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 42
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Payne Pettebone, Jr., born December 23, 1813, was taken in his infancy to the home of his grandfather, with whom he lived until he was eighteen, at which time he was offered a business partnership with Colonel Montayne. This he declined, and shortly afterward was employed as clerk by Swetland and Baldwin, at Wyom- ing, and in 1834 became a partner with Mr. Swetland, a relation that was maintained with mutual profit until 1864. Mr. Pettebone's obvious ability soon won him distinction, and he became associated with various lead- ing enterprises, in many of which he was a director, among them, the old Pittston Bank, the Wyoming Terra Cotta Works and the First National Bank of Pittston ; also the following banks in Wilkes-Barre: The Wyom- ing National Bank, the Miners' Savings Bank and the Wilkes-Barre Savings Bank, becoming president of the last of these. He and his son were proprietors of the Wyoming Shovel Works. He was also a director of the Washington Life Insurance Company of New York, treasurer of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad Company from 1854 to 1863, until its consolidation with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Company, and afterwards a director of the company.
Mr. Pettebone was also very active in 'civic affairs. In 1844, with General William S. Ross and Jonathan J. Slocum, he was appointed under act of the Legisla- ture to sell the Delaware division of the State canal. In Wyoming, in 1864, he was appointed one of the com- missioners to complete the Wyoming monument, and in 1878, was chairman of the finance committee of the Centennial Memorial Association, and as such he enter- tained at his residence President Hayes and his Cabinet, Governor Hartranit and his suite, and other notables in public life. Early in life Mr. Pettebone was im- pressed with the importance of religion in our daily life, and from 1848 he was a member and a consistent sup- porter of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Wyom- ing Methodist Episcopal Church, dedicated July 8, 1883, was the gift of the Pettebone family and Mrs. William Swetland. Mr. Pettebone was also president of the board of trustees of the Wyoming Bible Society, the Wyoming Camp Meeting Association and the Forty Fort Ceme- tery Association ; a trustee of Drew Theological Semi- nary and of Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Con- necticut. He was president of the board of trustees of Wyoming Seminary, and a member of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, of which he was pres- ident in 1875.
On October 3, 1837, Payne Pettebone married Caro- line M. Swetland, born October 17, 1820, daughter of William Swetland (see following biography). Their children were: 1. Mary S., born October 5, 1838, died December 6, 1844. 2. Frances, born September 5, 1842, died November 17, 1845. 3. William S., born July 2, 1844, died June 22, 1850. 4. Edward, born December 2, 1848, died March 23, 1852. 5. Kate S., born Septem- ber 27, 1851, married, November 12, 1874, Allan Hamil- ton Dickson, a biography of whom accompanies this sketch. 6. Robert Treat, born December 12, 1858.
Mr. Pettebone died at his home March 21, 1888, and his passing was Ielt as a severe loss by his many friends and acquaintances. His daily life was pure and exem- plary and his intercourse with the community singularly urbane and kind. If he set an example of character which will long remain an inspiration and a guide, it was be- cause he chose for himself an exalted standard and dared to persevere in its attainment.
WILLIAM SWETLAND, father of Mrs. Payne Pettebone, was born in Sharon, Connecticut, June 26, 1789. He was a merchant and extensive land owner and operator in the Wyoming Valley. He was president of the old Pittston Bank, and subsequently a director of the First National Bank of Pittston. He was county commissioner, 1828-31 ; delegate to the constitutional con- vention of 1837 ; an old-line Democrat, and a Republican after 1860.
. William Swetland was a son of Belding and Sally
(Gay) Swetland. Belding Swetland was born January 14, 1763, and was with his father in Forty Fort at the battle of Wyoming. His father was Luke Swetland, the first settler from Connecticut, locating on the farm where his grandson William later resided; in 1777 was a member of Captain Durkee's company in Morristown, New Jersey, enlisting September 17, 1776. At the battle of Wyoming, on account of disability, he was in Forty Fort and did not take part in the engagement. August 25, 1778, he was captured, with Joseph Blanchard, by the Indians and was held prisoner among the Senecas some time. In 1800 he removed with his family from Mehoo- pany to Wyoming, where he died January 30, 1823.
ALLAN HAMILTON DICKSON-With the death of Allan Hamilton Dickson, Wilkes-Barre lost one of its most prominent citizens, and a man who ever re- ceived at all times the fullest meed of respect and esteem that could be accorded him by his community. He was one of the leaders of the Luzerne County Bar and his death was a great shock to his professional brethren, who realized that they had lost an associate who was not only possessed of profound learning and high foren- sic ability, but also one who had much kindness of heart and a deep love for his fellowman. His death, which occurred January 21, 1893, was formally announced in court on January 24, 1893, and Judge Charles E. Rice, who was presiding on the bench, immediately adjourned court as a mark of respect to one whom all honored. The members of the bar met immediately in solemn con- ference and a resolution was passed expressing the deep sorrow of the Bar Association at the news of the death of one of their most beloved members.
Mr. Dickson was of Scotch descent, his ancestry trac- ing back to David Dickson, born in 1583, one of the regents of the University of Glasgow. The Dicksons were one of the Border clans, and they carried on their crests two well known mottoes; one, Fortes fortuna juvat (Fortune favors the brave), and Cubo sed curo (I sleep but watch). The clan is descended from the Keiths, Earls Marshall, one of the most powerful families of Scotland. John Dickson, the grandson of David Dickson, the University of Glasgow regent, was born about 1673, married Jane Dodd, and settled in County Down, Ireland. His eldest son, James Dickson, has a son, Alexander, born in 1776, who married Sarah Mc- Kee, ten children resulting from this union. His second wife was Margaret Harding, and by her he had six children. In June, 1837, the year of the accession to the throne of England of Queen Victoria, this Alexander Dickson came to the United States with his family, settling at Schaghticoke, New York. Later in the same year he moved to Lansingsburg, New York, where he died April 2, 1871, aged ninety-five years. Hugh Sheri- dan Dickson was the seventh child of Alexander Dickson and his first wife, Sarah McKee. He was born in 1813, and married Sarah Margaret Stoever, by whom he had issue, as follows : I. Elizabeth, married Rev. Samuel T. Lowrie. 2. Ellen, married Colonel W. P. Wilson. 3. Frederick Stoever, author of "Dickson's Blackstone," "Dickson's Commentaries," "Dickson's Kent," and an analysis of "Kent's Commentaries." 4. Allan Hamilton, of whom this is a record.
Allan Hamilton Dickson, son of Hugh Sheridan and Sarah Margaret (Stoever) Dickson, was born in Utica, New York, November 14, 1851. His early education was obtained in the local public schools, after which he pre- pared for college at Wyer's Preparatory School, at West Chester, Pennsylvania. He entered Yale University in 1868, but in the first half of his sophomore year was obliged to give up his studies owing to the breakdown of his health. After a tour in Mexico he returned home and again entered Yale University, finishing his sopho- more studies. He then toured Europe, studied German at the Heidelberg University, and attended lectures in Berlin. After a trip through Switzerland and Italy he returned to the United States and to Wilkes-Barre in 1872. In January of the following year he began the study of law under Henry M. Hoyt, of the Luzerne County Bar, having previously registered as a law stu- dent with Wayne MacVeagh, in West Chester. On September 14, 1874, he was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar, with which from that date he was actively and prominently identified. He was admitted to the Superior and Supreme Courts of the State, and to the Federal Courts of the District, acquiring an ever-increas- ing and lucrative practice. He won enviable standing at the bar and was held in the greatest esteem for his personal qualities as well as for his ability as a lawyer and advocate. He was an active member of all the bar
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associations of the State and county, as well as of the American Bar Association. He was also affiliated with most of the leading social, philanthropic and political organizations.
On November 12, 1874, Mr. Dickson married Kate Swetland Pettebone, daughter of Payne and Caroline M. (Swetland) Pettebone, a biography of Payne Pettebone, together with a brief record of his ancestry, accompany- ing this sketch.
Mr. and Mrs. Dickson were the parents of three chil- dren, as follows: I. Caro, died in childhood. 2. Dorothy Ellen, married Colonel Franck G. Darte, and they have one daughter, Katharine Dickson Darte. 3. Hugh Sheridan, died in childhood. Mrs. Dickson survives her husband; is a resident of Wilkes-Barre, and is inter- ested in all the charitable and good works of her church and community.
R. NELSON BENNETT-In all centers of popula- tion are men whose large activities, devotion to business, adherence to the policies best fitting the public weal and maintenance of exemplary character make of them figures of outstanding leadership, whose words and actions are followed by those in association or by those only in a position to observe. While inherited wealth may give this leadership, partially, to one of no particular personal gifts, still, wealth nor social position alone does not suffice to retain it. Conscientious efforts in proper and beneficial directions are needed for full realization of the position. He who is a leader cannot be a person of small character.
The late R. Nelson Bennett was a leader. Member of a family old in the history of Pennsylvania and long prominent in the chronicle of the Wyoming Valley, he had in part this position as a legacy from honored fore- bears. But the true position which he built up and main- tained steadfastly was as truly by personal merit as could well be imagined; and it is safe to observe that, had he come into the world of humbler means and family his- tory, his position would have been similar, though pos- sibly longer in its attainment. "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." These words from Galatians have been used as text for literally hundreds of thousands of sermons preached in the English language and others on both sides of the Atlantic; and in other form, have no doubt been taken as text by philosophers in every land of pretentions to culture. Mr. Bennett reaped as he sowed, and, that he sowed well of his goods and material means, as well as of his more spiritual seed, is manifest in the affectionate regard borne toward his memory by those who knew and admired him in life. His works were of lasting good, and in his loss not only Wilkes-Barre but the Wyoming Valley, the State of Pennsylvania, and our Nation as a whole, lost an invalu- able constructive force. Death reached out to take him when he had barely attained what is generally conceded to be the prime of life; but meanwhile, his achievements had far exceeded those of the average man's life in full and multiplied by two. Just as that life inspired scores who came into contact with it, so may this inadequate account inspire still others, and his name go down upon the roll of the honored dead.
Living in a day when many of succeeding generations change attitude and break into relationship foreign to those gone before, R. Nelson Bennett kept close to the dearest traditions of the family. The history of the house goes back to Colonial times, and it was one of his ancestors-Frances Slocum-who as a young girl was captured by Indians, where now the city of Wilkes- Barre now raises its towers of modern commerce and finance. She lived among her captors until ripe old age, and was known as "The Lost Sister of Wyoming." Mr. Bennett's maternal grandfather was Reuben Nelson, whose name and fame as head of the Wyoming Seminary con- tinue green in the memories of the valley. Paternal gen- crations have contributed men of strong business instinct and large success thereof to the community. R. Nelson Bennett's father was George S. Bennett; his mother, Ellen W. (Nelson) Bennett; and he was one of three children. A brother, Z. Platt Bennett, and a sister, Mrs. Lawrence B. Jones, survive, as does Mrs. Ellen (Nelson) Bennett (1928).
R. Nelson Bennett followed in the footsteps of his father, as to choice of a place of education. Hc was graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Con- necticut, in the class of 1897, holding cum laude distinc- tion in the academic department. Thereafter he studied law in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1900, and in due course was admitted to the Bar of Luzerne County. In college he was a member of the Psi Upsilon Frater-
nity, and undertook a conspicuous role in all its move- ments. Hc was himself interested in athletics and a member of the track team of Wesleyan three out of his four years there, also having been manager of the foot- hall team and always esteemed as one of the more in- fluential members of the undergraduate body, a fact which brought in its course election to various student organizations. When, in later years his father died, he took his place in many of the interests which had ab- sorbed the elder's attention, and as benefactor of the college even exceeded his gifts, taking a more active sphere on the college board of trustees than had been the lot of the deceased. The loyalty of the Bennetts to the old Connecticut educational institution has been remarked upon through the years. The greatest task came to him in this connection in 1918, when he was identified with the move to raise three millions of dollars for the col- lege. Only a short time prior thereto an endowment of one million had been garnered, but higher costs and plans for expansion necessitated the vastly increased wherewithal mentioned. When the chairman of the committee in charge resigned, in the heat of the campaign, Mr. Bennett succeeded him, and from that time until four years later and his sudden death, affairs of the alma mater occupied much of his time, which he gave gladly. He trayelled much, both in connection with the proposed fund and for business and personal reasons, and it came about that his friendship for many of the Nation's fore- most educators followed naturally. Before he under- took the college campaign he had demonstrated the same qualities of loyalty and disinterested well wishing as regarded the campaign for the Homeopathic Hospital for Wilkes-Barre. The work of this drive was mainly of his own engineering. His interests were many, and diversified, showing the spirit of publicist, humanitarian and business man. He was a director of the Wyoming National Bank of Wilkes-Barre, the Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Company, and the Hazard Manufacturing Company. He was president of the Homeopathic Hos- pital, a trustee of Wyoming Seminary, trustee as noted of Wesleyan, member of the city's Chamber of Com- merce, and the Westmoreland and Country clubs. His relationship to the community is thus more clearly re- vealed, and further-as a citizen generally he was of the highest ideals, and is perhaps best recalled because of his connection with the municipal affairs of Wilkes-Barre, having been identified with the City Council many years, under the old form of government and again when the commission form was adopted. He was first elected to the council in 1905, from the Seventh Ward, and served continuously through three terms, until the com- mission was installed, when he was elected one of the commissioners. When his term on the commission ex- pired he was reelected, and served until 1920, then retired. During the old form of administration he was a member of the finance committee and its chairman, for eight years. Under the new form he was head or superinten- dent of finance, until 1920, when succeeded by Joseph G. Schuler. At the time of his demise he was at the head of the City Planning Commission, and always re- tained a deep interest in anything pertaining to municipal matters. For a number of years he gave of this broad interest also to affairs of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was a trustee.
R. Nelson Bennett had a vast number of friends, and no one could possibly have come into contact with him without recognizing a man of force entitled to the high- est respect of his fellows. He was, as his forebears had ·ever been, a liberal contributor to all worthy causes, and it persists as a legend that in proportion to the means at his disposal he was among the most generous of citizens of the valley. The most striking trait about him, as his acquaintances now think of him, was his splendid loyalty to all things with which he was identified. It was while en route to Connecticut, to visit his alma mater, Wesleyan, at Middletown, that he met his death, in an automobile accident, November 17, 1921, at the age of forty-six years. Accounts of the accident and the loss of one so distinguished and beloved were given the lead front-page columns of the press that day. One said in part :
Words are futile at this time to suggest the com- munity's measure of loss sustained in this tragedy. The city has been called upon these past two decades to part with men of influence and high character among the older generation. This is a dread loss in the generation that gave promise of following much of the sound principles of citizenship and of character that had been handed down a precious legacy.
R. Nelson Bennett married, April 4, 1911, Clare Still- man Raymond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry
٠٠٧٧ ٢٥٬
R. Nelson Bennett.
Harry F. Han
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Ihave Long
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Raymond, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Mr. Raymond taught in the Lawrenceville School for thirty-seven years and was all of his life a successful educator. R. Nel- son Bennett is survived by his wife and two children. George Slocum and Clare Stillman, who continue to make their residence in Wilkes-Barre.
ALOYSIUS J. CAWLEY, M. D .- Instances are rare where men have adopted highly technical profes- sional careers in early middle life and achieved success from the very beginning of such courageous course. Aloy- sius J. Cawley, physician and surgeon, of Pittston, is an outstanding example of this, beginning his practice as he did at the age of forty-two years, after five years of intensive study in university and practical experience in hospital work. It was not until 1925 that Dr. Cawley established himself in practice in Pittston, yet in that brief interval he has won for himself a substantial place in the professional ranks here and endeared himself to a host of followers, whose faith in his knowledge and respect for his sincerity of purpose have been the guaran- tee of a growing clientele and a sound future pros- perity.
Dr. Cawley was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1883, a son of John F., and Catherine (Callahan) Cawley, both natives of County Mayo, Ire- land, both deccased, who came to America with their parents while children. In manhood here John F. Caw- ley was engaged in the real estate business, one of the greatly respected citizens of this city. Aloysius J. Caw- ley acquired his education in the public and parochial schools. His business life began with his employment in clerical positions in Scranton, the last post having been with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. In 1919 he determined upon the career of medicine and began its study at Temple University, from which he was grad- uated. with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1925. He then took one year as an interne in the Philadelphia Memorial Hospital upon the conclusion of which practical experience he came to Pittston and established himself in practice.
Dr. Cawley is a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Luzerne County Medical Society, and a Fellow of the American Medical Association. He is a member of St. John's Roman Catholic Church and has his residence at No. 82 William Street, Pittston.
BERT W. TENNANT-Beginning life, following his educational period, as a school teacher. Bert W. Tennant, of Pittston, later studied law, with a view to adopting that profession as a life work. then entered mercantile affairs and eventually became associated with financial matters. The last-named proved his true field, for he has risen to a responsible position therein and is now cashier of the Dime Bank & Trust Company, of Pittston, an institution of much influence throughout this section of Pennsylvania. In addition to his duties in the bank, he is active in civic and fraternal affairs and is held to be one of the most substantial citizens of the community in which he has lived for many years.
Bert W. Tennant was born in Wayne County, Penn- sylvania, November 26, 1874, a son of Edwin G., and Ella E. (Wilcox) Tennant, and acquired his education in the public schools and at Keystone Academy, upon the conclusion of which he taught school for a brief time and then turned to the law, which he studied close- ly, but abandoned for a position with the Elk Hill Coal and Iron Company, at the Scranton offices. This he retained until 1895, when he came to Pittston in the serv- ice of the Stevens Coal Company, as paymaster, a post he held for fourteen years, when he was engaged to assist in the organization of the West Side .Bank. He was selected to be cashier of this newly organized finan- cial institution and filled that position until 1918, when he was invited to accept the cashiership of the Dime Bank of Pittston. Since that date he has administered that office.
The Dime Bank & Trust Company of Pittston was founded in November, 1910, and opened for business July 1, 1911, with a capital of $100,000 and $25,000 paid in surplus. The headquarters was in a building owned by the bank at No. 29 South Main Street, where the business is still located. In December, 1927, a trust de- partment was added to the institution's work, at which time the bank's correspondents included the American Exchange, Irving Trust Company and New York Trust Company, of New York City ; the Tradesmen's National Bank, of Philadelphia; the First National Bank of Scranton, and the Wyoming Valley Trust Company, and Dime Bank Title & Trust Company, of Wilkes-Barre.
The presefit condition of the institution shows a capital of $200,000, with a surplus and undivided profits of $575. 000; deposits of $2,300,000. In October 1927 th began the erection of a new home, which will be a four- story building at the corner of Main and Dock streets, to contain every facility for the operations of the institu- tion, as well as offices on the upper floors. Its cost will be about $400,000 and it is expected that it will be one of the most complete edifices of its character in this section of the State. The officers at present are: Alex- ander Sloan, Sr., president; Thomas A. Gibbons, vice- president ; Bert W. Tennant, cashier; W. E. Margie, assistant cashier and trust officer; and Anthony Prizzi, assistant cashier. The bank operates a special department for children which has developed into a very successful branch of the work and which is of great moral benefit to the growing generation.
Mr. Tennant has been very active in civic affairs in West Pittston and has been borough treasurer and sec- retary-treasurer of the Poor District. He is largely affiliated fraternally, being a thirty-second degree mem- ber of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, also holding membership in Pittston Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Wyoming Valley Commandery, Knights Temp- lar ; Keystone Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the national league of Masonic clubs and of the Lackawanna Motor Club, other memberships including the Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is a Past Dictator. His church is the First Presbyterian of West Pittston, where he is president of the Board of Trustees.
Bert W. Tennant married in 1899, Ethel Behee, daugli- ter of George F. and Susannah Behee, of Wilkes-Barre. Mrs. Tennant is active in women's organizations, being a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and other societics. They reside at No. 204 Delaware Avenue, West Pittston.
HARRY F. STERN-As senior member of the well- known department store, trading under the name of the Isaac Long Store, Harry F. Stern was at the head of one of the oldest and best known department stores in Wilkes-Barre. The Isaac Long Store was founded some fifty years ago, and has been in operation under its pres- ent name during the entire period.
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