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 46
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It is difficult, indeed, to sum his qualities. His own record of years is his monument. He was steadfast, knowing no variation, loyal to his work, professional: obligations, to his opportunities for good, loyal wher -. ever and however he assumed responsibility among men, and loyal to the core in his friendship.
The community mourns with reason, for losses like this are in a manner of speaking irreparable.
DANIEL EDWARDS NEWELL-Although his active business career did not begin until he was more than twenty-five years of age, Daniel Edwards Newell, of Kingston, was from boyhood engaged in preparing himself for his life work by a finished education in col- lege and university and by a tour of the world in observ- ing foreign customs. It was this preparation that contrib- uted largely to the success he has achieved in the con- duct of his business, giving him a perception of intricate commercial affairs through study of methods in other lands and the application of such as seemed advantageous here. He also had the advantage of careful instruc- tion from his father, for many years one of the leading business and financial operators in this section of Penn- sylvania, whose reputation always has been of the high- est character and whose skill in his field was conspicuous. Mr. Newell is a citizen who takes a deep interest in all affairs looking to the promotion of the general welfare, has a splendid military record and a personality that commands the esteem of the community through his social nature and the pleasure he derives from mingling fraternally with his business associates. His position in the commercial field is secure and promotive of other enterprises that depend upon cooperation for the best results of commerce. Mr. Newell was born in Kings- ton, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1888, a son of Theodore
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Leonard and Mary (Edwards) Newell, his father being a native of New York State, his mother of Danville, this State, where she was born in 1860, and died in 1922. Theodore Leonard Newell was born in 1855 and came to Kingston in 1878, where he became interested in many of the industrial, commercial and civic affairs of Kings- ton. He was president of the Kingston Bank and Trust Company from 1901 until 1914, when he resigned. He was also a director of the Kingston Coal Company and was interested in many other enterprises, until his retire- ment.
Daniel Edwards Newell was educated in the local pub- lic schools and then attended the Bordentown, New Jer- ey, Military Institute for three years. He is also a graduate of Stiles Preparatory School at Ithaca, New York, and attended the University of Virginia for two years. He then toured the world with his father, return- ing here in 1914, when he became a director of the Kings- town Bank and Trust Company and a member of the firm of Espy and Newell, real estate operators. This partnership endured until 1917, when Mr. Newell entered the army and was sent to the training camp at Fort Niagara, New York. In August, 1917, he was commis- sioned a first lieutenant and was sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas, where he was badly injured by the explosion of a hand grenade. This incapacitated him until August, 1918, when he returned to active service and was detailed to Camp McArthur, at Waco, Texas, as instructor, where he remained until his discharge, December 18, 1918. Returning to Kingston, he became interested in mining white clay at Saylorsburg in asso- ciation with the Pennsylvania White Clay Company, of which he was president, continuing as such until January, 1925, when he transferred his activities to the department store in Kingston of Edwards & Company, as general manager and acting as such until February, 1928, when he was elevated to the position of president, as well as continuing to administer the other post. This enterprise is the largest of its character on the West Side of the city and was founded in 1874 by Daniel Edwards, his grandfather. It recently removed to its new home at Kingston Corners and is very prosperous, employing upward of thirty persons. In politics Mr. Newell is affil- iated with the Republican party. He is a director of the Kingston Bank and Trust Company and of Edwards and Company. He attends the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Pennsylvania Society, the Club Atlantic, of At- lantic City, New Jersey; Shawnce Country, Wyoming Valley Country and Westmoreland clubs, Delta Tan Delta college fraternity and the Delta Club of New York City
Daniel Edwards Newell married, in June, 1912, Helen Dick, of Kingston, daughter of Alexander and Mignon- ette Dick. Their children are: 1. Jane Dick, born July 4, 1913. 2. Mary Edwards, born Angust 2, 1922.
THEODORE LINCOLN SWEITZER-The death of the late Theodore Lincoln Sweitzer at the compara- tively early age of fifty-nine years removed from Ply- mouth one of its native sons who had spent his life in the place of his birth and who had achieved business success In two lines of activity, the retail furniture business and the real estate business. Moreover, Mr. Sweitzer was one of the very active and progressive citizens of the community, a charter member and one of the organizers of the first fire company organized here, a director of the National Bank of Plymouth, and for forty years one of the trustees of the Christian Church, in which he also held numerous offices and took a very active part in the general work of the church.
Joseph Sweitzer, father of Mr. Sweitzer. was born in Germany, February 20, 1828, and came to this country as a boy of ten years. He located in Huntsville, Pennsyl- vania, where he learned the trade of the carpenter, and throughout his long and active life he was an able busi- ness man and a progressive citizen. He continued to fol- low his trade until the beginning of the Civil War, and then, as a young man of thirty-three years, enlisted and served throughout the period of the conflict. When the war was over he came to Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and engaged in business as a retail furniture dealer, in which line of business enterprise he continued successfully to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887, when he was fifty-nine years old. He married Elizabeth Ritters- baugher, who was born in Germany in 1830 and died in 1920, aged ninety years.
Theodore Lincoln Sweitzer, son of Joseph and Eliza- beth ( Rittersbaugher ) Sweitzer, was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1868, and after attending the public schools here continued study in Wyoming Semi-
nary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania. When his course in the seminary was finished, he became associated with his father in the retail furniture business, located on Main Street, in Plymouth, and at the time of the death of his father in 1887 he took over the concern, which he continued to operate for about fifteen years. He then engaged in the real estate business here in Plymouth, and was still making a success in this field of enterprise when death terminated his useful and successful life, at the same age at which his father had passed on to the Larger Life. His death occurred on November 16, 1927, and it will be long before his place can be filled in the hearts of his many friends and in the various organiza- tions with which he was identified. In his political sym- pathies he was a Democrat. As a citizen he was able and progressive, actively interested in the welfare of the community, and helpful in organizing several of its permanent institutions, such as Fire Company No. I, which was a hose company, and other generally useful associations. He was a member of the board of direc- tors of the First National Bank of Plymouth, and in the Christian Church was for forty years one of the dependable and loyal members, serving for those four decades as a member of the board of trustees, and hold- ing numerous other offices on the official board. Known and 'honored for his integrity and for his sound ability, Thecdore L. Sweitzer held for many years a foremost place in the esteem of his fellows and achieved the sub- stantial success which is not confined to business activ- itics, but which extends its beneficent influence to all relationships of life, civic, social, and religious. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, and was always a wel- come addition to any gathering.
Theodore Lincoln Sweitzer was married, September 25, 1894, to Jeannette Davenport, daughter of James H. and Mary ( Plewes) Davenport, the first-mentioned of whom was a native of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, born in 1832, a farmer who was active here as a school direc- tor and in other helpful community enterprises, and the last-mentioned of whom was a native of Flamborough, England, born in 1840, died in 1925. Mr. and Mrs. Sweitzer became the parents of three children: I. George D., born in 1895, is a graduate of Conway Hall, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, class of 1915. He served during the World War as a member of the Transport Corps, with which he was in active service for fourteen months overseas, receiving his discharge in September, 1919. He is now (1928) a district agent in the employ of the Federal Hardware Mutual Insurance Company. 2. Burton H .. born in 1898, graduated from Plymouth High School in 1916, and served overseas for one year with Battery C, 109th Field Artillery, 28th Division. He received his discharge in May, 1919, and is now traveling for the B. F. Goodrich Company. He is married and has one child, Grace Morris Sweitzer, who was born in September, 1926. 3. Paul R., graduated from Plymouth High School, class of 1920, then entered Bucknell University, at Lewis- burg, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1924, and is now (1928) teaching in Plymouth High School.
OLIN R. MULLISON-Large affairs have engaged Olin R. Mullison, of Kingston, well known citizen of this community, prominent throughout the greater Wilkes- Barre area, and of financial distinction throughout the State. His career has been widely diversified, but has centered itself in the chief courses of commerce and finance. He is today a foremost member of the greater community.
Olin R. Mullison was born in Loyalville, Luzerne County, May 7, 1882, son of Elihu B. and Elizabeth Ann (Parks) Mullison. His father, native of Luzerne County, was born in 1847, and died in 1918. His mother, native of Columbia County, was born in 1850, and died in 1925.
In the public schools of Loyalville Mr. Mullison se- cured his earliest academic instruction, which he com- plemented with secondary instruction in the academy at Sweet Valley. Of manifest intelligence and natural talent as a teacher, he taught thereafter for four years, in rural schools, then became clerk and assistant paymaster
for the Wyoming Coal and Land Company, with which he was connected through eighteen months. Later, for five years, he broadened his experience materially as salesman and later still as district manager of the Chi- cago Portrait Company. On November 30, 1909, he founded his initial retail grocery store. This was des- tined to hurl him into extensive business; but at first the enterprise was small. However, he improved his trade rapidly, and within a short while had a thriving clientele. In June of 1915 he branched out, founding a chain of
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retail grocery stores, under the style of the Mullison Economy Stores. Before long, within a few years, this chain had grown to include sixty-two retail establish- ments, each with a very satisfactory circle of patronage, all due to his personal aptitude at management, vision as a commercial factor of unusual talent, and integrity as merchant, dealing honestly with all persons. In October of 1924 Mr. Mullison merged his chain holding with the American Stores, Incorporated, and continued as superintendent of this district, and this business con- tinues to expand. Mr. Mullison had entertained other projects of similar magnitude, or of nearly similar mag- nitude. He was a founder and has always been president of the First National Bank of Kingston. Also, he is sec- retary and treasurer of the West Side Auto Company, distributors of Ford automobiles, of Kingston, whose business is extensive. Other holdings are comparable.
In the general affairs of Kingston and Wilkes-Barre Mr. Mullison is a leader. Politically he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, whose candidates he supports with valued assistance .. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; Sheki- nah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Com- mandery, Knights Templar, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Craftsman's Club, the Franklin Club, and for nine years a member of the Rotary International Club. He is a communicant of and member of the official board of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, of Wilkes- Barre. When the United States went into the World War Mr. Mullison was of great service in the several campaigns of patriotic appeal, for funds and personal activity.
Mr. Mullison married, in 1908, Maude C. Rozelle, of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, daughter of Edward and Anna Rozelle. Their children are: Marion Ruth, Anna Eliza- beth, Helen May. The family residence is at No. 67 Butler Street, Kingston.
Throughout his residence in Kingston and the Wilkes- Barre area, Mr. Mullison has acted as a constructive factor toward the happiness and economic well being of the persons around him. Personally he is endowed with those qualities which make for friendship, and his circle of friends is wide indeed. Mentally keen, quick to per- ceive ways of profit, he is at the same time one of the most genial of men, an interesting conversationalist, well read, something of a philosopher, and of kindly, gentlemanly bearing at all times.
HARRY B. DAVENPORT-The life of Harry B. Davenport has been passed in Plymouth, the city of his birth, where he has been the proprietor of a general store since 1894, a period of thirty-four years. He car- ries a general line of merchandise and is now ( 1928) located at Nos. 351-353 West Main Street, here in Ply- mouth.
The Davenport family is one of the old families of the Wyoming Valley, dating back to about 1776 in this region, and for more than two centuries its members have been contributing to the business, social, civic, and religious life of the communities in which they have lived. James H. Davenport, father of Mr. Davenport. was born here in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and died here in 1800. He was a farmer for many years and was active in local affairs serving as a member of the board of school directors at one time, and aiding in most of the projects which were planned for the im- provement of the community. He married Mary Plewes, who was born in Flamborough, England, in 1840, and died in 1925.
Harry B. Davenport, son of James H. and Mary (Plewes) Davenport, was born in Plymouth, Pennsyl- vania, October 27, 1872, and after attending the public schools here became a student in Wyoming Seminary. at Kingston, Pennsylvania. In 1894 he established a general store here in Plymouth, under his own name, at No. 127 East Main Street, and as the years passed he built up a permanent trade, which grew and prospered. In 1919, twenty-five years after the founding of his business, he purchased the L. R. Young Store at No. 353 West Main Street, and from that the on until 1925 operated both stores. In 1925 he consolidated the two by making additions to his store at No. 353 West Main Street, so as to include No. 351 on that street, and then moving his stock from No. 127 East Main Street to the enlarged building at his present location. He has for all these years carried a general line of merchandise, and has at the present time (1928) a business which requires the services of six employees. As a business man Mr. Davenport is much trusted and highly regarded, and
he is one of the active and helpful citizens of the com- munity. Politically he classes himself as an Independent, as do many other intelligent and progressive men of these times, preferring to cast his vote on consideration of merit only, rather than because of party affiliations. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club, and of Fire Company No. I, of Plymouth. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he serves as treasurer and as a member of the board of trustees.
Harry B. Davenport was married, in 1898, to Mabel A. Shonk, of Plymouth, daughter of Albert D. and Sarah ( Hershberger ) Shonk. The Shonk family, like the Davenport family, is a very old and prominent one in this section of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport have four children: I. Harold S., who is associated with his father in the general store business; is married and has two children, Mary Gould and Elizabeth Alice. 2. Ruth R. 3. Sarah, who married Bruce Gordon Trumbower, of Easton, Pennsylvania, and has one son, Bruce Gordon Trumbower, Jr. 4. Mary E., wife of Bert Husband, of Kingston, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Davenport have their home at No. 53 Church Street, in Plymouth, and they also have a sum- mer home, at Muhlenburg, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Davenport owns a hundred-acre farm, upon which gen- eral crops are raised.
WILLIAM B. JETER-To the banking profession as represented by the only financial institution in Dallas, the First National Bank, there has been brought by its cashier, William B. Jeter, the fruit of a rich experience obtained as an official in banks of larger communities. Mr. Jeter is also a friend and promoter of municipal progress along many lines having the welfare and com- fort of the people as their objectives.
William B. Jcter was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1890, son of John T. and Mary C. (Burge) Jeter, the former a native of Philadelphia, was a mining engineer, and the latter, born in Taunton, Massachusetts, survives her husband who passed away in October, 1920. The son, William B., received his education in the Wilkes- Barre schools, graduating from the high school in the class of 1908 His first connection in his business career was with the National Biscuit Company, serving in the capacity of cashier in different offices of the concern for four years. This line of work seemed to pave the way to that larger service in the financial world, of which he made choice as his life calling.
In 1917, Mr. Jetcr joined the staff of the First Na- tional Bank of Dallas, and was assigned to the position of teller. For five years he remained with that institu- tion, helping in no little measure to build up the pros- perity and good-will of Dallas' first and only bank. In 1922, he accepted a call to the post of assistant treasurer of the West Side Trust Company of Kingston. Penn- sylvania. He spent two years in that connection, and his services there were praiseworthy for their valued quality, while they also added to his measure of banking experience, which all along was fitting him for a more important sphere in an official sense. In 1924. he re- turned to his alma mater-as it were-The First Na- tional Bank of Dallas, having been called to the office of cashier, which he has held continuously ever since. Both the bank and its clientele are to be congratulated upon having a man of Mr. Jeter's financial acumen and personal integrity at the fiscal helm of the institution. The First National Bank of Dallas was organized in 1906 to provide the townspeople with banking facilities for which there had been a real need. The bank gave the community a more distinctive tone, and more and more as the years have come and gone has it demonstrated the wisdom of the founders in laying a good foundation and building thereon a superstructure of honesty, equality, service and constructive contribution to the general wel- fare of the town. The first officers of the bank were: President, George R. Wright; vice-presidents, Philip 1. Raub and John J. Ryman ; cashier, Franklin Leavenworth.
In politics, Mr. Jeter is of the Republican faith and practice. He is treasurer of the Mount Greenwood Ki- wanis Club, and a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is affiliated with Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 531 ; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar ; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arahic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
William B. Jeter married, in June, 1914, at Forty Fort, Florence Heisz, of that village, daughter of Charles and Louella Heisz, one of the oldest and best-esteemed fam- ilies of that section of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Jeter are the parents of three children : I. Dorothy, born May 28,
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1915. 2. William B., Jr., born January 27, 1919. 3. Harry R., born February 28, 1921. Mr. Jeter has his official headquarters in Dallas, and he and his family have their residence at Forty Fort.
THOMAS HENRY JAMES-One of the many coal operators of this section of the State who have worked in the mines, serving at different times in practically every capacity, is Thomas Henry James, secretary and treasurer of the Fox Hill Mining Company. The mine owned by this company is located at Fox Hill, Plains Township, Pennsylvania, and was purchased by the pres- ent owners in 1927. Mr. James is active in local public affairs, has served as treasurer and tax collector of the township, and since 1925 has been president of the local school board. He was one of the organizers of the Plains State Bank and has been its president since its organization. He is interested in various other organiza- tions, including the Wyoming Valley Coke & Cone Com- 1 any, of Kingston, which he serves as secretary of the board of directors, and he is identified with numerous fra- ternal orders.
Thomas Henry James was born in Miners Falls, Plains Township, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1884, son of Thomas James, a coal miner who was born in Wales and came to this country, settling in Pennsylvania, and died in 1892, and of Margaret ( Thomas) James, also a native of Wales, who died in 1908. Mr. James received his education in the public schools of Plains Township and then went to work in the mines. From one job to another, he worked his way upward, serving at some time or other in practically every capacity and learning the practical side of the mining industry as only those who work in the mines day by day can know it. He was interested, however, in the administrative side of the industry, as well as in its every day work, and soon after he had passed his forty-third year, in 1927, he became one of a group of enterprising men who associated themselves together under the name of the Fox Hill Mining Com- pany and purchased a coal mine at Fox Hill, Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. As secretary and treasurer of this concern Mr. James is contributing his practical knowledge, his administrative ability, and his general business sagacity to the forwarding of the interests of the company. He is well known in this section, having spent his life in the township, and is active in political, social, economic, and religious affairs.
In 1917 he was elected treasurer and tax collector of Plains Township, in which office he served very accept- ably for two terms of four years each, his incumbency in that office terminating in 1925. He was then elected to serve as member of the School Board, and since 1925 has been the president of the board. He is one of the organizers of the Plains State Bank, which was founded in 1923 and he has ably served as its president since its organization, a period of five years, and as a member of its board of directors. His well recognized business ability has caused him to be much sought in official capacity by various other business organizations, and he is secretary of the board of directors of the Wyoming Valley Coke and Cone Company, of Kingston, Pennsyl- vania. As a man of sound judgment and of integrity, he is appreciated in fraternal and other circles, as well as among business men in general. He is a member of Lodge No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar ; and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with Lodge No. 100, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; with the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 129, Loyal Order of Moose: Junior Order of United American Mechanics : with the Sporting Club, of Hudson, and the Pen and Pencil Club. Politically, he gives his support to the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and his religious affilia- tion is with the Miners Congregational Church, which he serves as treasurer of the board of trustees. Mr. James finds his chief recreation in out-of-door sports, and was active in haseball in his younger days. He was the first president of the Athletic Association of Plains Township.
Thomas Henry James was married, September 20, 1004, to Margaret Sarah Dixon, of Hudson, Plains Township, Pennsylvania, daughter of William and Mar- garet Dixon. Mr. and Mrs. James have four children : 1. Ruth Dixon, born April 6. 1910. 2. Anna Merle, born April 4. 1915. 3. Thomas Robert, born September 21, 1917. 4. Doris, born April 2, 1919.
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