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 68
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Beider Wellington Wilde married, September 20, 1882, Isabel MacDonald, daughter of William and Jane (Cowans) MacDonald, of Hazleton, where Mrs. Wilde
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attended school. Her father was born near Glasgow, Scotland, May 28, 1832, and died in Hazleton, April 30, 1904. He was in turn a miner, mine superintendent and powder manufacturer, and during the Civil War served as first sergeant of Company A, 128th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. Jane (Cowans) MacDonald, his wife, was a native of England. She was born in 1836 and died January 9, 1915. Beider Wellington and Isabel ( MacDonald ) Wilde had children: 1. Isabel Florence, born August 4, 1883, graduate of Wilson Col- lege at Chambersburg, 1906, married Lyman C. Judson, of Los Angeles, California, January, 1912. 2. John Walter, born February 14, 1886, graduate of West Point Military Academy, to which he was appointed in 1903. Married Ella Drumheller of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, April, 1910, who died November, 1922. 3. Beider Well- ington, Jr., born January 19, 1895, married Anna Ander- son of New London, Connecticut, July, 1919.
JAMES W. ALLAN-Though a young man, James W. Allan has had some fourteen years of experience in the banking and investment business, and since 1924 he has been engaged in business for himself, handling invest- ments, bonds, etc. He has his offices in the Miners Bank Building, and his ten years of banking experience in the employ of the First National Bank of Pittston is proving useful in his present business operations. Mr. Allan is a graduate of the Pittston High School and of the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania, and in addition to the management of his own investment and bond business is also a director of the Miners Bank and of the Franklin Thrift and Loan Company.
James W. Allan was born May 23, 1896, son of Wil- liam R., of Clark's Summit, Lackawanna County, Penn- sylvania, and of Margaret ( Watson) Allan. As a boy he attended the public schools, graduating from Pittston High School with the class of 1914, and after gradua- tion he took a course in the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania. In 1914, the same year in which he graduated from high school, he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Pittston, and remained in that connection for a period of ten years, until 1924. In that year he left the employ of the bank and engaged in business for himself, handling invest- ments, bonds, etc., covering the Pittston territory. He is well known as a good financier, a man of discernment and of sound judgment, and his help and advice is much sought by those who are seeking safe investments. As a member of the board of directors of the Miners Bank he is contributing to the progress of that institution, and he is also one of the, organizers and a member of the board of directors of the Franklin Thrift and Loan Com- pany. In civic affairs, as in business affairs, he is help- fully and wisely active, and as a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association he is giving to that organization the benefit of his business experience and his business connections. Fraternally, he is identified with St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Consistory; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and is a member of the Irem Temple Country Club. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and of the Fox Hill Coun- try Club, and of the Craftsmen's Club. His religious membership is with the First Presbyterian Church of Pittston, and he serves as a member of the board of trustees.
During the World War, Mr. Allan was one of the many who promptly enlisted, after the declaration of war by the United States, and from late in 1917 to 1919 he was in service overseas. He is very well known here in Pittston, and has made for himself many firm friends, both among his business associates and among those who are associated with him in civic, social, and other activi- ties.
James W. Allan was married, June 22, 1927, to Anna Lowry Hibbs, daughter of the late W. I. Hibbs, of West Pittston. Mr. and Mrs. Allan make their home at No. 227 Montgomery Avenue, in West Pittston.
HARRY WARD CROOP, M. D .- A practicing physician at Kingston, Pennsylvania, since his return from the United States Service during the World War, Harry Ward Croop has been very active in the care of the sick and injured of the community in which he makes his home. He is widely known throughout the Wilkes- Barre district, in which he has built up an extensive practice, enjoying the confidence and esteem not only of those who have consulted him professionally, but also of the community at large.
Dr. Croop was born September 16, 1884, in Hunlock
Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, a son of Ben- jamin and Alvaretta Jane (Eves) Croop. His father, who was born in Hunlock Township in 1856, is the owner and manager of Croops Glen, Hunlock's Creek, Pennsylvania. The mother was born in Columbia Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, in 1858, and is also still living.
Harry Ward Croop attended the public schools of his birthplace, and later, .Lehman Township High School, from which he was graduated in 1908, and Pleasanthill Academy. Following the completion of this work, he taught school in Luzerne County for a period of seven years, and also attended Wyoming Seminary for two years. Deciding upon a medical career, he entered Jeffer- son Medical College, and from this institution was grad- uated in 1917, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. When the United States entered the World War, Dr. Croop immediately enlisted and for two and a half years was a member of the Medical Corps of the United States Navy, leaving the service in October, 1919, with the rank of lieutenant. Thereafter for a time he was an interne, attached to the staff of the Wilkes-Barre Gen- eral Hospital, and finally, coming to Kingston, he estab- lished the general practice here to which he has since devoted his time and attention in a very successful way. Dr. Croop is still a member of the staff at the Wilkes- Barre General Hospital, and he is also connected with the State Dispensary No. 1, at Wilkes-Barre. He has been active in the work of the various medical associa- "tions, holding membership in the county and State bodies, and in the American Medical Association.
In spite of the demands which his practice makes upon him, Dr. Croop has maintained an interest in other phases of the community life at Kingston. He is affi- liated fraternally with George M: Dallas Lodge, No. 521, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in this order is also a member of Keystone Consistory, of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the American Legion, and of the Craftsmen's Club. He is a member of the Church of Christ, at Kingston.
In 1918, Harry Ward Croop married Elizabeth M. McCloskey, of Philadelphia, daughter of William and Theresa ( Walsh) McCloskey, of Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. and Mrs. Croop are the parents of four children : I. Jane, born in June, 1919, 2. Harry Ward, Jr., horn in November, 1920. 3. Betty, born in October, 1921. 4. James Williams, born in December, 1926. The residence of the family is situated at No. 275 Rutter Avenue, Kingston.
GEORGE S. CHRISTIAN-Associated with the First National Bank of Freeland for more than a decade, in the post of cashier, George S. Christian is almost universally credited with being responsible for the pres- ent high rating and sound foundation of that financial institution. Mr. Christian, since the day he entered the First National Bank of Freeland, has toiled unremittingly tc place this house in the foremost ranks of banking, and it is now acknowledged to be in the best condition since it was organized.
Mr. Christian was born in Bradford County, Pennsyl- vania, November 30, 1864, son of M. V. and Helen S. (Spaulding ) Christian. Entering the public schools of his native district, George S. Christian completed the courses prescribed therein, and then matriculated at Susquehanna Collegiate Institute. Having a strong inclination for the teaching profession, he prepared himself for this voca- tion by entering Mansfield Normal School. Meanwhile, he had begun teaching at the age of seventeen years, previous to his final scholastic training, and then, from 1883 to 1887, he was an instructor in the schools of Brad- ford and Wyoming counties. Fate, however, had decreed that Mr. Christian should achieve success in another calling, and in 1887 he accepted a position with a whole- sale produce concern in Wilkes-Barre, remaining with this firm for three years and laying the foundation for his future commercial and financial career. In 1800 Mr. Christian removed to Freeland, and in the fall of that year, as a partner of Mr. Lacey, entered upon his first individual enterprise. Here was established a meat busi- ness, handling the products of Armour & Company, and one that was to continue for a quarter of a century. During this period the firm operated successfully, but ahcut 1915, Mr. Christian severed his connections with the Freeland enterprise and moved to Philadelphia, re- maining in the Quaker City for four years. Fortified by a thorough education, teaching experience, and extensive commercial operations, Mr. Christian came to Hazleton,
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HW Coop . M.s.
Willen L. Hutchison, M.
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and in January, 1918, was called to the cashier's post in the First National Bank of Freeland. The bank's affairs at that time were in a more or less precarious condition, but soon Mr. Christian's labors brought results, and prosperity since has been the lot of this institution. This is evidenced by the fact that the bank, which was founded in March, 1902, now ( 1928) has resources of more than $2,750,220. A recent report listed the surplus and profits at $350,335; and deposits totaling $2,225,835.04. 1ts official family is composed of Joseph G. Saricks, president ; George S. Christian, cashier ; and Edgar Albert, William M. Davis, John Evans, R. A. Evans, James E. Griffith, Henry George, Dr. S. S. Hess, Michael Oleyar, Dr. H. M. Neale and C. A. Welsh, directors.
Not only have financial institutions benefited through the presence of Mr. Christian, for his influence has been felt in other walks of life in Freeland. These include civic organizations, fraternal and religious bodies. He is a member of the Business Men's Association, one of the liveliest stimulants in commercial circles; a member of Arbutus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Hazleton Chapter, No. 277, Royal Arch Masons; Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 77. Knights Templar ; and Irem Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, while his religious beliefs conform to those advocated by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George S. Christian married (first) Sarah Oliver, who passed away in January, 1907, leaving one daughter, Ermyl, who married Theophil Mueller of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Mr. Christian married (second), in Jan- uary, 1916, Henrietta Canfield, of Port Jervis, New York, and their children are: George, Jr., William H., and Marguerite. Mrs. Henrietta (Canfield) Christian is active in numerous organizations here. where she has be- come quite popular. She and her husband reside at No. 1008 Burbeck Street, Freeland.
DANIEL S. BUCKLEY-After more than thirty- five years spent in the printing and publishing business Daniel S. Buckley is serving as justice of the peace in Freeland, Pennsylvania, in which office he has served continuously since May, 1919, when he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of his deceased father. Since then he has been continuously elected to the office which his father at the time of his death had filled for thirty- two years and two weeks. Mr. Buckley has had a wide and varied experience in the printing business and for twenty-eight years was manager and editor of the Free- land "Tribune," formerly published by his father.
Thomas A. Buckley. father of Mr. Buckley, was born in Swansea, Wales, about 1843, and came to this country in 1866, just after the close of the Civil War, he then being a young man of twenty-three years. He went to work in the mines at Highland, Pennsylvania, and con- tinued at that work until 1887, when he was elected jus- tice of the peace for Freeland. From that time to the time of his death, a period of thirty-two years and two weeks, he continuously served in that office, discharging his duties with such regard for justice and such insight into the motives actuating those whom he tried, that his fellow-townsmen refused to elect anyone else to the office. Being a man of ability and of initiative, he, soon after his election, decided to embark upon a business ven- ture of his own, and in 1888 became the publisher of the Freeland "Tribune." This he continued to publish successfully as sole owner until 1896, when a joint stock company was formed and took over the plant, Mr. Buck- ley acting as treasurer of the company to the time of his death, the other members of the company being Daniel S. Buckley. P. B. McTighe, and Daniel J. McTighe. Meantime, in 1893, Daniel S. Buckley, son of the founder, had been made manager and editor of the publication, and in this work he continued to the time of the closing out of the Freeland "Tribune" in 1021, a period of twenty-eight years. The Freeland "Tribune" was a tri- weekly news sheet. a six page paper, an independent Democratic publication and for thirty-three years wielded considerable influence in this locality. Since the suspen- sion of the publication of the news sheet the plant has been operated as a job printing business. For fourteen years Thomas A. Buckley served as borough secretary for Freeland, and he also served as school director. He was an active member of the local fire company, of Freeland, and was interested in all that pertained to the welfare and progress of the borough of Freeland. Hc married Abbie Sullivan. now deceased, and they hecame the parents of but one child, Daniel S. Buckley, of further mention.
Daniel S. Buckley, son of Thomas A. and Abbie ( Sul- livan) Buckley, was born in Highland (situated one mile
from Freeland) Pennsylvania, May 11, 1869. After attending the public schools of Foster Township, Luzerne County, he took a course in Peirce Business College, in Philadelphia, and then entered the office of the Freeland Progress, where he learned the printing trade. After three years spent in this connection he went to Philadel- phia and for two and a half years worked at job print- ing. In 1888, when his father established the Freeland "Tribune" he returned to Freeland and took charge of the mechanical part of the production of a newspaper, continuing to attend to this work for two years. At the end of that time he went back to Philadelphia as reporter on the Philadelphia "Record," intending in this way to enlarge his experience and his range of ideas concerning the business of conducting a newspaper. Three years in this connection prepared him for the responsible position which he was to take in Freeland, and in 1893 he again returned to Freeland and took charge of the Freeland "Tribune" as manager and editor. That responsible position he held from that time to the time of the closing out of the publishing business, in 1921, a period of twenty-eight years. The paper had been in existence for thirty-three years, and had filled an important place in the life of the community during that time. It will be remembered by many who were its subscribers and friends during more than three decades. Upon the death of the father, May '9, 1919, Mr. Buckley was appointed justice of the peace of Freeland, to finish his father's unexpired term, the father having exceeded thirty-two years of service in that office, and the following Novem- her Daniel S. Buckley was elected to that office on his own account. Like his father, he has served too well to invite change, and is still an incumbent of that office, having been reelected in 1926. He has served for four years as a member of the local board of school directors, and is a member of the Typographical Union. He was formerly also a member of the State Editorial Associa- tion, but is now, instead, a member of the Magistrates' Association of Pennsylvania. The business, as has al- ready been stated, conducted in the old plant is now a job printing business, and is still flourishing. Mr. Buck- ley has for many years now been regarded as one of the representative citizens of Freeland, and few are better known or more highly respected in this locality than is he. He is a communicant of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church of Freeland.
Daniel S. Buckley was married, October 24, 1899, to Sarah E. Dooris, of Freeland, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Buck- ley is active in the Woman's Civic Club and in the Woman's Catholic Club, and, like her husband, has a very large circle of friends and associates. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley have two children : 1. Daniel S., Jr., graduated from the Mining and Mechanical Institute, class of 1928, as an honor student, receiving a scholarship to Lafayette College. which he surrendered in order to enter Villa Nova College, where he is now enrolled. 2. Mary L., who is a student in high school. The family home is located at No. 824 Washington Street, in Freeland.
WILBER LAURIN HUTCHISON, M. D .- As a member of the younger group of medical practitioners in Luzerne County, Dr. Wilber Laurin Hutchison, of Conyngham, has made his influence felt for good in that village and the Hazleton area. Son of a physician of long standing and enviable reputation, he is worthily carrying out a family tradition in the profession of his choice and in cmulation of his honored father, Dr. Hut- chison is prominently connected with professional, civic and fraternal circles in his own village and in Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Hazleton. December 6. 1897, Dr. Wilber Laurin Hutchison is the son of Dr. Wilber L. Hutchison, a short review of whom accompanies this; and Sarah Edith ( Martin) Hutchison. The son, Wilber Laurin. attended the public schools of Hazleton, graduating from the high school of that city in 1917. He spent two years in the pre-medical course at Franklin and Marshall Col- lege. and then entered Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1923 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He served an interne- ship of one year at the Lancaster ( Pennsylvania ) Gen- cral Hospital, and then established himself in practice in Conyngham. where he has ever since been professionally engaged. His practice has grown to satisfactory propor- tions as his skill and sympathetic attentions have caused him to grow in favor with his people. He enjoys high standing also in the organized bodies of his profession, being affiliated with the American Medical Association. the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the Luzerne County Medical Society.
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During the World War he served as a member of the Student Army Training Corps for two months. He is a member of Oscar Schaeffer Post, No. 560, Ameri- can Legion. In politics he is enrolled as a Republican, being a staunch adherent of his party's principles. His fraternal affiliations are with Hazleton Lodge, No. 327, Free and Accepted Masons; Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 73, Knights Templar; Lehigh Consistory of the Scottish Rite, Allentown; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Hazleton Chapter, No. 277, Royal Arch Masons; and Lodge, No. 308, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious fel- lowship is with the Presbyterian Church.
WILBER L. HUTCHISON, M. D .- For many years a prominent physician of Hazleton, Dr. Wilber L. Hutchison was born in Jeanesville, Luzerne County, June 11, 1866, died at Conyngham, in June, 1917, the son of James B. and Margaret L. (Workheiser ) Hutchison. The father, James B., was born in Columbia County, and was manager of a general store at Jeanesville for twenty years; he was postmaster at Hazleton, 1885-90, following which he managed a wholesale house for one year, and later managed a company store at Ehrenfeld, Cambria County.
The son, Wilber L. Hutchison, attended the public schools, and in 1884 graduated from Dickinson Semi- nary, Williamsport. He began the study of medicine with Dr. H. B. Casselberry, of Hazleton in 1888, and in 1891, he was graduated from Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia. That same year Dr. Hutchison began general practice at Wapwallopen, and later established a practice in Hazleton, where he continued for a quar- ter of a century.
He married, June 21, 1892, Sarah Edith Martin, daugh- ter of William and Mary (Allen) Martin, of Hazleton. His son, Wilber Laurin, is also a Doctor of Medicine, and a review of whom precedes.
JAMES M. GALLAGHER-Trained in the school of experience from early boyhood, James M. Gallagher, grocer and dry goods merchant of Freeland, learned well the lessons of industry and perseverance that have been applied by him in erecting a successful business struc- ture. From his beginning as a breaker boy at the mines he rose from that humble labor to become a full fledged miner, then taking a share in the civic affairs of the dis- trict and being elected to public office of dignity and re- sponsibility. In all his work he served faithfully and well, bringing to his task an inherent comprehension of its requirements and working for the best interests of the entire community. A citizen of value to the district, Mr. Gallagher exerts a distinct influence for the general wel- fare of his fellows, conducting his affairs with the in- stinct of cooperation fully developed and employed at all times. His circle of friends is large, his business pros- perous and growing, both tributes to his many fine quali- tics of sturdy manhood and honesty of action.
He was born in Jeanesville, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1870, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Gallagher) Galla- gher, both natives of County Doncgal, Ireland, who emi- grated to this country in youth and here met and married. The elder Gallagher was a miner all his life and died at an advanced age in 1922. When his son, James M., was seven years of age he became a breaker boy at the mines, rose step by step in various occupations of the coal min- ing industry and became an expert miner. Ambitious for a broader career, he established himself in the grocery business in 1903 and since that year has been so engaged, adding a complete line of dry goods to his stock. Once in mercantile life, he took an active interest in politics, at first affiliating with the Democratic party but later changing to the Republican ranks. For eighteen years he served as a member of the Borough Council and has also been chief burgess, chief of police and later chief of the local fire company. He is a director of the Citizens' Bank of Freeland and a director and treasurer of the Freeland Building & Loan Association. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. The family residence is at No. 359 Center Strect.
James M. Gallagher married, in 1897, Anna O'Donnell, of Drifton, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Joseph, merchant ; Patrick, drayman; Mary, stenographer ; Mar- garet, teacher ; Frances, Anna, deceased ; Edward, John, Agnes, James, deceased.
RICHARD J. W. TEMPLIN-In the educational system of West Pittston there have been introduced a number of specializations that not only add to the attrac- tiveness of the schools for the students but have been
found to promote the mental efficiency of all. Reference is made to athletics and to sports of all vigorous kinds which are encouraged as builders of brain tissue through development of the muscular system. For these factors in the general education of the youth of the city the citizens are indebted in large measure to Richard J. W. Templin, superintendent, since 1923, of the West Pittston schools. Mr. Templin's own special trend has been toward mathematics and music, but he has an under- standing of youth that has been of great value to those who have come under his tutelary jurisdiction. He knows that youth likes to play as well as study and to play hard. This he encourages, with the result that his little army of growing boys and girls is physicially, as well as mentally developing into what will be a magnificent combination at maturity. Filled with vigor himself, he is the father of nine children of his own vigorous nature, thus being highly qualified to judge of what is beneficial for the normal children of others.
Richard J. W. Templin was born in Shamokin, Penn- sylvania, December 7, 1891, a son of Philip, and Mary (Newberry) Templin, and was educated in the elemen- tary public schools, graduating from high school and then completing courses at Bucknell University that gave him the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts. Between his high school graduation and his matricula- tion a. Bucknell he took a business course at the Lan- caster Business College, completing it in 1912 and for the ensuing two years working as a stenographer to the Division Engineer of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Sun- bury. In 1916 he came to Wilkes-Barre to accept a posi- tion as head of the department of mathematics in the high school, to succeed Professor H. H. Zieser, who had been promoted to be assistant superintendent of schools. Until 1919 he filled the position, then going to Sunbury as principal of the high school there, which he held for one year, when he was called to Lafayette College as instructor in mathematics. He held that post for two years, then returning to Wilkes-Barre as mathe- matics instructor for one year, when he was selected for his present position. In West Pittston he has done much to advance the school curriculum and promote interest in its work. He was largely instrumental in obtaining the new high school building and in preparing the plans upon which it was erected. During the participation of the United States in the World War he spent his vaca- tion periods in the accounting and auditing departments of the Second National Bank of Wilkes-Barre, continu- ing this for eight years. He is a member of the Depart- ment of Superintendence of the National Education Association and of the Pennsylvania State Association. In fraternal societies he has membership in Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter. No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar, and Irem Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Craftsmen's Club and is a member of the church council of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of Shavertown.
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