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 58
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Mr. Weigand married, November 24, 1886, Addie G. White, of Jersey City, New Jersey, a daughter of George W. and Addie E. S. White. Of this union there were five children : 1. Frances, now deceased, who was the wife of George M. Hartman, of Wilkes-Barre, and the mother of one daughter, Frances E. Hartman. 2. Henry Weigand, Jr., who died at the age of five years. 3. Addie K., who married S. C. Watson, of Wilkes-Barre, and who is the mother of one son, Richard W. Watson. 4. Ethel E., who married W. Orville Benning, of Wilkes- Barre, and who is the mother of two children, June and Robert Benning. 5. Louie H. Weigand, who resides at home with her parents.
MARTIN FREDERICK RAU-Proprietor of the jewelry store in the Kingston Corners Building at King- ston Corners, that ranks high in beauty of appointment, modernity of plan, and efficiency of management with any establishment of its kind in that part of Pennsyl- vania, Martin Frederick Rau has reached his present significant position in the business world largely through his own initiative and industry, for he was early faced with the need for earning his own livelihood. Mr. Rau is a prominent figure in fraternal circles, and plays an active part in civic and church life of Kingston and Forty Fort, in the latter of which his home is located at No. 60 Yeager Avenue.
Mr. Ran was born in Wilkes-Barre, March 31, 1885, the son of Jacob J. Rau, who, born in Germany in 1847, came to the United States in 1881 and died in November, 1928. He engaged in the trucking business. His wife was, before her marriage, Sophia Hetzer, born in Ger- many in 1853. Their son attended the public schools for a short period then, for two years, was in the employ of the John Raeder Publishing Company. His first con- tacts with the jewelry business were in the employ of the E. G. Kemmerer Company in Wilkes-Barre. From 1901 to 1913 Mr. Rau advanced himself to a more and more important place in the business, saving money assiduously from his salary. With twelve years of experience as a foundation for successful operation, Mr. Rau bought the business from Mr. Kemmerer in 1913 and from that date until 1917 carried it on under his own name. Then he took John W. Miles into the firm as a partner and, from 1917 to 1925, the place was known as Miles and Rau. In the latter year Mr. Rau sold his interests to Mr. Miles and opened his own jewelry store in Kingston where he has since been continuously in business. The establishment is a thoroughly modern one and attractive in every detail.
Mr. Rau's Masonic activities are extensive. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons ; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; and Irem Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Junior Order United Ameri- can Mechanics. A member of Holy Trinity Church in Kingston, Mr. Rau is on the official board and serves as assistant superintendent of the church's Sunday school. He is Republican in his political affiliations.
Mr. Rau married, in 1913, Carrie May Mann, daugh- ter of Benjamin F. and Harriett (Rich) Mann, of Wilkes-Barre. Their three children are: Harriett Elea- nor, born in October, 1915; Marion Jean, born in July, 1919; and Malcolm Frederick, born in November, 1927.
WILLIAM W. BURLEIGH-A native of Scotland, William W. Burleigh was brought to this country by his parents while but an infant. . After receiving his edu- cation in the public schools of his community, Mr. Bur- leigh found that finance made much of an appeal to him and after taking a special course in that science was employed by several large banks until he was appointed cashier of the Luzerne National Bank, at Luzerne, which post he now occupies.
Mr. Burleigh was born in Scotland, January 31, 1896, the son of William and Jeanie (Doyle) Burleigh, both born in Scotland. The former, a rock contractor, died in 1918, and his wife, the mother of William W. Bur- leigh, of this record, passed away in 1924. The parents of Mr. Burleigh brought him to Scranton, Lackawanna County, in his infancy, and there he attended the public schools of that city. On his graduation from public school, Mr. Burleigh took a course at the Wharton School of Finance in Scranton, at the conclusion of which he hecame associated with the Traders' National Bank, of Scranton, remaining there for the space of five years. He then became cashier of the First National Bank of Springville, Susquehanna County, which post he held for two years. In April, 1922, he came to Luzerne, where he was appointed cashier of the Luzerne National Bank, which post he now holds. Politically, Mr. Burleigh is a Republican but he has never sought for nor held office. He is affiliated with Warren Lodge, No. 240, Free and Accepted Masons, at Montrose, Susquehanna County, and with Caldwell Consistory, No. 992, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In March, 1921, William W. Burleigh married Jeanette Pascoe, of Pittston, Luzerne County, daughter of Wil- liam and Mary Elizabeth Pascoe. Mr. and Mrs. Bur- leigh are the parents of two children, as follows: 1. William W. Jr., who was born in August, 1922. 2. Rob- ert M., who was born in 1927. Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh and their family reside at No. 591 Bennett Street. Luzerne.
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HARRY A. BROWN, M. D .- Born in Lehman, Luzerne County, October 24, 1877, Dr. Harry A. Brown has practiced for about a quarter of century in his native town as a physician. Dr. Brown has ever taken a deep interest in all the affairs of the community, especially in educational matters and since 1917 has been a promi- nent member of the local School Board.
Dr. Brown was the son of Timothy A. and Mary Jane (Ruggles) Brown, the former a carpenter by trade, born in Idetown, Luzerne County, in January, 1845; died April 6, 1915, and his mother was born in Wilkes-Barre in 1844. Following his early education in the public schools of his native town, Dr. Brown entered the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, Columbia County, from which institution he graduated in 1897. He taught school in Lehman Township for one year, and then went to the University of Vermont, Burlington, where he studied for two years. He next entered the Medico-Chirurgical College, at Philadelphia, from which institution he grad- uated in 1903 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For a year he officiated as interne at the City Hospital of Wilkes-Barre, now the Wilkes-Barre General Hos- pital, after which he practiced in Scranton, Lackawanna County, for a year. He then returned to Lehman, where he has since been engaged in general practice. Dr. Brown is a member of the County and State Medical societies, and is also a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation. In addition to his extensive private practice, Dr. Brown is also a member of the staff of the Nesbitt West Side Hospital, and, as mentioned, he is a school director. Politically, Dr. Brown is a Republican. but he has never sought for office outside the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Lehman Lodge, No. 712, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of which organization he is Past Grand; Dallas Council, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Modern Woodmen.
In 1911, Dr. Brown married Kathleen Major, of Lehman, daughter of Isaac and Emma Major. Dr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of three children, as fol- lows: I. Emerson M., born in June, 1912. 2. Eleanor Louise, born in November, 1914. 3. Harold A., born in January, 1920.
PERCY A. BROWN-A native and lifelong resident of Luzerne County, Mr. Brown has spent all but the first six years in Wilkes-Barre. It was there that he received his education in the public schools and, at a comparatively young age, started on his career, which has been one of hard work crowned by well-merited success. Begin- ning with his thirteenth year he was connected for a number of years with various meat markets and during this period learned the different branches of this busi- ness to such good purpose that it did not take him very long to meet with marked success, after he had estab- lished himself in business for his own account. At first he was associated with his father, but later engaged in business alone, until eventually he formed a new part- nership, which, still later, as it prospered and grew, resulted in the corporation, of which he is now the presi- dent. In the beginning, for some five years, he was engaged in the meat business, but in later years he gradually added other branches to his steadily growing business, until today the company, bearing his name and known as Percy A. Brown & Company, Inc., is one of the leading dealers in food products in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Brown is also actively interested in several other enterprises and for many years has been regarded as one of the leading business men of Wilkes- Barre, a fact indicated also by his membership on the board of directors of one of the important financial insti- tutions of the city, by his election to serve one term as president of the local Chamber of Commerce and by his effective participation in various other civic activities. He is prominently active in fraternal affairs and espe- cially in the several Masonic bodies, in which he maintains membership.
Percy A. Brown was born in Butler Township, Lu- zerne County, October 24, 1883, a son of Franklin J. and Mary C. ( Wenner) Brown, both now and for many years past residents of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Brown's father, as well as his grandfather, Charles Brown, were engaged in farming, the latter specializing for many years in dairy farming. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin J. Brown have one other son, Edwin C. Brown, who is associated with the firm founded and headed by his brother. When Mr. Brown was only six years of age, he came to Wilkes- Barre with his parents. He attended the public schools and at the age of ten years began his active business
career as a newspaper boy. Later, after leaving school, he was employed as a delivery boy in the department store of Fowler, Diek & Walker, one of the leading department stores of Wilkes-Barre. In 1896 he first became connected with the meat business, finding employment at that time with L. M. Utz, a prosperous and successful meat dealer. He remained with this establishment for some five years and during this time acquired a very thorough knowledge of the meat business. Later he was connected with other establishments of the same type, including the meat mar- kets of Herman Knappman, Jacob Hennieks and Fred- erick La France. When Mr. La France died in 1905, Mr. Brown, together with his father, bought the business and at that time continued the meat market at the corner of South Washington and East Northampton streets, Wilkes- Barre. From the beginning this business met with success and, March 31, 1907, Mr. Brown bought out his father and continued the business alone. In November, 1909, he removed to his present store at Nos. 24-26 East North- ampton Street. A few months later, January 1, 1910, he formed a partnership with B. F. Williams, expanding at the same time the business by adding to it a delicatessen department. One month later, February 1, 1910, still another partner entered the firm, Robert C. Smith, at which time the name of the firm was changed to Perey A. Brown and Company. The business enjoyed constant growth and prosperity and, in 1916, other lines of food products, including fruit and vegetables, were added. Four years later, June 1, 1920, still another expansion took place, the company opening at that time a cafeteria. This new enterprise required larger quarters and Nos. 30-32 East Northampton Street were added and the old store was entirely remodeled. Two years later, in, 1922, the company was incorporated, and ever since then Mr. Brown has been its president. He is also a director of the Smith & Clark Ice Cream Company, Seranton, and of the National Publishing Company of New York City. His prominence in the business world of Wilkes-Barre is indicated by his membership in the board of directors of the Wilkes-Barre Deposit & Savings Bank, as well as by the fact that, in 1916, he served as president of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. A year before he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Guthrie as a member of the Wilkes-Barre Board of Education, a position he filled with so much ability that in the election following in November, 1916, he was elected to succeed. himself. For many years active in Masonic affairs, he is a member of numerous Masonic bodies, including Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons, and the various other Masonic bodies up to and including Keystone Con- sistory of Bloomsburg. He is also a member of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre, and other numerous clubs. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran Church and more particularly with St. John's Lutheran Church of Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Brown married, October 24, 1906, Leah Brink, a daughter of Peter and Mary Brink, of Lacyville, Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of one daughter, Orceil Brown.
JAMES HARRISON ANDERSON-As Repre- sentative in the General Assembly, burgess of his town, justice of the peace and editor and proprietor of the leading newspaper in his community, James Harrison Anderson has done much for the welfare and advance- ment of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Anderson is now serv- ing in the dual offices of burgess of . Dallas, Luzerne County, and as justice of the peace, having been elected to the latter office for his third term.
Mr. Anderson was born in Wyoming, Luzerne County, August 30, 1872, the son of John and Mary (Gebler) Anderson, the former a native of Wyoming and a shoe- maker by trade, who died in 1891. His wife, the mother of James H. Anderson of this record, was born in Kingston, Luzerne County, and died June 8, 1886. Mr. Anderson's early education was acquired in the public schools of Kingston, and for several years thereafter he followed the business of truck farming. He then joined the staff of the old "Kingston Times," and there he learned the newspaper business. In the spring of 1891 he located in Dallas, where he established the "Dallas Weekly Post," the only newspaper in the town, and he carried it on almost continuously until 1924, as editor and publisher. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in politics but he was nominated by both parties and elected Representative in the General Assembly in 1910, serving for two years in that capacity. He was renom- inated again in 1912, but this time failed to secure the
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office. He has been several times elected burgess of Dallas, the first occasion being in 1900. He is now once more occupying that office, having been elected in 1926. He is also justice of the peace and is now serv- ing his third term. Mr. Anderson is an active mem- ber of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and of which organization he is one of the oldest living members of Dallas Council, No. 281 ; and a member of Oneida Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1903 Mr. Anderson was elected secretary of the Dallas Union Agricultural Association and reelected several times.
Mr. Anderson is married, and is the father of two children, as follows: 1. Helen, born September 3, 1906. 2. Philip, born July 8, 1908. Both children are grad- uates of Wilkes-Barre High School, and Helen is also a graduate of the State Normal School at West Chester, Chester County.
FREDERICK B. WALTON-The present repre- sentative of the Thornton and Chester Milling Company of Buffalo, New York, with territory covering Eastern Pennsylvania, is Frederick B. Walton of Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Mr. Walton is the son of the late Ellis P. and Anna Mary ( Hossler) Walton. His father was born in Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 1833. He was well-known for many years as a mer- chant in Plymouth and later as a farmer. He died March 3, 1924. His wife, Anna Mary Hossler, was born at Summer Hill, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 1835 and died in 1900.
Frederick B. Walton was born at Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1872. He began his education in the Plymouth public schools and later attended the Wyoming Seminary. After finishing school, he clerked for two years for the Plymouth Coal Company, and then was associated with his father, Ellis P. Walton, in the retail meat business at Plymouth. He was here for twelve years when he made a con- nection with the packing firm of Swift and Company of Chicago as a traveling salesman. For nine years and three months he filled this position and then made a change to the Hoover Mercantile Company in charge of the flour department in Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton and Scranton and for three years he gave his attention to this line of business. He then made the connection with the Thornton and Chester Milling Company, of Buffalo, New York, as traveling representative covering the east- ern part of the State. Mr. Walton is well known among his many customers during the many years he has so ably handled food products and has many friends throughout his territory. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Plymouth, on the official board and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school of that organization.
On September 20, 1894, Frederick B. Walton mar- ried Anna Sabina Conner, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George R. and Elizabeth ( Pickett) Con- ner. They have had five children, three of whom are living : Helen Elizabeth, Emily Louise, deceased; Jose- phine, deceased; Frederick, Jr., and Joseph W.
ALBERT JOSEPH VALIBUS, M. D .- In Ed- wardsville, Pennsylvania, Dr. Albert Joseph Valibus has been located since August, 1926, as a general physician, specializing in surgery. He is a graduate of Hahne- mann Medical College, of Philadelphia, and served his interneship in Mercy Hospital, in Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Valibus is building up a substantial practice, and there is every indication that abundant success will be his in his chosen profession.
Dr. Alhert Joseph Valibus was born in Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1901. His father, William Valibus, was born in Lithuania, in 1866, and was a contract miner during his active life, but is now (1928) living retired. His mother, Elizabeth ( Stravinskas) Valibus, was also born in Lithuania, in 1877, and died in 1927. As a boy Dr. Valibuts attended the public schools of Minersville, graduating from the high school in 1919, cum laude. He had decided that the medical profession should be his field of labor and of achievement, and later became a student in Hahne- mann Medical College, in Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1925. An interneship of one year spent in Mercy Hospital, at Wilkes-Barre, supplemented his study with practical experience and prepared him for the responsi- bilities of a private practice, and in August, 1926, he came to Edwardsville and opened his office for general practice.
He has always been especially interested in surgery, and along with his general practice he makes a specialty of surgery. He is a member of the county, State, and national medical associations, and during the short time of his residence here in Edwardsville he has made for himself a place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. In his political sympathies Dr. Valibus is a Republican, and he is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and of the Owls. He is also a mem- ber of Phi Alpha Gamma medical fraternity, and his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Albert Joseph Valibus was married, January 5, 1927, to Mary A. O'Britis, of Edwardsville, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Michael and Mary O'Britis, and they are the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth Mary, who was born October 10, 1927. Dr. Valibus has his home and his office at No. 106 Church Street, in Edwards- ville.
PAUL BEDFORD-In the Wyoming Valley are several families which have long and prominently been identified with the advancement of Wilkes-Barre and surrounding area within Luzerne County. Few of these families have behind them greater or more honorable records than that of the Bedfords. For one hundred and twenty-five years (1928) this house has here been repre- sented, its members having taken dominant parts in all movements of importance calculated to benefit the peo- ple. Politically, in business, and in the practice of law, the male line has stood foremost among contemporaries.
Paul Bedford is of the fourth generation of his family to live in the Wyoming Valley, and is of the fifth genera- tion from Stephen Bedford. Treating first of this Stephen Bedford, the descent to Paul Bedford is here- under presented, in much curtailed form :
(1) Stephen Bedford was of English descent, and was born in Morris County, New Jersey, where his father was of prominence in general affairs. Following his (Stephen Bedford's) death, the family removed to Ulster County, New York, remaining there during the Revolution.
(11) Jacob Bedford, son of Stephen Bedford, became a soldier in the Revolution when but fourteen years of age, and saw service in several campaigns. In 1792 he came to the Wyoming Valley, here taking residence upon a small farm and becoming a figure of some means and authority. He held public office, notably that of sheriff, and in all manners open to him assisted in the pioneer development of the vicinity. Jacob Bedford married (first) a daughter of Benjamin Carpenter ; and (second) Deborah Sutton, who, at the age of five years, had witnessed the terrible Wyoming Valley massacre by the Indians, she having been confined to Forty Fort. Jacob Bedford died August 23, 1849, at the age of eighty- seven years.
(III) Andrew Bedford, physician and surgeon, son of Jacob and Deborah (Sutton) Bedford, was born at Wyoming, April 22, 1800. He graduated from Yale Medi- cal School, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, prac- ticed long at his profession, and, as had his father, was of service in public matters. He was postmaster at Waverly for some time, prothonotary of Luzerne Coun- ty, and otherwise of influente. Dr. Bedford married (first) Hannah Reynolds, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (Fuller) Reynolds; and (second) Mary Burtis, widow of John M. Burtis, and daughter of Orlando and Olivia Porter.
(IV) George Reynolds Bedford, sixth child of Dr. Andrew and Hannah (Reynolds) Bedford, was born November 22, 1840, in Abington, Lackawanna County, and died, in Wilkes-Barre, June 8, 1927, aged eighty- seven years. He received his early education in the common schools of the county, and later studied at Madison Academy, in Abington. Having decided to make a career of the law, in September of 1860 he entered the office of Samuel Sherred, of Scranton, which com- munity was then known as "Slocum Hollow." He remained there until March 5, 1861, then came to Wilkes-Barre -- just one month prior to the Civil War. It is interesting to note that the city then had a population of four thousand two hundred and fifty-six persons. Here he obtained employment in the office of David L. Patrick, prothonotary, as clerk. His hours were from nine in the morning until nine o'clock at night, and the stipend amounted to seventy-five cents a day. In December of 186r he left the prothonotary's office, proceeded to Al- bany, New York, and there entered Albany Law School, one of the first regulation law schools in the United States. There he remained until 1862, was examined by the court, and permitted to practice in the Supreme
Geo . R. Bedford
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Jane Bedford
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Court of New York, after which he returned to Wilkes- Barre, to enter the law office of Stanley Woodward, who, in later years, became a judge. It was on November 10, 1862, that he was admitted to the Bar of Luzerne County. His first office was on Franklin Street, below Market, and one of his most troublesome problems at that time was to secure sufficient money for rent and board. Mean- while the war had become more serious, and in 1863, Mr. Bedford enlisted, as private, in Company K, 13th Penn- sylvania Volunteers. After his discharge, the cause of the North secured, he resumed the practice of his pro- fession in Wilkes-Barre; and from that time until the time of his death was well known as a figure of im- portance to the city's interests, at law and in business. As counsel he represented some of the largest corpora- tions and business concerns in the Nation. Among them were the Delaware and Hudson Company, Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Valley Traction Company, Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Railway Company, Western Union Telegraph Company, Lehigh Traction Company, and the G. B. Markle Com- pany. He was vice-president and for twenty-three years a director of the Wyoming National Bank. In 1912 he was president of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association, and through several terms, at different times, headed the Bar Association of Luzerne County. Until the time of his death he was a director of the Spring Brook Water Supply Company, and also had been a director or trustee of the following, before having resigned because of advancing age: the Osterhout Free Library ; Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, and the Home for Friendless Children. For sixty-six years a communicant of the First Presbyterian Church, he was one of its trustees nearly all of the period, and president of the board during the last twenty-five years. Although he had been a staunch Democrat at all times of his career, Mr. Bedford never sought office. He was the oldest member of the Luzerne County Bar, senior by six years of the next oldest ( William S. McLean, Sr., ) and had heen admitted to the bar nearly five years before the latter. Announcement of his death came as a distinct and poignant shock to the community at large, whose regard for him was of the most sincere. Burial was in Hollenback Cemetery, in the family plot, with services under the direction of Rev. Paul S. Heath, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.
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