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 54
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Judge John and Lydia (Gardner) Jenkins had six sons and one daughter, all born in Connecticut. The eldest, John Jenkins, Jr., born in 1751, came to the Wyoming Valley in 1772. In 1775 he was commissioned by Con- necticut ensign of Exeter Company of the 24th West- moreland Regiment. In 1777 he was surveyor of lands in Westmoreland. In November of that year, while in command of a scouting party sent up the river from Wilkes-Barre he was made prisoner near Wyalusing, by Indians and Tories and taken to Fort Niagara. Later he escaped and made his way back home, arriving at Exeter, June 2, 1778. When the Battle of Wyoming was fought Ensign Jenkins was in command at Forty Fort. After the battle and the surrender of the fort, he found his way over the mountains to Stroudsburg, and there joined Captain Spaulding's company. It was this com- pany which had been expected to reinforce the local militia before the battle, but only three advance riders were able to get to the point in time, and these joined the battle line. In this company Jenkins was made pro- visional lieutenant. The company arrived at Wilkes- Barre, in September, 1778, and Jenkins then commis- sioned lieutenant went with his company as part of the Sullivan expedition against the Six Nations, in the spring of 1779. On the return of this force, he was stationed at Wilkes-Barre as part of the garrison of Fort Wyo- ming under Colonel Zebulon Butler. In 1780 he was appointed justice of the peace for Westmoreland. But his military duty was not done. In March, 1781, with his company, he joined Washington's army near New Windsor, New York, thence with Washington and the forced march southward to intercept Cornwallis at York- town. The young lieutenant was in the final assaults against the British earthworks, and was present at the surrender of the British, October 19, 1781. In March, 1782, Lieutenant Jenkins resigned from the service and came back to the Wyoming Valley. In 1785, before the erection of Luzerne County, and before the end of the Connecticut jurisdiction over this part, the settlers in Wyoming Valley formed a company of militia and elected John Franklin colonel, and John Jenkins, Jr., major. Three years later, following the erection of Luzerne County, Jenkins was chosen lieutenant-colonel of the 2d Battalion, Luzerne County Militia. He was elected county commissioner in 1797, and in 1803 he was sent as a representative to the Pennsylvania Legislature.
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After his service in the Revolution, Colonel Jenkins bought a large land holding in Exeter Township. It included the ground on which the ill-fated Fort Winter- mute had stood. It was the burning of this fort which had given notice to the lower part of the valley, and those at Forty Fort particularly, that the enemy had invaded the area and that the intention was to completely destroy the settlements. On this site Colonel Jenkins built a home and he lived in it until his death, March 19 1827. His widow survived, occupying this old homestead until August 12, 1842. They had married on June 23, 1778; she, Bethiah Harris, was born in Salem, Connecticut, September 14, 1752, eighth child of Jonathan and Rachel (Otis) Harris, and granddaughter of Lieutenant James Harris, of New London, Connecticut, who was born in Boston, April 4, 1673. Colonel John and Bethiah (Har- ris) Jenkins had five sons and three daughters.
The third son was Harris Jenkins, born July 22, 1784, died Pittston, August 11, 1850. He was school teacher, clerk, merchant, a man of influence in his neighborhood, a colonel in the Pennsylvania Militia and highly regarded. He kept an inn in Kingston Township 1820-21, was reg- ister of wills, and recorder of deeds of Luzerne County, 1845-48, and for a number of years justice of the peace. He was also a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons, Senior Warder. in 1822, and Worship- ful Master in 1825. In the latter office he succeeded Hon. Garrick Mallery, and he was succeeded by Hon. André Beaumont. He married January 5, 1808, Mary Booth, who was born in 1790. They had these children : I. Harriet Lucinda. 2. John K. 3. Jane E. 4. William. 5. Jabez Hyde. 6. Stephen B. 7. Annette. 8. Mary B.
Jabez Hyde Jenkins, was born November 6, 1815, died January 11, 1850; he married in 1835, Mary Larned, second child of Theophilus and Betsey (Smith) Larned, of Wyoming. Theophilus Larned, born December 26, 1791, at Killingly, Connecticut, was grandson of Ebene- zer Larned, one of the original proprietors under the Susquehanna Company. As early as 1754 he was one of the grantees from Indian owners of land in the Wyoming Valley. When the British attacked the military stores at Lexington, Massachusetts, in 1775, Ebenezer Larned was a private in Captain Joseph Cady's company of the IIth Regiment, Connecticut Militia, He died at Killingly, December 6, 1779. Theophilus Larned married, October 2, 1814, Betsy Smith, daughter of David and Lucy (Gore) Smith. She was a daughter of Obadiah Gore, a man well-known in the early affairs, military and civil, of the valley. They lived at Wyoming, removing thence, 1821, to Huntington Township, with their family of eleven children. Mr. Larned was a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons of Wilkes-Barre. He died at Huntington, March 2, 1873, and his widow died there in November, 1877.
Jabez Hyde and Mary (Larned) Jenkins had these children : 1. John Kirby. 2. Charles W. 3. Helen D. 4. Evelyn M., who married Joseph J. Schoolcy as herein- before noted.
The children of Joseph J. and Evelyn M. (Jenkins) Schooley were: 1. Fannie, born at Pittston, June 28, 1868, who married John B. Russell, of New York, at one time of. Wilkes-Barre. 2. Harry Barnum, born at Wyoming, October 5, 1869.
The record of a man's activities and interests sets an accurate gage of his repute and his worth. Harry Bar- num Schooley descended from people active in and promi- nently useful to their generation, has on his own part found abundant means of usefulness. Born in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, his parents, while he was in early childhood, moved to West Pittston, where he attended school, after- ward taking a course at Wyoming Seminary. He first entered business as bookkeeper with Simpson and Wat- kins, coal operators at Duryea. In October, 1891, he took up the same work in the Second National Bank of Wilkes-Barre, remained in the bank six years and then engaged in business for himself, in investment secur- ities. With this he developed considerable operation in real estate, among other ventures building the Schooley Apartments. In 1906 he was elected director in the Second National Bank, in which institution his grand- father had also been director, and in 1920, on the death of the then president, Abram Nesbitt, and succession of Abram G. Nesbitt to the presidency, Mr. Schooley was chosen vice-president. At the death of Mr. A. G. Nesbitt, in 1926, Mr. Schooley filled the unexpired term as presi- dent, and in 1927 became chairman of the board. He was secretary and treasurer of the Wales Adding Machine Company until its merger with the Remington-Rand concern. In 1909, he was one of the corporators of the Wilkes-Barre Railway Company, and was afterward
director and vice-president of that concern. He is the owner of Schooley and Company, lumber concern, located at Wyoming ; director of the Raub Coal Company ; presi- dent of Evans Colliery Company, located at Hazleton ; president of the Westmoreland Building Corporation ; director of Burns Bros., coal dealers, of New York; trustee of Wyoming Seminary, Wilkes-Barre Academy, Wilkes-Barre Institute and West Pittston Library Asso- ciation ; vice-president of the Wyoming Commemora- tive Association and trustee of Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.
In social relations he is also prominently identified, being a member of the Sons of the Revolution, Pennsyl- vania Chapter; of the Pennsylvania Society of New York; of the North Mountain Club, and of the Frank- lin, Westmoreland and Wyoming Valley Country clubs of Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Schooley married November 18, 1919, Winifred von Rockendorf Griffith of Pittston, daughter of J. K. Griffith and Winifred (Kerr) Griffith. Mr. Griffth was a graduate of Lafayette College, and for many years was engaged in the steel business at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Schocley's uncle was William Griffith known for many years as a geologist, and whose writings form a part of the records of the Wyoming Valley Historical and Geological Society. Her grandfather was Andrew Jack- son Griffith archeologist and ethnologist and particularly expert in Indian lore. A brother of Andrew Jackson Grif- fith was first president of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and Port Griffith an important boat landing on the Susque- hanna, in the early business days of the valley, was named for him. Her mother was Winifred Kerr, of Philadel- phia, descendant of an early New England family, and a niece of Commodore Von Rockendorf of the United States Navy.
The children of Harry Barnum and Winifred von R. (Griffith) Schooley are: Harry B. Jr., March 20, 1921, and Winifred, born February 12, 1923, named for her grandmother and mother.
Here is a record reaching back to Colonial days and bearing with each generation those who achieved promi- nence, answered the call of duty and shared the burdens of State, community and Church. And that record seems to have reached culmination in the present generation. Where the combination is secured of progressiveness, a far seeing vision and sound conservative judgment, there is found a man of pronounced value. Mr. Schooley is exemplar of those just balances in business, and the additional church and social record indicates a wide appre- ciation by associates and contemporaries.
CHARLES FREDERICK HUBER-The career of Charles Frederick Huber is illustrative of the self-made man-so typical of those in charge of many of our great industries today. Mr. Huber started life with an earnest desire to learn the coal business, in all its phases. By application and hard work he gradually advanced, step by step, to his present executive leadership in the coal mining world. He has, besides, proved himself a progres- sive and influential citizen, cooperating in any civic move- ment that appeared to him in the interest of the com- munity in which he resides.
Charles Frederick Huber was born December 22, 1871, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, son of August M. and Minna (Kopp) Huber, both parents now deceased. After attend- ing the public schools of his native town, Mr. Huber, in 1887, when he was fifteen years old, accepted a posi- tion in the engineering department of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, as a chainman. He gradu- ally worked his way up and in 1891 became division engineer, which position he occupied until 1898, when he was promoted to chief engineer. In 1903 he became general superintendent ; in 1909 vice-president and general manager ; and in 1914 he was elected to the presidency. This position he now holds, as head of one of the largest operating units in the anthracite coal fields. Mr. Huber is also president of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Cor- poration and vice-president and director of the First National Bank of Wilkes-Barre.
A staunch Republican in his political views, Mr. Huber has never sought political office. Fraternally, he is affil- iated with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; and is a member of the Westmoreland Club, Franklin Club, Wyoming Valley Country Club, and the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engi- neers. His religious fellowship is that of the First Pres- byterian Church of Wilkes-Barre.
Charles Frederick Huber married, September 12, 1894, Nelle Andrews Daugherty, of Audenried, Pennsylvania, who died June 12, 1923. Their children are: Paul
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Daugherty, of New York City; Thomas Charles, of Hartford, Connecticut. Paul D. Huber married Lucile Morris, of San Antonio, Texas, in December, 1921. They have two children, Jean Howland and Lucile Morris. Thomas C. Huber married Dorothy Yost, of Hartford, Connecticut, in October, 1928. Charles Frederick Huber resides at No. 24 South River Street, Wilkes-Barre. His office is in the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Com- pany Building, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
W. P. SMEDLEY-Born at Carbondale, Pennsyl- vania, March 11, 1897, W. P. Smedley there attended the public schools, and at the age of eleven years entered the employ of the Klotz Throwing Mill. In this mill he learned thoroughly the most important phases of the textile manufacturing industry, remaining with the Klotz organization thirteen years, and was promoted to posi- tions of greater and greater importance through the snc- ceeding years, until finally he held the post of assistant superintendent. In 1922 he entered the employ of the Guaranty Silk Corporation, of Nanticoke, a subsidiary of the Duplans Silk Corporation. The Nanticoke plant was founded in 1919, when ground was broken. It is nearly two blocks long, and half a block in width, ex- clusive of the powerhouse, and here are employed some nine hundred men and women the year entire. It is incorporated for $1,000,000, and has 50,000 spindles for weaving and knitting. For one year Mr. Smedley worked in the company's plant at Kingston, then was transferred to Nanticoke as mill superintendent. Since 1923 the management of the vast Nanticoke equipment, men and output has been in his hands.
W. P. Smedley is accounted one of the most progres- sive young men of Nanticoke, always alert and interested in the progress of the community, a citizen of loyal pub- lic spirit. He is a communicant of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church.
DR. GEORGE FREDERICK MacKINDER-A native of England, but a resident of this country since his twelfth year, Dr. MacKinder has lived ever since then in the Pennsylvania coal regions, first in Lacka- wanna and later in Luzerne County. Having entered the mines as soon as he arrived in this country, he con- tinued with this type of work for many years, gradually advancing himself to positions of increasing importance and responsibility. In spite of this fact, however, he was not satisfied with his progress and eventually took np the study of optometry. Since 1916 he has been engaged with much success in this profession, to which he de- voted at first only part of his time, until, in 1920, he decided to give all of his time to it. Since then he has become recognized as one of the leaders in his profession in Nanticoke. In that community he is also prominently active in many other directions, especially in connection with religion and music.
George MacKinder, the father of Dr. MacKinder, came to this country from England in 1882, locating in Iowa. There he was successfully engaged for many years as a florist. He married ( first), in England, Ann Gar- butt, a daughter of Henry and Eleanor Garbutt. By this marriage he was the father of three children: 1. George Frederick, of whom further. 2. Sarah, now deceased, who married Herbert Heskett, a newspaperman of Cedar Falls, Iowa. 3. John Henry MacKinder, a resident of Dike, Iowa, where he owns a barber shop and is engaged in the florist business. Mrs. Ann (Garbutt) MacKinder died in England. Her husband, after coming to Iowa, married (second) Alice Canfield, of Iowa, who was born in 1855. By this marriage there were ten children: I. Lula May. 2. William Edward, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. 3. Carrie Mazie, now deceased. 4. Jennie Belle, married and resides in Rock Island, Illinois. 5. Thomas Henry, now deceased. 6. Charles Henry, a bar- ber of Waterloo, Iowa. 7. Hannah Eliza, wife of Charles Mostin, a druggist of Frederica, Iowa. 8. Dotie Iona, wife of William Phillips of Taylorsville, Illinois. 9. Mary Ethel, wife of Arthur Wood of Dike, Iowa. 10. A child, died in infancy. Mr. George MacKinder died October 15, 1926.
Dr. George Frederick MacKinder was born in York- shire, England, April 27, 1875, oldest son and child of George and Ann (Garbutt) MacKinder, of Scotch and English ancestry. After the early death of his mother and the subsequent removal of his father to the United States he was brought up by his maternal grandparents, Henry and Eleanor Garbutt, receiving his education in the public schools of England. When he was twelve years old, he was brought by them to the United States
and with them settled near Scranton, where he grew to manhood. Immediately after his arrival in this country he began to work in the coal mines as a breaker boy, continuing, however, his education in the public night schools. He advanced through the various grades of mine work to the position of assistant foreman, working at different times in various mines in the Wyoming Valley. Throughout these years, however, he was never satisfied with the thought of spending the rest of his life in the mines and eventually he resumed his studies with the idea of preparing himself for a better position and for work more to his liking. For some three years he studied optometry under the direction of Dr. Stegner of Taylor, Lackawanna County, and at the end of that pe- riod he secured his diploma as an optometrist from the Spencer Optical Institute of New York, in 1916. Though he commenced at once the practice of his profession, he continued with his work in the mine until 1920. In that year he resigned his position as assistant foreman and since then he has devoted all his time and attention to his professional work. He has a modern and well-equipped store at No. 151 East Main Street, Nanticoke, where he enjoys a very large clientele. Today he is considered one of the leading optometrists in that part of Pennsyl- vania. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and the National Optometric Association, as well as of the Beta Sigma Kappa Fraternity, and of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and more particularly with the Nanticoke Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of the choir of which he has been a member for fifteen years. Prior to this he was active in other choirs, his work in this direction covering a period of some forty years. His interest in music also finds expression in his membership in the Roosevelt Glee Club, of which he is vice-president.
Dr. MacKinder was married (first), in 1894, to Cathe- rine Crocker, of Taylor, Lackawanna County, and by this marriage was the father of one daughter, Annie Mac- Kinder, who died at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. MacKinder died in 1896. He was married (second), September 25, 1899, to Laura Estella Owen, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Lammeranx ) Owen. Mrs. Mac- Kinder is of Revolutionary stock, her first American ancestor having come to this country from France with General Lafayette. Mr. and Mrs. MacKinder are the parents of four children : 1. Charles Frederick, a elerk and married to Edith Thomas. 2. Edna May, living at home with her parents. 3. John Henry, manager of the Rex Theatre, Nanticoke, and making his home with his parents. 4. Rebecca Adeline, attending school. Mrs. Mac- Kinder is a member of the Women's Club of Kingston and of several other similar associations.
W. L. LEAS-Having entered the printing trade as a boy of fourteen years in 1906, Mr. Leas during the next decade and a half acquired a very thorough knowledge of all its branches. As a result he has been able to bring the Leas Printing Company, founded by him at Nanti- coke in 1919, to a very high degree of prosperity, and it is now considered one of the leading establishments of its type in Luzerne County. Since locating at Nanti- coke he has always taken a very active part in the various phases of the community's life and in every respect he represents the highest type of useful and progressive citizenship.
W. L. Lcas was born at Wanamie, Luzerne County, February 11, 1892, a son of Frank B. and Alice R. (Horlacher ) Leas. His father, who was a carpenter and also spent much of his life in mercantile pursuits, now makes his home, together with Mrs. Leas, at Wyoming, Luzerne County. The founder of the Leas family in Luzerne County was the great-grandfather of the subject of this article; his son, Robert Leas, being a well-known citizen and for many years a mine superintendent.
W. L. Leas was educated in the public schools of Wyoming, which he left at the age of fourteen years, starting at that time in the printing trade, in which he has continued ever since then. At first he was employed by the Pittston "Gazette" and later by the Pittston "Herald." There he laid the foundations for a very thorough knowledge of the printing business, a knowl- edge which he later increased still further by working for a newspaper and printing plant at Ithaca, New York, and for other similar establishments in various parts of this country. In 1919 he came to Nanticoke and there established his present business, the Leas Printing Company, with headquarters at No. 150 East Main Street. His plant is modernly equipped and, for its size,
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is one of the best and most successful in that part of Luzerne County. All kinds of commercial printing is handled and Mr. Leas has built up a very high reputation for efficiency, promptness and ability. He has always shown great interest in civic affairs and is considered one of the most progressive of the younger generation of Nanticoke's business men. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Nanticoke Kiwanis Club. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church, while in politics he is an active supporter of the Republican party. For a number of years he has also taken an active part in the Boy Scout movement and he has served as Scoutmaster of a local troop.
Mr. Leas married, February 15, 1911, Pearl Reid, of Youngstown, Ohio, who was born in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Leas are the parents of one daughter, Ethel Leas, a student at the Nanticoke High School. Mrs. Leas is prominently active in church work.
GEORGE T. DICKOVER-For years a leader in the industrial life of Wilkes-Barre and this vicinity of Pennsylvania, Geo. T. Dickover, the senior member of the firm of Geo. T. Dickover and Son, brick manufac- turers and contractors in brick and stone masonry, ren- dered in his career a service invaluable in the develop- ment of construction work in Luzerne County and the Wyoming Valley. It was only natural that a man who stood so close to the front line of business men in this region should have won the greatest esteem in this, his native community, and should have acquired, as Mr. Dickover did acquire, a large number of loyal and faith- ful friends-people who admired his business talents and his sound and useful opinions, and who loved the man for his splendid qualities of character. And his death brought widespread sorrow to the city and county in which he had lived throughout his life, for everyone realized that with his passing the city had lost one of its most admirable and substantial citizens, a man ever faithful to his friends and associates and whose home life was of the most beautiful character.
Mr. Dickover was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on January 28, 1849, son of William and Elizabeth (Olver) Dickover, and a descendant of old and highly respected families. The house of Dickover dates back to pre-Revolutionary days; in Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County it has been prominent for more than a century. The earliest ancestor of whom there is a thorough rec- ord is Henry Dickover, of Mountville, formerly Millers- ville, Lancaster County, who, according to records in War Department, at Washington, District of Columbia, "served as a private in Captain John Wither's Battallon of Lancaster County Associates destined for duty in the Jerseys," and whose name appears in a favorable light on a muster roll of Lancaster, dated August 19, 1776. Henry Dickover was with Washington's army at the Battle of Trenton, December 26, 1776, and was one of the guards which escorted one thousand Hessian pris- oners to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, after their capture by the Colonial Army, and was detailed as a guard there after that time. From Henry the line of descent is through one of his twelve children, which included one daughter and eleven sons, one of whom, Samuel, fought in the War of 1812. He and one or two others removed to Indiana and there reared families. George Dickover, the fourth son, born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1787, died December 31, 1864, aged seventy- seven years, settled at Wilkes-Barre about 1810, a mason by trade, and married Katharine Reimer, born February 16, 1793, died August 3, 1844. daughter of Henry Reimer and his wife, whose maiden name was Correll, a daughter of Philip Correll, a soldier of the Revolution who mar- ried Catherine Schug. Their son, William Dickover, born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on December 15, 1819, was the father of George T. Dickover.
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