USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania : from its first beginnings to the present time, including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume V > Part 38
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WALTER S. STEWART, M. D., Fellow of the. American College of Surgeons, one of the oldest prac- ticing physicians and surgeons in eastern Pennsylvania, particularly in Wilkes-Barre, where he is held in high esteem, was born on November 16, 1856, in Snow Shoe, Center County, Pennsylvania. Dr. Stewart is a son of Dr. Miller and Patsey (Elliott) Stewart, and grandson, on the paternal side, of James Stewart, one of the early settlers of Huntington County. Dr. Miller Stewart, the father, was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, class of 1845, when he received his degree as Doctor of Medicine, a profession which he followed with success for several years. He had later removed to Center County and there became increasingly interested in the lumber trade, a type of endeavor to which he later de- voted all of his time and attention, and in which he achieved mich prominence as a successful timber opera- tor in that part of the State. He was the father of seven children: 1. William, who resided in Seattle, Washington, now deceased. 2. Walter S., of whom fur- ther. 3. and 4. Mary E. and David, twins, the former married a Dr. Miller. 5. DeLaune G., a retired dentist of Bellefont, Pennsylvania. 6. Margaret A. 7. R. Fin- ley, who is now deceased.
Walter S. Stewart, the second son of Dr. Miller and Patsey (Elliott) Stewart, was reared upon the home- stead farm in Center County, and he received his primary education in the public schools of that district. He at- tended the Sheppensburg and Millersville State Normal schools, after which he taught school for some two years. In the year 1880 he entered the Medical College of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from there with the class of 1883, when he received his degree as Doctor of Medicine. On April 29, 1884, he journeyed to Wilkes-Barre, and it is there that he has since re- mained, carrying on a most successful practice of his profession for forty-five years. His work in this respect was temporarily interrupted during the year 1889, how- ever, when he took a post-graduate course in sur- gery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore. Upon the completion of this work he returned to Wilkes-Barre with the happy sequel above noted. He is, today, at the date of the writing of this biographical history ( 1928) spoken of as one of the most able men in his profession. And he is particularly active, although he is now in the seventy-second year of his age. During the major por- tion of his life and his work in Wilkes-Barre he has served steadily as a member of the medical and surgical staff of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital; and he is noted for the excellent manner in which he stands behind any movement designed for the welfare or advancement of his community. Besides all of this work and his gen- cral practice as well, Dr. Stewart is also a surgeon of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Kingston Coal Company, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, and he is a director of the Wilkes-Barre General Hos- pital.
Dr. Walter S. Stewart, who is unmarried, has given a considerable amount of interest to his membership in a
number of learned organizations pertaining to his pro- fession, and among the more important of these are the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Lehigh Valley Medical Association, and he is, as has been stated, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Stewart maintains his residence in Wilkes-Barre.
CHARLES WILBUR LAYCOCK-As president of the Miners' Bank of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Charles Wilbur Laycock is well known in banking circles in this section of the State. He has been identified with the Miners' Bank since 1913, and has served as its president since 1924. Mr. Laycock has been connected with the banking business throughout the greater part of his career and his long and varied experience, together with his ability and his integrity, make him a tower of strength in his present position.
The Laycock family is an old Pennsylvania family, dating back to the early years of the history of the State, and is of Scotch, English and Irish extraction. Rev. Shadrack B. Laycock, grandfather of Mr. Laycock, was for many years a local preacher of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He married Susan Bowman, an aunt of the late Bishop Thomas Bowman, who for many years was a prominent bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Among their children was Adam Clark Lay- cock, who was born near Berwick, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 3, 1826, and who married Clarissa A. Millard. They were the parents of two children: I. Mary Amanda, now deceased, who married Lewis K. Poust. 2. Charles Wilbur, of further mention.
Charles Wilbur Laycock, son of Adam Clark and Clarissa A. (Millard) Laycock, was born in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1860, but when he was only six years of age his par- ents removed to Shickshinny, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania. He received his education in the public schools of Luzerne County, and in the Wyoming Seminary of Kingston, in Luzerne County. His parents removed to Kingston in 1879, when he was nineteen years of age, and when his course in the seminary was completed he secured a position as clerk in the Second National Bank of Wilkes-Barre. That connection he maintained until 1890, in which year he made a change and accepted the position of cashier of the Anthracite Savings Bank of Wilkes-Barre. Ability, application and faithfulness, with strict integrity, made him an important factor in the development of this bank, with which he remained for a period of twenty years. At the end of that time, in 1910, he became the local representative of a New York and' Philadelphia bond house, and three years later he was chosen cashier of the Miners' Bank of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1915 he was elected vice-president of the hank, and in May, 1924, he was elected president, which responsible position he now holds (1928). In addition to his responsibilities as president of the Miners' Bank of Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Laycock is a director, sec- retary, and treasurer of the Wilkes-Barre Railway Cor- poration ; director and treasurer of the Penn Tobacco Company, of Wilkes-Barre; a director of the Lyman H. Howe Film Corporation of Wilkes-Barre; a trustee of the Wyoming Seminary, of Kingston, Luzerne County, and a trustee of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. For the past twenty years Mr. Laycock has been one of the active supporters and leaders in all community welfare, both civic and religious, in the Wyoming Valley. He has been a member and an official for many years in the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.
Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party. Fraternally, he is identified with Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons, of Kingston, Shekinalı Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Mason, Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45. Knights Templar of Wilkes-Barre, Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons thirty-second degree and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Laycock is one of the six Masons in Luzerne County who have had conferred upon them the thirty-third degree of Masonry, the high- est rank and honor in Free Masonry. As has already been mentioned, he is a member and one of the three trustees of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a trustee of the First Methodist Church of Kingston, Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the General Conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in 1908 and 1912. Mr. Laycock
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for about twelve years was a member of the general Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served on the finance and and executive committees.
Charles Wilbur Laycock married, June 5, 1890, L. Jennie Clapp, and they became the parents of four chil- dren : 1. Nesbitt E., who died in childhood. 2. Charles Harold, who was born March 15, 1893, attended the local public schools and then prepared for college at Wyoming Seminary. He then continued study in the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut. He is now the local representative of Green, Ellis, and Ander- son, a New York bond house. He married Esther F. Weckesser, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have two child- dren : Mary Anna and Charles Frederick. 3. Robert Clark, born June 24, 1896, received his early education in the local public schools, prepared for college at Wyoming Semi- nary, and then matriculated in Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania, where he completed his course with graduation. He is manager of the store of F. W. Woolworth and Company, at North Fifty-second Street, Philadelphia. 4. Millard Day, born in Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1899, received his educa- tion in the local public schools, in Wyoming Seminary, and in Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania, and is now connected with the J. J. Newberry Company, and is located in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He married, in 1928, Jonelle Meily, of Tyrone, Pennsylvania. All three of Mr. Laycock's sons were volunteers and served in the United States Navy during the World War.
ANTHONY CHARLES CAMPBELL was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1862. His father. James Campbell, a son of Anthony and Mary ( Shields) Campbell, was born ( 1825) at Mount Charles, County Donegal, Ireland, came to the United States in 1847, took an active part in the business and political life of Wilkes- Barre, and died April 21, 1896. His mother, Ann Campbell, a daughter of Thomas and Ann ( Slavin) McGourty, was born (1833) at Camberry, County Leitrim, Ireland, came to this country in 1849, and dicd July 16, 1915. They left to survive them the following children: Anthony C., James H., Jane (in religion, Sister M. Dionysia of the Sisters of Mercy) : Lillian, intermarried with P. J. Collins; Mary E., and Maude (in religion, Sister M. Callistus of the Sisters of Mercy).
Mr. Campbell attended the public schools, was grad- uated from Wilkes-Barre High School in 1879, taught one year in Plymouth Township (now Edwardsville) Public School, entered Lafayette College in 1880 and was graduated in June, 1884. In college he participated in many of its activities, and gained considerable fame as an athlete.
He studied law in the office of Attorney-General H. W. Palmer, and was admitted to the bar on October 18, 1886. He remained with his preceptor until 1890. when he opened an office for himself and has continued in general practice of the law, now having as associates his nephews, Attorneys J. Campbell Collins and John H. Collins. In 1896, he married Ellen V. Walsh, a daughter of Richard F. Walsh, a leader in Wilkes-Barre business circles, and Mary (O'Malley) Walsh.
Mr. Campbell has always made time to serve the community. He was a lieutenant of Company D. 9th Regiment of Infantry, president of St. Mary's Institute, a trustee of the Boys' Industrial Association, a member of the City Planning Commission and also of the Art Jury, president of the General Alumni Association of Lafayette College, president of the Chamber of Com- merce, secretary-treasurer of Mercy Hospital, and one of the organizers and a vice-president of the Community Welfare Federation. During the World War he was vice-president of the Red Cross Society and Fuel Ad- ministrator of Luzerne County. He is a director of the Second National Bank. In 1888 he was unanimously nominated for mayor of Wilkes-Barre by the Democratic party. He declined the honor and always refused to become a candidate for any office. He is a member of Concordia Society, Westmoreland Club, Wyoming His- torical and Geological Society, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Luzerne County, the Pennsylvania, and American Bar Associations.
DANIEL EDWARDS-One of the foremost citizens of the Wyoming Valley, where he stood high in the anthracite industry and the banking profession, was the late Daniel Edwards, who, although he has now passed from the scene of his worldly endeavors, is remembered for the work that he did and for the qualities of character that he consistently demonstrated in all his relationships with his fellowmen. Needless to say, such a man as he
must acquire numerous friends ; and many, indeed, were the acquaintanceships that he formed during his residence in Luzerne County, which covercd the more productive years of his career. His death brought widespread sor- row to the hearts of his fellow-citizens here, for his career was an extremely useful one, both to the com- munity in which he lived and to those persons whose privilege it was to be associated with him in any of the business or social enterprise in which he participated.
Mr. Edwards was born at Groeswen, Glamorganshire, South Wales, on April 25, 1825, and while a young man he came to the United States in 1856. Two years later, in 1858, he was made manager of the iron mines at Dan- ville, Pennsylvania ; and, almost as soon as he began this new work, he showed remarkable executive ability. with the result that before long he was well started on the road to successful achievement. In 1876 he took charge of the coal mines at Kingston, Pennsylvania, and here he again showed rare business qualities in the development of these properties. From then onward until his death in 1901, Mr. Edwards became more and more important as a factor in the mining industry in this part of Pennsyl- vania until at length he was one of the wealthy anthracite operators in the State. He was president of the King- ston Coal Company, and also president of the Kingston Bank, and was the prime motivating force in the founding of this bank, out of which grew the present day Kingston Bank & Trust Company, one of the largest banking insti- tutions in the anthracite coal region of this State. His genial personality, his ready ability to make friends and keep them, and his interest in the activities of his fellow- men and the leaders in community life-all these were elements of his character which rendered his contribution to Kingston and Luzerne County most valuable, and his career a profitable one to his fellowmen and to himself.
Mr. Edwards was also a director of the Wilkes-Barre Hospital and a member and an official of the Welsh Con- gregational Church at Edwardsville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, a town which, by the way, was named after him. Also keenly interested in political developments in his city and county, as well as in the State and Nation, Mr. Edwards was identified closely with the Republican party, whose policies and candidates he regularly sup- ported. One of the foremost citizens of the Wyoming Valley and a man of rare business and executive ability, he was naturally called upon on many occasions to render judgment on important public problems and to help leaders in local affairs to arrive at just and equitable decisions.
Daniel Edwards married, on January 17, 1852, Margaret Edwards, who was also born in Wales. At the time of Mr. Edwards' death, he was survived by three daughters : Mrs. Theodore L. Newell, Mrs. Bennett J. Cobleigh, and Mrs. Walter C. Teter.
The death of Daniel Edwards, which occurred on May 18, 1901, was an occasion of profound sorrow in Kingston, the city of his home, as well as in the neighboring munici- ralities and throughout the Wyoming Valley. For he was one of the outstanding citizens of the Valley, a man broad and liberal in his actions, kind and genial in dis- position, whose charities werc extended to all creeds and races. His work was especially appreciated since he was a self-made and self-educated man, who, coming to America with little means, was able, by his strong fore- sight and business ability, to shape out a place of leader- ship for himself in the life of this great industrial com- munity of Luzerne County, where he became one of the most solid and substantial of citizens.
THE KINGSTON BANK & TRUST COMPANY
was organized in 1896 for the convenience of the popula- tion of Kingston and the adjacent communities on the west side of the Susquehanna River. At that period there were no banking institutions on the west side of the river from the borough of Plymouth to a distance of many miles north of the Susquehanna River. The population of the community known as Kingston at that time was ap- proximately five thousand people and with the adjacent communities a total population of approximately fifteen thousand.
The bank commenced business in May, 1806, with the following members of the Board of Directors: Daniel Edwards, Kingston : Morgan B. Williams. Wilkes-Barre: A. H. Vandling, Scranton; S. L. Brown, Wilkes-Barre : Edmund H. Jones, Wilkes-Barre ; Frederic Corss, King- ston; George Shoemaker, Forty Fort; Robert P. Brod- head, Kingston ; Andrew G, Raub, Luzerne ; Theodore L. Newell, Kingston; E. Waterman Dwight, Philadelphia. Of the directors originally elected, E. Waterman Dwight of Philadelphia is the only member of the original board now serving.
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At the time of organization, the capital was $50,000.00 with a paid in surplus of $25,000.00. On November 26, 1919, the name of the bank was changed to that of the Kingston Bank & Trust Company, at which time the bank acquired its fiduciary powers and began the develop- ment of a substantial trust department. The officers at the date of organization were Daniel Edwards, president (q. v.); Theodore L. Newell, vice-president; W. E. Preston, cashier ; Frederic Corss, secretary ; and Loren M. Luke, attorney.
Mr. Daniel Edwards served as president until the date of his death and on January 14, 1902, Theodore L. Newell was elected president and continued in this capacity until the date of his resignation in March, 1915, at which time Edward M. Rosser (q. v.), the present incumbent, was elected president of the institution. Mr. William E. Preston, the first cashier, served until his death in May, 1897. On May 9, 1898, Edward M. Rosser was elected to succeed him and served in this capacity until the date of his election as vice-president. Mr. Edward J. Evans was elected cashier to succeed Mr. Rosser on May 10, 1909, and was succeeded by Mr. Harold Tippett, who was elected cashier in 1927, at the time of merger of the West Side Trust Company, of Kingston, at which time Mr. Edward J. Evans was elected vice-president and secretary of the combined institution. The secretary of the insti- tution at date of organization was Dr. Frederic Corss, who served until the date of his resignation on May 24, 1897. He was followed by Andrew G. Raub, who served until May 8, 1905, and was succeeded by Dr. T. Cynon- fardd Edwards, who served until March 2, 1915. Daniel E. Newell was elected March 2, 1915, and was succeeded at the date of his resignation hy Felix W. Bolowicz, the present incumbent. Mr. Loren M. Luke, the first attorney, served until his death in September, 1898, and was suc- ceeded by Anthony L. Williams, who resigned on May 12, 1913, and his successor, Burton W. Davis, then elected and still serving.
On January 21, 1908, there was an authorized increase in capital stock of $50,000.00, making the capital chen outstanding $100,000.00. In 1919, $25.000.00 additional capital stock was issued, thus increasing the capital of the institution to $125,000.00. In November, 1922, a 100 per cent. stock dividend was declared and an additional $50,000.00 issued and sold, bringing the capital stock out- standing to $300,000.00. In January, 1926, through the declaration of a 200 per cent. stock dividend and the further authorization of $100,000.00 capital stock to be sold, the authorized capital was increased to $1,000,000.00. In 1927, the West Side Trust Company of Kingston was merged with the Kingston Bank & Trust Company and all stockholders and directors of both institutions were united by the merger and the authorized capital increased to $1,500,000.00 to make possible giving proper share in interest to the stockholders of both banks.
During the process of increasing the capitalization, the par value of the shares was reduced from $50.00 each to $25.00 each, and the Kingston Bank & Trust Company stockholders received two shares of $25.00 par value each for one share of $50.00 par value of each, and the West Side Trust Company received one share for one share each of $25.00 par value.
The following comparative data will indicate the prog- ress of the growth of the institution during the past decade :
June 30, 1918
$2,922,953.21
June 30, 1919
3,797,133.54
June 30, 1920
3,634,649.58
June 30, 1921
4,257,508.35
June 30. 1922
4,272,352.02
June 30, 1923
5,118,492.47
June 30, 1924
5,742,568.46
June 30, 1925
6,537,617.60
June 30, 1926
7,084,114,49
June 30, 1927
7,774,235.06
June 30, 1928
10,369,484.06
The present officers and directors are as follows :
Officers-President, Edward M. Rosser ; vice-presidents, Donald O. Coughlin, Charles F. Hess, William W. Inglis, Dr. John E. Scheifly, Frederie E. Zerhey, Dr. Albert D. Thomas, Frank P. Oliver; vice-president and secretary, E. J. Evans ; cashier, Harold Tippett ; assistant cashiers, Charles E. Davies, Frank I. Remmell, and Alexander M. Kresge; trust officer, R. B. Malkames.
Directors-E. Waterman Dwight, Philadelphia ; Martin Baloga. Swoyersville; Burton W. Davis, Kingston; Rev. G. A. Bendick, Luzerne; Robert H. Garrahan, Kingston ; T. J. Callahan, Swoyersville ; William W. Inglis, Scran- ton; WV. H. Cocking. Luzerne ; Edward M. Rosser, King- ston; Horace G. Cook, Jr., Kingston; Dr. John E. Schef- fly, Kingston; Donald O. Coughlin, Forty Fort; Dr.
Albert D. Thomas, Forty Fort; Charles F. Hess, De Munds ; Frederic E. Zerbey, Wilkes-Barre; Louis N. Jacobs, Exeter ; Daniel E. Newell, Kingston ; Louis Mar- inos, Luzerne; Frank S. Crane, Kingston; Frank P. Oliver, Kingston; Felix W. Bolowicz, Larksville ; George P. Steinhauer, Kingston; Dr. D. F. Daley, Kingston; E. M. Tripp, Forty Fort ; Charles Betz, Luzerne; Charles Wood, Kingston; William V. Davis, Kingston; J. S. Wurman, Kingston; Edward J. Evans, Kingston; E. C. Yaple, Kingston; Chas. B. D. Wood, Kingston; Andrew J. Sordoni, Kingston.
EDWARD M. ROSSER-As president of the King- ston Bank and Trust Company, Edward M. Rosser is one of the prominent figures in business, finance and community progress in the Wyoming Valley. The King- ston Bank and Trust Company holds a place as the third largest bank in Luzerne County. Besides his posi- tion in this bank, Mr. Rosser has been treasurer of the boroughs of Kingston and Edwardsville and of the school district of Kingston for more than twenty-five years; is president of the Forty Fort State Bank, of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, and of the Hoyt Library Association, of Kingston; elder of the First Presbyterian Church; and a trustee of the Wyoming Seminary and the Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, of Kingston. He is also a director of the Kingston Coal Company, and has many other interests and community appointments.
Mr. Rosser has been a resident of Kingston since early childhood. His identification with the Kingston Bank and Trust Company has covered a period of more than thirty-two years. He started with the bank as a clerk in 1896; became assistant cashier on May 31, 1897, cashier on May 9, 1898, vice-president on February 15, 1908, and president on March 2, 1915. When he first was engaged in the banking profession, the institution which he now heads was known as the Deposit and Savings Bank of Kingston, and was scarcely more than a small sized country bank. As evidence of its growth, the bank now occupies one of the most beautiful homes possessed by any organization of its kind in Northeastern Pennsyl- vania, and is an important factor in business develop- ment throughout the entire Wyoming Valley. Through its merger with the West Side Trust Company in August, 1927, it achieved its present position as the county's third largest bank.
The president of this banking house, Mr. Rosser, was one of the ten children of Morgan D. and Mary (Edwards) Rosser, seven of whom lived to maturity.
Edward M. Rosser was born at Ystrad Rhondda, Wales, on October 27, 1869, and was brought to the United States by his parents when he was only two years old, in 1871. They settled in Kingston, Pennsyl- vania, where his father, who died August 11, 1910, was superintendent of the Kingston Coal Company for a number of years. He was educated in the Edwardsville public schools and the Wyoming Seminary. He was graduated from the College of Business at the Wyoming Seminary in 1902, and prior to starting his banking career spent four years in the office of the Kingston Coal Company. During this period he was confidential secretary to the late Daniel Edwards, president of the company, and following Mr. Edwards' death became manager of the Daniel Edwards estate. Mr. Rosser is a member of the American Bankers' Association, the Westmoreland Club, Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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