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 48
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Mr. Crary was very charitable and public-spirited. A short time prior to his death, he presented to the borough of Shickshinny a park, to be known as Crary Park, to be used as a recreation ground by all, but to be governed by the strictest rules regarding temperance and sobriety. He was not a member of any church, but was a "Friend" in his religious convictions. In 1858, Mr. and Mrs. Crary founded the first Sunday school in Shickshinny, Mr. Crary being superintendent, and Mrs. Crary the first and only teacher for a time. The circumstances attending the founding of this school are well remembered by many now living. In politics he was a Republican. He was a life-member of the Wyoming Valley Historical and Geological Society of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Crary pro- moted the building of the Union turnpike in 1875, and was president of the company owning it; was vice- president of the Shickshinny Tube Works; filled the
different offices of burgess, school director, etc., and engaged in cverything that promoted the interests of the town, or its welfare, giving freely of his substance, his wisdom and of his sound business ability. In 1857, he, with three others, plotted and laid out the town of Shickshsinny. The site of the town was originally the Cist farm, owned by the Cist family of Wilkes-Barre. In 1861 the town was incorporated a borough, and at that time Mr. Crary established a mercantile business there, which he continued until 1906, when he sold to the Shickshinny Store Company. He was a man of strict integrity, upright and honorable in all things.
Mr. Crary married, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1860, Miranda Lee Overton, born in King- ston Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1841, died August 6, 1907. She was a woman of rare intellect and character, and interested in every good work. It was said of her, "her life was one of perpetual up- lift." The mantle of life which enveloped her is a cov- cted garment for any and everyone, She was a daughter of Henry Overton, born in Southold, Long Island, and his wife, Sarah Jane (Wood) Overton, born in Goshen, New York. Mrs. Crary was educated at Wyoming Semi- nary, Kingston, Pennsylvania, and at the Presbyterian Institute at Wilkes-Barre, the latter now being known as the Wilkes-Barre Institute.
Children of Nathan Beach and Miranda Lee (Overton) Crary : 1. John Willard, died in 1884. 2. Anne Overton, married H. W. Glover, of Detroit, Michigan, June 28, 1894, and they have children as follows: Nathan Beach Crary Glover, Henry Willis Glover, Paul Overton Glover, Natalie Beach Glover. 3. Martha Lenna. 4. Minnie, died aged nine. 5. Sarah Wood. 6. Natalie Beach.
(The Overton Line).
Mrs. Crary also had a most illustrious ancestry of whom the following are a few :
The crest of the English family of Overton is: "A martlet on chapeau," and the motto, Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re. ("Gentle in manner, brave in action"). The first Isaac Overton, born in England, married Han- nalı Elton, and with her settled at Southold, Long Island. Their som, Isaac (2) Overton, born in 1658, died at Southold in 1688. John Elton bequeathed his property at Southold, Long Island, to Isaac Overton, son of Isaac and Hannah ( Elton) Overton. Isaac (2) Overton had by his wife Sarah, a son Isaac (3) Overton, horn at Southold in 1683, died there November 4, 1723. He mar- ried Abigail Moore, and had a son, John Overton, who died September 5, 1779; he married, January 1, 1733, Jemima Hulse, who died October 25, 1783. Their son, Major Isaac (4) Overton, born in 1735, died at Southold, September 22, 1786; he married, September 9, 1760, Phoebe Burnet, who died June 19, 1783. This Isaac Over- ton served in Colonel William Floyd's and Colonel Josiah Overton's "minute-men" from Southold. He was major in the 3d Regiment under Colonel William Floyd, of St. George's Manor. Isaac Burnet Overton, son of Major Isaac (4) Overton, was born December 26, 1772, died at Libertyville, New Jersey, in 1857. He married Sarah Witter, and they had a son, Henry Overton, born April 3, 1807, died at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1875. He married, July 22, 1829, Sarah Jane Wood, born in 1812, died at Wilkes-Barre in 1880. Henry Overton moved from Sussex County, New Jersey, to Dallas or Kingston Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 1835, thence to Wilkes-Barre He was a private in the 148th Regiment New York State Militia at Minisink, Orange County, in 1832. He was elected captain of the Mountaineer Light Infantry, attached to the Lagrange Volunteer Battalion of the militia of Pennsylvania at- tached to the Second Brigade of the 8th Division. His commission, dated May 6, 1844, is signed by Governor David R. Porter.
Sarah Jane (Wood) Overton, wife of Henry Overton, was a daughter of Timothy (4) Wood, born in 1763, died near Goshen, New York, in 1835. His farm lands originally included the present site of Goshen. He mar- ried, in 1786, Sarah Canfield (see Canfield). He was a great-grandson of Timothy (1) Wood, grandson of Timothy (2) Wood, and son of Timothy (3) Wood who was born in 1740, and served in the Revolutionary Army, a private in Colonel John Hathorn's regiment. Timothy Wood, the patriot, married Pietra Nella Van Dyck, about 1761-62. Timothy Wood, Jr., son of Timothy, the patriot, and Pietra Nella (Van Dyck) Wood, although but thirteen at the time of the Revolution, served his country by performing many duties entrusted to him.
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(The Canfield Line).
The Canfields came to England with William the Con- queror in 1066. The American ancestor, Matthew Can- field, born in England, died in June, 1673, and is buried at Newark, New Jersey. He was one of the first to own property in New Haven, Connecticut, where he is on record as early as 1639. He and his brother, Thomas, signed the oath of fidelity in 1644, and in 1652 moved to Norwalk. He held many positions of honor and trust; was a member of the General Court, 1654-66; magistrate, surrogate, collector of customs, inspector of troopers, and was one of the petitioners for and a signer of the charter granted by Charles the Second to the colony of Connecti- cut. Later he moved to Newark, New Jersey, and became one of the founders of the Oranges, adjoining Newark. Matthew Canfield married, before 1643, Sarah Treat, daughter of Richard Treat, and sister of Governor Treat, who engaged Andros in conversation when the lights were extinguished and the Royal Charter hidden in the famous Oak Tree. Richard Treat, her father, baptized August 28, 1584, in Pitsminster Church, was a man of high social standing and influence; married, in England, 1615, Alice, daughter of Hugh Gaylord. The first mention of Rich- ard Treat in Connecticut is as a juror in 1643. In 1644 he was chosen deputy and annually elected for fourteen years up to 1657-58; was elected magistrate, or assistant, eight times, etc .; and held many other offices of trust. In 1662, when Charles II granted the colony a charter, he was named in that document as one of the patentees. He was also, in 1663 and 1664, a member of Governor Win- throp's Council. He was an extensive landowner. (From Wethersfield, Connecticut, "Ancient History").
Their son, Samuel Canfield, baptized at New Haven, October 19, 1645, died at Norwalk, Connecticut, in Oc- tober, 1690. He married Elizabeth Willoughby, daughter of Deputy Governor Francis Willoughby, of Massachu- setts and Connecticut, who entered so zealously into the affairs of the colonies. He was deputy, 1642-46-49; assistant, 1650-51-64; deputy governor, 1665-71. He died April 3, 1671. Their son, Jedediah Canfield, born August, 1681, at Norwalk, Connecticut, died at Bedford, New York, in 1770. He married, about 1719, Lydia Kellum, and had a son, Jedediah (2) Canfield, born about 1721, at Norwalk, died after 1805, at Minisink, New York. Jedediah (2) married about 1756, Rose Ketchum, born September 5, 1736. Their daughter, Sarah Canfield, mar- ried, in 1786, Timothy (4) Wood, who died near Bing- hamton, New York. Their daughter, Sarah Jane Wood, married Henry Overton, and their daughter, Miranda Lee Overton, married Nathan Beach Crary (see Crary). Mrs. Crary was a member of Wyoming Valley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WILLIAMS-Though perhaps the majority of men in Wilkes-Barre who now head the city's financial enterprises were born outside the Wilkes-Barre area proper, still, native sons occupy high positions in the municipal structure, and one of them, being among those most prominent, is Benjamin Franklin Williams. Leader in affairs of business and general finance, he is no less a leader in citizenship, supporting all those movements which are designed for the city's advancement, and for the happiness of the people herein. He has witnessed great changes in the municipal appearance since childhood; and to many of these changes has contributed in a measure far from small. His record is one of attainment.
Mr. Williams is the son of Morgan B. and Catherine (Jones) Williams. His father was born in Wales, in 1830, and came to the United States in early life, settling in Wilkes-Barre. Here he carried on his work as coal operator, gained a considerahle fortune and influence, served as State Senator in 1884, and was a member of the National Congress during President Mckinley's ad- ministration. His death occurred in 1903. Catherine (Jones) Williams was also born in Wales, in 1835. She died in Wilkes-Barre in 1875.
Son of Morgan B. and Catherine ( Jones ) Williams, Mr. Williams was born June 19, 1872, and was but three years old at the time of his mother's death. He attended the local schools, took his diploma from Harry Hill- man Academy, matriculated in the State College, and from it took the degree in mining engineering. with the class of 1895. With no lost time he began his active career, first with the Williams Coal Company, of Potts- ville, Pennsylvania, and remained with that concern three years. Afterward he was engineer for the Spring Brook Water Supply Company, of Wilkes-Barre, for twenty- two years. In 1918 he became cashier of the Wilkes-
Barre Deposit and Savings Bank, having been a director of the bank since 1912; and has continued as cashier during the years that have followed down to the pres- ent (1929). He is a member of the firm and a director of Percy A. Brown and Company, a director of the Royer Foundry and Machine Company of Kingston, of the National Register Publishing Company of the City of New York, and has identity with other comparable institutions of financial operation.
Mr. Williams interests himself widely. A Republican, he supports the principles and candidates of the party with consistent influence; fraternally is affiliated with Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons, Caldwell Consistory of Bloomsburg, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; belongs to the Westmoreland Club and other similar organizations, and is a communicant of the Puritan Congregational Church, being a member of the church's official board.
On August 30, 1898, Mr. Williams was united in mar- riage with Mary Davies, of Plymouth, daughter of James B. and Ann (Smyth) Davies, and their children are: I. Elizabeth Davies, wife of Peter D. Clark, of Dallas, Pennsylvania; and they have a child, Peter Douglas, who was born May 26, 1928. Mrs. Clark is a graduate of Bryn Mawr. 2. Donald Davies, now of Denver, Colo- rado. 3. Catherine Davies, graduate of Goucher College.
SAMUEL FRENCH, M. D .- In the many years in which Samuel French has been practicing medicine, he has won for himself a deserved reputation for care and skill in his profession, as well as for a willingness to devote his time and energies untiringly to the welfare. of his fellow-citizens. Those who have come to know him well-and Dr. French's acquaintance is wide in the region of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania-have long rec- ognized in him an ability that goes toward making him one of the foremost physicians and one of the most ac- complished men in the neighborhood of Plymouth, where he has practiced steadily since 1919. And especially among his patients is he known, not only for his medical skill, but for the kind and helpful manner that he dis- plays in treating those who may need his attention.
Descended from an old and prominent family, which long has made its home in this part of Pennsylvania, he is a son of Samuel Livingston and Harriett Seville (Turner) French, the father having been born Septem- ber 8, 1839, in Plymouth, and died January 22, 1923, and the mother born June 2, 1844, in Pottsville, Penn- sylvania, and having died December 26, 1925. The father, a retail lumber dealer, for years conducted a planing mill in Plymouth under the name of the Plymouth Planing Mill Company, which he organized in 1880, was one of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens. Although Samuel Livingston French originally was en- gaged with other people in this business, he became its principal owner and manager, which positions he held when he sold out his interests in March, 1902. But Samuel Livingston French's work extended far beyond the field of business activity; for in 1914, after he had done much to make history in Luzerne County, there was published the book which he had written, "A His- tory of Plymouth." A young man at the time of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. French enlisted in September, 1861, in the 52d Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served under General McClellan in Virginia; was present at the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill; and, after having performed distinguished service to the Union forces, returned home in 1862. In 1872 he was elected to the office of register of wills, and served for a term in this position in Lutzerne County. In 1874 he was first clerk of the Orphans' Court of Luzerne County. On the Republican ticket, which he always supported, he was elected in 1875 to the office of chief burgess of Plymouth Borough, which thereafter he held for several terms. He also served for several years as secretary of the town council and the school board, and as presi- dent of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth. He was instrumental in organizing the first Board of Trade in the town, and for many years was its president. In December, 1888, he organized Company ] of the 9th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and served as its captain until 1895. He continued his lumber business until 1902, when he retired ; but even after that time, he was active in the public life of Plymouth. By his marriage to Harriett Seville Turner, which took place on October 10, 1865, there were thirteen children, of whom five are now living.
Of these children, Dr. Samuel French was born in
B. J. Williams
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Plymouth, August 1, 1869. As a boy he attended the public schools here, and later became a student at the Wilkes-Barre Academy. He took his professional work at the University of Pennsylvania, which awarded him the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1893. Thereupon, Dr. French served as an interne at the city hospital of Wilkes-Barre, and later at the Philadelphia General Hospital, in Philadelphia. For twenty-five years he practiced his profession at Mecker, Colorado, maintain- ing always a general practice. . In 1919, he came to Plymouth, where he has remained since that time, con- ducting his practice at No. 259 East Main Street.
Dr. French always has taken a leading part in the social and fraternal life of Plymouth. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being affiliated with Lodge No. 109 of that order ; and belongs to the Shawnee Club. Like his father, he has always taken considerable interest in political matters in Penn- sylvania, although he has never held office here. In Mecker, Colorado, however, he was coroner for two terms. At all times he keeps in touch with the newest developments and discoveries that are taking place in his profession ; and is an active member of the Ameri- can Medical Association, the Luzerne County Medical Association and the Pennsylvania Medical Association. ' Dr. French is unmarried.
HARRY U. NYHART-Seldom does one encounter in one person the president of a prosperous banking house and a superintendent of schools, banker and edu- cator. Harry U. Nyhart, of Glenlyon, Luzerne County, is both. Since 1902 he has been superintendent of the schools of Newport Township, save for four years, 1914- 1918; and president of Glenlyon National Bank. More than this, Mr. Nyhart is outstanding as a citizen of his community for public work accomplished, through his active and intelligent support of various civic enterprises. Seldom has his support been refused any such move- ment of worth, and then only because of the crush of work and responsibility ever pursuing a busy man.
Mr. Nyhart was born at Askam, Hanover Township, October 9, 1871, son of Levi L. and Julia ( Kramer) Nyhart. The family was founded in its Wyoming Val- ley branch early in the decade of 1840, and Levi L. Nyhart spent most of his life here. He was a merchant, proprietor of a general store, and for thirty-five years a justice of the peace in Hanover Township. He died at the age of sixty-five years, in 1891. Both he and his good wife early inculcated in their son those high principles of conduct and thought that assisted materially in building his character, and have remained with him through manhood.
In the public schools of Hanover Township Mr. Ny- hart received his first school training, then continued it in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, and matriculated in Bloomsburg State Normal School, from which he graduated in 1892, at the age of twenty-one years. Thus prepared for the career of teaching, he came in that year to Newport Township, and for ten years there- after taught classes in the public schools. In 1902, as noted, he was made superintendent of the township's schools, and from the first has given his major atten- tion to the progress of education. He is a member of the National Education Association, and of the super- intendent's department of the National Education Asso- ciation. Also, he is a member of the State's educational organization, and prominent in its ranks, highly esteemed for his mind and methods by confreres in the profes- sion. In 1912, Mr. Nyhart, in association with several business men, founded the bank of which he is head, president since the year of foundation. Glenlyon State Bank had an original capitalization of $25,000, which has meanwhile been increased to $75,000. Its growth is considered in local financial circles to have been phe- nomenal, and the surplus now ( 1928) is reported at $100,- coo, with deposits of $1,500,000. In 1927-28 a new home was erected for this institution, at a cost of $70,000, with the finest of facades and most modern of banking equipment. Correspondents in New York and Philadel- phia are the Irving National and Tradesmen's banks, respectively. Officers in addition to Mr. Nyhart are: Vice-president, Sandar Engel; cashier, B. C. Rydzewski. Directors : H. U. Nyhart, Joseph Kacala, John Rogowicz, Isadore Gross, Andrew Selecky, Anthony Frank, Jr., Dr. A. M. Thomas, Bruno Terkoski, Joseph Stark, Nathan Gottleib and Sandar Engel. Among these of- ficers and directors are names of personalities well known and powerful in the affairs of Glenlyon and nearby centers, and as president of the bank Mr. Nvhart has
made for himself a name in power comparable with any of them. Fraternally he is affiliated with Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons; Caldwell Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a communicant of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, is devout and effective in its service, and has been church treasurer for a number of years past. For twenty-nine years, moreover, he has been a trustee of the church, and superintendent of the Sunday school, in which latter position he is placed well for employment of his undoubted influence for good on the lives of those about him. In political matters Mr. Nyhart maintains some prestige, and this he uses discreetly, quietly, to the benefit of the people at large, rather than to the exalta- tion of one political party. Toward charity he is of large heart and generously disposed.
On December 30, 1896, Mr. Nyhart was united in mar- riage with Luella Romich, of Koonsville, Pennsylvania ; and they have had children: 1. Geraldine, who was educated in the public schools and Bloomsburg State Normal, from which she graduated in 1917, and is now a teacher in Newport Township schools. 2. Robert U., graduate of Bloomsburg Normal, class of 1919; principal of Wyoming High School, Luzerne County; married Mary Mitchell, daughter of Dr. Mitchell, of Lewis- town, Pennsylvania; and father of one child, a son, Robert M. Luella (Romich) Nyhart is active in church organizations, and is a member of Order of Eastern Star, Nanticoke. The family residence is at No. 37 East Main Street, Glenlyon.
WILSON E. MYERS, D. D. S .- Immediately after his graduation from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, Dr. Wilson E. Myers located in Nanticoke, and here he is still (1928) successfully ministering to the necds of a large patronage drawn from all parts of the community and from the surrounding rural areas. His offices are at No. 4 East Main Street, and he has for many years been known to the profession and to his many patrons as a skilled dental surgeon, who can always be depended upon to give expert attention and a square business deal. He is prominent in the Masonic Order, and is one of the able and progressive citizens of the place.
The founder of this branch of the family in this county (Luzerne) was Philip Myers, grandfather of Dr. Myers. John Myers, son of Philip, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and spent his life here as a progressive farmer and an active citizen, who filled various town offices, served as school director, and was generous in his support of all projects planned for the advancement of the general good of the township and county in which he lived. His interest in local affairs remained vital and helpful to the time of his death, which occurred in 1915, at the age of seventy-one years. He married Lydia Spade, and they made their home in Dor- rance Township.
Dr. Wilson E. Myers, son of John and Lydia ( Spade) Myers, was born in Stairville, Dorrance Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1878. After attending the local public schools he continued his studies in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania, where he prepared for college. In 1905 he was graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and he at once located in Nanticoke, where he has since been engaged in dental practice. He is a member of the Luzerne Coun- ty Dental Association, the Pennsylvania State Dental As- sociation, and the American Dental Society, and is also a member of the Washington State Dental Association. He is very well known in Nanticoke, in professional capacity and in fraternal and other connections. He is a member of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; also of Caldwell Consistory; and is identified with the Craftsmen's Club. His religious inter- est is with the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a communicant.
Dr. Wilson E. Myers was married (second) in 1916, to Bess Connell, of Nanticoke. To the first marriage four children were born: I. Viola M., who is teaching in the public schools of Burlington, Washington. 2. Edith A., who is her father's assistant in his dental office. 3. Mildred A., who is student in Eastman Dental Dispensary, at Rochester, New York. 4. Betty L., a student in high school, class of 1928. Mrs. Myers is active in several women's organizations and especially helpful and active in the Presbyterian Church. The fam- ily home is on Tilsbury Terrace, West Nanticoke.
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JUDGE GAIUS LEONARD HALSEY-The span of life of Judge Gaius Leonard Halsey covered one of the most interesting and significant periods in the history of the United States; and he spent the greater part of it in Pennsylvania, his native State, as lawyer and judge in Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County. He filled for many years the important post of Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of Luzerne County, and served with such fairness and distinction that his rulings were seldom reversed by either the Superior or the Supreme Court of his State. Although his experience extended into the political field, he was apart from politics, having been elected to the judgeship after his nomination by both parties. His early training in Washington, District of Columbia, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and his legal work in this county fitted him extraordinarily well for the bench, and provided him that opportunity for study- ing men and their motives, knowledge of which is so necessary to one in charge of a great system of justice. Many were Judge Halsey's friends, not only in Luzerne County, but throughout the State and Nation; and deep was their sorrow upon the sad occasion of his passing, which deprived his fellowmen of one of their most useful public servants and a member of an old and most respected family.
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