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 82
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NEIL CHRISMAN-One of the well-known mem- bers of the legal profession in Luzerne County is Neil Chrisman, who has been engaged in practice in Wilkes- Barre for about twenty years. Mr. Chrisman served overseas during the World War, ranking as captain.
Mr. Chrisman is a member of an old Columbia County family. His father, William Chrisman, has been success- fully engaged in legal practice in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, for many years, and his mother, Martha G. (Graul) Chrisman, is also a member of an old fam- ily. There were two children: Helen D. and Neil, of whom further.
Neil Chrisman was born in the town of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1885, and received his early education in the public schools of his native district. He then became a student in the State Normal School, after which he matriculated in the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 19og. He took the examinations for admission to the har that same year, and in the fall of 1900 opened an office in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since been engaged in practice. He has practiced in the county, State, and Federal courts. In 1913 he enlisted in Com- pany D), oth Pennsylvania Infantry, and in June, 1916, he was promoted to the rank of first licutenant of Com- pany D. In 1916-17 he served on the Mexican Border as first lieutenant of the 109th Field Artillery, and on April 17, 1917, he was promoted to the rank of captain and was sworn into the service of the United States Army. He was stationed at Augusta, Georgia, until May, 1918, when his division was ordered to France. He sailed from New York City, May 15, 1918, landed at Liverpool, England, was transported to France, August
11, 1918, and sent to the front at the Fismes-Vesle sector, in France, where he was in active service to the time of the signing of the armistice. He returned to the United States in the spring of 1919, and was mustered out of service, in May, 1919. Upon his return to civilian life he immediately returned to Wilkes-Barre, and resumed the practice of his profession, in which he has since been continuously engaged. Mr. Chrisman is a member of the board of directors of the Union Sav- ings Bank and Trust Company of Wilkes-Barre, and a trustee of Wilkes-Barre Institute, a school for girls. He is also a director of Mercy Hospital, of Wilkes- Barre. Politically he gives his support to the Democratic party. Fraternally he is identified with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons, of Wilkes-Barre. of which he is a Past Master; and he is also a mem- ber and Past Commander of Diamond City Post, No. 132, American Legion, of Wilkes-Barre. His religious affiliation is with the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre.
Neil Chrisman was married, April 26, 1916, to Eliza- beth Ross Miner, daughter of General Asher Miner. Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman have two children: Hester L., and Neil Chrisman, Jr.
THEODORE ALEXANDER-In Wilkes-Barre the name of Theodore Alexander has long been well known in banking circles. He has been identified with the Wyoming National Bank of Wilkes-Barre since 1899 and has filled various positions, rising by successive promo- tions from the position of runner to that of assistant cashier, which responsible office he has filled since 1921. His entire active career to the present time, a period of twenty-eight years, has been devoted to the interests of the bank.
Professor James I. Alexander, father of Mr. Alex- ander, was a teacher of music and for many years was the leader of Alexander's well known band, of Wilkes- Barre. He was held in high esteem among liis asso- ciates, and both he and his wife lived to be seventy- two years of age. He married Maria L. Glassmair, and they were the parents of six children: William F. of New York City; Irving G., who died at the age of fifty-one years; James Edgar, died July 6, 1927; Carrie and Cora, both of whom died in childhood; and Theodore, of further mention.
Theodore Alexander, son of Professor James I. and Maria L. (Glassmair) Alexander, was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1881. He was brought to Wilkes-Barre by his parents when he was six years of age, and here he grew to manhood, attending the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, and graduating from Wilkes- Barre High School with the class of 1899. Immediately after graduation he accepted a position as clerk and run- ner boy in the employ of the Wyoming National Bank. He was able, willing, and ambitious to succeed and after a time was promoted to the position of clerk, the work of the runner boy being given to another. Later he was made bookkeeper, then teller, and since 1921 he has served as assistant cashier, completing this year a total period of twenty-eight years in the service of this bank. His entire career has been devoted to the interests of this institution and he is one of the trusted and highly esteemed members of the official personnel. Mr. Alex- ander is a Republican in his political sympathies. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 100, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a Past Exalted Ruler, and which he has served as secretary for five years; of Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; of all the Scottish Rite bodies up to and including Cald- well Consistory, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Irem Temple Country Club, of the Franklin Club, the Craftsmen's Club, and is a member of Concordia Musical Society of the Wyoming Valley, and of the Wyoming Valley Motor Club.
Theodore Alexander is married to Jean D. Gunton, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Rosanna (DeWitt) Gunton. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have two children : Todd G. and James I.
ASA K. DeWITT-The place that Asa K. De Witt, vice-president and cashier of the First National Bank of Plymouth, holds in the life of the community- financial, political, social-shows that the green hills are not far away, but that opportunity is close at hand for those who have vision, ambition and energy. His career also illustrates the advantage that the lad reared in the
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country possesses over the average city-born youth, Reared on a farm, young DeWitt early learned the meaning of hard work and also developed initiative; for the farmer's boy has responsibilities thrust upon him as fast as he is able to think for himself and do things. Mr. DeWitt has that happy faculty of knowing what he wants and staying with an endeavor, once he has launched himself therein. He has confined himself to the banking profession since leaving the farm, with the exception of a short interlude. He has been urged many times to enter upon a political career, but with the exception of serving in the State Legislature, has resisted the pleas of both major political parties. He now owns the farm on which he was born, and which has belonged to many generations of his family.
Asa K. DeWitt was born in Falls Township, Wyoming County, son of Amos T. and Elizabeth ( Keeler) De- Witt. Both the DeWitt and Keeler families trace their lineage back to an early date in American history. The father, who died in 1910, was a native of Deckertown, New Jersey. He was a farmer all his life. The mother was a native of Keelersburg, Wyoming County. She died in 1917. The son received his education in the pub- lic schools of his native town and at Wyoming Seminary. He then entered the employ of the First National Bank of Plymouth as a clerk. This is the oldest bank in the borough of Plymouth, having been established in 1864. John B. Smith was its first president and W. S. Wilson its first cashier. The following named men comprised its first board of directors: Henderson Gaylord, John B. Smith, Charles Hutchison, I. P. McFarland. W. H. Davenport, Ira Davenport, W. J. Harvey, F. J. Reyn- olds, S. G. Turner, Draper Smith, W. L. Lance, Jr., James Turner and Oliver Davenport.
From the time he entered the bank Mr. De Witt applied himself closely, not only to the routine duties of his position, but to the study of banking in theory and prac- tice. He believed in the old adage : "All things come to him who waits and hustles while - he waits." And so, he became cashier in 1890, only a few years after he began work for the bank, and eight years later the responsibilities of vice-president were added to those he was already carrying. Notwithstanding the exacting demands of the bank upon his time and abilities, Mr. De Witt has found a way to take an active interest in all that concerns the welfare of Plymouth. A Democrat, his public service included four consecutive terms- from 1910 to 1926-as State Senator from the Twentieth Senatorial District. He has been treasurer of the school board since 1915.
THOMAS W. BROWN-Born at Pleasant Mount, Wayne County, May 14, 1859, Thomas W. Brown has resided in the city of Wilkes-Barre since his tenth year, coming here with his parents, Samuel Le Roi and Almira (Gritman) Brown, in 1869. He was appointed by the council in 1924 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Lewis P. Kniffen, city commissioner, and had charge of the department of public safety. In 1925, he was clected to that office by ballot, filling that office to 1927 inclusive. He then took over the department of streets and public improvements, and has distinguished himself for the manner in which he executes matters in charge.
Thomas W. Brown is one of two surviving sons of seven children born to Samuel Le Roi Brown by his first marriage; by his second marriage, in 1877, following the death of Almira (Gritman) Brown in 1871, con- tracted with Ellen May Woodward Chapman, daughter of Judge J. W. Chapman of Montrose, Pennsylvania, Samuel Le Roi Brown was father of three sons : Carlton Conyngham, Robert Chapman, and Stanley Wardwell. The second Mrs. Brown died in 1905. Almira Gritman was a daughter of William C. Gritman, physician, of Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and a sister of P. C. Grit- man, prominent barrister of Carbondale. She became the wife of Samuel Le Roi Brown in 1855.
Samuel Le Roi Brown, leading merchant of Wilkes- Barre and head of the oil house of S. L. Brown and Company until the time of his death, was born in the village of Pleasant Mount, Wayne County, Pennsyl- vania, February 5, 1833. His biography is prolific in suggestion to aspiring youth, and is particularly instruc- tive as illustrating the power of a resolute character in face of disaster and obstacles sufficient to discourage the stoutest heart. He began school at the age of three years, and with his father's consent terminated his edu- cation at the age of thirteen. His first position, as clerk in a Pleasant Mount establishment, paid the salary of fifty dollars a year; in the third year it was advanced
to one hundred and fifty dollars. He saved a portion of this and secured employment at Honesdale, Pennsyl- vania, but for two years was beset by ill health and was forced to resign. In 1853 he engaged in a gen- eral merchandising business with his brother, at Pleasant Mount, assumed a branch of the business for six years, and in 1863 purchased a tannery, which he converted into a sole leather house. Here he was very success- ful, until great decline in prices in 1866-67 cost him $60,000 and his household goods. It was a bitter blow, to see the work of twenty years thus swept away, but Mr. Brown did not despair. He became a traveling salesman, then a bookkeeper, then a general manager of his firm's wholesale department, in Wilkes-Barre. In 1879 when this firm was dissolved Mr. Brown again possessed a goodly proportioned capital, and purchased a plot of ground on Market Street, a portion of the large block which now bears his name. This building was constructed by Mr. Brown in 1886, but in 1900 was demolished by a cyclone. Mr. Brown caused it to be reconstructed in one hundred days, establishing in it a general wholesale oil business. The firm of S. L. Brown and Company became the most extensive oil concern in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and with Mr. Brown as partners became associated his cousin, W. W. Brown, and his eldest son, Thomas W. Brown. Incidentally Mr. Brown "amused" himself by purchase of a book store, which he named Brown's Book Store and con- ducted successfully, though four predecessors had failed. In 1887 he with other capitalists, organized the Keystone Coal Company with a capital stock of $300,000 and him- self as president; he joined in organizing the Langcliffe Coal Company, of the same amount of capital; he was a director on the boards of several powerful commercial and banking houses of the city; he was a member of all principal clubs of Wilkes-Barre, a Mason for more than fifty years, and always an abstainer from alcoho !. Beginning as a clerk at the age of thirteen years he secured for himself a major position in the commercial life of the section, and without assistance, save that which is open to any ambitious spirit of sound judg- ment in this great country. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy-four years.
Samuel Le Roi Brown was a son of Thomas Hancock Brown, of Stonington, Connecticut, who married Lucy Howe, of Danbury, Connecticut. Until 1822 the family resided in Otsego County, New York, then removed to Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania. He, Thomas Hancock Brown, died in 1878, at the age of eighty, one of the most prosperous business men of the community; his wife died in 1884, at the age of eighty-five.
Thomas W. Brown, son of Samuel Le Roi Brown and grandson of Thomas Hancock Brown, first attended the public schools of Pleasant Mount, and at the age of ten, removing with his parents to Wilkes-Barre, attended school here and the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston. Upon graduation from the seminary he matric- ulated in Lehigh University, then, returning to Wilkes- Barre, became associated with his father in S. L. Brown and Company, in the oil business. In this connection he served for a number of years, and distinguished him- self early in commerce as he has later distinguished himself in public office, most meritoriously, winning the commendation of all principal men of commerce with whom he had dealings. A Republican, Mr. Brown is loyal to the principles of the party, and is possessed of a considerable influence in affairs political both in city and Luzerne County. He is a communicant of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, being devout in its service. Mr. Brown is constantly ready to participate in enterprises for the public good. He is widely known for the quality of citizenship that he possesses. Fraternally his affilia- tions are strong, including membership in Lodge No. 61 of the Free and Accepted Masons, Shekinah Chapter. No. 182 of Royal Arch Masons, Dieu le Veut Commandery No. 45, of Knights Templar, and Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Brown is considered by those who known him to be one of the city's leaders in affairs of general concern; vigorous and honorable in all his dealings, he is by them highly esteemed, respected sincerely. During the World War, though too advanced in years for military service, he served with patriotism and industry on the various boards and committees of war work and engaged actively in the several Liberty Loan campaigns.
Thomas WV. Brown married Edith A. Ray, of Wilkes- Barre, and they reside at No. 74 West Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre.
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ALBERT E. CARR, one of the leading florists of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, is an important member of the life of the community at Kingston. The busi- ness which he conduets was established over forty years ago by Mr. Carr's father, and the plant and hot houses are still located on the original site at No. 309 North Maple Street, Kingston, Pennsylvania. Recently his son has became associated with him in this enterprise, and under their joint direction the traditional standards of variety and high quality of their products have been strictly maintained. Mr. Carr is active in local frater- nal and civic life, and is always ready to give his sup- port to any movement for the betterment of Kingston.
He was born June 4, 1878, at Rupert, near Blooms- burg, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, a son of George W. and Sarah A. (Fairchilds) Carr, both now deceased. His father, who was born in England, came to Penn- sylvania as a young man, and later married there. There were six children in the family: Lillian, deceased; Albert E., of whom further; John, who lives at Detroit, Michigan ; George, of Plymouth, Luzerne County, Penn- sylvania ; Charles, of Detroit; and Martha, of Kingston, Pennsylvania.
Albert E. Carr was only nine months old when his parents brought him from Rupert, Pennsylvania, on a sled up the ice on the Susquehanna River, to Kingston. Here he grew up receiving his education in the local public schools. While still a young man, he entered the grocery business, and for three years ran a store under the name of Boyd and Carr. At the end of that time, he sold out and for seven years thereafter was a street car conductor for the Wilkes-Barre Railway Company. Finally, in 1915, he bought out the florist plant which his father had established at Kingston, and in this busi- ness he has continued since that time.
Politically, Mr. Carr is a member of the Republican party, and he is a member of the Kingston Methodist Episcopal Church. He is affiliated fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Kingston Lodge No. 709 and Encampment. He is a member of the Lady Washington Rebekah Lodge, of Luzerne, Pennsylvania, a member of the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans, of the United States and Canada, Shalimar Sanctorium, No. 237, Wilkes-Barre, of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, of the Wilkes- Barre Lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose, and of the Protected Home Circle of Kingston, Pennsylvania.
On July 25. 1899, he married Elizabeth Stevens, of Stevensville, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and their children are: 1. Otis, who died in infancy. 2. T. Thurlow, who is now associated with his father in the florist business, and of whom further. 3. Homer Murray, who died at the age of eight years.
T. Thurlow Carr was born January 19, 1903, at King- ston. He attended the public schools at Dorranceton and Kingston, and when he completed his education, joined his father in business. He is also a member of the Republican party, and of the Kingston Methodist Episco- pal Church, where he has an unbroken record of twenty- five years of Sunday school attendance. He is a member of the Kingston Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. On August 9, 1922, T. Thurlow Carr married Edith Benner, of Swoyersville, Luzerne County, Penn- sylvania.
JUDGE HENRY AMZI FULLER-Half a century is quite a while to expend in any pursuit and represents the time Judge Henry Amzi Fuller, of Wilkes-Barre, has put in as a member of the Luzerne County Bar ; while his years as judge of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Judicial District numbered twenty-one. His life is rich in accom- plishment within his profession, and in civic affairs he enjoys a distinguished place.
The Fullers came to the United States in the "May- flower," and genealogie researchers are busily searching local records for their early links. The fifth in descent from the "Mayflower" Fuller was Captain Revilo Fuller, whose son, Amzi Fuller, was born in Kent, Connecticut, October 19. 1793, and died September 26, 1847: served as a lawyer of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, until 1841, when he removed to Wilkes-Barre and was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar : married, February 10, 1818, Maria Mills, born April 7, 1790. died August 24, 1885, a daughter of Colonel Philo and Rhoda Goodwin Mills, of Kent, Connecticut.
Henry M. Fuller, son of Amzi and Maria ( Mills ) Fuller, was born at Bethany, Wayne County, June 3. 1820, and died at Philadelphia. December 26, 1860; in 1838, at the age of eighteen, he graduated from the Col-
lege of New Jersey (now Princeton University), with highest honors, studied law and was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar January 3, 1842. Thus began a distinguished public career, for in that year he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature as a Whig, and carried Whig principles with him to the grave. In 1849 he was nominated by the Whigs for Pennsylvania Canal Commissioner, and in 1850 was elected to Congress, and served in the Thirty-second Congress; he was defeated for reelection by Hendrick B. Wright, but in 1854 was elected to the Thirty-fourth Congress over this same opponent. In December, 1855, Mr. Fuller was the Whig candidate for Speaker of the House, and he also had the support of the Know Nothings. His principal opponent was Nathaniel P. Banks; after two months of contest, in which one hundred and thirty-three ballots were taken, Mr. Banks was declared elected. Mr. Fuller was a Vice- Presidential candidate in 1856. At the end of his Con- gressional term in March, 1857, Mr. Fuller removed with his family to Philadelphia, and there resided until he died. He was one of the foremost men of the State, and in this ante-bellum period gained a national reputation. He rode on the wave of Whig popularity, a wave which swept into office Zachary Taylor in 1849, with Millard Fillmore as Vice-President ; Taylor died in 1850 and Fillmore became President. This represented the hey-day of Whig power and influence; having triumphed over the Democratic party, it was to meet a new foe in the rapidly- forming Republican party of Abraham Lincoln, who at this time was being mentioned for high office, and who a decade later was to crystalize the opposition to slavery, submerged the Whigs and assume office for the prelimi- naries to the "Irrepressible Conflict." Mr. Fuller and his party died at the same time, but he went to his reward fighting valiantly for principles he held to be above com- promise. Mr. Fuller married Harriet Irwin Tharp, daugh- ter of Michael Rose and Jerusha ( Lindsley ) Tharp, who bore him two sons and five daughters; she died July 18, 1800, at Wilkes-Barre.
Judge Henry Amzi Fuller, son of Henry M. and Har- riet 1. ( Tharp) Fuller, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Jan- mary 15, 1855. He received his early instruction in the public schools, later in private tuition, where he made a creditable scholarship record, studying under Dr. Frederic Corss, of Kingston, and thereafter matriculated at Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey (then known as the College of New Jersey), and from which institution he graduated in 1874 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1877 received the degree of Master of Arts. Deciding to become a lawyer he com- pleted his studies in the law office of the late Henry W. Palmer, member of Congress from Wilkes-Barre, and upon standing the examinations was admitted to the Luzerne County har in January, 1877. For thirty years, until 1007. he carried on a general practice quite success- fully, and at this time was appointed associate judge of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Judicial Distriet, later elected for ten years, and reelected to succeed himself in 1917. and on January 2, 1928, rounded out twenty-one years as judge and fifty as a member of the Luzerne County bar. He is a Republican, with many of those statesmanly attributes of his honored father, and an unusually high standing among his fellow members of beneh and har. In church affairs he is senior warden of the Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre. In business affairs he is a director of the Miners' Bank. He is also president of Osterhout Free Library, and of the Law and Library Association. Before his elevation to the bench he was regarded as one of the leading members of the Luzerne County bar, and now, in the prime of life, he looks for- ward hopefully to many more years of usefulness. His decisions have been uniformly fair and impartial; his demeanor is pleasing and at the same time highly digni- fied and judicial: and his justice is so tempered with merev as to mark him as a man of great human under- standing and sympathy. He holds an honorary LL.D. from Lafayette College. The following is quoted from a testimonial minute adopted by the members of the Luzerne County bar.
Appointed to the Bench in April of 1907 and contin- ued there for twenty years by the repeated suffrage of his fellow citizens, Judge Fuller has made the people the beneficiary of his powers, as his clients had been before. He has approached every judicial duty with a single minded purpose and a high courage. He has constantly displayed very great Industry and unusual power of dispatching work. Remembering with the Barons at Runnymede that to delay justice is to deny justice, his decision has promptly followed submission of the case. His judicial action has been marked by an unwavering steadiness, rooted in his comprehensive knowledge of The principles of law and equity, his
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