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 52
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He served steadily, in addition to his own unusually active practice, as a member of the staff of the City Hospital, having rounded out more than thirty-five years in this capacity. Holding an outstanding place in the ranks of his fellow professional men, he was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a member of the American Medical Association, the Penn- sylvania State Medical Association and the Luzerne County Medical Society. In his political views, he was a staunch supporter of the Republican party, and as such stood firmly behind any movement designed to advance the welfare of Wilkes-Barre.
Dr. Matlack's work and the part that he took in the life of Wilkes-Barre and this part of Pennsylvania were at all times outstanding in this community; a fact that was perhaps to be expected, in consideration of the prominence of the Matlack family in America for gen- erations. One of the oldest Quaker families in the United States, it was founded in this country by William Mat- lack, who came to America from his home in England, voyaging across the Atlantic in the good ship "Kent." arriving in Manhattan, New Amsterdam, now New York. in 1677. This William Matlack was at the time a lad of but sixteen or seventeen years of age, and it was in the Dutch settlement that he married Mary Hancock. Their son, Joseph Matlack, received a grant of land from William Penn during 1722, and this grant was situated on the east side of the present town of West Chester, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. This grant, the original document, is still in the possession of the Matlack family. It is from this stock that the present family is descended-one of the oldest and most sub- stantial in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Dr. Granville T. Matlack, on April 5, 1888, married Clara R. Courtright, a daughter of Frank and Anna Courtright, of Clark Summit, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of four children: 1. Anne Louise, who became the wife of J. L. Miner, of Plainfield, New Jersey, and they had three children, Joshua L., Jr., Granville T., 2d, and Frank C. 2. Dorothy Tamson, who became the wife of John C. Haddock, of Wilkes- Barre, and they had one child, Clara Matlack Haddock. 3. Frank C., who died in childhood. 4. Clara C., who married Robert A. Steell, of Wilkes-Barre. Mrs. Clara R. (Courtright) Matlack, the mother of these children, died December 4, 1925.
The death of Dr. Granville T. Matlack occurred July 26, 1928, and came as a profound shock to Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County, in which he had lived and worked for so many years, as well as to the medical authorities the world over, who were familiar with his work and his skill in the treatment of goitre. Even while physi- cally incapacitated, he had served as president of his county's medical society and had lectured at the Jeffer- son Medical College, thus demonstrating his loyalty and devotion to his profession and his own splendid character. He was, indeed, a valuable citizen and the scion of a noble family.
BRUCE M. HICKS-Ten years of successful busi- ness as a pharmacist have made Bruce M. Hicks one of the well known men of his line in Hazleton, Pennsyl-
vania. His establishment is located at The Altemont Building in Hazleton, where he conducts a thoroughly reliable and up-to-date pharmacy, specializing in pre- scriptions. Mr. Hicks is a graduate of the pharmaceuti- cal department of the Medico-Chi, in Philadelphia, and has been located here in Hazleton since his graduation in 1911. In 1918 he established his own pharmacy, and has since developed a large and important patronage. Bruce M. Hicks was born in Wapwallopen, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, April 11, 1889, son of M. E. and Sarah Meixell Hicks, both of whom are now deceased (1928). The father was, during the early years of his active business life engaged in mercantile pursuits, but later he entered the insurance business, which he con- tinued to the time of his death.
Bruce M. Hicks, the son, attended the public schools and then continued his studies in Bloomsburgh Normal School, and later entered Medico-Chi Pharmacy, class of 1909. After graduation he came to Hazleton and entered the employ of Eble & Haines, pharmacists, as manager, and after four years of practical experience in that connection he associated himself with the Hazleton Drug Company, with whom he remained for three years. A total of seven years spent in practical management placed Mr. Hicks in a position where he felt that he might safely venture upon the hazardous seas of inde- pendent business enterprise, and his success during the years which have passed since the opening of his present establishment, in 1918, has fully justified his course. He has his pharmacy in the Altemont Hotel Building, and he has made his place a modern one in all its equipment and appointments, as well as in its various departments and in its service. He is a member of the Luzerne County, Pennsylvania State, and American Pharmaceuti- cal associations. and of the American Druggists' Associa- tion, and among his fellow pharmacists he is generally known as a thoroughly equipped and well informed man of the pharmaceutical profession. Along with the suc- cessful management of his business Mr. Hicks takes an active interest in civic affairs. He is a member of the Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, and a generous sup- porter of all movements for the advancement of the gen- eral welfare of the city. Fraternally, he is identified with Lodge No. 200, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and holds membership in numerous local clubs and other organizations, including the Rotary Club, Valley Country Club, Hazleton Motor Club, and the City Club, also the Young Men's Christian Association; and his religions membership is with the Trinity Lutheran Church of Hazleton.
Bruce M. Hicks was married, February 3, 1914, to Jennie McNeal, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and they have two children : Robert Bruce and Ruth Louise. Mrs. Hicks, like her husband, is active in numerous organiza- tions, including the Young Women's Christian Associa- tion, the Civic Club, the Country Club, and others. The family residence is located at No. 702 North Church Street, in Hazleton.
Z. L. SMITH, M. D .- A member of an old Luzerne County family and himself a native and life-long resident of that section of Pennsylvania, Dr. Smith has been successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine at West Nanticoke for more than two decades. During this period he has not only built up a very large and lucrative practice, but has also heen prominently active in the civic. fraternal and religious life of the community, in which he enjoys to an unusual extent the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
The founder in Luzerne County of that branch of the Smith family, of which Dr. Smith is a member, was his great-grandfather, Charles Smith, who came to Luzerne County from Monroe County and who settled at Dallas, where he was engaged for many years as a blacksmith. Later he gave his attention to farming, in which under- taking he met with mnuch success, becoming the owner of inuch land, including all of the land now occupied by Luzerne Borough. He was one of the founders of the People's Bank of Wilkes-Barre. Ziba Smith, the son of Charles Smith and the grandfather of Dr. Smith, was extensively engaged, like his father, in farming. He was a veteran of the Civil War, during which he enlisted three times.
Clarence E. Smith, the father of Dr. Smith and the son of Ziba Smith, was born in Luzerne County and was educated at Wyoming Seminary. Throughout his life he was engaged in teaching, all of his work being done in his native county. For many years he was a principal of graded schools and at the time of his death, August.
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19, 1920, he was principal of the Dana Street Public School at Wilkes-Barre. He married Charlotte Stack- house.
Dr. Z. L. Smith, son of the late Clarence E. and Char- lotte ( Stackhouse) Smith, was born in Lehman Town- ship, Luzerne County, March 29, 1881. Like his father he was educated at Wyoming Seminary, after which he took up the subject of medicine in the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, from which he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine in 1906. For the next eighteen mouths he practiced his profession at Alderson, from where he came to West Nanticoke in November, 1907. Since then he has been one of the leading physicians and surgeons of that com- munity, carrying on his general practice with great success from offices located at No. 60 East Poplar Street. He is a member of the medical staff of the West Side Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, and a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Though naturally his professional activities receive the major share of his time and attention, Dr. Smith has always played a leading part in the various activities of the community. He was one of the founders and is a direc- tor of the Peoples Savings & Trust Company of Nanti- coke and he is also a member of the West Nanticoke School Board. A man of pleasing personality and of genial nature, he is a member of numerous fraternal organizations, including Arcana Lodge, No. 116, Free and Accepted Masons, of Baltimore, Maryland ; Caldwell Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Irem Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre; Nanticoke Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; John Knox Commandery, Knights of Malta ; and the Junior Order United American Me- chanics. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Smith married, October 19, 1001, Lavina Reese, of Parsons, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Smith is active in vari- ous women's organizations and in religious work.
HOMER R. MALLOW-Veteran of the World War and possessor of a distinguished record in salesman- ship, sales management and organization, H. R. Mallow came to Wilkes-Barre in 1920, and is president and treasurer of the Mallow Hotel Corporation, president of the Wilkes-Barre Hotel Corporation, president of the Griner Hotel Corporation, and Mallow Rapid Transit and Consolidated Hotels Corporation. Through his operations here. in New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Columbia, South Carolina, he has became widely and favorably known as a business man, and in Wilkes- Barre maintains a foremost position among the com- mercial and fraternal figures of the community.
Homer R. Mallow was born on a farm near Athens, Calhoun County. Michigan, May 31, 1880, the son of Henry and Hannah ( Foote) Mallow, and took his early courses of education in the Athens public schools and the high school at Union City, then matriculated in the Uni- versity of Michigan, entered the law department and graduated in 1906 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Soon afterwards he was admitted to practice before all courts in the State of Michigan; but, having engaged in such practice for a year he turned his attention to other fields, as he had taken the law course as the best business training the university had to offer. Mr. Mallow had been a seriously minded student in college and had con- trived through various positions in business to send him- self through his full course; it followed then that his interest in business affairs, born in those earlier occupa- tions to secure an education, now came into full play, and in the realization that business would thence onward be of more interest to him than the law (though he continues a student of legal matters), he gave to it an all absorb- ing effort. In 1907 he took a position as special rep- resentative of the De Luxe Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, and after five months of selling on the road had so distinguished himself that he was made director of the auto sales department of the De Luxe Company in Chicago, Illinois. Here also his talent was manifest, and shortly after he had assumed direction of the Chicago department he was made manager of the selling unit in New York City, at the same time retain- ing charge of the Chicago office, until 1909, when the De Luxe Motor Car Company was disposed of. Mr. Mallow continued with the new company for one year while automobiles remaining in stock were sold, and in 1910 became assistant to N. M. Kaufman, president of the Congress Hotel Company and corporations concerned in other lines. This occupation held him for a year, and
then he went to Columbia, South Carolina, to take charge of the Granite Brick Company, which he directed for nineteen months. Then he resumed his duties of hotel methods and management, within a short time engaging himself as steward at the Hotel Cadillac, at Forty-third Street and Broadway, New York City, continuing in that capacity six months, advancing to the office of assistant manager for three months, then filling the post of manager, and in that capacity he stayed with the hotel five years. In 1917 Mr. Mallow was commissioned first lieutenant in the Hospital Division of the United States Army. He served at Debarkation Hospital, No. 5, as mess officer, and after three months was made command- ing officer of the Mess Department. Debarkation Hos- pital No. 5 was the largest in the country, with a capac- ity of 5,200 beds, and equipment for mess department, of which Mr. Mallow was assigned to lay out and install, at a cost of $87,000. It was large enough to feed one hundred men per minute for six consecutive hours. After being mustered out of the service, Mr. Mallow, in 1920, organized the Mallow Hotel Corporation of New York, with offices in the Times Building, Forty-second Street and Broadway, New York City ; and while organizing the corporation he took an option on the Cumberland Hotel, Fifty-fourth Street and Broadway, of which house he was manager during the period of option. Meanwhile his attention was attracted to Wilkes-Barre. He inves- tigated. He was interested; and in March, 1920, became associated with the Sterling Hotel, establishing his address in the city that year, and retaining the direction of both the Sterling Hotel and the Hotel Cumberland, New York City. The year following he took a lease on the Hotel Ferguson, at Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. In 1927 the corporation purchased the Plaza Hotel property adjoin- ing the Sterling Hotel, together with other valuable hold- ings, for the purpose of constructing a new one million dollar addition.
Mr. Mallow is president of the Pennsylvania State Hotel Association, for the second term, and member of the American Hotel Association. He is affiliated with the Masonic Order, holding membership in the Shrine and Commandery at Wilkes-Barre, and the Scranton Con- sistory. His clubs are the Lions, of which he is presi- dent for the second term and regional director ; Reciproc- ity, of which he is president; Wyoming Valley Motor, first vice-president ; Wyoming Valley Country, Fox Hill Country, Irem Temple Country, Fountain Spring Coun- try, and Westchester-Biltmore Country. He is also international president of the High Sea Division of the Order of Orioles. Mr. Mallow is a Republican and a Protestant. He has never married.
LELAND C. RUMMAGE, M. D .- One of Luzerne County's distinguished sons, Dr. Leland C. Rummage is a prominent member of the medical profession, special- izing in eye, ear, nose and throat cases, with offices lo- cated in the Challenger Building, Nanticoke. A member of the staff of the Nanticoke State Hospital, Dr. Rum- inage renders invaluable service to this institution, where he is esteemed and admired by all, particularly, the fel- low members of his profession. During the World War he saw active service, both in this country and in France. and for eighteen months was engaged in this noble and patriotic work.
Dr. Rummage was born in Sweet Valley, February II, 1887, son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Shaw) Rum- mage. He was educated in the local public schools and Bloomsburg Normal School, from which he graduated with the class of 1906. He next attended Wyoming Seminary, graduating in 1909, after which he matricu- lated at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1913. He served his interneship at Scranton State Hospital and the Philadelphia General Hospital and was later chief resident physician at the Philadelphia Lying-In and Charity Hospital. Dr. Rum- mage then returned to this section of the State, and located at Sweet Valley. Here he practiced his profes- sion for a year, winning the confidence and approbation of the entire vicinity by reason of his consummate skill and keen and analytical knowledge, together with his pleasant and affable manner to all his patients. He then moved to Ramsey, Michigan, where he gained splendid experience in the work of an industrial surgeon, remain- ing there for two years, until July 18, 1917, when he enlisted in the Medical Corps, United States Army, and was first stationed at the Base Hospital at Camp Dix, New Jersey. With his outfit, he went overseas on October 22. 1918, being connected with Base Hospital No. 3, Brest, France, with the rank of first lieutenant. He re-
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mained in France until May 24, 1919, performing the duties of his rank and position with the greatest effi- ciency and care, acting not only as physician but as a friend to the many wounded soldiers who received his attention. Returning to the United States, he studied at the Post-Graduate School of the University of Pennsyl- vania, receiving his degree with the class of 1921, as a specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat affections. For one year, he served as staff assistant at the Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, and in 1921. opened his present office in Nanticoke, where he has continued to hold a high place in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. Dr. Rum- mage is a prominent member of the Luzerne County and Pennsylvania Medical associations, the American Medical Association and the American Legion. He is actively identified with a number of fraternal organizations, in- cluding Shickshinny Lodge, No. 354, Free and Accepted Masons ; Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg ; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Knights of Pythias, of Nanticoke; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. Ico. He is a member of the Craftsmen's Club and of the Stickney Hose Company.
Dr. Rummage married, December 5, 1927, Marjorie Kingsbury of Nanticoke.
JENKIN L. ROWE, TALMAGE B. ROWE- What is now Jenkin L. Rowe Company, Inc., dealers in men's clothing, furnishings and footwear, Nanticoke, was founded by Jenkin L. Rowe on modest capital, Sep- tember 11, 1914, at No. 150 South Market Street. At this address Mr. Rowe continued in business eleven months, then removed it to a more favorable location across the street, where he remained in the store's affairs until March, 1918. At that time the organization had outgrown its confines, so to speak, to such an extent that larger and still more advantageous quarters were a necessity for continued growth. Therefore, the company was removed once more, to No. 20 East Main Street, where it has been established since. When Mr. Rowe started in business he had only $165, and courage, to- gether with initiative, imagination and what is called common sense, but which might better be termed sound judgment. With this capital he installed a small stock of goods, and never once faltered in the determination to increase it. When he came to the present location the store was contained behind some twenty feet of the frontal measure, and was sufficient for his stock in trade. But as business grew, more space was added, and today the company operates in a space of twenty-four by eighty feet. The best of goods are carried. On March I, 1920, the company was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, with a capital of $25,000, with Jenkin L. Rowe named in the articles as treasurer and manager, and Talmage B. Rowe as president.
Jenkin L. and Talmage B. Rowe are sons of Rev. Alfred Lewis and Jane (Davis) Rowe. Rev. Mr. Rowe was a minister in the Congregational Church, retired in 1911, resident in Nanticoke since 1903. His denomina- tion particular was the Moriah Welsh Congregational Church, Nanticoke. Born in Cardiff, Wales, he was left an orphan at the age of seven years, and was put in a home. From the institution he was taken by Isaac and Mrs. Thomas, of Wales, when he was nine years of age. He worked in the mines as a youth, and at fourteen be- gan to preach, and was called the "boy preacher." When he was twenty-five he came to the United States, first locating in Sherman, Ohio. Thence he removed to Barne- veld, Wisconsin; thence to Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, and to Dover, Ohio, where he was located until strike conditions arose. Next he moved to Elwood, Indiana, and, in 1903, came to Nanticoke. Rev. Mr. Rowe was recognized as a speaker of singular force, and was much sought after to fill pulpits. He was a man of temperate manner, gentleness, a good husband and father. He had five children: 1. Jenkin L., of whom further. 2. Milton S. (q. v.). 3. Lottie B., wife of Charles Millington, fire boss in the employ of the Aldin Coal Company. 4. Tal- mage B., of whom further. 5. Margaret, wife of Willis Hinchcliff, farmer.
Jenkin L. Rowe, eldest child and son of Rev. Alfred Lewis and Jane (Davis) Rowe, was born in Sherman, Ohio, Fehruary 23, 1885. He received his academic in- struction in the public schools, entered the business world as store proprictor in Nanticoke at the age of twenty- two years, as recounted, and is today one of those best and most favorably known in the business circles of this community and centers nearby. He has constantly been active in civic affairs, and was one of the organizers of the Kiwanis Club of Nanticoke. In this club he is song
leader at the weekly luncheons. He is on the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is active in the church's Sabbath School, and an influence for good among young and old alike. Mr. Rowe is a member of the Craftsmen's Club, and fraternally is affiliated with Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons ; Caldwell Consistory, at Bloomsburg; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He married Catharine Arnott, formerly secretary to the Hen. T. D. Nichols, of Scranton, prominent in miners' union matters. They have three children, Phyllis, Thelma and Jack ; and reside on Tilbury Terrace, Nanticoke.
Talmage B. Rowe, fourth child and third son of Rev. Alfred Lewis and Jane ( Davis) Rowe, was born at Barneveld, Wisconsin, May 27, 1893. He received his education in the public schools, and had his first com- mercial experience as a newsboy. Next he worked as a clerk in the shoe and furnishings store run by A. S. Burnaford, Nanticoke, and it was at this that he was employed when, on August 2, 1917, he enlisted in his country's service for duty in the World War, in the Aviation Corps. He was sent to Fort Slocum, New York; then to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, where he was stationed from August II, 1917, to October 28 of that year. Next he was sent to Mineola, Long Island, and on November 22, 1917, embarked for Europe. Mr. Rowe debarked at Le Havre, France, December 8, where he was stationed until December 12, 1918. He was mustered out of the service January 31, 1919, with the rank of first sergeant, and returned to the United States to re- sume the course of his commercial career where he had dropped it. When Jenkin L. Rowe Company was incor- porated, as noted, in 1920, Mr. Rowe took office in it, and as president has continued, contributing liberally of mind and effort to the firm's success. He is a participant in the general affairs of the city, and regarded highly for his standing as a citizen and merchant. He is a mem- ber of Post No. 350, American Legion, Nanticoke, and fraternally is affiliated with Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons: Nanticoke Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar ; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is on the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On October 5, 1921, Talmage B. Rowe was united in marriage with Helen I. Smawley, and they have one child, Talmage B., Jr. They live at No. 369 East Green Street, Nanticoke.
MILTON S. ROWE-A native of Wisconsin, but for most of the last quarter of a century a resident of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Mr. Rowe has been engaged there since 1924 as owner of the Rowe Ice Company. In connection with this enterprise he also carries on an ex- tensive trucking and coal business and he is considered one of the most progressive and most active of Nanti- coke's business men. He is also very active in religious work and in every respect represents the best type of upright and useful citizenship.
Milton S. Rowe was born in Randolph, Dodge County, Wisconsin, May 30, 1887. a son of Rev. Alfred Lewis (q. v.) and Jane Davis Rowe. He was educated in the public schools of Ebensburg, Cambria County, Pennsyl- vania, and in his early youth was employed in the Rolling Mills at Canal Dover, Ohio, and at Elwood, Indiana. In 1902 he came East with his family and located at Nanti- coke. There he worked for nine years with the Nanticoke Ice Company, acquiring a very thorough knowledge of all branches of this business. In 1916 he gave up this work in order to enter the government service in connection with the manufacture of munitions at Barberton, Ohio. There, having received a very thorough training, he was placed in charge of a large number of men to take care of raw materials. He continued in this work until 1922, when he returned to Nanticoke. For the next two years he was connected with the mechanical department of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In May, 1924, with a capital of only $200, he founded the Rowe Ice Company at Nanti- coke, of which he has been the owner and head since and which he has brought to a very high degree of pros- perity. He is engaged in the wholesale and retail ice business and in the retail coal business and also operates a fleet of motor trucks, doing extensive local and long distance moving and trucking. His constantly growing busi- ness requires the employment of a considerable number of helpers. For many years he has been very effectively active in the work of the Christian and Missionary Al- liance Church, and it was chiefly due to his efforts that the Alliance Gospel Chapel was established at Nanticoke. He is one of its elders and trustees, a teacher in its
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