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 43
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Julius Stern, father of Mr. Stern, was for many years a merchant in Philadelphia. He married Henrietta Adler and they became the parents of a family of children among whom was Harry F., of this record.
Harry F. Stern, son of Julius and Henrietta (Adler) Stern, both of whoin are now deceased, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1854, and died in Wilkes-Barre, February 23, 1928. He received his education in the public schools of his birthplace. In 1899, when he was forty-five years of age, he came to Wilkes-Barre and became identified with the Isaac Long Store. That connection was continued until the time of his death, at which time he had attained the respon- sible position of senior member of the firm. The Isaac Long Store was founded in 1873 by Isaac Long, and is not only one of the oldest establishments of its kind in Wilkes-Barre, but is also one of the earliest in the Wyoming Valley. The store occupies thrce floors at Nos. 17-19-21-23-25 Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, and is taking care of the needs of a very large patronage. In addition to the responsibilities as senior member of this large store, Mr. Stern was also a member of the board of directors of the Miners' Bank of Wilkes-Barre.
In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Stern was a member of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, while his club was the Fox Hill Country.
Harry F. Stern married Sarah Long, a daughter of the late Isaac Long of Wilkes-Barre, the founder of the Isaac Long Store. Mr. and Mrs. Stern were the par- ents of two children: 1. Julius Long, a biography of whom follows. 2. Dorothy, who married Horace K. Horner, of Philadelphia ; they have a daughter. Sallie.
In the passing of Harry F. Stern the community as a whole has lost a man of integrity, a worthy and useful citizen, whose works will live after him, and the fruits of whose vision will continue to bless mankind.
JULIUS LONG STERN-No institution is more valuable to a city or does more to reveal the character of its people than the department store that wins for it- self a reputation for quality and achievement, not only within the municipal boundary-line, but beyond its borders and in adjoining States. For it is only by its institutions
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and its men that a municipality-or, for that matter, a nation-can earn fame. And a department store which is known beyond the bounds of Wilkes-Barre is the Isaac Long Store, whose proprietor is Julius Long Stern, grandson of the store's founder. The name of this establishment has for years been associated in the minds of Wilkes-Barre residents with the highest grade of merchandise and service. The store, which was founded by Isaac Long, the maternal grandfather of the present proprietor, in March, 1873, is situated in the Public Square of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Stern, who now conducts its activities, has every good reason to be proud of the fact that his store has rendered more than fifty- five years of faithful and useful service to the citizens of Wilkes-Barre, catering always to a select and ex- clusive trade.
Julius Long Stern is the son of the late Harry F. Stern and of Sarah (Long) Stern, a daughter of Isaac and Dora (Rosenbaum) Long, both of whom are now deceased. Harry F. Stern the present proprietor's father, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1854, and died in Wilkes-Barre February 23, 1928, after a long and useful life. When he came to Wilkes-Barre he became associated with Abraham Marks, the two of them having been the proprietors of the Isaac Long Store. Not only was Mr. Stern intimately connected with this store, but always was one of the foremost citizens of Wilkes-Barre. He was a director of the Miners' Bank, and at all times did whatever was in his power to bring about the advancement of the business and civic life of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Stern were the parents of two chil- dren: 1. Julius Long, the subject of this record, and Dorothy, wife of Horace K. Horner, of Philadelphia.
Julius Long Stern was born in Wilkes-Barre, May 30, 1893. As a boy he attended the Harry Hillman Aca- demy and later matriculated at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, from which he was graduated with the class of 1913, receiving the degree of Mechanical Engineer. After his graduation from Cornell he returned to Wilkes- Barre and became associated with his father in the Isaac Long Store. Under the guidance of his capable father he learned the business thoroughly in all its many depart- ments, and upon the death of his father readily assumed the responsibilities of the position of proprietor. He is filling this position ably and faithfully, earning a repu- tation for prudence, foresight and business acumen, a worthy successor of his late father.
In his political outlook Mr. Stern is a Republican, a steadfast supporter of the principles and candidates of this party. Taking a prominent interest in club, busi- ness, and fraternal affairs, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is affiliated with Landmark Lodge, No. 422; the Keystone Consistory, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite Masons, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; and Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is a director of the Miners' Bank.
Julius Long Stern married, April 15, 1915, Madeline Wolf, of Philadelphia, a daughter of Louis and 'Lillie ( Miller) Wolf, the wedding taking place in Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Stern are the parents of two children: I. Harry Franklin, 2nd. 2. Claire Miller. The family residence is at No. 36 West River Street, Wilkes-Barre.
CHARLES E. CLIFT-For his unselfish service to his community and his work for the moral, religious and business upbuilding of Wilkes-Barre, the late Charles E. Clift will be long remembered by those among whom he labored. The news of his death came as a severe shock to the thousands of friends he had acquired during his fifteen years of residence in Wyoming Valley and the news of his passing was received by all with much deep and sincere regret.
Mr. Clift was born at Middletown Springs, Vermont, March 9. 1870, the son of Henry P. and Emiline (Ogden) Clift, both descendants of old and well known New England families. He was reared upon the home- stead farm and received his early education in the public schools of that locality, to which he added a course of four years study in the Vermont Academy, Saxton's River. He then entered Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, from which institution he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts, graduating with the class of 1897. During the summer of 1897 he was appointed secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at New Bedford, Massachusetts, with which organization he continued until 1899, when he entered the employ of the F. W. Woolworth Company, in the New Bedford establishment of that corporation. Later he served the
same company in Waterbury, Connecticut, and for a time was in the office at Boston, Massachusetts. When the F. W. Woolworth holdings were merged with those of other companies about 1912, Mr. Clift was made assistant manager in charge of the Pennsylvania District with office at Wilkes-Barre. This post he held until 1922, when he became district manager, succeeding Fred J. Weckesser, and he filled this office with credit to him- self and to the full satisfaction of all associated with him until his voluntary retirement from active business in 1925.
During his fifteen years of residence in Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Clift played an active and helpful part in all com- munity and civic enterprises. He was chairman of the Community Welfare Federation; president of the Wilkes-Barre Young Men's Christian Association ; mem- ber of the board of directors of the Travelers' Aid So- ciety ; director of the local Salvation Army organization ; director of the Crippled Children's Association and of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, and trustee of the Community Welfare Federation. The Young Men's Christian Association ever held the attention and interest of Mr. Clift and he was one of the most efficient and ardent workers in the drive for funds with which to make this city a renowned recreation center. He never aspired to political office, although there were few posts he could not have obtained and filled to the satisfaction of all. In 1925 he was offered an appointment to the Wilkes-Parre City Council, which, however, he declined and, subsequently, he was urged to become a candidate for the mayoralty, but this he also refused. He was active in the affairs of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, being chairman of the music committee and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He held active membership in the Westmoreland Club, the Frank- lin Club, the Wyoming Valley Country Club and the Irem Country Club. In the Masonic fraternity, he was affiliated with Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons, and was of the Chapter, Royal Arch, the Council, Royal and Select Masters, the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Keystone Commandery of the Knights Templar, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a trustee of Wyoming Seminary and a director of the Miners' Bank of Wilkes-Barre.
On June 25, 1902, Mr. Clift married Grace W. Clines, daughter of Charles E. and Mary (Carter) Clines, of Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Clift were the parents of five children, as follows: 1. Gertrude G., a graduate of Wellesley College. 2. Arthur Henry. 3. Dorothy, died in 1920, in the fourteenth year of her age. 4. Charles E., Jr. 5. Grace A. Mr. Clift was survived by his widow and four children; also by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Walter Wills, Mrs. Oliver Roome and Myron Clift, of Irvington, New Jersey ; Frank Clift, of London, England; Mrs. Albert Greene and Mrs. William Gray, of Middletown Springs, Ver- mont, and Mrs. Rossiter Lloyd, of Oliphant, Lacka- wanna County, Pennsylvania.
It was on January 9, 1928, that Mr. Clift succumbed to an attack of heart failure at his home, No. 101 West River Street, Wilkes-Barre. When the news of his death was made public it caused much sincere sorrow to the many friends he had made in this community. His funeral services were attended by representatives of the leading civic and fraternal organizations of Wilkes- Barre and, in fact, the whole of Wyoming Valley gave evidence by attendance or messages of the feeling of the community at the loss of one who had done much in his unselfish and effective way for the benefit of those around him.
JAMES S. DIXON, M. D .- The adoption of a voca- tion can often be traced to what may be called an acci- dent of environment; and the wonder of it is that so many men achieve success in greater or less degree who are thus projected, as it were, into their callings. But fortunate, indeed, is the man who, like Dr. James S. Dixon, the well-known physician and surgeon of Pittston, is aware from boyhood of the profession he wants to follow and who, therefore, from early youth keeps his goal ever in view, making every effort count toward achieving his purpose. In such a case, the financial con- sideration is always secondary, love of the study and work for its own sake being the primary motivating force. But work done for the love of it is usually of a standard of excellence that brings at least a reasonable monetary reward, if it be in a line of endeavor that serves any large social need. Dr. Dixon's profession is still his hobby; and this fact, no doubt, accounts in
DEClift.
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large measure for the reputation he has won with both the members of his own profession and with the laity.
Dr. Dixon was born in Avoca, June 30, 1887, son of William and Mary (Eagen) Dixon. The father, who was a native of Ireland, came to this country as a young man and settled at Avoca. He followed mining there until his death in 1912 at the age of sixty-four. His widow passed on the next year at the age of fifty-nine. Even a casual survey of the children of such immigrants, the first generation born in this country is intensely inter- esting. It will show right in this section that a very large proportion of the important positions in the com- munity, business, professional and political, is held by them. What tremendous potentialities were thus im- ported from beyond the sea!
Of such stock came Dr. James S. Dixon. His ele- mentary education was received in the public schools of his native town, his preparation for college was made at St. Bonaventure, New York, and he matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, from which he was graduated in the class of 1913, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Then followed a year as interne in St. Joseph's Hospital in Lancaster, another year in like capacity in the State Hospital in Pittston and three years in the State Hospital in Blossburg. It falls to the lot of few physicians to get such an extensive hospital experience before launching into private prac- tice. But that the time is well spent is shown when the young doctor is thrown wholly upon his personal re- sources of knowledge and skill as a private practitioner. In 1918, Dr. Dixon located in Pittston, and his record is too well known to the readers of this volume to re- quire repetition here. He is engaged in general prac- tice, with a leaning toward diseases of the chest. The doctor is much interested also in the newest developments in the medical profession-public health and hygiene. This has to do with the prevention of disease, and the probability is that the greatest advances in the field of medicine in the immediate future will be in this direction. Dr. Dixon is a member of the staff at the State-Hospital in Pittston, where he has charge of the chest clinic. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
On October 1, 1917, Dr. James S. Dixon married Helen Shannon, of York, and they have the following children : Alethia, George, Mary Helen, James, and Rose. Dr. and Mrs. Dixon are members of St. John's Roman Cath- olic Church.
HARRY C. HUGHES-Conducting a drug store which is recognized as one of the leading institutions of its kind in Luzerne County, Harry C. Hughes has come to be known as an outstanding business man of Plymouth. Not only is he highly regarded by his cus- tomers for reliability and skill as a pharmacist, but bv the community at large for the active interest which he takes in public and civic affairs. A native of Ply- mouth, he is a son of Harry D. and Ellen (Caswell) Hughes, both of whom are now deceased. His father was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1852, and in Plymouth was for many years a mine foreman. He died in December, 1907. The mother, who was born in 1862 and died in November, 1926, was a native of Staf- fordshire, England.
Harry C. Hughes was born in Plymouth, February 24, 1882, and as a boy attended the Larksville public schools. Later he became a student at Wyoming Seminary; and he took his professional work at the Philadelphia Col- lege of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1906 with the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy. He clerked for two years in a drug store in Plymouth, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the practical details of pharmacy and the administration of business. Then, in 1908, he opened his own store at No. 21 Center Ave- nue under the name of the Hughes Reliable Pharmacy. In 1916, he removed to his present quarters, situated at No. 15 West Main Street, where he maintains an up-to- date and efficient equipment that renders his store an in- stitution of real value and service to the community in and about Plymouth.
Always interested in public affairs, it is only natural that Mr. Hughes should be active in political matters. He is identified with the Republican party, of whose principles and candidates he is a staunch supporter. He also participates freely in the club and fraternal life of Plymouth, being a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is Past Master of Lodge No. 332; the Wyoming Valley Chapter of Royal Arch Ma-
sons, No. 214; the Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is connected with the Patriotic Order Sons of America : the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in which he is associated with the Shawnee Lodge; and the Knights of Pythias. His religious affiliation is with the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, of which he is one of the trustees.
In July, 1911, Mr. Hughes was married to Keturah Richards, of Plymouth, a daughter of Daniel R. Rich- ards. Mrs. Hughes died December 24, 1927.
FRANCIS J. CONLAN, M. D .- The Conlans, father and son, are too well known to their fellow-citizens of Pittston for this biographer to say anything by way of introduction. As a manufacturer, coal producer and as an official of social organizations, the elder Conlan is one of that able body of business men who are making of Pittston a financial center of rapidly growing importance. Dr. Francis J. Conlan, the son, chose his native city as the scene in which to begin the private practice of his profession, thereby implying his confidence in the future of Pittston, and his doubt of the old adage: "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country." A natural student and a careful observer, Dr. Conlan considers every case as a special problem. This method of ap- proach is of peculiar importance and value in the special branch of medical practice to which he is devoting more and more of his attention-orthopedia, that is, the pre- venting or correcting of physical deformitics.
Dr. Francis J. Conlan was born in Pittston, November 26, 1896, son of Bernard J. and Ellen ( Manley) Conlan. Both parents are natives of Luzerne County. Before her marriage the mother was a teacher in the public schools. The father is secretary and director of the Quakertown Stove Works and president of the Conlan-Pace Coal Company. He is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus and takes an active part in important civic affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Conlan are the parents of seven children: Anna, Helen, Alberta, Mary, Francis J., of whom further ; Bernard J., Jr., and Adrian, who is a student at Jefferson Medical College. The family are members of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. Conlan is president of the Holy Name Society of this Diocese.
Dr. Francis J. Conlan received his elementary educa- tion in the parochial schools and prepared for college at the Bloomsburg State Normal School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1914. He then pur- sued the full course of study in the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1921, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then served a term as interne in Misericordia Hospital and in 1922 began the private practice of his profession in Pittston, in which he has met with most gratifying results. He is a member of the staff of the State Hos- pital in Pittston as orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Conlan's fraternal memberships are in the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His clubs are the Fox Hill Country and the Rotary. He is also a member of the Young Men's Institute and the Holy Name Society. He is an active member of the Board of Health and a communicant of St. John's Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Francis J. Conlan married, April 26, 1928, Mary Allan, of West Pittston, daughter of John A. and Kath- crine ( Kane) Allan.
ZIBA PLATT BENNETT-It is unusual that a hardware concern should remain in business continuously for a century, but still more remarkable that it spend all this time on the same site. This is the record of the firm of which Ziba Platt Bennett is a valued member- the Lewis and Bennett Hardware Company, of Wilkes- Barre-and in this time this venerable institution has built up a wonderful reputation for fair dealing and de- pendable goods, to the extent that its influence has spread far and wide. No small part of the success of the insti- tution is due to the efforts of Mr. Bennett, who in busi- ness acumen and rugged honesty is a fair successor to his grandfather, Judge Ziba Bennett, who founded the business in 1826 at the age of twenty-six years.
Ziba Platt Bennett was born March 22, 1881, at Wilkes-Barre, the son of George Slocum and Ellen Woodward (Nelson) Bennett, both representatives of a long line of honored ancestors who dutifully and bril- liantly served their day and generation. The Bennetts were of English origin, having sprung from James Bennett, of England, who came over with the Puritans and was made a freeman of Concord, Massachusetts,
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May 13, 1639. Through intermarriage the Bennetts were connected with men and women of great talents and ac- complishments throughout New England. Judge Ziba Bennett was born in Weston, Connecticut, November 10, 1800, and died at Wilkes-Barre November 4, 1878. He came to Wilkes-Barre in 1815 at the age of fifteen years at the solicitation of Colonel Matthias Hollenback, and was given employment in the principal Hollenback gen- eral store, at that time located on South Main Street. In 1822, seven years later, having applied himself assidu- ously to every duty, he was made a partner in the busi- ness with George M. Hollenback. For four years more he continued his preparation for a brilliant career, and in 1826 purchased the Stephen Tuttle store and stock on North Main Street, and eventually became one of the leading merchants of the Wyoming Valley. It was at this place, No. 6 North Main Street, that occurred the birth of the Lewis and Bennett Hardware Company, and thus started an epoch in the business life of Wilkes- Barre, which has gloriously continued to the present day. Judge Bennett was the son of Platt and Martha (Wheeler) Bennett. As with the leading men of his day who were branching out into pioneering enterprises, Judge Bennett was commendably conservative and cau- tious, but mildly progressive and the possessor of great initiative and imagination. Everything he touched proved successful because he applied to it those foundation prin- ciples which had been ground into him by the Hollen- backs in the early days of his career. He was one of the founders, a director from the time of organization and for a decade president of the Wyoming Bank of Wilkes-Barre, and for some years was president of the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company and of the Hollenback Cemetery Association. He helped incorporate a number of concerns which since proved part of the warp and woof of the Wilke's-Barre industrial and commercial structure, including the Wilkes-Barre Gas Company, the Wilkes-Barre Water Company, the Miners' Savings Bank ; and in 1862 he was instrumental in founding the private banking house of Bennett, Phelps & Company, which he headed until his death. He was one of the Wilkes- Barre citizens who associated themselves together in establishing the Home for Friendless Children, and lib- erally supported the annual budget of the Methodist Episcopal Church, including a donation of land upon which the First Methodist Episcopal Church stands. He was just as liberal to other charities, and included other denominations with his own. Having taken a great inter- est in political affairs, he was successful in 1833 in his race for the State Legislature, and joined with his col- leagues in support of the bill providing free public school education. In 1834 he took a prominent part in the Re- form Convention which met in Harrisburg. He was appointed in 1842 associate justice of Luzerne County. In his official position as legislator, and then as judge, he displayed the same rare judgment that he had shown in his business enterprises, and made the same kind of success. A man of broad human sympathies and of judicial demeanor, he was a picturesque figure in the neighborhood in his later years, and his example served as a beacon for younger men to follow the paths of rectitude which he followed throughout his life. Judge Bennett married ( first), in Wilkes-Barre, November 25, 1824. Hannah Fell Slocum, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Fell) Slocum, and a niece of Frances Slocum, who was captured and carried away by the Indians when she was five years old. Judge Ziba and Hannah F. (Slocum) Bennett had three children: I. Joseph Platt, who died in infancy. 2. Martha Wheeler, who married John Case Phelps, a prominent citizen. 3. George Slocum Bennett, of whom further. He married (second), November 18, 1856, Priscilla E. Lee, daughter of James Stewart Lee and granddaughter of Captain Andrew Lee, a veteran of the American Revolution.
George Slocum Bennett, son of Ziba and Hannah Fell (Slocum) Bennett, was born at Wilkes-Barre August 17, 1842, and died there January 2, 1910, at the age of sixty-eight. The line of descent to him from James and Hannah (Wheeler) Bennett, the original settlers, was through the founder's eldest son, Thomas Bennett, and his wife, Elizabeth Thompson; their son, Thomas (2) Bennett, and his wife, Sarah Hubbard; their son, De- liverance Bennett, and his wife, Mary Biggs; their son, William Bennett, and his wife, Abigail Hickock; their son, Thaddeus Bennett, and his wife, Mary Platt; and their son, Platt Bennett, and his wife, Martha Wheeler, parents of Judge Ziba Bennett. All of the above lived and died in Connecticut except Platt Bennett and wife and Judge Ziba Bennett. Platt Bennett and his wife
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