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 78
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was afterwards known as the "Bucks County Intelli- gencer." This paper was not at first a success, but as time went on, it gained in popularity and just as soon as it was well on its feet, Mr. Miner branched out into other publications. He had a firm conviction that a monthly periodical pertaining to farming interests would be acceptable, but this project lacked the support of the public and was abandoned. However, in 1817, Mr. Miner opened an office in Newtown where he published a paper known as "The Star of Freedom" with its contents de- voted chiefly to "agricultural, biographical, literary, and moral matters." While his purpose was to spread the publication of good newspapers in the country, it was also to keep out competition, but this latest venture lasted only until 1818. Asher Miner was not limited to his newspapers for occupation or support, he was postmaster for a number of years and also sold certain articles from his printing establishment which was also a kind of store and in which the post office was situated. In 1824 he gave up his interests in Doylestown and joined his brother, Charles, in West Chester where they formed a partner- ship and published the "Village Record." In 1834 the paper was sold and the two brothers returned to Wilkes- Barre. On May 19, 1800, Asher Miner married Mary Wright, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Dwyer) Wright. They had thirteen children. Asher Miner was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. He died on March 13, 1841.
Robert Miner, third child of Asher and Mary (Wright) Miner, was born on August 17, 1805, at Doylestown, Pennsylvania. At the very young age of fourteen, he took charge of his father's mill and then taught school in Plains Township, Luzerne County. On January 3, 1826, he married Eliza Abbott, daughter of Stephen and Abigail ( Searle) Abbott. He managed what was known as Miner's Mills for a long time and also owned and published the "Wyoming Herald," a weekly newspaper, which later was merged with the "Wyoming Republican." He was actively interested in the coal business and after a time formed a company known as Pardee, Miner and Company. He continued in this line of business until ill health made it advisable for him to retire. He died in December, 1842, leaving a memory of highest ideals in business and personal conduct which had endeared him to a host of friends. He had three' children, one of whom, Charles Abbott, survived him.
Hon. Charles Abbott Miner, eldest son of Robert and Eliza (Abbott) Miner, was born in Plains Township, August 30, 1830. He was educated at Wilkes-Barre Academy and the academy at West Chester, Pennsyl- vania. His whole business life was devoted to milling interests and in his personal hobbies, he made education the chief. He was a director in a bank, interested in the promotion of a street railway company, trustee of a hos- pital, and one of the trustees of the Harry Hillman Academy. His military service during the Civil War was with the Company K, Thirteenth Regiment of Pennsyl- vania Volunteers from which service he was honorably discharged. He was a much heloved citizen and greatly missed when he died in July, 1903. On January 19, 1853. Charles Abbott Miner married Eliza Ross Atherton. They had six children: Elizabeth, deceased; Robert, deceased ; William Ross, deceased; Asher, married Hetty M. Lons- dale ; Sidney Roby, and Charles Howard, of whom further.
Dr. Charles Howard Miner was born at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1868. He is the son of Charies Abbott and Eliza Ross ( Atherton) Miner. He spent his early childhood and youth in his home city going to the public schools and to Hillman Academy at Wilkes- Barre. He then went to Princeton University from which institution he graduated in the class of 1800 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical College from where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1893. He then spent the next eighteen months as interne in the Presbyterian and Children's hospitals in Philadelphia. In 1895 he spent some time in Europe at Heidelberg and at Vienna in the advanced study of medi- cine. He returned to this country and settled at his old home, Wilkes-Barre, in 1896 where he has been prac- ticing medicine ever since. From 1907 to 1923, he was county medical director for the State Health Department. In 1923 he was appointed by Governor Pinchot as secre- tarv of health for the State of Pennsylvania with offices at Harrisburg. He held this position until January, 1927. On April 1, 1927, he was reappointed by Governor Fisher to the position of medical director for the County of Luzerne. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society; the Pennsylvania Medical Society ; the
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American Medical Association ; the Pennsylvania Tuber- culosis Society of which he was the president for 1927. He is a member of the American Climatological and Clinical Association; a member of Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; the Wyoming Valley Country Club; and St. Stephen's Protestant Epis- copal Church. In politics he is a Republican.
On June 1, 1904, Charles Howard Miner, M. D., mar- ried Grace Lea Shoemaker, daughter of Robert C. Shoe- maker of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. They have two children : 1. Charles Howard, Jr., who is a student at Princeton University. 2. Stella Mercer Shoemaker, who is a student at Wilkes-Barre Institute. Dr. Miner and his family live at No. 264 South Franklin Street, in the old Miner home.
O. C. REICHE, M. D .- In 1915 Dr. O. C. Reiche, eye specialist, opened his offices in Hazleton, Pennsyl- vania, and since that time he has been steadily engaged in practice here. Dr. Reiche is a thoroughly progressive expert in his special field, and in 1925 he spent several months visiting clinics in Vienna and Buda-Pesth, Aus- tria ; and in Berlin, Germany. He has his offices in Suite No. 810-11 in the Markle Building.
Carl L. Reiche, father of Mr. Reiche, was born in Germany, and was a student in Heidelberg University. As a young man he came to this country and located in Weatherly, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the manufacture of cigars to the time of his death in 1920. He married Clara Paul, and both are now (1928) de- ceased.
Dr. O. C. Reiche, son of Carl L. and Clara (Paul) Reiche, was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1883, and as a boy attended the public schools of his birthplace and also studied under the direction of tutors for a period of two years. From early years he had desired to become a physician, and under his tutors he prepared for entrance to the Medico Chi, at Philadelphia, where he completed his course with graduation with the class of 1910, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. After serving his interneship in the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital he engaged in general practice in Allentown, Pennsylvania, but he had planned to prepare himself for special work in his profession, and while giving careful attention to his general work, he was making a special study of the eye. At the Polyclinic Post-Graduate School in Philadelphia, he studied in 1914, and then spent one year in Chicago with Dr. Westcott, the famous eye specialist. This was most ex- cellent preparation for his later work, and in 1915 he came to Hazleton, where he has since been engaged as a specialist in diseases of the eye. Dr. Reiche has always been a student, and he has never been one to remain con- tent with past achievement or with past preparation. He is progressive in all his work, and believes that it is the duty of any physician not only to do his best but to make his best increasingly effective. He believes that no member of the medical profession can be excused for not knowing the latest and best there is to know, and accordingly, in 1925, he spent several months visiting the best clinics in Vienna, Buda-Pesth, and Berlin, gathering for the benefit of his patients all that could be obtained of European medical practice at its best.
Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War Dr. Reiche enlisted for service in the United States Army, and was stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, for three months, as eye surgeon, ranking as a first lieu- tenant. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, also of the Lehigh Valley Medical Society, and of the American Academy of Opthalmology. He is a member of the American Legion, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his religious affiliation is with the Lutheran Church. Before entering the service of the United States Army, Dr. Reiche served as a member of the Advisory Draft Board. He is well known as a man who thor- oughly knows his special field of practice and who is faithful to the interests of his patients, and he has built up a large practice.
SAMUEL H. HUBER-The chief value of biogra- phy lies not in the mere record of the life of an indi- vidual, interesting though that record may be, but in the educational value of that record: in the suggestions it offers for the practical solution of life's problems, and in the inspiration it affords to growing and ambitious youth. From the career outlined below. the lad just entering the world of business and viewing the future with wonderment and concern, may learn the value of
high ideals consistently pursued; he can see what may be accomplished by concentration of purpose and action ; and he can not fail to be impressed with the prime im- portance of mastering thoroughly every detail, theo- retical and practical, of the vocation he is to follow.
Samuel H. Huber, district manager of the F. W. Wool- worth Company, with offices in Wilkes-Barre, was born in Scranton, October 17, 1886, son of William H. and Mary Cordelia (Hofferkamp ) Huber. For three generations they have been prominent in the world of business. And one of the lessons that may be gained from this brief glance at the antecedents of Samuel H. Huber is that it pays to be well born. No one ever thought of training the progeny of truck horses for the racetrack. True, it is that only a small percentage of the descendants of racehorses ever achieve fame; but this only serves to emphasize the responsibility of the individual to develop to the highest powers the potentialities that reside within him. Samuel Huber, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the owner of a large iron works at Danville, this State. There the first chilled plow made in the United States was produced. Samuel Huber was an important industrialist in his day, a man of energy and large ability. He was also the owner of canal hoats that were towed from Nanticoke, Luzerne County, to Danville on the old Susquehanna Canal.
Samuel H. Huber's maternal grandfather was George Hofferkamp who was in the crucible business in Phila- delphia. He was associated with the father of Charlie Ross, whose kidnaping in the early '70's of the nineteenth century stirred the Nation from coast to coast. Mr. Hofferkamp spent much time and money aiding in the attempt to trace the little lad. Samuel H. Huber is the eldest of three children born to his parents, the other two being his brother, Stuart B., and a sister, Cordelia, who married Albert Dietrick, of Ridgewood, New Jersey She died in 1927. The brothers are in business together as owners of the H. and B. Petroleum Company of Paterson, New Jersey, the management of which is in the hands of the younger brother.
Samuel H. Huber was reared in his native city, Scran- ton, the public schools of which he attended until he had reached the age of fourteen. He then entered the em- ploy of the First National Bank of Scranton as messen- ger, and remained with that institution for fourteen years. From the beginning he gave close attention to the performance of the duties immediately assigned him; but his ambition was not content to rest there; he ob- served and studied, made the most of every opportunity to be useful at any time and in any capacity. Naturally, he was advanced, as openings occurred, to positions of constantly increasing responsibility. He thus attracted the attention of the brother of the founder of the Wool- worth business who had charge of their Scranton store, and he was given a position in the stock room of thatt store in order that he might familiarize himself with the nature of the merchandise handled and the methods of the company. All this was with a view to placing Mr. Huber in a position of. executive responsibility ; so later he was made manager of that store and after a time was transferred to Wilkes-Barre to take charge of the store there. His mastery of the business became evident to all: he knew the policy of the company and was in har- mony with it ; ability to manage employees he had dem- onstrated ; he understood the public, its whims and ca- prices : and he had ideas. Advancement is inevitable to a man thus equipped ; and in course of time Mr. Huber was made traveling superintendent for the Wilkes-Barre district. His next step forward was as merchandise man in the Wilkes-Barre office, and from that he was pro- moted to the assistant district managership. In 1925 'he was advanced to the position of district manager and assistant treasurer and was elected a director of the comp ny. Mr. Huber takes an active interest in all that concerns the welfare of Wilkes-Barre and in a quiet, un- ostentatious way, he contributes in any way in his power to the furtherance of movements to promote the common good. He is a director of the Second National Bank of Wilkes-Barre. His religious affiliation is with the Green Ridge Presbyterian Church of Scranton.
Samuel H. Huber married Ethel M. Woolworth, daughter of C. S. Woolworth of Scranton, and they have four children : Evelyn Louise, Harriet Sylvia, Sum- ner Woolworth and Betty. While Mr. Huber is in no sense of the word a politician, he believes it to be the duty of every citizen to take a lively and intelligent inter- est in matters comprehended in the term politics and to allv himself with that party whose policies he believes will advance the interests of the country. Mr. Huber is a Republican.
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FRANK A. GAMBLE-The affairs of the financial institutions of Wilkes-Barre are taken care of by a group of fmanciers and business men, of whom the city is justly proud. Among those who are rendering excel- lent service in this field is Frank A. Gamble, vice-presi- dent of Miners Bank of Wilkes-Barre, who after an ex- tended experience, including three years with the Inter- state Commerce Commission, was elected to the position which he now holds in October, 1925. Mr. Gamble is a graduate of the Southern University, of Alabama, and of the Law Department of the University of Alabama, and has been engaged in legal practice since 1900.
The Gamble family is of English and Welsh origin, and is one of the old Virginia families of this country. Robert Gamble, great-grandfather of Mr. Gamble, was one of the many Virginians who served during the Rev- olution as an officer under General Washington, by vir- tue of which service, being the oldest son of the oldest son of that officer, Mr. Gamble is eligible to membership in the Sons of the Cincinnati. Frank A. Gamble, father of Mr. Gamble, was a judge in the courts of Walker County, Alabama, for a period of thirty years, and was a large landowner and a banker. He was twice married ( first) to Jennie Freeman, and of that marriage there survives Leila, who married J. B. Cannington of Anni- ston, Alabama. He married (second) Mary Owen. Of that marriage there survive: Frank A., Jr., of further mention ; Foster K., who is a missionary in the service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Seoul, Korea, and Dr. Thomas Owen Gamble, a physician of Albany, New York.
Frank A. Gamble, son of Frank A. and Mary (Owen) Gamble, was born in Jasper, Alabama, April 8, 1880, and spent his boyhood days in his birthplace, attending the public schools there and graduating from the Jasper High School. After the completion of his high school course he entered the Southern University of Alabama, from which he was graduated with the class of 1898, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The following fall he entered the Law Department of the University of Alabama and his course there was completed with gradu- ation in 1900, when he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He returned to Jasper, Alabama, was admitted to the bar, and began practice there, but later removed to Birmingham, where he was engaged in general prac- tice until 1915. In that year he became associated with the Interstate Commerce Commission, in connection with the valuation of the railroads of the United States, and he retained that connection until November 1, 1918, when he accepted a position in the Federal Inheritance Tax Department of the United States Treasury. On October I, 1925, he was made vice-president of the Miners Bank of Wilkes-Barre, in charge of the Trust Department, and that responsible position he is still ( 1929) efficiently filling. Politically Mr. Gamble gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Democratic party. For several years he was Register in Chancery for Walker County, Alabama, and from 1907 to 1915 was clerk of the House of Representatives of Alabama. Fra- ternally, he is identified with Sigma Alpha Epsilon Col- lege Fraternity ; and is a member of York Lodge, No. 211, Free and Accepted Masons, of Jasper, Alabama ; Jasper Chapter, No. 110. Royal Arch Masons: Cyrene Commandery, Knights Templar : and Zamora Temple, Ancient Arabie Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliation is with the Episcopal Church.
Frank A. Gamble married, October 5, 1920, Peggy Zimmerman, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, daughter of Wil- liam and Mary (Benkley) Zimmerman. They have no children.
EDWARD R. MYERS, M. D .- Since the completion of his interneship in 1905, Dr. Edward R. Myers has been engaged in general medical and surgical practice in Pittston. He is one of the well-known physicians of this city, and has served on the local board of health for many years.
Born in Jacobs Township, Luzerne County, March 20, 1878. Dr. Myers is a son of Wickham and Catherine ( Caffrey ) Myers. After attending the local public schools he became a student in Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he completed his medical course with graduation in 1903. receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and then served an interneship of two years in the Harrisburg City Hospital. In 1905 he came to Pittston and opened an office, and after the usual period of waiting. he steadily and surely enlarged the very modest beginnings of a general practice into the present important one. For many years now (1928) he has been one of the prominent physicians of the city, taking care
of a large general practice and specializing in surgery. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and fra- ternally, he is identified with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
There are many in Pittston and vicinity who owe much to the skill and faithfulness of Dr. Myers, and during his more than twenty-three years of practice in Pittston many of his one-time patients have become his firm and devoted friends. His offices are located at No. 7 Broad Street, in Pittston.
Dr. Myers has one son, Edward R. Myers, who is a student in Keystone Academy, at Factoryville, Pennsyl- vania.
JOSEPH ERIC FLEITZ-The career of Joseph Eric Fleitz, well known Wilkes-Barre lawyer, member of the Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Board, has been full of worthy accomplishments, dating from the time when he served as a member of the military forces during the Spanish-American War before he had at- tained the age of twenty-one years. Close contact with all sides of human nature has given Mr. Fleitz a well- rounded experience and amply qualified him for the high position on the Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Board, to which position he was appointed February 1, 1927, by Governor John S. Fisher for a four-year term.
Mr. Fleitz was born January 27, 1879, at Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, son of John and Katherine (Emberger) Fleitz both natives of the town mentioned above. John Fleitz engaged in the lumber business in Tioga County, and was one of the pioneer lumbermen in Pennsylvania. He died in 1904, and his wife, a woman of estimable qualities, died in 1891. Mr. Fleitz received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native place and then became a student at the State Normal School at Mansfield When the Spanish-American War broke out he enlisted and saw service with the volunteer forces, after which he returned home to complete his studies. Having laid a good foundation, he matriculated in the Law School of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, from which institution he graduated in 1904 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in the year of his graduation, he began the practice of his profession in Wilkes-Barre, and had con- dueted a general and corporation law practice under his own firm name in the Bennett Building for eighteen years up to the time of removing to the Dime Bank Building, and in 1928 to Nos. 703-11 Miners Bank Building. In 1920 Mr. Fleitz organized the first Legal Aid Society in Luzerne County, which was for the purpose of furnish- ing legal advice and aid to those not having sufficient financial means to employ legal talent, and for five years was its chairman, the committee consisting of eight of the leading members of the Luzerne County Bar. This has since been taken over and is now carried on by the Luzerne County Bar Association. He is a director of the Scranton-Lackawanna Trust Company, of Scranton, Pennsylvania : and director and formerly vice-president of the United Charities of Luzerne County.
Mr. Fleitz was above the military age during the World War, but served in essential capacities, especially as a member of the Legal Advisory Board, where his knowledge of military affairs, gained when he was a member of the Company K, 5th Pennsylvania Regiment, proved of great value. In political affairs he is a member of the Republican party organization, and in ecclesiastical church affairs an adherent of the Protestant Episcopal faith. Mr. Fleitz is a popular member of the Wilkes- Barre Lodge, No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons : Cald- well Consistory, of Bloomsburg, which includes the thirty-second degree; and Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is director and for several years served as vice-president of the United Sportsmen of Pennsylvania ; and a member of the Pennsylvania State Historical Society; the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association: the Luzerne County Bar Association, and the following clubs: Westmoreland (director): of Irem Temple Country, and Blooming Grove, Hunting and Fishing ( director ). He is fond of outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing, and is well known throughout the State as a conservationist of natural resources.
Mr. Fleitz married, in 1911, Mrs. John Howard Adams, nee Josephine Kalhfleisch, daughter of Charles and Jos- ephine (Conover ) Kalbfleisch, of New York City, and they reside at No. 15 North Franklin Street, Wilkes- Barre.
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BENJAMIN F. EVANS-One of the leading men in Wilkes-Barre, Benjamin F. Evans has devoted much of his spare time to the study of military matters, with the result that in ten years of service he was appointed major, served with distinction on the Mexican Border and in the American Expeditionary Forces overseas, was decorated by the Belgian Government for his excellent work, participated in many of the big offensives during the World War, and is now an executive officer, with the rank of major, of one of Pennsylvania's important Field Artillery brigades.
Mr. Evans was born in Wilkes-Barre, January 25, 1884, the son of James W. and Anna ( Thomas) Evans, both descendants of old Welsh families who settled in the Wyoming Valley some generations ago. The parents of Mr. Evans had three children: 1. Benjamin F., of whom this is a record. 2. John, engaged in the heating and plumbing business in Wilkes-Barre. 3. Edith, married to James P. Butcher, of Akron, Ohio.
The early education of Mr. Evans was obtained in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, after which he took a course in the Wilkes-Barre Business College. His first position in the business world was with a dry goods house in New York City, where he remained for about two years. He then returned to Wilkes-Barre, and took a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad in the accounting department. In 1904 he accepted a position with the Miner-Hillard Milling Company as clerk, and in a re- markably short time was advanced through successive posts until he attained his present office as manager of the wholesale grocery department of the company, and is also on the board of directors of the Miner-Hillard Milling Company.
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