on  Penn  avenue.  He 
afterward  moved  to  Lackawanna  avenue,  later  returning  to  Penn  avenue,  and 
subsequently  locating  at  No.  318  Franklin  avenue,  his  present  place  of  busi- 
ness. No  branch  of  his  business  has  been  neglected  and  excellent  service  of 
high  grade  has  won  for  the  house  a  creditable  reputation.  Funeral  directing 
is  a  line  to  which  he  has  given  particular  attention,  and  through  his  office 
complete  arrangements  for  such  a  ceremony  can  be  made.  Since  1910  Mr. 
Schoenfeld  has  lived  retired  from  active  participation  in  the  business  that  he 
founded,  his  son,  William  C,  managing  its  affairs. 

Mr.  Schoenfeld  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Zion  Lutheran  Church, 
regular  attendants  and  active  workers  in  its  sub-organizations.  Mrs.  Schoen- 
feld having  been  for  two  years  president  of  the  Ladies'  Society,  for  six  years 
its  treasurer,  and  four  years  secretary.  Mr.  Schoenfeld  was  formerly  a  mem- 
ber of  the  German  Presbyterian  Church,  to  which  he  lent  his  devoted  sup- 
port, being  a  member  of  the  choir  of  that  organization,  a  trustee  of  the  satne, 
and  suj^erintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  He  is  identified  with  no  political 
party,  and  at  one  time  afliliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

He  married,  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1857,  Barbara  Schwartz,  born 
near  Stuttgart,  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Barbara 
(Housman)  Schwartz.  Her  father  was  a  farmer  in  the  homeland,  and  after 
her  parents'  death  Barbara  Schwartz,  in  1854,  immigrated  to  the  United  States, 
making  her  home  in  ^^'ashington,  two  years  later  moving  to  Scranton.  Rein- 
hard and  Barbara  Schoenfeld  are  the  parents  of  William  C,  of  whom  further ; 
Amelia,  married  a  Mi.  Wenzel,  and  died  aged  twenty-seven  years;  Mary,  died 
aged  twenty-six  years. 

William  Carl  Schoenfeld.  son  of  Reinhard  and  Barbara  (Schwartz) 
Schoenfeld,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  7,  1858.  After  ob- 
taining his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city  he  entered  his  father's 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  429 

business,  which  he  learned  under  the  painstaking  instruction  of  the  elder 
Schoenfeld.  He  was  his  father's  competent  assistant  until  Mr.  Schoenfeld"'- 
retirement  in  1910,  since  which  year  he  has  managed  the  business  in  a  manner 
no  less  able  than  that  under  which  it  was  brought  to  its  present  high  plane 
of  prosperity.     William  C.  Schoenfeld  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married,  September  15,  1891,  Elizabeth  Catherine  Koch,  born  April 
16,  1867,  daughter  of  John  Henry  and  Anna  E.  Koch.  John  Henry  Koch  wa.s 
born  in  Rotenburg,  Prussia,  Germany,  October  18,  1835,  immigrating  to  the 
United  States  and  settling  in  Hyde  Park  about  1855,  where  he  followed  hJs 
trade,  that  of  carpenter.  In  i860  he  was  employed  in  the  car  shops,  three 
years  later  becoming  proprietor  of  a  hotel  on  F'ranklin  avenue,  which  he  con- 
ducted for  about  three  years,  for  the  following  eighteen  years  being  host  of  a 
hotel  at  Olyphant.  After  residing  in  Green  Ridge  for  two  years  he  moved 
to  Scranton  and  for  two  years  owned  and  managed  a  hotel  at  the  corner  of 
Penn  avenue  and  Center  street,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  the  property 
and  obtained  a  mercantile  agency  for  Simon  Rice,  building  his  present  honii 
on  Capouse  avenue.  Children  of  William  Carl  and  Elizabeth  Catherine  (Koch) 
Schoenfeld:  i.  Reinliard  Karl,  born  April  18,  1893:  after  leaving  the  city's 
high  school  in  the  third  year,  he  began  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  undertak- 
ing profession,  and  in  February,  1914,  he  graduated  from  the  Renouard  Train- 
ing School  for  Embalmers  of  New  York  City,  after  which  he  successfully 
passed  the  state  e.xaminations  at  Philadelphia,  and  is  now  active  in  the  pro- 
fession. 2.  Karl  William.  3.  Kenneth  Koch,  born  January  7,  1900,  a  student 
in  grammar  school. 


JAY  MILLER  FAHRINGER 

There  are  many  men  in  the  mercantile  and  financial  world  of  Scranton 
who  will  testify  to  the  worth  of  Jay  Miller  Fahringer  as  a  merchant,  and 
those  who  know  him  outside  of  his  business  connections  are  unanimous  in 
their  praise  of  his  daily  deportment  and  sincere  in  their  appreciation  of  the 
influence  he  has  wielded  in  the  city  of  his  adoption,  Scranton.  His  position 
among  the  foremost  merchants  of  the  city  is  one  that  he  owes  to  a  proper  and 
legitimate  exercise  of  the  strong  faculties  with  which  he  was  endowed  by 
bountiful  Nature,  not  the  least  of  which  has  been  an  unyielding  determination 
to  succeed,  not  only  in  material  affairs,  but  to  make  his  life  a  true  success  in 
service  to  his  fellow  men.  In  what  measure  this  has  been  realized  the  following 
recital  will  show. 

The  ancestry  of  the  Fahringers  of  Pennsylvania  is  Dutch.  Holland  having 
been  the  land  whence  came  the  immigrant  of  this  line.  The  first  of  this  record 
is  Jonas  Fahringer,  by  trade  a  blacksmith,  who  married  a  Miss  Marks,  and 
had  children:  Reuben:  Jeremiah,  of  whom  further;  Hilda,  married  a  Mr. 
Blass ;  Caroline,  married  a  Mr.  Bird ;  Mary,  married  a  Mr.  Murray,  and  re- 
sides in  Danville,  Pennsylvania.  Jeremiah,  son  of  Jonas  Fahringer,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  December  14,  1834,  died  in  October,  1912.  Learning  the  car- 
penter's trade,  he  advanced  beyond  journeyman's  estate  and  became  a  builder, 
later  for  many  years  being  employed  as  foreman  in  the  Pancoast  Coal  Mines 
at  Throop,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Mahlon  Kase, 
and  was  the  father  of :  Melissa,  married  S.  R.  Stanton,  and  lives  in  New  Jer- 
sey;  Jonas,  employed  as  foreman  in  a  manufactory  at  Port  Henry,  New  York; 
Millie,  married  William  H.  Crookshanks ;  Charles,  a  hardware  merchant,  en- 
gaged in  business  at  Ashland,  Pennsylvania;  San  ford,  an  engineer  at  Louis- 
ville,  Kentucky ;  Jay   Miller,   of  whom    further ;   Bessie,   deceased ;   Frank,   a 


430  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

bookkeeper,  employed  by  a  firm  in  Pottstown,  Pennsylvania ;  Archibald,  re- 
sides at  Peckville,  Pei^nsylvania ;  Lulu,  deceased. 

Jay  Miller  Fahringer,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Elizabeth  ( Kase )  Fahringer, 
was  born  at  Shenandoah,  Pennsylvania,  December  7,  1869.  For  four  years  of 
his  youth  he  attended  the  public  schools  at  West  Pittston,  at  the  expiration 
of  that  time  entering  the  mines  as  slate  picker.  When  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  a  coal  company  at  Throop,  and  was 
similarly  engaged  in  the  stores  of  various  companies  until  1901.  In  this  year 
he  moved  to  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  opening  a  store  under  his  own  name 
at  No.  2901  North  Main  avenue.  The  rental  of  this  establishment  and  the  pur- 
chase of  his  stock  required  the  expenditure  of  all  of  his  slender  capital,  and 
being  prepared  to  stand  or  fall  as  a  merchant,  the  decision  resting  upon  the 
fate  of  this  store,  he  threw  himself,  mind  and  body,  into  the  task  of  making  his 
first  investment  a  profitable  one.  The  store  weathered  the  uncertainty  and  lack 
of  confidence  felt  in  a  new  institution,  and  soon  became  a  thriving  establish- 
ment, marking  Mr.  Fahringer's  first  conquest  in  the  mercantile  world.  He  was 
in  Providence  at  this  location  for  four  years,  later  moving  to  No.  2456  Nortli 
Main  avenue,  where  his  present  store  is  now  located.  Mr.  Fahringer  is  a 
member  of  Hiram  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Celestial  Lodge,  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics;  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  His  church  is  the  First 
Christian  Church  of  Providence,  and  in  this  organization  he  holds  the  position 
of  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  In  connection  with  his  duties  as  the 
head  of  the  Sunday  school  he  is  the  teacher  of  a  Men's  Bible  Class  whose 
membership  numbers  one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  one  of  the  largest  men's 
classes  in  the  state.  Mr.  Fahringer,  because  of  his  admirable  facility  of  ex- 
pression, his  ease  in  conversation,  and  his  graceful  manner  of  presiding  over 
such  a  gathering,  is  particularly  well  fitted  to  hold  such  a  place,  and  the  meet- 
ings of  this  class  are  inspiring  in  the  earnestness  that  governs  all  discussion 
and  the  spirit  that  animates  its  members.  That  Mr.  Fahringer  is  popular  with 
the  members  of  his  class  is  shown  by  its  constant  increase  in  membership  and 
the  regularity  of  attendance.  An  organization  of  such  strength  and  so 
definitely  connected  with  Christian  work  is  a  powerful  feature  in  the  moral 
and  religious  welfare  of  a  city,  and  Providence  is  well  in  the  lead  in  the  move- 
ment for  men  in  religion. 

Jay  Miller  Fahrmger  married  Maggie,  daughter  of  William  Birtley,  of 
Belleville,  Illinois.  They  are  the  parents  of:  William,  married  Bernice  Oakley; 
Susie,  Marjorie,  Jay,  Mahlon. 


THOMAS  HENRY  MEAD 

Born  in  New  Jersey,  Mr.  Mead  was  brought  to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania, 
when  but  an  infant,  his  entire  life  from  that  time  having  been  spent  in  the 
Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  Valleys,  where  he  has  long  been  connected  with 
important  business  firms  and  corporations.  He  is  of  English  ancestry  descend- 
ing from  Dr.  William  Mead,  who  on  coming  to  the  United  States  located  in 
New  York  City,  where  William  Mead,  grandfather  of  Thomas  Henry  Mead, 
was  born.  William  Mead  became  a  New  Jersey  farmer,  married  and  reared  a 
family. 

Thomas  Henry  Mead,  son  of  William  Mead,  was  born  in  Newark,  New 
Jersey,  and  there  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  serving  from  Bull  Run  through  many  other  bloody  battles  fought 
by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of 
the  war,  after  which  he  returned  to  Newark,  where  he  was  connected  with 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


431 


the  Springfield  Avenue  Street  Car  Company.  He  later  moved  to  Pittston  and 
was  there  employed  in  a  paper  mill  for  a  time,  then  becoming  a  partner  with 
his  brother-in-law,  A.  B.  Rommel,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Mary 
A.,  daughter  of  John  Christian  Frederick  Rommel,  a  grandson  of  the  great 
botanist,  who  was  sent  by  the  King  of  the  Netherlands  to  this  country  on  a 
scientific  mission,  but  becoming  so  enraptured  with  the  United  States  and  its 
institutions  that  he  refused  to  return  to  Holland,  thereby  forfeiting  his  inheri- 
tance. He  died  in  Hampton,  Virginia.  Children  of  Thomas  Henry  and  Mary 
A.  (Rommel)  Mead:  i.  Thomas  Henry,  of  whom  further.  2.  George  B., 
born  October  24,  1868;  educated  in  the  public  schools;  married  Mary  L.  Evans, 
of  Throop,  Pennsylvania ;  is  now  engaged  as  shipper  for  the  collieries  of  the 
Temple  Iron  Company,  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania;  children,  George  B.,  Mar- 
garet, Lois  Eva  Lena ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
the  order  of  Heptasophs. 

Thomas  Henry  (2)  Mead,  son  of  Thomas  Henry  (i)  Mead,  was  born  in 
Dover,  New  Jeresy,  January  23,  1863.  During  the  same  year  his  parents  moved 
to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and 
resided  during  his  entire  minority.  He  began  business  life  early,  as  a  clerk 
in  the  grocery  store  owned  by  his  uncle,  Frank  Rommel,  later  becoming  a 
finisher  in  the  paper  mills  of  G.  B.  Rommel,  going  from  there  to  the  meat 
merchants,  Ross  &  Company.  In  1886  he  began  his  connection  with  the  coal 
business,  starting  as  paymaster  and  superintendent  of  shipments  for  the  Enter- 
prise Coal  Company,  then  conducted  by  Andrew  Langdon,  of  Buffalo,  New 
York.  In  1890  the  Enterprise  mines  were  sold  to  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad 
Company,  Mr.  Mead  transferring  his  allegiance  to  the  Babylon  Coal  Company, 
then  conducted  by  Simpson  and  Watkins.  He  was  first  paymaster  and  shipper, 
then  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  foreman.  He  continued  with  the  Babylon 
Company  until  their  plant  was  consumed  by  fire,  then  became  payroll  clerk  for 
the  Mount  Lookout  Coal  Company,  of  Wyoming,  continuing  until  1901,  when 
he  was  transferred  to  Scranton  as  voucher  clerk  for  the  Temple  Iron  Company, 
purchasers  of  the  Simpson  and  Watkins  properties.  He  was  made  bookkeeper 
in  1903  and  continued  as  such  until  1909,  when  he  was  promoted  to  his  present 
position  as  auditor  and  paymaster  of  the  company,  a  vacancy  having  been 
caused  by  the  death  of  George  L.  Houser.  In  1910  the  Temple  Iron  Company 
was  dissolved,  the  constituent  companies  returning  to  their  original  form.  By 
these  companies  Mr.  IMead  was  retained  as  auditor,  now  serving  them  individ- 
ually instead  of  as  the  amalgamated  Temple  Iron  Company.  These  are  the: 
Northwest  Coal  Company,  Edgeton  Coal  Company,  Sterrick  Creek  Coal  Com- 
pany, Lackawanna  Coal  Company,  Mount  Lookout  Coal  Company,  Babylon 
Coal  Company,  and  the  Forty  Foot  Coal  Company.  His  record  is  one  of 
honorable  service  and  the  fact  that  he  was  the  choice  of  all  the  subsidiary 
companies  is  a  high  tribute  to  his  efficiency.  Mr.  Mead  is  a  deacon  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  of  Scranton,  a  Master  Mason  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No. 
339,  F.  and  A.  M.,  a  member  of  Roaring  Brook  Lodge,  No.  401,  K.  of  P.,  the 
Royal  Arcanum,  and  of  the  Craftsmen  Club.  In  political  faith  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

Mr.  Mead  married,  June  10,  1885,  Marie  A.  Lewis,  of  Swansea,  Wales, 
one  child,  Marjorie  B.,  born  at  Watkins  Glen,  New  York,  June  20,  1897. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  825  West  Elm  street. 


GEORGE  WAHL 


The  Wahls  were  an  old  family  of  Germany,  where  Matthias  Wahl,  father 
of  George  Wahl,  of  Scranton,  filled  a  government  official  position  for  half  a 


432  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

century,  retiring  with  honor  and  receiving  a  substantial  token  of  appreciation 
on  the  occasion  of  the  celebration  of  his  fifty  years  of  honorable  service. 
Matthias  Wahl  was  born  in  Flornheim,  Germany,  in  1805,  married  Gertrude 
Kretschmar,  and  haa  twelve  children,  all  now  deceased,  except  George  and 
Theresia  Sendler,  a  sister. 

George  Wahl  was  born  in  Germany  in  1848.    He  was  educated  in  one  of  the 
noted  gymnasiums  of  Germany,  intending  to  fit  himself  for  the  profession  of 
teaching.     His  elder  brother,  John,  emigrated  and  came  to  the  United  States, 
and  when  on  a  visit  to  Germany  had  so  glowing  a  story  to  tell  of  his  American 
home  that  on  his  return  to  the  United  States  he  was  accompanied  by  his  young- 
er brother,  George.     In  December,  1864,  they  arrived  in  Scranton,  where  John 
Wahl  was  proprietor  of  a  barber  shop.    The  young  man,  in  order  to  get  a  start 
and  to  meet  expenses  during  the  first  months,  when  all  was  new  and  strange, 
decided  to  work  for  his  brother,  and  making  excellent  progress  he  continued 
until  he  became  proficient.     In  a  few  years  he  became  proprietor  a^  a  barber 
shop  and  baths   in   the   Lackawanna  Valley   House,   then    Scranton's   leading 
hotel.     In  1890  he  entered  into  partnership  with  Frank  Humler,  they  becoming 
owners   of   the    Scranton    Journal    Printing   Company,    then    issuing   a    small 
weekly  newspaper  in  the  German  language.    The  partners  enlarged  the  weekly 
from  an  eight  page  to  a  twenty- four  page  weekly,  and  greatly  increased  both 
the  subscription  list  and  the  advertising  accounts.  Leaving  the  principal  burden 
of  the  newspaper  to  Mr.  Humler,  Mr.  Wahl  entered  the  life  insurance  field, 
and  he  met  with  such  success  that  in  1904  he  retired  entirely  from  the  news- 
paper to  devote  himself  exclusively  to  the   insurance  business.     He   is   now 
district  agent  for  that  sterling  institution.  The   Penn  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company,  of  Philadelphia.     Mr.  Wahl  is  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  insurance 
business   in   Scranton,   and   has   fairly  earned   honorable   standing  among   the 
business  men  of  merit  in  the  city.     He  is  still  actively  engaged  in  the  business, 
and  though  the  immediate  need  of  revenue  has  long  since  passed  away,  he 
finds  the  greatest  enjoyment  in  the  field  and  among  his  long-time  associates. 
His  genial  personality  has  won  him  many  warm  friends,  and  as  a  citizen  he 
has  always  been  public-spirited  and  active.    He  has  promoted  to  the  full  extent 
of  his  ability  the  interests  of  his  adopted  city,  has  served  as  a  member  of 
important  committees  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  is  interested  in  several  of 
Scranton's  industries  and  in  her  financial  institutions.     During  the  half  century 
of  his  residence  in  Scranton  he  has  several  times  laid  aside  the  cares  of  business 
to  revisit  his  native  land  and  the  scenes  of  his  youth.     He  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  popular  German  singing  society,  the  Scranton  Liederkranz,  has 
always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  its  welfare  and  is  now  the  only  surviving 
charter  member  of  the  body  of  young  men  who  about  forty-six  years  ago  met 
and   formed  the  society.     He  has  never  aspired  to  political  honors,  although, 
they  have  been  easily  within  his  reach.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Younger  Maennerchor 
and  several  other  societies. 

Mr.  Wahl  married  Katherine,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Cornelia  (Werthem- 
mer)  Dimler.  Her  mother,  Cornelia  (Werthemmer)  Dimler,  came  from  Ger- 
many with  her  father  and  sister  about  1854,  settling  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
Their  first  home  was  a  log  cabin,  situated  near  the  present  site  of  the  Church 
of  the  Nativity.  This  carries  back  to  pioneer  days  in  Scranton.  Mr.  Wahl 
resides  at  No.  523  Taylor  avenue,  his  offices  being  Nos.  307-08  Board  of  Trade 
Building. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  433 

THOMAS  FRANKLIN  EYNON 

The  Eynons  came  to  Pennsylvania  from  Wales,  the  emigrant,  Thomas 
Eynon,  son  of  John  Eynon,  settling  in  Carbondale  in  1831.  He  is  credited  with 
having  sunk  the  first  coal  mining  shaft  in  the  valley  of  the  Lackawanna  and 
was  later  interested  in  the  manufacture  of  iron  and  steel.  He  came  from  Car- 
bondale to  Scranton  a  few  years  after  his  first  settlement,  and  was  for  several 
years  a  merchant  on  South  Main  street.  Later  he  became  interested  in  Ohio 
steel  and  iron  mills,  but  during  the  Civil  War  was  obliged  to  relinquish  his 
interest.  He  then  became  superintendent  of  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation 
Company's  colliery  at  Lanford,  later  returning  to  Scranton  and  again  en- 
gaging in  business  as  a  general  merchant.  He  married  Jane  Leyshone.  Chil- 
dren:  I.  Albert  B.,  cashier  of  the  West  Side  Bank,  Scranton;  married  Annie 
Hughes;  children:  Thomas  A.,  Benjamin  G.,  Howard.  2.  Paul.  3.  Thomas, 
deceased.  4.  George  Franklin,  of  whom  further.  5.  Jennie,  married  Dr.  B 
G.  Beddoe,  of  Scranton ;  children :  Ruth,  Arthur,  Allen. 

George  Franklin  Eynon,  son  of  Thomas  Eynon,  was  born  September  15, 
1855,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Scranton,  and  a  successful  general  merchant 
of  that  city.  He  married  Kate  Kramer,  and  has  children:  i.  Charles  Augus- 
tus, married  Bertha  Davis ;  children :  Helen  May,  George  Franklin,  Anna 
Louise.  2.  Thomas  Franklin,  of  whom  further.  3.  Jennie  May,  married  H. 
S.  McGarrah,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 

Thomas  Franklin  Eynon  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  22, 
1881.  He  obtained  his  preparatory  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the 
city,  then  entered  Lafayette  College,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1905. 
with  the  degree  of  electrical  engineer.  After  leaving  college  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Westinghouse  Electrical  and  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Pitts- 
burgh, going  from  that  company  to  the  General  Electrical  Company,  at  Lynn, 
Massachusetts.  Returning  later  to  Scranton,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  as  electrical  engineer, 
then  formed  a  connection  with  the  Scranton  Electric  Company.  On  February 
I,  1908,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  G.  F.  Smith  as  the  Penn  Electrical 
Engineering  Company,  the  company  later  incorporating  under  the  same  name 
with  V.  A.  Decker,  president,  G.  F.  Smith,  vice-president,  T.  F.  Eynon,  treas- 
urer, and  O.  I.  Eberhardt,  secretary.  In  connection  with  their  business  the 
firm  are  agents  of  the  Westinghouse  Electric  and  Manufacturing  Company. 
The  company's  offices  are  No.  214  Traders  Bank  Building.  The  company  is 
a  prosperous  one  and  as  the  name  indicates  executes  all  forms  of  electrical 
engineering  contracts  and  mechanical  equipment.  Mr.  Eynon  is  an  Independent 
in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  Peter  Williamson  Lodge. 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  His  college  fraternitv 
is  the  Sigma  Nu. 

He  married,  June  i,  1910,  Nora,  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  Schutter 
Child,  Thomas  Franklin  (2),  born  March  8,  191 1. 


GUSTAVE  FREDERICK  SMITH 

Three  generations  of  this  branch  of  the  Smith  family  have  resided  in 
Pennsylvania.  The  American  ancestor,  John  Frederick  Smith,  was  a  resident 
of  Calw,  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  from  whence  he  came  to  the  United  States 
with  his  family  in  1854,  settling  at  Port  Jervis,  New  York.  Later  he  moved 
to  Pleasant  Mountain,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  thence  to  Seelyville,  his 
home  until  death.  He  married  Louisa  Kermer  and  she  had  issue:  Gustave,  of 
whom  further;  Charles,  deceased. 

28 


434  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

(II)  Gustave  Smith,  son  of  John  Frederick  and  Louisa  (Kermer)  Smith, 
was  born  in  Wurtemberg.  Germany,  in  1838,  died  in  Seelyville,  Pennsylvania, 
March  3,  1914.  He  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1854,  Hving 
at  Port  Jervis,  New  York,  and  Pleasant  Mountain,  Pennsylvania,  before  settUng 
at  Seelyville,  Pennsylvania.  There  he  was  manager  of  the  grocery  and  later 
the  cheese  firm  of  G.  Smith  &  Sons,  and  spent  his  after  life  in  successful 
business  operations.  With  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  New  York  his 
entire  life  in  the  United  States  was  spent  in  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Kath- 
erine  Miller  and  she  had  issue :  Charles,  now  residing  in  Honesdale ;  Katherine, 
married  Reinhold  Schank,  of  Hancock,  New  York ;  Louisa ;  Henry,  married 
Mabel  Reuny ;  Fred ;  Emma ;  Gustave  Frederick,  of  whom   further. 

(III)  Gustave  Frederick  Smith,  youngest  of  the  children  of  Gustave  and 
Katherine  (Miller)  Smith,  was  born  at  Seelyville,  Pennsylvania,  October  18, 
1881.  His  primary,  intermediate  and  preparatory  education  was  obtained  in 
the  public  schools  of  Seelyville  and  Honesdale  high  school,  he  being  a  grad- 
uate of  the  latter  institution,  class  of  1899.  He  then  entered  Lafayette  College, 
Easton,  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated,  electrical  engineer,  class  of 
1905.  With  a  thorough  technical  knowledge  of  electricity  he  at  once  began 
its  practical  application.  He  spent  three  years  in  the  "testing"  departments 
of  the  General  Electric  Company  at  Lynn  and  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  con- 
tinuing until  1908,  when  he  came  to  Scranton.  Here  he  organized  the  Penn 
Electrical  Engineering  Company  in  association  with  T.  F.  Eynon.  They  were 
successful  in  their  undertaking,  won  the  confidence  of  the  public  whose  patron- 
age they  sought,  and  so  increased  their  business  that  in  1910  they  admitted 
O.  I.  Eberhardt,  formerly  with  the  Westinghouse  Company,  to  the  firm.  In 
1912  they  incorporated  with  V.  A.  Decker,  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Holly,  Pennsylvania,  president ;  G.  F.  Smith,  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager ;  T.  F.  Eynon,  treasurer,  O.  I.  Eberhardt,  secretary  and  sales  manager. 
The  company's  operations  include  many  important  contracts  for  modern  elec- 
trical equipment,  among  them  being  the  power  plant,  light  and  heating  system 
installed  for  the  Olyphant  Barrel  Company ;  the  plant  of  the  Honesdale  Con- 
solidated Light,  Heat  and  Power  Company  and  D.  G.  Derry  Silk  Mills ;  Bliss 
Silk  Mills ;  Punxsutawney  Silk  Company ;  William  A.  Lush  Silk  Company ; 
Haledon  Throwing  Company ;  Spencer  Coal  Company ;  South  Side  Coal  Com- 
pany; and  the  Washburne  Williams  Company.  These  contracts  included  all 
types  of  electrical  motors,  generators,  engines,  switches,  etc.,  as  well  as  the 
planning  and  all  electrical  engineering  necessary  to  produce  the  best  desired 
results.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  practical  electrical  engineer,  well  versed  in  both  theory 
and  practice,  and  thoroughly  understands  the  arrangement  and  installation  of 
the  various  engines  and  devices  needed  to  render  a  perfect  power  and  light 
service  for  central  stations,  auxiliaries,  mines,  or  industrial  plants.  In  ad- 
dition to  their  large  contracting  business,  the  company  are  jobbers  of  all  kinds 
of  electrical  apparatus  and  supplies,  also  agents  for  \Yestinghouse  Electric  ana 
Manufacturing  Company.     Their  offices  are  in  the  Traders'   Bank   Building. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Engineers'  Society  of  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, the  Exchange  Club,  of  Honesdale,  the  Masonic  Order,  Delta  Tan 
Delta  Fraternity  (Lafayette),  also  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith. 


ROSCOE  H.  KEEPER 


While  in  the  person  of  Roscoe  H.  Keflfer  the  Aetna  Life  Insurance  Com- 
pany has  an  agent  of  but  three  years'  standing,  he  has  in  that  short  time  given 
ample  proof  of  his  merit  and  ability  in  that  capacity.    He  is  a  native  of  Indiana, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


435 


a  descendant  of  John  Keffer,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1784.  John 
Keffer  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Isaac  Gibbons,  one  of  two  brothers  who 
came  to  America  from  Germany  prior  to  the  Revohition  and  took  active  part  in 
that  conflict  as  soldiers  in  the  Continental  army.  From  John  Keflrer  the  descent 
to  Roscoe  H.  is  through  George,  Harrison  K.,  Monroe  C. 

Monroe  C.  Keffer,  father  of  Roscoe  H.  Keffer,  was  born  in  1856,  son  of 
Harrison  K.  and  Phebe  Keffer,  who  were  the  parents  of  three  other  children; 
Oscar,  a  resident  of  Missouri ;  Emma,  married  B.  W.  Bonney,  of  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. ;  Karl,  a  resident  of  Three  Springs,  Pennsylvania. 

He  spent  his  life  in  the  pursuit  of  fanning  and  school-teaching,  the  latter 
being  his  prosession  for  twenty  years  of  his  life.  He  was  a  resident  of  Cot- 
tage Grove,  Indiana.  He  married  Ida,  daughter  of  William  Crume,  who  was 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War 

Roscoe  H.  Keffer  was  born  at  Cottage  Grove,  Indiana,  May  20,  1882.  His 
early  life  was  that  of  most  youths,  spent  in  attendance  at  grammar  and  high 
school,  from  which  latter  he  was  graduated  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen  years 
He  began  his  business  career  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  in  the  same  business 
as  that  in  which  he  now  engages,  insurance,  although  the  intermediate  years 
have  been  spent  as  a  commercial  traveler,  first  in  the  employ  of  the  Van  Camp 
Packing  Company  and  next  with  the  Black  Diamond  Manufacturing  Company. 
His  terms  of  service  with  these  corporations  were  two  and  eight  years,  respec- 
tively, and  in  191 1  he  resigned  his  position  with  the  latter  company,  coming 
to  Scranton  to  accept  the  office  of  manager  for  the  firm  of  Pursell  &  Dodd. 
In  January,  1913,  he  purchased  the  interests  of  this  firm  and  accepted  the  gen- 
eral agency  of  the  Aetna  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
which  he  still  retains.  With  his  youthful  experience  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness as  a  firm  foundation,  Mr.  Keffer  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  all  of  the 
many  branches  of  the  insurance  business,  and  has  had  remarkable  success  in 
selling  the  same.  While,  because  of  the  lack  of  immediate  and  tangible  benefits 
insurance  selling  is  always  a  difficult  undertaking,  Mr.  Keffer  handles  his 
proposition  with  graceful  ease  and  ability,  and  has  added  greatly  to  the  prestige 
of  his  company  in  that  region.  Mr.  Keffer  affiliates  with  the  Masonic  order, 
in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
Templar  and  the  Shrine.  His  social  connections  are  with  the  Temple  Club, 
of  which  he  is  secretary,  the  Country  Club,  the  Green  Ridge  Club,  Scranton 
Club,  and  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  In  religious  belief  a  Methodist,  he  attends  the 
services  of  that  church,  and  politically  he  supports  the  Republican  party.  He 
married,  July  i,  1905,  Olive  Eustice,  granddaughter  of  John  Eustice. 


ALBERT  N.  KRAMER 

The  firm  of  Kramer  Brothers,  the  largest  and  also  the  oldest  men's  and 
boys'  outfitters  in  Lackawanna  county,  having  been  established  by  Nathan 
Kramer  in  1849  '"  Dunmore.  is  now  located  at  No.  325  Lackawanna  avenue, 
Scranton,  where  they  have  successfully  conducted  business  for  more  than  half 
a  century. 

Nathan  Kramer,  the  father  of  the  Kramer  brothers,  and  founder  of  the 
store  by  that  name,  came  to  the  United  States  in  boyhood,  and  became  prom- 
inent and  influential  in  commercial  circles.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1875, 
the  management  of  the  business  was  taken  up  by  his  sons,  one  of  whom, 
Louis  N.,  now  a  resident  of  New  York  City,  was  active  in  Scranton  affairs, 
serving  in  the  capacity  of  vice-president  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  director  of 


436  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Dime  and  Savings  Bank,  member  of  the  Scranton  Park  Commission,  and  one 
of  the  early  supporters  and  promoters  of  the  PubHc  Library  of  that  city. 

Albert  N.  Kramer,  son  of  Nathan  Kramer,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  24,  1864.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  thus  acquiring  a 
practical  education,  and  in  early  life  he  entered  his  father's  employ,  there 
gaining  a  thorough  knowledge  of  all  departments  of  the  business,  of  which 
firm  he  is  now  the  senior  member.  Inheriting  a  strong,  vigorous  and  flourish- 
ing business,  he  directs  its  management  with  a  far-sighted,  progressive  policy, 
holding  true  to  the  standard  of  fair  dealing  established  iDy  his  father.  Mr. 
Kramer  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Keystone  Consistory,  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  His  only  other 
fraternal  relation  is  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  which 
he  is  a  life  member. 

Samuel  N.  Kramer,  son  of  Nathan  Kramer,  who  was  the  junior  member 
of  the  firm,  died  April  2,  1913.  He  was  well  known  and  respected  by  all 
who  had  the  honor  of  his  acquaintance.  He  was  connected  with  several  prom- 
inent financial  institutions,  and  in  his  memory  several  institutions  have  bene- 
fitted, the  principal  one  being  the  West  Mountain  Consumptive  Home  of  Scran- 
ton. 

L.  H.  Kramer,  son  of  Nathan  Kramer,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Kramer 
Brothers,  is  active  in  the  business  and  social  life  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  a 
member  of  Scranton  Commercial  Club  and  Excelsior  Club. 


JAMES  D.  JORDAN 


Among  the  lawyers  of  Scranton  who  have  but  recently  joined  the  ranks 
of  the  legal  profession  is  James  D.  Jordan,  whose  admission  into  the  fra- 
ternity dates  back  but  to  191 1.  He  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  Irish  family  whose 
members  are  numerous  in  this  country,  and  particularly  in  Pennsylvania,  where 
many  of  the  name  have  achieved  noteworthy  prominence  in  literary,  scientific, 
professional  and  busmess  life. 

His  grandfather,  Richard  Jordan,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Ballina,  county 
Mayo,  Ireland,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849.  He  settled  in  Arch- 
bald,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  became  a  mine  worker.  Here  he  resided  unti' 
1890  when  he  changed  his  residence  to  Scranton,  his  death  occurring  in  that 
city  two  days  later.  He  married  Bridget  Hosie ;  children:  i.  Thomas  H.,  of 
whom  further.  2.  James,  deceased,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  The  Truth.  3. 
Richard  W.,  until  1912  was  manager  of  The  Truth.  4.  John  H.,  manager  of 
Lake  Lodore  Improvement  Company.  5.  Ella,  deceased.  6.  Mary,  married 
John  T.  Swift,  of  Archbald.    7.  Elizabeth.    8.  Rose. 

Thomas  H.  Jordan  was  born  at  Archbald,  Pennsylvania,  in  185 1.  During 
his  early  life  he  followed  the  occupation  of  miner.  In  1874  he  made  his  first 
residence  in  Parsons  and  there  married  Honora,  daughter  of  Martin  and  Mar- 
garet (Kearney)  Golden.  Children  of  Martin  and  Margaret  Golden:  i. 
Patrick,  a  merchant  of  Parsons,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Bridget,  married  Alartin  J. 
Walsh ;  children :  Dr.  James  J.,  dean  of  the  medical  school  of  Fordham  Uni- 
versity and  author  of  several  works  on  Catholic  themes,  among  his  best  known 
articles  being  "The  Thirteenth  the  Greatest  of  Centuries"  and  "Popes  and 
Sciences;"  Dr.  Joseph,  a  specialist  in  tubercular  diseases,  assistant  to  Dr. 
Flick  at  the  White  Haven  Sanitarium,  Pennsylvania ;  Martin  P.,  a  real  estate 
dealer ;  Mary,  married  P.  J.  Jordan,  of  Scranton ;  Margaret,  married  John  W. 
Jordan,  of  Olyphant,  Pennsylvania ;  Josephine,  a  student  at  the  Boston  Con- 
servatory of  Music.    3.  Mary,  married  Patrick  Coxe,  and  died  in  1901  leaving 


^^11^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  437 

several  children,  among  them  Rev.  John  J.,  assistant  rector  of  St.  Patrick's 
Church,  of  Olyphant.  4.  John,  of  Scranton.  5.  Michael,  a  resident  of  Scran- 
ton.  6.  Edward,  lives  in  Parsons,  Pennsylvania ;  his  son,  Rev.  James  J.,  is 
rector  of  St.  Mary's  Church  of  Wilkes- Barre,  Pennsylvania.  7.  William.  8. 
Catherine,  married  Michael  Ruddy,  of  Parsons,  Pennsylvania.  9.  Honora,  of 
previous  mention,  married  Thomas  H.  Jordan.  Children  of  Thomas  H.  and 
Honora  (Golden)  Jordan:  i.  Rev.  Richard  D.,  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  Roman 
Catholic  Church  at  Wellsboro,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Joseph  P.,  an  insurance  brok- 
er of  Scranton.  3.  Martin  J.,  pursuing  theological  studies  at  Mount  St.  Mary's 
Theological  College,  having  already  received  the  degree  of  A.  B.  from  that 
institution,  in  1913.  4.  Mary  E.  5.  James  D.,  of  whom  further.  6.  Margaret 
M.,  a  teacher  in  Scranton  public  school.  No.  34.  7.  Rose  M.,  a  teacher  in  Scran- 
ton public  school,  No.  12. 

James  D.  Jordan  was  born  at  Parsons,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  11,  1887.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Parsons  and  Scranton,  also 
the  high  school  of  the  latter  city,  and  there  obtained  his  preliminary  education, 
completing  his  studies  at  the  University  of  Notre  Dame,  there  receiving  his 
classical  instruction.  On  June  13,  1907,  he  received  his  A.  B.  from  that  institu- 
tion and  entered  the  Law  School  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Here  he 
studied  until  1910  when  he  was  registered  as  a  student  at  law  in  the  office  of 
Mr.  Warren,  a  lawyer  of  established  reputation  in  Scranton,  to  whom  Mr. 
Jordan  owes  much  for  his  friendly  interest  and  expert  advice.  On  February 
13,  191 1,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county  and  at  once  opened 
an  office  in  the  Connell  Building,  where  he  is  still  situated. 

Although  comparatively  new  to  the  profession,  Mr.  Jordan  is  a  lawyer 
carefully  prepared  and  well  equipped  for  the  heaviest  of  legal  burdens  and  in 
the  days  to  come  should  make  good  the  promise  of  a  brilliant  future.  In  no 
other  profession  is  honor  and  strength  of  character  so  certain  to  triumph  over 
difficulties  set  for  unwary  feet,  and  with  a  past  record  beyond  reproach  the 
way  to  prominence  and  achievement  looms  bright  and  fair  for  Mr.  Jordan.  He 
is  a  Democrat  in  political  affiliation,  and  a  member  of  the  congregation  of  St. 
Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  He  is  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Institute 
of  the  states  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland. 


MARCUS  K.  BISHOP 


To  Marcus  K.  Bishop,  of  Dunmore,  has  been  accorded  the  honor  of  serving 
as  postmaster  under  two  presidents  whose  terms  of  office  were  as  widely 
separated  as  were  those  of  Andrew  Johnson  and  William  McKinley,  both  of 
which  dignitaries  appointed  Mr.  Bishop  to  that  position  in  the  government 
postal  service,  the  former  placing  him  in  charge  of  the  office  at  Hawley,  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  appointing  him  to  the  postmastership  at  Dun- 
more,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Marcus  K.  Bishop  is  of  New  England  stock,  son  of  David  Bishop  and 
grandson  of  Henry  Bishop,  his  father  a  native  of  Albany,  New  York,  his 
grandfather  born  in  Connecticut.  In  1812  David  Bishop,  accompanied  by  his 
five  brothers,  Henry,  Harvey,  Jacob,  Hiram  and  William,  made  settlement  in 
Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  became  the  owner  of  considerable 
property,  farming  and  conducting  lumbering  operations  thereon,  at  one  time 
disposing  of  two  thousand  acres  of  his  property  to  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Com- 
pany. His  line  is  of  Revolutionary  ancestry,  his  great-grandfather,  John 
Bishop,  father  of  Henry  Bishop,  having  fought  in  the  Colonial  army  in  that 
conflict.  David  Bishop  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  and  a  life- 
long   Democrat.      He    married    Maria    Thurston,    of    Esopus-on-the-Hudson. 


438  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

New  York.  Seven  children  resulted  from  this  union,  three  of  whom  survive 
to  the  present  time. 

Marcus  K.  Bishop,  son  of  David  and  Maria  (Thurston)  Bishop,  was  born 
in  Hawley,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  19,  1839.  He  was  educated 
in  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  His  studies  completed,  he  accepted  the  position  of 
assistant  postmaster  at  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  which  he  held  from  the  fall  of 
i860  until  April  21,  1861,  when  he  resigned  to  take  up  arms  in  defence  of  the 
Union.  He  became  a  sergeant  in  Company  D,  Fifteenth  Regiment  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  upon  re-enlistment  in  the  Union  ranks  became  a 
member  of  the  Ninth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Cavalry,  serving  in  that 
regiment  until  mustered  out  in  Lexington,  North  Carolina,  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  From  the  front  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Hawley,  receiving  from  Presi- 
dent Andrew  Johnson  the  appointment  as  postmaster  at  Hawley,  an  office  that 
he  filled  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  resigned  in  favor  of  a 
war-time  comrade  who  had  lost  a  leg  in  the  service  of  his  country,  Mr.  Bishop 
accepting  a  position  with  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  as  a  weigher.  In 
1869  he  moved  to  Dunmore,  being  placed  in  charge  of  the  Dunmore  breaker 
owned  by  that  company,  and  after  serving  for  thirteen  years  in  that  capacity 
entered  the  office  of  the  company  as  a  clerk.  In  April,  1898,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Dunmore  by  President  William  McKinley,  an  appointment  that 
has  since  been  confirmed  by  Presidents  Theodore  Roosevelt,  William  Howard 
Taft  and  Woodrow  Wilson,  so  that  the  span  of  years  between  Mr.  Bishop's 
first  and  latest  appointment  as  postmaster  has  been  extended  from  President 
McKinley  to  President  Wilson.  During  Mr.  Bishop's  term  of  office  Dunmore 
has  received  city  delivery,  the  increasing  population  and  the  growing  importance 
of  Dunmore  as  a  business  center  making  necessary  this  arrangement,  which 
was  accomplished  solely  through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Bishop.  Mr.  Bishop  is  a 
member  of  Ezra  Griffin  Post,  No.  139,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a  charter  member  of 
King  Solomon  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Dunmore.  He  and  his 
family  worship  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  while  he  has  been  a  life-long 
Republican. 

Mr.  Bishop  married  Janet  Thomson,  born  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Thompson,  her  parents  deceased.  Children  of  Alarcus 
K.  Bishop  and  his  wife:  Edward,  of  Davenport,  Iowa;  Julia,  married  George 
LIsk,  a  postal  clerk  of  Port  Richmond,  Staten  Island,  New  York,  now  de- 
ceased ;  Anna,  married  Charles  Penny,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  associated 
with  the  Daily  News.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  514  Fifth  street,  Dun- 
more, Pennsylvania. 


ADOLF  BLAU 


One  of  the  most  interesting  banking  houses  in  northeastern  Pennsylvania  is 
that  of  the  Blau  Banking  House,  No.  218  Lackawanna  avenue,  Scranton. 
It  is  unique  in  more  ways  than  one,  its  chief  peculiarity  being  that  on  every 
week  day  the  bank  is  open  for  business  from  8  A.  M.  to  9  P.  M.,  in  pur- 
suance of  the  motto  of  the  institution,  "Always  convenient."  Then,  too,  the 
departments  of  the  bank  distinguish  it  from  any  other  of  the  financial  houses 
of  the  city,  or,  indeed,  of  the  state.  A  booking  office  is  maintained,  where 
passage  in  all  three  classes  can  be  obtained  on  any  one  of  the  fifty-six  steam- 
ship lines,  many  of  them  transatlantic  and  others  following  coastwise  routes. 
The  foreign  exchange  is  also  a  department  of  special  interest,  inasmuch  as 
foreign  money  may  be  exchanged  for  that  of  United  States  coinage  or  vice 
versa.  A  legal  department,  for  the  preparation  of  papers  in  the  transaction  of 
business  abroad,  is  another  distinctive   feature  of  the   Blau   Banking  House. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  439 

Because  of  the  large  number  of  foreigners  patronizing  the  bank,  there  are 
clerks  employed  able  to  converse  in  every  continental  language,  so  that  the 
foreigner,  ignorant  of  English  speech,  can  nevertheless  be  possessed  of  all  the 
conveniences  that  would  be  open  to  him  with  a  conversing  knowledge  of  our 
tongue.  Having  given  this  brief  outline  of  the  workings  of  the  Blau  system, 
its  originator  and  founder,  Adolf  Blau,  known  as  one  of  the  most  progressive 
bankers  of  the  state,  must  needs  be  mentioned. 

Born  in  Ungvar,  Austria-Hungary,  on  September  13,  1869,  son  of  Joseph 
M.  and  Julia  F.  ( Freidenberg )  Blau,  Adolf  Blau  was  endowed  with  none  ot 
the  gracious  blessings  of  Providence.  His  father  dying  when  Adolf  was  but 
ten  months  old,  the  lad  was  early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and  at  the 
age  of  twelve  years  obtained  a  position  in  a  store  at  Munkacs,  where  he  re- 
mained for  four  years.  On  June  11,  1885,  he  sailed  for  the  United  States. 
After  a  few  months"  stay  in  New  York,  he  came  to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he 
was,  for  a  time,  identified  with  a  firm  conducting  an  installment  business.  He 
later  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hats  and  caps  and  while  in  this  business 
started  a  small  banking  house.  Finding  the  latter  field  to  his  liking,  in  1898 
he  came  to  Scranton,  and  on  October  i,  1898,  opened  a  branch  bank  in  Scran- 
ton.  With  the  introduction  of  his  new  departures,  the  popularity  of  the  institu- 
tion grew  by  leaps  and  bounds,  until  the  present  three-story  building,  with  a 
basement,  was  necessary  to  house  it  properly,  the  edifice  being  completed  April 
I,  191 2.  The  entire  building  is  used  for  the  accommodation  of  the  business, 
nineteen  clerks  being  employed  in  its  many  departments.  Taught  by  the 
difficulties  he  himself  had  to  overcome  when  a  stranger  in  the  land,  he  has 
endeavored  to  bring  the  advantages  of  our  banking  system  to  all  those  of 
foreign  tongue  and  has  succeeded  in  an  admirable  manner. 

Mr.  Blau  is  a  member  of  Centennial  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  ;  Wyoming  Valley  Encampment ;  Wilkes-Barre  Canton  ;  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  Scranton;  and  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons.  He  is  also  a  director  and  president  of  the  Brains  Corpora- 
tion and  fills  the  same  office  on  the  board  of  directors  of  Luna  Park. 

Mr.  Blau's  story  is  that  of  many  other  ambitious  youths,  told  in  an  entirely 
new  way.  Tireless  perseverance  and  the  ability  to  profit  by  experience,  coupled 
with  originality  and  self-confidence,  have  raised  him  far  above  the  level  of 
most  of  his  countrymen  as  well  as  above  that  of  many,  in  fact,  of  the  majority, 
of  Americans  native  born.  Sending  in  advance  his  challenge,  he  has  come  to 
play  on  our  grounds  and  has  proven  himself  the  superior  of  his  opponents. 
His  are  the  laurels,  his  the  victor's  wreath. 


WILLIAM  W.  WATKINS 

Patrons  of  music  in  the  city  of  Scranton  owe  much  to  those  bearing  the 
name  Watkins,  a  large  share  of  the  credit  for  the  lofty  position  Scranton  holds 
in  the  musical  world  being  due  to  the  eliforts  of  the  Watkins  brothers,  John 
T.  and  William  W.  It  is  with  the  latter  of  the  two  that  this  record  deals,  his 
career  being  of  interest  not  only  as  one  of  Scranton's  musical  artists  but  as 
one  of  her  business  men,  his  pharmacy  at  No.  1213  Providence  road  being  one 
well  patronized,  its  proprietor  a  recognized  master  of  his  profession. 

William  W.  Watkins,  son  of  William  W.  and  Jane  (Jones)  Watkins,  was 
born  in  Merthyr-Tydfil,  South  Wales,  May  20,  1865.  His  father  was  a  rail- 
road employee  in  that  land  and  was  the  father  of :  Thomas  W.,  a  druggist  of 
Olyphant,  Pennsylvania,  married  Maria  Evans  and  has  children — Natalia  and 
Vivien ;  Morgan  J.,  a  minister  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Pennsylvania,  married 
Sarah  Jane  Neiger,  and  has  children — Sarah,  Jennie,   Melissa,  and  William ; 


440  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Sarah,  married  John  W.  Reese,  a  druggist  of  Taylor,  Pennsylvania,  and  has — 
Eugene,  Spencer,  Chester,  Everett,  Leslie,  and  John ;  John  T.,  a  noted  musician 
of  Scranton,  married  Margaret  Lloyd  and  had  one  son,  Harold,  deceased : 
William  W.,  of  whom  further;  James  E.,  prominent  in  public  life,  married 
Mary  Davis  and  has — Mercedes,  Jean,  and  Dorothy,  deceased ;  Charles,  a 
druggist  of  Olyphant,  Pennsylvania,  married  Jennie  Davis ;  Annie ;  Richard, 
married  Annie  Beisecker,  and  is  the  father  of  Marion  and  Lois;  Edith,  mar- 
ried and  is  the  mother  of  Dorothy  and  Edith ;  Gertrude,  married  and  has  one 
son,    Ronald. 

William  W.  Watkins  vi^as  brought  to  the  United  States  when  he  was  four 
years  of  age,  his  family  settling  in  Taylorville,  three  miles  south  of  Scranton. 
where  he  was  employed  in  the  breakers  and  the  mines.  He  continued  in  this 
form  of  labor  until  1885,  when  he  left  the  mines  and  entered  the  drug  store 
maintained  by  Reese  and  Watkins.  His  general  education  had  not  been  long 
continued  or  regular,  obtained  mainly  when  the  mines  were  idle  and  at  night, 
so  he  improved  this  and  studied  pharmacy  under  the  tutelage  of  his  brother, 
Thomas  W.  In  1888  Mr.  Watkins  opened  a  small  drug  store  in  Peckville, 
Pennsylvania,  there  remaining  in  business  until  the  destructive  fire  of  1902, 
which  completely  wiped  out  the  business  section  of  the  town.  His  present 
business  location  is  at  No.  1213  Providence  road,  Scranton,  where  he  has 
erected  a  building  designed  for  a  pharmacy  with  dwelling  accommodations 
above,  where  he  and  his  family  reside.  His  patronage  is  generous  and  he  there 
attends  to  its  needs  with  profitably  gratifying  results.  His  store  is  attractively 
furnished  for  its  purpose,  and  he  carries  a  generous  stock  of  the  numerous 
articles  that  have  come  to  be  inseparably  connected  with  a  pharmacy,  the  old 
drug  store  of  other  days  being  known  no  more. 

Mr.  Watkins  is  a  musician  of  talent  and  a  devoted  follower  of  all  of  the 
important  musical  festivals,  particularly  of  the  Eisteddfod,  and  being  the 
possessor  of  a  rich  and  melodious  baritone  voice,  has  frequently  compete'! 
in  contest,  his  last  appearance  as  a  solo  contestant  being  with  the  Scran- 
ton Choral  Society  at  Brooklyn,  New  York,  the  society  being  under  the 
leadership  of  his  brother,  John  T.  Watkins.  This  took  place  in  1902,  Mr. 
Watkins  being  awarded  the  prize  in  the  baritone  contest.  The  only  great  con- 
test at  which  he  has  not  been  present  in  the  past  thirty  years  was  that  recently 
held  at  Pittsburgh,  which  he  was  unable  to  attend.  Mr.  Watkins  is  a  member 
of  the  Junger  Mannerchor  and  is  director  of  the  chorus  in  the  Court  Street 
Methodist  Church.  The  musical  endowments  that  have  so  distinguished  the 
family  will  find  perpetuation  in  the  two  sons  of  Mr.  Watkins,  both  of  whom 
possess  unusually  sweet  voices,  and,  Mrs.  Watkins  being  a  pianist  of  accom- 
plished ability,  the  family  comprises  a  quartette  of  remarkable  musical  talent. 
William  W.  Watkins  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Choral  Society ;  Union 
Lodge,  No.  291,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  the  Lackawanna  County  Druggists'  Association ; 
the  American  Druggists'  Association,  and  St.  Luke's  Episcopal  Church. 

He  married,  in  1896.  Gertrude,  daughter  of  John  Morris,  for  many  years 
auditor  of  Lackawanna  county.  They  are  the  parents  of  two  sons,  Morris, 
born  in  1897,  ^  graduate  of  the  Scranton  Technical  High  School,  June,  1914: 
Torrington,  born  in  1902,  a  student  in  Public  School  No.  40,  of  Scranton. 


ALFRED  TENNYSON  HUNT 

Alfred  Tennyson  Hunt,  an  able  banker  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  is  a 
descendant  of  a  family  which  has  been  resident  in  America  for  a  number  of 
generations.  Six  brothers  of  the  Hunt  family  came  over  with  Cromwell's 
party  from  England,  and  one  of  these  brothers  was  the  forefather  of  Alfred 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  441 

Tennyson  Hunt.  The  name  of  Hunt  is  derived  from  the  Saxon  word,  Hunti, 
meaning  wolf. 

(I)  George  Hunt,  grandfather  of  Alfred  Tennyson  Hunt,  as  a  wheelwright 
and  general  store  keeper,  was  a  most  successful  business  man,  and  the  qualities 
which  contributed  to  his  success  appear  to  have  been  transmitted  to  his  descen- 
dant in  rich  measure.  He  married  (first)  Dollie  More,  who  bore  him  two 
children:  James  More  and  Elizabeth  M.  He  married  (second)  Betty  More, 
twin  of  Dollie  More,  his  first  wife,  who  bore  him  two  children:  Dollie,  and 
Emma,  deceased. 

(H)  James  More  Hunt,  son  of  George  and  Dollie  (More)  Hunt,  was  born 
at  Prattsville,  New  York,  in  1841.  In  1869  he  removed  to  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where,  having  found  employment,  he  brought  his  family  and  resided 
until  his  death  in  1897.  For  a  year  or  so  he  was  engaged  as  clerk  in  the 
Continental  Mine  Store.  Subsequently  he  formed  a  partnership  with  T.  J. 
Megargel  under  the  firm  name  of  Megargel  &  Hunt,  and  opened  a  grocery  store 
at  the  corner  of  Lackawanna  and  Washington  avenues,  which  was  conducted 
successfully  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  He  then  engaged  in  business  inde- 
pendently, and  retired  from  active  business  pursuits  in  1884.  He  married 
Mary  Ellen  Brandow,  of  Prattsville,  New  York,  who  bore  him  three  children : 
Alice  M.,  deceased;  Bessie  M. :  Alfred  Tennyson. 

(HI)  Alfred  Tennyson  Hunt,  only  son  of  James  More  and  Mary  Ellen 
(Brandow)  Hunt,  was  born  at  Prattsville,  Greene  county.  New  York,  July 
25,  1866.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton  and  graduated 
from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1884.  and  during  the  last  three  years  of 
his  school  life  was  employed  as  clerk  in  a  grocery.  After  graduation  he  entered 
the  local  office  of  Dun  &  Company's  Mercantile  Agency  as  a  clerk,  advancing 
to  the  position  of  reporter,  in  which  capacity  he  studied  local  credits  and  be- 
came familiar  with  the  financial  standing  of  the  various  business  houses  of 
Scranton,  and  remained  with  this  company  for  a  period  of  about  three  and 
one-half  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  decided  to  devote  himself  to  bank- 
ing and  secured  a  position  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  December 
I,  1887.  During  the  first  ten  years  of  his  employment  with  the  bank  Mr.  Hunt 
filled  various  positions,  and  at  the  expiration  of  this  period  was  appointed 
chief  bookkeeper,  in  charge  of  the  savings  department,  in  connection  with 
which  he  acted  as  substitute  receiving  teller,  thus  obtaining  a  general  knowledge 
of  practical  banking.  On  April  4.  1908,  he  was  appointed  assistant  cashier  in 
charge  of  the  credit  department,  in  which  capacity  he  is  still  serving  and  has 
the  entire  confidence  of  the  officers  of  the  bank  and  the  esteem  of  his  fellow 
workers.  He  is  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church  ; 
member  of  the  manufacturers  committee  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade, 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Electric  City  Land  Improvement  Company,  and 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Scranton  Land  Company,  a  New  York  state 
corporation. 

Mr.  Hunt  married,  November  18,  1890,  Jennie  S.  Durand,  in  Addison, 
New  York.    Their  only  child,  Adelaide  Durand,  was  born  September  24,  1892. 


J.  EDWIN  WEISSENFLUH 

While  historians  glibly  assert  that  the  path  and  course  of  civilization, 
culture  and  achievement  moves  westward,  certainly  for  Mr.  Weissenfluh,  the 
course  of  all  three  has  taken  an  eastward  trend,  although  to  a  youth  possessing 
to  such  a  marked  degree  the  qualities  that  he  has  displayed  in  school  and  busi- 
ness life,  rules  of  historians  or  savants  must  needs  lose  the  greater  part  of  their 
eflfect.     Born  in  Kansas,  as  a  young  man  he  came  to  the  East,  where  all  of 


442  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

his  advanced  education  was  obtained  and  his  business  career  passed.  He  is  a 
son  of  a  Swiss  father,  the  third  of  a  hne  of  Johns,  the  first  John,  the  great- 
grandfather of  J.  Edwin,  having  been  a  guide  for  Emperor  Napoleon  of  France 
when,  Hke  Hannibal,  he  crossed  the  Alps  and  descended  into  the  fertile  plains  of 
Italy.  John,  father  of  J.  Edwin  Weissenfluh,  was  born  in  Berne,  Switzerland, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  in  boyhood.  The  passage  of  events  carried  him 
to  the  West  and  for  many  years  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  He 
married  Emma  Bosiey,  and  had  two  children :  Hilda,  J.  Edwin,  of  whom 
further. 

J.  Edwin  Weissenfluh,  only  son  of  John  and  Emma  (Bosiey)  Weissenfluh, 
was  born  in  Wichita,  Kansas,  October  ii,  1881,  and  there  attended  the  public 
schools  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  From  that  time  his  education  was 
earned  solely  through  his  own  unaided  efforts,  the  methods  he  employed  to  gain 
funds  to  enable  him  to  secure  adequate  instruction  along  lines  that  he  felt 
would  be  beneficial  and  the  entire  story  of  his  winning  fight  for  an  education 
providing  a  story  interesting  in  the  extreme  and  one  that  arouses  sincere  respect 
for  him  who  had  the  courage,  fortitude  and  will  power  to  pursue  such  a  course 
to  the  successful  end.  In  1898  he  moved  to  Scranton,  there  attending  the  high 
school,  supporting  himself  by  performing  garden  work  in  the  summer  and  by 
caring  for  furnaces  in  the  winter,  on  the  grounds  and  in  the  homes  of  some  of 
Scranton's  prominent  citizens.  He  was  regular  in  his  attendance  at  the  Scran- 
ton High  School,  his  outside  duties  being  performed  outside  of  school  hours, 
and  graduated  from  two  of  the  courses  offered  by  the  curriculum,  viz.,  com- 
mercial and  English,  completing  seven  years'  work  in  four  years,  the  first 
student  ever  to  have  accomplished  this  feat.  His  preparatory  education  suc- 
cessfully acquired,  he  then  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  enrolling  in 
the  Wharton  School,  a  student  in  commerce  and  finance,  completing  in  three 
years  the  work  prescribed  for  four.  His  expenses  at  the  University  during 
this  period  were  paid  by  the  profits  from  a  boarding  club  he  established,  and 
the  second  case  in  which  his  originality  and  initiative  brought  him  concrete- 
results.  Thus  fitted  for  a  business  career  he  returned  to  Scranton.  entering 
the  employ  of  the  Scranton  Dime  Bank  and  later  that  of  R.  G.  Dun  &  Com- 
pany, mercantile  agency,  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  himself  for  a  brokerage 
business.  On  January  i,  1906,  he  accepted  a  position  with  Brooks  &  Company, 
investment  bankers,  as  bond  salesman,  Mr.  Brooks  having  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  his  career.  Air.  Weissenfluh  three  years  previously  having" 
tended  his  garden.  For  five  years  he  was  employed  in  the  office  of  this  com- 
pany, and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  was  admitted  to  a  partnership  in  the 
firm.  There  is  little  doubt  that,  endowed  with  the  qualities  that  have  made  his 
career  thus  far  one  of  brilliant  success,  Mr.  Weissenfluh  will  not  lower  the- 
ideals  that  he  has  set  up  as  a  standard,  and  that  future  years  should  bring  him 
a  goodly  yield  of  prosperity  and  happiness,  richly  deserved. 

Mr.  Weissenfluh  is  a  member  of  Alpha  Tau  Omega  Fraternity,  to  which  he- 
was  elected  while  at  College,  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Scranton  Country  Club, 
the  Green  Ridge  Club,  the  Westmoreland  Club  and  the  Franklin  Club,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  Club  of  New  York  City  and  the 
Manufacturers'  Club  of  Philadelphia.  In  all  of  these  organizations  he  is  an 
active  member,  retaining  a  love  of  athletics  and  outdoor  life  from  his  college 
days,  when,  besides  loyally  supporting  all  of  the  college  teams,  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  varsity  football  team  and  wrestling  teams.  He  was  also  instrumenta' 
in  the  organization  of  the  Intercollegiate  Wrestling  Association.  Mr.  Weissen- 
fluh is  also  connected  in  an  official  way  with  many  corporations,  being  president 
of  the  North  Michigan  Water  Company,  and  also  of  the  Cochocten  Light  ano- 
Power  Company,  and  vice-president  of  the  Central  Realty  Company. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  443 

]Mr.  Weissenfluh  married,  in  April,  1906,  Mary  L.  Greeley,  a  relative  of 
Horace  Greeley,  of  editorial  and  political  fame.  They  are  the  parents  of  a 
daughter,  Hilda,  born  in  1907. 


WILLIAAl  E.  GILHOOL 

Ever  since  the  arrival  in  the  United  States  of  Timothy  Gilhool,  the  name 
has  been  connected  with  manufacturing  interests  in  Pennsylvania,  William 
E.  Gilhool  continuing  in  Scranton  a  business  founded  by  his  father.  This 
branch  of  the  name  is  of  short  residence  in  the  United  States,  Timothy  Gilhool 
having  been  born  in  Ireland,  whence  he  came  to  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, there  obtaining  work  in  a  shop.  He  later  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre  and 
was  there  employed  until  1870,  in  which  year  he  came,  to  Scranton  and  opened 
a  wagon  and  blacksmith  shop  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  at  first  in  a  small  way, 
but  being  industrious  and  gaining  a  reputation  for  square  dealing  the  business 
grew  to  large  proportions.  To  Timothy  Gilhool  belongs  the  distinction  of  having 
built  the  first  hose  wagon  used  by  a  fire-fighting  force  in  the  city  of  Scranton, 
a  vehicle  manufactured  in  his  shops  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  a  site  now  oc- 
cupied by  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Depot.  Timothy  Gilhool  married  Mary 
Murray,  and  had  children :  William  E.,  of  whom  further ;  John  H. ;  Thomas 
F. ;  Anna,  deceased;  Edith.  Mr.  Gilhool  died  in  1883,  and  Mrs.  Gilhool  diea 
in  1904. 

William  E.  Gilhool,  son  of  Timothy  Gilhool,  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  23,  1858.  He  was  brought  to  Scranton 
by  his  parents,  in  which  place  he  attended  the  public  schools,  completing  his 
studies  with  a  high  school  course.  He  then  entered  his  father's  wagon  and 
blacksmith  shop,  later  learning  wagon-making,  and  in  1890  became  proprietor 
of  the  business,  manufacturing  wagons  and  auto  trucks,  having  to  his  credit 
the  manufacture  of  the  first  auto  bus  made  in  Scranton.  His  present  factoiy 
is  at  the  corner  of  Walnut  street  and  Washington  avenue,  the  home  of  an  in- 
dustry, one  of  the  oldest  of  its  kind  in  the  city  and  one  of  the  most  flourishing. 
The  name  Gilhool  on  wagon,  truck,  carriage  or  fire  apparatus  stands  for  quality, 
forty-four  years  of  success  telling  the  story  better  than  words.  The  designing 
of  automobile  busses  and  automobile  bodies  are  specialties  with  Mr.  Gilhool, 
also  painting.  Mr.  Gilhool  and  his  brother.  John  H.  Gilhool,  were  members 
of  the  Nay  Aug  Fire  Company,  which  at  its  organization  was  unable  to  obtain 
money  from  the  municipal  government  for  the  purchase  of  equipment  and 
consequently  was  compelled  to  buy  its  own  engine  and  horses  to  draw  it. 

Mr.  Gilhool  married  Catherine  Gearns,  and  has  one  son,  Joseph.  Residence, 
No.  1 53 1  Capouse  avenue. 


EDGAR  A.  FENSTERMACHER 

A  musician  of  innate  talent,  Edgar  A.  Fenstermacher  is  known  to 
Scranton  not  only  as  a  talented  performer  upon  several  musical  instruments, 
but  as  a  dealer  in  such  instalments.  He  is  a  noted  pipe  organist  and  has  played 
in  several  churches  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  Thus  he  is  acquainted  in  the 
artistic  world  of  Scranton,  for  the  city  has  many  patrons  of  the  arts,  and  in 
the  commercial  world  of  the  same  city,  and  holds  high  reputation  in  each. 
Mr.  Fenstermacher  was  born  in  Wapwallopen,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
son  of  Michael  W.  and  Josephine  (Everard)  Fenstermacher,  grandson  of  Wil- 
liam and  Rebecca  (Hess)  Fenstermacher,  and  great-grandson  of  Philip  ai'd 
Rachel  (Harter)  Fenstermacher.  William  and  Rebecca  (Hess)  Fenstermacher 
were  the  parents  of:  Michael  W.,  of  whom  further;  Pauline,  married  Daniel 


444  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Snyder ;  Catherine,  married  Peter  Good ;  Saville,  married  Jacob  Hippenstel ; 
Parmelia,  married  Philip  Peters;  Marie,  married  Philip  F.  Peters;  Sarah, 
married  Aaron  Bittenbender. 

(II)  Michael  W.  Fenstermacher,  son  of  William  and  Rebecca  (Hess) 
Fenstermacher,  was  bom  in  Wapwallopen,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  throughout  his  active  life,  retiring  from 
business  in  1907.  His  wife,  Josephine,  was  a  daughter  of  George  Everard,  of 
Robbie,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  children :  Edgar  A.,  of 
whom  further;  Scott  E..  a  jewelry  and  automobile  dealer  of  Berwick,  Penn- 
sylvania, married  Laura  Snyder  and  has  two  children,  Leroy  and  Loletta; 
Carrie,  married  Charles  Andres  and  has  one  son.  Dale. 

(III)  Edgar  A.  Fenstermacher,  son  of  Michael  W.  and  Josephine  (Ever- 
ard) Fenstermacher,  was  born  April  5,  1871.  He  obtained  a  general  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Luzerne  county.  As  a  youth  he  began  the  study 
of  music,  pursuing  the  same  under  private  direction  for  nine  years,  after 
which  he  was  for  one  year  a  student  in  the  Philadelphia  Musical  Academy. 
Until  1892  he  was  a  teacher  of  music,  his  pupils  residents  of  his  native 
town  and  neighboring  villages.  In  that  year  he  moved  to  Nescopeck,  con- 
tinuing as  an  instructor  in  music  and  at  the  same  time  holding  position  as 
choir  director  and  organist  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Berwick, 
Pennsylvania.  Six  years  later,  in  1898,  Mr.  Fenstermacher  came  to  Scranton, 
and  was  for  three  years  associated  with  N.  A.  Hulbert.  a  piano  dealer  of  the 
city,  at  the  end  of  that  time  becoming  connected  with  J.  W.  Guernsey,  pro- 
prietor of  one  of  the  largest  musical  instrument  stores  in  the  city.  In  1907 
he  entered  this  line  as  an  independent  dealer,  and  the  seven  years  that  separate 
that  time  and  the  present  have  witnessed  the  upbuilding  of  a  flourishing  and 
substantial  trade,  to  which  Mr.  Fenstermacher  has  applied  himself  with  ener- 
getic enthusiasm.  His  line  includes  pianos,  mechanical  players,  all  styles  of 
talking  machines,  and  varied  wind  and  string  instruments  too  numerous  for 
mention,  while  the  best  musical  scores  and  shorter  compositions  are  a  part  of 
the  stock  carried. 

Mr.  Fenstermacher,  for  the  past  nine  years,  has  been  organist  and  choir 
director  of  the  Asbury  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Not  only  is  he  an  ac- 
complished entertainer,  but  is  skilled  in  the  choice  of  vocal  performers  and 
their  training,  the  musical  programs  of  the  Asbury  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
making  the  service  one  most  beautiful  and  impressive.  He  is  also  one  of  the 
members  of  the  official  board.  His  artistic  prominence  and  his  business  suc- 
cess have  advanced  hand  in  hand,  the  one  furthering  the  other,  he  and  his 
patrons  finding  a  common  interest  in  their  musical  tastes,  a  means  of  inter- 
course being  thus  established  that  would  be  impossible  to  the  majority  of 
proprietors  or  salesmen,  however  excellent  their  ability. 

He  is  a  Republican  in  political  choice,  and  holds  membership  in  the  Asbury 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  fraternizes  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protec- 
tive Order  of  Elks,  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  and  holds  the  thirty-second  degree  in 
the  Masonic  Order,  his  lodge  being  Union,  No.  291,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  in 
this  society  he  belongs  to  Keystone  Consistory,  thirty-second  degree,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and  to  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Fenstermacher  married,  at  Lee,  Pennsylvania,  Alvert  A.,  daughter  of 
William  F.  McQuown.  of  Warrior  Run,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fenster- 
macher are  the  parents  of:  Marqueene  A.,  born  in  1897;  Arline  A.,  twin  of 
Marqueene  A.,  Edgar  A.  Jr.,  born  July  11,  191 1. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  445 

GEORGE  FELTON 

A  Scrantonian  by  birth  and  almost  constant  residence,  Mr.  Felton,  one 
of  the  successful  business  men  of  the  city,  has  achieved  that  success  by  an 
energy  and  ability  that  stamps  him  as  a  citizen  of  whom  his  native  city  may 
well  be  proud  to  acknowledge  as  one  of  her  sons. 

George  Felton  was  born  in  Scranton,  at  No.  129  Penn  avenue.  May  27, 
1868,  son  of  Peter  Felton,  and  maternal  grandson  of  George  Keller,  the  latter 
a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  then  under  French  rule.  George  Keller  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1840,  located  at  Utica,  New  York,  where  he  followed  the  trade 
of  stone  cutter  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  married,  in  1842,  Margaret  Schug, 
of  St.  Johnsville,  New  York,  born  there  in  1826.  Children:  ]Mary,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  Peter  Felton;  George  (2),  deceased;  Margaret,  deceased; 
Sophia,  married  N.  Albicker ;  John,  a  resident  of  Scranton ;  Anna,  married  a 
Mr.  Werthman,  of  Utica,  New  York. 

Peter  Felton,  born  in  Cologne,  Germany,  in  1831,  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1850.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  learned  of  the  discoveries  of  precious  metal 
in  the  West  and  joined  a  company  of  "gold  seekers"  bound  for  California.  He 
spent  several  years  in  the  gold  fields  with  varying  success,  then  joined  a  govern- 
ment surveying  expedition  bound  for  Alaska.  He  spent  ten  years  in  that,  then 
little  known,  northern  land,  finally  returning  to  the  United  States  and  settling 
on  a  farm  in  the  state  of  Wisconsin.  In  1866  he  moved  to  Utica,  New  York, 
where  he  engaged  in  teaming  and  draying  in  partnership  with  his  wife's  uncle, 
Nicholas  Schug,  and  continued  there  until  1867.  In  1868  he  came  to  Scranton. 
entered  into  partnership  with  George  Keller  and  was  associated  with  him  for 
one  year,  when  he  returned  to  Utica  and  engaged  in  the  same  line  of  business 
which  he  conducted  successfully  up  to  1895,  when  he  retired  and  so  lived  until 
his  death  in  1902.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Keller,  and  had  is- 
sue: George,  of  whom  further;  Margaret,  married  Henry  Hofifman,  of  Utica, 
New  York;  Anthony  P.,  a  merchant  of  Madison,  Wisconsin;  Sophia,  a  resi- 
dent of  Utica;  Gertrude,  also  a  resident  of  Utica. 

George  Felton  was  educated  in  a  private  school  at  Utica.  New  York,  and 
at  the  Academy  of  the  Assumption,  of  the  same  city,  from  which  latter  institu- 
tion he  was  graduated  in  1882.  After  completing  his  studies  he  came  to  Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  locksmith,  engaged  in  the 
cutlery  business  as  clerk,  working  for  George  Keller  until  1889,  when  he  be- 
gan business  for  himself  at  No.  226  Spruce  street,  dealing  in  all  kinds  of 
cutlery  and  sporting  goods,  also  continuing  locksmithing.  His  store  became 
very  popular  and  his  trade  so  large  that  he  sought  a  location  where  he  could 
accommodate  his  rapidly  increasing  trade.  This  he  found  at  No.  136  Penn 
avenue,  but  eight  months  after  occupying  his  new  and  enlarged  store,  it  proved 
wholly  inadequate,  and  he  again  sought  larger  quarters.  This  he  found  at 
the  corner  of  Penn  avenue  and  Spruce  street,  where  he  remained  until  1899, 
when  he  purchased  the  store  and  business  of  George  Keller  at  No.  119  Penn 
avenue,  where  he  yet  remains.  While  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  since 
1889  and  has  made  the  several  moves  in  locations  noted,  his  stores  have  all 
been  in  the  same  city  block.  George  Keller  and  Peter  Felton  were  in  business 
as  partners  at  the  present  location  from  1868  to  1869,  George  Keller  continuing 
until  succeeded  by  George  Felton.  The  present  business  is  a  most  prosperous 
one,  Mr.  Felton  having  made  his  store  wherever  located,  headquarters  for  the 
cutlery  and  sporting  goods  trade.  Himself  an  expert  lock  and  gunsmith,  this 
has  ever  been  an  important  department  of  his  business  and  one  that  he  has 
built  up  to  large  proportions.  He  is  popular  with  his  trade  and  by  practicing 
the  "square  deal"  in  all  things  has  become  a  recognized  leader  in  his  line  of 


446  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Bicycle  Club ;  the  Scranton  Lieder- 
kranz ;  treasurer  of  Camp  No.  63,  United  Sportsmen  of  Pennsylvania ;  mem- 
ber of  the  congregation  of  St.  Peter's  Cathedral  (Roman  Catholic)  and  an 
Independent  in  politics. 

Mr.  Felton  married,  in  1892,  Catherine,  a  daughter  of  William  Servatius, 
the  latter  a  druggist  at  Utica,  New  York,  now  in  his  seventy-fourth  year. 
Children:  Mary  Antoinetta,  born  April  4,  1893;  Theodore  G.,  May  15,  1894, 
now  deceased;  William  P.,  February  2,  1897;  Ruth  Catherine,  July  14,  1901  ; 
Carl  Robert,  August  27,  1908. 


PETER  STIPP 


A  story  of  real  attainment,  of  steady  progress  from  humble  circumstances 
to  an  important,  honorable  and  commanding  position,  a  height  gained  not  by 
a  meteoric  rise,  but  by  gradual,  constant  advance,  is  that  of  Peter  Stipp,  on^ 
of  the  leading  contractors  of  Scranton.  An  industrious,  hard  working  Teuton, 
the  secret  of  his  success  is  an  open  one,  and  based  upon  the  gospel  of  labor. 
a  religion  never  deserting  its  followers,  but  ever  leading  them  on  across  the 
Jordan  of  adversity  into  the  Canaan  of  reward. 

Peter  Stipp,  son  of  Ludwig  and  Mary  Anna  (Diedrich)  Stipp,  was  born 
in  Rheinpfalz,  Germany,  September  30,  1858.  His  father  was  a  contractor, 
conducting  operations  in  a  small  way,  and  Peter  Stipp  learned  the  trade  of 
mason  and  brick-layer,  following  this  while  he  was  a  young  man.  In  accor- 
dance with  the  regulations  of  the  German  government,  he  served  in  the  army, 
attaining  the  highest  rank  open  to  first  enlistment  men,  that  of  corporal.  About 
1881  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Oxford,  New  Jersey,  coming 
to  Scranton  a  year  later.  Here  he  established  in  business  for  himself,  applying 
himself  to  his  occupation  with  the  undivided  concentration  that  characterizes 
his  race,  gradually  acquiring  larger  and  more  profitable  interests.  Prosperity 
seemed  to  come  to  him  in  such  an  unpretentious  manner  that  to  define  the 
different  periods  in  the  accumulation  of  his  fortune  and  the  formation  of  his 
varied  connections  is  most  difficult.  Soon  after  starting  upon  building  opera- 
tions, he  opened  a  quarry  near  Olive  and  Colfax  streets,  from  which  he  pro- 
cured much  of  the  stone  used  in  building  as  well  as  a  large  amount  of  broken 
stone  for  use  in  concrete  work,  which,  in  view  of  its  newly  demonstrated  effi- 
ciency, is  becoming  extremely  popular  as  a  building  material.  He  sells  part  of 
the  quarry's  output  of  local  trade,  employing  about  forty-five  men  in  the  quarry- 
ing of  the  product.  In  his  different  operations  throughout  the  city,  Mr.  Stipp 
employs  a  force  of  about  fifty-five  men.  Some  of  the  Scranton  buildings 
erected  by  him  are  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Guernsey  Building, 
the  Petersburg  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Myrtle  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  the  office  building  of  the  International  Correspondence  Schools, 
generally  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  beautiful  buildings  in  the  city.  In 
1910  he  purchased  the  Scranton  Vitrified  Brick  Company,  manufacturers  of 
paving  brick,  a  concern  employing  about  sixty  people.  A  trait  that  has  char- 
acterized Mr.  Stipp'.-  business  career  is  that  he  has  never  been  contented  with 
the  more  modest  forms  of  his  contracting  operations,  but  has  ever  reached 
upward  and  gained  control  of  the  very  fountain  heads  of  his  business. 

Mr.  Stipp  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles,  holding  the  thirty-second  degree, 
and  is  a  member  and  past  master  of  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Melita  Commandery. 
Knights  Templar,  of  which  he  is  captain  general;  Keystone  Consistory,  Sov- 
ereign Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  and  is  a  noble  of  Irem  Temple.  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine.     He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Krieger-Verein,  an  organiza- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  447 

tion  composed  of  soldiers  who  have  seen  service  in  the  Kaiser's  army ;  the 
the  Liederkranz ;  the  German  American  National  Alliance,  of  which  he  is  a 
life  member,  and  of  the  Lackawanna  branch  of  the  German  American  Al- 
liance, of  which  he  is  president.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Builder's  Exchange. 
His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  Republican  party,  and  for  six  years  he 
has  served  on  the  Scranton  Select  Council,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  City 
Planning  Commission.  He  and  his  family  are  all  allied  with  the  German 
Lutheran  church. 

He  married  Lena  Wehrung,  a  native  of  Scranton.  His  two  sons,  Harry 
and  Peter  Jr.,  are  associated  with  him  in  business.  Mr.  Stipp's  career  has  been 
one  of  usefulness  to  the  city  of  Scranton.  With  her  best  interests  he  has  be- 
come permanently  identified  and  his  part  in  her  growth  has  been  well  and 
manfully  borne.  His  fine  social  qualities,  genial  disposition  and  unswerving 
loyalty  to  his  friends  have  gone  far  towards  assisting  in  placing  him  among 
the  foremost  of  Scranton's  reputable  business  men.  The  courteous  manner  in 
which  he  receives  every  one,  be  they  strangers  or  old  friends,  make  it  a  pleas- 
ure to  be  in  his  society. 


LUDWIG  T.  STIPP 


Ludwig  Theobald  Stipp  is  the  third  member  of  the  Stipp  family  who  has 
attained  prominence  in  the  field  of  contracting  and  building  in  the  city  of 
Scranton,  the  others  being  his  brothers,  Peter  and  Matthias. 

Ludwig  T.  Stipp,  son  of  Ludwig  and  Mary  Anna  (Diedrich)  Stipp,  was 
born  in  Rheinpfalz,  Germany,  October  23,  1870.  His  father  conducted  a 
small  contracting  business,  and  under  his  preceptorship  Ludwig  T.  laid  the 
foundation  for  his  trade  when  only  a  youth.  When  he  was  but  thirteen  years 
of  age  he  spent  eighteen  months  in  England,  Ireland  and  Scotland  with  the 
German  Band,  and  in  the  spring  of  1886  came  to  New  York  and  later  to 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  came  to  this  country  also  with  the  German  Band. 
At  Scranton  he  was  employed  and  finished  his  trade.  Being  then  seized  by  a 
wandering  spirit  and  a  desire  to  see  more  of  the  new  land  to  which  he  had 
come,  he  traveled  for  a  time,  following  his  occupation  up  to  twenty  years  of 
age,  when  he  was  made  foreman.  In  1890  he  returned  to  Scranton  and  for 
fifteen  years  was  foreman  and  general  superintendent  in  the  employ  of  his 
brother,  Peter  Stipp,  discontinuing  his  connection  in  that  capacity  in  1905, 
when  he  established  in  independent  business.  In  this  enterprise  he  has  met 
with  a  great  deal  of  success,  and  has  erected  many  public  buildings  as  well 
as  private  dwellings  in  the  city.  Some  of  the  edifices  whose  construction  he 
supervised  are  Hyde  Park  School  No.  41,  School  No.  42  at  Colfax  and  Mul- 
berry streets,  the  Administration  Building,  the  Pennsylvania  Baking  Company 
Building,  the  Duryea  High  School  Building,  the  Keystone  Bank  Building,  the 
city  stables,  the  electric  sub-station  at  Carbondale  and  the  store-house  and 
office  building  of  the  Scranton  Electrical  Company.  He  now  has  in  process  of 
building  the  illuminating  plant  of  the  Scranton  Electrical  Company,  the  large 
boiler  plant  of  the  Electrical  Company,  the  cooling  tower  plant  of  the  Electrical 
Company,  which  is  the  largest  in  the  state,  the  Van  Dyke  Piano  factory,  the 
Keller-Dunham  Piano  factory,  and  in  addition  numerous  other  buildings. 

Mr.  Stipp  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  is  past  master  of  Schiller 
Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  also  belonging  to  Lackawanna  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  Keystone 
Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret;  and  is  a  noble  of  Irem 
Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  German  American  Alliance,  the  Builders'  Ex- 


448  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

change,  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Board  of  Trade,  the  Liederkranz,  of  which  he 
has  for  four  years  been  president.  With  his  wife  he  is  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  church. 

Mr.  Stipp  married  (first)  Carrie,  daughter  of  Charles  Raffeld,  who  died  in 
1900,  a  daughter,  Annie  E.,  surviving  her.  He  married  (second)  Kathrina, 
daughter  of  Heinrich  Falk,  of  Hessen  Darmstadt,  Germany;  children:  George 
L.,  who  died  at  five  years  of  age ;  Elizabeth,  Louisa. 

Ludwig  T.  Stipp  has  gained  a  high  position  in  the  society  of  Scranton,  and 
is  honored  and  respected  for  his  uprightness  of  character.  His  success  has 
been  through  the  same  medium  that  characterized  the  progress  of  his  brothers, 
intelligently  and  conscientiously  applied  effort. 


JACOB  BESSMER 


The  earliest  ancestor  of  this  branch  in  America  is  John  D.  Bessmer,  born 
in  Germany,  who  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  Yor'-  City,  and  in 
1849  joined  the  gold-seekers  in  their  California  journey.  Since  then  all  trace 
of  him  is  lost. 

(II)  Christopher  D.  Bessmer,  son  of  John  D.  Bessmer,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many and  came  to  this  country  when  young.  He  became  a  contractor  and 
with  his  uncle  contracted  the  erection  of  portions  of  both  the  Second  and 
Third  avenue  elevated  lines  in  New  York  City.  Later  he  located  in  Scran- 
ton, becoming  superintendent  in  charge  of  the  rolling  mill  of  the  Lackawanna 
Iron  and  Steel  Company.  He  retired  from  the  steel  business  several  years  ago 
and  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides.  He  married  Charlotte 
Schmidt,  and  has  issue:  John  C,  Christian  B.,  Jacob,  of  whom  further,  Chris- 
tina C,  Frederick  D.,  Anna. 

(III)  Jacob  Bessmer,  son  of  Christopher  D.  and  Charlotte  (Schmidt) 
Bessmer,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  November  13,  1882.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  in  Scranton  and  New  York  schools.  He  served  a  three 
years'  apprenticeship  at  the  trade  of  machinist,  working  in  Scranton.  From 
here  he  went  to  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  entering  the  employ  of  the  Locomo- 
bile Company,  and  spending  two  years  with  that  company  as  traveling  sales- 
man. Returning  to  Scranton,  he  organized  the  Economy  Automobile  Company 
and  the  Lackawanna  Vulcanizing  Company,  being  president  of  both  companies 
since  August,  1907.  Mr.  Bessmer  thoroughly  understands  his  business  and  has 
been  uniformly  successful.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married,  June  12,  1907,  Mary  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  David  Seal.     Child,  Edward  D.,  born  September  22,  1909. 


GEORGE  HOWELL  WINANS 

For  more  than  half  a  century  one  line  of  business  has  been  followed  by  two 
generations  of  the  Winans  family  in  Scranton,  sign-painting,  George  Green 
Winans,  father  of  George  Howell  Winans,  being  the  first  artisan  in  Scranton 
to  follow  that  craft.  Since  1886  that  has  been  the  calling  of  his  son,  George 
Howell  Winans,  the  scope  of  his  business  a  wide  one,  extending  throughout  the 
entire  Scranton  district.  For  years  the  name  Winans  has  appeared  as  the 
executor  of  striking  and  attractive  advertising  features,  and  the  business  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  Winans  at  the  present  time  holds  prominent  position  among  other 
concerns  engaged  in  the  same  line. 

(I)  New  Jersey  residence  was  owned  by  this  family  prior  to  its  settlement 
in  Pennsylvania,  Elihu  Winans,  grandfather  of  George  Howell  Winans,  hav- 
ing been  a  native  of  Elizabeth,  in  that  state.    He  moved  to  Scranton,  there  mar- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  449 

ried,  and  for  nearly  all  of  his  active  life  was  connected  with  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company  in  the  capacity  of  tinsmith.  He 
married  Charlotte  Randolph,  one  of  his  sons  being  George  Green,  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  George  Green  Winans,  son  of  Elihu  and  Charlotte  (Randolph)  Wi- 
nans,  was  born  at  Belvidere,  New  Jersey,  in  1839,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1907.  His  occupation  was  that  of  sign  painter,  as  has  been  previous- 
ly stated,  and  this  he  followed  for  a  time  in  Philadelphia,  in  i860  moving  to 
Scranton.  He  was  the  first  of  his  calling  in  the  city  and  in  conection  with  sign 
painting  conducted  paper  hanging  and  general  painting  operations,  his  working 
force  frequently  numbering  thirty  men.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  slate  quarry, 
which  was  operated  under  his  direction  and  from  which  he  realized  a  generous 
revenue,  and  became  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  land  known  now  as  the  "Wi- 
nans Addition,"  the  site  of  numerous  dwellings,  the  extension  of  the  city  limits 
having  included  that  within  Scranton's  boundaries.  Mr.  Winans  was  of  a 
mechanical  and  inventive  turn  of  mind,  and  secured  patents  upon  a  ladder 
and  a  window  jack,  both  of  which  he  had  been  perfecting  when  he  found  a 
few  leisure  moments^  free  from  the  press  of  business.  He  married  Hannah 
(Hughes)  Howell,  widow  of  Thomas  Howell,  who  was,  with  her  brother, 
owner  of  the  Mount  Pleasant  mines.  By  her  previous  marriage  she  was  the 
mother  of:  Henry  T.,  died  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  in  1913,  married  Jessie 
Frink  and  had  one  son,  Albert  W. ;  Lizzie,  married  William  H.  Schliffer,  of 
Brooklyn,  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winans  were  the  parents  of:  Minnie, 
married  W.  K.  Richart,  of  Scranton,  and  has  two  children,  Howard  and  Mary; 
George  Howell,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  George  Howell  Winans,  son  of  George  Green  and  Hannah 
(Hughes-Howell)  Winans,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  26, 
1867,  and  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city  of  his  birth  until  he 
was  fourteen  years  of  age.  He  then  became  employed  in  the  bookkeeping  de- 
partment of  the  concern  maintained  by  O.  S.  Johnson,  a  coal  operator  of  Dun  • 
more,  where  he  remained  for  one  year.  The  following  year  he  passed  with 
the  Scranton  Supply  and  Machine  Company,  his  next  employment  being  with 
the  Hunt  and  Council  Company,  with  which  he  was  connected  until  1886.  In 
that  year  Mr.  Winans  became  a  sign  painter  of  Scranton,  in  which  he  con- 
tinues with  eminent  success  to  the  present  time,  his  business  being  located  at 
No.  430  Lackawanna  avenue.  During  his  career  in  this  business  sign  board 
advertising  has  attained  high  popularity,  and  because  of  the  excellence  of  the 
work  performed  by  his  house  and  the  ability  of  the  artists  employed  Mr.  Wi- 
nans has  been  awarded  a  large  share  of  the  commissions  of  this  nature  given 
in  the  Scranton  region,  work  bearing  his  name  greeting  the  eye  of  the  observer 
over  a  wide  expanse  of  territory. 

Mr.  Winans  is  a  member  of  the  Court  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party.  As  a  citizen  he  has  a  keen  realization 
of  the  duties  of  the  word  implies,  and  in  sympathy  and  effort  is  always  allied 
with  projects  for  the  advancement  of  Scranton's  interests  along  any  line.  By 
his  business  associates  he  is  respected  as  a  man  who  has  accomplished  much 
without  ostentation  and  who  has  ever  edhered  to  strict  and  upright  principles 
in  dealing  with  his  fellows.  He  married  Sadie  E.  Ruch  and  has  one  son, 
Reginald,  born  February  21,  1903. 


HERMAN  F.  STENDER 

The  family  of  Stender  is  one  of  comparatively  recent  arrival  in  the  city  of 
Scranton,  founded  in  this  city  by  Ferdinand  John  Stender,  father  of  Herman 
29 


4SO  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

F.  Stender,  of  the  firm  of  Hower  &  Stender,  lumber  merchants  of  Scranton, 
in  1886.  The  family  is  of  German  lineage,  Schoefliesz,  Kreis  Bernt  Reg.  Danzig, 
West  Prussia,  having  been  its  home  in  that  country.  Ferdinand  John  Stender 
was  a  son  of  Gottlieb  Stender,  who  married  Rahl  Karnath  and  had  children: 
Ferdinand  John,  of  whom  further ;  Wilhelmina,  Augusta,  Amalia,  Frederick. 

Ferdinand  John  Stender  was  born  in  Schoefliesz,  Kreis  Bernt  Reg.  Danzig, 
West  Prussia,  December  27,  1837,  and  there  he  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a 
farmer,  in  1866  bringing  his  family  to  the  United  States  and  settling  in  Scran- 
ton, there  obtaining  railroad  employment.  He  married  Augusta,  daughter  of 
Ludwig  and  Caroline  Zielke.  Children  of  Ludwig  and  Caroline  Zielke :  Hen- 
rietta, Karl,  Ferdinand,  Amalia,  Augusta,  of  previous  mention,  married  Ferd- 
inand John  Stender,  and  Herman.  Children  of  Ferdinand  John  and  Augusta 
(Zielke)  Stender:  Hulda,  married  William  Steinbrugge,  and  is  the  mother  of 
Ida,  Frederick,  Karl,  Marie;  Herman  F.,  of  whom  further;  Bertha,  married 
Edward  J.  Freis,  and  has  children,  Hilda,  John,  Albert,  Lailas ;  Ida,  married 
Leverne  B.  Loyn,  and  has  Mildred,  deceased,  and  Jack  Jerome ;  Augusta,  mar- 
ried George  Yonker,  and  is  the  mother  of  Marjorie,  Dorothy,  Robert,  de- 
ceased ;  Marie,  married  Albert  Motiska,  and  has  Alice  and  Ruth ;  Selma,  died 
on  ship-board  while  journeying  from  Germany  to  the  United  States,  aged  five 
years,  and  was  buried  at  sea ;  Ferdinand  G. ;  Karl  W. 

Herman  F.  Stender,  son  of  Ferdinand  John  and  Augusta  (Zielke)  Stender, 
was  bom  in  Schoefliesz  Kreis  Bernt  Reg.  Danzig,  West  Prussia,  April  17,  1872. 
and  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  land,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years 
accompanying  his  parents  to  the  United  States.  His  first  six  months'  employ- 
ment was  as  a  slate-picker  in  a  breaker,  after  which  he  was  for  one  year  em- 
ployed in  a  glass  factory,  then  accepted  a  situation  as  private  coachman  in  the 
establishment  of  Herman  Werrum,  superintendent  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron 
and  Steel  Company.  He  subsequently  became  associated  with  John  D.  Kohl, 
of  Scranton,  under  him  learning  the  trade  of  carpenter,  after  three  years  be- 
coming Air.  Kohl's  foreman,  a  position  he  retained  when  the  latter  gentleman 
became  general  superintendent  of  the  Peck  Lumber  Manufacturing  Company. 
On  April  i,  1896,  John  D.  Kohl  and  Mr.  Hower  formed  a  lumber  dealing 
partnership,  Mr.  Stender  being  engaged  as  foreman,  and  upon  Mr.  Kohl's 
death,  February  3,  1897,  Mr.  Stender  purchased  his  interest  in  the  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Hower  &  Stender,  as  general  contractors  and  builders, 
two  years  later  entered  into  the  general  lumber  business  and  manufacturers  of 
building  material.  The  firm's  trade  is  a  large  and  lucrative  one,  and  although 
competition  in  that  line  is  keen,  the  firm  has  more  tlian  retained  its  share  of  the 
business  throughout  the  Eastern  states. 

Mr.  Stender  is  president  of  the  Builders'  Exchange,  of  Scranton,  and  is  a 
director  of  the  Anthracite  Trust  Company  and  the  German  Building  and  Loan 
Association  No.  10.  He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  Schiller 
Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M.,  Fairview  Lodge,  No.  369,  K.  of  P. ;  and  holds 
membership  in  the  German  Alliance  and  the  LiederkTanz.  His  church  is  the 
German  Presbyterian,  and  in  matters  political  he  takes  an  independent  stand. 
Mr.  Stender  married  Wilhelmina,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Louise  (Engel; 
Schafer,  and  has  children:  Bertha,  bom  May  i,  1898;  Helen,  January  21, 
1906;  H.  Gilbert,  August  9,  1910. 


ROBERT  C.  RUTHVEN 

Robert  E.  Ruthven,  who  was  at  one  time  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts 
state  legislature,  came  to  Baltimore  from  Scotland,  the  family  home,  and  later 
settled  in  Boston.     He  became  well  known  because  of  his  political  achieve- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  451 

merits  and  was  a  member  of  the  most  select  social  circles  of  that  city.  His  son, 
Robert  E.  Riithven,  was  troubled  throughout  his  early  life  by  an  extremely 
weak  constitution.  Sea  air  seeming  particularly  beneficial  to  him,  he  spent 
three  years  as  purser  of  the  mercantile  vessel,  "Jonathan,"  one  of  his  several 
long  and  perilous  voyages  being  around  Cape  Horn.  Much  improved  in  health 
by  the  exposure  to  natural  elements  that  the  life  necessitated,  he  once  more 
took  up  residence  ashore  and  obtained  a  position  on  the  engineering  staff  of 
the  New  York  Central  Railroad.  His  first  home  was  in  Carbondale,  but  about 
twenty  years  before  his  death  he  moved  to  Scranton,  spending  his  later  years 
in  the  coal  department  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany. With  his  wife  he  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah,  daughter  of  Parley  Goddard,  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts.  She 
was  a  graduate  of  Mount  Holyoke  College,  South  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  died 
19 1 2,  aged  eighty-two  years. 

Robert  C.  Ruthven,  son  of  Robert  E.  and  Sarah  (Goddard)  Ruthven,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  31,  1862.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city,  also  attending  "Daddy"  Merrill's  School.  The  pro 
fession  of  civil  engineering  was  the  field  that  appealed  to  him  more  than  other 
callings,  and  after  his  technical  training  was  completed  he  obtained  a  position 
on  the  engineering  corps  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad, 
his  connection  with  that  company  ending  with  the  completion  of  the  Buffalo, 
Binghamton  branch.  He  was  then  for  twenty  years  associated  with  the  Barber 
Asphalt  Paving  Company,  until  1904,  when  he  began  independent  paving  opera- 
tions. Pennsylvania  and  New  York  comprise  his  territory,  and  througliout 
those  states  he  has  done  a  great  deal  of  work  which  bears  mute  testimony  to 
the  skill  of  the  contractor  by  the  excellent  condition  of  the  roads  several  years 
after  their  completion  Mr.  Ruthven  ha';  become  one  of  tlic  leaders  in  his 
chosen  occupation,  success  predicated  entirely  upon  popular  approval  of  the 
quality  of  his  work.  There  is  probably  no  line  of  activity  in  which  the  work- 
man is  judged  more  purely  upon  his  merits  than  his  and  his  attainment  there  is 
the  result  of  superiority  in  the  science  and  practice  of  road  paving.  He  is  sec- 
retary and  treasurer  of  the  Ariel  Sand  Company  of  Scranton,  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  which  he  played  an  important  part.  With  his  wife  he  is  a  member  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Buft'alo. 

Mr.  Ruthven  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Stephen  Hopkins,  of  Waverly, 
New  York;  children:  Robert  Stanley,  an  attorney  of  Buffalo,  New  York;  Hen- 
rietta, a  graduate  of  Wellesley  College,  class  of  1913. 


OTTO  P.  MILLER 


The  two  members  of  the  Miller  family,  the  story  of  whose  lives  enters  into 
this  chronicle,  were  both  of  German  birth,  Otto  P.  and  his  father,  C.  August 
Miller,  having  been  born  in  Leipsic,  Saxony,  Germany.  C.  August  Miller  was 
born  December  28,  1805,  and  in  1848  he  immigrated  to  the  L^nited  States  with 
his  family,  landing  on  the  American  shore  on  October  30,  He  at  once  made 
settlement  in  Archbald,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  April 
9,  1878.  His  trade  was  that  of  carpenter,  and  during  the  thirty  years  that 
he  lived  in  Archbald  he  gained  a  deserved  reputation  as  a  man  of  upright  life 
and  a  citizen  strong  in  all  the  obligations  carried  with  the  word.  He  married 
Caroline  Muer,  and  had  children:  i.  Pauline,  married  Valentine  Gerbig.  2. 
Herman  C,  a  soldier  of  the  Union  army  in  the  Civil  War,  company  color  cor- 
poral in  Company  H,  Fifty-second  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, serving  from  1861  to  1864;  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Fifty-second 
Regimental  Association  since  its  organization  in  1888;  married  Anna,  daughter 


452  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  Captain  McLeod,  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  sons,  Albert,  an 
undertaker  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  and  Willis,  a  plumber  of  the  same  place-. 

3.  Elizabeth,  deceased;  married  John  Ulmer,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and 
had  a  daughter,  Annie,  married  William  Morgan,  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania. 

4.  Elvina,  married  Henry  Neymier ;  children :  Charles,  an  instructor  in  the 
Scranton  High  School,  Fred,  Helen,  Clara,  a  school  teacher.  5.  Theodore  M., 
married  and  had  a  daughter,  Gertrude,  who  married  John,  son  of  Colonel 
Hitchcock.  6.  Otto  P.,  of  whom  further.  7.  Emma,  married  Charles  Mill- 
house,  deceased,  of  Archbald,  Pennsylvania ;  three  children.  8.  Amelia,  the 
first  American-born  daughter  of  her  parents,  married  Captain  C.  C.  Batten- 
burg.  9.  Carrie,  married  Richard  Callaway.  10.  August,  resides  in  Strouds- 
burg,  Pennsylvania. 

Otto  P.  Miller,  son  of  C.  August  and  Caroline  (Muer)  Miller,  was  born 
in  Leipsic,  Saxony,  Germany,  November  5,  1845,  ^nd  when  five  years  of  age 
was  sent  to  the  United  States  with  friends  to  his  parents  who  had  come  in  1848. 
When  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  became  a  trade  apprentice  in  Carbon- 
dale, Pennsylvania,  after  three  years  moving  to  Philadelphia,  there  being  em- 
ployed as  a  journeyman.  In  1865  he  moved  to  Harrisburg,  remaining  there 
for  a  short  time,  then  returned  to  Philadelphia,  and  for  two  years  engaged  in 
the  barber  trade,  moving  to  Scranton  in  1867,  entering  the  barber  shop  of 
Charles  Spiker.  Not  long  after  arriving  in  Scranton  he  established  in  that 
business  independently,  opening  a  shop  in  Providence,  where  he  has  been  con- 
tinuously engaged  until  the  present  time  (1914).  Mr.  Miller  took  out  his 
naturalization  papers  soon  after  coming  to  Scranton,  these  documents  bearing 
the  signature  of  the  city  clerk,  Daniel  Ranker,  and  the  date  of  September, 
1868.  He  has  been  active  in  the  life  of  the  city,  and  on  November  10,  1868, 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Liberty  Hose  Company,  a  project  in  which  he 
was  encouraged  and  aided  by  T.  V.  Powderly,  at  that  time  mayor  of  the 
city,  Mr.  Miller  later,  under  the  administration  of  the  later  Ezra  Ripple,  be- 
coming district  engineer  of  the  fire  department.  In  the  year  1883  he  was  a 
member  of  the  school  board,  and  in  1890  became  a  member  of  the  select 
council,  holding  a  seat  therein  for  four  years.  His  career  has  been  a  busy 
and  a  useful  one,  and  in  all  departments  of  the  municipal  life  to  which  he  has 
been  called  he  has  rendered  willing  and  efficient  service,  giving  to  each  position 
that  he  has  held  the  best  of  his  ability.  He  is  prominent  fraternally,  being 
treasurer  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs,  and  is  the  only  living  charter 
member  of  Celestial  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  having  held 
nearly  all  of  the  offices  of  the  lodge,  now  past  grand.  Through  virtue  of  his 
long  membership  he  holds  the  Veteran  Jewel  of  the  order,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Scranton  Encampment  of  the  same  order.  His  political  sympathies  are 
Democratic. 

Mr.  Miller  married  Jeanetta,  daughter  of  Alexander  Bryden,  the  first 
mine  foreman  of  Carbondale,  and  a  sister  of  the  late  Andrew  Bryden.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Miller  are  the  parents  of  five  children:  i.  Carrie,  married  George 
Pyle,  a  resident  of  Yonders,  New  York.  2.  Jessie,  married  George  A.  Dick- 
erson  ;  lives  on  Madison  avenue,  Scranton ;  has  a  daughter,  Evelyn.  3.  Frank, 
a  resident  of  Berwick,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Ernest,  associated  in  business  with  his 
father.  5.  Harry,  engaged  in  automobile  dealing  in  Chicago,  Illinois;  married 
Susie  Fisher,  and  has  one  daughter,  Janet. 


MATTHEW  A.  COAR 


Educated  and  trained  for  his  business  in  Philadelphia,  Matthew  A.  Coar 
has  since  his  independent  establishment  in  stock  and  bond  dealing  been  a  broker 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  453 

of  Scranton,  his  birthplace.  He  is  a  son  of  John  P.  Coar  and  a  grandson  of 
Thomas  Coar,  his  grandfather  a  merchant  of  Scranton,  also  for  a  time  em- 
ployed in  the  shops  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  He 
was  at  one  time  member  of  Scranton  council  from  the  twenty-first  ward,  elected 
as  the  Democratic  candidate,  and  was  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  CathoHc 
church.  John  P.  Coar  was  born  in  Scranton,  and  there  died  August  7,  1907, 
aged  forty-two  years.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  place  of 
his  birth,  and  in  later  life  was  a  merchant  and  hotel  proprietor.  He  mar- 
ried Hannah  (O'Connor)  Reedy,  widow  of  John  Reedy,  and  had  two  sons, 
Matthew  A.,  of  whom  further,  and  Stanley  F.  By  her  first  marriage  Hannah 
O'Connor  was  the  mother  of:  David  J.,  ex-district  attorney  of  Lackawanna 
county;  Walter  M.,  a  physician;  John  J.;  William;  Mary  E.,  married  M.  J. 
Walsh. 

Matthew  A.  Coar,  son  of  John  P.  and  Hannah  (O'Connor-Reedy)  Coar, 
was  born  in  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  20,  1888. 
He  was  educated  in  his  native  city,  his  scholastic  training  including  a  course 
in  the  Scranton  Technical  High  School.  After  a  two-year  course  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Coar  was  for  six  months  employed  by  a  com- 
mercial paper  and  a  bonding  house  of  Philadelphia.  He  then  returned  to 
Scranton,  and  in  the  fall  of  191 1  opened  an  office  in  the  Miller  Building  and 
began  business  as  M.  A.  Coar  &  Company.  Stocks  and  bonds  are  his  line,  and 
since  April  i,  1914,  he  has  been  located  in  the  Mears  Building,  where  he  has 
extended  his  operations  until  his  business  has  attained  generous  dimensions. 
Mr.  Coar  is  a  member  of  the  younger  fraternity  of  Scranton  business  men,  and 
has  successfully  entered  upon  a  career  of  much  promise,  his  reliability  and 
uprightness  being  important  factors  in  the  confidence  he  has  earned  among  his 
numerous  clients.  Mr.  Coar  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the  Roman  Catholic 
church. 


JOSEPH  H.  JONES 

The  establishment  on  the  corner  of  Adams  avenue  and  Linden  street,  the 
pharmacy  of  Joseph  H.  Jones,  is  one  of  the  most  generously  patronized  of  the 
city,  and  is  conducted  by  a  gentleman  who  is  no  less  favorably  regarded  in  the 
business  fraternity  of  the  city  than  his  store  among  others  catering  to  the 
same  needs  of  the  people.  Mr.  Jones,  American  by  birth,  is  of  English  descent, 
England  having  been  the  land  of  his  fathers,  Leicestershire,  in  that  country, 
having  been  the  place  of  birth  of  his  father,  John  Boals  Jones,  born  September 
13,  1821. 

John  Boals  Jones  made  his  home  with  foster  parents,  in  his  youth  attending 
the  schools  of  the  shire,  whence  he  was  graduated  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years, 
soon  afterward  coming  to  the  United  States.  In  this  country  he  was  legally 
adopted  by  his  grandfather,  who  took  him  into  a  business  partnership,  after 
which  he  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  in  mercantile 
dealings  with  W.  J.  Landmesser,  remaining  in  this  place  for  twelve  years.  He 
then  received  an  appointment  as  superintendent  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson 
Coal  Company  at  Carbondale,  his  superior  in  office  being  Edward  Weston,  and 
this  office  he  held  until  his  death  from  an  attack  of  pneumonia  in  1870.  He 
married  Elizabeth  L.,  daughter  of  Philip  J.  Myers,  of  Slocum,  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Philip  J.  Myers,  of  German  descent,  was  born  in  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania, and  purchased  one  square  mile  of  land  in  Luzerne  county,  upon  which 
has  grown  up  the  town  of  Slocum,  a  place  of  about  one  thousand  inhabitants. 
Children  of  John  Boals  and  Ehzabeth  L.  (Myers)  Jones:  i.  Wilham  Lewis,  a 


454  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

resident  of  Buffalo ;  married  and  has  a  son,  Franklin,  who  is  associated  with 
the  New  York  Telephone  Company,  of  Albany,  New  York.  2.  Esther  S.. 
married  E.  J.  Shepherd,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Matthews  Brothers,  and  has 
one  daughter,  Mabel,  their  son,  Frank,  deceased.  3.  Elmer  B.,  an  employee 
of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad ;  married  a  Miss  Ogden ; 
children :  Calendar,  George,  Harry,  Esther,  deceased.  4.  George  S.,  a  drug- 
gist of  Scranton.     5.  Joseph  H.,  of  whom  further.     6.  M.  Elizabeth. 

Joseph  H.  Jones,  son  of  John  Boals  and  Elizabeth  L.  (Myers)  Jones,  was 
born  in  Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  obtained  his  edu- 
cational training  in  the  public  schools.  He  came  to  Scranton  in  1882  and  re- 
ceived his  first  business  e.xperience  as  a  newsboy,  later  entering  the  service 
of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company.  In  1884  he  left 
railroad  service,  having  been  convinced  that  if  there  were  opportunity  in  such 
a  line  his  entrance  had  not  been  made  in  the  department  in  which  room  fot 
advancement  was  to  be  found.  He  was  employed  in  the  drug  store  of  Mat- 
thews Brothers  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  in  that  year  beginning  as  associa- 
tion that  continued  for  more  than  twenty  years,  during  which  time  he  came 
to  be  known  as  one  of  the  most  popular  and  obliging  members  of  the  sales 
force  of  this  concern,  his  courteous  and  gentlemanly  manners  making  business 
contact  with  him  a  pleasure.  Retiring  from  the  service  of  Matthews  Brothers. 
Mr.  Jones  abandoned  business  for  two  years  and  took  a  much  needed  rest, 
in  1907  purchasing  the  drug  store  on  the  comer  of  Adams  avenue  and  Linden 
street  that  had  formerly  been  conducted  by  Frank  Beavers,  the  establishment 
opening  under  its  new  ownership  on  May  27,  of  that  year.  In  the  seven  years 
that  have  passed  since  the  business  came  under  the  control  of  Mr.  Jones  vast 
improvements  and  long  forward  strides  have  taken  place  in  its  condition,  the 
qualities  that  made  Mr.  Jones  valuable  as  an  employee  now  bringing  their 
returns  to  him  as  the  proprietor  of  this  establishment,  which  ranks  among 
the  leading  pharmacies  of  the  city.  It  is  thoroughly  and  excellently  equipped, 
has  at  its  head  a  gentleman  of  knowledge  and  experience  in  his  line,  and  is  a 
worthy  institution  in  a  city  boasting  many  such.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of 
the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  and  holds  place  on  the  directory  of  the  Anthra- 
cite Trust  Company,  this  latter  being  his  only  business  connection  outside  of 
the  ownership  of  his  pharmacy.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  holder  of  much  valuable  real 
estate. 

Mr.  Jones  married  (first)  June  18.  1894,  Madie  J.  Ellis,  of  New  Berlin, 
New  York,  who  died  in  1901.  He  married  (^second)  Anna,  daughter  of  George 
N.  Myers,  of  Slocum,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  Her  father  was  an 
agriculturist  and  stock  raiser,  and  a  director  of  the  People's  Bank,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre. 


PATRICK  JOSEPH  CASEY 

Long  life  and  prosperity  are  attending  handmaidens  of  those  fortunate 
enough  to  be  born  Casey.  In  Scranton  the  name  is  well  known  in  financial 
and  business  circles,  while  towering  high  above  its  surroundings  is  the  Hotel 
Casey,  a  monument  to  the  enterprise  and  public  spirit  of  the  Casey  Brothers, 
Patrick  J.  and  Andrew  J.,  also  one  of  the  most  noted  of  Pennsylvania  hotels. 

Timothy  Casey,  grandfather  of  Patrick  J.  Casey,  died  in  Ireland,  his  life- 
time home,  aged  one  hundred  years.  He  left  issue :  Patrick,  John,  Lawrence, 
James  T.,  Mary  and  Winifred.     The  line  of  descent  is  through  James  T. 

James  T.  Casey  was  born  in  county  Sligo,  Ireland,  died  January  10,  1907, 
aged  eighty-five  years.  He  married  Catherine  Giblin,  who  died  March  i, 
1903,  aged   seventy-nine  years.     Children:   Lawrence,   Timothy,   Andrew   Jo- 


3^<  ^--^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  455 

seph,  James  J.,  Catherine,  (who  is  Mrs.  James  J.  Fleming,  of  337  Jefferson 
avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania),  Mary,  (now  Alother  Edan,  Convent  of  Mercy, 
Ballymote,  county  Sligo,  Ireland),  Bridget,  (who  was  Mrs.  B.  Mulligan,  died 
at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  20,  1909),  Winifred,  (who  is  Mrs.  B.  Can- 
don,  identified  with  a  large  export  business  at  Ballaghadereen,  county  Ros- 
common, Ireland),  Patrick  Joseph. 

Patrick  Joseph  Casey  was  born  in  county  Sligo,  Ireland,  March  11,  1868. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  until  1883,  then  accompanied  his  father  to  the 
United  States,  arriving  at  New  York,  on  the  steamship  "Urania,"  on  May  30th 
of  that  year.  His  father  had  made  several  trips  previously  and  his  elder  broth- 
ers, Lawrence,  Timothy,  Andrew  J.  and  James  J.,  were  established  in  busi- 
ness in  Scranton.  After  his  arrival  Patrick  J.  was  employed  as  office  boy  by 
his  brothers,  advanced  rapidly,  and  on  attaining  suitable  age  was  admitted  to  a 
partnership,  the  fimi  trading  as  Casey  Brothers,  wholesale  liquors,  importers, 
distillers  and  rectifiers,  214-216  Lackawanna  avenue.  In  1907  the  surviving 
members,  A.  J.  Casey  and  P.  J.  Casey,  became  an  incorporated  company,  An- 
drew J.  Casey,  president,  Patrick  J.  Casey,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  firm 
is  a  leading  one  in  their  line  and  transacts  a  large  business  in  all  departments. 
In  1910  they  erected  the  Hotel  Casey  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,000.  The  hotel  was 
formally  opened,  January  21,  191 1,  by  a  banquet  attended  by  a  large  number 
of  invited  guests,  and  was  an  event  long  to  be  remembered.  Large  and  com- 
modious as  is  this  important  addition  to  the  hotel  enterprises  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, it  has  proved  inadequate  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  traveling  public 
in  point  of  size,  and  will  be  enlarged  during  the  coming  year.  In  addition  to 
his  large  interests  in  Casey  Brothers,  Patrick  J.  Casey  is  president  of  the  Lib- 
erty Discount  and  Savings  Bank  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  and  manager 
and  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Central  Brewing  Company.  Mr.  Casey  is  a 
member  of  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  congregation  of  St.  Peter's  Cathedral 
(Roman  Catholic). 

Mr.  Casey  married  Bridget  Angela,  daughter  of  O.  T.  O'Malley,  and  sister 
of  Rev.  D.  J.  O'Malley,  pastor  at  Honesdale  for  many  years  until  his  death 
in  1891.  O.  T.  O'Malley  was  a  lifelong  resident  of  Scranton,  and  a  trusted 
employee  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company  until 
his  death  in  1890.  Children  of  Patrick  J.  and  Bridget  A.  (O'Malley)  Casey: 
Joseph,  Eugene,  Cyril,  Jerome,  Aloysius,  Lawrence,  Adrian,  Marian,  Angela. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  330  Clay  avenue. 


ANDREW  JOSEPH  CASEY 

Andrew  Joseph  Casey  was  born  in  county  Sligo,  Ireland,  April  25,  1856. 
He  received  his  education  in  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birthplace,  and  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years  emigrated  to  America,  arriving  here,  June  29,  1872. 
His  elder  brothers,  Lawrence  and  Timothy,  were  already  located  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  he  joined  them  there.  He  found  employment  in  the  Clitl' 
Works,  running  a  drill  press  for  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company,  remain- 
ing with  this  concern  one  and  a  half  years.  He  then  became  associated  with 
his  elder  brothers,  who  were  conducting  a  wholesale  liquor  business  on  Penn 
avenue,  and  after  the  death  of  both  he  took  charge  of  the  business  alone. 
After  a  short  time,  in  1887,  he  associated  with  himself  his  younger  brother, 
Patrick  Joseph,  and  continued  the  business  a  further  two  years  on  Penn  avenue. 
He  then  removed  to  No.  220  Lackawanna  avenue,  removing  to  No.  218  on  the 
same  street  at  the  end  of  three  years,  and,  having  improved  Nos.  214-216,  and 


456  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

altered  them  to  suit  the  scope  of  his  business,  moved  into  these  quarters  at  the 
end  of  another  eighteen  months,  and  is  conducting  an  exckisively  wholesale 
business  there  at  the  present  time.  He  is  also  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
Hotel  Casey,  one  of  the  finest  hotels  in  this  section  of  the  country.  It  con- 
tains two  hundred  and  fifty  bedrooms,  and  at  the  present  time  one  hundred 
more  are  being  added.  It  is  conducted  along  the  most  modern  and  up-to- 
date  style,  the  service  and  cuisine  are  unexceptionable,  and  it  enjoys  a  well 
deserved  popularity.  As  a  financier  Mr.  Casey  has  also  shown  marked  ability 
and  is  the  treasurer  of  the  Pennsylvania  Central  Brewing  Company;  president 
of  the  Merchants'  and  Mechanics'  Bank  of  Scranton ;  and  a  stockholder  in 
several  other  institutions  of  equal  importance.  He  resides  in  a  palatial  mansion 
at  No.  612  Clay  avenue,  which  is  furnished  in  the  most  sumptuous  and  luxur- 
ious manner.  He  is  a  life  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  the  Holy  Name  Society  and  the  Catholic  Club.  Mr.  Casey  married  Mary 
O'Brien,  of  New  York,  who  died  February  22,  1904.  They  have  had  children : 
Pauline,  born  April  29,  1899;  Andrew  Joseph  Jr.,  born  February  17,  1904. 


HOMER  NICHOLSON 


Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  was  the  early  home  of  the  family  of  Nichol- 
son in  Pennsylvania,  that  having  been  the  place  of  residence  of  Fitch  Nichol- 
son, grandfather  of  Homer  Nicholson,  treasurer  of  the  American  Brick  Com- 
pany, of  Scranton. 

(I)  Fitch  Nicholson  was  a  follower  of  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  married 
Lucia  Saunders  and  had  children:  Addison  A.,  of  whom  further;  Homer,  a 
cabinetmaker,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in  the  Civil  War  and  served  through- 
out the  greater  part  of  that  struggle,  his  death  caused  by  fever  and  occurring 
in  the  field  hospital ;  Mahlon,  a  cabinetmaker. 

(II)  Addison  A.  Nicholson,  son  of  Fitch  and  Lucia  (Saunders)  Nichol- 
son, was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  August,  1848.  He  is  a  car- 
penter by  trade  and  has  conducted  building  operations  for  the  greater  part  of 
his  life,  being  also  one  of  the  first  oil  prospectors  to  operate  at  Oil  City,  Penn- 
sylvania. During"  the  last  eleven  months  of  the  Civil  War  he  was  a  soldier  in 
the  LTnion  army.  He  married  Matilda,  daughter  of  Lee  Phillips.  The  father 
of  Lee  Phillips  was  early  a  resident  of  the  Scranton  district,  and  was  the  owner 
of  two  hundred  acres  of  land  now  occupied  by  the  city.  Children  of  Addison 
A.  and  Matilda  (Phillips)  Nicholson:  Malvina,  deceased;  Homer,  of  whom 
further ;  Carrie,  unmarried ;  Lee,  a  farmer,  married  Martha  Harrison ;  Edna, 
a  graduate  of  the  Bloomsburg  Normal  School. 

(III)  Homer  Nicholson,  son  of  Addison  A.  and  Matilda  (Phillips)  Nich- 
olson, was  born  in  Harveyville,  Pennsylvania,  June  9,  1871.  After  a  course  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  county,  Luzerne,  he  became  a  student  in  the 
Huntingdon  Mills  Academy.  His  education  completed,  in  December,  1893, 
he  became  associated  with  the  Prudential  Life  Insurance  Company  of  America 
in  Scranton,  afterward  accepting  a  position  as  manager  of  agents  for  north- 
eastern Pennsylvania  with  the  Bankers'  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  New 
York  City.  Mr.  Nicholson  subsequently  became  treasurer  of  the  Salem  Hill 
Company,  an  office  he  filled  for  five  years,  then  assumed  the  duties  of  the 
treasurership  of  the  American  Brick  Company,  his  present  position.  His 
handling  of  the  finances  of  the  two  last-named  companies  has  been  marked  by 
competent  management  and  unfailing  ability,  the  scrupulous  care  with  which 
he  discharges  these  duties  with  the  American  Brick  Company  claiming  and 
receiving  the  appreciation  of  those  associated  with  him  in  the  direction  of  the 
business.     Aside  from  his  connection  with  the  American  Brick  Company,  Mr. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  457 

Nicholson  is  interested  in  the  manufacture  of  cuhii  into  bricquettes.  He  has 
been  for  seventeen  years  a  member  of  James  Connell  Lodge,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  has  held  high  official  position,  and  belong? 
to  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  His  political  party  is  the  Re 
publican.  He  married  Susie,  daughter  of  Rufus  Burritt,  and  has  children: 
Myrtle  Edna,  Matilda,  Rufus,  Hazel,   Homer,  Walter. 


FREDERICK   VICTOR   HARTZELL 

A  leader  in  his  line  of  business,  prominent  in  social  and  fraternal  circles, 
and  well  known  in  the  district  in  which  he  lives,  Frederick  Victor  Hartzell  is 
distinctively  a  Pennsylvanian,  all  of  his  family  having  resided  in  this  state 
since  the  establishment  of  the  line  in  America. 

Hendrick  Hartzell,  a  native  of  Switzerland,  in  1732  left  his  homeland  and 
came  to  America,  making  his  home  in  the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  near  Phila- 
delphia. His  son,  Jonas,  was  born  in  1744,  and  from  him  the  descent  to  Fred- 
erick Victor  is  through  Solomon,  Reuben,  and  Edward.  The  spelling  of  the 
name,  originally  Hertzel,  was  changed  by  Solomon  to  Hartzell,  which  latter 
form  has  been  used  by  all  succeeding  generations.  Edward,  son  of  Reuben 
Hartzell,  was  born  at  Wind  Gap,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1850, 
died  June  8,  1910.  His  trade  was  that  of  machinist  and  in  this  capacity  he 
was  employed  by  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company  for  a  period  of 
thirty-five  years,  during  which  time  he  became  one  of  the  most  trusted  of  the 
company's  employees,  on  all  occasions  impressing  those  above  him  in  office 
with  his  fidelity  and  dependability.  He  married  Louisa  Maire,  of  French 
descent.  They  were  the  parents  of:  i.  Frederick  Victor,  of  whom  further.  2. 
Daniel  Edward,  foreman  in  the  shops  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Company. 
3.  Leona,  married  A.  Ridgeway,  and  resides  in  Scranton.  4.  Louisa,  twin  of 
Leona,  married  William  Clegg,  of  Green  Ridge,  Pennsylvania. 

Frederick  Victor  Hartzell,  son  of  Edward  and  Louisa  (Maire)  Hartzell, 
was  born  in  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  21,  1874. 
He  obtained  his  general  education  in  the  public  schools,  finishing  his  studies 
with  a  practical  course  at  Wood's  Business  College,  whence  he  was  graduated 
in  1894.  He  immediately  entered  the  employ  of  G.  R.  Clark,  a  florist,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  two  and  a  half  years,  then  pledging  his  services  to 
George  W.  Hornbaker,  after  five  years  purchasing  Mr.  Hornbaker's  business. 
Soon  after  this  transaction  he  contracted  a  partnership  with  Emmett  Simons, 
of  Green  Ridge,  Pennsylvania,  the  dissolution  of  this  association  occurring 
four  and  a  half  years  later,  Mr.  Hartzell  receiving  the  appointment  of  district 
deputy  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In  1902  Mr.  Hartzell  accepted  a 
position  with  J.  B.  Fish,  whose  offices  were  in  the  Auditorium  Building  at 
Providence,  Pennsylvania,  at  about  the  same  time  beginning  in  fire  insurance 
and  real  estate  dealing  independently,  and  at  the  present  time  conducts  his 
enterprises  with  lucrative  and  pleasing  results.  He  became  the  owner  in  1913 
of  the  Auditorium  Building  in  Providence,  a  desirable  office  building  and  a 
valuable  property.  Mr.  Hartzell  is  a  stockholder  in  various  financial  and  in- 
dustrial institutions  in  Scranton  and  the  Lackawanna  Valley,  is  regarded  as  a 
most  able  financier  and  business  man,  and  was  made  treasurer  of  the  Old 
Home  Week  Association.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  many  lodges  and 
orders,  holding  membership  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  being 
past  grand  of  Celestial  Lodge,  and  of  Post  Grand  Association ;  the  Masonic 
Order,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree ;  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America,  being  financial  secretary  of  Washington  Camp,  No.  1770,  and  a 
member  of  the  Past  Presidents  Association  ;  the  Independent  Order  of  Forest- 


458  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ers ;  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  in  which  he  is  a  clerk  of  Providence 
Camp,  No.  9155.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Underwriters  Association,  and 
is  one  of  the  members  of  the  advisory  committee  of  the  Young  Women's 
Christian  Association.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  is  the  faith  of  which  he  is 
a  communicant,  and  he  is  steward  of  the  organization  of  that  denomination 
at  Providence.  Mr.  Hartzell's  political  allegiance  has  ever  been  accorded  the 
Republican  party,  and  in  1914  he  was  the  candidate  of  that  party  for  the  state 
legislature  from  the  second  legislative  district. 

Mr.  Hartzell  married,  November  15,  1898,  Alice  M.,  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  (Meredith)  Guest,  and  has  children:  Helen  L.,  Edward  P.,  Rutli 
R.,  William  Edward,  and  Ruth.  He  and  his  two  sons  are  the  only  living 
male  descendants  of  Solomon  Hartzell,  his  great-grandfather.  The  family 
home  is  at  No.  439  I'^st  Market  street,  Green  Ridge,  Pennsylvania. 


HENRY  WILLIAM  MULHOLLAND 

That  the  farm  has  furnished  the  city  and  nations  with  many  of  its  best 
citizens  and  greatest  men  in  business,  professional  and  military  life,  is  a  fact 
no  one  controverts.  The  reason  may  be  harder  to  find,  but  the  fact  that  co:  n- 
try  life  throws  a  lad  upon  his  own  resources,  which  develops  confidence  and 
self  reliance,  is  one  cause.  The  progenitors  of  Mr.  Mulholland  were  farmers 
in  Ireland,  Canada  and  Pennsylvania;  men  of  strong  body  and  keen  min<ls 
developed  under  conditions  that  try  the  soul  but  make  the  man. 

His  father,  Bernard  Mulholland,  was  born  in  county  Down,  Ireland,  Jan 
uary  28,  1834.  In  the  spring  of  the  same  year,  the  family  left  their  native  land, 
settling  near  Brockville  on  the  St.  Lawrence  river,  in  Canada,  where  the  family 
lived  on  a  farm  until  1849,  ^t  which  time  they  moved  to  Archbald,  Pennsyl- 
vania, thence  in  1865  to  Jermyn,  thence  in  1884  to  the  farm  in  Scott  township, 
Lackawanna  county,  which  Bernard  Mulholland  owns  and  on  which  he  yet  re- 
sides. He  married  Ann  Gardner,  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland ;  children,  all 
living :  Henry  William,  of  whom  further ;  Catherine,  married  C.  E.  Taylor ; 
John  B.,  a  farmer  of  Lackawanna  county;  Ellen,  a  school  teacher;  Edward  J. ; 
Susan ;  Nora ;  Rosanna ;  Thomas  J. ;  Margaret,  married  R.  H.  Kervin ;  Martin 
D. 

Henry  William  Mulholland,  son  of  Bernard  and  Ann  (Gardner)  Mul- 
holland, was  born  in  Archbald,  Pennsylvania,  September  8,  1859.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Jermyn.  Deciding  upon  the  legal 
profession  he  studied  under  the  preceptorship  of  D.  W.  Connoly,  of  Scranton. 
1879-82,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  latter  year  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna 
county  bar.  He  began  practice  shortly  afterward  and  in  due  course  has  been 
admitted  to  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district.  He  has  practiced 
continuously  in  Scranton  for  thirty  years  and  is  one  of  the  strong  men  of  the 
Lackawanna  bar.  He  is  a  member  of  the  bar  associations  of  county  and  state, 
and  holds  the  esteem  of  his  professional  brethren  to  a  high  degree.  His  prac- 
tice has  kept  pace  with  his  growing  powers  of  mind  and  learning  and  is  of 
generous  proportions.     In  political  faith  he  is  a  Democrat. 

PETER  FOLEY  LALLEY 


For  ten  years  an  established  pharmacist  of  the  city  of  Scranton  and  for 
several  years  prior  to  that  time  connected  with  the  drug  business  of  this  city 
and  Rendham,  Pennsylvania,  Peter  F.  Lalley  holds  a  position  in  his  profession 
worthy  of  a  longer  record  of  service  and  eloquently  testifying  to  his  merit  and 
worth. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  459 

He  is  of  Irish  descent,  his  grandfather,  Patrick  Lalley,  having  been  a  native 
of  county  Mayo,  Ireland,  a  land  owner  and  farmer  of  Dereveney,  where  he 
passed  his  entire  life.  He  was  twice  married,  having  by  his  first  wife  one  son, 
Michael,  and  by  his  second,  Martin,  Thomas,  Mary,  Nora.  Michael  Lalley, 
father  of  Peter  Foley  Lalley,  was  born  at  Dereveney,  county  Mayo,  Ireland, 
July  4,  1838,  and  in  that  country  lived  until  his  sixteenth  year,  at  which  early 
age  he  went  to  England,  later  enlisting  as  a  private  in  the  English  army.  Most 
of  his  service  was  in  China,  and  while  in  the  army  he  passed  through  many 
experiences  that  were  in  themselves  a  liberal  education,  and  provided  him  with 
a  fund  of  knowledge  and  reminiscence  that  in  later  years  made  him  an  ex- 
ceedingly interesting  conversationalist  and  raconteur.  In  1867  he  moved  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  at  Rendham,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged 
in  different  branches  of  mining  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April  10,  1906. 
He  married  Catherine  Foley,  and  had  one  daughter,  Mary  F.,  and  one  son 
Peter  Foley,  of  whom  further. 

Peter  Foley  Lalley,  only  son  of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Foley)  Lalley, 
was  born  at  Rendham,  Pennsylvania,  March  11,  1870,  and  until  he  was  nineteen 
years  of  age  continuously  attended  the  public  schools  of  Old  Forge,  Penn- 
sylvania, with  the  exception  of  a  short  time  spent  in  the  breaker  of  a  nearby 
mine.  At  that  age  he  obtained  his  first  experience  in  the  business  in  which 
he  is  now  engaged  in  the  drug  store  of  his  uncle,  James  Foley,  proprietor  of  a 
pharmacy  in  Rendham.  In  1889  he  moved  to  Scranton  and  entered  the  drug 
store  of  D.  S.  Ryan,  of  Hyde  Park,  his  employer  for  three  months,  after 
which  he  became  employed  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Manley,  proprietor  of  a  drug  store  now 
owned  and  conducted  by  Andrew  Brown.  Mr.  Lalley,  in  August,  1892,  went 
to  New  York  City  and  entered  the  College  of  Pharmacy  now  connected  with 
the  University  of  Columbia,  and  after  a  two-years'  course  was  graduated  in 
1894.  He  immediately  took  the  examination  before  the  State  Pharmaceutical 
Examining  Board  and  at  that  time  took  examination  in  New  York  state  ano 
successfully  passed  both  examinations  and  registered  under  the  laws  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  York  states.  After  receiving  his  diploma  he  returned  to 
Rendham  and  once  more  entered  the  drug  store  of  his  uncle,  after  eighteen 
months  purchasing  the  establishment  from  its  original  owner.  For  the  ten 
following  years  he  conducted  the  store,  for  the  same  length  of  time  holding 
the  office  of  postmaster  of  Rendham,  and  on  December  23,  1904,  moved  to 
Scranton.  Purchasing  the  property  at  No.  328  Pittston  avenue,  he  there  in- 
stalled all  the  equipment  of  a  modern  drug  store  which  he  has  since  improved 
from  time  to  time  and  now  conducts  a  pharmacy  complete  in  appointment,  ex- 
cellent in  reputation,  and  generously  patronized. 

An  exponent  of  a  delicate  profession,  one  in  which  the  slightest  trace  of 
carelessness  may  spell  disaster  to  some  unfortunate,  he  has  so  conducted  his 
large  business  that  he  holds  the  confidence  of  many  of  the  city's  physicians  who 
feel  that  in  placing  a  prescription  in  his  hands  they  are  assured  of  the  watch- 
ful care  and  vigilant  caution  that  the  profession  demands.  His  prescription 
files  contain  papers  given  by  the  most  eminent  lights  of  the  medical  profession 
in  Scranton,  and  his  reputation  as  a  gentleman  of  honor,  one  who  observe.- 
strictly  the  legal  regulations  justly  imposed  upon  his  business,  is  known  to  all. 
Mr.  Lalley  is  a  Democrat,  and  holds  membership  in  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
Sons  of  St.  George,  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians. 


JOSEPH  FREY  GILROY 

Although  a  successful  practicing  attorney  of  the  Lackawanna  county  bar, 
Mr.  Gilroy  is  a  native  born  son  of  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there 


46o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

spent  his  early  life.  He  was  born  in  Williamsport,  November  3,  1872,  the  sec- 
ond son  of  John  G.  and  Frances  Seybert  Gilroy.  After  passing  through  the 
public  school  of  his  native  city,  he  entered  Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania, there  completing  his  classical  education,  graduating  with  the  class  of 
1895.  He  studied  law  under  Henry  C.  McCormick,  of  Williamsport,  and  grad- 
uated from  the  Dickinson  Law  School,  at  Carlisle,  in  1896;  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  of  Cumberland  county  in  June,  1896.  He  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Scranton,  in  September,  1896,  having  been  admitted  to  the 
Lackawanna  county  bar.  He  has  been  in  active  practice  of  the  law  at  Scran- 
ton since  that  time. 

Mr.  Gilroy  married,  September  4,  1902,  Virginia  T.  Mclntyre,  of  Carlisle, 
and  has  two  children,  Elliott  Kisner  and  Eleanor  Mclntyre.  Mr.  Gilroy  is 
interested  in  commercial  pursuits  and  is  a  director  of  the  Peck  Lumber  Manu- 
facturing Company,  and  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Jessup, 
Pennsylvania.    He  resides  on  Main  street,  Peckville. 


EDWARD  HERBERT  DAVIS 

The  record  of  this  ancient  New  England  family  is  related  to  the  city  of 
Scranton  through  Edward  Herbert  Davis,  an  architect  of  the  city,  who  has 
made  Scranton  the  scene  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  has  risen 
therein  to  a  leading  position,  his  practice  firmly  founded  upon  architectural 
achievements  of  unusual  order.  The  line  of  Davis,  a  Massachusetts  family 
resident  in  Barnstable,  was  moved  to  Gorham,  Maine,  at  about  the  beginning 
of  the  Revolutionary  War  by  Josiah  Davis.  His  son,  Silvanus,  married  Han- 
nah Gorham,  a  member  of  the  family  from  whom  the  afore-mentioned  town 
took  its  name,  and  had  a  son,  Abner,  born  in  Buxton,  Maine,  in  March,  181 1. 
Abner  Davis  was  a  flour  merchant  and  shipper,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church.  He  was  twice  married  (first)  about 
1836,  to  Dorothy  Abbott.  By  his  first  marriage  he  was  the  father  of  Edward 
Hotchkiss,  of  whom  further,  and  Emilie  D.,  born  at  Stow,  Maine,  in  1840. 
The  children  of  his  second  marriage  were:  Marshall  Wheelock,  principal  of  the 
Roxbury  Latin  School  at  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  Catherine,  married 
William  Skillings,  deceased,  lumber  merchant  of  Boston. 

Edward  Hotchkiss  Davis,  son  of  Abner  and  Dorothy  (Abbott)  Davis, 
was  born  in  Brownfield,  Maine,  in  1839.  For  several  years  he  was  connected 
with  the  treasury  department  at  Washington,  D.  C,  as  deputy  sixth  auditor, 
and  was  also  collector  of  the  port  of  Portland.  His  political  party  was  the  Re- 
publican. He  married,  January  14,  1865,  Francena  Helen  Freeman,  born  in 
Windham,  Maine,  April  14,  1840,  daughter  of  Benjamin,  born  in  Windham, 
Maine,  October  8,  1818,  and  Martha  Anne  (Ingersoll)  Freeman,  born  in  the 
same  place  in  1823.  Benjamin  was  a  son  of  Josiah  and  Betsy  (Webb)  Free- 
man. Edward  Hotchkiss  and  Francena  Helen  Davis  were  the  parents  of  one 
son,  Edward  Herbert,  of  whom  further. 

Edward  Herbert  Davis,  son  of  Edward  Hotchkiss  and  Francena  Helen 
(Freeman)  Davis,  was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C,  February  14,  1867,  and 
after  attending  the  high  school  of  that  city  obtained  his  professional  educa- 
tion in  the  \\'ashington  School  of  Arts  in  the  same  city.  His  studies  com- 
pleted he  passed  three  years  in  gaining  practical  professional  experience  in  the 
offices  of  C.  A.  Didden,  Harvey  L.  Page,  and  Hornblower  and  Marshall,  of 
W^ashington,  and  for  the  four  following  years  was  associated  with  M.  B. 
Houpt,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  Then  fully  fitted  to  cope  with  the  most 
difficult  problems  of  his  profession  in  competition  with  the  most  able,  on 
June  23,   1892,  he  opened  an  office  in  Scranton.  speedily  gaining  prestige  in 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  4O1 

the  fraternity  of  architects  until  at  the  present  time  he  holds  a  prominent  place 
among  the  foremost  of  his  profession.  A  Republican  in  politics,  the  desire  foi 
office  has  never  been  felt  by  Mr.  Davis,  and  it  has  been  as  a  private  citizen 
that  he  has  supported  his  party.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  several  financial  and 
industrial  institutions  in  the  locality,  and  affiliates  with  the  Masonic  order,  be- 
longing to  Lodge,  Chapter,  Commandery,  and  Shrine.  His  club  is  the  Scran- 
ton,  and  he  holds  membership  in  the  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd  (Episco- 
pal). 

He  married,  in  St.  Stephen  s  Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  June 
21,  1888,  Regina  Amanda,  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  June  23,  1867, 
daughter  of  Byron  and  Alice  M.  Shoemaker.  Byron  and  Alice  M.  Shoemaker 
had  children:  Regina  A.,  of  previous  mention,  married  Edward  H.  Davis; 
George  M.,  Ethel  E.,  Byron  C,  William  V.,  and  Alice  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Davis  had  one  son,  Edward  H.  Jr.,  born  August  10,  1891,  died  October  31, 
1898. 


JOSEPH  J.  CURT  JR. 


The  Curt  family  is  of  English  lineage  and  traces  back  many  generations 
in  which  a  son  bore  the  name  Joseph,  the  family  in  Scranton,  father  and  son, 
bearing  that  name  as  did  the  two  preceeding  generations  here  mentioned. 

Joseph  Curt,  great-grandfather  of  Joseph  J.  Curt,  of  Scranton,  was  an  ac- 
complished linquist  ?nd  skillful  musician,  brought  through  these  gifts  to  a 
close  personal  friendship  with  the  then  ruling  monarch,  King  Emanuel  of  Italy. 
His  son,  Joseph  (2)  Curt,  was  manager  of  the  large,  fashionable  and  exclusive 
catering  establishment,  Joseph  Gunter  &  Sons,  of  London,  England.  Joseph 
J.  Curt,  son  of  Joseph  (2)  Curt,  was  born  in  London,  England,  in  1853. 
He  married,  in  1877,  Annie  M.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Smith,  a  veterinary  surgeon 
of  Framlingham,  England,  and  in  the  same  year  came  to  the  United  States. 
He  was  employed  for  several  years  in  a  company  store  of  Jermyn,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  is  now  a  resident  of  Scranton,  engaged  as  foreman.  Children : 
Joseph  J.,  of  whom  further,  and  Howard,  deceased. 

Joseph  J.  (2)  Curt,  son  of  Joseph  J.  (i)  and  Annie  M.  (Smith)  Curt,  was 
bom  in  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania,  August  25,  1880.  He  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  and  attending  school  No.  33,  and  School  of 
Lackawanna,  beginning  business  life  in  1897  as  supply  clerk  for  the  Marion 
Coal  Company,  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  his  father  being  at  that  time  out- 
side superintendent  of  that  company.  In  1899,  the  father  having  been  placed 
in  charge  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  mine  at  Taylor,  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  son  moved  to  that  place  and  was  appointed  supply  clerk  at  the  mine, 
serving  as  such  for  two  years,  then  was  promoted  office  clerk  and  later  assistant 
foreman  of  the  Taylor  Mine.  He  was  then  selected  to  oversee  the  construction 
of  the  Taylor  Washery,  a  plant  completed  and  placed  in  operation  during  the 
great  coal  strike  of  1902.  He  was  foreman  of  the  plant  after  its  being  placed 
in  commission  and  was  then  the  youngest  foreman  in  the  employ  of  his  com- 
pany. In  igo6,  despairing  of  further  advancement,  he  resigned  his  position 
with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  and  formed  a  partnership  with 
Harry  Rheinhart,  purchasing  a  sporting  store  of  George  Schlaeger  on  Wash- 
ington avenue,  Scranton,  and  nine  months  later  he  sold  out  to  his  partner  and 
bought  an  interest  in  the  firm  of  Robinson  &  Adams,  sporting  goods  dealers, 
succeeding  Mr.  Robinson  in  the  firm.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Mr.  Curt  became 
identified  with  the  auto  business  and  sold  the  first  Maxwell  automobiles  in  1906 
and  1907.  In  1908  he  sold  out  to  his  partner,  Mr.  Adams,  to  accept  the  man- 
agement of  the  Scranton  Garage  &  Motor  Car  Company,  then  the  largest  con- 


462  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

cern  of  its  kind  in  the  city.  This  firm  was  agent  for  the  "Franklin"  and 
"Buick"  cars,  Mr.  Curt  continuing  until  the  firm  sold  out  to  the  Scranton 
Automobile  Company  in  September,  1908,  and  with  the  latter  firm  until  the 
spring  of  1909,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  Edward  Conrad,  as  salesman. 
In  September,  1909,  Mr.  Curt  organized  the  Anthracite  Motor  Car  Company, 
with  F.  A.  Clark.  They  began  business  as  agents  for  the  "Overland"  and 
"Corbin"  cars,  their  garage  located  at  No.  625  Lackawanna  avenue.  Within 
a  year  they  found  tlieir  floor  space  entirely  too  small  to  accommodate  their 
growing  business,  which  fact  caused  them  to  take  on  the  adjoining  store  which 
was  soon  remodeled  as  to  form  an  important  addition  to  their  plant.  In 
January,  1913,  Mr.  Curt  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Clark,  and  is  now  sole 
owner  of  a  very  prosperous  business.  He  is  agent  for  the  Overland  and  Willys 
Utility  Truck,  the  Chase  Truck  and  has  a  good  garage  and  repair  trade.  Since 
November,  1909,  he  has  sold  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  autos  and  trucks, 
and  his  repair  department  only  receives  cars  of  the  make  for  which  he  is  agent. 
This  feature  is  unusual,  but  to  the  fact  that  he  only  sells  one  car  and  one 
truck  and  devotes  his  entire  repair  department  to  these  cars,  Mr.  Curt  attributes 
his  success.  He  is  very  fond  of  out-door  life,  and  is  an  enthusiastic  automo- 
bilist.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Automobile  Association  of  Scranton,  the  United 
Sportsmen  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Scranton  Rod  and  Gun  Club  and  the  Rotary 
Club.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  his  mother  and  her 
ancestors  having  been  members  of  the  Established  Church  of  England  for  four 
centuries.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  while  living  at  Taylor  served  as 
councilman,  being  elected  by  a  plurality  of  one  vote. 

^Ir.  Curt  married  Edith  Allen,  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  W.  and  Sophia  (Ma- 
honey)  Houser,  of  Taylor,  Pennsylvania.  Child,  Christine  Houser,  born  April 
14,  1913. 


JOHN  ZEIDLER 


The  foreign-born  citizens  of  this  country  have  ever  been  noted  for  the 
patriotic  spirit  they  display  and  for  the  interest  they  manifest  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  communities  in  which  they  locate,  and  these  characteristics  were 
fully  marked  in  the  case  of  the  Zeidler  family,  and  especially  so  in  the  case 
of  the  late  John  Zeidler,  who  for  many  years  was  an  honored  and  respected 
resident  of  Scranton. 

John  Zeidler  was  born  in  Selb,  Bavaria,  January  15,  1828.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  his  native  place,  remaining  there  until  he  attained  the  age  ol 
eighteen  years,  when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  believing  that  the  op- 
portunities for  advancement  and  progress  were  greater  in  the  new  than  the 
old  world.  In  1854,  after  eight  years'  residence  in  Haller,  he  removed  to 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  es- 
tablished a  bakery  business  at  No.  217  Lackawanna  avenue,  removing  later 
to  Franklin  avenue,  and  this  proved  a  most  remunerative  means  of  livelihood, 
he  conducting  it  in  a  thoroughly  business-like  manner,  using  nothing  but  the 
best  materials,  hence  his  products  were  the  best.  He  continued  the  active 
management  of  the  business  up  to  the  time  of  his  decease,  the  business  then 
passing  to  the  control  of  his  daughter.  Miss  IMaggie  Zeidler,  who  has  since 
proven  herself  a  competent  and  efficient  manager.  In  addition  to  this  enter- 
prise, Mr.  Zeidler  conducted  what  was  known  as  Zeidler's  Restaurant,  located  in 
the  Germania  block  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  which  was  erected  by  Mr.  Zeidler, 
and  subsequently  he  erected  the  Zeidler  or  Valley  Home  block,  also  on  Lacka- 
wanna avenue,  which  at  that  time  was  the  most  extensive  block  in  the  city  of 
Scranton.    From  these  he  derived  a  goodly  income,  they  being  conducted  along 


^o/tn  Aelf/leK 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  463 

practical  lines.  Mr.  Zeidler  went  as  endorser  on  many  notes,  and  during  the 
panic  of  1873,  when  so  many  business  men  failed,  he  was  compelled  to  honor 
these  notes,  consequently  he  was  oblidged  to  lose  the  property  that  he  had  ac- 
cumulated by  years  of  hard  toil  and  persistent  effort.  This  calamity,  which 
would  have  discouraged  men  of  less  strength  and  force  of  character,  only 
served  to  make  him  redouble  his  efforts,  and  in  due  course  of  time  he  suc- 
ceeded in  accumulating  considerable  capital  and  property,  being  enabled  to  leave 
to  his  family  at  his  death  an  extensive  and  valuable  estate,  a  fact  which  elo- 
quently testified  to  the  character  of  the  man.  Mr.  Zeidler  was  an  active  and 
earnest  member  of  Zion  Lutheran  Church,  as  was  also  his  wife,  contributing 
generously  toward  its  support  and  maintenance.  He  was  hospitable,  charit- 
able, generous,  with  a  ready  sympathy  for  these  in  affliction  or  need. 

Mr.  Zeidler  married,  in  1857,  at  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  Mary  Bechtold, 
a  native  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  her  birth  occurring  in  1834,  and  in 
1848,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  she  accompanied  her  parents  to  this  country, 
they  locating  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
days.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zeidler  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely:  Mrs. 
Rudolph  Bloeser,  Mrs.  F.  G.  Diem,  John  L.  Zeidler,  Miss  Maggie  Zeidler,  Mrs. 
Louis  Linder,  and  Mrs.  Harry  S.  Poust. 

Mr.  Zeidler  passed  away  at  his  home  in  Scranton,  January  23,  1892,  and 
his  widow  passed  away  September  15,  1897.  Their  funeral  services  were  con- 
ducted in  Zion  Lutheran  Church,  being  attended  by  representative  gatherings, 
and  the  interments  were  in  Washington  Avenue  Cemetery.  The  pastor  of  the 
church,  Rev.  P.  H.  Zizelmann,  delivered  an  eloquent  tribute  to  the  many  excel- 
lent characteristics  displayed  in  the  life  of  Mrs.  Zeidler,  who  was  an  active 
factor  in  the  work  of  the  various  societies  connected  with  the  church  for  many 
years. 


THOMAS  MORTIMER  VOYLE 

Of  an  old  Olyphant,  Lackawanna  county  family,  Mr.  Voyle  descends  from 
a  family  of  successful  merchants.  His  grandfather,  Thomas  Voyle,  was  a 
highly  respected  merchant  of  Carbondale  and  Olyphant,  and  was  succeeded  in 
business  by  his  son,  David  M.  Voyle,  who  became  owner  of  the  Olyphant  store. 
Thomas  Voyle  served  several  terms  as  mayor  of  Carbondale,  and  was  a  man 
of  influence  and  high  standing,  both  in  the  business  world  and  in  official  life. 
He  married  Anna  Davenport  and  had  issue :  Frances,  Louise,  Ella,  Anna, 
Uriah,  David  M. 

(II)  David  M.  Voyle,  father  of  Thomas  M.  Voyle,  inherited  his  father's 
mercantile  ability,  and  during  the  lifetime  of  the  latter  was  his  business  asso- 
ciate, later  his  successor.  He  married  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Price.  Chil- 
dren :  Anna,  Cora,  Thomas  Mortimer,  Gertrude,  David,  Jennie. 

(III)  Thomas  Mortimer  Voyle  was  born  at  Olyphant,  Lackawanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  13,  1872.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Olyphant,  which  he  attended  until  1889,  then  was  a  student  for  one  year  in  a 
private  school  in  Scranton.  He  then  became  associated  with  the  Scranton 
Supply  and  Machine  Company,  continuing  until  August  i,  1906,  when  he 
was  promoted  to  the  position  of  manager  to  succeed  W.  S.  Boyd,  deceased. 
He  still  fills  this  important  position,  his  company  being  the  leading  mill  and 
mine  supply  house  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Voyle  is  prominent  in 
the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Keystone  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ; 
Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 


464  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Shrine.    He  is  a  member  of  St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  Engineers' 
Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Scranton  Club. 

Mr.  Voyle  married,  October  8,  1908,  Grace  E.  Lawrence,  daughter  of 
Philip  Lawrence,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  Two  daughters. 
Jane  L.  and  Grace  T.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  317  Wheeler  avenue, 
Scranton. 


FLETCHER  C.  STACKHOUSE 

Inheriting  the  adventurous  blood  of  his  pioneer  grandfather  and  his  honored 
father,  who  gave  up  his  life  on  the  field  of  battle,  Mr.  Stackhouse  saw  life  in 
its  many  phases  in  many  states  of  the  Union  before  coming  to  Scranton  where 
he  is  rated  one  of  the  capable  business  men  of  the  city.  He  is  a  grandson  of 
Joseph  Stackhouse,  of  New  Jersey,  who  early  came  to  Shickshinny,  Luzerne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  acquired  large  holdings  of  timber  land,  owned 
two  saw  mills  and  became  an  extensive  lumber  dealer. 

(II)  Jesse  B.  Stackhouse,  son  of  Joseph  Stackhouse,  was  born  in  New 
Jersey  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  at  an 
early  day.  He  became  a  foundryman,  his  plants  being  devoted  to  the  manu- 
facture of  cook  stoves  and  plows.  Early  in  the  conflicts  between  the  states, 
he  enlisted  in  the  Forty-third  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry  and 
met  his  death  at  the  battle  of  Hatcher's  Run.     He  married  Margaret  Hazlett. 

(III)  Fletcher  C.  Stackhouse,  son  of  Jesse  B.  and  Margaret  (Hazlett) 
Stackhouse,  was  born  at  Shickshinny,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  October 
II,  1856.  He  was  educated  in  the  Hartford  School  for  Soldiers'  Orphans,  re- 
maining there  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  then  returned  home,  finishing 
his  studies  at  the  school  of  his  native  town,  taking  a  business  course.  He  then 
spent  several  years  in  the  states  of  Iowa,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Kansas  and  New 
Mexico  (then  a  territory),  mostly  being  employed  in  railroad  offices.  He 
remained  in  the  West  until  1883  when  he  returned  to  his  home  town  in  Penn- 
sylvania. He  spent  two  years  there  in  business  for  himself,  coming  to  Scran- 
ton in  1885.  He  entered  the  employ  of  the  Hunt  &  Connell  Company  as  book- 
keeper, continuing  with  them  twelve  years.  In  1897  he  came  with  the  Scran- 
ton Button  Company  in  the  same  capacity,  and  thirteen  years  later,  in  1910, 
was  elected  secretary  of  the  company,  a  position  he  yet  efficiently  fills.  His 
experience  in  the  business  world,  obtained  in  many  states,  is  a  particularly 
valuable  one,  and  not  bound  by  tradition  or  precedent  he  adopts  progressive 
methods  and  in  so  doing  has  kept  his  department  abreast  of  the  modem  methods 
that  prevail  in  the  other  departments  of  the  company's  business. 

Air.  Stackhouse  married,  in  Sterling,  Kansas,  Laura  A.,  daughter  of  David 
Seltzer,  of  that  city.  Children :  Grace  Bell,  married  Joseph  E.  Elliot  Jr. ; 
Elizabeth,  married  James  H.  Neele ;  Helen ;  David  Keith.  The  family  are 
members  of  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


CHRISTIAN  SCHILLINGER 

A  German  by  birth,  and  now  holding  a  position  in  the  industrial  world 
of  Scranton,  Christian  Schillinger's  residence  in  the  United  States  is  through 
the  course  of  fortune  rather  than  because  of  any  plans  for  which  he  is  respon- 
sible. Had  he  remained  in  the  homeland  until  he  had  attained  mature  years 
it  is  highly  probable  that  the  ambition  and  desire  for  improvement  that  led  his 
father.  Christian  Schillinger,  to  immigrate  to  this  country,  would  have  im- 
pelled him  to  seek  an  American  home,  but  the  need  of  such  a  decision  was 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  465 

spared  him,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  the  place  that  has  since  known  his 
activities. 

His  father,  Cliristian  Schillinger,  was  born  in  Emmendingen,  Baden,  Ger- 
many, and  was  tliere  reared  and  educated.  He  was  the  owner  of  land  and  there 
he  conducted  farming  and  fruit-growing  operations,  later  adding  lumber  dealing 
to  his  business  and  so  continuing  until  his  immigration  in  May,  1893.  He  was 
accompanied  to  this  country  by  his  entire  family,  and  settled  in  Scranton,  being 
employed  as  teamster  at  the  Hampton  Colliery  until  his  death  in  September, 
1901,  aged  about  fifty  years.  A  Republican  sympathizer,  he  belonged  to  the 
German  Presbyterian  Church,  and  for  several  years  was  a  member  of  the 
official  board  of  that  organization.  He  is  buried  in  the  Washburn  Cemetery, 
Scranton.  Christian  Schillinger  married  Barbara  Woehrle,  born  in  Hornberg 
Black  Forest,  Germany,  daughter  of  Conrad  Woehrle,  a  native  of  the  same 
place,  a  farmer.  Children  of  Christian  and  Barbara  (Woehrle)  Schillinger: 
Christian,  of  whom  further ;  Otto,  Fred,  Anna. 

Christian  (2)  Schillinger,  son  of  Christian  (i)  and  Barbara  (Woehrle) 
Schillinger,  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  September  10,  1876.  His  general 
education  completed  in  his  native  land,  he  passed  two  years  in  a  technical 
school,  and  then  served  a  like  time  as  apprentice  in  a  mechanical  art.  After 
accompanying  his  parents  to  the  United  States  he  took  courses  in  English  and 
mechanical  engineering  in  the  International  Correspondence  Schools,  and  then 
obtained  a  position  in  the  Hampton  Colliery  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad  Company.  He  passed  through  various  grades  of  service  to 
the  position  of  coal  inspector,  then  to  that  of  gang  foreman  in  construction, 
foreman  of  the  boiler  and  power  plant,  and  finally  to  his  present  important 
place,  superintendent  of  the  boiler  and  power  plants  of  the  coal  department  of 
the  road.  Capability  and  efficiency  mark  his  execution  of  the  duties  of  his 
position,  and  his  incumbency  thereof  has  been  a  satisfaction  to  his  employers 
and  a  pleasure  to  those  associated  with  him.  While  associated  with  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  Mr.  Schillinger  was  active 
in  the  formation  of  the  Schillinger  Brothers  Company,  dealers  in  tile,  of  which 
prosperous  concern  he  is  president.  Schillinger  Brothers  Company  handles  tile 
for  all  purposes,  flooring  and  interior  and  exterior  decoration,  and  has  built  up 
a  flourishing  trade  in  this  line,  the  material  used  by  them  of  the  best.  Not 
active  in  political  circles,  Mr.  Schillinger  yields  allegiance  to  the  Republican 
party,  and  is  a  member  of  the  First  German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  belongs  to  the  Engineers'  Society  of 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Schillinger  married,  October  31,  1900,  Ella  Henrietta,  born  in  Scran- 
ton, daughter  of  Frank  and  Albertina  Heinen,  her  parents  natives  of  Germany, 
residents  of  Scranton  during  nearly  their  entire  lives.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schil- 
linger have  one  son,  Harold  Otto,  born  November  28,  1903,  attends  school. 


JAMES  M.  POWELL 

Representatives  of  two  generations  of  the  family  founded  the  line  ol 
Powell  in  the  United  States,  Reese  C.  and  Howell  Powell,  father  and  grand- 
father of  James  M.  Powell.  James  M.  Powell,  the  present  day  representative 
of  his  line  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  whither  the  two  pioneers  previously  men- 
tioned settled  after  their  immigration  to  this  land,  has  attained  prominence 
and  reputation  through  his  activity  in  many  phases  of  the  city  life,  political, 
fraternal,  industrial,  business,  and  social.  As  president  and  later  as  secretary 
of  the  West  Scranton  Board  of  Trade  he  has  been  at  the  head  of  an  organiza- 
tion whose  object  is  the  fostering  of  the  city's  industries  and  the  establish- 

30 


466  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ment  of  trade  conditions  that  will  still  further  increase  the  advantages  of  the 
locality  as  an  industrial  center,  while  through  many  other  connections  he  is 
allied  with  the  strongest  forces  working  for  the  benefit  and  credit  of  the  city 
of  his  birth. 

Howell  Powell,  grandfather  of  James  M.  Powell,  was  born  in  Wales,  and 
in  1869  came  to  the  United  States,  becoming  a  resident  of  Scranton.  After  a 
few  years  he  returned  to  his  native  land,  where  his  death  occurred.  Reese  C. 
Powell,  eldest  son  of  Howell  Powell,  was  born  in  Wales,  died  in  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1907.  He  came  to  this  city  in  1869,  his  father  making  the 
journey  with  him.  He  was  for  fifteen  years  tax  collector  for  the  fifteenth 
ward  of  the  city,  and  was  long  a  member  of  the  Welsh  Calvinistic  Methodist 
Church,  in  the  work  of  which  he  was  active.  He  married,  in  1869,  Mary 
James,  and  had  children  :  Anna,  married  E.  M.  Eshleman,  of  Atlantic  City,  New 
Jersey;  James  M.,  of  whom  further;  Margaret. 

James  M.  Powell,  son  of  Reese  C.  and  Mary  (James)  Powell,  was  born  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  January  24,  1875.  He  was  a  student  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city  until  he  was  a  lad  of  thirteen  years,  when  he  en- 
tered business  life  in  the  employ  of  R.  M.  Lindsay,  a  dry  goods  merchant  of 
Scranton,  remaining  in  his  establishment  for  three  years,  then  spending  half 
of  that  time  with  Joseph  A.  Mears.  The  following  three  years  he  passed  in 
the  service  of  the  Rice,  Levy  Company,  and  was  connected  for  a  like  period 
with  Clarke  Brothers,  beginning  his  connection  with  that  firm  at  the  time  of 
its  organization.  In  1897  Mr.  Powell  became  associated  with  the  Scranton 
Gas  and  Water  Company,  a  relation  that  continues  to  this  time,  Mr.  Powell 
having  been  raised  to  his  present  position,  that  of  manager  of  the  gas  appli- 
ances department,  in  1901.  His  name  stands  high  upon  the  list  of  the  com- 
pany's trusted  employees,  and  he  directs  the  work  of  his  department  with  de- 
cisive ability. 

Mr.  Powell  is  a  member  of  the  West  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  and  in 
1911  was  its  president,  and  secretary  of  the  same  organization  since  1912. 
His  fraternal  associations  are  with  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  306,  K.  of  P. ; 
Lackawanna  Council,  Royal  Arcanum,  to  which  he  has  belonged  since  1893 , 
Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  339,  F.  and  A.  M..  having  been  worshipful  master  in 
1906  and  secretary  since  1907,  and  holds  the  Knights  Templar  degree,  being  a 
member  of  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T.,  in  1912  succeeding  the 
late  Edward  Buck  as  recorder.  In  this  order  he  also  holds  membership  in 
Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His 
political  party  is  the  Republican,  and  he  was  the  representative  of  the  fourth 
ward  in  select  council  in  1910  and  191 1,  in  the  latter  year  becoming  the  can- 
didate of  his  party  for  county  commissioner. 

Mr.  Powell  married,  June  12,  1901.  Gwennie  M.,  daughter  of  William  M. 
and  Ann  Thomas,  of  West  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  William  M.  Thomas  was 
an  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Steel  Company,  and 
moved  from  Catasauqua  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1865,  his  wife  still 
living  in  the  latter  city,  aged  eighty-one  years.  Children  of  James  M.  ami 
Gwennie  M.  (Thomas)  Powell:  William,  died  in  1910,  aged  eight  years;  Theo- 
dore, born  May  3,  1903 ;  Marjorie,  died  in  1912,  aged  one  year. 


WILLIAM  LINCOLN  NASH 

Entering  the  service  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad 
Company  as  a  boy  of  ten  years,  William  Lincoln  Nash  has  remained  con- 
tinuously in  that  employ  until  the  present  time.  He  has  truly  served  but  one 
master,  and  if  the  following  recital  does  not  show  plainly  the  fidelity,  constancy 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  467 

and  whole-heartedness  with  which  he  has  done  this,  then  it  has  failed  pitiably 
in  its  purpose. 

He  is  a  descendant  of  an  English  family,  his  grandfather  having  come  from 
Bilston,  Stali'ordshire,  England,  to  the  United  States  as  a  young  man,  settling 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  In  that  city  he  established  in  the  hardware 
business,  continuing  in  such  dealings  until  his  death.  He  married  Mary  Ann 
Morgan,  and  had  children:  i.  Ellen,  born  October  5,  1821,  deceased;  married 
George  Stephenson;  resided  in  Scranton.  2.  Catherine,  born  September  16, 
1823,  deceased ;  married  Ephraim  Kellam,  who  after  her  death  married  a 
second  time.  3.  John,  born  July  21,  1825,  deceased.  4.  Thomas,  born  De- 
cember 2,  1827,  deceased.     5.  Sarah  A.  M.,  born  January  3,  1830,  deceased. 

6.  Mary,  born  July  16,  1832;  married  Nathaniel  Gray;  resides  in  Worcester, 
Massachusetts.  7.  Joseph,  of  whom  further.  8.  Maria  C,  born  February  11, 
1837.  9.  Martha,  born  July  28,  1838;  second  wife  of  Ephraim  Kellam;  lives 
in  Hawley,  Pennsylvania.  10.  Emelina,  born  November  16,  1840;  married 
Anson  Boles,  of  Scranton. 

Joseph  Nash,  father  of  William  Lincoln  Nash,  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  September  15,  1834,  died  at  Hyde  Park,  Pennsylvania,  July  18, 
1898.  As  a  young  man  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  when  war  between  the 
North  and  South  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  his  regiment  being 
immediately  forwarded  to  the  front.  He  had  been  in  the  service  but  a  shore 
time  when  he  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever,  a  malady  which  so  sapped 
his  strength  that  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  return  home  to  recuperate,  al- 
though he  returned  to  the  army  long  before  his  physician  considered  it  advis- 
able. In  1864  he  became  a  member  of  Company  H,  Fifty-second  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  engaged  in  all  the  battles  of  that 
regiment  until  peace  was  declared.  Among  the  battles  in  which  he  took  part 
were  Antietam  and  South  Mountain,  and  he  fought  in  all  the  other  campaigns 
and  battles  engaging  his  regiment.  Receiving  his  honorable  discharge  from  the 
service,  he  made  his  home  at  Hyde  Park,  Pennsylvania,  engaging  in  carpenter- 
ing, a  trade  he  followed  during  his  remaining  active  years.  He  married  Anna 
E.,  daughter  of  Richard  Evans,  an  undertaker  and  cabinetmaker.  Richard 
Evans  was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  the  United  States  from  Liverpool 
when  his  daughter,  Anna  E.,  was  a  girl  of  four  years.  He  went  to  Wayne 
county  about  1853  and  nine  years  later  moved  to  Scranton,  where  he  was  a 
carpenter  until  his  death.  Qiildren  of  Joseph  and  Anna  E.  (Evans)  Nash: 
I.  Helen  M.  2.  Edith  J.,  married  A.  B.  Mayo.  3.  William  Lincoln,  of  whom 
further.  4.  Arthur  L.,  a  resident  of  Scranton.  5.  Herbert  E.,  an  architect, 
engaged  in   business  in   Albany,   Georgia.     6.  George   E.,   lives   in   Scranton. 

7.  Daisy  H.,  married  William  Bahr. 

William  Lincoln  Nash  was  born  in  Salem,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
August  10,  1864,  and  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age  attended  what  was  then 
known  as  the  Brick  School-house,  now  School  No.  14,  of  Scranton.  At  that 
age  he  obtained  employment  in  the  Hampton  Breaker,  and  from  that  time 
until  the  present  day  has  served  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Rail- 
road Company,  passing  through  various  grades  of  service,  each  more  respon- 
sible and  more  remunerative  than  the  last,  to  the  position  of  chief  clerk  in  the 
auditing  department.  It  would  be  difficult  to  give  to  Mr.  Nash  too  great  credit 
for  the  advance  he  has  made  in  the  confidence  of  his  employers  and  superiors 
in  office,  confidence  that  has  been  expressed  by  the  bestowal  of  more  im- 
portant duties  and  in  entrusting  to  his  care  commissions  of  importance.  At 
the  beginning  of  his  career  he  was  handicapped  by  a  lack  of  educational  ad- 
vantages.    Deprived   of   the   pleasures   and  benefits   of  even   ordinary   school 


468  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

training  he  resolutely  set  himself  to  the  task  of  overcoming  these  obstacles  and 
made  his  work  his  study,  applying  himself  to  this  task  with  such  persistence 
and  pertinacity  that  he  was  steadily  raised  to  his  present  important  place. 
None  of  his  fellow  employees  with  whom  he  has  been  associated  during  this 
time  grudge  him  the  advance  he  has  made,  though  he  has  left  many  of  them 
far  in  the  rear,  for  all  recognized  the  sincerity  of  his  purpose  and  the  earnest- 
ness with  which  he  has  labored.  His  friends  in  the  company  are  many,  as  are 
those  he  has  made  outside  of  his  business  connections,  and  his  genial,  hearty 
and  afifable  nature  makes  him  one  under  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  work  and 
with  whom  social  intercourse  is  a  privilege.  Mr.  Nash  holds  membership  in 
Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Camp  No.  8,  S.  of  V.,  and 
is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Memorial  Association  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  of  this  city.  He  and  his  family  belong  to  the  Elm  Park 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  they  are  regular  attendants,  while 
politically  his  actions  are  guided  solely  by  the  occasion  and  the  candidate. 

Air.  Nash  married  Emma,  daughter  of  Martin  C.  Birtley,  of  Scranton, 
and  has  children:  Meltha,  born  April  12,  1893;  Carlton,  born  March  29,  1898; 
Ronald,  born  January  2,  1901 ;  Janet,  born  June  18,  1907. 


WILLIAM  OLIVER  JENKINS 

During  the  years  from  April,  1906,  to  June  i,  1914,  as  city  assessor,  Mr. 
Jenkins  proved  his  ability  as  a  public  official  and  one  who  in  the  discharge  of  a 
public  duty  is  upright,  fearless  and  just.  A  resident  of  Scranton  since  1868, 
he  has  passed  through  many  forms  of  employment  peculiar  to  this  section  and 
in  mill  and  mine  has  proved  his  right  to  be  considered  a  man  of  superior 
mettle.  Descendant  of  an  old  Welsh  family  and  himself  of  Welsh  birth  he 
possesses  the  manly  characteristics  of  that  race  to  which  has  been  added  the 
American,  that  blend  so  well  with  the  foreign  character.  He  is  a  son  of  Jabez 
and  a  grandson  of  Thomas  Jenkins,  the  latter  a  life-time  resident  of  Cardiff, 
Wales,  never  leaving  his  native  land. 

Jabez  Jenkins  was  born  in  Cardiff,  Wales,  January  11,  1822,  there  residing 
until  1867,  when  he  came  to  the  LTnited  States,  locating  in  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, locating  a  year  later  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  in  his  native 
city,  Ann  Evans,  born  in  Carmarthen,  Wales,  February  14,  1825.  Children: 
Ann,  born  February  15,  1846.  deceased;  Elizabeth,  February  15,  1848,  de- 
ceased ;  Isabella,  December  2,  1850,  deceased ;  John  D.,  August  29,  1852, 
manager  of  Schaffer  Brothers,  Erie,  Pennsylvania ;  William  Oliver,  of  whom 
further;  Elvira,  August  16,  1856,  deceased;  Amelia,  July  10,  1863,  married 
Paul  Scirefligh,  of  Scranton;  Jabez  (2),  February  13,  1865,  of  St.  Louis. 
Missouri;  Taliesen,  February  16,  1867,  deceased.  Ann  (Evans)  Jenkins,  the 
mother  of  these  children,  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  Evans,  of  Car- 
marthen, later  of  Cardiff,  Wales,  where  both  lived  and  died.  On  arriving  at 
Baltimore  with  his  family.  Jabez  Jenkins  secured  employment  as  foreman  in 
a  copper  smelting  plant,  but  in  Scranton  engaged  as  a  mechanic.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Welsh  Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics  a  Prohibitionist. 

William  Oliver  Jenkins  was  bom  at  Merthyr,  South  Wales,  and  for  two 
years  attended  the  public  schools.  At  age  of  nine  years  he  was  working  in  an 
iron  mill,  later  went  to  the  coal  mines  as  driver  boy.  In  1867  he  came  to  the 
United  States  with  his  parents,  coming  to  Scranton  in  1868.  Here  he  fol- 
lowed coal  mining  until  1904,  advancing  to  the  position  of  foreman.  In  1901 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Scranton  common  council  and  was  re-elected 
successively  until  1906  when  he  was  appointed  by  Mayor  J.  B.  Dimmick  city  as- 
sessor, an  office  he  held  until  January  i,  1914.     In  all  his  dealings  Mr.  Jenkins 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  469 

displayed  a  keen  sense  of  business  honor  and  gained  the  confidence  of  his 
fellowmen.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  member  of  Scranton  Board  of 
Trade,  and  of  the  the  K.  of  P.,  Lodge  No.  306,  of  which  he  is  past  chancellor 
commander.  He  is  deacon  and  trustee  of  the  Jackson  Street  Baptist  Church, 
also  serving  as  treasurer  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  Mr. 
Jenkins  is  an  active  member  of  the  Surface  Protection  Association  of  Scranton. 
This  organization's  efforts  have  been  instrumental  in  doing  much  good  towards 
the  protection  of  life  and  limb  and  for  the  safety  and  benefit  of  the  city  at  large. 
Mr.  Jenkins  married,  February  9,  1878,  at  Olyphant,  Pennsylvania,  Eliza- 
beth Davis,  born  in  Swansea,  Wales,  January  11,  1852,  eldest  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam S.  and  Elizabeth  (Jones)  Davis.  She  had  brothers  and  sisters:  Benjamin, 
deceased ;  Margaret,  deceased ;  Mary ;  Matilda,  married  W.  O.  Adair ;  Wil- 
liam, of  Scranton;  George,  of  Scranton.  Children  of  William  O.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Davis)  Jenkins:  i.  Benjamin,  educated  in  public  schools,  graduate  of 
Wood's  Business  College,  cashier  and  accountant  for  the  Armour  Packing 
Company,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  member  of  the  Masonic  Order ;  he  married 
Anna  Davis  and  has  a  son  William  Edward.  2.  Cora,  a  teacher.  3.  Alfred 
Arthur,  graduate  of  Harvard  University,  1909,  Harvard  Law  School,  1912, 
LL.  B.,  now  a  practicing  lawyer  of  Boston,  Massachusetts ;  member  of  the 
Masonic  Order.  4.  Mabel,  a  stenographer.  5.  Alice  Elizabeth,  a  graduate  of 
Goucher  College,  1913,  a  teacher  and  assistant  principal. 


RUDOLPH  M.  GOLDSMITH 

In  1864  there  came  to  Scranton  a  young  Bavarian,  Morris  Goldsmith, 
thirty-one  years  of  age,  having  been  a  resident  of  Pennsylvania  twelve  years. 
He  was  seeking  a  location  for  a  retail  shoe  store  and  decided,  in  spite  of  the 
advice  of  others,  to  open  his  store  on  the  south  side  of  Lackawanna  avenue. 
This  would  now  seem  to  have  been  a  wise  selection,  when  the  five-story  build- 
ing that  is  necessary  to  house  the  business  of  Goldsmith  Brothers,  which  he 
founded,  is  considered,  and  the  solidly  built  business  block  covering  every  lot. 
But  in  that  day  that  side  of  the  avenue  was  vacant,  save  for  a  lumber  yard, 
a  house  that  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  Scranton  House  and  perhaps  a 
small  shop  or  two.  Lackawanna  avenue  had  plank  walks,  was  unpaved  and 
badly  lighted.  Mr.  Goldsmith's  store  at  the  corner  of  the  Alley,  directly  op- 
posite the  present  Western  Union  office,  was  the  first  store  of  any  consequence 
on  the  south  side  and  an  early  failure  was  predicted  for  the  young  man  by 
the  merchants  of  the  north  side  of  the  avenue.  But  he  believed  that  if  he 
had  the  goods  that  the  people  would  come  to  him  regardless  of  which  side  of 
the  street  he  was  on.  In  one  year  he  moved  to  the  present  location  of  Gold- 
smith Brothers,  No.  304  Lackawanna  avenue,  the  oldest  shoe  business  in 
Scranton,  soon  to  celebrate  its  semi-centennial.  Within  four  years  after  it 
started  in  business,  or  in  1868,  the  south  side  of  the  avenue  was  rapidly  build- 
ing up,  and  the  wise  ones,  who  predicted  that  business  could  not  be  diverted 
from  the  north  side  were  taught  a  lesson  by  the  plucky  young  foreigner  to 
whom  the  honor  of  being  the  pioneer  merchant  of  Lackawanna  avenue  south 
side  must  ever  belong.  The  business  he  founded  in  1864  was  carried  on  as  a 
retail  enterprise  for  several  years,  later  a  wholesale  department  was  added 
and  is  so  continued.  The  firm  name  of  Goldsmith  Brothers  is  somewhat  mis- 
leading, as  the  founder's  only  living  son,  Rudolph  M.  Goldsmith,  is  sole  owner 
and  proprietor. 

Morris  Goldsmith  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1833.  In  1852  he 
came  to  the  United  States,  making  his  own  way  to  the  coast  and  there  em- 
barking for  New  York,  the  voyage  being  of  seventy  days'  duration.     Thence 


470  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

by  stage  and  canal  he  reached  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  opened  a 
shoe  store.  Two  years  later  he  married,  and  for  several  years  continued  in 
business  at  Honesdale,  then  for  a  short  time  lived  in  Wilkes-Barre,  later  re- 
turning to  Honesdale  and  in  1864  came  to  Scranton.  Here  he  won  his  way 
to  prominence  and  wealth  by  industry,  perseverance,  thorough  acquaintance 
with  the  shoe  business  and  a  wonderful  knowledge  of  human  nature.  He  was 
a  born  leader  and  in  a  successful  business  career  of  over  a  half  a  century 
demonstrated  that  public  support  will  always  be  given  a  courageous  and  pro- 
gressive leader.  He  won  where  failure  was  freely  predicted  and  not  only  ob- 
tained the  needed  patronage,  but  set  an  example  that  was  followed  even  by 
business  rivals.  His  judgment  was  sound;  his  foresight  keen;  his  integrity 
unquestioned. 

Morris  Goldsmith  married,  in  1854,  Regina  Friend,  of  Albany,  New  York, 
who  preceded  him  to  the  grave.  He  died  March  8,  1910,  the  last  survivor  of  a 
family  of  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  only  one  of  whom  remained  in 
Bavaria,  the  land  of  their  birth.  He  was  survived  by  his  son,  Rudolph  M., 
and  five  daughters :  Isabella,  married  J.  R.  Cohen ;  Hannah,  married  T.  A. 
Stein ;  Minnie,  married  Alfred  Rice ;  Pauline,  a  resident  of  Scranton ;  Eva, 
married  Felix  T.  Levy,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  In  addition  to  these,  eleven  grand- 
children were  living  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Goldsmith's  death. 

Rudolph  M.  Goldsmith,  last  surviving  son  of  Morris  and  Regina  ( Friend ,» 
Goldsmith,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  4,  1866.  The  building 
he  now  occupies  as  a  store,  No.  304  Lackawanna  avenue,  stands  on  the  site 
of  the  then  Goldsmith  home  and  is  especially  dear  to  him,  not  only  as  the 
scene  of  his  father's  wonderful  business  life,  but  as  his  own  birth-place,  busi- 
ness training  school  and  life-long  scene  of  business  activity.  He  was  educated 
in  the  city  schools  and  at  Easthampton,  Massachusetts,  leaving  the  latter  school 
at  age  of  sixteen  years.  He  began  business  life  at  that  age  with  his  father 
and  has  literally  grown  up  with  the  business  of  which  he  is  now  the  honored 
and  capable  head  and  sole  owner.  This  oldest  shoe  business  in  Scranton  was 
originally  a  retail  one,  but  grew  into  a  wholesale  and  retail  one,  Rudolph  M. 
having  charge  of  the  wholesale  department,  also  acting  as  traveling  salesman 
until  1890,  when  he  took  complete  charge  of  both  departments.  The  entire 
five  stories  of  No.  304  Lackawanna  avenue  are  devoted  to  the  needs  of  the 
business  which  is  a  very  large  and  prosperous  one,  capably  managed  by  the 
younger  man,  who  has  not  only  maintained  its  high  character,  but  has  so  ex- 
tended and  broadened  it  that  Goldsmith  Brothers  ranks  not  only  among  the 
oldest  of  Scranton's  mercantile  houses,  but  as  one  of  the  most  reliable  and 
prosperous.  Inheriting  the  virtues  and  business  ability  of  his  honored  father, 
he  has  improved  the  additional  opportunities  afforded  him  until  he  takes  place 
among  the  most  progressive  and  successful  men  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Goldsmith  married,  1896,  Alice,  daughter  of  Raphael  Levy,  of  San 
Francisco,   California.     Children:   Morris    (2);   Madeline;   Ralph   M. 


KENNETH  R.  BURNETT 

The  emigrant  ancestor  of  Kenneth  R.  Burnett,  in  the  Burnett  line  is  Peter 
Burnett,  his  grandfather,  who  was  born  in  Ireland.  He  came  to  Pennsylvania 
at  an  early  day,  settled  in  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  engaged  in 
farming. 

(II)  Dr.  John  Burnett,  son  of  Peter  Burnett,  the  founder,  was  born  in 
Canaan,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  13,  1849,  died  in  Scranton,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1898.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm,  obtained  a  good  preparatory  edu- 
cation, and  prepared  for  the  practice  of  medicine  at  the  College  of  Physicians 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  471 

and  Surgeons,  New  York  City,  now  the  medical  department  of  Columbia 
University,  whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.,  March  i,  1876.  He  began  prac- 
tice at  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  March  10,  1876,  and  continued  there  in  suc- 
cessful and  lucrative  professional  work  until  1884,  when  he  disposed  of  his 
practice.  He  then  spent  six  months  at  the  Post-Graduate  School  of  Medicine 
and  Surgery,  of  Bellevue  Hospital,  after  which  he  located  in  Scranton,  April 
I,  1885.  He  became  one  of  the  leading  surgeons  of  the  city,  held  posts  of 
responsibility  in  the  hospitals  of  the  city,  and  from  January  i,  1887,  to  Jan- 
uary 1,  1890,  was  coroner  of  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
held  in  high  esteem  by  his  medical  brethren  and  his  fellow  citizens  generally. 
Dr.  Burnett  married  Margaret  Hart,  born  in  New  York  City,  daughter  of 
Patrick  Hart,  born  in  Ireland,  later  a  wagon  manufacturer  of  New  York  City. 
Children :  Kenneth  R.,  of  whom   further ;  Marguerite,  Vivian,  John. 

(Ill)  Kenneth  R.  Burnett,  son  of  Dr.  John  and  Margaret  (Hart)  Bur- 
nett, was  born  at  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  November  16,  1882.  He  was 
educated  at  Saint  Cecelia  Academy  and  Saint  Thomas  College,  beginning  busi- 
ness life  as  messenger  in  the  Merchants'  and  Mechanics'  Bank  of  Scranton. 
He  received  several  promotions,  finally  becoming  teller,  retaining  that  posi- 
tion until  elected  cashier  of  the  Pine  Brook  Bank,  of  Scranton,  December, 
1910,  which  position  he  now  efficiently  fills.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Columbus,  and  of  a  number  of  clubs  among  which  are  the  Catholic,  Scran- 
ton, Canoe,  American  and  Institute  of  Banking. 


WILLIAM  HENRY  COLLINS 

A  descendant  of  Irish  ancestry,  Scranton  is  the  birthplace  of  William 
Henry  Collins  of  this  record ;  and  that  city  has  witnessed  all  of  his  busines;^ 
activity,  his  position  being  that  of  district  plant  chief  for  the  Western  Union 
Telegraph  Company. 

( I )  The  American  founder  of  this  line  was  Bernard  Collins,  born  in 
Queens  county,  Ireland,  who  settled  in  the  Scranton  district  in  1848,  where  he 
became  well  known,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  local  politics  of  the  day.  His 
faith  was  the  Roman  Catholic,  while  he  was  a  Democrat  in  politics ;  his 
death  occurred  in  1850.  He  married  Mary  Kennedy,  and  was  the  father  ct 
Thomas,  of  whom  further ;  Patrick  J.,  Michael  M.,  Bernard  M.,  Margaret, 
Catherine,  Mary,  all  deceased. 

(II)  Thomas  Collins,  son  of  Bernard  and  Mary  (Kennedy)  Collins,  was 
bom  in  Queens  county,  Ireland,  in  1824,  and  was  a  resident  of  Scranton 
from  1849,  ''nd  nearly  all  of  his  active  life  was  identified  with  the  firm  of  Hunt 
Brothers,  who  were  pioneer  dealers  in  hardware,  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  at 
the  corner  of  Washington  avenue.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat:  his  religious 
belief,  Roman  Catholic.  Thomas  Collins  married  Julia  Maloney,  a  native  of 
Ennistymon,  Clare  county,  Ireland.  They  were  married  in  Scranton,  May 
28,  i860;  Rev.  Moses  Whitty  officiating.  Julia  Maloney  came  to  Scranton  in 
girlhood  and  has  lived  here  ever  since ;  her  present  home  being  at  733  Quincy 
avenue.  Children  of  Thomas  and  Julia  (Maloney)  Collins:  William  Henry, 
of  whom  further;  Edward  Bernard,  deseased ;  Thomas  Francis;  John  Michael, 
deceased  ;  Austin  Charles,  deceased  ;  Anna  L. ;  John  Austin  ;  Joseph,  deceased  ; 
Mary  Agnes  ;  Julia  Regina. 

(III)  William  Henry  Collins,  son  of  Thomas  and  Julia  (Maloney)  Collin= 
was  born  on  Spruce  street,  Scranton,  and  he  has  always  lived  in  the  Central 
City.  He  was  educated  in  the  Scranton  high  schools.  The  Western  Union 
Telegraph  Company  is  practically  the  only  employment  he  has  ever  known, 
and  he  has  been  associated  with  that  concern  since  1877  when  he  entered  their 


472  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

service  as  a  messenger.  He  has  risen  from  that  position,  through  the  grades 
of  operator,  chief  operator  and  manager  to  his  present  important  office  of  dis- 
trict plant  chief  for  the  Scranton  district,  a  district  comprising  Northeastern 
and  Western  Pennsylvania,  extending  westward  to  Clearfield  county  and  a  part 
of  New  York  state.  His  fidelity  to  the  company  has  been  proved  through  long 
years  of  service,  during  which  his  responsibilities  have  increased  rapidly  and 
the  thoroughness  of  his  training  makes  him  an  employee  of  value.  He  is  a 
recognized  authority  on  telegraph  electrical  work  in  his  district,  being  an  expert 
electrician  and  his  duties  are  along  the  line  of  telegraph  engineering. 

Mr.  Collins  is  financially  interested  in  the  Scranton  Dime  and  Savings  Bank. 
His  political  principles  are  Democratic,  and  although  he  is  loyal  in  his  support 
of  that  party  and  an  active  worker  for  its  advancement,  he  has  never  sought 
the  rewards  of  public  office.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  Company  A. 
Engineers'  Battalion,  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  the  first  engineer  com- 
pany formed  in  that  organization  in  the  state,  and  for  three  years  served  as 
telegraph  engineer.  His  club  is  the  Morse,  of  New  York  City,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  National  Geographic  Society,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  also  being  a  charter  member  of  the  local  organization  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus.  His  church  is  the  Roman  Catholic,  in  which  he  belongs 
to  the  Cathedral  Parish. 

Mr.  Collins  married,  in  Scranton,  October  27,  1891,  Sarah  M.  Gorman, 
born  on  Scranton  West  Side,  daughter  of  Charles  Gorman,  who  journeyed  to 
California  in  1849,  tl^^  time  of  the  gold  excitement.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  are 
the  parents  of :  Paul  Gregory,  a  graduate  of  the  Central  High  School,  of  Scran- 
ton, class  of  1912,  and  at  present  a  student  at  Harvard  University;  Albert 
Joseph,  and  Frances  Marie,  both  students  in  the  Scranton  high  schools. 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN  FRINK 

Of  New  England  ancestry,  his  father  a  native  of  Connecticut,  but  himself 
a  son  of  Scranton,  Abraham  Lincoln  Frink  has  ever  been  a  resident  of  and  in 
business  in  the  city  of  his  birth.  His  grandfather,  Benajah  Frink,  had  among 
his  children  four  sons,  Isaac  and  Tracy,  both  farmers  at  Auburn ;  Orrin,  of 
whom  further;  William,  for  forty  years  a  freight  agent  in  the  employ  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  Orrin,  father  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln Frink,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  in  1807.  He  and  his  wife,  Edith  (Smith) 
Frink,  were  the  parents  of :  Harriett,  married  Jonas  Washburne ;  Mary,  mar- 
ried Albert  S.  Whittaker,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania;  Cornelia,  married  George 
N.  Stark;  Henry  Clay,  married  Hester  Kemmins,  of  New  York;  Jessie,  mar- 
ried Henry  T.  Howell;  Ida,  married  (first)  Harry  G.  Fuller,  (second)  Ellis 
W.  Moore ;  Luella,  married  Eugene  Grout,  of  Colorado ;  Abraham  Lincoln,  of 
whom  further. 

Abraham  Lincoln  Frink,  son  of  Orrin  and  Edith  (Smith)  Frink,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  26,  1864. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  this  city,  attending  the  public  schools,  also  being 
a  student  in  the  private  school  of  Miss  Hattie  Slocum,  held  in  a  building  that 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  old  store  of  O.  P.  Clark.  One  of  his  teachers  in  the 
old  brick  school  house  was  Professor  Hawker,  father  of  James  Howell  Hawk- 
er, a  member  of  the  present  faculty  of  the  Scranton  High  School.  After  the  old 
brick  school-house  was  destroyed  by  fire,  classes,  taught  by  Professor  J.  Elliott 
Ross,  were  held  in  the  Fellow's  Building.  Mr.  Frink  began  his  business  career 
at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  when  he  left  school  and  entered  the  employ  of 
William  Watkins,  a  printer,  with  whom  he  learned  type-setting  and  press 
running,   and  all  the  other   details  of   the  printer's   trade.     He  gave   up  his 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  473 

position  with  Mr.  Watkins  to  enter  the  service  of  H.  D.  Jones,  a  grocer  with 
a  store  on  Jackson  street,  and  was  next  identified  with  the  99c  store  of  C.  B. 
Nash,  at  501  Lackawanna  avenue,  after  which  he  became  associated  with  Mr. 
Courtright,  a  shoe  merchant.  His  next  position  was  with  the  Delaware,  Lacka- 
wanna &  Western  Railroad  Company,  and  after  a  short  term  with  this  road  he 
became  connected  with  L  F.  McGargle  and  J.  L.  Connell,  wholesale  grocers, 
with  whom  he  remained  for  two  years.  Timmes  &  Hecht,  manufactureres  of 
railroad  spikes  and  bar  iron,  then  engaged  his  services,  and  upon  the  dis- 
solution of  this  company  he  became  an  accountant  in  the  office  of  the  Gold- 
smith Bazaar.  The  year  1905  he  passed  in  the  employ  of  the  General  Metals 
Manufacturing  Company,  and  in  November,  1906,  he  was  employed  as  ac- 
countant by  C.  S.  Woolworth,  of  Scranton,  and  so  continued  until  1912.  A 
change  in  the  business  affairs  of  that  gentleman  taking  effect  on  January  i,  of 
that  year,  Mr.  Frink  became  his  private  secretary,  still  continuing  in  that  posi- 
tion. Of  Mr.  Frink's  fitness  for  the  position  in  which  he  has  been  placed  it 
can  only  be  said  that  his  fidelity  and  loyalty  to  his  employer  is  unswerving,  and 
that  in  the  administration  of  the  myriad  details  entrusted  to  him  he  has  ex- 
ercised judgment  that  has  brought  satisfactory  and  favorable  results  to  Mr. 
Woolworth.  His  wide  experience  in  several  lines  of  business  makes  him 
peculiarly  valuable  in  his  present  place  and  the  arrangement  between  him  and 
Mr.  Woolworth  has  been  eminently  gratifying  to  both  of  the  principals. 
No  political  party  counts  Mr.  Frink  as  a  supporter,  his  action  in  such  matters 
being  entirely  independent  of  such  association,  based  solely  upon  the  merits  of 
candidate  for  platform.  He  affiliates  with  the  First  Church  of  Christ,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Mr.  Frink  married  (first)  in  August,  1889,  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  George 
Harrington ;  (second)  Lillian  Hall,  daughter  of  John  Morris,  of  Scranton. 
By  his  first  marriage  he  is  the  father  of  two  children,  Dorothy  H.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 7,  1899;  James  Clayton,  born  December,   1900. 


HERMAN  HAGEN 


The  Hagen  Lumber  Company  of  Scranton,  one  of  the  prosperous  business 
concerns  of  the  city,  represents  the  efi^orts  of  Herman  Hagen,  who  founded 
that  company  in  1906.  John  P.  Hagen,  the  father  of  Herman  Hagen,  was  a 
native  of  Baden-Baden,  Germany,  and  throughout  his  entire  life  was  a  vet- 
erinary surgeon,  dying  in  his  native  land  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years. 
He  was  a  participant  in  the  revolution  of  1848,  and  bore  a  pround  reputation 
as  a  brave  and  valiant  soldier.  He  married  Marie  Ann,  daughter  of  Nepenick 
Foster,  magistrate  in  the  town  of  Galmansville,  and  a  prominent  man  of  that 
locality.  They  were  the  parents  of :  Ferdinand ;  Carl ;  Albert,  married,  in 
February,  1908,  Margaret  North,  and  bad  children,  Albert  Jr.  and  Dorothy 
M. :  Herman,  of  whom  further. 

Herman  Hagen  was  born  in  Baden-Baden,  Germany,  February  2,  1852, 
and  was  there  educated  in  the  public  schools.  After  the  completion  of  his 
studies  and  his  graduation  he  immigrated  to  the  LTnited  States,  landing  in 
New  York  City  and  proceeding  up  the  river  to  Hudson,  New  York,  where 
be  engaged  in  truck  gardening.  In  1870  he  moved  to  the  city  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  for  two  years  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Iron  Coal  Com- 
pany, for  the  two  following  years  executing  contracts  with  the  city  for  the 
grading  of  streets.  He  then  entered  upon  a  sixteen  years'  relation  with  the 
Simon  Rice  Grocery  Company,  at  the  end  of  that  time  purchasing  land  on 
Washington  avenue  and  beginning  work  at  his  early  occupation,  gardening,  in 
1880  joining  his  brother  Ferdinand  in  the  lumber  business,  on  the  present  site 


474  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  the  Hagen  Lumber  Company.  For  eight  years  he  was  a  director  of  the 
German  Building  and  Loan  Association,  holding  the  same  position  in  the 
Harmony  Building  and  Loan  Association  for  twenty  years,  also  with  the 
Schiller  Loan  Association.  Mr.  Hagen  has  conducted  several  private  busi- 
ness ventures,  independent  of  those  in  which  he  is  interested  as  a  member  of 
the  Hagen  Lumber  Company,  and  during  1881  and  1882  purchased  eleven  lots, 
erecting  modern  dwellings  thereon.  In  1896  he  purchased  four  hundred  acres 
of  land  near  Bear  Lake,  which  he  cleared,  and  in  1897  bought  one  acre  of 
land  and  built  six  houses.  In  1906  he  founded  the  Hagen  Lumber  Company, 
owning  an  absolutely  fire-proof  mill,  operating  the  first  planing  mill  in  the 
city,  with  individual  motors  on  each  machine.  He  manufactures  white  pin-; 
columns,  interior  finishings,  general  builders'  and  contractors'  work,  and  mill 
work  of  all  kinds,  a  busy  and  prosperous  concern.  He  also  assisted  in  organiz- 
ing the  Pine  Brook  Bank  and  is  director  of  this.  Mr.  Hagen  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Liederkranz  and  the  German  Alliance,  beneficial  societies,  and  be- 
longs to  the  German  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Hagen  married,  in  1875,  Sophia,  daughter  of  Ferdinand  Frey.  Chil- 
dren: I.  Frederick  C,  born  September  15,  1878;  foreman  of  the  Hagen 
Lumber  Company.  2.  Alfred  P..  born  January  25,  1880.  3.  George,  born 
July  5,  1882;  married,  October  14,  1908.  Nellie  Harte  and  their  children  are: 
Hortense,  George  Jr.,  Grace  Sophia,  Mary  and  Louise.  4.  August.  5.  Rosa, 
married  Edward  Eisele,  city  controller  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  6.  Carl. 
7.  Augusta.    8.  Helena. 


WILLIAM  EWART  NAPIER 

Having  devoted  nearly  all  of  his  active  career  to  the  insurance  business, 
William  Ewart  Napier,  secretary  of  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company, 
came  to  that  organization  in  1908,  recommended  by  a  record  of  efficient  service 
with  the  companies  of  repute,  and  now  holds  a  responsible  position  with  this 
institution,  and  one  of  corresponding  height  in  the  business  world  of  his  city. 

His  father,  John  Napier,  was  born  in  London,  England,  1850.  For  twelve 
years  he  was  engaged  in  military  service,  from  sixteen  to  twenty-eight  years  of 
age,  and  since  then  until  his  death  in  1914  was  engaged  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness. He  married  Isabella  Colyer,  likewise  a  native  of  England,  and  had 
children,  among  whom  was  William  Ewart,  of  whom  further. 

William  Ewart  Napier,  son  of  John  and  Isabella  (Colyer)  Napier,  was 
born  in  Dulwich,  a  suburb  of  London,  England,  January  17,  1881.  As  a 
boy  he  was  brought  to  Portland,  Maine,  and  there  attended  the  public  school?, 
completing  his  education  in  the  institutions  of  London,  England,  and  Berlin, 
Germany.  In  his  youth  he  was  engaged  in  journalistic  pursuits  in  New  York 
City,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  entered  his  father's  field,  life  insurance, 
and  has  since  continued  therein,  with  the  exception  of  the  years  spent  abroad 
while  finishing  his  education.  On  December  16,  igo8,  he  completed  negotia- 
tions with  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company  and  accepted  a  position  as 
actuary,  coming  to  the  home  office  in  Scranton.  With  the  recognition  of  his- 
worth  to  the  company  he  was  advanced  to  the  office  of  secretary,  of  which  he 
is  the  present  imcumbent.  In  19 14  he  was  elected  a  director  of  that  company, 
succeeding  John  R.  Williams.  He  without  doubt  inherits  a  large  portion 
of  his  father's  aptitude  for  the  insurance  business,  and  in  the  six  years  of 
his  connection  with  his  present  company  has  ably  met  every  difficulty  that 
has  arisen  in  the  company's  affairs.  Mr.  Napier  for  some  years  found  enjoy- 
able relaxation  from  business  cares  in  chess,  and  in  1904  held  the  open  and 
amateur  chess  championship  of  Great  Britain,  so  hopelessly  beyond  the  under- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


475 


standing  of  some,  but  which  furnishes  recreation  to  many  whose  business  is  of 
so  weighty  a  character  and  requiring  such  great  mental  activity  that  lighter 
amusements  fail  in  effectiveness,  and  to  this  class  belongs  Mr.  Napier.  He 
is  a  fellow  of  the  American  Institute  of  Actuaries,  member  of  the  Scranton 
Club,  the  Press  Club,  Canoe  Club,  New  York  Press  Club,  Brooklyn  Chess 
Club,  City  of  London  Chess  Club,  and  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  Mr. 
Napier  married,  in  1906,  Florence  Holley  Gillespie.  Children:  Muriel  Victoria 
and  Ruth  Alexandra. 


HERBERT  ROBERT  HICHAM 

Scion  of  an  old  English  family,  seated  in  Sulifolkshire,  England,  Mr. 
Higham  is  the  first  of  his  line  to  settle  in  the  United  States,  his  father  and 
grandfather  both  dying  in  England  at  a  ripe  age.  William  Higham,  the  grand 
father,  was  a  farmer  on  the  old  Higham  homestead,  married  and  had  children . 
Samuel  Robert ;  Edward,  a  dry  goods  merchant  at  Gloucester,  England,  and 
later  manager  of  Denton  &  Holbrook,  Gloucester,  England,  and  proprietor 
of  a  variety  store;  John,  died  in  Australia;  Thomas;  William,  of  further  men- 
tion ;  Isabel ;  Amy. 

(II)  William  (2)  Higham,  son  of  William  (i)  Higham,  was  born  in 
Branfield,  England,  June  i,  1827,  died  there  January  7,  1905.  He  was  a  malt- 
ster, engaging  in  that  business  all  his  active  life.  He  married  (first)  a  Miss 
Saunders,  who  bore  him  a  son,  Henry.  He  married  ( second )  Elizabeth 
Clow,  of  Branfield ;  children :  Florence  Elizabeth,  deceased :  Charlotte,  mar- 
ried and  resides  in  England ;  Isabel,  married  and  resides  in  England ;  Herbert 
Robert,  of  whom  further ;  Richard :  Ernest,  first  engineer  in  the  British  navy ; 
George,  a  resident  of  Scranton.  Elizabeth  (Clow)  Higham,  the  mother,  died 
February  11,  1910,  aged  seventy-two  years.  She  had  a  sister  who  died  in  1913, 
aged  eighty-one  years. 

(III)  Herbert  Robert  Higham,  son  of  William  (2)  Higham,  was  bom  in 
Branfield.  county  of  Sufi^olk.  England,  March  9,  1872.  He  was  educated  in 
public  schools,  and  at  an  early  age  indentured  to  a  grocer  for  three  years.  At 
the  end  of  his  apprenticeship  he  continued  in  the  same  business,  but  in  the 
town  of  Lafield,  in  the  employ  of  Samuel  Samson,  being  then  seventeen  years 
of  age.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  was  a  grocer's  clerk  at  Gloucester,  England, 
remaining  until  of  legal  age.  Later  he  decided  to  come  to  the  United  States, 
and  on  April  15,  1903,  he  left  Gloucester  for  Liverpool,  sailing  from  the  latter 
port  April  28,  on  the  steamship  "LTmbria"  and  arriving  at  New  York,  May  5, 
following.  He  continued  his  journey  westward,  arriving  in  Buffalo,  New 
York,  May  6,  there  found  employment  in  a  grocery  store,  remaining  a  month, 
then  on  June  7,  1903,  came  to  Scranton.  Six  days  after  his  arrival  in  the 
city  he  entered  the  employ  of  W.  H.  Pierce,  as  a  clerk,  and  won  his  way  up- 
ward until  on  the  incorporation  of  The  Pierce  Company,  May  15,  1912,  he 
was  chosen  secretary  of  the  company,  a  position  he  fills  most  capably.  His 
associates  in  the  company  were :  W.  H.  Pierce,  president ;  John  Hughes,  vice  • 
president :  M.  M.  Bennett,  treasurer ;  and  D.  S.  Stone ;  the  present  officials  are : 
M.  M.  Bennett,  president:  W.  H.  Pierce,  vice-president:  H.  R.  Higham,  sec- 
retary and  treasurer.  Mr.  Higham  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  and  the  Modern  Woodmen,  and  in  politics  is  an  Independent. 
He  married  Nora  L.,  daughter  of  George  Wellington  Sherwood,  of  Falls, 
Pennsylvania:  child:  Bessie  Eleanor,  born  October  26,  1901. 


476  CITY  OF  SCRANTOX 

BENJAMIN   L.  LATHROP 

As  secretary  of  the  general  cantracting  corporation,  Lathrop,  Shea  & 
Henwood  Company,  and  treasurer  of  The  Lathrop  &  Shea  Company,  con- 
tractors, Mr.  Lathrop  is  in  charge  of  the  office  business  of  two  of  the  large 
contracting  corporations  of  Scranton. 

Benjamin  L.  Lathrop  is  a  descendant  of  the  Rev.  John  Lathrop,  who  set- 
tled in  Scituate,  Massachusetts,  in  the  year  1630  A.  D.  James  Lathrop,  a 
descendant  of  Rev.  John  Lathrop,  was  a  man  of  prominence  and  wealth  of 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  at  one  time  served  as  vice-counsul  to  Canada.  Ed- 
ward Flint  Lathrop,  son  of  James  Lathrop,  was  born  in  South  Hadley  Falls, 
Massachusetts,  died  in  October,  1910,  aged  sixty-one  years.  He  was  one  of 
the  contractors  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  Lake  Ariel  Section  of  the 
Erie  &  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad.  He  was  extensively  engaged  in  railroad 
and  general  contracting  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Lathrop  &  Shea,  of  New 
Haven,  Connecticut.  This  firm  did  a  vast  amount  of  heavy  work  throughout 
the  country,  one  of  their  contracts  in  Pennsylvania  being  the  improvement  of 
the  Avoca  yards  of  the  Erie  «&  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad.  Mr.  Lathrop  mar- 
ried Nancy  Lane  and  among  their  children  was  Benjamin  L.,  of  whom  further. 

Benjamin  L.  Lathrop,  eldest  son  of  the  late  Edward  Flint  and  Nancy 
(Lane)  Lathrop,  was  born  at  Gravesend,  Long  Island,  New  York,  December 
7,  1877.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Brooklyn,  graduating  from 
high  school,  class  of  1896.  In  that  year  he  began  business  life,  going  to  Pitts 
field,  Massachusetts,  with  his  father,  and  entering  the  employ  of  Lathrop  & 
Shea.  Later  he  was  with  them  at  East  Hampton,  Connecticut,  and  for  four 
years  was  in  charge  of  the  firm's  office  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  In  1902  he 
came  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  as  secretary  of  Lathrop,  Shea  &  Henwood 
Company,  a  corporation  succeeding  the  firm  of  Lathrop,  Shea  &  Henwood. 
He  is  also  treasurer  of  The  Lathrop  &  Shea  Company,  contractors.  These 
companies  conduct  large  operations  in  dififerent  parts  of  the  country,  one  of 
their  present  contracts  being  for  a  large  section  of  the  Erie  Canal  in  New 
York  state,  widening  and  deepening  it  and  building  entirely  new  sections. 
Their  work  is  varied  in  character ;  they  have  recently  completed  three  build- 
ings and  a  reservoir  for  the  Farview  Hospital  for  the  Criminal  Insane,  and  a 
filtration  plant  for  Hillside  Home.  They  excavated  for  and  placed  the  con- 
crete foundations  for  the  new  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Sta- 
tion in  Scranton.  They  have  an  entensive  plant  in  constant  use  and  a  force 
of  about  three  thousand  men  is  employed  by  the  two  companies.  Mr.  Lathrop 
was  one  of  the  organizers  and  the  first  secretary  of  the  Scranton  Playground 
Association,  and  is  deeply  interested  in  this  form  of  philanthropy.  He  belongs 
to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  the  Royal  Arcanum, 
and  the  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Green  Ridge 
Club,  the  Alpha  Sigma  and  the  Scranton  Canoe  Club.  He  is  a  communicant 
of  St.  Luke's  (Episcopal)  Parish.     In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Lathrop  married,  June  i,  1909,  Elsie  Ruth  Deubler,  daughter  of  Otto 
and  Frances  (Jones)  Deubler,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Lathrop  is  a 
member  of  the  Century  Club  and  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 


ANGELO  COMINELLI 

An  artist  of  recognized  ability  before  coming  to  the  United  States,  Mr. 
Cominelli  has  added  to  his  fame  in  decorating  and  beautifying  with  his  art 
many  of  the  Holy  places  of  his  adopted  state.  As  an  ecclesiastical  artist  he  has 
acquired  much  more  than  local  fame  and  has  also  won  the  patronage  of  many 


■^if/tafr/  G^jMrie/t 


CITY  OK  SCRANTON  477 

persons  of  wealth,  who  have  availed  themselves  of  his  artistic  excellence  to 
beautify  their  homes  in  some  especially  desired  particular.  An  artist  by  in- 
born talent  and  years  of  study  and  with  a  reputation  in  his  own  land  as  an 
instructor  in  art  and  as  an  artist,  he  has  maintained  studios  in  Philadelphia, 
New  York  and  Scranton  with  successful  results.  His  immediate  forbears  were 
not  artists,  but  men  of  mechanical  and  business  ability.  His  grandfather, 
Faustino  Cominelli,  was  manager  of  a  large  landed  estate  in  Italy,  and  had 
children :  Louis,  Antonio,  John,  Catherine,  Mary,  Leander  and  Stephano. 
Louis  Cominelli  married  Annunciate  Rossini  and  had  issue :  Angelo,  of  whom 
further ;  Mary  ;  Ermenia  ;  Peter,  deceased  ;  Gildo  ;  Faustino  ;  Catherine,  de- 
ceased ;  Joseph  ;  John  ;  Julia,  deceased ;  Louisa,  deceased. 

Angelo  Cominelli  was  born  in  Milzanello,  Province  of  Brescia,  Italy,  Jan- 
uary 21,  1857,  and  three  years  afterward  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Man- 
orbio,  same  province.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  began  special  study 
as  a  student  of  architecture  under  Professor  Archieno.  He  did  not  pursue 
this  course  to  its  end,  but  abandoning  it  went  to  Milan,  taking  lessons  in  paint- 
ing under  a  capable  instructor  at  the  academy  of  Brera.  He  continued  his  art 
studies  until  he  was  of  legal  age,  then  in  accordance  with  Italian  law  he  joined 
the  army  and  rendered  his  three  years  of  military  service.  After  leaving  the 
army  he  was  appointed  professor  in  the  art  school  of  Brescia.  Later  he  opened 
a  private  studio  in  Brescia,  and  from  then  until  his  departure  for  the  United 
States  was  engaged  m  different  forms  of  interior  decoration,  chiefly  the  adorn- 
ment of  churches  or  church  institutions.  He  rose  to  fame  in  his  art  and  speci- 
mens of  his  handiwork  in  his  native  land  are  notably,  the  ceiling  of  the  FeraioH 
palace  at  Seuigo,  the  St.  Lawrence  church,  Verolanuorg,  and  the  Church  of 
Saint  Gregory  at  Cane.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Artists'  Society  of  Brescia, 
a  city  of  great  antiquity  and  the  former  seat  of  school  painting  of  great  merit, 
to  which  many  eminent  artists  belonged.  From  such  an  art  centre  and  with  a 
reputation  well  established,  Mr.  Cominelli  came  to  the  LTnited  States  influenced 
by  the  general  feeling  existing  that  this  was  the  land  of  great  opportunity. 
He  arrived  at  New  York  City,  December  24,  1901,  and  at  once  proceeded  to 
his  intended  destination,  Philadelphia.  He  spent  two  and  a  half  years  in  that 
city,  then  was  in  New  York  City  two  years  in  the  employ  of  a  large  contracting 
firm  who  utilized  his  talents  as  a  designer  and  interior  decorator  in  allegorical 
painting,  relief,  figures  and  purely  ornamental  work.  He  came  to  Scranton 
in  1905  and  at  once  opened  a  studio  at  rooms  Nos.  9,  10  and  11,  No.  134 
Wyoming  avenue,  devoting  himself  to  different  forms  of  ecclesiastical  art, 
and  has  successfully  established  a  business  and  reputation  that  has  brought 
him  fame  as  well  as  remuneration.  Among  the  many  enduring  monuments  to 
his  artistic  skill,  the  more  notable  are :  The  Mortuary  Chapel  in  Cathedral 
Cemetery,  Scranton ;  Mount  Saint  Mary's  Chapel,  Scranton ;  Saint  Mary's 
Church,  Avoca,  Pennsylvania ;  Poli  theatres  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Meridan,  Connecticut;  Mortuary  Chapel  in  Cathedral  Cemetery,  Syracuse, 
New  York ;  Saint  Lawrence  Church,  Old  Forge,  Pennsylvania ;  Holy  Rosary 
Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  and  the  entire  interior  decoration  of  Saint  Paul's  Con- 
vent Chapel,  Scranton. 


RICHARD  O'BRIEN 


Richard  O'Brien,  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph 
Company,  has  been  a  prominent  citizen  of  Scranton  for  many  years.  Born  in 
Ireland  in  1839,  he  came  to  Philadelphia  in  1852.  He  has  been  identified  with 
the  telegraph  and  telephone  from  the  beginning  of  those  great  inventions,  hav- 
ing worked  on  Morse's  first  wire  between  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburgh,  and  on 


478  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  lines  in  the  same  region  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War  which  found  him  as  division  operator  of  the  middle  division  of  that 
road  at  Harrisburg. 

With  Andrew  Carnegie  and  three  other  young  men  from  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad,  Mr.  O'Brien  became  one  of  the  pioneers  in  military  telegraphy,  and 
as  that  service  for  the  first  time  in  history  demonstrated  the  strategic  im- 
portance of  the  telegraph  in  war,  one  of  its  most  successful  officers  in  the  field 
and  front  was  Richard  O'Brien.  As  chief  operator.  Department  of  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina,  he  built  and  managed  lines  about  Fort  Monroe,  Norfolk 
and  Suffolk  before  and  during  MeClellan's  campaign  on  the  Peninsula,  on  the 
James  river  and  in  front  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg  during  Grant's  cam- 
paign, and  in  North  Carolina  for  Shemian's  campaign  of  the  Carolinas.  In 
aiding  to  connect  up  these  armies  by  telegraph  Mr.  O'Brien  received  the  com- 
mendation of  the  War  Department  and  of  the  commanders  of  the  field,  in- 
cluding Generals  Sherman  and  Grant. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  O'Brien  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  com- 
mercial lines  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina  by  the  American  Telegraph 
Company,  and  after  reconstructing  and  putting  them  in  good  order  was  trans- 
ferred to  New  York.  When  that  company  was  merged  in  the  Western  Union, 
Mr.  O'Brien  was  placed  in  charge  of  lines  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  on 
the  routes  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western,  the  Lehigh  Valley,  the 
Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey  and  other  roads,  with  headquarters  at  Scran- 
ton.  Mr.  O'Brien  constructed  the  first  telephone  lines  here  in  1877,  and  built  up 
the  first  telephone  system  in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  director  of 
the  Bell  Telephone  Company  of  Pennsylvania,  a  director  of  the  Peoples  Na- 
tional Bank,  first  vice-president  of  the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Company,  and 
has  been  and  still  is  active  in  the  business  life  of  Scranton. 

In  1868,  Mr.  O'Brien  married  Sarah  Harrison  Marks,  of  Petersburg.  Vir- 
ginia, who  was  a  descendant  on  the  maternal  side,  of  General  William  Henry 
Harrison,  ninth  president.  This  estimable  lady  died  in  Scranton  in  1896.  They 
had  three  sons :  Richard  Marks  O'Brien,  John  Harrison  O'Brien,  and  Albert 
Chandler  O'Brien,  the  first  of  whom  alone  survives.  Richard  Marks  O'Brien 
married,  January  14,  1891,  Mary  Agnes  O'Malley  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  has 
an  interesting  family:  Marjorie,  who  died  greatly  beloved,  in  1898;  Helen, 
Mary;  Alice;  Grace  and  Richard. 

It  would  be  a  very  inadequate  synopsis  of  Richard  O'Brien's  career  that 
would  fail  to  mention  the  potent  influence  for  good  that  his  life  and  example 
have  impressed  on  hundreds  of  young  men  and  women  who  have  worked  and 
progressed  under  his  direction  in  military  and  civil  telegraphy  and  with  the 
telephone ;  his  kindly  sympathy,  cheerful  encouragement  and  high  intelligence 
have  always  evoked  the  steady  loyalty  and  best  efficiency  of  these  worthy  young 
people.  Few  men  of  Scranton  have  been  more  widely  known  or  more  highlj. 
respected  than  Richard  O'Brien. 


JOHN  EMMET  O'BRIEN,  M.  D. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Ireland,  in  1848,  and  came  with  his 
parents  and  older  brothers,  Richard  and  James,  and  sisters,  Mary  and  Eliza- 
beth, to  Philadelphia,  in  1852.  His  early  education  was  less  in  the  schools  than 
in  the  telegraph  profession,  in  which  he  was  the  youngest  operator  of  his  time, 
in  both  commercial  and  military  service.  With  his  elder  brother  Richard  he 
served  as  operator  and  cipher-operator  in  the  army  of  the  United  States 
throughout  the  Civil  War. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  young  O'Brien,  yet  only  seventeen,  began  the  study 


^oU(§.&-^,ien,^lM 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  479 

of  medicine  in  the  medical  department  of  Georgetown  University,  continuing 
his  course  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  and  graduating  in  1869.  After 
some  practice  east  and  west,  he  was  appointed  a  lecturer  in  Rush  College,  and 
was  in  the  great  Chicago  fire  in  1871,  after  which  he  located  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania. Dr.  O'Brien  was  one  of  the  first  surgeons  of  Lackawanna  Hospital, 
now  the  State  Hospital,  and  made  the  first  amputation  in  it,  in  1872.  He 
served  on  the  hospital  staff  seven  years.  He  was  the  second  health  officer  of 
Scranton,  was  surgeon  of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  three  years,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  National,  State  and  County  Medical  societies,  and  an  ex-president 
of  the  latter.  Dr.  O'Brien  has  been  a  contributor  to  medical  and  general  litera- 
ture in  journals  of  worldwide  circulation,  and  is  the  author  of  "Telegraphing 
in  Battle,"  a  book  of  reminiscences  of  the  Civil  War.  The  chapter  on  the 
medical  profession  in  this  "History  of  Scranton,"  (Lewis  Historical  Publish- 
ing Company.  New  York),  was  prepared  and  written  by  him. 

In  1877  Dr.  O'Brien  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  B.  Keyes,  of  Beech  Creek, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  one  daughter,  Fannie  May  O'Brien.  Dr.  O'Brien 
is  still  in  active  practice. 


JAATES  JEROME  BELDEN 

The  Spencer  Heater  Company,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  has  as  its  sec- 
retary and  treasurer  James  Jerome  Belden,  one  of  the  younger  members  of 
the  industrial  and  business  world  of  this  city.  He  is  a  member  of  a  New 
York  family,  grandson  of  Augustus  Caldwell  Belden,  a  banker  and  con- 
tractor, who  married  Roselia  Jackson.  Children  of  Augustus  Caldwell  and 
Roselia  (Jackson)  Belden:  James  Mead;  Alvin,  married  Augusta  Pharis: 
Charles  Gilbert,  deceased,  married  Mary  Bevan,  and  had  children,  Arthur  Be- 
van,  Roselia,  Charles  Gilbert  Jr.  James  Mead  Belden,  son  of  Augustus  Cald- 
well and  Roselia  (Jackson)  Belden,  was  born  in  Syracuse,  New  York,  married, 
and  has  children:  i.  Mead  Van  Zile,  born  in  1879;  associated  with  the  Iro- 
quois Pottery  Company,  of  Syracuse,  New  York ;  married  Nellie  Blanchard,  jf 
East  Orange,  New  Jersey,  and  has  children,  Augustus  Caldwell  and  Mary 
Elizabeth.  2.  James  Jerome,  of  whom  further.  3.  Augustus  Caldwell,  born 
in  1883  ;  married  Ethel  Butler,  and  has  children.  4.  James  Mead  Jr.  5.  Perry, 
born  in  1885  '•  secretary  of  the  American  Legation  at  Tegucigalpa,  Honduras. 
Central  America,  formerly  private  secretary  to  Charles  S.  Francis,  ambassador 
to  Australia,  and  secretary  to  the  ambassador  to  Germany. 

James  Jerome  Belden,  son  of  James  Mead  Belden,  was  born  at  Syracuse. 
New  York,  December  5,  1881.  His  preparatory  education  was  obtained  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  city  and  Preparatory  School  of  Lawrenceville,  New 
Jersey,  after  which  he  matriculated  at  Princeton  L^niversity,  Princeton,  New 
Jersey.  In  1907  Mr.  Belden  received  his  B.  S.  from  this  institution,  and  after 
his  graduation  embarked  upon  a  trip  around  the  world,  in  the  course  of  which 
he  visited  the  many  places  of  scenic  and  historic  interest  with  which  the  Old 
World  abounds,  the  tour  one  of  value  and  enjoyment.  After  his  return  from 
abroad  Mr.  Belden  resided  in  Troy,  New  York,  for  one  year,  in  January. 
1908,  coming  to  Scranton  to  accept  the  joint  office  of  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  Spencer  Heating  Company.  The  six  years  during  which  he  has  been  the 
incumbent  of  this  position  have  been  years  of  prosperity  and  advancement  for 
his  company,  the  burden  of  added  responsibility  and  duty  that  has  been  laid 
upon  him  through  this  expansion  having  been  assumed  in  an  able  manner  and 
welded  into  his  plan  of  operation  easily  and  with  energetic  competence.  Should 
Mr.  Belden  make  Scranton  the  permanent  scene  of  his  business  life,  the  years 
immediately  at  hand  must  witness  a  broader  application  of  his  talents,  a  wider 


48o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

field  for  his  useful  efforts.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton,  Country  and 
Princeton  clubs,  and  belongs  to  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church.  His  political 
faith  is  Republican. 

Mr.   Belden  married   Helen  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Colonel   H.  M.  Boies. 
of  Scranton,  and  has  one  daughter.  Elizabeth  Boies,  born  August  12,  191 1. 


HUGH  JENNINGS 


Familiarly  known  as  "Hughey,"  Mr.  Jennings,  although  educated  and 
trained  for  the  legal  profession,  is  not  unknown  to  fame  as  the  expert  ball 
player  and  successful  manager  of  the  strong  Detroit  Base  Ball  Team,  thrice 
champions  of  the  American  League.  Always  an  ardent  devotee  of  all  athletic 
sports,  he  was  early  led  into  the  ranks  of  professionals,  and  himself  a  living 
argument,  he  is  also  one  of  the  most  ardent  advocates  of  their  value,  and  in 
public  gatherings,  loses  no  opportunity  to  impress  upon  young  men  the  need  of 
clean  living  and  of  trained  muscles  to  supplement  and  give  power  to  brain  and 
mind. 

He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Norah  (Feehan)  Jennings,  the  former  born 
in  Westport,  Ireland,  coming  to  the  United  States  when  young  and  locating 
in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  a  mine  carpenter.  Children : 
Thomas,  Frank,  Nellie,  Hugh,  of  whom  further ;  Joseph,  a  practicing  physi- 
cian of  Pittston,  Pennsylvania ;  William  A.,  a  lawyer  of  Scranton ;  Alice. 

Hugh  Jennings  was  born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  April  8.  1870.  His 
early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Moosic,  Lackawanna 
county,  Pennsylvania,  Wood's  Business  College,  Scranton,  after  which  he  pur- 
sued a  course  of  study  at  Saint  Bonaventure  College,  Allegany,  New  York. 
When  he  decided  upon  the  law  as  a  profession,  he  entered  the  law  department 
of  Cornell  University,  whence  he  was  graduated  LL.  B.,  class  of  1904.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  Maryland  bar,  at  Baltimore,  in  1905,  and  in  1907  to  the 
Pennsylvania  bar,  becoming  law  partner  with  his  brother,  an  association  that 
still  continues,  although  it  is  only  between  seasons  that  he  engages  in  the  active 
work  of  the  firm,  and  then  as  an  assistant  to  his  able  brother,  William  A.  Jen- 
nings. The  offices  of  the  firm  are  Nos.  703-704  Mears  Building,  Scranton, 
where  a  lucrative  law  business  is  transacted.  In  1890  Mr.  Jennings  first  be- 
came a  professional  ball  player,  his  first  engagements  being  with  the  Allentown 
and  Harrisburg  clubs.  In  1891  he  was  with  the  Louisville  Club  of  the  Ameri- 
can Association,  remaining  until  1893,  when  he  joined  the  Baltimore  Club,  of 
the  then  National  League.  For  six  years  he  remained  with  that  club,  being 
one  of  the  number  who  was  conspicuous  in  its  success  and  who  have  in  other 
fields  gained  national  fame.  From  1899  until  1901  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Brooklyn  Club  of  the  National  League,  then  with  the  Philadelphia  Club  until 
1904,  becoming  in  the  latter  year  manager  of  the  Baltimore  Club  of  the  Eastern 
League,  remaining  until  1907,  when  he  was  chosen  manager  of  the  Detroit 
Club  of  the  American  League,  leading  that  team  to  victory  as  champions  in 
1907-1908  and  1909.  During  his  professional  ball  career  he  has  been  a  member 
of  eight  championship  and  of  fourteen  second  place  teams.  The  Blue  Ribbon 
of  the  Base  Ball  world  has,  however,  been  as  yet  denied  him.  the  Detroits 
having  failed  of  securing  victory  in  a  "World's  Series"  over  their  National 
League  opponents,  Chicago  and  Pittsburgh.  As  a  player  "Hughey"  was  one 
of  the  most  reliable,  ranking  with  the  leading  men  of  his  generation,  as  a 
manager  he  is  most  capable  and  popular  with  the  base  ball  public,  always  re- 
ceiving a  royal  welcome  when  appearing  at  the  ball  parks  of  the  league  cities. 
He  is  genial,  generous  and  joyful,  fair  and  honorable  in  his  methods  of  con- 
ducting a  game,  not  cast  down  by  defeat  or  unduly  elated  over  a  victory,  a  good 
winner  and  better  still  a  good  loser.    During  the  winter  season  of  1912-1913  he 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  481 

filled  an  engagement  in  vaudeville  over  the  Keith  circuit,  presenting  a  pleasing 
act  in  company  with  an  assistant. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  Mr.  Jennings  holds  the  profession  of  law 
lightly  or  that  base  ball  is  his  ruling  passion.  Brain  and  muscle  have  developed 
side  by  side  and  while  known  only  as  the  ball  player  to  the  world  at  large,  to 
his  friends  and  acquaintances  he  is  known  as  the  educated  lawyer,  the  flueni 
and  pleasing  speaker,  and  earnest  advocate  of  education  and  good  citizenship. 
He  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  legal  profession  and  his  ultimate  ambition  is 
to  make  for  himself  a  name  among  the  leaders  of  that  profession.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of 
Columbus  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  His  college  fraternities  are  Phi 
Delta  Theta,  Phi  Delta  Phi,  his  college  society,  Sphinx  Head,  all  of  Cornell 
University. 

Mr.  Jennings  married  (first)  in  1898,  Elizabeth  Dixon,  of  Avoca,  Penn- 
sylvania, who  died  in  1899,  leaving  a  daughter,  Grace,  born  September  4, 
1899.  He  married  (second)  in  1910,  Xorah  O'Boyle,  of  Scranton ;  a  daughter 
died  in  infancy. 


ALFRED  GUTHEINZ 


One  of  the  youngest  of  the  business  men  of  Scranton,  Alfred  Gutheinz 
has  still  identified  himself  with  so  many  of  the  institutions  of  that  city  that  he 
holds  a  position  of  more  prominence  than  that  of  many  whose  lifelong  home 
has  been  in  Scranton. 

Mr.  Gutheinz  was  born  in  New  York  City,  New  York,  in  1875,  and  there  at- 
tended the  public  schools.  When  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  his  parents  moved 
to  Scranton  and  soon  after  his  arrival  he  entered  Wood's  Business  College  in 
order  to  prepare  for  his  future  career.  His  first  business  experience  was  in 
the  employ  of  the  Wightman  Electric  Company,  with  which  concern  he  re- 
mained for  two  years,  afterwards  being  identified  with  the  Scranton  Supply 
and  Machinery  Company  for  a  period  of  three  years.  In  1899  h^  made  his 
entry  into  the  banking  field  of  the  city  as  bookkeeper  in  the  Scranton  Savings 
Bank,  later  being  promoted  to  paying  teller.  This  position  he  held  until  June 
20,  1912,  when  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  South  Side  Bank,  resigning  his 
place  with  the  Scranton  Savings  Bank  to  enter  the  service  of  the  former 
institution.  He  still  serves  the  South  Side  Bank  in  this  capacity,  his  performance 
of  the  duties  of  his  office  giving  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  Mr.  Gutheinz 
is  a  Democrat  in  political  faith  and  has  always  been  foremost  in  the  affairs  of 
his  party,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Democratic  county  committee,  of 
which  he  had  the  honor  to  be  treasurer.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the  Scranton 
Public  Library,  and  played  a  prominent  part  in  the  organization  of  an  associa- 
tion for  which  Scranton  is  noted,  the  Junger  Mannerchor,  having  been  presi- 
dent of  that  body.  He  also  takes  great  interest  in  the  choir  of  the  First  Ger- 
man Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  Mr.  Gutheinz  fraternizes 
with  the  Masonic  Order  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Associated  Board  of  Charities. 

Mr.  Gutheinz  married,  in  1902,  Lydia  F.,  daughter  of  John  and  Caroline 
Sailer,  of  South  Scranton.  Children  of  Alfred  and  Lydia  F.  Gutheinz: 
Stephen  A.,  born  February  26,  1907;  Carl  William,  born  September  29,  1911. 
The  varied  natures  of  Mr.  Gutheinz's  relations  to  Scranton's  interest  stamp 
him  at  once  as  a  man  of  exceptional  versatility,  as  well  as  one  whose  sympathy- 
is  wide  and  all-embracing.  He  is  the  type  of  citizen  that  tends  to  make  the 
development  of  a  city  uniform  in  all  departments,  not  uneven  and  dispropor- 
tionate, and  his  further  activity  will  surely  be  productive  of  good  results. 

31 


482  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

MAX  FREDERICK  HENKELMAN 

Born  in  Germany,  but  a  resident  of  Scranton  since-  1893,  Mr.  Henkelman 
has,  through  merit  and  agreeable  personaHty,  won  both  position  and  friends 
in  this  city.  He  is  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Ernestine  (Sonntag)  Henkelman. 
His  father  died  July  i,  1909. 

Max  F.  Henkelman  was  bom  at  Breslau,  Germany,  February  28,  1887. 
At  six  years  of  age  he  was  brought  to  Scranton  by  his  parents  and  here  ob- 
tained his  education,  being  graduated  from  the  Scranton  High  School  in  the 
class  of  1902.  In  September  of  that  year  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  legal 
firm  of  Willard,  Warren  &  Knapp,  now  Warren,  Knapp,  O'Malley  &  Hill,  a? 
clerk,  and  has  since  continued  with  them  and  at  the  present  date  (1914)  has 
charge  of  their  title  work.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Economy  Building  and  Loan 
Association.  Mr.  Henkelman  is  also  active  in  fraternal  organizations,  and  is 
a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Scranton  Aerie,  No.  314, 
F.  O.  E. ;  Pocono  Tribe,  No.  230,  I.  O.  R.  M. ;  and  the  Junger  Mannerchor, 
of  Scranton.  In  politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican ;  is  ex-president  of  the 
South  Side  Republican  Club,  and  secretary  of  the  Republican  County  Com- 
mittee (1914).  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  belonging  to  the  First 
German  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Henkelman  married,  September  3,  1913,  Emilie  C,  daughter  of  Peter 
P.  and  Emilie  (Art)  Neuls,  and  granddaughter  of  Adam  Neuls,  one  of  the 
early  settlers  in  Scranton.  One  son,  Willard  Max  Henkelman,  has  been  born 
to  them. 


ROBERT  LEO  HUBER 

For  fourteen  years  Mr.  Huber  has  been  associated  with  the  Jermyn  Estate 
in  Scranton,  rising  from  office  boy  to  the  position  of  private  secretary  to  Jo- 
seph Jermyn,  one  of  the  executors.  Mr.  Huber  has  been  a  worker  since  his 
thirteenth  year  and  is  untiring  in  his  devotion  to  the  interests  of  his  chief. 
During  the  recent  mayoralty  campaign  in  Scranton,  he  acted  as  manager  of 
important  details  connected  therewith,  rendering  valuable  and  well  appreciated 
service  in  behalf  of  the  successful  candidate,  Edmund  B.  Jermyn. 

Mr.  Huber  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  9,  1884.  He  ob- 
tained his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  supplementing  this 
by  several  tenns  in  the  night  school  at  Scranton  Business  College.  At  age 
of  thirteen  he  became  cash  boy  at  the  "Globe  Store,"  continuing  two  years, 
then  attracting  the  attention  of  Mr.  Jermyn  he  was  ofifered  a  position  in  his 
office.  He  began  as  office  boy,  and  so  won  the  confidence  of  his  employers 
that  he  is  now  secretary  to  the  executors  of  the  estate  and  private  secretary  to 
Joseph  Jermyn.  Mr.  Huber  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  all 
constituent  bodies  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Scottish  Rite ;  is  a  noble 
of  Irem  Temple;  financial  secretary  of  the  Temple  Club;  member  of  the  Scran- 
ton Canoe  Club,  of  which  he  has  been  secretary  and  treasurer.  He  is  well 
known  in  this  city  and  held  in  favorable  esteem  by  his  wide  circle  of  friends. 


RALPH  AMHERST   GREGORY 

For  more  than  fifteen  years  connected  with  financial  institutions  of  the 
city  of  Scranton,  including  the  Title  Guarantee  and  Trust  Company,  the  Coun- 
ty Savings  Bank,  and  the  Third  National  Bank,  of  which  last  he  is  now  credit 
manager  and  assistant  cashier,  Ralph  Amherst  Gregory  had  previous  business 
connections  in  Scranton,  associations  which  were  discontinued  to  form  others 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  483 

in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  These  were  broken  to  permit  Mr. 
Gregory  to  enhst  in  the  army  in  the  war  with  Spain,  and  since  the  close  of  that 
conflict  he  has  resided  in  Scranton. 

He  is  a  member  of  a  family  old  in  Pennsylvania,  great-grandson  of  Israel 
and  Polly  (Lindsay)  Gregory.  His  grandfather,  Amherst  Lindsay  Gregory, 
■was  born  in  Bridgewater,  Pennsylvania,  March  15,  1821,  and  during  his  active 
life  was  a  farmer.  He  married  (first)  at  Deposit,  New  York,  in  January, 
1851,  Clarissa  Mary  Hollister,  (second)  August  31,  1875,  Elizabeth  Hitchcock. 

Marion  Albert  Gregory,  son  of  Amherst  Lindsay  Gregory,  was  born  in 
Hollisterville,  Pennsylvania,  September  20,  1854,  and  has  always  followed  the 
mechanic's  trade.  His  political  party  is  the  Republican.  He  married,  October 
9,  1876,  Lillian,  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  April  25,  1854,  daughter 
of  Harrison  and  Sarah  Ann  (Hollister)  Stevens.  They  are  the  parents  of 
children:  Ralph  Amherst,  of  whom  further;  Leona,  born  June  15,  1879,  mar- 
ried Gustav  Dogelsberger. 

Ralph  Amherst  Gregory,  son  of  Marion  Albert  and  Lillian  (Stevens) 
Gregory,  was  born  in  Hollisterville,  Pennsylvania,  August  17,  1877.  After  at- 
tending the  public  schook  of  Scranton  he  became  a  student  in  the  School  of 
the  Lackawanna,  where  he  finished  his  education.  He  then  began  his  business 
career  with  the  stationery  firm  of  Price  &  Rose,  well  known  in  the  city,  and 
after  three  years  passed  with  this  concern  was  employed  in  the  office  of  Colonel 
Watres.  Moving  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  he  became  associated  with 
the  Spring  Brook  Water  Supply  Company,  of  that  city,  and  when  war  with 
Spain  was  declared  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  When  his  company  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  Georgia  he 
held  the  rank  of  corporal.  Returning  to  Scranton  he  was  for  three  and  one- 
half  years  connected  with  the  Title  Guarantee  and  Trust  Company,  then  enter- 
ing the  County  Savings  Bank,  where  he  was  employed  for  four  years.  In 
1907  he  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  credit  manager  and  later  assistant 
cashier  in  the  Third  National  I5ank  of  the  city,  the  duties  of  which  he  now 
capably  performs.  His  offices  are  those  of  trust  and  responsibility,  and  in  their 
administration  he  has  exercised  initiative  and  judgment  that  have  won  for  him 
the  approval  of  his  superiors  in  office,  his  intelligent  solving  of  the  problems 
that  daily  confront  him  redounding  to  the  benefit  of  the  institution  by  which  he 
is  employed. 

Mr.  Gregory  has  been  interested  in  matters  military  since  his  service  at 
the  time  of  the  Spanish  War,  and  is  now  captain  of  Company  D,  Thirteenth 
Regiment  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  his  company  the  equal  of  any  in 
the  regiment  in  discipline  and  training.  He  fraternizes  with  the  Masonic 
Order,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and 
holds  membership  in  the  Scranton  Canoe  Club.  His  church  is  the  Elm  Park 
Methodist  Episcopal,  and  he  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party. 

Mr.  Gregory  married  Grace  A.,  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Arminda 
(Kyte)  Peck,  of  Scranton.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peck  are  the  parents  of:  William 
J.,  Nelson,  Alice,  married  a  Mr.  Kaiser,  and  Grace  A.,  of  previous  mention, 
married  Ralph  Amherst  Gregory. 


ARTHUR  CLARK  LeMONTE 

The  three  generations  of  the  LeMonte  family  who  find  particular  mention 
in  this  record  have  divided  their  activities  between  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, coming  to  the  latter  state  from  the  former.  Professional  prestige, 
medical  and  pedagogical,  belongs  to  the  name  in  the  first  two  generations 
through  the  distinguished  service  of  Professor  Wellington  LeMonte,  prominent 


484  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  educational  circles  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  and  Dr.  William  Le- 
Monte,  a  physician  of  New  York,  member  of  the  state  assembly  and  for  many 
years  president  of  a  theological  seminary.  The  Scranton  representative  of 
the  present  day  is  Arthur  Clark  LeAlonte,  chief  engineer  of  the  coal  depart- 
ment of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  and  since  1889 
connected  with  the  industrial  world  of  Scranton  as  an  employee  of  that  com- 
pany. 

(I)  The  American  history  of  the  LeMonte  family  began  in  the  seventeenth 
century  when  members  thereof  tied  from  France,  their  native  land,  at  the 
revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  and  settlement  was  made  in  the  American 
colonies,  New  York  being  the  home  of  the  branch  to  which  Arthur  Clark  Le- 
Monte belongs.  William  LeMonte,  grandfather  of  Arthur  Clark  LeMonte, 
was  a  medical  practitioner  of  Charlotteville,  New  York,  and  was  called  from 
his  practice  to  serve  a  term  in  the  New  York  legislature.  He  also  for  many 
years  held  the  presidency  of  a  theological  seminary  in  that  state,  a  man  of  wide 
influence  and  high  standing  throughout  the  state.  He  married  Anna  Van 
Roman  and  they  had  twelve  children,  among  them  Wellington,  of  whom  furth- 
er ;  George,  Samuel,  Thomas. 

(H)  Wellington  LeMonte,  son  of  William  and  Anna  (Van  Roman)  Le- 
Monte, was  born  in  Charlotteville,  New  York,  December  20,  1833,  and  was 
educated  in  Union  College.  After  graduating  he  became  professor  of  mathe- 
matics in  Wyoming  Seminary  of  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  but  later  resigned 
from  that  institution  to  accept  the  superintendency  of  schools  in  Wyoming 
county,  Pennsylvania,  an  office  he  held  for  two  terms.  He  then  became  prin- 
cipal of  a  school  in  Scranton  where  he  remained  one  year.  Then  he  retired  to 
his  native  state  where  he  became  the  head  of  Canisteo  Academy  and  there  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  ever  a  deep  student  and  a  scholar  of  broad 
culture,  and  in  imparting  his  knowledge  to  others  was  most  successful.  His 
ideas  and  ideals  of  education  were  liberal  and  exalted,  but  withal  practical,  and 
as  head  of  various  educational  institutions  he  secured  results  valuable  and  far- 
reaching.  He  married  Frances  M.,  daughter  of  Stephen  Clark,  one  of  the  first 
coal  operators  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  promoter  of  the  Bell  Mont  Coal 
Mine.  Stephen  was  a  brother  of  Judson  Clark,  one  of  the  earliest  coal  opera- 
tors in  Scranton  who  opened  the  Clark  vein  at  the  "Notch."  Children  of 
Wellington  and  Frances  M.  (Clark)  LeMonte:  Bertha,  deceased;  Anna,  de- 
ceased ;  Wellington,  secretary  of  the  Tintem  Manor  Water  Supply  Company, 
of  Long  Branch,  New  Jersey,  married  Natalie  Kirk;  William,  deceased,  an 
early  employee  of  the  International  Correspondence  Schools  of  Scranton ; 
Arthur  Clark,  of  whom  further. 

(Ill)  Arthur  Clark  LeMonte,  son  of  Wellington  and  Frances  M.  (Clark) 
LeMonte,  was  born  in  East  Worcester,  New  York.  October  31,  1869.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  graduating  from  the  high  school 
in  1888,  then  becoming  attached  to  the  engineering  department  of  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  \\'estern  Railroad.  This  corporation  has  since  been  his  em- 
ployer, his  present  rank  being  that  of  chief  engineer  of  the  coal  department. 
Faithful  and  competent  service  has  characterized  Mr.  LeMonte's  connection 
with  this  concern,  the  reward  of  which  has  been  his  steady  elevation  to  the 
important    place    he    now    fills.  He    has    left    behind    him    a    record    of 

which  he  may  well  be  proud,  and  in  so  doing  has  gained  many  firm  friends 
among  his  fellowworkers,  whether  they  have  been  his  superiors  or  his  in- 
feriors in  station.  Mr.  LeMonte  is  president  of  the  Railroad  Young  Men"s 
Christian  Association  of  Scranton,  and  ex-president  of  the  Engineers'  Society 
of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  His  church  is  the  First  Presbyterian,  in  which 
he  is  a  ruling  elder,  and  he  fraternizes  with  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to 


C^ .     i^     /^S:^   ^-i^<y-^^^C^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  485 

Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
His  political  stand  is  independent  of  party  alliance.  Mr.  LeMonte  is  a 
gentleman  of  extensive  influence,  always  justly  exercised,  and  bears  among 
a  large  circle  of  friends  a  reputation  for  sterling  worth  and  merit. 

Mr.  LeMonte  married,  in  October,  1899,  Luella,  daughter  of  W.  S.  Frace, 
postmaster  of  Clarks  Green  and  Clarks  Summit.  W.  S.  Frace  died  in  1912. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  LeMonte  have  one  son,  William  Frace,  born  March  9,  1906. 


REV.  VICTOR  GURISATTI 

Educated  and  trained  for  the  priesthood  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church 
in  Italy,  his  native  land,  Rev.  Victor  Gurisatti  has  for  the  past  seven  years 
been  identified  with  the  church  of  his  faith  in  the  United  States,  the  last  six 
years  of  that  time  as  pastor  of  St.  Lucia's  Church.  He  is  a  son  of  Dominick 
Gurisatti,  born  in  Gemona,  province  of  L^ndine,  Italy,  about  1813,  died  in  1871. 
He  married  Catherine  Lepore,  and  had  children :  Anna ;  Pius,  entered  the 
priesthood  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  and  for  twenty  years  has  been  Gen- 
eral Superior ;  Esther,  a  sister  in  a  convent  at  Milan ;  Antonio,  a  printer  and 
stationer  of  Verona,  Italy;  Victor,  of  whom  further;  Adele,  a  sister  in  a 
Verona  convent ;  Eustachio,  professor  of  Belle  Art  in  Florence,  Italy. 

Victor  Gurisatti,  son  of  Dominick  and  Catherine  (Lepore)  Gurisatti,  was 
born  in  Gemona,  province  of  LTndine,  Italy,  July  25,  1866.  For  eleven  years  he 
was  a  student  in  the  Stimatini  Institute  of  Verona,  at  the  end  of  that  time 
engaged  in  business  in  that  city,  at  the  same  time  studying  and  performing 
missionary  work  in  preparation  for  the  priesthood.  He  was  ordained  on  No- 
vember 23,  1890,  by  Cardinal  Aloysius  Di  Cannosa,  and  from  that  time  until 
1907  was  engaged  in  priestly  duties  in  his  native  land,  in  that  year  immigrat- 
ing to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  New  York  City  on  November  2.  For  six 
months  he  was  connected  with  mission  work  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  at 
the  expiration  of  that  time  going  to  North  Adams,  Massachusetts,  and  on 
September  3,  1908,  becoming  parish  priest  of  St.  Lucia's  Church,  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  ministered  to  the  needs  of  that  congregation  to  the 
present  time.  On  October  24,  191 3,  work  was  begun  on  the  foundation  of  a 
new  house  of  worship  for  the  St.  Lucia  congregation,  and  so  rapidly  did 
operations  progress  that  at  midnight  on  Christmas  the  first  mass  was  cele- 
brated in  the  new  building,  the  congregation  taking  formal  possession  on 
January  26,  1914.  When  the  finishing  touches  have  been  made  upon  this 
edifice  a  house  of  worship  will  stand  of  which  the  people  and  the  city  may  well 
be  proud,  and  especial  gratification  should  come  to  Rev.  Gurisatti  for  the  part 
of  leadership  he  has  been  permitted  to  play.  At  the  present  time  a  mission 
church,  under  the  care  of  St.  Lucia's,  is  in  the  course  of  construction  at  No. 
621  Janet  street,  and  will  be  ready  for  dedication  and  occupancy  by  Easter  of 
the  present  year  (1914). 

Father  Gurisatti  is  assisted  in  his  work  at  St.  Lucia's  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Nardon,  a  native  of  Lesignago,  Trent,  Italy.  He  is  a  son  of  Armadio  Nardon, 
who  married  Eugenia  Ferretti,  and  had  children:  Jerome,  John  Baptist, 
Michael,  Joseph,  Eugenio,  Nicholas,  Theresa,  Oliva,  Rosa,  Caroline.  Joseph 
Nardon  spent  eleven  years  as  a  student  in  the  Stimatini  Institute  of  Verona, 
as  did  Rev.  Gurisatti,  and  after  participating  in  the  missionary  work  of  the 
church  in  his  native  land  was  ordained  into  the  ministry  and  came  to  the  LTnited 
States,  June  3,  1907.  For  a  year  and  a  half  he  engaged  in  missionary  work  in 
Hazleton,  Pennsylvania,  and  for  the  following  fifteen  months  was  in  North 
Adams,  Massachusetts,  later  spending  three  and  a  half  years  in  Springfield, 


486  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Massachusetts.  In  August,  1913,  he  was  appointed  assistant  priest  at  Sc. 
Lucia's  Church  in  Scranton,  where  he  has  since  remained,  ably  seconding  the 
work  of  Rev.  Gurisatti. 


JOHN  NELSON  GARRETT 

This  name  has  various  forms  in  the  early  records  of  New  England,  such 
as  Garrad,  Garrard,  which  might  indicate  German  or  French  origin.  The 
name  may  have  originated  from  the  baptismal  name  Garret  or  Gerrit,  but  its 
origin  is  now  lost  in  uncertainty.  There  were  many  of  the  name  in  early  New 
England.  Deacon  Richard  Garrett,  sometimes  written  Gannett,  first  town 
clerk  of  Scituate,  Massachusetts,  being  located  there  as  early  as  1636.  James 
Garrett  was  in  Chariestown,  Massachusetts,  in  1637,  and  Hugh  and  Herman 
Garrett  are  found  of  record  the  following  year. 

(I)  Daniel  Garrett,  born  in  1612,  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of 
Hartford  and  appears  in  the  records  as  early  as  1640.  For  many  years  he  was 
prison  keeper  there  and  was  living  as  late  as  1687.  He  had  sons,  Daniel, 
born  1647,  3nd  Joseph,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Joseph  Garrett,  son  of  Daniel  Garrett,  born  1650,  was  a  sergeant  in 
the  French  War,  and  was  residing  in  Hartford  in  1696.  He  bought  property 
in  Wethersfield,  Connecticut,  in  1705,  possibly  in  that  portion  of  the  town  which 
became  Glastonbury  as  he  became  a  resident  of  that  town  in  1729.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  about  1678,  Mary,  daughter  of  Edward  Elmer,  and  (second)  June 
2,  1702,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Jacob  Johnson.  His  only  child  found  of  record 
was  Prudence,  born  September  27,  171 1,  and  Francis,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  Tradition  says  that  Francis  Garrett,  a  resident  of  the  present  town  of 
Canton,  Connecticut,  formerly  known  as  West  Simsbury,  was  of  French 
origin  but  it  seems  extremely  probable  that  he  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Garrett, 
of  Hartford  and  Wethersfield.  He  married,  about  1722,  Sarah,  daughter  0+ 
Sarah  (Pettibone)  Mills  and  widow  of  Samuel  Tuller,  of  Simsbury,  born 
1696,  died  1797  in  her  one  hundred  and  first  year.  Children:  Samuel,  born 
January  22,  1724;  Susan,  October  2,  1725;  John,  of  whom  further;  Francis. 
October  4,  1729;  Anna,  September  15,  1731  ;  all  recorded  in  Simsbury. 

(IV)  Major  John  Garrett,  eldest  son  of  Francis  and  Sarah  Garrett,  was 
born  August  15,  1727,  in  Simsbury.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  slain  by  Indians  in  Pennsylvania,  July  3,  1778.  His  wife  and  children, 
having  been  previously  instructed,  escaped  the  Wyoming  Massacre,  and  made 
their  way  through  the  woods  into  southern  New  York,  where  Mrs.  Garrett 
supported  her  children  by  working  in  the  harvest  fields  and  finally  made  her 
way  back  to  Connecticut.  Their  sons  were:  Wait.  Mills,  John,  Francis,  the 
latter  born  after  the  return  of  the  mother  to  Connecticut. 

(V)  Wait  Garrett,  probably  eldest  son  of  Major  John  Garrett,  resided  in 
Wyoming  Valley  where  he  was  taxed  in  1775-77.  Very  little  can  be  learned 
about  him  except  that  he  had  sons:  Amasa,  born  1778,  died  in  Southbury, 
Connecticut,  June  i,  1792;  another  child  unnamed,  died  March  25,  1781.  He 
was  probably  the  father  of  the  next  mentioned  John  Samuel,  about  whom 
little  can  be  learned. 

(VI)  John  Samuel  Garrett,  son  of  Wait  Garrett,  resided  in  Indian  Orchard, 
in  the  township  of  Berlin,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  a 
farmer  and  lumberman.  He  married  Patience  Content  Albro,  a  native  of 
Connecticut.  Children :  John  Samuel,  mentioned  below ;  Sheppard,  died  at 
Beach  Lake,  191 1  ;  Lyman  Raymond,  a  farmer  now  residing  on  the  old  home- 
stead at  Indian  Orchard:  Eunice,  wife  of  William  Noble,  deceased;  Patience, 
Mrs.  Mark  Compton,  of  Indian  Orchard,  deceased. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  487 

(VII)  John  Samuel  (2)  Garrett,  son  of  John  Samuel  (i)  and  Patience 
C.  (Albro)  Garrett,  was  born  December  19,  1831,  at  Indian  Orchard,  died  at 
Indian  Orchard,  1894.  He  was  there  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Braman,  born  in  1830  in  Cooperstown,  New  York,  daughter  of  Rhodes 
Braman,  who  removed  from  Cooperstown  to  Indian  Orchard  about  1842. 
Children:  I.  Catharine  Sarah,  born  March  19,  1862;  married  William  Henry 
Treverton,  of  Scranton,  and  died  March  22,  1907,  leaving  a  son,  Rexford 
Eugene.  2.  Effie  Viola,  born  February  21,  1864;  married  William  H.  Hall,  of 
Indian  Orchard,  and  has  children,  Nellie  and  Harold.  3.  Henry  William, 
bom  July  8,  1868;  now  residing  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Elizabeth 
Jane,  born  June  16,  1871 ;  wife  of  James  R.  Wrenn,  of  Hawley,  Pennsylvania, 
and  has  daughters ;  Melva  and  Catharine.     5.  John  Nelson,  of  whom  further. 

(VIII)  John  Nelson  Garrett,  youngest  child  of  John  Samuel  (2)  and 
Elizabeth  (Braman)  Garrett,  was  born  May  6,  1874,  at  Indian  Orchard. 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  at  that  place  and  Wood's 
Business  College,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  began  his  business  life  as  a 
bookkeeper  for  the  Elkhill  Coal  &  Iron  Company,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
fifteen  years.  In  1908  he  became  associated  with  the  Valley  Supply  Company 
of  Scranton,  which  deals  in  mine,  mill  and  railroad  supplies,  with  offices  in  the 
Coal  Exchange  Building  at  Scranton.  Mr.  Garrett  fills  the  responsible  position 
of  manager  and  treasurer  for  this  concern ;  he  is  also  treasurer  and  manager 
for  the  Impervious  Paper  Company  of  Stillwater,  Pennsylvania.  He  is  actively 
identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  affiliating  with  Green  Ridge  Lodge.  No. 
597,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Chapter  No.  185,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Scranton;  Melita  Com- 
mandery.  No.  68,  K.  T.,  of  the  same  place.  He  has  taken  all  the  Scottish  Rito 
degrees  up  to  and  including  the  thirty-second.  He  has  served  as  senior  and 
junior  warden  of  the  Green  Ridge  Lodge ;  is  a  member  of  the  Mystic  Shrine 
of  Wilkes-Barre  and  of  the  Keystone  Bodies  of  the  Valley  of  Scranton.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  No.  603,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Scran- 
ton ;  of  the  Green  Ridge  Club ;  of  the  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania ;  and  the  Green  Ridge  Baptist  Church  of  Scranton. 

Mr.  Garrett  married,  October  20,  1897,  Ella,  daughter  of  Andrew  B.  and 
Caroline   (Ellis)   Lidstone. 


ANDREW  M.  FINE 


Prior  to  1872  Martin  L.  Fine,  father  of  Andrew  M.  Fine,  was  a  resident 
of  New  Jersey,  the  state  of  his  birth.  He  was  born  in  Hunterdon  county, 
New  Jersey,  February  26.  185 1.  died  August  i.  1908.  He  was  educated  in 
public  and  private  schools,  beginning  his  business  life  as  clerk  in  the  postoffice 
at  Belvidere,  New  Jersey.  In  1872  he  came  to  Scranton,  entering  the  employ 
of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company  in  the  coal  sales  department,  and  con- 
tinuing until  his  death.  In  1891  he  was  appointed  shipping  agent,  and  filled 
that  position  during  the  last  seventeen  years  of  his  life.  In  1873  'i^  married 
Limella  Chambers,  of  Belvidere,  New  Jersey.  She  was  bom  at  Polkville,  New 
Jersey,  July  31,  1849,  died  October  7,  1912.  During  their  entire  life  in  Scran- 
ton, Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fine  resided  in  the  Green  Ridge  section. 

Andrew  M.  Fine,  only  child  of  Martin  L.  and  Limella  (Chambers)  Fine, 
was  born  in  Scranton.  Pennsylvania.  June  27.  1875.  He  was  educated  in  the 
city  public  schools,  a  graduate  of  the  high  school,  class  of  1891,  and  of  the 
School  of  the  Lackawanna  in  1892.  His  first  position  was  with  the  Delaware 
&  Hudson  Company  in  the  coal  sales  department,  beginning  in  August,  1892, 
his  service  with  the  company  having  been  continuous  since  that  date.  In  May, 
1903,  he  was  appointed  auditor  of  the  coal  sales  department.    On  November  i. 


488  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

1907,  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  auditor  of  the  coal  department.  Mr. 
Fine  married,  November  2,  1905,  Helen,  daughter  of  Valentine  Bliss,  of 
Scranton.  They  iiave  one  child,  Valentine  Luther  Fine.  The  family  residence 
is  at  No.  1607  Sanderson  avenue. 


GEORGE  BECK  DIMMICK 

The  ancestral  line  of  Mr.  Dimmick  traces  to  England,  whence  came  Thomas 
Dimocke,  the  emigrant  ancestor.  The  name  is  spelled  in  New  England 
records  Dimocke,  Dimmock  and  Demmock.  The  present  spelling  also  varies, 
but  the  Scranton  branch  spells,  and  has  for  several  generations  spelled,  the 
name  Dimmick.  The  American  records  began  at  Barnstable,  Massachusetts, 
where  to  Elder  Thomas  Dimocke  and  Rev.  Joseph  Hall  was  granted  a  patent 
of  that  town  in  1639.  In  his  nuncupative  will,  dated  June  4,  1658,  recorded  in 
vol.  2,  page  75,  Probate  Records,  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  Elder  Thomas 
spelled  his  name  Dimocke. 

(II)  He  had  but  one  son  who  reached  years  of  maturity.  Ensign  Shuabel 
Dimocke,  who  was  a  man  of  importance  in  his  town.  He  married,  before  he 
was  nineteen  years  of  age,  Joanna  Bursley,  aged  seventeen  years.  "At  her 
death  they  had  lived  in  the  married  state  sixty-four  years."  Children:  Thomas, 
born  in  April,  1664;  John,  January,  1666;  Timothy,  March.  1668;  Shuabel, 
February,  1673;  Joseph,  September,  1675;  Mehitabel,  1677:  Benjamin,  March, 
1680;  Joanna,  March,  1682;  Thankful,  November,  1684. 

(HI)  Timothy  Dimmock,  third  son  of  "Ensign"  Shuabel  Dimocke,  mar- 
ried Abigail ,  and  had  issue,  among  whom  was  a  son,  Shuabel. 

(IV)  Shuabel  (2)  Dimmock,  son  of  Timothy  Dimmock,  was  born  May 
27,  1707.  He  married,  January  25,  1739,  Esther  Pierce,  "daughter  of  Samuel 
Pierce,  of  Mansfield"  (Connecticut). 

(V)  Captain  Edward  Dimmick  (as  we  shall  now  write  the  name),  son  of 
Shuabel  (2)  and  Esther  (Pierce)  Dimmock,  was  born  June  5,  1748.  He  served 
in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  is  said  to  have  remained  in  New  York  until  the 
very  last  minute  when  the  American  troops  evacuated  that  city,  only  leaving 
with  the  last  boat-load  of  soldiers.  He  married  (first)  Peninah  Hinckley, 
whose  six  children  all  died  in  infancy.  Her  tombstone  bears  this  inscription: 
"In  memory  of  Mrs.  Peninah,  wife  of  Captain  Edward  Dimock,  who  de- 
parted this  life,  July  I,  1878,  in  ye  44  year  of  her  age."  Captain  Dimmick 
married  (second)  Esther,  daughter  of  Joshua  Tilden,  of  the  same  family 
from  which  sprang  Governor  Samuel  J.  Tilden,  the  famous  New  York  states- 
man and  lawyer.  By  his  second  wife  there  were  eleven  children,  including 
two  sets  of  twins. 

(VI)  Eber  Dimmick,  son  of  Captain  Edward  Dimmick  and  his  second 
wife,  Esther  (Tilden)  Dimmick,  was  born  December  31,  1792.  He  married 
Roxy  Mum  ford,  and  had  eight  children. 

(VII)  Eber  (2)  Dimmick,  youngest  son  of  Eber  (i)  and  Roxy  (Mum- 
ford)  Dimmick,  was  born  May  25,  1834.  He  married,  October  10,  1861, 
Eleanor  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Beck,  and  they  had  the  following  children 
George  Beck,  of  whom  further;  Eugene  Eber,  born  September  3,  1864,  died 
October  28,  1870;  James  Orville,  born  December  19,  1866;  Sarah  Amelia, 
born  May  30,  1869;  Jesse,  born  October  15,  1871  ;  Edgar  Allen,  born  November 
6,  1873;  Henry  Laurens,  born  August  i,  1876:  Eleanor  Lorencie,  born  January 
2,  1880.  During  the  Civil  War  Eber  Dimmick,  father  of  the  above  children, 
enlisted  in  Company  D,  Thirtieth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Militia,  as  a  second 
lieutenant,  and  was  honorably  discharged  and  mustered  out,  June  15,  1863. 

(VIII)  George  Beck  Dimmick,  eldest  son  of  Eber  (2)  and  Eleanor  Mary 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  489 

(Beck)  Dimmick,  was  born  at  Clarks  Green  (then  Luzerne  county),  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  10,  1862.  His  childhood  was  spent  in  various  Pennsylvania 
towns  in  which  his  father  resided,  and  his  education  was  obtained  in  the  pub- 
lic schools.  About  1877  the  family  moved  to  a  large  plantation  in  Virginia, 
where  they  resided  until  the  autumn  of  1879,  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania, 
locating  in  Scranton.  In  December,  1887,  George  B.  Dimmick  entered  the 
employ  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  has  passed  through  various 
promotions,  and  is  now  (1913)  teller.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  man  of  both  ability  and 
character. 

Mr.  Dimmick  married,  September  15,  1903,  Elizabeth  Fuller,  daughter 
of  Colonel  Frederick  L.  Hitchcock,  of  Scranton.  Children :  Caroline  Eleanor, 
born  August  28,  1904;  George  Beck  (2),  born  March  i,  1906;  Elizabeth  Kings- 
bury, born  August  6,  1913. 


EDWARD  JAMES  CONNERTON 

A  native  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  son  of  a  father  who  was  for  thirty-five 
years  identified  with  the  steel  industry  in  this  city,  and  himself  a  product  of  the 
educational  institutions  thereof,  Edward  J.  Connerton  has  been  connected  with 
Sauquoitt  Silk  Mills,  of  Scranton,  throughout  his  entire  business  career,  and 
at  the  present  time  serves  that  organization  in  the  capacity  of  cashier. 

His  father,  Edward  Connerton,  was  born  in  county  Sligo,  Ireland,  in  1845, 
and  when  twenty-three  years  of  age  left  that  land  and  came  to  the  United 
States,  immediately  upon  his  arrival  settling  in  Scranton  where  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  Scranton  Steel  Works  until  his  retirement  in  1903.  He  married 
Ann,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Larkin)  Morrow,  of  Dublin,  Ireland, 
and  had  children :  Patrick,  deceased ;  Sarah,  married  a  Mr.  Farrell  and  lives 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania ;  Michael,  engaged  in  steel  manufacturing  in  Buffalo, 
New  York ;  Edward  James,  of  whom  further ;  Anna  J.,  entered  educational 
fields  and  is  now  principal  of  Scranton  public  school  No.  y].  Edward  Con- 
nerton was  the  second  of  his  line  to  come  to  the  United  States,  his  father, 
Bartholomew  Connerton,  a  native  of  Ireland,  having  come  thither  in  1870, 
dying  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1885.  He  was  the  father  of  Michael  and 
Edward,  the  latter  of  previous  mention. 

Edward  James  Connerton,  son  of  Edward  and  Ann  (Morrow)  Conner- 
ton,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  31,  1876. 
He  completed  the  course  in  the  public  schools,  graduating  from  the  high  school 
in  the  class  of  1891,  immediately  entering  Wood's  Business  College,  from 
which  he  received  a  diploma  in  the  following  year.  A  position  as  bookkeeper 
being  offered  him  in  the  Sauquoitt  Silk  Mills,  he  accepted  the  same  and  has 
since  been  associated  with  that  concern,  in  1899  being  promoted  to  the  office 
of  cashier,  and  as  such  now  serves  the  company.  His  scrupulously  careful 
habits  and  his  high  sense  of  personal  integrity  make  him  a  trusted  employee, 
and  the  fidelity  of  his  services  have  been  a  complete  vindication  of  the  judg- 
ment exercised  in  his  choice.  He  is  competent  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties, 
loyal  to  his  employers,  an  energetic  worker  for  the  welfare  of  the  company, 
and  the  lists  of  those  connected  with  the  Sauquoitt  Silk  Mills  contain  no  name 
that  embodies  greater  capacity  or  willingness  for  service  than  that  of  Mr. 
Connerton.  A  Democrat  in  politics,  he  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Club  of 
Dunmore  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  Mr.  Connerton  married,  June  4,  1913, 
Ella  G.  Council,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 


490  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ARTHUR  W.  CORNELL 

Identified  with  Scranton's  business  interests  since  1908,  Arthur  W.  Cornell 
has,  since  191 1,  been  known  as  the  secretary  of  the  Nicholson  Lumber  Com- 
pany, one  of  the  thriving  and  substantial  concerns  of  the  city.  His  father. 
Jerome  B.  Cornell,  was  born,  in  Lemon  township,  Wyoming  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, July  15,  1855.  His  grandfather,  George,  was  a  native  of  Lemon,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  married  a  Miss  Sterling,  and  their  children  were:  Jerome 
B.,  of  whom  further,  Calvin,  Sterling,  and  Lou,  all  deceased.  Jerome  B.  Cor- 
nell was  a  farmer  and  for  fifteen  years  the  well  known  driver  of  a  stage  be- 
tween Nicholson  and  Tunkhannock.  In  October,  1906,  he  came  to  Scranton,. 
and  there  lived  retired  until  his  death,  which  occurred  November  14,  1912. 
He  married  Eunice,  daughter  of  Francis  Patterson,  her  father  an  early  settler 
of  Lemon  township,  Wyoming  county,  who  died  aged  ninety-two  years.  Jerome 
B.  and  Eunice  (Patterson)  Cornell  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: I.  Frank  C,  a  railroad  employee  at  Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  married 
Stella  Welch  and  is  the  father  of :  Rhoda,  Jerome,  Arthur,  Bernard,  and  Elhs. 
2.  Harlan  P.,  a  farmer  of  Lemon  township,  Wyoming  county,  married  Alice 
Hunt.  They  have  one  daughter,  Eunice.  3.  Emery  A.,  a  clerk  in  the  employ 
of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  married  Helen  Gilpin. 
4.  Benjamin  H.,  a  locomotive  engineer.  5.  Arthur  W.,  of  whom  further. 
6.  Leo  M.,  married  Harriet  Reynolds,  and  resides  in  Scranton.  They  have 
one  son,  Robert.  7.  Lou  Emma,  a  teacher  in  the  New  York  public  schools. 
8.  Niles  J.,  deceased.     9.  Bernard  James,  deceased.     10.  Ruth,  deceased. 

Arthur  W.  Cornell,  son  of  Jerome  B.  and  Eunice  (Patterson)  Cornell, 
was  born  in  Nicholson,  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  16,  1889.  After 
spending  eleven  years  in  the  public  schools  of  Nicholson,  he  became  a  student 
in  the  Scranton  Business  College.  His  studies  completed,  for  the  following 
fifteen  months  he  was  employed  by  the  American  Locomotive  Works,  then 
came  to  Scranton  passing  the  four  following  months  in  the  employ  of  the 
Scranton  Stove  Works.  On  August  6,  1906  he  became  identified  with  the 
Nicholson  Lumber  Company,  and  upon  the  incorporation  of  this  concern  in 
191 1,  with  William  W.  LeRoy  as  president,  Mr.  Cornell  became  a  member 
of  the  firm,  holding  the  office  of  secretary.  This  is  the  position  he  has  since' 
held  in  the  company's  organization,  its  affairs  at  the  present  time  being  in  a 
most  prosperous  and  flourishing  condition,  due  to  the  careful  and  conservative 
management  of  those  at  its  head  and  responsible  for  its  successful  continuance. 

Mr.  Cornell's  political  belief  is  Republican,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles. 


DUDLEY  RAY  ATHERTON 

Atherton  is  a  name  early  connected  with  the  history  of  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  particularly  in  that  part  now  Lackawanna  county.  The  family 
was  a  large  and  important  one,  having  many  branches  and  is  yet  numerous 
and  prominent  in  the  state. 

Dudley  R.  Atherton  was  born  in  South  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  December 
3,  1878,  son  of  Bicknell  B.  and  grandson  of  Jonathan  Atherton.  Bickne'l 
B.  Atherton  was  born  in  Hyde  Park,  Scranton,  May  30,  1842.  He  was  con- 
nected with  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Coal  Company  all  his  active  years, 
and  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted  in  Company  H,  One  Hundred 
and  Forty-first  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  as  a  private.  He  rose  to  the 
rank  of  first  lieutenant  and  after  a  service  of  three  and  a  half  years  was 
honorably  discharged.     He  is  a  member  of  Griffin  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  49, 

Republic.  He  married  Amanda  SaiTord,  of  Lathrop,  Pennsylvania,  and  has 
children:  Dudley  R,,  mentioned  further;  Grace,  married  J-  E.  Adamson  Jr.; 
Fred  B. 

Dudley  Ray  Atherton  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  in  1895 
began  business  life  as  bookkeeper  for  the  Providence  Gas  and  Water  Company, 
continuing  until  May  i,  1898,  when  he  resigned  his  position.  He  then  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Third  National  Bank  of  Scranton  as  bookkeeper,  remaining 
with  that  bank  until  1905,  advancing  and  for  the  last  three  years  being  credit 
clerk.  In  1905  he  became  associated  with  the  brokerage  firm  of  Hollingshead 
and  Campbell  of  New  York  City,  dealers  in  commercial  paper.  He  remained 
in  the  employ  of  the  latter  firm  until  July  i,  1908,  when  he  was  appointed  to 
his  present  position,  cashier  of  the  North  Scranton  Bank.  His  years  of 
experience  have  given  him  a  knowledge  and  confidence  in  his  own  powers  of 
judgment,  and  in  each  position  he  has  filled,  it  will  be  noted,  he  has  advanced 
to  one  of  greater  responsibility.  He  is  well  regarded  in  business  and  banking 
circles  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  many  friends.  He  is  also  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  Group  3,  Pennsylvania  Bankers  Association.  He  was  former- 
ly trustee  and  treasurer  of  the  Providence  Presbyterian  Church,  but  is  now 
connected  in  membership  with  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian. 

Mr.  Atherton  married,  April  21,  1906,  Annie,  daughter  of  Edwin  F.  and 
Barbara  Miscally,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina;  child:  Dudley  Ray  (2), 
born  July  22,  1908. 


PETER  FELIX  CARLUCCI,  M.  D. 

Highly  educated  for  the  medical  profession,  trained  by  hospital  service 
and  six  years  of  general  practice,  Dr.  Peter  Felix  Carlucci,  one  of  the  younger 
of  Scranton's  medical  fraternity,  holds  high  position  and  is  rapidly  rising  to 
still  greater  honors  in  his  profession.  He  is  of  Italian  birth  and  parentage, 
Italy  having  been  the  home  of  the  previous  generations  of  his  family.  His 
grandfather  was  John  Angelo  Carlucci,  a  stone-cutter,  who  passed  his  entire 
life  in  Italy.  His  children:  Mary,  still  living  in  Italy  at  an  advanced  age; 
Vincenzo,  deceased ;  Antonetta,  lives  in  South  America ;  Carlo,  of  whom  furth- 
er ;  Peter,  a  resident  of  New  York  City. 

Carlo  Carlucci,  son  of  John  Angelo  Carlucci,  was  born  in  Italy  in  1832, 
removed  to  Scranton  1888,  died  there  in  May,  1909.  He  became  a  contracting 
builder  and  so  continued  until  a  few  years  before  his  death.  He  married 
Grace,  daughter  of  Frank  Napoliello,  and  had  children :  Frank,  a  contractor 
of  Scranton ;  Mary,  married  Joseph  Calabrese,  and  resides  in  Scranton ; 
Nicholas,  a  contractor  of  Scranton ;  Rose,  married  J.  Cassesse,  and  lived  in 
Scranton  until  his  death,  December,  1913;  Pasqualena,  deceased;  John,  a 
scupltor ;  Antonetta,  a  resident  of  Detroit,  Michigan ;  Ermenia,  married  Mr. 
Chevalier,  Italian  Consul  at  Detroit,  Michigan ;  Peter  Felix,  of  whom  further. 

Dr.  Peter  Felix  Carlucci,  son  of  Carlo  and  Grace  (Napoliello)  Carlucci, 
was  born  at  Santomenna,  province  of  Salerno,  Italy,  January  15,  1883,  and  when 
five  years  old  was  brought  to  the  United  States,  attending  parochial  schools  for 
six  years,  then  entering  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  and  was  graduated 
from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1903.  Strongly  attracted  by  the  medical 
profession,  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  prepare  therefor,  being  awarded  his  M.  D.  in  1907.  For  one  year 
after  his  graduation  he  was  connected  with  St.  Francis  Hospital,  in  Pittsburgh, 
then  came  to  Scranton,  and  in  July,  1908,  established  as  a  practitioner  in  that 
city.  During  his  connection  with  the  medical  profession  of  Scranton  he  has 
received   several  appointments  significant  of  the  trust  and  confidence  placed 


492  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  him  as  a  physician,  and  is  examiner  for  the  New  Zngland  ^lutual  Life 
Insurance  Company,  medical  inspector  of  pubHc  schools  of  the  city,  member 
of  the  medical  staff  of  the  West  Side  Hospital,  and  on  January  5,  1914,  was 
appointed  police  surgeon  for  the  city  of  Scranton,  all  testimonials  to  hi? 
eminence  in  surgery  and  medicine.  He  is  a  member  of  the  County,  State  and 
American  Aledical  associations,  the  West  Side  Republican  Club,  and  Christo- 
pher Columbus  Lodge,  No.  1160,  I.  O.  O.  F.  His  religion  is  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic, and  he  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Lucia  Catholic  Church. 

Dr.  Carlucci's  career  may  only  be  termed  brilliant,  for  his  attainments 
would  well  grace  one  who  had  grown  old  in  the  practice  of  medicine.  His  op- 
portunities are  practically  boundless  and  the  most  conservative  judgment  would 
counsel  that  his  attainments  will  press  hard  against  their  limits. 


JOHN  ROE  ATHERTON 

The  residence  of  this  branch  of  the  Atherton  family  in  Pennsylvania  dates 
from  1835,  although  it  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  New  England  family  names  and 
one  long  settled  in  Ixlassachusetts  as  colony  and  state.  Through  his  mother, 
Abbie  Foster  (Roe)  Atherton,  daughter  of  John  F.  Roe,  of  a  New  York  fam- 
ily, he  traces  through  colonial  forbears  to  the  "Mayflower,"  she  being  eligible 
in  maternal  and  paternal  lines  to  membership  in  the  following  patriotic  and 
colonial  societies:  General  Society  of  Colonial  Wars,  the  Daughters  of  the 
Revolution  and  the  American  Revolution,  the  Society  of  Mayflower  Descen- 
dants, and  that  of  Descendants  of  Colonial  Governors,  and  the  National  Society 
of  Colonial  Dames. 

Born  at  Bernardston,  Massachusetts,  July  30,  1834,  Henry  F.  Atherton 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  Wyoming  V^alley  in  1835,  when  only  one 
year  old,  the  long  journey  being  made  by  team  and  in  a  covered  wagon.  In 
1838  the  family  moved  to  Hyde  Park.  After  finishing  his  education  Mr. 
Atherton  engaged  in  business  in  Montrose,  and  Honesdale  where  he  remained 
until  March,  1864,  when  he  came  to  Scranton  as  accountant  and  assistant 
paymaster  with  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company.  In  1869  he  was 
made  paymaster  of  the  company  and  this  position  he  filled  with  greatest 
efficiency  until  his  death  in  1899.  He  married  Abbie  Foster,  daughter  of  John 
F.  Roe,  of  Honesdale,  and  to  them  were  born  the  following  children :  Caroline 
F".,  Annie  R.,  John  Roe,  of  further  mention;  Thomas  S.,  assistant  paymaster 
of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company,  and  Henry  F.  Jr.,  treasurer  of  the 
L^nited  Traction  Lines,  in  Albany,  New  York. 

John  Roe  Atherton  was  bom  in  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  January  14., 
1872.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton  and  under  private 
instruction,  beginning  his  long  term  of  service  with  the  Delaware  &  Hudson 
Company  in  1889  as  clerk  in  the  office  of  his  father,  then  paymaster  of  the 
road.  He  so  won  the  regard  of  his  superiors  in  office  that  he  was  promoted 
to  the  position  of  assistant  paymaster,  and  continued  as  such  until  the  death 
of  his  father,  April  3,  1899,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  paymaster  of 
the  road.  This  position  he  most  ably  and  honorably  filled  for  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  and  in  addition  has  been  a  leading  spirit  in  the  management  of  the 
North  Scranton  Bank,  since  he  first  became  interested  in  its  organization,  in 
1901.  He  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  first  board  of  directors,  was  for  several 
years  vice-president,  and  in  1910  became  its  honored  president.  His  long 
years  of  training  in  financial  operations  as  paymaster  of  a  great  corporation 
eminently  fitted  him  for  the  responsible  position  he  now  holds,  while  his 
years  of  attentive  service  on  the  board  of  bank  directors  gave  him  the  special 
knowledge  of  the  laws  governing  banks  and  banking.     Hardly  yet  in  the  prime 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  493 

of  his  manhood,  Mr.  Atherton  has  in  every  field  of  endeavor  entered  proved 
his  sterhng  ability  and  life  holds  for  him  only  promise  of  a  still  more  suc- 
cessful future.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club,  Country  Club,  and 
Presbyterian  church. 


ERNEST  W.  DOLPH 


Coming  to  Pennsylvania  from  New  York,  the  family  of  which  Ernest  W. 
Dolph  is  a  member  is  one  of  French  origin,  the  present  form  and  spelling  being 
a  contraction  of  the  name  de  Wolf.  Isaac  Dolph,  a  native  of  New  York 
state,  was  the  Pennsylvania  founder  of  the  line,  settling  at  Dunmore  and  be- 
coming the  owner  of  a  vast  tract  of  land  including  a  section  upon  which  the 
present  borough  of  Dunmore  is  located  and  extending  well  toward  Providence. 
He  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace.  Isaac  Dolph  married  a  Miss  Griffin 
and  had  children :  William,  a  soldier  of  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War, 
servmg  throughout  the  entire  four  years  of  the  conflict  and  participating  in 
numerous  of  the  most  important  battles  of  the  war,  his  death  occurring  soon 
after  its  close;  Hiram,  deceased,  lived  at  Lake  Winola,  married  and  had  two 
daughters,  one  married  W.  J.  Northrop,  of  Scranton ;  Samuel,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Samuel  Dolph,  son  of  Isaac  and (Griffin)  Dolph,  was  born 

in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1829,  died  in  1905.  He  was  for  several  years 
engaged  in  lumber  dealings  in  his  native  city  and  was  afterward  in  charge  of 
the  lumber  department  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company.  In  1865 
he  caused  a  house  to  be  erected  on  Clay  avenue,  near  Linden  street,  the  first 
structure  to  be  reared  on  Clay  avenue,  having  previously  dwelt  opposite  t  le 
present  station  of  the  Laurel  Line  Railroad  and  on  the  site  of  the  Sprviks 
Brothers  Lumber  yard.  He  married  Mindwell,  daughter  of  Daniel  Ward,  her 
father  being  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  locality,  having  moved  here  from 
New  York  state.  Children :  Ella,  married  Wickham  Jackson,  of  Utica,  New 
York,  and  has  Herbert,  Eva,  Lulu,  Frank ;  Ada,  married  E.  O.  Voris.  of 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  Roy,  Anna,  Charlotte,  Mar- 
jory, E.  Oakley;  Richard,  died  aged  fifteen  years;  Berlingame,  died  in  infancy, 
Charlotte,  married  A.  C.  Angel,  of  New  York  City,  and  has  May  Belle  and 
Amy ;  Mary,  married  Marshall  E.  Everett,  of  Scranton,  and  has  Adeline  and 
Lois ;  Ernest  W.,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  Ernest  W.  Dolph,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mindwell  (Ward)  Dolph. 
was  born  in  .Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  28,  1873.  He  was  a  student  in  the 
public  schools  of  Scranton  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  in  the  fal! 
of  1890  becoming  librarian  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  th" 
building  of  that  organization  being  then  located  on  the  present  site  of  the  Poli 
Theatre.  In  December,  1891,  Mr.  Dolph  became  messenger  for  the  Traders' 
National  Bank,  then  located  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  and  has  been  in  the 
service  of  that  institution  since  that  time,  being  now  employed  as  assistant 
cashier,  to  which  office  he  was  raised  in  1902.  For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century 
this  bank  has  received  his  devoted  service,  during  which  time  he  has  gained 
the  trusting  confidence  of  his  superiors  in  office  and  has  become  known  as  an 
employee  of  the  Traders'  National  than  whom  none  is  more  conversant  with 
the  intricate  details  of  its  business.  Mr.  Dolph  is  a  Republican  in  political 
con-  'ction,  and  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  married  Myrtle  Bolton,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Augusta  Thank- 
ful (Coon)  Hughes.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hughes  have  children:  Harry  J.,  James 
Percy,  Myrtle  Bolton,  of  previous  mention.  Child  of  Ernest  W.  and  My.tle 
Bolton   (Hughes)   Dolph:  Kenneth  Wilson,  born  April  9,  1898. 


494  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

WALTER  LIDDELL  HILL 

Walter  Liddell  Hill  was  born  in  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  August  7, 
1875.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  law  in  North  Caroline  in  1898,  but  i -- 
turned  to  Pennsylvania  and  settled  in  Scranton  where  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  1900,  and  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He  is  now  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Warren,  Knapp,  O'Malley  &  Hill. 


M.  J.  MURPHY 


The  city  of  Scranton  has  many  representative  citizens  and  the  foremost 
of  these  is  M.  J.  Murphy,  who  was  elected,  August  11,  1914,  one  of  the  three 
Class  A  directors  of  the  Philadelphia  Federal  Reserve  Bank. 

Mr.  Murphy  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Towanda,  Bradford  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  18,  1868.  After  proper  preparatory  study  at  the  district  schools, 
he  entered  the  Susquehanna  Collegiate  Institute  at  Towanda,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1888.  He  became  a  teacher,  for  which  position 
he  was  well  qualified,  and  in  1891  was  appointed  principal  in  the  schools  of 
Ulster,  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  spring  of  1891  he  accepted  a 
position  as  messenger  and  bookkeeper  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Towanda, 
serving  for  a  period  of  two  years,  and  then  accepted  the  position  of  teller  in 
the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Towanda,  where  he  served  until  1899.  At  that 
time  the  Athens  National  Bank,  of  Athens,  was  organized,  and  Mr.  Murphy 
was  tendered  the  cashiership,  which  position  he  accepted,  and  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  the  new  bank  had  well  established  competition,  Mr.  Murphy 
succeeded  in  raising  it  to  such  a  standard  that  he  was  tendered  the  cashiership 
of  the  Keystone  Bank  of  Scranton,  which  was  organized  at  that  time.  In 
April,  1907,  Mr.  Murphy  was  tendered  the  cashiership  of  the  Traders'  National 
Bank  of  Scranton,  whose  deposits  at  that  time  were  less  than  two  million  dol- 
lars, and  they  now  average  about  three  and  a  half  millions.  The  directors  of 
this  bank  ascribe  this  very  satisfactory  result,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  per- 
sonal efforts  of  Mr,  Murphy,  and  freely  give  him  credit  for  it.  During  the 
years  of  his  connection  with  banking  institutions,  he  has  been  active  in  the 
interest  of  the  same  in  every  direction  and  in  every  class.  He  has  served  as 
chairman  of  the  local  Group  of  the  Pennsylvania  Bankers'  Association,  and 
has  performed  effective  work  in  the  legal  and  educational  phases. 

Scranton's  position  as  the  financial  metropolis  of  the  anthracite  coal  region 
and  the  entire  northeastern  section  of  Pennsylvania  was  never  more  clearly 
indicated  than  when  two  of  her  citizens,  W.  H.  Peck  and  M.  J.  Murphy,  were 
elected  Class  A  directors  of  the  Philadelphia  Federal  Reserve  Bank.  So  far 
as  known  Scranton  now  occupies  the  unique  position  of  being  the  only  city  in 
the  country,  outside  of  the  headquarters  of  a  regional  bank,  to  produce  from 
its  banks  two  Class  A  directors. 


CYRUS  O.  SUTTON 


Cyrus  O.  Sutton  is  one  of  the  comparatively  few  residents  of  Scranton 
whose  family  boasts  of  an  American  ancestry  of  worthy  length,  the  Suttons 
being  of  English  descent  and  early  settlers  of  Connecticut,  whence  came  George 
Sutton,  who  settled  in  Bradford  county,  on  Towanda  creek,  and  was  drowned 
in  its  waters  a  few  years  later.  He  was  the  father  of  Silas  S.  Sutton,  who 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Newton  township  and  conducted  thereon  farm- 
ing operations,  his  son,  Peter,  and  grandson,  Cyrus  O.,  both  owning  that  as 
their  birth-place.    He  married  Harriett  Gardner.    Children  of  Silas  S.  and  Har- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  495 

riet  Sutton:  i.  Peter,  of  whom  further.  2.  Lydia,  married  George  Beisicker; 
they  were  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Anna,  who  married  Davis  Nafus.  3. 
Eliza,  married  William  Callender ;  she  is  still  living,  the  mother  of  Hattie.  4. 
Ira  G.,  deceased ;  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  War ;  married  Elmira  Hettesham- 
mer;  children:  Bruce  S.,  Sarah,  Victor.  5.  Ann  S.,  married  John  Shelley; 
their  son,  Richard,  is  an  employee  of  the  International  Correspondence  Schools, 
of  Scranton. 

Peter  Sutton  was  born  in  Newton  township,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1 83 1.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  and  has  followed  agriculture 
throughout  his  entire  life,  making  the  raising  of  fine  grades  of  fruit  and  vege- 
tables his  especial  field  of  endeavor.  He  is  still  living,  aged  eighty-three  years. 
He  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  Bumgardner.  Childrer:: 
I.  Cyrus  O.,  of  whom  further.  2.  Ida,  married  Joseph  E.  Marcy.  3.  Harry 
John,  auditor  of  the  Connell  Anthracite  Mining  Company ;  married  Minnie, 
daughter  of  James  Sutton,  of  West  Pittston,  Pennsylvania. 

Cyrus  O.  Sutton  was  born  in  Newton  township,  Lackawanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  10,  1858.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools,  later  supplementing  this  with  a  course  at  Bloomsburg  State  Normal 
Scliool.  For  one  year  thereafter  he  attended  LTnion  Seminary,  discontinuing 
his  studies  at  that  institution  in  1878  to  enroll  as  a  student  in  the  Bryant  and 
Stratton  Commercial  College,  L^tica,  New  York,  the  following  year  becoming  a 
teacher  in  the  Institution.  He  spent  the  next  three  years  as  a  teacher  in 
Newark,  New  Jersey.  His  next  position  was  as  a  teacher  in  Johnstown,  and 
with  his  wife  he  was  a  resident  of  that  city  when  the  breaking  of  the  Cone- 
maugh  dam  brought  upon  the  inhabitants  of  that  place  the  flood  that  made 
thousands  homeless  and  claimed  as  many  more  in  the  terrible  toll  of  death. 
After  the  disaster,  from  which  he  and  his  wife  were  saved,  he  made  his  home 
in  Scranton  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  that  city.  His  first  business  ven- 
ture in  Scranton  was  in  partnership  with  ^Augustus  M.  Atherton,  the  enter- 
prise being  a  general  store.  So  successful  was  this  business  that  soon  after  they 
opened  a  branch  store  in  Olyphant.  About  the  end  of  the  1902  coal  strike  the 
Olyijhant  store  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  Mr.  Sutton  retired  from  the  business. 
On  April  20,  1903,  he  entered  the  employ  of  W.  L.  Connell  as  bookkeeper  and 
paymaster  for  the  Connell  Anthracite  Mining  Company,  a  position  he  held 
for  eight  years.  Since  May,  191 1,  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  capacity  of 
auditor  for  the  following  companies,  in  all  of  which  Mr.  Connell  holds  inter- 
ests :  Connell  Anthracite  Mining  Company,  Lackawanna  Coal  and  Lumber 
Company,  Paint  Creek  Collieries  Company,  Mucklow  Supply  Company,  Coal 
Lands  Securities  Companv  and  Highland  Lumber  Company.  He  is  also  treas- 
urer of  the  Bernice  Stone  Company. 

Mr.  Sutton  married,  October  26,  1886,  Ida  May,  daughter  of  Thomas  L. 
and  Mary  Jane  (Millard)  Hughes.  He  is  a  member  of  Providence  Conclave, 
Independent  Order  of  Heptasophs,  and  in  politics  supports  the  Republican 
party.  His  religious  belief  is  Alethodist  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Asbury 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  holding  a  position  upon  its  official  board. 


EVAN  S.  JONES  JR. 

There  is  little  in  the  career  of  Evan  S.  Jones  but  is  worthy  of  imitation 
by  the  young  of  to-day.  Born  in  far  away  England,  and  early  bred  to  habits 
of  industry  and  thrift,  Mr.  Jones  has  seized  every  opportunity  for  advance- 
ment offered  by  his  adopted  country  and  stands  to-day,  at  the  head  of  one  of 
Scranton's  successful  industrial  corporations.  The  Washburn  Williams  Com- 
pany, leading  lumber  dealers  and  contractors. 


496  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Evan  S.  Jones  Sr.  was  born  in  1838,  in  Brecon,  Wales,  and  there  grew  to. 
manhood.  After  a  residence  in  England,  he  and  his  brother,  Thomas  H., 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1869,  locating  in  Scranton,  where  as  Jones 
Brothers  they  established  the  first  cut  stone  business  in  the  city.  They  were 
both  practical  stone  cutters  and  continued  in  successful  business  until  1888, 
when  Evan  S.  retired.  He  was  a  member  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  339,  F. 
and  A.  M.,  and  a  man  of  high  standing  in  his  community. 

He  married  (first)  Deborah  Powell,  January  25,  1859,  i"  Lanelly,  Wales, 
Evan  S.  Jr.  being  the  only  surviving  child  of  that  marriage.  On  December 
8,  1875,  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  he  married  (second)  Catherine  Harrison, 
born  in  September,  1838,  in  the  city  of  Carbondale,  and  had  two  sons:  Wil- 
liam G.,  of  Hutchinson,  Kansas,  and  Robert  D.,  of  Scranton.  The  family  in 
Scranton  were  members  of  the  Simpson  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Evan  S.  Jones  Jr.  was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  July  17,  1862,  and  at 
the  age  of  seven  years  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Wyoming  Seminary,  whence  he  was  grad- 
uated class  of  1886.  He  began  business  life  as  an  apprentice  with  his  honored 
father,  continuing  until  he  was  master  of  the  stone  cutter's  trade.  Later  he 
abandoned  his  trade  and  became  bookkeeper  for  John  Benore  &  Company, 
continuing  with  that  firm  for  twelve  years.  He  then  became  a  member  of  The 
Washburn  Williams  Company,  which  was  incorporated  in  1898  with  Frank  W. 
Washburn,  president,  William  R.  Williams,  treasurer,  Evan  S.  Jones,  secretary 
and  general  manager.  This  company  began  business  by  purchasing  the  lumber 
yard  and  business  of  Washburn  &  Zearfoss,  established  in  Scranton  about  the 
year  1880.  The  business  in  1898  was  a  small  one  but  with  the  infusion  of  the  Wil- 
liams-Jones blood  a  change  was  at  once  apparent.  New  avenues  of  trade  were 
opened,  branch  yards  established,  a  continuous  period  of  prosperity  following 
the  well  timed  energetic  activities  of  the  company.  The  yards,  mill  and  office 
of  The  Washburn  Williams  Company  are  located  at  Nos.  119-131  Meridian 
avenue,  where  a  lumber,  contracting  and  manufacturing  business,  amounting  to 
one-half  million  dollars  annually,  is  transacted.  The  manufacturing  of  interior 
finish,  show  cases  and  store  fixtures,  is  a  specialty  of  their  business,  while  in 
the  lumber  department  all  kinds  of  builders'  lumber  and  fancy  veneers  are 
carried  in  plentiful  supply.  Glass  of  the  highest  grades,  domestic  and  imported, 
in  an  endless  variety,  now  used  in  building  and  decorating,  is  carried  in  quan- 
tity. The  working  force  employed  by  the  company  numbers  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  people,  their  product  going  to  all  parts  of  the  Middle  and  East- 
ern States.  A  reorganization  of  the  executive  stafif  was  effected,  Mr.  Jones 
being  elected  president  and  general  manager :  William  R.  Williams,  treasurer ; 
Robert  D.  Jones,  secretary.  While  all  these  gentlemen  are  business  men  of  high 
standing,  the  success  of  the  company  has  been  rendered  doubly  sure  through 
the  wise  management  of  Evan  S.  Jones,  the  general  manager  since  incorpora- 
tion and  present  executive  head  of  the  company.  He  has  employed  every 
approved  modern  method  and  mechanical  device  in  the  manufacturing  de- 
partment, while  in  the  selling  and  operating  departments  efficiency  and  true 
economy  are  everywhere  apparent.  Now  in  the  prime  of  life,  the  ambition  and 
enthusiasm  of  Mr.  Jones  carry  him  along  at  full  speed  and  greater  distinction 
in  the  business  world  surely  awaits  him.  Already  he  has  been  called  to  other 
responsibilities  of  importance,  being  the  present  honored  vice-president  of  the 
Electric  City  Bank  of  Scranton. 

Mr.  Jones  is  prominent  in  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Hyde  Park 
Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine ;  Keystone 
Lodge  of  Perfection,  fourteenth  degree ;  Keystone  Council,  Princes  of  Jerusa- 
lem, sixteenth  degree;  Keystone  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix,   eighteenth  degree; 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  497 

Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  thirty-second 
degree;  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  Northern  Jurisdiction  United  States 
of  America. 

Evan  S.  Jones,  married,  August  11,  1890,  Myra,  daughter  of  Clark  Har- 
rison, of  Scranton.  His  two  sons :  Warren  H.  and  Marshall  C,  are  both  as- 
sociated with  their  father  in  business. 


FLOYD  D.  BEEMER 


Four  generations  of  Beemers  have  been  residents  of  what  is  now  Scran- 
ton, the  pioneer  coming  earlier  than  the  men  who  first  gave  Slocum's  Hollow 
its  importance.  The  first  saw  mill  in  the  section  was  built,  owned  and  oper- 
ated by  Henry  Beemer,  who  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Slocum's  Hollow  in 
1819,  and  for  many  years  carried  on  farming  and  lumbering.  He  was  a  son 
of  John  Beemer,  of  New  Jersey,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Henry  Beemer 
was  an  ardent  Whig  and  his  house  was  the  rallying  point  for  those  of  that 
party  who  came  in  later.     He  had  married  and  had  ten  children. 

(H)  Elias  Beemer,  son  of  Henry  Beemer,  was  born  in  Beemersville,  New 
Jersey,  in  1806.  He  came  to  what  is  now  Scranton  with  his  father  in  1819, 
and  became  a  successful  farmer.  He  married  Phoebe  Allbright  and  had  issue: 
Allen,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  the  state  Republican  commit- 
tee, later  settling  in  the  state  of  Nebraska;  Jennie,  married  O.  D.  Hollister; 
George,  of  further  mention  ;  Horace  D.,  now  a  banker  of  the  state  of  Wyoming; 
Ella,  married  W.  H.  Hollister;  Samuel  and  Oakley,  both  merchants. 

(HI)  George  Beemer,  son  of  Elias  and  Phoebe  (Allbright)  Beemer,  was 
bom  in  Luzerne,  now  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  14,  1848,  and 
is  now  superintendent  of  Hillside  park.  His  life  has  covered  the  period  of 
Scranton's  entire  existence  as  a  municipality,  and  in  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  the  city  he  has  had  a  part.  He  was  educated  in  public  schools  and 
Madison  Academy,  his  earlier  life  being  spent  on  the  farm.  In  1878  he  gave 
up  farming  to  accept  an  appointment  as  steward  of  the  Lake  View  poor  dis- 
trict, continuing  until  1883,  when  he  resigned,  having  been  appointed  to  his 
present  position,  superintendent  of  Hillside.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Masonic  Order;  past  master  of  Waverly  Lodge,  No.  301,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and 
a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  of  the  Scottish  Rite.  He  is  also  a  past  noble 
grand  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  a  Knight  of  Malta.  He 
married,  in  1876,  Jennie  Young,  of  Ulster  county.  New  York;  children: 
Horace,  born  in  1878,  died  1879;  Floyd  D. 

(IV)  Floyd  D.  Beemer,  youngest  and  only  living  son  of  George  and  Jen- 
nie (Young)  Beemer,  was  born  in  Newton  township,  Lackawanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  5,  1888.  His  early  and  preparatory  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  public  schools.  Keystone  and  Mercersburg  academies.  He  next 
entered  Bucknell  LTniversity,  whence  he  was  graduated  class  of  1910.  He  be- 
gan, business  life  as  a  lumber  dealer  at  Clarks  Summit,  Pennsylvania,  con- 
tinuing until  January  I,  191 1,  when  he  became  associated  with  the  Providence 
Bank,  Scranton,  as  clerk.  He  continued  as  such  until  March  i,  1913,  when 
he  was  appointed  cashier,  which  responsible  position  he  now  holds.  Al- 
though a  young  man,  Mr.  Beemer  is  highly  regarded  in  financial  circles,  has 
fully  gratified  the  wisdom  of  his  appointment,  and  with  a  career  but  fairly 
begun,  future  biographers  will  surely  have  higher  and  greater  deeds  to  chron- 
icle concerning  him.    He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  and  Shriner. 


32 


498  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

HON.  WILLIAM  CONNELL 

It  is  characteristic  of  our  twentieth  century  era  that  no  matter  how  in- 
disputable a  statement,  or  how  clear  a  result,  the  desire  for  the  reason  is  con- 
tinually uppermost  in  the  minds  of  every  one.  To  this  quality  of  our  people 
we  owe  our  extremely  intricate  knowledge  of  chemical  and  physical  properties, 
since  in  all  lines  of  scientific  research  nothing  is  accepted  as  a  fact  until  all 
the  causes  contributing  to  the  effect  are  known,  and  an  invariable  rule  estab- 
lished. Nor  do  we  confine  our  inquisitiveness  and  love  of  fundamentals  to 
our  professions  and  sciences,  but  in  considering  the  lives  of  our  most  prominent 
and  important  citizens,  we  closely  scan  the  generations  that  have  gone  before 
(to  find  here  and  there  evidences  of  certain  traits  that  characterize  the  present 
generation. 

To  define  the  causes  that  have  participated  in  making  the  life  of  William 
Connell  one  of  such  glorious  usefulness,  one  must,  after  searching  the  pages 
of  history,  conclude  that  the  success  and  honor  crowning  his  years  of  labor 
are  due,  more  than  to  anything  else,  to  splendidly  balanced  intellect  and  per- 
sonality, the  outgrowth  of  the  conditions  in  which  he  was  placed  and  the 
adversities  with  which  he  had  to  contend.  But,  lest  we  seem  to  scorn  heredity 
and  to  ignore  ancestry,  it  must  be  admitted  that  many  of  his  personal  traits 
are  shared  in  common  with  other  descendants  of  the  races  from  which  he 
sprang.  From  his  Scotch  forefathers  he  inherited  his  habits  of  economy  and 
frugality  in  the  days  when  every  dollar  was  needed,  and  his  calm  and  clear 
foresight,  while  from  his  warmer  blooded  Irish  forbears  came  his  quick  and 
friendly  sympathy,  and  charming  geniality,  and  to  the  strain  of  French  blood 
in  his  veins  he  undoubtedly  owes  his  sensitive  emotion,  so  easily  touched  by 
misfortune,  yet  so  tempered  by  his  less  impulsive  Scotch  blood  that  in  his 
various  charities  there  was  no  sentimental  and  indiscriminate  giving,  but  only 
relief  and  aid  for  the  really  worthy.  Yet  it  is  indisputable  that  the  very  na- 
ture of  the  man  himself  so  entwined  and  welded  his  different  characteristics 
that  to  his  closest  and  most  familiar  friends  no  strain  appeared  more  strong 
than  another,  all  uniting  in  William  Connell,  than  whom  there  was  no  citizen 
of  Scranton  held  in  more  sincere  respect  and  regard,  or  none  whose  absence 
from  the  place  he  had  filled  so  long  could  cause  more  genuine  regret  and 
sorrow. 

James  Connell,  father  of  William  Connell.  was  born  in  Aberdeenshire, 
Scotland,  and  there  lived  until  the  death  of  his  father.  His  mother's  second 
husband  being  a  person  entirely  uncongenial  to  him,  he  decided  to  leave  a 
home  from  which,  for  him,  most  of  the  happiness  and  joy  had  departed, 
and  to  seek  his  fortunes  under  diff'erent  skies.  He  shipped  as  cabin  boy  upon 
an  English  merchant  vessel,  and  sailed  for  many  years,  visiting  nearly  every 
foreign  country  on  the  seacoast  and  traversing  every  sea.  At  length  he  settled 
in  Nova  Scotia,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  a  farmer,  and  where  he  mar- 
ried. In  1844  he  and  his  wife,  with  their  family,  moved  to  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  late  in  life  made  Scranton  their  home,  in  which  city  their 
deaths  occurred. 

From  the  foregoing  paragraph  it  is  plain  that  William  Connell  was,  at 
birth,  neither  fed  with  a  silver  spoon,  nor  rocked  in  the  lap  of  luxury.  From 
his  father  he  received  nothing  but  the  example  of  an  honest  and  upright 
character.  He  was  placed  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder  of  achievement,  blessed 
with  two  strong  hands  and  a  clean  and  healthy  mind.  A  glance  of  the  dizzy 
heights  above  did  not  impress  him  with  the  futility  of  an  attempt  to  ascend, 
but  nerved  him  to  place  his  foot  upon  the  bottom  rung  and  begin  the  climb 
which  he  never  ceased  to  do  until,  reaching  upward   for  the  next   step,  he 


?  I  1  iai(Z£  ^^y>2y>i^' 


U 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  499 

found  that  he  occupied  the  topmost  position,  that  from  below  had  seemed  so 
unattainable. 

William  Connell  was  born  at  Cape  Breton,  Nova  Scotia,  September  10, 
1827,  son  of  James  and  Susan  (Melville)  Connell.  Nearly  all  of  his  early 
life,  after  his  school-days,  was  spent  in  the  employ  of  companies  engaged  in 
mining  of  coal,  one  of  the  natural  resources  of  the  section  which  seemed  prac- 
tically inexhaustible.  Throughout  his  youth,  as  indeed  in  later  life,  he  was 
an  indefatigable  worker,  bending  his  every  energy  to  the  task  at  hand,  and 
brightening  the  most  commonplace  of  occupations  by  the  active  manner  in 
which  it  was  dispatched.  Imbued  with  the  desire  for  better  things  and  realiz- 
ing that  the  opportunity  for  the  gratification  of  such  desire  lay  only  in  im- 
proving his  financial  condition,  he  lived  frugally  and  saved  a  large  part  of  his 
weekly  wage.  The  first  material  advancement  came  to  him  in  1856,  when  he 
was  placed  in  charge  of  a  mine  at  Scranton,  owned  by  the  Susquehanna  and 
Wyoming  Valley  Railroad  and  Coal  Company.  His  nominal  position  was  as 
mine  foreman,  but  as  his  exceptional  ability  became  more  and  more  apparent, 
added  details  of  the  business  were  placed  upon  his  shoulders  until,  in  1872, 
when  the  charter  of  the  corporation  expired,  Mr.  Connell  had  entire  super- 
vision of  the  operation  of  the  mine  and  was  the  trusted  advisor  of  the  di- 
rectors in  all  matters  relating  to  the  practical  side  of  the  business.  Although 
he  did  not  realize  it  at  the  time,  Mr.  Connell's  change  of  fortune  began  with 
his  entrance  into  the  employ  of  this  company.  While  many  times  during 
his  continuation  in  its  service  he  was  ofifered  salaries  greatly  in  advance  of 
the  four  thousand  dollars  he  was  then  receiving,  to  go  with  other  companies, 
he  steadfastly  refused  them  all.  Asked  for  his  reasons  for  so  doing,  he  re- 
plied, "In  the  light  of  subsequent  development,  I  am  inclined  to  attribute  it 
to  Providence.  At  the  time,  my  reasons  were  that  my  employers,  the  Susque- 
hanna and  W^yoming  Valley  Company  had  always  treated  me  fairly,  that  I 
had  faith  in  their  promises  of  continued  fair  treatment,  and  that  I  then  foresaw 
and  desired  to  participate  in  the  marvelous  growth  which  has  since  come  to 
the  city  of  Scranton."  At  the  expiration  of  the  company's  charter  in  1872 
he,  with  his  savings,  purchased  the  property.  For  the  greater  part  of  the 
purchase  price  he  was  compelled  to  give  his  note,  which  was  willingly  accepted 
by  the  directors  of  the  former  company,  an  eloquent  tribute  to  the  years  of 
service  in  their  employ.  Their  confidence  was  entirely  justified,  inasmuch  as, 
within  a  few  years,  he  was  enabled  to  pay  off  his  entire  debt  and  had  placed 
moreover  the  firm  of  William  Connell  &  Company  upon  a  solid  and  sub 
stantial  working  basis. 

The  first  business  transaction  in  which  Mr.  Connell  ever  engaged  whereby 
he  received  recompense  not  in  the  form  of  wages  or  interest  was  in  the  case 
of  the  Nay  Aug  Colliery.  Just  previous  to  the  Civil  War  a  company  com- 
posed of  eight  of  Scranton's  business  men,  of  which  Mr.  Connell  was  one, 
purchased  the  Nay  Aug  Colliery  for  a  sum  amounting  to  about  fifty  thousand 
dollars.  Mr.  Connell's  share  was  his  savings  of  the  years  before.  The  wis- 
dom of  the  venture  was  soon  apparent,  for  with  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
the  price  of  coal  soared  as  did  likewise  the  price  of  many  other  commodities. 
A  syndicate  of  capitalists  with  funds  to  enlarge  the  colliery  and  largely  in- 
crease its  earning  capacity  offered  the  company  a  sum  greatly  in  advance  of 
the  original  price  paid  for  the  colliery,  a  proposition  which  was  accepted. 
Mr.  Connell's  share  of  the  profits  from  this  deal  amounted  to  thirteen  thous- 
and dollars.  This  formed  the  nucleus  about  which  he  constructed  his  sub- 
sequently generous  fortune  and  was  the  first  of  the  many  wise  and  carefully 
planned  investments,  of  which  he  made  so  many  in  later  years. 

To  give  an  exhaustive  account  of  Mr.  Connell's  varied  business  activities 


500  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

would  carry  one  into  many  of  the  large  concerns  of  Scranton.  In  1872  he 
assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Third  National  Bank  of  Scranton,  which 
he  first  served  as  director  and  of  which  he  was  chosen  president  in  1879, 
which  office  he  held  for  twenty-five  consecutive  years,  and  in  1887  he  was 
active  in  the  formation  of  the  Scranton  Safe  Deposit  and  Trust  Company 
capitalized  at  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  of  which  he  became 
director.  In  1890  he  organized  the  Council  Coal  Company,  purchasing  and 
leasing  large  holdings  of  coal  land  in  Lackawanna,  Old  Forge  and  Ransom 
township.  The  daily  capacity  of  the  two  model  breakers  erected  upon  this 
tract  was  three  thousand  tons.  Besides  his  connection  with  these  organi- 
zations, Mr.  Connell  was  president  of  the  Lackawanna  Knitting  Mills  Com 
pany ;  president  of  the  Scranton  Button  Manufacturing  Company;  president 
of  the  Weston  Mill  Company  and  president  of  the  Meadowbrook  Land  Com- 
pany. His  name  also  appeared  upon  the  directorates  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron 
and  Steel  Company;  Dickson  Manufacturing  Company;  Clark  &  Snover  Com- 
pany; Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut  Company;  Scranton  Packing  Company;  Scran- 
ton Forging  Company ;  Lackawanna  Lumber  Company ;  Consumers  Ice  Com- 
pany and  the  Scranton  Tribune.  In  the  many  institutions  in  which  he  was 
not  publicly  interested,  being  only  a  stockholder,  his  advice  and  counsel  was 
frequently  sought  and  as  frequently  accepted,  his  wide  experience  and  recog- 
nized superior  financial  sense  giving  him  great  prestige  even  among  the  ablest 
of  Scranton's  financiers.  In  the  countless  business  transactions  he  has  backed 
and  in  the  long  list  of  companies  where  his  name  has  appeared  in  a  responsi- 
ble position,  there  is  not  to  be  found  a  single  instance  in  which  the  results  did 
not  live  up  to  the  expectations  and  no  name  in  Scranton's  financial  history 
is  more  free  from  contamination  by  "wild-cat"  schemes  and  from  the  curse 
of  cheated  investors,  than  that  of  William  Connell.  His  figure  stood  out 
clear  and  strong,  no  matter  what  the  difficulty  or  how  frenzied  the  gather- 
ing around  about  him,  inspiring  in  others  the  thought  that  here,  at  least,  was 
one  to  whom  the  lure  of  gold  and  the  greed  of  gain  could  make  no  appeal 
and  to  whom  they  might  with  safety  entrust  their  all. 

With  his  prominence  in  Scranton  and  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the 
commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  it  was  almost  impossible  that  he  should  not 
be  led  into  the  public  service.  Although  a  long  while  before  accepting  office, 
he  had  been  a  constant  advisor  and  confident  of  the  leaders  of  the  Republican 
party  in  his  section  and  had,  in  large  measure,  dominated  political  affairs 
in  the  locality.  His  name  as  a  candidate  for  public  political  preference  was 
first  presented  in  1896,  when  in  November  he  was  elected  to  Congress.  For 
three  terms  following  he  was  returned  to  this  august  legislative  assembly, 
ably  representing  his  district  and  proving  his  worth  among  the  best  Ameri- 
can statesmen.  His  popularity  was  shown  by  his  large  plurality  in  the  elec- 
tion, eight  thousand,  four  times  as  large  as  that  accorded  any  previous  candi- 
date of  the  party  in  that  district. 

Still  another  phase  of  Mr.  Connell's  extremely  versatile  personality  is 
shown  in  his  deeply  interested  activity  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
his  connection  with  that  denomination  being  with  the  Elm  Park  congregation. 
The  chimes  in  Elm  Park  Church :  ten  bells  with  names  of  Mr.  Connell  and 
wife,  and  two  oldest  children  on  large  bell,  and  each  of  the  other  bells  is 
named  for  each  of  the  children ;  they  are  called  the  Connell  Memorial  Chimes, 
the  best  in  the  country,  and  invalids  and  others  wrote  him  their  appre- 
ciation; he  gave  them  in  1894.  Although  the  church  was  burned  twice  the 
chimes  were  not  injured  either  time.  As  proof  of  his  work  in  the  church 
organization  is  the  fact  of  his  delegation  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  con- 
ference, held  at  Philadelphia  in   1884,  at  which  gathering  he  represented  hi'i 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  501 

home  church.  In  the  educational  institutions  of  tlie  denomination  he  was  also 
numbered  as  an  enthusiastic  supporter  and  sympathizer,  as  he  was  a  trustee 
of  Syracuse  and  Wesleyan  universities,  Drew  Theological  Seminary  and 
Wyoming  Seminary. 

To  his  innermost  circle  of  friends  Mr.  Connell  was  known  as  a  close 
student,  enjoying  to  the  full  an  evening's  communion  with  the  best  of  classic 
and  modern  authors.  Possessing  a  fine  discriminating  taste,  he  would  have 
been  a  masterly  scholar  had  the  opportunity  for  higher  education  come  to  him 
early  in  life.  From  his  literary  likes  he  obtained  much  of  the  pleasurable 
relaxation  that  came  to  him  in  the  course  of  an  exceedingly  busy  life. 

To  the  city  of  Scranton,  Mr.  Connell  has  left  two  lasting  memorials  of  his 
name,  one  of  the  Connell  Building,  a  stately  office  structure  in  the  heart  of 
the  business  section,  the  other,  Connell  Park,  which  will  in  the  greater  ex- 
pansion of  the  city,  certain  to  come,  prove  to  be  a  valuable  addition  to  the 
municipal  property  and  a  spot  which  will  delight  lovers  of  natural  beauty. 

But  the  real  medium  through  which  the  name  of  William  Connell  will  be 
preserved  in  the  region,  to  which  he  dedicated  so  much  of  his  toil  and  talents 
is  not  the  building  or  the  park  which  bears  his  name,  but  in  the  high  place 
accorded  to  social,  financial  and  industrial  Scranton  among  the  other  cities 
of  the  state.  Much  of  the  best  and  finest  in  Scranton's  history  has  been  the 
result  of  his  patient  and  earnest  labors  in  its  behalf,  his  civic  pride  and  his 
untiring  zeal  for  the  advancement  of  the  city,  the  scene  of  his  success-crowned 
struggle. 

Mr.  Connell  married,  January  2,  1852,  Annie  Lawrence,  of  Llewellyn, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  bom  August  4,  1835.  To  this  union  was 
born  eleven  children,  of  whom  six  are  living:  i.  Emma,  born  October  5, 
1852,  died  in  infancy.  2.  Mattie,  born  April  25,  1854 ;  married  Samuel  W. 
Edgar;  died  April  10,  1888.  3.  James  L.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Mary  E.,  born 
August  4,  1858;  married  Edward  J.  Dimmick ;  died  June  15,  1891.  5.  Wil- 
liam A.,  born  September  9,  i860,  died  November  21,  1899.  6.  Jessie  A., 
born  July  18,  1862;  married  J.  S.  McAnulty.  7.  Charles  R.,  of  whom  further. 
8.  Alfred  E.,  of  whom  further.  9.  Annie  A.,  born  May  29,  1869;  married 
C.  W.  Fulton.  10.  Theodore  E.,  born  July  8,  1871,  died  June  15,  1903.  11. 
Ezra  Hoyt,  of  whom  further. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Connell,  rising  by  prudence  and  thrift  from  poverty  to 
affluence,  were  not  forgetful  of  their  early  days  and  associations,  but  bore 
their  prosperity  with  becoming  gentleness  and  kindliness.  They  were  ever 
considerate  and  benevolent  though  to  the  last  degree  unostentatious.  Few 
knew  of  the  amount  or  character  of  their  large  benevolencies.  The  home  life 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Connell  was  ideal.  Never  were  husband  and  wife  more 
devoted  and  until  her  death,  their  home  was  a  rendezvous  for  hosts  of  their 
admiring  friends.  On  January  2,  1902,  they  celebrated  their  golden  wedding, 
an  occasion  without  ostentation,  yet  memorable  for  the  multitude  which  in- 
cluded practically  all  the  city,  besides  a  host  from  other  places,  who  came  to 
present  their  congratulations.  Mrs.  Connell  passed  away  June  24,  1902. 
Mr.  Connell,  March  21,  1909. 


JAMES  L.  CONNELL 


James  L.  Connell,  son  of  William  Connell,  was  born  at  Crystal  Ridge. 
Pennsylvania,  April  17,  1856.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Minooka,  whither  his  parents  had  moved  when  he  was  but  a  youth, 
also  attending  the  Wyoming  Seminary.  When  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age 
his  parents  moved  to  Scranton  and  it  was  here  he  obtained  his  first  employ- 


502  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ment  in  the  wholesale  grocery  business  of  A.  G.  Gilmore,  later  engaging 
in  the  retail  grocery  business  for  two  years  with  F.  P.  Price  under  the  firm 
name  of  Price  &  Connell.  Withdrawing  from  this  partnership  in  1877,  Mr. 
Connell  formed  another  with  I.  F.  Megargel,  and  journeying  to  Des  Moines, 
lowe,  established  a  tea,  coffee  and  spice  business.  The  following  year  they 
returned  to  Scranton  and  admitted  Alexander  Connell  into  the  firm,  changing 
the  name  to  Megargel,  Connell  &  Company,  and  engaging  in  wholesale  grocery 
dealing  until  1882,  when  upon  the  death  of  Alexander  Connell,  his  interest 
was  purchased  by  the  other  two  partners,  the  firm  continuing  operations  as 
Megargel  &  Connell.  About  1899  ^^^i"-  Connell  purchased  his  partner's  interest 
and  admitted  William  Connell  to  the  firm,  the  name  becoming  J.  L.  Connell 
&  Company.  In  1902  their  place  of  business  was  burned  out  and  the  business 
closed.  Mr.  Connell  then  devoted  his  entire  time  to  his  other  business  relations 
as  vice-president  of  the  Clark  &  Snover  Company,  as  treasurer  and  director  of 
the  Cherry  River  Boom  and  Lumber  Company,  and  as  vice-president  and 
director  of  the  Third  National  Bank.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Richwood 
Store  Company,  the  Hebard  Cypress  Company,  the  Hebardville  Store  Com- 
pany, the  Lackawanna  Mills,  Scranton  Button  Company  and  the  Wyoming 
Shovel  Works. 

Mr.  Connell  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Peter  Wil- 
liamson Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ;  Keystone  Consistory, 
Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret;  and  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Country 
Club  and  the  Waverly  Club.  With  his  wife  he  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park 
Methodist  Episcopal  Qiurch,  in  which  he  is  a  trustee  and  a  member  of  the 
official  board.  He  married  Leonora  Pratt  and  has  three  children :  Lawrence 
M.,  Carleton  A.,  Mary  Lucile. 


CHARLES  R.  CONNELL 

Charles  R.  Council,  son  of  William  Connell,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, September  22,  1864.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  and 
private  schools  of  Scranton,  completing  his  studies  in  Williston  Seminary  at 
Easthampton,  Massachusetts.  Since  1888  he  has  had  complete  charge  of  the 
Scranton  Button  Company,  and  the  Lackawanna  Mills,  both  of  Scranton, 
positions  he  filled  after  preliminary  instruction  in  the  varied  details  of  both 
processes.  The  Lackawanna  mills  is  a  corporation  capitalized  at  five  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  with  an  annual  output  valued  at  one  million  dollars,  employs 
eight  hundred  persons  and  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  of  the  city's  in- 
dustries ;  while  the  Scranton  Button  Company,  capitalized  at  three  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  employs  five  hundred  persons,  and  is  likewise  numbered 
among  the  best  paying  of  Scranton's  many  manufactories.  In  the  responsible 
positions  he  fills,  Mr.  Connell  shows  much  native  ability,  and  so  wisely  governs 
the  large  number  of  employees  under  his  direct  supervision  that  strikes  are 
unheard  of.  Various  attractions,  such  as  an  annual  excursion,  are  furnished 
for  the  enjoyment  of  the  employees,  while  many  devices  for  their  comfort 
and  safety  are  installed  in  both  plants.  Mr.  Connell,  besides  his  immediate 
business  attachments,  is  a  director  of  the  Third  National  Bank,  the  South 
Side  Bank  of  Scranton,  and  the  United  Button  Company,  of  New  York. 

His  fraternal  connection  is  with  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which  society  he 
belongs  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Lackawanna 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ; 
Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret ;  and  Irem  Tern- 


A 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  503 

pit,  Ancient  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Scranton  Club,  and  the  Manu- 
facturers' Club  of  Philadelphia.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Charles 
Shafer,  of  Scranton,  and  has  two  children :  Gladys  S.  and  Bernard  L. 


ALFRED  E.  CONNELL 

Alfred  E.  Connell,  son  of  William  Connell,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  24,  1867.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city  and  later  attended  the  School  of  Lackawanna.  His  first 
position  was  held  with  the  Hunt  &  Connell  Company  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness, a  line  in  which  he  continued  for  five  years,  later  entering  the  office  01 
the  Scranton  Button  Company,  where  he  remained  for  several  years.  Until 
1905  he  was  a  store  manager  for  a  coal  company,  then  entering  the  Meadow 
Brook  Land  Company,  as  general  manager,  an  office  he  held  from  1906  to 
1909,  in  which  latter  year  he  became  president.  His  other  business  interests 
are  as  director  in  the  Scranton  Button  Company,  the  Lackawanna  Mills  and 
the  Anthracite  Trust  Company.  His  public  service  is  testified  by  his  presence 
upon  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral  School  for  the  Deaf, 
as  well  as  his  presidency  of  the  Board  of  Charities  and  Humane  Society  of 
Lackawanna  Company.  In  the  Masonic  Order  he  is  past  master  of  Peter 
Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons ;  Scranton  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters ;  past  eminent 
commander  of  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ;  Irem  Temi'le 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine ;  Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the 
Royal  Secret,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Scranton  Club  and  the  Country  Club. 

Mr.  Connell  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Job  and  Ann  Harris,  of  Scran- 
ton ;  children :  Edwin,  a  student  at  Yale  University ;  Janet,  attends  the  Emma 
Willard  School  at  Troy,  New  York;  Eleanor  and  Alfred  H.,  Mr.  Connell 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


EZRA  HOYT  CONNELL 

Youngest  of  the  eleven  children  of  William  Connell,  Ezra  Hoyt  is  the 
only  one  born  in  the  old  historic  Connell  mansion  on  the  corner  of  Clay 
avenue  and  \'ine  street.  He  was  born  May  9,  1873.  and  obtained  his  early 
education  at  the  kindergarten  then  located  in  the  old  Jermyn  residence  on  the 
corner  of  Jefferson  avenue  and  Vine  street.  He  later  attended  the  School  of  the 
Lackawanna,  the  school  of  H.  H.  Merrill,  and  during  the  years  1888-90  was 
a  student  at  Pennington  Seminary,  at  Pennington,  New  Jersey.  He  entered 
Yale  University  in  the  fall  of  1890,  and  in  the  spring  of  1895  was  thence  grad- 
uated with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  having  lost  one  year  at  the  university  through 
the  typhoid  epidemic.  In  1895  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated  LL.  B.,  class  of  1898.  Returning 
to  Scranton  he  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  bar  in  1899,  and  at  once 
established  in  general  practice  with  offices  in  the  Connell  Building.  The 
same  year  he  was  admitted  to  the  state  Supreme  Court  and  since  then  to  all 
state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district,  to  all  of  which  his  practice  extends. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  American,  Pennsylvania  State,  and  Lackawanna  County 
Bar  associations,  and  is  a  lawyer  of  ability,  a  man  of  high  standing,  and  a 
good  citizen.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Mr.  Connell  married,  February  18,  1892,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Llewell)n 
Thomas,  and  resides  at  No.  436  Clay  avenue. 


504  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

JAMES  SHAFFER  McANULTY 

James  Shaffer  McAnulty,  a  well  known  business  man  of  the  city  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  is  the  son  of  James  and  Anna  (Shaffer)  McAnulty.  Both 
were  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  were  married,  and  came 
to  Scranton  in  1854.  Mr.  McAnulty  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  and  was  killed  near  Henryville. 
in  1856,  on  the  first  excursion  given  to  the  employes  of  this  road.  He  was 
thirty-three  years  of  age  at  the  time.  Mrs.  McAnulty  went  to  the  McAnulty 
farm  near  Reading,  where  her  mother-in-law  lived,  and  there  James  Shaft'er 
McAnulty  was  born,  January  7,  1857,  and  when  he  was  three  months  old 
his  mother  returned  to  Scranton,  where  she  died  in  1907  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two  years.  She  was  a  remarkable  woman  in  many  respects,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  denomination  both 
belonged. 

James  Shaffer  McAnulty  received  a  substantial  education  in  public  and 
private  schools  of  Scranton,  and  in  1872  entered  the  employ  of  the  Scranton 
Trust  Company  and  Savings  Bank  as  a  clerk,  and  remained  there  until  1879 
when  the  bank  liquidated.  In  1881  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  L.  J. 
Williams,  under  the  firm  name  of  Williams  &  McAnulty.  dealers  in  stationerv 
and  wall  papers,  on  Lackawanna  avenue.  At  the  end  of  one  year  they  re- 
moved to  Wyoming  avenue,  discontinued  the  stationery,  and  added  carpets 
and  furniture,  and  made  this  the  largest  store  in  the  city.  Mr.  IMcAnuIty 
is  president  of  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company,  organized  in  1907; 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Connell  Anthracite  Mining  Company ;  president 
of  the  National  Limestone  Company ;  and  a  director  in  the  Lackawanna  Millr. 
and  other  corporations.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Scranton  school 
board  in  1903,  and  served  a  period  of  six  years.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political 
opinion,  and  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club,  Country  Club,  Art  Club  of 
Philadelphia,  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree, 
and  of  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Mr.  McAnulty  married,  February  14,  1883,  Jessie,  daughter  of  William 
amd  Annie  E.  Connell,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Anna,  who  married, 
April  II,  1912,  Walter  Phelps  Stevens,  and  resides  in  Scranton. 


HON.  JOHN  R.  FARR 


Whenever  the  question  of  the  fitness  for  public  position  of  the  Hon. 
John  R.  Farr  has  been  left  for  the  decision  at  the  polls,  the  verdict  has  in- 
variably been  in  his  favor.  On  numerous  occasions  and  under  varied  cir- 
cumstances has  this  verdict  been  rendered,  each  time  with  greater  enthusiasm, 
and  the  positions  of  honor  and  responsibility  to  which  he  has  been  elected  have 
been  equally  numerous  and  varied.  He  is  a  true  son  of  the  Scranton  dis- 
trict, and  his  identification  of  himself  with  the  interests  of  this  section  has 
been  a  most  thorough  one.  Ever  the  firm  friend  of  progress  and  developmen*^ 
in  every  direction,  he  has  been  a  foremost  factor  in  the  passage  of  a  number 
of  bills  in  the  legislature,  which  have  benefited  the  city  and  state  immeasurably. 

Hon.  John  R.  Farr  was  born  in  Scranton.  Pennsylvania.  He  acquired  a 
sound,  practical  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  School  of  Lacka- 
wanna, Keystone  Academy,  Phillips  Academy  and  Lafayette  College.  Upon 
the  completion  of  his  early  studies  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  type  set- 
ting trade.  From  his  earliest  years  he  had  displayed  literary  ability,  and  upon 
leaving  college  he  entered  the  field  of  journalism,  and  rose  through  successive 


^^^^^^^^^^y^^^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


505 


grades  until  he  had  attained  the  position  of  the  city  editor  of  the  Scranton 
Repiibhcan.  In  1890  he  was  the  successful  nominee  of  the  RepubHcan  party 
for  representative  in  the  legislature,  was  re-elected  to  that  office  five  times, 
serving  during  the  sessions  of  1891,  1893,  1895,  1897  and  1899.  He  was 
chosen  speaker  of  the  house,  January  3,  1899.  Among  the  bills  which  he  was 
the  author  of  while  in  the  legislature  were  the  following:  For  free  text  book, 
for  the  public  school,  1893;  compulsory  education,  1895,  this  bill  having  been 
presented  ui  1890  and  1891  by  Mr.  Farr.  Later  he  was  called  to  a  still 
higher  position  in  the  service  of  his  state,  being  elected  to  Congress  from 
the  tenth  congressional  district,  an  office  he  still  holds  by  re-election,  and  for 
which  he  was  re-nominated.  May  19,  1914.  While  in  Congress  he  has  pursued 
a  continuation  of  his  services.  During  his  first  term  he  secured  a  public  build- 
ing for  Olyphant,  established  rural  free  deliveries  in  various  parts  of  the 
county,  and  was  heard  on  the  house  floor  on  all  important  measures.  In  his 
first  year  he  served  on  the  committee  of  education  and  on  the  claims  and 
mining  committee ;  in  his  second  term  he  had  the  honor  of  being  placed  on 
the  naval  committee.  He  brought  about  the  legislation  which  restored  the 
revenue  district  to  Scranton.  Mr.  Farr  has  always  been  a  forceful  factor 
in  the  advancement  of  city  improvements.  He  established  the  West  Side  Hos- 
pital and  West  Side  Board  of  Trade. 


ROBERT  VANDENBERG  WHITE,  M.  D. 

In  order  to  be  successful  in  the  medical  profession  a  man  must  possess, 
in  addition  to  a  good  general  and  professional  education,  tact,  and  a  training 
which  comes  through  knowledge  of  human  nature.  It  is  hardly  necessary 
to  say  that  this  is  applicable  to  Dr.  Robert  Vandenberg  White,  whose  name 
introduces  this  article,  and  who  has  made  a  reputation  for  himself  in  the 
city  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  Dr.  Stephen  White,  his  great-grandfather,  was  a  physician  and  sur- 
geon in  Ireland,  his  native  land.  He  came  to  Prattsville,  New  York,  where 
he  lived  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  married  in  Ireland,  and  was  the 
father  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter. 

(II)  James  B.  White,  son  of  Dr.  Stephen  White,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and 
was  a  young  man  when  he  came  to  this  country  with  his  father  and  made 
his  home  in  the  state  of  New  York,  where  it  is  probable  that  he  completed  his 
education.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  the  owner  of  the  White  Hotel  at 
Wymark,  New  York,  which  he  conducted  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years.  He  married  Julia  Vandenberg,  of  Dutch  descent,  born  in  Lex- 
ington, New  York,  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years,  and  they  are  both  buried 
at  Lexington.  They  had  children :  Arthur,  Robert  Emmet,  of  further  men- 
iton ;  John,  Charles. 

(III)  Robert  Emmet  White,  son  of  James  B.  and  Julia  (Vandenberg) 
White,  was  born  in  Prattsville,  New  York,  died  at  the  age  of  sixty  years. 
He  attended  school  at  Wymark,  New  York,  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age, 
then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Gravity  Road,  was  ad- 
vanced to  the  position  of  operator,  and  then  became  station  agent  at  Scranton, 
a  position  he  held  thirty-nine  years.  He  was  a  Republican  in  his  political 
opinions,  and  a  devout  member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  His  remains  are 
interred  in  the  Dunmore  Cemetery,  which  is  in  the  suburbs  of  Scranton.  Mr. 
White  married,  at  Scranton,  Mary  Bell  Talley,  now  living  with  her  son,  Dr. 
Robert  V.  White,  a  daughter  of  Blythe  and  Mary  (Heilner)  Talley,  who  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Scranton.     Mr.   and   Mrs.   White  had  children : 


So6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Robert  \'andenberg,   of   further  mention ;   Blytlie  R.,   a  dentist,   residing  and 
practicing  in  Pittston. 

(IV)  Dr.  Robert  Vandenberg  White,  son  of  Robert  Emmet  and  Mary- 
Bell  (Talley)  White,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  28,  1876. 
He  acquired  his  elementary  and  preparatory  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Scranton  and  the  Lackawanna  School  of  that  city.  He  then  matriculated  at 
the  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated with  honor  in  the  class  of  1900.  He  spent  some  time  in  general  prac- 
tice in  the  St.  Luke's  Children's  and  Hahnemann  hospitals,  of  Philadelphia, 
after  which  he  returned  to  Scranton,  in  November,  1902,  and  opened  offices 
for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  No.  212  South  Alain  avenue,  where  he 
is  still  located,  and  where  he  now  has  an  excellent  patronage.  He  was  as- 
sistant surgeon  at  the  Hahnemann  Hospital  for  a  period  of  two  years,  became 
surgeon  of  this  institution  in  1906,  and  has  discharged  the  duties  of  this  office . 
since  that  time.  He  has  been  consulting  surgeon  of  the  Wyoming  Homeopathic 
Hospital  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  for  the  past  five  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Graduates'  Council  of  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of 
Philadelphia;  a  member  of  the  State  Institution;  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Homeopathy ;  of  the  County  Medical  Society ;  has  been  president  and  secre- 
tary of  the  local  medical  society ;  and  chairman  of  the  Surgical  Bureau  of  the 
State  Medical  Society.  He  is  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Dr.  White  married,  December  7, 
1904,  Ella  Emily  Walter,  born  in  Scranton,  a  daughter  of  Alichael  and  Rosine 
( Steinele )  Walter,  who  were  Germans  by  birth  and  settled  in  Scranton  at  an 
early  date.  Children  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  White :  Robert  E.,  Eleanor  Elizabeth. 
Walter  Kent. 


GUY   WEBSTER  OSTERHOUT 

Of  ancient  Holland  lineage,  Mr.  Osterhout  descends  from  that  branch  ot 
the  family  long  settled  in  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  Nicholson  being  the 
family  seat.  There  Webster  Osterhout,  a  well  known  and  prosperous  farmer, 
lived  and  died,  leaving  issue,  including  a  son,  Milo  D. 

Milo  D.  Osterhout  was  born  in  Nicholson,  Pennsylvania,  in  1840,  and 
spent  his  early  life  on  the  paternal  farm.  On  attaining  manhood  he  became  a 
merchant,  settling  in  Providence  ( now  Scranton ) ,  a  partner  in  a  general 
store  business,  but  later  becoming  sole  owner,  continuing  in  successful  opera- 
tion until  his  death  in  1890.  He  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Oiarles  Gillespie, 
who  came  to  this  country  from  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland.  Children:  Joseph 
G. ;  Guy  W.,  of  whom  further ;  Meta  Remington ;  Alice,  married  Herbert  W. 
Goodridge ;  Burton,  tax  agent  for  the  real  estate  department  of  the  Delaware 
&  Hudson  Company. 

Guy  W.  Osterhout  was  born  in  Scranton,  February  16,  1876.  His  early 
and  preparatory  education  was  obtained  in  the  School  of  the  Lackawanna, 
and  Rugby  Academy,  Philadelphia,  he  being  a  member  of  the  class  graduated 
from  the  latter  institution  in  1893.  He  then  entered  the  LTniversity  of  Penn- 
sylvania, class  of  1899,  and  after  completing  his  course,  began  active  work 
in  the  profession  in  which  he  is  now  so  firmly  established.  He  spent  one 
year  with  Mr.  Corcoran,  the  well  known  Philadelphia  architect,  then  went 
to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  with  A.  H.  Kipp,  remaining  with  him  two 
years.  The  next  year  he  spent  with  McCormick  &  French,  then  for  nine 
years  was  with  E.  H.  Davis,  of  Scranton.  as  draughtsman.  All  these  years, 
preparatory  to  establishing  in  business  for  himself,  gave  him  needed  experience 
and  perfected  him  in  the  detail  of  design  and  construction,  the  latter  now  a 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


507 


most  important  part  of  an  architect's  business.  On  January  i,  191 1,  Mr. 
Osterhout  formed  a  partnership  with  C.  P.  Krieg,  and  worked  in  association 
with  him  until  October,  1912,  when  they  dissolved,  Mr.  Osterhout  continuing 
the  business  under  his  own  name,  with  offices  at  519  Connell  Building.  He 
has  had  a  successful  professional  career  and  has  designed  and  supervised  the 
erection  of  many  fine  residences  and  buildings.  Among  these  may  be  named 
the  store  and  apartment  building  of  A.  M.  Storr ;  store  and  apartment  build- 
ing of  T.  A.  Eynon ;  residence  of  Mrs.  Mina  Robinson;  residence  of  Otto  11. 
Robinson;  residence  of  C.  H.  Miller,  on  Webster  avenue;  residence  of  John 
H.  Williams;  and  the  moving  picture  theatre  and  apartment  building  for  Dr. 
J.  J.  Brennan  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Osterhout  is  a  member  of  the  Engineers' 
Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  Provi- 
dence Presgyterian  Church,  and  in  political  faith  is  a  Republican.  His  college 
fraternity  is  Alpha  Tau  Omega   (University  of  Pennsylvania). 

Mr.  Osterhout  married  Phoebe  E.,  daughter  of  David  Smith,  of  Scranton. 
Children:  Ronald,  born  January  11,  1902;  Charles  Gillespie,  born  October  4, 
1906. 

CHARLES  G.  ROSAR 

The  story  of  the  immigration  of  the  first  American  resident  of  the  Ger- 
man family  of  Rosar,  Peter  Rosar,  is  one  filled  with  interest  because  of  its 
unusual  features.  Peter  Rosar,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Hartmann) 
Rosar,  and  grandson  of  George  Rosar,  a  farmer  of  Prussia,  was  born  in 
Trannenweir,  Prussia,  October  5,  1835.  The  eldest  child  of  his  parents,  he 
was  offered  every  advantage  within  their  power,  and  obtained  an  excellent 
education  in  the  German  schools.  When  he  was  about  seventeen  years  of 
age  he  journeyed  to  London,  England,  there  engaging  passage  on  an  American- 
bound  sailing  vessel.  Through  unfavorable  weather  the  vessel  was  so  delayed 
that  the  voyage  consumed  seventy-eight  days,  during  the  latter  part  of  which 
time  there  was  intense  suffering  among  both  passengers  and  crew  through  the 
failure  of  provisions  and  water,  an  accident  that  at  first  caused  discomfort 
and  afterward  the  most  severe  distress.  When  Peter  Rosar  arrived  at  the 
home  of  an  uncle  in  Scranton  he  was  in  such  a  weakened  condition  because 
of  insufficient  nourishment  that  for  a  time  his  recovery  was  despaired  of, 
but  a  constitution  naturally  vigorous  and  expert  medical  care  and  nursing 
restored  him  to  health  within  two  months.  Peter  Rosar  was  followed  to  the 
United  States  within  the  year  by  his  father,  George  Rosar,  who  settled  in 
Scranton  and  there  resided  until  his  death.  George  and  Elizabeth  ( Hartmann  j 
Rosar  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  all 
of  whom  lived  in  the  city  of  Scranton  with  the  exception  of  one  daughter, 
Anna  Elizabeth,  who  lived  in  Elmira,  New  York. 

As  soon  as  he  was  physically  fit  for  labor  after  his  recovery  from  his 
illness,  Peter  Rosar  obtained  employment  in  the  mines  of  the  Lackawanna 
Coal  and  Iron  Company,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  the  ten  following 
years  finding  him  associated  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western 
Railroad  in  the  boiler  shops.  He  was  then  for  one  year  employed  in  the 
yards  of  the  Lackawanna  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  becoming  foreman  of  the 
outside  works,  a  position  he  held  for  ten  years.  His  long  and  satisfactory 
association  with  this  company  was  terminated  by  his  resignation,  and  after  its 
acceptance  he  established  in  independent  business  dealings.  In  1866  he  had 
started  a  grocery  store,  which  his  wife  managed  for  a  few  years,  when  its 
growing  dimensions  brought  to  Mr.  Rosar  an  appreciation  of  the  possibilities 
that  were  contained  in  that  line  of  trade,  to  which  he  afterward  devoted  all 


5o8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  his  time  and  attention.  His  first  stock  was,  by  the  limits  of  his  resources, 
small,  but  he  immediately  inaugurated  a  policy  of  expansion  and  found  little 
difficulty  in  securing  trade  to  warrant  this  course,  building  up  at  No.  724-726 
Cedar  avenue  a  grocery  business  large  and  remunerative.  To  his  line  of 
groceries  he  added  coal,  wood,  hay,  straw  and  feed,  becoming  one  of  the 
city's  prosperous  merchants,  also  acquiring  title  to  the  Washington  Hotel,  on 
Cedar  avenue,  Scranton,  which  he  maintained  as  a  first-class  house  of  enter- 
taimnent.  The  material  prosperity  that  became  his  and  the  prominence  that 
he  acquired  were  the  results  of  deep-seated  determination,  tireless  application, 
and  adherence  to  principles  of  honesty  and  uprightness  that  never  knew  a 
more  devoted  disciple.  Mr.  Rosar  was  a  Democrat  in  matters  of  national 
concern,  but  in  local  affairs  used  his  influence  and  cast  his  vote  for  the  man 
with  representative  qualifications  and  honorable  reputation.  His  only  political 
office  was  as  the  representative  of  the  eleventh  ward  in  common  council,  after 
which  he  steadfastly  refused  nomination  for  any  position.  His  church  was 
St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic,  in  which  he  was  identified  with  St.  Joseph's 
Society,  his  fraternal  connections  being  with  the  Deutsches  Selskof. 

Peter  Rosar  married  Caroline  Zang,  born  in  Altenbach,  Prussia,  and  had 
children:  I.  Elizabeth,  at  home.  2.  Charles  G.,  of  whom  further.  3.  Jo- 
seph, a  contractor  of  Scranton,  married  Mary  Phillips,  and  is  the  father  of: 
Joseph  M. ;  Frances,  cashier  in  Woolworth's  Scranton  store ;  Alma,  employed 
in  a  Scranton  woolen  mill :  Louise,  and  the  following  attending  school.  Otto, 
Edna,  Mary,  Carl,  Esther,  Ruth.  4.  Lena,  married  Andrew  J.  Best,  proprietor 
of  the  Best  Hotel  on  Cedar  avenue,  and  has  one  son,  Andrew  J.  Jr.  5.  William, 
married  Catherine  Gard,  and  is  the  father  of :  Romaine,  Caroline,  and  Peter, 
he  is  associated  in  business  with  his  brother,  Charles  G.  6.  Peter  J.,  assistant 
chief  of  the  Scranton  Fire  Department :  married  Charlotte  Phillips  and  has 
children,  Howard  and  Elsie. 

Charles  G.  Rosar,  son  of  Peter  and  Caroline  (Zang)  Rosar,  was  born  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  December  22,  1866.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  St.  Mary's  Parochial  School.  After  leaving  school  he  gained 
his  first  business  experience  as  conductor  on  the  street  cars,  when  the  South 
Scranton  lines  were  first  opened,  after  which  he  spent  one  year  as  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  recorder  of  deeds,  three  years  in  the  office  of  the  city  comptroller, 
under  Edwin  J.  Robinson,  and  three  years  in  charge  of  marriage  licenses 
in  the  office  of  the  register  of  wills.  After  leaving  the  city  comptroller's  office 
Mr.  Rosar  was  elected  to  the  city  council  from  the  eleventh  ward,  on  the 
Democratic  ticket,  that  being  the  party  with  which  he  is  affiliated,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  his  term  was  re-elected,  making  four  years  altogether.  He  was 
nominated  for  recorder  of  deeds,  but  was  defeated,  and  about  one  year  later, 
in  1904,  was  appointed  deputy  county  treasurer  under  P.  F.  Connor,  an  office 
he  retained  for  five  years,  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  In 
1909  Mr.  Rosar  was  a  prominent  candidate  for  the  nomination  for  county 
treasurer,  and  made  a  good  run,  meeting  defeat  by  only  a  small  margin.  He 
is  now,  1914,  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  with  which  he  has  been  success- 
fully occupied  for  several  years.  He  is  a  director  of  the  South  Side  Bank, 
and  has  other  financial  interests,  including  a  large  coffee  company  of  Buffalo, 
New  York.  His  fraternal  orders  are:  Scranton  Lodge,  No.  123,  B.  P.  O.  E. : 
South  Scranton  Lodge,  No.  1145,  R.  A.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Retail  Mer- 
chants' Association ;  Yunger  Mannechoir  and  Scranton  Sanger  Bunde ;  Scran- 
ton Athletic  Club;  Knights  of  St.  George;  and  St.  Mary's  Bund.  He  is  a 
member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Rosar  married,  September  6,  1905,  Clara  Ross,  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Elizabeth  (Hailstone)  Ross,  of  No.  902  West  Lackawanna  avenue,  Scranton. 
The  residence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rosar  is  at  No.  726  Cedar  avenue,  Scranton. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  509 

J.  NORMAN  WHITE,  M.  D. 

Dr.  J.  Norman  White,  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  abiUty  and  skill,  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  enjoys  the  patronage  of  a  large  number 
of  the  most  select  families,  is  descended  from  good  old  New  England  stocl^- 
in  paternal  and  maternal  lines,  his  great-grandfather  in  the  paternal  line  hav- 
ing come  from  Connecticut. 

(I)  Sidney  White,  grandfather  of  Dr.  J.  Norman  White,  married  Bessie 
Scutt,  and  they  Iiad  children:  i.  Charity,  married  Henry  Rivenberg,  of 
Clifford,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  children :  Professor  Romaine  Rivenberg,  of 
Heightstown,  New  Jersey ;  Mrs.  Dr.  Evans,  of  Crozier  Theological  Seminary : 
Dr.  S.  T.  Rivenberg,  a  missionary  to  India.  2.  Josephine,  married  Madison 
Watson,  and  had  children :  Dr.  S.  S.  Watson,  of  Moosic,  Pennsylvania ;  Bes- 
sie, married  Nathan  Slator  ;  Dr.  Evelyn  Watson,  now  deceased.  3.  Lyman, 
married  Elizabeth  Rivenberg,  and  has  one  child :  Peter.  4.  Sidney,  married 
Elizabeth  Mackey  and  has  children :  Luthur  S.,  of  New  York ;  Mark  White, 
of  New  York ;  Bessie ;  Ida  :  Sidney  Jr. ;  George.  5.  Joseph,  of  further  men- 
tion. 

(II)  Joseph  White,  son  of  Sidney  and  Bessie  (Scutt)  White,  was  born 
in  Albany,  New  York,  in  1838.  He  was  a  farmer.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church.  He  married  Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Norman  Ford,  also  of  New 
England  stock,  and  they  had  children:  i.  Augusta,  married  B.  C.  Hagadon ; 
children :  Ford.  Ferris,  Raymond.  2.  Lillian,  married  S.  M.  Stratton,  of 
Los  Angeles,  California.  3.  Elizabeth,  now  deceased,  married  B.  D.  Arnold. 
4.  Dr.  J.  Norman,  of  further  mention.  5.  Sarah,  married  George  Hamden,  of 
Long  Island. 

(III)  Dr.  J.  Norman  White,  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Ford)  White, 
was  born  at  Albany,  New  York,  April  12,  1877.  He  received  his  elementary 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  New  York  state.  After  graduating  from 
the  State  Normal  School,  he  was  engaged  in  the  profession  of  teaching  for  a 
period  of  five  years,  and  then  matriculated  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  in 
Philadelphia,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  the  class  of  1904,  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  One  year  was  spent  as  an  interne  in  the 
State  Hospital  at  Scranton,  and  he  then  opened  an  office  for  the  general  practice 
of  medicine  in  Scranton,  and  has  since  been  located  there.  In  the  short  period 
of  ten  years  he  has  won  high  commendation  for  his  ability  and  for  his  con- 
scientious devotion  to  his  patients.  He  has  made  a  specialty  of  surgical 
research  work,  and  is  visiting  surgeon  to  the  West  Side  Hospital  and  the  Taylor 
Hospital ;  and  consulting  surgeon  to  the  A-Iid  Valley  Hospital  and  the  State 
Hospital  for  the  Criminally  Insane.  He  is  Republican  in  his  political  opinions, 
and  a  member  of  the  First  Welsh  Baptist  Church.  His  affiliation  with  various 
organizations  is  as  follows :  County,  State  and  American  Medical  societies ; 
Hyde  Park  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite;  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  1912 
Dr.  White  was  appointed  deputy  county  coroner.  He  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Jones,  of  Scranton. 


REV.  PETER  C.  WINTERS,  LL.  D. 

Prominent  and  influential  in  the  ministry  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church 
in  the  city  of  Scranton  is  Rev.  Peter  C.  Winters,  LL.  D.,  rector  of  St.  Paul's 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  the  congregation  of  which  he  has  served  since  Jan- 
uary I,  1910,  having  previously  been  connected  with  religious  work  in  the 
city  of   Scranton  as   assistant  rector  at   St.   Peter's   Cathedral,  a  position  to 


5IO  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

which  he  was  appointed  immediately  after  his  ordination.  His  parentage 
and  ancestry  are  Irish,  that  country  having  been  the  birthplace  of  his  grand- 
father, Peter  Winters,  who  had  two  children :  Robert,  of  whom  further,  and 
Mary,  deceased,  who  married  William  Crawford. 

Robert  Winters,  son  of  Peter  Winters  and  father  of  Rev.  Dr.  Peter  C. 
Winters,  was  born  in  Ireland.  During  his  youth  he  attended  school,  and  later 
was  a  clerk  in  a  store  in  Strabane,  county  Tyrone,  Ireland.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  entered  mercantile 
life  in  Binghamton,  New  York,  in  the  capacity  of  clerk,  later  establishing  in- 
dependently in  the  same  line  in  Friendsville,  Pennsylvania,  where  for  three 
terms  he  held  the  office  of  postmaster,  and  where  his  death  occurred  August 
3,  1889.  Friendsville  was  named  by  Caleb  Carmalt,  who  in  the  early  days 
of  the  nineteenth  century  brought  a  number  of  Quakers  from  Philadelphia, 
establishing  a  Quaker  settlement  in  Susquehanna  county.  About  the  same 
time  there  came  to  the  place  several  Catholic  families,  all  well-to-do  people 
who  purchased  farms  in  the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Winters  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Christopher  Heavey,  of  Edenderry,  Kings  county,  Ireland,  the 
ceremony  being  perfomied  in  Narrowsburg,  New  York.  Children  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Winters,  eight  of  whom  are  living  at  the  present  time  ( 1914)  :  i.  Mary, 
became  the  wife  of  William  O'Keefe,  of  Endicott,  New  York.  2.  Robert, 
deceased.  3.  Ellen,  became  the  wife  of  Patrick  Kinney,  of  St.  Joseph,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  has  children :  Frank,  John,  Annie,  Margaret,  Thomas.  4.  James 
F.,  deceased.  5.  John,  a  merchant  of  Binghamton,  New  York.  6.  Rev.  Dr. 
Peter  C,  of  whom  further.  7.  Joseph,  residing  near  Binghamton,  New  York. 
8.  Julia,  deceased.  9.  James  C,  engaged  in  military  work,  and  became  ser- 
geant of  Battery  C,  Fifth  Artillery  United  States  army;  died  at  Fort  Hamilton, 
January  29,  1 900.  10.  Sarah,  now  Sister  Superior  Anastasia  in  St.  An- 
drew's Convent,  Portland,  Oregon.  11.  Thomas,  resides  in  Binghamton,  Nev/ 
York.     12.  Cecelia,  married  Thomas  F.  Mangan,  of  Hawley,  Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  Dr.  Peter  C.  Winters  was  born  in  Friendsville,  Susquehanna  county. 
Pennsylvania,  March  30,  1863.  He  obtained  a  general  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  locality.  His  early  studies  completed,  he  became  a  clerk  in 
his  father's  mercantile  establishment,  and  later  taught  school  at  Apolacon  and 
Forest  Lake,  Pennsylvania.  He  then  entered  the  Binghamton  High  School, 
completing  his  studies  there  in  1883.  after  which  he  matriculated  at  Niagara 
University,  and  three  years  later  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  x\rts,  receiving  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from  the  same  institution 
in  1904.  Immediately  after  graduation  he  enrolled  in  St.  Mary's  Seminary. 
at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  as  a  student  of  theology,  and  there  received  the 
minor  orders  and  deacon  and  sub-deacon  from  Cardinal  Gibbons  in  1888. 
He  completed  the  prescribed  course  in  three  years,  and  was  ordained  into  the 
priesthood  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  July  25,  1889,  at  St.  Peter's 
Cathedral,  Scranton,  by  the  late  Right  Rev.  William  O'Hara,  D.  D.,  Father 
Coiifey,  of  Carbondale.  and  Father  Connelly,  of  Scranton,  assisting  at  the 
ordination.  Father  Winters  was  assigned  to  the  Cathedral  parish,  in  Scran- 
ton, where  he  immediately  won  distinction  as  a  speaker,  and  he  fulfilled  the 
duties  of  this  office  for  about  two  years.  He  ne.xt  served  St.  Vincent's  con- 
gregation, at  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  for  eight  years,  being  assistant  to  Rev. 
T.  J.  Donohoe.  He  then  became  rector  of  St.  Philomena's  Church,  at  Hawley, 
Pennsylvania,  and  immediately  began  to  raise  funds  for  a  new  church.  The 
old  church  had  been  erected  in  1850  and  was  dedicated  by  the  late  Bishop 
Neuman,  of  Philadelphia.  The  new  church  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $50,000. 
which  sum  had  nearly  all  been  paid  to  the  contractors  when  the  dedicati-in 
services  were  held  on  June  30.  1901,  Bishop  Hoban  conducting  the  exercise'. 


(7^.  O?  <2-^?i^i^^^^/(vC/ch 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  511 

Father  Winters  was  a  faithful  pastor  in  Hawley  for  eleven  years,  and  on 
January  i,  1910,  he  was  appointed  rector  of  St.  Paurs  Church,  of  Scranton, 
to  take  the  place  of  Rev.  P.  J.  McManus,  founder  of  the  parish.  If  the  in- 
stitutions within  its  borders  are  considered  no  parish,  in  or  outside  the  Catho- 
lic church,  has  grown  faster,  so  wealthy  and  so  influential  is  St.  Paul's.  The 
work  done  in  St.  Paul's  parish  the  past  twenty-seven  years  is  phenomenal,  a 
wonder  in  church  development.  The  first  was  a  tabernacle,  near  the  corner 
of  Penn  and  Marion  streets,  where  for  a  time  the  few  Catholics  worshiped; 
the  next  was  the  church  edifice  with  a  parochial  school  on  the  second  story ;  the 
next  was  St.  Joseph's  Foundling  Home ;  the  next  St.  Paul's  Convent ;  the  next 
Mt.  St.  Mary's  Seminary;  the  next  the  Maloney  Home,  and  the  latest,  the 
rectory  of  St.  Paul's,  the  work  of  Father  Winters,  which  stands  as  a  credit 
to  the  parish,  the  cost  of  which  was  $30,000,  a  building  fit  for  the  church  to 
which  it  belongs,  comparing  favorably  with  tlie  other  church  property  of  the 
city  and  now  entirely  free  of  debt. 

Father  Winters  is  the  second  rector  to  have  served  St.  Paul's  since  the 
creation  of  the  parish  in  1887,  the  parish  having  been  made  up  of  portions  of 
St.  Peter's  Cathedral,  Dunmore  and  Providence.  His  predecessor  in  office. 
Rev.  P.  J.  McManus,  is  now  rector  of  St.  Mary's  Church,  Wilkes-Barre ;  he 
ministered  to  St.  Paul's  congregation  for  a  period  of  twenty-three  years. 
Rev.  Dr.  Winters  is  faithful  to  his  duties,  constant  to  the  trust  placed  in  him, 
devoted  to  the  welfare  of  his  parishioners.  During  his  career  as  a  priest  he  has 
baptized  fifteen  hundred  persons,  married  four  hundred  couples,  and  officiated 
at  the  burial  of  seven  hundred.  He  is  best  known  by  his  works,  which  speak 
eloquently  in  his  praise,  and  he  is  a  gentleman  of  scholarly  talents  and  erudite 
training,  so  constituted  that,  confronted  with  stern  realities  and  obstacles, 
he  rises  to  the  height  of  his  strength  and  power  in  their  conquest,  a  valuable 
attribute  for  a  leader  in  the  army  of  Christianity. 

In  recognition  of  his  scholarship  and  notable  career  of  twenty-five  years 
in  the  ministry,  his  alma  mater,  Niagara  University,  at  the  commencement  ex- 
ercises, June  16,  1914,  conferred  upon  him  the  honorary  degree  of  "Doctor 
of  Laws."  The  silver  jubilee  of  Rev.  Dr.  Winters'  ordination  to  the  priest- 
hood was  also  elaborately  commemorated  by  the  Sisters  and  children  of  the 
Parochial  School,  by  the  members  of  his  congregation  and  by  his  fellow  priests. 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hoban,  D.  D.,  extending  the  felicitations  of  the  occasion 
and  Rev.  T.  J.  Comerford,  of  Archbald,  preaching  the  sermon  at  the  celebration 
of  the  event  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  Sunday,  July  26,  1914. 


FRANCIS  MATTHEW  MONAGHAN 

Among  the  numerous  attorneys  of  Scranton,  Francis  M.  Monaghan  is 
well  known  by  his  legal  associations  and  respected  for  the  ability  and  prowess 
he  has  displayed  in  his  profession,  with  the  respect  accorded  one  able  man  by 
another.  In  his  ancestry  there  is  much  that  is  interesting,  the  salient  features 
of  which  follow. 

He  is  the  son  of  Richard  Monaghan,  who  was  born  in  county  Westmeath, 
province  of  Leinster,  Ireland,  a  wholesale  cattle  dealer,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1846,  settling  in  Honesdale,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Kelley,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (McCourt)  Kelley. 
James  Kelley,  who  was  a  highly  skillful  weaver  of  fancy  linens,  was  a  son 
of  John  Kelley,  born  in  Kilmore  Parish,  county  Monaghan,  Ireland.  James 
Kelley  came  to  this  country  late  in  life,  and  died  at  Honesdale  at  an  advanced 
age.  The  children  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (McCourt)  Kelley  were:  i.  John, 
married  Ann  Hazel,  and  had  two  children.     2.  Frank,  married  Bridget  Jones, 


512  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

and  had  one  son,  James.  3.  James.  4.  Mary,  married  Felix  Connolly.  5. 
Margaret,  deceased.  6.  Owen,  married  Isabel  Brown;  their  daughter,  Ann 
Jane,  married  Thomas  Canivan ;  these  are  the  parents  of  Rev.  Francis  J. 
Canivan,  deceased,  late  of  the  Scranton  diocese ;  Rev.  Charles  J.  Canivan,  at 
present  pastor  of  Saint  Dominic's  Church,  Oyster  Bay,  New  York,  in  the 
diocese  of  Brooklyn ;  Thomas,  John,  Eugene  and  Ann  Canivan,  of  Honesdale. 
7.  Elizabeth,  of  previous  mention.  8.  Grace.  9.  Ellen,  deceased.  Elizabeth 
came  to  this  country  in  1845,  married  Richard  Monaghan.  Children  of  Rich- 
ard and  Elizabeth  ( Kelley )  Monaghan :  Daniel,  of  Scranton,  Thomas,  of  Car- 
bondale,  and  Francis  Matthew,  of  whom  further. 

Francis  Matthew  Monaghan  was  born  at  Honesdale,  Wayne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  10,  1857.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town 
and  was  graduated  from  the  Honesdale  High  School,  later  pursuing  his  studies 
under  a  private  tutor  for  a  period  of  tliree  years  and  upwards.  He  then 
began  teaching  school  at  Honesdale,  which  he  continued  for  six  years,  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time  engaging  in  the  study  of  law.  His  preceptor  was 
Hon.  William  H.  Dimmick,  and  in  the  four  years  that  he  studied  in  this  office  he 
gained  a  knowledge  of  the  law  wide  and  comprehensive  and  at  the  same  time 
accurate  and  e.xact.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Wayne  county  bar  in  Octobe;, 
1882,  and  attained  such  prominence  that  two  years  later  he  was  elected  district 
attorney  of  Wayne  county,  serving  for  three  years.  In  1901  he  opened  an 
office  in  Carbondale  and  four  years  later  came  to  Scranton,  where  he  could 
more  conveniently  handle  his  wide  and  growing  practice.  A  large  practice 
is  the  result  of  the  diligent  and  careful  service  rendered  his  clients,  and  he 
bears  a  reputation  untainted  by  any  suspicion  of  irregular  or  unfair  dealings. 

Mr.  Monaghan  married,  in  1883,  Ellen  A.,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Esthei 
(Fitzsimmons)  Harnan.  Children:  Daniel;  Ruth;  Richard  Harnan.  married 
Mary  Trager,  to  whom  has  been  born  a  daughter,  Ruth ;  Francis ;  Robert ; 
Marcella.  Mr.  Monaghan  and  his  family  are  communicants  of  St.  Peter's 
Cathedral. 


MICHAEL  J.   COSTELLO 

Both  of  the  two  generations  of  the  Costello  family  of  Ireland,  who  have 
made  the  United  States  their  field  of  labor,  have  made  educational  pursuits 
their  life  work,  and  in  the  case  of  the  junior  generation  literary  distinction 
and  scholarly  attainment  has  been  added  to  that  of  the  teacher.  John  J. 
Costello  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  in  1866  came  to  the  United  States,  settling 
in  Scranton,  there  following  the  teacher's  profession  until  the  present  time. 
He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Aulker;  children:  Michael  J.,  of  whom 
further ;  Mary,  married  Charles  Robinson,  of  Scranton ;  Catherine,  Rose, 
Florence,  Anna. 

Michael  J.  Costello  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  12,  1880. 
He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  later  at- 
tending St.  Thomas'  College.  He  then  matriculated  at  Holy  Cross  College, 
Worcester,  Massachusetts,  receiving  the  degree  of  A.  B.  at  his  graduation  in 
1900,  the  same  institution  honoring  him  with  his  Master's  degree  in  191 1.  He 
began  his  relations  with  educational  work  as  vice-principal  of  the  Dunmore 
School,  a  position  he  held  for  five  years,  resigning  to  become  professor  of 
English  in  the  School  of  Technology.  From  1907  to  1908  he  was  principal  of 
the  Carbondale  High  School,  in  the  latter  year  accepting  the  vice-principalship 
of  the  Scranton  Technical  High  School,  a  position  which,  by  education,  train- 
ing and  experience,  he  was  eminently  qualified  to  fill.  He  still  serves  that 
institution  in  that  capacity  and  has  played  no  unimportant  part  in  the  develop- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


513 


ment,  improvement  and  progress  of  that  institution,  which  now  holds  high 
rank  among  schools  of  a  similar  nature  and  in  points  of  equipment  and  faculty 
lowers  its  colors  to  none  in  its  class. 

Mr.  Costello  has  not,  however,  become  so  deeply  immersed  in  his  work 
that  he  has  neglected  the  exercise  of  the  other  liberal  talents  with  which  he  ha^ 
been  endowed.  The  possessor  of  a  magnificent  education,  the  result  of 
studious  application  in  his  college  years  and  indefatigable  study  and  research 
after  academic  instruction  had  ceased,  has  made  him  a  scholar  of  breadth  of 
knowledge  and  depth  of  appreciation.  Literature  and  its  history,  its  causes 
and  effects,  have  been  prominent  features  of  his  study,  and  as  a  result  of  his 
clear  insight  into  and  understanding  of  this  subject  he  has  published  several 
essays  instructive  for  their  content  and  delightful  for  the  purity  of  their 
expression,  among  his  best  known  compositions  being,  "Minor  Poets  of  the 
Nineteenth  Century,"  "Poetry  of  Tennyson,"  "Women  of  Shakespeare," 
"Pennsylvania  in  Literature,"  and  "The  Irish  in  Literature."  Mr.  Costello 
does  not  confine  the  expression  of  the  results  of  his  studies  to  written  compo- 
sitions, but  is  a  lecturer  of  fluency  and  eloquence,  possessing  the  indescribable 
quality  that  enables  a  public  speaker  to  throw  not  only  his  sentences,  but  hi3 
personality,  from  the  platform  whereon  he  speaks.  A  quick  thinker  and 
ready  speaker,  the  nature  of  his  audience  rarely  troubles  him,  and  he  adapts 
himself  to  circumstances  with  an  ease  and  grace  wholly  natural. 

Mr.  Castello  married,  in  1905,  Mary  Dunleavy,  and  with  his  wife  is  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  John's  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Teachers'  Mutual  Benefit  As- 
sociation, of  Scranton,  and  is  vice-president  of  the  Teachers'  Retirement 
Board.     His  residence  is  No.  1418  Pittston  avenue,  Scranton. 


WILLIAM  HAGGERTY 

There  is  always  respect  accorded  the  man  who,  unprepared  by  experience 
and  untaught,  enters  a  strange  field  of  endeavor  and  there  carves  out  a  worthy 
record.  Impractical  in  business,  impossible  in  professions,  such  a  performance 
is  almost  as  difficult  in  public  life  and  politics,  so  that  the  achievements  of 
William  Haggerty  as  a  member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  state  legislature, 
to  which  he  was  elected  from  the  ranks  of  private  citizenship,  assume  more 
striking  dimensions  than  those  created  by  consideration  of  their  conspicuous 
merits. 

Mr.  Haggerty  is  a  public  servant  of  four  years'  standing,  having  ad- 
vanced to  such  station  from  practical  mining,  pharmaceutical  pursuits,  and 
scientific  work  in  connection  with  the  department  of  bacteriology  of  Scranton. 
He  was  placed  in  the  state  legislature  in  1910  and  re-elected  to  the  same  office 
two  years  later,  and  during  that  time  has  championed  valiantly  legislation  of 
estimable  value  designed  to  serve  excellent  ends,  a  more  particular  account 
of  his  activities  as  a  legislator  following. 

His  ancestry  is  Irish,  his  father,  Daniel  Haggerty,  son  of  James  and  Mary 
Haggerty,  having  been  born  in  Ireland,  where  he  passed  his  youth.  His 
immigration  to  the  United  States  was  in  company  with  his  mother,  the  family 
home  being  in  Dunmore,  where  Daniel  Haggerty  was  employed  in  the  mines. 
While  following  this  calling,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years,  he  met  an  accidental 
death,  being  crushed  by  a  heavy  fall  of  slate.  He  married  Ann,  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Catherine  Walsh,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  was  the  father  of 
ten  children,  seven  surviving  to  this  time  (1914)-  He  was  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  with  his  wife  belonged  to  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

William  Haggerty,  son  of  Daniel  and  Ann  (Walsh)  Haggerty,  was  born  in 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  October  16,  1870.  After  attending  the  public  schools 
33 


514  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

of  his  birth-place  he  completed  his  studies  with  a  course  in  the  Scranton 
Business  College.  He  was  for  a  few  years  a  miner,  in  1899  studying  pharmacy 
in  connection  with  hospital  work,  later  passing  the  examinations  of  the  State 
Board  in  that  profession.  On  April  i,  1907,  he  was  made  assistant  bacteriologist 
of  the  city  of  Scranton,  an  office  he  held  until  January,  1914,  when  he  retired 
from  his  relations  with  that  department.  Mr.  Haggerty's  public  career  began 
in  1910,  when  he  was  the  successful  Republican  candidate  from  his  district 
for  the  legislature,  to  which  he  was  returned  the  following  election,  and  on 
November  3,  1914,  he  was  again  elected  to  the  same  position.  That  the 
fourth  district  chose  well  its  representative  his  record  shows,  for  not  only 
did  he  staunchly  support  measures  of  deserving  aspects,  but  was  responsible 
for  the  introduction  of  eleven  bills,  eight  of  which,  receiving  the  approval 
of  both  houses  of  the  legislature,  were  signed  by  the  governor  and  became  laws 
of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania.  These  laws  cover  a  wide  range  of  responsibility. 
the  diversity  of  their  nature  showing  their  author  to  be  a  man  recognizing  the 
obligations  of  the  state  to  her  people  as  well  as  one  in  whom  the  elements 
of  human  sympathy,  love  of  fellow-men,  and  desire  for  justice  hold  strong 
sway.  Among  the  legislation  of  which  he  might  justly  be  called  the  father 
were  the  following  bills :  To  require  fire  drills  in  public  schools ;  to  require 
fire  drills  in  factories,  and  industrial  establishments  where  women  or  girls  are 
employed ;  fixing  the  width  of  public  highways,  where  such  highways  are 
crossed  above  or  below  grade  by  the  tracks  of  any  railroad,  except  in  cities 
or  boroughs ;  providing  a  system  whereby  boroughs  may  build  sewers ;  grade 
and  sub-grade,  and  pave  streets  and  alleys ;  pay  the  costs  thereof  by  the  issue 
of  bonds,  and  collect  the  same  from  the  property  benefited,  by  installments : 
making  an  appropriation  to  the  West  Mountain  Sanatorium  (Consumptive 
Hospital)  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars  ($5,- 
000.)  ;  making  an  appropriation  to  the  Home  for  the  Friendless,  of  Dunmore, 
Pennsylvania,  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000.);  making  an  ap- 
propriation to  the  St.  Joseph's  Home  and  Maternity  Hospital,  of  Dunmore, 
Pennsylvania,  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000.)  ;  making  an  aji- 
propriation  to  the  Mid-Hospital,  of  twelve  thousand  dollars  ($12,000.)  ;  pro- 
viding for  the  election  of  a  borough  controller  in  all  boroughs  of  this  common- 
wealth;  Mine  Cave  Bill  passed  the  house  on  I\Iarch  25,  1913. 

Able  in  defence  of  any  measure  for  which  he  stands  sponsor,  Mr.  Haggerty 
has  always  been  willing  to  invite  and  quick  to  overcome  opposition  to  the  causes 
he  has  supported,  and  has  so  gained  the  respectful  regard  of  his  colleagues. 
So  runs  the  record  of  his  four  years  of  public  service,  marked  by  zealous  at- 
tention to  duty  and  activities  wisely  directed  and  forcefully  completed.  His 
ambitions  have  never  been  above  the  service  of  his  constituents,  and  in  his 
fulfillment  of  the  trust  reposed  in  him  by  them  he  has  found  pleasure  and 
satisfaction. 


AUGUSTUS  CHARLES  NETTLETON 

Descended  from  an  old  New  England  family,  Augustus  Charles  Nettle- 
ton  is  a  native  of  New  York,  whither  his  parents,  Edward  and  Harriet  (Clark) 
Nettleton,  came  from  Milford,  Connecticut,  the  former  named  born  in  Old 
Milford,  Connecticut,  March  17,  1804,  died  in  Fulton,  New  York,  February 
19,  1864,  buried  in  Fulton,  New  York,  and  the  latter  named  born  in  Wood- 
bury, Connecticut,  July  28,  1808,  died  in  Put-in-Bay,  August  23,  1878,  buried 
in  Mt.  Adner  Cemetery,  Fulton,  New  York.  They  were  married  September 
18,   1833. 

After  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nettleton  they  resided  at  Milford. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  5,5 

Connecticut,  and  removed  thence  to  Plymouth,  Connecticut,  where  two  chil- 
dren were  born,  Catherine  and  Martha,  both  now  deceased.  They  then  re- 
moved to  Fulton,  New  York,  where  four  children  were  bom :  Franklyn  Ed- 
ward, of  whom  further ;  Samuel  Wesley  ;  Augustus  Charles,  of  whom  further ; 
Albert  Eugene,  all  four  sons  being  now  engaged  in  shoe  manufacturing  and 
dealing,  the  Nettleton  shoes  being  known  throughout  the  United  States  and 
the  world. 

Franklyn  Edward  Nettleton  was  born  in  Fulton,  New  York,  December 
29,  1838.  He  attended  the  schools  of  Fulton  and  Williams  College,  Williams- 
town,  Massachusetts,  and  then  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  with  his 
father,  the  business  eventually  coming  under  the  control  of  the  four  sons,  as 
aforementioned.  From  Fulton,  New  York,  Mr.  Nettleton  removed  to  Pitts- 
burgh, Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  for  one  year,  and  in  1867  took  up 
his  residence  in  Scranton  and  has  been  a  resident  of  that  city  since  that  time 
with  the  exception  of  every  winter  for  the  past  twenty-nine  years  which  he 
has  spent  in  Florida.  In  1886  he  disposed  of  his  shoe  business  in  Scranton,  and 
since  then  has  lived  retired  from  active  business  pursuits.  He  has  served 
as  president  of  the  State  Sunday  School  Association  of  Florida,  which  he 
organized,  also  as  president  of  the  Christian  Endeavor  Association.  Served  as 
president  of  the  Grace  Nettleton  Home  and  School,  now  known  as  the  Grace 
Nettleton  Foundation  of  Lincoln  Memorial  University,  of  which  he  is  now 
the  financial  secretary.  This  home  is  situated  on  the  hillside  overlooking  a 
magnificent  view  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  fertile  valleys  in  this  country, 
at  Harrogate,  Tennessee,  on  the  great  and  only  highway  for  many  miles,  lead- 
ing from  the  states  of  Tennessee  and  Virginia  into  Kentucky,  through  Cum- 
berland Gap,  the  scene  of  seven  of  the  most  important  conflicts  of  the  great 
Civil  War.  It  was  opened  in  December,  1899,  by  Miss  Emily  Winters,  of 
Springfield,  Massachusetts,  as  a  home  and  school  for  the  training  and  edu- 
cation of  the  destitute  and  homeless  mountain  girls  of  that  neglected  section 
of  this  country.  Three  hundred  and  fifty  girls  have  thus  been  cared  for  in  the 
past  fourteen  years,  and  in  addition  over  four  hundred  boys  and  girls  in  that 
neighborhood  have  been  taught  in  the  day  and  Sunday  schools.  This  home 
was  named  in  memory  of  Grace,  the  deceased  daughter  of  Mr.  Nettleton. 
For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Nettleton  was  secretary  and  manager  of  the 
Tri-State  Association  of  Sunday  Schools ;  he  was  the  originator  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Sunday  School  Association  and  an  ex-committeeman ;  or- 
ganized four  Sunday  schools  and  served  as  superintendent  of  five,  opening 
Sunday  schools  in  four  different  states.  He  called  the  first  meeting  for  the 
organization  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  in  Scranton.  He  is  a 
trustee  of  Lincoln  Memorial  U^niversity  in  Tennessee,  also  director  of  Rollins 
College,  of  Florida,  and  president  of  Yellow  Cliff  Land  &  Improvement  Com- 
pany. 

Mr.  Nettleton  married,  May  i,  1865,  Marion  F.  Smith,  a  native  of  Ful- 
ton, New  York,  died  January  13,  1913,  buried  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery.  Child, 
Grace,  born  May  16,  1870,  died  February  13.  1883,  buried  in  Forest  Hill 
Cemetery. 

Augustus  Charles  Nettleton  was  born  in  Fulton,  New  York,  August  23, 
1844.  He  was  there  reared  and  educated,  pursuing  his  advanced  studies  in 
Falley  Seminary,  of  that  place.  After  discontinuing  his  scholastic  activities, 
he  was  for  three  years  a  shoe  merchant  of  Fulton,  New  York,  purchasing  the 
business  of  his  brother,  Samuel  W.  Nettleton,  and  in  1871  removed  to  Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  where  he  has  attained  not 
only  success  in  his  operations  but  reputation  as  a  business  man  of  uprightness 
and  principle.     Since  taking  up  his  residence  in  Scranton  Mr.  Nettleton  has 


Si6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

had  several  business  locations,  having  been  for  twelve  years  at  No.  314  Lacka- 
wanna avenue,  three  years  at  No.  228  Lackawanna  avenue,  eight  years  at  No. 
411  Lackawanna  avenue,  nine  years  in  the  Commonwealth  Building  on  Lacka- 
wanna avenue,  seven  years  in  the  Burr  Building,  then  moving  to  his  present 
place  of  business.  No.  223  Spruce  street.  He  has  associated  with  him  his  son, 
Edward  F.  Nettleton ;  he  has  a  large  business  in  the  mining  districts  of  east 
central  and  northeastern  Pennsylvania.  The  prosperity  and  success  that  have 
come  to  him  have  been  directly  attributable  to  his  close  application  to  his  busi- 
ness, the  wise  judgment  that  has  actuated  his  every  dealing,  and  the  fairness 
that  has  governed  all  of  his  relations  with  his  fellows.  He  is  a  communicant 
of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Qiurch.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political 
preference. 

Mr.  Nettleton  married,  at  Syracuse,  New  York,  Emma  Chase,  born  in  that 
city.  Children :  Marie,  Catherine,  Edward  F.  and  Albert,  living,  Charles  and 
Cyrus,  deceased. 

JAMES  L.  CRAWFORD 

James  L.  Crawford,  deceased,  for  many  years  president  of  the  Peoples' 
Coal  Company,  Scranton,  and  one  of  the  widely  known  coal  operators  in  the 
anthracite  region,  was  a  striking  feature  among  the  truly  remarkable  men 
who  have  been  conspicuous  in  the  coal  industry  of  Pennsylvania  during  the 
past  quarter  of  a  century.  Of  great  force  of  character,  broad  sympathy  and 
public-spirited,  he  was  an  American  of  the  highest  type,  in  thought,  word,  deed 
and  ambition.  Without  favoritism  to  aid  him,  he  carved  out  his  own  career, 
beginning  in  the  humblest  walks  of  severe  manual  labor,  and  lifting  himself  to 
a  position  of  wealth  and  commanding  influence  quite  notable  even  in  these 
days  of  great  accomplishments.  Through  all  and  to  the  last  he  was  un- 
ashamed of  his  beginning,  and  his  own  experiences  but  warmfed  his  sympathy 
for  working  men  and  made  him  their  friend.  He  died  in  the  prime-  of  life, 
at  a  time  when  he  might  have  determined,  had  he  seen  fit,  to  retire  from 
active  occupation  and  rest  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  labors.  His 
life  in  his  later  years  was  a  contribution  to  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  all 
about  him,  and  the  narrative  of  his  unvaried  success  and  the  uses  to  which 
he  put  his  effort  and  means  should  serve  as  an  encouragement  and  inspiration 
to  the  unaided  toiler  in  all  this  region. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  born  in  Noxen,  Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
185 1,  a  son  of  the  late  Ira  and  Elizabeth  Crawford,  both  natives  of  the 
same  county,  and  a  grandson  of  Benjamin  Crawford,  who  during  his  boy- 
hood days  removed  with  his  parents  from  Connecticut  to  Pennsylvania,  in 
which  state  he  resided  until  his  death  at  the  extreme  old  age  of  ninety-six 
years.     Ira  and  Elizabeth  Crawford  were  the  parents  of  four  children. 

Early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  James  L.  Crawford  was  afforded 
little  in  the  way  of  school  education.  Of  such  opportunities  for  self  infor- 
mation as  came  to  him  he  made  the  best  possible  use,  and  when  he  entered 
upon  an  independent  career  his  mental  equipment  proved  amply  sufficient  for 
his  every  need,  enabling  him  to  successfully  cope  with  men  whose  advantages 
at  the  outset,  in  training  and  means,  far  exceeded  his  own.  He  was  but  a 
boy  when  he  secured  employment  in  the  old  Seneca  mine  of  the  Pittston  and 
Elmira  Coal  Company  in  Pittston,  and  he  continued  to  work  here  for  some 
years,  passing  through  the  various  gradations  of  door-tender,  laborer  and 
miner,  at  each  step  demonstrating  his  efficiency  and  his  capability  for  more 
important  tasks.  His  preparation  was  so  complete  that  he  was  called  to  the 
superintendency  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  Coal  Company,  which  he  also  served 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


517 


in  the  capacity  of  civil  engineer.  In  1876  and  for  two  years  thereafter  he 
was  a  contractor  for  the  building  of  breakers,  and  there  are  many  of  these 
structures  in  the  anthracite  region  to-day  which  stand  as  monuments  to  his 
ability  in  that  line.  Later  he  removed  to  Bradford,  where  he  built  derricks 
and  speculated  in  oil.  In  the  spring  of  1879  he  returned  to  the  anthracite 
coal  belt  and  for  four  years  served  as  mine  foreman  for  the  Charles  Hutchings 
collieries.  In  1883  he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  H.  Swoyer  &  Company,  and 
three  years  later  took  up  his  residence  in  Jermyn,  where  he  remained  for 
eight  years. 

In  1884  Mr.  Crawford  became  identified  with  the  collieries  in  which 
Simpson  and  Watkins  were  interested,  and  while  serving  as  superintendent 
he  had  charge  of  the  opening  and  development  of  the  following  collieries : 
The  Edgerton,  Northwest,  Grassy  Island,  Sterrick  Creek,  Lackawanna,  Baby- 
lon, Mount  Lookout,  Forty  Fort  and  Harry  E.  He  was  financially  interested 
in  these  collieries  and  remained  as  general  superintendent  of  the  company 
until  1899,  when  Simpson  and  Watkins  sold  their  interests  to  the  Temple  Iron 
Company.  Mr.  Crawford  was  superintendent  of  the  last  named  company 
for  one  year,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health. 

In  1901  Mr.  Crawford  became  the  principal  owner  of  the  People's  Coal 
Company,  of  which  he  was  also  president,  with  his  step-son,  James  G.  Shep- 
herd, as  secretary  and  treasurer.  It  was  during  this  period  that  Mr.  Craw- 
ford became  a  prominent  figure  in  the  public  view,  his  management  of  the 
Oxford  mine  being  marked  by  two  distinct  successes — a  quick  accumulation  of 
great  wealth,  and  his  marked  victory  over  the  Miners'  Union  during  the 
great  strike  of  1902.  During  the  six  months'  duration  of  this  great  con- 
test the  Oxford  was  the  only  mine  in  the  entire  region  which  was  kept  in 
operation,  and  his  conduct  gave  exhibition  of  his  strongest  traits  of  character. 
His  determination  to  keep  the  colliery  in  operation  was  not  due  to  a  spirit 
of  defiance.  As  he  stated  at  the  time,  he  held  to  the  conviction  that  a  man 
possessed  the  unrestricted  right  to  work  or  not  to  work,  at  his  own  election, 
without  regard  to  the  mandates  of  any  organized  body,  especially  when  he 
was  personally  satisfied  with  his  wages  and  condition.  He  maintained  that 
the  Oxford  miners  were  satisfied,  and  were  not  demanding  either  increase 
of  wages  or  adjustment  of  any  differences,  and  that  under  these  conditions 
if  the  workmen  were  content  to  continue  their  labor,  he  was  determined  that 
they  should  do  so  without  molestation  and  with  full  protection.  Many  of  his 
friends  considered  the  conditions  confronting  him  as  unsurmountable,  but  his 
courage  and  determination  seemed  to  increase  as  the  obstacles  grew,  and  he 
was  soon  engaged  in  one  of  the  most  gigantic  struggles  which  marked  the 
great  strike.  He  first  gathered  about  him  his  old  and  trusted  employees,  who 
trusted  in  him  so  implicitly  that  they  expressed  their  determination  to  stand  by 
him  to  the  last.  Keeping  the  mine  at  work  to  its  accustomed  capacity,  he 
provided  for  the  safety  and  comfort  of  the  men  by  erecting  eating  and  sleeping 
quarters  at  the  colliery.  He  also  organized  an  armed  force  for  patrol  duty 
about  the  premises,  which  he  enclosed  with  a  strong  barricade,  and  operated  a 
large  searchlight  for  the  discovery  of  an  attacking  force.  His  preparations 
were  so  complete  that  the  plans  of  the  would-be  attackers  were  set  at  naught, 
and  the  Oxford  mines  remained  in  operation  throughout  the  strike  period, 
while  numerous  other  collieries  were  obliged  to  close  down  and  ultimately 
yield  to  the  demands  of  the  LTnion.  As  a  reward  Mr.  Crawford  made  a  large 
fortune  as  a  result  of  his  continuing  mining  during  these  fateful  times,  and 
in  recognition  of  the  fidelity  of  his  employees  he  distributed  among  them  some 
thirty  thousand  dollars  prorated  according  to  their  respective  earnings.  The 
giving  of  this  bonus  was  remarkable  in  view  of  the  fact  that  no  mine  in  the 


5i8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

region,  or  probably  in  the  entire  country,  paid  out  such  large  sums  in  wages 
to  their  miners,  one  miner  earning  as  much  as  $2,800  in  one  year.  Mr.  Craw- 
ford frequently  explained,  when  questioned,  that  his  bonus  to  his  men  was  m 
recognition  of  their  fidelity  to  him  during  the  strike.  His  relations  with  them 
were  the  happiest  that  could  be  conceived.  One  of  his  friends  related  that 
when  the  strike  was  at  its  height  he  went  with  Mr.  Crawford  to  every  chamber 
in  the  mine.  In  each  instance  Mr.  Crawford  addressed  the  miners  by  name, 
and  their  manner  in  responding  was  full  assurance  that  they  were  prepared 
to  go  much  further  than  they  did  to  aid  him  in  conquering  success.  It  is 
further  a  notable  fact  that  as  a  result  of  his  effort  and  success,  the  Oxford 
mine  is  the  only  one  in  the  anthracite  region  where  there  is  no  local  branch 
of  the  United  Mine  Worker's  Union. 

While  Mr.  Crawford  was  a  large  stockholder  in  various  corporations, 
he  was  only  identified  with  one  in  an  official  way,  the  Spring  Brook  Water 
Supply  Company,  in  which  he  was  a  director.  In  all  others  he  was  repre- 
sented by  his  step-son,  James  G.  Shepherd.  He  never  sought  or  held  a  public 
office,  being  entirely  averse  to  official  distinction.  He  was,  however,  broadly 
public-spirited,  and  liberally  aided  every  movement  tending  to  benefit  the 
community.  Few  if  any  could  estimate  the  extent  of  his  philanthropy.  He 
rejoiced  in  giving  without  display  and  frequently  made  it  a  condition  that  his 
donation  should  not  be  given  publicity.  Scarcely  a  church  of  the  Methodist 
denomination  in  the  Wyoming  \'alley  but  was  materially  assisted  by  him,  and 
in  some  instances  where  a  new  church  building  had  been  erected,  he  con- 
tributed the  greater  portion  of  the  expense,  and  asked  that  his  contribution 
he  unnamed.  He  was  one  of  the  best  friends  of  the  Florence  Mission,  the 
Hahnemann  Hospital,  and  other  local  charitable  and  humanitarian  institutions 
which  never  appealed  to  him  in  vain.  He  was  a  man  with  a  remarkable 
sympathetic  heart,  afforded  aid  with  counsel  and  means  to  many  young  men, 
and  rejoiced  in  their  success,  while  he  studiously  refrained  from  displaying  the 
fact  that  their  good  fortune  was  grounded  upon  aid  which  he  had  extended 
to  them.  He  was  in  all  things  a  practical  Christian  and  an  examplary  mem- 
ber of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Scranton. 

In  1882  Mr.  Crawford  married  Huldah  A.  Wilco.x,  daughter  of  James  and 
Sarah  Wilcox.  Of  this  marriage  were  born  two  children,  Byron  and  Norma, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased.  Mr.  Crawford  died  February  19,  1905,  at  In- 
dianola,  Florida,  from  heart  failure.  His  sudden  demise  was  a  great  shock 
to  the  community,  to  which  it  was  also  an  irreparable  loss.  The  remains  were 
interred  in  the  family  plot  at  Dunmore  Cemetery,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
The  tributes  to  his  memory  were  many  and  fervent.  It  is  said  of  him  that 
his  gospel  of  work  was  annotated  by  a  large  measure  of  human  interest  in 
everything  that  concerned  the  moral  and  physical  welfare  of  the  community. 
He  never  forgot  that  he  rose  from  the  lowest  round  of  the  industrial  ladder, 
and  those  who  worked  under  him  he  regarded  and  treated  as  co-laborers.  He 
earned  the  gratitude  of  everyone,  who  was  sufficiently  just  to  see  in  his  ex- 
ample the  promptings  of  a  kindly  heart.  Mrs.  Crawford,  who  survives  her 
husband,  possesses  in  a  marked  degree  the  characteristics  of  a  Christian 
woman,  and  in  the  various  capacities  of  daughter,  wife  and  mother  has  ever 
faithfully  and  earnestly  performed  all  duties  and  responsibilities  devolving 
upon  her.  She  is  among  the  foremost  of  the  charitable  and  generous  women 
of  Scranton,  constantly  performing  some  deed  of  charity,  and  all  philanthropic 
and  humane  institutions,  also  private  demands,  and,  in  fact  everything  cal- 
culated to  uplift  mankind  and  elevate  humanity,  ever  receive  from  her  a 
prompt  and  generous  response.  She  is  dispensing  her  ample  means  with 
the  same  generous  hand  which  characterized  the  action  of  her  late  husband 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


519 


during  the  latter  years  of  his  useful  life  and  in  every  way  possibk  is  en- 
deavoring to  fulfill  his  wishes  and  intentions.  She  is  greatly  beloved  by  all 
who  enjoy  a  close  and  intimate  acquaintance,  and  highly  respected  by  all 
classes  in  the  community. 


REV.  JOHN  JOSEPH  LOUGHRAN 

The  Catholic  diocese  of  Scranton  has  within  its  borders  no  priest  better 
prepared,  by  years  of  unceasing  study  and  earnest  consecration,  to  give  his 
life's  services  to  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  nor  does  it  boast  of  one  within  its 
limits  more  faithful  in  his  devotion  to  the  members  of  his  parish  or  more  dis- 
interested in  his  efforts  in  their  behalf.  Trained  and  educated  for  his  calling 
in  the  leading  institutions  of  the  church,  as  the  rector  of  the  Church  of  the 
Nativity  of  Scranton,  he  is  the  leader  of  a  congregation  among  whom  lie 
unselfishly  labors  and  whose  demands  upon  him  are  met  in  a  cheering  and 
cordial  manner  that  has  endeared  him  to  their  hearts. 

Rev.  John  Joseph  Loughran  is  a  son  of  Patrick  Loughran,  who  was  born 
in  Ireland,  died  in  Pennsylvania,  1902.  He  married,  Mary  O'Hare,  who  died 
in  Scranton,  1910,  daughter  of  Anthony  O'Hare,  who  died  in  Pennsylvania 
in  1893.  Children  of  Patrick  and  Mary  (O'Hare)  Loughran:  i.  Elizabeth, 
married  Charles  O'Royle,  of  Olyphant,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Rev.  John  Joseph, 
of  whom  further.  3.  Catherine,  a  stenographer,  resides  in  Scranton.  4. 
James,  a  mechanic,  resides  in  Scranton.  5.  Thomas,  a  salesman.  6.  Mary, 
a  bookkeeper,  resides  in  New  York.  7.  Francis,  deceased.  8.  Lucy,  a  teacher 
in  school  No.  42,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  9.  Theresa,  a  teacher  in  School 
No.  3,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.     10.  Helen. 

Among  the  other  members  of  the  Loughran  family  who  entered  the 
priesthood  were  Father  John  Loughran,  rector  of  St.  Joseph's  Parish,  of 
Minooka,  Pennsylvania,  who  died  in  1899,  and  Father  James  Loughran,  who 
died  in  Great  Bend,  Pennsylvania,  in  1883,  both  of  whom  were  cousins  of 
Rev.  John  Joseph  Loughran. 

Rev.  John  Joseph  Loughran  was  born  at  Archbald,  Pennsylvania,  Septem- 
ber 26,  1 87 1.  He  began  acquiring  his  exceptionally  fine  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Archbald,  and  when  seventeen  years  of  age  entered  St. 
Bonaventure  College,  Allegany,  Cattaraugus  county.  New  York,  whence  he  was 
graduated  in  1890.  He  was  then  adopted  as  a  clerical  student  to  the  diocese  of 
Scranton  by  Bishop  O'Hara,  and  was  afterward  enrolled  in  St.  Mary's  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  at  Baltimore,  whence  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  oF 
S.  T.  B.  in  1895,  this  making  three  degrees  conferred  upon  him  by  this  same 
institution,  that  of  B.  S.  being  conferred  in  1891,  and  his  master's  degree  in 
1892.  On  June  20,  1895,  he  was  ordained  into  the  priesthood  in  the  cathedral 
at  Baltimore,  and  his  first  charge  after  his  ordination  was  assistant  at  Car- 
bondale,  where  he  spent  his  summer  vacation  in  1895.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year  he  entered  the  Catholic  LIniversity  at  Washington,  Pennsylvania,  and 
after  two  years  of  hard  and  unremitting  application  to  his  studies  was  given 
the  degree  of  S.  T.  L.,  having  spent  the  summer  of  1896  as  assistant  pastor  of 
Overton,  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  thus  adding  to  his  practical  ac- 
quaintance with,  as  well  as  his  theoretical  knowledge  of,  the  priesthood. 
After  completing  his  course  at  the  Washington  University  he  was  appointed 
assistant  to  Father  O'Donnell,  rector  of  the  Holy  Cross  Church  of  Scranton, 
serving  in  that  capacity  until  his  selection  by  Bishop  Hoban  to  act  as  his 
secretary  and  as  chancellor  of  the  diocese  of  Scranton.  Bishop  Hoban  granted 
him  a  leave  of  absence  in  1900  and  Rev.  Dr.  Loughran  sailed  for  Rome,  there 
to  enter  the  world   famous  Gregorian  University,   this  institution   dignifying 


520  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

him  with  the  degree  S.  T.  D.  in  June,  1902.  Returning  to  the  United  States 
to  the  Scranton  diocese  immediately  after  receiving  his  degree  he  was  re- 
appointed by  Bishop  Hoban  to  his  former  position,  as  secretary  and  chan- 
cellor of  the  diocese.  He  remained  in  the  cathedral  until  August,  1907,  when 
he  succeeded  the  late  Rev.  James  A.  O'Reilly,  in  the  rectorship  of  the  Nativity 
Parish. 

In  the  practical  life  of  church  work  his  fine  training  has  borne  much  fruit 
and  his  parish  has  been  enriched  and  strengthened  by  the  noble  service  he 
has  rendered.  The  first  building  on  the  site  of  the  present  Church  of  the 
Nativity  was  but  a  small  structure,  erected  in  1844,  and  was  at  that  time 
the  only  Catholic  church  in  Scranton.  Twelve  years  later  a  larger  and  more 
handsome  edifice  was  built  in  the  central  city.  In  1904  Father  O'Reilly  began 
operations  on  the  present  church  and  carried  the  basement  chapel  through 
to  completion,  also  laising  the  stone  superstructure,  but  at  this  point  funds 
failed  and  interest  languished.  When  the  Rev.  Dr.  Loughran  succeeded  to  the 
rectorship  he  took  up  the  loose  ends  of  this  uncompleted  task,  injected  fresh 
vigor  into  the  work,  roused  the  congregation  to  renewed  efforts,  and  Septem- 
ber 13,  1914,  brought  the  project  to  a  happy  and  successful  conclusion,  at  an 
aggregate  cost  of  $225,000.00.  Nor  is  this  the  only  constructive  work  of 
which  he  has  been  the  moving  spirit,  for  a  beautiful  and  imposing  stone 
rectory  has  been  built  at  a  cost  of  840,000,  the  church  now  possessing  build- 
ings surpassing  any  others  of  a  like  character  in  the  city.  It  is  this  spirit  of 
accomplishment  and  the  impetus  to  forward  steps  that  makes  Rev.  Dr.  Lough- 
ran the  ideal  organizer.  Nor  does  his  ability  to  organize  thoroughly,  efficiently 
and  effectively  comprise  his  only  talent,  for  he  has  also  the  gift  of  cementing  a 
congregation  into  more  perfect  fellowship  and  of  sustaining  interest  once 
aroused. 

To  turn  from  his  work  to  the  man,  he  is  found  genial,  cultured  and  edu- 
cated in  the  highest  sense  of  the  word.  His  manner  is  charmingly  courteous,  his 
conversation  pleasant  and  interesting  and  his  whole  personality  one  to  which 
many  are  attracted  and  held.  He  would  grace  a  college  professorship  as  ably 
and  as  naturally  as  the  priestly  habiliments,  so  thorough  and  extensive  has 
been  his  magnificent  education,  yet  a  friend  less  favored  would  find  no  em- 
barrassment in  the  presence  of  such  extraordinary  learning.  His  is  the  gift, 
so  indispensable  to  those  thrown  much  with  people,  of  mingling  with  all,  his 
bearing  marking  him  always  a  scholar  and  as  constantly  a  gentleman.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Catholic  Mutual  Beneficial  Associa- 
tion, and  at  the  present  time  holds  the  diocesan  office  of  "Defensor  Matrimonii" 
(Detender  of  the  Marriage  Tie). 

The  Qiurch  of  the  Nativity  of  our  Lord  was  begim  in  the  year  1904  by 
Rev.  James  A.  O'Reilly,  who  was  appointed  first  rector  of  the  newly  estab- 
lished parish  on  November  i,  1903.  The  basement  chapel  was  opened  for 
worship  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1905  and  continued  to  be  used  for  that 
purpose  until  November  29,  1914,  on  which  day  the  completed  church  was 
dedicated  with  great  solemnity  by  Archbishop  Prendergast,  of  Philadelphia,  in 
the  presence  of  His  Eminence,  James  Cardinal  Gibbons,  and  of  a  large  gather- 
ing of  bishops  and  priests  who  represented  many  dioceses  in  the  eastern  states. 

The  new  Church  of  the  Nativity  awakens  many  interesting  and  pleasant 
recollections,  especially  among  the  oldest  residents  of  Scranton.  A  few  still 
survive  who  can  recall  the  erection  of  the  first  Catholic  church  in  this  city 
in  the  year  1848  and  quite  a  number  remember  the  days  when  they  frequented 
that  simple,  primitive  place  of  worship.  It  stood  on  the  ground  which  is  now 
graced  by  the  imposing  and  beautiful  structure  of  Nativity  Church.  As  far 
back  as  1844  Nativity  Place  was  hallowed  by  the  offering  of  the  Holy  Sacri- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


5^1 


fice  of  the  Mass.  Father  Cullen  of  the  diocese  of  Philadelphia  was  the  first 
priest  to  minister  to  the  needs  of  the  faithful  in  the  little  hamlet  then  known 
as  Slociim  Hollow.  An  humble  company  house,  an  adjunct  to  the  Scranton 
Iron  Works,  was  the  scene  of  his  ministrations. 

Owing  to  the  development  of  the  Scranton  Iron  Works  and  to  the  con- 
stantly increasing  number  of  Catholic  immigrants  a  regular  place  of  worship 
became  an  urgent  necessity.  In  consequence  a  plain  unpretentious  chapel,  but 
splendid  in  the  sacrifices  it  involved,  was  erected  by  the  small  Catholic  popula  ■ 
tion  under  the  direction  of  Father  Cullen.  In  1852  the  Rev.  Moses  Whitty 
became  pastor  of  this  church  and  during  the  incumbency  of  this  pious  and 
zealous  priest  the  Catholic  contingent  increased  very  rapidly  both  in  number 
and  in  fervor. 

The  pioneer  chapel  had  served  its  time  and  its  purpose.  It  responded  well 
to  the  humble  beginnings  of  Catholicity  in  this  city  but  after  a  few  years  a 
more  spacious  and  more  convenient  church  was  demanded  by  the  large  and 
scattered  Catholic  population.  The  church  which  once  occupied  the  corner 
of  Franklin  avenue  and  Spruce  street  was  the  result.  This  church  in  its 
turn,  owing  to  inadequacy,  gave  way  to  the  present  Cathedral  of  this  city. 

The  Cathedral  parish  grew  and  expanded  with  the  city  of  Scranton.  It 
became  unwieldy  owing  to  the  number  and  territory  it  comprised.  Hence 
the  Rt.  Rev.  M.  J.  Hoban,  in  his  zealous  and  watchful  care  of  the  children 
committed  to  his  charge,  thought  it  advisable  and  opportune  to  cut  off  the 
south  section  of  the  Cathedral  parish  and  give  to  the  Catholics  of  that  quartei 
another  church  and  another  pastor.  This  he  did  in  1903  placing  in  charge  the 
zealous  and  beloved  Father  James  A.  O'Reilly,  then  rector  of  the  Cathedral. 

"History  repeats  itself,"  and  Father  O'Reilly,  looking  upon  the  establish- 
ment of  the  new  parish  as  a  happy  coincidence  and  a  restoration  to  primitive 
prestige,  set  out  at  once  to  erect  a  church  which  would  be  a  fitting  monument 
to  the  birthplace  of  Catholicity  in  this  city  and  named  it  "The  Nativity."  By  his 
efforts  also  and  the  kind  co-operation  of  the  city  council  the  locality  was  called 
"Nativity  Place."  Although  Father  O'Reilly  did  not  live  to  see  the  church,  the 
cherished  object  of  his  heart,  brought  to  completion,  yet  he  impressed  upon 
the  walls  reared  by  him  a  dignity  and  a  majesty  which  served  as  a  norm  or 
standard  to  his  worthy  successor.  Rev.  J.  J.  Loughran,  D.  D.,  who  had  the 
honor  of  perfecting  the  work  so  well  begun  by  his  revered  and  lamented 
predecessor.  Nativity  Church  stands  to-day  a  noble  and  artistic  monument 
to  Catholic  faith,  the  pride  of  Nativity  parish  and  the  boast  of  the  city  ot 
Scranton. 


FRED  B.  ATHERTON 


The  Atherton  family  of  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  founded  in  that 
locality  from  the  original  American  home  in  New  England,  needs  here  no 
introduction.  Its  members  are  known  in  this  vicinity  by  the  lasting  monuments 
of  useful  lives,  activity  well-ordered,  and  service  willingly  and  efficiently 
rendered.  (A  complete  line  of  the  Atherton  family  is  found  elsewhere  in  this 
work.) 

Fred  B.  Atherton,  son  of  Bicknell  B.  Atherton  and  grandson  of  Jonathan 
Atherton,  was  born  in  Providence,  Scranton,  August  11,  1885.  His  father 
was  reared  in  this  city,  and  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-first  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  was  advanced  steadily,  finally  receiving  his  commission  as  first  lieu- 
tenant in  Company  H  of  that  regiment.  During  the  course  of  this  conflict 
he  was   thrice   wounded,    at   Gettysburg,    Chancellorsville   and    Spottsylvania, 


522  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

participated  in  eighteen  important  battles  and  numberless  skirmishes  and  en- 
counters with  small  detachments  of  the  enemy.  His  honorable  discharge  from 
the  service  came  at  the  end  of  four  years  of  service  in  the  field,  during  which 
time  he  displayed  qualities  of  the  truest  manhood,  inspired  by  patriotism  ana 
supported  by  gallant  bravery.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political  sympathy,  an 
original  companion  of  the  first  class  of  the  Military  Order  Loyal  Legion  of  the 
United  States,  Commandery  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  member  of 
the  Providence  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was  once  a  trustee.  His 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  Post  is  Ezra  Griffin  Post,  No.  139.  Bicknell  B 
Atherton  married  Amanda,  daughter  of  J.  D.  and  Jane  (Rockwell)  Safiforri, 
of  Lathrop,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  that  locality,  and  who  died  in  1907,  aged  forty-eight  years.  Children 
of  Bicknell  B.  and  Amanda  (Safford)  Atherton:  Dudley  R.,  cashier  of  the 
North  Scranton  Bank;  Grace,  married  J.  E.  Adamson,  of  Sayre,  Pennsylvania: 
Fred  B.,  of  whom  further. 

Fred  B.  Atherton  passed  his  youthful  years  in  the  city  of  his  birth,  and 
there  completed  courses  in  the  grammar  and  high  schools.  After  graduating 
from  Scranton  High  School  he  was  assistant  in  chemistry  there  from  1901 
to  1905,  afterward  matriculating  at  Lafayette  College,  where  he  completed  the 
course  in  chemistry  m  the  class  of  1909.  After  leaving  college  ]\Ir.  Atherton 
formed  his  first  business  association  with  the  Third  National  Bank  in  a  clerical 
capacity,  resigning  his  position  in  this  instituton  to  enter  the  employ  of  Brooks 
&  Company.  After  a  year's  connection  with  this  concern  in  the  position  of  chief 
clerk,  Mr.  Atherton  was,  in  1910.  appointed  manager,  his  present  office  in  the 
employ  of  Brooks  &  Company.  His  relation  to  the  business  has  been  one  most 
satisfactory  in  every  manner,  satisfaction  created  by  his  able  discharge  of  his 
important  duties.  Mr.  Atherton  is  a  devotee  of  outdoor  recreation,  indulging  his 
liking  in  this  direction  through  membership  in  the  Scranton  Country  Club  and 
Scranton  Tennis  Club.  While  a  student  at  Lafayette  he  lightened  the  work  of 
college  life  by  his  activity  in  numerous  social,  musical  and  fraternal  societies, 
among  them  being  elected  a  member  of  the  Phi  Delta  Theta  National  Fraternity, 
the  Knights  of  the  Round  Table,  the  Upper  Classmen's  Society,  the  Chemical 
Society,  and  the  Glee  and  Mandolin  clubs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  a  strong  Republican  supporter.  Mr.  Atherton  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pennsylvania  Society  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  and  the  New  England 
Society  of  Pennsylvania.  He  is  treasurer  of  the  Scranton  Chemical  Laboratory 
Company  and  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Central  Realty  Company. 

Mr.  Atherton  married,  October  29,  1912.  Ruth  Lansing,  of  Scranton, 
daughter  of  James  A.  and  Fannie  (Waters)  Lansing,  and  has  one  son,  James 
Lansing. 


MICHAEL  E.  McDonald 

A  resident  of  Dunmore  from  1864  until  1892  and  from  the  latter  year  a 
resident  of  Scranton,  Mr.  McDonald  has  in  the  character  of  lawyer,  states- 
man, business  man  and  editor  added  to  the  material  prosperity  of  the  districts 
named  and  in  his  public  career  been  of  inestimable  value.  The  legislation  wliich 
he  introduced  or  aided  valiantly  while  a  legislator  was  most  practical  and  far- 
reaching  in  its  benefits,  while  his  work  in  committee  and  on  the  floor  of  house 
and  senate  was  disinterested  and  peculiarly  valuable  to  those  striving  to  enact 
needed  legislation. 

Mr.  McDonald  was  born  in  Hawley,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1858.  He  was  six  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved  to  Dun- 
more,   where  he  obtained   his   education   in   the   public   schools,   finishing  his 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  523 

academic  study  at  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  chose  the  profession  of  law 
and  in  1881  registered  as  a  student  with  Lemuel  Ammerman  under  whose  able 
preceptorship  he  qualified,  obtaining  admission  to  the  Lackawanna  county  bar 
at  the  October  term  of  1883.  He  at  once  established  an  office  and  begar 
practice  in  Scranton,  was  admitted  to  the  Supreme  Court  in  1886,  and  later 
to  all  state  and  federal  courts  in  the  district.  He  has  since  conducted  a  genera' 
law  practice,  and  has  obtained  high  rank  as  a  learned,  able,  upright  lawyer  and 
counselor.  While  the  law  and  its  pursuits  has  ever  been  his  ruling  passion, 
he  has  not  allowed  it  to  absorb  his  attention  to  the  exclusion  of  the  claim  the 
state  has  upon  its  loyal  sons.  From  early  life  he  was  interested  in  public 
affairs  and  early  assumed  the  responsibilities  of  a  public  official.  When  barely 
of  legal  age  he  was  elected  auditor  of  the  borough  of  Dunmore,  and  for  three 
years  served  in  that  capacity,  developing  those  traits  of  character  and  devotion 
to  the  public  interest  that  characterized  his  later  career.  In  1884  he  was 
elected  school  director,  served  for  three  years  as  such,  two  of  these  years  bemg 
president  of  the  board.  In  1886  he  was  the  nominee  of  the  Democratic  county 
convention  of  Luzerne  to  represent  the  eighth  district  in  the  state  legislature, 
an  office  to  which  he  was  elected  the  following  November  by  a  most  gratifying 
majority.  In  1888  he  was  elected  from  the  fourth  legislative  district  of  Lacka- 
wanna county,  which  was  formed  under  the  appointment  act  of  1887.  In  the 
house  his  course  had  been  carefully  watched  by  his  constituents  and  so  closely 
was  he  associated  with  important  legislation  and  so  ably  had  he  demonstrated 
his  value  as  a  legislator  that  in  1890  he  was  chosen  as  the  Democratic  standatd 
bearer  of  the  twentieth  senatorial  district.  After  a  hard-fought  campaign  he 
was  returned  the  successful  candidate  for  a  term  of  four  years,  and  in  the 
state  senate  continued  the  valuable  work  begun  in  the  lower  body  of  the  legis- 
lature. During  the  four  sessions  of  the  legislature  in  which  he  sat  as  repre- 
sentative and  senator  he  served  with  ability  and  zeal  on  important  committees 
and  was  able  to  influence  much  valuable  legislation.  As  a  member  of  com- 
mittees, appropriations,  railroads,  mines  and  mining,  judiciary,  general  and 
special  corporations,  municipal  corporations  and  elections,  his  work  was  tire- 
less and  persistent.  Valuable  as  was  his  work  in  committee  it  was  equalled  by 
his  personal  work  on  the  floor  in  debate  and  forcing  passage  of  bills.  He  was 
particularly  active  in  securing  the  passage  of  a  bill  increasing  the  number  of 
law  judges  in  Lackawanna  county  from  two  to  three:  in  securing  appropria- 
tions for  Lackawanna  Hospital,  the  Oral  School  for  Deaf  Alutes,  Carbondale 
Hospital,  the  Miners  Hospital  at  Pittston  and  for  the  public  schools  of  the 
state.  Largely  the  result  of  his  personal  effort  was  the  passage  of  the  "Me- 
chanics Lien  Law"  that  placed  the  mechanic  and  laborer  on  an  equality  with 
those  furnishing  material  in  the  collection  of  claims  against  a  building.  He 
twice  introduced  an  employers'  liability  bill  and  several  laws  of  benefit  to  the 
boroughs  of  Pennsylvania  were  introduced  and  championed  to  a  successful 
issue.  While  these  were  the  higher  attitudes  reached  by  Mr.  McDonald  in 
his  public  career  there  are  many  other  features  that  show  the  esteem  in  which 
he  is  held  and  of  his  strength  in  the  councils  of  his  party.  In  1882  he  was  a 
delegate  to  the  state  convention  that  nominated  Robert  E.  Pattison  as  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  governor.  The  following  year  he  was  chosen  a  mem- 
ber of  the  state  central  committee  and  later  served  many  years  on  the  Lacka- 
wanna county  committee.  In  1883  he  was  appointed  by  the  court  auditor  of 
the  Scranton  poor  district,  serving  three  years.  He  was  also  for  six  years 
solicitor  of  the  borough  of  Dunmore,  filling  all  offices  with  equal  zeal  and 
devotion  to  the  public  interest.  Nor  does  his  professional  and  official  life 
show  the  full  measure  of  his  activity.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  in- 
dustrial development  of  Scranton,  and  with  many  charitable  and  philanthropic 


524  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

institutions  of  the  city.  He  is  the  pubUsher  and  editor  of  the  Lackawanna 
Jurist,  the  official  legal  publication  for  several  courts  of  the  county,  and  di- 
rector in  the  Laurel  Line  ( Lackawanna  &  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad  Com- 
pany) and  many  other  industrial  enterprises.  So,  from  whatever  angle  he  be 
viewed,  the  value  of  Mr.  McDonald  as  a  citizen  is  strongly  apparent.  He  is 
still  "in  the  harness,"  conducts  a  lucrative  law  practice,  and  has  interest  in 
all  that  pertains  to  the  public  good. 

Mr.    jMcDonald   married,   in    Scranton,     November   23,    1892,     Martha  I-., 
daughter  of   Edward   Mellson.     Children :   Randall,   Maurice,   Janet,   Martha. 


ARTHUR  DUNN 


Dating  back  to  a  Scotch-Irish  pregenitor,  John  Dunn,  a  Revolutionary 
soldier  from  the  state  of  Connecticut,  Arthur  Dunn  rightfully  inherits  the 
qualities  that  have  contributed  to  his  present  leadership  in  Lackawanna  county. 
The  Dunn  family  were  intermarried  with  the  Rob  Roy  family  of  Scotland. 
John  Dunn  had  a  son,  William  Dunn,  who  also  served  in  the  Revolutionar)' 
War  from  Connecticut,  later  settling  in  Elmira,  New  York,  where  he  lived 
on  Water  street,  ea.st  of  Sullivan,  there  being  now  no  trace  of  his  residence. 
John  Dunn  had  four  sons  killed  in  the  Wyoming  massacre.  William  Dunn 
first  engaged  in  merchandising,  and  later  was  for  several  years  proprietor  of 
the  "Black  Horse"  tavern  in  Elmira,  at  the  comer  of  Lake  and  Water  streets. 
He  lived  for  a  time  in  Bath,  Stueben  county.  New  York,  where  some  of  his 
children  were  born.  Later  he  settled  in  Chemung  Valley,  New  York,  where 
he  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  association  with  Judge  Payne.  He  lived  to  be 
ninety  years  of  age.  His  widow  married  (second)  John  Davis,  although 
very  much  his  senior.  William  Dunn  was  made  a  Mason  in  August,  1793. 
He  had  several  sons,  all  of  whom  became  politically  prominent.  Charles  W.. 
the  eldest,  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  white  child  born  in  Bath,  but  passed 
most  of  his  eighty-five  years  in  Chemung  county,  a  merchant  and  landlord,  pro- 
prietor for  many  years  of  the  Franklin  House  at  Horseheads,  New  York. 
Thomas,  another  son,  was  a  merchant,  and  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Elias 
Satterlee. 

William  (2)  Dunn,  another  son,  was  an  unusually  brilliant  young  man 
and  one  of  the  finest  of  public  speakers.  He  was  an  ardent  Whig  and  a  great 
admirer  of  Henry  Clay,  whom  he  greatly  resembled  in  face  and  figure.  He 
was  born  in  1802 ;  married,  in  February,  1825,  Murilla  Hulburt,  of  Corn- 
wall, Connecticut,  and  died  December,  1856,  as  result  of  an  injury  from  a 
piece  of  falling  cornice  at  a  fire  in  Elmira,  near  the  Lake  street  bridge.  He 
was  collector  of  customs,  and  at  one  time  held  a  department  position  in  Wash- 
ington. 

Judge  James  Dunn,  the  youngest  son  of  William  Dunn,  gave  promise 
from  early  manhood  of  becoming  one  of  the  notable  men  of  the  county. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  about  1822  began  the  study  of  law 
with  Aaron  Konkle.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Chemung  county  in  1825 
and  was  subsequently  a  member  of  the  law  firms.  North  &  Dunn,  Dunn  & 
Hathaway  and  Dunn  &  Patterson.  He  was  the  second  elected  "First  Judge" 
of  Chemung  county,  serving  from  1844  to  1846.  In  his  prime  he  was  looked 
upon  as  possessing  a  strong  legal  mind,  and  was  numbered  with  the  ablest 
men  of  his  profession.  He  measured  swords  with  many  of  the  brightest 
lawyers  of  his  day  and  won  many  notable  legal  battles.  In  1840  he  was  the 
candidate  of  the  Whig  party  for  Congress,  but  the  district  being  strongly 
Democratic,  he  was  defeated.  For  many  years  he  was  the  acknowledged  leader 
of  the  Whigs  in  Chemung  county,  having  for  his  trusted  friends  such  men  as 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  525 

Seward,  Weed,  Greeley,  Charles  Cook,  John  C.  Clark  and  others.  In  1848 
Judge  Dunn  supported  the  candidacy  of  his  old  time  antagonist,  Martin  Van 
Buren,  for  the  presidency,  "bolting"  his  own  party  ticket  in  favor  of  the  Free 
Soil  Democrat.  In  1852  he  supported  General  Scott  and  became  an  earnest, 
active  Republican,  holding  extremely  radical  views  on  the  slavery  question. 
During  the  stormy  reconstruction  days  he  acted  with  the  Democratic  party,  al- 
though his  last  vote  was  for  President  Hayes.  He  died  May  i,  1877.  The 
resolutions  of  respect  from  the  Chemung  county  bar  tell  of  the  high  esteem  in 
which  he  was  held.  Said  Ariel  Thurston  at  a  meeting  of  the  bar  held  May  3, 
1877,  "At  the  time  of  his  death  Judge  Dunn  was  with  one  exception  the  oldest 
member  of  the  bar  within  the  limits  of  the  old  county  of  Tioga.  He  was  too, 
I  believe,  the  oldest  native  born  citizen  of  the  city,  Elmira,  residing  within 
its  limits.  He  was  most  genial  and  companionable  in  his  manners,  somewhat 
sarcastic;  a  man  of  broad  humor  and  quick  repartee;  always  enjoying  a  joke 
and  with  his  friend,  James  Robinson,  was  often  wont  to  set  the  table  in  a  roar. 
In  the  argument  of  a  legal  proposition,  he  was  by  no  means  an  antagonist  to  be 
trifled  with." 

Judge  Dunn  married,  April  28,  1827,  Eliza  Thompson,  of  Goshen,  Con- 
necticut. Just  three  days  prior  to  the  death  of  Judge  Dunn,  they  celebrated 
their  golden  wedding.  Eliza  Thompson,  Arthur  Dunn's  grandmother,  was  a 
daughter  of  General  David  Thompson,  of  the  War  of  1812,  a  lineal  descendant 
of  Anthony  Thompson,  who  commanded  the  "Good  Ship  Hector"  which 
landed  at  New  Haven  in  1637.  Anthony  Thompson  was  a  son  of  Henry 
Thompson,  Gentleman,  married  to  Bertha  Honeywood,  sister  of  Sir  Robert 
Honeywood,  who  left  her  by  his  will  Lenham  Manor,  Kent,  England.  This 
branch  of  the  Thompson  family  traces  its  lineage  back  directly  to  William  the 
Conqueror  and  Charlemagne.  Among  the  Thompson  Connecticut  ancestors 
were  a  chief  justice  of  the  state  of  Connecticut  and  a  chief  justice  of  the 
United  States.  Judge  James  Dunn  was  survived  by  his  widow  and  sons,  D. 
Thompson,  Henry  and  Isaac  B.,  the  two  former  then  residents  of  the  state 
of  Georgia.  He  also  left  two  daughters,  wives  of  Frank  H.  Atkinson,  of 
Elmira,  and  Thomas  Root,  of  Philadelphia. 

Isaac  B.  Dunn,  son  of  Judge  James  Dunn,  was  born  in  Elmira,  New  York, 
in  1846.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  He  entered  the  public 
service  of  his  country,  was  examiner  of  pensions  and  remained  in  govern- 
ment position  until  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  fraternally  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order.  He  married  Georgianna 
Frances  Tatham,  daughter  of  John  Tatham,  of  English  ancestry,  his  family 
being  early  settlers  in  Virginia.     Three  children  grew  to  years  of  maturity: 

1.  John  T.,  bom  July  10,  1869,  graduate  of  Princeton  University,  class  of 
1892,  graduate  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  class  of  1896;  he  subse- 
quently read  law  with  his  brother,  Arthur  Dunn,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  Lackawanna  county  in  March,  1900;  he  is  now  partner  of  the  law  firm. 
Dunn  &  Dimn,  vice-president  and  secretary  of  the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Com- 
pany and  vice-president  of  the   Fidelity   Mortgage  and   Securities   Company. 

2.  Eliza,  married  Dr.  William  Carver  Williams,  of  Chicago.  3.  Arthur,  of 
whom   further. 

Arthur  Dunn,  youngest  son  of  Isaac  B.  and  Georgianna  Frances  (Tatham) 
Dunn,  was  born  in  Elmira,  New  York,  March  7,  1873.  He  grew  to  youthful 
manhood  in  Elmira,  obtaining  his  preparatory  education  in  the  public  schools. 
He  then  entered  Princeton  University,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of 
1895.  He  then  came  to  Scranton,  where  for  one  year  he  taught  school,  having 
also  registered  as  a  law  student  in  the  office  of  Judge  Alfred  Hand.  He 
was  admitted  to  the   Lackawanna   county  bar   in   September,    1897,   and   has 


526  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

attained  high  position  as  a  lawyer  of  learning  and  skill.  For  three  years  he 
practiced  in  Scranton  alone,  but  in  1900  admitted  his  brother,  John  T.  Dunn, 
under  the  firm  name,  Dunn  &  Dunn,  with  offices  in  the  Scranton  Real  Estate 
Building.  Arthur  Dunn  was  counsel  in  the  noted  case  of  Bishop  Hoban  versus 
The  Greek  Catholic  Church,  and  has  participated  in  many  important  legal  con- 
troversies. The  firm  made  a  specialty  of  corporation  law,  and  it  has  been  in- 
strumental in  the  organizing  and  financing  of  eleven  important  corporations 
of  Scranton  and  its  vicinity,  also  ten  other  large  corporations  in  other  localities. 
These  include  the  People's  National  Bank,  the  Anthracite  Trust  Company,  the 
Providence  Bank,  the  First  National  Bank  of  Factoryville,  the  Luzerne  Na- 
tional Bank,  the  Black  Diamond  Silk  Company,  the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Com- 
pany, the  Fidelity  Mortgage  and  Securities  Company  and  others  outside  of 
Scranton.  He  is  also  president  of  both  the  Scranton  Real  Estate  Company 
and  of  the  Fidelity  Securities  Company,  both  institutions  of  high  standing  and 
great  usefulness.  In  addition  to  his  large  legal  practice  and  financial  activities, 
Mr.  Dunn  has  given  much  time  to  the  duties  of  a  good  citizen.  A  Republican 
in  politics,  he  has  ever  been  a  leader  of  the  progressive  thought  of  his  party,  and 
an  earnest  advocate  of  good  government  regardless  of  party  preference.  In 
191 1  he  was  chairman  of  the  citizen's  committee  of  fifty,  formed  to  effect 
needed  reforms  in  the  city  government.  He  earnestly  advocated  the  election  of 
Theodore  Roosevelt  in  1912,  took  active  part  in  the  primaries,  and  was  one  of 
the  most  efi^ective  orators  of  that  famous  primary  campaign.  He  sat  as  a 
delegate  in  the  Progressive  convention  at  Chicago  that  nominated  Colonel 
Roosevelt  for  the  presidency,  and  in  the  following  campaign  rendered  valiant 
effective  service  to  the  "Bull  Moose"  cause,  as  treasurer  of  the  state  committee, 
and  "on  the  stump,"  being  one  of  the  chief  orators  of  that  memorable  campaign 
that  swung  Pennsylvania  from  her  ancient  moorings  in  the  Republican  haven, 
and  fanned  into  a  fierce  flame  the  spark  of  independence  that  had  long  smould- 
ered in  Pennsylvania  politics.  His  advocacy  of  the  Progressive  cause  was  from 
purely  patriotic,  unselfish  reasons,  as  Mr.  Dunn  has  never  sought  or  accepted 
office  for  himself,  although  he  has  been  repeatedly  urged  to  accept  nomina- 
tions for  both  mayor  of  Scranton  and  for  Congress.  He  is  an  active  advocate 
of  the  cause  of  woman  suff'rage,  and  lent  his  best  effort  to  secure  the  passage 
of  an  act  of  legislature,  submitting  the  question  to  the  voters  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  the  active  campaign  made  by  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  Mr.  Dunn 
was  a  member  and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  membership  that  increased 
the  roll  of  members  from  267  to  750.  Mr.  Dunn,  as  chairman  of  a  committee 
of  Progressives,  helped  finance  and  establish  the  Scranton  Daily  News.  The 
Progressives  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  had  reason  to  believe  that  the 
editor  of  the  Tribune-Republican  was  discriminated  against  in  a  financial  way 
on  account  of  his  Progressive  politics  resulting  in  the  loss  of  the  Tribune- 
Republican  to  its  editor  and  the  Progressive  party.  Mr.  Dunn,  in  conjunction 
with  close  friends  of  Theodore  Roosevelt,  led  a  movement  of  the  Progressives 
to  found  another  newspaper  with  the  same  editor  at  its  head.  After  a  bitter 
and  spectacular  fight  lasting  over  a  year  with  the  financial  interests  and  ma- 
chine politics  on  one  side  and  Mr.  Dunn  and  the  Progressives  on  the  other, 
aided  by  the  powerful  moral  support  of  Theodore  Roosevelt,  the  paper  was 
successfully  financed  and  established.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  fight  which 
lasted  almost  a  year  Mr.  Dunn  was  given  a  vote  of  thanks  by  the  Progressive 
convention  at  Harrisburg  in  the  spring  of  1914. 

In  addition  to  his  numerous  activities  Mr.  Dunn  has  found  time  to  do  a 
great  deal  of  traveling  and  hunting.  He  has  traveled  throughout  the  United 
States,  Canada,  West  Indies,  and  has  made  two  trips  to  Europe.  He  has 
canoed,    fished   and   hunted   throughout   the   Maine    wilderness   and    parts   of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  52;' 

Canada.  He  has  fished  and  hunted  extensively  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and 
has  at  his  home  many  trophies  of  the  chase.  He  has  also  presented  the  Scran- 
ton  Club,  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  others  with  mounted  moose 
and  elk  heads.  In  religious  faith  Mr.  Dunn  is  a  Presbyterian,  belonging  I0 
the  Green  Ridge  congregation,  his  family  also  being  communicants  of  that 
church. 

Arthur  Dunn  married,  December  21,  1897,  Augusta  Pratt,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Jeremiah  L.  Fordham,  of  Scranton ;  children :  Arthur  Jr-,  John  P'ordham, 
Adelaide  Augusta,  Walter  Bruce,  Virginia  Frances.  The  family  city  home  is 
at  the  Hotel  Casey;  their  country  residence  includes  a  beautiful  farm  of  eighty 
acres  in  Waverly,  devoted  to  fruit  culture  and  poultry  raising. 


EUGENE   SCHIMPFF 


A  lifelong  resident  of  Scranton,  although  temporarily  residing  in  other 
cities,  Mr.  Schimpff  has  since  1880  been  one  of  the  active  merchants  of  his 
native  city,  where  he  is  now  located  at  No.  428  Spruce  street,  one  of  the 
prosperous  jewelers  of  the  city.  His  father,  Jacob  Schimpff,  established  the 
second  bakery  in  the  city  in  i860,  on  then  Ward  street,  now  Cedar  avenue. 

(II)  Jacob  Schimpff,  son  of  Philip  Schimpff,  was  born  in  Landau,  Ger- 
many, in  1806,  there  was  educated,  learned  the  baking  business,  in  which  he 
was  engaged  until  i860,  then  immigrated  to  the  United  States.  He  settled  in 
Scranton  the  same  year  and  at  once  established  a  bakery,  continuing  in  business 
until  his  death.  He  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  Phillip  Robinson,  and  had 
issue:  Leopold,  died  in  1888;  Mina,  married  Phillip  Robinson,  of  Scranton; 
Mary,  married  Peter  Gunster,  of  Scranton,  Mr.  Gunster  now  deceased,  Mrs. 
Gunster  now  living  in  Los  Angeles,  CaHfornia;  Robert,  died  in  1888;  Eugene, 
of  whom  further;  Caroline,  married  George  Lohmann,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania ;  Elizabeth,  deceased ;  Jacob,  deceased ;  August,  resides  in  Scranton ; 
Carl,  living  in  Scranton. 

(III)  Eugene  Schimpff,  third  son  of  Jacob  and  Caroline  (Robinson) 
Schimpff,  was  born  in  Lauterecken,  Germany,  November  27,  1853.  He  was 
seven  years  of  age  when  the  family  came  to  the  United  States.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  after  finishing  his  studies  became  his  father's 
assistant  in  the  bakery.  After  the  death  of  his  mother  he  entered  the  employ 
of  Philip  Robinson,  his  uncle.  During  this  period  Mr.  Schimpff  worked  end- 
lessly, using  every  effort  to  advance  himself,  and  after  many  hard  struggles, 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  he  started  to  learn  the  trade  of  watchmaker 
and  jeweler,  working  without  pay  for  thirteen  months,  when  he  went  to  New 
York  City  and  there  entered  the  employ  of  M.  L.  Sheehan,  jeweler  and  watch- 
maker ;  he  continued  with  Mr.  Sheehan  for  a  period  of  four  years,  becoming  a 
master  in  his  line,  and  after  another  two  years  in  New  York,  owing  to  failing 
health,  Mr.  Schimpff'  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
where' in  partnership,  he  conducted  a  restaurant  for  two  years,  under  the  firm 
name  Schimpff'  &  Lohmann.  In  1880  he  again  returned  to  Scranton  and  be- 
gan his  long  connection  with  the  jewelry  business  in  this  city.  He  opened  his 
first  store  on  Wyoming  avenue,  near  the  present  Jermyn  Hotel.  He  ne.xt 
moved  to  No.  319  Lackawanna  avenue.  He  was  not  satisfied  with  the 
location,  however,  and  moved  to  No.  313  Lackawanna  avenue.  Here  he 
prospered  exceedingly,  and  finding  his  quarters  too  small  moved  to  his  present 
location,  No.  428  Spruce  street,  where  he  has  built  up  a  large  and  prosperous 
business  along  general  jewelry  store  lines.  He  has  been  successful  in  an  un- 
usual degree,  conducting  his  business  personally,  dealing  with  fairness  to  al), 
and  holding  to  the  strictest  principles  of  integrity.    He  has  attained  honorable 


528  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

position  in  the  business  world,  not  by  special  favor,  but  by  his  own  energy, 
ability,  progressiveness,  and  thorough  knowledge  of  his  business.  He  owns 
a  farm  of  eighty  acres  where  he  raises  Ayrshire  cows  imported  from  Scotland, 
also  Chester  white  pigs,  and  fruits  at  Mt.  Cobb  on  Moosic  Mountain.  He  if 
interested  in  Soroco  Alining  and  Milling  Company,  mines  located  in  New 
Mexico,  owning  and  operating  the  Little  Fanney  Mine,  the  Pacific  Mine,  the 
Johnson  group  of  claims,  and  several  others  which  are  now  in  successful  opera- 
tion, yielding  excellent  return. 

Mr.   Schimpff  married   Margaret,  daughter  of  Casper  Tanler.     Children : 
Leopold,  Martha,  Eugene,  Laura,  Walter,  Robert,  Helen. 


FRED  C.  HANYEN 


A  lawyer  of  recognized  standing  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  prominent  in 
fraternal  relations  throughout  the  state,  and  identified  in  close  connection  with 
religious  work  in  this  city,  Fred  C.  Hanyen  is  a  gentleman  of  widely  varied 
interests  and  far-reaching  influence.  He  came  to  Scranton  after  an  extensive 
experience  in  educational  work,  and  in  that  city  has  conducted  his  legal  prac- 
tice to  which  he  devotes  his  entire  time.  A  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  that  order  has  honored  him  with  many  of  the  distinctions 
within  the  gift  of  the  society,  and  in  deed  and  reputation  he  is  an  ornament 
to  Odd  Fellowship,  with  whose  principles  he  is  in  such  entire  accord. 

Mr.  Hanyen  is  a  native  of  New  York  state,  and  is  a  son  of  Cornelius  and 
Jennie  E.  (Reynolds)  Hanyen.  Cornelius  Hanyen  was  born  December  8, 
1834,  died  September  23,  1913.  His  early  boyhood  was  spent  upon  a  farm. 
At  the  age  of  nine  years  he  began  work  upon  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  canal 
where  he  remained  for  several  years.  Leaving  the  canal,  he  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  until  1855,  when  he  purchased  and 
operated  a  boat  on  the  Morris  canal  between  Penn  Haven  and  New  York  City. 
In  1856  he  sold  this  interest  in  the  canal  boat  and  secured  a  position  as  master 
carpenter  in  the  Chicago  and  Rock  Island  Railroad.  Later  entering  the  busi- 
ness of  contractor  and  builder  in  the  middle  west,  he  subsequently  returned 
east,  and  after  serving  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  B.  Turner  &  Company,  of 
Eddyville,  LUster  county.  New  York,  and  later  in  the  store  of  R.  C.  Lockwood, 
of  Wellsburg,  New  York,  he  opened  a  grocery  store  in  the  city  of  Elmira. 
Subsequently  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Charles  Frear  under  the  firm  name 
of  Hanyen  &  Frear,  later  the  firm  became  Hevener  &  Hanyen,  and  finally  Mr. 
Hanyen  became  sole  proprietor.  His  business  here  flourished  to  such  an  extent 
that  he  became  tlie  leading  grocer  of  the  place.  Failing  health  caused  him  to 
move  to  Mosherville,  Pennsylvania,  where,  purchasing  a  general  store,  he 
conducted  the  same  for  one  year,  the  following  year  moving  to  Rutland,  and 
there  in  1880  acquiring  title  to  a  general  store  which  he  conducted  until  his 
death.  Mr.  Hanyen  prospered  as  a  merchant,  despite  the  fact  that  twice 
during  his  business  career  his  establishment  was  burned  with  a  total  loss. 
He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  twenty  years  held  the  office  of  post- 
master at  Rutland.  His  church  was  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  in  whose  works 
he  was  always  active.  He  held  membership  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  was  also  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason.  Children  of  Cornelius 
and  Jennie  E.  (Reynolds)  Hanyen:  Fred  C,  of  whom  further;  Louise,  a  teach- 
er in  the  public  schools  of  Elmira,  New  York ;  Cole  B.,  supervising  principal 
of  the  public  schools  of  Dorranceton,  Pennsylvania ;  J.  Blanche,  married  Louis 
M.  Parker,  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Mansfield,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  has  one  daughter,  Harriet  Louis. 

Fred  C.  Hanyen  was  born  in  Elmira,  New  York,  December  15,  1864.     He 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


529 


was  given  opportunities  for  a  generous  education,  which  he  embraced,  grad- 
uating from  the  Mansfield  State  Nonnal  School  in  i886.  He  also  became  a 
student  in  New  York  University,  later  attending  the  Post-Graduate  College. 
After  teaching  in  Rutland  and  Jobs  Corners,  he  became  in  1888  principal  of 
the  public  school  at  Clarks  Green,  Pennsylvania,  holding  that  position  for  two 
years  and  then  returning  home  and  entering  business  with  his  father.  He  was 
subsequently  appointed  to  the  principalship  of  the  Waverly  High  School,  then 
Madison  Academy,  and  remained  at  its  head  until  April  30,  1901.  During 
the  time  he  was  teaching  at  Waverly  he  studied  law,  registering  in  the  office 
of  Hueslander  &  Vosburg,  of  Scranton,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Lacka- 
wanna county  in  September,  1897,  since  which  time  he  has  been  in  constant 
practice  in  all  of  the  state  and  federal  courts  of  his  district,  the  superior  and 
supreme  courts.  His  professional  brethren  recognize  him  as  an  attorney  of 
honor  and  integrity,  and  of  ability  that  has  been  tested  in  opposition  at  the  bar, 
through  which  respect  for  his  legal  talents  has  been  engendered.  Mr.  Hanyen 
has  business  as  well  as  professional  relations,  and  is  a  director  of  the  Abington 
National  Bank  and  a  director  and  secretary  of  the  Abington  Electric  Company. 

Mr.  Hanyen's  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  but  two  orders :  The  Masonic 
and  the  Odd  Fellows.  In  the  former  he  belongs  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge. 
No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  while  in  the  latter  society  he  has  won  high  station.  He 
is  a  member  of  Electric  Star  Lodge,  No.  490,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  has  passed  the 
chairs  of  the  subordinate  lodges  as  well  as  those  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  is 
now  a  past  grand  master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  All  activities  of  the  order  have  benefited  by  his 
interest  and  participation  therein,  and  the  honors  that  have  come  to  him  are 
the  rewards  of  service,  the  mark  of  the  esteem  of  his  fellows.  For  many  years 
he  was  the  representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  Odd  Fellows'  Orphanage, 
several  miles  east  of  Sunbury,  and  at  the  present  time  he  fills  the  office  of 
first  vice-president  of  the  Home.  At  this  place  one  hundred  and  fifty  boys 
and  girls  are  trained  and  schooled  for  honorable  station  in  life,  and  Mr.  Han- 
yen's active  part  in  the  management  of  this  institution  shows  the  deep  sym- 
pathy of  the  humanitarian.  His  church  is  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal, 
and  for  twelve  years  he  has  been  teacher  of  an  adult  Bible  class  in  the  Sunday 
school  of  this  church,  in  which  capacity  he  has  strengthened  his  stand  as  a 
champion  and  supporter  of  all  the  best  influences  and  forces  whose  aim  is  to 
create  and  maintain  a  higher  plane  of  civil  morals.  Mr.  Hanyen  is  a  gentle- 
man in  whom  the  realization  of  the  duties  of  citizenship  is  keenly  awake, 
and  in  that  line  his  value  to  the  city  of  Scranton  lies. 

Mr.  Hanyen  married  Minnie  E.,  daughter  of  M.  S.  and  Priscilla  (Lee) 
Roberts.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanyen  are  the  parents  of:  Mildred  L.,  Jennie  M., 
Howard  Ray. 

DR.  ALEXANDER  J.  CONNELL 

Through  Dr.  Alexander  J.  Connell,  the  name  has  become  prominent  in  the 
medical  profession  of  Pennsylvania,  as  through  his  cousins,  uncle,  and  father, 
it  has  become  synonymous  with  honor,  integrity  and  ability  in  the  industrial 
and  financial  world  of  the  commonwealth. 

James  Connell,  father  of  Dr.  Alexander  J.  Connell,  was  born  in  Prince 
Edward  Island,  a  province  of  Canada,  lying  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  He 
died  in  1877,  aged  fifty-six  years.  James  Connell,  when  a  young  man,  was 
employed  in  the  mines  at  Hazelton,  Pennsylvania;  in  1855  he  came  to  Scran- 
ton and  was  there  placed  in  charge  of  the  Davis  Colliery.  Forming  a  partner- 
ship with  his  brother  William,  they  purchased  the  Meadowbrook  mines,  later 
34 


530  CITY  OF  SCRAXTON 

acquiring  the  National  and  Minooka  properties.  Throughout  his  entire  Hfe 
he  engaged  in  mining  operations  and  while  the  meed  of  prosperity  granted 
his  brother  was  withheld  from  him.  he  was  nevertheless  moderately  successful. 
Being  an  experienced  miner,  his  duties  were  always  connected  with  the  prac- 
tical and  not  the  financial  side  of  the  business.  He  married  Jessie,  daughter 
of  John  English,  and  had  ten  children,  of  whom  four  are  living. 

Dr.  Alexander  J.  Council,  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September  i8, 
1856,  was  one  of  the  first  students  in  old  "Daddy  Merrill's"  school,  and  later 
attended  Scranton  High  School.  His  academic  studies  were  completed  at 
Wyoming  Seminary,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1873.  His  professional 
education  was  obtained  at  the  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College,  New  York, 
where  he  obtained  his  degree  of  M.  D.  in  1877.  He  then  served  for  a  time 
in  Bellevue  Hospital.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  locating  in 
Scranton,  where  his  learning  and  ability  received  their  just  reward  in  the  wide 
practice  which  his  early  efforts  attracted.  In  1909,  feeling  that  his  continued 
close  attention  to  the  manifold  duties  of  his  calling  had  earned  a  much  needed 
vacation,  he  spent  several  months  touring  Europe,  visiting  the  most  famous 
educational  seats  of  his  profession,  including  Berlin,  Paris,  Vienna  and  Lon- 
don. 

Besides  his  influential  and  lucrative  private  practice  he  has  been  the  con- 
sulting surgeon  of  the  Moses  Taylor  Hospital  ever  since  its  organization,  and 
for  twenty-five  years,  until  his  resignation,  was  surgeon  of  the  Lackawanna 
Hospital,  later  became  consulting  surgeon  and  on  the  board  of  directors.  He 
served  as  trustee  of  the  State  Asylum  for  the  Insane  at  Danville.  Dr.  Con- 
nell's  skill  in  surgical  matters  equals  his  knowledge  of  medical  properties 
and  their  administration ;  his  every  action  in  the  operating  room  suggests  a 
clear  and  decisive  purpose,  and  inspires  confidence  in  all  his  assistants.  In  the 
most  critical  periods  of  a  trying  operation  his  nerves  are  as  steady  as  when 
he  is  treating  a  patient  for  the  slightest  ailment,  while  at  the  side  of  a  sick 
bed  his  very  presence  lends  hope  and  comfort  to  the  anxious  watchers.  He 
has  been  president  of  the  County  Medical  Association,  and  a  member  of  the 
State  and  American  Medical  associations.  Dr.  Connell  is  also  prominently  as- 
sociated with  many  of  Scranton's  most  successful  business  organizations,  be- 
ing president  of  the  Northern  Electric  Railway,  vice-president  and  medical 
director  of  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company,  director  of  the  Enterprise 
Coal  Company,  director  of  the  Green  Ridge  Coal  Company,  and  director  of  the 
National  Limestone  Company. 

He  joined  Company  K,  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard,  at  the  time  of  its  organization  and  was  a  member  of  the  same  for  ten 
years,  five  of  which  were  spent  in  the  medical  corps,  where  he  gained  the 
rank  of  first  lieutenant.  Fraternally  Dr.  Connell  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
Order,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  Keystone  Consistory,  Sover- 
eign Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  thirty-second  degree.  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  and  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Socially  and  in  the 
club  life  of  Scranton,  Dr.  Connell  is  active  and  prominent,  being  president  of 
the  Scranton  Club  and  a  member  of  the  Country  Club  and  of  the  Scranton 
Bicycle  Club.  With  his  wife  he  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Dr.  Connell  is  a  decidedly  representative  type  of  our  modern  physician, 
entirely  professional,  but  not  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other  interests  and  activi- 
ties. Aside  from  the  fame  he  has  achieved  in  the  healer's  art,  he  would, 
among  business  men,  be  considered  a  success,  and  did  his  station  in  life  de- 
mand nothing  but  a  pleasant  passing  of  time,  his  social  attributes  would  en- 


jr-,y^/:a:fn£t*  - 


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CITY  OF  SCRANTON  531 

able  him  to  do  that  very  enjoyably.  He  is,  however,  the  alert  and  forceful 
man  of  affairs,  the  quietly  dignified  professional  light,  and  the  attractively 
graceful  clubman,  the  whole  forming  a  most  likeable  and  engaging  American 
gentleman. 

Dr.  Connell  married  Fannie  M.,  daughter  of  Norman  Norton,  of  Scran- 
ton.  Oiildren:  Edgar  W.,  superintendent  of  the  Enterprise  Coal  Company  of 
Shamokin,  and  Margaret  E.,  married  Benjamin  H.  Throop. 


JOHN  IRA  RIEGEL 


The  Riegels,  who  trace  their  lineage  back  to  the  collapse  of  the  empire 
of  Charlemagne,  when  an  ancestor  from  the  ancient  Saxon  duchy  of  West- 
phalia redeemed  Rothenburg  on  the  Tauber,  Bavaria,  from  the  house  of  Hohen- 
lohe  and  was  given  that  city  as  an  hereditary  fief,  date  in  Pennsylvania  from 
September  23,  1732,  when  Alatthias  Riegel  emigrated  from  the  Palatinate  to 
Philadelphia  and  settled  at  Germantown.  Philadelphia  remained  the  family 
seat  for  several  generations,  through  the  Revolutionary  War,  in  which  his 
son  Benjamin  gave  most  of  his  means  derived  from  his  estate  "Good  Intent" 
in  Bucks  county  to  the  colonial  army  at  Valley  Forge,  and  on  December  i. 
1778,  gave  his  life  in  the  cause  of  American  liberty. 

The  grandson  of  the  latter,  Samuel  Riegel,  who  was  the  grandfather  of 
John  Ira  Riegel,  after  a  time  spent  as  a  merchant  in  Philadelphia,  moved  to 
Easton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  His  wife  was  Mary, 
daughter  of  Major  Isaac  Stout,  a  veteran  of  the  War  of  1812,  whose  father 
served  as  major  in  the  American  army  of  the  Revolution,  and  whose  son  was 
a  surgeon  in  the  Civil  War.  Children:  Isaac  M.,  of  further  mention;  Eliza, 
Anna,  Dorsey  G.,  Emma,  deceased;  George  S.,  of  Bethlehem;  Ada,  Charles 
H.,   Kate,   of   Easton. 

Isaac  M.  Riegel  was  born  in  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  April,  1844.  He  spent 
a  large  portion  of  his  business  life  engaged  in  lumbering  and  iron-mining, 
operating  in  Pennsylvania  and  northern  Indiana.  After  retiring  from  that 
business  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Bethlehem  Iron  Company  (now  Beth- 
lehem Steel  Company)  under  John  Fritz  as  superintendent  of  construction 
forces  on  the  plant.  He  is  yet  a  resident  of  Bethlehem.  He  married  Sarah 
E.,  daughter  of  Peter  Hager  and  Margaret  Rapp,  the  latter  a  great-grand- 
daughter of  George  Rapp,  of  Wurtemburg,  Gennany,  founder  with  his  broth- 
er Frederick  of  the  religious  sect  of  "Harmonists,"  properly  the  "Economite 
Society."  Children :  John  Ira,  of  whom  further ;  Samuel  Stewart,  the  me- 
chanical engineer  of  the  motive  department  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad ;  Susan  M.,  married  Alvin  S.  Gruver,  principal  of  the 
Bethlehem  High  School;  Marie  V.,  married  W.  D.  Hemmerly,  efficiency  en- 
gineer for  the  Acme  Wire  Company  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut. 

John  Ira  Riegel  was  born  at  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  July  i,  1871.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Bethlehem,  Riegelsville  Academy,  Beth- 
lehem Preparatory  School  and  Lehigh  LTniversity,  being  a  graduate  of  the  lat- 
ter, class  of  1892,  receiving  the  degree  of  Civil  Engineer.  After  leaving  the 
University  he  spent  one  year  as  statistician  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Com- 
pany, and  then  was  appointed  to  the  engineering  department  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Railroad  Company,  where  in  1897  he  was  appointed  chief  designing 
engineer  in  charge  of  all  new  construction  on  the  lines.  In  1899  he  severed 
his  connection  with  the  Lehigh  to  become  chief  designing  engineer  for  the 
New  York  Central  Railroad  Company,  later  being  promoted  to  engineer  of 
construction  for  all  reconstruction  and  new  work  on  the  New  York  Central 
lines  between  New  York  and  Albany.     In   1901   he  resigned  his  position  to 


532  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

become  division  engineer  upon  half  the  mileage  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna 
&  Western  Railroad,  originating  there  many  of  the  plans  for  the  improvement 
of  that  road  which  have  since  characterized  the  "Lackawanna;"  and  following 
that  made  plans  and  estimates  for  the  Northern  Electric  Railway,  now  the 
Scranton  &  Binghamton  Railway  Company,  a  road  designed  to  connect  by 
interurban  railroad  the  cities  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  Binghamton,  New 
York.  In  1903  he  became  assistant  chief  engineer  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson 
Company,  holding  that  position  until  1909,  and  during  that  incumbency  four- 
tracked  the  line  between  Scranton  and  Carbondale,  practically  rebuilding  the 
entire  line,  and  constructed  the  new  connection  with  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road in  South  Wilkes-Barre  for  the  fonner  company.  He  then  entered  the 
employ  of  the  General  Electric  Company  as  chief  civil  engineer,  planning  and 
beginning  construction  of  the  new  plant  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  ultimately  to 
cost  $25,000,000.  He  then  retired  from  active  connection  with  all  corpora- 
tions and  established  in  Scranton  as  manager  and  consulting  engineer  for 
the  Scranton  Engineering  Company,  doing  work  for  individuals,  municipalities 
and  corporations.  The  work  he  has  adopted  as  his  specialty  Mr.  Riegel  is 
eminently  qualified  for,  and  there  is  no  detail  of  constructive  engineering,  esti- 
mating, appraising,  or  planning  he  is  not  prepared  to  satisfactorily  perform, 
whether  it  be  corporate,  municipal  or  private.  In  sanitary  engineering  he  is  a 
specialist,  and  all  phases  of  modern  city  needs,  sewage  disposal,  water  supply, 
parks,  streets  and  town  planning,  have  been  the  object  of  special  study  and  ex- 
perience. In  his  capacity  as  consulting  engineer  to  the  Mine  Cave  Commission 
of  Scranton  he  prepared  maps  showing  in  complete  detail  the  conditions  be- 
neath the  city,  and  giving  a  perfect  basis  upon  which  the  Commission  could 
report  reliably.  In  1912  Mr.  Riegel  was  appointed  assistant  engmeer  in  the 
State  Highway  Department  with  offices  in  Scranton,  and  in  that  capacity  has 
supervised  the  betterment  of  seven  hundred  miles  of  miserable  roads,  placing 
them  in  commendable  condition ;  and  has  also  surveyed,  planned  and  built 
many  miles  of  new  roads.  He  resigned  that  position  in  1914  to  resume  his 
private  practice,  and  now  is  engaged,  among  other  important  work,  as  con- 
sulting and  designing  engineer  for  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company  on  the 
elimination  of  the  grade  crossings  of  that  company  in  Scranton. 

Fairly  at  the  head  of  his  profession,  Mr.  Riegel,  still  a  young  man,  has 
many  years  of  usefulness  before  him,  and  it  is  hoped,  abundant  opportunity  to 
exercise  his  peculiar  fitness  in  the  public  behalf.  As  a  constructive  engineer 
he  has  no  superiors  in  his  own  field,  and  in  point  of  actual  achievement  he 
has  many  monuments  extant  to  his  engineering  ability.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Western  Railroad  Club,  the  American  Road  Builders'  Association,  the  En- 
gineering Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  the  North  Eastern  Penn- 
sylvania Lehigh  Club,  and  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  Coming  of  a  family 
of  politicians,  preachers  and  teachers,  and  knowing  the  vicissitudes  of  parties, 
he  is  strictly  independent  in  political  action  for  the  common  good.  For  the 
past  twenty  years  he  has  devoted  his  leisure  in  searching  out  the  political 
history  comprising  most  of  the  New  Testament  writings  and,  with  a  scholar- 
ly Scrantonian  as  collaborator,  has  nearly  ready  for  publication  a  book  identi- 
fying the  makers  of  that  history. 

Mr.  Riegel  married,  June  10,  1896,  Nellie  M.,  daughter  of  William  B. 
Ivins,  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  and  since  1901  has  made  Scranton  his 
residence.  Children :  John  Kenneth,  bom  in  1898,  and  Leda  Pauline,  born  in 
1903. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


533 


J.   FOSTER  HILL 

It  has  been  in  pursuance  of  its  unchanging  poUcy  of  securing  none  but  the 
best  and  most  able  of  instructors  in  its  different  departments  that  the  Interna- 
tional Correspondence  Schools,  of  Scranton,  secured  the  services  of  J.  Foster 
Hill,  who  for  the  past  six  years  has  been  identified  with  that  institution,  three 
years  of  that  time  in  his  present  position.  A  teacher  trained  for  the  calling, 
rendered  efficient  by  several  years  of  practical  experience  in  the  school  room, 
his  capacity  enlarged  and  usefulness  heightened  by  an  art  and  science  course  in 
Harvard  L'oiversity,  and  after  that  associated  with  a  number  of  leading  edu- 
cational enterprises,  Mr.  Hill  was  accompanied  to  the  post  he  now  occupies  by  a 
record  of  successful  educational  endeavor,  the  results  of  his  work  showing 
plainly  the  thoroughness  and  ability  with  which  he  wrought. 

(I)  The  Hill  family  was  settled  in  Pennsylvania  by  natives  of  Maryland, 
representatives  thereof  settling  on  Broad  Top  Mountain,  Bedford  county. 
In  1844  Jacob  Hill,  grandfather  of  J.  Foster  Hill,  moved  to  Indiana  county, 
Pennsylvania,  there  purchasing  a  tract  of  wooded  land,  clearing  the  same  and 
conducting  farming  operations  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  The 
homestead  has  remained  in  the  possession  of  the  family.  Jacob  Hill  married 
Rebecca  Kelley,  of  Broad  Top  Mountain,  Pennsylvania.  They  had  children  : 
Susanna,  died  in  19 1 3,  married  William  Fleming,  of  Creek  Side,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Barbara,  married  Jacob  Blough,  of  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  her  hus- 
band deceased ;  Mary,  married  Jefferson  Palmer,  of  Indiana  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania;  Martha,  married  Findley  Carney,  of  Indiana,  Pennsylvania;  David, 
married  Elizabeth  Fleming,  both  deceased ;  John,  died  in  1909 ;  Andrew  Jack- 
son, of  whom  further. 

(II)  Andrew  Jackson  Hill,  son  of  Jacob  and  Rebecca  (Kelley)  Hill,  was 
born  November  12,  1833,  died  January  18,  1887.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Frederick  Stuller,  of  German  descent,  and  had  children :  Mary 
Magdalene,  married  John  Hancock,  of  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the 
mother  of  one  child,  Geraldine ;  Rebecca  Ann,  deceased ;  J.  Foster,  of  whom 
further ;  Frederick  Austin,  married  Mary  Pierce,  and  has  children,  Elizabeth, 
Mary,  Foster,  Geraldine,  Burrell,  George  Milligan,  John  Martin. 

(III)  J.  Foster  Hill,  son  of  Andrew  Jackson  and  Elizabeth  (Stuller)  Hill, 
was  born  at  Creek  Side,  Indiana  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  25,  1864. 
His  public  school  education  was  obtained  in  White  township  School  No.  5, 
and  West  Pike  School  near  Indiana,  after  which  he  attended  the  Indiana 
State  Normal  School,  in  1890  entering  Clark's  Business  College,  whence  he 
was  graduated,  valedictorian  of  his  class.  For  the  four  following  years  Mr. 
Hill  taught  the  commercial  branches  in  the  same  school,  one  year  and  a  half 
of  that  time  holding  the  principalship  of  the  commercial  department,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1895  matriculated  at  Harvard  University.  Although  he  was  unable  to 
continue  his  course  uninterruptedly,  being  absent  from  the  university  for  two 
years,  he  received  his  A.  B.  degree  in  1902.  While  a  student  of  Harvard  Mr, 
Hill  organized  the  night  school  in  the  Cambridge  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation, and  after  this  enterprise  had  been  successfully  inaugurated  remained 
in  the  Association  as  director  of  the  educational  department  for  eight  years,  in 
April,  1903,  coming  to  Scranton.  Here  he  repeated  his  Cambridge  per- 
formance in  the  organization  of  a  night  school  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  remaining  in  the  school  as  educational  director  for  three  years 
after  the  inception  of  the  undertaking.  From  1905  to  1908  Mr.  Hill  was 
instructor  in  science  and  mathematics  in  the  School  of  the  Lackawanna,  in 
October  of  the  latter  year  accepting  the  principalship  of  the  School  of  Mathe- 
matics and   Mechanics   in   the   International   Correspondence   Schools  of   this 


534  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

city.  His  services  as  the  head  of  this  branch  of  the  International  system  were 
eminently  satisfactory,  and  on  January  i,  191 1,  a  broader  field  for  his  talent? 
and  natural  endowments  opened  before  him  in  his  appointment  to  the  prin- 
cipalship  of  the  Department  for  the  Encouragement  and  Assistance  of  Stu- 
dents of  the  institution.  The  value  to  a  Correspondence  School  of  such  a  de- 
partment, whose  name  explains  its  mission,  when  directed  by  a  man  such  as 
Mr.  Hill,  who  has  been  the  familiar  friend  and  adviser  of  hundreds  of  stu- 
dents, cannot  be  over-estimated. 

Mr.  Hill  married,  June  22,  1898,  Margaret  Elizabeth  Prater,  of  Erie, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Robert  William  and  Anna  (Baxter)  Prater,  of 
Crewe,  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  are  the  parents  of:  Gladys  Prater,  de- 
ceased; Eliot  Russell,  born  October  3,  1900;  Mildred  Elizabeth,  born  July  23, 
1903;  Eleanor  Anna,  born  November  23,  1906.  Mr.  Hill  holds  membership  in 
the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  Politically  he  is  a  Prohibitionist,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton. 


GEORGE  R.  CLARK 


Por  considerably  more  than  a  century  the  Clarks  have  been  residents  of  the 
Abington  section  of  this  part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  as  farmers,  horticulturists 
and  florists  have  made  the  soil  respond  to  their  skillful  manipulation.  One  of 
the  benefits  resulting  from  the  coming  of  this,  one  of  the  oldest  New  England 
families  to  Pennsylvania,  was  the  propagation  of  the  Clark  apple,  which  be- 
gan with  a  seed  planted  near  the  log  cabin  of  William  Qark.  This  seed  he 
brought  with  him  from  Connecticut  in  1798.  Prom  it  sprang  the  tree  from 
which  the  Clark  apple  was  propagated  and  which  survived  storm  and  sun- 
shine until  1910,  after  furnishing  fruit  and  shade  for  over  a  century.  The 
scions  which  were  obtained  from  this  mother  tree  have  been  grafted  on  trees 
throughout  northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  as  a  result  thousands  of  bushels 
of  these  Clark  apples  have  been  grown.  The  variety  is  still  greatly  sought  after 
and  is  very  popular  with  fruit  growers.  William  Clark,  after  a  visit  to  this 
section  of  Pennsylvania  in  1792  and  choosing  a  location,  came  in  1798  from 
his  Connecticut  home  and  settled  at  x\bington,  one  of  the  original  pioneers. 
He  was  then  a  married  man  with  a  family  whom  he  housed  in  a  log  cabin. 
They  passed  through  all  the  trials  and  privations  ever  the  lot  of  the  pioneer, 
but  true  to  their  New  England  traditions  plowed,  sowed  and  reaped,  made 
maple  sugar  in  the  big  iron  kettle  brought  from  Connecticut,  and  started  an 
orchard  from  the  apple  seeds  brought  from  the  old  home.  They  were  of  the 
true  Puritan  stock  and  the  first  religious  meeting  held  north  of  the  mountains 
was  at  the  house  of  Deacon  William  Clark,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church. 

(II)  George  Claik,  son  of  Deacon  William  Clark,  was  born  in  Connecticut, 
and  came  with  the  family  to  Abington  in  1798.  He  grew  to  manhood  near 
Clarks  Green,  named  in  honor  of  the  family,  lived  at  what  became  later  South 
Abington,  but  in  comparatively  early  life  moved  to  Waverly.  He  was  engaged 
in  the  business  of  an  agriculturist  all  his  life,  a  prosperous  man  and  respected 
citizen. 

(III)  James  R.  Clark,  son  of  George  Clark,  was  born  in  Abington  town- 
ship in  1826,  and  died  in  Scranton  aged  eighty-two  years.  He  was  a  farmer 
for  many  years  until  1880,  then  moved  to  Scranton,  that  city  ever  afterward 
being  his  home.  He  was  a  member  of  Waverly  Lodge,  Pree  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.     He  married  Parma  La  Bar. 

(IV)  George  R.  Clark,  son  of  James  R.  and  Parma  (La  Bar)  Clark,  was 
born  at  Waverly,  Abington  township,  September  7,   1854.     He  was  educated 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  535 

in  the  public  school  and  Aladison  Academy,  the  latter  a  school  of  high  character 
in  that  day.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  farm  and  became  thoroughly 
imbued  with  a  love  of  nature  and  a  true  spirit  of  admiration,  even  veneration, 
for  the  wonders  the  seasons  accomplished  on  bush,  tree,  plant  and  flower.  He 
was  passionately  fond  of  flowers  and  gave  a  great  deal  of  time  to  their  culture 
and  to  a  study  of  their  individual  characteristics.  In  1878  he  gave  himself  uf) 
entirely  to  floriculture,  forming  a  partnership  with  Judson  Tinkham,  as  Tink- 
ham  &  Clark,  the  first  florists  to  do  business  in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania. 
Later  Mr.  Clark  bought  his  partner  out  and  has  since  conducted  the  business 
under  his  own  name  at  No.  124  Washington  avenue,  Scranton,  the  oldest 
florist  in  the  city.  For  many  years  he  raised  on  his  own  farm  the  flowers, 
nursery  stock  and  seeds  he  sold,  but  as  trade  expanded  until  it  now  cover.s 
northeastern  Pennsylvania,  he  was  obliged  to  increase  his  sources  of  supply. 
His  seed  department  added  in  1898,  is  an  important  one,  as  is  his  trade  in  com- 
mercial fertilizers.  He  has  also  an  aviary  and  aquarium,  singing  canaries  and 
fancy  gold  fish,  being  his  specialties.  He  is  an  artistic  and  much  sought  for 
decorator,  while  the  quality  of  his  nursery  stock  has  long  been  acknowledged 
by  fruit  growers.  Most  successful  as  a  business  man  and  fully  immersed 
in  its  cares,  Mr.  Clark  is  still  the  lover  of  nature  and  her  works  and  senti- 
mentally is  fonder  of  the  flowers,  plants  and  trees  he  handles  than  of  the  gain 
they  may  bring  him.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  director  of  the  City  Rescue  Mission,  member,  trustee  and  school 
superintendent  of  the  Court  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a  loyal  worker 
and  a  man  in  whom  perfect  confidence  is  reposed.  He  has  taken  high  degree  in 
the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Com- 
mandery.  Knights  Templar ;  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  and 
to  the  various  bodies  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite, 
in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree. 

Mr.  Clark  married  (first)  Clara  K.  Kennedy,  who  died,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren: Ethel  G.,  wife  of  Clinton  W.  Tylee,  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  and 
G.  Ronald,  formerly  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  now  of  Portland,  Maine.  He 
married  (second)  Elizabeth  G.  Mumford.  Children:  Francis  Ceroid  and 
La  Bar  Hastings. 

HARRY  VAN  NUYS  LOGAN,  M.  D. 

Harry  Van  Nuys  Logan,  M.  D.,  eldest  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  C.  Logan,  D.  D., 
LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Constantine,  Michigan,  May  21,  1853.  He  graduated  from 
Lafayette  College  and  studied  medicine  and  surgery  at  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, graduating  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  began  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  achieved  immediate  distinction  and 
marked  success.  He  joined  the  Scranton  City  Guard  at  its  organization  in 
1877,  and  in  1880  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Thirteenth  Regi- 
ment National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  In 
1883  he  was  promoted  to  be  surgeon  of  that  regiment  with  the  rank  of  major, 
which  position  he  held  with  distinction  until  1886,  when  the  demands  of  his 
private  practice  compelled  his  resignation. 

He  married  Mary  Olmstead,  daughter  of  Richard  W.  and  Sarah  S.  Olm- 
stead,  December  29.  1881.  There  were  born  to  them  the  following  children. 
May  W.,  Harry  A.,  Lucie  L.,  Richard  W. 

Dr.  Harry  Logan,  as  he  was  popularly  known,  came  to  Scranton  with  his 
father's  family,  in  1868,  when  his  father  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church.     He  was  a  lad  in  his  teens  at  that  time  and  prat 


536  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

tically  grew  up  with  our  young  city.  As  a  boy  and  young  man  he  was  justly 
popular  with  all  classes.  His  professional  attainments  were  acknowledged  by 
a  large  clientele,  and  he  gave  freely  of  his  skill  and  time  to  hospital  work  and 
attendance  among  the  suffering  poor.  He  was  an  indefatigable  worker,  a 
slave  to  his  profession,  which  finally  undermined  a  vigorous  constitution  and 
caused  his  much  lamented  demise,  while  still  a  young  man.  He  passed  away 
July  13,  191 1. 


GUST A V  FRANK  RENNER 

Gustav  F.  Renner,  superintendent  of  the  weaving  department  of  the  Sau- 
quoit  Silk  Mills  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  after  a  varied  career,  has  be- 
come the  incumbent  of  a  responsible  office  in  that  organization,  a  position  for 
which  he  is  fitted  by  inherent  talent,  specialized  education,  diverse  experience 
and  natural  attraction,  his  part  in  the  practical  management  and  supervision 
of  these  mills  being  an  important  factor  in  their  present  prosperity  and  local 
prestige.  He  is  German  in  descent  and  in  birth,  Schoeneck,  Saxony,  Germany, 
having  been  the  place  of  birth  of  his  father  in  1826. 

Frank  William  Renner,  father  of  Gustav  F.  Renner,  was  educated  in  Ger- 
many and  there  learned  the  weaver's  trade,  becoming  expert  in  his  chosen  art, 
and  when  past  middle  age  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  ten  years  after 
his  son  had  come,  and  for  a  time  resided  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania ;  he 
then  came  to  Scranton  where  he  obtained  employment  in  the  Sauquoit  Silk 
Mills,  remaining  with  that  concern  until  his  retirement  in  1903,  his  death  oc- 
curring ten  years  later.  He  married  Wilhemina  Keil,  and  had  one  child, 
Gustav  Frank,  of  whom  further. 

Gustav  Frank  Renner,  son  of  Frank  W'illiam  and  Wilhemina  ( Keil )  Ren- 
ner, was  born  at  Schoeneck,  Saxony,  Germany,  August  12,  1859,  and  obtained 
a  general  education  in  the  public  and  high  school  of  his  native  city.  He  then  en- 
tered the  Textile  School  at  Glauchau,  Germany,  and  in  the  two  years  that  he 
was  a  student  in  that  institution  became  a  learned  and  skilled  operator,  and  ac- 
cepted employment  in  the  textile  mills  in  Germany,  there  being  employed  until 
his  determination  to  come  to  the  United  States,  whither  he  preceded  his  father, 
taking  passage  on  the  North  German  Lloyd  liner,  "Donau."  After  landing  in 
New  York  he  obtained  work  in  a  blacksmith  shop.  After  a  short  time  he  con- 
tinued his  journey  and  stopped  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
employed  in  a  grocery  store  for  four  months  at  a  wage  of  one  dollar  a  week. 
During  this  time  he  saved,  in  some  extraordinary  manner,  fourteen  of  the 
sixteen  dollars  he  received,  in  1882  being  engaged  as  a  weaver  in  a  Philadel- 
phia mill.  On  March  i,  1883,  he  left  Philadelphia  and  went  to  Scranton, 
there  finding  employment  as  a  loom  fixer  in  the  Sauquoit  Silk  Mills,  and  there 
remaining  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  purchased  a  horse  and 
wagon  and  went  into  the  produce  business,  buying  his  truck  from  the  farmers 
in  the  outlying  country  and  disposing  of  them  on  the  day  of  purchase,  so 
that  his  customers,  the  list  of  whom  steadily  increased,  were  assured  of  fresh 
goods.  After  a  year  passed  in  this  manner  he  sold  his  business  and  returned 
to  Philadelphia,  being  there  engaged  in  sewing  machine  repair  work.  Still 
further  retracing  his  steps,  he  went  to  New  York,  and  was  there  a  loom  fixer 
for  a  short  time,  soon  crossing  over  into  New  Jersey  and  becoming  a  weaver 
in  the  mills  of  Paterson,  the  center  of  the  silk  manufacturing  industry  in  the 
United  States.  Then,  after  a  short  term  of  employment  in  Wilkes-Barre  with 
Mr.  Goldsmith,  he  came  to  Scranton  in  December,  1889,  once  more  entering 
the  Sauquoit  Silk  Mills,  with  which  he  has  since  been  connected,  having  entire 
charge  of  the  weaving  department  of  the  mills,  where  his  authority  is  absolute. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  537 

To  his  practical  and  technical  knowledge  and  experience  Mr.  Renner  has  added 
an  innate  ability  in  dealing  with  men,  and  the  lubricity  apparent  in  the  de- 
partment of  which  he  is  head  shows  that  the  utmost  harmony  and  satisfaction 
pervade  that  division  of  the  business.  Outside  of  the  path  of  his  business 
interests  he  is  accepted  in  many  circles  as  a  genial  companion,  having  an  at- 
tractive personality,  and  a  gentleman  whose  presence  adds  to  any  gathering. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Shiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M.,  also 
holding  the  Knights  Templar  degree  in  the  Masonic  Order,  and  a  member  of 
the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Scran- 
ton  Liederkranz,  the  Junger  Mannerchor,  and  the  German  Alliance,  his  political 
stand  being  an  independent  one. 

Mr.  Renner  married,  in  1887,  Emma  Mursch,  of  Scranton.  Children:  Wil- 
liam and  Carl,  employees  of  the  silk  mills  in  which  their  father  is  engaged ; 
Minnie ;  Gustav,  an  employee  of  the  Sauquoit  Silk  Mills ;  Fritz,  a  student  in 
a  military  school ;  Amelia,  deceased. 


ASA  EVERETT  KIEFER 

Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  has  been  the  home  of  several  genera- 
tions of  the  family  of  Kiefer  claiming  Asa  Everett  Kiefer,  of  Scranton,  as 
a  member.  Casper  Kiefer,  the  American  progenitor  of  this  branch  of  the 
Kiefer  family,  was  born  in  Strassburg,  Germany,  in  1710,  emigrated  to 
America,  and  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  September  15,  1748.  He  came  with 
his  brother,  Abram  Kiefer  Jr.,  in  the  ship  "Two  Brothers,"  Captain  Thomas 
Arnott,  from  Portsmouth,  England,  having  originally  started  from  Rotterdam, 
Holland.  He  removed  to  Saucon  township,  Northampton  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  died. 

(II)  Peter  Kiefer,  son  of  Casper  Kiefer,  was  born  in  Saucon  township, 
in  1756,  died  in  Lower  Mount  Bethel  township,  November  2,  1846.  He  served 
in  the  American  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  married  Catherine 
Engleman,  and  had  child,  Samuel,  of  further  mention. 

(III)  Samuel  Kiefer,  son  of  Peter  and  Catherine  (Engleman)  Kiefer, 
was  born  in  Saucon  township,  in  1790,  died  in  February,  1865.  He  became  a 
farmer  at  Lower  Mount  Bethel,  and  followed  this  calling  all  his  life.  In  the 
second  war  with  Great  Britain  he  became  a  member  of  the  Northampton 
Light  Guards,  and  remained  with  that  company  until  it  was  mustered  out  of 
service.  His  remains  are  interred  near  his  home  at  Three  Churches.  Mr. 
Kiefer  married  Sarah  Everett,  born  at  Upper  Mount  Bethel,  Pennsylvania, 
died  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years,  a  daughter  of  William  Everett,  whose 
father  was  an  officer  in  the  American  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 
Children:  i.  Catherine  Ann,  married  Azariah  Stocker,  and  had  children: 
i.  Sarah,  married  Theodore  Ackerman,  and  had  children:  Eulalie,  married 
Rev.  W.  H.  Wells,  had  one  child,  Esther:  Eugene,  married  Martha  Rosen- 
berg, had  a  child,  Anna;  Lina  Stocker.  ii.  Mary,  married  John  Pursell,  and 
had  one  child,  William,  now  a  physician,  iii.  Eliza,  married  Edmund  Steven 
Dana,  and  has  children:  Herbert  Stocker  and  Edna  Kiefer.  iv.  Herbert. 
V,  Susan,  married  Preston  Billheimer.  vi.  Lina.  2.  Margaret,  married 
George  Rodenbough,  and  had  children:  i.  Margaret,  married  Wdliam  Bach- 
man,  and  had  children:  Walter  Ellsworth,  Bertram  Rodenbough  and  Lma  C. 
Kiefer.  ii.  George,  iii.  Walter  Scott,  married  Clara  Hill.  iv.  Samuel,  v. 
Elmer  Ellsworth,  married  Elizabeth  McChan,  and  had  one  child,  Margaret 
McChan.  3.  William  Everett,  born  in  1825,  married  Susan  Martm,  and  had 
children:  i.  Sarah  Elizabeth,  ii.  Margaret  Rodenbough,  married  Dr.  Fred- 
erick Sterling  Hewitt,  and  had  one  child,  Robert  Sterling,     iii.  Joseph  Martm, 


538  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

married  Rena  E.  Van  Meter,  and  had  children :  William  Everett  Jr. ;  Isabel ; 
Ralph  Van  Meter ;  Marie,  iv.  Charles  Everett.  4.  Caroline,  never  married. 
5.  Angeline,  twin  of  Caroline,  married  Amos  Schoonover,  of  Stroudsburg. 
Pennsylvania,  and  had  children :  i.  Laura  Goforth,  married  Oscar  E.  Peltzer, 
and  had  children :  Oscar  Wesley  and  Laura,  ii.  Ethel  Caroline,  married  Ar- 
thur Briggs,  and  has  one  child,  Clifford.     6.  Asa  Everett,  of  further  mention. 

(IV)  Asa  Everett  Kiefer,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Everett)  Kiefer,  was 
bom  at  Martin's  Creek,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  10.  1848. 
After  attending  the  public  schools  of  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  Freeland's 
Institute,  at  Collegeville,  Pennsylvania,  he  completed  his  general  studies  at 
Carversville  Institute,  in  Bucks  county.  For  two  years  he  was  a  school  teacher, 
and  after  being  graduated  from  the  Bryant  and  Stratton  Business  College 
in  Philadelphia,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey. 
and  was  stationed  in  the  office  of  that  road  at  Elizabethport,  New  Jersey. 
Two  years  later  he  resigned  his  position  and  became  associated  with  the 
Adams  Express  Company  as  extra  messenger,  remaining  with  this  corporatirm 
in  dift'erent  capacities  and  in  different  localities  for  seven  and  a  half  years. 
Coming  to  Scranton,  he  was  for  two  years  connected  with  the  Bittenbender 
Company,  then  spent  eleven  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Green  Ridge  Iron 
Works  as  bookkeeper  and  timekeeper.  In  April,  1892,  Mr.  Kiefer  accepted 
a  position  with  the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company,  with  which  concern  he 
is  now  associated,  his  present  position  being  that  of  superintendent  of  supplier. 
His  office  is  one  of  importance  because  its  administration  determines  to  such  a 
great  extent  the  expense  of  maintenance  of  the  business,  and  in  this  modern 
day  of  the  highest  efficiency  in  every  department  of  business,  sources  of  di- 
rect expenditure  are  those  that  are  most  closely  observed.  Mr.  Kiefer  has,  for 
a  period  of  twenty-two  years,  rendered  faithful  and  competent  service  to  his 
employers,  his  activity  in  his  present  capacity  being  no  exception  to  this 
reputation  of  long  standing. 

He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  from  1896  to  1902  served  as  auditor  of 
Lackawanna  county,  and  for  two  years  was  a  member  of  the  Scranton  common 
council.  During  these  two  years  he  rendered  important  and  beneficial  service 
to  the  community.  He  was  the  first  to  introduce  an  ordinance  into  the  common 
council  calling  for  the  placing  of  gates  at  all  grade  crossings,  and  after  a  hard 
and  prolonged  fight  he  succeeded  in  having  it  put  in  operation.  He  was  also 
largely  instrumental  in  having  the  city  hall  placed  upon  its  present  site,  several 
others  having  been  strongly  advocated,  and  the  contention  over  this  point 
lasted  more  than  a  year.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  Green  Ridge  Lodge, 
No.  603,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  has  been  secretary  of  the  lodge.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Green  Ridge. 

Mr.  Kiefer  married  Emma  B.,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Malinda  (Col- 
bath)  Younkin,  the  former  a  conductor  for  the  Central  Railroad  of  New 
Jersey,  and  a  resident  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania.  The  only  child  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kiefer  is  Marilla  Kemmerer,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Scranton 
High  School  in  1897,  and  married  Dr.  Ralph  H.  Spangler,  of  Philadelphia,, 
and  has  children:    Huston  Kiefer,  born  in  1908;  Ralph  Dixon,  born  in  April, 

1913- 

CHARLES  WHITEHEAD  KIRKPATRICK 

Watties  Neach,  Dumfriesshire.  Scotland,  was  the  birthplace  of  the  .^rneri- 
can  ancestor  of  Charles  Whitehead  Kirkpatrick,  of  Scranton,  Alexander  Kirk- 
patrick,  who  about  1725  emigrated  from  his  native  land  and  found  residence 
in  Ireland.    In  the  spring  of  1739  he  came  to  this  country,  taking  up  land  at  the 


CZd^^y^^t^j^^  fz^'^^A.^^/ij 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  53r, 

place  now  known  as  Mine  Brook,  New  Jersey,  and  there  making  his  home, 
his  death  occurring  in  that  locaHty,  June  3,  1758.  He  was  the  father  of  An- 
drew, David,  of  whom  further ;  Alexander,  Jeannette,  Mary. 

(II)  David  Kirkpatrick,  son  of  Alexander  Kirkpatrick,  was  born  at  Wat- 
ties Neach,  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland,  February  17,  1724,  died  at  Mine  Brook, 
New  Jersey,  March  19,  1814.  He  married,  March  31,  1748,  Mary  McEweni 
and  they  had  children :  Elizabeth.  Alexander,  of  whom  further ;  Hugh,  An- 
drew, David,  Mary,  Anne,  Jeannette. 

(III)  Alexander  (2)  kirkpatrick,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (McEwen) 
Kirkpatrick,  was  born  September  3,  1751,  died  September  24,  1827.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah,  daughter  of  Judge  John  Carle,  of  Long  Hill,  Morris  county,  New 
Jersey.  Of  their  children  these  attained  mature  age:  David,  Mary,  John, 
Jacob,  of  whom  further ;  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Lydia,  Ann,  Rebecca,  Martha, 
Jane,  Alexander,  Robert  Finley. 

(IV)  Rev.  Jacob  Kirkpatrick,  son  of  Alexander  (2)  and  Sarah  (Carle) 
Kirkpatrick,  was  born  August  8,  1785.  died  at  Ringos,  New  Jersey,  May  2, 
1866.  He  was  for  many  years  a  distinugished  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  He  married  Mary  Burroughs  Howell,  daughter  of  John  Sutvan. 
They  had  children :  John,  Alexander,  David  Bishop,  Henry  Augustus,  a  physi- 
cian; Calvin,  Newton,  Lydia,  Sarah,  Charles  Whitehead,  of  whom  further; 
Rev.  Jacob,  Francis  J.,  Anna  F.,  Elizabeth,  Mary. 

(V)  Charles  Whitehead  Kirkpatrick,  son  of  Rev.  Jacob  and  Mary  Bur- 
roughs Howell  (Sutvan)  Kirkpatrick,  was  born  at  Ringos,  New  Jersey,  in 
1827,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  December,  1912.  In  early  life  he 
engaged  in  harness  making  and  carriage  manufacturing,  afterwards  moving 
to  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  and  there  entered  the  dry  goods  business.  In  1867  he 
came  to  Scranton  and  started  in  business  as  a  manufacturer  of  spices  and 
dealer  in  teas  and  cofifees.  For  twenty  years  or  more  he  continued  this  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  C.  W.  Kirkpatrick  &  Company,  in  this  city,  and  built 
up  a  strong  and  popular  business.  Retiring  from  this,  he  became  agent  for  the 
Aetna  Life  Insurance  Company,  and  continued  in  this  until  his  death,  when 
it  was  taken  up  by  his  sons,  Jacob  and  Charles  Lessey,  as  Kirkpatrick  Brothers. 
Mr.  Kirkpatrick  was  a  strong  Christian  business  man,  and  during  his  long  and 
active  career  he  held  the  universal  regard  of  his  fellows  for  the  principles  of 
high  honor  that  guided  his  entire  life.  He  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian denomination,  and  upon  the  organization  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Onirch  in  1874,  he  was  elected  a  ruling  elder,  an  office  he  held  until  his  death, 
a  period  of  thirty-eight  years.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  married  Martha  Bishop,  a 
daughter,  of  Bishop  Skillman,  of  Pennington,  New  Jersey,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren:  I.  Augusta,  married  George  B.  Foster,  and  is  the  mother  of  Charles 
K.,  Fannie  and  Marie.  2.  Jacob  S.,  associated  in  business  with  his  brother, 
Charles  Lessey ;  married  Mary  S.  Lewers,  and  has  children :  Dixon  and  Mar- 
garet. 3.  Clara,  married  R.  B.  Cissel,  of  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey.  4.  Charles 
Lessey,  of  whom  further.  5.  Henry  S.,  an  employe  of  the  County  Savings 
Bank;  married  Margaret  Hanley,  and  they  had  one  son,  Donald.  6.  Willis 
B.,  a  resident  of  Baltimore,  Maryland ;  married  Elizabeth  Torrey,  and  has 
children :  Catherine,  Elizabeth,  James  B. 

(VI)  Giarles  Lessey  Kirkpatrick,  son  of  Charles  Whitehead  and  Martha 
Bishop  (Skillman)  Kirkpatrick,  was  born  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey.  Novem- 
her  4,  1863.  After  twenty  years  in  various  occupations,  Mr.  Kirkpatrick, 
with  his  brother  Jacob  S.,  succeeded  his  father  in  the  spice,  tea  and  cofifee 
business  in  this  city.  The  high  reputation  of  the  father  is  capably  continued 
by  the  sons,  the  same  policy  of  strict  integrity  bringing  prosperity  to  the  latter 
that   gave    the    former    prominence    and    success.      Mr.    Kirkpatrick    married 


540  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Myrtle  E.,  daughter  of  I.  H.  Burns,  of  Scranton.    They  have  children :  Evelyn 
F.  and  Eleanor  S. 


JOHN  J.  TOOHEY 

A  descendant  from  an  Irish  family,  John  J.  Toohey  is  numbered  among 
the  more  recent  arrivals  in  Scranton.  In  the  comparatively  short  time  that  he 
has  made  that  city  his  residence,  he  has,  however,  established  himself  firmly 
in  the  legal  profession,  and  has  identified  himself  with  all  the  progressive  move- 
ments, social  and  political,  that  have  been  inaugurated  since  his  adoption  of 
Scranton. 

Thomas  Toohey,  father  of  John  J.  Toohey,  was  born  in  county  Clare, 
Ireland,  and  when  but  a  child  was  brought  to  the  United  States  in  the  family 
of  an  uncle,  his  own  parents  electing  to  remain  in  the  homeland,  but  realizing, 
with  complete  unselfishness  of  mother  and  father  love,  the  advantages  that 
would  be  open  to  their  son  in  the  United  States,  and  heroically  suffering  them- 
selves to  be  separated  from  their  boy.  His  uncle  located  at  Salem,  Washington 
county,  New  York,  and  he  there  attended  the  public  schools.  For  a  time  he 
was  proprietor  of  a  general  store  at  Schuylerville,  New  York,  where  he  became 
prominent  in  public  affairs  and  held  numerous  public  offices.  He  still  lives 
in  this  town,  retired  from  business,  and  spending  his  later  years  in  quiet  rest, 
after  an  active,  well-lived  life.     He  married  Mary  Mulvihill. 

John  J.  Toohey  was  born  in  Schuylerville,  Saratoga  county,  New  York, 
June  23,  1874.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
place  and  later  at  Fordham  University.  Desiring  and  deciding  to  ally  himself 
with  the  legal  fraternity,  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Schuylerville  firm  of 
Ostrander  &  Salisbury  as  student  at  law,  completing  his  legal  studies  in  Scran- 
ton, his  preceptors  in  that  city  being  Patterson  and  Wilcox.  Passing  a  satis- 
factory examination  he  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  Lackawanna  county 
bar,  March  17,  1901,  engaging  in  general  practice  for  three  years,  during 
which  time  he  gained  much  valuable  experience  in  the  practical  side  of  his 
profession,  which,  coupled  with  a  deep  and  extensive  knowledge  of  its  finer 
points,  makes  him  an  attorney  of  no  mean  ability  and  one  who  in  a  legal 
battle  may  be  considered  a  worthy  adversary  for  the  best  of  his  contemporaric'^. 
In  1904  he  received  the  election  as  county  solicitor  for  a  term  of  three  years, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  this  was  elected  his  own  successor  for  a  term  of  like 
length.  He  now  is  the  incumbent  of  no  public  office  and  devotes  his  entire 
time  and  attention  to  his  general  practice,  which  is  of  large  proportions  and 
includes  some  of  the  city's  proudest  families.  A  forceful  and  convincing 
speaker,  Mr.  Toohey  is  a  strong  advocate.  His  defences  and  attacks  are 
masterpieces  of  the  orator's  art,  logically  planned  and  masterfully  executed. 
He  is  a  worthy  addition  to  Scranton's  legal  fraternity  which  includes  as  mem- 
bers many  of  the  legal  lights  of  the  state,  and  not  a  few  of  the  country's  best. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights 
of  Columbus  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians. 

Mr.  Toohey  married  a  daughter  of  the  late  Thomas  Maloney.  ex-mayor 
of  Pittston,  Pennsylvania.    Children :    Thomas  M.,  Alice,  Mary,  Helen. 


T.  ARCHER  MORGAN 

The  course  of  the  Morgan  family  is  traced  from  the  parish  of  Llangattoc. 
Carmarthenshire,  Wales,  to  the  parish  of  Llandefeilog  in  the  same  shire,  where 
the  pursuit  of  farming  was  followed  on  an  estate  which  passed  out  of  the 
family  on  the  death  of  John  Morgan,  great-grandfather  of  T.  Archer  Morgan. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  541 

(I)  John  Morgan,  born  in  1777,  lived  his  entire  life  on  the  farm  of  Pen-y- 
fedw  where  he  died  in  1857.  He  held  various  ofifices  in  the  parish,  married  and 
among  his  children  was  David  Thomas. 

(II)  David  Thomas  Morgafl,  born  January  19,  1812,  received  an  extended 
education  in  the  town  of  Carmarthen  where  he  fitted  himself  for  the  vocation 
of  civil  and  mining  engineering.  His  first  work  of  any  importance  consisted 
of  superintending  a  road-building  project  with  headquarters  at  St.  Clears. 
There  he  met  and  married  Mary  Saer,  daughter  of  James  Saer.  His  business  as 
mining  engineer  subsequently  took  him  to  the  counties  of  Pembroke  and  Mon- 
mouth where  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was  spent  prior  to  coming  to  America. 
In  September,  1869,  he  came,  with  his  wife,  to  America  and  settled  in  Provi- 
dence, Pennsylvania,  where  they  had  been  preceded  by  their  four  children, 
Martha,  William  Saer,  David  Saer  and  Thomas  Saer.  The  three  sons  had 
been  trained  by  their  father  in  mining  engineering  and  thus  the  anthracite  coal 
fields  of  Pennsylvania  were  the  family's  natural  objective. 

(III)  Thomas  Saer  Morgan  was  born  in  Pembrokeshire,  Wales,  October 
13,  1849.  He  had  scarcely  started  his  pursuit  of  mine  surveying  and  engineer- 
ing, under  the  direction  of  his  father,  when  he  came  to  America  in  Januar\', 
1869.  He  at  once  took  a  position  at  Providence  with  the  Delaware  &  Hudson 
Canal  Company,  in  the  mining  engineering  department.  His  connection  with 
this  company,  now  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company,  and  in  the  same  de- 
partment has  been  continuous  from  1869  to  the  present  time,  a  term  of  service, 
the  efficiency  and  faithfulness  of  which  is  proportionate  to  its  extensive  dura- 
tion. He  married,  April  29,  1880,  Emma,  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Elinoi 
(Jevons)  Pitt,  in  Scranton.  The  Pitt  family,  though  for  many  years  resi- 
dents of  Scranton,  are  of  English  extraction.  The  children  of  this  marriage 
are:  i.  Eleanor  Jevons,  married  William  A.- Edgar,  of  Ashley,  Pennsylvania, 
parents  of  one  son,  Russell  William.     2.  Thomas  Archer,  of  whom  further. 

(IV)  T.  Archer  Morgan  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  19, 
1882.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  this  place  and 
in  the  School  of  the  Lackawanna  and  then  entered  Lehigh  University  whence 
he  was  graduated  A.  B.,  with  the  class  of  1904.  A  course  in  the  law  school  at 
Harvard  followed,  with  the  degree  in  1907  of  LL.  B.  After  a  period  of  study 
in  Scranton  under  the  preceptorship  of  Thomas  F.  Wells.  Esq.,  he  was  ad- 
mitted in  February,  1908,  to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county.  Commencing  ii! 
1909  he  served  as  title  officer  with  the  Title  (niaranty  &  Surety  Company 
until  July,  1913,  when  he  became  affiliated  with  the  Scranton  Trust  Company 
in  the  capacity  of  trust  officer.  On  October  15.  1910.  he  married  Ruth,  elder 
daughter  of  Dr.  Frederick  Charles  and  Georgia  (  Post )  Johnson,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pennsylvania.  Ruth  (Johnson)  Morgan  is  a  great-great-granddaughter 
of  Rev.  Jacob  Johnson,  missionary  to  the  Indians,  and  first  settled  minister  in 
Wilkes-Barre.  He  was  a  survivor  of  the  battle  of  Wyoming,  known  in  history 
as  the  "Wyoming  Massacre"  of  July  3,  1778,  and  drew  up  the  articles  of 
capitulation.  Mr.  Morgan  is  an  officer  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  of  the 
National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No. 
323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  fraternity. 


WILLIAM  H.  CHANDLER 

The  emigrant  ancestor  of  this  line  of  the  Chandler  family,  of  which  Wil- 
liam H.  Chandler  is  the  representative  in  the  business  and  mercantile  world 
of  Scranton,  was  George  Chandler,  who  set  sail  from  his  English  home  at 
Greathodge,  in  Wiltshire,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century.  His- 
torians of  that  period  disagree  as  to  whether  George  Chandler  ever  reached 


542  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  American  shore,  some  claiming  that  he  did  and  others  asserting  that  he 
died  of  the  smallpox  on  the  high  seas,  and  because  of  the  deadly  nature  of  his 
malady  and  the  length  of  time  that  would  elapse  before  land  was  reached, 
was  given  a  sea  burial.  Be  that  as  it  may,  his  wife  or  widow,  Jane,  with 
several  children,  Jane,  George,  Swithin,  William,  Thomas,  Charity  and  Ann, 
reached  America,  and  founded  one  branch  of  that  numerous  family,  which  in 
1882  celebrated  at  Brandy  wine  Springs,  Pennsylvania,  the  two  hundredth  an- 
niversary of  the  landing  of  the  American  emigrant. 

(I)  William  Chandler,  the  grandfather  of  William  H.  Chandler,  was  born 
at  Wilmington,  Delaware,  January  14,  1787,  died  at  the  Chandler  homestead, 
in  New  Garden  township,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  5,  1878.  When 
but  a  child  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Kentucky,  where  he  spent  his  youth 
and  grew  to  manhood.  In  the  earlier  years  of  his  life  he  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  hats,  retiring  from  active  business  life  in  his  later  years  and  de- 
voting his  time,  care  and  attention  to  the  management  of  the  home  estate, 
which  he  superintended  with  the  same  thorough  methods  that  had  char- 
acterized his  business  career.  He  married  Ruth  Anna  Davis,  born  August  11, 
1801,  died  March  22,  1846,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Davis.  Children 
of  William  and  Ruth  Anna  Chandler:  Sarah  D.,  born  August  22,  1819; 
Mary  M.,  November  18,  1820;  Josephus,  November  21,  1822;  Edwin  A.,  May 
10,  1824;  William  P.,  October  22,  1825;  John  L.,  August  29,  1827;  Anna, 
October  26,  1829;  Esther  L.,  July  4,  1831 ;  Samuel  D.,  September  26,  1835; 
Louis  B.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Louis  B.  Chandler,  son  of  William  Chandler,  was  born  at  Kennett 
Square,  Pennsylvania,  in  1841,  died  in  1908.  He  was  a  regularly  licensed  drug- 
gist and  conducted  a  pharmacy,  at  the  same  time  being  proprietor  of  a  hardware 
store,  both  profitable  businesses  and  well-patronized.  He  married  Mary  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  William  Hazzard,  of  Milton,  Delaware.  Her  grandfather, 
David  Hazzard,  was  at  one  time  chief  justice  and  governor  of  the  state  of 
Delaware.  The  two  children  of  Louis  B.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Hazzard) 
Chandler ;  Louis  B.,  of  New  York,  and  William  H.,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  William  H.  Chandler,  son  of  Louis  B.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Haz- 
zard) Chandler,  was  born  at  Milton,  Delaware,  December  i,  1866.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace  and  completed  his  studies  at  Swarth- 
more,  Pennsylvania.  For  ten  years  after  leaving  school  he  was  engaged  in  the 
fruit  business  in  Delaware,  a  business  that  he  still  continues.  He  came  to 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  in  1897  he  established  in  the  wholesale  fruit, 
grocery  and  general  produce  line,  and  in  connection  with  the  jobbing  business 
he  also  conducts  large  orchard  interests,  located  near  Scranton  at  Lake  Winolo. 
Uniform  success  has  marked  his  business  career,  resulting  from  the  honorable 
and  open  methods  he  has  pursued  in  all  transactions.  There  is  none  of  his 
business  associates  who  does  not  have  the  most  secure  reliance  in  his  integrity, 
and  never  once  has  this  confidence  been  abused  by  a  breach  of  probity.  It  is 
about  principles  of  this  nature  that  he  has  built  up  a  business  at  once  flourish- 
ing and  lucrative  and  strong  and  vigorous  in  its  growth.  He  afTfiliates  with  the 
Masonic  Order  and  the  Scranton  Bicycle  Club.  His  church  is  the  Methodist 
Episcopal,  while  in  political  action  he  is  entirely  independent  of  party  ties. 
Mr.  Chandler  married,  in  1888,  Sarah  R.,  daughter  of  William  Russel,  of 
Milton,  Delaware.  They  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  William  and  Sara, 
both  of  whom  reside  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  5,,3 

CHARLES  CONNELL 

A  descendant  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  Cape  Breton,  Nova  Scotia,  Mr. 
Connell  is  of  the  second  generation  of  this  branch  in  Scranton.  He  is  a  gratidson 
of  James  and  a  son  of  Alexander  Connell,  the  latter  born  June  30,  1840,  in 
Nova  Scotia,  -at  Cape  Breton,  coming  to  Pennsylvania  when  a  young  man. 
He  was  a  man  of  high  business  quality  and  until  his  death,  January  6,  1883,  was 
an  active  member  of  William  McConnell  and  Company,  coal  operators,  and 
manager  of  the  company's  stores.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  married  Elizabeth  Campbell  of 
Scotch  ancestry ;  children :  Charles,  of  whom  further ;  Victoria,  married  Dr. 
Charles  B.  Noecker,  a  practicing  physician  of  Scranton,  No.  213  Connell 
Building. 

Charles  Connell,  only  son  of  Alexander  Connell,  was  born  at  Minooka, 
Pennsylvania,  November  12,  1879.  After  a  preparatory  course  in  the  public 
schools  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
whence  he  was  graduated  class  of  1902.  He  also  read  law  under  Ira  H.  Burns, 
of  Scranton,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county,  December 
15,  1902,  and  at  once  began  practice  in  Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Lackawanna  County  Bar  Association,  and  in  political  faith  is  a  Republican. 
His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Masonic  Order. 

Mr.  Connell  married,  November  15,  1905,  Teressa  C,  daughter  of  John 
Nallin.  Children:  Charles  A.,  born  August  24,  191 1;  Robert  J.,  October  17, 
1912.     The  family  residence  is  at  No.  738  Webster  avenue,  Scranton. 


J.  NELSON  DOUGLAS,  M.  D. 

A  graduate  of  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia,  J.  Nelson 
Douglas,  M.  D.,  has  been  identified  with  his  profession  in  the  city  of  Scran- 
ton for  nearly  ten  years,  holding  at  the  end  of  this  time  a  position  strong  and 
assured,  presenting  a  future  view  of  further  conquest  and  still  more  lofty 
station.  The  career  of  Dr.  Douglas  has  been  unusual  in  that  prior  to  beginning 
the  study  of  medicine  he  prepared  himself  thoroughly  for  an  artisan's  life 
by  mastering  the  machinist's  trade,  going  from  the  machine  shop  to  the  class 
room  and  from  a  position  of  experience  and  knowledge  to  a  novitiate  in  medi- 
cal science. 

(I)  His  ancestry  is  Irish,  the  North  of  Ireland  having  been  the  birth- 
place of  his  father,  Samuel  Wark  Douglas,  and  his  grandfather,  James  Doug- 
las, the  former  the  founder  of  the  line  in  the  LTnited  States  and  a  minister  of 
the  Presbyterian  Reformed  church.  Children  of  James  Douglas:  James,  a 
farmer  of  Ireland ;  Samuel  Wark,  see  next  paragraph ;  Emma,  married  Wil- 
liam Ouigg,  and  they  had  children,  Nelson,  Emily  and  Edna ;  Margaret,  mar- 
ried (first)  James  Alcorn,  and  they  had  one  daughter,  Emma,  (second)  Robert 
Lowther,  and  was  the  mother  of  Robert,  Maggie,  Edwin,  Bessie ;  Bessie,  mar- 
ried (first)  Dr.  Kuhn,  of  New  York,  (second)  Robert  Wark,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land ;  Mary,  married  Richard  Steele,  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland. 

(II)  Samuel  Wark  Douglas,  son  of  James  Douglas,  was  born  in  the  North 
of  Ireland  in  1847.  He  was  there  educated  and  grew  to  manhood,  remaining 
in  that  country  until  1870  when  he  immigrated  to  the  LInited  States,  and  was 
for  a  time  employed  at  the  trade  of  carpenter,  afterward  becoming  a  student 
of  theology  at  the  Philadelphia  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  was  graduated  from  this  seminary  and  was  ordained 
into  the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  church,  later  entering  the  edu- 
cational work  of  the  denomination,  and  being  at  the  present  time  corresponding 


544  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

secretary  of  the  Worcester  University  of  Ohio.  He  married  (first)  Susan 
McCandless ;  (second)  Sarah  Smith.  By  his  first  marriage  he  had:  Emma, 
married  Wilham  Quigg  Jr.,  son  of  Wilham  Quigg,  who  married  Emma,  sister 
of  Samuel  Wark  Douglas;  Samuel,  died  in  infancey;  J.  Nelson,  see  next  para- 
graph. By  his  second  marriage  he  was  the  father  of  Edward,  William,  Rich- 
ard and  Jean  Smith.  Edward  graduated  from  the  Western  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  practicing  medicine  at  Connellsville,  Pennsylvania. 
William  is  with  the  Davy  Free  Export  as  a  foreman,  or  to  be  more  explicit, 
the  tree  surgery  business,  that  of  properly  trimming  and  sawing  trees,  which  is 
located  at  Mountain  Lake,  Maryland.  Richard  graduated  from  the  Worcester 
University  of  Ohio,  and  is  now  studying  law  at  Western  University  Law 
School,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania;  he  was  for  several  years  professor  of  Eng- 
lish at  the  Worcester  University.  Jean  Smith  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
M.  D.  from  the  same  University,  and  is  now  practicing  at  Worcester,  Ohio. 

(Ill)  Dr.  J.  Nelson  Douglas,  son  of  Samuel  Wark  and  Susan  (  AlcCanfl- 
less)  Douglas,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  January  3.  1875.  ^^^ 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Allegheny  City,  and  in  1893  graduated 
from  the  West  Middlesex  High  School.  Soon  after  his  graduation  he  began 
to  learn  the  trade  of  machinist  in  the  Pittsburgh  Locomotive  Car  Works,  of 
Allegheny  City,  and  was  there  employed  for  four  years.  In  1901  he  abandoned 
this  occupation  and  entered  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
four  years  later  graduated  M.  D.,  the  college  also  conferring  upon  him  the 
special  degree  of  Doctor  of  Homoeopathic  Medicine.  He  then  came  to  Scran- 
ton  where  he  spent  a  year  interneship  in  the  Hahnemann  Hospital,  the  first  to 
fill  this  position  in  the  new  Hahnemann  Hospital.  Dr.  Douglas  established  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  from  October,  1906.  until  June,  1908,  he 
resided  in  Dunmore,  at  the  latter  date  moving  to  Providence,  where  he  con- 
tinues in  the  profession  to  the  present  time.  Dr.  Douglas  is  a  member  of  the 
Northeastern  Homoeopathic  Society,  the  Lackawanna  Homoeopathic  Society, 
and  the  Alumni  Association  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  of  the  Hahnemann 
Medical  College.  He  holds  a  position  on  the  visiting  staff  of  the  Hahnemann 
Hospital  of  Scranton.  His  political  party  is  the  Republican.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Independent  Order  of  America, 
and  with  his  wife  belongs  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Qiurch  of  Scranton. 

Dr.  Douglas  married  Gertrude  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Rev.  George  E. 
Guild,  D.  D.,  who  was  for  thirty-two  years  pastor  of  the  Providence  Presby- 
terian Church.  Rev.  George  E.  Guild,  D.  D.,  is  the  father  of:  George  Clark, 
one  of  the  managers  of  the  Trust  Fertilizer  Company,  of  New  York,  mar- 
ried Mary  Phelps,  of  Northampton,  Massachusetts,  and  had  one  child,  de- 
teased;  Burnham  E.,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Walton,  Delaware 
county,  New  York,  married  Frances  Hurlburt ;  Gertrude  Elizabeth,  of  previous 
mention,  married  Dr.  J.  Nelson  Douglas.  Children  of  Dr.  J.  Nelson  and  Ger- 
trude Elizabeth  (Guild)  Douglas:  J.  Nelson  Jr.,  deceased;  Malcolm  Guild, 
born  in  February,  191 1. 


JOHN  LENTES 


John  Lentes  was  a  fine  example  of  that  best  type  of  German  character 
which  contributed  so  largely  to  the  composite  citizenship  of  the  United  States, 
and  provided  a  leaven  for  the  mass  of  those  virtues  peculiarly  the  possession 
of  the  great  Germanic  peoples,  unswerving  pursuit  of  the  practical  objective, 
painstaking  industry,  and  a  strong  aesthetic  sense,  nowhere  more  clearly  shown 
than  in  the  wellnigh  universal  cultivation  of  the  art  of  music.  These  character- 
istics not  inaptly  described  Mr.  Lentes'  own  personality,  who  was  successful 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  545 

alike  in  the  realms  of  teaching,  business  and  of  the  art  of  music  to  which  he 
devoted  himself.  His  father,  Peter  Lentes,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  where 
lie  spent  his  youth  also  the  greater  part  of  his  active  life,  only  coming  to  the 
United  States  in  later  life.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  while  in  Germany, 
following  that  occupation  successfully.  He  married  Christina  Schuessler,  who 
died  before  his  removal  to  the  "New  World."  His  emigration  took  place  in 
the  year  1890,  about  nine  years  after  his  son,  the  pioneer  of  the  family  had 
reached  these  shores.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lentes  Sr.  were  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren, John,  of  whom  further,  and  a  daughter,  now  deceased. 

John  Lentes,  eldest  child  and  only  son  of  Peter  and  Christina  (Schuessler) 
Lentes,  was  born  August  7,  1856,  in  Germany,  died  November  15,  191 3.  He 
received  the  elementary  portion  of  his  education  in  the  local  volkeschule,  and 
from  the  start  displayed  a  great  aptitude  for  his  studies,  insomuch  that  at  the 
age  of  fifteen  years  he  became  an  assistant  teacher  in  one  of  them.  To  this 
profession  he  concluded  to  devote  his  life,  and  to  further  himself  in  his  de- 
termination he  entered  the  Strasburg  Academy,  from  which  he  graduated 
with  distinction  in  the  year  1877,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  then  became 
the  recipient  of  a  certificate  from  the  government  constituting  him  a  govern- 
ment teacher,  and  returning  to  his  chosen  work  he  engaged  in  it  for  some 
time  in  his  native  land  with  a  high  degree  of  success.  The  time  was  one, 
however,  when  a  great  tide  of  migration  was  setting  from  Germany  to  the  west- 
ern republic,  tales  of  whose  democratic  institutions,  with  opportunities  open  to 
all,  fired  the  imaginations  of  the  more  enterprising  in  the  "Old  World.''  Mr. 
Lentes  was  one  of  those  who  heard  the  call  and  heeded  it.  In  the  month  of 
March,  1881,  he  arrived  in  this  country,  and  made  his  way  at  once  to  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  settled  in  the  city  of  Scranton.  Turning  at 
once  to  the  profession  with  which  he  was  already  familiar,  he  opened  a  Ger- 
man school  in  the  First  German  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton,  the  location 
of  which  was  on  Hickory  street.  This  school,  under  the  skilled  management 
of  Mr.  Lentes,  made  an  excellent  beginning,  and  would  doubtless  have  be- 
come a  well  established  institution  had  it  not  been  for  an  occurrence  whicii 
diverted  his  life  from  its  intended  course  into  another  channel.  It  was  a  time 
when  the  industries  of  Pennsylvania  were  in  a  very  rapid  state  of  development, 
to  the  extent  that  an  almost  irresistible  demand  was  made  by  them  for  the 
service  of  men  of  capacity.  Ability  of  any  kind  within  reaching  distance  wa^ 
quickly  recognized  and  absorbed  by  the  growing  leviathan,  and  it  thus  hap- 
pened that  its  notice  was  quickly  directed  to  Mr.  Lentes.  His  services  were 
sought  by  the  Scranton  Steel  Company  no  later  than  September  of  the  year 
of  his  arrival  in  this  country,  and  an  ofi^er  made  him  which  he  did  not  see 
his  way  to  refuse.  This  was  before  the  actual  opening  of  their  great  mill, 
and  in  the  meantime  he  was  employed  as  a  draughtsman.  When  the  plant 
was  finally  in  operation,  Mr.  Lentes  became  the  first  weighmaster  of  the  con- 
cern, a  position  which  he  held  for  about  two  years  and  a  half.  He  was  then 
appointed  by  Mr.  W.  W.  Scranton  to  be  timekeeper  for  the  railmill,  carpentry 
and  foundry  departments  of  the  South  Works.  After  remaining  at  this  work 
about  two  years  longer,  he  was  promoted  to  be  assistant  superintendent  of 
the  South  Works,  the  position  directly  under  Mr.  John  O.  Scranton,  then 
superintendent  of  that  portion  of  the  company's  establishment.  Desirable  as 
such  a  position  was  in  the  great  Scranton  Steel  Works,  Mr.  Lentes'  heart 
was  set  upon  an  independent  business,  whereof  he  would  be  the  master,  and 
accordingly,  after  filling  his  responsible  post  for  a  number  of  years,  he 
withdrew  in  1895,  and  engaged  in  an  insurance  business  of  his  own,  becoming 
the  representative  of  only  the  best  and  most  firmly  established  companies,  in 
35 


546  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

both  the  life  and  fire  branches  of  the  business.  His  enterprise  was  exceedingly- 
successful  and  was  prospering  and  developing  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Besides  the  insurance  business,  Mr.  Lentes  formed  a  number  of  other  as- 
sociations, financial,  social  and  artistic,  which  brought  him  into  constant  touch 
with  the  life  of  the  community  in  its  various  aspects.  He  was  a  stockholder 
in  the  South  Side  Bank,  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  Cornet  Lodge,  No.  431, 
of  Scranton,  of  the  Mutual  Aid  Society  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Shop,  and  of  the  Arbeiter  Benevolent  Association.  He  was  a  staunch 
member  of  the  Democrat  party,  always  took  a  keen  interest  in  all  questions 
of  broad  significance,  and  an  active  part  in  local  politics  and  the  conduct  of  the 
community's  affairs.  He  was  elected  on  his  party's  ticket  as  alderman  of  the 
eleventh  ward  of  Scranton,  and  held  that  office  a  number  of  terms,  to  the 
great  satisfaction  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  sinking 
fund  commission,  and  in  1897  was  appointed  a  notary  public  by  Governor 
Hastings,  of  Pennsylvania. 

One  of  the  most  characteristic  facts  about  Mr.  Lentes  was  his  great  love 
of  music,  in  the  matter  of  which  he  was  extremely  active  in  Scranton,  both 
in  the  case  of  secular  music  and  in  connection  with  the  German  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  He  had  been  instrumental  in  encouraging 
the  love  of  his  art  throughout  his  community,  and  had  organized  the  "Junger 
Maennerchor"  and  the  singing  section  of  the  Arbeiter  Benevolent  Association. 
He  held  for  eight  years  the  position  of  organist  in  the  German  Presbyterian 
Oiurch  and  during  that  time  officiated  at  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  the 
new  church,  the  dedication  of  the  structure,  the  dedication  of  the  chimes  and 
the  dedication  of  the  new  organ,  as  well  as  on  many  other  important  anrl 
memorable  occasions  in  the  history  of  the  church.  The  new  organ,  men- 
tioned above,  was  very  largely  the  result  of  Mr.  Lentes'  exertions,  as  it  was 
chiefly  due  to  him  that  the  three  thousand  dollars  necessary  for  its  purchase 
was  raised.  He  was  also  instrumental  in  organizing  a  chorus  in  connection 
with  the  church,  which  has  devoted  itself  to  the  giving  of  concerts  at  which 
the  works  of  the  great  choral  composers  are  performed  for  the  public.  Mr. 
Lentes'  association  with  the  German  Presbyterian  Church  was  not  confined 
to  its  musical  activity,  however.  He  was  an  earnest  worker  for  its  interests 
in  all  matters,  and  served  for  three  years  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

Mr.  Lentes  married,  June  4,  1881,  Magdalene  Hampel,  born  in  Germany. 
To  them  were  born  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  They  are 
as  follows :  Frederick  C.  W.,  a  patternmaker  by  trade,  leader  of  the  orchestra 
in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  a  member  of  the  Symphony  Society  and  of 
the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America;  Magdalene  and  George  W.  All  of 
Mr.  Lentes'  children  inherit  their  father's  musical  gifts.  Mr.  Lentes  was  one 
of  the  most  public-spirited  of  citizens  and  gave  generously  of  his  time  and 
energy  in  the  interest  of  the  community  of  which  he  was  a  member.  He  was 
a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  life  of  the  town  and  none  deserved  more  the  uni- 
versal respect  and  honor  in  which  he  was  held. 


CHESTER  CRAIG  SAMPSON 

In  connection  with  the  multifarious  affairs  of  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance 
Company,  the  secretarial  position  is  necessarily  an  important  one,  and  more 
so  that  of  superintendent  of  agencies,  which  is  occupied  at  the  present  time 
by  Chester  Craig  Sampson. 

He  was  born  in  Peckville,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  November 
20,    1888.      He   obtained    his    education    in   the    Blakely    High    School.      His 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  547 

business  experience  has  been  obtained  as  agency  director  for  the  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania  Railroad,  covering  nine  counties ;  as  secretary  for  six  years  for 
A.  G.  Thomson,  manager  of  the  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  Car  Demurrage 
Bureau ;  in  the  real  estate  business  for  nearly  two  years  in  Scranton ;  and 
with  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  which  he  is  assistant  secretary 
and  superintendent  of  agencies,  having  entire  charge  of  the  agency  organiza- 
tion of  the  company.  One  of  the  youngest  of  Scranton's  business  men,  the 
creditable  manner  in  which  he  discharges  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  the 
initiative  and  the  self  reliance  he  has  displayed,  mark  him  as  one  of  a  rising- 
generation  to  whom  the  city  and  state  must  look  for  the  perpetuation  of  its 
institutions,  and  the  furtherance  of  its  social  and  political  ideals.  He  is  a 
man  of  unusual  business  capacity  and  sterling  personal  qualities,  and  in  the 
incredibly  brief  space  of  three  years,  by  sheer  force  of  industry  and  intelligent 
application  of  his  talents,  he  has  risen,  step  by  step,  from  clerical  work  in 
the  home  office  of  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company  to  a  position,  in  point 
of  importance,  second  to  none  in  the  gift  of  the  company.  Mr.  Sampson's 
clubs  are  the  Press  and  Temple,  of  Scranton ;  and  he  also  holds  membership 
in  the  fraternal  orders,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons. 


THOMAS  AMBROSE  DONAHOE 

Thomas  A.  Donahoe  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  January  31. 
1878.  His  mother,  Mary  Donahoe,  is  living  at  the  present  time  (1914)  and 
he  resides  with  her.  He  obtained  his  early  and  preparatory  education  in  the 
public  schools,  being  a  graduate  of  the  high  school,  class  of  1894.  His  pro- 
fessional education  was  obtained  at  Dickinson  College  Law  School,  whence 
he  was  graduated  LL.  B.,  in  1902.  He  at  once  secured  admission  to  the 
Lackawanna  county  bar  and  began  practice  in  Scranton.  He  has  a  well  estab- 
lished practice  in  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district,  and  stands  high  in 
the  legal  profession.  In  1907  he  was  appointed  second  assistant  district  attorney 
of  Lackawanna  county  by  the  able  and  upright  incumbent  of  the  office  of  dis- 
trict attorney,  Joseph  O'Brien.  On  January  i,  1912,  he  was  advanced  to  first 
assistant,  which  position  he  filled  until  January  i,  1914.  At  the  fall  con- 
vention of  the  Democratic  party  of  Lackawanna  county,  he  was  nominated 
for  the  office  of  district  attorney. 

For  six  years  Mr.  Donahoe  was  connected  with  journalism,  being  on  the 
staff  of  the  Scranton  Truth.  Also  prior  to  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he 
served  in  the  capacity  of  court  reporter  and  assistant  city  editor.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade  and  director  of  the  South  Side 
Bank.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Roman  Catholic  Church;  Knights  of 
Columbus;  Scranton  Lodge,  of  which  he  is  dictator;  Loyal  Order  of  Moose; 
the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  the  Junior  Maennerchor; 
Scranton  Country  Club ;  and  the  Young  Men's  Institute,  serving  several  terms 
on  the  board  of  directors. 


CHARLES  A.  MASUCCI 

Two  generations  of  the  Masucci  family  of  Italy  are  now  represented  in 
the  city  of  Scranton  in  the  persons  of  Peter  and  Charles  A.  Masucci.  Peter 
Masucci,  the  father,  was  born  near  Naples,  Italy,  in  1845,  and  was  for  many 
years  a  policeman  in  his  native  land.  In  1908  he  immigrated  to  the  United 
States  and  resides  in  Scranton  at  the  present  time.  He  married  Jennie  De 
Matteo,  and  has  children:   Charles  A.,  of  whom   further;  Lawrence,  a  resi- 


548  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

dent  of  New  York,  married  Antonetta  De  Matteo  and  has  one  daughter, 
Clara;  Antonetta,  married  Rocco  Nicolo,  of  Scranton ;  John,  a  tailor  of  Scran- 
ton;  Mary,  married  Paul  Caruso,  and  has  Frank,  David,  and  Mary;  Anthony 
J.,  unmarried,  lives  in  New  York ;  Rocco,  unmarried,  resides  in  Scranton. 

Charles  A.  Masucci,  son  of  Peter  and  Jennie  (De  Matteo)  Masucci,  was 
born  near  Naples,  Italy,  October  i6,  1872.  He  obtained  his  education  through 
attendance  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land,  where  he  lived  until  1896. 
In  that  year  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  York,  and  im- 
mediately proceeded  to  Scranton,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  shoemaker 
until  1905.  In  that  year  he  opened  a  shoe  store  at  No.  201  South  Main 
avenue,  where  he  has  since  continued  in  profitable  business.  Mr.  Masucci 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Victor  Emmanuel  So- 
ciety, the  St.  Angelo  Society,  and  the  Progressive  Club.  His  church  is  St. 
Lucia's  Roman  Catholic,  and  in  politics  he  is  an  Independent.  He  is  chair- 
man of  the  United  Italian  Societies  Hall  Association. 

Mr.  Masucci  married  Josephine  D'Ettorre,  and  has  children :  Jennie,  born 
April  3,  1901  ;  Albert,  May  30,  1902;  Marguerite,  May  12,  1904;  Emma,  Jan- 
uary I,  1906;  Edward,  December  18,  1907;  Flora,  June  25,  1909;  Louise, 
March  27,  191 1. 


JAMES  LAURENCE  GAYNOR 

As  general  manager  of  the  Gaynor  Contracting  Company,  Mr.  Gaynor 
is  the  head  of  one  cf  the  most  important  firms  of  its  kind  in  Scranton,  and 
as  its  head  has  placed  himself  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  fellow  workers,  an 
able  and  competent  business  man.  He  is  of  Irish  descent,  son  of  Patrick  J. 
and  Mary   (Hawley)   Gaynor. 

Patrick  J.  Gaynor  was  born  in  county  Tipperary,  Ireland,  and  Mrs. 
Gaynor  was  born  at  Silver  Lake,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  years  Mr.  Gaynor  came  to  the  United  States.  About  1852 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad 
and  later  became  purchasing  agent  of  the  ties  and  lumber  for  the  Leggett's 
Gap  Road.  He  piloted  the  first  engine  run  on  this  road,  the  "Spitfire,"  on  her 
trial  trip,  and  was  afterward  employed  for  many  years  as  passenger  conductor 
on  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western,  retiring  from  active  service  a  few 
years  before  his  death  in  1890,  aged  fifty-five  years.  He  was  prominent  in 
local  political  affairs,  and  active  as  well  in  those  of  national  concern.  During 
the  Hayes-Tilden  campaign  he  took  the  stump  in  behalf  of  the  former.  While 
a  full  blooded  American  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word,  he  was  prevented 
from  taking  up  arms  in  defence  of  the  Union  cause  during  the  Civil  War  by 
severe  injuries  received  in  a  railroad  wreck  in  the  early  part  of  1861.  His 
wife,  Mary  (Hawley)  Gaynor,  had  twin  brothers  in  the  war,  one  of  whom, 
Michael,  was  a  captain  in  the  Federal  army,  while  the  other,  Thomas,  held 
the  same  commission  in  the  Confederate  forces,  he  having  located  and  mar- 
ried in  the  south  several  years  before  the  war. 

James  Laurence  Gaynor,  third  son  and  sixth  child  of  Patrick  J.  and  Mary 
(Hawley)  Gaynor,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  April  21,  1872.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  then  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Bell  Telephone  Company,  in  whose  service  he  progressed 
through  the  various  grades  until  he  was  appointed  assistant  chief  engineer. 
Desiring  knowledge  that  would  serve  as  equipment  for  a  position  of  greater 
trust,  responsibility  and  remuneration,  he  used  a  great  deal  of  his  spare  time 
and  his  evenings  in  study,  also  arranging  for  and  completing  a  special  course 
in  highway   engineering   at   Columbia   University.      So   well   were   his   efforts 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


549 


directed  and  so  confident  was  he  of  his  improved  and  increased  ability  that  in 
1907  he  resigned  from  the  employ  of  the  Bell  Company  and  entered  the  field 
of  road  contracting  and  city  paving.  His  success  in  this  line  is  eloquently 
expressed  by  the  awarding  to  his  firm  of  the  contract  for  twenty-six  miles  01 
road,  extending  from  the  Luzerne  county  line  to  that  of  Susquehanna  county, 
the  largest  road  contract  ever  given  in  that  section.  The  reputation  of  the 
Gaynor  Contracting  Company  throughout  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming 
valleys  is  such  that  the  name  has  become  synonymous  with  reliability  and  fair 
dealing.  Specification  clauses  of  contracts  are  always  scrupulously  observed 
and  the  best  of  material  used  in  all  construction  work. 

Mr.  Gaynor  is  a  member  of  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
the  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  the  Engineers'  Club  of  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  the  American  Road  Builders'  Association,  the  Permanent 
International  Association  of  Road  Congresses  of  France,  and  the  Scranton 
Board  of  Trade.  He  married  Katherine  Mitchell,  daughter  of  James  J.  Mit- 
chell, of  Scranton ;  children :  James  Laurence  Jr.,  Robert,  Paul. 

In  direct  proportion  to  the  increasing  importance  of  the  Gaynor  Contract- 
ing Company  among  the  other  firms  of  its  kind  has  been  the  rise  of  Mr. 
Gaynor,  the  moving  spirit  and  acting  head  of  the  concern,  among  his  business 
associates.  A  fine  business  man,  with  a  strong  intellect  and  a  comprehension 
easily  grasping  big  propositions,  he  has  an  accurate  prophetic  vision  and  the 
dynamic  force  to  carry  out  large  projects.  Filling  a  responsible  position  and 
daily  confronted  by  stupendous  problems  in  his  chosen  line  of  work,  he  has 
proven  himself  the  master  of  them  all,  the  right  man  in  the  right  place, 
capably  directing  the  company "s  projects.  He  is,  moreover,  the  type  of  man 
with  whom  daily  relations  are  a  pleasure.  Polite  and  courteous,  he  is  not 
only  a  business  man,  but  a  business  gentleman. 


JOHN  LOHMANN 


Although  not  a  native  born  Scrantonian,  John  Lohmann  has  spent  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  in  this  city,  coming  in  1865  and  with  the  exceptiori  of 
one  year  and  five  months  spent  in  Wilkes-Bar: e,  has. been  a  constant  resident 
since  that  date.  His  father,  George  Lohmann,  was  born  in  the  Kingdom  of 
Bavaria,  Germany,  April  28,  1812;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1850  and 
fifteen  years  later  to  Scranton.  where  he  died  in  March,  1907.  He  married 
Katherine  Kleinlin,  also  a  Bavarian,  and  had  issue:  George  A.,  deceased; 
Philip,  deceased;  John,  of  further  mention;  Mary,  deceased;  Louis,  deceased; 
Margaret,  deceased ;  Philomenia,  married  George  J.  Schautz. 

John  Lohmann  was  born  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  August  25,  1854. 
He  attended  the  German  Lutheran  School  of  Honesdale  until  he  was  eleven 
years  of  age,  then  in  1865  came  to  Scranton  with  his  parents.  He  here  be- 
came a  slate  picker  at  the  Oxford  breaker  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad  Company,  working  there  until  1868,  when  he  began  working 
for  Charles  Tropp,  the  proprietor  of  the  Lackawanna  House.  He  continued 
in  Mr.  Tropp's  employ  until  1885,  then  spent  seventeen  months  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  in  the  employ  of  his  brother  George  A.  He  then  returned  to  Scranton, 
and  on  May  i,  1886,  became  proprietor  of  a  restaurant  and  cafe  at  No.  219 
Lackawanna  avenue,  where  he  still  continues  in  prosperous  business.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Hickory  Street  German  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Scranton 
Liederkranz,  treasure:-  of  the  German  Building  Association  No.  10.  an  office 
he  has  filled  since  June,  1886.     In  politics  he  is  an  Independent. 

Mr.  Lohmann  married,  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Antone  Klotz,  of  Clifton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  children :  Louise,  married  George  C.  Schuyer,  clerk  of 


5SO  CITY  OF  SCRAXTON 

the  United  States  district  court  in  Scranton ;  Mabel,  deceased  ;  John  A.,  and 
Robert  G. 


MEREDITH  JONES 

In  this  record  Wales  is  once  more  the  country  whence  came  the  immigrant 
of  the  line,  that  land  having  been  the  home  of  the  generations  of  the  family 
prior  to  Thomas  M.,  father  of  Meredith  Jones,  who  came  from  there  in  1850. 
Thomas  M.  Jones  was  born  in  1825,  and  when  twenty-five  years  of  age  came 
to  the  United  States,  settling  at  Tamaqua,  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  mining  until  his  death  in  1899.  He  became  a  lo\;d 
Republican,  and  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Scranton  West  Side  Welsh 
Congregationalist  Church.  One  of  his  brothers,  Thomas,  also  immigrated  to 
this  country  and  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  when  war  between  the  states  was 
declared,  serving  in  the  army  for  the  four  years  during  which  the  war  con- 
tinued, in  that  time  participating  in  all  the  engagements  of  his  regiment  with- 
out serious  mishap.  Thomas  M.  Jones  married  Gwennie  Powell  and  had 
fourteen  children,  among  whom  were:  John  P.,  deceased;  Benjamin  L.,  con- 
nected with  the  postal  service  at  Hyde  Park,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania ;  Mere- 
dith, of  whom  further ;  Robert  P.,  of  whom  further;  Mary  Jane,  married  Tullie 
S.  Morgan,  and  resides  in  Ocean  Grove,  New  Jersey;  Elizabeth,  deceased. 

Meredith  Jones,  son  of  Thomas  M.  and  Gwennie  (Powell)  Jones,  was 
born  at  Tamaqua,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  9,  1858,  and  until 
he  was  seven  years  of  age  attended  the  public  schools.  At  this  youthful  age 
he  obtained  employment  in  the  mines  of  the  locality  as  a  slate  picker,  re- 
maining in  the  mines  in  different  capacities  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of 
age.  He  became  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Scranton  in  1862,  and  after  for- 
saking mine  employment  established  in  milk  and  ice  cream  dealing  which  he 
continued  for  twelve  years,  after  which  he  bought  and  sold  second-hand 
furniture  until  1913  with  profitable  success,  in  which  latter  year  he  retired, 
his  two  sons  assuming  the  management  of  the  business  he  had  founded  and 
nurtured  to  its  present  generous  dimensions.  In  1910,  while  so  engaged,  he 
built  and  opened  the  Park  Theatre  at  No.  201  Main  avenue,  relinquishing  the 
direction  of  its  affairs  in  1914,  his  son-in-law  succeeding  to  his  position.  This 
venture  also  met  with  success,  the  theatre  being  a  popular  one  and  one  of  the 
favorite  places  of  amusement  in  the  city,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  seven 
hundred.  Since  his  retirement  Mr.  Jones  has  found  ample  time  to  devote  to 
study  and  reading,  both  of  which  possess  a  great  attraction  for  him  and  both 
of  which  he  has  indulged  to  the  utmost  of  his  opportunities.  This  has  been  a 
desire  and  an  instinct  purely  natural,  for  his  tendencies  in  that  direction  had 
little  opportunity  for  growth  and  expansion  during  his  brief  school  days,  so 
unfortunately  curtailed  by  the  necessities  of  life.  He  has  the  best  of  the 
world's  literature  stored  in  his  capacious  mind,  and  has  the  real  student's  love 
of  the  possession  of  favorite  volumes,  his  library  containing  the  works  of 
classic  and  modern  authors  in  which  he  finds  the  most  enjoyment,  irrespective 
of  the  judgment  of  critics  and  savants.  Politics  has  been  a  field  into  which 
Mr.  Jones  has  never  ventured  except  as  a  loyal  champion  of  temperance  and 
an  untiring  toiler  for  the  cause  of  temperance,  the  Prohibition  party  receiving 
the  benefit  of  his  influence  as  well  as  of  his  vote. 

Mr.  Jones  married  Letitia,  daughter  of  Daniel  Hughes.  Her  father,  who 
died  aged  twenty-seven  years,  was  an  engineer  in  the  Diamond  Mines,  and 
held  membership  in  the  Masonic  Order.  Children  of  Meredith  and  Letitia 
(Hughes)  Jones:  Frank,  born  in  1879,  and  Wesley,  born  in  1880,  conduct  the 
second-hand   furniture   business   established   by   their    father;   Jessie,   married 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  551 

Horatio  Vallance  Jones,  and  has  one  daughter,  Dorothy,  born  in  1912;  Eliza- 
beth, married  Arthur  Luce,  and  resides  in  Scranton. 


ROBERT  P.  JONES 


Robert  P.  Jones,  tenth  of  the  fourteen  children  of  Thomas  M.  (q  v.)  and 
Gwennie  (Powell)  Jones,  was  born  on  West  Side,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania. 
May  17,  1866.  As  a  youth  he  attended  the  public  schools,  and  then  became  a 
slate  picker  in  a  nearby  colliery,  when  a  lad  of  seventeen  years  becoming 
associated  with  the  Scranton  Stove  Works.  His  first  position  was  in  an  un- 
important capacity,  but  such  eagerness  to  master  the  business  and  such  tire- 
less industry  as  he  displayed  could  not  be  long  denied  their  just  reward,  and 
he  was  raised  through  successive  promotions  to  his  present  important  post, 
superintendent  of  the  foundry  department.  Length  of  service  with  any  one 
concern  is  an  unfailing  sign  of  satisfactory  and  congenial  relations  between 
superiors  and  subordinates,  and  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Jones  it  holds  true  in  all 
force.  His  other  business  connections  are  as  a  stockholder  in  the  Corno  Silk 
Mills  and  in  association  with  Sweeney  Brothers,  paving  and  sewer  contractors, 
this  last-named  concern  having  just  fulfilled  a  municipal  contract  at  Forest 
City  involving  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  Jones  is  a  Republican  politically,  and  for  nine  years  was  elected  as- 
sessor of  the  sixth  ward  on  the  ticket  of  that  party.  He  was  the  fusion  can- 
didate for  the  borough  council,  and  was  largely  instrumental  in  securing  the 
passing  of  the  resolution  for  paving  the  sidewalks  and  installing  sewers  in 
the  borough,  two  improvements  that  have  added  much  to  the  beauty  of  the 
borough  and  to  its  desirability  as  a  place  of  residence.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  thirty- 
second  degree  Mason,  and  a  member  of  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church, 
being  president  of  its  board  of  trustees. 

Mr.  Jones  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Rachel  (Davis) 
Jones,  and  after  theii  marriage  they  resided  for  a  time  in  Hyde  Park,  Mrs. 
Jones'  girlhood  home,  then  moving  to  Dunmore,  their  present  home  being  at 
No.  1369  Jeliferson  avenue.  Children  of  Robert  P.  and  Margaret  ( Jones j 
Jones:  Thomas  M.,  John  H.,  Robert  P.  Jr. 


CHARLES  E.  TOBEY 


The  Tobey  family  is  an  ancient  and  reputable  one  in  England.  The  earliest 
mention  of  the  name  in  this  country  is  found  in  the  records  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Bay  Colony,  in  the  year  1634.  The  Tobey  family  of  which  Charles 
E.  Tobey,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  is  a  representative,  were  resident  in 
Otsego  county.  New  York,  but  their  first  American  settlement  was  in  Connecti- 
cut, where  they  were  early  a  prominent  family.  The  paternal  grandmother 
of  Mr.  Tobey  was  Celestia  Grant,  born  May  24,  1809,  a  cousin  of  General 
Ulysses  S.  Grant,  and  her  line  of  descent  is  as  follows:  Matthew  Grant,  born 
October  27,  1601,  embarked  from  Plymouth,  England,  March  20,  1630,  on  the 
"Mary  and  John,"  and  landed  at  Boston,  Massachusetts,  May  30,  1630;  John, 
son  of  Matthew  Grant,  was  born  September  30,  1642 ;  Josiah,  son  of  John 
Grant,  was  born  May  28,  1682;  Ebenezer,  son  of  Josiah  Grant,  was  born 
March  2,  1723;  Isaac,  son  of  Ebenezer  Grant,  was  born  April  3,  1760;  Isaac, 
son  of  Isaac  Grant,  was  born  February  3,  1785;  Celestia,  daughter  of  Isaac 
Grant,  was  married  to  Edward  Tobey. 

(II)  Albert  B.  Tobey,  son  of  Edward  and  Celestia  (Grant)  Tobey,  was 
born  in  Otsego  county.  New  York,  September  22,  1831,  was  there  educated, 
and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.     He  was  engaged  in  business  as  a  con- 


552  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

tractor  and  builder  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.     He  mar- 
ried Helen  Osborn,  who  preceded  him  in  death  many  years. 

(HI)  Charles  E.  Tobey,  son  of  Albert  B.  and  Helen  (Osborn)  Tobey. 
was  born  in  Morris,  Otsego  county,  New  York,  March  22,  1863.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  town  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  after 
which  he  attended  school  at  Susquehanna,  Pennsylvania,  for  two  years.  In 
February,  1880,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  in  the 
department  of  motive  power,  continuing  until  1899,  but  in  various  depart- 
ments, including  ten  years  in  the  main  office  in  New  York  City.  On  June  15, 
1899,  he  located  in  Scranton,  as  chief  clerk  under  Superintendent  E.  E.  Loomir. 
head  of  the  coal  mining  department  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western 
Railroad  Company.  Two  years  later,  Mr.  Loomis  having  been  promoted  to 
the  position  of  general  manager,  Mr.  Tobey  was  advanced  to  the  post  of 
assistant  superintendent.  In  191 1  further  promotions  were  made,  ]Mr.  Phillips 
becoming  general  manager,  Mr.  Tobey  advancing  to  superintendent,  a  respon- 
sible position  he  now  holds  with  the  same  company  with  which  he  began  as 
clerk  in  1899.  His  rise  has  been  a  steady  one  and  predicated  in  each  stage  on 
merit  of  so  high  an  order  that  it  could  not  be  over-looked.  He  has  been  able 
to  give  most  excellent  reports  of  his  stewardship  during  the  years  he  has 
been  superintendent  of  that  department.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Anthracite 
Trust  Company,  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  that  company  and  is  a  member 
of  the  executive  board. 

Mr.  Tobey  is  a  man  of  varied  tastes  and  disposition.  Thoroughly  a  busi- 
ness man,  he  also  is  a  lover  of  animals  and  poultry,  and  is  so  well  known  in 
this  light  that  in  1912  he  was  chosen  president  of  the  Scranton  Poultry  and 
Pet  Stock  Association,  and  also  president  of  the  International  Rose  Comb 
Black  Minorca  Club.  He  is  interested  in  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
work  and  is  a  director  of  the  Railroad  Branch.  Fond  of  the  fellowship  of  his 
friends  and  neighbors  he  has  three  times  been  chosen  by  them  as  president 
of  the  Green  Ridge  Club,  and  takes  a  solid  enjoyment  in  the  social  life  of  the 
club.  He  served  two  years  as  president  of  the  Scranton  District  Mining  In- 
stitute ;  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
the  Engineers'  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania  and  of  the  Scranton 
Board  of  Trade. 

Mr.  Tobey  married,  October  30,  1884,  Annie  E.  Bartram,  daughter  of 
Charles  T.  Bartram,  of  Susquehanna,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  Charles  B., 
now  connected  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company ; 
Hazel  Dell,  married  Warren  L.  Fuller,  of  Scranton:  Albert  T.,  now  with  the 
Kresge  Five  and  Ten  Cent  Store  Company,  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania ; 
Clarence  L.,  attending  Bellefonte  Academy;  Anna  E.,  attending  school  at 
Scranton. 


WILLIAM  F.  McGEE 


In  the  life  of  a  city,  such  as  Scranton,  which  sprang  rapidly  from  a  country 
hamlet  into  a  thriving  manufacturing  center,  there  is  no  way  to  give  a  man 
place  among  his  fellows  except  by  his  achievement,  although  in  an  older  city, 
with  long  established  institutions  and  firmly  seated  traditions,  the  importance 
of  an  individual  may  be  predicted  upon  the  deeds  of  his  ancestors  or  the 
position  held  by  his  family.  It  is,  therefore,  the  organizers,  builders  and 
promoters  of  Scranton  who  form  the  aristocracy  of  the  municipality,  and 
it  is  of  one  of  this  class,  William  F.  McGee,  with  whom  this  narrative  deals. 

The  ancestry  of  William  F.  McGee  traces  to  Ireland,  whence  came  liis 
grandfather  and  settled  in  Carbondale  in  the  early  days  of  that  place.     Here 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  533 

Patrick  ]\IcGee,  father  of  William  F.  McGee,  was  born  and  here  spent  all 
his  life  in  the  coal  mines  of  the  immediate  vicinity.  The  unhealthfulness  of 
his  employment  speedily  undermined  his  strength  and  his  life  was  cut  off  ir 
its  prime  in  1897.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Michael  Devine,  of  English 
descent,  and  had  seven  children  who  attained  maturity :  William,  Thomas, 
Patrick,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Frances,  Jane.  Mary  (Devine)  McGee  died  in 
1910,  aged  sixty  years. 

William  F.  IvIeGee,  son  of  Patrick  and  Mary  (Devine)  McGee,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  February  22,  1872.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city  and  here  his  entire  school  education  was  obtained.  His  first 
position  was  in  the  employ  of  Rice,  Levy  &  Company,  where  he  remained 
for  five  years,  leaving  to  begin  an  association  with  the  Maloney  Oil  Company, 
which  continued  pleasantly  and  profitably  for  eighteen  years,  during  which 
time  he  acted  as  manager  of  the  works.  In  1903  he  was  the  principal  organizer 
of  a  company  to  promote  slag  roofing,  a  roof  covering  now  much  in  use,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  treasurer  of  the  company.  The  concern  is  the  only 
one  of  its  kind  in  Scranton  and  employs  about  forty  persons.  Contracts  are 
made  for  roofing,  which  include  the  laying  of  the  material,  and  a  flourishing 
business  is  done  by  the  company,  the  durability  of  this  compound  gaining  many 
users.  The  Diamond  Oil  and  Paint  Company,  as  yet  an  infant  industry,  was 
organized  in  191 1  and  at  the  present  time  covers  territory  within  a  radius 
of  seventy-five  miles  of  the  Scranton  headquarters.  The  officers,  which  are 
tlie  same  as  at  the  time  of  incorporation,  are:  E.  J.  Lynett,  president,  John  H. 
Foy,  secretary,  and  William  F.  McGee,  treasurer.  Mr.  McGee's  thorough- 
ness and  scrupulousness  in  financial  dealings  make  him  an  excellent  choice  for 
treasurer,  his  reports  being  clear,  definite  and  comprehensive.  He  is  actively 
interested  in  politics,  although  never  accepting  public  office,  and  strongly 
sympathizes  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus  and  has  been  a  delegate  to  the  National  convention  of  the  order,  also 
belonging  to  the  Catholic  Club  and  to  the  Old  Guard. 

Mr.  McGee  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Patrick  Mitchell,  of  Scranton, 
and  has  four  children,  Thomas,  William,  Robert,  Marion.  Mr.  McGee  is  the 
active  type  of  business  man,  always  on  the  alert  for  opportunity,  not  content 
to  sit  passively  by  and  to  wait  for  fortune,  but  ever  seeking  better  and  larger 
fields.  He  owes  his  present  position  entirely  to  his  own  efforts  and  as  he  is 
but  a  young  man,  his  part  in  the  future  of  his  city,  from  the  promise  of  his 
past  record,  should  be  one  of  prominence  and  honor. 


JOHN  JENKINS  OWENS 

This  branch  of  the  Owens  family  was  planted  on  American  soil  by  John 
Jenkins  Owens,  who  was  born  in  Wales,  T"lv  29.  1834.  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1869.  He  located  in  Providence  (Scranton)  which  was  his  home 
until  his  death  in  1912.  He  was  a  miner  by  occupation  and  worked  continu- 
ously at  that  business  until  his  retirement  in  1900.  He  married  Louise,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Prosser,  and  had  issue:  David,  Jenkins,  Mary  Ann,  Lilly,  An- 
nette, Sarah,  Jennie,  John  Jenkins,  of  whom  further. 

John  Jenkins  Owens  Jr.  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  November 
23  "1876.  He  obtained  all  of  the  public  school  advantages  of  the  city  and 
pursued  courses  of  studv  at  Bucknell  Academy,  later  entering  Bucknell  Col- 
lege In  1906  being  then  thirtv  vears  of  age.  he  completed  a  course  of  legal 
study  at  the  Universitv  of  Michigan,  receiving  his  degree,  LL.  B.,  with  the 
class  of  that  year.  After  passing  the  Pennsylvania  state  board  of  examiners, 
in  1907  was  appointed  secretary  of  the  civil  service  board  in  that  city.    During 


554  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  war  with  Spain  in  1898  Mr.  Owens  enhsted  in  Company  A,  Thirteenth 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  spent  eleven  months  in  the  service,, 
principally  in  the  south,  being  mustered  out  in  Georgia.  He  is  a  member  of 
Colonel  T.  D.  Lewis  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United  American  ^Mechanics ; 
Rescue  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias;  Lincoln  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  Green  Ridge  Camp,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  religious  faith  a  Methodist. 

Mr.  Owens  married  Lou,  daughter  of  John  Wesley  Young,  of  Rochester, 
Michigan,  her  mothei,  who  was  a  Miss  Brewster,  a  lineal  descendant  of  the 
Pilgrim,  Elder  William  Brewster,  of  the  pioneer  Plymouth  colony,  of  which 
he  was  a  leading  spirit.  Children :  J.  Alton,  born  April  3,  1908 ;  Jack,  born 
February  it,  191 1;  Brewster,  born  Alarch  27,  1913. 


JOHN  R.  JONES 


Welsh  in  descent  and  birth,  John  R.  Jones  is  American  in  every  other 
respect,  having  been  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  LTnited  States  in  his  infancy. 
He  is  well  and  favorably  known  as  a  druggist  of  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  a 
calling  he  has  followed  throughout  his  entire  life,  his  father,  William  R.  Jonc-. 
having  been  connected  with  mining  in  his  new  home. 

John  R.  Jones  is  a  grandson  of  John  Jones,  a  native  and  life-long  resident 
of  Wales,  where  were  born  two  sons,  William  R.,  of  whom  further,  and  John. 
William  R.,  son  of  John  Jones,  was  born  in  Wales  in  1839,  died  in  1894 
After  his  immigration  to  the  L'uited  States  in  1869  he  engaged  in  mining  until 
his  death.  He  married  Esther  Edwards,  a  native  of  Wales,  and  had  children : 
I.  Mary,  married  Daniel  Bevan,  of  Miners  Mills,  Pennsylvania.  2.  William- 
D.,  an  engineer  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania ;  married  Emily  Littlefield, 
and  has  one  son,  Gomar  C.  3.  Hannah,  married  Thomas  H.  Price,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  formerly  a  mine  inspector  and  at  the  present  time  general  manager  of 
a  mine  at  that  place ;  children :  William,  Thomas,  Richard,  Earl.  4.  John  R.. 
of  whom  further.  5.  Sarah,  deceased.  6.  Gomar  C,  manager  of  the  Knoej^>- 
fell  Drug  Store  at  No.  650  Adams  avenue ;  married  Pearl  Loveland,  and  ha-^ 
one  daughter,  Esther.    7.  Elvira,  deceased. 

John  R.  Jones,  son  of  William  R.  and  Esther  (Edwards)  Jones,  wa'> 
born  in  Wales,  December  11,  1868,  and  the  following  year  was  brought  to 
the  LTnited  States  by  his  parents.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  at  Plains,  Pennsylvania.  When  he  was  fifteen 
years  of  age  he  became  employed  in  the  drug  store  owned  by  Charles  Maher, 
at  Miners  Mills,  Pennsylvania,  and  afterward  established  in  the  same  line 
independently  in  that  place.  Moving  to  Jermyn,  Pennsylvania,  in  1892,  he 
was  for  three  years  employed  with  Dr.  Davis,  proprietor  of  a  drug  store  in 
that  place,  Mr.  Jones  in  1895  severing  his  relations  with  Dr.  Davis  and  open 
ing  a  drug  store  under  his  own  name.  Upon  the  destruction  of  this  store  by 
fire  in  1904,  Mr.  Jones  established  in  business  at  No.  2431  North  Main 
avenue,  his  present  location.  His  well  appointed  pharmacy  and  the  excel- 
lent service  there  received  gives  his  establishment  the  popularity  it  deserves. 
In  line  with  his  professional  interests,  Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of  the  Lacka- 
wanna County  Druggists'  Association  and  the  Pennsylvania  Pharmaceutical 
Society.  He  affiliate.-,  with  the  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs.  and  belongs 
to  Celestial  Lodge  and  Electric  City  Encampment,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.     His  political  party  is  the  Progressive. 

Mr.  Jones  married  Jeannette,  daughter  of  Thomas  Reese,  of  Miners  Mills, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  son,  Willard,  born  in  1891,  a  graduate  of  the 
Scranton  High  School. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  555 

HARRY  J.  JONES 

Founder  and  proprietor  of  the  Woodlawn  Farm  Dairy,  Harry  J.  Jones 
has  added  to  the  business  interests  of  Scranton  a  line  that  has  well  demon- 
strated its  worth  and  strength  and  is  at  the  present  time  known  and  listed 
as  one  of  the  substantial  and  flourishing  businesses  of  the  city.  A  native  of 
Wales  and  there  educated,  Mr.  Jones  is  a  descendant  of  Welsh  ancestors. 
that  country  having  been  the  birthplace  of  his  grandfather,  Daniel  Jones, 
who  there  died  in  1884.  He  was  the  father  of:  John,  of  whom  further: 
Daniel  and  Isaac,  residing  in  Wales;  Morris,  met  his  death  in  a  mine  accident; 
David,  came  to  the  United  States  in  191 3,  now  lives  in  Edwardsville,  Penn- 
sylvania; Jennie,  married  a  Mr.  Griffiths,  of  Edwardsville;  Jane,  deceased. 

(II)  John  Jones,  son  of  Daniel  Jones,  was  born  in  Wales,  in  1854,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1892,  settling  at  Elk  Mountain,  Pennsylvania, 
and  there  engaging  in  farming.  He  married  Frances  Vallance,  and  has  chil- 
dren:  Harry  J.,  of  whom  further;  George  W.,  employed  by  the  Pittsburgh 
Steel  Company,  married  May  Carpenter,  and  has  one  son,  Chester  W. ;  Horatio 
Vallance,  married  Jessie  Jones,  and  is  the  father  of  one  child,  Dorothy;  Jane 
Frances,  married  Howard  Wells,  of  Elkdale,  and  has  a  daughter,  Elna ;  Frank 
F.,  married  Blanche  Churchill,  has  one  daughter,  Frances,  and  lives  at  Elk 
Mountain,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  Harry  J.  Jones,  son  of  John  and  Frances  (Vallance)  Jones,  was 
born  at  Cardiff,  Wales,  April  23,  1878.  He  attended  the  grammar  and  high 
schools  of  his  native  land  for  nine  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  becoming  a 
salesman  in  the  employ  of  his  father,  at  that  time  engaged  in  business  in  the 
homeland.  This  he  soon  abandoned  to  come  to  the  United  States,  which  he 
did  in  1892,  arriving  in  Scranton  on  the  Saturday  following  Thanksgiving 
Day  in  that  year,  his  first  position  in  that  city  being  with  the  Ansley  Lumber 
Company,  where  he  remained  for  eighteen  months.  His  father  having  rented 
the  farm  of  Isaac  Hair  in  Rush  township,  Mr.  Jones  for  two  years  assisted 
him  in  its  cultivation,  the  elder  Jones  at  the  end  of  that  time  moving  to  the 
property  of  T.  J.  Davis,  of  Elk  Mountain,  which  they  rented  for  two  years 
before  purchasing.  Here  Mr.  Jones  resided,  engaged  in  agricultural  opera- 
tions, until  the  beginning  of  the  war  with  Spain,  when  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany M,  Eleventh  Regiment  United  States  Infantry.  This  company  was 
forwarded  to  Fort  McPherson  and  then  to  Tampa,  Florida,  where  under 
General  Miles  it  embarked  for  Porto  Rico,  and  after  the  regiment  landed  at 
Ponce  then  proceeded  to  Yaucco  where  they  mobilized  and  then  marched  to 
Sabe  Grande,  and  on  to  San  Germane,  then  to  Homequiras,  where  they  were 
engaged  with  the  enemy  for  three  hours  on  August  13.  The  following  day 
the  regiment,  which  was  almost  full  strength,  numbering  twelve  hundred  men, 
proceeded  to  Mayaguez,  and  after  here  performing  patrol  duty  for  a  time 
once  more  set  out  on  the  march.  Hostilities  having  ceased  pending  arbitra- 
tion, the  regiment  returned  to  Mayaguez,  and  here  Mr.  Jones'  company  re- 
mained until  October  15,  the  greater  part  of  the  members  thereof  being  upon 
the  sick  list.  Receiving  orders  to  proceed  the  company  went  to  San  Jean, 
arriving  in  that  place  on  October  21,  the  day  on  which  the  Spaniards  evacuated 
the  city.  The  company  being  disbanded  and  its  members  discharged  from  the 
service,  Mr.  Jones  returned  to  Scranton,  having  during  his  enlistment  been 
raised  to  the  rank  of  corporal.  In  1900.  after  his  marriage,  he  made  his  home 
on  the  T.  J.  Davis  farm  in  New  Milford  township,  one  year  later  moving  to 
Scranton  and  for  three  years  holding  the  position  of  yard  foreman  with  the 
Ansley  Lumber  Company,  a  relation  filled  with  satisfaction  to  employers  and 
employee. 


556  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

He  left  this  concern  to  establish  a  business  of  his  own,  the  result  of  a  plan 
that  had  been  forming  in  his  mind  for  some  time,  and  opened  the  Woodlawn 
Farm  Dairy  at  No.  315  North  Main  avenue.  This  dairy  plant  is  equipped 
thoroughly  with  the  most  modern  appliances  and  machinery  for  the  pasteuriz- 
ing, bottling  and  capping  of  milk  and  for  the  manufacture  of  butter.  One  of 
the  most  pleasing  features  of  the  plant  is  the  complete  sanitary  arrangement, 
all  possibilities  and  opportunities  for  the  pollution  of  the  protlucts  in  the 
slightest  degree  being  lowered  to  a  practically  irreducible  minimum.  Mr. 
Jones'  dairy  is  a  striking  illustration  of  the  changing  usages  and  customs  of 
the  times,  for  it  has  been  but  a  few  years  since  when  the  idea  of  such  an 
establishment  would  have  been  roundly  scoffed.  At  this  place  he  conducts  a 
business  whose  growth  has  exceeded  even  the  most  sanguine  hopes  of  its 
founder,  his  establishment  having  sprung  into  instant  favor  which  has  steadily 
increased  with  the  passing  of  the  years.  Mr.  Jones  also  has  creameries  and 
receiving  stations  at  Herrick  Center  and  Lake  Winola.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics.  He  worships  with  the  Welsh  Baptist  Church,  and  is  a 
member  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias. 

Mr.  Jones  married,  April  18,  1900,  Jessie,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
(Williams)  Wicks,  of  Scranton.  Air.  Wicks  is  a  native  of  England,  his  wife 
born  in  Wales,  the  former  coming  to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood, 
the  latter  when  she  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Their  children :  Hattie, 
married  John  H.  Phillips ;  Agnes,  married  T.  D.  Morgan,  of  Scranton ;  Al- 
bert, married  Mary  Sullivan ;  Jessie,  of  previous  mention,  married  Harry  J. 
Jones ;  Thomas,  married  iMary  Schultz.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  are  the  parents 
of  one  daughter,  Agnes,  born  May  24,  1901. 


HARRY  T.  MADDEN 


Harry  T.  Madden,  proprietor  of  the  Nash  and  Holland  Hotels,  one  of 
the  most  popular  hosts  of  Scranton,  is  well  known,  not  only  in  business 
circles,  but  in  social  and  musical  coteries  as  well.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  G. 
Madden,  born  in  1839,  a  farmer  of  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  which  dis- 
trict he  served  for  two  terms  as  commissioner.  For  thirty  years  he  held  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  more  than  that  length  of  time  was  one  of 
the  representative  and  prominent  men  of  his  locality,  being  among  the  leaders 
in  all  projects  for  the  public  benefit,  ever  ready  and  willing  to  bear  his  share 
of  the  labor  and  responsibility  entailed.  That  patriotism  was  not  the  least 
of  his  passions  was  shown  by  his  early  enlistment  in  the  Union  army,  after 
the  president's  call  for  volunteers,  and  for  three  years  and  nine  months,  until 
the  conclusion  of  hostilities,  he  was  at  the  front  with  his  regiment.  He 
married  Mary  E.  Wolf,  and  had:  Bert;  William,  a  resident  of  Scranton; 
Anna,  married  William  Salattie ;  Harry  T.,  of  whom  further;  Frank. 

Harry  T.  Madden,  son  of  Thomas'O.  and  Mary  E.  (Wolf)  Madden,  was 
born  in  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  27,  1878.  In  his  youth  he  at- 
tended the  public  schools,  completing  his  education  in  the  Scranton-Lacka- 
wanna  Business  College.  His  first  employment  in  Scranton  was  with  the 
Quackenbush  company,  wholesalers,  with  whom  he  remained  about  six 
months,  and  in  1903  he  received  a  call  from  Rev.  Rogers  Israel,  of  St.  Luke's 
Episcopal  Church,  asking  him  to  take  charge  of  the  work  at  the  Scranton 
Boys'  Industrial  Association,  a  position  he  held  until  1907,  and  according  to 
the  boys  who  knew  Mr.  Madden  when  he  was  in  charge,  there  was  not  a  more 
popular  man  in  the  association.  Athletics  thrived  during  his  administration, 
he  ahvavs  had  championship  baseball,  football,  basketball,  running  and  wrest- 


CITY  OF  SCR.A.NTON  557 

ling  teams.  He  was  the  advocate  of  clean  sport,  and  while  he  was  in  charge 
the  boys  all  knew  that  everything  had  to  be  on  the  square.  Later  he  became 
proprietor  of  the  Nash  Hotel,  which  he  conducted  until  191 1,  in  which  year 
he  added  to  his  possessions  the  Holland  Hotel,  at  the  present  time  operating 
both  houses  of  entertainment.  In  addition  to  his  hotel  business,  Mr.  JMaddeii 
maintains  a  modern  catering  establishment,  with  accommodations  capable  of 
providing  for  large  numbers,  and  in  this  line  he  holds  a  reputation  that  equals 
his  renown  as  a  host. 

Air.  Madden  is  a  lover  of  music  and  has  been  endowed  with  talent  of  an 
ex'ceptional  order,  holding  membership  and  taking  an  active  part  in  the  lead- 
ing musical  organizations  of  the  city.  For  a  number  of  years  he  has  belonged 
to  the  Junger  Mannerchor  and  Elm  Park  Choral  Society,  and  for  nine  years 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Anthracite  Male  Quartette.  He  takes  part  in  all  the 
important  musical  entertainments  and  fetes  in  the  city,  and  whenever  Scranton 
is  represented  in  like  events  in  other  sections  of  the  country.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  body  delegated  by  the  city  to  uphold  its  musical  honor  in  competition 
with  the  other  cities  of  the  world,  having  been  a  member  of  the  chorus  that 
was  awarded  the  first  prize  at  the  Louisiana  Purchase  Exposition  at  St.  Loui>. 
and  he  went  to  Pittsburgh  with  the  choir  under  John  T.  Watkins.  He  has 
recently  been  selected  as  chorister  of  the  Anderson  evangelistic  party,  being 
thoroughly  qualified  for  the  position,  owing  to  the  fact  that  nearly  all  his  life 
he  has  been  a  gospel  singer,  excelling  in  chorus  leading.  During  the  recent 
revival  campaign  in  Scranton,  Mr.  Madden  had  charge  of  the  overflow  meet- 
ings in  Elm  Park  Church,  and  his  pleasing  personality  and  the  excellent  man- 
ner in  which  he  handled  the  crowds  left  a  deep  impression.  Not  only  in  Elm 
Park  Church  did  Air.  Madden  lead  singing,  but  every  Sunday  afternoon  he 
would  have  charge  of  the  singing  at  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 
where  nearly  one  thousand  men  gathered  to  worship  and  hear  good  speakers. 
For  five  years  Mr.  Madden  was  in  charge  of  that  part  of  the  program  for  the 
association,  and  therefore  is  fully  equal  to  take  charge  of  the  music  at  Coates- 
ville  with  Dr.  Anderson.  Mr.  Madden  has  a  wonderfully  rich  voice,  and  can 
make  himself  heard  no  matter  how  many  are  singing. 

Raised  by  strong  Christian  parents.  Mr.  Madden  himself  has  been  a  true 
Christian  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  holding  membership  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  to  the  affairs  of  which  he  has  devoted  m^ich  of  his  tini'-, 
especially  to  the  musical  part,  and  for  three  years  he  has  led  the  singing  in 
the  primary  department  of  the  Elm  Park  Sunday  school.  Mr.  Aladden's  fra- 
ternal connections  are  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights 
of  Malta,  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  and  the  Masonic  Order,  in 
which  he  holds  the  Knights  Templar  degree  and  belongs  to  the  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Madden  married,  June  14,  1910,  Grace,  daughter  of  Walter  W.  and 
Susie  E.  Brown.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Scranton  Conservatory  of  Music. 
She  has  always  been  a  great  help  and  inspiration  to  Mr.  Madden  in  his  work. 
Children:  Ralph  Clarke,  born  December  25,  191 1,  and  Ruth  Lucelia,  born 
July  8,  1913. 

SEYMOUR  EDMUND  JONES 

Three  generations  of  the  Jones  family  of  Wales  have  been  connected  with 
Scranton  in  business  dealings,  two  as  merchant  tailors,  the  present  as  a  phar- 
macist. William  Jones,  grandfather  of  Seymour  Edmund  Jones,  was  a  native 
of  Wales,  and  was  at  one  time  a  member  of  that  select  body,  the  pride  and 
envy  of  the  English  army,  the  Queen's  Guards,  composed  of  the  most  finely 


558  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

formed  soldiers  in  the  service.  After  coming  to  the  United  States  he  settled 
on  the  West  Side  of  Scranton,  and  there  conducted  a  tailoring  business.  He 
married  and  had  children:  Randolph,  of  whom  further;  William,  a  merchant 
of  Hyde  Park;  Matilda,  married  George  T.  Morgan,  and  resides  at  Nanticoke, 
the  mother  of  Matilda  and  Jennie. 

(H)  Randolph  Jones,  son  of  William  Jones,  was  born  in  Cardiff,  Wales, 
in  1842,  and  when  seven  years  of  age  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the 
United  States,  attending  the  public  schools  of  this  city.  When  he  had  attained 
sufficient  years  he  became  his  father's  assistant,  later  being  proprietor  of  a 
tailoring  establishment,  continuing  in  this  line  of  business  for  a  period  of 
forty  years,  during  which  time  he  gained  a  wide  reputation  as  a  careful  and 
skillful  workman,  the  demands  of  his  many  customers  keeping  him  constantly 
busy.  His  death  occurred  in  October,  1904.  He  married  Lulu,  daughter  of 
Frederick  Nichols,  a  hardware  merchant  of  Scranton,  and  had  children : 
Frederick  R.,  born  in  July,  1879,  resides  in  New  York  City;  Seymour  Edmund, 
of  whom  further. 

(HI)  Seymour  Edmund  Jones,  son  of  Randolph  and  Lulu  (Nichols) 
Jones,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  January  15,  1881.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  his  course  including  high  school  instruc- 
tion. In  young  manhood  he  was  for  four  years  employed  in  the  pharmacy  of 
W.  H.  McGarrah,  of  Scranton,  there  obtaining  practical  and  useful  knowledge 
of  the  profession  he  later  took  up  in  the  Buffalo  College  of  Phannacy.  In  his 
sophomore  year  in  this  institution  he  satisfactorily  passed  the  state  board 
examinations,  and  after  his  graduation  was  for  six  years  employed  as  pre- 
scription clerk  in  the  Sanderson  Pharmacy  in  Scranton,  later  purchasing  the 
business  from  Norman  Stuart,  H.  C.  Sanderson's  successor.  Mr.  Jones  has 
since  continued  the  business  with  marked  success,  his  pharmacy  possessing 
all  the  departments  characteristic  of  the  modern  drug  store,  an  institution 
differing  so  widely  from  that  from  which  it  sprang.  Up-to-date  equipment 
and  reliable  service  constitute  the  keynote  of  the  pharmacy's  popularity,  Mr. 
Jones  exacting  most  scrupulous  care  from  all  connected  with  his  business.  He 
holds  membership  in  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  an  \ 
the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade.  His  church  is  the  Immanuel  Baptist,  and 
politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Jones  married  Bessie  L.,  daughter  of  William  G.  Daniels,  her  father 
a  native  of  Wales,  who  came  to  Scranton  as  a  young  man,  for  several  years 
being  a  clerk  of  courts  and  recorder  of  deeds  in  the  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones 
are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Randolph  W..  born  December  11,  1906. 


JOHN   MASUCCI 


After  a  youth  and  early  manhood  spent  under  the  blue  skies  of  Italy,  John 
Masucci,  with  his  youth,  vigor,  tailoring  skill  and  artistic  temperament  came 
to  the  United  States  where  he  has  gained  an  honorable  position  as  one  of 
the  leading  designers  of  women's  fine  tailored  costumes.  He  is  the  son  of 
Pietro  Masucci,  a  soldier  of  the  army  of  Italy,  twice  honored  by  medals  for 
bravery,  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  a  general  merchant,  and  for  twenty-five  years 
an  officer  in  the  police  service  of  Italy.  In  1907  he  disposed  of  all  his  pos- 
sessions and  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Scranton  where  he  now 
resides.  He  married,  in  Italy,  Jane  Dematteo,  daughter  of  a  merchant  of 
Guardia ;  children :  Angelo,  Lurenzo,  Antonia,  John,  of  whom  further ;  Maria, 
Rocco.  All  of  these  came  to  the  United  States  except  Antonia,  and  all  re- 
side in  Scranton  except  Maria. 

John   Masucci   was   born    in    Guardia,    Lombardy,    province    of   Avellino, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  55y 

Italy,  December  lo,  1881.  He  was  well  educated  in  the  public  scliools.  aii-i 
after  two  years  at  a  leading  gymnasium  (college)  began  learning  tailoring 
and  designing.  He  became  an  expert  worker  in  cloth  and  as  a  designer  0I 
women's  costumes,  continued  until  1898  when  he  engaged  on  the  German 
steamship  "Kaiser  Wilhelm  Der  Grosse"  and  came  to  the  United  States,  lo- 
cating in  New  York  City.  There,  for  two  years,  he  was  employed  by  some 
of  the  best  women's  tailoring  firms  of  the  city,  and  during  the  same  period 
attended  high  schools,  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  English  language  and 
increasing  his  store  of  general  learning.  In  1904  he  came  to  Scranton  where 
in  partnership  with  his  brother  Lorenzo,  and  Gaetano,  he  opened  a  tailor- 
ing shop  at  No.  107  Wyoming  avenue,  but  only  continued  one  year.  In  1910, 
having  worked  for  ethers  during  the  intervening  period  and  obtained  a  com- 
plete understanding  of  the  requirements  and  conditions,  Mr.  Masucci  opened 
a  high  class  ladies'  tailoring  shop  at  No.  401  Traders'  National  Bank  Build- 
ing. Here  his  artistic  designs  and  finished  workmanship  have  attracted  a 
liberal  patronage,  his  customers  numbering  many  of  the  leading  families  of  the 
city.  His  success  in  Scranton  encouraged  him  to  broaden  his  field  of  opera- 
tions, and  in  September,  1913,  he  opened  a  similar  shop  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania.  He  is  highly  regarded  among  his  countrymen  and  by  all  who 
know  him,  is  a  naturalized  citizen  and  progressive  Republican  in  his  political 
affiliation.  He  is  a  member  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  339,  F.  and  A.  M., 
Christopher  Columbus  Lodge,  No.  1160,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  several  dis- 
tinctively Italian  societies  and  orders.  He  married,  in  1904,  Antonetta,  daugh- 
ter of  Nunzio  Razzano.    Children:  Helen,  Laura,  Peter,  John  (2),  Astera. 


WINFIELD  SCOTT  HAINES 

After  an  interesting  career,  confined  largely  to  railroad  work  and  touching 
many  departments  thereof,  Winfield  Scott  Haines,  descendant  of  Scotch  anil 
English  ancestry  of  New  England  residence,  remains  in  that  calling  as  master 
mechanic  in  the  Dunmore  shops  of  the  Wyoming  Division  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road, with  which  road  he  has  been  connected  for  a  period  of  twelve  years  in 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey.  Mechanic,  fireman  and  engineer  are  three  of 
the  grades  of  service  he  has  filled  as  a  railroad  employee,  and  there  is  little  in 
that  line  with  which  he  has  not  become  thoroughly  familiar  during  his  long 
career. 

Philips,  Maine,  was  the  home  of  Reuben  Haines,  of  English  descent,  tliat 
having  been  his  chosen  residence  upon  coming  to  Maine,  and  there  he  passed 
the  greater  part  of  his  life.  His  wife,  a  Miss  Ridley,  was  a  member  of  a 
Scotch  family,  and  among  their  children  was  Alonzo,  a  native  of  Maine,  who 
early  in  life  acquainted  himself  with  the  trade  of  millwright.  His  residence 
was  unsettled,  his  home  having  been  at  various  times  in  La  Crosse,  Wiscon- 
sin, Onalaska,  Wisconsin,  and  Janesville,  in  the  same  state.  He  was  for 
three  years  a  farmer  near  Palatine,  Illinois,  afterward  moving  to  Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin,  returning  to  work  at  his  trade,  millwrighting.  He  afterward, 
in  partnership  with  a  brother,  established  in  business  as  bridge  builders  and 
contractors,  their  business  becoming  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the 
country,  their  operations  as  bridge  builders  extending  over  a  wide  area.  In 
1863  he  went  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  to  execute  a  contract  with  the  LTnited 
States  government,  and  there,  in  March  of  the  following  year,  his  death  oc- 
curred, when  he  was  forty-three  years  of  age.  He  married,  in  Rockland, 
Maine,  Lavina  Brown,  who  died  at  Enderlin,  North  Dakota,  in  1894,  aged 
seventy-four  years,   her   father  a   sea   captain.      Both   were   members   of   the 


56o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Methodist  Episcopal  clTurch,  and  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom 
Winfield  Scott  is  the  only  survivor. 

Winfield  Scott  Haines,  second  child  of  Alonzo  and  Lavina  (Brown) 
Haines,  was  born  in  Strong,  Maine,  May  19,  1850,  and  when  three  years  of 
age  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  thereafter  accompanying 
them  in  their  numerous  changes  of  residence,  attending  school  in  each  place. 
After  the  death  of  his  father  Mr.  Haines  began  the  work  of  life,  his  first 
position  being  as  a  fireman  in  a  match  factory  owned  by  J.  C.  Clark,  of 
Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  after  which  he  was  employed  in  the  machine  shop 
operated  by  Morris  &  Page.  In  1868  he  became  a  fireman  on  the  Chicago 
&  Northwestern  Railroad,  in  the  following  year  moving  to  Lowell,  jMassa- 
chusetts,  and  entering  the  Lowell  Machine  Shops  under  John  E.  Downs, 
contracting  foreman.  Four  years  later  he  left  the  Lowell  shops  and  became 
a  fireman  on  the  Boston,  Lowell  &  Nashua  Railroad,  afterward  becoming- 
engineer  on  a  switch  engine  in  the  Lowell  yards  of  the  road.  The  Wamesitt 
Steam  Mill  Company,  of  Lowell,  Massachusetts,  next  commanded  his  services 
in  the  position  of  engineer,  and  in  1878  he  moved  west  as  the  employee  of  the 
Northern  Pacific  Railroad,  his  duties  those  of  machinist,  while  at  times  he 
served  as  engineer.  In  February,  1880,  he  resigned  from  this  employ  and  for 
one  year  was  a  machinist  in  the  shops  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
Railroad,  at  Sanborn,  Iowa,  subsequently  becoming  an  engineer  on  the  same 
road.  Until  1886  he  filled  the  position  of  general  foreman  in  the  Sanborn 
works,  and  in  June  of  that  year  engaged  in  construction  work  on  the  projected 
Minneapolis  &  Pacific  Railroad,  at  the  direction  of  F.  D.  Underwood,  division 
superintendent.  In  August,  1886,  he  became  master  mechanic  in  the  same 
employ,  remaining  thus  until  the  completion  of  the  road,  after  which  work 
was  begim  on  the  road  now  known  as  the  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul  &  Sault  Ste. 
Marie. 

Mr.  Haines  felt,  in  1888,  the  restless  desire  that  often  comes  to  those  who 
have  once  held  the  throttle  of  a  locomotive,  and  he  returned  to  his  old  calling, 
that  of  engineer,  for  four  years  having  a  passenger  run  between  Gladstone 
and  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  at  the  end  of  that  time  once  more  assuming  the  duties 
of  master  mechanic.  The  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  became  his  master  in 
November,  1898,  his  rank  the  same  as  formerly,  and  until  1902  he  was  lo- 
cated at  Newark,  Ohio.  In  the  latter  year  lie  entered  the  service  of  the  Erie 
Railroad  at  Jersey  City,  New  Jersey,  and  in  March,  1904,  was  transferred  to 
the  Wyoming  Division  of  that  road,  and  has  since  been  a  master  mechanic  in 
the  shops  of  Dunmore. 

Although  not  appearing  in  its  proper  place  in  the  above  narrative,  Mr. 
Haines  has  been,  as  well  as  a  stationary  and  railroad  engineer,  a  marine  en- 
gineer, bringing  the  "Evangeline"  from  tidewater  to  Lowell,  Massachusetts, 
she  being  the  first  and  only  steamboat  to  make  that  voyage.  He  also  ran  an 
excursion  boat  from  Lowell  to  Nashua,  New  Hampshire,  the  excursion  line 
having  been  a  part  of  a  carefully  planned  piece  of  political  strategy  on  the 
part  of  the  well  known  politician,  "Ben"  Butler,  who  was  then  working  on  a 
waterways  appropriation  from  Congress. 

Mr.  Haines  is  as  thoroughly  proficient  in  his  calling  as  knowledge  and 
mature  experience  can  make  one.  His  record  contains  naught  but  satisfactory 
service,  and  in  the  positions  of  responsibility  he  has  held,  whether  at  the  loco- 
motive throttle,  in  construction  work,  or  in  the  shops,  he  has  risen  to  emerg- 
encies with  prompt  initiative  that  marks  the  man  of  resourcefulness,  courage 
and  confidence.  Mr.  Haines  is  a  member  of  the  Dunmore  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  the  Masonic  Order,  and  the  Scranton  Engineers'  Club. 

Mr.  Haines  married  Fannie  Presho,  born  in  Running  Water,  South  Dakotaj 


^■ 


^^^.j^.t^A'uJ-oC  .  1/  /H 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


561 


daughter  of  Nathaniel  Presho,  her  father  a  cattle  raiser  of  South  Dakota,  his 
ranch  located  about  four  miles  from  Running  Water.  Children  of  Win'ficld 
Scott  and  Fannie  ( Presho)  Haines:  Genevieve,  married  James  McKesson, 
district  manager  of  the  fimi  of  Corrigan  &  McKinney,  proprietors  of  an  iron 
foundry  in  Pittsburgh;  Jane. 


HOWLEY  BROTHERS 

The  brothers,  Peter  F.  and  Michael  T.  Howley,  are  sons  of  Michael  and 
Mary  (Brown)  Howley,  both  parents  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland.  Michael 
Howley  came  to  the  United  States  about  1854  with  his  wife  and  two  children, 
proceeding  to  Scranton  immediately  after  his  arrival  in  New  York.  He 
secured  employment  at  once,  first  aiding  in  the  construction  of  the  Delaware. 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  later  in  the  coal  mines.  He  died  in  1871. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  the  Loyal  Sons  of 
Saint  Patrick,  and  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  Children 
who  grew  to  years  of  maturity:  John,  Anthony,  Peter  F.,  of  whom  further; 
Ellen,  married  James  J.  Duffy,  of  Scranton;  Michael  T.,  of  whom  further. 

Peter  F.  Howley  was  born  in  Scranton,  June  17,  1863.  He  attended  public 
school  in  his  boyhood,  but  at  an  early  age  Ijegan  business  life,  beginning  as  a 
cash  boy  in  the  old  Boston  Store.  He  advanced  rapidly  and  ten  years  later, 
when  he  left  that  employ,  was  cashier  and  confidential  clerk  to  the  proprietor, 
R.  J\L  Lindsay.  On  leaving  Mr.  Lindsay  in  1894,  he  became  a  partner  of  the 
hardware  and  plumbing  firm  of  Howley  Brothers,  consisting  of  John,  Peter  T. 
and  Michael  T.  The  firm  continued  until  August,  1894,  when  the  two  younger 
brothers  formed  the  firm  of  P.  F.  and  Michael  T.  Howley.  The  firm  started 
in  a  small  way,  employing  but  one  man  besides  the  partners.  They  have 
prospered  and  expanded,  the  firm  now  consisting  of  the  two  younger  broth- 
ers and  employing  from  twenty  to  thirty  men,  principally  on  contracts  in 
Scranton  and  the  Lackawanna  Valley.  Their  line  covers  all  kinds  of  plumb- 
ing, heating,  tinning,  sheet  metal  and  ventilating  work.  Their  place  of  busi- 
ness is  at  No.  233  Wyoming  avenue.  Peter  F.  conducts  the  office  business, 
Michael  T.  being  the  outside  member  of  the  firm.  Peter  F.  Howley  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Catholic  Club  and  of  several  of  the 
societies  of  the  Catholic  church.     He  married  Mary  Dufify,  who  died  in  1903. 

Michael  T.  Howley  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  December  18, 
1867.  He  was  educated  in  public  schools  in  Scranton.  learned  the  plumber's 
trade  and  as  noted  above  entered  the  firm  with  which  he  has  continued  until 
the  present  time.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  Catholic  Club,  and  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He 
married  Mary  Duff,  who  died  in  1906.  three  sons,  Peter  F.,  Thomas  J.  and 
Maurice.    ' 


BARTLEY  FULLER 


Bartley  Fuller  is  a  member  of  a  family  planted  in  Pennsylvania  from 
New  Jersey  by  Peter  Fuller,  grandfather  of  Bartley  Fuller,  a  native  of  the 
latter  state,  who  made  his  home  in  South  Canaan,  Wayne  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  married  Mahala  Myers  and  had  children:  i.  Hiram,  a  farmer 
of  Pennsylvania,  married  and  had  six  children :  Jacob,  Maria,  Amanda, 
Zielphia,  Thomas,  Chancy.  2.  Dennis,  married  and  had  two  children,  John 
P.,  Sarah  Jane.  3.  Collins,  of  whom  further.  4.  Susan,  married  Samuel 
Spangenberg.  5.  Pierson,  married  Susan  Stevens,  and  had  three  children : 
Joseph,  Annie,  Frederick. 
36 


562  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

(II)  Collins  Fuller,  son  of  Peter  and  Mahala  (Myers)  Fuller,  was  born 
in  New  Jersey,  November  24,  1830,  died  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  February 
16,  1913.  When  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  his  father  took  his  family  to 
South  Canaan,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  Collins  Fuller  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter,  afterward  assisting  his  father  on  the  home  farm.  He 
was  for  a  time  a  resident  of  Lackawanna  county,  at  that  time  Luzerne  county, 
soon  returning  to  South  Canaan,  and  living  there  until  1887  when  he  moved 
to  Scranton  and  there  remained  until  his  death.  He  married  (first)  Louise 
Schumard,  (second)   Nancy  Spangenberg.     Children  of  first  marriage:  i.  and 

2.  George  and  John,  both  deceased.  Children  of  second  marriage :  3.  Bartley, 
of  whom  further.  4.  Emma,  married  E.  E.  Berry,  of  Scranton,  and  has 
children.  Marguerite,  Maud,  deceased,  Mabel,  Meredith,  Emma,  George. 
Elmer.  5.  Susan,  married  A.  H.  Kresge,  and  is  the  mother  of  Ralph,  Pearl. 
Luther.  6.  Ella,  died  aged  eighteen  years.  7.  George,  married  a  widow, 
Catherine  ( Hobbs )  Sloss,  and  is  the  father  of  xA.nthony,  Elmer,  Winfield. 

(III)  Bartley  Fuller,  son  of  Collins  and  Nancy  (Spangenberg)  Fuller, 
was  born  at  Salem,  Wayne  county.  Pennsylvania,  September  9,  1864.  Lfntil 
he  was  twenty  years  of  age  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  South  Canaan. 
For  two  years  after  leaving  school  he  was  employed  on  a  farm,  and  on  April 
I,  1887,  he  moved  to  Scranton,  and  for  twenty-two  years  was  engaged  in  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  car  shops.  At  the  end  of  that 
long  term  of  service  he  became  engineer  in  the  power  plant  of  the  Northern 
Electric  Company  at  Dalton,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  in  that  capacity  for 
four  years.  His  present  position  is  that  of  caretaker  of  Scranton  Public 
School  No.  42.  Mr.  Fuller  is  a  member  of  Dunmore  Lodge,  Independent  Or- 
der of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  the  Royal  Arcanum 
and  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics.  His  church  is  the 
Myrtle  Street  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  his  politics  are  Republican. 

Mr.   Fuller  married  Laura  E.,   daughter  of   Miles  and  Sarah    (Burleigh) 

Swingle,  of  South   Canaan,   Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,   and   his  children : 

I.  Howard,  born  January  2,  1890,  deceased.  2.  Jennie,  born  January  6,  1892. 

3.  Cora,  born  September  28,  1893. 


MICHAEL  NORTON 


Michael  Norton  was  the  first  "newsboy"  who  ever  shouted  the  sale  of  a 
newspaper  on  the  streets  of  Scranton.  On  the  opening  of  the  southern  di- 
vision of  the  Lackawanna  Railroad  in  1857,  "Mike"  Norton  came  to  Scranton 
with  a  bundle  of  New  York  papers  under  his  arm.  His  first  work  in  this 
neighborhood  was  on  the  trains  of  the  Lackawanna,  stopping  over  a  day  or 
two  each  week  to  peddle  papers  in  this  young  borough  of  Scranton.  His  energy 
was  so  attractive  that  he  soon  made  a  host  of  friends.  He  seemed  to  be  always 
on  the  run,  expending  his  last  minute  to  reach  another  customer.  His  shrill 
call  of  "All  the  New  York  papers"  was  a  novelty  then  in  the  village,  and  was 
in  the  latest  form  of  the  metropolitan  "Newsies."  His  quick  nervous  step — a 
half  run — acquired  during  these  news  hustling  days,  remained  a  characteristic 
of  him  through  all  his  after  years.  He  never  appeared  to  have  a  moment's 
leisure.  He  came  to  Scranton  when  eight  years  of  age.  In  1875  he  was  a 
prosperous  bookstore  merchant  at  Nos.  106-108  Lackawanna  avenue.  Later 
he  acquired  a  property  in  the  block  between  Wyoming  and  Penn  avenues,  on 
the  south  side.  He  continued  in  the  book  business  for  more  than  forty  years, 
during  which  time  he  had  the  misfortune  to  be  burned  out  twice  by  conflagra- 
tions in  adjoining  buildings. 

Michael   Norton   was  born   in   Ireland,   December  6,    1842.     He   came  to 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  563 

America  with  his  parents  in  1848.  He  married  Mary  E.  Jones,  of  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  by  whom  he  had  children,  Edith  M.,  Harold  R.,  Grace  A.  He 
joined  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Dr.  Logan, 
and  was  among  those  who  left  the  First  Church  to  organize  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church  in  1874,  and  he  continued  an  active  member  and  supporter  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  until  his  death,  January  17,  1910.  Mr.  Norton 
was  a  remarkable  man  in  many  respects,  born  in  the  poverty  of  the  humblest 
of  Ireland,  he  by  energy  and  sobriety,  and  intelligence  in  business,  worked  his 
way  well  up  in  the  \\'orld  towards  affluence.  He  was  self-educated  and  prac- 
tically a  self-made  man. 

JOHN  B.  RADER 

Rader  has  been  a  common  and  familiar  name  in  Lackawanna  county  since 
the  days  of  the  first  founding  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  the  grandfather  of  John 
B.  Rader  having  been  an  early  settler  in  that  region.  The  family  is  of  German 
descent,  the  father  and  grandfather  of  John  B.  Rader  having  been  born  in 
Bavaria.  Philip  Rader,  father  of  John  B.  Rader,  was  born  in  Durkheim, 
Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1844,  and  as  a  lad  came  to  the  LInited  States,  making 
his  home  at  East  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsylvania,  establishing  in  the  undertaking 
and  furniture  business.  In  1891  he  sold  his  property  and  business  interests 
and  moved  to  Scranton,  operating,  in  partnership  with  his  son,  John  B.,  a 
hotel  at  No.  522  Lackawanna  avenue,  and  so  continued  until  his  death.  May 
29,  1901.  He  married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Ellen  McFadden,  her 
father  dying  in  Ireland,  his  birthplace,  she  and  her  mother  making  the  voyage 
to  the  LTnited  States.  Philip  and  Ellen  (McFadden)  Rader  were  the  parents 
of:  James,  a  resident  of  Buffalo,  New  York;  William,  deceased;  Mary,  de- 
ceased ;  Kate,  deceased ;  Philip,  deceased ;  Kate,  deceased ;  Edward,  resides 
in  East  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsylvania;  John  B.,  of  whom  further;  Anna,  mar- 
ried John  Rink,  and  resides  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania ;  Joseph,  resides  in 
Scranton;  Philip,  a  resident  of  Scranton. 

John  B.  Rader,  son  of  Philip  and  Ellen  ( McFadden )  Rader,  was  born  in 
East  Mauch  Chunk,  Peimsylvania,  December  14,  1870.  He  was  educated  in 
the  parochial  schools  of  that  place,  later  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  the  car- 
penter's trade  and  pursuing  that  occupation  until  1900.  In  that  year,  upon 
the  death  of  his  brother,  William,  he  with  his  father  assumed  the  management 
of  the  former's  hotel  at  No.  522  Lackawanna  avenue,  and  conducted  this  hou^e 
until  April  i,  1912.  On  that  date  he  moved  to  his  present  excellent  location 
at  No  406  Spruce  street,  where  he  purchased  the  building  and  business  of  the 
Arrow  Cafe  and  Hotel,  of  which  business  he  is  the  present  successful  pro- 
prietor. Mr.  Rader  holds  membership  in  the  Knights  of  St.  George,  St.  Mary's 
Bund,  the  Junger  Mannerchor,  the  Liederkranz,  St.  Peter's  Society,  the  Old 
Guard,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  and  with  his  family  belongs  to  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
Politically  he  is  an  ardent  Democrat.  Mr.  Rader  married  Anna  Sachwender, 
daughter' of  Frank  Sachwender,  and  is  the  father  of  three  sons,  Philip,  Frank, 
John. 

ROBERT  FERRIS  POST 

The  life  story  of  Robert  Ferris  Post,  at  the  time  of  his  death  the  leading 
drayman  of  Scranton,  is  the  tale  of  the  triumph  of  preseverance  and  the 
victory  of  determined  and  unswerving,  integrity.  And  it  is  not  surprising 
that  in  the  exercise  of  these  virtues  their  concomitants  should  be  prosperity. 


564  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

happiness,  prominence  and  respect,  both  of  self  and  of  others,  while  added  to 
these  were  the  true-hearted  affection  of  his  many  friends  and  the  blessing  of 
the  devoted  love  of  his  family.  For  if  such  be  true  of  a  man,  nothing  is 
wanting  to  make  his  life  complete  and  his  happiness  sublime,  and  for  such  a  one 
to  be  called  from  his  activities  while  in  the  prime  of  life,  in  the  height  of 
his  usefulness,  leaves  a  riddle  that  naught  but  the  inscrutable  will  of  the 
Master  can  fathom. 

Robert  Ferris  Post  was  a  descendant  of  the  old  New  England  family 
whose  home  was  in  Connecticut,  where  many  of  the  name  have  gained  fame 
in  all  branches  of  human  endeavor,  and  whence  branches  have  sprung  that 
have  reached  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

Jacob  Post,  father  of  Robert  Ferris  Post,  passed  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  in  Leslie,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1875.  He  married 
Electa  Bell,  daughter  of  Colonel  Bell,  who  gained  his  rank  in  the  Northern 
service  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  Jacob  and  Electa  (Bell)  Post  had 
children :  Maggie,  married  a  George  Haddon,  and  resides  in  Minneapolis,  Min- 
nesota ;  Robert  Ferris,  of  whom  further ;  Bell,  deceased ;  Ordie  J.,  a  resident 
of  Forest  Lake,  Minnesota. 

Robert  Ferris  Post  was  born  in  Leslie,  Pennsylvania,  March  29,  1867,  died 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September  8,  1913.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  for  several  years  lived  on  a  farm,  later 
moving  to  New  York  state  and  making  his  home  with  an  uncle,  Robert  Bell. 
His  connection  with  Scranton  began  in  1887,  when  he  journeyed  thither  and 
entered  the  employ  of  J.  D.  Williams.  He  soon  formed  an  association  with 
Mr.  Brown,  a  well  known  Scranton  drayman.  He  was  constitutionally  so  con- 
structed that  he  derived  no  pleasure  in  being  an  employee,  and  although  realis- 
ing that  his  beginning  must  be  humble,  he  decided  to  establish  an  independent 
business,  choosing  draying  as  his  line.  His  funds  were  sufficient  to  allow 
of  the  purchase  of  but  one  horse  and  wagon,  and  with  this  team  as  his  entire 
stock  in  trade  he  began  business,  his  stout  heart  and  rugged  decision  having 
far  more  value  in  assuring  his  future  success  than  his  meager  possessions. 
In  the  beginning  of  his  career  no  commission  was  to  small  to  deserve  and  re- 
ceive a  full  share  of  his  personal  attention,  and  on  this  principle  he  constructed 
the  massive  business  that  at  his  death,  in  191 3,  surpassed  any  other  in  the  city. 
Into  the  fabric  of  his  daily  work  he  wove  the  strength  and  vigor  of  his  power- 
ful personality  and  received  his  returns  in  material  prosperity.  By  his  fellows 
he  was  accepted  at  his  true  value  of  earnestness,  sincerity  and  sterling  worth, 
and  so  conducted  his  business  career  that  no  one,  competitors  or  confederates, 
could  connect  him  with  any  associations  not  honorable  and  above-board,  and 
none,  realizing  his  desert,  envied  him  his  fortune.  At  his  death  his  absence 
was  regretted  as  the  loss  of  a  man  who  had  learned  the  true  secret  of  success, 
one  whose  cheery  presence  lightened  the  dreary  burden  of  business  life,  and 
one  whose  companionship  was  beneficial  and  uplifting.  His  home  life  held  the 
sacredness  and  sanctity  engendered  by  pure  devotion,  and  his  wife  and  those 
of  his  blood  only  know  the  tenderness  of  his  love  and  the  deep  sympathy  of 
his  nature.  Mr.  Post's  popularity  among  those  with  whom  he  came  into  con- 
tact in  business  life  is  shown  by  his  presidency  of  the  Team  Owners  As- 
sociation, and  he  was  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  the  P.  O. 
S.  of  A.,  No.  178,  and  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which  he  held  the  thirty-second 
degree.    The  part  that  he  took  in  politics  was  always  as  a  loyal  Republican. 

Mr.  Post  married,  February  17,  1891,  Carrie  I.,  daughter  of  John  F.  and 
Mary  E.  (Dunsten)  Sayer,  of  Moscow,  Pennsylvania.  John  F.  Sayer  is  a 
son  of  Horatio  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Fry)  Sayer,  who  were  residents  of  Frytown. 
a  place  named  from  the  family  of  Elizabeth  Fry.     John  F.  Sayer  is  a  veteran 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  565 

of  the  Civil  War,  having  enHsted  in  the  Union  ranks  soon  after  Fort  Sumter 
was  fired  upon  and  served  throughout  the  entire  four  years,  receiving,  when 
peace  was  declared,  an  honorable  discharge,  leaving  the  army  with  the  rank 
of  sergeant.  He  is  still  living,  aged  eighty-one  years,  his  wife,  Mary  E., 
a  member  of  the  English  family  of  Dunsten  and  a  descendant  of  Lord  Dun- 
sten.  Children  of  John  F.  and  Mary  E.  (Dunsten)  Sayer:  Eva,  married 
G.  F.  Kramer,  of  Scranton ;  Carrie  I.,  of  previous  mention,  married  Robert 
Ferris  Post ;  Louise,  married  Albert  Saunders,  of  Scranton ;  Cassie,  married 
C.  W.  North,  and  lives  in  Stroudsburg,  Pennsylvania;  Florence,  married  Al- 
ton Chase;  Lena,  married  Bert  Stover,  also  married  B.  Roselle,  all  of  Scran- 
ton ;  Chester,  died  in  1902 ;  Harrison,  a  resident  of  Moscow,  Pennsylvania. 
Children  of  Robert  Ferris  and  Carrie  L  (Sayer)  Post:  Bell  M.,  born  1892; 
Mary  S.,  1894;  Robert  J.,  November,  1897. 


PHILIP  HENRY  WARREN 

Originally  an  English  family,  the  Warrens  of  this  branch  settled  in  Wales, 
whence  in  1887  came  Philip  H.  Warren,  now  an  honored  citizen  and  merchant 
of  Scranton.  By  marriage  the  Warrens  are  connected  with  the  Davis  family 
of  Wales,  Anna  Davis,  maternal  grandmother  of  Philip  H.  Warren,  having 
been  born  in  Breckinshire,  Wales,  daughter  of  a  well-to-do  lumber  merchant. 
Harry  Davis,  a  first  cousin  of  Mr.  Warren,  was  a  colonel  in  the  English  army, 
served  ten  years  in  India,  and  witnessed  the  horrors  of  the  Great  Mutiny. 
Henry  George  Warren  was  born  in  England  in  1839,  moving  to  Wales  when 
a  young  man.  For  the  past  forty-four  years  he  has  been  employed  at  the 
Glamorgan  Woolen  Mills.  He  married  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Carter, 
of  Wales,  and  had  issue:  Frances,  deceased;  Philip  Henry,  of  whom  further; 
Samuel  Uriah,  David  Jeremiah,  William  John,  deceased ;  Arthur  Sidney, 
Mary  Ann,  Elizabeth  Jane. 

Philip  Henry  Warren  was  bom  at  Merthyr-Tydfil,  South  Wales,  October 
22,  1865.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  remained  in  his  native 
land  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  In  1887  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  arriving  on  the  steamship  "Alaska"  at  New  York  City,  the  first  day 
of  May.  He  immediately  came  to  Scranton,  which  has  ever  since  been  his 
home.  His  first  position  was  as  clerk  in  a  grocery  store  at  Providence,  his 
next  with  Clark  Brothers,  the  well  known  Scranton  merchants,  with  whom 
he  remained  eight  years.  He  then  was  with  Jermyn  &  Dufl^y  until  Mr.  Wentz 
purchased  Mr.  Jermyn's  interest,  next  with  the  new  firm,  Wentz  &  Dufify,  and 
then  with  Mr.  Wentz,  who  purchased  the  Wentz  &  Dufify  interest  and  continued 
the  business  as  C.  P.  Wentz  Company.  After  long  years  of  service  Mr.  War- 
ren purchased  an  interest  and  became  a  partner  of  Wentz,  Warren  &  Com- 
pany, on  August  8,  1907.  The  firm  continued  in  business  until  December, 
1907,  when  Mr.  Warren  taecame  president  and  treasurer  of  the  Warren,  Moran, 
Harper  Company,  wholesale  confectionery,  tobacco,  and  school  supply  dealers, 
one  of  Scranton's  most  successful  and  prosperous  concerns.  Mr.  Warren  is 
a  lover  of  music  and  as  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Choral  Society  sang  with 
the  picked  representatives  of  the  Society  at  the  Festival  held  in  Pittsburgh, 
July  4,  1913,  the  Scranton  delegation  winning  the  $5,000  prize.  This  was  the 
second  time  the  Choral  Society  had  won  first  prize  at  a  national  singing  con- 
test, the  other  victory  having  been  won  in  competition  at  the  Louisiana  Pur- 
chase Exposition,  held  at  St.  Louis.  At  that  time  Mr.  Warren  was  vice- 
president  of  the  Society  and  was  one  of  the  singers  in  both  contests.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  well  known  Schubert  Quartette,  the  Liederkranz,  the 
Junger  Mannerchor,  the  Doctor  Parry  Society,  all  of  Scranton,  and   for  the 


566  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

past  fourteen  years  has  been  soloist  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  choir.  For  five  years  before  coming  to  the  latter  church  he  had  been 
soloist  at  St.  Luke's.  He  is  also  prominent  in  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging 
to  Peter  \\' illiamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Lackawanna  Chapter, 
No.  185,  R.  A.  M. ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T.,  and  Irem 
Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Heptasophs  and 
of  the  Commercial  Travelers  Association,  of  Utica.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  in  religious  faith  a  communicant  of  the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  He  married  Annie,  daughter  of  John  Roberts,  of  Doulais,  South 
Wales. 


HENRY  C.  MANCHESTER 

The  career  of  Henry  C.  Manchester  embraces  a  life  time  of  service  in 
transportation  work  in  connection  with  railroads.  The  various  grades  of  road 
services,  from  water  boy  to  engineer,  have  been  filled  by  him  with  a  fidelity 
and  steadfastness  of  purpose  that  have  marked  as  well  his  services  in  super- 
visory positions. 

His  father,  Albert  B.  Manchester,  and  his  grandfather.  Dr.  John  Man- 
chester, were  both  residents  of  Vermont,  their  occupations  and  professions 
being  those  of  carpenter  and  physician,  respectively.  In  Randolph,  of  that 
state,  Henry  C.  Manchester  was  born  on  April  28,  1865.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Randolph  and  later  the  State  Normal  School.  His  first 
employment  was  with  the  Central  Vermont  Railroad,  in  the  capacity  of  water 
boy,  and  later  as  freight  brakeman.  He  then  accepted  a  position  as  passenger 
brakeman  on  the  Boston  &  Lowell  Railroad  in  Massachusetts,  being  promoted 
to  fireman  and  remaining  as  such  for  three  years.  His  next  advance  was 
to  engineer  and  in  this  highest  department  of  road  service  he  was  engaged 
for  twelve  years,  in  that  time  creating  a  reputation  for  dependability  and 
caution  that  made  him  one  of  the  most  valued  engineers  of  the  road.  The 
custodian  of  hundreds  of  lives  throughout  that  time,  his  first  thought  was  ever 
for  their  safety  and  in  the  many  trying  crises  of  railroad  life  he  acquitted 
himself  with  credit.  Never  a  reckless  driver  of  his  massive  steed,  he  yet 
obtained  from  it  every  ounce  of  power  and  all  possible  speed,  no  engineer 
on  his  division  running  more  closely  to  schedule  than  he.  After  his  long 
term  as  engineer  he  was  made  road  foreman  of  engineers,  leaving  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Boston  &  Lowell  Railroad  to  identify  himself  with  the  Boston  & 
Maine  Road  as  master  mechanic,  with  headquarters  at  Worcester,  Massa- 
chusetts. In  1901,  when  the  Boston  &  Maine  absorbed  the  Fitchburg  Railroad 
Company,  he  was  made  master  mechanic  with  headquarters  at  Mechanic--- 
ville,  New  York,  so  continuing  for  five  and  a  half  years.  Resigning  from 
the  employ  of  this  company  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Maine  Central 
Railroad  as  assistant  superintendent  of  motor  power  at  Portland,  Maine,  and 
after  five  years  was  promoted  to  assistant  superintendent  of  transportation, 
having  five  division  superintendents  under  his  direction.  A  year  later  he  lo- 
cated at  Scranton  as  superintendent  of  motor  power  and  equipment  for  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  and  there  still  resides,  holding 
the  same  position  in  the  company's  employ.  Because  of  his  steady  advance  in 
railroad  work  and  the  vast  fund  of  knowledge  and  experience  he  has  acquired 
in  his  contact  with  the  dififerent  departments  of  a  system,  Mr.  Manchester 
is  ideally  qualified  for  the  post  of  trust  and  responsibility  he  now  occupies. 
Ever  watchful  in  the  road's  interest,  his  division  of  the  system  is  constantly 
keyed  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  efficiency,  and  the  fortune  and  prosperity 
of  the  road,  as   far  as  his  department  is  concerned,  is  safely  guarded.     An 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  567 

important  link  of  the  vast  chain,  the  strength  of  the  whole  is  great,  if  nc 
part  is  weaker  than  that  over  which  he  has  supervision.  Mr.  Manchester 
affiliates  with  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Lodge,  Chapter,  Commandcry 
and  Shrine. 

Mr.  Manchester  married,  June  17,  1888,  Ella,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Jean- 
nott,  of  Nashua,  New  Hampshire.  Children :  Bernice  S.,  and  Florence  E. 
The  family  home  is  at  No.  ^^  Ouincy  avenue. 


JOHN  U.  SCHWENKER 

Wurttemberg,  Germany,  a  prosperous  province  of  that  land,  has  furnished 
Pennsylvania  a  vast  number  of  citizens  who  have  contributed  to  the  pros- 
perity of  that  commonwealth  as  their  fathers  and  ancestors  strove  for  that 
of  the  homeland.  The  Schwenkers,  represented  in  Scranton  by  John  U. 
Schwenker,  alderman  from  the  nineteenth  ward  of  the  city,  are  a  family  who 
conform  to  this  description  and  take  their  place  in  this  category. 

John  George  Schwenker,  father  of  John  U.  Schwenker,  was  born  in 
Zavelstein.  Wurttemberg,  Germany,  January  8,  1832.  Learning  the  baker's 
trade  he  remained  in  his  native  land  until  1885.  i"  that  year  coming  to  the 
LInited  States,  where  he  engaged  in  the  business  he  had  learned  in  Germany, 
working  actively  until  his  death,  January  12,  1904.  His  father,  Michael 
Schwenker,  was  a  farmer,  owning  land  near  Zavelstein,  which  he  cultivated, 
and  where  he  reared  his  three  children,  Anna,  Urich  and  John  George,  to 
maturity.  John  George  Schwenker  married  Rosie,  daughter  of  Gottlieb  Mus- 
sle,  and  had  children :  George  F. ;  John  U.,  of  whom  further ;  Rosie,  married 
a  Mr.  Hohman ;  Margaret,  married  a  Mr.  Getz,  a  resident  of  Scranton ;  Cath- 
erine, married  a  Mr.  Hoklerle,  a  resident  of  Colden,  New  York ;  William,  a 
baker  established  in  business  in  Buffalo,  New  York ;  George  G.,  a  baker  of 
Honesdale,  Pennsylvania. 

John  U.  Schwenker,  son  of  John  George  and  Rosie  (Mussle)  Schwenker. 
was  born  in  Zavelstein,  Wurttemberg,  Germany,  August  9,  1864,  and  for 
eight  years  attended  the  high  school  of  his  native  city,  a  worthy  institution 
offering  high  educational  advantages.  When  the  time  arrived  for  him  to 
choose  a  trade  he  expressed  a  preference  for  that  of  tailor  and  was  thus 
employed  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  journeyed  to  the  United 
States,  taking  passage  on  the  German  Lloyd  Line  steamer  "America."  The 
vessel  left  its  German  harbor  on  April  19,  1882,  but  did  not  arrive  in  New 
York  until  the  12th  of  the  following  month,  the  "America"  having  been  par- 
tially disabled  by  a  collision  with  an  iceberg  which  had  drifted  southward 
into  the  path  of  navigation,  fortunately  with  no  such  disastrous  results  as 
attended  a  similar  accident  thirty  years  later  to  the  ill-fated  "Titanic."  On 
February  i",  1885,  Mr.  Schwenker  retraced  the  route  he  had  traveled  three 
years  before,  hastening  to  the  deathbed  of  his  mother,  who  died  after  a  linger- 
ing illness,  her  son  returning  to  the  United  States.  Obtaining  employment 
with  the  leading  tailor  of  Scranton  he  remained  with  him  until  1886,  when 
the  association  was  discontinued  by  the  death  of  the  owner.  Mr.  Schwenker 
then  purchased  the  business,  which  was  located  at  No.  319  Center  street, 
from  the  heirs  of  the  estate,  and  moved  his  store  to  No.  311  Lackawanna 
avenue.  Here  he  continued  in  successful  operation  until  1907,  in  February 
of  which  year  he  was  elected  alderman  of  the  nineteenth  ward,  and  re-elected 
November,  1913,  nominated  by  the  Republicans  and  endorsed  by  the  Demo- 
crats ;  term  expires  in  1920.  Subsequently  he  again  changed  his  place  of 
business  to  its  present  location  at  No.  625-27  Pittston  avenue,  where  he 
performs  with  eminent  satisfaction  the  duties  of  his  civil  office.     Socially  and 


568  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

fraternally  Mr.  Schwenker  has  prominent  position,  holding  membership  in 
Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  the  Knights  of  Malta ;  the  Knights  of 
the  Golden  Eagle ;  the  Modern  Brotherhood ;  the  Workmen's  Society ;  the 
German  Order  of  Haru  Gari ;  the  Koelsch  Century  Club ;  the  Schwaben 
Verein,  of  which  he  has  been  president  for  twelve  years;  the  Junger  Mannet- 
chor,  to  which  he  has  belonged  since  1900;  also  the  Scranton  Sangerbunde,  of 
which  he  is  president  at  the  present  time.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Church 
of  Peace,  and  politically  is  in  accord  with  the  principles  of  Republicanism. 

Mr.    Schwenker    married,    June   28,    1886,     Mary,     daughter    of    Ulerick 
Schwenker.     Children :  Charles  W.,   Frederick  L..  Clara,  Edward,  Marie. 


PAUL  SILAS  WALTER 

Michael  Walter,  grandfather  of  Paul  Silas  Walter,  was  born  in  Germany, 
and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1857.  He  came  directly  to  Scranton, 
where  he  made  his  home  until  his  death  in  1905.  He  married  Brigetta  Hemm- 
ler,  and  had  children :  Elizabeth,  Brigetta,  Michael,  John,  George.  Michael 
Walter  Jr.  was  employed  as  a  machinist  by  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad  Company  until  his  death  in  December,  1901.  He  married 
Rose,  a  daughter  of  Qiristopher  Steinle,  and  they  had  children :  Charles 
Wesley,  deceased ;  Paul  Silas,  of  whom  further ;  George  A.,  Arthur  A., 
Ella  E. 

Paul  Silas  Walter  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  26,  1877. 
His  elementary  education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city,  which  he  attended  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twelve  years,  when  he 
decided  to  go  to  work.  In  1892  he  entered  the  employ  of  attorneys,  Milton 
W.  Lowry  and  C.  H.  Von  Storch,  where  he  remained  for  a  period  of  four 
years.  Having  decided  upon  the  study  of  the  law  he  registered,  in  1896,  as 
a  student  with  the  law  firm  of  Watson  &  Zimmerman.  One  year  later  he 
accepted  a  position  with  the  International  Salt  Company,  and  has  been  con- 
nected with  this  company  in  various  capacities  since  that  time.  When  Mr. 
Walter  first  joined  this  company,  he  came  under  the  direct  supervision  of 
the  president,  the  late  Edward  L.  Fuller,  who  was  not  slow  to  appreciate  the 
industry  and  integrity  of  his  young  employee  and  advanced  him  from  one 
position  to  another,  making  him  his  private  secretary,  and  the  assistant  treas- 
urer of  the  related  companies.  Mr.  Walter  also  became  private  secretary  to 
Mr.  Mortimer  B.  Fuller  who,  upon  the  death  of  his  father,  became  president 
of  the  salt  companies. 

Mr.  Walter  has  always  taken  a  personal  and  enthusiastic  interest  in  local 
and  state  politics,  and  is  a  young  man  of  forceful  personality  and  recognized 
political  sagacity.  For  two  years,  1901-03,  Mr.  Walter  was  corresponding 
secretary  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  League  of  Republican  Clubs.  For  several 
years  he  was  secretary  of  the  Lackawanna  Hospital  in  Scranton,  and  when 
this  institution  was  taken  over  by  the  state,  Mr.  Walter  was  continued  as 
secretary  of  the  State  Hospital.  Upon  the  death  of  the  late  W.  F.  Halstead, 
he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  holds  this  office  at 
the  present  time.  He  was  appointed  civil  service  commissioner  by  Mayoi' 
John  Von  Bergen,  but  resigned  this  office  in  1912  because  of  political  differ- 
ences, the  mayor  espousing  the  cause  of  the  Progressive  Republicans.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Order  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  his  religious 
affiliation  is  with  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  takes  an  active 
interest  in  all  matters  affecting  the  progress  and  welfare  of  the  community. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club. 

Mr.  Walter  married,  December  31,  1902,  Jessica,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Eman- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  560 

uel  and  Matilda  (Hammer)  Betterly,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and 
has  children :  Helen  M.,  born  October  14,  1903 ;  Paul  Silas  Jr.,  born  Decem- 
ber 30,  1909. 


GEORGE  L.  JONES 


This  line  of  the  Welsh  family  of  Jones  was  founded  in  the  United  States 
by  Daniel  Jones,  born  in  Wales  in  1799,  who  came  to  this  country  subsequent 
to  the  death  of  his  wife,  here  finding  employment  in  the  mines.  He  was  a 
son  of  William  Jones,  a  life-long  resident  of  the  homeland,  who  had  children: 

1.  Thomas,  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  passed  a  few  years  in  the  city 
of  Scranton  and  then  returned  to  his  native  land.  2.  Daniel,  of  previous 
mention.  3.  Ann.  4.  Henry,  a  resident  of  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  died 
from  injuries  received  at  mine  labor ;  married  Martha  Fox  and  had  children. 

5.  James,  came  to  the  United  States,  remained  for  a  time  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  then  returned  to  his  home  in  Wales ;  married  and  had  children. 

6.  Benjamin,  met  an  accidental  death  while  working  in  the  mines ;  married 
Elizabeth  Jones,  who  now  lives  in  Wales.  7.  William,  married  Phoebe  Har- 
ris; he  was  a  soldier  of  the  Union  army  in  the  Civil  War,  belonging  to  the 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  of 
which  his  brother,  Benjamin,  was  also  a  member,  and  died  in  a  Soldiers' 
Home  in  Virginia.  Daniel  Jones  married  (second)  Elizabeth  Phillips  and 
had  children:  i.  William  P.,  a  moulder,  resides  in  Scranton,  retired;  married 
Elizabeth  Havard  and  has  children,  James,  Edgar,  William;  he  enlisted  in 
Company  I,  Fifty-second  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  fought  in 
McClellan's  army,  being  wounded  and  sent  home  to  recover;  health  and 
strength  regained  he  again  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  this  time  in  the  Sev- 
enty-seventh Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  after  seeing 
considerable  service  was  again   disabled  and  sent  home   from   New  Orleans. 

2.  Henry  D.,  for  several  years  an  employee  of  Richards  &  Howell,  merchants 
of  Scranton,  later  establishing  in  the  grocery  business  independently  and  af- 
terward retiring;  married  Mary  Lewis  and  had  children,  Lewis  and  Walter. 

3.  Ann,  married  David  Jones,  and  has  one  son,  Daniel.  4.  ,  a  tin- 
ner of  Hyde  Park;  enlisted  in  the  Seventy-seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  after  eight  months'  service  was  discharged  for  physical  dis- 
ability and  sent  home  with  his  brother,  William  P.,  from  New  Orleans,  his 
death  occurring  eight  months  after  his  arrival,  caused  by  illness  contracted 
in  the  army.  5.  Ebenezer,  a  graduate  of  the  Scranton  High  School ;  married 
Martha  Jones.    6.  Roderick,  of  whom  further. 

(HI)  Roderick  Jones,  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Phillips)  Jones,  was 
born  at  St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  14,  1839.  Lentil 
he  was  ten  years  of  age  he  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  Carbondale. 
For  the  three  following  years  he  was  employed  on  a  farm,  then  for  two 
years  performed  mine  labor,  at  the  end  of  that  time  accompanying  his  father 
to  Scranton,  and  there  entering  the  mines  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal 
Company.  After  two  years  he  became  driver  boss  in  the  mines,  and  was 
subsequently  placed  in  charge  of  the  pumping  engine.  In  August,  1862,  he 
became  a  member  of  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  enlisting  under  the  nine  months'  call,  and  was  at 
once  plunged  into  active  service.  On  December  10,  1862,  while  engaged  with 
the  enemy,  Mr.  Jones  was  struck  in  the  arm  by  a  Minie  ball,  the  bullet  enter- 
ing his  arm  just  below  the  shoulder.  Amputation  was  necessary  to  save  his 
life,  and  after  the  operation  he  was  sent  to  his  home.  Recovering  from 
the  ill  effects  of  this  accident,  Mr.  Jones  secured  a  position  as  watchman  at 


570  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  Diamond  Aline,  and  after  holding  this  place  for  three  and  one-half 
years  became  steam  pump  operator  at  the  Hampton  Mines,  where  he  remained 
for  one  and  one-half  years.  Receiving  an  appointment  as  constable  for  waro 
five,  he  was  so  employed  for  twenty  years,  resigning  therefrom  to  enter  fire 
insurance  dealing  in  the  employ  of  the  Phillips  &  Holmes  Company.  This 
is  the  line  in  which  he  now  continues,  having  in  1912  formed  alliances  with 
the  Ohio  Farmers',  the  Williamsburg  City  (New  York),  and  a  Chicago  in- 
surance company.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary 
(Williams)   Lewis,  and  has  one  son,  George  L.,  of  whom  further. 

(IV)  George  L.  Jones,  son  of  Roderick  and  Elizabeth  (Lewis)  Jones,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  7,  1874.  Until  he  was  fifteen  years  of 
age  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  Scranton.  His  business  life  began  as  his 
father's  associate  in  the  insurance  business,  after  which,  in  1891,  he  became 
connected  with  Williams  &  Company,  No.  702  South  Main  avenue,  with  which. 
concern  he  is  still  identified.  Two  years  after  entering  the  employ  of  Wil- 
liams &  Company  he  took  a  business  course  at  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania, 
then  returned  to  his  duties.  That  these,  in  the  various  capacities  in  which 
he  has  served  this  company,  have  been  thoroughly  and  capably  performed  is 
assured  by  the  present  important  position  he  now  holds  in  the  company's 
organization,  that  of  manager.  He  is  an  alert,  progressive  and  energetic 
business  man,  ever  striving  with  all  of  his  effort  for  the  preservation  of  the 
interests  of  his  employers.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  hi.; 
lodge,  Hiram,  No.  251,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  he  also  belongs  to  Irem  Temple, 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  political  party  is  the 
Republican,  his  church  the  Bethania  Welsh  Presbyterian. 

Mr.  Jones  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  the  late  Edward  James,  mine 
foreman  of  the  Dodge  Colliery  Company.  Among  the  children  of  the  late 
Edward  James  are  Hon.  Edward  James  Jr. ;  John  R.  James,  assistant  super- 
intendent of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad ;  Mrs.  Thomas 
G.  Collins ;  Gwen  James. 


CHARLES  HAMPEL 


It  has  been  almost  uniformly  true  that  in  the  growth  of  a  city,  the  class 
of  men  whose  profits  are  most  reliable  and  who  are  reasonably  certain  of  a 
prosperous  continuance  in  business  are  the  merchants.  Real  estate  dealers 
may  lose  their  all  by  the  city's  growth  extending  in  another  direction ;  manu- 
facturers may  be  handicapped  by  inadequate  transportation  facilities ;  climatic 
conditions  may  hinder  the  work  of  contractors :  but  under  all  and  any  condi- 
tions, people  must  be  clothed  and  must  be  supplied  with  household  com- 
modities. One  of  Scranton's  most  prosperous  merchants,  whose  career  has 
been  molded  entirely  in  the  city,  is  Charles  Hampel,  president  of  the  Finley 
Company.  The  necessity  for  merchants  was  the  only  favor  granted  him  by 
fortune,  his  position  in  the  mercantile  world  being  the  result  of  extraordinary 
application  to  duty  and  unusual  energy,  coupled  with  a  sharp  ambition  not 
to  be  satisfied  except  by  a  position  of  superior  station. 

Peter  Hampel,  the  emigrant  of  the  name,  came  to  the  LTnited  States  from 
Germany.  He  was  equipped  with  the  usual  German  training,  a  deep  knowl- 
edge of  military  discipline  and  tactics  in  case  of  war  involving  the  Fatherland. 
and  a  knowledge  of  a  trade  just  as  deep,  so  that  he  might  never  be  a  dependent 
upon  the  government.  When  he  came  to  Scranton,  in  1857,  he  brought  with 
him  his  wife  and  daughter,  and  there  was  constantly  employed  until  his  death, 
first  with  the  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  and  next  with  the  Delaware,  Lacka- 
wanna &  Western.     Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  German  Pres- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  571 

byterian  Church,  and  he  belonged  to  AlHance  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Charlotta,  daughter  of  John  Weyand,  a  native  of 
the  same  part  of  Germany  whence  he  came.  Children :  Lena,  married  John 
Lentes,  of  Scranton ;  Charles,  of  whom  further. 

Charles  Hampel  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  April  22,  1861.  He 
obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  when  he  was  only  fourteen 
years  of  age  began  his  long  and  successful  career  in  the  mercantile  business 
as  cash  boy  in  the  employ  of  Moore  &  Finley,  at  the  time  the  most  important 
of  the  city's  mercantile  houses,  and  has  been  connected  with  this  firm  in 
flivers  capacities  until  the  present  time.  Originally  established  by  Thomas 
Moore,  the  firm  was  enlarged  by  the  admission  of  Mr.  P.  B.  Finley,  and 
when  the  partnership  of  Moore  &  Finley  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Finley  opened 
a  store  at  the  location  now  occupied  by  Michael  Bosak.  During  all  this 
time,  Mr.  Hampel  continued  in  the  employ  of  the  different  firms,  and  in 
1906,  when  the  corporation,  the  Finley  Company,  was  formed,  he  and  Thomas 
A.  Lavin,  besides  the  officers,  P.  B.  Finley,  president,  T.  D.  Shiver,  vice- 
president.  H.  J.  Cooper,  secretary  and  treasurer,  were  partners  incorporating 
the  business.  The  present  officers  are  Charles  Hampel,  president,  T.  D.  Shiver, 
vice-president,  and  Thomas  A.  Lavin,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

Mr.  Hampel  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Bosley,  of  Jefiferson- 
ville,  Sullivan  county,  New  York.  Both  he  and  his  wife  attend  the  Presby- 
terian church.  The  rise  of  Mr.  Hampel  in  his  chosen  occupation  is  one  upon 
which  he  deserves  hearty  congratulation.  The  period  of  time  from  1875  '•'' 
19 1 3  has  seen  him  progress  from  cash  boy  to  the  presidency  of  the  firm  he 
served  in  the  first  named  capacity.  Thirty-eight  years  of  toil,  of  constant 
striving  for  a  goal  far  ahead,  often  in  the  face  of  discouragement  and  seem- 
ingly insurmountable  barriers,  are  years  full  of  memories  when  looked  upon 
from  the  height  of  the  once-distant  pinnacle.  It  is  the  old,  old  story  of  the  suc- 
cess that  meets  persistent  and  intelligent  efifort,  one  as  new  as  it  is  old,  and  as 
wonderful  as  common-place. 


THOMAS  DAVID  JAMES 

Thomas  David  James,  alderman  of  the  second  ward  of  the  city  of  Scran 
ton,  descends  paternally  and  maternally,  from  Welsh  ancestors,  the  first  of 
his  paternal  line  coming  to  the  L^nited  States  in  1865.  Though  fifty  years 
covers  the  period  spent  in  this  land  by  this  branch  of  the  James  family,  that 
length  of  time  has  given  birth  to  Thomas  David  James,  American  in  birth, 
thought  and  in  every  aspect  of  his  nature,  a  worthy  representative  of  his 
district  upon  the  board  of  aldermen.  His  grandfather  was  David  James,  who 
spent  his  entire  life  in  Wales  and  was  the  father  of:  Theodore  D.,  Reese, 
John,  Griffith,  Thomas  David,  of  whom  further,  Zachariah.  Eli,  Jane. 

(II)  Thomas  David  James,  son  of  David  James,  was  born  in  Wales  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1865,  settling  first  at  Hyde  Park,  Penn.sylvania, 
later  moving  to  Taylor,  where  he  became  fire  boss  in  a  mine.  He  afterward 
became  a  miner  and  was  the  first  man  to  enter  the  Taylor  shaft  after  its  com- 
pletion, his  son,  David,  being  the  first  driver  to  take  a  team  into  the  great  shaft. 
In  1894  Mr.  James  moved  with  his  family  to  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  spent  his  latter  years,  his  death  occurring  in  1900.  He  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  William  T.  Jones.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Wales,  and  after 
coming  to  the  United  States  resided  in  Taylor,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  far- 
sighted  and  practical  man,  realizing  full  well  the  advantages  he  enjoyed  in 
this  country,  and  yet  was  filled  with  a  tender  sentiment  for  the  land  of  his 
birth,  which  he  visited  on   four  dififerent  occasions  after  leaving  it   for  the 


572  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

first  time.  Children  of  Thomas  David  and  Margaret  (Jones)  James:  Sarah, 
David,  Margaret,  Mary  Ann,  Elizabeth,  married  Hon.  Lewis  H.  John,  mem- 
ber of  Congress,  Jane,  Edith,  Ida,  Thomas  David,  of  whom  further ;  Gertrude. 

(Ill)  Thomas  David  (2)  James,  son  of  Thomas  David  (i)  and  Margaret 
(Jones)  James,  was  born  at  Taylor,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  April 
22,  1877,  and  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace,  completing 
the  high  school  course,  and  receiving  a  diploma  of  graduation ;  he  then  en- 
tered Wood's  Business  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1S96.  Leaving  school  he  accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  the  quarry  at 
Hyde  Park,  and  had  been  employed  in  this  place  but  six  months  when  he 
was  promoted  to  the  office  of  general  manager.  This  position  he  held  until 
tailing  health  compelled  entrance  into  some  less  strenuous  occupation,  and 
for  the  next  four  years  he  taught  school  in  various  parts  of  the  county. 
Strengthened  in  body  by  the  outdoor  exercise  in  which  this  occupation  gave 
him  time  to  indulge,  he  entered  one  of  the  Scranton  mines  as  breaker  boss, 
and  after  two  years  was  appointed  mine  inspector,  of  which  office  he  was  the 
incumbent  until  1912.  In  this  latter  year,  as  a  Republican  he  was  elected 
alderman  for  the  second  ward  of  Scranton,  the  largest  ward  in  the  common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania  outside  of  the  cities  of  Pittsburgh  and  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  James,  during  his  term  of  office,  has  shown  himself  a  magistrate  of 
wisdom  and  sound  judgment,  and  has  won  the  approbation  and  commenda- 
tion of  those  familiar  with  his  official  career.  He  is  known  as  a  man  of 
honorable  principles,  to  which  he  constantly  adheres,  and  is  a  public  servant 
whole  hearted  in  his  devotion  to  the  trust  placed  in  him.  Mr.  James  is  a 
communicant  of  the  Memorial  Baptist  Church,  and  holds  membership  in  the 
Junior  Order  of  L^nited  American  Mechanics. 


WILLIAM  H.  HAGEN 


Henry  Hagen  was  born  in  Hagen,  Germany,  and  when  eight  years  of  age 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  L'nited  States,  settling  at  Honesdale,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  attended  the  public  schools.  As  a  young  man  he  learned  the 
trades  of  blacksmith  and  carriage  builder,  and  was  employed,  soon  after  com- 
pleting his  apprenticeship,  by  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Rail- 
road as  tool  dresser.  He  became  a  resident  of  Scranton,  and  was  one  of  the 
first  to  enlist  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  of 
which  he  was  for  many  years  a  member.  He  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  He  married  Marion,  daughter  of  William  Walsh,  of  Honesdale. 
Children:  Louise,  married  George  B.  Carson,  of  Scranton;  William  H.,  of 
whom  further ;  Frank ;  Gillam,  married  Andrew  Wicks,  a  resident  of  Scran- 
ton. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hagen  were  members  of  the  Simpson  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

William  H.  Hagen,  son  of  Henry  and  Marion  (Walsh)  Hagen,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  September  27,  1861.  He  obtained  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  and  when  a  lad  spent  several  years  in 
Newark  Valley,  New  York,  whither  his  family  had  moved  and  where  they  re- 
mained until  1873,  when  they  returned  to  Scranton.  In  Scranton  Mr.  Hagen  en- 
tered the  employ  of  Moore  &  Finley,  merchants,  and  obtained  much  valuable 
experience  in  and  knowledge  of  the  mercantile  business,  training  of  the  great- 
est benefit  to  him  in  his  later  life.  In  1894  he  and  Joseph  A.  Mears  established 
the  business  which  has  since  become  the  Hagen  &  Wagner  Company,  as  Mears 
&  Hagen,  their  line  being  then,  as  now,  dry  goods  and  men's  and  women's 
furnishings.  From  a  concern  employing  six  persons,  their  sales  force  now 
numbers  seventy-five,  and  in   September,    1914,  they  moved  into  their  newly 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


573 


remodeled  store  on  Washington  avenue,  now  occupied  by  the  Prendergast  firm 
and  the  Jones'  Tea  Company.  Mr.  Hagen  serves  the  Asbury  Methodi.st 
Episcopal  Church  as  a  member  of  the  official  board  and  as  trustee,  also  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  school.  He  is  a  director  of  the  local  branch  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  His  only  fraternal  connection  is  witli 
the  Masonic  Order,  in  which  he  holds  the  thirty-second  degree,  and  is  a 
member  of  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Hagen  married  Carrie,  daughter  of  William  Munson.  Children: 
Helen,  married  Belaud  Marsh,  a  resident  of  Scranton ;  Hoadley,  a  graduate 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  class  of  1913. 


WILLIAM   S.  LIMING 


Descendant  of  an  old  Pennsylvania  family  long  seated  in  Philadelphia, 
Mr.  Liming  is  thoroughly  Pennsylvanian,  although  a  resident  of  Scranton 
for  only  a  decade.  He  has,  however,  completely  absorbed  the  Scranton  spirit 
and  as  one  of  the  foremost  workers  in  the  world  of  electricity  gained  a  solid 
footing  among  the  men  of  progress  in  the  city.  He  is  a  grandson  of  William 
and  Annie  Liming,  of  Philadelphia,  and  a  son  of  John  Liming,  who  was  born 
in  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  engaged  until  his  retirement  in  the  wholesale 
and  retail  oyster  and  game  business.  He  married  Myra  T.  Schurman ;  chil- 
dren :  Ridie,  Belle,  Annie,  Lizzie,  John,  William  S. 

William  S.  Liming  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  April  27,  1865. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  obtaining  a  good  preparatory 
training,  then  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  where  for  three  years 
he  pursued  a  regular  scientific  course.  Leaving  the  university  he  became  an 
electrical  worker,  beginning  as  a  helper,  but  rising  through  the  grades  of 
promotion  in  that  business  until  he  was  superintendent  of  the  plant  in  which 
he  began,  having  general  supervision  over  all  departments,  continuing  until 
1902.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Scranton  as  electrical  engineer  for  the  Scran- 
ton Electric  Company,  and  in  1913  succeeded  D.  C.  Schain  as  general  super- 
intendent, which  position  he  most  efficiently  fills.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge, 
Chapter,  Council  and  Commandery  of  the  Masonic  Order,  and  a  communicant 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Liming  married.  May  18,  1886,  Ella  M.,  daughter  of  William  Barclay, 
of  Philadelphia.  Children :  Gertrude  and  Grace,  twins,  born  August  2,  1888 ; 
William  B.,  September  3,  1891 ;  Charles  R.,  October  4,  1897. 


EDWARD  G.  SIMONS 


The  connection  of  Mr.  Simons  with  the  city  of  Scranton,  which  began 
in  1906  as  district  manager  of  the  Bell  Telephone  Company,  was  a  fortunate 
one  for  the  city,  as  from  his  coming  dates  an  era  of  greater  efficiency,  a 
largely  extended  and  greatly  improved  service.  This  result  is  one  not  sur- 
prising to  his  friends  nor  to  those  who  are  familiar  with  the  fact  that  his 
entire  business  life  has  been  spent  in  the  service  of  the  Bell  Company  and  that 
he  can  qualify  as  an  expert  in  any  department  of  the  company's  business. 

Mr.  Simons  is  a  son  of  Edward  Fletcher  and  Isabella  (Gillespie)  Simons. 
and  is  a  descendant  of  the  emigrant  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  who  was  one 
of  the  log  cabin  pioneer  settlers  of  Beach  Grove,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1806.  Edward  F.  Simons  was  a  merchant  all  his  active  life,  which  ended 
May  23,  1912,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 

Edward  G.  Simons  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  April  8,  1872. 
He   was   educated    in    the    public    schools   and    at    Wyoming    Seminary.      On 


574  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

finishing  his  years  of  study  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Bell  Telephone 
Company  as  a  collector  in  Wilkes-Barre.  Proving  his  ability  in  that  field 
Lackawanna,  Wayne,  Pike  and  Monroe,  with  headquarters'  office  at  Scran- 
as  local  manager.  After  three  years  in  the  latter  position  he  was  still  further 
advanced  and  made  district  manager,  his  territory  covering  the  counties  of 
Lackawanna,  Wayne,  Pike  and  Montrose  with  headquarters'  office  at  Scran- 
ton.  This  position  he  fills  not  only  to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  his  com- 
pany, but  to  the  greater  benefit  of  the  telephone  users  of  the  district.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  serving  on  the  publicity  com- 
mittee. 

Mr.  Simons  married  Mrs.  Isabella  Bradley,  of  Detroit,  Michigan.  Mr. 
Simons  is  president  of  the  Simons  family  reunion  and  has  letters  dating  back 
over  one  hundred  years  showing  the  landing  of  the  family  in  this  country, 
coming  from  the  northern  part  of  Ireland.  They  located  in  Wilmington,  Dela- 
ware, and  later  removed  to  Pike  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  were  among 
the  first  pioneers,  living  in  the  rude  log  huts  of  those  primeval  days. 


HENRY  HESSINGER 


In  a  list  of  the  merchants  of  Scranton  of  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  would 
be  found  in  a  prominent  place  the  name  of  Henry  Hessinger,  deceased,  furni- 
ture dealer  and  proprietor  of  an  undertaking  establishment.  He  was  a  son  of 
Theodore  Hessinger,  born  in  Germany,  May  ii,  1823.  where  he  grew  to 
maturity  and  was  married.  Immigrating  to  the  United  States  with  his  wife 
and  family,  he  was  for  a  time  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  later  moving 
West  and  engaging  in  work  at  his  trade,  that  of  cabinet-maker.  Moving  to 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  he  obtained  a  position  in  the  car  works,  performing 
the  fine  carpentering  work  on  the  interior  of  the  passenger  coaches,  and  was 
thus  engaged  for  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  His  first  wife  died  and  for 
his  second  wife  he  married,  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  Caroline  Engleskirscher, 
born  February  22,  1833,  and  had  children:  i.  Louise,  deceased.  2.  Henry, 
of  whom  further.  3.  George,  a  cigar-maker  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania. 
4.  Theodore,  a  boiler-maker  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  5.  William,  a  harness-maker 
of  Red  Bank,  New  Jersey.  6.  Susan,  married  Henry  J.  Fenne,  of  Scranton. 
and  has  children :  Archibald,  Carrie,  Albert,  Leroy,  INIerine,  Elma.  7.  Minnie, 
married  Frank  Washburn,  formerly  of  the  firm  of  Washburn,  Williams  & 
Company,  now  of  Denver,  Colorado.  8.  Annie,  deceased.  9.  Carrie,  de- 
ceased. 10.  Adam,  deceased.  11.  Christina,  deceased.  12.  Louise,  deceased. 
13.  Kate,  deceased. 

Henry  Hessinger,  son  of  Theodore  and  Caroline  (Engleskirscher)  Hess- 
inger, was  born  in  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  December  29,  1855,  died  in  Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  September  28,  1890.  He  was  four  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  moved  from  Wisconsin  to  Scranton,  and  he  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  city,  learning  his  father's  trade  after  finishing  his  studies. 
He  was  afterward  employed  with  the  elder  Hessinger  in  the  car  works,  finish- 
ing the  interior  of  the  coaches,  and  in  1885  established  in  the  furniture  and 
undertaking  business,  continuing  so  for  five  years  until  his  death.  He  was  a 
singer  of  talent,  possessing  a  voice  of  rare  quality  and  sweetness,  and  long 
sang  in  the  choir  of  the  German  Presb\^erian  Church,  of  which  he  was  a 
member.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Saengerbunde,  and  was  identi- 
fied with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America.  Mr.  Hessinger  was  well-liked  among  his  business  associates 
and  was  prospering  in  business,  his  early  death  cutting  short  what  promised 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  575 

to  be  not  only  a  business  career  of  unusual  success  but  a  life  of  usefulness 
and  service. 

He  married,  in  1879,  Margaret,  born  in  1855,  daughter  of  Charles  Kiefer. 
born  April  15,  1827.  and  Barbara  (Kaufman)  Kiefer,  born  January  27,  185 i 
Her  parents  were  both  natives  of  Germany,  coming  to  the  United  States 
unmarried  in  1850,  having  been  unacquainted  in  the  homeland.  They  were 
married  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  in  1853,  she  a  daughter  of  Frederick- 
Kaufman,  who  came  to  Honesdale  from  Germany,  meeting  his  death  in  a 
railroad  accident.  Children  of  Charles  and  Barbara  (Kaufman)  Kiefer:  i. 
Margaret,  of  previous  mention,  married  Henry  Hessinger.  2.  Anna  Marv, 
born  in  1861  ;  married  Frederick  New,  deceased,  and  had  children:  Frederick 
and  Charles.  3.  William  C,  deceased.  4.  Charles  Jr.,  deceased;  marriei! 
Kate  Miller,  and  had  children :  Charles,  Margaret,  Madeline.  5.  John,  a  dray- 
man of  Scranton ;  married  Mary  Scliunk,  and  had  children :  Anna,  Mamie. 
Carrie,  Fred,  Matilda,  Mildred,  Henry,  John.  6.  Henry,  married  Louise 
Eberhardt.  of  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of  Henry  and  Margaret 
(Kiefer)  Hessinger:  i.  William  C,  born  August  21,  1881  ;  secretary  of  the 
Citizens'  Building  and  Loan  Association ;  married  Carrie  Naher,  and  has 
one  son,  Paul,  born  September  i,  1908.  2.  Frank  T.,  born  March  24,  18S3; 
married  Katie,  daughter  of  Philip  Kirst,  a  former  street  commissioner,  and' a 
sister  of  William  Kirst,  the  present  city  commissioner,  and  has  children, 
Henry  P.,  born  August  2,  1906,  and  Caroline  M.,  born  July  17,  1909.  3.  Ed- 
ward R.,  born  July  27,  1889;  a  clerk  in  the  Globe  Warehouse;  married  Louise 
Scheuer,  and  has  children:  Edna,  born  June  22,  191 1,  and  Robert,  born  Sep- 
tember 23,  1912. 


FRANK  ZIVATAS 


There  are  probably  few  citizens  of  the  LTnited  States  of  foreign  origin, 
particularly  of  the  younger  generation,  who  retain  such  deep  devotion  for 
uplifting  their  own  people  and  the  land  that  gave  them  birth,  or  devote 
themselves  so  whole-heartedly  to  keeping  fresh  its  memory  and  traditions  and 
to  paying  it  due  honor,  as  Frank  Zivatas.  president  of  the  Lithuanian  Al- 
liance of  America.  He  is  a  son  of  a  Lithuanian  farmer  who  married  Lenora 
Barauski,  and  died  in  1904.  They  were  the  parents  of:  Victoria,  Elizabeth, 
Petronnel,  Frank,  of  whom  further,  Isidor,  and  Mary,  all  residents  of  Lith- 
uania with  the  exception  of  Frank. 

Frank  Zivatas  was  born  in  the  village  of  Lataku,  county  Raseiniu.  province 
of  Kanno,  Lithuania,  December  10,  1874,  and  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  land.  Realizing  the  superior  possibilities  to  be  found  in  the 
United  States,  in  1893  he  set  sail  for  that  land,  arriving  in  New  York  City 
on  April  14,  proceeding  westward  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  he  remained  in  that 
city  for  three  months.  He  then  came  to  Scranton  and  until  1909  was  there 
employed  in  the  mines,  in  March  of  that  year  establishing  in  the  wholesale' 
liquor  trade  at  No.  no  West  Market  street,  in  which  location  he  has  since 
conducted  an  extensive  business.  Mr.  Zivatas,  strong  in  the  desire  for  self- 
improvement,  has  taken  advantage  of  the  excellent  educational  facilities  of 
the  city,  having  for  one  year  attended  St.  Mary's  private  school,  and  was 
for  eight  years,  from  1894  to  1902,  a  student  in  the  night  school  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  where  he  studied  the  English  language  and 
electricity,  supplementing  this  instruction  with  a  course  in  the  International 
Correspondence  Schools  of  this  city.  In  1909  he  was  elected  president  of  the 
Lithuanian  Alliance  of  the  United  States,  and  was  re-elected  in  191 1.  This 
society   was   organized   in    Plymouth,   chartered   in    Luzerne   county   in    1886, 


576  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

and  in  1909  re-organized  and  its  scope  and  influence  widened.  As  president 
of  this  organization  Mr.  Zivatas  has  traveled  considerably  throughout  the 
United  States,  visiting  its  constituent  bodies  and  lecturing  on  its  aims  and 
purposes,  as  well  as  organizing  new  associations.  In  the  latter  work  he 
has  met  with  praiseworthy  success,  and  is  an  interesting,  forceful  speaker. 
The  headquarters  of  the  Alliance  are  at  No.  307  West  Thirtieth  street,  New 
York  City.  Mr.  Zivatas  is  also  a  member  of  the  Lithuanian  Benevolent  So- 
ciety and  the  Lovers  of  Fatherland  Society.  His  political  views  are  inde- 
pendent. 


JOHN  WAKEMAN  DUSENBURY 

A  resident  of  Scranton  since  1889,  ^^-  Dusenbury  has  a  large  acquain- 
tance among  the  business  men  of  the  central  city  having  been  the  local 
agent  of  the  Travelers  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  handling 
life  and  casualty  lines.  Occupying  the  same  office  for  over  twenty  years  in- 
dicates the  stability  of  both  company  and  agency. 

Born  at  Great  Bend,  Susquehanna  county,  in  i860,  where  he  represented 
the  same  company,  he  is  now  considered  "one  of  the  old  guard"  by  "The 
Travelers,"  having  a  continuous  agency  connection  of  over  thirty  years. 

Only  child  of  John  H.,  son  of  George  Dusenbury,  of  Windsor,  Nev/ 
York,  and  Caroline,  daughter  of  Bradley  Wakeman,  of  Laceyville,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Dusenbury  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Club,  the  Scrcfnton 
Bicycle  Club,  local  Masonic  organizations,  and  is  a  vestryman  of  St.  Luke's 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  He  has  a  large  acquaintance  throughout  the 
country  owing  to  many  years'  attendance  at  the  meetings  of  the  American 
Whist  League  and  participation  in  many  whist  tournaments,  and  has  assisted 
in  winning  two  American  championships  in  that  sport. 

Mr.  Dusenbury  married  Nellie,  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Hosford,  of 
Friendsville,  Pennsylvania,  in  1888.    Mrs.  Dusenbury  died  at  Scranton  in  1896. 


HERBERT  E.   BRADER 

Herbert  E.  Bradei,  superintendent  of  the  Scranton  Pump  Company,  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  January  25,  1858,  is  a  son  of  Samuel  Brader, 
who  was  one  of  a  family  of  seven,  consisting  of :  William,  deceased ;  Simon, 
deceased,  married  and  had  children,  Laura,  Eudora,  Howard,  George,  Bertha ; 
George,  deceased,  married  and  had  a  son  William,  and  daughter  Eudora; 
Daniel,  deceased,  married  and  had  children,  Clarence,  Ida,  George;  John, 
served  in  the  Union  army  in  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  the  company  in 
which  his  brother  Samuel  fought,  married  and  had  children,  Elmer  and  Edith ; 
James,  lives  in  Nebraska.  The  father  of  the  above-named  children  was  a  pat- 
tern-maker and  carpenter  by  trade,  later  in  life  retiring  to  the  farm  on  which 
he  died. 

Samuel  Brader  was  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  and  enlisted  in  the 
Union  army  from  that  locality,  participating  in  many  of  the  most  bloody 
conflicts  of  the  war.  He  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Jacob  Smethers,  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  had  children:  i.  Luella,  married  John  Washburn, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  children.  Franc,  Eric,  Pansy.  2. 
Herbert  E.,  of  whom  further.  3.  Samuel,  married  Barbara  Weidman,  and  is 
the  father  of  Luella,  Ralph,  Anna,  Albert.  4.  Lizzie,  married  Charles  Tetter, 
and  has  children,  Ella  and  Georgia.  5.  Edward,  married  Jennie  Thomas, 
of  Scranton ;  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Samuel.     6.  William,  married 


CITY  OF  SCR.'\NTON  577 

Emma  Rollins,  of  Scranton.  7.  Katherine,  married  James  Tuttle,  of  Scran- 
ton  ;  they  have  one  son,  Gerald. 

Herbert  E.  Brader,  son  of  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Smethers)  Brader,  was 
born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  January  25,  1858.  He  studied  in  the  publx 
schools  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  learned  pattern-making  in  the  iron  works  oi 
that  city  and  was  so  employed  for  a  period  of  twenty-three  years,  from  1872 
to  1905.  In  the  latter  year  he  came  highly  recommended  to  Scranton  as  fore- 
man in  the  pattern-making  shops  of  the  Scranton  Pump  Company,  serving  in 
this  capacity  until  October,  1910,  when  he  was  raised  to  the  position  of  super- 
intendent. Of  this  office  he  is  the  present  efficient  incumbent,  ably  discharg- 
ing all  of  the  duties  that  devolve  upon  him  as  head  of  the  plant,  and  has 
raised  the  systems  employed  therein  to  the  highest  pitch  of  usefulness.  Mr. 
Brader  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  holding  the  thirty-second  degree, 
belonging  as  well  to  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre.     His  political  faith  is  independent. 

Mr.  Brader  married  Minerva  L.  Wagner,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania, 
the  ceremony  being  solemnized  October  29,  1879.  They  are  the  parents  of: 
I.  Harry  E.,  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes-Barre;  a  piano-tuner; 
married  Bertha  Engel,  daughter  of  George  and  Lydia  (Pettibone)  Engle ;  thev 
have  one  daughter,  Lydia  Pettibone.  2.  Charles,  a  pattern-maker;  married 
Mary  Brown,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  has  one  daughter,  Minerva.  3.  Stanley 
E.,  an  employee  of  the  Scranton  Lithographing  Company;  married  Mildred 
Grinnell,  and  has  two  children :  Herbert  and  Stanley. 


ELMER  HENRY  LA  WALL 

The  development  of  the  professional  into  the  business  man,  and  successful 
continuance  in  both  departments  is  the  unusual  and  commendable  record  of 
Elmer  Henry  Lawall,  treasurer  of  the  International  Correspondence  Schools 
of  Scranton. 

Allen  Jacob  Lawall,  father  of  Elmer  H.  Lawall,  was  born  near  Easton, 
Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  23,  1841.  Having  acquired  his  education 
in  the  Moravian  schools  of  that  vicinity  and  at  Bethlehem,  he  pursued  me- 
chanical work  for  several  years,  eventually  entering  the  service  of  the  Beth- 
lehem Steel  Company.  He  married  Maria  Toengeous,  and  of  their  seven  chil- 
dren, four  reached  maturity:  Elmer  H.,  of  further  mention;  Marie  Antoinette, 
married  C.  J.  Gapp,  of  Bethlehem ;  Helen  Elizabeth,  married  Louis  Bentley, 
of  Beaver  Falls,  Pennsylvania,  a  mechanical  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the 
Armstrong  Company;  ]\Iadeline,  married  to  Ralph  H.  Evans,  editor.  Alliance, 
Ohio. 

Elmer  Henry  Lawall  was  born  December  7,  1861.  He  attended  the  Morav- 
ian schools  in  Bethlehem,  later  entering  Lehigh  Llniversity,  whence  he  was 
grjkduated  C.  E.  in  the  class  of  1882.  The  year  after  the  completion  of  his  col- 
lege course  and  the  attainment  of  his  degree,  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  engin- 
eering department  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company,  and  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  company's  mines  at  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania.  From  this  time 
until  1887  he  was  employed  as  chief  engineer  of  the  Beaver  Brook,  Silver 
Brook,  Black  Ridge,  the  J.  S.  Wentz,  the  Morea,  and  the  New  Boston  Coal 
companies,  and  in  addition  to  the  service  rendered  these  corporations  was 
frequently  in  demand  for  advice  in  the  engineering  enterprises  of  other  con- 
cerns. In  1887  he  held  the  office  of  general  manager  of  the  New  York,  Sus- 
quehanna &  Western  Railroad  and  Coal  companies,  with  headquarters  in 
Scranton.  From  1890  to  1898  he  was  general  superintendent  of  the  Lehigh 
&  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company.  In  the  latter  year  he  became  treasurer  of  the 
37 


578  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

International  Correspondence  Schools  of  Scranton,  an  office  he  fills  at  the 
present  time  with  general  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  A  careful  and  ex- 
perienced business  man,  he  handles  the  involved  finances  of  the  company  in 
a  capable  manner,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  all  of  his  associates. 

The  multiplicity  of  Mr.  Lawall's  interests  is  shown  by  the  following:  He 
was  consulting  engineer  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Coal  Com- 
pany;  is  secretary  of  the  Diamond  Land  and  Improvement  Company;  vice- 
president  of  the  Exeter  Machine  Works,  Pittston,  Pennsylvania;  treasurer  of 
the  Square  Deal  Gold  Mining  Company,  of  Central  City,  Colorado ;  director 
of  the  Hazleton  Iron  Works ;  and  expert  engineer  for  several  corporations 
of  like  character  with  those  previously  mentioned.  Mr.  Lawall's  social  con- 
nections are  with  the  Westmoreland  Club,  University  Club,  of  Philadelphia, 
Euclid  Club,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  the  Country  clubs  of  Wilkes-Barre  and 
Scranton. 

Mr.  Lawall  married,  June  4,  1888,  Carolyn,  daughter  of  George  Johns,  de- 
ceased, who  was  a  coal  operator  of  Audenried,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  Elisc, 
deceased ;  Marie,  living  in  Paris,  France ;  Claire,  attending  school  in  Pari'-. 
Mr.  Lawall  has  been  called  to  the  numerous  positions  of  trust  and  honor  that 
he  holds  through  popular  recognition  of  his  fitness  in  his  profession  qualify- 
ing him  for  such  distinction,  and  because  of  financial  acumen  so  convincingly 
displayed. 


LOUIS  JOHN  SIEBECKER 

Louis  John  Siebecker  is  a  member  of  a  German  family,  a  native  of  New 
York  state,  but  since  1869  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Scranton.  His  father, 
William  Siebecker,  was  born  in  Germany  and  was  there  educated,  being  eariy 
trained  in  the  trade  of  cabinet-maker.  He  left  his  native  land  in  1845  ^itl 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1849,  joining  the  vast  horde  that  migrated  west 
ward  in  hope  of  sudden  and  rich  wealth  to  be  found  in  nature's  treasure  house, 
California.  After  a  five  years'  quest  for  the  precious  metal  he  returned  East, 
and  shortly  after  his  arrival  in  New  York  he  married  and  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Sullivan  county.  New  York,  the  family  home  until  1869.  In  the 
latter  year  he  and  his  family  moved  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  for 
several  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  his  store  being  locate  ■ 
on  Franklin  avenue,  later  becoming  a  drayman.  About  1904  he  sold  his 
business  and  retired  from  active  life.  He  married  Mary  Lowenberg,  a  native 
of  New  York  City,  and  had  children :  Annie,  married  F.  J.  Widmayer ;  Henry , 
Edward ;  Louis  John,  of  whom  further.     Both  parents  are  now  deceased. 

Louis  John  Siebecker,  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Lowenberg)  Siebecker. 
was  born  in  a  log  house  on  the  home  farm  near  Youngsville,  Sullivan  county, 
New  York,  December  26,  i860.  He  attended  the  country  school  nearby,  and 
for  one  year  was  a  student  in  a  public  school  in  New  York  City,  and  obtained 
the  remainder  of  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton,  and  a  private 
German  institution  in  the  same  city.  In  1876  he  entered  the  employ  of  S.  G. 
Kerr,  a  carpet  dealer  of  Scranton,  and  after  a  seven  years'  connection  with 
this  merchant  became  a  part  owner  of  the  business,  which  several  years 
later  was  changed  to  Kerr  &  Siebecker.  Mr.  Siebecker,  in  1895,  was  the 
prime  factor  in  the  organization  of  the  Security  Building  and  Savings  Union 
and  for  fifteen  years  filled  the  position  of  treasurer,  having  since  1910  been 
secretary  of  that  organization.  Besides  this  business  relation  he  is  manager 
of  the  Electric  Railways  Advertising  Company,  not  only  in  Scranton,  but  in 
several  other  large  cities.  He  is  a  business  man  of  tried  abilities,  valuable  in 
whatever  position  placed,  and  both  in  connection  with  the  company  of  which 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


579 


he  is  an  organizer  and  the  Advertising  Company  he  plays  a  prominent  part. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  and  he  be- 
longs to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Scranton  Lieder- 
kranz,  the  Junger  Mannerchor,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  is 
a  Scottish  Rite  Mason.  He  has  held  active  membership  in  the  Liederkranz 
for  thirty-three  years,  all  of  which  time  he  has  been  in  the  chorus. 

Mr.  Siebecker  married,  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  January  17,  1884, 
Jennie  M.  Dittrich,  born  in  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  in  February,  1862, 
daughter  of  Ferdinand  and  Dorothy  Dittrich.  Ferdinand  Dittrich  is  a  mer- 
chant, his  line  being  hats  and  furs.  Children  of  Louis  John  and  Jennie  M. 
vania ;  married  Robert  L.  Reaves ;  Walter,  a  student  in  the  Scranton  High 
School;  School;  married  Ernest  S.  Softley,  and  has  one  child,  Kenneth.  2. 
Mary  L.,  a  graduate  of  the  Darlington  Seminary  at  West  Chester,  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  married  Robert  L.  Reeves ;  Walter,  a  student  in  the  Scranton  High 
School.  Mr.  Siebecker's  office  is  in  the  Mears  Building,  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania.    His  family  residence  is  No.  531  Madison  avenue. 


HAYDEN  H.  ASHLEY 

A  native  Pennsylvanian,  a  product  of  the  public  schools  of  that  state  and 
a  New  Jersey  educational  institution,  Mr.  Ashley  has  devoted  his  entire  career, 
with  the  exception  of  a  short  space  of  time,  to  railroading,  in  which  he  is 
now  engaged,  Scranton  always  having  been  his  place  of  business.  He  has 
risen  through  successive  grades  to  a  most  important  and  responsible  position 
with  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey. 

Rollin  T.  Ashley,  grandfather  of  Hayden  H.  Ashley,  was  born  in  Hamp- 
ton, New  York,  October  22,  1803,  on  a  farm  on  the  west  bank  of  Poultney 
river,  nearly  opposite  the  village  of  Fairhaven,  Vemiont.  He  taught  school 
in  the  winter  of  1826-27  at  Bass  River,  Burlington  county,  New  Jersey.  He 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Blackman's  Mills,  Port  Republic,  now  At- 
lantic county,  New  Jersey,  and  in  the  spring  of  1831  removed  to  Brooklyn, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  succeeded  his  uncle,  James 
Noble,  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  continued  in  trade  for  more  than  half 
a  century.  He  was  widely  known  as  an  active  and  influential  Methodist,  and 
was  for  many  years  a  local  preacher  of  that  denomination.  In  1866  he  was 
elected  associate  judge  of  Susquehanna  county  and  served  to  the  end  of  his 
term,  in  1871.  He  married,  in  what  is  now  Port  Republic,  New  Jersey,  Jan- 
uary 24,  1830,  Roxanna  Blackman,  who  died  in  Brooklyn,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 16,  1888.  Children :  James  Ayars ;  Joseph  Ralph ;  Nehemiah  Black- 
man,  of  whom  further ;  George  Kennard ;  Sarah  Eliza,  married  Captain  Henry 
Francis  Beardsley,  of  IMontrose,  Pennsylvania ;  Mary  Adeline,  married  Rev. 
John  S.  Breckinridge,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York;  Emeline;  Horatio  Hayden. 

Nehemiah  Blackman  Ashley,  father  of  Hayden  H.  Ashley,  was  born  in 
Brooklyn,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  9,  1834.  He  left 
home  before  he  was  twenty  and  his  active  business  career  was  devoted  to  rail- 
road building  and  mercantile  business.  In  1854-55  he  was  with  the  civil  en- 
gineering corps  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  In  1856 
he  was  stationed  at  High  Bridge,  New  Jersey,  superintending  the  double  track- 
ing of  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  jersey.  The  following  year  he  built  a 
section  of  track  at  Beach  Haven,  Pennsylvania,  for  the  Lackawanna  &  Blooms- 
burg  Railroad  Company,  now  the  Bloomsburg  Division  of  the  Delaware. 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad.  In  1858  he  was  engaged  on  the  Brooklyn 
Water  Works,  Brooklyn,  New  York.  In  1862  he  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile   business    in    Brooklyn,    Pennsylvania,   with   his    father,    and    the    fol- 


58o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

lowing  year  engaged  in  the  same  line  in  Alexandria,  Virginia.  In  1867  he 
came  to  Scranton  and  engaged  in  the  produce  business  until  his  death,  March 
4,  1900,  with  the  exception  of  the  years  1874-75-76  spent  in  New  Jersey  build- 
ing several  miles  of  railroad  known  as  the  New  York  &  Philadelphia  New 
Line,  now  operated  as  part  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  system,  between 
Bound  Brook,  New  Jersey,  and  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Mary 
Alargaret  Driesbach.  Children:  Emma  B.,  married  David  H.  Jenkins;  Hayden 
H.,  of  whom  further;  Annie,  Daniel  G.,  Ralph  B. 

Hayden  H.  Ashley  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, February  4,  1864.  He  came  to  Scranton  in  1867,  at  three  years  of  age. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton.  later  finishing  his  studie,=. 
at  Pennington  Seminary,  Pennington,  Mercer  county.  New  Jersey.  Until 
1888  he  was  identified  with  the  mercantile  business  of  Scranton.  In  the  latter 
year  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  in  the. 
Scranton  Station  as  telegraph  operator  and  ticket  clerk,  continuing  until 
that  section  of  the  road  became  the  property  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Com- 
pany. He  was  employed  in  the  same  capacity  by  the  latter  road  until  May 
I,  1888,  when  the  terminal  of  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey  was  com- 
pleted in  Scranton,  at  which  time  he  became  ticket  agent  in  the  new  sta- 
tion. He  was  promoted  to  the  cashiership  of  the  freight  department  of  the 
road  in  1890,  and  on  July  i,  1896,  was  appointed  agent  in  charge  of  the  freight 
traffic  and  passenger  transportation,  an  office  that  he  held  until  November  15, 
1909.  On  that  date  he  was  placed  in  the  position  that  he  now  holds,  that  ol 
contracting  freight  agent,  and  since  that  time  has  discharged  the  duties  of  his 
office  with  an  admirable  ability  and  a  thoroughness  that  leaves  little  to  be 
desired. 

His  department  in  such  a  great  manufacturing  centre  as  Scranton  is  one 
of  vital  importance  and  one  upon  which  hinges  much  of  the  prosperity  of  the 
road.  Faithfulness  and  wise  execution  of  the  affairs  that  come  within  his 
province  have  marked  his  term  of  service  and  have  made  his  relations  the 
most  happy  and  congenial  and  satisfaction  has  pervaded  all  of  his  contact  with 
superiors  and  inferiors  in  position.  His  fraternal  order  is  the  Masonic  in 
which  he  holds  the  Knights  Templar  degree,  also  belonging  to  the  Nobles  cf 
the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Ashley  married,  June  15,  1892,  Daphna,  daughter  of  George  W.  Twin- 
ing, of  East  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsylvania. 


WILLIAM  DECKELNICK 

The  German  family  of  Deckelnick  has  had  nearly  sixty  years  of  residence 
in  Scranton,  that  time  all  but  covering  the  period  those  of  the  name  have 
spent  in  the  L^nited  States.  The  present  representative  of  the  family  in  Scran- 
ton, is  William  Deckelnick,  whose  grandfather,  John,  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many and  spent  all  of  his  hundred  and  four  years  in  that  land.  John  Deckel- 
nick was  a  harness-maker  by  trade  and  followed  that  occupation  until  he  had 
attained  an  advanced  age,  his  strength  and  vitality  having  been  preserved  to 
a  remarkable  degree  throughout  a  busy  and  active  life.  He  was  thrice  mar- 
ried and  was  the  father  of  eighteen  children,  Nicholas,  father  of  William, 
being  his  youngest  child.  Nicholas  Deckelnick  was  born  in  Germany  in  1827. 
grew  to  maturity  in  his  native  land,  and  became  a  saddler.  He  was  thirty- 
three  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  after  his  arrival 
in  that  land  established  in  the  harness-making  business  in  New  York  City, 
his  residence  for  six  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  same  line  of  business  in 
Scranton,   where   he   was   the  proprietor   of  a   shop   from    1866  to    1890,   his 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  581 

death  occurring  in  the  latter  year.  He  married  Maggie  Wagner  and  had  chil- 
dren;  I.  Otto,  died  in  Minnesota  in  1910.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War, 
being  in  active  service  for  two  years  of  that  time,  engaging  in  many  of  the 
important  battles  of  the  war,  his  regiment  having  an  exceedingly  active  career. 
From  the  close  of  the  war  until  his  death  he  received  a  pension  from 
the  government  in  recognition  of  services  rendered.  2.  William,  of  whom 
further.  3.  Nicholas,  a  cigar  manufacturer  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey.  4.  Jacob, 
deceased.  5.  Mattic,  deceased.  6.  Julius,  deceased.  7.  Charles,  a  resident 
of  Scranton.  8.  Emma,  married  a  Mr.  Hawley,  and  resides  in  Trenton,  New 
Jersey. 

William  Deckelnick,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Maggie  (Wagner)  Dickelnick. 
was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  July  24,  1852,  came  to  the  United  States  with 
his  father  in  i860,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 
He  accompanied  his  father  to  Scranton  in  1866  and  learned  the  painter's 
trade,  later  establishing  as  a  contracting  painter,  continuing  in  this  line  until 
1890.  He  is  a  cornet  player  of  talent  and  for  three  years  of  this  period  was 
a  member  of  Tellers  Band,  the  first  cornet  band  organized  in  Scranton.  In 
1890,  Mr.  Deckelnick,  opened  a  hotel  on  Luzerne  street  and  was  proprietor 
thereof  for  thirteen  years,  in  1903  letting  the  contracts  for  the  erection  of  a 
modern  and  completely  equipped  hotel  at  No.  346  South  Main  avenue.  This 
was  ready  for  occupancy  the  following  year  and  with  his  greatly  improved 
facilities  for  the  entertainment  of  guests,  Mr.  Deckelnick  has  there  since 
catered  to  a  large  and  growing  patronage,  his  business  a  profitable  one,  and  his 
venture  a  success.  He  and  his  family  are  adherents  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
faith,  and  his  political  party  is  the  Republican,  while  fraternally  he  is  con- 
nected with  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles. 

He  married,  in  1873,  Lena  Frustein,  and  has  children:  i.  Rose,  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Lewis,  of  Scranton,  and  is  the  mother  of  two  sons,  Percy  and 
Albert.  2.  George,  proprietor  of  the  Hotel  Deckelnick,  on  Jackson  avenue, 
Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  3.  Wil- 
liam, deceased.  4.  Maggie,  deceased.  5.  Caroline.  6.  Eugene,  associated  in 
business  with  his  father,  a  member  of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles. 


ROBERT  CHARLES  WILLS 

Irish  in  ancestry  and  birth  but  distinctively  American  in  works  and  achieve- 
ments, Robert  Charles  Wills,  during  a  life  of  ceaseless  activity  has  created  a 
mark  in  the  business  world  of  Scranton  that  reflects  ample  credit  upon  his 
judgment  and  capacity  for  accomplishment,  and  as  treasurer  and  manager 
of  the  Keystone  Brewing  Company  stands  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  most 
considerable  houses  of  its  kind  in  the  locality,  also  being  connected  in  advisory 
role  with  numerous  other  of  Scranton's  important  institutions.  He  was  born 
in  Ireland,  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (O'Donahue)  Wills,  his  father  dying 
when  Robert  C.  was  but  two  years  of  age,  and  his  mother  died  April  26, 
1914,  in  the  homeland,  where  her  son  had  frequently  visited  her.  Henry  and 
Elizabeth   (O'Donahue)    Wills  were  the  parents  of   fourteen  children. 

Robert  C.  Wills  was  born  May  15,  1858,  and  as  a  boy  attended  the  rural 
schools  of  Ireland,  coming  to  the  United  States  when  a  lad  of  seventeen  years. 
He  at  once  came  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  entered  into  the  tea  business 
for  himself  and  from  this  beginning  was  never  employed  at  a  stated  salary, 
much  preferring  to  earn  less  or  more,  according  to  his  worth,  than  to  be 
unalterably  valued  at  a  certain  figure.  In  1883  he  purchased  property  at  No. 
430  Lackawanna  avenue,  for  $14,000,  and  conducted  a  wholesale  liquor  busi- 


582  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ness  until  1894,  at  which  time  he  disposed  of  the  property  for  $40,000.  At 
this  time  he  entered  upon  the  venture  that  has  since  became  a  successful  one. 
by  purchasing  the  Keystone  Brewery,  the  plant  fronting  on  Blakely  street,  ex- 
tending from  Green  to  Pine  streets.  In  1894  the  business  was  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  the  Keystone  Brewing  Company,  the  plant  was  enlarged 
and  greatly  improved  and  under  Mr.  Wills  efficient  management  became  one  of 
the  most  prosperous  institutions  of  its  kind  in  Pennsylvania.  The  original 
product  of  the  plant  was  ale,  and  in  1899  an  addition  was  made  to  the  building 
providing  facilities  for  the  manufacture  of  lager  beer  and  porter,  which 
has  since  been  continued  with  great  success.  From  an  annual  output  of  about 
eight  thousand  barrels  of  ale  the  figure  has  risen  to  seventy  thousand  barrels 
of  lager  beer,  ale  and  porter,  a  market  for  the  entire  quantity  being  found  in 
Lackawanna  county,  the  revenue  derived  from  this  industry  by  the  United 
States  government  amounting  to  $70,000  per  annum.  The  plant  is  admirably 
appointed  for  its  work,  the  bins  of  the  plant  having  a  capacity  of  four  carloads 
of  grain,  while  the  fire-proof  brew-house  has  a  copper  kettle  capacity  of  four 
hundred  barrels.  The  pay-roll  of  the  company  contains  about  sixty  names,  the 
annual  salaries  amounting  to  $100,000.  Mr.  Wills  is  treasurer  and  manager  of 
the  company,  and  in  the  active  direction  of  the  business  he  is  assisted  by  the 
following  efficient  force :  Assistant  manager  and  superintendent,  F.  B.  Butler ; 
private  secretary,  John  J.  Cannon ;  brew-master,  Jacob  Eckstein,  a  graduate  of 
one  of  the  foremost  brewing  institutes  of  the  country,  having  followed  his 
calling  in  Germany  and  in  Rochester,  New  York ;  assistant  brew-master,  Wil- 
liam Fricker,  a  graduate  of  a  German  brewing  institute  in  Germany,  and  for 
twelve  years  connected  with  the  firm  which  is  his  present  employer ;  while  the 
sales  department  is  under  the  care  of  John  E.  Coyne  and  Edward  McDade. 

Mr.  Wills  is  otherwise  prominently  connected  with  business  interests  in 
Scranton  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Scranton  Trust  Com- 
pany, the  Dime  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank,  the  Fidelity  Bank,  of  Dunmore. 
the  Blue  Creek  Coal  and  Land  Company,  and  the  Kanawa  Railroad  Company 
(West  Virginia)  ;  president  of  R.  C.  Wills  Company,  of  Scranton,  wholesale 
liquor  dealers ;  and  a  member  of  the  Keystone  Realty  Company,  of  Dun- 
more,  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  political  conviction.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  belongs  to  St.  Peter's 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  Scran- 
ton Club,  Scranton  Press  Club  and  Young  Men's  Catholic  Club. 

Mr.  Wills  married  Anna  E.  Coroner,  a  native  of  Scranton.  Mrs.  Wills 
was  for  several  years  prior  to  her  marriage  a  teacher  in  the  Scranton  schools. 
Children  of  Robert  Charles  and  Anna  (Coroner)  Wills:  Joseph  J.;  Henry, 
deceased ;  Robert,  deceased.  Joseph  J.  is  now  connected  in  business  with  his 
father.  Mrs.  Wills  is  one  of  a  family  of  fourteen  children  of  Patrick  and 
Bridget  Coroner,  who  were  residents  of  Scranton  for  over  fifty  years.  The 
palatial  family  home  is  at  No.  531  Clay  avenue,  Scranton,  located  in  the  finest 
residential  block  in  the  city. 


PATRICK  FRANCIS  CUSICK 

The  paternal  progenitor  of  Patrick  J.  Cusick  was  Owen  Cusick,  the  well 
remembered  undertaker  of  Scranton,  whose  life  was  a  record  of  kindly  deeds 
and  successful  business  endeavor.  The  grandfather  Cusick  came  from  Ire- 
land in  1854  with  his  family,  settled  in  Scranton,  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Company,  and  became  store  manager.  He  left 
children:  Bartholomew,  Patrick,  Michael,  Owen.  Bridget,  married  Patrick 
Judge  ;_Margaret,  married  Senator  J.  C.  Vaughn. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  583 

Owen  Ciisick,  born  December  24,  1850,  was  brought  from  Ireland  by  his 
parents  when  four  years  of  age.  He  attended  Scranton  schools  and  began 
business  life  as  a  section  contractor  on  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western 
Railroad.  He  was  thrifty,  industrious  and  ambitious,  determined  to  rise  from 
that  position.  He  purchased  a  mule  and  wagon,  beginning  in  this  small  way, 
and  later  he  had  one  hundred  horses,  this  fact  demonstrating  the  extent  to 
which  his  business  expanded.  He  gradually  built  up  a  livery  business,  then 
opened  an  undertaking  establishment,  prospering  in  both  branches  to  an  ex- 
traordinary degree.  At  first  his  location  was  in  Bellevue,  but  later  he  moved 
to  a  more  central  part  of  the  city,  occupying  the  old  skating  rink  at  the  corner 
of  Adams  and  Mulberry  streets.  During  a  severe  snow  storm  and  blizzard  in 
1888  the  building  was  blown  down,  then  caught  fire  and  was  totally  destroyed, 
entailing  a  severe  loss  upon  Mr.  Cusick,  the  property  being  uninsured.  He 
purchased  a  fine  property  on  Court  House  Square  which  is  yet  owned  by  bis 
heirs  and  there  continued  the  undertaking  business  until  his  death.  During 
his  life  as  undertaker  Mr.  Cusick  won  a  place  among  genuine  philanthropists 
by  his  warm  hearted  generosity  to  the  poor.  He  never  refused  to  bury  their 
dead  even  when  there  was  not  the  faintest  chance  of  his  being  paid,  nor  did  he 
ever  render  an  unsolicited  bill.  As  the  Good  Book  says,  "there  is  he  that 
scattereth  yet  increaseth,"  so  it  was  with  Mr.  Cusick,  his  charity  not  hindering 
but  seemingly  aiding  him  on  the  road  to  success.  He  is  most  kindly  remem- 
bered, for  he  left  behind  him  a  record  of  a  well  spent,  useful  life.  During  his 
active  years  he  was  much  interested  in  public  affairs,  and  at  one  time  was 
elected  clerk  of  the  Court  House  by  a  plurality  of  ninety-eight  votes.  The 
closeness  of  the  vote  induced  the  incumbent  of  the  office,  who  was  also  the 
defeated  candidate,  to  contest  the  election.  Under  the  law  then  in  force,  now 
repealed,  the  incumbent  held  over  until  the  contest  was  decided  in  the  courts. 
By  legal  process  unfathomable  to  the  layman,  decision  was  delayed  until  the 
term  for  which  Mr.  Cusick  was  elected  had  expired,  the  defeated  candidate 
for  the  office  holding  over  a  full  term  as  if  duly  elected. 

Owen  Cusick  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Michael  Spellman,  of  Archbald, 
Pennsylvania.  Children :  Mary,  Theresa,  John,  Patrick  F.,  of  whom  further ; 
Eugene  A.,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Cusick  Company;  Emily,  Elizabeth, 
married  James  F.  Bell ;  Michael,  Ambrose  and  Bartholomew.  Owen  Cusick 
died  July  28,  1894. 

Patrick  Francis  Cusick,  son  of  Owen  and  Mary  (Spellman)  Cusick,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  February  14,  1881.  He  attended  Saint 
Cecelia's  Academy  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  succeeded  his  father 
in  the  undertaking  business.  The  business  founded  by  Owen  Cusick  is  still 
continued  under  the  name  "Cusicks,"  the  manager  being  one  of  the  founder's 
sons,  Eugene  A.  Cusick.  In  1903  Patrick  F.  Cusick  organized  the  Standard 
Brewing  Company,  of  which  he  is  secretary,  treasurer  and  general  manager ; 
in  1906  the  Cusick  corporation  of  which  he  is  president;  and  the  Scranton 
Distributing  Company,  of  which  he  is  president.  These  are  all  successful 
enterprises,  the  plant  of  the  Standard  having  proven  too  small  within  a  few  days 
after  being  placed  in  operation.  A  second  contract  was  placed  at  once  that 
doubled  its  capacity,  but  this  also  proving  inadequate,  a  third  enlargement  was 
made,  the  plant  now  being  able  to  meet  all  demands  made  upon  it.  The 
company  is  entirely  independent,  not  being  connected  with  any  other  plant 
or  trust'.  In  the  course  of  business  it  became  necessary  to  purchase  the  busi- 
ness of  E.  J.  Walsh,  and  this  large  wholesale  business  covering  five  states  is 
conducted  under  the  management  of  the  Scranton  Distributing  Company,  of 
which  Mr.  Cusick  is  president.  In  1910  he  was  elected  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Jessup,  a  most  prosperous  institution.     As  a  successful  and 


584  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

energetic  business  man  Mr.  Ciisick  holds  high  rank,  yet  he  is  most  genial  and 
social,  belonging  to  many  fraternal  and  beneficial  societies  both  within  and 
with  the  church  of  his  choice,  Saint  Peter's  Roman  Catholic  Cathedral.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Fraternal  Order 
of  Eagles,  Knights  of  Saint  George,  Catholic  Knights  of  America,  Knights  of 
Columbus,  Saint  Peter's  Total  Abstinence  and  Benevolent  Society,  Red  Cross, 
Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  Young  Men's  Institute,  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  Irish  American  Society,  Friendly  Sons  of  Saint  Patrick,  Scran- 
ton  Board  of  Trade,  Manufacturers'  Club  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Society  of  New  York.  In  politics  he  is  strictly  independent.  Although 
a  young  man,  Mr.  Cusick  began  business  life  at  so  early  an  age  that  he  is  a 
veteran  in  all  but  years.  His  career  has  been  marked  by  a  succession  of  suc- 
cessful enterprises,  and  in  their  management  he  displays  the  highest  order  of 
executive  ability.  His  residence  is  the  well  known  property,  the  Carlucci 
Mansion  at  No.  1048  Clay  avenue,  which  he  purchased  in  19 13. 


MICHAEL  BOSAK 


Progress  in  business  life  and  the  success  awarded  progress  has  been  the 
portion  of  Michael  Bosak,  achieved  in  a  country  to  whose  manners,  customs 
and  tongues  he  was  a  stranger.  His  advance  has  been  due  to  his  readiness  to 
seize  opportunity  and  his  willingness  to  work,  two  qualities  comprising  an 
infallible  fominla  for  success. 

A  descendant  of  a  Hungarian  family  of  great  antiquity,  he  was  born  in 
Okonble,  Saros,  Austria-Hungary,  December  10,  1870,  son  of  Michael  and 
Anna  (Tokarsky)  Bosak.  His  father  is  a  farmer,  and  at  the  present  time  he 
and  his  wife  live  on  the  home  farm  in  their  native  country,  never  having  left 
that  land.  Michael  Bosak  attended  the  public  schools  in  the  town  of  his  birth, 
and  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  was  his  father's  assistant  on  the  farm, 
coming  to  the  United  States  in  1888  and  obtaining  employment  in  a  breaker 
at  the  coal  mines  at  Hazleton.  After  several  years  of  mine  service  he  secured 
a  position  as  clerk  in  a  general  store  at  Freeland.  His  natural  habits  of  thrift 
had  enabled  him  to  save  quite  a  large  sum  of  money,  at  least,  large  in  com- 
parison with  the  amounts  he  had  formerly  possessed,  and  after  three  years' 
employment  as  clerk  he  established  a  store  under  his  own  name.  A  year 
later,  in  1893,  he  moved  to  Olyphant  and  engaged  in  the  liquor  business,  of 
which  his  present  banking  business  and  steamship  agency  is  an  outgrowth. 
In  1907  his  business  at  Olyphant  had  assumed  such  gigantic  proportions  that 
he  opened  a  branch  house  at  Scranton,  whose  growth  and  expansion  has  been 
so  rapid  that  in  size  and  the  amount  of  business  transacted  it  quite  eclipses 
the  parent  institution  and  is  regarded  as  the  principal  interest.  The  site  of  the 
business  is  at  No.  434  Lackawanna  avenue,  tlie  building  having  been  remodeled 
at  a  cost  of  $45,000,  when  the  Scranton  branch  was  established.  Three  stories 
and  a  basement  are  required  to  properly  house  the  business,  which  employs 
twelve  persons.  The  house  is  the  accredited  representative  of  all  the  trans- 
atlantic lines  as  well  as  of  numerous  lines  plying  a  coastwise  course.  For  the 
accommodation  of  the  large  number  of  foreigners  to  whom  the  bank  caters, 
clerks  having  a  knowledge  of  all  the  European  languages  are  employed,  a 
point  which  is  a  great  attraction  to  newly  arrived  immigrants,  who  are  so 
often  made  the  dupe  of  thieving  confidence  men.  Mr.  Bosak  is  also  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  wholesale  liquor  store.  His  other  business  relations  are  as  di- 
rector of  the  County  Savings  Bank  and  of  the  Scranton  Guaranty  and  Surety 
Company;  vice-president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Olyphant,  of  which 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  585 

he  was  an  organizer;  and  president  of  the  Slavonic  Deposit  Bank  of  Wilkes 
Barre  for  which  he  performed  the  same  office,  that  of  organizer.  A  Democrat 
in  politics,  he  has  served  one  term  as  member  of  the  Olyphant  council  and  was 
the  defeated  candidate  of  his  party  for  the  office  of  clerk  in  court  in  Olyphant. 
Mr.  Bosak  married  Susanna,  daughter  of  John  Hudak,  a  native  of  Austria- 
Hungary ;  children:  Mary,  married  Julius  Stronczer;  Michael,  the  fifth  gen- 
eration of  the  family  bearing  that  name;  Josephine;  Francis. 


HENRY   KEHRLI 


This  record  deals  with  three  succeeding  generations  of  the  Swiss  family 
of  Kehrli,  all  of  whom  came  to  the  United  States,  the  first  for  a  quarter  of  a 
century  a  resident  of  this  country,  the  second  returning  to  his  native  land 
after  a  sojourn  here  of  one  year  and  a  half  duration,  the  third  the  present 
representative  of  his  line  in  the  city  of  Scranton,   Henry  Kehrli. 

( I )  His  grandfather,  .A.ndrew  Kehrli,  was  born  in  Switzerland  and  immi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  settling  at  Highland,  Ohio,  for  twenty-five  years 
pursuing  his  occupation,  that  of  farmer.  He  married  and  was  the  father  of 
four  children:  i.  Caspar,  of  whom  further.  2.  Catherine,  married  and  lives 
in  Switzerland.  3.  Annie,  married  and  lives  in  Switzerland.  4.  Marguerite, 
deceased. 

(H)  Caspar  Kehrli,  son  of  Andrew  Kehrli,  was  born  in  Switzerland  in 
1830,  died  in  1909.  His  occupation  was  two-fold,  wood-carving  and  farming, 
and  these  he  followed  all  of  his  active  years.  He  at  one  time  came  to  the 
United  States,  his  trip  in  the  nature  of  a  visit,  returning  to  his  native  land 
after  one  year  and  a  half.  He  married  Barbara  Naegeli.  Children:  i.  Cath- 
erine, married  Godfried  Anliker,  a  teacher  of  Switzerland;  twelve  children. 
2.  Andrew,  married  Eleanora,  daughter  of  John  Bladder;  resides  in  Factory- 
ville,  Pennsylvania ;  seven  children.  3.  Caspar,  married  Catherine  Naegeli : 
two  children.  4.  Barbara,  married  Caspar  Naegeli ;  one  daughter.  5.  Henry, 
of  whom  further.  6.  John,  deceased.  7.  Fred,  married  Kate  Fuher ;  five 
children.  8.  Arnold,  married  Margaret  Roth ;  one  child.  9.  Annie,  mar- 
ried Michael  Abplanalp. 

(HI)  Henrj'  Kehrli,  son  of  Caspar  and  Barbara  (Naegeli)  Kehrli,  was 
bom  in  Bern  Canton,  Switzerland,  October  13,  1868,  and  there  attended  the 
public  schools  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  was  for  a  time  em- 
ployed on  his  father's  farm,  also  perfomiing  fine  wood-carving,  and  when 
twenty  years  of  age  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  sailing  on  the  French 
liner  "Labradori,"  and  landing  in  New  York  City,  April  i,  1888.  While 
acquainting  himself  with  the  language  and  customs  of  the  new  land  to  which 
he  had  come  he  obtained  work  as  a  laborer,  in  1890  obtaining  a  position  in  a 
butcher  shop,  and,  learning  the  trade,  was  so  employed  for  six  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  time  he  established  in  independent  business  at  No.  1372 
Washington  avenue,  Scranton,  eight  years  later  moving  to  his  finely  ap- 
pointed shop  at  Nos.  1401-03-05-07  Washington  avenue,  his  residence  adjoin- 
ing his  place  of  business.  The  lucrative  trade  that  he  built  up  in  his  old  loc- 
cation  followed  him  to  the  new,  and  there  he  continues  to  the  present  time,  the 
proprietor  of  a  strong  and  vigorous  business,  extensively  patronized,  deriving 
its  strength  and  vigor  from  the  principles  of  honor  and  fair-dealing  upon 
which  it  has  ever  been  run. 

Mr.  Kehrli  married,  in  1895,  Annie,  daughter  of  Caspar  and  Margaret 
Naceli,  natives  of  Switzerland,  now  residents  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania 
Children :  .A.deline,  a  student  in  high  school ;  Lillian,  a  student  in  the  technical 
high  school;  Andrew,  Father.  Ruth,  Anna,  Henry,  Florence.     Affiliating  with 


586  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  Lutheran  church,  ^Ir.  Kehrli  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  the  Scranton  Swiss  Benevolent  Society,  and  is  a  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party. 


BENJAMIN  GARFIELD  EYNON 

Holding  place  in  the  public  service  as  chief  clerk  to  the  Lackawanna 
County  Commissioners,  Benjamin  G.  Eynon  has  not  only  been  related  to  the 
interests  of  the  Scranton  region  in  a  political  capacity,  but  has  also  been  con- 
nected with  several  of  its  financial  and  manufacturing  institutions,  as  well  as 
with  the  construction  department  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western 
Railroad  Company.  At  the  present  time  he  is  the  capable  treasurer  of  the 
Standard  Clay  Company,  of  Scranton,  and  chief  clerk  to  the  Lackawanna 
County  Commissioners. 

(I)  His  ancestry  is  Welsh,  his  grandfather,  Thomas  Eynon,  having  been 
born  in  Wales,  coming  to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood.  He  married 
a  Miss  Leyshon,  and  had  children:  i.  Albert  B.,  of  whom  further.  2. 
George  F.,  a  retail  grocer  of  Scranton ;  married  Kate  Cramer,  and  has  chil- 
dren:  Charles  A.,  Thomas  F.,  Jennie,  married  a  Mr.  McGarrah.  3.  Jennie, 
married  Dr.  Beddoe,  of  Scranton. 

(II)  Albert  B.  Eynon,  son  of  Thomas  Eynon,  was  born  in  Carbondale, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1837,  and  at  the  present  time  is  cashier  of  the  West  Side 
Bank  of  Scranton.  He  married  Anna  Barnes,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Hughes, 
her  father  for  many  years  general  superintendent  of  the  coal  department  of 
the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company.  Albert  B.  and 
Anna  Barnes  (Hughes)  Eynon  are  the  parents  of:  i.  Thomas  A.,  a  graduate, 
D.  D.  S.,  of  the  LTniversity  of  Pennsylvania ;  married  May,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Thomas.  2.  Benjamin  Garfield,  of  whom  further.  3.  Howard  B.,  a 
graduate  of  the  chemical  engineering  course  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, being  honor  student  of  his  class,  at  the  present  time  assistant  chemist 
of  the  American  Carbon  and  Lamp  Company,  of  St.  Louis.  He  married 
Maude  Fames,  and  has  one  son,  Blaine  Fames.  4.  Paul  J.,  educated  in  the 
Scranton  public  schools  and  the  Keystone  Academy ;  a  bookkeeper  in  the 
West  Side  Bank. 

(III)  Benjamin  Garfield  Eynon,  son  of  Albert  B.  and  Anna  Barnes 
(Hughes)  Eynon,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  6,  1881,  and 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  graduating  from  the 
high  school  in  the  class  of  1901.  His  first  business  experience  was  obtained  in 
the  West  Side  Bank,  after  which  he  was  employed  as  bookkeeper  by  the  Scran- 
ton Woolen  Mills.  His  next  service  was  in  the  bridge  and  building  depart- 
ment of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  in  which 
employ  he  was  in  charge  of  all  of  the  accounts  of  the  department  relating  to 
work  west  of  Portland,  Pennsylvania.  In  1912  Mr.  Eynon  was  appointed  chief 
clerk  of  the  county  commission,  and  holds  this  position  at  the  present  time, 
his  work  in  this  capacity  having  been  of  so  complete,  thorough  and  exact  a 
nature  as  to  win  the  hearty  approval  of  his  superiors  in  office.  His  business 
interests  at  this  time  are  confined  to  the  Standard  Clay  Company,  of  which 
he  is  secretary  and  treasurer.  This  concern  owns  land  at  Little  Gap,  Monroe 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  pits  on  this  property  is  shipped  a  fine  grade 
of  white  silica  sand  used  in  the  manufacture  of  glass  and  fine  chinaware,  the 
business  conducted  by  the  company  being  large  and  lucrative.  Mr.  Eynon's 
political  party  is  the  Republican,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Plymouth  Con- 
gregational Church.  He  fraternizes  with  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  339,  F.  and 
A.  M.;  Lackawanna  Council,  No.  1133,  R.  A.;  and  Heralds  of  Liberty. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


587 


Mr.  Eynon  married,  June  14,  1904,  Ida  Lucretia,  daughter  of  J.  W.  Moore. 
Her  father  was  a  native  of  Wales  and  after  coming  to  the  United  States  made 
his  home  in  Ohio,  in  which  state  he  married  Ehzabeth  WiUiams,  and  had 
children:  Cordelia;  Charles  W.,  of  Scranton ;  Arthur  ].,  a  dentist  of  Dickson 
City,  Pennsylvania;  Nellie,  married  Isaac  Scull,  of  Newark,  New  Jersey;  Ida 
Lucretia,  of  previous  mention,  married  Benjamin  G.  Eynon.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Eynon  have  one  daughter,  Pauline  Moore,  born  May  28,  1907. 


CHARLES  HERBERT  CRESSWELL 

Charles  Herbert  Cresswell  is  a  Scranton  representative  of  a  family  whose 
history  has  been  long  connected  with  England,  that  being  the  country  of  his 
birth.  The  following  record,  brief  as  it  is,  will  show  its  members  to  be  and 
to  have  been  citizens  whose  walks  in  life  have  made  of  them  useful  men.  men 
of  deed  and  achievement  worth  while,  and  patriots  every  one.  Charles  H. 
Cresswell,  of  Scranton,  is  a  grandson  of  Charles  Cresswell',  an  English  manu- 
facturer of  boxes.  He  married  and  was  the  father  of:  Herbert,  of  whom 
further;  Mary,  married  Charles  Oakford ;  Helen,  unmarried;  Sarah  Ann, 
married  Thomas  Warsop  and  has  one  son,  Thomas  Jr. ;  Arthur,  a  cattle  dealer. 

Herbert  Cresswell,  father  of  Charles  Herbert  Cresswell,  was  born  at 
Nottingham,  Nottinghamshire,  England,  September  15,  1849.  His  active  busi- 
ness life  has  been  passed  as  a  merchant  in  his  native  land.  He  married  Caro- 
line Watson,  of  Lincolnshire,  England.  Their  children:  i.  Clara,  married 
Henry  Black;  resides  in  Johannesburg,  South  Africa.  2.  Qiarles  Herbert, 
of  whom  further.  3.  Arthur,  married  Florence  Loseley  and  lives  in  New 
Zealand ;  four  children :  Aland,  Lillian,  Kathleen,  Herbert.  4.  Ernest,  en- 
gaged in  business  with  his  father  in  Nottingham,  England ;  married  Emma 
Trollop ;  one  daughter,  Hilda ;  he  served  under  General  Buller  in  the  Boer 
War,  being  attached  to  the  signal  corps.  5.  Richard,  a  soldier  of  the  famous 
"Scots  Greys"  in  the  Boer  War;  in  one  of  the  battles  of  that  war  the  major  of 
his  regiment  was  shot  from  his  saddle  while  leading  his  troops  and  as  he 
fell  was  caught  by  Mr.  Cresswell,  who  carried  him  from  the  fight  to  a  place 
of  comparative  safety,  for  which  gallant  act  he  received  a  medal  of  high  dis- 
tinction from  his  government.  6.  William,  a  lace  curtain  manufacturer  of 
Nottingham,  England ;  married  Alabel  Wilson.  7.  Mabel,  married  Thomas 
Parr  and  has  children:  Norman  and  Kenneth.  8.  Harris,  emigrated  to  Scot- 
land, 1904;  married  Emily  Hobbs,  one  child,  Joseph.  9.  Albert  Edward,  an 
electrical  engineer  of  Liverpool,  England,  married  Jessie  McKenzie. 

Charles  Herbert  Cresswell  was  born  in  Nottingham,  Nottinghamshire,  Eng- 
land, November  16,  1870.  He  was  there  educated  in  the  public  schools,  com- 
pleting his  studies  by  a  course  in  Bridgeford  College,  which  he  attended  from 
1884  until  1887.  He  served  a  five  years'  apprenticeship  with  Simon  May  & 
Company,  of  Nottingham,  in  the  lace  trade,  at  the  end  of  that  time  taking 
passage  on  the  steamer  "Teutonic,"  landing  in  New  York  City,  January  17. 
1892.  One  of  his  uncles  being  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Scranton  he  made  his 
way  hither,  on  July  i  of  the  year  that  he  reached  this  country,  entering  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company,  with  which  concern  he  has 
since  associated.  His  first  capacity  was  shipping  clerk,  and  he  prepared  for 
shipment  the  first  consignment  of  goods  to  leave  the  plant  of  the  company. 
Mr.  Cresswell  has  since  then  held  numerous  positions  in  the  company's  service, 
and  is  now  superintendent  of  the  finishing  department,  the  operations  in  his 
department  being  the  last  received  by  the  products  of  the  plant  before  their 
shipment  to  the  consumer.  The  fact  of  his  twenty-four  years'  acquaintance 
with  the  processes  and  methods  of  the  plant  are  not  the  only  factors  in  hi? 


S88  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

value  to  his  employers,  his  careful  and  accurate  supervision  of  the  work  of  his 
department  rendering  highly  improbable  work  that  might  lower  the  high 
standard  now  realized  by  the  Scranton  Lace  Curtain  Company.  His  applica- 
tion to  his  work  is  intense  and  absorbed,  all  of  his  energies  devoted  to  the  task 
of  best  serving  his  employers  of  so  many  years,  and  the  trust  and  confidence 
reposed  in  him  is  full  evidence  that  he  has  not  fallen  short  of  this  goal.  He 
is  an  Independent  in  politics ;  he  is  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No. 
323,  F.  and  A.  ]\I.,  m.ember  of  the  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd  (Protestant 
Episcopal). 

Mr.  Cresswell  married  Marie  Jane,  daughter  of  Jesse  Shepherd ;  childreii : 
Nellie,  born  August  20,  1899,  a  student  in  the  Scranton  High  School ;  Herbert, 
February  14,  1904;  Mabel  Caroline,  October  23,  1906;  Charles  Edward,  July 
20,   1907;  Ernest  Jesse,  December  29,   1909. 


ABRAHAM  L.  SCHILLER 

A  native  of  Russia,  Abraham  L.  Schiller  has  been  a  resident  of  the  United 
States  since  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  and  since  making  his  home  m 
Scranton  has  achieved  business  success  and  prosperity.  His  advancement 
from  the  estate  of  the  poor  immigrant  to  the  man  of  affairs  and  influence, 
prominent  in  fraternal  and  religious  circles,  provides  a  story  of  interest. 

(I)  Russia  has  long  been  the  family  home,  Abraham  L.  Schiller  descend- 
ing from  ancestors  who  have  been  noted  exponents  of  the  Jewish  law  and 
faith,  his  great-grandfather.  Kalmenson  Altschiller,  a  Talmudist;  his  grand- 
father, Leib  Altschiller,  and  his  father,  Aaron  Altschiller,  having  both  been 
Rabbis.  The  name  in  Russia  was  Kalmen  when  only  one  name  was  given, 
afterwards  Kalmenson,  that  is  a  son  of  Kalmen,  and  when  a  second  name  was 
adopted  it  was  Altschiller  from  living  in  the  old  Synagogue.  Abraham  L. 
Schiller  dropped  the  "Alt."  Kalmenson  Altschiller  passed  his  entire  life  in 
service  among  the  poor  of  the  city  of  Chavues,  giving  of  his  goods  and  seek- 
ing aid  from  his  friends  for  the  betterment  of  the  pitiable  plight  of  those  in 
want  and  distress. 

(II)  Leib  Altschiller  married  a  daughter  of  Moses  Reichenstein.  the  in- 
ventor of  the  one  thousand  year  calendar.  Moses  Reichenstein  has  prospered 
from  his  ingenious  device  and  now  resides  in  New  York.  Leib  Altschiller 
was  the  father  of :  Aaron,  of  whom  further ;  Klemen ;  Judah,  a  resident  of 
Joffa,  Palestine,  aged  seventy  years ;  Esther,  married  Hezekiah  Jason,  and 
has  eighteen  children,  all  of  whom  survive  to  the  present  time. 

(III)  Aaron  Altschiller,  son  of  Leib  Altschiller.  died  in  Russia,  his  life- 
long home,  in  1907.  He  was  a  rabbi  and  was  the  author  of  numerous  work;; 
on  religious  subjects  that  found  wide  reading  and  high  favor.  He  was  a 
cousin  of  the  Moses  Reichenstein  previously  mentioned.  Aaron  Altschiller  mar- 
ried Mary  Terman,  who  is  now  living,  aged  eighty-seven  years,  and  had 
children :  Rebecca,  married  Samuel  Patz.  and  has  children :  Fannie,  Rosa, 
Dora,  Bessie,  all  residents  of  Scranton ;  Rachel,  married  Samuel  Polkobe  and 
has  children :  Sarah,  Belle,  Wolf,  Lester,  Louis.  Aaron,  Joseph ;  Leon,  un- 
married, lives  in  Russia:  .\braham  L.,  of  whom  further;  Sara,  married  Israel 
Hine,  eight  children,  all  living  in  Scranton. 

(IV)  Abraham  L.  Schiller,  son  of  Aaron  and  Mary  (Terman)  Altschiller, 
was  born  in  Russia,  September  22,  1872,  and  lived  in  his  native  land  until  he 
was  twenty  years  of  age,  there  being  educated  and  learning  the  business  o\ 
watch-making.  Upon  his  arrival  in  the  United  States  he  met  many  dis- 
couragements and  embarrassments  owing  to  his  ignorance  of  conditions  and 
his  lack  of   friends  to  direct  and  advise  him,  but  he   finallv   found   emplo\- 


CITY  OF  SCR.'\NTON  589 

ment  in  a  hat  factory  at  Orange,  New  Jersey.  Here  he  remained  for  three 
months,  then  became  associated  with  Mr.  Fred,  a  watch-maker  of  Newarl<, 
New  Jersey,  continuing  in  his  employ  for  four  months.  Moving  to  Avoca. 
Pennsylvania,  he  purchased  an  established  jewelry  business  in  that  place,  aiul 
after  conducting  it  for  one  year  made  advantageous  disposal  thereof  and  came 
to  Scranton.  He  at  once  entered  the  jewelry  business  and  subsequently  be- 
came employed,  in  1898,  by  Charles  Aaronson,  a  jeweler  of  No.  in  Penu 
avenue,  being  admitted  to  partnership  by  Mr.  Aaronson  a  year  later.  In  190,^ 
hs  bought  the  interest  of  his  partner  and  former  employer  and  has  since  con- 
ducted the  business  under  his  own  name,  having  incorporated  it  as  the  A.  L. 
Schiller  Loan  Company,  of  which  he  is  president. 

Mr.  Schiller  is  a  member  of  the  Israel  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows ;  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America ;  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  As- 
sociation, and  the  Independent  Order  Brith  Abraham,  of  which  he  is  vice- 
president.  He  is  chairman  of  the  Federation  of  American  Zionists,  a  di- 
rector of  the  National  Immigration  Society  of  the  L^nited  States  and  Canada, 
president  of  the  L^nited  Hebrew  Charities,  ex-president  of  the  Monteferro 
Hebrew  Free  Schools,  and  vice-president  of  the  Linden  Street  Hebrew  Temple. 
His  political  party  is  the  Republican.  He  married  Lena  Lasevitz,  born  in 
Russia,  and  has  children :  ^Milton.  Samuel,  Louis,  Joseph,  Arthur,  Mildred, 
Rebecca,  Dorothy. 

NATHAN  BERNARD  LEVY 

The  career  of  Nathan  B.  Levy  contains  a  story  of  a  life-long  ambition 
realized  and  a  goal  attained  through  unswerving  constancy  to  a  youthful  ideal 
He  is  a  native  of  Russia,  Ncuschtadt  having  been  the  city  of  his  birth,  in 
which  place  his  father  was  a  merchant,  a  descendant,  through  Asher  Levy, 
of  the  great  Jewish  merchant,  Gabriel  Memler.  His  father  married  Hannah 
Blumenthal,  daughter  of  Lob  and  Ida  (Abelson)  Blumenthal,  her  father  a 
scholar  and  an  authority  on  the  Talmud,  a  descendant  of  the  great  Rabbi  Shab- 
thay  Cohen,  one  of  the  best  known  characters  in  Jewish  history.  Ida  was  a 
daughter  of  Isaac  Abelson,  one  of  the  wealthiest  merchants  of  Leipsic,  Ger- 
many, his  residence  being  in  the  city  of  Neuschtadt,  which  at  that  time  be- 
longed to  Prussia.  About  1805  the  Prussian  government  offered,  as  an  in- 
ducement to  progress  and  the  introduction  of  modern  institutions,  a  prize 
for  the  erection  of  the  first  brick  building  in  the  city,  the  trophy  being  woii 
by  Isaac  Abelson,  the  building  reared  by  his  order  standing  to  the  present 
day.  The  father  of  Nathan  B.  Levy  was  also  a  merchant  of  Neuschtadt,  con- 
forming to  the  Jewish  religion,  and  was  president  of  the  Neuschtadt  Temple, 
being  a  man  of  importance  and  influence  in  the  community  and  superintendent 
of  the  volunteer  fire  department. 

Nathan  Bernard  Levy  was  born  March  15,  i860.  He  attended  school  until 
he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  his  home  to  journey  to  Birmingham. 
England,  at  that  time  the  jewelry  center  of  the  world,  for  training  in  the 
jewelry  business.  After  three  years  in  that  place,  giving  his  entire  time  to 
learning  this  business,  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  was  further 
taught  and  instructed  in  the  establishment  of  L.  Levy,  an  elder  brother,  four 
years  later  venturing  into  independent  dealings  in  Scranton.  In  1884,  two 
years  after  the  inception  of  this  undertaking,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Kalman  Levy,  a  younger  brother,  an  association  which  has  since  been  con- 
tinued and  has  thoroughly  and  carefully  developed  a  jewelry  business  of  such 
dimensions  that  it  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  largest  of  Eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania.    Representatives  of   the  house  cover   a   wide   territory,   and   the   able 


590  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

methods  of  the  concern,  backed  by  the  quality  and  reliabiHty  of  its  goods, 
secure  a  generous  proportion  of  business  in  a  field  where  competition  is  rife. 
Mr.  Levy  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  Keystone  Consistory,  Irem  Temple, 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  fraternizes  with  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks.  His  club  is  the  Excelsior  and  he  worships  in  the 
Madison  Avenue  Temple. 


JACOB  MORRIS  FRANK 

Born  in  far-away  Russia,  ]\Ir.  Frank  sought  his  fortune  in  the  Western 
world  when  a  young  man  of  nineteen  years,  reaching  the  United  States  dur- 
ing the  year  all  patriotic  Americans  were  celebrating  the  one  hundredth  an- 
niversary of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a  most  fitting  time  for  the  son 
of  the  most  absolute  monarchy  to  begin  life  in  the  greatest  republic. 

Jacob  M.  Frank  was  born  in  Russia,  August  5,  1857,  son  of  Louis  and 
Sarah  Frank,  the  former  a  grocer  and  real  estate  dealer.  He  was  the  second 
child  and  only  son  of  his  parents ;  he  had  sisters  Rachel  and  Ida,  the  former 
deceased.  Jacob  M.  was  well  educated  in  the  Russian  schools,  passing  through 
the  higher  institutions  open  to  him  and  acquiring  a  good  knowledge  of  language 
and  literature,  both  Russian  and  Jewish.  In  1876  he  left  the  land  of  his 
birth,  and  after  a  long  voyage  on  a  sailing  vessel  reached  the  United  States. 
He  located  in  Scranton  and  for  several  years  was  engaged  in  peddling.  He 
then  purchased  a  grocery  store  which  he  successfully  conducted  until  1913, 
when  he  sold  out  and  invested  his  capital  in  Scranton  real  estate,  devoting 
himself  now  entirely  to  its  management.  He  is  a  member  of  Keneneth  Israel 
Congregation,  Linden  Street  Synagogue  (Orthodox),  and  to  the  Jewish  so- 
cieties, Brith  Abraham  and  Independent  Western  Star  of  Chicago.  In  political 
faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Frank  married  Ida  Cohen,  born  in  Russia,  daughter  of  Isaac  Cohen, 
who  came  to  Pennsylvania,  settling  in  Scranton;  she  died  April  13,  1914,  aged 
fifty-nine  years.  Children:  i.  Hyman  B.,  born  in  August,  1877;  he  was  a 
foreman  for  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Railroad  for  seven  years,  now  an  em- 
ployee of  the  city  of  Scranton;  he  married  Stella  Seigel  and  has  children: 
Samuel,  Rose,  Sarah.  2.  Nettie,  born  in  September,  1880;  married  Joseph 
Kurlancheek,  of  Carbondale,  and  has  children :  Loui,  Fanny.  Freda,  Francis, 
Hannah,  Goldie,  Reva,  Bernan.  3.  Harris,  born  in  November,  1886;  mar- 
ried Leila  Schapiro  and  has  children:  Irving,  Marian,  Myron.  4.  Samuel  J., 
born  August  7,  1889.  5.  Leona,  born  November  30,  1893;  graduate  of  Scran- 
ton public  schools  and  Lackawanna  Business  College;  was  a  cashier  of  the 
Boston  Shoe  Market. 


ISADOR  FINKELSTEIN 

In  1890,  Isador  Finkelstein,  a  young  Hebrew  of  seventeen  years,  landed 
from  the  steamship,  "Etruria,"  in  New  York  City  with  little  besides  his  stout 
heart  and  ambition  to  start  him  on  his  career  in  a  strange  land,  where  even 
the  language  was  unfamiliar.  To-day  a  successful  wholesale  merchant  of 
Scranton,  he  reviews  his  course  upward  with  pleasure  and  pride,  even  find- 
ing material  for  amusement  in  some  of  the  earlier  experiences.  This  upward 
path  has  not  been  one  of  easy  grades,  but  each  step  of  the  earlier  journey  was 
taken  under  circumstances  and  against  odds  that  would  have  discouraged  a 
less  stout  hearted  man,  but  the  crest  was  finally  reached  and  now  from  a 
secure  height  he  reviews  a  life  well  spent  and  far  from  ended.  He  is  a  son 
of  Bernard  Finkelstein  and  grandson  of  Jacob  Finkelstein,  both  of  Russian 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  591 

birth,  the  former  now  a  resident  of  Scranton,  although  many  of  his  years 
were  spent  in  his  native  land.  Bernard  Finkelstein  married  in  Russia,  Sarah 
Genburg,  and  has  children :  Aaron,  Jacob  and  Isador,  all  now  residing  in  Scran- 
ton. 

Isador  Finkelstein  was  horn  in  Russia,  August  i,  1873.  He  obtained  a  good 
education  in  a  Hebrew  College,  his  diligence  and  ambition  gaining  him  honor- 
able distinction  among  his  college  mates.  In  the  year  1890  he  left  his  native 
land,  journeyed  across  Europe  to  the  coast  and  taking  passage  on  the  steam- 
ship "Etruria"  arrived  in  due  season  in  New  York  City.  Here  he  was  em- 
ployed for  one  year  with  the  tobacco  firm,  Paul  Brother's,  learning  cigar  mak- 
ing and  gaining  a  knowledge  of  tobacco  that  later  he  turned  to  good  account. 
At  the  end  of  the  year  he  came  to  Scranton  and  after  several  attempts  to  ob- 
tain suitable  employment  decided  to  have  a  business  of  his  own.  He  began 
with  a  lunch  wagon  and  so  well  did  he  succeed  that  he  commanded  in  a  short 
time  sufficient  capital  and  credit  to  engage  in  the  tobacco  business.  He  was 
ambitious  to  an  unusual  degree  and  despite  his  small  capital  decided  to  con- 
duct an  exclusive  wholesale  business  in  both  cigars  and  tobacco.  He  started 
in  a  small  way,  but  he  knew  his  business,  worked  faithfully,  bought  and  sold 
judiciously,  gradually  expanding  until  to-day  he  transacts  a  business  amount- 
ing annually  to  hundreds  of  thousand  dollars,  the  firm  operating  as  the  Im- 
perial Cigar  Company,  Goldberg  and  Finkelstein,  proprietors.  Still  a  young 
man  in  years,  Air.  Finkelstein  is  ambitious  of  still  greater  expansion  and 
with  the  record  of  his  past  twenty  years  as  a  guide,  the  heights  to  which  he 
will  rise  in  the  business  world  are  surely  far  above  his  present  altitude.  He 
has  won  through  merit  and  courage,  good  business  methods  and  an  adherence 
to  his  one  specialty,  cigars  and  tobacco,  and  his  one  way  of  selling.  The  lesson 
taught  by  the  business  life  of  this  successful  man  should  not  be  lost,  so 
clearly  does  it  prove  the  value  of  concentrating  all  one's  efforts  on  a  special 
line  and  thoroughly  mastering  all  its  detail.  Energy,  perseverance  and  courage 
cannot  win  one's  fight  alone,  but  these  qualities  must  be  well  directed  and 
confined  within  clearly  defined  limits. 

Mr.  Finkelstein  is  a  member  of  all  bodies  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  thirty-second  degree ;  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F. 
and  A.  M. ;  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine ; 
the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks ;  the  Young  Men's  Hebrew  As- 
sociation. In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican.  He  adheres  to  the  Orthodox 
faith  of  his  fathers,  worshipping  with  congregation  of  Linden  Street  S\'na- 
gogue. 

He  married  Yetta,  daughter  of  Hyman  Harvey,  of  New  Britain,  Con- 
necticut, and  has  children:  Abraham,  born  June  19,  1898;  Harold,  May  15. 
1900:  Ruth,  January   15,   1905;  Miriam,  April  5,   1909. 


JOSEPH  H.  NOLAN 


To  Joseph  H.  Nolan  there  belongs  the  credit  that  is  always  due  one  who 
has  the  courage  and  the  initiative  to  enter  into  any  enterprise  to  which  he  is 
unaccustomed,  be  it  commercial  or  otherwise.  With  absolutely  no  experience 
in  the  laundry  business,  he  and  two  partners  established  in  such  an  under- 
taking fifteen  years  ago.  For  the  past  seven  years  Mr.  Nolan  has  been  the  sole 
proprietor  and  has  built  up  a  large  business,  giving  employment  to  about 
ninetv  persons. 

Westmeath,  Ireland,  was  the  place  claimed  by  James  Nolan,  father  of 
Joseph  H.  Nolan,  as  his  birthplace  and  it  was  from  there  that  he  came  to  the 
United  States  when  but  a  boy,  making  his  home  in  different  parts  of  New 


5q2  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

England.  He  leanied  the  trade  of  machinist  and  later  surveying,  being 
especially  well  adapted  for  the  latter  occupation  because  of  his  liking  and 
aptitude  for  mathematics.  Quickness  of  perception,  a  racial  characteristic, 
combined  with  the  thorough  training  he  received  under  the  able  workman 
with  whom  he  learned  his  trade,  made  him  a  master  machinist.  He  was  em- 
ployed on  the  Federal  ironclad,  "Monitor,"  when  it  was  in  course  of  con- 
struction at  Greenpoint,  Long  Island,  under  the  direction  of  John  Ericsson. 
The  "Monitor"  is  best  remembered  by  her  conflict  with  the  "Merrimac"  in 
Hampton  Roads,  the  first  battle  ever  fought  between  two  vessels  of  meta! 
construction.  After  working  for  a  time  in  New  York,  Mr.  Nolan  came  to 
Scranton,  where  he  accepted  a  supervisory  position  in  the  shops  of  the  Dick 
son  Manufacturing  Company,  resigning  to  go  to  Oxford  Furnace,  New  Jer- 
sey, to  erect  shops  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Scranton  interests.  About 
1873  he  returned  to  Scranton  and  was  engaged  as  draughtsman  by  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  remaining  in  that  employ  until  hi^ 
retirement  a  few  years  before  his  death.  He  was  a  capable  workman  and  a 
courteous,  well-liked  gentleman.  He  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  Henry  Jep- 
son,  a  descendant  of  the  old  New  England  family  of  the  name  that  played 
such  a  prominent  part  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Children:  ilary,  mar- 
ried William  Kelly,  and  resides  in  Scranton ;  Anna,  married  Dr.  Fitzimmons, 
of  Scranton ;  Joseph  H.,  of  whom  further. 

Joseph  H.  Nolan  was  born  in  Oxford  Furnace,  New  Jersey,  April  8, 
1867.  He  obtained  his  education  by  attendance  at  the  public  schools,  and 
when  fourteen  years  of  age  entered  the  employ  of  Leonard  Brothers,  in  the 
hardware  store.  Outside  of  his  connection  with  the  business  of  which  he 
is  now  proprietor,  this  has  been  his  only  position  in  the  service  of  others. 
He  remained  in  the  store  for  twelve  years,  leaving  in  1898,  when  he,  hi 
partnership  with  two  others,  Messrs.  Gallagher  and  Manley,  established  the 
Crystal  Laundry.  Their  start  was  an  unpretentious  one,  two  wagons  being 
used  for  collection  and  delivery  work,  and  ten  or  fifteen  persons  being  em- 
ployed in  the  laundry.  In  1906  Mr.  Nolan  became  the  sole  owner  of  the 
business,  now  a  flourishing  concern,  employing  about  ninety  persons  and  keej)- 
ing  ten  wagons  in  constant  use.  The  laundry  is  a  favorite  one  with  the  towns- 
people and  those  living  in  the  outlying  territory,  its  popularity  being  a  just 
reward  for  the  labors  of  Mr.  Nolan,  whose  efforts  to  bring  it  to  its  present 
efficient  condition  have  been  so  unceasing. 

Mr.  Nolan  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Matthew  Snow,  of  Scranton. 
and  has  two  children,  Joseph  and  Marion.  Energetic  and  ambitious,  the  suc- 
cess of  his  undertaking  is  directly  attributable  to  Mr.  Nolan.  Full  of  the 
fiery  vigor  of  youth,  one  achievement  brings  with  it  the  desire  for  another, 
and  other  triumphs  should  await  him  in  the  days  to  come. 


FREDERICK  G.  WALDNER 

Two  and  a  half  decades  cover  the  period  during  which  Frederick  G. 
Waldner  has  been  connected  with  the  business  life  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  lie 
being  the  only  one  of  his  line  to  find  his  life  work  in  that  place.  His  father. 
Gottlieb  Waldner,  was  born  in  Germany,  January  5,  1840,  and  there  learned 
the  gardener's  trade  in  which  he  became  a  skilled  and  artistic  workman,  com- 
ing to  the  United  States  in  manhood.  In  Philadelphia  he  found  a  field  offer- 
ing infinitely  greater  possibility  in  his  line,  inasmuch  as  gardening  was  not  a 
business  for  which  necessary  training  and  teaching  could  be  obtained  on  this 
side  of  the  ocean,  more  necessary  occupations  than  that  of  adornment  claim- 
ing the  time  and  attention  of  workmen  in  the  LTnited  States.     He  lived   in 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  593 

that  city  until  his  death.  His  wife  was  Barbara  (Miller)  Waldner,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of:  Frederick  G.,  of  whom  furtlier ;  Charles,  Arnold,  I'aul, 
Richard. 

Frederick  G.  Waldner,  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Barbara  (Miller)  Waldner, 
was  born  in  Switzerland,  March  15,  1867.  He  was  there  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  later  coming  to  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  landing  in  that 
city,  October  9,  1881.  He  was  there  employed  until  November  22,  1890,  on 
which  date  he  moved  to  Scranton,  establishing  a  bakery.  To  this  he  has  added 
ice  cream  dealing  and  catering,  and  at  the  present  time  conducts  a  well 
patronized  business  at  No.  634  Washington  avenue.  In  the  fulfillment  of 
catering  contracts  he  has  an  advantage  over  competitors  in  that  several  of 
his  articles  most  in  demand  arc  made  under  his  personal  supervision,  and 
his  capable  business  methods  have  made  a  desirable  impression  upon  those 
dealing  with  him.  Mr.  Waldner  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  belongs 
to  the  Liederkranz  and  the  Junger  Mannerchor.  He  married  Lena  Robling,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of:  Paul,  born  April  22,  1893;  Lucelia,  born  July  18. 
1895,  died  June  6,  1913. 


GEORGE  F.  VASEY 


First  to  Canada  and  then  to  the  United  States  is  the  American  record 
of  this  line  of  the  family  of  Vasey,  founded  in  the  province  of  Ontario, 
Canada,  by  John  Vasey,  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  that  locality  with  his  family. 
His  trade  was  that  of  blacksmith,  a  calling  he  followed  in  connection  with 
contracting  on  the  \Velland  Canal,  then  in  course  of  construction.  He  married 
and  had  children :  John,  deceased,  married  Charlotte  Adams,  and  was  the 
father  of  Hugh,  John,  Margaret,  Nora,  William,  Joseph,  James,  Sarah, 
George,  Mary ;  Hugh,  deceased,  married  and  had  children,  resided  in  St.  Louis. 
Missouri ;  William,  of  whom  further ;  James,  deceased,  married  and  had  chil- 
dren :  Barrett,  William,  Nora :  George,  deceased ;  Mary,  deceased. 

(II)  William  Vasey,  son  of  John  Vasey,  was  born  at  Campbell  Quarrv, 
Ontario,  Canada,  December  26,  1837.  In  his  youth  he  worked  with  his  father, 
who  was  then  engaged  in  contracting,  and  who  later  purchased  a  farm,  whid' 
he  cultivated  for  many  years.  Later  William  Vasey  purchased  a  farm  and 
spent  some  years  on  it  and  later  another  farm  where  he  spent  his  last  years 
and  where  his  son  John  still  resides.  He  married  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of 
William  Lister,  of  Ontario.  William  Lister  was  a  son  of  William  Lister,  cf 
the  firm  of  Lister  &  Sons,  foundry  proprietors  of  Darlington,  England.  Wil- 
liam Lister  was  the  father  of  William,  Thomas,  John,  and  Mary  Jane,  of 
previous  mention,  married  William  Vasey.  Children  of  William  and  Mary 
Jane  (Lister)  Vasey:  George  F.,  of  whom  further:  Nora;  Mary;  John,  mar- 
ried Johanna  Kenney.  and  is  the  father  of  William  and  Mary ;  James,  de- 
ceased;  Eliza;  Ellen;  May;  William;  Gertrude;  Vincent. 

(III)  George  F.  Vasey,  son  of  WiUiam  and  Mary  Jane  (Lister)  Vasey, 
was  born  in  Durnoch,  Grey  county,  Ontario,  Canada,  February  4,  1876.  As 
a  boy  he  attended  the  Separate  Schools  of  Ontario,  then  worked  on  a  farm 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  On  November  4,  1898,  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Lake  Superior  Corporation,  in  the  paper  mills,  lumber  woods,  and 
mines,  becoming  superintendent  of  exploration  and  development  work,  of  the 
Sultana  Strathcoma  and  other  mines.  He  was  so  employed  until  September, 
1903.  Resigning  then  from  this  position,  Mr.  Vasey  moved  to  Scranton,  en- 
tering the  employ  of  Sprague  &  Henwood,  remaining  with  this  concern  until 
1905.  In  the  spring  of  the  following  year  he  went  to  Duluth,  Minnesota, 
taking  charge  of  the  work  conducted  by  the  L.  G.  Bradley  Exploration  Com- 

38 


594  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

pany  in  the  Mesaba  Iron  Mines,  on  January  i,  1907,  returning  to  Scranton. 
Here  he  accepted  a  position  as  the  eastern  representative  of  Jacques,  Baszanger 
&  Company,  of  New  York  and  Paris,  importers  of  rough  diamonds,  carbon, 
and  bortz,  and  manufacturers  of  diamond  tools,  and  is  so  employed  at  the 
present  time.  During  the  course  of  his  professional  career,  Air.  Vasey  has 
become  identified  with  the  Canadian  Mining  Institute,  and  the  Engineering  So- 
ciety of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Scranton 
Board  of  Trade,  the  Catholic  Club,  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  his  churc!^ 
being  St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic. 

Mr.   Vasey   married    Elizabeth    Bower,    daughter   of    Nicholas    Bower,   of 
New  York  state,  a  descendant  of  a  German  family. 


HENRY  T.  KOEHLER 

In  giving  an  estimate  of  the  character  of  Henry  T.  Koehler,  of  Scranton, 
Pennsylvania,  we  find  a  happy  combination  of  the  best  characteristics  of  his 
German  forbears  with  the  more  progressive  methods  to  be  found  in  this 
country.  He  was  born  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  December  18,  1861,  son  of 
Henry  and  Christine  Koehler,  both  deceased,  the  former  named  a  native  of 
Germany,  the  latter  named  a  native  of  York,  Pennsylvania. 

He  received  a  plain  but  substantial  education  in  the  private  school  tauglit 
by  his  father,  attending  the  same  up  to  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  obtained 
a  position  with  Garney,  Short  &  Company,  leading  tobacconists,  as  clerk, 
where  his  conscientious  discharge  of  the  duties  which  fell  to  his  share  was  not 
unobserved,  and  he  was  advanced  from  one  responsible  position  to  another 
during  the  seventeen  years  he  remained  in  the  employ  of  this  firm.  During 
his  leisure  time  he  found  opportunities  for  the  display  of  his  natural  abilities 
as  an  organizer,  and  it  is  due  to  him  that  numerous  clubs  and  organizations 
were  called  into  existence.  His  popularity  is  attested  by  the  fact  of  his  being 
called  to  public  office,  and  he  has  served  as  county  auditor,  and  then  as  register 
of  wills.  Later  he  held  the  position  of  clerk  of  the  orphans'  court,  which  posi- 
tion he  still  holds.  His  management  of  this  department  was  a  masterly  piece 
of  work,  and  proved  conclusively  that  the  confidence  which  had  been  reposetl 
in  him  had  not  been  misplaced.  He  ever  has  the  best  interests  of  the  city  at 
heart,  and  is  doing  his  utmost  to  improve  and  beautify  it.  It  is  mainly  owing 
to  his  strenuous  personal  efforts  that  the  three  fine  statues  of  Columbu^, 
Washington  and  Slieridan  now  adorn  the  city  at  Court  House  Square,  he  being 
the  leading  spirit  of  the  small  company  of  patriotic  men  who  worked  to- 
gether for  this  end,  and  he  was  at  one  time  president  of  the  association  which 
took  this  matter  in  hand. 

Mr.  Koehler  is  a  member  of  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Key- 
stone Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite ;  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  o'' 
the  Mystic  Shrine ;  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  of  the  Supreme  Council,  thirty- 
third  degree ;  and  Washington  Camp,  No.  242,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  United  States 
of  America.  He  has  served  the  state  as  vice-president  of  the  last  mentioned 
association,  and  assisted  in  organizing  almost  all  the  camps  instituted  in 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  He  was  twice  elected  president  of  the  local 
Camp,  and  during  the  State  Camp  held  in  1888  served  'as  chairman  of  the 
reception  committee.  He  has  also  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Funeral  Benefit 
Association  for  the  past  twelve  years.  His  thorough  knowledge  of  parlia- 
mentary laws  and  customs  is  universally  conceded  to  be  remarkable,  and  he 
takes  high  rank  as  a  debater.  He  is  a  quiet,  but  forceful  speaker,  his  words 
being  well  chosen,  come  readily  to  his  lips,  and  his  facts  marshalled  in  orderly 
array.     He  is  of  a  simple,  unaffected  nature,  a  firm   friend,  and  helpful  in 


/ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


595 


works  of  a  cliaritable  nature.     Mr.  Koehler  married,  December  8,  1904,  Clara 
R.  Hughes. 


THOMAS  H.  McLOUGHLIN 

James  and  Julia  McLoughlin  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Scranton,  where 
he  was  one  of  the  first  to  build  a  residence  on  what  is  now  called  Hyde  Park, 
in  the  year  1854.  James  McLoughlin  was  of  Irish  descent  and  born  in  Dublin. 
Julia  McLoughlin  was  born  on  the  ocean,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  Durning;  the  mother  of  Mary  Durning  was  born  in  county  Sligo, 
Ireland,  of  Irish  parents  by  the  name  of  Cox,  all  honest  citizens  of  the  home 
country,  none  of  whom  emigrated  but  Alary.  Mary  Durning  lived  to  the  ripe 
old  age  of  eighty-five  years ;  she  was  the  only  sister  of  eleven  brothers,  all  of 
whom  followed  the  trade  of  shoemaking.  John  Durning,  the  father,  lived  to 
the  age  of  seventy  years. 

James  McLoughlin  was  a  journeyman  brewer  of  beer  by  occupation,  and 
he  and  his  wife,  Julia  (Durning)  McLoughlin,  made  but  one  move  in  life, 
that  from  his  father's  home  in  Tobyhanna,  Pennsylvania,  to  their  own  home 
in  Hyde  Park,  Scranton.  Children :  Patrick,  Mary,  Mary  Jane,  all  born  m 
Scranton,  and  now  deceased;  the  living  are:  John  J.,  single;  James,  single; 
Emma ;  these  were  all  born  in  Scranton  also.  Mary  at  the  time  of  her  death 
was  forty-six  years  of  age,  and  had  married  Bernard  F.  Began,  of  Rhode 
Island,  born  of  Irish  parentage,  now  deceased.  This  union  was  blessed  with 
seven  children,  of  whom  six  are  living:  Bernard  F.,  died  in  infancy;  Mary, 
married  Patrick  Connors;  Emma,  married  Claude  Westley;  Veronica,  mar- 
ried Leroy  Kettle ;  John,  married  Mary  J.  Roland ;  Bernard  F. ;  James  F. 
Emma  McLoughlin  married  John  W.  Brown,  of  German  parents;  they  had  but 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Lillian  E.,  who  is  now  married  to  Charles  H.  Beggs. 
of  Daleville,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  convert  to  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Beggs  have  two  sons,  William  J.  and  Henry  Columbus. 

In  the  year  1867  the  home  was  saddened  by  the  death  of  the  husband 
and  father,  James  McLoughlin,  leaving  a  widow  and  six  children.  Mr.  Mc- 
Loughlin had  served  all  through  the  Civil  War.  In  1871  Mrs.  Julia  (Durn- 
ing) McLoughlin  married  (second)  Michael  J.  Clancy,  born  in  Tipperary, 
Ireland.  Children:  Ellen,  now  deceased;  Peter  F.,  engaged  in  his  early  days 
as  a  shoe  merchant  in  Scranton,  later  went  to  California,  where  he  is  proprietor 
of  a  ranch  and  alfalfa  farm,  married  a  Miss  Browning  at  Woodland,  Cali- 
fornia, of  an  old  California  family;  they  had  two  children:  Thomas  H.,  living, 
and  a  child  deceased ;  Thomas  H.,  of  whom  further. 

Thomas  H.  (Clancy)  McLoughlin  is  a  graduate  of  the  Scranton  Business 
College ;  a  veteran  of  the  late  war  with  Spain,  in  which  he  served  in  Com- 
pany B,  Thirteenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  \'olunteer  Infantry,  and  since  the 
close  of  that  conflict  has  been  adjutant,  quartermaster  and  commander  of  the 
General  J.  P.  S.  Gobin  Camp,  No.  41,  S.  A.  W.  V.  His  political  affiliation 
is  with  the  Republican  party.  At  present  he  is  a  wholesale  liquor  dealer  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Previous  to  entering  business  for  himself  he  was 
with  the  R.  C.  Wills  Company,  wholesale  liquors,  in  the  capacity  of  general 
manager  in  the  liquor  department.  After  resigning  his  position  of  general 
manager  he  opened  up  a  wholesale  liquor  business  at  No.  243  Penn  avenue, 
Scranton.  All  of  the  male  members  of  the  McLoughlin  family  followed  rail- 
roading or  business,  and  at  present  are  large  property  owners  at  the 
corner  of  Scranton  and  Seventh  streets,  Scranton.  All  of  the  McLoughlin 
family  were  of  American  birth,  and  baptized  in  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  in 
St.  Peter's  Cathedral,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  The  M.  J.  Clancy  children 
were  also  baptized  in  the  same  church,  and  are  of  the  same  faith. 


596  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

MICHAEL  SPORER 

A  member  of  a  family  finding  its  origin  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  Alichael 
Sporer  is  of  Pennsylvania  birth,  Pennsylvania  having  also  afforded  him  a  wiile 
field  for  his  business  career.  His  present  business  location  is  Scranton,  where 
he  has  resided  since  1886,  and  at  No.  921  South  Webster  avenue,  he  and  his 
four  sons  conduct  a  large  and  flourishing  meat  business,  of  which  he  has 
been  proprietor  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  is  a  merchant  of 
Scranton  whose  efforts  have  met  with  the  public  favor  that  brings  success, 
and  through  a  business  policy  in  which  honor  and  fair  dealing  have  been 
conspicuous  has  attained  material  prosperity.  He  is  a  son  of  John  Sporer, 
born  in  Bavaria,  Gennany,  in  1818,  died  in  1905.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1845,  when  a  young  man  of  twenty-seven  years,  and  after  being 
employed  for  a  short  time  in  New  York  moved  to  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  worked  on  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal.  Abandoning  labor 
of  this  kind,  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Cherryridge  township,  Wayne  county, 
and  there  engaged  in  farming  operations  until  his  retirement  in  1893.  h'^ 
death  occurring  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years.  John  Sporer  mar- 
ried Kate  Gumler,  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  and  had  children:  i.  George, 
died  aged  sixteen  years.  2.  Christina,  married  Joseph  Dink,  of  Honesdale, 
Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  mothei  of :  Christina,  Joseph,  John,  Michael,  and 
William.  3.  Kate,  deceased.  4.  Margaret,  married  and  lives  at  Honesdale. 
5.  Mary,  married  Frank  Dukes,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  issue ; 
Lizzie,  William,  Florence,  Robert,  Frank,  Henry,  and  Marie.  6.  Michael, 
of  whom  further.  7.  Theresa,  married  John  Steggner,  a  merchant  of  Hones- 
dale, Pennsylvania,  and  had  children :  John,  Frank,  Noah,  Robert,  and  Edwin. 

Michael  Sporer,  son  of  John  and  Kate  (Gumler)  Sporer,  was  bom  in 
Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  April  16,  i860,  and  was  there  a  student  in  the 
public  schools.  Until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  he  was  thus  occupied, 
working  for  a  part  of  the  time  on  his  father's  farm,  and  then  became  a 
butcher,  being  identified  with  meat  dealing  in  Honesdale,  Carbondale,  Dun- 
more,  Hawley,  and  other  places,  subsequently  passing  one  year  in  the  John 
Cookenberger  Brewery.  His  next  situation  was  with  Joseph  Herzog,  a  meat 
merchant  of  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania,  and  while  thus  employed  he  married, 
in  1886  moving  to  Scranton  and  being  for  one  year  and  a  half  associated 
with  the  firm  of  T.  Carr  and  Son.  He  spent  about  the  same  length  of  time 
in  connection  with  Patrick  Joyce,  and  was  then  for  three  years  with 
Joseph  Carolan,  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  purchasing  the  busi- 
ness of  his  employer.  The  location  of  Joseph  Carolan's  meat  mar- 
ket was  No.  921  Stone  street,  now  South  Webster  avenue,  and  here  Mr. 
Sporer  continues  the  business  founded  by  Mr.  Coralon.  Steady  growth  has 
resulted  from  tireless  attention  to  the  needs  and  desires  of  his  patrons,  and 
Mr.  Sporer  has  now  associated  with  him  in  the  management  of  the  business 
his  four  sons.  While  catering  to  the  public,  Air.  Sporer  has  become  an  ob- 
servant and  watchful  merchant,  and,  in  the  deviations  he  has  made  from  the 
regular  lines  of  trade  has  been  rewarded  by  the  approval  of  his  patrons  and 
a  constant  increase  in  trade.  His  four  sons  are  his  able  assistants,  their 
services  possessing  particular  value  because  of  their  interest  in  still  further 
developing  the  result  of  his  industry  and  unremitting  toil.  Mr.  Sporer  is  a 
member  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  belongs  to  St.  Mary's 
Society  and  to  St.  Peter's  Society.  His  political  preferences  are  strongly 
Democratic. 

He  married  Marguerite,  daughter  of  John  Langdendorfer,  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  has  children:     i.  Joseph,  associated  with  his  father  in  business. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  597 

married  Leopoldine  Hershler,  and  is  the  father  of:  Dorothy,  born  February 
13.  1910;  Joseph,  born  Alarch  31,  1912;  Edwin,  born  March  23,  1914.  2.  Ed- 
ward, associated  in  business  with  his  father,  married  Annie  Ramminger.  3. 
Alfred,  associated  in  business  with  his  father.  4.  WiUiam,  associated  in  busV 
ness  with  his  father.  5.  Florence,  married  Oscar  Grambo,  a  photographer  of 
Scranton,  and  has  one  son,  Ralph.    6.  Francis. 


PATRICK  FRANCIS  DUFFY 

There  is.  in  the  history  of  this  branch  of  the  Duffy  family  in  America, 
an  e.xample  of  the  most  steadfast  loyalty  to  an  employer.  Patrick  Francis 
Duffy  of  this  chronicle  can  boast  of  forty-six  years  and  five  days  continuous 
service  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  "during  which 
period  he  was  almost  constantly  at  his  post,  one  of  the  most  faithful  and 
trusted  of  the  army  of  men  in  the  employ  of  the  company. 

County  Ma3-o,  Ireland,  is  the  locality  claimed  by  the  Duffy  family  as  the 
original  family  seat  and  it  was  from  this  place  that  Michael,  father  of  Patrick 
Francis  Duffy,  came  to  the  United  States.  He  was  but  a  young  man  at  the 
time  of  emigration,  and  soon  after  his  arrival  in  New  York  he  married 
Bridget  Connor,  also  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland.  The  young  couple  lived 
in  New  York  for  three  years  after  their  marriage,  then  moved  to  Carbondale. 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  were  among  the  first  settlers  in  the  village.  Michael 
Duffy  obtained  employment  in  the  coal  mines  and  for  forty  years  was  so 
engaged.  Thanks  to  an  exceptionally  strong  constitution  and  a  life  of  up- 
right and  correct  habits,  he  escaped  the  heavy  toll  usually  levied  by  the  mines 
upon  their  workers  and  lived  to  the  old  age  of  eighty-three  years.  His  wife 
died  in  October,  191 1,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  Of  their 
children  six  grew  to  maturity:  James,  of  Scranton;  Thomas,  deceased;  Pat- 
rick Francis,  of  further  mention ;  John  J.,  of  Sayre,  New  York ;  Michael  J., 
deceased  ;  Austin  F.,  of  Scranton. 

Patrick  Francis  Duffy,  son  of  Michael  and  Bridget  (Connor)  Duffy,  was 
born  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  July  23.  1849.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Scranton  and  received  instruction  under  John  Kelly,  P.  J.  White 
and  Thomas  Loftus.  His  assistance  in  the  support  of  the  family  being  needed, 
he  secured  employment  in  a  breaker,  remaining  at  mine  labor  for  a  period 
of  eighteen  months.  He  then  drove  mules  on  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Cana! 
for  two  years,  and  after  his  parents  moved  to  Scranton  he  drove  mules  for  a 
time  in  Clarke's  mine  in  Providence.  The  associations  of  mine  labor  not 
being  congenial  to  him  he  permanently  left  this  field  and  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  \\'estern  Railroad,  as  brakeman,  remaining 
with  that  company  until  1909,  at  which  time  he  completed  the  term  of  service 
mentioned  previously.  The  first  seven  years  as  brakeman  and  the  last  twenty- 
five  in  the  first  class  passenger  service  as  a  conductor  and  for  the  last 
ten  years  of  this  time  conducting  the  train  known  as  the  Queen  City  Limited. 
In  1909  he  was  the  candidate  of  the  Democratic  party  for  treasurer  of  Lacka- 
wanna county  and  was  elected  by  a  plurality  of  three  thousand  and  eight. 
He  discharged  the  duties  of  this  office  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner,  his  re- 
ports containing  clear  and  minute  information  as  to  the  disposal  made  of 
every  penny  of'public  monev  intrusted  to  him.  In  August,  1913,  he  was  a 
caiufidate  for  the  Democratic  nomination  for  sheriff,  running  for  the  nom- 
ination on  the  strength  of  the  public  service  rendered  in  the  capacity  of 
county  treasurer,  his  record  in  that  office  being  an  eloquent  plea  for  the  op- 
portunity for  still  further  service.  Mr.  Duffy  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of 
Railway  Conductors,  an  association  formed  in  his  railroading  days. 


598  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mr.  Duffy  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Thomas  O'Connor,  born  in 
Chesterfield,  England,  and  of  their  fourteen  children  nine  are  living:  Thomas; 
Dr.  Michael  A. ;  May,  married  M.  T.  Howley,  of  Scranton ;  Patrick  Francis 
Jr. ;  Robert,  deputy  county  treasurer  ;  James ;  Elizabeth  ;  John  ;  Dorothy  ; 
Joseph,  all  of  Scranton. 

Mr.  Duffy,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  is  still  in  the  freshness  and 
vigor  of  the  prime  of  life,  a  heritage  from  a  family  noted  for  its  longevity. 
His  retentive  memory  holds  many  interesting  anecdotes  of  the  early  days  of 
the  region,  a  small  volume  of  his  reminiscences  having  been  published.  He 
is  a  striking  figure,  his  genial  features  crowned  with  a  wealth  of  gray-white 
hair,  and  is  universally  liked  throughout  the  county. 


VITO   CAMARCA 


Numbered  among  the  numerous  tailoring  fraternity  of  the  city  of  Scrar.- 
ton  is  Vito  Camarca,  who  conducts  a  profitable  business  at  No.  1202  Luzern'.^ 
street.  He  is  a  son  of  Francisco  Camarca,  born  in  Baccacia,  province  of 
Avellino,  Italy.  His  father  learned  the  trade  of  stone  mason  early  in  life 
and  was  so  engaged  in  his  native  land  nearly  all  of  his  life.  He  married 
Francisca  Donatiello,  Vito  being  the  only  survivor  of  their  children. 

Vito  Camarca  was  born  in  Baccacia,  province  of  Avellino,  Italy,  June  2, 
1884.  For  five  years  in  his  youth  he  attended  the  public  educational  insti- 
tutions of  his  birthplace,  at  the  end  of  that  time  going  to  Ascoli,  Satriano, 
province  of  Foggia,  where  in  boyhood  he  began  to  learn  his  present  trade, 
that  of  tailor.  Impressed,  as  have  been  so  many  others  of  his  countrymen, 
by  the  handicaps  of  the  home  land  and  the  advantages  of  the  United  States, 
he  bent  his  course  thither,  landing  in  New  York  City  on  January  23,  1902. 
For  two  years  that  city  offered  him  employment  at  his  trade,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Scranton,  entering  the  service  of  Taylor 
&  Raiper,  a  tailoring  firm  of  the  city,  his  future  employers  being  John  Macucci 
and  B.  J.  Fusche.  It  was  while  he  was  associated  with  the  latter  that  he 
conceived  the  idea  of  an  independent  business,  and  accordingly  invested  a 
large  part  of  the  capital  he  had  been  accumulating  for  just  such  a  purpose,  his 
first  location  being  on  South  Main  avenue.  This  place  was  satisfactory  until 
the  spring  of  1914,  when  he  moved  into  more  desirable  quarters  at  No.  1202 
Luzerne  street,  his  home  also  being  on  the  premises,  and  he  remains  there  to 
the  present  time,  his  business  a  strong  and  paying  institution.  ]\Ir.  Camarca 
holds  membership  in  the  Santo  Angelo  Lombardi  Society,  Christopher  Colum- 
bus Lodge,  No.  1 160,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Roman  Catholic 
church.  His  political  faith  is  Republican.  He  married  Raphaella.  daughter  of 
Antonio  Catta,  of  Scranton,  and  is  the  father  of  one  son,  Frank,  born  August 
20,  1906. 

JENNAR  INTOCCIA 

In  the  Intoccia  family  there  exists  the  condition  of  father  and  son,  sepa- 
rated by  more  than  three  thousand  miles  of  land  and  water,  industriously 
pursuing  the  same  calling.  Conditions  in  the  new  world  being  so  undeniably 
superior  to  those  in  the  old  world,  it  is  but  natural  that  he  on  this  side  of  the 
wide  Atlantic  should  have  prospered  beyond  the  aspiration  of  his  sire,  though 
their  skill  be  equal.  Gaeton  Intoccia,  father  of  Jennar  Intoccia,  was  born  in 
Santangelo,  province  of  Napoli,  Italy,  and  there  learned  the  tailor's  trade, 
being  engaged  in  that  business  in  his  native  city  at  the  present  time.  He  mar- 
ried Antonia  Curcio,  and  had  children:  Louis  and  Vincent,  shoemakers  in  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  c,gQ 

city  of  Scranton;  Wichelena,  married  a  Mr.  Manzi,  of  Scranton ;  Susan,  lives 
in  the  homeland;  Chiarla,  married  a  Mr.  Sagesse,  and  lives  in  Italy;  Jennar, 
of  whom  further. 

Jennar  Intoccia,  son  of  Gaeton  and  Antonia  ( Curcio )  Intoccia,  was  born 
in  Santangelo,  province  of  Napoli,  Italy,  January  22,  1886.  He  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  his  native  land,  in  1902  sailing  for  the  United  States  on  the 
Italian  steamer  "Germania,"  arriving  in  New  York  City  on  May  24,  of  that 
year.  He  came  directly  to  the  city  of  Scranton.  opening  a  tailor  shop  on  the 
West  Side,  having  learned  his  trade  from  his  father.  Quality  of  work,  skill 
of  labor,  and  close  attention  to  all  branches  of  his  business  have  attracted  to 
his  shop  generous  patronage,  retained  by  the  same  high  grade  of  work.  Mr. 
Intoccia,  an  Independent  in  politics,  holds  membership  in  St.  Lucia's  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  among  the  several  fraternal  orders  in  which  he  holds 
membersliip  is  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles.  He  also  affiliates  with  the 
Santangelo  Society  and  the  Mazzina  Society. 

Mr.  Intoccia  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Anthony  and  Alessandra  (Curcio) 
]\Iagnotta.  the  former  named  a  contractor  of  Scranton,  her  family  having 
been  connected  with  the  contracting  interests  in  the  city  for  more  than  thirty 
years.  Anthony  and  Alessandra  ( Curcio )  Magnotta  are  the  parents  of : 
Philomena,  Mark,  Michael,  Joseph,  Albert,  Angelina,  Susan,  Amia,  of  previous 
mention,  married  Jennar  Intoccia.  Jennar  and  Anna  Intoccia  are  the  parents 
of:  Antonetta,  born  August  29,  191 1  ;  Alice,  born  January  i,  1914. 


NICHOLAS  VALLARIO 

One  of  the  most  successful  and  best  patronized  of  Scranton  tailors,  trans- 
acting business  as  Vallario  Brothers,  is  Nicholas  Vallario,  son  of  Italian  par- 
ents and  of  Italian  birth  he  has  made  the  United  States  the  field  of  his  en- 
deavors and  prosperity  has  attended  his  well  directed  efforts.  His  father, 
Michael  \^allario,  was  born  at  Pescopagano,  province  of  Basilicata,  Italv, 
February  2,  1848.  and  in  his  early  life  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade,  being 
at  the  present  time  a  bank  employee  in  his  native  land.  He  married  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Michael  Ciampa,  and  is  the  father  of:  Fabio,  born  in  1879,  ^'^' 
sociated  in  business  with  his  brother,  Nicholas;  Joseph  M.,  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1905,  and  is  at  the  present  time  a  barber  in.  the  city  of  Scranton; 
Nicholas,  of  whom  further;  Mary  Rose,  a  resident  of  Italy,  the  land  of  her 
birth. 

Nicholas  Vallario,  son  of  Michael  and  Lucy  (Ciampa)  Vallario.  was  born 
at  Pescopagano,  province  of  Basilicata,  Italy,  Mav  12,  1886,  and  was  educated 
in  the  Italian  school.  Emigrating  to  the  United  States  in  1903.  on  December 
24,  of  that  year,  he  came  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  immediately  finding  em- 
ployment with  Nicholas  Volo,  whose  establishment  was  at  No.  1919  Boulevard 
avenue.  His  next  employer  was  Mr.  Masucci.  after  which  he  became  a';- 
sociated  with  Richard  Nicholas,  a  Scranton  tailor,  a  connection  continuing 
for  two  years.  LTntil  September,  1906,  he  was  employed  by  Teller  &  Keiper, 
discontinuing  this  relation  to-  establish  an  inflependent  tailoring  business  at  No. 
250  Wyoming  avenue,  first  transacting  business  as  "The  European  Tailoring 
Company,"  being  thus  engaged  until  July,  1910.  At  that  date  he  moved  to 
No.  322  Spruce  street,  in  which  advantageous  location  he  has  since  directed 
a  high-class  tailoring  business  as  Vallario  Brothers.  Mr.  Vallario  acts  in- 
dependently in  politics,  and  holds  membership  in  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  the  Mazzini  Society  of  St.  Lucia's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 


6oo  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ALTON  F.  KIZER 

The  head  of  two  textile  industries  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  and  a  partner 
in  the  real  estate  firm  of  Kizer  &  Swingle,  Alton  F.  Kizer  ho'ids  an  assured 
position  in  the  business  world  of  Scranton,  and  one  which  fully  justifies  the 
spirit  of  progress  and  conquest  he  has  displayed.  He  is  a  descendant  of  an 
old  German  family. 

(I)  Abram  and  Susan  (Spangenburg)  Kaiser,  great-grandparents  of  Alton 
F.  Kizer,  came  from  Germany  to  the  United  States  about  the  year  1770,  and 
settled  in  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey.  There  Mr.  Kaiser  spent  his  life  until 
his  sudden  death  in  early  manhood.  Children :  Jacob  E.,  of  further  mention ; 
Henry,  married  Hulda  Dilston,  and  removed  to  the  west ;  John,  married  Mary 
Bartlow ;  Susan,  married  Daniel  Bronson.  After  the  death  of  their  father, 
these  children  lived  among  English  families  in  that  section,  and  it  was  at  this 
time  that  the  spelling  of  the  name  was  changed  from  Kaiser  to  Kizer. 

(H)  Jacob  E.  Kizer,  son  of  Abram  and  Susan  (Spangenburg)  Kaiser,  was 
born  in  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  May  31,  1800,  died  in  Pennsylvania,  i\Iay 
26,  1886.  In  early  manhood  he  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  lumbering.  He  married,  .'Kpril  10,  1824,  Mary  Emery. 
born  August  11,  1806,  died  June  8,  1870,  and  had  children:  Susan  Ann, 
married  Jacob  E.  Myers;  John  D.,  of  further  mention;  Zachariah.  married 
Ellen  Bartlow,  of  Kizer,  Pennsylvania ;  Adelaide,  married  George  W.  Kipp ; 
Mary,  married  Henry  Lavoe ;  Jacob,  a  resident  of  Ariel,  Pennsylvania,  married 
Amanda  Emery  ;  Jonathan  Emery,  deceased,  married  Ellen  Bartlow  ;  Henry, 
living  in  Kizer,  Pennsylvania,  married  Ruth  Mott  ■  Abram,  deceased,  married 
Lucetta  Swingle. 

(HI)  John  D.  Kizer,  son  of  Jacob  E.  and  Mary  (Emery)  Kizer,  was 
born  in  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  August  22,  1S27.  Upon  attaining  man- 
hood he  removed  to  Kizer,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  became  an  agriculturist 
and  lumberman.  He  married  Phoebe,  a  daughter  of  Abram  Beemer,  of  Beem- 
ersville,  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey.  They  had  chi'dren :  W^illiam  W.,  a  miller 
at  Varden,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania;  Edwin  Floyd,  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Towanda,  Pennsylvania,  associated  with  the  water  company 
of  that  city,  also  interested  in  railroad  projects ;  Harriet  Almeda,  married  W. 
J.  Cobb,  of  Scranton ;  John  Dalgren,  married  Clara  Harwood ;  Augusta,  mar- 
ried Morton  Arnold,  of  Waymark,  Pennsylvania ;  Verna,  married  M.  S.  Schaf- 
fer,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania;  Alton  F.,  of  whom  further;  Sylvania, 
married  Frank  Peck,  of  Peckville,  Pennsylvania ;  Bertha,  married  Vane  Ken- 
nedy, of  Mount  Pleasant,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  Alton  F.  Kizer.  son  of  John  D.  and  Phoebe  (Beemer)  Kizer,  was 
born  in  Kizer,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  23,  1869.  His 
public  school  education  was  obtained  in  Kizer  and  the  Keystone  Academy  at 
Factoryville,  was  supplemented  by  a  course  of  study  in  Wood's  Business  Col- 
lege, after  which  he  taught  school  for  one  year.  Subsequently  be  removed  to 
Peckville,  where  he  was  for  eight  years  engaged  in  mercantile  dealing.  He 
then  removed  to  Scranton,  and  two  years  later  establishd  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness which  he  still  continues,  having  in  1907  joined  forces  with  Mr.  Swingle 
under  the  firm  name  of  Kizer  &  Swingle,  a  partnership  that,  inducing  the  most 
desirable  results,  exists  to  the  present  time,  gathering  strength  and  vigor  with 
the  passing  years.  Exclusive  of  his  real  estate  connections,  I\Ir.  Kizer  is 
president  of  the  Electric  City  Throwing  Mills,  of  Scranton,  and  of  the  Throop 
Silk  Throwing  Company,  of  Throop,  both  of  which  concerns  are  flourishing 
and  substantial  enterprises,  and  under  his  able  guidance  enjoy  successful  con- 
tinuance.    Mr.   Kizer  is  identified  with  the   Masonic  Order,  being  a  charter 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  6oi 

member  of  Oriental  Star  Lodge,  No.  588,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Peckville,  Penn- 
sylvania; Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Scranton :  Melita  Com- 
mandery.  No.  68,  K.  T. ;  and  Irem  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Wilkes-Barre.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  his  political  convictions  are  those  of  the  Republican  party. 
Hie  married  Frences  B.,  a  daughter  of  Erskins  and  Etta  (White)  Squires,  her 
mother  a  lineal  descendant  of  Peregrine  White,  the  first  child  born  in  the 
Plymouth  Colony.  Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kizer:  Earl  Squires,  born  July 
31,  1905;  Margery  Louise,  born  July  31,  1909. 


CHARLES  JOSEPH  CASSESE 

Although  a  native  born  son  of  Scranton,  Charles  J.  Cassese  is  of  Italian 
parentage,  a  descendant  of  an  old  family  of  Italy.  His  grandfather.  Anthony 
Cassese,  was  a  miller  of  Italy,  where  he  lived  his  entire  life  save  two  years 
spent  in  the  United  States,  during  middle  life.  He  married  and  left  issue : 
Joseph  Anthony,  of  whom  further,  Vincent,  Camilla,  Matilda,  Philomena. 
Margaret,  all  living  in  the  L^nited  States. 

Joseph  Anthony  Cassese  was  born  at  Pescopogano,  province  of  Potenza. 
Italy,  in  March,  1863.  He  came  to  the  L^nited  States  in  1877,  first  settling  in 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  later  coming  to  Scranton.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  having  his  first  shop  in  a  room  under  the  St.  Qiarles  Hotel  on  Penn 
avenue.  He  there  prospered  and  in  a  few  years  abandoned  his  trade,  open- 
ing a  grocery  store  on  Linden  avenue,  where  he  continued  until  1887.  He 
then  became  proprietor  of  Cassese  Hotel  and  Restaurant  at  No.  103  Lacka- 
wanna avenue,  and  also  engaged  in  a  banking  and  foreign  e.xchange  busi- 
ness. He  also  had  a  wholesale  grocery  at  No.  99  Lackawanna  avenue,  and 
here  he  died,  December  18,  1913. 

He  was  a  member  of  Scranton  Lodge,  No.  123,  B.  P.  O.  E.  He  was 
much  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  city  and  its  charitable  work,  and  gave 
liberally  of  his  means.  He  was  a  member  of  a  number  of  Italian  societies  and 
took  and  active  part  in  church  work.  He  was  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  Italian 
residents,  one  of  the  most  successful,  and  was  consulted  by  his  fellow  country- 
men whom  he  was  willing  to  help  in  any  way.  He  married  Rose,  daughter 
of  Carl  and  Grace  Carlucci,  of  Scranton;  children:  Anthony  J.,  Charles  J.,  of 
whom  further;  Frank,  Jennie,  Michael,  Grace,  Angelina,  Vincentina,  Joseph 
Anthony. 

Charles  Joseph  Cassese  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  January  3, 
1889.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Scranton 
Technical  High  School,  class  of  1907.  He  was  his  father's  confidential  clerk 
for  some  time,  later  became  general  manager  of  his  varied  business  interests. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Scranton  Canoe  Club  and  Saint  Lucia's 
Roman  Catholic  Church. 


SALVATORI    PALUMBO 

Throughout  Scranton  there  are  many  evidences  of  the  work  that  has  been 
conducted  by  Salvatori  Palumbo,  in  the  form  of  office  buildings,  schools, 
churches,  and  municipal  improvements,  all  completed  within  the  short  space 
of  four  years.  Mr.  Palumbo  is  a  native  of  the  Island  of  Sicily,  born  October 
25,  1873,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land.  He  enlisted  in  the  Italian 
army,  serving  for  three  years,  and  during  that  time  fought  in  the  Abyssinian 
War.     In  1896  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  this  country  en 


6o2  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Thanksgiving  Day.  He  proceeded  immediately  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  employed  by  Burke  Brothers,  well  known  contractors  of  that  place. 
He  then  became  foreman  for  Michael  Ruddy,  of  Scranton,  remaining  with 
him  for  two  years,  spending  the  two  following  years  in  the  service  of  the 
Westinghouse  Electric  Company,  in  the  construction  of  the  power  house  and 
depot  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Mr.  Palumbo  then  formed  a  partnership  with  hi.- 
half-brother,  Frank  Ricca,  a  mason  contractor  of  Scranton,  but  this  relation 
was  discontinued  at  the  end  of  the  year,  Mr.  Palumbo  becoming  superintendent 
of  Mr.  Ricca"s  operations,  a  position  he  held  for  a  period  of  six  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  decided  to  establish  in  the  same  business  independently. 
In  19 lo  he  opened  an  office  in  the  Real  Estate  Building  of  this  city  and  from 
the  tirst  prospered,  the  four  years  that  he  has  been  in  business  having  wit- 
nessed the  satisfactory  execution  of  numerous  large  and  difficult  contracts. 
Among  these  are  the  dressed  stone  wall  at  Mount  St.  Mary's,  reputed  to  be 
the  largest  dressed  stone  wall  in  the  state,  the  Mazzini  Building  on  Pittston 
avenue,  the  Archbald  Bank  Building,  the  Hess  Theatre  Building  on  Pittston 
avenue,  the  Franklin  Apartment  Building  on  Franklin  avenue,  the  Survaitz 
Building,  the  Jewish  Synagogue  on  Linden  street,  the  Latori  Building  on 
Pittston  avenue,  St.  Michael's  Church  of  Olyphant,  the  stone  work  on  Clark 
and  Snovers  office  building,  and  the  foundation  of  the  high  school  building  at 
Old  Forge.  Among  the  municipal  contracts  that  have  been  awarded  Mr. 
Palumbo  are  the  Elm  street  culvert  and  the  stone  bridge  on  Rockwell  street. 
His  political  party  is  the  Republican,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Builders'  Ex- 
change, the  Mazzini  Society,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  and  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  holds  membership  in  St.  John's  South 
Side  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Palumbo  married  Josephine,  daughter  of  Salvatore  Abbate,  of  Italy, 
and  has  children :  Mary,  Josephine,  Salvatori,  Saverio,  Frank,  Nunciata, 
Theresa,  John. 

GIUSEPPE   BIANCA 

Giuseppe  Bianca,  son  of  Salvatore  Bianca,  was  born  in  Cefalu,  province 
of  Palermo.  Italy,  December  6,  1863.  His  father,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  was 
one  of  three  children,  the  two  others  being  Carmelo  and  Guiseppe.  Salvatore 
Bianca  passed  his  entire  life  in  his  native  land,  married  Rosaria  Greco,  and  had 
children :  Theresa,  married  Francisco  Vazzano,  and  had  a  son  who  served 
in  the  Italian  army;  Seraphena,  Salvatora,  Rosaria,  Rosena  Victoria,  Salva- 
tore, Giuseppe,  of  whom  further ;  Francisco. 

Giuseppe  Bianca  was  born  December  6,  1863.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  land,  in  1890  immigrating  to  the  United  States,  the  vessel 
in  which  he  sailed  arriving  at  New  York  City,  March  28,  1890.  In  the  home- 
land he  had  become  a  proficient  master  of  the  stonecutter's  trade  and  was 
thus  employed  in  New  York  and  other  places.  Since  coming  tr  this  country 
he  has  made  one  visit  to  the  land  of  his  birth,  returning  April  28,  1896.  Enter- 
ing the  employ  of  Carlucci  Brothers,  the  prominent  stone-cutting  firm  of  this 
city,  he  worked  on  numerous  large  contracts  in  New  York  and  other  large 
cities,  and  after  ten  years  in  the  employ  of  this  concern  decided  to  establish 
independently,  in  1904  beginning  the  operation  of  a  stone-cutting  plant  in 
Dunmore.  For  five  years  he  was  located  in  this  place,  in  1909  erecting  a  stone 
building  at  No.  909  West  Lackawanna  avenue,  where  his  plant  was  installed 
on  September  I,  1909,  and  here  at  the  present  time  he  performs  stone  cutting 
of  all  kinds,  making  a  specialty  of  fine  monumental  work.  He  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  most  artistic  and'  accomplished  artisans  in  his  line,  a  great  deal 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  Oojt 

of  his  work  gracing  public  places  of  the  vicinity.  Mr.  Bianca  holds  membership 
in  the  Modern  Woodman  of  the  World,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the 
Victor  Immanuel  Society,  and  for  two  years  was  president  of  the  Cecelia  So- 
ciety. He  supports  the  Republican  party,  and  belongs  to  St.  Lucia  Roniin 
Catholic  Church. 

;\lr.  Bianca  married  Rosolia  Vazzana,  born  in  Italy  and  has  cliil.lrcn  :  i. 
Rosaria,  married  G.  Mira,  and  is  the  mother  of  Mamie,  Lena,  Joseph.  2. 
Salvatore,  born  February  22,  1890,  attended  public  school  No.  16  of  Scranton 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  having  been  since  associated  in  business 
with  his  father.  3.  Vincenzo.  a  barber  of  Scranton.  4.  Joseph,  a  carpenter  of 
Scranton.  5.  6.  7.  Caroline,  Frank,  and  Josephine,  students  in  public  school 
No.    i;. 


APPIO  C.  DeBLASIIS 


Appio  C.  DeBlasiis  is  a  son  of  Nicholas  DeBlasiis,  a  native  of  Lucito, 
province  of  Campabasso,  Abruzzi,  Italy.  Nicholas  DeBlasiis  in  youth  learned 
the  shoemaker's  trade,  which  he  follows  in  the  homeland  at  the  present  time. 
He  married  Giovannina  Minicucci,  and  has  children :  Joseph,  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  New  York  City ;  David,  a  resident  of  Glens  Falls,  New  York ;  Caro- 
line, married  a  Mr.  Predimonti,  and  lives  in  Naples,  Italy;  Appio  C,  of  whom 
further. 

Appio  C.  DeBlasiis,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Giovannina  (Minicucci)  DeBlasiis, 
was  born  in  Lucito,  province  of  Campabasso,  Abruzzi,  Italy,  March  6,  1883. 
After  attending  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace  for  five  years,  he  learned 
the  tailor's  trade,  coming  to  the  LInited  States  in  1900.  He  arrived  in  New 
York  City  on  March  23  of  that  year,  and  for  eight  years  followed  his  chosen 
calling  in  that  place,  being  employed  by  several  of  the  best  known  tailors  of 
the  city  and  perfecting  himself  in  the  branches  of  his  trade  peculiar  to  this 
country.  From  New  York  he  went  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  tarrying 
in  that  city  for  a  year  and  a  half,  coming  to  Scranton  on  September  22,  1909, 
entering  the  shop  of  L.  B.  Mosher,  a  tailor  of  excellent  repute  in  this  city. 
His  advance  into  independent  operations  was  made  in  August,  191 3,  when 
he  opened  a  tailor  shop  at  No.  log  Wyoming  avenue,  in  which  place  he  has 
since  been  located,  his  trade  steadily  increasing.  He  is  an  accomplished 
workman,  proficiency  gained  by  diligent  application  to  his  line,  and  although 
he  had  long  desired  to  be  the  proprietor  of  a  shop  he  refrained  from  taking 
this  important  step  in  his  business  career  until  he  was  confident  that  in  no 
way  could  he  better  prepare  himself  therefor,  and  strong  in  his  ability  he 
entered  the  business  world,  where  his  reception  of  the  past  year  has  been  most 
cordial.  Mr.  DeBlasiis  became  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the  United  States  in 
April,  191 1.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  an  Independent 
in  politics,  and  belongs  to  Christopher  Columbus  Lodge,  No.  1160,  I.  O.  O.  F. 
He  married  Marion,  daughter  of  Casper  and  Franca  Noto,  and  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Genevieva,  born  January  26,  1912. 


ERNESTO  M.  LETTIERI 

Beginning  humbly  in  the  land  of  his  adoption,  although  a  man  of  good 
education  and  family,  Mr.  Lettieri  by  availing  himself  of  the  facilities  offered 
by  that  noble  institution.  Cooper  Institute,  New  York  City,  soon  acquired 
American  methods  and  speech,  and  quickly  rose  to  a  position  in  keeping  with 
his  qualifications.  He  is  the  son  of  Joseph  M.  Lettieri  and  a  grandson  of 
Dr.  Vincenzo  Lettieri,  the  latter  an  Italian  physician  of  distinction.     His  chil- 


6o4  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

dren,  Salvador,  Joseph  I\[.,  Antonio  and  Marianna,  all  teside  in  their  native 
land.  Joseph  M.  Lettieri  was  born  in  Rapone,  Potenza,  Italy,  served  with  the 
rank  of  captain  in  the  war  of  1876,  became  a  lawyer  of  note  in  his  native  city, 
accumulated  considerable  property  and  is  now  living  a  retired  life.  He  mar- 
ried Marie,  daughter  of  Vita  Santoro,  and  has  three  children :  Vincenzo,  ap- 
pointed forestry  inspector  by  the  King  of  Italy,  stiil  resides  in  hi?  native  land  : 
Ermenia,  married  and  resides  in  Rapone,  Ernesto  M.,  of  whom  further. 

Ernesto  M.  Lettieri,  born  in  Rapone,  Potenza,  Italy,  January  2,  1872,  was 
educated  in  the  Seminary  of  Muzo  Lucano,  and  at  ihe  Royal  Technical  School 
at  Melfi,  a  graduate  of  the  latter  school  in  1889.  In  1890  he  went  to  Paris, 
France,  where  he  was  employed  for  six  months,  then  came  to  the  United 
States,  sailing  from  Havre  and  landing  in  New  York.  On  arriving  at  the  lat- 
ter city  he  found  employment  as  a  waiter.  He  at  once  enrolled  in  a  class  at 
Cooper  Institute  and  in  a  short  time  had  acquired  both  language  and  business 
habits  so  well  that  he  secured  a  position  as  traveling  salesman.  In  the  year 
1900  he  came  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  shortly  afterward  was  appointed 
court  interpreter,  through  the  friendship  of  John  R.  Jones,  the  well  known 
Scranton  attorney.  Having  the  necessary  education  and  ability,  Mr.  Lettieri  saw 
the  opportunities  the  city  offered  and  soon  decided  to  engage  in  business.  He 
secured  a  location  on  Lackawanna  avenue  and  after  obtaining  agencies  fmm 
several  large  steamship  companies,  opened  an  office  for  the  sale  of  foreign 
exchange  and  steamship  tickets.  He  later  became  agent  for  several  importing 
firms  and  in  these  lines  has  built  up  a  prosperous  business  with  his  country- 
men and  others.  He  became  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the  United  States. 
August  9,  1905,  and  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party. 

He  married  Mary  Farrell,  born  in  England,  and  has  children :  Nellie  E., 
Clara,  Florence,  Joseph,   Helen,   Henrietta,   Vincenzo,   George. 


PIETRO  LEGAMBI 


The  Legambi  family  of  Italy,  represented  in  the  city  of  Scranton  by  Pietro 
Legambi,  are  of  French  descent,  the  ancestor  who  settled  the  liine  in  Italy 
being  Enrico  Legambi,  a  member  of  the  French  nobility.  Upon  coming  to 
Italy  he  made  his  home  in  the  city  of  Cefalu,  province  of  Palermo,  where 
the  family  seat  has  since  been  located.  During  the  wars  for  Italian  Indepen- 
dence, General  Pastori,  commanding  an  army  of  one  thousand  men,  entered 
the  city  as  a  defence  against  the  attack  of  the  enemy,  and  throughout  the 
lengthy  siege  he  and  his  army  were  entertained  by  the  members  of  the  Legambi 
family,  then  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  influential  in  the  locality.  Dur- 
ing the  army's  stay  in  the  city  a  son,  \'incenzo  Legambi,  was  born  to  one  of 
the  family,  Genera!  Pastori  standing  as  its  god- father. 

Vincenzo  Legambi,  father  of  Pietro  Legambi,  was  born  in  Cefalu,  Italy. 
and  became,  by  inheritance  and  through  the  successful  administration  of  his 
resources,  one  of  the  wealthiest  land  owners  of  the  city,  his  estate  consisting 
of  nearly  one-half  of  the  land  within  the  boundaries  of  Cefalu.  He  was  one 
of  several  children,  one  of  his  brothers,  Savario,  being  a  prominent  lawyer, 
and  two  others,  Salvalvia  and  Francisco,  priests.  These  two  latter  brothers 
erected  a  large  church  of  their  faith  in  Cefalu,  wherein  they  ministered  and 
conducted  service  for  many  years.  Marionena,  a  niece  of  the  three  afore- 
mentioned brothers,  married  Mr.  Musso,  a  lawyer,  at  the  present  time  mayor 
of  Cefalu,  and  a  sister  married  Baron  Martino,  of  that  city. 

Pietro  Legambi,  son  of  Vincenzo  Legambi,  was  born  in  Cefalu,  province 
of  Palermo,  Italy,  March  i,  1868.  His  family,  once  a  dominant  factor  in  the 
life  of  the  city  because  of  its  wealth  and  influence,  had  lost  its  prestige  and  the 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  605 

greater  part  of  its  once  vast  estate  through  poHtical  plotting  and  intrigue  and 
marine  disasters,  and  after  having  served  an  enlistment  in  the  Italian  army. 
Pietro  Legambi  became  persuaded  of  the  advisability  of  American  immigra- 
tion. The  prospect  of  a  new  life  in  a  country  where  the  early  glory  of  his 
family  would  be  unknown,  and  his  career  of  his  own  making,  appealed  to  his 
ambitious  nature,  and  00  March  10,  1898,  he  engaged  passage  on  a  trans- 
atlantic liner,  landing,  after  a  voyage  ordinary  in  every  way,  in  New  York 
City.  He  continued  to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  first  being  employed  in  th; 
breaker,  after  a  short  time  moving  to  Scranton.  He  purchased  a  one-horse 
team  and  became  a  peddler,  meeting  with  such  good  fortune  in  the  disposal  of 
articles  bought  from  others  that  he  decided  to  become  an  importer.  His  first 
move  toward  his  present  business  was  the  acquirement  of  title  to  the  property 
at  No.  141  Robinson  street,  and  after  making  suitable  arrangements  abroad 
began  the  importation  and  sale  of  olive  oil,  his  present  line.  His  home  in 
Italy  had  been  in  the  heart  of  the  olive  oil  manufacturing  district,  and,  with 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  producing  end  of  the  business,  he  has  conducted 
his  retail  dealings  with  advantageous  profit.  Air.  Legambi,  who  is  politically  a 
Republican,  holds  membership  in  the  St.  Lucia  Roman  Catholic  Qiurch. 

He  married  Carolina,  daughter  of  James  \'arzana,  their  marriage  being 
solemnized  in  Italy.  They  arc  the  parents  of:  i.  James,  born  in  Italy,  Jul) 
4,  1893,  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton  and  now  associated  in 
business  with  his  father.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Victorio  Alfieri  Society,  of 
Scranton,  the  Avon  Dramatic  Club,  and  is  a  Republican  sympathizer.  His 
church  is  St.  Lucia  Roman  Catholic.  2.  John,  born  in  Italy,  in  November, 
1896.  3.  Caroline,  born  in  Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  November  5,  1900.  3 
Jennie,  "bom  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  November  24.  1903.  4.  Frank,  born 
in  Scranton,  December  21,  1907.    5.  Josephine,  bom  in  Scranton,  July  6,  1909. 


ANDREW  CONRAD 

Andrew  Conrad,  late  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  was  a  member  of  a 
family  which  has  made  its  mark  in  various  directions  since  its  advent  in  this 
country.  He  was  born  in  Wuertemberg,  Germany,  in  the  year  1830,  died 
in  Scranton,  Pennsvlvania,  August  15,  1905.  From  his  earliest  years  he 
displayed  an  extraordinary  love  and  talent  for  music,  and  this  talent  was 
cultivated  in  the  best  German  conservatories  of  music.  In  1855  he  came  ro 
America  with  his  wife,  and  for  the  first  two  years  lived  in  the  city  of  New 
York.  He  then  removed  to  Pottsville.  Pennsylvania,  from  there  to  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  in  1867  to  Scranton,  in  which  city  he  took  up  his  permanent  resi- 
dence greatly  to  its  benefit.  Long  before  he  established  a  conservatory  for 
the  study  of  music  he  had  gained  fame  as  a  violinist  and  pianist.  His  suc- 
cessful methods  of  instruction  gained  immediate  attention,  and  he  had  the 
power  of  imparting  to  his  pupils  his  own  enthusiasm  and  love  for  music. 
Many  of  those  who  commenced  their  musical  studies  under  Mr.  Conrad 
have' since  then  gained  world-wide  reputations,  and  they  invariably  ascribe 
a  laro-e  share  of  their  success  to  the  first  principles  instilled  into  them  by  him. 
His  private  pupils  and  classes  were  not  permitted  to  absorb  all  of  his 
time  and  attention,  and  he  was  the  organizer  of  many  musical  societies,  and 
the  organist  and  choir  leader  for  manv  vears  of  the  German  Lutheran  church. 
In  1880  he  established  himself  in  business  as  a  general  agent  for  fire  in- 
surance conducted  this  alone  until  1893,  when  he  admitted  his  son.  Otto 
R  to  a  partnership,  the  firm  becoming  henceforth  A.  Conrad  &  Son,  and 
this  is  still  conducted  in  a  most  prosperous  manner 

Mr.  Conrad  was  married  in  Germany  in  1857  to  Catherine  MuUer.  daugh- 


6o6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

ter  of  Henry  Muller,  organist  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Hilburghausen, 
Saxony,  Germany.  Children:  i.  Matilda,  married  Lewis  Ranch,  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  has  one  daughter,  Lulu.  2.  Henry,  deceased.  3.  Louise,  de- 
ceased ;  was  the  first  wife  of  Dr.  Whalan,  deceased,  had  two  children :  Alma 
and  Bertha.  4.  William,  of  whom  further.  5.  Louis,  of  whom  further.  6. 
Charles  C,  of  Scranton,  married  Blanche  Greer.  7.  Edward,  of  whom 
further.  8.  Emma,  married  Professor  Theodore  Hemberger,  of  Baltimore. 
Maryland,  and  has  children:  Siegesfried  and  Armenia.  9.  Josephine,  sec- 
ond wife  of  Dr.  Whalan.     10.  Otto  R.,  of  whom  further. 


WILLIAM  CONRAD 


The  Enderley  Dairy,  an  establishment  operating  independent  of  any  trust 
affiliations,  drawing  from  its  own  farms  for  its  supply,  and  also  from  nearby 
farms,  giving  employment  to  thirty-five  men,  and  requiring  one  three-ton 
auto  truck  and  fifteen  horses  to  carry  its  products  to  its  many  customers, 
is  the  business  that  was  founded  when  William  Conrad,  then  a  young  man 
of  twenty-two  years,  personally  carried  a  scanty  quantity  of  milk  to  a  few 
patrons.  To  the  upbuilding  of  this  business  he  has  devoted  the  best  years 
of  his  life,  and  its  strong,  firm,  position  and  sturdy,  efficient,  organization, 
are  proofs  that  the  fruits  of  his  labors  are  good. 

William  Conrad,  son  of  Andrew  and  Catherine  (Muller)  Conrad,  was 
born  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  May  6,  i860,  in  his  boyhood  attending  the 
public  schools  of  Scranton  and  a  school  held  in  the  German  Lutheran 
church,  supplementing  this  training  with  a  course  of  study  in  a  private 
German  school.  On  his  father's  farm  he  became  familiar  with  dairying, 
remaining  there  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  conceived  the 
idea  of  an  independent  business  in  dairying.  He  began  in  this  line  by  pur- 
chasing a  small  quantity  of  milk  from  M.  H.  Dale  and  delivering  it  to  a  few 
customers  whose  patronage  he  had  previously  solicited ;  a  short  time  after- 
ward, through  an  expenditure  of  forty  dollars,  he  became  the  owner  of  a 
horse  and  wagon.  From  this  investment  of  forty  dollars,  which  had  grown 
from  nothing  but  his  determination  to  found  a  business,  has  come  the  Enderley 
Dairy,  a  strong  and  flourishing  organization,  housed  in  modern  and  spacious 
surroundings,  and,  as  before  stated,  requiring  in  its  operation  thirty-five 
employees,  one  three-ton  auto  truck  and  fifteen  horses.  Mr.  Conrad  owns 
two  farms,  one  at  Moscow,  the  other  in  Madison  township,  herds  of  well- 
kept  and  high  grade  cattle  grazing  over  each  and  furnishing  the  pure  and 
wholesome  products  for  which  the  Enderley  Dairy  has  become  noted.  Mr. 
Conrad  in  1899  became  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Dairy  Trust,  three  years 
later  withdrawing  from  membership  in  that  combine,  and  has  since  continued 
in  business  free  from  all  associations  of  that  nature.  Just  what  amount  of 
satisfaction  Mr.  Conrad  takes  in  the  prosperity  of  the  institution  that  he 
founded  is  known  only  to  himself,  but  certain  it  is  that  a  large  share  of 
pride  in  the  Enderley  Dairy  would  be  not  only  pardonable,  but  exceedingly 
justifiable.  Mr.  Conrad  is  a  member  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  also  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade. 

He  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Francis  A.  Bates,  of  Scranton,  and  has 
one  son,  Andrew,  a  student  in  Keystone  Academy,  class  of  1915,  whither  he 
went  after  completing  his  course  in  the  Scranton  High  School. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  607 

LOUIS  CONRAD 

Louis  Conrad,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  whose  success  in  business 
affairs  has  come  to  him  through  persistent  and  painstaking  labor,  reliabk 
methods  and  honorable  transactions,  is  of  German  descent. 

Louis  Conrad,  son  of  Andrew  and  Catherine  (Muller)  Conrad,  was  born 
in  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  5,  i86i.  He  was 
five  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to  Scranton,  where  he  received  a 
practical  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city,  making  the  best  use 
of  his  opportunities  while  there.  His  first  occupation  was  that  of  clerk 
in  a  store  on  Lackawanna  avenue,  and  after  working  in  one  position  for  a 
period  of  sixteen  years,  in  the  men's  furnishing  department,  he  established 
himself  in  the  same  line  of  business  independently,  and  has  been  eminently 
su(ccessful  in  this  undertaking.  Mr.  Conrad  had  been  in  the  one  location, 
305  Lackawanna  avenue,  for  the  past  twenty-five  years,  but  for  some  time 
he  had  felt  that  his  store  was  not  as  modern  and  up-to-date  as  he  would 
like  it  to  be.  Having  seen  an  opportunity  for  converting  the  old  savings 
bank  building  on  Wyoming  avenue  into  a  men's  haberdashery  store,  he 
has  now  one  of  the  most  modern,  elegant  and  convenient  stores  in  the  state, 
which  he  occupied  September  i,  1914.  He  is  a  man  of  many  sided  ability, 
and  has  been  largely  interested  in  a  number  of  other  enterprises.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  and  an  active  member  of  the 
Retail  Merchants'  Protective  Association,  and  is  president  of  this  organiza- 
tion at  the  present  time.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Liederkranz  Sing- 
ing Society  for  the  past  thirty  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  iNIasonic  fra- 
ternity. Politically  he  is  inclined  to  be  Democratic,  and  has  at  times  been 
tendered  nomination  for  public  office,  but  has  declined  the  honor,  holding 
that  he  could  best  serve  the  interests  of  the  city  by  increasing  its  business 
prosperity. 

Mr.  Conrad  married,  October  26,  1886,  Elizabeth  Morton,  and  they 
have  children:  Paul  M.  and  Louise  M. 


EDWARD  CONRAD 


One  of  those  energetic  and  sagacious  business  men  whose  presence  in 
any  community  imparts  a  healthy  impetus  to  the  current  of  business  affairs 
is  Edward  Conrad,  of  Scranton,  whose  family,  of  German  origin,  has  been 
resident  here  many  years. 

Edward  Conrad,  son  of  Andrew  and  Catherine  (Muller)  Conrad,  was 
born  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  April  12,  1865,  and  was  about  two  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  removed  to  Scranton.  There  he  received  an  excellent 
education  in  the  public  schools,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  education 
entered  upon  his  business  career.  His  first  venture  was  in  the  milk  business 
with  one  of  his  brothers,  and  when  he  abandoned  this  it  was  to  engage  in 
farming,  with  which  he  was  successfully  identified  for  a  period  of  seven 
years.  Insurance  affairs  then  engaged  his  time  and  attention  for  some  time, 
and  in  1910  he  established  himself  in  business  as  an  automobile  dealer  at 
Nos.  314-316  Adams  avenue,  Scranton,  where  he  has  been  located  since  that 
time.  His  residence  is  at  No.  1706  Linden  street.  In  political  matters  Mr. 
Conrad  is  a  strong  Republican,  and  his  religious  affiliation  is  with  the 
Baptist  church.  He  married,  in  1910,  Clara  Woodhouse,  and  they  have  had 
children :  Harold,  Edward,  Joseph,  Arthur. 


6o8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

OTTO  R.  CONRAD 

Otto  R.  Conrad,  youngest  child  of  Andrew  and  Catherine  (Muller) 
Conrad,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October  i6,  1871.  He  inherited 
a  love  and  talent  for  music,  both  vocal  and  instrumental,  and  received  in- 
struction under  the  direction  of  Professor  Bauer.  After  completing  his 
studies  in  the  Scranton  public  schools  and  business  colleges,  he  became  as- 
sociated with  his  honored  father  in  the  insurance  business,  the  firm  be- 
coming A.  Conrad  &  Son,  General  Insurance  Agents.  This  business,^ 
founded  by  the  elder  Mr.  Conrad  in  1880,  is  still  one  of  the  leading  insurance 
agencies  of  Scranton.  and  Otto  R.  Conrad  is  the  able  manager.  He  was 
exclusively  connected  with  the  insurance  business  until  1902,  when  he  be- 
came the  local  agent  for  the  Pierce-Arrow  Automobile  Company,  retaining 
that  agency  until  1904.  In  1905  he  became  a  distributor  for  the  Ford  ]\Iotor 
Company  for  the  counties  of  Lackawanna,  Wayne  and  Susquehanna.  This 
agency  he  has  developed  into  one  of  the  strongest,  his  sales  for  191 2  reach- 
ing well  toward  the  five  hundred  mark.  The  popularity  of  the  Ford  is  no- 
where more  strongly  manifested  than  in  the  territory  covered  by  Mr.  Conrad 
and  his  force  of  twenty-five  men  in  field  and  garage.  His  business  for  1915 
was  three  times  that  of  19 12  and  will  probably  equal  the  combined  sales  of 
the  other  makers.  Steel  and  wood  combined,  we  care  not  how  skillfully, 
into  no  matter  how  perfect  a  machine,  cannot  demonstrate  their  own  per- 
fection, but  must  have  the  hustling,  energetic  business  man  and  selling  force 
to  prove  their  merit  and  find  a  buyer.  This  Mr.  Conrad  has  furnished  in  his 
field,  and  to  the  man  whose  brain  and  energy  have  placed  him  in  the  foremost 
rank  of  automobile  dealers,  all  praise  is  due.  He  is  also  a  director  of  Green 
Ridge  Bank,  vice-president  of  the  German  Building  Association,  directoi 
in  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade,  director  in  the  Scranton  Industrial  Develop- 
ment Company,  member  of  the  Association  of  Automobile  Dealers,  and  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  Schiller  Lodge, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  the  Green  Ridge  Club.  In  religious  affilia- 
tion he  belongs  to  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a  teacher  in 
the  Sunday  school  connected  with  it.  Mr.  Conrad's  entire  life  has  been  spent 
in  the  citv  of  Scranton,  excepting  the  years  of  1904-05.  During  that  period 
he  was  manager  for  the  Germania  Life  Insurance  Company  for  Xortheastern 
Pennsylvania,  with  headquarters  at  Philadelphia,  and  the  following  year 
after  his  father's  death,  he  returned  to  Scranton  to  look  after  his  many 
interests  here. 

Mr.  Conrad  married  Kathryn,  a  daughter  of  George  H.  Palmer,  who 
is  associated  with  Mr.  Conrad  in  the  insurance  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Conrad  are  blessed  with  a  happy  family  of  four  children,  and  have  made 
their  home  in  the  Green  Ridge  section  of  the  city  for  many  y"ears. 


HARRY  F.  SMITH,  M.  D. 

Among  the  most  eminent  physicians  of  Scranton  at  the  present  time  is 
Dr.  Harry  F.  Smith,  a  native  of  that  city,  where  he  was  born  August  23, 
1883,  being  the  son  of  Frederick  D.  and  Emilie  Longstreet  (Berstein^  Smith, 
old  residents  of  the  place. 

He  received  his  education  primarily  in  the  public  schools  of  Scranton, 
having  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  1903.  .A.fter  the  completion  of 
his  general  education  he  decided  to  take  up  the  study  of  medicine  with  the 
idea  of  becoming  a  physician,  and  accordingly  entered  the  Medico-Qiirurgi- 
cal   Medical   School  at   Philadelphia,   Pennsylvania.     He  completed  the  full 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  609 

four  years'  course  here,  graduating  in  1907,  and  receiving  his  degree  of 
M.  D.  He  was  extremely  popular  with  his  classmates  and  entered  into  the 
social  life  of  the  school  while  in  Philadelphia,  being  a  member  of  the  Greek 
letter  fraternity.  Phi  Rho  Sigma ;  and  enthusiastic  in  all  sports  and  athletics 
in  which  the  students  engaged.  He  was  a  member  of  the  football,  basketball 
and  track  teams,  and  became  an  excellent  athlete.  In  his  studies  he  won 
distinction,  and  while  in  Philadelphia  was  a  member  of  the  W.  L.  Rodman 
Surgical  Society,  and  of  the  George  H.  Meeker  Society,  being  secretary 
of  the  latter. 

Immediately  after  his  graduation  he  entered  the  Stetson  Hospital  as 
interne,  remaining  there  for  six  months,  when  he  became  engaged  as  com- 
pany physician  for  the  Markeloe  Mining  Company,  with  whom  he  continued 
for  the  subsequent  eighteen  months.  After  this  he  came  to  Scranton,  where 
he  established  himself  in  general  practice,  and  has  remained  here  with  great 
success  ever  since.  He  has  made  an  exceptional  record  considering  the 
short  time  he  has  been  a  practicing  physician,  and  is  associated  with  a 
number  of  the  hospitals  here  in  various  capacities  of  trust.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  staff  of  the  West  Mountain  Hospital,  also  of  the  Scranton  State  Hos- 
pital, and  belongs  to  the  Lackawanna  County,  Pennsylvania  State,  and 
American  Medical  associations.  Belonging  to  the  organizations  of  the 
Knights  of  the  Mystic  Chain  and  the  Patriotic  Order  of  the  Sons  of  America, 
he  is  a  member  of  the  medical  and  hospital  corps  of  these  bodies,  and  is 
very  active  in  their  interests ;  indeed,  he  has  become  one  of  the  best  known 
and  most  esteemed  members  in  the  state,  and  his  services  are  held  in  high 
repute.  He  is  surgeon  to  the  police  force  of  Scranton,  also  to  the  fire  de- 
partment, and  is  the  appointed  physician  to  the  school  board,  and  surgeon 
to  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad. 

Dr.  Smith  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a  very  active  member  of  the 
party  in  local  affairs.  From  the  year  1904  until  1907  he  served  on  the  State 
Guard  staff,  and  in  all  military  matters  takes  an  active  and  enthusiastic 
interest.  In  1912  he  was  appointed  first  lieutenant.  Medical  Corps,  and  as- 
signed to  the  Thirteenth  Infantry  Regiment,  Scranton.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  as  is  also  his  wife,  who  was  Miss  Celia  B.  Rine, 
daughter  of  Edwin  M.  Rine,  general  superintendent  of  the  Delaware,  Lacka- 
wanna &  Western  Railroad,  one  of  the  most  influential  and  wealthy  citizens 
of  Scranton.  Dr.  Smith  appears  to  have  before  him  a  brilliant  future,  suc- 
cessful in  his  practice,  popular  among  his  fellow  citizens,  and  eminent  by 
way  of  his  social  and  personal  qualifications.  He  is  one  of  the  professional 
men  to  whom  Scranton  looks  for  added  lustre  in  its  place  among  the  cities. 


DAVID  M.  REILLY 


One  of  the  oldest  retail  shoe  dealers  in  Scranton,  Mr.  Reilly  is  one  of  the 
successful  business  men  of  the  city,  although  a  man  just  in  the  prime  of  life, 
the  word  "oldest"  being  used  in  a  business  sense  only.  His  training  for  the 
retail  shoe  business  was  under  the  pioneer  merchant  of  Lackawanna  avenue. 
South  Side,  and  continued  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Lewis  &  Reilly  tmtil 
two  years  ago,  when  after  a  quarter  of  a  century  in  business  he  established 
his  present  business  under  his  own  name  alone.  Brought  up  through  early 
life  in  the  hard  school  of  adversity,  he  has  as  boy  and  man  won  name,  stand- 
ing and  success  by  earnest,  well-directed  effort,  a  careful  husbanding  of  his 
resources,  and  an  honest  ambition  to  earn  his  place  in  the  mercantile  world. 

Mr.  Reilly's  start  in  life  was  an  humble  one.  His  father,  Thomas  Reilly, 
was  a  native  of  county   Mayo,   Ireland,  his  mother  of  county  Sligo.     On 

39 


6io  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

coming  to  the  United  States  he  worked  on  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal 
at  Honesdale,  later  was  a  miner  at  Archbald,  also  helped  to  build  the  old 
Gravity  Road.  The  latter  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Scranton,  where  he 
died  aged  about  sixty-five  years. 

David  M.  Reilly  was  born  in  Archbald,  Pennsylvania,  May  8,  1865. 
He  attended  the  public  school  there  for  several  years,  leaving  at  one  time  to 
work  as  a  "breaker  boy,"  but  a  few  weeks'  experience  was  enough  and  he 
returned  to  school.  Later  he  worked  for  a  time  in  the  coal  mines,  but  did 
not  like  the  life  of  a  miner,  and  in  1881  he  came  to  Scranton,  a  lad  of  sixteen 
years.  He  secured  a  position  in  the  shoe  store  of  Morris  Goldsmith,  as 
clerk,  continuing  until  he  had  completed  plans  for  going  into  business  for 
himself.  On  December  15,  1888,  the  firm  of  Lewis  &  Reilly  opened  a  retail 
shoe  store  in  Wyoming  and  there  began  a  successful  business  career,  the 
firm  continuing  as  founded  until  Mr.  Reilly  withdrew,  disposing  of  his  inter- 
est to  a  brother  of  his  former  partner.  Mr.  Reilly  then  opened  his  present 
retail  shoe  store  in  the  Jermyn  Hotel  block  and  there  continues  in  pros- 
perous business.  He  has  been  connected  with  the  retail  shoe  trade  in 
Scranton  thirty-two  years,  and  of  these  years  a  full  quarter  of  a  century  has 
been  spent  in  his  own  stores  as  partner  and  sole  owner.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  Scranton  Savings  and  Dime  Bank  and  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trade.  He  is  interested  in  public  affairs,  and  as  a  good  citizen  supports  with 
his  vote  the  candidates  that  appeal  to  him  as  best  fitted  for  the  office  they 
seek. 

Mr.  Reilly  married  Ella,  daughter  of  Equire  Patrick  Loftus,  of  Olyphant. 
Children  :  Gertrude,  married  James  Corbett,  of  Scranton  ;  Joseph  ;  Thomas  ; 
Maria,  member  of  the  class  of  191 5,  Teachers'  College  of  Columbia  Univer- 
sity ;  David ;  James. 

JOHN  T.  WATKINS 

Popular  acclamation  at  home  as  the  greatest  of  choral  leaders,  high 
recognition  by  critics  abroad,  and  general  approval  by  all,  is  the  enviable 
estimation  in  which  John  T.  Watkins,  of  Scranton,  is  held  by  lovers  of 
music  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  Emerson,  tersely  and  epigrammatically, 
has  described  music  as  "the  poor  man's  Parnassus."  If  this  be  true,  and  the 
dean  of  American  poets  was  remarkably  exact  as  well  as  poetic  in  his  ex- 
pression, the  thousands  that  have  been  brought  to  a  true  appreciation  of 
and  love  for  the  best  of  the  world's  music,  through  the  wise  and  tasteful 
guidance  of  John  T.  Watkins,  must  indeed  be  refreshed  by  the  nectar  and 
ambrosia  of  the  gods.  He  it  is  who  has  raised  the  standard  of  musical 
achievement  of  Scranton  from  a  depth  lower  than  mediocrity  and  has  placed 
it  in  the  front  rank  of  the  highest  class  of  cities  interested  in  music ;  who  has 
developed  in  the  city  a  choir  unrivalled,  and  who  has  brought  fame  and 
reputation  to  many  individuals  by  the  expert  manner  in  which  he  has  brought 
out  all  the  latent  possibilities  of  tone  and  volume  in  their  voices  and  intro- 
duced them  to  the  public  as  soloists  of  merit.  But  a  word  as  to  the  parentage 
and  career  of  the  man  who  has  reached  these  heights  and  has  deserved  this 
mention. 

John  T.  Watkins  is  a  son  of  William  Wynn  Watkins.  William  Wynn 
Watkins  was  a  native  of  Merthyr-Tydfil,  county  of  Glamorgan,  South  Wales, 
where  he  was  a  miner  by  occupation,  and  he  came  to  the  United  States  in 
i860.  He  spent  about  a  year  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  War  returned  to  his  native  land,  as  the  excitement  at- 
tending the  beginning  of  hostilities  had  demoralized  trade  conditions  and 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  6ii 

industries  were  at  a  standstill.  He  is  in  no  way  open  to  criticism  or  censure 
for  his  course  in  this  matter,  for  he  had  come  to  a  new  country  for  the 
purpose  of  working  to  support  his  family,  not  of  fighting,  and  in  the  internal 
differences  of  our  country  he  had  no  part.  After  the  restoration  of  peace 
and  the  attendant  activity  in  the  industrial  world,  he  came  to  Scranton  and 
there  obtained  employment  in  the  mines,  an  occupation  in  which  he  was 
experienced  and  which  he  followed  all  his  life.  It  was  in  the  pursuit  of  this 
calling  that  he  met  his  death.  He  was  hastening  to  the  surface,  after  work- 
ing hours,  in  order  to  attend  a  musical  festival  in  which  his  two  sons,  John 
T.  and  Thomas,  were  to  lead  rival  choruses  in  a  singing  contest,  when  he 
stepped  upon  a  cage,  which  without  his  knowledge  had  been  set  in  motion.  The 
moving  cage  hurled  him  against  the  roof  of  the  mine,  causing  instant  death. 
His  untimely  death  cut  short  a  career  that  was  destined  to  be  of  rich  benefit 
to  many.  Both  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Baptist  church,  in  the  Sun- 
day school  of  which  he  had  for  many  years  been  the  teacher  of  a  class  of 
young  men,  whose  feet  he  had  guided  into  a  path  offering  aid  against  temp- 
tation and  strength  to  do  the  right.  It  was  by  these  members  of  the  rising- 
generation  that  his  death  was  felt  more  deeply  than  by  any  excepting  the 
members  of  his  immediate  family,  he  having  been  more  to  them  than 
their  instructor,  their  counsellor  and  friend,  whose  advice  and  help  was  ever 
theirs.  He  was  a  staunch  Republican  and  from  the  depth  of  his  convictions 
often  took  the  stump  to  extol  the  worth  of  a  candidate  or  to  defend  one 
of  the  party's  principles.  He  was  an  earnest,  forceful  speaker,  on  occasion 
■eloquent  and  emotional,  and  performed  excellent  service  for  the  party. 

He  married  Jane,  daughter  of  John  T.  Jones.  Children:  i.  Thomas,  de- 
ceased ;  was  a  druggist,  and  also  a  musician  of  note,  who,  besides  attending 
to  his  drug  business,  taught  music  in  the  Olyphant  public  schools.  2.  Rev.  M. 
J.,  deceased.  3.  Sarah,  married  John  W.  Reese,  deceased  ;  he  was  a  prominent 
office  holder  and  public  servant  of  Taylor.  4.  John  T.,  of  whom  further. 
5.  William  M.  6.  James  E.,  an  attorney  of  Scranton.  7.  Edith,  mar- 
ried W.  H.  Peterson,  supervisor  of  a  division  of  the  Western  Union  Tele- 
graph Company.  8.  Gertrude,  married  Sydney  Owens,  foreman  Great 
Bellevue  mines  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western.  9.  Richard,  a 
musician  and  post  oflice  employee  of  Scranton. 

John  T.  Watkins,  son  of  William  Wynn  and  Jane  (Jones)  Watkins,  was 
born  in  Merthyr-Tydfil,  county  of  Glamorgan,  South  Wales,  June  9,  1862. 
His  early  life  gave  little  indication  of  the  triumphs  that  were  to  be  his  in 
the  future,  his  early  education  being  curtailed  so  that  he  might  obtain  em- 
ployment in  the  breaker  near  the  mine  in  which  his  father  worked.  At 
the  age  of  eight  years  he  entered  upon  this  employment  and  was  variously 
engaged  in  mine  labor  imtil  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  During  these 
years  he  was  constantly  bent  upon  acquiring  an  education,  always  a  sign 
of  well-directed  ambition,  and  performed  that  task  in  different  ways,  attend- 
ing the  public  schools  when  the  mines  were  idle,  going  to  night  school  in 
Taylor  borough,  and  by  many  methods  picking  up  odd  bits  of  information 
and  knowledge  that  he  carefully  stored  away  in  memory's  files  for  the  time 
when  they  would  be  useful  to  him.  His  natural  talent  and  taste  for  music 
were  early  shown,  and  he  came  under  the  training  of  an  old  miner,  David 
T.  Davis,  chorister  in  the  local  Baptist  church,  who  gave  him  his  first  in- 
structions in  harmony.  Hand  in  hand  with  his  innate  love  of  music  was  an 
equally  strong  fondness  for  the  poetic,  and  he  made  extensive  study  of  the 
works  of  the  best  of  the  English  poets.  Browning,  Milton,  Shakespeare  and 
Tennyson  being  his  favorites.  Another  earnest  of  his  desire  for  education 
was  the  fact  that  when  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  he  walked  from  Taylor 


6i2  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

to  attend  the  night  sessions  of  Gardner's  Business  College,  and  home  again 
at  the  close  of  the  class.  There  were  no  transportation  lines  connecting  the 
two  places,  which  was  to  him  a  comfort,  since  he  could  not  have  afiforded 
the  expenditure  for  carfare.  After  graduating  from  this  institution  he  gave 
up  his  employment  in  the  mines  and  entered  the  office  of  E.  P.  Kingsbury, 
then  city  controller,  later  accepting  a  position  with  James  J.  Lawler  as  ac- 
countant, in  whose  service  he  remained  for  twelve  years.  During  all  this 
time  he  was  constantly  studying  music  and  singing,  and  in  order  to  improve 
his  pronunciation  and  enunciation,  he  studied  elocution  under  Colonel  J.  A. 
Price.  As  a  lad  he  had  attended  the  services  of  the  German  Sunday  school 
for  the  sake  of  acquiring  an  inkling  of  that  tongue  and  later  improved  his 
knowledge  of  the  language.  The  possessor  of  a  fine  baritone  voice,  he  not 
only  had  exceptional  ability  as  a  soloist,  but  was  remarkably  successful  in 
getting  the  best  results  from  a  body  of  singers,  being  able  to  impart  to  them 
the  knowledge  of  technique  and  expression  he  so  readily  acquired,  and  with 
sympathetic  understanding  encouraged  them  to  the  best  efforts  within  their 
power.  When  not  yet  of  legal  age  he  had  begun  to  lead  choirs,  and  from 
his  earliest  attempts  gave  evidence  of  the  qualities  of  leadership  that  have 
since  made  him  famous  in  his  profession. 

His  first  public  conquest  of  note  was  in  1883,  when  a  male  chorus  trained 
by  him  won  the  first  prize  in  their  class  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Increasing  in 
prominence  in  his  chosen  art,  in  1892  he  organized  the  Scranton  Choral 
Union  and  managed  it  on  a  trip  to  the  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago, 
where,  under  the  leadership  of  Hayden  Evans,  with  Mr.  Watkins  as  as- 
sistant director,  the  Union  won  the  first  prize  of  five  thousand  dollars,  in 
competition  against  such  organizations  as  the  Cymrodorians,  of  Hyde  Park, 
and  the  famous  Mormon  choir  from  Salt  Lake  City.  In  1895  he  organized 
and  conducted  the  Scranton  United  Choral  Society,  which  captured  both  the 
first  and  second  prizes  at  Wilkes-Barre,  besides  which  several  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Society  whom  Mr.  Watkins  had  trained  were  awarded  prizes  in 
the  solo  contests.  During  these  years  he  had  also  been  acting  in  the  capacity 
of  coach  in  the  amateur  performances  given  in  the  city,  often  taking  leading 
parts.  Among  the  light  operas  rendered  under  his  direction  were  the 
"Mikado,"  "Pinafore,"  the  "Chimes  of  Normandy,"  "Pirates  of  Penzance," 
and  also  several  sacred  cantatas,  all  of  which  scored  complete  successes,  and 
all  of  which  added  lustre  to  the  honor  of  his  reputation.  In  1896  he  entered 
the  Royal  Academy  of  Music  at  London  as  a  student  in  voice,  piano,  har- 
mony, elocution  and  dramatic  art.  He  followed  his  studies  assiduously, 
gradually  perfecting  himself  in  the  different  departments,  and  in  a  contest 
between  twenty-five  persons  was  chosen  soloist  in  the  choir  of  St.  James' 
Church,  at  Piccadilly,  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  fashionable  churches 
of  London,  known  far  and  wide  for  the  beauty  of  its  service.  While  in 
London  he  progressed  so  far  in  his  art  and  was  so  deeply  interested  in  it 
that  he  was  given  the  privilege  of  playing  at  Her  Majesty's  Theatre,  in  a 
minor  part  with  Beer  Bohm  Tree.  For  two  months  he  was  in  the  theatre 
and  during  that  time  played  more  prominent  parts  in  Shakespearian  pro- 
ductions, including  "Romeo  and  Juliet,"  "As  You  Like  It,"  and  "Julius 
Caesar."  While  interpreting  the  part  of  the  Duke  in  "Duke  Aranza"  at  a 
week's  engagement  in  Ealing,  the  popular  English  actress,  Ellen  Terry, 
known  in  private  life  as  Mrs.  E.  A.  Wardell,  was  present  and  tendered  him 
her  compliments  for  his  excellent  interpretation  of  the  difficult  character. 
Another  of  his  European  triumphs  was  in  a  contest  for  the  position  of  bass 
soloist  at  the  Mount  Street  Jesuit  Church,  when,  from  seventy-four  competi- 
tors, he  was  chosen  for  the  place.    Just  before  leaving  London,  he  was  pre- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  613 

sented  by  the  Royal  Academy  of  Music  with  two  bronze  medals,  and  in 
recognition  of  his  successful  record  at  the  Academy,  he  was  chosen  to  sing 
at  the  school's  concert  at  Queen's  Hall  and  again  at  St.  James'  Hall,  one 
of  the  highest  of  valedictory  honors. 

In  1897  Mr.  Watkins  returned  to  Scranton,  where  he  met  with  an  en- 
thusiastic reception  at  the  hands  of  his  many  friends,  Who  had  followed  his 
career  abroad  with  pride  and  satisfaction  in  the  achievements  of  their  fel- 
low-townsman, opened  a  studio  in  the  city,  and  has  since  continued  there, 
teaching  music  and  conducting  choral  societies.  In  1902  Mr.  Watkins  met 
the  great  conductor  of  the  Chautauqua  Summer  School,  Mr.  Hallam,  also 
Henry  Walter  Hall,  of  Columbia  University,  in  competition  in  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  when,  as  leader  of  the  Scranton  United  Choral  Society,  his 
chorus  won  the  first  prize  at  the  Brooklyn  Arion  Festival,  as  well  as  carry- 
ing off  the  honors  in  the  Ladies'  Chorus  competition.  Here  his  Schubert 
Male  Quartette  almost  completed  a  clean  sweep  of  the  prizes  by  being 
awarded  both  the  first  and  second,  singing  selections  in  English  and  Ger- 
man. The  record  of  the  Scranton  United  Choral  Society  was  seven  prizes 
out  of  nine  ofifered,  in  competition  open  to  all  comers,  and  in  which  the 
best  choruses  of  the  country  were  represented.  In  1907  Mr.  Watkins  was 
induced  by  Mr.  Hallam  at  Chautauqua  Summer  School  to  organize  the  great 
chorus  in  competition  consisting  of  sixty  women  from  the  south  under  Frank 
Croxton,  of  Dansville,  Kentucky,  and  fifty-five  under  M.  J.  Marquard,  the 
great  musical  conductor  of  New  York  City  and  lifty-five  representing  the 
Western  States  under  J.  W.  Bird,  of  Ohio,  while  Mr.  Watkins  had  a  choir 
of  sixty  voices  drawn  from  Scranton  and  vicinity,  and  even  against  the 
tremendous  aggregation  of  highly  cultivated  and  well-trained  voices,  Mr. 
Watkins  was  able  to  carry  ofif  all  the  honors,  taking  first  place.  In  1904 
he  was  made  director  of  the  Junger  Maennerchor,  of  Scranton,  and  has  so 
improved  the  work  of  that  organization  that  from  the  fifth  place  in  the  fifth 
class,  its  status  when  he  became  associated  therewith,  it  has  been  placed  in 
first  place  in  the  first  class  of  the  Saengerfest,  the  Maennerchor,  winning  a 
silver  cup  in  the  Philadelphia  Saengerfest  of  1912  for  the  most  finished  and 
artistic  singing  of  the  male  choruses  present  at  the  festival.  In  1904  a 
Ladies'  Chorus  under  his  direction  was  awarded  the  first  prize  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  and  in  July  of  that  year  he  organized  a  large  chorus  for  entrance  at 
the  contest  at  the  St.  Louis  Exposition,  where  his  chorus  was  pitted  against 
the  best  of  this  and  foreign  countries,  and  where  he,  as  conductor,  matched 
his  skill  against  that  of  world-famous  leaders.  Both  proved  themselves  the 
peers  of  their  opponents,  and  his  chorus  won  prizes  of  five  thousand  dollars, 
a  gold  medal,  and  a  diploma,  inscribed :  "The  First  Prize  for  Distinguished 
Performance  in  the  Choral  Contest  of  the  First  Grade."  But  the  greatest 
of  his  triumphs  was  consummated  at  the  Pittsburgh  International  Eisteddfod, 
in  1913,  when  the  Scranton  United  Choral  Society  was  given  first  prize  and 
fifty-five  hundred  dollars  by  the  adjudicators,  and  Mr.  Watkins  was  presented 
with  a  gold  medal  in  honor  of  his  victory.  So  great  was  the  enthusiasm  and 
so  genuine  the  delight  of  the  Scranton  contingent  that  Mr.  Watkins  was 
raised  aloft  on  the  shoulders  of  his  friends  and  carried  from  the  hall,  sur- 
rounded bv  a  shouting,  applauding  multitude  of  joyful  men  and  women. 
At  the  present  time  (1914)  he  is  considering  the  organization  of  a  chorus 
to  go  to  the  Panama  Exposition  at  San  Francisco,  in  191 5,  to  compete 
against  choirs  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  Again,  on  October  6,  1914,  Mr. 
Watkins  organized  and  carried  olT  first  honors  with  six  hundred  voices  from 
the  Elm  Park  Methodist  Church  Sunday  school.     This  contest  was  held 


6i4  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

in  Scranton's  mammoth  armory  before  twelve  thousand  people,  his  inter- 
pretations were  proclaimed  by  the  judges  as  masterful  and  convincing.  His 
successes  in  the  musical  world  read  like  fairy  tales.  A  record  of  Mr.  Wat- 
kins'  victories  at  Eisteddfods  and  Saengerfests  is  as  follows :  Wilkes-Barre 
Eisteddfod,  1891 ;  Chicago  Eisteddfod,  1893 ;  Wilkes-Barre  Eisteddfod,  1895 ; 
Brooklyn  Arion  Festival,  1902;  Wilkes-Barre,  1904;  St.  Louis  Exposition, 
1904;  Newark  Saengerfest,  1906;  Chautauqua,  New  York,  1907;  Madison 
Square  Garden,  1909;  Philadelphia,  1912;  Pittsburgh  International,  1913. 

Mr.  Watkins  confines  his  fraternal  affiliation  to  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which  latter  he  belongs 
to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chap- 
ter, Royal  Arch  Masons ;  Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ; 
Keystone  Consistory,  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret ;  and  Ireni 
Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  was  the  director  of  a  quartette 
composed  of  members  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks 

He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Reese  Lloyd,  of  Scranton.  Mrs.  Wat- 
kins  was  born  in  Wales  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents 
when  four  years  of  age.  Her  brother  was  a  teacher  of  Rev.  William  A. 
Sunday  and  did  much  to  induce  him  to  become  a  revivalist. 

To  sum  up  the  qualifications  that  have  made  Mr.  Watkins  famous  as  a 
choral  leader  and  to  explain  the  constant  success  that  has  attended  him  is 
to  attempt  to  describe  the  man  himself.  He  is  distinctively  temperamental 
and  abounds  in  dramatic  instinct,  both  cultivated  to  a  high  degree,  and  be- 
comes so  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  poetry  of  a  selection  that  he  feels 
each  note,  rather  than  hears  it.  He  has  acquired  the  ability  so  essential 
to  an  instructor,  of  giving  those  whom  he  is  teaching  confidence  in  their 
own  powers  and  absolute  faith  in  his  judgment.  Genial,  tactful,  and  withal  a 
believer  in  strict  discipline,  he  accomplishes  a  prodigious  amount  of  work 
with  a  chorus,  never  allowing  petty  jealousies  to  flourish  or  hard  feelings 
to  be  harbored.  A  master  musician  and  an  artist  from  the  foundation  of 
his   nature,   the  lament    of    Oliver    Wendell    Holmes    was    not    for    him, 

"Alas  for  those  that  never  sing 

But  die  with  all  their  music  in  them." 


JAMES  J.  LYNCH 


Austin  Lynch  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  in  the  then  village  of 
Olyphant  which  was  part  of  the  old  Blakely  township,  having  moved  there 
with  his  family  from  Dunmore  immediately  upon  the  opening  of  the  coal 
mines  within  the  limits  of  what  is  now  the  borough  of  Olyphant.  James  J 
Lynch,  son  of  Austin  Lynch,  was  born  June  10,  1845.  He  obtained  a  public 
school  education  at  Dunmore  and  Olyphant,  and  when  a  young  man,  started 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  Olyphant,  continuing  until  his  death,  January 
8,  1898.  He  was  an  affable,  sympathetic  man  of  pleasing  personality  with  a 
remarkable  memory  for  names  and  faces,  and  had  a  wide  circle  of 
loyal  friends.  He  was  an  extensive  reader,  being  especially  well  in- 
formed upon  historical  subjects,  current  literature  and  matters  of  pub- 
lic interest,  and  his  conversational  powers  made  him  a  delightful  com- 
panion. He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  value  of  a  liberal  education  and 
all  his  children  were  given  the  highest  educational  advantages.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  although  he  never  took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs 
of  his  party,  devoting  all  his  time  to  his  extensive  business  interests.     He 


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CITY  OF  SCR  ANTON  615 

was  one  of  the  first  jury  commissioners  of  Lackawanna  county,  and  for  a 
number  of  years  was  president  of  the  Blakely  poor  district.  He  was  not  only 
a  successful  merchant,  but  was  also  interested  in  many  public  enterprises 
as  organizer  and  officer.  He  was  president  of  the  Olyphant  Water  Company, 
the  Dickson  City  Water  Company,  Priceburg  Electric  Light  Company  and 
the  Winton  Water  Company.  He  won  his  position  and  fortune  by  hard 
work  and  wise  investments,  using  rare  judgment  in  his  estimate  of  the  value 
of  any  proposition  placed  before  him  for  his  consideration.  He  was  a  man 
with  an  honorable  career  and  left  behind  him  a  record  of  a  well  spent  life. 
On  the  22nd  day  of  February,  1870,  he  married  Mary  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Bartholomew  Mooney,  and  seven  of  their  children  grew  to  mature  years : 
Frank  M.,  of  whom  further ;  Bartholomew  J.,  graduated  at  Millersville  State 
Normal  School,  was  married  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  June  18,  1902,  to 
Gertrude  Hershey  Miller,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Emeline  Hershey  Miller,  of  East 
Petersburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  ; 
Leo  A.,  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  class  of  1899,  and  at  Johns  Hopkins 
Medical  College  in  1903,  was  married,  October  28,  191 1,  to  Anna  Merriman, 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Friend  F.  Merriman  of  Dunmore,  and  is  now  a 
practicing  physician  and  surgeon  in  Brooklyn,  New  York;  Grace  M.,  grad- 
uated at  Mount  St.  Vincent's  on  the  Hudson,  married  Hon.  Edward  L. 
Smith.  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Hartford,  Connecticut ;  Aus- 
tin (2),  educated  at  Holy  Cross  College,  married,  June  2^,  1910,  Jeanette 
Kingsley,  daughter  of  Mrs.  George  Kingsley,  of  Blakely,  and  i's  now  an  in- 
vestment broker  with  offices  at  Scranton ;  Stanley  and  Gerald,  were  educated 
at  Exeter  Academy  and  Villa  Nova  College,  and  now  reside  at  Olyphant 
with  their  mother. 


FRANK  MARTIN  LYNCH 

Frank  M.  Lynch,  the  oldest  son  of  the  late  James  J.  Lynch  of  Olyphant, 
was  born  at  Olyphant,  May  17,  1874 ;  prepared  for  college  at  School  of  the 
Lackawanna,  Scranton,  from  which  school  he  entered  Yale  College  in 
1893,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  the  class  of  1897.  He  then 
entered  Yale  Law  School,  but  upon  his  father's  death  in  January,  1898, 
he  remained  in  Scranton  as  a  law  student  in  the  office  of  O'Brien  and  Kelly, 
and  on  January  23,  1899,  upon  motion  of  Joseph  O'Brien  Esq.,  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county,  and  began  at  once  a  general  practice  of 
his  profession  and  is  now  a  successful  member  of  the  Lackawanna  county 
bar.  In  addition  to  the  practice  of  his  profession,  he  has  important  business 
interests.  He  organized  the  Olyphant  Silk  Company  in  1905,  and  is  now 
president  of  that  company ;  he  is  also  secretary  of  the  Chenango  Silk  Com 
panv  of  Binghamton,  both  of  which  are  successful  business  enterprises.  He 
organized  the  Dolph  Land  Company  and  opened  up  for  development  in 
Olyphant  a  large  tract  of  land  at  a  time  when  the  growth  of  Olyphant  was 
materially  checked  for  want  of  land  for  new  building  purposes ;  he  is  presi- 
dent of  this  company  and  interested  in  the  growth  and  development  of 
Olyphant.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  his 
town,  being  borough  solicitor  for  a  number  of  years,  and  it  was  largely 
due  to  his  advice  and  active  support  that  the  sewers,  pavements  and  public 
buildings  which  are  now  such  a  credit  to  the  borough  of  Olyphant  were 
constructed.  On  April  25,  1900,  he  was  married  in  St.  Peter's  Cathedral 
Scranton,  to  Helen,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Friend  F.  Merriman  of  Dun- 
more  ;  they  have  the  following  children :  James  Merriman,  Mary  Messenger, 


6i6  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Marjorie  Merriman  and  Frank  Martin  Jr.     He  is  a  member  of  Scranton 
Press  Club,  Scranton  Club  and  Yale  Club  of  New  York. 

GEORGE  B.  SMITH 

The  name  of  John  B.  Smith,  father  of  George  B.  Smith,  is  one  which  has 
been  intimately  connected  with  corporations  that  have  developed  the  leading 
resources  of  the  Scranton  district  from  its  beginning.  He  was  born  in  Sul- 
livan county.  New  York,  in  1815,  and  commenced  his  active  business  career  in 
connection  with  railroad  service  when  he  was  but  fifteen  years  of  age.  His 
first  position  in  this  field  of  industry  was  under  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal 
Company,  at  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania ;  he  was  an  apprentice  in  the  machine 
shop  of  the  same  road  five  years;  from  1848  to  1850  he  was  mechanical 
draughtsman  and  superintendent  of  machmery  in  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Com- 
pany; in  1852  or  there  abouts  was  appointed  general  superintendent  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  in  Pennsylvania,  and  filled  this  responsible  posi- 
tion for  about  half  a  century ;  in  May,  1886,  he  was  appointed  president  of  the 
Erie  and  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad,  which  he  filled  for  many  years. 

George  B.  Smith,  son  of  John  B.  Smith,  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  after  instruction  under  private  masters  entered  the  Academy  of 
Wyoming,  later  attending  Bisbee's  Military  Academy,  at  Poughkeepsie,  New 
York.  At  an  early  age  he  entered  the  Telegraph  Department  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Coal  Company,  at  Dunmore,  after  a  time  being  transferred  to  duty 
in  the  office  of  his  father,  who  was  at  that  time  general  superintendent  of 
the  company.  While  so  engaged  he  gained  a  close  insight  into  and  familiarity 
with  the  affairs  of  the  company,  becoming  assistant  superintendent,  a  position 
he  held  until  June  13,  1895,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  general  superin- 
tendency,  holding  this  place  for  five  years.  On  June  19,  1900,  Mr.  Smith 
was  called  to  the  third  vice-presidency  of  the  company,  continuing  in  this  office 
until  the  purchase  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  by  the  Erie  Railroad 
Company,  his  resignation  taking  effect,  February  28,  1901.  During  this  time 
he  had  been  treasurer  of  the  Erie  &  Wyoming  Valley  Railroad  Company,  and 
on  May  19,  1896,  became  superintendent  of  the  company,  discharging  the 
duties  of  this  responsible  position  until  he  became  president,  holding  that 
office  until  February  28,  1901,  when  the  concern  was  absorbed  by  the  Erie 
Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Smith  is  at  the  present  time  a  director  of  the  Scran- 
ton Trust  Company,  the  Scranton  Gas  and  Water  Company,  the  Consumers' 
Ice  Company  and  the  First  National  Bank,  all  of  Scranton,  having  assumed 
his  place  upon  the  directorate  of  the  last  named  institution  on  April  17,  1897. 
Mr.  Smith's  business  career  has  been  one  useful  in  the  extreme  and  full  of 
benefit  to  the  companies  he  served  with  such  signal  fidelity,  rendered  effi- 
cient by  a  large  share  of  native  ability.  The  organizations  with  which  he  is 
identified  at  the  present  time  are  fortunate  in  possessing  him  as  a  director  and 
advisor,  his  sound  judgment  and  business  intuition  serving  well  in  council. 

Mr.  Smith  married,  February  11,  1886,  Grace,  daughter  of  Dr.  William 
A.  Durrie  Sr.,  of  Brick  Qiurch,  New  Jersey,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two 
daughters :     Louise  E.  and  Florence  D. 


STERLING  D.  PARKER 

Son  of  Rondino  Parker  and  grandson  of  Sheldon  Parker,  Sterling  D. 
Parker,  of  this  chronicle,  was  born  at  Clarks  Green,  Pennsylvania.  His 
father  is  also  a  native  of  this  place,  born  in  August,  1830,  being  now  eighty- 
four  years  of  age,  his  entire  life  having  been  passed  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
in  which  he  has  prospered.    Rondino  Parker  married  Mary  D.,  daughter  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  617 

Ebenezer  Slocum,  and  has  children:  i.  Jennie  D.,  married  Professor  Stone, 
of  Cornell  University;  resides  in  Ithaca,  New  York;  children:  Delia,  Mary, 
Julia,  Helen.  2.  Thurston  S.,  unmarried,  lives  on  the  farm  with  his  father. 
3.  Sterling  D.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Ward  B.,  a  resident  of  Qarks  Summit, 
Pennsylvania ;  postmaster  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business ;  mar- 
ried Estella  Miller;  children:  Frances,  Mary,  Ruth.  5.  Harold  R.,  married 
Lucy  Barton,  and  has  three  children. 

Sterling  D.  Parker,  son  of  Rondino  and  Mary  D.  (Slocum)  Parker,  was 
born  January  15,  1864.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Clarks 
Green,  and  after  a  course  in  the  Keystone  Academy  attended  Easton  Busi- 
ness College,  of  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  whence  he  was  graduated.  After 
completing  his  studies  he  was  for  five  years  employed  in  a  grocery  store  of 
which  an  uncle  was  proprietor,  then  assumed  charge  of  the  general  store  in 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania,  managed  by  John  A.  Mears,  for  the  Newton  Coal 
Company.  After  twelve  years  in  the  service  of  that  company,  Mr.  Parker 
moved  to  Scranton  and  was  for  two  years  associated  in  business  with  G.  J. 
Barrowman,  a  grocer  of  No.  1309  Washburn  street,  in  the  time  that  he 
was  free  from  this  business  engaging  in  insurance  dealing.  In  1902  he  ac- 
cepted the  position  of  manager  of  the  ordinary  department  of  the  Prudential 
Insurance  Company  for  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  continuing  in  this  office 
in  the  employ  of  the  Prudential  Company  to  this  time  (1914).  Mr.  Parker's 
work  prior  to  his  acceptance  of  this  office  was  of  such  a  nature  as  to  attract 
the  favorable  attention  of  those  in  authority  in  the  company,  and  the  offer 
of  his  present  managerial  position  was  based  upon  the  merit  and  ability  he 
has  displayed  in  his  former  capacity.  He  is  a  faithful  and  energetic  steward 
of  the  interests  of  his  company  in  the  locality  over  which  he  has  control, 
giving  to  its  service  the  best  of  his  talents.  Mr.  Parker  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Order,  is  a  director  of  the  Pittston  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation, and  has  been  a  member  of  the  $100,000  League  since  its  organiza- 
tion. His  church  is  the  West  Side  Presbyterian,  and  in  political  belief  he  is  a 
progressive  Republican. 

Mr.  Parker  married  Catherine  F.,  daughter  of  John  Barrowman,  of 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  John  B.,  born  May  8,  1896;  Sterling  D. 
Jr.,  born  July  5, '1911. 

CHARLES  B.  PARKER 

Stephen  Parker,  the  pioneer  who  founded  the  line  of  Parker  herein  chron- 
icled in  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  the 
family  residence-  having  previously  been  in  New  England,  Rhode  Island  the 
locality  whence  he  came.  From  him  the  line  of  descent  is  through  his  son, 
Sheldon,  and  his  grandson,  Fernando  A.,  to  Charles  B.  Parker,  the  present  day 
representative  of  his  line  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  where  he  is  president  of  the 
wholesale  confectionery  firm  of  C.  B.  Parker  Company,  a  large  and  prosperous 
concern  located  at  No.  36  Lackawanna  avenue.  Stephen  Parker  was  a  farmer 
in  occupation,  and  after  moving  to  Lackawanna  county  from  Rhode  Island 
settled  at  Abington.  He  has  children:  Sheldon,  of  whom  further;  Charles; 
Stephen. 

(II)  Sheldon  Parker,  son  of  Stephen  Parker,  was  a  native  of  Abmgton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  throughout  his  active  life  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  married  a  Miss  Phillips,  and  had  issue:  i.  Fernando  A.,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 2.  Edward  R.,  for  many  years  the  proprietor  of  a  general  sporting  goods 
store  on  Spruce  street,  Scranton,  making  a  specialty  of  fire-arms  ;  retired  from 
business  in  1914;  he  served  in  the  Union  army  throughout  the  four  years  of 


6i8  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  Civil  War,  and  was  engaged  in  many  important  conflicts  of  the  war;  he 
married  Marion,  daughter  of  Sydney  Mears,  of  Scranton.  3.  Rondino,  a 
farmer  of  Clarks  Green,  Pennsylvania ;  married  Mary  D.,  daughter  of  Eb- 
enezer  Slocum.  and  has  children,  Jennie,  Thurston,  Sterling,  Ward  B.,  Harold. 
4.  Senora.  married  W.  S.  Trace,  deceased,  and  had  children,  Luella,  married 
Arthur  Lemont,  chief  civil  engineer  in  the  mining  department  of  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  anil  Elizabeth,  postmistress  at 
Clarks  Green,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Corintha,  married  a  Mr.  Culver  and  is  the 
mother  of  a  large  family.    6.  Hulda. 

(Ill)  Fernando  A.  Parker,  son  of  Sheldon  Parker,  was  born  in  South 
Abington,  Pennsylvania,  in  1843,  and  has  made  farming  his  life-long  calling. 
He  married  (first)  Susan,  daughter  of  Jeremdah  Hall,  (second)  Jennie  E. 
Bowen.  Children  of  first  marriage:  i.  Fred  W.,  lives  in  California:  mar- 
ried Minnie  Hapeman  and  has  one  daughter,  Marion.  2.  Carrie,  married  a 
Mr.  Stone ;  resides  in  Arizona ;  the  mother  of  one  son,  George.  3.  Edward, 
postmaster  at  Waverly,  Pennsylvania:  married  Hattie  Smith,  and  has  a  son 
Burtis.  4.  Charles  B.,  of  whom  further.  Children  of  second  marriage :  5. 
Leila,  married  Joseph  Challis,  an  instructor  in  the  Louisburg  Normal  School. 
6.  Robert,  a  salesman  in  the  employ  of  David  Spruks,  of  Scranton ;  married 
a  daughter  of  Rev.  Godsall,  a  Methodist  minister  of  Scranton.  and  has  one 
son,  Robert  Jr.     7.  Louise.     8.  Marian.     9.  McKinley.     10.     ;\hnnie. 

(IV)  Charles  B.  Parker,  son  of  Fernando  A.  and  Susan  (Hall)  Parker, 
was  born  in  South  Abington,  Pennsylvania,  May  6,  1868.  He  was  a  student 
in  the  public  schools  of  Waverly  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  Going  to 
Dalton,  Pennsylvania,  he  was  there  for  two  years  connected  with  Fred  Francis, 
a  lumber  merchant,  then  entered  the  service  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  and 
Steel  Company,  of  Scranton.  Resigning  from  the  employ  of  this  company, 
he  became  identified  with  Price  &  H'owarth,  a  well-known  lumber  dealing  firm 
of  Scranton,  and  subsequently  formed  an  association  with  Jores  &  Spruks, 
wholesale  produce  dealers  of  the  city.  L'pon  the  dissolution  of  this  firm.  Mr. 
Parker  continued  in  the  service  of  Mr.  Jones,  remaining  with  him  for  four- 
teen years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  began  independent  business 
operations  as  a  wholesale  confectioner.  The  dimensions  of  his  business  were 
at  first  modest,  his  establishment  being  at  the  corner  of  Capouse  avenue  and 
Marion  street,  but  increasing  trade  demanded  more  spacious  quarters,  so  that 
he  moved  to  a  Penn  avenue  location.  This,  too,  the  business  outgrew,  and  for 
three  and  one-half  years  he  was  located  at  No.  8  Lackawanna  avenue,  whence 
he  moved  because  of  insufficient  space,  this  time  to  No.  32  Lackawanna  avenue, 
where  he  remained  until  his  five  year  lease  expired,  in  1914  occuping  his  com- 
modious quarters  adjoining,  at  No.  36  Lackawanna  avenue.  The  firm  name 
is  now  C.  B.  Parker  Company,  Mr.  Parker  and  a  brother  being  sole  owners 
of  the  business,  which  has  been  in  every  way  a  most  gratifying  success.  Its 
expansion  has  far  exceeded  the  most  sanguine  expectations,  as  shown  by  the 
necessity  for  such  frequent  changes  of  location,  the  cause  of  this  growth  being 
the  earnest  labor  and  intelligently  directed  effort  of  the  two  partners,  who 
have  founded  a  substantial  and  profitable  confectionery  trade.  Charles  B. 
Parker  is  a  member  of  Waverly  Lodge.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  be- 
longs to  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church.    His  political  belief  is  independent. 

Mr.  Parker  married  Fannie,  daughter  of  J.  W.  Mershon,  of  Waverly, 
Pennsylvania,  and  resides  at  No.  1025  Delaware  avenue.  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parker  are  the  parents  of:  Russell  M.,  born  in  1892, 
a  graduate  of  the  Scranton  High  School,  now  engaged  in  business  in  Car- 
bondale,  Pennsylvania;  Richard,  born  in  1897;  Ruth,  born  in  1901. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  619 

JOHN  THOMAS  DEMPSEY 

Organized  labor  has  in  the  Scranton  district,  and,  indeed,  throughout  the 
country,  no  champion  more  sincere  in  word  and  action  than  John  Thomas 
Dempsey,  president  of  the  First  District  of  United  Mine  Workers  of  America. 
Mr.  Dempsey 's  connection  with  labor  organizations  dates  back  but  fifteen 
years,  but  in  that  time  he  has  risen  to  high  position  as  the  representative  of 
the  working-men  of  his  locality  and  has  become  prominent  in  other  organiza- 
tions than  those  of  mine  workers,  on  several  occasions  being  delegated  to 
attend  the  conventions  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  and  once  repre- 
senting that  great  association  in  the  British  Trade  Union  Congress  held 
in  Bath,  England. 

A  native  of  Scranton,  Mr.  Dempsey  is  a  member  of  an  Irish  family,  his 
father,  Patrick  Dempsey,  having  been  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland.  Pat- 
rick Dempsey  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  young  man  and  settled  in 
Scranton,  following  the  occupation  of  miner  throughout  nearly  his  entire 
life,  his  death  occurring  in  that  city  in  1900.  He  married  Anna  Comerford, 
of  Scranton.  Children :  James  J.,  a  plumber  of  Scranton,  married  Belle 
Gilboy,  and  is  the  father  of  Mary,  James,  and  John  :  John  Thomas,  of  whom 
further ;  Philip,  deceased ;  Mary  Elizabeth,  married  Thomas  McDonald ; 
Patrick,  deceased ;  Edward,  a  plumber,  pursuing  his  trade  on  the  Isthmus 
of  Panama ;  William,  a  conductor  employed  on  the  Laurel  line,  married  Irene 
Sexton. 

John  Thomas  Dempsey,  son  of  Patrick  and  Anna  (Comerford)  Dempsey, 
was  born  May  21,  1877,  and  until  he  was  eleven  years  of  age  was  a  student 
in  public  schools  Nos.  4  and  9  in  Scranton,  also  attending  the  Sisters' 
School  of  the  Holy  Rosary,  at  Providence.  His  studies  completed,  he  entered 
the  Fairlawn  breakei  at  Pine  Brook,  later  taking  up  general  mining,  and 
was  employed  in  the  Dickson  mine,  at  Green  Ridge,  the  Von  Storch 
mine,  the  Manville  mine,  and  the  Pine  Brook  mine.  He  was  engaged  in 
the  last  named  mine  when  he  received  his  election  to  the  position  of  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  First  District  of  the  United  Mine  Workers  of  America, 
January  18,  1900,  which  connection  continued  until  August  i,  191 1,  when 
Mr.  Dempsey  was  elected  to  the  presidency  of  the  First  District,  having  for 
eleven  years  been  closely  in  touch  with  all  of  the  interests  and  activities  of 
the  organization  through  his  service  as  secretary  and  treasurer  for  that 
length  of  time.  This  long  preparation  gave  him  high  qualifications  for  the 
office  he  has  since  filled  so  competently,  and  his  steadfast  loyalty  to  the  trusts 
reposed  in  him  as  the  head  of  his  district  has  made  him  an  official  who  has 
won  the  regard  of  his  associates.  During  his  term  of  office  Mr.  Dempsey 
has  attended  all  of  the  district,  tri-district,  and  national  conventions  of  the 
United  Mine  Workers  of  America,  and  has  represented  that  organization 
at  the  Norfolk,  Minneapolis,  San  Francisco,  Pittsburgh  and  Boston  con- 
ventions of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor.  In  1907  he  was  chosen  as 
the  delegate  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  to  the  British  Trade 
Union  Congress,  which  convened  at  Bath,  England. 

The  benefit  of  Mr.  Dempsey's  wide  experience  in  labor  organizations  and 
his  deep  understanding  of  the  conditions  governing  the  relations  between 
the  emplover  and  the  employee  has  come  to  Scranton  in  his  presidency  of 
the  Scranton  Central  Labor  Union,  an  office  to  which  he  has  twice  been 
elected.  His  work  in  behalf  of  working-men,  the  bone  and  sinew  of  the 
industrial  world,  has  been  such  as  to  win  for  him  their  sincere  gratitude, 
and  in  the  adjustment  of  difficulties  existing  between  capital  and  labor  he 
has  stood  forth  as  the  defender  of  the  wronged,  gaining  for  those  whom  he 


620  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

represents  more  equitable  relations  with  their  employers  and  better  condi- 
tions of  employment.  Disinterested  effort  has  been  the  attitude  that  has 
won  for  him  admiration  and  respect.  His  work  has  been  directed  to  no 
selfish  end,  but  has  been  rendered  in  the  cause  of  justice  and  humanity,  and 
through  all  of  his  relations  with  labor  unions  and  organizations  he  has  held 
up  for  public  inspection  a  record  upon  which  no  blot  appears,  the  sincerity 
of  his  purpose  and  the  genuineness  of  his  altruism  being  apparent  to  all 
who  have  watched  his  career. 

On  May  19,  1914,  Mr.  Dempsey  was  returned  from  the  primary  elections 
the  nominee  of  the  Democratic  party  for  the  office  of  state  senator.  Should 
the  fall  elections  place  him  in  the  upper  branch  of  the  state  legislature  ther-" 
will  open  before  him  a  field  of  usefulness  to  which  he  will  come  prepared 
and  willing  to  take  up  his  duties,  the  force  of  character  and  the  courage  of 
honest  convictions  that  have  characterized  his  life  there,  too,  serving  him 
well.  Mr.  Dempsey  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and 
belongs  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  the  Nativity. 

Mr.  Dempsey  married,  October  11,  1905,  Belinda  I.,  daughter  of  John 
and  Margaret  Messett.     Children :  Edward,  Anna,  Margaret,  Mary. 


JOSEPH  A.  WADDELL 

Descendant  of  one  of  the  old  and  prominent  families  of  Virginia,  Mr. 
Waddell,  himself  of  Virginia  birth  and  educated  in  one  of  her  best  technical 
schools,  has  passed  the  greater  part  of  his  professional  life  in  Scranton,  be- 
ginning as  designer  and  salesman,  and  since  1906  superintendant  of  the  Spencer 
Heater  Company  of  this  city.  He  is  a  great-great-grandson  of  Thomas  Wad- 
dell, of  Scotch-Irish  Covenanter  parentage,  who  came  to  America  in  1739. 
They  settled  on  White  Clay  creek  near  the  state  line  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Thomas  Waddell,  father  of  the  Rev.  James  Waddell,  known  all 
over  Virginia  as  the  blind  preacher,  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  ocean,  his  birth- 
place being  the  ship  on  which  his  parents  came  over.  Rev.  James  Waddell 
is  the  original  of  the  character  so  graphically  portrayed  in  William  Wirt's  novel, 
"Letters  of  a  British  Spy."  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  old  Dickinson  College, 
(Pennsylvania)  and  a  Presbyterian  minister.  He  married  Mary  Gordon, 
daughter  of  Colonel  James  Gordon,  a  brave  officer  of  the  Revolution.  He  left 
issue,  among  whom.  Dr.  Addison,  of  further  mention. 

Dr.  Addison  Waddell,  son  of  Rev.  James  Waddell,  the  "Blind  Preacher," 
was  born  in  Staunton,  Virginia,  and  there  obtained  his  preparatory  and  acad- 
emic education.  He  attended  Princeton  College,  and  later  pursued  a  course 
at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  there  receiving  his  degree  of  M.  D.  After 
graduating  he  returned  to  Staunton  and  in  that  prosperous,  independent  city 
practiced  his  profession  until  his  retirement.  Staunton,  situated  in  a  beautiful, 
fertile  valley,  is  the  seat  of  Mary  Baldwin  Seminary,  the  Virginia  Female 
Institute,  Staunton  Military  Academy,  the  Western  State  Hospital  for  the 
Insane,  and  the  State  Institution  for  the  Deaf,  Dumb  and  Blind.  With  such 
of  these  institutions  as  existed  in  his  day.  Dr.  Waddell  was  connected  as  phy- 
sician and  also  ministered  to  a  large  private  clientele.  He  married  Catherine 
Ann  Boys,  daughter  of  John  Boys,  and  had  issue :  Mary  Ann  ;  Cornelia,  mar- 
ried Rev.  Stewart;  James  Alexander,  M.  D.,  a  graduate  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  Staunton ;  John  Littleton,  a 
lawyer;  Joseph  Addison,  a  lawyer,  clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  \''irginia 
for  half  a  century,  and  state  senator;  Nathaniel  Sylvester;  Catherine,  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Tait ;  Legh  Richmond,  of  whom  further. 

Legh    Richmond    Waddell,    youngest   son    of    Dr.    Addison   Waddell,   was 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  621 

born  at  Staunton,  Virginia,  in  1832.  After  completing  his  education  at 
Hampden-Sidney  College,  he  became  a  journalist,  a  profession  he  followed 
most  of  his  life.  He  was  identified  with  the  Staunton  Spectator  for  a  time  as 
associate  editor,  and  with  other  leading  newspapers.  He  retired  in  later  life 
to  his  farm,  where  he  died  April  19,  1898.  He  married  (first)  Belle  Hill  and 
had:  Lucy,  Kitty,  Leliah  and  Belle  (twins),  Robert,  Harry.  He  married 
(second)  Lilly  Mills,  daughter  of  James  Mills,  of  Darby,  England.  Children: 
Maude  St.  Clair,  married  Marshall  L.  Walker;  Joseph  A.,  of  whom  further; 
James  Alexander,  professor  of  Pharmacology  at  University  of  Yireinia  •  Tohn 
Atkins :  Donald  Ellis.  '  &        ■  J 

Joseph  A.  Waddell,  son  of  Legh  Richmond  and  Lilly  (Mills)  Waddell, 
was  born  in  Staunton,  Virginia,  November  5,  1876.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  to  which  town  his  parents  removed  shortly 
after  his  birth.  He  next  entered  Virginia  Polytechnic  Institute,  where  after 
a  few  years'  course  he  was  graduated  in  1900,  with  the  degree  of  Mechanical 
Engineer.  After  graduation  he  remained  at  the  Institute  as  instructor  in  math- 
ematics and  experimental  engineering,  later  entering  the  employ  of  the  Deane 
Steam  Pump  Company  at  Holyoke,  Massachusetts.  After  one  year  with  that 
company  he  came  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  1903,  as  designer  and  salesman 
for  the  Spencer  Heater  Company,  of  this  city,  and  after  three  years  in  that 
capacity  was  made  superintendent  of  the  company  shops,  the  important  posi- 
tion he  now  holds.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Society  of  Mechanical 
Engineers,  American  Society  for  Testing  Materials,  also  the  International 
Society  for  Testing  Materials,  and  a  communicant  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  married  (first)  Mattie  Morton,  of  Charlotte,  Virginia, 
and  had  one  child  by  this  marriage,  Martha.  He  married  (second)  Eliza 
Whittier  Little,  of  Monroe,  Michigan,  and  they  had  one  son,  Joseph  Addison. 


JASPER  C  TAYLOR 


The  Taylors  have  long  been  residents  in  the  Scranton  district.  Reuben 
Taylor,  the  great-grandfather  of  Jasper  C.  Taylor,  of  this  narrative,  settled 
in  that  locality  in  1783.  The  Taylors  were  previously  residents  of  Connecti- 
cut and  came  to  Pennsylvania  with  other  Connecticut  settlers  to  hold  the 
land  as  against  those  claiming  title  under  William  Penn. 

(I)  Reuben  Taylor  fought  in  the  American  army  in  the  War  for  Indepen- 
dence, and  after  the  victory  of  the  Colonial  cause  bought  an  extensive  tract 
of  land  in  Providence  township,  property  later  known  as  the  Joseph  Grififin 
farm.  He  became  a  partner  in  the  ownership  of  a  mill  erected  on  Roaring 
Brook  by  Phillip  Abbott.  Mr.  Abbott  built  the  first  house  in  Deep  Hollow, 
afterward  known  as  Slocum  Hollow,  and  was  the  owner  of  the  second 
house  raised  in  that  place.  About  1816  Mr.  Taylor  disposed  of  the  Joseph 
Griffin  farm  and  his  interest  in  the  mill,  and  moved  to  Greenfield  township, 
where  he  bought  five  hundred  acres  of  land.  This  tract  was  covered  with 
heavy  timber,  and  had  to  be  cleared  before  it  could  be  plowed  and  planted. 
But  it  was  very  fertile,  and  under  Mr.  Taylor's  vigorous  attack,  agricultural 
operations  were  soon  under  way.  He  was  the  father  of  John  A.,  of  whom 
further,  Noah,  Daniel,  Thaddeus.  Reuben  Taylor  died  in  1849,  and  was 
buried  in  the  little  cemetery  on  the  hill  above  Montdale. 

(II)  John  A.  Taylor,  son  of  Reuben  Taylor,  was  born  in  Providence  town- 
ship, Luzerne  (now  Lackawanna)  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  1790,  and 
died'  in  1867.  He  married  Gartry  Ackley,  and  had  thirteen  children,  one  of 
whom  died  in  infancy,  those  surviving  being  as  follows :  Stephen  A.,  born  in 
1812;  Truman  A.,  1814;  Charlotte  A.,  1816;  Silas  A.,  1818;  Cynthia,  1820; 


622  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

John  Milton,  1823  ;  Celenda,  1825  ;  Charles  C,  of  whom  further;  Henry,  1829; 
Draper  U.,  1831 ;  Helen,  1833;  Benira,  1836. 

(HI)  Charles  C.  Taylor,  son  of  John  A.  and  Gartry  (Ackley)  Taylor,  was 
born  in  Greenfield  township,  Luzerne  (now  Lackawanna)  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, April  17,  1827.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and 
throughout  his  entire  life  followed  farming  as  his  occupation,  meeting  with 
good  success  in  the  tilling  of  the  soil.  He  married  Lucy  A.,  daughter  of 
Benoni  Stone,  of  Greenfield  township.  Benoni  Stone  was  of  English  descent 
and  came  to  Pennsylvania  from  Rhode  Island  about  1820,  his  death  occur- 
ring in  Scott  township  when  he  had  attained  the  unusual  age  of  ninety-three 
years.  Charles  C.  and  Lucy  A.  (Stone)  Taylor  had  five  children  of  whom 
Jaspei-  C,  of  whom  further,  and  Maud,  who  married  James  N.  McLaughlin, 
are  now  living. 

(IV)  Jasper  C.  Taylor,  son  of  Charles  C.  and  Lucy  A.  (Stone)  Taylor, 
was  born  in  Scott  township,  Luzerne  (now  Lackawanna)  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  17,  1857.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Scott  township.  Later  he  was  successively  a  student  in  Madison 
Academy  at  Waverly,  Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston,  and  Keystone  Acad- 
emy at  Factoryville.  In  these  institutions  he  was  fortunate  in  coming  under 
the  personal  influence  of  three  able  educators,  Professor  Harvey  D.  Walker, 
Dr.  David  Copeland,  and  Dr.  John  H.  Harris,  now  president  of  Bucknell 
University.  While  a  student  in  these  institutions,  Mr.  Taylor  taught  four 
winter  terms  in  the  rural  schools  of  Scott  and  Greenfield  townships,  and 
had  an  excellent  opportunity  to  study  human  nature  while  "boarding  round  ' 
among  his  patrons.  The  salary  was  eighteen  dollars  per  month.  In  1881 
Mr.  Taylor  was  graduated  from  Mansfield  State  Normal  School  and  later 
took  a  special  course  in  Cornell  University.  After  graduation  he  served 
successively  as  principal  of  the  high  schools  of  South  Abington,  Jermyn, 
Milford  (Pike  county),  and  Providence  (Scranton),  and  in  the  last  position 
served  seven  years.  In  1893  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools 
for  Lackawanna  county,  which  position  he  still  holds,  having  been  re-elected 
seven  times,  the  last  two  terms  without  opposition.  Mr.  Taylor  probably 
owes  his  continued  re-election  to  two  characteristics :  First,  he  is  an  ardent 
advocate  of  the  public  schools,  and  gives  his  whole  time  to  their  improve- 
ment. Second,  in  granting  certificates  or  in  placing  teachers  he  is  absolutely 
impartial.  Republicans  and  Democrats,  Catholics  and  Protestants,  receive 
the  same  treatment. 

The  central  doctrine  of  Mr.  Taylor's  policy  is  that  teachers  must  be 
trained  for  their  work.  In  1893,  when  he  began  his  work,  there  were  thirteen 
trained  teachers  (normal  school  graduates)  in  his  territory.  Now  there  are 
three  hundred  and  eleven  normal  school  graduates  in  the  same  territory  and 
only  twenty-three  under  his  supervision  teaching  on  low  grade  or  provisional 
certificates.  Soon  all  schools  will  be  taught  by  trained  teachers.  Many 
modern  improvements  have  been  introduced  into  the  schools.  Nearly  all 
of  the  rural  schools  are  furnished  with  modern  heating  and  ventilating  plants, 
slate  black  boards,  and  a  variety  of  maps,  charts,  globes,  and  other  necessary 
apparatus.  Agriculture  is  taught  in  all  rural  schools.  Free  movement  writ- 
ing was  introduced  in  1909,  and  State  Superintendent  Schaeffer  says  the 
penmanship  in  Lackawanna  county  is  superior  to  that  of  any  other  count v 
in  the  state.  Mr.  Taylor  is  the  author  of  the  Directors  Association  Law, 
which  requires  the  school  directors  of  each  county  in  the  state  to  meet  an- 
nually in  their  respective  counties  for  the  discussion  of  educational  problems. 
Mr.  Taylor  has  been  prominent  in  state  educational  meetings,  and  has  served 
as  president  of  the  department  of  county  superintendents. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


62? 


In  national  politics  Mr.  Taylor  has  usually  supported  the  Republican 
party,  but  in  local  affairs  he  is  independent,  trying  to  vote  for  the  most 
competent  candidate.  For  the  last  fifteen  years  he  has  attended  the  Green 
Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  but  is  liberal  in  his  views,  believing  that  conduct 
is  the  test  of  character,  and  that  all  will  be  saved  who  live  according  to  the 
mandates  of  conscience,  without  regard  to  church  affiliation.  Mr.  Taylor  is 
a  member  of  the  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  (since  1889),  of  the  Green  Ridge 
Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  of  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America. 

In  1879  Mr.  Taylor  married  Ruth  Ella  Cobb,  of  Lenoxville,  Susque- 
hanna county,  Pennsylvania.  Three  sons  are  the  result  of  this  union:  i. 
Verne  E.,  born  in  1880;  educated  in  Scranton  High  School,  Pennsylvania 
State  College,  and  Pratt  Institute,  where  he  was  graduated  in  the  course 
of  Electrical  Engineering  in  1905.  2.  Earl  M.,  born  in  1882 ;  a  graduate  of 
Scranton  High  School,  and  of  Cornell  University,  taking  his  A.  B.  degree 
in  1907.  3.  Otto  D.,  born  in  1894;  educated  in  Scranton  High  School  and 
Cornell  University. 

GEORGE  HENRY  CATLIN 

George  Henry  Catlin  was  born  in  Shoreham.  Vermont.  August  26,  1845. 
He  was  educated  at  Newton  Academy,  Shoreham ;  at  Vermont  Episcopal 
Institute,  Rock  Point,  near  Burlington,  Vermont ;  and  Phillips  Academy,  An- 
dover,  Massachusetts.  He  studied  law  and  the  degree  of  LL.B.  was  conferred 
upon  him  in  1866  by  Union  College  and  the  degree  of  M.  A.  by  Lafayette 
College  in  1867.  Mr.  Catlin  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Albany,  New  York, 
and  for  two  years  practiced  law  as  the  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Pope, 
Thompson  &  Catlin,  No.  17  Nassau  street,  New  York  City.  In  1870  Mr. 
Catlin  came  to  Scranton,  and  has  been  a  prominent  figure  in  its  financial  life 
since  that  time.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Third  National  Bank 
of  Scranton ;  was  its  first  vice-president,  which  office  he  filled  continuously 
and  with  efficiency  for  more  than  twenty-five  years.  He  was  a  director  of 
the  Scranton  Savings  Bank  for  many  years  until  its  consolidation  with  the  now 
Savings  and  Dime  Bank.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Street  Rail- 
way ;  of  the  Erie  and  Wyoming  \'alley  Railroad ;  and  for  seventeen  years  has 
served  on  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Crown  Point  Iron  Company  of  Crown 
Point,  New  York.  Mr.  Catlin  is  a  Presbyterian ;  has  for  forty  years  been  a 
member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton,  and  has  been  honored 
with  a  place  upon  its  board  of  trustees.  In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Catlin 
has  been  a  staunch  Republican,  an  ardent  admirer  of  the  principles  and  tradi- 
tions of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Catlin  married  (first)  September  4,  1867,  Mary  Woodrow  Archbald,  a 
daughter  of  James  Archbald  Sr.,  then  chief  engineer  of  the  Lackawanna  Rail- 
road. There  were  no  children  born  to  them.  Mrs.  Catlin  passed  away  in 
1902.  On  January  10,  1904,  Mr.  Catlin  married  (second)  Helen  Walsh,  of 
Carbondale.  There  have  been  no  children  born  of  this  marriage.  He  still 
retains  and  enjoys  the  old  "Belle  Meade  farm,"  of  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  acres  in  Vermont,  which  has  been  in  his  family  four  generations.  Mr. 
Catlin  has  preserved  the  memories  of  his  parents  and  deceased  wife  by  beauti- 
ful memorial  windows  in  the  old  church  of  his  native  town,  Shoreham,  Ver- 
mont. Although  now  on  the  borderland  of  the  allotted  period  of  "three  score 
years  and  ten,"  Mr.  Catlin  is  still  vigorous  in  mind  and  body  and  active  in 
business.  He  has  a  large  and  extended  acquaintance,  and  is  justly  popular 
with  his  associates. 


624  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

HARRY  M.    SIEGEL 

The  following  record  of  business  achievement  that  cannot  but  excite  the 
respect  and  admiration  of  the  reader  is  a  tale  that  tells  of  opportunity  seized, 
of  courage,  zeal  and  perseverance  at  work,  and  of  success  gained.  It  is  a 
story  that,  in  greater  or  in  less  degree,  has  many  counterparts,  and  that  is  the 
biography  of  Harry  M.  Siegel. 

Born  of  Jewish  parents,  and  coming  to  this  country  from  Russia  with  his 
parents,  while  a  boy,  on  August  8,  1893,  he  entered  the  public  schools.  A  year 
later  he  was  compelled  to  rely  on  his  own  resources  on  account  of  the  death  of 
his  mother,  and  was  forced  to  earn  his  own  living.  He  began  his  career  as  a 
newsboy.  In  the  year  of  1900  he  saw  the  possibilities  in  a  lunch  room  then 
situated  at  221-23  North  Washington  avenue,  and  through  the  savings  ac- 
quired by  the  sale  of  the  newspapers  he  purchased  the  lunch  business  from 
the  late  E.  Moses,  and  it  is  well  to  mention  here  that  the  price  paid  for  the  said 
lunch  business  was  $500.00  out  of  his  entire  capital  of  504.63,  thus  leaving 
Mr.  Siegel  with  the  sum  of  $4.63  to  conduct  a  business  which  was  new  to  him. 
Through  his  hard  efforts  he  made  his  lunch  house  the  most  popular  in  the 
city  of  Scranton,  and  during  the  time  the  lunch  room  was  under  his  manage- 
ment the  returns  were  most  gratifying.  In  1907  Mr.  Siegel  saw  the  possibili- 
ties in  the  real  estate  business  in  the  city,  and  he  gave  up  the  lunch  business 
for  the  real  estate  business,  and  commenced  operations  in  a  small  way  under 
the  name  of  Siegel's  Realty  Company,  and  to  this  day  the  firm  handles  prob- 
ably more  down-town  real  estate  than  all  other  concerns  in  this  line  in  the  city, 
not  only  for  others,  but  for  himself  as  well,  and  from  this  he  has  acquired  large 
returns.  Mr.  Siegel  has  made  the  force  of  his  personality  felt  in  each  line 
in  the  city  of  Scranton,  and  in  each  has  placed  himself  among  the  leaders 
solely  and  simply  upon  his  merits.  His  aspiration?  have  ever  been  high,  but  in 
attaining  their  height  he  has  not  scorned  the  value  of  things  of  lesser  brilliance 
nor  has  considered  his  abilities  too  great  for  small  employment.  His  pride 
has  been  only  that  justifiable  feeling  of  gratification  at  a  task  accomplished, 
and  has  never  caused  him  to  regard  appearances  if  his  duty  was  plain  and 
honorable.  So,  from  affairs  of  little  moment,  he  has  advanced  until  his 
operations  have  assumed  both  importance  and  magnitude,  knowing  that  he  has 
prepared  himself  for  these  greater  things  by  conscientious  mastery  of  those 
to  which  there  seemed  to  be  but  little  consequence  attached.  He  has  achieved 
through  a  spirit  of  progress,  through  strong  perseverance,  through  persistent 
courage,  through  self-reliance  and  ability,  and  to  him  nothing  but  credit  can 
be  rendered,  for,  far  from  being  favored  at  the  start  of  his  career,  he  was 
handicapped  by  the  necessity  of  acquiring  a  new  langi-iage  and  of  learning  new 
customs.  Now  of  youthful  years,  he  has  performed  what  many  men  fall 
short  of  in  a  lifetime,  and  having  tested  his  steel  in  battle,  should  advance  to 
further  conquest. 

CHRISTOPHER  G.  BOLAND 

Among  the  most  active  and  progressive  business  men  of  Scranton  is  C  (j. 
Boland,  who  is  a  most  prominent  representative  of  the  underwriting  fraternity, 
and  has  long  enjoyed  the  fullest  confidence  and  consideration  of  n  wide  circle 
of  clients.  He  entered  the  insurance  business  in  i88t,  baving  succeeded  to 
the  old  Lackawanna  Insurance  Agency,  at  that  time  conducted  hr  the  '-ite 
I.  L.  Post  Esq.  The  Agency  transacts  a  general  insur^ncf  Hisinesc  an'  tl^-^  I'st 
of  companies  represented  includes  such  high-class  orc-n'-iti'ons  as  are  "prM- 
able  rocks  of  stabilitv    and  to  the  firm'':  p-prlit  it  m-v  h     '■■^'d  t^-'t  dnrlno  ,t>i 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  625 

entire  history  every  just  claim  has  been  promptly  adjusted.  Mr.  Boland  is  an 
experienced  underwriter  and  an  enterprising  business  man  who  has  acquired 
his  present  enviable  position  in  the  business  world  through  unremitting  labor, 
and  during  his  career  as  a  citizen  of  Scranton  he  has  occupied  several  im- 
portant public  positions.  Hfe  resides  at  No.  411  Monroe  avenue.  His  office 
is  located  at  229  North  Washington  avenue. 

Mr.  Boland  was  born  in  December,  1855,  son  of  James  and  Anna  (Biglin) 
Boland.  In  his  boyhood  he  worked  on  the  construction  of  the  Delaware  & 
Hudson  Railroad  between  Scranton  and  Wilkes-Barre.  His  education  was 
obtained  in  the  public  schools  and  Gardner's  Business  College.  His  first  busi- 
ness experience  was  as  a  clerk  and  bookkeeper  in  the  mercantile  trade.  In 
1878  he  entered  into  partnership  with  his  uncle,  tlie  late  W.  R.  Boland.  Ehir- 
ing  the  last  mentioned  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Board  of  School  Control  and 
served  as  secretary  of  that  body.  He  also  served  as  deputy  recorder  of  deeds 
under  A.  M.  Renshaw,  the  first  recorder  of  Lackawanna  county.  In  1880  he 
was  appointed  special  agent  of  the  census  department  on  manufacturers  in 
the  Lackawanna  district.  In  1888  he  was  re-elected  to  the  Board  of  School 
Control,  during  his  term  a  system  of  free  text-books  was  established  and  equal 
pay  to  male  and  female  teachers  inaugurated.  Both  of  these  measures  received 
his  unqualified  support.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with  board  of 
trade  affairs  and  has  personally  aided  in  promoting  many  of  the  diversified 
manufacturing  interests  which  have  contributed  so  largely  to  the  growth  and 
progress  of  Scranton.  Notwithstanding  his  busy  life  he  is  ever  ready  and 
willing  to  lend  his  effort  and  time  in  matters  of  a  public  nature  which  may 
redound  to  the  benefit  of  the  community.  He  stands  in  the  front  rank  of  the 
business  men  of  the  city.  Mr.  Boland  has  been  president  of  the  Lackawanna 
National  Bank  of  Lackawanna  since  1904  and  hai  met  with  gratifying  success. 
In  1910  his  business  was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  C.  G.  Boland 
Company.  In  politics  Mr.  Boland  has  always  been  a  Democrat  and  an  ardent 
worker  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He  is  a  member  of  several  fraternal  or- 
ganizations, among  which  may  be  mentioned  the  Scranton  Lodge,  Benevolent 
Protective  Order  of  Elks  ;  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs  ;  Royal  Arcanum  ; 
Maccabees:  C.  M.  B.  A.  and  C.  T.  A.  societies. 

Mr.  Boland  married,  November  23,  1881,  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  the  late 
Bernard  0"Malley  Esq.,  of  Scranton.  Children :  Anna,  married  Dr.  A.  W. 
O'Malley;  James  J.,  vice-president  of  the  C.  G.  Boland  Company;  Alice,  su- 
pervisor of  sewing  in  Scranton  public  schools ;  Helen,  Rosa,  Christopher  G. 
Jr.,  Kathleen,  Joseph. 


BENJAMIN  S.  WAKEMAN 

Although  he  with  whom  this  chronicle  deals  owns  the  state  of  New  York 
as  his  birthplace,  Pennsylvania  is  nevertheless  the  home  of  the  family,  and 
in  that  state  the  father  of  Benjamin  S.  Wakeman,  the  Hon.  Seth  Wake- 
man,  was  born,  at  Pembroke,  in  1806.  His  later  career  deserves  more  care- 
ful consideration  than  the  outline  that  can  be  given  here,  for  the  story  of 
his  rise  from  the  estate  of  a  shoemaker  to  the  heights  of  legal  fame  com- 
mands the  closest  attention  and  arouses  the  highest  respect.  Tlie  fact  of 
his  wonderful  advance  is  the  more  unusual  when  it  is  recalled  that  the 
privilege  of  a  college  education  under  scientific  training  was  denied  him 
and  that  most  of  the  wide  knowledge  of  legal  matters  of  which  he  became 
the  possessor  was  acquired  in  spare  hours,  most  of  his  time  being  spent  over 
the  work  bench.  Like  so  many  of  the  men  who  have  filled  our  history  with 
the  best  of  its  pages,  he  thrived  on  adversity,  and  the  fact  that  so  many  of 

40 


626  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  advantages  of  life  were  withheld  from  him  only  made  him  the  more 
eager  to  make  them  his.  Even  after  his  admission  to  the  bar  he  still 
continued  work  at  his  trade,  and  did  so  until  the  demands  of  a  growing 
practice  compelled  him  to  lay  aside  the  awl  and  the  hammer  and  to  devote 
his  whole  time  and  attention  to  the  profession  to  which  he  had  gained  ad- 
mission by  so  difficult  a  route.  He  made  a  specialty  of  criminal  cases  and 
became  known  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  lawyers  in  that  difficult  branch 
of  the  legal  procedure  of  the  day.  Thorough  and  accurate  in  his  preparation 
of  a  defence,  his  presentation  displayed  to  the  full  the  forensic  gifts  with 
which  he  had  been  endowed,  and  many  are  the  unfortunate  victims  of  cir- 
cumstance who  owe  their  reinstatement  to  society  and  the  opportunity  for  a 
fresh  start  in  life  to  the  talents  that  had  been  so  prodigally  bestowed  upon 
Mr.  Wakeman.  In  the  imparting  of  the  legal  lore  he  had  learned  under 
a  depressing  handicap  he  was  remarkably  skilled,  and  of  those  who  listened 
at  his  feet  and  reaped  the  benefit  of  his  years  of  experience  and  unceasing 
study  were  several  who  afterward  aspired  successfully  to  the  pinnacle  he 
had  attained  and  held  for  many  years.  As  was  but  natural  to  one  of  his 
standing,  politics  claimed  his  services  and  he  was  elected  to  Congress  in 
1872.  In  this  body  his  previous  record  and  the  maturity  of  his  judgment, 
he  being  at  that  time  sixty-six  years  of  age,  lent  weight  and  influence  to 
his  counsel  even  among  that  august  number  of  statesmen,  and  to  a  career 
of  continuous  legal  success  he  added  the  brilliance  of  political  prominence, 
rounding  out  a  life  of  vigor  and  activity,  zealously  spent  in  the  pursuit  of 
his  profession. 

Mr.   Wakeman   married   Laura   Winans.     Children   of   Seth   and   Laura 

Wakeman :    Emma,    married   Garrett,    the   present    editor   of   the 

Batavi'a  (New  York)  Daily  News ;  Benjamin  S.,  of  whom  further ;  and 
W.  S.,  a  photographer  of  Batavia,  New  York. 

Benjamin  S.  Wakeman,  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  Seth  and  Laura 
(Winans)  Wakeman,  was  born  in  Batavia,  New  York,  May  3,  1862.  His 
father  realizing  the  value  of  scholastic  training  from  his  own  lack  of  educa- 
tional opportunity,  after  his  preliminary  attendance  at  the  public  schools, 
Mr.  Wakeman  was  enrolled  at  the  Oakfield  Seminary,  later  attending  the 
Mount  Pleasant  Military  Academy.  His  first  venture  in  the  business  world 
was  as  a  manufacturer  of  novelties,  an  enterprise  which  he  soon  abandoned, 
coming  to  Scranton  and  there  engaging  in  the  hotel  business,  a  line  of 
activity  that  has  ever  since  claimed  him.  In  191 1  he  became  the  proprietor 
of  the  Hotel  Schadt,  a  house  of  entertainment  erected  in  1900,  and  still  con- 
tinues as  the  popular  and  well-liked  head  of  that  house.  Genial  and  affable, 
his  unceasing  devotion  to  the  wants  of  his  patrons  has  brought  to  the  hotel 
many  guests,  all  of  whom  are  the  recipients  of  his  gracious  hospitality.  Mr. 
Wakeman  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party  in  all  political  matters, 
and  affiliates  with  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles.  Mr.  Wakeman  married 
Margaret  Teyden. 

CHIARLES  SEABERT  ROSS 

Someone  has  said  that  the  successful  man  is  the  one  who  so  conducts  his 
life  that  when  his  influence  is  removed  from  the  community  the  constructive 
up-lifting  forces  suffer  a  distinct  loss.  Charles  S.  Ross,  assistant  cashier  of  the 
Traders  National  Bank,  has  not  only  won  for  himself  a  place  of  considerable 
responsibility  and  trust  in  the  business  community,  but  he  is  also  taking  an 
active  interest  in  the  social,  religious  and  other  activities  that  tend  to  make 
Scranton  a  better  place  to  live  in.     Mr.  Ross  possesses  an  exceedingly  pleasing 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  627 

personality,  and  this,  coupled  with  his  frank,  open  manner  and  a  sense  of  honor 
and  justice  that  has  been  developed  to  an  unusual  degree,  has  drawn  around 
him  a  wide  circle  of  friends  from  all  stations  and  walks  of  life.    After  a  cordial 
courteous  greeting  at  his  hands  one  instinctively  feels  that  he  has  met  a  real 
gentleman. 

J.  Elliot  Ross,  father  of  Charles  S.  Ross,  was  born  in  England  in  1847 
When  he  was  l^ve  years  of  age  his  parents  immigrated  to  America,  settling  in 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  J.  Elliot  Ross  leceived  his  prtliminary  edu- 
cation m  Bellefonte  Academy  and  later  graduated  from  Laf?yette  College 
In  1875  he  married  Frances  Hall,  daughter  of  Rev.  O.  L.  Hall,  a  chaplain  in 
the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War.  After  teaching  for  several  years  in 
the  Scranton  public  schools,  Mr.  Ross  was  admitted  to  the  Lackawanna  county 
bar  in  1884  and  practiced  law  in  this  city  until  his  death  in  1905. 

J.  Elliot  and  Frances  (Hall)  Ross  were  parents  of  four  children :  Fran- 
ces IVIabel,  married  to  H.  R.  Kingsley,  and  living  in  Scranton,  the  parents  of 
one  son,  Robert  Elliot ;  Charles  S. ;  Lelia  Edna :  Jay  Elliot  married  to  Jessie 
M.  Moffat. 

Charles  S.  Ross  was  born  at  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania,  September  16, 
1878.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  school  and  high  school  of 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  After  finishing  his  studies  he  enteredthe  employ 
of  the  IFillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company  and  after  five  years  service  with  this 
company  became  a  bookkeeper  in  the  Traders'  National  Bank  of  Scranton. 
His  connection  with  this  institution  began  in  1903  and  he  later  filled  the  posi- 
tions of  receiving  teller,  paying  teller,  and  in  1912  was  promoted  to  the  posi- 
tion of  assistant  cashier.  These  promotions  came  to  Mr.  Ross  only  after  hard 
and  conscientious  work  on  his  part  had  demonstrated  that  he  possessed  the 
qualifications  and  capabilities  that  justified  them.  But  the  eleven  years  he  has 
been  identified  with  the  Traders'  National  Bank  have  proven  beyond  doubt 
that  the  financial  field  is  the  one  for  which  he  is  eminently  fitted.  His  fidelity 
to  the  principles  of  absolute  justice  and  honest  service  have  won  him  the  re- 
spect and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 

Mr.  Ross  is  an  active  member  of  the  Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church, 
having  served  three  terms  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  Coeur  de  Lion 
Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T.,  and  is  a  veteran  of  the  Spanish-American  War, 
belonging  to  the  General  J.  P.  S.  Goban  Camp,  of  this  city. 

On  October  20,  1903,  Mr.  Ross  married  Mary  Grace  Burns,  daughter  of 
I.  H.  Burns,  of  Scranton,  and  together  they  preside  over  a  happy  little  home 
at  1 73 1  Capouse  avenue.  They  have  been  blessed  with  two  children,  Charles 
S.  Jr.,  born  June  30,  1907,  and  Donald  Burns,  born  October  28,  191 1. 


HARRY  A.  CONNELL 

One  of  those  energetic  and  sagacious  business  men  whose  presence  in 
any  community  imparts  a  healthy  impetus  to  the  current  of  all  business  af- 
fairs is  to  be  found  in  the  person  of  Harry  A.  Connell,  of  No.  102 1  "Vine 
street,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  Modest  and  unassuming,  he  is  entirely  un- 
conscious of  the  salutary  influence  he  exerts  in  the  community,  has  not 
thought  of  being  regarded  as  an  exemplar,  and  merely  so  acts  his  part  in 
life  as  to  have  the  approval  of  his  own  conscience. 

Harry  A.  Connell  was  born  in  Minooka,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, September  10,  i860.  He  received  a  thorough  education  in  private 
schools  in  Scranton,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  studies  established  him- 
self in  the  jewelry  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Mercereau  &  Connell. 


^28  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

After  a  time  Mr.  Connell  bought  out  his  partner's  interests,  and  conducted 
the  business  under  the  name  of  H.  A.  Connell,  until  191 1,  very  successfully. 
He  then  became  purchasing  agent  for  the  Coal  Land  Security  Company, 
the  Green  Ridge  Coal  Company,  the  Enterprise  Coal  Company,  the  Lacka- 
wanna Coal  and  Lumber  Company,  and  the  Paint  Creek  Colliery  Cbmpany. 
His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist  church,  and  he  is  prominent  in 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  in  which  he  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Scranton  and  Country  clubs. 

Mr.  Connell  married  Annie  Jay,  a  native  of  Scranton,  and  a  daughter 
of  Douglas  Jay,  of  that  city.  They  have  children:  Harold  E.,  married,  has 
three  children,  and  lives  in  Scranton ;  Helen,  married  Charles  Cheney,  of 
Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  and  has  one  child ;  Louise  and  Douglass  J.,  at  home. 


JACOB  BYRON  SNYDER 

Jacob  Byron  Snyder,  who  was  active  in  legal  circles  and  public  life  in 
general  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  for  many  years,  was  born  in  Greenfield 
township,  Luzerne  (now  Lackawanna)  county,  July  7,  1824,  and  was  a  son  of 
Jacob  and  Rebecca  (Niver)  Snyder,  and  a  grandson  of  Jacob  Niver.  The 
ancestors  on  both  sides  were  of  Dutch  descent,  and  Mr.  Snyder  and  Mr.  Niver 
participated  actively  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  The  public  schools  fur- 
nished a  sound  and  practical  preparation  for  his  legal  studies,  which  Mr.  Sny- 
der took  up  with  F.  M.  Crane  and  Earl  Wheeler  at  Honesdale,  and  with  W. 
G.  Ward  at  Scranton.  For  some  years  Mr.  Snyder  was  a  resident  of  Wayne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  while  there  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  a 
period  of  ten  years,  and  as  coroner  for  a  term  of  three  years.  After  taking 
up  his  residence  in  Scranton,  he  was  appointed  as  court  crier  of  Lackawanna 
county,  and  served  many  years.  Mr.  Snyder  married,  June  20,  1850,  Eliza- 
beth, a  daughter  of  John  Decker,  and  of  their  children:  Byron  Jacob,  mar- 
-■ed  Matilda,  daughter  of  Lewis  Cramer;  Samuel  Henry;  Fred  Gunster. 


WILLIAM  J.  COSTELLO 

Born  in  Dunmore.  all  of  his  fifty-seven  years  passed  in  that  place,  fifty- 
five  of  them  in  one  place,  William  J.  Costello  is  now  one  of  the  flourishing, 
prosperous  merchants  of  that  borough  whose  fortunes  have  increased  with  the 
growth  of  Dunmore  and  whose  success  has  been  brought  by  advancement  of 
the  industrial  possibilities  of  that  borough. 

He  is  the  youngest  of  the  four  children  of  Thomas  and  Ellen  Costello,  two 
of  whom  were  sons  and  two  daughters,  and  was  born  in  Dunmore,  Lacka- 
wanna county,  Pennsylvania,  August  31,  1856.  He  was  reared  in  the  place  of 
his  birth,  and  after  finishing  his  studies  in  the  public  schools  obtained  em- 
ployment in  the  neighboring  coal  mines.  Afterwards  he  left  mine  service  and 
in  1876  became  a  clerk  in  No.  6  brick  store  for  J.  Scott  Inglis,  on  April  i,  1887, 
establishing  on  his  own  responsibility  in  the  same  line,  general  merchandise. 
This  has  since  been  his  occupation,  and  the  residents  of  the  borough  of  his 
birth  have  been  generous  in  their  patronage  of  his  store,  favoring  him  with  a 
large  and  lucrative  trade,  to  whose  needs  and  wants  he  has  attended  in  a 
manner  thorough,  honorable  and  business-like.  Mr.  Costello  has  long  been  a 
stockholder  and  is  now  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Dunmore, 
and  as  a  Democrat  for  six  years  held  membership  on  the  school  board,  now 
serving  on  the  board  of  auditors  of  Scranton  and  Dunmore  poor  district.  He 
is  a  member  of  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  Division  No.  33,  and  belongs 
to  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


bzg 


Mr.  Costello  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  Duffy,  her  father  a  con- 
tractor, being  employed  in  the  construction  of  the  Gravity  Railroad,  "Duffy 
Cut"  bearing  his  name.  They  were  the  parents  of  a  son,  Frank,  who  died  in 
October,  1908,  aged  twenty  years,  having  but  a  short  time  previous  graduated 
from  St.  Thomas  College,  class  of  1907,  and  at  time  of  his  death  was  a 
student  in  Georgetown  University. 


JOHN  FLANNERY 

County  Mayo,  Ireland,  for  many  generations  has  been  the  home  of  the 
Flannery  family,  the  Scranton  representative  of  which  is  John  Flannery, 
for  more  than  half  a  century  a  resident  of  this  city,  whither  he  was  brought 
in  infancy.  His  father,  John  Flannery,  was  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland, 
in  1807,  and  there  grew  to  maturity,  crossing  the  ocean  to  the  American 
continent  in  the  year  that  the  plague  was  prevalent  in  Quebec,  Canada, 
1844,  and  for  several  years  was  a  member  of  the  police  force  of  the  Canadian 
capital.  Crossing  the  border  into  the  United  States  he  continued  his  travels, 
lemaining  for  a  time  in  New  York,  later  moving  to  Hawley,  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  place  as  a  center  of  operations,  the  construction  of  the  Lehigh 
section  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  were  being  di- 
rected. He  obtained  employment  with  the  force  working  thereon,  and  in 
1863  met  an  accidental  death  while  working  on  that  portion  of  the  road 
between  Moscow  and  Lehigh.  He  married  Nora  Flannery,  and  had  chil- 
dren:  I.  Edward.  2.  Thomas,  a  resident  of  San  Antonio,  where  he  is 
superintendent  of  the  city  water  system ;  he  is  the  father  of :  Edward,  a 
government  inspector  of  the  fortifications  at  El  Paso,  Texas ;  Thomas,  Rob- 
ert, William,  Ella,  Bessie,  Mary,  Ann.    3.  John,  of  whom  further. 

John  (2)  Flannery,  son  of  John  (i)  and  Nora  (Flannery)  Flannery,  was 
born  in  Lehigh,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  10,  1863,  and  was 
a  mere  infant  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Scranton,  his  father's  death 
occurring  soon  after.  He  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that 
city,  finishing  his  studies  at  St.  Cecelia's  Academy,  leaving  school  when  he 
was  thirteen  years  of  age  to  accept  a  position  in  a  grocery  store.  His  am- 
bition won  him  advancement  and  he  became  the  proprietor  of  a  store  of 
like  nature  and  until  1900  conducted  genera!  grocery  dealings  at  No.  152 
Seventh  street.  In  that  year  he  opened  a  cafe  at  No.  701  Scranton  avenue 
which  is  in  prosperous  operation  at  the  present  time.  For  sixteen  year^ 
Mr.  Flannery  has  been  a  member  of  Holy  Cross  Parish,  and  he  belongs 
to  the  Catholic  Mutual  Beneficial  Association,  the  Knights  of  St.  George, 
and  to  Aerie  No.  314,  F.  O.  E.,  in  which  he  has  held  membership  for  eighteen 
years. 

Mr.  Flannery  married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Patrick  Sammon,  of  Dun- 
more,  and  his  three  children:  Nora,  Margaret  and  John,  are  all  students  at 
St.  Cecelia's  Academy,  of  Scranton. 


WILLIAM  J.  SCHOONOVER 

Originally  Von  Schoonover,  this  old  Holland  family  first  appears  in 
Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  1791.  William  Schoonover,  the  first 
settler,  arrived  from  New  Jersey,  and  a  tract  of  four  hundred  acres  was  sur- 
veyed on  a  warrant  dated  March  12,  1803,  and  a  patent  was  issued  to  him 
January  27,  1804,  in  which  it  was  called  "Monmouth"  and  described  as  con- 
taining four  hundred  and  thirty-nine  acres  and  thirty-nine  perches.  After 
having  undisturbed  possession  for  ten  years,  other  parties  attempted  to  effect 


630  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

his  removal  from  the  tract,  on  the  claim  that  he  was  infringing  on  their 
rights,  claiming  prior  ownership.  Jason  Torrey,  the  surveyor,  soon  dis- 
covered that  the  Schoonover  title  was  good,  and  in  consideration  of  one- 
half  the  tract  he  perfected  the  title  and  established  ownership,  obtaining 
patent  on  date  as  stated.  He  took  the  southern  part  of  the  tract  and  on  it 
was  later  built  the  now  borough  of  Honesdale,  the  terminus  of  the  Delawaie 
and  Hudson  Canal.  William  Schoonover  had  built  a  log  cabin  on  his  tract 
and  began  clearing  a  farm.  It  was  slow  work  and  in  1804  he  had  cleared 
but  eight  acres ;  he  owned  two  horses  and  two  cows,  his  entire  property  being 
valued  at  $411.  With  the  building  of  the  canal  and  founding  of  Honesdale, 
values  increased  and  the  farm  became  valuable  property. 

A  descendant  of  William  Schoonover,  the  first  settler  is  William  J. 
Schoonover,  founder  of  the  W.  J.  Schoonover  Glass  Company,  son  of  Charles 
K.  and  Roxana  Ann  (Brown)  Schoonover.  Charles  K.  Schoonover  was  born 
in  Wayne  county  and  was  a  farmer  until  a  few  years  ago,  when  he  moved  to 
the  borough  of  Honesdale.  He  married  Rosanna  Ann,  daughter  of  George 
W.  Brown,  of  Smith  Hill,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania. 

William  J.  Schoonover,  only  child,  was  born  at  Bethany,  Pennsylvania, 
June  I,  1880.  He  was  educated  in  the  Honesdale  High  School  and  Scranton 
Business  College,  taking  a  course  at  the  latter  institution  after  he  had  left 
the  home  farm  many  years.  While  attending  school  he  also  worked  in  the 
printing  office  of  the  Wayne  Independent.  At  age  of  thirteen  years  he  left 
the  home  farm,  worked  at  various  employments,  and  in  1900  came  to  Scran- 
ton. He  there  increased  his  store  of  knowledge  by  a  course  in  a  business 
college,  and  gained  a  good  understanding  of  matters  in  which  he  had  felt  himself 
deficient.  He  became  a  glass  salesman  and  in  1906  was  employed  as  travel- 
ing representative  by  a  Philadelphia  house.  In  1910  he  was  married  and  the 
same  year  began  business  for  himself.  He  began  business  in  August,  1910, 
as  the  W.  J.  Schoonover  Glass  Company,  starting  in  a  modest  way  on  West 
Lackawanna  avenue  with  one  employee,  making  mirrors,  being  ,the  first 
successful  manufacturers  of  mirrors  in  the  city.  As  prosperity  came  he 
moved  to  enlarged  quarters.  No.  823  Wyoming  avenue,  where  ten  people 
are  now  employed.  He  also  is  a  jobber  of  glass,  being  the  only  jobber  of 
plate  glass  in  his  territory — Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  He  has  also  estab- 
lished a  department  for  grinding,  beveling  and  polishing  plate  glass,  this 
being  now  an  important  part  of  his  business  and  the  only  plant  of  its  kind 
in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Schoonover  has  worked  his  way  upward  to 
his  present  prosperous  business  by  close  attention  and  good  methods,  un- 
tiring industry  and  splendid  courage.  He  believes  in  his  own  powers  and 
does  not  hesitate  to  take  a  forward  step.  As  the  best  years  of  life  are  be- 
fore him,  with  his  feet  firmly  planted  on  the  rounds  of  the  ladder  of  success, 
he  surely  will  continue  upward.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order 
of  high  standing,  belonging  to  Green  Ridge  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  to  all  the  bodies  of  Keystone  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite,  in  which  he  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is  also  a  Noble  of 
.  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  In  politics  he  is  an  Independent, 
and  in  religious  faith  a  member  of  Green  Ridge  Baptist  Church. 

Mr.  Schoonover  married,  in  1910,  Alameda  G.,  daughter  of  Charles  H. 
Smith,  of  Seelyville,  Pennsylvania,  she  a  communicant  of  Honesdale  Presby- 
terian Church. 


CITY  OF  SCRAN  TUN 

CHARLES  B.  PENMAN 

During  the  closing  chapter  of  his  Hfe  Charles  B.  Penman,  for  half  a. 
century  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  was  associated  with  the  Department 
of  Internal  AfFairs  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  as  chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Industrial  Statistics.  He  was  called  to  important  duties  in  studying  and  re- 
cording the  condition  of  the  commonwealth's  industries  and  activities  from  a 
position  of  political  and  public  proininence  in  Scranton,  where,  as  at  the  state 
capital,  his  many  excellent  qualities  of  manhood  and  friendship  won  the  ap- 
preciation and  regard  of  his  colleagues. 

The  family  of  Penman  is  of  Scotch  derivation,  and  is  well  represented  in 
the  Scranton  district,  James  Penman,  father  of  Charles  B.,  having  had  a 
numerous  family,  of  whom  the  following  are  residents  of  Scranton  :  Major 
T.  Frank,  at  one  time  connected  with  the  government  service  as  internal  rev- 
enue collector ;  David,  Robert,  Elizabeth,  Mary. 

Charles  B.  Penman,  son  of  James  Penman,  was  born  at  Port  Carbon,  Penn- 
sylvania, •'.nd  obtained  his  general  education  in  the  Scranton  schools,  includ- 
ing a  high  school  course,  and  afterward  qualified  as  an  expert  accountant. 
His  business  life  was  passed  in  Scranton,  and  there  he  lived  until  his  ap- 
pointment as  chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Industrial  Statistics  in  the  Department 
of  Internal  Affairs  of  the  State,  an  office  he  filled  for  ten  years  with  the  utmost 
satisfaction.  He  came  to  the  bewildering  duties  of  chief  statistician  with  a 
mind  accustomed  to  mazes  of  facts  and  figures  from  his  work  as  expert  ac- 
countant, and  introduced  into  his  office  methods  and  systems  that  greatly  sim- 
plified the  gigantic  task  of  tabulating  the  industrial  resources  and  achieve- 
ments of  so  rich  and  industrially  powerful  a  state  as  Pennsylvania.  Confidence 
and  competence  were  his  ruling  attributes,  the  former  born  of  the  latter 
after  a  thorough  and  vigorous  test  of  his  qualifications  for  his  office,  which 
found  in  him  all  that  could  be  desired. 

rvn  attractive  personality  and  an  agreeable  nature  made  Mr.  Penman  a 
social  favorite,  and  being  an  easy  conversationalist  and  a  lover  of  the  com- 
pany of  his  fellows,  social  gatherings  likewise  held  for  him  a  charm.  His 
wide  acquaintance  found  him  ever  a  man  of  unpretentious  aspect,  sincere  in 
word  and  manner,  willing  to  serve  a  friend  at  any  lengths.  In  matters  of 
public  and  political  interest  he  was  well-informed,  and  while  a  resident  of 
Scranton  his  services  were  invariably  sought  as  a  tabulator  of  the  election  re- 
turns from  the  county,  a  position  he  filled  with  annual  regulariiy.  year  after 
year  registering  the  fates  of  aspiring  candidates  and  announcing  them  to  his 
fellow  citizens.  The  duties  of  the  office  in  which  he  died  made  necessary  long 
absences  from  his  home  city,  his  many  friends  regretting  the  loss  of  .so  con- 
genial a  companion.  His  political  creed  was  Republican,  and  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Order,  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons. 

Mr.  Penman  married  Harriet  Clay,  born  in  Lackawanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, a  woman  of  education  and  wide  culture.  She  is  prominently  con- 
nected with  journalistic  work,  contributing  to  numerous  magazines  and  news- 
papers, and  is  society  editor  and  editorial  writer  on  the  Scranton  Tribune 
Republican.  Mrs.  Penman  is  a  member  of  the  Central  and  Country  clubs  and 
was  the  leader  of  the  movement  which  culminated  in  the  employment  of  a 
district  nurse,  being  also  associated  with  numerous  benevolent,  philanthropic 
and  educational  enterprises  tending  toward  civic  and  moral  uplift.  Since  tlic 
death  of  her  husband,  which  occurred  November  ii,  1912,  Mrs.  Penman  has 
continued  her  residence  at  her  former  home.  No.  526  Quincy  avenue,  Scranton. 


632  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

PATRICK  J.  CLARK 

With  the  exception  of  a  short  time  passed  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
United  States,  the  v^'hole  of  Patrick  J.  Clark's  American  residence  has  been 
in  the  borough  of  Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
now  lives.  He  is  a  native  of  county  Mayo,  Ireland,  his  father,  James  Clark, 
also  born  in  Ireland.  James  Clark  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade  throughout 
his  active  life,  his  death  occurring  in  the  homeland  when  he  was  about  seventy- 
five  years  of  age.  He  married  Catherine  Forbes,  born  in  Ireland,  died  in 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  aged  eighty  years,  buried  in  St.  Mary's  Cemetery, 
of  that  place.  Children  of  James  and  Catherine  (Forbes)  Clark:  John,  de- 
ceased; Michael;  James,  deceased;  Mary,  deceased;  Bridget;  Helen,  de- 
ceased; Dudley,  deceased;  Patrick  J.,  of  whom  further;  Margaret;  Catherine. 

Patrick  J.  Clark  was  born  March  13,  1849,  ^"d  when  a  youth  came  to  the 
United  States.  He  was  a  small  boy  when  he  began  to  work  in  the  mines  at 
Dunmore,  later  obtaining  employment  in  a  blacksmith's  shop,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1876.  Becoming  a  worker  in  iron,  he  entered  the  service  of  the 
Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut  Company,  and  was  connected  with  this  concern  until 
his  retirement,  in  September,  1913.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  politically  is  a  strong  Democratic  sympathizer,  having 
at  one  time  been  elected  to  the  Dunmore  boroug'n  council  as  the  candidate  of 
that  party. 

Mr.  Clark  married,  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  Anna  Donough.  a  native  of 
Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  girlhood.  Of  their  thirteen  chil- 
dren the  following  grew  to  maturity:  James  J.,  deceased:  Anthony,  Joseph 
L.,  Frank  D.,  Catherine,  Cecelia,  Anna,  Nellie  E.,  Genevieve.  Mrs.  Clark 
died  January  14,  1894,  aged  forty  years,  and  is  buried  in  St.  Mary's  Cemetery. 


DUNCAN  T.  CAMPBELL 

There  is  no  name  that  calls  more  readily  to  mind  the  thrilling  days  of 
border  warfare  in  old  Scotland  and  the  brave  and  daring  exploits  of  the 
Scotch  clans  than  that  of  Campbell.  The  mention  of  the  name  raises  visions 
of  gallant  chieftains  leading  their  small  bands  over  Scotland's  lofty  crags  and 
down  into  her  river-run  valleys  in  search  of  vengeance  for  private  wrongs  or  in 
defence  of  national  honor.  The  deeds  of  the  Campbells  fill  many  pages  oi 
Scottish  history  and  leveal  a  clan  loyal  to  their  king,  and  strong  in  his  defense. 
In  private  life  their  characters  show  indomitable  courage  in  the  face  of  ad- 
versity, loyalty  to  home  and  family,  and  a  determination  that  no  circumstances 
can  dishearten  or  overwhelm.  From  such  pure  Scotch  ancestry,  traced  back 
through  many  generations,  comes  Duncan  T.,  son  of  Alexander  and  Helen 
(Turner)   Campbell. 

Duncan  T.  Campbell  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  December  7,  1875. 
His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city  of  his  birth 
and  it  was  there  that  he  held  his  first  position,  in  the  office  of  a  company 
engaged  in  the  East  India  mercantile  trade.  He  there  remained  until  1896, 
when  the  desire  for  new  scenes  and  action,  inherited  from  forefathers,  who 
had  but  to  raise  their  voices  in  a  battle  cry  to  be  in  the  midst  of  the  most  ex- 
citing action,  becoming  strong  within  him,  he  left  the  land  of  his  birth  and 
embarked  for  the  United  States,  the  country  whose  shores  have  ever  promised 
opportunity  to  the  ambitious  youth  of  other  lands  and  whose  letters  have 
always  spelled  success  in  innumerable  languages  and  dialects.  The  promise 
that  had  sounded  across  the  Atlantic  to  the  ambitious  Scotchman  was  not  im- 
mediately fulfilled,  as  for  several  years  he  was  engaged  in  business  in  New 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


633 


York  City  with  moderate  but  not  satisfactory  success.  His  health  becoming 
impaired  by  the  close  and  undivided  attention  he  has  always  given  to  his  busi- 
ness and  the  task  at  hand,  he  left  the  metropolis  and  endeavored  to  recruit  his 
failing  strength  in  the  bracing  mountain  air  and  health-giving  climate  of 
Colorado.  While  there  he  began  a  connection  with  an  electric  company,  which 
in  experience  and  training  has  proved  very  valuable  to  him  in  his  present 
responsible  position.  In  1907  his  physical  condition  had  so  improved  that  he 
was  able  to  stand  the  less  favorable  conditions  of  the  eastern  part  of  the 
country,  and  accepted  a  position  as  business  manager  of  the  Scranton  Electric 
Company,  an  organization  subsidiary  to  the  American  Gas  and  Electric  Com- 
pany, which  controls  a  large  number  of  similar  plants  in  different  parts  of  the 
United  States.  This  office  he  filled  with  great  satisfaction  to  the  officers  of 
the  company  and  with  decided  benefit  to  the  business,  which  he  systematized 
minutely  and  placed  upon  a  smooth  working  basis.  In  recognition  of  his  ex- 
cellent service  in  that  capacity  he  was  made  general  manager  of  the  company 
where  he  gained  quite  as  much  distinction  as  he  had  in  his  former  office,  inas- 
much as  he  carried  into  his  higher  station  the  qualities  that  had  served  him 
so  well  in  his  former  position,  energy,  foresight,  enthusiasm,  and  his  desire 
for  constant  improvement  which  can  never  be  satisfied.  The  field  over  which 
he  was  in  authority  covered  from  Forest  City  to  Pittston,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  recently  made  vice-president  of  the  company,  this  being  the  latest  of  his 
promotions  in  the  service  of  the  corporation  he  has  served  so  well. 

His  record  may  be  viewed  by  him  with  honest  and  just  pride,  as  each  of  his 
many  advancements  has  been  the  reward  of  unflagging  and  energetic  atten- 
tion to  his  duty.  His  personal  ability  is  great  and  his  influence  in  the  com- 
pany's affairs  is  felt  in  all  departments  of  their  business.  Thus  at  the  age  of 
thirty-eight  years,  Mr.  Campbell,  should  he  care  to  indulge  in  retrospect,  which 
the  spirit  of  youth  never  permits,  may  look  upon  a  play  of  life  in  which  he 
has  acted  well  his  part,  and  better,  in  prospect,  may  behold  scenes  upon  which 
the  curtain  has  not  yet  risen  when  his  role  shall  he  still  bigger  and  better,  and 
in  which  his  successful  efforts  shall  receive,  as  applause,  still  greater  com- 
mendation and  reward. 

Mr.  Campbell  is  active  in  Masonic  affairs,  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson 
Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  323,  R.  A.  M. ; 
Coeur  de  Lion  Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  and  the  Consistory,  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite :  as  well  as  to  Irem  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks. 


WILLIAM  ROTH 

Immigrating  to  the  United  States  from  Austria-Hungary,  his  native  land. 
William  Roth  has  lived  his  business  life  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania.  He  is 
a  son  of  Max  Roth,  a  native  of  Austria-Hungary,  whose  death  occurred 
when  William  was  but  a  year  and  a  half  old.  Max  and  Hannah  Roth  were 
the  parents  of:  Max  P.,  deceased,  of  New  York  City,  Ludwig,  Esther, 
William,  of  whom  further  ;  Rebecca. 

William  Roth,  son  of  Max  and  Hannah  Roth,  was  born  in  Austria- 
Hungary,  December  25,  1872.  He  came  to  the  United  States  when  he  was 
fifteen  years  of  age.  He  became  a  restaurant  proprietor  in  New  York  City, 
EG  continued  for  two  years,  when  he  moved  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
spending  one  year  in  the  mines  of  the  locality  as  a  slate  picker.  He  was 
variously  employed  for  the  two  following  years,  at  the  expiration  of  that 
time  opening  a  grocery  store  in  Mill  Creek,  and  was  its  successful  owner 


634  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

for  two  years.  Two  years  later  he  returned  to  Scranton,  becoming  proprietor 
of  a  grocery  store  at  No.  403  Emmett  street,  afterward  purchasing  the  prop- 
erty at  No.  401  Emmett  street.  On  these  adjoining  lots  he  erected  the  brick 
buildings  now  occupying  the  site,  continuing  his  grocery  business  in  its 
new  home  and  opening  a  cafe  in  the  other  building.  Both  establishments 
have  enjoyed  successful  continuance,  and  Mr.  Roth  is  numbered  among  the 
prominent  and  prosperous  merchants  of  Scranton  West  Side.  He  holds 
membership  in  Lily  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  likewise 
belonging  to  Brith  Abram,  the  Sons  of  Jacob,  Capital  Lodge,  and  the  Scran- 
ton City  Lodge.  His  political  party  is  Republican,  and  he  belongs  to  the 
Congregation  of  Beni  Israel,  No.  i. 

Mr.  Roth  married  Cecelia,  daughter  of  Samuel  Smulovitz,  of  Scranton, 
and  has  children:  i.  Max,  a  graduate  of  Central  High  School,  at  the  pres- 
ent time  a  student  in  Harvard  University.  2.  and  3.  Samuel  and  Joseph,  stu- 
dents in  Central  High  School. 


A.  LESLEY  MAJOR 


Four  generations  of  this  branch  of  the  Major  family  have  resided  m 
Pennsylvania,  the  American  ancestor,  Thomas  Alajor,  coming  from  York- 
shire, England,  in  1809.  He  settled  in  Wyoming,  later  locating  at  Lemon 
Center,  where  he  died  honored  and  respected.  He  married  Mary  Brittor, 
and  left  issue. 

(II)  William  Major,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Britton)  Major,  was 
born  at  Lemon  Center,  Pennsylvania,  in  1817.  He  became  a  farmer,  also 
having  lumber  interests  of  importance.  He  married  Sibyl  Brown.  Issue: 
Champin,  James,  Rachel,  Theodore,  Abel  G.,  of  whom  further ;  Harry. 

(III)  Abel  G.  Major,  son  of  William  and  Sibyl  (Brown)  Major,  was  born 
at  Lemon  Center,  Pennsylvania,  March  5,  1843.  He  was  interested  in  the 
lumber  business  with  his  father  as  a  young  man  and  succeeded  him  in  busi- 
ness, becoming  one  of  the  prominent  and  progressive  men  of  that  industry 
and  of  his  town.  He  married  Helen  Santee,  born  May  5,  1845,  daughter  of 
John  Santee.  Children:  Rilla,  born  1865;  Edith,  born  September  22,  1868. 
married  John  B.  Pickard,  and  has  Helen  and  Albertina,  the  former  wife  of 
Donald  Smith;  A.  Lesley,  of  whom  further;  Ernest,  died  early  in  1895. 

(IV)  A.  Lesley  Major,  son  of  Abel  G.  and  Helen  (Santee)  Major,  was 
born  at  Plymouth,  Pennsylvania,  December  22,  1870.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools,  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  Wilkinsburg  Business  College. 
He  early  became  familiar  with  the  lumber  business,  and  from  1890  unti' 
1907  was  a  wholesale  dealer  in  manufactured  lumber  of  all  kinds,  located 
at  Wilkinsburg,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  latter  year  he  moved  to  Scranton 
where  he  continues  in  the  wholesale  lumber  business  as  president  of  A.  L. 
Major  Company  with  offices  at  No.  712  Traders'  Bank  Building.  He  is 
thoroughlv  familiar  with  every  detail  of  his  business,  having  not  only  the 
benefit  of  personal  life  of  experience  therein,  but  also  the  inherited  exper- 
ience of  the  two  preceding  generations  to  guide  him.  Mr.  Major  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Lodge,  Chapter,  Council,  Com- 
manderv  and  Shrine,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  married,  June  25, 
1895,  Eva  B.  Smith,  born  May  13,  1872,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Adelaide 
(Harrison)  Smith.  Cliild,  Marcia,  born  at  Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania,  Septem- 
ber 3,  1897.    The  family  residence  is  at  No.  1700  Ridge  Row. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  635 

WILLIAM   GEORGE   ROBERTSON 

A  prominent  financier  and  all  aronnd  business  man  of  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, William  G.  Robertson  has  amply  brought  into  evidence  the  sterling 
traits  he  has  inherited  from  his  distinguished  ancestry.  The  family  name 
is  of  Scotch  origin,  the  Robertsons  of  Scotland  being  members  of  the  clan 
Donnachaidh,  or  Duncan,  so  called  it  is  said  from  Duncan,  its  founder,  a 
descendant  of  the  Earls  of  Athol.  He  was  born  about  1275,  and  inherited 
from  his  father,  Andrew,  a  portion  of  the  earldom  of  Athol,  and  was  the 
first  of  the  lairds  of  Struan,  or  Strowan.  He  was  an  adherent  of  Robert 
Bruce,  and  entertained  and  protected  that  king  and  his  queen  while  they 
were  in  hiding  after  the  defeat  of  Methven  in  1306.  The  clan  has  dis- 
tinguished itself  in  many  wars,  and  is  said  to  have  saved  the  day  at  Bannock- 
burn.  Many  distinguished  men  in  Europe  and  the  United  States  are 
descended  from  the  Robertsons  of  Struan.  After  the  Scottish  rebellions 
many  of  the  Roberstons  fled  to  Ireland,  whence  they  or  their  descendants 
came  to  this  country.  Others  made  their  homes  in  England,  and  left 
descendants  there. 

William  George  Robertson  was  born  in  England,  October  12,  1853. 
He  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  country.  He  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  arriving  at  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  the  month  of  June,  1866,  and  for  a  time  attended  the  public 
schools  of  that  city.  In  April,  1867,  he  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  a 
grocery  store,  serving  in  that  capacity  for  five  years.  He  then  became 
bookkeeper  and  mine  clerk  for  the  firm  of  Filer  &  Marsh,  of  Green  Ridge, 
and  remained  in  their  employ  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  He  then  went  to 
New  Mexico,  where  he  was  employed  as  bookkeeper  for  Brown  Manzanares, 
the  largest  wholesale  dealer  in  the  town.  In  1884  Mr.  Robertson  returned 
to  Scranton  and  became  bookkeeper  for  C.  P.  Matthes  &  Company  at  their 
colliery  at  Avoca,  Pennsylvania,  and  later  entered  the  employ  of  the  Dolph 
Coal  Company,  where  he  is  now  superintendent  of  the  mines.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Union  National  Bank,  of  the  United  States  Lumber  Company, 
and  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad  Company.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church;  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons, of  which  he  is  past  master ;  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  Scranton ;  of 
Cordelean  Council,  No.  17,  R.  and  S.  M.,  of  Scranton;  of  Scranton  Con- 
sistory, Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  and  has  attained  the  thirty- 
second  degree,  being  a  member  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He 
resides  at  No.  632  Clay  avenue,  Scranton. 


CHARLES   P.  J  AD  WIN 

Prominent  among  the  business  men  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  who  have 
contributed  energy  and  ability  of  a  high  order  to  the  development  of  the  city, 
may  be  counted  the  name  of  Charles  P.  Jadwin.  His  real  estate  transactions 
and  projects  have  shown  that  faculty  of  business  imagination  which  is  at  the 
back  of  all  large  operations  of  any  form  of  business  activity.  Not  content 
with  the  humdrum  methods  of  the  conservative  real  estate  man,  he  has  or- 
ganized schemes  that  have  put  his  work  on  a  level  with  business  campaigns 
of  the  first  order.     His  family  is  an  honored  one  in  Lackawanna  county. 

Mr.  ladwin  was  born  at  Carbondale,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  13,  1840.  He  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  home,  leaving  them  at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  At  this  early 
age  he  commenced  his  business  career,  entering  the  employ  of  Sweet  &  Raynor, 


636  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

druggists  at  Carbondale.  and  became  a  pharmaceutical  apprentice.  His  busi- 
ness career  was  interrupted  in  1861  when  he  enlisted  for  three  years'  service 
in  Company  C,  Sixth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  was  honorably 
discharged  in  1862.  Returning  to  Carbondale,  he  formed  a  business  association 
with  his  brother,  Henry  B.,  and  they  established  themselves  in  the  drug  busi- 
ness, with  which  Mr.  jadwin  was  connected  untii  the  brothers  sold  the  busi- 
ness, when  he  removed  to  New  York  City  and  there  started  a  drug  business 
with  his  brother,  Orlando  H,  Of  many  sided  ability,  Mr.  Jadwin  perceived  the 
possibilities  of  the  drug  trade  in  Scranton,  and  at  the  end  of  four  years  re- 
moved to  that  city  where  he  was  identified  with  this  line  of  business  for  a 
period  of  five  years.  His  mind  had  not  been  idle,  nor  had  he  allowed  his 
powers  of  observation  to  lie  fallow,  and  in  1880  he  abandoned  the  drug  trade  in 
order  to  engage  in  the  real  estate  business  for  which  his  shrewd  mind  saw  a 
brilliant  and  profitable  future.  He  was  not  mistaken  in  his  calculations,  as 
later  events  have  amply  proven.  It  is  due  to  his  interest  in  land  speculations 
that  the  growth  of  the  city  has  been  so  rapidly  promoted,  and  the  influence 
he  exerted  for  the  benefit  of  the  city  has  been  felt  in  many  other  lines  of  busi- 
ness industry.  In  December  of  the  year,  1913,  after  his  brilliant  business 
career,  ]\Ir.  Jadwin  retired  to  private  life.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Park 
Church,  and  fraternally  is  a  member  of  Ezra  Ripple  Post,  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  staunch  in  his  advocacy  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  in  the  early  years  of  his  manhood  served  in  the  capacity 
of  chairman  of  the  county  Republican  committee,  but  in  recent  years  has 
taken  no  active  interest  aside  from  casting  his  ballot. 

Mr.  Jadwin  married,  September  4.  1861,  Augusta  Hampton,  of  Carbondale, 
and  they  had  four  sons,  namely:  1.  Orlando,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
eight  years.  2.  Charles  P.  Jr.,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years.  3. 
Walter,  died  in  infancy.  4.  Rueal,  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  in 
Scranton;  married  Margaret  Norton,  of  Scranton;  children:  Olive,  married 
M.  J.  Shield,  a  graduate  of  Annapolis  Naval  Academy,  now  employed  in  the 
office  of  the  Delaware  Steamship  Company ;  Charles,  a  student. 


PETER  F.  DONAHUE 

Peter  F.  Donahue,  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, is  one  of  that  class  of  men  who  are  adapted  to  and  succeed  in 
whatever  line  of  endeavor  they  may  choose  to  enter,  and  whose  careers  are 
worthy  of  emulation  by  all  young  men  who  would  make  a  place  for  them- 
selves in  the  world. 

He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  November  12,  1854,  and  now 
resides  at  No.  741  Prescott  avenue,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  His  boyhood 
days  were  spent  in  the  city  of  his  birth,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  and  from  his  earliest  years  his  mind  was  of  a  decidedly  mathe- 
matical bent.  He  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  as  d 
messenger  in  1885,  was  made  assistant  paymaster  in  1887,  and  then  ad- 
vanced to  the  office  of  paymaster,  a  position  he  filled  with  ability  until  1907, 
when  he  came  to  Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  as- 
sumed the  duties  of  paymaster  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  the 
responsible  duties  of  which  position  he  is  still  discharging.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat politically,  and  a  member  of  the  St.  Peter's  Catholic  Church.  Mr.  Dona- 
hue married  Ellen  A.  Hanson,  of  Buffalo,  New  York,  and  they  had  children : 
Frank  R.,  William  H.,  Helen,  the  last  named  dying  at  the  age  of  six  years. 
Mr.  Donahue  has  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  deal- 
ings, reliability  and  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  being  among 
his  chief  characteristics. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  637 

REV.  EDWARD  J.  MELLEY 

The  parish  of  St.  John  the  Evangehst,  of  Soinh  Scranton,  was  organized 
in  18S6,  and  since  then  a  new  church,  convent,  parochial  school  and  parish 
house  have  been  built  at  an  expenditure  of  $200,000,  now  all  free  from  debt. 
Rev.  R.  A.  McAndrew,  api)ointed  by  Rt.  Rev.  iJishop  O'Hara,  remained  in 
the  parish  two  years  and  began  this  work.  He  was  then  sent  to  Wilkes-Barre 
to  succeed  Rev.  Father  Horn,  and  his  place  in  Scranton  was  taken  by  Rev. 
Father  E.  J.  Melley,  who  was  transferred  here  from  St.  Patrick's  parish 
at  Olyphant,  and  here  he  still  remains.  Since  then  the  parish  has  been  de- 
veloped, as  noted  above,  the  major  part  of  the  work  having  been  done  under 
the  direction  of  Rev.  Father  Melley. 


CHARLES  S.  ANDRES 

Although  one  of  the  youngest  men  of  his  profession,  Mr.  Andres  possesses 
the  technical  knowledge  and  qualities  of  character  that  insure  success,  and  are 
already  bringing  him  satisfactory  returns.  He  is  the  grandson  of  Matthew 
Andres,  born  in  Germany,  a  molder  by  trade.  He  came  to  Scranton  at  quite 
an  early  date  in  its  history  and  until  his  death  was  connected  with  mining 
operations. 

(II)  John  Andres,  son  of  Matthew  Andres,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1861.  He  was  educated  in  private  schools.  In  early  life  he  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  became  an  expert  workman  and  for  twenty-five  years 
was  in  charge  of  large  and  important  building  operations  in  the  city.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Schieber  and  had  issue :  Qiarles  S.,  of  whom  further ;  Jonathan, 
Josephine,  Agnes,  Lawrence,  deceased,  Joseph,  Theresa. 

(III)  Charles  S.  Andres,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Schieber)  Andres,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  May  28,  1887.  He  was  educated  in  private 
schools,  and  began  business  life  in  the  coal  department  of  the  Delaware,  Lack- 
awanna &  Western  Railroad  as  a  mechanical  engineer,  continunig  six  years. 
He  then  spent  two  years  in  Hudson,  New  York,  as  designer  for  the  Giflford 
Wood  Company,  afterward  entering  the  University  of  Michigan,  pursuing  for 
two  years  a  special  course  in  engineering.  Feeling  confidence  in  his  ability 
and  experience,  he  returned  to  Scranton  and  established  as  a  professional 
engineer,  with  offices  at  221  Miller  Building.  He  is  residing  at  the  present 
time  (1914)  in  Hudson,  New  York.  Mr.  Miller  gives  especial  attention 
to  the  designing  and  installation  of  elevating  and  conveying  machinery,  coal 
breakers  and  washeries,  coal  pockets  and  power  plants.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Engineers  Club,  of  Scranton.  and  is  highly  regarded  in  mechanical  en- 
gineering circles.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  (German)  Quirch,  and  of 
the  Knights  of  Columbus. 


JOHN  A.  STONE 


That  America  is  :ndeed  a  land  of  opportunity  has  been  so  often  proved 
by  the  success  of  foreign-born  citizens,  that  it  is  no  longer  a  matter  of  coni- 
ment  when  strangers  in  our  midst  rise  to  positions  of  trust  and  rank  with 
the  best  of  our  brlsiness  men  in  point  of  financial  or  commercial  importance. 
Yet  opportunity  does  not  supply  ability  that  the  individual  must  supply,  so 
the  stranger  must  be  credited  with  an  inborn  ability  to  conquer,  as  he 
does  prejudice,  language,  customs,  and  grasping  opportunity  rises  above 
adverse  conditions  to  success.  Among  the  foreign-born  but  now  naturalized 
citizens  of  Scranron   who  have  in  a  quiet  and  unobtrusive  way  fairly  started 


638  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

themselves  on  a  prosperous  career  with  bright  promise  for  the  future,  John 
A.  Stone  deserves  special  mention. 

Asian  Stone,  father  of  John  A  Stone,  was  a  mason  by  trade  and  a  man  in 
comfortable  circumstances.  He  married  Helen  Asfarian,  daughter  of  Hanna 
and  Sarah  (Challoian)  Asfarian,  the  latter  still  living  in  Turkey,  aged  one 
hundred  and  four  years,  said  even  yet  to  be  in  good  health.  She  is  the 
mother  of  thirteen  children,  all  living,  Helen  being  the  tenth  child.  Asian 
and  Helen  Stone  have  children :  Ovsanna,  married  Saliba  Bahooshian,  of 
West  Hoboken,  New  Jersey,  and  has  Alice,  Arshag,  Samuel  and  Dolly ; 
Nuvart,  married  Hagop  Demoorgian,  of  West  Hoboken ;  Jacob  A.,  a  sales- 
man in  New  York  City ;  John  A.,  of  whom  further ;  Tumay,  living  in  Turkey, 
married  Boghes  Chanasuzian,  has  a  son,  Ohannes,  and  is  in  the  silk  manufac- 
turing business  in  Turkey ;  Armenia,  married  Thomas  Proudian,  and  has 
children :  Aram,  a  student  in  Scranton  High  School,  preparing  for  the  study 
of  medicine,  Toontosh  Mehran,  Decran  T.  and  three  daughters. 

John  A.  Stone,  whose  name  at  birth  was  Ohanness  Asian  Tasjian,  but 
who  upon  coming  to  the  United  States,  for  business  reasons  only  changed 
it  to  John  A.  Stone,  was  born  in  Armenia,  Asia  Minor,  Turkey.  He  obtained 
a  good  education  in  the  state  schools.  He  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  busi- 
ness, and  was  the  owner  of  a  farm  which  he  rented  to  a  responsible  tenant. 
He  prospered,  but  being  of  the  Christian  faith  he  was  obliged  to  flee  for 
safety  when  the  Turkish  soldiery  began  one  of  their  periodical  massacres  of 
the  unoffending  Christians.  He  managed  to  reach  the  coast  in  safety,  taking 
passage  for  the  United  States,  arriving  in  New  York  City  in  1896.  He 
shortly  afterward  went  to  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  where  for  three  years 
he  was  employed  by  the  National  Webbing  and  Tubing  Company,  then  re- 
turned to  New  York  where  he  was  engaged  by  the  John  Wanamaker  store, 
as  repairer  of  Turkish  rugs.  He  accumulated  sufficient  capital  to  engage 
in  business  for  himself,  and  selecting  Scranton  for  a  location,  settled  in  this 
city  in  1903.  He  opened  a  store  at  No.  204  Spruce  street,  where  he  con- 
ducted a  successful  business  under  the  name  of  "The  New  York  Dyeing, 
Cleaning  and  Pressing  Company.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church  in  leligious  faith.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  the 
Maccabees,  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  having  been  duly  naturalized  and 
invested  with  all  the  rights  of  citizenship. 


FREDERICK  EDWIN  SCOTT 

A  well  established  practicing  lawyer  of  Scranton,  Mr.  Scott,  a  native  of 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  claims  early  Colonial  ancestry.  His  for- 
bears were  early  settlers  in  Susquehanna  county,  locating  in  Montrose  in  1808, 
that  year  also  the  date  of  the  first  village  plat.  The  original  settler,  Samuel 
Scott,  came  from  Southampton,  Long  Island,  he  a  great-great-grandson  of 
John  Scott,  who  between  the  years  1657  and  1667  settled  in  Southampton, 
going  there  from  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

Samuel  Scott,  of  the  fifth  American  generation,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revo- 
lution and  the  founder  of  the  family  in  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania. 
His  son,  Nehemiah  Scott,  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Elder  Davis  and  Betsy 
(Jenkins)  Dimock,  of  an  early  Montrose  family.  Their  son,  Davis  Dimock 
Scott,  was  born  in  Montrose,  married  Seviah,  daughter  of  Dr.  Asa  Park,  and 
had  a  son,  Asa  Park  Scott,  born  1848,  died  1906.  He  was  a  farmer  near  Mont- 
rose. He  married  Josephine,  born  1852,  died  1905,  daughter  of  Edwin  Hill, 
son  of  James  Wakeman  Hill,  an  early  settler  near  Montrose,  but  formerly 
of  Fairfield  county,  Connecticut. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


639 


Frederick  Edwin  Scott,  son  of  Asa  Park  and  Josephine  (Hill)  Scott  was 
born  in  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  February  26,  1875.  He  passed  through  the 
various  grades  of  the  public  schools  of  Montrose,  including  high  school  then 
completed  the  course  at  Wood's  Business  College,  and  entered  Keystone 
Academy  at  Factoryville,  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of 
1895.  In  1898  he  began  the  study  of  law  under  Carpenter  &  Fleitz,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1900,  and  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Scranton.  He  has  been  admitted  to  the  state  and  federal  courts  of  the  dis- 
trict, is  a  member  of  the  County  Bar  Association,  and  is  highly  regarded  as 
an  able  and  upright  lawyer.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  in 
political  faith  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Scott  married,  in  1902,  Carrie  Fitch,  daughter  of  Judson  W.  and 
Eleanor  (Bush)  Mott,  of  Montrose,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  Frederick 
Judson,  born  December  i,  1906;  Josephine  Louise,  born  February  7,   191 1. 

DOMENICK  BARTECCHI 

Domenick  Bartecchi  is  one  of  the  three  sons  of  John  Bartecchi,  a  native 
of  Italy,  a  railroad  employee,  who  passed  his  entire  life  in  his  native  land. 
His  sons,  however,  were  of  no  mind  to  eke  out  frugal  existence  in  their  home 
land,  and  as  youths  embarked  westward  in  search  of  lands  where  greater 
rewards  awaited  industry,  economy  and  thrift  than  in  Italy.  The  realiza- 
tion of  such  hope  Karl  Bartecchi  found  in  South  America,  the  other  two, 
Domenick  and  Basiglio,  coming  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  living 
in  Jessup. 

Domenick  Bartecchi  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  land,  and 
after  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  the  carpenter's  trade  was  employed  on  a 
railroad,  remaining  in  the  service  until  1895.  In  that  year  he  sailed  for  the 
United  States,  landing  in  New  Ybrk  City  and  immediately  traveled  westward 
to  Jessup,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  found  employment  in  the  mines.  He  later 
opened  a  saloon  and  grocery  store  at  Jessup,  and  after  continuing  business  in 
that  place  for  a  few  years,  moved  to  Scranton.  there  opening  a  saloon,  at 
the  same  time  working  in  the  mines.  His  business  affairs  prospered  and  in 
1908  he  built  a  large  brick  building  at  the  corner  of  Fairview  avenue  and 
Robinson  street,  there  establishing  the  Pisa  Hotel,  part  of  the  building  being 
fitted  up  as  a  store.  As  the  proprietor  of  this  hotel,  Mr.  Bartecchi  added  still 
further  to  his  material  welfare,  and  until  his  retirement  gave  his  active  and 
personal  attention  to  his  business.  At  an  early  age  he  has  retired  with  a  com- 
petence that  would  have  been  impossible  of  attainment  in  his  native  land, 
having  erected  a  business  that  continues  in  excellent  condition  at  the  present 
time.  Mr.  Bartecchi  is  a  Democratic  sympathizer,  and  with  his  wife  belongs 
to  St.  Lucia  Roman  Catholic  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Ricotte 
Garibaldi,  the  San  Rocco  and  the  West  Side  Club.  He  married  Fidelia 
Caccoli,  and  has  children:  John,  Julia,  Ferdinand,  a  student  in  St.  Thomas 
College;  Aurora,  Victoria,  Karl,  Joseph.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  119 
Fairview  avenue,  Scranton. 


WILLIAM  HENRY  RICHMOND 

William  Henry  Richmond,  descended  from  French  forbears  traced 
through  a  long  residence  in  England,  and  with  an  American  forefather 
among  the  first  settlers  in  New  England,  has  added  to  the  honorable  record 
of  his  ancestors  the  proud  record  of  twentieth  century  achievement.  In  the 
descent  of  the  name  to  future  generations,  new  lustre,  according  to  modern 


640  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

standards,  shall  be  imparted  to  the  glory  inherited  from  the  past  by  the 
recital  of  his  deeds.  Coming  from  France  with  William  the  Conqueror  in 
1066  to  England,  the  family  acquired  considerable  land  in  the  vicinity  of 
Ashton  Keynes,  Wiltshire  county,  England.  Here,  in  the  early  part  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  Oliffe  Richmond  owned  and  occupied  the  Richmona 
Manor  House,  which  later  passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Nichols  family, 
and  became  in  1856  the  property  of  the  Duke  of  Cleveland.  In  1900  Mr. 
Richmond,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  their  two  youngest  daughters, 
visited  England  and  saw  the  ancient  home  of  his  people. 

The  American  ancestor  of  the  family  was  John  Richmond,  an  emigrant 
from  Ashton  Keynes,  Wiltshire  county,  England,  who  in  1637  became  one 
of  the  original  purchasers  of  Taunton,  Massachusetts,  coming  on  a  trading- 
expedition  in  1635.  He  was  a  large  land  owner  and  regarded  as  a  wealthy 
man,  prominent  in  all  affairs  relating  to  local  government.  William  H. 
Richmond  is  also  connected  with  one  of  the  most  famous  of  New  England 
families  through  his  grandmother.  Prudence  Wadsworth,  by  a  sixth  genera- 
tion descent  from  William  Wadsworth,  an  emigrant  from  England  to  Massa- 
chusetts in  1632,  and,  under  Hooker,  one  of  the  early  Connecticut  colonists 
in  1636,  whose  son.  Captain  Joseph  Wadsworth,  is  credited  with  concealing 
the  Connecticut  Charter  in  the  Oak  Tree  at  Hartford,  when  it  was  shown 
that  the  governor  appointed  by  the  English  Crown  would  accede'  to  none 
of  their  requests. 

John  (2)  Richmond,  son  of  John  (i)  Richmond,  the  emigrant  ancestor, 
by  his  marriage  with  Abigail  Rogers,  of  Duxbury,  Massachusetts,  connected 
with  family  of  "Mayflower"  descendants,  Thomas  Rogers,  one  of  the  signers 
of  the  compact,  being  her  grandfather,  the  father  of  John  Rogers.  Also 
with  Elder  William  Brewster,  Francis  Cook  and  Henry  Sampson. 

Robert  Richmond,  the  fifth  of  the  line  in  America,  served  for  two  years, 
eleven  months  and  twenty-six  days  in  the  Colonial  army  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  gaining  honor  and  distinction.  He  married  Martha  Hinde, 
daughter  of  John  and  Alice  (Smith)  Hinde,  and  their  eldest  son,  John  Rich 
mond,  born  1764,  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Timothy  Hall,  of  East  Hartford, 
commenced  practice  in  East  Hampton,  Connecticut,  and  died  December  16, 
1821  ;  he  married,  in   1795,  Prudence  Wadsworth,  above  mentioned. 

William  Wadsworth  Richmond  was  a  native  of  Chatham,  Connecticut, 
where  he  was  reared  and  educated.     He  followed  his  trade  of  blacksmitli 
and  foundryman,  in  connection  with   farming  operations,  at   Marlborough, 
Hartford  county,  Connecticut,  where  he  settled  in  1820.     During  the  panie 
of  1837  his  business  was  swept  away,  carrying  with  it  the  accumulation  ( f 
years   of  thrift   and   industry.      He   married,   November    10,    1819,    Clarissa 
Bailey,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Rachel  (Sears)  Bailey,  of  East  Hampton 
Connecticut.     William  W.   Richmond  died  in  Marlborough,   May  31,   1843 
surviving  his  wife  a  mmiber  of  years,  her  death  occurring  October  26,  1834 
Captain  Elkanah  Sears,  father  of  Rachel  (Sears)  Bailey,  was  a  member  oi' 
the  committee  appointed  to  provide  for  the  wants  of  the  Continental  arm\ 
in  the  year  1780.    At  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  he  equipped  and  com 
manded  a  vessel  which  made  a  practice  of  preying  upon   British  convo\s 
until  captured  by  a  British  ship.     When  the  capture  was  made,  he  and  an 
other  patriot  were  made  prisoners.     Overhearing  plans  for  their  execution 
in  the  morning  the>  dropped  unnoticed  over  the  side  of  the  ship  and  wer 
well  on  their  way  toward  shore  before  shouts  on  the  vessel  showed  thi! 
their   escape   had   been   discovered.      Fire   was    immediately   begun   upon    the 
fugitives,   and   partly   from   physical   exhaustion   and   partly   mental    terroi 
Captain   Sears'   companion   sank.     Captain   Sears   swam   to  his   rescue  an' I 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  641 

succeeded  in  getting  him  safely  to  shore  and  into  the  woods,  which  came 
down  to  the  water  line,  and  they  escaped.  He  later  equipped  another  privat- 
eering vessel  which  performed  excellent  service. 

William  Henry  Richmond,  eldest  son  of  William  Wadsworth  and  Clar- 
issa (Bailey)  Richmond,  was  born  in  Marlborough,  Hartford  county,  Con- 
necticut, October  21,  1821.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 'of  hi<; 
native  place,  and  a  select  school  in  Middle  Haddam,  Connecticut,  taught  by 
Israel  M.  Buckingham,  brother  of  Governor  Buckingham,  of  Connecticut. 
He  engaged  in  business  life  in  his  thirteenth  year  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  at 
Middle  Haddam,  Connecticut.  In  1837  the  panic  crippled  his  employer's 
business  to  such  an  extent  that  there  was  no  work  for  the  lad,  and'  ac 
cordingly  he  returned  home  and  there  found  a  similar  condition  of  affairs. 
He  remained  on  the  home  farm  five  years,  attending  school,  working  on 
the  farm  and  in  the  shop.  In  1842,  failing  to  secure  employment  in  Hartford, 
he  visited  an  uncle  in  Dutchess  county,  New  York,  meeting  Robert  H.' 
Moore,  of  Socrates,  New  York,  a  merchant,  and  with  him  went  to  Hones- 
dale,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  in  Mr.  Moore's  employ  three  years.  He 
then  established  a  general  store  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  in  partnership 
with  a  Mr.  Robinson,  under  the  firm  name  of  Richmond  &  Robinson.  Their 
store  was  said  to  have  been  the  first  store  building  in  Carbondale,  erected 
by  Mr.  Lathrop,  father  of  Charles  E.  Lathrop,  editor  of  the  Carbondale 
Leader.  They  continued  in  general  merchandising  until  1853,  when  Mr. 
Richmond  became  sole  proprietor.  Two  years  previously  the  fiVm  had  added 
to  their  business  of  general  merchandise  a  factory  for  making  doors,  sash, 
blinds,  coal  cars  and  other  wood  work,  installing  wood-working  machinery, 
which  being  the  first  of  that  kind  introduced  in  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyo- 
ming Valley  met  with  opposition  from  mechanics,  who  considered  it  an 
abridgment  of  the  chances  of  labor.  In  1859  and  i860  there  were  eight 
hundred  coal  cars  built  at  his  factory,  with  the  exception  of  axles  and  wheels, 
for  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company  for  use  on  the  gravity  railroad  leading 
to  Honesdale,  the  head  of  their  canal.  He  also  furnished  the  sash  for 
round  house  and  shops  at  Scranton,  185 1,  which  is  now  called  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  by  contract  with  a  painter  named  Cham- 
bers. On  September  15,  1855,  his  store  was  burned,  entailing  a  considerable 
loss,  but  on  January  15,  1856,  a  new  store  building,  sixty  by  one  hundred 
feet,  three  stories  high,  was  completed,  and  fitted  up  in  a  style  then  un- 
known in  that  section.  He  disposed  of  his  store  and  building  in  1867. 
having  six  years  previously  disposed  of  his  planing  mill. 

In  January,  i860,  Mr.  Richmond  commenced  mining  coal  in  Blakelev 
township,  near  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  under  the  firm  name  of  Richmond  & 
Company,  his  partner  being  Charles  P.  Wurtz,  general  superintendent  of 
the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company.  They  erected  one  of  the  first 
coal-breakers  on  the  line  of  that  road,  and  commenced  the  breaking,  screen- 
ing and  assorting  of  the  coal  into  different  sizes  for  the  market,  the  previous 
practice  having  been  to  ship  it  in  lump  from  the  mine.  In  1863  the  firm  was 
merged  into  the  Elk  Hill  Coal  Company,  by  special  charter,  with  Mr.  Wurtz, 
president,  Mr.  Richmond,  treasurer  and  manager.  The  following  year  Mr. 
Wurtz  withdrew,  and  George  L.  Morss  acted  as  president,  continuing  until 
1880,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Richmond,  who  had  ever  been  chief 
stockholder  and  owner.  Two  supplements  of  different  dates  to  charter  gave 
increased  privileges  as  to  issue  of  stock  and  loans,  and  holding  of  lands. 
The  original  names  signed  to  the  application  to  the  legislature  for  the  char- 
ter were:  William  H.  Richmond,  Charles  P.  Wurtz,  George  L.  Morss,  Al- 
fred P.  Wurtz,  and  George  L.  Dickson,  the  venerable  vice-president  of  the 

41 


642  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

First  National  Bank,  of  Scranton,  whose  only  interest  was  his  aid  in  the 
organization,  after  the  charter  was  obtained.  In  1883  the  breaker  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  following  year  another  was  built  near  the  Brisbon 
Colliery  in  the  second  ward  of  Scranton. 

The  present  coal-breaker  belonging  to  the  company  was  erected  in 
1889  in  Dickson  City,  a  mile  distant  from  the  shaft,  which  reaches  about 
ninety  feet  to  the  rock,  and  two  hundred  feet  to  the  fourteen  foot  bed  of 
coal,  thence  through  five  lower  beds  to  the  depth  of  six  hundred  feet.  This 
colliery  has  been  in  operation  since  1891,  and  has  capacity  for  shipping  one 
thousand  tons  or  more  a  day.  In  1891  the  company  leased  about  one  thous- 
and acres  of  coal  lands,  on  the  estate  of  George  L.  Morss,  in  Fell  township, 
about  five  miles  above  Carbondale,  at  the  village  of  Richmondale,  and  this 
colliery,  having  a  capacity  of  fifteen  hundred  tons  per  day,  began  shipping 
coal,  in  1893,  over  the  Richmondale  branch  of  the  New  York,  Ontario  & 
Western  Railroad.  At  this  colliery  Mr.  Richmond  conceived  the  idea  of 
placing  over  the  shaft,  which  is  sunk  two  hundred  and  twenty  feet  through 
two  beds  of  coal  seven  and  eight  feet  thick,  a  steel  tower  one  hundred 
and  eighty-seven  feet  high,  connected  with  a  coal-breaker  building,  two 
hundred  feet  away,  by  a  steel  shute,  supported  on  two  intermediate  towers, 
from  which  the  coal  gravitates  to  the  larger  and  smaller  rolls,  and  thence 
through  the  many  screens  to  be  sorted  and  prepared  for  shipment.  This 
chute  is  built  in  accordance  with  the  Pennsylvania  mine  laws,  which  stipu- 
late that  coal  breakers  must  be  at  least  two  hundred  feet  from  the  shaft. 
The  loaded  coal-cars  are  placed  at  the  foot  of  the  shaft  in  the  mine,  are 
raised  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  surface,  and  by  automatic 
arrangement  the  coal  is  emptied  from  the  car  without  running  from  the  car- 
riage. This  is  the  only  known  operation  of  the  sort,  and  it  is  of  much 
economy  in  working  coal 

Since  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Richmond  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1842,  a  revolution 
has  been  brought  about  in  the  coal  trade.  In  that  year  the  entire  production 
of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company,  or  indeed  of  the  Lackawanna 
and  Wyoming  valleys,  was  two  hundred  and  five  thousand  tons,  all  mined 
at  Carbondale ;  the  entire  production  of  anthracite  up  to  that  time  was  one 
million  one  hundred  thousand  tons ;  bituminous  coals  were  marketless ;  the 
cost  of  mining  and  transporting  to  Honesdale,  no  coal  being  broken,  was 
about  one  dollar  per  ton  ;  the  price  paid  miners  was  twenty-eight  cents  per 
ton  in  winter  and  thirty-five  cents  in  summer.  In  1912  some  seventy  mil- 
lion tons  were  mined  in  the  state,  worth  nearly  two  hundred  million  dollars 
at  the  mines,  and  nearly  one  hundred  and  twenty  million  tons  of  bituminous 
coal  were  mined.    The  mines  were  idle  some  three  months  in  winter. 

Aside  from  his  extensive  mining  and  mercantile  operations,  Mr.  Rich- 
mond engaged  in  the  file  making  business  for  a  number  of  years,  fire  destroy- 
ing the  plant  in  1884.  He  was  the  projector  and  first  president  of  the 
Crystal  Lake  Water  Company,  of  Carbondale,  and  gave  the  organization 
its  name,  and  was  one  of  the  original  stockholders  of  the  Carbondale  Gas 
Company.  He  was  one  of  the  original  stockholders,  and  a  director  of  the 
Third  National  Bank  of  Scranton  ;  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Scranton 
Railway  Company,  a  branch  of  the  New  York,  Ontario  &  Western  Rail- 
road, to  encourage  the  building  of  which  he  made  the  first  offer  of  fifty 
thousand  tons  of  coal  yearly  as  freight,  and  afterwards  the  full  production 
of  the  mine  and  colliery  built  at  Richmondale. 

Mr.  Richmond  is  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Board  of  Trade ;  the  New 
England  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania ;  Connecticut  Society  of  Sons 
of  American  Revolution ;  the  Society  of  Mayflower  Descendants ;  American 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  643 

Institute  of  Mining  Engineers;  National  Geographic  Society;  Franklin  In- 
stitute ;  American  Bible  Society,  serving  as  treasurer  of  the  Lackawanna 
Bible  Society  for  the  past  thirty  years ;  American  Association  for  the  Ad- 
vancement of  Science;  American  Jersey  Cattle  Club,  and  a  patron  of  the 
Egyptian  Exploration  Fund. 

While  in  political  view's,  Mr.  Richmond  agrees  with  many  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party,  but  for  the  moral  effect  it  may  have  upon  his 
associates  he  gives  his  loyal  support  to  the  Prohibition  party,  whose  can- 
didate for  Congress  in  the  twelfth  district  he  was  in  1868  and  in  1904.  Since 
attaining  man's  estate  he  has  been  actively  identified  with  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  his  name  appears  frequently  upon  the  contribution  lists  of 
many  religious  organizations,  his  duties  and  obligations  in  these  matters 
being  as  fully  realized  and  as  conscientiously  fulfilled. 

Mr.  Richmond  married,  June  5,  1849,  Lois  Roxanna  Morss,  of  Windham, 
Greene  county,  New  York,  daughter  of  Foster  and  Roxanna  (Kirtland) 
Morss.  Children:  i.  Mary  Roxanna,  educated  at  Vassar  College,  grad- 
uated in  1876;  married,  October  6,  1881,  Frederick  K.  Tracy,  an  attorne}'- 
at-law,  from  1893  to  1899  vice-president  of  the  Elk  Hill  Coal  &  Iron  Com- 
pany, and  since  1899  engaged  in  legal  practice  in  Scranton ;  their  children: 
Lois  Richmond,  graduated  at  Vassar  College ;  Emeline  Kirtland,  educated 
at  Dwight  School,  Englewood,  New  Jersey ;  William  Richmond,  graduated  at 
Princeton  University ;  Mary  Avery,  graduated  at  Vassar  College ;  Frederick 
L.,  now  preparing  for  college.  2.  Emeline  Kirtland,  educated  at  Vassar 
College ;  married  Dr.  Julius  D.  Dreher,  for  twenty-five  years  president  of 
Roanoke  College,  Salem,  Virginia,  in  1906 ;  went  to  Tahita  where  Dr.  Dreher 
was  United  States  consul  for  four  years,  thence  to  Port  Antonio,  Jamaica, 
and  in  January,  1914,  transferred  to  Toronto,  Canada,  as  consul.  3.  Clara 
Morss,  educated  at  Vassar  College,  remains  with  her  father.  Two  other 
children  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Richmond  is  the  owner  of  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  Lacka- 
wanna Valley,  which  he  erected  in  1874,  on  Richmond  Hill  Farm,  which 
contains  seventy-five  acres,  located  in  the  northeastern  limits  of  the  city  of 
Scranton.  Here,  amid  palatial  surroundings,  in  a  magnificent  manor,  he 
enjoys  a  home  life  of  rare  sweetness  and  beauty.  After  days  spent  in  the 
busiest  centers  of  the  industrial  world,  nothing  could  so  cheer  his  wearied 
spirits,  or  give  a  more  enlivening  satisfaction,  than  the  relaxation  found 
in  his  home  circle. 

It  is  indeed  unusual  to  find  in  the  daily  lifei  of  a  man  so  deeply  engaged 
in  such  involved  business  relations  evidences  of  a  pure  and  enduring  senti- 
ment, observed  with  the  most  punctilious  regularity.  Until  he  was  forty- 
two  years  of  age,  Mr.  Richmond  was  a  moderate  user  of  tobacco,  and  then, 
becoming  convinced  of  the  baneful  effects  of  the  unnatural  habit,  he  aban- 
doned his  pipes  and  cigars.  As  a  reminder  of  his  resolution,  he  began  the 
practice  of  wearing  a  bouquet  in  his  buttonhole.  The  beautiful  blossom 
always  seen  adorning  Mr.  Richmond's  coat  lapel  has  become  so  firmly 
identified  with  the  man  that  to  see  him  without  it  would  cause  the  greatest 
possible  surprise.  The  fresh  and  fragrant  beauty  of  the  flower,  carrying 
with  it  the  breath  of  the  free,  open  country  that  was  its  home,  has  been  a 
source  of  more  pleasure  to  his  business  associates,  bound  to  the  dull  grind 
of  daily  toil,  than  the  satisfaction  of  a  quiet  smoke  ever  could  have  been  to 
Mr.  Richmond. 

A  man  of  many  parts,  keen  and  farsighted  in  business  dealings,  of  deep 
and  true  religious  conviction,  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  arts  and  sciences, 
and  a  citizen  of  strength  and  character,  Mr.  Richmond  stands  as  one  of 


644  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  most  distinguished  members  of  Scranton  society,  the  epitomization  of 
unimpeachable  integrity. 


JACOB  R.  SCHLAGER 

Baden-Baden,  Germany,  the  home  of  the  oldest  of  the  world-famous  Ger- 
man universities,  Heidelberg,  was  the  birth-place  of  the  progenitors  of  the 
Schlager  family.  That  the  representatives  of  the  name  should  attain  posi- 
tion and  distinction  in  their  adopted  land  by  their  courage  and  persistent  en- 
deavor is  entirely  fitting  and  proper,  as  the  first  bearer  thereof  must  have 
gained  the  cognomen  through  his  valor  as  a  warrior  and  bravery  in  struggle, 
the  word  existing  in  the  German  language  at  the  present  time  and  carrying 
with  it  the  idea  of  those  attributes. 

Jacob  Schlager,  father  of  Jacob  R.  Schlager,  was  born  in  Baden-Baden, 
Willstadt,  Germany.  He  attended  the  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birth-place 
until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  his  home,  and  boldly  turning 
westward  crossed  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  He  arrival  in  the  United  States  about 
the  year  1849,  unacquainted,  not  familiar  with  the  language,  and  insufficiently 
supplied  with  money.  In  spite  of  these  handicaps  he  found  no  difficulty  in  ob- 
taining the  work  he  was  so  anxious  to  find,  remaining  for  a  time  in  Hones- 
dale  and  Hawley,  but  finally  taking  up  his  residence  in  Scranton.  One  of  his 
early  occupations  was  that  of  lock-tender  on  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  canal, 
and  on  his  arrival  in  Scranton  he  became  driver  of  the  first  bakery  wagon  seen 
in  the  city,  the  business  being  owned  by  his  uncle,  Charles  Sclilager.  When 
the  news  of  the  gold  discovery  in  California  was  made  known  in  the  east,  he 
was  among  the  horde  of  men  who,  fired  by  the  ."spirit  of  sudden  and  immense 
wealth,  left  homes,  trades  and  position  to  seek  the  precious  metal  in  the  wilds 
of  the  west.  More  cautious  than  most  of  the  gold-crazed  throng,  Mr.  Schlager 
chose  the  safer,  though  longer,  route  across  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  rather 
than  brave  the  perils  of  the  desert,  the  relentless  destroyer  that  claimed  so 
heavy  a  toll  from  the  gold-hunting  travelers.  After  a  three  years'  search  for 
enough  of  Midas'  metal  to  justify  his  journey,  he  abandoned  his  quest  and 
returned  to  Scranton,  no  richer  than  when  he  left  and  having  paid  for  his 
ambitious  desires  with  a  long  period  of  unrewarded  toil.  After  his  arrival  in 
Scranton,  he  established  in  business  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  same 
until  the  death  of  his  wife  in  the  year  1872.  This  was  a  heavy  blow  to  him 
and  one  from  which  he  never  entirely  recovered.  The  closing  years  of  his 
life  were  spent  in  quiet  retirement  after  a  life  of  strenuous  action  and  un- 
remitting labor,  his  death  occurring  December  28,  1904.  He  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  an  honorable,  God-fearing 
Christian.  He  married  Catherine  Gottwals,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  two 
children :     lacob  R.,  of  whom  further,  and  George,  who  died  in   1900. 

Jacob  R.  Schlager,  son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Gottwals)  Schlager,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  29,  1866.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  studies  entered  the 
office  of  the  Stowers  Pork  Packing  and  Provision  Company,  May  28,  1879,  a 
firm  that  has  claimed  his  services  ever  since.  His  fidelity  to  the  interests  of 
the  company  and  his  loyal  efforts  for  their  advancement  speedily  won  for  him 
the  favor  and  approbation  of  those  in  office  above  him,  while  his  sterling 
honesty  and  cleanness  of  character  made  him  their  tru.sted  confidant.  His 
steady  advance  in  the  business  has  been  the  result  of  the  persistent  proofs  of 
his  ability  shown  day  by  day,  recognition  of  the  intimate  and  accurate  knowl- 
edge of  its  different  departments.  In  1894  he  was  promoted  to  the  responsible 
position  of  manager,  in  which  capacity  he  rendered  efficient  service,  and  at 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  645 

the  present  time  (1914)  is  filling  the  honored  position  of  president  of  the 
organization^  The  Stowers  Pork  Packing  and  Provision  Company  or- 
ganized in  1862,  now  gives  employment  to  one  hundred  persons,  thus  makins 
it  one  ot  the  leading  enterprises  of  the  city,  the  greater  part  of  its  trade  beini 
conducted  in  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania.  ^ 

Mr.  Schlager  is  deeply  interested  in  all  the  affairs  concerning  the  welfare 
of  his  city.  For  two  terms  he  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  education 
serving  for  one  year  as  chairman  of  that  body,  and  during  his  membership 
his  best  efforts  were  directed  toward  raising  the  educational  standard  of 
the  city  and  in  procuring  the  best  talent  obtainable  as  instructors.  In  the  year 
1913  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  county  treasurer,  receiving  a  large  ma- 
jority of  the  votes  cast  at  the  polls,  his  term  of  office  to  expire  in  1917.  His 
political  affiliation  is  with  the  Republican  party,  the  principles  of  which  he 
believes  to  be  for  the  best  form  of  government.  He  is  actively  connected  with 
several  fraternal  organizations,  and  holds  membership  in  the  Scranton  Bicycle 
Club,  the  out-of-door  life  and  the  pleasurable  exercise  appealing  strongly 
to  his  love  of  nature  and  athletics.  For  three  years  he  held  the  one  mile 
bicycle  championship  of  Pennsylvania,  and  at  different  times  was  the  holder  of 
the  three,  five  and  ten  mile  records.  Mr.  Schlager's  influence  is  always  felt  in 
every  movement  beneficial  to  the  city.  An  honored,  upright  and  straight- 
forward business  man,  he  carries  all  of  these  qualities  into  his  private  fife, 
and  is  one  of  the  highly  respected  citizens  of  his  city. 

Mr.  Schlager  married  Edna  Freeman,  daughter  of  Thomas  T-  Freeman,  of 
Scranton,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Jacob  R!  Jr.,  Catherine 
Elizabeth,  Jean   Freeman. 

THEODORE  CRAMER  VON  STORCH 

Theodore  Cramer  Von  Storch  was  of  noble  Swedish  origin.  He  was  the 
grandson  of  Heinrich  Ludwig  Christopher  Von  Storch,  who  was  the  grandson 
of  Dr.  John  Gustav  Von  Storch,  grand  duke  of  Mechlenburg-Schwerin  and 
councillor  and  burgomaster  of  Guestrow,  the  largest  city  of  Mechlenburg,  a 
descendant  of  Ian  Person  Von  Storch,  who  was  knighted  and  made  a  noble- 
man for  services  in  driving  the  Danes  out  of  Sweden,  and  given  a  castle  at 
Salis  where  he  established  the  Von  Storch  family.  In  1794,  Heinrich  Lud- 
wig Christopher  Von  Storch,  the  grandfather,  came  to  this  country  with  one, 
G.  N.  Luyten,  and  engaged  in  the  fur  trade  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 
They  secured  a  cargo  of  furs,  and  consigned  the  ship  to  a  European  port,  but 
it  was  never  heard  of  afterwards.  They  then  came  to  this  end  of  the  state  and 
located  at  what  is  now  Blakeley  in  this  county.  The  grandfather  purchased  a 
tract  of  300  acres  of  wild  land  which  he  cultivated  more  or  less,  dividing  his 
time  for  several  years  between  the  rough  backwoods  farm  and  his  first  house 
in  Philadelphia.  In  clearing  this  wild  land  he  suffered  an  injury  to  his  back, 
which  compelled  a  lighter  occupation,  and  he  took  up  the  then  popular  and 
lucrative  business  of  local  trading,  carrying  his  goods  on  boat.  On  one  of  his 
early  trips  back  to  Philadelphia  he  carried  a  bag  of  coal  from  his  own  land, 
and  tried  to  interest  some  of  the  wealthy  men  of  that  city  in  the  "Stun  Coal," 
but  without  success.  In  1810  Mr.  Von  Storch  married  Hannah  Searle,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  and  thenceforth  made  a  permanent  home  in  a  log 
house  of  his  own  building  on  his  wild  farm.  They  had  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter. 

Theodore  Von  Storch,  second  son  of  Heinrich  Ludwig  Christopher  and 
Hannah  (Searle)  Von  Storch,  and  father  of  Theodore  Cramer  ^^on  Storch, 
was  born  in  181 2,  in  the  primitive  log  house.     He  came  to  Providence,  Lu- 


646  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

zerne  county,  Pennsylvania  (now  the  upper  end  of  our  city)  in  the  late 
thirties.  In  1840  he  built  a  comfortable  dwelling,  and  was  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial men  of  that  village.  In  1872  he  built  what  has  long  been  known  as 
the  handsome  Von  Storch  homestead  on  North  Main  avenue.  He  married 
Josephine  D.  Barney,  of  Milton,  Vermont.  There  were  born  to  them  two  chil- 
dren:     Theodore  Cramer  and  Mrs.  Frank  M.  Vandling, 

Theodore  Cramer  Von  Storch  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  educated  in  the  School  of  the  Lackawanna,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and 
in  Harvard  College,  from  which  he  graduated  with  honors,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  county.  He  assisted  in  organizing  the  People's 
National  Bank  and  was  a  member  of  its  board  of  directors.  He  was  also  in- 
terested in  many  other  of  the  business  enterprises  of  the  city  of  Scranton. 
He  married  Jessica  Pennypacker,  in  Scranton,  in  1S96,  and  there  were  born  to 
them  two  children,  William  and  Theodore  Constant,  who  survive  him.  He 
died  September  i,  1913. 


CONRAD  F.  SHINDKL 

A  resident  of  Scranton  since  1906,  Mr.  Shindel  has  attained  an  ex- 
cellent position  in  the  few  years  that  have  since  elapsed.  He  is  a  descendant 
of  an  old  Pennsylvania  family ;  his  father,  Conrad  F.  Shindel,  was  a  practicing 
lawyer  of  Schuylkill  county.  He  married  Louise  Bailey,  daughter  of  Milton 
Bailey.  Children :  Clarence  B. ;  Ella  M.,  married  J.  F.  Ellick ;  Louise,  mar- 
ried H.  G.  Dunham ;  Elizabeth,  married  Frank  C.  Geer ;  Char'es  S. ;  James 
E.,  who  died  in  the  United  States  navy ;  Conrad  F.,  of  further  mention. 
Conrad  F.  Shindel,  the  father,  died  March  10,  1890,  his  wndow,  Louise 
(Bailey)  Shindel,  surviving  him  until  January  27,  191 1. 

Conrad  F.  (2)  Shindel  was  born  in  Tamaqua,  Pennsylvania,  November 
8,  1875.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools,  then  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  completed  a  full 
course  and  was  graduated.  He  pursued  clerical  occupation  until  the  out- 
break of  the  war  with  Spain,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Eighth  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  in  1898,  remaining  in  the  service  until  mustered 
out  at  Augusta,  Georgia,  in  1899.  He  then  returned  to  Tamaqua  where  he 
was  successfully  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  until  1906,  when  he  lo- 
cated in  Scranton,  becoming  teller  of  the  Dime  Deposit  and  Discount  Bank, 
and  remaining  with  that  well  known  institution  four  years,  gaining  a  valuable 
fund  of  experience.  In  November,  1910,  he  was  chosen  cashier  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Dunmore,  a  position  he  now  holds  most  satisfactorily  to 
the  officials  and  patrons  of  the  bank.  He  is  thoroughly  capable  and  has  the 
confidence  of  the  business  public  to  an  unusual  degree.  He  is  a  member  gf 
Tamaqua  Lodge,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Mr.  Shindel 
married,  October  8,  1904,  Margaret,  daughter  of  William  D.  and  Mary 
Thomas,  of  Lansford,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Harry  Dunham,  died  in 
infancy;  Conrad  F.  (3),  born  October  9,  1907;  William  F.  C,  born  March  15, 
1909-  

GEORGE  EZRA  HAAK 

Five  generations  of  the  Haak  family  in  Pennsylvania  have  been  identified 
with  the  commercial  life  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  two  generations  par- 
ticularly with  the  coal  and  iron  industry,  while  the  present  generation  is 
represented  by  George  Ezra  Haak,  superintendent  of  buildings  and  supplies  of 
the  school   district  of  the  city  of   Scranton.     Samuel   Haak.  grandfather  of 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  647 

George,  was  a  native  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  at  one  time  super- 
intendent of  a  blast  furnace  at  Temple,  Pennsylvania,  out  of  wliich  later  de- 
veloped the  well  known  Temple  Iron  Company. 

Ezra  Jacob  Haak,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  for  many  years  was  special  agent  for  the  Philadeli)hia  &  Read- 
ing Railroad  Company.  He  was  also  part  owner  of  a  large  general  store  at 
Pine  Grove,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  in  the  sugar  brokerage  business  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  a  very  successful 
business  man,  amassed  a  considerable  fortune,  and  at  his  death  on  March  [7, 
1908,  was  sincerely  mourned  by  a  large  circle  of  business  associates  who  had 
learned  to  admire  and  respect  him  for  the  upright  principles  that  had  determ- 
ined his  life.  He  married  Sarah  Drine,  and  had  children:  Harry  C,  a  resi- 
dent of  Scranton  ;  May,  who  resides  in  Pine  Grove,  Pennsylvania  :  and  George 
Ezra,  of  whom  further. 

George  Ezra  Haak,  son  of  Ezra  J.  and  Sarah  (Drine)  Haak,  was  born 
at  Pine  Grove,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  11,  1880,  and 
obtained  a  public  school  education  at  that  place,  graduating  from  the  high 
school  in  1897  at  the  head  of  his  class.  Mr.  Haak  came  to  Scranton  to  at- 
tend the  Scranton  Business  College,  and  finished  a  business  couise  in  this 
school  in  1899.  Immediately  after  graduation  he  accepted  a  position  in  the 
superintendent  of  transportation  department  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad  Company,  where  he  remained  until  August,  1905,  when  he 
became  connected  with  the  International  Salt  Company,  his  employers  until 
January,  1912.  About  that  time  the  new  school  code  became  operative  in 
Pennsvlvania  and  many  changes  were  made  in  the  management  or  control 
of  the  schools  in  Scranton.  The  new  school  board  created  the  office  of 
superintendent  of  buildings  and  supplies,  a  department  to  look  after  the  pur- 
chase of  all  supplies  used  in  the  school  district,  as  well  as  the  management  and 
care  of  the  large  property  under  their  control,  and  Mr.  Haak  was  selected 
from  a  large  number  of  applicants  to  fill  the  position.  The  city  has  in  him  a 
servant  of  wisdom  and  temperance,  and  one  who  has  already  made  a  splendid 
record  in  the  handling  of  this  important  position. 

Mr.  Haak  married,  in  1906,  Emily  Clare,  daughter  of  Dr.  F.  D.  and 
Emma  (Wilson)  Brewster.  They  have  three  children:  Dorothy,  Mary,  and 
George  Jr.  Mr.  Haak  is  a  member  and  deacon  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Scranton  ;  belongs  to  the  Scranton  Engineers  Club ;  Board  of 
Trade ;  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Camp  49,  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.;  Artisans  Order  of  Mutual  Protection;  and  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association. 


JACOB  D.  BAMBACH 


New  York  is  the  locality  whence  came  Jacob  D.  Bambach,  carpenter  and 
builder  of  Dunmore,  assessor  of  the  third  ward  of  that  borough  for  the 
past  four  years,  his  parents,  Jacob  and  Christiana  (Hetzel)  Bambach,  leaving 
New  York  City  when  he  was  a  boy  of  five  years,  the  family  making  the  trip 
to  Lackawanna  countv,  Pennsylvania,  in  a  Conestoga  wagon,  which  carried, 
besides  their  househo'ld  goods,  supplies  and  provisions  for  the  trip,  since 
nightfall  might  overtake  them  without  a  stopping  place  near.  The  mother 
of  the  family  now  resides  at  the  old  home  on  the  corner  of  Ash  and  John 
streets.  The  family  settled  in  Scranton,  where  Jacob  B.  Bambach  was  reared 
and  where  he  attended  school.  After  finishing  his  education  he  was  for  a 
time  in  the  service  01  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  beginning  carpenter  work 
when  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age  and  continuing  in  that  line  to  the 


648  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

present  day.  As  a  journeyman  carpenter  he  has  been  employed  on  much 
construction  work  in  the  vicinity  of  Scranton,  and  as  a  contracting  builder 
has  had  charge  of  numerous  operations,  meeting  with  success  and  prosperity 
in  this  business.  In  1910  he  was  appointed  to  fill  the  position  of  assessor  of 
the  third  ward  of  Dimmore,  a  place  formerly  occupied  by  G.  B.  Allen,  and 
now  serves  Dunmore  in  that  capacity,  that  being  the  only  office  he  has  held  in 
public  service,  his  political  action  independent. 

Mr.  Bambach  married  Elizabeth  Brick,  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Brick,  and  for  one  year  after  his  marriage  was  a  resident 
of  Scranton,  then  moving  to  his  present  home  at  No.  412  William  street, 
Dunmore,  Pennsylvania.  Of  the  ten  children  of  Jacob  D.  and  Elizabeth 
(Brick)  Bambach,  six  are  now  living,  four  daughters  and  two  sons.  Mr. 
Bambach  is  a  communicant  of  St.  Peter's  Lutheran  Church. 


MICHAEL  J.  DEMPSEY 

For  many  years  Ireland  has  been  sending  her  sons  and  daughters  to  this 
country,  which  grants  them  many  privileges  denied  them  in  their  native  land. 
Many  of  the  thousands  who  emigrate  find  their  way  into  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  their  attention  is  turned  to  mining  and  other  avocations  in 
which  skilled  labor  is  not  a  requisite.  Michael  J  Dempsey.  well  known  as  a 
merchant  of  Dunmore,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  is  a  son  of  one 
of  these  emigrants. 

James  Dempsey,  the  father,  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood  in  Ireland. 
In  early  manhood  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  worked  for  many 
years  in  the  mines.  He  retired  about  fifteen  years  ago,  and  has  since  lived  in 
retirement  at  No.  714  Monroe  avenue.  He  casts  his  vote  regularly  for  the 
candidates  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  a  devout  member  of  St.  Paul's 
Catholic  Church.  He  married,  in  this  country,  Nora  Durkan,  also  born  in 
Ireland,  and  they  had  six  children. 

Michael  J.  Dempsey  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  January  15, 
1882.  He  was  five  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Ward  6,  Dunmore,  with 
his  parents,  and  there  attended  the  public  schools  until  nine  years  old.  All 
his  schooling  was  crowded  in  these  few  short  years,  but  Mr.  Dempsey  spent 
his  spare  moments  in  so  wise  a  fashion,  that  these  early  obstacles  to  a  rise 
in  life  were  overcome  in  a  most  admirable  manner.  A  part  of  this  educa- 
tional period  was  spent  at  St.  Paul's  Parochial  School.  At  the  age  of  nine 
years  he  commenced  working  at  the  breaker  at  Scranton,  remaining  there  five 
years,  and  then  spent  some  years  in  the  Scranton  Stove  Works  as  a  molder. 
A  commercial  life  had  always  strongly  appealed  to  him,  and  in  1903  he  es- 
tablished himself  in  the  tea  and  coffee  business  m  Dimmore,  and  is  now  the 
owner  of  the  Dunmore  Tea  Company,  of  No.  215  East  Drinker  street.  Mr. 
Dunmore  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  community  in 
which  he  lives,  and  in  1913  was  elected  to  the  office  of  borough  tax  collector 
of  Dunmore  for  the  term  of  four  years. 

Mr.  Dempsey  married  Anna,  a  daughter  of  Michael  Gordon,  of  South 
Side,  Pittsburgh.  Children :  Joseph  and  James.  The  family  resides  at  No. 
1621  Electric  street,  Dunmore.  and  he  is  a  member  of  Knights  of  Columbus, 
Workmen  of  the  World,  Town  Club  of  Dunmore  and  St.  Mary's  Catholic 
Church.  Mr.  Dempsey  stands  as  a  representative  of  a  high  type  of  American 
manhood.  He  combines  energy  and  determination  with  lofty  principles,  .so 
that  his  career  in  business,  in  politics,  in  social  circles,  has  been  characterized 
by  laudable  ambition  and  honorable  effort. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  649 

REV.  FRANCIS  VALVERDE 

For  the  past  eight  years  Rev.  Francis  Valverde,  born  in  Palermo,  Sicily, 
has  been  pastor  of  St.  Anthony's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of  Dimmore,  Penn- 
sylvania, that  having  been  his  second  charge  since  the  beginning  of  his  con- 
nection with  the  American  branch  oi  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Before 
assuming  his  place  as  a  member  of  the  clergy  he  was  favored  by  educational 
advantages  of  unusual  attractiveness,  and  he  entered  the  ministry  endowed 
with  all  of  the  embellishments  of  university  training,  having  made  high  and 
worthy  use  of  his  liberal  scholastic  culture. 

Rev.  Francis  Valverde  was  born  March  7,  1877,  and  was  reared  in  his 
native  city,  the  capital  of  Sicily,  attending,  upon  the  completion  of  his  per- 
liminary  schooling,  Messura  Seminary,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1899. 
He  then  became  a  student  in  the  University  of  Palermo,  and  was  later  a  college 
professor,  occupying  the  chair  of  languages.  Having  been  ordained  to  the 
priesthood  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  he  decided  for  service  in  other 
lands  than  that  of  his  birth,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  in  the  United  States,  his 
first  charge  being  at  Freeland,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  for  one  year. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  St.  Anthony's  Roman 
Catholic  Church  at  Dtmmore,  where  he  remains  to  the  present  time,  a  promin- 
ent figure  in  ecclesiastical  activities  in  the  borough.  His  parish  contains  about 
four  hundred  and  fifty  families,  a  large  proportion  of  which  are  regular 
attendants  at  church  services.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Dunmore  Rev.  Val- 
verde prepared  a  new  curriculum  for  the  school  maintained  by  the  church, 
and  after  the  same  was  placed  in  operation  become  instructor  in  Italian,  meet- 
ing his  classes  in  the  school  daily,  a  duty  that,  added  to  his  other  clerical 
responsibilities,  makes  his  existence  a  busy  one. 


PETER  F.  REILLY 


Numbered  among  the  representative  business  men  of  Dunmore  is  Peter 
F.  Reilly,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  real  estate  transactions,  but  who 
nevertheless  finds  time  to  devote  to  the  welfare  of  his  native  city  and  has 
been  chosen  to  fill  various  oifices  of  trust  and  responsibility,  the  duties  of 
which  he  has  discharged  in  a  highly  commendable  manner. 

Mr.  Reilly  is  of  Irish  parentage,  his  father,  Thomas  Reilly,  having  been 
born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland,  and  his  mother,  Mary  (Moran)  Reilly,  is  a 
native  of  county  Sligo,  Ireland.  His  parents  were  reared  and  educated  in 
their  native  land,  from  whence  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  lo- 
cating in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  where  Mr.  Reilly  secured  work  as  a 
miner,  being  a  capable  and  experienced  man.  He  lost  his  life  by  an  ac- 
cident in  the  mines,  September  3,  1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reilly  were  the  par- 
ents of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  here  mentioned :  John  ;  Peter  F., 
of  whom  further ;  Patrick  J. :  Jane,  wife  of  James  Canley ;  Margaret.  The 
mother  of  these  children  is  still  living  and  resides  in  Dunmore. 

Peter  F.  Reilly  v/as  born  in  Dunmore,  Pennsylvania,  October  3,  1866. 
He  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  city  until  he  was  ten  years 
of  age,  then  entered  the  mines  as  breaker-boy  for  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
Company,  and  there  followed  the  various  branches  of  mining,  rising  step 
by  step  until  he  became  a  coal  operator  and  later  a  mine  owner.  Subsequent- 
ly he  turned  his  attention  to  an  entirely  different  line  of  work,  real  estate, 
in  which  he  is  equally  successful.  For  many  years  he  served  as  treasurer 
and  general  manager'  of  the  Dunmore  Coal  Company,  and  was  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Northern  Anthracite  Coal  Company,  also  a  director  of  the 


650  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

First  National  Bank,  of  Dunmore.  In  the  year  1894  he  served  the  borough 
of  Dunmore  in  the  capacity  of  auditor ;  in  1900  was  elected  tax  collector  of 
Dunmore,  an  office  to  which  he  was  re-elected  in  1903,  and  at  the  expira- 
tion of  his  second  term  was  elected  clerk  of  the  board  of  county  commis- 
sioners, which  office  he  filled  until  191 1.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Knights 
of  Columbus,  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  of  which  he  was  secretary, 
and  the  Young  Men's  Temperance  Literary  and  Benevolent  Society,  of  which 
he   was   president. 

Mr.  Reilly  married  (first)  Bridget  E.  Ouinn,  a  native  of  Dunmore, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  James  and  Bridget  Quinn.  She  died  aged  thirty- 
nine  years.  He  married  (second)  Nora  E.  Collins.  Children  of  first  wife : 
Ruth,  Marv,  Florence,  James,  Thomas,  Mabel,  deceased ;  Peter,  deceased ; 
Alice,  deceased ;  Eulalia. 


EDWIN  R.  PARKER 


With  the  retirement  from  business  of  Edwin  R.  Parker,  of  No.  321  Spruce 
street,  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  a  familiar  personality  will  be  missed  froin 
that  locality.  Mr.  Parker  had  been  for  many  years  a  dealer  in  sporting 
goods  at  this  location,  engaging  in  this  business  after  fifteen  years  previous 
mercantile  experience  in  Scranton,  and  during  this  time  held  the  patronage 
of  the  athletes  and  sportsmen  of  Scranton,  holding  well  his  own  in  com- 
petition with  others  in  the  same  line. 

Sheldon  W.  Parker,  father  of  Edwin  R.  Parker,  was  born  in  Abingtor, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1804,  died  in  1856.  He  was  a  successful  farmer,  which 
occupation  he  followed  throughout  the  active  years  of  his  life.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Phillips,  born  in  1810,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, namely :  Rondino,  a  farmer  on  the  old  homestead  at  Abington,  Penn- 
sylvania, married  Diana,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Slocum ;  Corintha,  deceased, 
married  Orrin  Culver ;  Edwin  R.,  of  whom  further ;  Hulda,  deceased ;  Fer- 
nando, a  farmer  in  Waverly,  Pennsylvania. 

Edwin  R.  Parker  was  born  in  Abington,  Pennsj'lvania,  October  12,  1839. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place,  and 
he  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War. 
In  October,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Fifty-second  Regiment  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  as  a  member  of  this  company  for 
three  years  and  one  month,  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  in  October, 
1865.  In  April  of  the  following  year  he  came  to  Scranton,  entering  a  ma- 
chine shop  and  learning  the  trade  of  machinist,  and  three  years  later 
formed  a  partnership  with  John  L.  Hull  and  a  Mr.  Gunster,  the  firm  lo- 
cating on  Lackawanna  avenue  and  trading  for  twelve  years  as  Gunster,  Hull 
&  Parker,  furniture  dealers.  For  two  years  thereafter  Mr.  Parker  was  a 
commercial  traveler.  About  1880  he  established  the  first  bicycle  shop  in  this 
locality,  later  adding  a  complete  line  of  general  sporting  goods,  and  shortlj 
afterwards  he  erected  the  building  located  at  No.  321  Spruce  street,  which 
continued  to  be  the  home  of  the  E.  R.  Parker  Store.  His  business  career 
was  a  successful  one,  his  store  ruled  by  principles  of  value  and  fair  dealing, 
and  he  was  one  of  the  well-esteemed  and  highly-regarded  merchants  of  the 
city.  Mr.  Parker  is  a  communicant  of  the  Washburn  Street  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  11 14 
Washburn  street,  Scranton. 

Mr.  Parker  married  Marion  Mears,  daughter  of  Sidney  Clark  and  Janet 
Hears,  who  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  as  follows :  Marion,  of  previous 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  651 

mention ;  John  A.,  James  R.,  Joseph  A.  and  WilHam  Sidney,  all  prominently 
identified  with  the  early  business  life  of  Scranton ;  Margaret  M.,  who  became 
the  wife  of  J.  Alton  Davis,  an  attorney  of  Scranton. 


ESDRAS  HOWELL 


The  Howells  are  an  ancient  family  of  Wales,  Ksdras  Howell,  who,  to  quoie 
a  contemporary  was  "small  of  stature  but  with  a  heart  as  large  as  he  was 
small,  Esdras  Howell  had  hundreds  of  warm  friends  who  loved  him  living  and 
mourn  him  dead,"  being  the  first  of  this  immediate  branch  to  come  to  the 
United  States,  following  the  example  of  one  of  'lis  brothers. 

Esdras  Howell  was  born  at  Sant  Donias,  Glamorganshire,  Wales,  Septem- 
ber 9,  1832,  son  of  Rev.  Louis  and  Ann  Howell,  the  former  a  minister  of  the 
Baptist  church.  He  remained  in  his  native  parish,  obtaining  a  good  education 
until  1849,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  finally  settling  in  Carbondale, 
Pennsylvania,  where  an  elder  brother  had  preceded  him  and  established  in  the 
mercantile  business.  Esdras  Howell  entered  his  brother's  employ,  continu- 
ing until  1856,  when  he  came  to  Scranton,  locating  on  the  West  Side,  where 
under  the  firm  name  of  Richard  &  Howell  he  engaged  in  general  merchandis- 
ing. He  became  one  of  the  best  known  men  of  the  West  Side,  where  his  long 
after  life  was  spent,  and  also  of  Scranton,  as  for  several  years  he  was  travel- 
ing representative  for  the  wholesale  grocery  firm  of  James  B.  Power  &  Com- 
pany of  New  York.  He  was  very  popular  with  his  countrymen,  who,  when 
Mr.  Howell  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  controller  of  the  city  of  Scranton 
in  1899,  swept  him  into  office  by  one  of  the  largest  majorities  a  candidate  ever 
received  in  that  city.  They  forsook  party  and  in  every  Welsh  Republican 
district,  on  the  West  Side,  he  was  given  a  majority. 

Mr.  Howell  was  very  fond  of  children,  and  of  the  younger  generation 
there  are  few  who  did  not  know  and  admire  him.  In  his  latter  years  poor 
health  kept  him  indoors  a  great  deal,  but  when  he  did  appear  was  accorded  a 
warm  greeting  everywhere.  He  was  a  thorough  optimist,  and  to  meet  him 
under  any  circumstances,  or  to  listen  to  his  joyous,  mirthful  laugh,  was  a 
tonic  to  the  aged  and  encouragement  for  the  despondent  He  lived  with  the 
happiness  of  others  as  his  gospel,  and  in  so  doing  brought  joy  also  to  his  own 
heart.  His  joyous  laugh  was  not  hushed  even  in  his  last  illness,  nor  his 
hearty  greeting  to  his  bedside  visitors  lacking,  until  the  coma  which  preceded 
his  death  several  days  barred  out  all  conscious  knowledge  of  his  surround- 
ings. Mr.  Howell  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Hyde 
Park  Lodge,  his  brethren  being  in  charge  of  his  funeral  services,  which  were 
conducted  at  Forest  Hill  Cemetery,  according  to  the  beautiful  ritual  of  the 
order. 

Mr.  Howell  married,  April  4,  1867,  Mary  Williams,  of  Mauch  Chunk, 
Pennsylvania,  who  preceded  her  husband  to  the  grave  several  years.  She 
was  a  fitting  helpmate,  and  their  home  on  Washburn  street,  when  both  were 

young,  was  the  scene  of  much  merrymaking.     Children  :    -_ ,  married 

Charles  A.   Hartley,  of   Scranton;  Anna,   married  Van   Mawr,  of 

St    Louis,  Missouri ;  Louisa  A.,  of  Scranton ;  John  W.,  of  whom  further. 

John  W.  Howell,  son  of  Esdras  and  Mary  (Williams)  Howell,  was  born 
in  Hyde  Park,  Pennsylvania,  May  15,  1879.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Scranton,  finishing  his  studies  in  the  high  school.  His  first  business 
experience  was  as  a  paper  boy  for  J.  A.  Scranton,  then  after  some  time  spent 
in  New  York  City  he  became  a  real  estate  dealer  and  broker,  in  which  business 
he  is  now  successfully  engaged,  with  offices  at  Nos.  212-213  Mears  Building 
Scranton.     He  is  an  independent  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  several  social 


652  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

and  fraternal  organizations.  Mr.  Howell  married  Nellie  I.,  daughter  of  ex- 
Mayor  John  H.  Fellows,  a  sketch  of  whom  follows  this  in  the  work.  Chil- 
dren:     Lois,  Jean,  Esdras   (2). 


JOHN  H.  FELLOWS 


Ex-Mayor  John  H.  Fellows,  one  of  the  most  useful  and  public-spirited 
citizens  of  Scranton,  was  a  descendant  of  Joseph  Fellows,  born  near  Sheffield, 
England,  who  came  with  his  family  of  eight  to  the  Scranton  district  in  1790, 
locating  at  what  is  now  Hyde  Park.  He  patented  several  tracts  of  land  in 
that  section,  becoming  one  of  the  large  land  owners  and  speculative  dealers. 
He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  conveyancer  of  lands.  Among  his 
vast  possessions  were  many  acres  of  the  richest  coal  land  in  the  region, 
which  he  sold  without  knowledge  of  their  true  value.  When  he  was  about 
eighty  years  of  age  he  was  engaged  in  successful  litigation  with  Dr.  Malone, 
the  result  so  enraging  Dr.  Malone  that  in  a  frenzy  of  passion  he  struck 
Mr.  Fellows  on  the  head  with  a  heavy  walking  stick,  a  blow  that  caused  his 
death.  ,  Among  his  sons  were  Joseph  Jr.,  a  bachelor,  who  succeeded  his 
father  in  the  real  estate  business,  founded  what  is  now  Hyde  Park,  and  died 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-one  years,  and  Benjamin,  of  whom  further. 

Benjamin  Fellows,  son  of  Joseph  Fellows,  came  to  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  his  parents  when  he  was  two  years  of  age  and  grew  to  manhood 
on  a  farm  on  the  West  Side.  He  was  an  agriculturist,  and  like  the  founder 
of  the  family  in  the  United  States  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  died 
aged  eighty-five  years,  the  family  trait  of  longevity  being  retained  in  him. 

John  Fellows,  son  of  Benjamin  Fellows,  was  born  on  the  West  Side, 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  assisted  in  the  clearing,  for  farm  purposes, 
of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  now  occupied  by  Hyde  Park,  but  during  most 
of  his  life  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick.  He  was  politically  a 
Republican  and  a  strong  sympathizer  with  all  the  actions  of  the  administra- 
tion in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  giving  liberally  of  his  means  for  the  suppoit 
of  the  Union  army.  His  religious  beliefs  were  in  accordance  with  those  of 
the  Universalist  faith.  His  death  was  the  result  of  an  accident  suffered  in 
1888,  while  driving.  An  unusual  sound  started  the  horses,  who  gave  a  quick 
spring  to  the  side,  the  carriage  lurched,  and  in  the  fall  Mr.  Fellows  sus- 
tained injuries  that  soon  after  caused  his  death,  aged  seventy-two  years. 

Mr.  Fellows  married  Cynthia  J.,  daughter  of  Levi  and  >  (Ingles) 

Pierce,  born  in  Cooperstown,  New  York,  of  which  state  her  father  was  a 
native,  but  had  many  years  since  transferred  his  residence  to  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania. Both  her  father  and  mother  were  descendants  of  Scotch  ancestry, 
the  family  having  been  in  this  country  since  the  early  days  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Colony.  Mrs.  John  Fellows  did  not  long  survive  her  husband,  her 
death  occurring  when  she  was  seventy-three  years  of  age.  She  was  a  woman 
of  true  nobility  of  Christian  character,  an  earnest,  devoted  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fellows  were  the  parents  of 
several  children,  among  them  being:  John  H.,  of  whom  further;  Horatio 
T.,  a  member  of  the  select  council  of  Scranton,  and  an  employee  of  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad :  George  H.,  employed  by  the  same 
company ;  Charles  D.,  deceased,  formerly  engaged  in  the  insurance  business 

at  Scranton  ;  Harriet,  married  Wolfcott,  and  resides  in  Kingston, 

Pennsylvania  ;  Sarah,  married  Carlton ;  Electa,  married 

Oram,  and  lives  in  Scranton. 

John  H.  Fellows,  son  of  John  and  Cynthia  J.  (Pierce)  Fellows,  was  born 
in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  July  23,  1849.     Until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  653 

he  attended  the  district  schools,  then  learned  the  trade  of  printer  and  fol- 
lowed it  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  Winning  a  scholarship  at  Gard- 
ner's Business  College,  he  completed  a  course  in  practical  business  training 
at  that  institution,  and  for  two  years  was  employed  by  the  Delaware,  Lacka- 
wanna &  Western  Railroad,  leaving  that  service  to  establish  in  the  fire  in- 
surance business  as  the  representative  of  the  German  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  Erie.  He  gave  this  his  undivided  attention  and  by  assiduous  efifort 
built  up  what  became  the  largest  agency  in  Scranton,  which  in  1882  he  sold 
to  Norman  &  Moore,  who  still  continue  it.  He  then  began  to  investigate  the 
litigation  in  the  case  of  the  estate  of  Joseph  Fellows,  which  had  been  hanging 
in  the  courts  for  many  years,  and  effected  a  settlement,  securing  all  of  the 
property  left  under  the  original  title.  He  now  acts  as  agent  for  the  estate 
and  has  had  besides  real  estate  interests  in  many  different  parts  of  the  country 
and  has  been  a  member  of  companies  developing  new  sections  of  cities. 
At  the  present  time  he  is  president  of  the  Browning  Land  Company,  pro- 
prietors of  land  at  Arlington  Heights,  beyond  North  Park ;  the  Shawnee 
Land  Company,  incorporated  in  1904,  a  concern  which  platted  the  Boule- 
vard in  South  Wilkes-Barre ;  and  the  Ontario  Land  Company,  capitalized 
originally  at  $50,000,  now  at  $450,000.  operating  in  Duluth,  Minnesota, 
Spokane  and  Tacoma,  Washington,  and  Atlanta,  Georgia.  Of  this  latter 
company,  Mr.  Fellows,  and  Harry  C.  Heermans,  of  Corning,  New  York, 
were  the  organizers,  the  main  office  being  at  Duluth. 

The  political  record  of  Mr.  Fellows  has  been  commensurate  with  his 
business  successes.  On  the  People's  ticket,  in  1886,  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  school  control,  but  by  the  political  strategy  of  the  oppo- 
sition was  prevented  from  taking  his  seat  as  a  member  of  the  board.  He 
was  later  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket,  endorsed  by  the  Democratic  vote, 
and  held  office  until  1890,  when  he  was  elected  mayor  as  the  candidate  of  the 
Republican  party.  For  three  years  he  held  this  office  and  in  that  time  serveft 
the  citv  well  as  a  faithful  official,  observing  the  spirit  as  well  as  the  letter 
of  the  oath  of  office.  The  year  following  the  expiration  of  his  mayoralty 
term,  he  became  a  candidate  for  the  congressional  election  from  his  district 
and  would  have  scored  a  victory  had  there  not  been  evidences  of  the  lowest 
form  of  corruption  in  our  political  system,  bribery,  among  the  one  hundred 
and  thirtv  delegates  instructed  in  his  favor.  Mr.  Fellows  has  been  an  ex- 
tremelv  important  figure  in  local  and  county  politics,  always  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  Republican  party,  and  has  been  a  member  of  many  city  and 
countv  committees. 

Mr.  Fellows  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  belonging  to  Union 
Lodo-e.  No.  291,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  past  master,  and  Lackawanna 
Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M. ;  also  has  held  high  office  in  the  lodge  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  belongs  to  the  Encampment.  His 
other  memberships  are  in  the  Le  La  Lanna  Tribe,  Improved  Order  of  Red 
Men;  Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  301,  S.  of  St.  G.,  and  Washington  Camp,  No. 
572,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  which  he  is  treasurer 

Mr.  Fellows  married  (first)  at  Meshoppen,  Pennsylvania.  Genevieve, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Overfield,  of  German  descent:  married  (second)  ii' 
Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  Laura  L.,  daughter  of  A.  W.  Gray,  a  dairy- 
man Children'of  first  marriage:  Winfield  H..  Raymond  A.,  Nellie  I.,  Lois 
J.    Louisa  A.,  Emma  V.,  Alwilda  G.     One  child  of  second  marriage. 

'  Respected  and  admired  for  the  qualities  that  have  gained  him  the  promi- 
nence in  Scranton  affairs  that  has  been  his,  Mr.  Fellows  is,  moreover,  al- 
most universally  well  liked.  His  contact  with  his  fellows  in  business  and 
public  life  has  given  him  a  many-sided  personality,  each  of  remarkable  bril- 


654  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

liance,  and  this  wins  him  many  friends.  Nor  is  his  friendhness  confined  to 
the  exterior,  his  outward  cordiahty  being  but  the  reflection  of  the  warm, 
genial  nature  within. 


HERMAN  J.  WOELKERS 

The  growth  of  Scranton  in  the  last  quarter  century  has  resulted  in  the 
bringing  forward  of  many  contracting  firms,  whose  heads  have  received  not 
only  profitable  remuneration  but  additional  emolument  in  the  way  of  reputation 
and  standing  as  men  of  ability,  resource  and  integrity.  Among  these  the  firm 
of  Herman  J.  Woelkers  &  Company  deserves  special  mention.  Herman  J. 
Woelkers,  the  head  of  the  firm,  is  a  practical  mechanic,  having  served  a 
regular  term  as  apprentice,  and  for  many  years  as  a  journeyman  bricklayer. 
These  years  of  experience  eminently  qualified  him  to  enter  the  contracting 
field,  and  in  association  with  capable  partners  he  has  fully  realized  his  hopes 
and  ambitions.  He  is  the  son  of  Charles  Woelkers,  born  in  Germany,  and  there 
died  in  1869,  a  practical  shoemaker.  He  married  Elizabeth  Geimberg.  Chil- 
dren :    John,  Charles,  Frank,  Herman  J.,  of  whom  further ;  Joseph,  Elizabeth. 

Herman  J.  Woelkers  was  born  in  Germany,  February  5,  1866,  and  was 
educated  in  the  Gelserakirchen  schools.  In  his  youth  he  worked  for  two 
years  and  a  half  in  a  bakery,  coming  to  the  United  States  when  sixteen  years 
of  age,  arriving  July  3,  1882.  He  later  came  to  Scranton  and  secured  his 
first  employment  with  Conrad  Schraeder  as  water-boy,  earning  fifty  cents  daily 
by  keeping  the  supply  of  water  for  the  workmen  clear  and  fresh.  He  then 
apprenticed  himself  to  Mr.  Schraeder  to  learn  bricklaying,  receiving  twelve 
dollars  monthly  while  so  serving.  After  a  full  term  as  apprentice  he  con- 
tinued with  his  first  employer  as  journeyman  for  nineteen  and  a  half  years, 
becoming  very  expert  and  obtaining  valuable  exoerience.  He  then  began  con- 
tracting as  head  of  the  firm  Woelkers  &  Beilman,  later  admitting  Charles  M. 
Zitzelman.  The  firm  prospered,  but  the  junior  partner  dying  five  years  later, 
the  original  partners  continued  business,  resuming  the  old  firm  name.  After 
two  years  the  present  firm,  Herman  J.  Woelkers  &  Company  was  formed,  with 
Mr.  Woelkers  as  manager  and  responsible  head.  They  have  become  well- 
established  and  have  erected  many  buildings  in  Scranton  and  vicinity.  Mr. 
Woelkers  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  German  Roman  Catholic  Church,  the 
St.  Peter's  Verein,  of  that  church,  the  Leiderkranz  Society,  the  Mannerchor, 
and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  His  residence  is  No.  428 
Irving  avenue.  He  married,  in  1892,  Frances,  daughter  of  Albert  Storr,  of 
Scranton.     Children:     Alfred,  Adelaide,  Virgil,   Frederick,   Cecilia. 


JOHN  F.  DUFFY 

Born  in  Scranton  and  a  worker  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  Mr.  Duflfy 
has  so  well  fought  the  battle  of  life  that  he  has  risen  to  a  responsible  and 
honorable  position  in  one  of  Scranton's  great  public  utilities,  the  Electric 
Steel  Railway  system.  He  is  a  grandson  of  John  (i)  and  a  son  of  John  (2) 
Duflfy,  both  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland,  the  latter  in  the  year  1808.  He 
worked  at  farming  until  coming  to  the  United  States,  a  young  man.  His 
mother  had  preceded  him  to  Scranton,  where  he  joined  her,  and  together  they 
made  their  home  until  the  mother's  death,  aged  eighty-six  years.  John  (2) 
Duffy  married  Sarah  C^Donnell,  and  had  issue :  Ann,  Margaret,  Patrick,  John 
F.,  of  whom  further,  Arthur,  Frank,  and  James,  all  deceased  except  Patrick, 
John  F.  and  Arthur. 

John  F.  Duffy  was  bom  on  the  South  Side,  Scranton,  in  1868.     He  at- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  655 

tended  the  public  schools  for  a  short  time,  but  at  the  age  of  seven  years 
began  working  in  the  Central  Breaker  in  Hyde  Park  as  a  slate  picker.  After 
a  short  time  spent  at  this  work,  he  became  a  farmer's  boy,  and  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age  worked  on  the  farm  in  summer  and  in  the  lumber  woods 
during  the  winter  months.  He  developed  a  strong,  healthy  body,  and  was 
physically  fitted  to  engage  in  coal  mining,  but  after  two  months  as  a  loader  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Scranton  Electric  Light  Company,  his  first  job 
being  digging  holes  in  which  to  place  the  poles  supporting  the  wires.  He  rose 
in  favor  with  his  employers,  and  when  the  South  Side  line  was  built  he  was 
made  foreman  of  a  construction  gang,  under  General-Engineer  Parrish. 
When  the  line  was  completed  Mr.  Duffy  engaged  with  the  Suburban  Electric 
Company  in  changing  their  overhead  system  to  the  present  one.  When  the 
People's  Street  Railway  abandoned  horses  as  their  motive  power  and  installed 
the  electric  overhead  system,  Mr.  Duffy  was  promoted  to  repair  foreman  in 
the  company  shops  under  Mr.  Whitmore,  electrical  engineer  for  the  Sprague 
Electric  Company,  the  concern  furnishing  the  equipment.  He  held  that  posi- 
tion for  seven  years,  also  having  charge  of  new  construction  and  all  re- 
pair work  outside  of  the  power  house.  For  the  next  five  years  he  was  in  the 
employ  of  Mr.  Sturgis  of  the  Suburban  Electric  Light  Company  on  Wash- 
ington avenue,  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Scranton  Street  Railway  Coni- 
pany,  soon  afterward  being  promoted  to  his  present  position,  superintendent 
of  motor  equipment  under  Mr.  Caum,  a  most  responsible  position  that  he  is 
eminently  qualified  to  fill.  He  has  risen  from  the  ranks  and  knows  his  busi- 
ness from  the  lowest  round  of  the  ladder,  being  able  to  view  his  progress 
with  a  good  deal  of  satisfaction,  knowing  that  he  has  fairly  won  his  way. 
He  has  many  friends,  among  whom  he  is  held  in  high  esteem.  He  is  inde- 
pendent in  political  action,  and  a  member  of  the  Cathedral  Congregation  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  church. 

Mr.  Duffy  married  (first)  Kate,  daughter  of  Herbert  Gilligan,  who  bore 
him  a  daughter,  Sarah.  He  married  (second)  Nellie  Gallagher.  Children: 
John,  an  employee  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany, and  Margaret. 


WILLIAM  GRIFFITH 


William  Griffith,  eldest  child  of  Andrew  J.  and  Jemima  (Sax)  Griffith, 
and  nephew  of  William  R.  Griffith,  the  organizer  and  first  president  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Coal  Company,  was  born  in  Pittston  in  1855.  He  was  educated 
at  the  public  and  private  schools  of  West  Pittston  and  Lehigh  University, 
whence  he  graduated  in  1876  with  the  degree  of  Civil  Engineer.  He  taught 
public  school  for  one  term  at  New  Albany,  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  holidays  and  Saturdays  surveyed  nearby  farms.  In  July,  1878,  he  went 
west  and  secured  a  position  as  transit  man  and  later  assistant  engineer  for  the 
Union  Pacific  Railroad  Company,  in  which  interest  he  was  engaged  survey- 
ing and  constructing  railroads  in  Nebraska,  Idaho,  Montana,  Utah  and  Colo- 
rado He  returned  east  at  the  Christmas  season  in  1880  and  became  division 
engineer  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company,  resident  at  Bethlehem, 
Pennsylvania.  Two  years  later  he  became  assistant  on  the  Geological  Survey 
of  Pennsylvania  in  the  anthracite  coal  regions,  resident  at  Pottsville,  Hazelton 
and  Bernice,  Pennsylvania,  engaged  in  mapping  the  geology  of  the  Schuylkill 
Lehigh  and  Bernice  coal  measures,  etc.  During  1884-85-86  he  was  engaged 
in  private  engineering  practice  at  Pittston.  In  1885  he  built  the  house  at  the 
corner  of  Susquehanna  and  Parke  streets,  West  Pittston,  which  is  still  his 
residence. 


656  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

During  1887  and  1888,  as  assistant  geologist,  he  had  in  charge  the  com- 
pletion of  the  geological  survey  of  the  Wyoming  and  Lackawanna  coal  fields 
for  the  state,  the  published  result  of  which  work  comprised  six  volumes  of 
maps.  He  subsecjuently  opened  an  office  in  the  Coal  Exchange  Building,  Scran- 
ton,  as  consulting  mining  engineer  and  geologist,  in  which  profession  he  is 
still  engaged,  having  prepared  numerous  geological  reports  (many  of  which 
have  been  published)  upon  mining  properties  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States 
and  in  Canada,  Alaska,  Queen  Charlotte  and  Vancouver  Islands,  Mexico  and 
South  America.  Notable  among  his  publications  was  an  extended  article 
on  ''Anthracite  Coal,  with  Estimate  of  the  Reserve  Supply,"  which  was  pub- 
lished by  the  Bond  Record,  New  York,  and  attracted  widespread  attention 
in  financial  and  business  circles.  Recognized  as  one  of  the  first  authorities  on 
questions  relating  to  the  economic  geology  of  coal,  he  was  appointed  in  1892 
by  Governor  Pattison  as  member  of  the  commission  to  investigate  and  report 
on  the  problem  of  utilization  of  waste  in  mining  of  anthracite  coal,  and  he 
was  one  of  the  engineers  selected  by  the  city  and  its  advisory  board  to  examine 
and  report  on  the  mining  conditions  under  the  city  of  Scranton,  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  report  was  published  by  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines,  Washington, 
D.  C,  which  later  appointed  him  as  one  of  its  consulting  engineers. 

He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  though  never  ambitious  for  public  office. 
Mr.  Griffith  was  married  in  1885  to  Harriet  E.  Sinclair,  of  Trenton,  New 
Jersey.  Early  in  life  he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  is  now  an 
elder  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  West  Pittston.  He  is  member  of 
the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological  Society,  the  Franklin  Institute,  Na- 
tional Geographic  Society,  Engineers  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania, 
Mining  and  Metallurgical  Society  of  America,  American  Institute  of  Alining 
Engineers,  and  American  Mining  Congress. 


JAMES  F.  WARDLE 

James  Francis  Wardle.  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Wardle  and  Mary  Alorris 
Wardle.  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  August  17,  1867.  His  father  was  a 
Methodist  minister  and  a  member  of  Rock  River  conference,  Illinois;  his 
mother  was  a  descendant  of  David  Haggard,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Bloomington,  and  the  Illinois  Wesleyan 
University,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1890,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  He 
received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  the  same  university  in  1893.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  fraternity.  In  1890,  leaving  college,  he  took  a 
position  with  the  large  heating  firm  of  Smead  Wills  &  Company  as  a  heating 
and  ventilating  engineer.  He  remained  with  this  firm  nine  years,  locating  for 
them  in  Scranton  in  1893.  In  1899  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  International 
Correspondence  Schools,  as  superintendent  of  their  mailing  department.  In 
190 1  he  went  with  the  New  Telephone  Company  as  solicitor  and  collector.  In 
1904  he  went  into  business  for  himself  as  a  stock  and  bond  broker,  in  which 
he  is  still  engaged,  with  offices  in  the  Connell  building.  He  is  prominent  in 
the  Masonic  fraternity  as  shown  in  the  sketches  of  these  bodies.  He  is 
present  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and 
Select  Master  Masons  of  Pennsylvania ;  secretary  of  Lackawanna  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  No.  185,  of  Scranton ;  and  recorder  of  Scranton  Council,  No.  44, 
R.  S.  M.  M.  Mr.  Wardle  married  Miss  Imogene  Underwood,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Tonas  Underwood,  at  Scranton,  June  3,  1896.  Mrs.  Wardle  is  a  member 
of  Scranton  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  being  descended 
from  four  ancestors  who  took  part  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Two  daugh- 
ters are  the    fruit   of  their   marriage:    Miriam   and   Evelyn.      Mr.    and   Mrs. 


PHILIP  ROBINSON. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  657 

Wardle   and   their   daughters   are   a  typical   American   family,   and  are   justlj 
popular  with  a  multitude  of  friends. 


PHILIP  ROBINSON 


The  Robinson  family  has  been  associated  with  Scranton  and  the  Wyo- 
ming Valley  for  many  years  and  has  become  entirely  identified  with  the 
life  and  traditions  of  the  region,  though  in  origin  of  German  stock.  Its 
members  are  typical  of  the  splendid  character  of  the  men  Germany  has 
sent  to  the  United  States  from  the  earliest  period  of  colonization  down  to 
the  present  time,  men  who  have  introduced  into  the  cosmopolitan  citizen- 
ship of  this  country  a  leaven  of  their  own  peculiar  virtues,  an  unconciuer- 
able  love  of  independence,  and  an  unusual  faculty  for  the  practical  affairs 
of  life. 

Philip  Robinson  and  his  three  sons,  of  whom  one  was  also  Philip,  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1854,  and  settled  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where 
they  laid  the  foundations  of  the  present  large  brewery  which  bears  their 
name.  The  father  met  with  a  fatal  accident  on  the  tracks  of  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  near  the  town  of  Moscow,  Pennsylvania. 

The  younger  Philip  was  a  lad  of  but  thirteen  years  of  age  when  lie 
accompanied  his  father  to  this  country,  having  been  born  in  Lauterecken, 
Rheinpfalz,  Bavaria,  in  the  year  1841.  He  learned  the  trade  of  brewing, 
and  was  one  of  those  to  aid  in  the  establishment  of  the  new  brewery  on 
this  side  of  the  ocean.  In  1868  he  purchased  the  interests  of  the  remainder 
of  the  family  and  became  sole  owner  of  the  enterprise,  operating  it  with 
great  success  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  S^pteniber,  1879.  He  was  a 
man  of  much  prominence  in  the  community,  active  in  Democratic  politics, 
and  in  public  affairs  generally.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Scranton  Saenger- 
bund,  of  the  Neptune  Fire  Company  and  of  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  He  married  Mina  Schimpff,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Schimpfif,  of  Bavaria,  where  she  was  born  in  Lauterecken,  coming  to  this 
country  as  a  child  with  her  father,  who  settled  in  Scranton  and  engaged 
in  business  there,  continuing  for  many  years. 

Edmund  J.  Robinson,  son  of  Philip  and  Mina  (Schimpff)  Robinson, 
was  born  March  17,  1868,  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  the 
elementary  portion  of  his  education  in  the  local  public  schools,  and  after 
completing  his  studies  in  the  same,  entered  the  Wyoming  Seminary  for 
the  more  advanced  courses.  He  later  took  a  position  in  the  Robinson 
Brewery  with  which  his  father  was  connected,  and  rose  quickly  through 
the  intermediate  positions  to  that  of  manager,  in  which  capacity  he  took 
an  effective  part  in  the  development  of  the  great  business.  When  thr 
Robinson  Company  became  merged  in  the  Pennsylvania  Central  Brewing 
Company,  he  was  retained  as  manager  of  the  Mina  Robinson  plant.  Nor 
w^s  his  reputation  confined  to  the  home  concern  or  even  to  the  brewing  busi- 
ness at  large.  On  the  contrary  he  soon  occupied  a  prominent  place  in  the 
Scranton  financial  world  and  became  connected  with  a  number  of  im- 
portant business  institutions.  He  was  a  director  in  the  Traders'  National 
Bank  of  Scranton,  the  Lackawanna  National  Bank  at  West  Seneca, 
New  York,  the  president  of  Pomeroy  Water  Company,  of  Pomeroy,  Ohio, 
and  a  director  and  large  stockholder  in  many  local  industrial  concerns. 
It  was  not  by  any  means  the  case  that  Mr.  Robinson's  activities  were  con- 
fined to  the  department  of  business.  On  the  contrary  he  was  one  of  the 
most  prominent  citizens  of  Scranton  in  the  political  world,  and  his  popularity 
made   him   a   strong   and   effective   candidate.      He  was   a   member   of  the 

42 


658  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Democratic  party,  and  a  keen  and  intelligent  observer  of  every  passing 
political  phase  and  aspect,  both  in  local  and  national  affairs.  In  1896  he 
was  nominated  by  the  Democratic  party  as  candidate  for  city  controller, 
it  being  part'cularly  essential  that  year  to  present  the  strongest  available 
man  in  opposition  to  F.  J.  Widmayer.  Mr.  Robinson  was  extremely  loath 
to  enter  the  race,  but  his  public  spirit  was  successfully  appealed  to  and  he 
centually  consented.  The  campaign  which  followed  was  the  memorable 
Ripple-Bailey  struggle  which  ended  in  the  victory  of  the  Democratic  ticket. 
Mr.  Robinson  was  most  active  and  aggressive  during  the  campaign  and  his 
popularity  is  attested  in  the  fact  that  he  led  the  remainder  of  his  ticket  by 
several  hundred  votes,  the  prestige  of  his  name  being  undoubtedly  respon- 
sible for  the  election  of  several  fellow  candidates  whose  defeat  was  inevitable 
but  for  their  association  with  him  on  the  ticket.  Three  years  later  Mr. 
Robinson  again  ran  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  this  time  as  the  nominee 
for  city  treasurer  against  T.  R.  Brooks,  and  once  more  was  triumphantly 
elected  at  the  polls. 

The  personality  of  Mr.  Robinson  was  unusually  attractive  and  win- 
ning and  was  doubtless  quite  as  much  the  cause  of  his  popularity  as  any 
worldly  success  that  was  his.  Certain  it  is  that  it  won  him  a  host  of  friends 
whose  regard  was  but  confirmed  by  the  sterling  qualities  of  the  man  of 
which  it  was  but  the  herald.  He  was  very  influential  among  the  young  men 
of  the  community,  and  it  is  unquestioned  that  his  influence  was  always  for 
their  good.  His  own  character  possessed  the  manliness  which  is  so  quick 
to  be  recognized  and  imitated  by  young  men,  and  which  does  not  fear  to 
challenge  ridicule  in  what  it  believes  to  be  the  right.  He  was  a  man  of  a 
most  democratic  nature,  to  whose  regard  wealth  and  influence  found  no 
readier  access  than  poverty  and  obscurity,  a  fact  which  was  well  illustrated 
on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  when  all  ranks  and  conditions  mingled  on  a 
common  footing  to  pay  a  final  tribute  to  one  who  had  been  to  each  and 
all  a  helpful  companion  and  a  true  friend.  One  of  the  most  praiseworthy 
of  his  virtues  was  undoubtedly  his  affection  for  his  family,  more  especiallv 
for  his  mother,  and  it  is  told  of  him  upon  the  best  authority  that  he  never 
embarked  upon  any  undertaking  of  importance  without  first  consulting  that 
most  trustworthy  of  oracles.  His  death  occurred  June  12,  1904,  and  as  an 
illustration  of  the  universal  respect  paid  to  him,  the  city  paid  him  the  un- 
usual honor  of  practically  suspending  business  during  the  continuance  of 
the  funeral  ceremonies. 

Robert  Robinson,  son  of  Philip  and  Mina  (Schimpfl)  Robinson,  was 
born  December  18,  1869,  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  As  a  very  young  boy 
he  developed  the  extraordinary  energy  so  characteristic  of  him,  and  a  pre- 
cocity of  intellect  which,  quickened  by  a  keen  interest  in  all  the  circum- 
stances of  life,  soon  brought  him  to  knowledge  and  attainments  beyond 
what  his  common  school  education  could  account  for.  His  education  was 
gained  while  attending  the  local  public  schools  up  to  fourteen  years  of  age 
when  he  began  a  business  career.  He  was  shortly  offered  a  position  as 
bookkeeper  in  the  Merchants'  and  Mechanics'  Bank,  which  he  accepted  and 
in  which  he  remained  for  a  period  of  three  years.  He  then  became  asso- 
ciated with  and  shortly  after  assumed  management  of  the  Robinson  Brewery 
Company  and  in  this  congenial  atmosphere  remained  until  the  time  of  his 
death.  But  the  sum  of  Mr.  Robinson's  activities  is  very  far  from  being 
measured  by  a  recountal  of  his  business  career.  Indeed,  his  most  character- 
istic work  was  done  along  other  lines  and  in  a  quite  dissimilar  department 
of  duty.  His  personality  was  one  to  make  him  eminently  popular  among 
men,  and  from  early  youth  he  had  taken  a  great  and  intelligent  interest  in 


^^^-^ 


(r^fsif^  ^\<:H^iytyi<ur^-2y^ 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  659 

the  questions  of  local  politics.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  principle,  and  a 
staunch  supporter  of  the  party,  so  that  it  happened  that  he  had  barely 
reached  his  majority  when  taken  as  the  most  available  candidate  for  mem- 
bership to  the  city  council  by  his  party,  and  triumphantly  elected  thereto. 
In  this  body  he  quickly  established  a  reputation  as  a  progressive  member 
vi^ith  the  interests  of  the  community  sincerely  at  heart.  He  gave  such  satis- 
faction to  his  constituency  that  on  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  was  prompt- 
ly re-elected  for  another  two  years.  When  his  second  term  was  but  hah 
over,  however,  he  was  nominated  as  a  candidate  for  membership  in  the 
board  of  select  councilmen,  and  resigned  in  order  to  accept  it.  To  this 
office  also  he  was  elected  and  re-elected  and  seemed  upon  the  threshold  of  a 
brilliant  political  career,  when  the  unexpected  illness  seized  him  from  which 
his  tragic  death  resulted.  His  youth  gave  every  promise  of  a  successful 
future.  The  youngest  member  of  the  select  council,  and  a  reputation  al- 
ready established  as  one  of  the  most  competent  men  in  public  life,  respected 
for  his  deliberate  judgment  and  unflinching  support  of  what  that  judgment 
told  him  was  the  right,  there  seemed  no  limit  set  to  his  possible  success, 
and  the  sudden  and  sad  event  which  terminated  these  bright  hopes  cas* 
a  cloud  of  gloom  not  only  over  his  family  and  the  large  group  of  warm 
friends  which  he  had  gained,  but  in  an  unusual  degree  over  the  whole  city. 
There  were  none  who  could  fail  to  feel  the  stern  gravity  of  the  fate  which  thus 
cut  ofif  a  useful  life  before  it  had  even  reached  its  prime,  or  to  sympathize 
with  his  mother  thus  suddenly  afflicted.  His  death  occurred  on  Christmas 
Eve,  1898,  after  an  illness  so  brief  that  many  of  his  friends  were  not  even 
aware  of  it  until  the  notice  of  his  death  shocked  them.  His  funeral  was 
one  of  the  most  largely  attended  in  the  history  of  Scranton.  Mr.  Robinson 
was  a  member  of  many  fraternal  organizations,  of  the  Nay  Aug  Tribe,  Im- 
proved Order  of  Red  Men ;  Camp  No.  430,  P.  O.  S.  of  A. ;  Electric  City 
Council,  Royal  Arcanum  ;  and  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and 
it  was  the  solemn  and  dignified  funeral  rites  of  this  ancient  order  that  were 
last  read  over  his  grave. 

Otto  J.  Robinson,  son  of  Philip  and  Mina  (Schimpff)  Robinson,  was 
born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  June  18,  1876.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  the  city  of  his  birth  and  obtained  his  education  in  business  at 
Wood's  Business  College.  To  say  he  obtained  his  business  education  in 
any  institution  of  learning  is  a  gross  misstatement,  inasmuch  as  the  exceed- 
ingly broad  and  minute  knowledge  he  possesses  of  business  methods  and 
practices  has  been  acquired  in  a  school  which  it  were  folly  to  attempt  to 
enclose  within  walls,  the  training  school  of  life  and  experience.  In  ear'y 
life  he  entered  the  brewing  business  and  has  labored  faithfully  and  diligently 
until  at  the  present  time  he  occupies  a  position  as  president  of  the  Standard 
Brewing  Company.  This  is  a  prosperous  enterprise,  organized  in  1905, 
and  a  few  weeks  after  having  been  placed  in  operation  outgrew  its  plant, 
a  performance  it  repeated  after  its  size  had  been  doubled.  The  company 
is  entirely  independent,  unconnected  with  any  other  plant  or  trust,  and  in 
the  direction  of  its  business  policy  and  the  management  of  its  varied  affairs 
he  displays  business  acumen  of  an  unusually  brilliant  order.  His  other 
business  relations  are  as  president  of  the  German  Building  and  Loan  As- 
sociation, No.  10;  director  of  the  South  Side  Bank;  treasurer  of  the  Scran- 
ton Axle' and  Spring  Company;  and  treasurer  of  the  Richford  Copper  Com- 
pany, a  concern  operating  in  Mexico.  He  is  president  of  the  Junger  Man- 
nerchor,  belongs  to  the  Eagle  Athletic  Association,  and  to  Schiller  Lodge, 
No.  345,  F.  and  A.  M.  Mr.  Robinson's  political  preferences  are  strongly 
Democratic,  although  the  only  part  he  has  played  in  the  public  life  of  the 


66o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

city  has  been  in  the  capacity  of  school  director,  an  office  he  held  for  ten 
years.  He  is  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith,  and  belongs  to  the  Hickory 
Street  Church  of  that  denomination. 

Mr.  Robinson  married  Bessie  Jones.  Children :  Otto,  Edward,  Robert, 
Christian,  Philomena,  Elizabeth  Bertillio.  Of  unimpeachable  integrity  in 
all  his  business  relations,  Mr.  Robinson  owes  the  success  that  he  has 
achieved  to  the  quality  that  has,  above  all  others,  characterized  his  career 
as  well  as  that  of  his  father,  indomitable  perseverance,  and  is  reaping  the 
reward  of  intelligently  directed  effort. 


JAMES  ARCHBALD  (5th) 

James  Archbald  (5th)  was  born  at  Sand  Lake,  New  York,  the  tempor- 
ary residence  of  his  parents,  February  13,  1838.  He  was  a  son  of  James 
and  Augusta  T.  Archbald,  and  was  of  mixed  Scotch  and  New  England 
ancestry. 

James  Archbald  (4th),  father  of  James  Archbald  (5th),  was  of  that  stal- 
wart coterie  of  great  builders  of  the  city  of  Scranton.  He  was  born  in 
Little  Cumbray  Isle,  Buteshire,  Scotland,  ^larch  3,  1793,  and  was  the  fourth 
of  the  same  name  in  lineal  descent.  He  was  descended  on  his  mother's  side 
from  the  Rev.  Robert  Woodrow,  a  prominent  Presbyterian  divine  and 
writer.  Like  Washington  and  Lincoln,  he  was  self-educated.  He  came 
to  Carbondale  in  1828  as  a  civil  and  mining  engineer,  and  for  many  years 
had  charge  of  the  engineering  work  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company, 
and  was  its  superintendent.  Much  of  its  difficult  railroad  building  across 
the  Moosic  Mountains  was  the  work  of  Mr.  Archbald.  While  still  con- 
nected with  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Company,  he  engineered  and  super- 
intended the  building  of  the  gravity  railroad,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  Com- 
pany, from  Hawley  to  Pittston,  as  narrated  elsewhere  in  this  work.  In 
1856  he  went  with  the  then  new  Lackawanna  Railroad  Company,  his  official 
relation  being  general  agent,  probably  supplementing  the  work  of  Colonel 
George  W.  Scranton  in  building  the  Southern  division.  On  the  opening 
of  the  road  to  the  Delaware  river  in  1857,  Mr.  Archbald  became  chief  en- 
gineer, and  it  was  largely  his  work  that  through  connections  were  finally 
obtained  to  New  York.  One  of  the  then  accounted  remarkable  pieces  of 
engineering  was  the  projecting  and  building  of  the  great  Oxford  tunnel  at 
Oxford,  New  Jersey.  This  tunnel  was  then  one  of  the  longest,  if  not  actually 
the  longest,  that  had  so  far  been  built,  and  a  peculiarity  of  it,  quite  un- 
known then,  was  that  it  was  not  a  straight  tunnel,  but,  owing  to  the  topo- 
graphy of  the  mountain,  had  to  be  what  in  engineering  terms  is  known  as 
a  "reverse  curve" — i.  e.  a  line  somewhat  like  a  horizontal  letter  S — and  so 
exact  had  the  lines  been  run,  that  when  opposing  gangs  working  from  op- 
posite ends  of  the  tunnel,  broke  through  and  met,  under  the  mountain,  the 
centre  line  varied  but  three  quarters  of  an  inch.  This  was  then  regarded  as 
a  remarkable  piece  of  engineering  skill.  Mr.  Archbald  remained  chief 
engineer  of  the  road  fourteen  years  until  his  death.  During  that  time  the 
road  had  been  practically  rebuilt  throughout  and  had  been  extended  to 
Binghamton,  New  York,  and  to  Oswego  and  Lake  Ontario.  In  1857  Mr. 
Archbald  built  a  handsome  brick  residence  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Ridge 
row  and  Monroe  avenue.  It  was  laid  out  on  a  large  lot,  and  was  probably 
the  finest  residence  place  in  Scranton.  It  still  remains,  known  as  the  Arch- 
bald Place.  In  1854,  before  coming  to  Scranton  Mr.  Archbald  was  located 
at  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  as  vice-president  and  chief  engineer  of  the  Fort 
Wayne  Railroad   (since  become  an  important   branch  of  the   Pennsylvania 


9)(VwvJU|.  CXvciJjaildl . 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  66i 

railroad).  During  his  incumbency  of  this  position  he  built  what  was  then 
known  as  the  "Air  Line  railroad"  from  Toledo,  Ohio,  to  Indianapolis,  and 
a  prosperous  town  on  the  border  line  between  the  states  of  Ohio  and  Indiana 
was  named  Archbald,  in  his  honor. 

Mr.  Archbald  married,  November  27,  1832,  Augusta  T.  Frothinghani, 
daughter  of  Major  Thomas  Frothinghani,  of  the  well  known  family  of  that 
name  of  Charlestown,  Massachusetts.  There  were  five  children  born  to 
them — three  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz. :  James,  Thomas,  Mary,  Robert 
Woodrow,  Augusta.     He  died  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  August  26,  1870. 

Following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  James  Archbald  (5th)  took 
up  the  engineering  profession.  He  prepared  for  college  in  private  schools 
at  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  and  at  Manlius,  New  York.  After  some  little 
experience  in  the  field,  he  entered  Union  College,  taking  the  engineering 
course,  then  under  the  brilliant  direction  of  Professor  Gillespie,  and  was 
graduated  with  high  honors  in  the  class  of  i860.  In  the  meantime,  in  1857, 
his  family  had  moved  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  there,  after  his  grad- 
uation, Mr.  Archbald  became  associated  as  civil  engineer  with  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  in  the  capacity  of  assistant  to  his 
father.  On  his  father's  death,  in  1870,  he  was  advanced  to  the  chief  en- 
gineership,  and  remained  with  the  company  in  that  position  until  1899, 
giving  it  nearly  forty  years  of  service. 

The  Archb'alds — father  and  son — were  thus  identified  with  the  develop- 
ment of  the  two  great  coal  companies  of  the  Northern  Anthracite  Region, 
the  Delaware  &  Hudson,  and  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western,  their 
joint  association  with  these  companies  extending  over  a  period  of  more 
than  seventy  years.  Among  the  engineering  achievements  in  which  the 
older  Archbald  participated  was  the  change  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson, 
in  the  middle  fifties,  to  a  gravity  road  between  Carbondale  and  Honesdale, 
previous  to  which  time  the  cars  were  drawn  back  and  forth,  from  one  plane 
to  the  other,  on  a  dead  level,  by  horses ;  and  its  extension  as  a  locomotive 
road  from  Carbondale  in  the  direction  of  Scranton.  The  younger  man  was 
engaged  on  the  Delaware.  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  in  the  com- 
pletion of  the  Van  Ness  Gap  Tunnel  at  Oxford,  New  Jersey;  the  building 
of  the  Bergen  Tunnel  at  Hoboken,  and  the  approaches  to  it  across  the 
Hackensack  Meadows ;  and  the  extension  of  the  railroad  from  Great  Bend, 
Pennsylvania,  its  previous  terminus,  first  to  Binghamton,  and  then  to  Utica 
and  Buffalo,  with  the  arrangement  of  the  terminals  in  the  latter  city.  The 
construction  of  the  Bergen"  Tunnel,  with  its  approaches,  and  the  Buffalo 
extension,  were  under  Mr.  Archbald's  immediate  direction  as  chief  engineer, 
and  may  be  regarded  as  monuments  to  his  superior  skill  and  energy.  Mr. 
Archbald  was  the  official  engineer  appointed  by  the  court  as  a  member  of 
the  commission  to  survey  and  lay  out  the  dividing  line  between  the  two 
counties  on  the  formation  of  Lackawanna  county  in  1878. 

In  August,  1862,  the  darkest  period  of  the  Civil  War,  Mr.  Archbald 
enlisted,  and  was  made  captain  of  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 
second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  which  was  recruited  from  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad  men  ;  and  with  his  company  a  month  later 
he  took  part  in  the  battle  of  South  Mountain,  September  14,  1862,  and 
Antietam,  September  17,  1862,  being  under  fire  at  one  of  the  mo.st  exposed 
and  bloodiest  points  in  that  memorable  battle.  He  served  in  the  army  until 
January,  1863,  when  he  applied  for  and  obtained  a  discharge,  being  threat- 
ened w'it'h  permanent  deafness  due  to  exposure. 

In  1883,  without  severing  his  relation  with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna 
&  Western'  Railroad,  but  being  relieved  of  some  of  his  more  active  duties. 


662  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mr.  Archbald  became  interested  in  the  Barber  Asphalt  Paving  Company, 
and  took  charge  of  its  paving  work  in  different  sections  of  the  country — 
Buffalo,  New  Orleans,  St.  Louis,  Omaha  and  Portland.  It  was  largely 
through  his  efforts  in  1883  that  Scranton  entered  upon  a  general  scheme 
of  street  paving  with  asphalt,  which  did  so  much  for  the  growth  of  the  city. 
Later,  however,  he  severed  this  connection  and  resumed  his  work  with  tlie 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  continuing  with  that  company 
until  1899.  After  his  retirement,  Mr.  Archbald  gradually  gave  up  his  pro- 
fessional activities,  but  was  called  at  times  to  important  undertakings.  In 
the  winter  of  1900  he  had  charge  of  a  survey  to  connect  the  various  inde- 
pendent collieries  in  the  Lackawanna  and  Wyoming  coal  regions,  with  the 
Erie  &  Wyoming  Railroad,  looking  to  the  building  of  a  new  anthracite  coal 
road  to  tidewater.  After  the  abandonment  of  that  project  he  laid  out  a 
line  of  railroad  across  the  Allegheny  Mountains  in  West  Virginia,  for  the 
Cherry  River  Lumber  Company,  to  connect  with  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio 
Railroad.  He  also  in  1902  made  surveys  for  the  extension  of  the  West  Vir- 
ginia Central  Railroad  to  tidewater,  a  project  made  unnecessary  by  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Western  Maryland.  His  last  professional  work  was  as  chief 
engineer  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad,  laying  out  and  superintending 
the  construction  of  its  road  across  the  state  of  Mississippi,  from  Natchez 
to  Hattiesburg,  with  a  projected  extension  to  the  Gulf  at  Scranton,  Missis- 
sippi, with  which  he  was  occupied  from  1905  to  1907,  retiring  finally,  at 
the  conclusion  of  this  work,  with  powers  unimpaired,  at  the  age  of  seventy. 

Mr.  Archbald  was  a  member  of  the  Institute  of  INIining  Engineers,  and 
was  one  of  the  founders  and  the  first  president  of  the  Scranton  Engineers' 
Qub.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers, 
May  15,  1872.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Third  National  Bank  of  Scranton, 
from  its  organization  in  1872 ;  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Gas  and  Water 
Company ;  president  of  the  Albright  Coal  Company,  which  successfully 
operated  a  mine  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania ;  a  trustee  and  vice-president  of 
the  Albright  Memorial  Library ;  and  a  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral 
School  for  the  instruction  of  deaf  children.  He  was  also  for  a  number  of 
years  a  director  of  the  Scranton  Savings  Bank. 

On  January  25,  1865,  he  was  married  to  Maria  H.  Albright,  a  daughter 
of  the  late  Joseph  J.  Albright,  general  sales  agent  for  the  Delaware  &  Hud- 
son Company,  and  his  widow  and  six  children,  Colonel  James  Archbald,  of 
Pottsville,  Pennsylvania ;  Joseph  A.  Archbald,  of  Buffalo,  New  York ;  Mrs. 
John  C.  Kerr,  of  Englewood,  New  Jersey ;  Rev.  Thomas  F.  Archbald ;  Mrs. 
John  H.  Brooks ;  and  Miss  Ruth  S.  Archbald,  of  Scranton,  survive  him. 
He  is  also  survived  by  his  youngest  brother.  United  States  Judge,  Hon. 
Robert  Woodrow  Archbald. 

In  August,  1910,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Archbald  went  to  Europe  for  a  three 
months'  tour.  It  was  purely  a  pleasure  trip,  and  was  to  extend  through 
Switzerland,  Austria  and  Italy.  Mr.  Archbald  was  apparently  in  the  best 
of  health  and  spirits,  but  it  was  found  that  his  heart  was  affected  by  the 
high  altitudes  of  the  Tyrol.  He  went  to  Vienna  for  medical  examination, 
and  was  declared  to  have  no  organic  infirmity  but  was  advised  not  to  exert 
himself  unnecessarily.  Journeying  on  to  Venice,  he  seemed  to  improve, 
and  spent  a  week  in  that  city,  but  just  as  he  was  leaving,  on  October  4,  he 
was  stricken  at  the  station,  and  died  the  same  evening  in  a  hospital.  Thus 
passed  away  one  who  loved  and  deserved  well  of  the  profession,  and  who 
was  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  Mr.  Archbald  was  genial, 
unassuming,  of  simple  presence,  of  sterling  integrity,  and  a  hater  of  shams. 
He  was  possessed  of  the  highest  engineering  ability,  especially  in  the  field, 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  663 

which  was  his  school  rather  than  the  office.  It  is  not  necessary  to  dwell 
on  his  characteristics  to  those  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance; 
but  for  those  who  had  not,  let  it  be  recorded,  that  no  better  friend,  no 
worthier  citizen,  no  more  active  and  few  more  able  engineers,  could  be 
found. 


COLONEL  U.  G.  SCHOONMAKER 

The  work  by  which  Colonel  U.  G.  Schoonmaker  will  be  longest  and  bast 
remembered  in  the  city  of  Scranton,  where  he  has  achieved  honorable  dis- 
tinction in  business,  civic,  military  and  social  circles,  is  the  promotion  and 
development  of  the  Elmhurst  region,  the  Scranton  suburb,  that  through 
his  wise  planning  and  tireless  efforts  has  become  the  ideal  residential  sec- 
tion of  the  Scranton  vicinity.  The  wonderful  enhancement  of  the  natural 
beauties  of  that  place  by  the  best  art  of  man  has  left  little  to  be  desired  in 
the  way  of  pleasant  attractiveness,  and  to  Colonel  Schoonmaker  is  duo 
credit  not  only  for  his  vision  of  a  suburb  beautiful,  but  for  the  energy  and 
steadfast  purpose  he  displayed  in  its  realization. 

Colonel  Schoonmaker  is  a  native  of  New  York,  and  is  a  member  of  one 
of  the  oldest  Holland  families  of  that  state,  descending  from  Captain  Joachim 
Schoonmaker,  the  American  founder,  who  came  to  .\merica  from  Holland 
in  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  settling  at  Kingston,  Ulster  countv. 
New  York,  his  name  being  among  those  of  the  fifteen  farmers  mentioned  in 
the  Provincial  record  of  1661.  Captain  Joachim  Schoonmaker  was  active 
in  the  Indian  wars  of  his  time,  proving  his  courage  in  battle  with  the  abo- 
rigines and  defending  his  property  and  family  from  their  sudden  attacks. 
His  descendants  bore  worthily  the  family  name  in  many  walks  of  life,  and 
have  left  an  enviable  record  in  the  state  of  their  adoption,  also  finding 
prominent  position  elsewhere,  whither  duty  has  called. 

(I)  Jacob  Schoonmaker,  grandfather  of  Colonel  U.  G.  Schoonmaker, 
was  born  in  Ulster  county.  New  York,  and  there  died.  He  was  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  large  landed  estate,  part  of  which  he  had  inherited  and  part 
of  which  he  acquired  through  his  own  activity,  and  passed  his  life  in  its  culti- 
vation. He  was  a  member  of  the  force  of  militia  that  participated  in  the 
defence  of  Kingston  during  the  War  of  1812.  He  married  and  had  children, 
among  them  Alexander,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Alexander  Schoonmaker,  son  of  Jacob  Schoonmaker,  was  born  in 
Marbletown,  Ulster  county.  New  York,  July  26,  1820,  died  in  Lackawanna 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1890.  He  became  a  lawyer  in  that  vicinity,  in  1861 
moving  to  Kingston,  the  county  seat,  to  find  a  larger  field  for  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  and  there  remained  until  failing  health  made  it  imperative 
that  he  should  abandon  all  legal  duties.  In  Alay,  1886,  he  made  his  homt 
at  Elmhurst,  then  known  as  Dunning,  his  death  occurring  four  years  later. 
He  married,  April  29,  1842,  Anna  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Johannes  Van 
Wagenen,  her  father  a  native  of  Ulster  county.  New  York,  one  of  the  large 
land-owners  of  the  county.  The  grandfather  of  Johannes  Van  Wagenen 
came  to  America  from  Holland,  where  his  family  originated.  Children 
of  Alexander  and  Anna  Elizabeth  (\'an  Wagenen)  Schoonmaker:  i.  J. 
Tyler,  a  commissioned  officer  of  the  Eleventh  Regiment  Connecticut  Vol- 
unteers, served  throughout  the  Civil  War :  later  took  contracts  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  subsequently  going  to  California  and 
engaging  in  ranching,  now  living  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  2.  Colonel  U.  G.,  of 
whom  further.  3.  Jennie  A.,  married  (first)  Sidney  Rirl,  (second)  H.  W. 
Briggs ;  died   October  6,    1908,  having  passed  the  latter  years  of  her  life 


664  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

at  the  home  of  her  brother  in  Elmhurst ;  she  is  survived  by  three  children 
by  her  first  marriage,  Sidney  G.,  of  Elmhurst,  Pennsylvania,  Claude,  of 
Kingston,  New  York,  and  Addie  E.,  of  Elmhurst,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Ada, 
married  William  Shennen,  of  Clarks  Green,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Eva  A.,  mar- 
ried F.  W.  Harlow,  editor  of  the  Elmhurst  Signal. 

(Ill)  Colonel  U.  G.  Schoonmaker,  son  of  Alexander  Schoonmaker,  was 
born  in  Marbletown,  Ulster  county.  New  York,  January  31,  1845.  After 
studying  in  his  youth  in  the  Kingston,  New  York,  schools,  he  moved  to 
Binghamton,  New  York.  He  was  then  for  two  years  connected  with  the 
Sturrucca  Hotel  of  the  Erie  Railroad  at  Susquehanna  Depot,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  the  fall  of  1866  coming  to  Scranton.  Here,  in  partnership  with 
his  father-in  law,  S.  J.  Reed,  he  purchased  the  Forest  House,  which  oc- 
cupied the  present  site  of  the  Hotel  Jermyn,  afterward  becoming  sole  own- 
er and  conducting  the  hotel  until  1893,  when  he  disposed  of  the  property  to 
John  Jermyn.  Mr.  Schoonmaker  is  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  of  land  at  Elmhurst,  the  Scranton  suburb  previously  men- 
tioned, and  in  the  development  of  this  tract  into  the  leading  residential 
district  of  the  locality  he  has  performed  a  work  which  he  may  well  regard 
with  satisfaction.  Nine  miles  from  Scranton,  enjoying  unusual  advantages 
of  scenery  and  location,  the  steps  that  have  been  taken  to  add  con- 
venience and  modern  improvements  to  its  natural  favors  in  the  laying  of 
miles  of  carefully  graded  streets  and  the  setting  out  of  more  than  eighteen 
thousand  trees  and  shrubs  have  attracted  thither  many  of  Scranton's  leading 
men  of  business  and  affairs.  In  1883,  at  Colonel  Schoonmaker's  direction, 
one  of  the  most  expert  landscape  gardeners  of  this  country,  Air.  Webstei, 
of  Rochester,  New  York,  mapped  out  a  plan  of  lots,  streets  and  parks, 
a  number  of  the  latter  having  been  devoted  exclusively  to  the  public  use. 
Valuable  building  restrictions  have  assured  the  residents  of  Elmhurst  of 
estates  and  homes  of  a  uniform  high  grade,  and  another  pleasing  feature 
of  the  region  is  the  magnificent  mountain  boulevard  extending  from  Nay 
Aug  Falls  to  Elmhurst.  This  splendid  roadway  was  built  at  a  cost  of  more 
than  sixty  thousand  dollars  and  affords  excellent  motoring  advantages. 
Elmhurst  is  reached  by  two  lines  of  railroad. 

Politically,  Colonel  Schoonmaker  has  ever  been  a  Republican,  and  has 
lent  to  that  party  all  of  his  support  and  influence.  He  served  on  the  board 
of  commissioners  of  the  city  of  Scranton  under  its  first  charter,  and  was 
prominently  identified  with  the  movement  to  secure  the  erection  of  Lacka- 
wanna county,  a  project  to  which  he  gave  liberally  of  his  time  and  means. 
He  is  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the 
Masonic  Order,  in  the  latter  society  belonging  to  Peter  Williamson  Lodge, 
No.  323,  F.  and  A.  M.,  Lackawanna  Chapter,  No.  185,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Coeur 
de  Lion  Commandery,  No.  17,  K.  T.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and 
first  president  of  the  Masonic  Veterans'  Association  of  Northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, and  is  a  member  of  the  National  Geographical  Society.  On 
August  14,  1878,  Colonel  Schoonmaker  was  elected  to  honorary  member- 
ship in  Company  B,  Scranton  City  Guards,  Thirteenth  Regiment  National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  and  on  January  12,  1880,  was  commissioned  aide- 
de-camp  on  the  staff'  of  Governor  H.  M.  Hoyt,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
colonel.  Colonel  Schoonmaker  is  a  member  of  the  Military  Society  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Colonel  Schoonmaker  married,  in  1866,  Louise  J.,  daughter  of  Spencer 
J.  Reed,  a  native  of  Sharon,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Schoonmaker  died  July  23,  1901. 
Her  charming  personality  and  her  gentle  refinement  endure  in  the  memory 
of  the  many  friends  whom  it  was  her  delight  to  tender  matchless  hospitality 
to  in  her  home. 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  665 

EMRYS  S.  JOSEPH 

The  life  of  Emrys  S.  Joseph  was  begun  in  Scranton  under  conditions 
anything  but  auspicious,  and  too  full  credit  cannot  be  given  him  for  the 
resourceful  manner  in  which  he  has  raised  his  station  and  for  the  generous 
degree  of  success  he  has  attained.  He  was  born  in  Ruabon,  Denbighshire, 
Wales,  son  of  Rev.  Watkins  B.  Joseph,  and  grandson  of  John  Joseph.  John 
Joseph  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  passed  his  entire  life  in  his  native 
land,  the  father  of:  Watkins  B.,  of  whom  further;  John,  died  in  Australia; 
Joseph,  lives  in  Australia  ;  Edith ;  Louise. 

Rev.  Watkins  B.  Joseph  was  born  in  South  Wales,  died  in  1884,  two 
years  after  coming  to  the  United  States.  He  was  a  minister  of  the  Con- 
gregational faith.  He  married  Mary  Sibbering,  who  died  January  3,  1913, 
daughter  of  George  Sibbering,  a  lumber  merchant  of  Merthyr-Tydfil,  county 
of  Glamorgan,  Wales,  his  business  now  conducted  by  his  grandson.  Chil- 
dren of  Rev.  Watkins  B.  and  Mary  (Sibbering)  Joseph :  Annie ;  George, 
deceased ;  Louise,  married  William  A.  Robb,  of  Scranton  ;  Gwendolyn,  de- 
ceased ;  Agnes  Mary,  married  David  R.  John,  of  Scranton ;  Edith  Brownen. 
married  Louis  A.  Howe,  of  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania ;  Lily,  married  Hora- 
tius  H.  Keller,  and  lesides  in  Scranton ;  Emrys  S.,  of  whom  further ;  Blod- 
wen  May. 

Emrys  S.  Joseph  was  born  January  21,  1880,  and  when  two  years  of  age 
was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents,  attending  public  school 
in  Scranton  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  His  father  died  when  he 
was  four  years  old,  and  as  the  Congregational  ministry,  like  that  of  only 
too  many  other  churches,  was  neither  adequately  nor  promptly  paid,  the 
sum  left  for  the  support  of  the  family  was  entirely  insufficient  to  meet  the 
dailv  expenses,  so  that  Emrys  S.  Joseph  in  boyhood  contributed  to  the 
family  store  by  selling  daily  papers  while  not  attending  school.  He  ob- 
tained a  position  as  office  boy  with  John  T.  Richards,  of  Scranton,  remain- 
ing in  the  employ  of  this  gentleman  and  willingly  performing  all  duties 
within  his  power  until  he  rose  to  the  position  of  bookkeeper.  In  1899  he 
accepted  a  position  with  the  Scranton  Water  and  Gas  Company  at  Oly- 
phant,  being  in  charge  of  the  office  at  that  place  for  six  years,  then,  upon 
the  purchase  bv  his"  emplovers  of  the  Carbondale  Water  Company,  was 
placed  in  charge  of  the  office  at  the  latter  place.  In  1907,  upon  the  death 
of  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Keller.  Mr.  Joseph  moved  to  Scranton  to  as- 
sume charge  of  his  insurance  business,  conducting  the  same  for  a  year  and 
a  half  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  establishing  in  the  same  line  in- 
dependently. He  was  so  engaged  until  March  i,  191 1,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed special  agent  of  the  New  Hampshire  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
which,  with  others,  he  had  previously  represented,  and  was  given  general 
supervisory  power  over  the  agencies  in  Western  Pennsylvania.  His  ap- 
pointment to  the  service  of  the  home  office  is  at  once  a  recognition  of  and 
a  compliment  to  the  excellent  work  he  performed  as  an  agent.  His  con- 
duct of  its  affairs  was  so  satisfactorv  that  he  was  later  made  chief  of  the 
Northeastern  Pennsylvania  district.  'Recently,  the  New  Hampshire  Com- 
pany, through  purchase,  acquired  the  stock  of  another  insurance  company, 
which  will  be  managed  bv  the  man  who  has  been  looking  after  the  Phila- 
delphia district  of  the  New  Hampshire.  This  left  a  vacancy  to  which  Mr. 
Joseph  ha<;  been  advanced.  He  has  three  times  the  amount  of  territory  to 
look  after  that  he  had  under  the  old  arrangement,  including  about  two- 
thirds  of  Pennsvlvania,  the  major  part  of  Maryland  and  all  of  Delaware. 
The   company   officials   have   suggested   that   he   take   up   his   residence   at 


666  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

some  point  that  he  can  reach  quickly  from  his  headquarters  office.  Harris- 
burg  has  commended  itself  to  him  and  he  will  remove  there  in  the  fall  of 
1914.  Mr.  Joseph's  advancement  has  been  through  merit  alone,  a  fact  that 
is  very  pleasing  to  his  many  friends.  Mr.  Joseph  is  a  thirty-second  degree 
Mason,  belonging  to  Lodge,  Chapter,  Consistory  and  Shrine,  also  holding 
membership  in  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Underwriters' 
Association  of  the  Middle  Department  of  Philadelphia.  His  church  is  the 
Presbyterian,  and  his  convictions  in  political  matters  are  Republican. 

Mr.  Joseph  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Margaret  (Jones) 
Davis,  of  Scranton,  and  has  one  daughter,  Alargaret  Sibbering,  born  Octo- 
ber 31,   1908. 


AUSTIN  LA  MOURE  GRIFFIN 

Although  born  in  New  York  state,  Mr.  Griffin's  youth  and  entire  busi- 
ness life  has  been  spent  in  Pennsylvania.  His  father,  an  honored  minister 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  was  stationed  in  various  New  York 
towns  until  1872,  when  he  was  assigned  to  the  Carbondale  (Pennsylvania) 
Church.     This  may  be  quoted  as  the  date  of  the  coming  to  Pennsylvania. 

Austin  Griffin,  D.  D.,  father  of  Austin  L.  Griffin,  was  born  in  West- 
ford,  Otsego  county,  New  York,  February  i,  1836,  and  now,  after  a  use- 
ful, honorable  career  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  is  living  a  retired  life  at 
Oneonta,  in  his  native  state.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  "schools  and 
at  Laurel  Bank  Seminary,  at  Deposit,  New  York.  He  made  a  public  pro- 
fession of  religion  in  January,  1857,  and  was  held  by  home  influences  in 
sympathy  with  the  Baptist  church  until  1859,  when  he  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  East  Worcester,  New  York.  Feeling  divinely  called  to 
preach  the  Gospel,  he  made  suitable  preparation,  and  was  granted  a  local 
preacher's  license  three  months  later,  becoming  in  i860  a  member  of  the 
Oneida  Conference.  After  his  ordination  he  was  assigned  to  the  church 
at  Schuyler  Lake,  New  York,  serving  that  charge  during  i860  and  1861. 
In  1862  and  1863  he  was  pastor  of  the  Laurens  (New  York)  Church,  and 
1864  and  1865,  in  Otsego,  New  York,  in  1866  and  1868  at  Hartwick,  New 
York.  In  1869  the  Otsego  and  Chenango  districts  were  transferred  from 
the  Oneida  to  the  Wyoming  Conference,  Rev.  Griffin  thus  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  the  latter  body.  In  1869  he  was  stationed  at  Milford,  in  1870  and 
1871  at  Oneonta,  coming  to  Pennsylvania  in  1872  as  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Carbondale,  serving  until  1874.  An  interesting  coincidence  must  here 
be  noted :  The  pioneer  preacher  in  Carbondale  was  a  local  preacher,  Wil- 
liam Griffin.  The  first  church,  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  Car- 
bondale, was  erected,  the  third  church  owned  by  the  society  was  destroyed 
by  fire  and  the  present  beautiful  church  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $40,000 
and  was  dedicated  ^larcli  8,  1903,  Rev.  Austin  Griffin,  D.  D.,  preaching  the 
evening  sermon  to  the  people  he  had  served  as  pastor  twenty-eight  years 
earlier  in  their  church  history.  From  1875  to  1877  Rev.  Griffin  was  pastor 
of  the  Centenary  Church,  Binghamton,  New  York;  1878  and  1880.  at  West 
Pittston,  Pennsylvania ;  and  from  1861  to  1884  was  presiding  elder  of  the 
Wyoming  district.  He  was  then  pastor  of  a  church  in  Kingston,  1885  and 
1886;  Central  Church  at  Wilkes-Barre,  1888  and  1890,  and  the  Tabernacle 
Church  at  Binghamton,  New  York,  1891  and  1893,  his  last  charge  as  pastor. 
From  1894  to  1896  he  was  financial  agent  for  the  Preachers  Aid  Society : 
and  in  1897  and  1898  presiding  elder  of  the  Oneonta  district,  filling  the 
same  position  in  the  Wyoming  district  from  1898  to  1903,  having  served 
the  same  district  in  a  similar  capacity  from  1881  to   1884.     His  active  life 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  667 

in  the  ministry  covered  a  period  of  thirty-five  years,  and  was  one  of  honor 
and  rewarded  service.  He  was  honored  by  his  brethren  of  the  Conference 
with  their  highest  office,  presiding  elder,  and  was  their  choice  for  delegate 
to  the  General  Conference  of  the  Chnrch  in  1884,  1892,  i8y6,  and  lyoo. 
Syracuse  University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  D.  D.,  and  everywhere 
that  his  ministry  called  him  he  was  loved  by  his  people.  But  there  is  a 
higher  degree  and  a  greater  love  to  be  given  him,  that  of  the  Master  he 
has  served  so  well.  He  married,  February  i,  1858,  Rosalia  O.  La  Moure. 
They  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  on  February  i,  1908,  in  Oneonta, 
New  York. 

Austin  La  Moure  Griffin,  only  child  of  Rev.  Austin  and  Rosalia  O.  (La 
Moure)  Griffin,  was  born  in  East  Worcester,  New  York,  June  24,  1859. 
The  itinerant  law  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  then  in  force  caused 
his  father  to  change  his  pastorate  every  two  years.  Thus  the  education 
of  the  lad  was  obtained  under  a  succession  of  new  teachers,  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  towns  to  which  his  father  was  assigned.  He  also  attended 
Wyoming  Seminary,  there  finishing  his  school  years.  He  began  business 
life  as  a  grocer  in  Pittston,  continuing  there  four  years,  then  sold  his  busi- 
ness and  located  in  Wilkes-Barre,  establishing  a  laundry.  After  two  years 
there  he  sold  out  and  began  a  similar  business  in  Binghamton,  New  York, 
remaining  there  until  1898,  when  he  disposed  of  his  business  and  came  to 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  there  became  engaged  in  mining  enterprises 
and  was  employed  in  various  capacities  until  the  spring  of  1900,  when  he 
was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Green  Ridge  Coal  Company,  a  posi- 
tion he  now  holds.  Mr.  (iriffin  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  holding 
the  thirty-second  degree.  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  Keystone  Con- 
sistory, Northern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Griffin  married,  June  24,  1883,  Georgianna  Slocum,  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  St.  Agnes  Seminary,  Albany,  New  York,  daughter  of 
James  and  Margaret  A.  (Thompson)  Slocum,  of  the  early  Scranton  pioneer 
family  from  whom  the  original  name  of  the  city,  "Slocum's  Hollow.""  was 
derived.  Child,  Elise  R.,  born  at  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  July  7,  1887, 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  the  Emerson  School 
of  Oratory,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 


WTLLLVM  LAWRENCE  CONNELL 

Prominent  in  the  business  and  public  life  of  the  city  of  his  birth,  Wil- 
liam Lawrence  Connell  exemplifies  in  his  own  life  and  character  the  sterling 
qualities  that  have  ever  characterized  this  eminently  strong  Scranton  family 
of  business  and  professional  men.  Though  hardly  yet  in  more  than  life's 
prime,  he  long  since  reached  eminent  position  in  the  business  world  and 
in  public  life  has  ever  been  a  leader  of  the  best  element  of  the  party  to 
which  he  affiliates.  His  terms  as  chief  executive  of  Scranton  were  marked 
by  careful  management  in  all  departments  over  which  he  had  jurisdiction 
and  by  a  devotion  to  the  best  interests  of  the  city  at  large.  He  was  twice 
called  to  the  mayor's  chair,  each  time  the  call  was  made  there  being  especial 
need  of  a  strong  man  to  direct  municipal  affairs  during  trying  periods. 

William  Lawrence  Connell  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  October 
14,  1862,  son  of  James  and  Jessie  (English)  Connell.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  and  private  schools  of  Scranton  and  came  prominently  before 
the  business  world  of  his  city  as  a  member  of  the  firm,  Hill  &  Connell, 
furniture  dealers,  a  firm  organized  in  1891.  He  had  previously  been  as- 
sociated with  other  members  of  the  family  in  large  coal  operations,  was 


668  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

for  years  manager  of  the  Enterprise  Coal  Company  and  in  later  years  be- 
came president  and  general  manager  of  the  Green  Ridge  Coal  Company. 
His  interests  are  large  in  other  Scranton  and  Pennsylvania  activities,  varied 
in  character.  He  is  president  of  the  Lackawanna  Coal  and  Lumber  Com- 
pany, president  of  Paint  Creek  Collieries  Company,  president  of  the  Connell 
Anthracite  Mining  Company,  president  of  the  Union  National  Bank  of 
Scranton,  director  of  the  Scranton  Life  Insurance  Company,  director  of  the 
International  Text  Book  Company,  director  of  the  International  Educa- 
tional Publishing  Company,  these  being  the  more  important  lines  of  busi- 
ness which  owe  much  to  his  keen  business  instinct  and  wise  e-xecutive 
ability.  He  is  thoroughly  representative  of  the  wide-awake  modern  Amer- 
ican business  man  and  among  the  leaders  he  stands  as  one  of  those  best 
qualified  to  lead.  His  public  spirit  is  nowhere  so  well  manifested  as  in  the 
upbuilding  of  his  native  city  and  with  the  men  whose  efiforts  are  so  largely 
responsible  for  the  greatness  of  Scranton  he  stands  shoulder  to  shoulder. 

Mr.  Connell  is  a  staunch  Republican  and  has  given  much  valuable  time 
to  the  public  service  in  councils,  in  the  mayor's  chair  and  on  commissions 
appointed  to  serve  the  city  interests.  In  1893  he  was  elected  ma}'or  of 
Scranton,  serving  three  years,  and  in  1902  he  was  again  called  to  the  head 
of  the  city  afifairs,  serving  four  years.  Since  1903  he  has  served  on  the 
board  of  conciliation,  appointed  under  the  provisions  of  the  law  creating 
the  Anthracite  Coal  Strike  Commission  and  is  also  by  appointment  of  Gov- 
ernor Tener  a  member  of  the  Mine  Cave  Commission  to  regulate  mining 
under  the  city  of  Scranton.  Mr.  Connell  is  a  member  of  Elm  Park  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and  of  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  belongs  to  the  Scranton,  the  Country 
and  the  Bicycle  clubs  of  his  own  city  and  to  the  Philadelphia  Art  Club. 

Mr.  Connell  married,  January  13,  1886,  Lillian  Harrington,  of  Phila- 
delphia. Children:  i.  Jessie  English,  married  George  Houck,  and  resides 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania ;  child,  Lillian  Jeanette.  2.  Natalie,  married 
Rudolph  S.  Houck,  and  resides  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Ru- 
dolph S.  Jr.  and  William  L.  3.  Lillian  Jeanette,  residing  at  home.  4. 
William  Lawrence  Jr. 


MARTIN  P.  JUDGE 


Courage,  perseverance  and  industry  are  the  three  qualities,  one  might 
almost  say  virtues,  that  have  descended  to  Martin  P.  Judge  from  his 
forefathers,  all  of  whom  proudly  claimed  the  "Emerald  Isle"  as  their  home. 
Further  pursuance  of  this  narrative  will  show  the  truth  and  justice  of  the 
previous  statement.  Michael  Judge  was  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the 
family,  two  generations  removed  from  the  present,  and  leaving  his  home  in 
county  Mayo,  Ireland,  was  numbered  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the 
Lackawanna  Vallej^ 

(II)  Michael  (2)  Judge,  son  of  Michael  (i)  Judge,  was  born  in  Lacka- 
wanna county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1833.  From  early  boyhood  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  mines  and  it  was  in  the  pursuit  of  this  occupation,  dangerous 
enough  in  the  light  of  modern  and  scientific  safeguards  for  life,  but  trebly 
dangerous  in  those  times,  when  ignorance  and  incompetence  in  manage- 
ment were  responsible  for  the  lives  of  thousands,  that  he  met  death,  aged 
thirty-eight.  Honorable  and  upright  in  all  his  daily  relations,  the  confidence 
placed  in  him  by  his  fellow  citizens  had  made  him  their  representative  in 
the  city  councils  from  the  twentieth  ward,  a  position  be  held  at  the  time  of 
his  fatal   accident.     He   married   Bridget   Marley,   daughter  of  Martin   and 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  669 

Margaret  (Cunningham)  Marlcy.  They  became  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren, of  whom  two  died  young:  Stephen,  deceased;  Martin  P.,  of  further 
mention ;  Maria,  deceased,  married  Festus  Mulkerin ;  Michael,  lives  in 
Minooka,  Pennsylvania;  John;  Thomas;  Peter,  all  in  business  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  county. 

(Ill)  Martin  P.  Judge,  son  of  Michael  (2)  and  Bridget  (Marley)  Judge, 
was  born  in  Minooka,  Lackawanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  16,  1863. 
The  pressing  need  for  contributions  to  the  family  support,  caused  by  the 
tragic  death  of  his  father,  deprived  him  of  the  privileges  and  benefit  of  a 
school  education,  and  when  only  eight  years  of  age  he  was  employed  as 
breaker  boy.  Until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age  he  was  engaged  in 
mine  work,  daily  braving  the  dangers  that  had  taken  his  father  from  him, 
but  rendered  cautious  and  watchful  by  the  former's  untimely  fate.  During 
this  time  he  had  been  constantly  in  attendance  at  night  school  and  had 
made  up,  in  point  of  learning  at  least,  his  lost  school  days.  The  happy, 
care-free  hours,  the  childish  puzzling  over  multiplication  tables  and  the 
thousand  other  youthful  experiences  so  dear  to  memory,  could  in  no  way 
be  brought  back.  They  were  gone  into  time's  vast  abyss,  lost  treasures, 
never  to  be  found.  He  had,  in  this  period,  so  well  fitted  himself  for  busi- 
ness life  that  he  accepted  a  position  with  a  mercantile  firm  as  commercial 
traveler,  continuing  in  that  line  for  about  two  years.  He  then  located  in 
Minooka  and  was  there  proprietor  of  a  hotel,  the  only  hotel  in  Minooka 
where  the  traveling  public  can  get  good  meals.  In  1909  he  was  elected 
recorder  of  deeds  of  Lackawanna  county.  He  has  always  been  a  supporter 
of  the  Democratic  party  and  was  twice  elected  supervisor  of  elections  in 
Lackawanna  township,  also  holding  the  office  of  tax  collector  for  one 
term.  He  assumed  the  duties  of  his  present  office  on  December  8,  1909. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Anthracite  Trust  Company.  Mr.  Judge  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  church.  His  social  and  fraternal  affiliations  are 
with  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the  Knights  of  St.  George,  the  Young 
Men's  Institute  and  the  Central  Democratic  Club. 

Mr.  Judge  married  Sarah  Murray,  daughter  of  Michael  Murray,  of 
Minooka,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  Edward,  Helen,  Francis,  Cyril,  Maria, 
Anna,  William,  Florence. 

An  appreciation  of  Mr.  Judge's  rise  in  station  could  not  be  too  laudatory 
or  extravagant.  Compelled  by  misfortune  to  lose  that  birthright  of  every 
child,  play-time,  and  to  early  assume  burdens  that  in  the  true  course  of 
events  should  only  be  borne  by  older  shoulders ;  facing  the  problem,  not 
only  of  proving  his  worth  in  competition  with  his  fellows,  but  with  a  dis- 
maying handicap,  he  resolutelv  set  himself  to  the  task,  ceased  regretting 
lost  pleasures,  educated  himself,  and  now  the  fighting  blood,  courage,  perse- 
verance and  industry  of  his  Irish  progenitors,  previously  mentioned,  coming 
to  the  fore,  he  has  risen  from  poverty  and  obscurity  to  a  position  from  which 
he  may  regard  men  of  responsible  and  honorable  pursuits  without  raising 
his  eyes.  His  is  the  type  of  true  achievement,  his  the  Americanism  we  so 
proudly  vaunt. 

EDWARD  BAKER  STURGES 

Edward  Baker  Sturges  was  born  in  Greenfield  Hill,  Fairfield  county, 
Connecticut,  February  15,  1845.  He  is  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Bene- 
dict Sturges  who  was  for  a  number  of  vears  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
church  at  Greenfield  Hill.  His  grandfather  was  Joseph  Porter  Sturges, 
who  was  a  resident  of  Bridgeport,  Connecticut. 


670  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Mr.  Sturges  was  a  graduate  of  the  College  of  New  York,  and  studied 
law  with  J.  D.  Abbord,  Esq.,  of  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  Fairfield  county  in  1867.  His  first  invasion  of  the  Keystone 
commonwealth  was  with  a  knapsack  on  his  back  and  an  Uncle  Sam  rifle 
on  his  shoulder,  during  the  emergency  service  on  the  occasion  of  Lee's 
campaign  into  Pennsylvania,  which  culminated  in  the  great  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg. Mr.  Sturges  was  then  but  eighteen  years  old.  He  came  to  Scranton 
in  1869  and  at  once  entered  upon  the  practice  of  the  law.  His  rare  ability 
and  resourcefulness  soon  gave  him  a  leading  position  at  the  bar,  and  his 
practice  rapidly  grew  into  one  of  the  largest  and  most  lucrative  in  the  city. 
Some  of  his  legal  triumphs  have  been  memorable,  notably  his  prosecution 
of  upward  of  one  hundred  violations  of  the  liquor  laws  during  the  presi- 
dency of  Colonel  H.  M.  Boies,  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
in  1871.  W.  D.  Mossman  was  then  secretary  of  the  association.  Scranton 
was  then  in  its  largest  sense  a  wide-open  town.  Liquor  men  were  rampant 
in  their  defiance  of  law.  The  municipal  authorities,  if  not  aiders  and  abet- 
tors, were  supinely  indifferent.  Cyrus  W.  Hartley,  a  brilliant  young  lawyer, 
with  Mr.  Sturges,  were  members  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association.  Colonel  Boies  and  his  board  of  directors  de- 
termined to  put  a  stop  to  this  rampant  lawlessness,  and  Messrs.  Sturges 
and  Hartley  were  authorized  to  commence  prosecution  for  that  purpose. 
In  order  to  be  fair  to  the  liquor  men,  they  visited  their  places  in  person, 
and  notified  them  of  their  purpose,  and  offered  to  desist  if  they  would  agree 
to  obey  the  law.  They  were  met  with  outrageous  defiance,  and  in  several 
instances  with  personal  violence.  Then  the  battle  of  righteousness  was  on. 
It  seemed  almost  a  hopeless  undertaking,  for  the  public  was  indifferent, 
and  the  obtaining  of  evidence  was  so  difficult  Their  perjury  and  sub- 
ornation of  perjury  were  freely  resorted  to  by  the  liquor  men,  as  well  as 
the  fixing  of  juries,  so  that  they  actually  jeered  and  laughed  at  the  prose- 
cution. One  of  the  saloon  keepers  said  he  could  afford  to  spend  a  barrel 
of  money  in  the  fight  rather  than  be  beaten,  for  so  profitable  was  his  Sunday 
business  that  he  carried  his  receipts  of  cash  home  each  Sunday  night  in  a 
big  clothes  basket.  But  there  was  courage  and  fight  in  Boies,  Mossman, 
Sturges  and  Hartley,  and  after  a  strenuous  year's  struggle  the  first  actual 
conviction  was  obtained,  by  which  the  liquor  men  learned  that  there  actually 
was  such  a  thing  as  law,  and  that  these  young  lawyers  were  ready  to  bring 
down  upon  them  its  heavy  hand.  They  then  hoisted  the  white  flag,  and 
sued  for  peace.  The  prosecutors,  abused  and  maltreated  as  they  had  been, 
were  not  vindictive.  Their  triumph  was  complete ;  the  law  had  been  vindi- 
cated. Sixty-three  saloon  keepers  came  into  court,  paid  all  costs,  aggre- 
gating over  twelve  hundred  dollars,  and  gave  their  solemn  promise  hence- 
forth to  obey  the  law  to  the  letter,  and  assist  in  compelling  others  to  obey 
it.  Thereupon,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  court,  the  prosecutions  were 
dropped. 

A  similar  experience  in  1873-76,  though  much  more  difficult  because 
politics  were  made  to  enter  into  it,  was  the  prosecution  of  the  Democratic 
political  boss,  Frank  A.  Beamish,  for  embezzlement  of  the  school  board 
funds.  This  was  one  of  the  bitterest  legal  battles  ever  contested  in  any 
court,  and  was  fought  for  the  prosecution  by  Mr.  Sturges  alone.  Mr. 
Beamish  was  the  political  head  of  the  Democratic  party — another  Boss 
Tweed — whatever  he  did  was  sacred,  and  he  was  immune  to  all  accounting. 
A  more  extended  reference  to  this  trial  has  elsewhere  been  made.  Suffice 
it  to  say  that  Mr.  Sturges  convicted  and  landed  his  man  in  the  peni- 
tentiary, very  much  to  the  latter's  surprise  and  all  his  friends.     It  was  not 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  671 

only  a  great  legal  and  moral  victory,  reflecting  the  highest  credit  upon  Mr. 
Sturges,  but  it  was  another  great  vindication  of  the  lav^f.  In  recognition  of 
this  eminent  service,  and  that  of  his  lay  co-worker,  Mr.  Robert  T.  Black, 
the  citizens  of  Scranton  at  a  public  meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  passed 
a  series  of  highly  commendatory  resolutions,  and  presented  each  with  a 
beautiful  piece  of  solid  silver  (that  to  Mr.  Sturges  was  a  coffee  urn)  on 
which  was  engraved  the  following  legend,  "Presented  to  Edward  B.  Sturges 
by  the  Citizens  of  Scranton,  in  grateful  recognition  of  his  unselfish  efforts 
to  expose  official  corruption,  December  25,  1876."  Tliis  legal  Ijattle  like 
that  of  the  prosecution  of  the  liquor  case,  was  entirely  pro  bono  publico, 
Mr.  Sturges  refusing  any  compensation  for  his  services,  and  this  has  been 
characteristic  of  him.  No  man  has  done — we  will  not  say  more — no  man 
has  done  as  much,  with  the  possible  exception  of  his  friend  and  co-worker, 
Colonel  Boies,  in  the  way  of  reform  in  the  city,  as  Mr.  Sturges.  For  forty 
years  he  has  been  the  moving  spirit,  and  much  of  the  time  the  single  handed 
lone  fighter,  for  moral  and  civic  reform  in  our  city.  Few  people  remember 
that  thirty  years  ago  Mr.  Sturges,  single  handed  and  alone,  attacked  and 
cleaned  the  city  of  its  gambling  dens  and  brothels.  It  was  through  his 
efforts  that  the  "Municipal  Civic  League"  was  organized,  which  for  years 
hired  and  paid  a  detective  to  keep  the  city  clean  of  those  nuisances  and  to 
watch  and  prosecute  liquor  law  violations,  and  when  the  League  grew  supine 
and  died,  Mr.  Sturges,  out  of  his  own  pocket,  still  kept  the  detective  on 
duty.  Those  were  years  when  Scranton  was  a  clean  city,  and  it  was  due  to 
the  sacrificing  public  spirit  of  Mr.  Sturges.  The  public  did  not  appreciate 
it,  because  few  only  knew  it,  and  the  self-abnegation  of  Mr.  Sturges  was 
averse  to  letting  it  be  generally  known. 

For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  was  a  director  and  leader  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  of  which  he  was  president  in  1873 
and  1874.  As  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scranton,  he 
was  one  of  the  eight  men  who  inaugurated  the  movement  to  organize  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  became  a  charter  member  and  a 
trustee.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Green  Ridge  and  united  with  the  Green 
Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was  elected  and  ordained  a  ruling 
elder.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sturges  are  great  travelers.  They  have  been  to 
about  every  place  in  the  wide  world  worth  visiting  where  modern  trans- 
portation could  carry  them.  This  includes  two  trips  around  the  world,  be- 
sides an  extra  visit  to  China  and  Japan.  They  have  looked  upon  the  snow 
clad  summits  of  the  mighty  Himalayas,  and  on  the  same  journey  have  wit- 
nessed the  benighted  practices  of  India's  worshippers  of  the  Ganges,  and 
other  superstitions.  These  scenes  have  made  them  ardent  supporters  ot 
Foreign  Missions,  to  which  they  have  been  large  givers.  Among  their 
benevolences  is  the  support  of  a  hospital  in  China,  an  Orphanage  for  the 
care  of  several  hundred  orphan  waifs  of  India's  constantly  recurring  famines. 

Mr  Sturges  has  been  a  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Oral  School  for 
the  Deaf,  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  Young  Women's  Christian  Association, 
and  indeed  to  every  enterprise  of  our  city,  whose  object  has  been  the  uplift- 
ins  and  betterment  of  the  community.  In  a  business  way  be  has  been 
equally  active.  As  previouslv  narrated,  in  1886  he  built  the  Suburban  Street 
Passenger  Railway,  and  equipped  it  with  electricity,  and  made  it  the  first 
successful  electric  traction  street  railway  on  this  continent,  if  not  m  the 
world  In  his  European  trips,  Mr.  Sturges  had  seen  the  results  of  experi- 
ments in  electric  traction,  for  nowhere  had  it  then  gone  beyond  the  ex- 
perimental stage.  He  visited  every  town  in  this  country  where  such  ex- 
periments had  been  made,  and  out  of  his  knowledge  thus  acquired,  he  had 


672  CITY  OF  SCR  ANTON 

the  Suburban  furnished  with  such  improved  traction  equipments  that  it 
became  a  commercial  success  from  the  beginning.  He  is  therefore  entitled 
to  the  honor  and  credit  of  having  first  demonstrated  the  utility  and  practic- 
ability of  electric  motor  traction.  Mr.  Sturges  is  not  to  be  classed  with  the 
great  inventors  of  the  world,  but  rather  with  that  other  class,  without  whom 
inventions  would  be  valueless,  who  demonstrate  their  utility  and  harness 
them  into  practical  use,  such  men  as  Cyrus  W.  Field,  who  did  not  invent, 
but  who  demonstrated  the  utility  of  the  ocean  cable.  Mr.  Sturges  helped 
to  build  what  was  known  at  the  "Cross  town"  Electric  Railway,  now  the 
Nay-Aug  and  Petersburg  line.  He  was  associated  with  O.  S.  Johnson  in 
several  coal  mining  enterprises,  also  with  Edward  S.  Dolph  in  the  "Dolph 
Coal  Company,"  one  of  the  largest  mining  concerns  in  the  valley.  In  1888 
he  became  a  stockholder  in  the  New  York,  Ontario  &  Western  Railroad, 
and  was  chiefly  instrumental  in  inducing  that  company  to  build  a  branch 
road  to  New  York  on  its  main  line,  down  into  the  Lackawanna  Valley  to 
Scranton,  thus  securing  another  outlet  to  market  their  coal.  This  com- 
pany, through  the  Scranton  Coal  Company,  which  it  owns,  has  become  one 
of  the  heaviest  shippers  of  coal  in  the  valley.  The  branch  was  built  in  1888 
and  1889  and  was  opened  for  traffic  on  the  first  of  July,  1890.  He  is  largely 
interested  in  the  Scranton  Steam  Pump  Company  and  the  Spencer  Heater 
Company.  Indeed  there  are  few  enterprises,  either  religious,  civic  or  in- 
dustrial, during  his  more  than  forty  years'  residence  among  us  that  Mr. 
Sturges  has  not  been  either  at  the  head  of  or  actively  identified  with.  He 
is  now  the  principal  owner  of  the  Pine  Hill  Coal  Company,  of  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania,  which  is  under  the  management  of  his  son,  Clarence  Baker. 
He  is  also  at  the  head  of  an  enterprise  in  the  state  of  Nevada,  which  is  re- 
working the  great  Comstock  Gold  ^line,  taking  out  and  utilizing  by  an 
electric  process  its  low  grade  ores  which  were  formerly  rejected.  This  is 
under  the  management  of  his  son,  George  Sanderson. 

Mr.  Sturges  married  Marian  Sanderson,  daughter  of  Hon.  George 
Sanderson,  of  Scranton,  September  2,  1873.  There  were  born  to  them  three 
children :  Clarence  Baker ;  George  Sanderson ;  Nanna  S.,  married  Francis 
Brooke,  of  Philadelphia. 


WILLIAM  A.  SCHUNK 

The  father  of  William  A.  Schunk,  Jacob  Schimk,  was  the  first  of  his 
branch  of  the  family  to  leave  the  land  that  gave  them  birth,  Germany.  He 
obtained  his  education  in  his  native  country,  and  when  but  a  youth  came  to 
the  United  States,  accompanied  by  his  widowed  mother.  He  secured  a 
position  with  the  concern  later  known  as  the  Dickson  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, and  remained  in  its  service  until  his  death,  thirty  years  later.  His 
capacity  in  the  company's  employ  was  as  machinist.  He  died  in  i8go, 
aged  fifty  years — his  wife  surviving  him  to  the  present  time.  Both  were 
members  of  the  German  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  belonged  to  Ger- 
man Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  George  Hartman.  She  was  a  native  of  Germany,  her  parents  bringing 
her  to  the  United  States  when  she  was  a  young  girl.  Children :  Lena,  mar- 
ried Christian  Wirth,  of  Scranton ;  John,  a  foreman  in  the  American  Loco- 
motive Works  at  Paterson,  New  Jersey:  Mary,  married  John  Kiefer,  of 
Scranton :  Jacob,  a  foreman  in  the  employ  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  & 
Western  Railroad ;  William  A.,  of  further  mention ;  Frederick  C,  of  Scran- 
ton ;  Henry,  of  Scranton. 

William  A.  Schunk,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Hartman)  Schunk,  was 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  673 

born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  February  29,  1876.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  and  was  first  employed  in  the  drauj^liting-room 
of  the  Dickson  Locomotive  Works  as  office  boy.  When  the  International 
Correspondence  Schools  were  opening  their  first  courses,  in  the  ])eginning 
of  the  marvelous  work  that  has  attained  such  wonderful  magnitude,  he  en- 
tered the  class  in  mechanical  engineering.  He  remained  in  the  employ  of 
the  Dickson  Company  until  May  4,  1896,  at  which  time  he  was  employed  as 
draughtsman.  Such  excellent  results  were  obtained  from  his  first  course 
in  the  Correspondence  Schools  that  he  took  another,  this  time  in  civil  en- 
gineering. On  the  previously  mentioned  date,  when  he  severed  his  rela- 
tions with  the  Dickson  Company,  he  became  a  chainman  in  the  office  of  the 
city  engineer  and  ha.s  since  filled  all  of  the  intermediate  grades  in  the  office, 
receiving  his  appointment  as  chief  of  the  bureau  in  1909.  As  city  engineer 
he  has  been  the  chief  promotor  of  the  new  system  of  sewerage  lately  in- 
stalled, work  of  the  most  delicate  nature,  which  he  carried  to  a  successful 
completion  in  a  thoroughly  masterly  manner.  In  a  profession  demanding 
the  most  minute  exactness  he  has  developed  the  greatest  accuracy  even  in 
inconsequential  details,  leaving  no  loophole  to  mar  the  efficiency  of  a  sys 
tem,  or  to  raise  doubts  as  to  his  own  ability.  His  proficiency  in  his  pro- 
fession is  the  reward  of  hard  and  continuous  study  in  the  hours  usuallv  de- 
voted by  young  men  to  recreation  and  amusement.  But  with  an  ambition 
such  as  his,  pleasure  could  never  be  placed  before  an  opportunity  for  ad- 
vancement, and  the  end  has  assuredly  justified  the  means.  Aside  from  his 
professional  life,  Mr.  Schunk  is  known  as  one  of  the  most  progressive  of 
Scranton's  citizens,  always  in  line  with  and  supporting  all  movements  tend- 
ing to  a  bettering  of  civic  conditions.  Fie  is  a  member  of  Robert  Burns 
Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  Schiller  Lodge,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  As  a  young  engineer,  who  has  made  a  name  in  his 
profession  upon  his  merits  and  through  his  own  vmaided  eiTorts,  Mr.  Schunk 
is  worthy  of  congratulation,  and  as  a  city  servant  with  unflagging  devotion 
to  the  duties  of  his  office  he  is  to  be  highly  commended. 

Mr.  Schunk  married  Louise  N..  daughter  of  Dr.  W.  A.  Nordt,  of  Scran- 
ton. They  have  one  son,  William  Nordt.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers and  regular  attendants  of  the  German  Presbyterian  Church. 


J.  EDWARD  RUSHMORE 

Originally  a  New  York  family,  this  line  of  Rushmores  was  introduced 
into  Pennsvlvania  by  John  Frederick  Rushmore,  still  a  resident  of  the 
latter  state,  and  is  represented  in  Scranton  by  J.  Edward  Rushmore,  mill 
superintendent  of  the  Scranton  Bolt  and  Nut  Company.  Flis  grandfather 
was  a  doctor  of  dentistry  in  New  York  City,  and  had  children:  John  I'Ved- 
erick,  of  whom  further:  Charles  E.,  an  attorney  in  New  York  City,  married 
and  has  one  daughter,  Jean,  who  married  Charles  Patterson,  of  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania  ;  Catherine,  married  K.  E.  Carpenter,  of  New  York  county ; 
Mary  Cordeha,  married  William  Blondel,  and  is  the  mother  of  three  children: 
Mary,  married  Harry  Dolittle,  Edith,  married  Ralph  Hopwood,  a  resident 
of  Asburv  Park,  New  Jersey,  and  William,  married  and  lives  in  Seattle, 
Washington. 

John  Frederick  Rushmore,  father  of  J.  Edward  Rushmore,  since  19c.) 
has  "resided  on  his  farm  in  Waverly,  Pennsylvania,  having  prior  to  that 
time  been  engaged  in  piano  and  paper  dealing.  He  married  Lilie.  daughter 
of  John  B.  and  Susan  (Roe)  Valentine,  of  Flushing,  Long  Island,  her  father 
a  descendant  of  an  old  Quaker  family  of  Westbury,  Long  Islaml.  Chil- 
43 


674  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

dren  of  John  Frederick  and  Lilie  (Valentine)  Rushmore :  Harold ;  Charlotte, 
died  in  1880;  Florence;  J.  Edward,  of  whom  further. 

J.  Edward  Rushmore  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  May  16,  1884. 
After  obtaining  a  public  school  education  in  the  institutions  of  New  York 
and  of  Scranton,  he  began  his  business  career  in  the  employ  of  the  Scranton 
Bolt  and  Nut  Company,  remaining  with  this  concern  for  a  period  of  four 
years.  He  then  entered  the  Stroudsburg  State  Normal  School,  intending 
to  continue  through  college,  but  the  confinement  of  study  had  so  impaired 
his  health  that  this  was  deemed  inadvisable,  and  returning  to  Scranton,  he 
onoe  more  entered  business  with  his  former  employers.  Mr.  Rushmore 
was  raised  to  his  present  position,  that  of  mill  superintendent,  in  1910,  his 
promotion  the  recognition  of  willing,  efficient  and  loyal  service  and  the 
realization  of  his  deep  interest  and  concern  for  the  welfare  and  prosperity 
of  the  company  employing  him.  He  competently  watches  over  each  de- 
partment of  the  factory,  being  on  terms  of  cordial  friendliness  with  his  men, 
who  recognize  in  him  more  of  the  co-laborer  than  of  the  superior  in  office, 
at  the  same  time  giving  due  deference  to  his  authority.  The  Republican 
party  has  always  enlisted  Mr.  Rushmore's  sympathy  and  support  and  he  is 
a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  that  organization,  while  in  religion  he  is 
an  Episcopalian. 

Mr.  Rushmore  -.narried  Mabel  A.,  daughter  of  Eugene  and  Ella  Henry, 
of  Henryville,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  daughter,  \  irginia,  born  October 
7,  1910.' 


D.  J.   CAMPBELL 


Journalism  and  politics  are  the  two  fields  of  effort  in  Scranton  and  Lack- 
awanna county  that  have  been  most  graced  and  best  served  by  D.  J.  Camp- 
bell, and  as  proprietor  of  the  Scranton  Times,  treasurer  of  Lackawanna 
county,  and  member  of  the  Scranton  council  he  has  displayed  the  full  worth 
of  a  useful  career  spent  in  manly  pursuits.  All  of  his  greatest  successes 
have  been  achieved  in  the  full  public  view  and  he  holds  the  respect  of  the 
entire  community  for.  the  fair  and  open  methods  by  which  he  has  acquired 
prominence  and  prosperity. 

D.  J.  Campbell  was  born  in  county  Mayo,  Ireland,  and  after  coming  to 
the  United  States  settled  almost  immediately  in  Scranton,  which  city  has 
been  his  home  for  the  past  forty-eight  years.  He  was  connected  with  the 
Scranton  Times  for  several  years  and  at  length  became  proprietor  of  that 
periodical,  his  ownership  dating  from  1893  until  the  paper  passed  into  the 
possession  of  its  present  owner,  E.  J.  Lynett,  although  prior  to  that  time 
he  had  been  numbered  among  the  men  controlling  the  paper.  Although  a 
man  of  many  and  pressing  afifairs,  Mr.  Campbell  has  been  ever  ready  to 
heed  the  call  of  his  party,  the  Democratic,  and  as  the  candidate  of  that 
party  in  1888  was  elected  to  the  treasurership  of  Lackawanna  county  by  .1 
large  majority.  In  191 1  the  same  party  proposed  him  for  membership  in 
the  city  council,  and  among  the  five  councilmen  elected  he  was  the  only 
Democrat.  As  a  member  of  this  body  he  has  taken  a  firm  stand  on  a  plat- 
form of  the  rights  of  the  people,  an  implacable  and  alert  foe  of  special 
privilege,  and  has  been  particularly  energetic  in  behalf  of  the  laboring 
classes.  This  sympathy  and  co-operation  with  the  cause  of  labor  had  its 
origin  in  years  past,  when  Mr.  Campbell  was  an  active  and  prominent 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Labor.  For  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  been 
engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  a  line  in  which  he  has  been  successful, 
and  he  is  also  a  director  of  the  Pine  Brook  Bank.     His  memberships  are 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  675 

in  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Cathedral  Society,  the  Ancient  Order  of 
Hibernians,  and  the  John  Mitchell  Club. 


JOHN  A.  TOUHILL 


Although  a  Canadian  by  birth,  Mr.  Touhill's  life  has  been  spent,  since 
early  boyhood,  in  the  Lackawanna  Valley,  where  he  is  now,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-seven,  the  honored  head  of  the  Touhill  Iron  Works,  of  Scranton, 
and  the  oldest  continuous  manufacturer  of  machinery  in  the  Valley. 

He  is  the  son  of  Edward  and  Mary  (Lane)  Touhill,  both  natives  of 
Ireland,  who  early  in  their  married  life 'settled  in  Canada,  where  Edward 
Touhill  worked  in  the  lumber  woods.  On  coining  to  the  United  States  he 
lived  at  Rochester  and  Geneseo,  New  York,  for  about  three  years,  being 
employed  on  the  construction  of  the  Erie  Canal.  Later  he  came  to  Penn- 
sylvania, locating  at  Wyalusing,  but  after  a  year  there  and  at  Camptown. 
moved  to  Pittston,  where  he  was  employed  at  the  coal  breakers. 

John  A.  Touhill  was  born  at  Indian  Village  near  Petersboro,  Canada, 
August  7,  1836.  He  was  but  a  boy  when  his  parents  came  to  Pittston,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  began  business  life  as  a  breaker  boy,  being  one' of  the 
first  of  the  boys  that  were  employed  as  slate  pickers.  He  worked  at  the 
breaker  about  one  year  as  a  slate  picker  and  also  learned  to  run  a  stationary 
engine.  In  1852  he  began  an  apprenticeship  at  the  machinist's  trade  with 
Jesse  Williams  at  Pittston.  In  1858  he  entered  the  employ  of  Wisner  & 
Strong,  remaining  with  them  twenty  years,  eighteen  of  which  he  was  in 
charge  of  their  shops.  In  1878  they  sold  out  to  the  Pittston  Engine  and 
Machine  Company,  Mr.  Touhill  continuing  with  the  new  owner  for  eighteen 
months,  in  the  same  capacity.  He  then  started  in  business  for  himself. 
He  conducted  a  successful  machine  building  establishment  at  Pittston  until 
1905,  when  he  came  to  Scranton  and  incorporated  as  the  Touhill  Iron 
Works,  with  plant  at  the  corner  of  Hickory  and  Mattes  avenue.  The  com- 
pany manufactures  general  and  mining  machinery,  employs  about  ninety 
men,  shipping  its  product  to  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  other  large 
distributing  centers.  The  officials  of  the  company  are :  John  A.  Tou- 
hill, president ;  Edward  J.  Touhill,  vice-president ;  James  P.  Touhill, 
secretary :  Charles  \'.  Touhill,  treasurer,  the  three  latter  all  sons  of  the 
founder,  John  A.  Touhill.  with  whom  they  have  been  associated  in  busi- 
ness all  their  lives.  Another  son,  John  A.  (2),  is  foreman  of  the  pattern 
shop ;  another  son,  William  L..  is  superintendent  of  the  plant ;  another  son, 
Thomas  P.,  is  foreman  of  the  machine  shop,  and  still  another,  Leo  E.. 
is  assistant  foreman  of  the  machine  shop.  Probably  nowhere  else  can  an 
establishment  be  found,  owned,  officered  and  managed  by  father  and  seven 
sons,  all  fully  equipped  by  education  and  technical  learning  to  capably  fill 
their  positions. 

Mr.  Touhill's  recollection  covers  the  entire  period  of  the  development  of 
Pittston  and  Scranton.  When  he  first  came  to  Pittston  there  were  no  rail- 
roads, no  bridges,  only  two  old  hotels,  stages  ran  from  Carbondale  to 
Wilkes-Barre  once  or  twice  a  week,  furnishing  the  only  public  method  of 
transportation.  Ferries  provided  means  of  crossing  the  river,  and  they  not 
too  frecjuent.  The  site  of  the  foundry,  called  the  "Riverside  foundry"  was 
formerly  the  exact  spot  which  Fort  Pittston  occupied.  Mr.  Touhill  cast 
his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and  has  ever  since  acted  with  the  Re- 
publican party.  While  the  record  of  the  Touhill  Iron  Works  is  most  re- 
markable in  its  ownership,  another  fact  concerning  the  founder  and  his 
seven  sons  is  that  not  one  of  them  has  ever  drunk  a  glass  of  liquor.     Per- 


676  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

haps  this  explains  the  success  of  the  plant,  and  its  continuation  as  an  un- 
broken family  enterprise. 

John  A.  Touhill  married,  February  29,  i860,  Mary,  daughter  of  Michael 
Lang,  who  came  to  Pittston  at  an  early  day,  bringing  his  daughter  wh<i 
was  born  in  Ireland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Touhill  have  celebrated  the  golden  an- 
niversary of  their  wedding  day,  and  also  the  fifty-fourth  anniversary  of  the 
day  in  1914.  They  are  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  have  thirty-five  grand- 
children and  a  number  of  great-grandchildren.  Their  children :  Mary  Eliza- 
beth Fay;  Edward  J.,  born  in  1864,  vice-president  and  general  manager  of  the 
Touhill  Iron  Works;  Esther,  born  1866,  deceased;  Ella,  born  in  1868,  married 
A.  E.  Lynn;  John  A.  (2),  born  1870,  foreman  of  the  pattern  shop  at  the 
Touhill  Iron  Works;  William  L.,  born  1872,  superintendent  of  the  Touhill 
Iron  Works  plant ;  James  P.,  born  1874,  secretary  of  the  Touhill  Iron  Works ; 
Thomas  F.,  born  1876,  foreman  of  the  machine  shop;  Charles  V.,  born  1878, 
treasurer  of  Touhill  Iron  Works;  Hortense  J.,  born  1880,  deceased;  Leo  E., 
born  in  1883,  assistant  foreman  of  the  machine  shop;  Juliet,  born  in  1885,  mar- 
ried George  S.  Quimby. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  CLEVELAND 

The  Cleveland  family,  worthily  represented  in  the  present  generation 
by  George  Washington  Cleveland,  a  prominent  business  man  of  Scranton, 
traces  its  ancestry  to  an  interesting  line  of  knights,  from  whom  various 
lines  of  American  ancestors  are  traced,  some  to  Moses  Cleveland,  who 
left  England  for  the  Virginia  Colony  in  1635,  from  whence  the  family  spread 
into  the  Carolinas  and  the  New  England  states. 

James  Edward  Cleveland,  father  of  George  Washington  Cleveland,  wos 
born  in  Sullivan  county,  New  York,  January  6,  1837,  died  March  31,  1906, 
after  an  active  and  useful  life.  After  attaining  young  manhood  he  re- 
moved to  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  a  time  was  engaged  as  boat- 
man on  the  Morris  and  Essex  canal.  In  1869  he  took  up  his  residence  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  and 
during  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  was  a  wholesale  produce  dealer,  his 
place  of  business  being  on  Lackawanna  avenue.  He  married  Ellen  E.  Van 
Aucker,  who  bore  him  six  children,  namely:  James  Edward  Jr.,  Lorm 
Graves,  William  Albert,  George  Washington,  of  whom  further,  Ida  May, 
Samuel  Tilden. 

George  Washington  Cleveland,  son  of  James  Edward  and  Ellen  E. 
(Van  Auker)  Cleveland,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  March  19, 
1882.  During  his  youth  he  attended  the  public  schools,  acquiring  a  prac- 
tical education,  and  this  was  supplemented  by  a  course  in  Wood's  Business 
College.  He  then  entered  his  father's  business  and  was  thus  employed  until 
1902,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Marine  Corps,  serving  for  four 
years  in  various  companies,  seeing  service  in  Panama,  the  Philippine  Isl- 
ands, in  Japanese  and  Chinese  waters,  having  thus  served  in  almost  eveiy 
part  of  the  world.  In  1906  he  returned  to  his  adopted  city,  Scranton,  and 
took  over  the  present  business,  French  dry  cleaning  and  dyeing,  his  con- 
cern known  as  the  Davis  Steam  Dye  Works,  and  in  1912  he  admitted  his 
brother,  Samuel  Tilden,  to  partnership.  The  company  is  a  flourishing  one, 
ranking  among  the  leaders  in  their  line  of  business,  and  conducts  extensive 
operations,  drawing  custom  from  the  entire  locality,  their  works  being 
located  at  Amelia  avenue  and  Race  street,  their  office  at  No.  228  Lacka- 
wanna avenue,  and  they  also  conduct  a  branch  of  the  business  at  No.  12 
West  Northampton  street,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.     The  partners  be- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON 


67- 


ing  men  of  experience,  enterprise  and  ability,  the  business  has  been  a  success 
from  the  beginning,  steadily  increasing  in  volume  and  importance  with 
the  passmg  years,  and  now  ranks  among  the  leading  enterprises  of  the 
city.  George  W.  Cleveland  is  a  member  of  the  Jr.  O.  U^  A.  M  Green  Ridge 
Council,  No.  II.  and  of  the  Order  of  F.  and  A.  M.,  Peter  Williamson  Lodge, 
No.  323.  *" 

Mr.  Cleveland  married,  in  1907,  Verna  M.  Gould,  daughter  of  Joseph 
A.  and  Amelia  (Spaulding)  Gould,  and  thev  are  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren, Ruth  and  Marjorie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Qeveland  are  members  of  the 
Green  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church. 


ALBERT  OPDYKE  FREAS 

The  ancestry  of  Albert  Opdyke  Freas,  a  prominent  and  successful  busi- 
ness man  of  the  city  of  Scranton,  is  of  Holland  origin,  the  American  record 
of  the  family,  like  that  of  the  homeland,  contributing  pages  of  brilliailce  to 
the  country's  history. 

(I)  The  great-grandfather  of  Albert  O.  Freas  was  Major  Freas,  who 
won  his  title  through  service  in  the  Colonial  army  in  the  war  for  inde- 
pendence, and  from  him  descent  is  through  his  son  Andrew.  .Andrew  Freas 
v/as  a  native  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  and  later  located  in  Briar  Creek, 
Columbia  county,  and  was  the  owner  of  much  land,  on  which  he  raised 
cattle  for  market.  There  was  also  here  located  a  distilling  establishment, 
and  from  these  two  sources  he  massed  considerable  wealth,  becoming 
known  as  one  of  the  most  influential  and  prosperous  residents  of  the  lo- 
cality. The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Hess,  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  a  large  family:  i.  Henry  L.,  deceased;  was  a  physician;  married  .-Vmelia 
Messenger,  and  had  children.  ■\Iordica,  Judge  Andrew  M.,  of  Wilkes-]5arre, 
Dr.  Clifton  L.,  Frank.  Robert,  Harry,  Bessie.  2.  Dorcas,  deceased ;  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Hayman.  3.  William  Bowman,  of  whom  further.  4.  Jane,  de- 
ceased; married  C.  F.  Hill,  of  Hazelton,  Pennsylvania,  a  commissioner  of 
the  United  States  and  an  insurance  dealer ;  children :  Elliott,  Gertrude,  Wil- 
lard.  5.  Fannie,  deceased  ;  married  Jacob  Creasy,  deceased  ;  children  :  Lloyd, 
Jennie,  William,  Blanche,  Lizzie,  Alice.  6.  John,  deceased ;  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Dietrich ;  children :  Joseph,  Lizzie,  Carrie.  7.  James, 
deceased ;  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Enos  Adams,  of  Berwick,  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  children :  Enos  K.,  Mary,  Warren,  Blanche,  Fannie.  8.  Alice,  de- 
ceased ;  married  Wesley  Hill,  and  resides  at  South  Bend.  Indiana.  9.  Har- 
riet, married  Maurice  Freas ;  children :  Seymour  and  Lillian.  10.  Frank, 
deceased ;  married  (first)  a  Miss  Bittler,  (second)  Anna,  daughter  of  Jonas 
Crissman  ;  children:  Harry  P.,  Laura,  Frank  P.,  Pauline.  11.  Emma,  de- 
ceased; married  Wilson  Miller,  of  Lime  Ridge,  Pennsylvania;  children: 
John,  James,  Jennie.  12.  Lizzie,  married  Stephen  Pettit ;  children:  Oscar 
and  Lillian.  13.  Andrew  Clarence,  married  a  Miss  Rothrock;  children: 
Emily  and  George. 

(II)  William  Bowman  Freas,  son  of  Andrew  Freas,  was  born  at  Briar 
Creek,  Pennsylvania.  ^lay  27,  1836,  died  in  Orlando,  Florida,  in  March, 
1911.  After  obtaining  a  general  education  in  the  public  schools  he  became 
a  student  in  Jefiferson" Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  whence 
he  was  graduated  M.  D.  He  was  for  a  time  a  medical  practitioner  in  Colum- 
bia county,  Pennsylvania,  then  forsaking  professional  in  favor  of  business 
life,  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brothers,  Henry  L.,  John,  and  James, 
the'  firm  of  Freas  Brothers,  a  concern  which  conducted  triple  operations, 
namely,  a  planing  mill,  a  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  agricultural  imple- 


678  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

merits,  and  general  merchandise  dealings.  William  B.  Freas  continued  a 
partner  in  this  project  until  1887,  when  he  moved  to  Nanticoke,  Pennsyl- 
vania, there  establishing  in  milling,  a  line  he  followed  until  his  final  retire- 
ment from  business  in  1896,  after  which  he  lived  a  leisurely  life  until  his 
death.  He  married  Jennie  Kitchen,  daughter  of  Albert  Opdyke,  of  Ber- 
wick, Pennsylvania.  Children :  Albert  Opdyke,  of  whom  further ;  Walter, 
deceased  :  Martha,  unmarried,  resides  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania ;  Ada, 
Wilbur,  Jennie,  Cora,  all  deceased. 

(Ill)  Albert  Opdyke  Freas,  son  of  William  Bowman  and  Jennie  Kitchen 
(Opdyke)  Freas,  was  born  in  Hazelton,  Pennsylvania,  September  12,  1866. 
and  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  attended  the  public  schools  of  Ber- 
wick, Pennsylvania.  After  spending  two  years  in  Louisburg  he  returned 
to  Berwick  and  was  associated  in  business  with  his  father  until  1888,  four 
years  afterward  moving  to  Scranton  and  there  establishing  a  branch  of  the 
Nanticoke  milling  plant,  the  operation  of  which  he  continues  to  the  present 
time.  The  business  is  a  prosperous  one,  ably  managed  and  directed  bv  Mr. 
Freas,  whose  wise  judgment  has  raised  it  to  a  position  exceeding  all  ex- 
pectations at  the  time  of  its  founding.  Mr.  Freas'  religious  belief  is  Bap- 
tist, while  in  politics  he  is  a  Democratic  sympathizer.  He  holds  membership 
in  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  and  Hirain 
Lodge,  No.  261,  F.  and  A.  M. 

]\Ir.  Freas  married  Mrs.  Minnie  (Unangst)  Follett,  a  widow,  the  mother 
of  a  son,  Harold,  by  her  first  marriage. 


REW  JOHN  KURAS 


Of  the  three  generations  of  the  Kuras  family  with  whom  this  record  deals, 
two  have  followed  pgricultural  pursuits,  and  the  third,  John,  is  an  ordained 
priest  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  being  at  the  present  time  rector  of  St. 
Joseph's  Church  of  that  faith.  The  ancestral  home  is  in  Lithuania,  where 
the  grandfather  of  John  Kuras  was  a  farmer.  He  married  Agatha  Gustaidis, 
and  had  children.  Elisha,  of  whom  further,  Joseph,  Agatha.  Elisha  Kuras 
was  born  in  Galine,  Lithuania.  Russia,  and  resides  there  at  the  present  time. 
The  occupation  of  his  father  is  his  and  he  owns  the  land  that  he  cultivates. 
He  married  Mary  Straskauckiute,  and  has  children :  John,  of  whom  further ; 
Patronile,  Vincent,  Agatha,  Anthony,  deceased ;  Frank,  Mary,  Joseph,  Anna. 
John,  Vincent,  Frank  and  Joseph  reside  in  the  United  States. 

Rev.  John  Kuras  was  born  in  Galine,  Lithuania,  Russia,  September  2~, 
1864.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Marianpol, 
and  he  studied  theology  in  the  seminary  at  Seiny.  His  studies  completed  lie 
was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  at  the  Cathedral,  October  7,  1887,  Bishop 
Wierzbowski  officiating  at  the  ceremony.  His  first  charge  was  as  assistant 
priest  in  Rajgrod,  Poland,  where  he  remained  for  four  years,  and  after  pass- 
ing two  years  in  the  same  capacity  at  Weigry  came  to  the  United  States,  and 
in  1894,  the  year  of  his  arrival,  was  appointed  pastor  of  the  Lithuanian  Con- 
gregation at  Forest  City,  Pennsylvania.  During  the  years  that  he  labored 
with  his  people  in  this  place  he  thoroughly  organized  the  congregation,  rais- 
ing funds  and  building  a  new  church  and  parsonage.  Rev.  Kuras  was  ap- 
pointed rector  of  St.  Joseph's  Church  of  Scranton  in  1907.  and  since  that 
time  has  served  the  congregation  in  that  office.  He  is  the  third  pastor  to 
have  charge  of  St.  Joseph's  Church  since  its  organization  in  1892,  the  first 
having  been  Michael  Peza,  the  second  Anthony  Kaupas.  The  seven  years 
that  Rev.  Kuras  has  passed  in  his  present  position  have  been  full  of  blessing 


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CITY  OF  SCRANTON  679 

and  benefit  to  church   and  people,  and   the  unity   with   which   tliey   labor  has 
been  productive  of  excellent  results. 

Rev.  Kuras  is  the  spiritual  director  of  the  following  societies  in  his  cluircli : 
St.  Anthony's  Society,  St.  John  the  Baptist  Society,  St.  Francis  Society,  St. 
Peter's  Society,  St.  Ann's  Society,  St.  George's  Society,  St.  Kaisniar's  Societ)-, 
and  the   Lithuanian  Catholic  .Mliance  liranches  Nos.^o  and  83. 


JOHN  MELDRUM  ROBERTSON 

A  resident  of  Lackawanna  \"allcy  since  1866,  Mr.  Robertson  has  there  passed 
the  nearly  half  century  since  that  date,  and  is  closely  identified  with  coal 
producing  companies  of  the  district,  beginning  as  employee  and  becoming  an 
important  operator.  He  is  of  Scotch  birth  and  parentage,  of  old  Scottish 
family,  but  has  no  immediate  relatives  in  that  country  with  the  exception 
of  his  cousins,  James  E.  Stoddart,  of  Howden  House,  and  .Arthur  Meldrum, 
of  Dechmont  House,  both  in  Linlithgowshire. 

(I)  John  Robertson,  grandfather  of  John  Meldrum  Robertson,  was  a 
resident  of  Dunning,  Perthshire,  Scotland.  He  was  the  father  of  four  sons: 
James,  David,  John,  Johnstone,  the  two  latter  named  being  bankers  of  GlasgOAv. 

(H)  David  Robertson,  father  of  John  Meldrum  Robertson,  was  a  mer- 
chant of  Glasgow.  Scotland.  He  married  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Meldrum, 
of  Kirkcaldy,  Scotland,  and  had  children:  John  Meldrum,  of  whom  further; 
David,  for  many  years  superintendent  of  the  Northwestern  Mining  and  Ex- 
change Company,  one  of  the  bituminous  coal  companies  of  Pennsylvania,  sub- 
sidiary to  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  ;  Thomas,  a  mechanical  engineer,  who 
died  in  Scotland. 

(HI)  John  Meldrum  Robertson  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  March 
22,  1844.  He  obtained  his  education  in  Scotland  and  England,  attending 
Bathgate  Academy,  Glasgow  Collegiate  Academy,  Elmhouse  Upper  Edmonton, 
Academy,  London,  and  Madras  College,  St.  Andrews.  .After  completing  his 
collegiate  course  he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  and  T.  Brown  &  Company,  of 
Glasgow,  continuing  until  1866,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  at 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  began  his  long  connection  with  the  coal  interests  of 
the  valley.  He  filled  different  positions  around  the  mines  for  the  first  two 
years,  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Delaware  &  Hudson  Canal  Company  at 
Providence,  his  connection  being  with  the  coal  department  of  that  corporation. 
For  ten  years  he  was  paymaster  of  the  Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  In 
1886  he  organized  the  Katydid  Colliery,  of  Moosic,  Pennsylvania,  which  he 
operated  until  1891,  in  which  year  he  admitted  his  brother-in-law,  William 
Law,  to  a  partnership.  In  1904  Mr.  Law  retired  from  the  firm  and  Mr. 
Robertson  continued  the  colliery  until  1908,  when  the  coal  supply  became  ex- 
hausted and  the  mine  was  abandoned.  Very  successful  in  business,  Mr. 
Robertson  has  used  his  wealth  generously  and  to  gratify  the  finer  senses. 
He  is  a  well  known  art  connoisseur,  his  gallery,  for  which  he  began  to  collect 
many  years  ago,  is  one  of  exceptional  value,  and  one  freely  visited  by  his  art 
lovino-  friends  and  also  strangers  to  the  owner  are  often  found  there.  He 
i=  a  m-mber  of  the  Art  and  Scientific  societies,  and  possesses  a  fine  library  of 
valuable  works.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Moosic  Presbyterian  Church,  and  an 

Independent  politically.  r  r-,      ,      i  r  a     i 

Mr  Robertson  married,  in  1874,  Jean,  daughter  of  Charles  Law,  of  Arcb- 
bald  Pennsylvania.  Children:  i.  David  Meldrum.  born  m  Scranton,  July 
17  187;  •  now  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Bulford  &  Robertson.  Wdkcs- 
Ba'rre  Pennsylvania.  2.  Charles  Law,  born  January  29,  1877;  an  attorney- 
at-law'   of  Scranton.     3-  John  Law,  born  March  21,  1882;  now  a  member  of 


68o  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

the  firm  of  Robertson  &  Monie,  mining  contractors,  of  Moosic,  Pennsylvania. 
4.  Marjorie  Meldrnm,  born  December  9,  1884 ;  married  Josepli  Paul  Jennings, 
superintendent  of  the  Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company  and  of  the  Penn  Coal 
Company.  The  winter  residence  of  the  family  is  at  Moosic,  and  the  summer 
residence  is  at  Lake  Carey,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Robertson  is  an  active  factor  in  the  material  welfare  of  his  adopted 
town,  contributing  generously  of  his  substance  to  every  enterprise  that  has 
for  its  object  the  betterment  of  mankind.  The  home  life  of  Mr.  Robertson 
is  an  ideal  one,  he  being  a  devoted  husband  and  an  affectionate  father,  his 
wife  a  helpmate  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word,  and  each  member  of  the 
family  contributing  their  share  to  the  promotion  of  harmony,  peace  and  hap- 
piness. The  home  is  noted  for  the  hospitality  dispensed  there,  Mr.  Robert- 
son and  his  wife  doing  all  in  their  power  to  make  the  visit  of  their  numerous 
friends  a  delight,  one  to  remember  for  a  long  time  and  a  repetition  of  which 
they  look  forward  to  with  pleasure.  Their  well  stocked  library  and  handsome 
art  gallery  are  always  a  source  of  gratification  to  the  visitor,  being  both  in- 
structive and  pleasing.  The  family  occupies  a  prominent  place  in  the  social 
circles  of  this  community,  winning  and  retaining  a  wide  circle  of  friends, 
who  estimate  them  at  their  true  worth. 


WILLIAM  MERSHON  LYNCH,  M.  D. 

Third  generation  in  descent  from  the  American  founder  of  his  line.  Dr. 
William  Mershon  Lynch  is  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth  and  activity,  and  for  the 
past  thirteen  years  has  been  connected  with  the  medical  profession  of  this 
state.  In  this  calling  he  has  become  known  through  his  connection  with  the 
Hillside  Home,  through  his  general  practice,  and  through  his  incumbency  of 
the  office  of  coroner  of  Lackawanna  county.  Despite  his  professional  activity, 
Dr.  Lynch  has  attained  prominence  and  popularity  in  public  life,  and  at  the 
primary  election  held  in  the  spring  of  1914  became  the  candidate  of  the  Re- 
publican and  Washington  parties  for  the  office  of  state  senator.  Of  his  fitness 
and  qualifications  for  this  important  office,  none  who  has  come  in  contact 
with  him  can  doubt,  for  he  possesses  an  open  and  receptive  mind,  is  ever 
guided  by  the  strictest  of  honorable  codes,  and  in  innate  ability  and  strength 
of  mentality  more  than  balances  his  lack  of  experience  as  a  representative  of 
the  people. 

(I)  The  grandfather  of  William  Mershon  Lynch  was  James  Lynch,  a 
native  of  the  province  of  Ulster,  Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1834,  residing  in  New  York  City,  where  he  pursued  the  stonemason's  trade. 
He  married  Mary  Flood  and  had  issue  :  Ellen,  married  a  Mr.  Fagan,  and  had  one 
son,  William,  and  one  daughter,  Mary,  who  married  Thomas  Killoyne; 
James  C,  of  whom  further ;  Mary,  married  John  C.  Jonar,  and  resides  in 
South  Scranton,  the  mother  of  Sadie,  Ellen,  Pearl,  James,  John,  William,  and 
Thomas. 

(II)  James  C.  Lynch,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Flood)  Lynch,  was  born  in 
New  York  City,  November  8,  1836,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  moved  to 
Newark,  New  Jersey,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  painter  in  a  carriage  fac- 
tory. He  afterward  returned  to  the  city  of  his  birth  and  was  engaged  in  the 
carriage  works  of  a  Mr.  Brewster,  in  1857  coming  to  Pennsylvania,  being  for 
four  years  employed  at  Doddstown  and  later  moving  to  Waverly,  making  his 
home  in  the  latter  place  in  i860.  During  the  Civil  War  he  joined  the  Erner- 
gency  Men,  recruited  for  state  defence,  and  after  the  war  worked  for  a  time 
in  Pennsylvania,  then  went  to  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  and  after  two  years  be- 
came foreman  for  the  Peter  Hendrick  Company,  painting  contractors  of  Phila- 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  68i 

delphia.  This  line  he  subsequently  followed  independently,  and  after  a  career 
that  included  travel  and  residence  through  and  in  many  parts  of  Pennsylvania, 
he  settled  in  Clarks  Summit,  his  present  home.  He  married  Louise,  daughter 
of  John  U.  Mershon,  of  Waverly,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  children:  i.  Samuel 
E.,  attended  Madison  Academy  and  graduated  M.  D.  from  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  of  Philadelphia,  in  1887;  now  a  practitioner  of  Clarks  Green,  Penn- 
sylvania ;  married  Efific  Wetherby,  of  Scott  township,  Lackawanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  children :  William  and  Dorothy.  2.  Charlotte,  de- 
ceased :  married  G.  U.  Mengos,  and  was  the  mother  of  Howard,  Flora,  and 
Mildred.  3.  Carrie  B.,  a  graduate,  A.  B.,  from  the  University  of  Syracuse. 
New  York,  in  1892;  married  George  R.  Barber,  a  druggist  of  Clarks  Summit, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  two  sons,  George  and  John.  4.  William  Mershon,  of 
whom  further.  5.  Frank  W.,  married  Lena,  daughter  of  ex- Judge  Falvey,  of 
El  Paso,  Texas,  and  has  one  son,  Thomas. 

(HI)  Dr.  William  Mershon  Lynch,  son  of  James  C.  and  Louise  (Mershon) 
Lynch,  was  born  in  Leona.  Pennsylvania,  October  30,  1876.  He  was  graduated, 
after  a  full  course,  in  1894,  from  the  High  School  of  Athens,  Pennsylvania, 
whither  his  father's  business  had  called  the  family,  and  for  the  two  following 
years  was  employed  in  a  printing  office.  In  1896  he  became  a  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  county  commissioners,  resigning  his  position  the  following  year  to 
enter  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  which  institution  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  M.  D.  in  1901.  Soon  after  his  graduation  he  be- 
came the  assistant  of  Dr.  J.  J.  Bellheimer,  of  Dickson  City,  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  so  engaged  until  March  i,  1902,  when  he  accepted  the  resident  physician's 
position  at  the  Llillside  Home,  there  remaining  until  January  1,  1907.  At  this 
latter  date  he  established  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  independently  m 
Old  Forge,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  patronage  steadily  increased.  In  19 12 
Dr.  Lvnch  was  elected  coroner  of  Lackawanna  county  to  succeed  Dr.  J.  J. 
Salter,  and  in  February  of  the  following  year  moved  to  Clarks  Green,  his 
present  home.  Dr.  Lynch  is  a  physician  learned  in  his  profession  and  science, 
and  has  been  uniformly  successful  in  his  treatment  of  cases  of  unusual  and 
severe  ailments  that  have  come  to  his  professional  attention,  standing  high  in 
the  regard  of  those  to  whom  he  has  ministered  and  in  the  respect  of  his 
professional  associates,  who  recognize  in  him  a  worthy  addition  to  Lackawanna 
county's  medical  exponents. 

Dr.  Lynch  has  ever  been  an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  Republican  principles, 
and  on  May  19,  1914,  was  nominated  for  state  senator  by  the  combined  vote 
of  the  Republican  and  Washington  parties,  a  choice  which  the  fall  elections 
should  enthusiastically  confirm,  for  in  Dr.  Lynch  will  be  found  a  legislator 
or  incorruptible  principles  and  unbiased  deliberative  judgment.  He  is  popular 
in  the  locality  in  which  he  resides  and  bears  an  unblemished  reputation.  He 
has  consorted  much  with  his  fellows,  is  of  a  genial  and  agreeable  nature,  and 
in  conversation  as  in  public  speaking  is  easy  and  graceful  in  speech  and  enter- 
taining in  manner.  He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belonging  to  lodge, 
chapter,  commandery,  consistory  and  shrine,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America  and  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics. 
His  church  is  the  Presbyterian.  t    /at  r- 

Dr.  Lynch  married  Jessie  A.,  daughter  of  Merntt  and  Mary  J.  (Mct^ar- 
land)  Mead,  of  Clarks  Green,  Pennsylvania,  their  marriage  being  solemnized 
June  10    1903.    They  are  the  parents  of :    Janet  Mary  and  Jean  Louise. 


682  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

GEORGE  BYRON  JERMYN 

George  Byron  Jermyn,  one  of  the  live  wires  of  our  city,  is  a  son  of  John 
Jermyn,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere.  He  was  born  in  Scranton,  May  9, 
1862.  He  attended  Merrill's  Academic  School,  and  graduated  from  Granville 
Military  Academy,  Granville,  New  York,  in  1882,  at  the  head  of  his  class.  He 
started  in  the  oil  business  in  1884,  and  sold  out  to  the  Standard  a  few  years 
later,  and  then  w^ent  into>  the  coal  business  with  his  father,  with  whose  estate 
carrying  on  the  business  he  has  continued  until  the  present  time. 

He  is  president  of  the  Scranton  Savings  and  Dime  Bank ;  one  of  the  ex- 
ecutors of  the  estate  of  his  father,  John  Jermyn ;  vice-president  and  treasurer 
of  the  Tintern  Manor  Water  Company,  Long  Branch,  New  Jersey ;  vice-presi- 
dent and  treasurer  of  the  Hallstead  Water  Company,  Hallstead,  Pennsylvania ; 
vice-president  and  treasurer  of  the  Great  Bend  Water  Company.  Great  Bend. 
Pennsylvania ;  and  assistant  treasurer  and  a  director  in  the  Gulf,  Texas  & 
Western  Railway  Company,  Dallas.  Texas.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
following  clubs  and  fraternal  societies :  Scranton  Club,  Country  Club,  Pllks, 
Masons.  Shrine.  Knights  Templars,  Consistory.  Mr.  Jermyn  married  Miss 
Annie  E.  Adams,  of  Fair  Haven,  \'ermont,  in  1902;  three  children  have  been 
born  to  them — John,  ]\Iargaret,  and  Ruth. 

Mr.  Jermyn  is  accounted  among  the  ablest  and  most  popular  of  the  present 
generation  of  business  men.  He  comes  of  excellent  stock  and  is  proving  him- 
self a  worthy  descendant.  He  is  a  genial,  courteous  gentleman  and  justly  es- 
teemed by  all  classes. 


RE\'.  J.   W.   MALONE.  J.  C.  D. 

Rev.  James  W.  Malone,  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Cathedral,  Scranton,  was  born 
in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  September  16,  1870.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he 
went  to  Niagara  University,  Niagara  Falls,  New  York,  where  his  literary 
ability  during  his  college  course  merited  high  honors.  Having  finished  his 
theological  studies  in  Niagara  University,  he  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood 
in  1895  by  the  late  Bishop  O'Hara. 

His  first  appointment  was  to  St.  Peter's  Cathedral,  where  as  assistant 
rector  his  zeal  and  ability  won  for  him  many  admiring  friends.  After  a  period 
of  two  years  in  the  Cathedral,  he  was  transferred  to  Susquehanna  to  act 
as  assistant  pastor  there.  Two  years  later  he  was  assigned  to  St.  Paul's, 
Green  Ridge,  to  assist  Rev.  P.  J.  McManus. 

His  studiousness  and  earnestness  in  his  work  were  recognized  by  Bishop 
Hoban,  who  suggested  that  he  take  a  post-graduate  course  in  Rome.  He 
entered  the  Pontifical  University.  Rome,  in  1899,  as  a  student  of  Canon  Law, 
and  in  two  years  graduated  with  distinction  and  received  the  Doctorate  of 
Canon  Law. 

Upon  his  return  to  Scranton,  he  was  appointed  assistant  rector  of  the 
Cathedral.  Rev.  James  O'Reilly,  the  rector  of  the  Cathedral,  having  been 
made  pastor  of  the  newly  erected  parish  of  the  Nativity,  South  Scranton,  m 
1902,  Dr.  Malone  was  named  as  his  successor  in  the  Cathedral.  He  has  been 
rector  ever  since.  Under  his  prudent  management  the  Cathedral  parish  has 
added  to  its  possessions  the  beautiful  Episcopal  residence  on  Wyoming  avenue, 
and  several  other  properties  adjacent  to  the  Cathedral.  His  ability  as  a 
spiritual  adviser  is  recognized  by  a  large  number  of  Catholics  throughout  the 
diocese.  His  candor,  sincerity  and  kindness  have  inspired  his  acquaintances 
with  confidence.     The  poor  have  always  been  his  particular  care,  and  those 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  68^ 

in  distress  have  always  fouiid  in  him  a  friend  who  will  share  their  sorrow 
and  lend  them  a  helping  hand.  A  wise  counsellor,  a  prudent  judge,  a  priest  of 
deep  religious  convictions  and  the  courage  to  live  up  to  them,  a  man  loyal  to 
his  friends  and  ready  at  all  times  to  make  any  sacrifice  for  the  temporal  and 
spiritual  advancement  of  his  fellowmen,  Rev.  J.  W.  Malone  has  gained  the 
love,  the  respect  and  the  admiration  of  a  wide  circle  of  acc|uaintances.  His 
interest  in  every  movement  that  makes  for  civic  progress,  his  active  co-opera- 
tion in  any  work  of  charity  that  comes  to  his  notice,  his  wise  and  (iractical 
suggestions  for  the  social  betterment  and  moral  improvement  of  man,  have 
always  made  a  deep  impression  upon  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
But  above  all  and  first  of  all  he  is  a  priest  who  has  the  Catholic  leligion  at 
heart,  and  who  works  faithfully  to  bring  back  souls  to  God,  by  admonishing 
the  sinner,  by  correcting  the  erring,  by  encouraging  the  timid,  and  by  strengthen- 
ing the  weak. 


MARTIN  MALONEY 


To  the  early  settlers  of  Scranton,  the  parents  of  Mr.  Maloney,  John  and 
Catherine  Pollard  Maloney,  were  well  and  favorably  known  for  their  charity 
and  kindness  to  the  poor  and  needy  women  and  children  of  their  neighborhood 
in  the  pioneer  days,  their  home  being  located  on  what  was  then  known  as 
Division  street,  near  the  present  Qiurch  of  the  Nativity,  which  occupies  the 
site  of  the  first  Catholic  Church  in  Scranton,  and  it  was  here  that  many  an 
immigrant  found  with  "Kitty"  Maloney,  as  she  was  affectionately  called,  a 
haven  of  rest  and  received  material  assistance  in  those  days  of  the  early 
50's.  when  the  entire  population  of  the  city  was  less  than  2,000.  The  father 
was  a  hard  working  and  respected  member  of  the  community,  and  built  the  first 
house  of  importance  in  the  section  of  the  city  known  as  Pittston  avenue  and 
Hickory  street. 

Martin  Maloney  was  born  in  F)allingarry,  county  Tipperary,  Ireland. 
Novem.ber  11,  1848.  His  parents  preceded  him  to  this  country  and  settled 
in  Scranton  in  1849,  the  boy,  Martin,  having  remained  with  his  grandparents 
in  Ireland  until  1854,  when  he  joined  his  parents  in  this  country,  endowed 
with  abounding  health  and  the  energy  characteristic  of  the  sons  of  the  Etnerald 
Isle.  Mr.  Maloney  attended  the  public  schools  of  the  city  until  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  work  in  the  coal  mines.  At  fourteen  he 
began  an  apprenticeship  as  tinsmith,  coppersmith,  plumber  and  gas  fitter. 
He  graduated  later  in  the  school  of  experience,  the  alma  mater  of  so  many 
successful  Americans  who  accomplish  things.  Mr.  Maloney  started  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  August  5,  1868,  when  not  quite  twenty.  He  proved  a  hustler 
from  the  start,  displaying  at  this  early  age  such  painstaking  thoroughness  in 
everything  he  undertook  that  there  still  exists  in  Scranton  to-day  evidence  of 
the  substantial  character  of  his  work.  It  was  this  characteristic  which  was 
mainly  responsible  for  the  greater  successes  which  he  achieved  later  on. 

In  1874  he  organized  and  built  the  Hyde  Park  Gas  Plant— the  nucleus 
of  the  present  extensive  system  which  furnishes  the  entire  valley  with  gas. 
From  that  time  it  was  forward  march  at  a  rapid  pace  for  him ;  to-day  he  has 
many  varied  and  growing  interests  in  Scranton,  with  the  growth  and  prosperity 
of  which  he  is  so  closelv  identified,  having  faith  in  the  future  of  the  city, 
born  of  faith  in  its  people,  even  though  he  has  not  permanently  resided  here 

for  many  years.  '      ,  ,  ^       „    ,r       ,    ,     •       r- 

In  i87S  Mr  Maloney  organized  the  Maloney  Gas  &  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany a  corporation  which  was  destined  to  extend  its  activities  far  beyond  the 
boundaries   of    Scranton.      At    this   period   he    became   acquainted    with    Mr. 


684  CITY  OF  SCRANTON 

Henry  H.  Rogers,  of  Standard  Oil  fame,  who  evinced  a  great  deal  of  interest 
in  the  young  man's  plans,  which  were  original  in  so  far  as  they  applied  to  a 
new  system  of  lighting  by  the  use  of  naptha,  than  in  its  crude  form  and  con- 
sidered a  dangerous  by-product  around  an  oil  refinery.  Mr.  iMaloney  met  with 
many  obstacles  and  difficulties  which  he  overcame  with  his  accustomed  vigor 
and  determination,  and  within  ten  years  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  towns 
and  cities  were  under  contract  and  lighted  under  the  Maloney  Lighting  System. 
The  energy  of  the  man  who  managed  this  undertaking  can  be  appreciated. 

Mr.  ^laloney  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  United  Gas  Improvement 
Company,  of  Philadelphia,  a  corporation  which  now  controls  hundreds  of  gas 
and  electric  properties  throughout  the  United  States.  He  is  also  connected 
with  the  management  of  gas,  water,  oil,  electric  power  and  other  public 
utilities  corporations  too  numerous  to  mention.  His  career  is  so  well  known 
throughout  the  country  as  to  make  enumeration  unnecessary. 

This  busy  man  of  vast  affairs  found  time  for  other  matters.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  December,  1868,  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  to  Margaret  A.  Hewittson, 
seven  children  being  born  to  the  union,  Margaret  Maloney  Ritchie  and  Helen 
Maloney  Osborn  being  the  only  two  surviving.  The  faithful  wife,  Margaret, 
has  been  his  friend  and  counsellor  and  has  assisted  in  his  generous  charities 
from  the  first.  In  recognition  of  his  many  good  works,  and  his  deeply  re- 
ligious temperament,  the  great  Pope  Leo  XIII,  in  1902,  created  him  a  Papal 
marquis.  In  1904,  Pope  Pius  X  conferred  upon  Mr.  Maloney  the  title  of 
Cameriere  Segreto  di  Spada  e  di  Cappa  di  S.  Santita,  making  him  a  member  of 
his  household,  in  further  recognition  of  his  many  benefactions  to  the  Catholic 
church  and  other  charities.  This  title  has  been  confirmed  by  the  present 
Pontiff',  Benedict  XV.  Among  his  many  charities  and  one  that  is  especially 
near  and  dear  to  him,  is  the  Maloney  Home  for  the  Aged,  erected  in  memory 
of  his  father  and  mother.  This  institution  is  non-sectarian  and  domiciles 
more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  inmates,  no  creed  being  necessary  to 
obtain  shelter  under  the  roof  of  the  Maloney  Home.  The  beautiful  Memorial 
Church  of  St.  Catherine,  erected  at  the  summer  home  of  Mr.  Maloney  at 
Spring  Lake,  New  Jersey,  in  memory  of  his  deceased  daughter,  Catherine, 
is  another  of  his  benefactions  in  which  he  takes  particular  pride. 

Mr.  Maloney  now  makes  his  permanent  home  in  Philadelphia,  residing  on 
Logan  Square.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Union  League,  Academy  of  Fine  Arts, 
Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania.  Catholic  and  City  Clubs  of  Philadelphia, 
the  Catholic  Club  of  New  York,  the  Scranton  City  Club  and  the  Scranton 
Country  Club.  But  his  favorite  resort  is  his  seashore  home  at  Spring  Lake  Beach, 
New  Jersey,  beautiful  "Ballingarry."  In  this  picturesque  villa  he  has  realized 
the  dream  of  his  youth  and  has  named  it  for  the  ancestral  home  in  Ireland. 
It  is  there  that  Mr.  Maloney  loves  to  entertain  his  friends  and  to  plan  how  he 
may  further  help  to  bring  sunshine  into  the  lives  of  the  unfortunates. 


PHILIP  ROSWELL  PHILLIPS 

Mr.  Phillips  was  born  in  Johnstown,  P'ennsylvania,  November  24,  1884, 
son  of  Rev.  David  C.  and  Mary  Evans  Phillips.  He  came  to  Scranton  with  his 
parents  in  1889,  after  the  Johnstown  flood.  He  graduated  from  the  Scranton 
High  School  in  1902,  and  from  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  in  1906.  He 
began  newspaper  work  in  1901  on  the  Scranton  Truth  :  joined  the  staff  of 
the  .Scranton  Republican  in  1906,  continuing  until  February  i,  1910,  when  the 
Republican  was  merged  with  the  Tribune-Republican ;  continued  on  the  Tri- 
bune-Republican until  June  21,  1913,  when  in  company  with  other  members 
of  the   staff,  he   followed   Robert   D.   Towne,  joining  with  him   in    founding 


CITY  OF  SCRANTON  685 

Scranton  Daily  News.  He  is  a  member  of  Peter  Williamson  Lodge,  K'o. 
323,  F.  and  A.  M. ;  of  the  Newswriters  Union,  Scranton ;  the  Pennsylvania 
Legislative  Correspondents  Association,  and  the  Sigma  Nu  Fraternity.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Daily  News  Company. 


RT.  RE\'.  MICHAEL  J.  HOllAN 

Rt.  Rev.  Michael  John  Hoban,  Bishop  of  Scranton,  was  born  June  6, 
1853,  at  Waterloo,  New  Jersey,  where  his  father  was  building  a  section  of 
the  Alorris  &  Essex  Railroad.  About  one  month  after  his  birth,  his  parents 
went  back  to  Hawley,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  father  owned  some  iiroperty 
and  had  obtained  the  contract  to  transfer  all  the  coal  carried  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Coal  Company  during  the  fall  and  winter  from  its  mines  in  Luzerne 
county  and  stacked  in  a  huge  pile,  awaiting  transhipment  on  the  opening  of 
the  Delaware  &  Hudson  canal  in  the  spring. 

Taught  by  his  mother  to  read  and  spell,  he  went  to  private  schools  imtil 
he  was  fourteen  years  old,  when  he  went  to  St.  Francis  Xavier's  College, 
New  York  City,  for  one  year,  thence  to  Holy  Cross  College,  Worcester,  Mass- 
achusetts, where  he  spent  three  years.  After  two  years  and  a  half  at  home 
hel])ing  his  widowed  mother,  he  attended  St.  John's  College,  Fordham.  dur- 
ing the  spring  of  1874.  In  September  of  that  year  he  entered  St.  Charles' 
Seminary,  Philadelphia,  as  an  ecclesiastical  student  for  the  Diocese  of  Scran- 
ton. In  September,  1875,  recommended  by  the  faculty  of  the  Seminary,  he 
was  sent  by  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  O'Hara  to  the  American  College,  Rome,  where 
he  spent  four  years  and  eight  months.  He  was  ordained  priest  in  the  church 
of  St.  John  Lateran,  Rome,  by  H.  E.  Cardinal  Monaco  La  Valletta,  on  May 
22,  1880.  After  two  months  of  travel  in  Europe  he  returned  home  and  was 
appointed  as  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  F.  Kelly,  in  Towanda.  In  1882 
he  was  transferred  to  Pittston  to  assist  V.  Rev.  John  Fimien,  \'.  C.  and  in 
1885  he  received  his  first  appointment  as  pastor  of  St.  John's  Church,  Troy. 
In  "1887  he  was  appointed  to  organize  the  parish  of  St.  Leo,  Ashley,  near 
Wilkes-Barre.  There  he  built  a  large  brick  church  and  brick  priests'  house, 
and  remained  until  he  was  obliged  to  take  up  his  residence  in  Scranton. 
His  name  having  been  placed  on  the  lists  of  both  priests  and  bishops,  he  was 
selected  by  Bis  Holiness,  Leo  Thirteenth,  to  be  Bishop  of  Alali,  and  coadjutor 
to  Bishop  O'Hara,  with  the  right  of  succession.  Appointed  by  Papal  brief, 
dated  February  i,  1896,  he  was  consecrated  by  Cardinal  Satolli  in  St.  Peter's 
Cathedral,  Scranton,  on  March  22.  On  the  death  of  the  \'enerable  Bishop 
O'Hara,  February  3,  1899,  he  succeeded  as  Bishop  of  Scranton,  where  he  has 
resided  ever  since.  Be  is  president  of  St.  Patrick's  Orphan  .Asylum,  honorary 
president  of  St.  Joseph's  Infant  Asylum,  director  of  State  Hospital,  Scranton 
Public  Library,  Pennsylvania  Oral  School,  West  Mountain  Sanatorium  and 
also  honorary  president  of  the  Catholic  Qioral  Club  and  the  Catholic  Women's 

Ciub.  ,  •         •      , 

In  1896,  when  he  was  consecrated  Bishop,  there  were  119  priests  m  the 
Diocese  of  Scranton:  in  1914  there  are  255.  Then  there  were  it  churches 
in  the  city  of  Scranton;  now  there  are  23,  attended  by  ten  different  nation- 
alities not  including  the  Ruthenians.  During  the  interval  several  new  churches 
have  been  built,— Holy  Rosary,  Nativity,  St.  John  Baptist,  St.  John  Evan- 
gelist St  Ann,  and  also  Mt.  St.  Mary's  Seminary  and  St.  Ann  s  Passionist 
Monastery  and  St.  Joseph's  Infant  Asylum,  all  in  the  city  of  Scranton. 


INDEX 


ADDENDA  AND  ERRATA 


In  some  instances  Ezra  S.  Griffin  Post  and  Ezra  S.  Griffin  Camp  have  been 
erroneously  given  as  Ezra  S.  Griffith   Post  and  Camp. 

Sanderson,  p.  257.  At  the  present  time  (1914)  Charles  Dudley  Sanderson  is 
president  of  the  New  England  Society  of  Northeastern  Pennsylvania,  elected  Novem- 
ber 12,  1914. 


INDEX 

Note. — Where  a  star   (*)   appears  against  a  name,  see  Addenda. 


Allen,  Edward,  328 

Gabriel,  32S 

George,  170 

George  W.  B.,  389 

Jabez,  389 

Robert  W.,  170,  171 

William  E„  328 
Alworth,  Henry  S.,  135 

Milton  S..  136 
Amerman,  Edwin  C,  246 

Jesse  C,  246 

Lemuel,  119 

Ralph  A.,  118,  iig 
Ames,  Erasmus  D.,  161,  162 

John  H.,  162 

Joseph,  161 
Andres,  Charles  S.,  637 

John,  637 

Matthew,  637 
Ansley,   Brinson,  32 

Joseph,  32 

Mary  C,  33 
Archbald,  James   (4th)   660 

James  (5th)  660 
Ashley,    Hayden    H.,    579, 
580 

Nehemiah  B.,  579 

Rollin  T.,  579 
Atherton,   Bicknell  B.,  490, 

521 

Dudley  R.,  490,  491 

Fred  B.,  521 

Henry  F.,  492 

John   R.,  492 
Baker,  Alfred  M.,  425 

Alfred  M.,  Jr.,  425 
Bambach,  Jacob,  647 

Jacob  D.,  647 
Bartecchi,  Domenick,  639 

John,  639 
Battenberg,     C.    Augustus, 
128 

Charles  C,  128 
Bauer,  Charles.  301 

Josiah,  301 

Robert  J.,  301 
Beemer,   Elias,  497 

Floyd  D.,  497 

George,  497 


Beers,  Elias  T.,  252 

Fred  E.,  251,  252 

Ulysses  F.,  252 
Belden,  James  J.,  479 

James  M.,  479 
Belin,  F.   Lammot,  55 

Henry,  53 

John,  53 

Paul  B.,  54 
Benedict,  David,  356 

Frank  S.,  355 

Katherine  S.,  356 
Benore,  John.  382 
Bessmer.     Christopher    D., 
448 

Jacob,  448 
Beyea,  Edwin  M.,  396 

Henry,  396 
Bianca,  Giuseppe,  602 

Joseph,  603 
Bishop,  Henry,  437 

Marcus  K.,  437 
Black,  Caroline  A.,  176 

Robert  T.,  175 
Blau,  Adolf,  438 
Boies,   David,  5 

Henry  M.,  i 
Boland.      Christopher      G., 
624 

James,  625 
Bosak,  Michael,  584 
Brader,     Herbert     E.,    576, 

577 
Breck,  George  L.,  272 

Samuel,  576 

William,  272 
Brennan,  Edward  C.  417 

John  J.,  417 
Brewster,  Eldad,  72 

Frederick  D.,  72,  73 

Horace,  72 

James,  72 
Briggs,  Harold  S.,  410.  411 

William  P.,  411 
Brooks,  John  H.,  37 

Reese  G.,  36 
Brown,  George  C,  353 

Milton  R.,  353 


Bryden,      Alexander,      386, 
388 

Andrew,  387 

Archibald  L.,  388 

James  Y.,  389 
Bunnell,  Elijah,  102 

Gershom,  102 

James,  102 

Joseph,  102 

Lewis  M.,  221 

Martin,  221 

Miles  M.,  221 

Willard  M.,  102 

William,  loi,  102 
Burke,   Edward  A.,   109 

Michael  J,,  109 
Burnett,  John,  470 

Kenneth  R.,  470,  471 
Burr,  Frank  E.,  289 

Isaac,  288 

James  E.,  288 

Washington,  289 
Callender,  Newell,  336 

Samuel,  336 

Samuel  N.,  336 
Calpin,  Patrick,  384 

Patrick  F.,  384 
Camarca,  Vito,  598 
Campbell,  D.  J.,  674 

Duncan  T.,  632 
Carlucci,  Carlo,  491 

Peter  p.,  491 
Carney,  John.  397 
Carr,  Henry  J.,  254 
Carter,  Daniel.  104 

Griswold,  104 

Joseph,  194 

Lewis  B.,  103,  104 

Marvin  P.,  198 

Phineas,  195 

Pulaski,  194,  195 

Pulaski  P.,  198 

Thomas,  194 
Casey,  Andrew  J.,  455 

James  T.,  454 

Patrick  J.,  454 

Timothy,  454 
Cassese,  Charles  J.,  601 

Joseph  A.,  601 


690 


INDEX 


Catlin,  George  H.,  623 
Caum,   Edward  L.,  57 

Frank,  57 
Cawley,  Patrick  H.,  396 

Thomas  F.,  70 

William,  70 
Chandler,  George,  541 

Louis  B.,  542 

William,  542 

William  H.,  542 
Chapman,     Charles     I.     A., 
346 

Isaac  A.,  346 

Maxwell,  346 
Clancy,  Phinny  D.,  333 
Clark,  George  R.,  534 

James,  632 

James  R.,  534 

Patrick  J.,  632 

William,  534 
Clarke,  Edward  M.,  -jt, 

George  W.,  "jz 

Matthew  W.,  TZ 
Cleveland,   George  W.,  676 

James  E.,  676 
Close,  Arthur  W.,  407 

J.  Edward,  407 
Coar,  Matthew  A.,  452,  453 
Cobb,  Mount,  361 

Roy  E.,  361,  362 

William  J.,  361 
Collins,  Bernard,  471 

Thomas,  471 

William  H.,  471 
Cominelli,  Angelo,  476 
Conger,  Stephen  M.,  332 

William  H.,  332 
Connell,  Alexander,  543 

Alexander  J.,  529,  530 

Alfred  E.,  503 

Charles,  543 

Charles  R.,  502 

Ezra  H.,  503 

Frank  H.,  56,  57 

Harry  A.,  627 

James,  498,  529 

James  L.,  501 

William,  498 

William  L.,  667 

William  P.,  56 
Connerton,  Edward,  489 

Edward  J.,  489 
Connolly,  Bernard  P.,  129 
Conrad,  Andrew,  605 

Charles  C,  606 

Edward,  607 

Louis,  607 

Otto  R.,  608 

William,  606 
Corley,  Andrew,  427 

John  T.,  427 
Cornell,  Arthur  W.,  490 

Jerome  B.,  490 
Corser,  John  B.,  238 

John  P.,  238 
Costello,  Michael  J.,  512 


Thomas,  628 

William  J.,  628 
Cowdrey,  Nathaniel  A.,  76 

Nathaniel  H.,  76 
Crawford,  Huldah  A.,  518 

James  L.,  516 
Cross,  Albert  J.,  206 

Friend  A.,  206 
Cresswell,  Charles  H.,  587 

Herbert,  587 
Curt,  Joseph,  461 

Joseph  J.  Jr.,  461 
Cusick,  Owen,  582 

Patrick  P.,  582,  583 
Daniel,  Frank  J.,  268 
Davidson,  Walter  H.,  404 
Davies,  John  W.,  213 

William  J.,  213 

William  R.,  213 
Davis,  Abner,  460 

Edward  H.,  460 

Evan  P.,  8s 

James  E.,  84,  85 

William  J.,  150 
Dawson,  Hugh  A.,  123 

William,  123 
Dean,  Arthur  D.,  41 

Isaac,  40 

Walter,  40 
Deantonio,  Emilio,  155 
De  Blasiis,  Appio  C,  603 

Nicholas,  603 
Deckelnick,  Nicholas,  580 

William,  580,  581 
Dempsey,  James,  648 

John  T.,  619 

Michael  J.,  648 

Patrick,  619 
Derry,  Alfred  L.,  293,  294 

John,  293 
Deubler,  Henry,  360 

Marcus  L.,  360 
Devereaux,   Walter  J.,  385 
De  Witt,  Isaac,  305 

Osee  D.,  305 
Dickson,  George  L.,  22,  23 

James,  22 
Dimmick,   Eber,  488 

Edward,  488 

George  B.,  488 

J.  Benjamin,  185,  187 

Samuel  E.,   186 

Thomas,  186 
Dolph,  Ernest  W.,  493 

Isaac,  493 

Samuel,  493 
Donahoe,  Thomas  A.,  547 
Donahue,  Peter  F.,  636 
Doud,  Charles  H.,  166 

Ebenezer,  166 

Erastus  S.,  165,  167 

Galen,  166 

Thomas,  166 
Douglas,  J.  Nelson,  543,  544 

Samuel,  372 

Samuel  W.,  543 


William,  372 

William  J.,  372 
Downing,  Andrew  H.,  418 

Thomas,  418 
Doyle,  James  B.,  341 

Michael,  341 
Duckworth,  John,  415 

John  A.,  415 

John  S.,  415 
Dufify,  John,  654 

John  P.,  654 

Michael,  597 

Patrick  F.,  597 
Dunn,  Arthur,  524,  525 

Isaac  B.,  18,  525 

James,  17,  524 

John,  16 

John  T.,  16,  18 

William,  16,  17,  524 
Dusenbury,  John  H.,  576 

John  W.,  576 
Eberhardt,  Otto  I.,  163 
Edwards,  Henry  M.,  367 

John  M.,  367 

John  R.,  368 
Eisele,  Edward,  122 

John  P.,  122 
Emery,  Frederick  H.,  172 
Evans,  Daniel  W.,  370 

Elias  E.,  152 

Jennie  L.,  151 

Morgan  L.,  370 

Reese  J.,  152 
Eynon,  Albert  B.,  586 

Benjamin  G.,  586 

George  F.,  433 

Thomas,  433,  586 

Thomas  F.,  433 
Fahringer,  Jay  M.,  429 

Jeremiah,  429 
Farr,  John  R.,  504 

Fellows,  Benjamin,  652 

John,  652 

John  H.,  652 
Felton,  George,  445 

Peter,  445 
Fenstermacher,    Edgar   A., 

443.   444 

Michael  W.,  444 

William,  443 
Ferber,  Augustus  C,  90 

Henry  F.,  90 
Fine,  Andrew  M.,  487 

Martin  L.,  487 
Finkelstein,  Isador,  590 
Fish,  Edmond,  299 

John  B.,  299 

Laura  T.,  300 
Flannery,  John,  629 
Fordham,  John  R.,  380 
Foster,  Clement  S.,  258 

Rufus  J.,  258 
Frank,  Jacob  M.,  590 

Louis,  590 
Freas,  Albert  C,  677,  678 

Andrew,  677 


INDEX 


691 


Frink-,  Abraham  L.,  472 

Orrin,  a72 
Fuhrman,  Jacob  S.,  413 

Samuel  J.,  413 
Fuller,  Arthur  C,  64 

Hartley,  561 

Charles,  308 

Charles  A.,  64 

Collins,  562 

Edward,  308 

Edward  C.,  308 

Edward  L.,  308,  309 

Mortimer  B.,  311 

Peter,  561 
Fulton,  Annie  C,  501 
Garrett,   Daniel,  486 

Francis,  486 

John  N.,  486 

John  S.,  486,  487 

Joseph,  486 

Wait,  486 
Garvey,  James  B.,  349 
Gates,  Alpheus  W.,  275 

Lowell  M.,  275,  276 
Gaynor,  James  L.,  548 

Patrick  J.,  548 
Gilhool,  Timothy,  443 

William  E.,  443 
Gilligan,  John,  359 

John  J.,  359 
Gilroy,  Joseph  F.,  459 
Gleason,  Ronald  P.,  43 

Thomas,  43 
Gloor,  Ernest,  227 

John,  227 
Goldsmith,  Morris,  469 

Rudolph  M.,  469 
Gregory,  Marion  A.,  483 

Ralph  A.,  482,  483 
Griffin,  Austin,  666 

Austin  L.,  666.  667 
Griffith,  Andrew  J.,  655 

William,  655 
Guernsey.  James  W.,  259 

Joseph  U.,  259 

Levi  B.,  259 
Gunster,  Charles  W.,  127 

Henry  J.,  127 

Joseph  H..  126 
Gurisatti,  Dominick,  485 

Victor,  485 
Gutheinz,  Alfred,  481 
Haak,  Ezra  J.,  647 

George  E.,  646,  647 
Haas,  Daniel,  160 

Peter  W.,  160 
Hackett,  Richard  M..  344 

William  T.,  344 
Hagen,  Henry,  331,  5/2 

Herman,  473 

William  H.,  331 
Haggertv,  Daniel,  SU 

William,  513 
Haines,  Reuben,  559 

Winfield  S.,  559 
Hall,  Byron  G.,  116 


Herschel  J.,  115,  1 16 

Jabez  G.,  116 
Hampel,  Charles,  570 

Peter,  570 
Hand,  Alfred,  7,  8 

David  B.,  229 

Ezra,  8 

John,  7 

Nathan,  229 

Robert,  229 
Hannon,  James  A.,  424 

James  J.,  424 
Hanyen,  Cornelius,  528 

Fred  C,  528 
Harrington,  David  C,  44 

James,  41 

William,  44 
Harris,  John  H.,  374 

Reese  H.,  374,  375 
Harrison,  James,  402 

Thomas  F.,  402,  403 
Hartzell,  Frederick  V.,  4=7 

Hendrick,  457 
Harvey,  James,  325 

John  A.,  32s 

William  A.,  "">!;.  326 
Healy,  Louis  W.,  264 

Samuel,  264 
Hendrickson.     Forrest     F.. 
249 

John,  249 
Henkelman,  Max  F.,  482 
Henwood,  Charles,  219 

Charles  P.,  219 

Julia  A.,  220 

Richard,  78 

Walter  L.,  78,  79 
Hessinger,  Henry,  91,  574 

Margaret,  575 

Theodore.  91,  574 

William  C,  91 
Hicks,    Benjamin    B.,    116, 

"7 

Mahlon,  116 

Mordecai,  116 
Higham,  Herbert  R.,  475 

William,  47^ 
Hill,  Andrew  J.,  53.^ 

Jacob,  533 

J.   Foster,  533 

Walter  L.,  494 
Hines,  Philip,  225 

Samuel,  224,  225 
Hitchcock,  Edwin  S.,  25 

Frederick  L.,  24,  25,  26 

Peter,  24 
Hoban,  Rt,  Rev.  M.  J.,  685 
Horan.  Patrick,  390 

Patrick  J.,  ,390 
Hornbaker,  Geonje  W.,  399 

Joseph.  399 
Morton,  John  M.,  223 

Leonard  M.,  223 
Houck,  John  W.,  233 

Samuel,  234 

William  L.,  233,  234 


Howarth,  John  W.,  140 
Howe,  Abraham  S.,  92 

Phincas,  92 

Thomas  B.,  92 
Howell,  Esdras,  651 

John  W.,  651 

Louis,  651 
Hower,  George  F.,  266 

Jacob  J.,  266 
Howley.  Michael  T.,  561 

Peter  F.,  561 
Huber,  Robert  L.,  482 
Hughes,  Evan  D.,  424 

John,  400 

John  G.,  424,  425 

Thomas  J,,  400 
Hunt,  Alfred  T.,  440,  441 

George,  441 

James  M.,  441 
Inglis,   Frank,  148 

J.  Scott,  148 

William  W.,  403 
Intoccia,  Gaeton,  598 

Jennar,  598 
Jadwin,  Charles  P.,  635 
James,  David,  571 

Thomas  D.,  571,  572 
Jeffrey,  Joseph,  82,  83 

William,  83 
Jenkins,  David,  420 

Jabez,  468 

John  L.,  420 

Thomas,  420 

William  O.,  468 
Jennings,  Hugh,  480 

James,  480 
Jermyn,  Edmund  B.,  281 

Frank  H.,  280 

George  B.,  6S2 

John,  277 

Joseph  J.,  279 

Rollo  G.,  281 

Walter  M..  280 
Jones,  Cyrus  D.,  95 

Daniel,  368,  569 

Evan  S.  Jr.,  495,  49^ 

George  L.,  560,  570 

Harry  J.,  555 

Henry  D.,  369 

John,  95,  555 

John  B.,  453 

John  D.,  420 

John  R.,  554 

Joseph  H.,  453,  454 

Meredith,  550 

Randolph,  558 

Robert  P.,  55' 

Roderick,  569 

Seymour  E.,  557,  558 

Thomas  M.,  55° 

Walter  H.,  368,  369 

William,  95,  557 

William  R.,  554 
Jordan,  James  D.,  436 

Richard,  436 

Thomas  H.,  436 


692 


INDEX 


Joseph,  Emrys  S.,  665 

Watkins'B.,  665 
Judge,  Martin  P.,  668,  669 

Michael,  668 
Kays,  Martin  R.,  380 

Mary  A.  F.,  380 
Keast,  John,  405 

John  H.,  405 
Keffer,  Monroe  C,  43s 

Roscoe  H.,  434,  435 
Kehrli,  Andrew,  585 

Caspar,  585 

Henry,  585 
Keller,  Daniel,  60 

Joseph,  58,  59 

Joseph  F.,  119,  120 

Luther,  58,  60 

Peter,  59 

Theodore,  119,  120 
Kelly,  Ellsworth,  124 

James,  124 

John,  no 

John  H.,  124 

John  P.,  no 
Kemmerer,  William,  338 

Willis  A.,  338 
Kennedy,  Amelia  M.,  197 

James  S.,  192 

John,  191 

Lucius  C,  191,  194 

Thomas,  igi 

William  D.,  193 
Kiefer,  Asa  E.,  537,  538 

Peter,  537 

Samuel,  537 
Kingsbury,  Ebenezer,  142 

Edward  P.,  142 
Kirkpatrick,  Alexander,  538, 
539 

Charles  L.,  539 

Charles  W.,  538,  539 

David,  539 

Jacob,  539 
Kizer,   Abram,  600 

Alton  F.,  600 

Jacob  E,,  600 

John  D.,  600 
Knapp,  Harry  A.,  49 

Peter,  49 
Knight,  Benjamin,  319 

Jeremiah  D.,  319 

Myron  S.,  319,  320 

Nicholas,  319 
Koehler,  Henry  T.,  594 
Kolb,  Edward  O.,  147 

John  G.,  147 
Kramer,  Albert  N.,  435 

L.  H.,  436 

Nathan,  435 

Samuel  N.,  436 
Kuras,   Rev.  John,  678 
Lalley,  Michael,  458 

Peter  F.,  458,  459 
Lansing,  James  A.,  iii,  112 

William  J.,  n2 


Larkin,  Joseph  F.,  85 

Madison  F.,  87 
Lathrop,   Benjamin  L.,  476 

Edward  F.,  476 

John,  476 
Law,  Archibald,  182 

Archibald  F.,  182,  183 

Charles,   183 
Lawall,  Allen  J.,  577 

Elmer  H.,  577 
Lawrence,  Allan,  339 

John,  339 

Lawrens,  156 

Milton,  339 

Thomas,  157,   158 

Walter  L.,  156,  159 
Legambi,  James,  605 

Pietro,  604 

Vincenzo,  604 
Le  Monte,  Arthur  C,  483 

Wellington,  484 

William,  484 
Lentes,    Frederick    C.    W., 
546 

John,  544,  545 
Lettieri,    Ernesto    M.,    603, 
604 

Joseph  M.,  603 
Levy,  Newton  B.,  589 
Lewis,  John  D.,  290 

William  J.,    290 

William  J.  Jr.,  292 

William  R.,  237,  238 
Liming,  John,  '^y^i 

William  S.,  573 
Lindsay,  Charles  H.,  174 

James,  174 
Linen,  George,  38 

James  A.,  37,  38 
Logan,  Harry  V.  N.,  535 

Samuel  C..  iJ^S 
Lohmann,  George,  549 

John,  549 
Loughran,  John  J.,  519 
Lowry,  George,  297 

Holloway,  20-' 

James  W.,  297 

John,  206 

Milton  W.,  298 
Lucas,  George  J.,  199 
Lutsey,  Edward,  324 

John,  324 

John  L.,  323,  324 

William,  324 
Lynch,  Austin,  614 

Bartholomew  J.,  615 

Frank  M.,  615 

James  C,  680 

James  J.,  614 

William  M.,  680,  681 
Lynett,  Edward  J.,  107,  108 

William,  107 
McAnulty,  James  S.,  504 
McClave,   William,  269 
McConnell,    John    G.,    334, 
335 


Joseph,  333 

Walter  A.,  333 
McCrindle,  John,  401 

Thomas,  401 
McDonald,  Michael  E.,  522 
McGee,  Patrick,  553 

William  F.,  552 
McGinley,  Michael  A.,  136 
McGuire,  John  F.,  393 
McLoughlin,  James,  595 

Thomas   H.,  595 
McNulty,  James,  406 

Thomas  J.,  406 
Madden,  Harry  T.,  556 

Thomas  O.,  556 
Major,  Abel  G.,  634 

.A..  Lesley,  634 

Thomas,  634 

William,  634 
Malone,  Rev.  J.  W  .,  682 
Maloney,  Martin,  683 
Manchester,  Albert  B.,  566 

Henry  C,  566 
Manley,   Patrick  D.,  394 
Martin,  Michael,  243 

Michael  J.,  243,  244 

Patrick,  243 
Masucci,    Charles    A.,    547, 
548 

John,  558 

Peter,  547 

Pietre,  558 
Matthews,    Charles    W.,   71 

Frank  V.,  395 

Richard  J.,  117,  118 

Robert,  71,  118 

Sidney,  395 

William,  71 
Maxey.  George  W.,  302 
Mav,  Lewis,  34 

'W.  A.,  34 
Mead,  Thomas  H.,  430,  431 

William,  430 
Mears,  Eva  V.,  322 

John  A.,  321 

John  F..  321,  322 

Sidney  C,  321 
Megargee,   Francis  O.,   121 

Jacob,  121 

Sylvester  J.,  121 
Melley,  Rev.  Edward  J.,  637 
Mellody,  John,  408,  409 
Meredith,  Thomas,  318 

Thomas  G.,  ^18 

William  S.,  318 
Merrifield,   Edward,  228 
Mersereau,  Charles  L.,  364 

365 
John,  364 
Joshua,  36s 
Miller,   C.  August,  4';i 
Charles  F.,  286 
Gustav  A.,  169,  170 
Irvin  C,  407 
Maurice  T.,  144,  145 
Michael,   169 


INDEX 


693 


Orville  J.,  407 

Otto  P.,  451,  452 

Theodore  M.,  145 
Moir,  James,  232,  233 

John,  232 

John  M.,  232 
Monaghan,  Francis  M.,  511, 
512 

Richard,  511 
Moore,  Edward  P.,  408 

Thomas,  125 
Morgan,  David  T.,  541 

John,  541 

T.  Archer,  540,  S4i 

Thomas  S.,  541 
Morss,  Leonidas  W.,  330 
Mosher,  Luthan  B.,  146 
Mtilholland,  Bernard,  458 

Henry  W.,  458 
Murphy,    Francis    L.,    358, 
359 

James  R.,  394 

M.  J.,  494 

Sarah  A.,  395 
Murray,     Michael    J.,    3S0, 
351 

Michael  J.  Jr.,  352 
Napier,  John,  474 

William  E.,  474 
Nash,  Joseph,  467 

William  L.,  466,  467 
Nettleton,  Augustus  C.,  514, 
51S 

Franklyn  E.,  515 
Neuffer,  Carl  W.  F.,  409 

Charles  D.,  409 
Nicholson,  Addison  A.,  456 

Fitch,  456 

Homer,  456 
Noecker,    Charles    B.,    326, 

John,  326 

Lewis,  327 
Nolan,  James,  591 

Joseph   H.,   591,  592 
Norton,  Mary  E.,  563 

Michael,   562 
Oakford,    James    W.,    215, 
217 

Joseph.  215 

Richard  A.,  215 
O'Brien,  John  E.,  478 

Richard,  477 
O'Donnell,  Patrick,  260 

William  P.,  260 
O'Malley,  James  J.,  .\37 

Michael,  337 

Thomas  B.,  84 

William  G.,  83,  84 
O'Neill,  Hugh,  354 

James  J.,  354 
Osterhout,  Edward  W.,  358 

Guy  W.,  506 

Mary  E.,  358 

Milo  D.,  506 
Owens,  John  J.,  553 


Paine,    Hendrick     E.,    312, 
313 

Stephen,  312 
Palmer,  Charles,  400 

Jesse,  400 
Palumbo,  Salvatori,  601 
Parker,  Charles  B.,  617,  618 

Edwin  R.,  650 

Fernando  A.,  618 

Rondino,  616 

Sheldon,  617 

Sheldon  W.,  650 

Stephen,  617 

Sterling  D.,  616,  617 
Parrish,  George  H.,  306 

Justin  E.,  305,  306 
Pauli,   Francis   S.,   378,  379 

George,  378 

Herman  R.,  378 

Lewis  J.,  379 

Philip  R.,  "379 

Margaret  F.,  380 

Reinhold,  378 
Peck,  Eliphalet,  201 

Fenwick   L.,  235 

George,  202 

George  L.,  201,  203 

Jesse,  201 

John,  201 

Jonathan  W.,  235 

Joseph,  235 

Luther,  202 

Luther  W.,  203 

Simon,  235 
Penman,  Charles  B.,  63] 

Harriet  C,  631 

James,  631 
Phillips,  Philip  R.,  684 
Pinnell,  John  W.,  303,  304 

Jones  T.,  303 
Piatt,  Frank  E.,  180 

Frederick,  177 

Frederick  J.,  181,  182 

Joseph,  181 

Joseph  C,  177 
Pond,  Alvin  P.,  105 

Charles  FL,  105 
Porter,  Abel  J.,  139 

John  T.,  139 
Post,  Arthur,  66 

Carrie   L,   564 

Goosen,  65 

Isaac,  67,  68 

Isaac  L.,  67 

Jacob,  564 

John,  66,  67 

Panwell  V.,  66 

Peter,  65 

Peter  A.,  65 

Richard,  66 

Robert  F.,  563,  564 
Powell,  Charles  J.,  167,  168 

Howard,  466 

James  M.,  465.  466 

James  S.,  168 

Lewis  B.,  168 


Public  Library,  253 
Price,  Thomas  J.,  340 
Rader.  John  B.,  56? 

Philip,  563 
Redding,  Leonard  G.,  355 
Reedy,  David  J.,  260 

John,  260 
Reilly,  David  M.,  609 

Peter  F.,  649 

Thomas,  609,  649 
Renncr,   Frank    vV.,  536 

Gustav  F.,  536 
Reynolds,  George,  62 

George  F.,  61,  62 
Rice,  James  N.,  282 

Sarah  E.,  283 

William,  282 
Kichards,  John  T.,  52 

Thomas,  52 
Richmnnd,  John,  640 

Robert  R.,  640 

William  H.,  6^9,  641 

William   W.,  640 
Riegel,  Isaac  M.,  531 

John  I.,  531 
Rinsland,  John,  314 

Philip,  314 
Ripple,  Ezra  H.  Jr.,  61 
Rittenhouse,    Benjamin    F., 
322 

James  H.,  322,  323 

Matthias,  322 
Robertson,  David,  679 

John,  679 

John  M.,  679 

William  G.,  635 
Robinson,   Edmund  J.,  657 

Otto  J.,  659 

Mina,  657 

Philip,  61^7 

Robert,  658 
Roblee,   Milton,  421 
Roche,  John  E.,  342 
Rogers,  Adelbert  E.,  353 

George  W.,  353 
Roos,  Elias  G.,  209,  210 

Rabbi  Kaufman,  209 

Samuel,  209 
Rosar,  Charles  G.,  507.  5o8 

Peter,  507 
Rose,  Charles  C,  131 

William  C,  131 
Ross,  Charles  S.,  626,  627 

J.  Elliott,  627 
Roth,   Max,  633 

William,  633 
Ruddy,   John   J.,   Rev.,   355 
Rushmore,  J.  Edward,  673. 
674 

John  F.,  673 
Rutherford,      Herman      C, 
296 

Robert  W.,  296 
Ruthven,    Robert    C,    45°. 

451 
Robert  E.,  450 


694 


INDEX 


Sampson,  Chester  C,  546 
Samter,  Jacob,  81 

Samuel,  81,   82 
Sanderson,  Abraham,  131 

Benjamin  L.,  256 

Charles  D.,  254.  256 

Clarence  M.,  256 

Edward,  132 

George,  132 

George,  Col.,  133 

Jacob,  131 

Jonathan,   132,  254,  255 

Samuel,   132,  255,  256 
Sando,  Joseph  W.,  287 

Michael  F.,  287 
Savage,  Charles  P.,  55,  56 

Joseph,   55 

Robert  P.,  55 
Scheuer,  John,   164 
Schiller,  Aaron,  588 

Abraham  L.,  588 

Leib,   588 
Schillinger,    Christian,    464, 

465 
Schimpflf,  Eugene,  527 

Jacob,  527 

Philip,  527 
Schlager,  Jacob,  644 

Jacob  R.,  644 
Schoenfeld,  Reinhard,  428 

William  C,  427,  428 
Schoonmaker,      Alexander, 
663 

Col.  U.  G.,  663,  664 

Jacob.  663 
Schoonover,  William,  629 

William  J.,  629,  630 
Schriever,  Jacob,  337 

James  B.,  ^7,y 
Schubert,  Henry  J.,  376,  377 

William,  376 
Schunk.  Jacob,  672 

William  A..  672 
Schwenker,  John  G.,  567 

John   U.,  567 
Scott,    Frederick    E..    638, 

639 

Samuel,  638 
Scranton,  Ichabod,  29 

John,  28 

Jonathan,  29 

Joseph  H.,  29 

Theophilus,  29 

William  W.,  30 

Worthington,   32 
Seamans,    Charles    S.,    340, 
.S4I 

John,  340 

John  M.,  340 
Sedlak,   Frank  J.,  393 
Severson,  Irwin  W.,  419 

Oscar  L.,  419 
Shafer,   Casper,   42 

Hampton  C.,  42 
Shindel,   Conrad  F.,  646 


Shoemaker,  Layton  L.,  154 

Theodore,  154 
Siebecker,   Louis  J.,  578 

William,  578 
Siegel,    Harry    M.,   624 
Simons,  Edward  F.,  573 

Edward  G.,  573 
Sinn,  Andrew  C,  109 

Joseph  A.,  109,  no 
Simpson,  Christopher,  241 

Clarence  D.,  241,  242 

John,  141 

William  S.,  241 
Slocum,  Anthony,  261 

Ebenezer,  262 

George  W.,  261,  264 

Giles,  261 

Jonathan,  262 

Joseph,  261,  263 

Joseph  W.,  264 

Samuel,  261 
Smith,  Frederick  D..  608 

Garrett,  152,  153 

George  B.,  616 

Gustave,   434 

Gustave  F.,  433,  434 

Harry  F.,  608 

Jacob,  153 

John  B.,  616 

John  F.,  433 

Peter,  153 

Ruel.  19 

William  T.,  19 
Snyder,  David  N.,  357 

Elizabeth  D.,  628 

Jacob  B.,  628 

Marion  D.,  357 
Spencer,  Harry  M.,  392 

Sylvester,  392 
Sporer,  John,  596 

Michael,  596 
Sprague,  Edward  H.,  315 

Thomas,  315,  316 
Spruks,  David,  345 

John.  345 
Stackhouse,      Fletcher      C, 
464 

Jesse  B.,  464 
Steell,  Joseph   H.,  214 
Stender,    Ferdinand  J.,  450 

Herman  F.,  449,  450 
Stephens,  A.  Wesley,  135 

Morton  W.,  135 
Stevens,  Charles  H.,  410 

Fred  D..  410 
Stevenson,   George   E.,   397 

Stephen,  397 
Stillwell,  Frederick  W..  245 

Richard,  245 
Stipp,  Ludwig,  137,  4'l6 

Ludwig  T.,  447 

Mathias,  137 

Peter,  446 
Stocker,  Albert,  265 

Frank  R.,  265,  266 

James  D.,  265 


Stone,  Asian,  638 

Francis  O.,   171,  172 

John  A.,  637,  638 

Oscar.  171 
Stuckart,  Anthony  F.,  63 

George  F.,  63 
Sturges,  Edward  B.,  669 

Thomas   B.,  669 
Sutton,  Cyrus  O.,  494,  495 

Peter,  495 
Sweet.  George,  317 

William,  317 
Swift,  Michael  J.,  391 
Sylvester,  Philip  L.,  149 
Taylor,  Charles  C,  622 

F.  A.,  Mrs.  264 

Herbert  L.,  385 

Jasper  C,  621,  622 

John  A.,  621 

Reuben,  621 

ReuDen  W.,  386 
Thomson,  Alexander,  218 

Charles  E.,  218 
Throop,  Benjamin  H.,  9,  10, 
II,   13 

Dan,    II 

George  S.,  13 

William.   10 
Tobey,  Albert  B..  551 

Charles  E..  551,  552 

Edward,  551 
Toohey,  John  J.,  540 

Thomas,   540 
Torrey,  James  H.,  267 

William,  267 
Touhill,  Charles  V.,  675 

Edward.  675 

John  A..  67s 
Vallario.  Michael.  599 

Nicholas,  500 
Valverde,  Rev.  Francis,  649 
Van  De  Water,  Peter,  373 

William  G.,  373 
VanDeusen,  Coonrod,  240 

Henry,  240 

Henry  N.,  240 

Henry  R.,  240 

Isaac,  239 

John,  240 
Vasey,  George  F.,  593 

John,  593 

William,  593 
Villone,  Joseph,  381,  382 

Vitale,  382 
Vincent,  George,  247 

I.  Raymond,  247 

Isaac,  247 
Von  Bergen,  Andrew,  204 

John,  204,  205 
Von    Storch.    Charles    H., 
212 

Christian  T..  211 

Godfrey,  212 

Heinrich  L.,  2H.  645 

Jessica  P.,  646 

Johann  G.,  211 


INDEX 


695 


Theodore,  645 

Theodore  C,  645,  646 
Vosburg,  Alton  A.,  99 

Merritt  B.,  99 

Stephen,  99 
Voyle,  David  M.,  463 

Thomas  M.,  463 
Waddell,  Addison,  620 

James,  620 

Joseph  A.,  620,  621 
Wagner,  Frederick,  100 

Frederick  A.,  loi 

Joseph,  100 
Wahl,  George,  431,  432 
Wainwright,   Jonathan   M., 
98 

WilHam  A.  M.,  98 
Wakeman,      Benjamin      S., 
625,  626 

Seth,  62s 
Waldner,  Frederick  G.,  592 
Walker,  George  A.,  416 

J.  Moulton,  416 

Sabinns,  416 
Wallace,  Charles  R.,  402 

Frank  C.,  402 

H.   Clifford,   130 
Walter,  Michael,  568 

Paul  S.,  568 
Wardle,  James   F.,  77 

Joseph,  77 
Warman,  Andrew  B.,  129 

Theodore  P.,  129 
Warren.   Harris   F.,  207 

Henry  G.,  565 

Isaac,  207 

Major  Everett,  206,  207 

Philip  H.,  565 
Watkins,  Daniel  R.,  97 

Edward,  97 

George  W.,  422,  423 


John  T.,  610,  611 

William  W.,  439,  610 
Watres,  Lewis  S.,  l88 

Louis  A.,  188,  189 
Watson,   Benjamin   E.,    115 

Charles,  115 
Webber,   Richard,  384 

Wesley  J.,  384 
Wedeman,  Daniel,  138 

Louis  P.,  138 

Martin  P.,  138 

Peter,  138 
Weeks,  Arthur  L.,  273,  275 

Ralph,  273 

Ralph  E.,  274 
Weinschenk,  Anton,  366 

Arthur  A.,  366 
Weissenfiuh,  J.  Edwin,  441, 
442 

John,  442 
Welles,  Charles  H.,  106 

Charles  H.  Jr.,  106 
Wells,  Corydon  H.,  294 

Thomas  F.,  294,  295 
Wenzel,     Charles    E.,    411, 
412 

Conrad,  411 
Weston,  Charles  S.,  5,  6 

Edward   W.,  5 
Westpfahl,  Albert  F.,  404 

John,  404 
White,  James  B.,  505 

J.  Norman,  509 

Joseph,  509 

Robert  E.,  505 

Robert  V.,  505,  506 

Sidney.  509 

Stephen,  505 
Wilcox,   Edward,  284 

Isaiah,  284 

Nathan  P.,  285 


Stephen,  284 

William  A.,  285 
Williams,  Carlos  D.,  250 

Carey  P.,  250,  251 

Edwin  S.,  362,  363 

Erastus  P.,  250 

Jeremiah,  362 

John  F.,  75 

John  R.,  75 

Reese,  68 

Silas,  250 

Tudor  R.,  6g 

William  R..  68 
Wills,  Henry,  581 

Robert  C,  581 
Winans,  Elihu,  448 

George  G.,  449 

George  H.,  448,  449 
Winters,  Peter  C.,  509,  510 

Robert,  510 
Winton.  Andrew  J.,  50 

Walter  W.,  51 

William  W.,  50 
Woelkers,  Charles,  654 

Herman  J.,  654 
Wolf,  Edward  L.,  15 

George,  14 

Theodore  G.,  13,  16 
Wollerton,    Frederick    W., 
107 

William,  107 
Woodruff,  Andrew,  271 

Clarence  S.,  271 

Lewis  H..  271 
York,  Samuel  F.,  93,  94 

William  F.,  94 
Zeidler,  John,  462 

Maggie,  463 
Zimmer,  George  A.,  .348 

John,  347,  348 
Zivatas,  Frank,  575 


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