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 87
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George M. Yencha married, on August 16, 1922, Ella Jones, of Nanticoke, daughter of Moses and Elizabeth Jones, and they have two children: Marjorie Jane and Dorothy Mae.
ALBERT A. STOCKS-One of Wilkes-Barre's leading citizens, Albert A. Stocks is a prominent figure in the industrial life of this city, having for a number of years managed the Wyoming Valley Lace Mills, with factories located on East Union Street. It was to accept a position as draughtsman in this organization that Mr. Stocks first came to this city in 1897, and with the exception of one year spent in New York, he has always continued with this concern. By his energy and ability. he advanced steadily to his present position as manager of the mills, and in this capacity has shown great effici- ency and knowledge, as well as being a popular figure with his employees.
Mr. Stocks was born in Nottingham, England, May 15, 1877, son of Arthur and Mary ( Hoskins) Stocks. Arthur Stocks brought his family to the United States in 1802, and died in England while on a visit to his old home. Mr. and Mrs. Stocks were the parents of seven children: Albert A., of whom further ; Florence, de- ceased; W. Leonard, of Lancaster : Clarice Mary, who died in childhood; Ethel Maud, married F. P. Corter of Allentown ; W. Harold of Binghamton ; and C. Ivy, mar- ried Dr. K. D. Lindsay of Philadelphia.
Albert A. Stocks received his early education in the the schools of England and later entered Nottingham University, where he was a student at fifteen years of age, when he left with his family for the United States. He then completed his studies in the schools of Lacka- wanna County, after which he entered the employ of the Scranton Lace Company, where he remained several years. As previously mentioned, he came to Wilkes-Barre in 1897, as draughtsman with the Wyoming Valley Lace Mills and was soon after promoted to the weaving department. During the strike of 1902, Mr. Stocks went to New York City, where he obtained a position as a newspaper re- porter and won acclaim for his keen ability and interest- ing achievements. After the strike was ended in 1903, he returned to his position in Wilkes-Barre and some time later was appointed to fill a vacancy in the pattern de- partment. His thorough knowledge and constant applica- tion to detail continued to bring him recognition, and he was appointed assistant superintendent of this depart- ment. In 1907 he was promoted to the position of super- intendent and in 1910, upon the death of J. C. Atkin, Mr. Stocks was made superintendent of the entire plant, and now has the general management of these mills, and he has continued to fill successfully all the requirements of this responsible position. In the civic affairs of the city, he has always taken a deep interest and has given constant and valuable support to every project for community welfare and improvement. He is a member of the Lace
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Curtain Manufacturers Association of America and takes a prominent part in the affairs of the local Rotary Club.
In fraternal circles, he has ever been a popular figure, being a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons and of Keystone Consistory at Scranton, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, having attained his thirty-second degree in that organization. He is a mem- ber of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and of the Shrine Country Club. In his religious affiliations, he is a member of the Episcopal Church, attending St. Stephen's Church in this city.
JOSEPH HENRY POOL, 3d-One of the most active young men in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, is Joseph Henry Pool, 3d, who is a descendant of an early American family of English origin. He is the son of Sidney H. and Anna A. (Alexander) Pool, of Ardmore, Pennsylvania. His father, Sidney H. Pool, is also active in the insurance business. He and his wife are the parents of four children: I. Elinor A., the wife of Colonel H. H. Arnold of the United States Army, com- mander of the air force at Fort Riley. 2. Lois A., wife of Major C. W. Howard, commander of the air force in the Philippines. 3 and 4. John A., and Joseph Henry (twins), of whom further.
Joseph Henry Pool, 3d, was born at Haverford, Penn- sylvania, May 20, 1897. He was educated at the Delancy School, Philadelphia, and graduated at the Pennsylvania Military College at Chester, Pennsylvania, class of 1920, After leaving military college he went through the vari- ous departments of the Fidelity Casualty Company in order to learn the casualty business, being located in Philadelphia and also in Pittsburgh. After completing the course he was made district manager of Wilkes- Barre, in which he continued until he incorporated, in 1927, His own business under the name of J. Henry Pool, General Insurance, having offices in the Brooks Building. In May, 1917, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany H, of the 15th United States Infantry and soon after was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Later, he entered the Officers' Training Camp at Plattsburg, New York, where he received a commission as second lieu- tenant, and then served as instructor of the bayonet and musketry at various cantonments in the western part of the United States until the close of the war. He was mustered out of the service in May, 1919, having been in service for two years. He is a member of Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Caldwell Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine: The Westmoreland Club ; a member of the Marion Cricket Club at Haver- ford, Pennsylvania ; Wyoming Valley Country Club : Irem Temple Country Club : the Blooming Grove Hunt- ing and Fishing Cluh ; The Bourbonnais Club of Quebec, Canada ; Pennsylvania Insurance Federation ; Fire Insur- ance Society of Philadelphia ; Delta Tau Beta, Greek letter fraternity ; and various hunting and fishing clubs of the United States and Canada. In politics he is a Republican.
On January 12, 1924, Joseph Henry Pool, 3d, married Marion Weckesser, daughter of F. J. Weckesser, of Wilkes-Barrc. Mr. and Mrs. Pool have two children, Joscph Henry, 4th and Fred Weckesser.
JACOB THEIS-Following in the footsteps of his father in one field of commercial activity, that of insur- ance. Jacob Theis has widened the scope of his contacts into embracing real estate and building operations. He was horn in Wilkes-Barre on March 25. 1871, the son of Frederick and Mary (Kehr) Theis, both of whom were born in Germany. The elder Mr. Theis came to the United States in 1869 when only a young man of eighteen. As time went on he prospered in the insurance field and established a fine concern. He was a prominent man of the city, always actively interested in civic betterment and was one of the organizers of the Wyoming Valley Trust Company and president of that institution from its inception.
Jacob Theis attended the public schools of the city and then took a course in business administration in the Wilkes-Barre Business College. He went into his fath- er's insurance agency at the termination of his studies until, in 1897, he and his brother, Frederick Theis, Jr., opened their own agency, handling several states fire insurance agencies of large national fire insurance com- panies. The firm name was Theis Brothers from the first, and Jacob Theis continued the name even after Frederick
Theis, Jr., had died. For a while, he carried on alone, but eventually gave up the business and embarked upon somne real estate operations which, proving successful, established him in that field where he has remained since 1914, combining real estate turn-overs and building oper- ations with a line of general insurance. One of his first ventures was in the purchasing of a plot of land on South Main Street and building the first photoplay theatre in Wilkes-Barre. It is still standing, the present Orpheum Theatre, and at the time it was built, it was considered the finest in this part of the State. At first it was for the showing of moving-pictures and Mr. Theis continued its ownership until 1919, when he leased it to the Comer- ford Amusement Company of Scranton. Mr. Theis thereafter confined his energies to real estate, owning and developing several valuable properties in the busiest section of the city. Mr. Theis is a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Hazleton Country Club, and an attendant of the First Reformed Church. He is affiliated with the Masonic Order.
In 1901. Jacob Theis married Maude L. Hogan, native of Waterloo, New York, daughter of Franklin P. and Mrs. Hogan. They have had four children: I. Emilie M., a graduate of Goucher College at Baltimore and of Beaver College at Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. 2. Freder- ick W., born in 1903 and a graduate of Bellfonte Pre- partory School, and of Lafayette College, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1924 and now attending the Harvard Law School. 3. J. Carleton, born in 1912, and now attending the Wyoming Seminary in Kingston. 4. Mary, who is receiving her education at the School of Ethical Culture in New York City.
WILLIAM F. HOWELL has, for the past twenty- eight years, been identified with the concern which operates under the name of Thompson, Derr and Brother, Incorporated, general insurance, and since 1921 he has been secretary and treasurer of the corporation. The offices of the concern are located in the Miners' Bank Building, and the concern is one of the largest general insurance corporations in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Howell has been very active in the work of the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre for many years.
Roger B. Howell, father of Mr. Howell, was a son of William Howell, of New York State. He married Theresa Cooper, and they became the parents of these children : Leola, married George F. Sutherland, now deceased : Fannie, widow of Harvey O. Geer ; William F., of further mention; and Robert C. Howell, of Wilkes- Barre.
William F. Howell, son of Roger B. and Theresa (Cooper) Howell, was born in Owego, Tioga County, New York, November 6, 1373, but his parents removed to Auburn, New York, when he was seven years of age. He attended the public schools of Auburn until he was fourteen years of age, and then went with his parents to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he continued to attend the public schools, graduating from the high school here with the class of 1891. After graduation he secured a position as cashier in the employ of W. W. Miller and Company, then located on the site of the present Miners' Bank Building. After a time he made a change and became identified with the Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Company, as paymaster, and this connection he maintained until 1899, when he became associated with Thompson, Derr, and Brother, now Thompson, Derr, and Brother, Incorporated, general insurance. That connection he continues to maintain, serving first in the office, and later by hard work and special ability rising to the official position of secretary and treasurer of the corpora- tion, which has become one of the largest of its kind in this section of the State. He has been secretary and treasurer since 1921, and has filled those official positions with marked ability. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party, and his religious affiliation is with the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, in the work of which he is very active and has heen for many years. He is a member of the board of trustees and of the board of deacons, and he has served as sec- retary of the Sunday School for many years. He has a host of friends in this city, and is held in very high esteem among those who know him.
William F. Howell was married, June 18, 1896, to Mary E. Doolittle, of Binghamton, New York, who died December 10, 1917, a woman of beautiful Christian char- acter, a devoted wife, and greatly loved by her asso- ciates. Mr. and Mrs. Howell have never had chil- dren.
A. Wintermute.
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JAMES E. GRIFFIN-During the passing of time, men find their proper positions in the life works they have undertaken. If they are fitted for large positions, all things else being equal, these will come to them; or, if for small, such will be their ultimate fortunc. James E. Griffin, of Wilkes-Barre, has come to occupy a place large in importance to lumber manufacturing circles of the Wilkes-Barre industrial area, and is today a fore- most figure in the city's advancement. To this progress he has contributed through a number of years, always with a marked loyalty of public-spirit, carrying in mind the thought of those projects which will function to the greatest common welfare. A representative citizen of Wilkes-Barre, he has lived a career of successful under- takings.
Born at Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1873, Mr. Griffin is the son of Patrick and Margaret ( McInerney ) Griffin. His father, who prac- ticed the trade of saw filer, was a native of Ireland, and is since deceased. His mother, also a native of Ireland, is likewise deceased.
In the public schools of Lock Haven Mr. Griffin secured his earliest academic preparation, which he com- pleted in parochial institutions of that community. For ten years he was in association with his brother, P. P. Griffin, in the manufacture and wholesale operation of lumber business. Their plant, yards and offices were located in West Virginia, and today Mr. Griffin is recalled with high regard by the many men among whom he dealt more than a score of years gone by. In 1908 he founded a manufacturing business in lumber, together with a wholesale lumber business, in Wilkes-Barre, under the style of his own name; and in direction of this profitable enterprise he has continued through the years that have followed. In 1922 he became president of the South Side Lumber Company, dealers in lumber at retail, of Wilkes-Barre; and he has been president of this company as well, increasing its business consistently from year to year. He employs, in his lumber interests, thirty workers. Aside from lumber he has become active in various other financial directions, now being director and vice-president of the Dime Bank and Trust Com- pany, Wilkes-Barre, of which he has been an official since 1923. A Democrat, he supports the party's prin- ciples and candidates. He is a member of the Westmore- land Club, Franklin Club and similar bodies, is a com- municant of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, and gives liberally to all worthy causes. In the World War period he proved of valued help in the drives of patriotic appeal.
James E. Griffin married, June 6, 1906, Katherine Gal- lagher, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Bernard and Kath- erine Gallagher ; and their children are: Marie, George, Katherine, Jean, James, and Bernard. The family resi- dence is at No. 89 Hanover Street, and Mr. Griffin's offices are in the Second National Bank Building, Wilkes- Barre.
FERD C. WINTERMUTE, civil engineer of Wilkes- Barre, is an example of determination to master a pro- fession and to become proficient in his chosen subject. It is not only Mr. Wintermute's accomplishments as a civil engineer that have won him the highest respect and recognition of ability, but it is also his characteristics of purpose and perseverance that have been incorporated in all of his undertakings. He is the son of Lemuel C. and Ida Ethel Belle (Mott) Wintermute. His father died in 1923 at the age of sixty-three and his mother in 1927 at the age of sixty-five. His father was a farmer, a native of the State of New Jersey, and a member of one of the earliest families of that State. He seems, also, to have had some mechanical talent and a taste for con- struction work, for he helped to install the first telephone exchange, and telephones in Wilkes-Barre, and at the time of his death was the oldest man in point of service in the Bell Telephone Company in Luzerne County. Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel C. Wintermute had four children : Ferd C., of whom further ; Flora Pearl, wife of John B. Austin, of Wilkes-Barre; Orval Malvin, and Madge Runa, wife of Samuel F. Sheldon, of Wilkes-Barre.
Ferd C. Wintermute was born in Wilkes-Barre, July 1, 1883, in the old Charles Miner Farm House on Old River Road. He grew up in his home town where he attended the public schools, but being filled with a desire to acquire more knowledge he studied the Surveying and Mapping Course in the International Correspondence Schools, and was tutored in higher mathematics and engineering. During his school days he was employed as timekeeper for the Barber Asphalt Company. Later he gained valuable experience in surveying and engineering
with 1. E. Hartwell, and the late N. B. Rutter, former county surveyor for Luzerne County. From 1902-05 he was transitman and assistant engineer with the firm of Stevenso and Knight of Scranton, Pennsylvania. After this experience, he made a connection with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company as assistant to the engineer of location, and served in that capacity until March, 1907, when he returned to Wilkes- Barre and opened an office in association with Fred A. Young, under the firm name of Young and Wintermute, consulting and civil engineers, with offices in the old Harvey Building on North Franklin Street, moving to a location in the Second National Bank Building as soon as the building was completed. This partnership con- tinned until Mr. Young's death in 1924, and for a time Mr. Wintermute remained in practice alone, until Janu- ary 1, 1927, when Thomas J. Halsey entered the business with him under the name of Wintermute and Halsey, devoting its time largely to municipal engineering, as engineers for the boroughs of Swoyersville and King- ston ; and mining engineering as engineers for the Central Coal Company and the Lehigh and Wyoming Valley Coal Mining Company ; they are also civil engineers for a number of realty companies, development concerns and architects. In March, 1928, at the opening of the new Liberty State Bank and Trust Company building on North Main Street, the offices were moved to the mez- zanine floor of this new building. Mr. Wintermute is a registered, professional engineer and land surveyor of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and since 1911 has been one of the engineer members of the County Board of Viewers of Luzerne County.
Mr. Wintermute designed the steel and reinforced con- crete, and supervised the construction of the Post Bailey store and office building in San Diego, California, in 1913, and also supervised construction of the Crane Brothers silk mills in Kingston, in 1914. During the years 1900-11, he served as engineer in Hanover Town- ship for road and bridge construction ; in 1911-12, he was supervisor of field work on construction of the Plymouth Bridge; 1917-19. he served as inspector of municipal im- provements for the Wyoming Valley Taxpayers Associa- tion. He was resident engineer for water supply improve- ments, costing over two and one-half million dollars for the City of Bayonne, New Jersey, 1920-21 ; designed and supervised construction of the water supply and filtration plant and sewers and sewerage disposal plant for the Ransom District Poor Board new buildings, also the firm designed and supervised construction of the Lock Haven Steel Bridge, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, 1921-22; de- signed original and revised plans for steel, and rein- forced conerete proposed new North Strect Bridge, Wilkes-Barre, 1923-25: and in 1926 Mr. Wintermute made comprehensive plans for sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems for Kingston Borough. In 1927 he completed the building of the dam and sixty-acre Wyo- ming Lake Reservoir in Franklin Township. At present is engaged as engineer in the construction of a dam, roads, bridges and other improvements on the Indian Lake development of Stout-Roup, Incorporated, in the Pocono Mountains, and a sanitary sewer system for the Borough of Swoyersville, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Wintermute is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No 655, Free and Accepted Masons, of Wilkes-Barre; of the Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dien le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar ; Key- stone Consistory of Scranton, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Irem Temple Country Club, the Craftsmen's Club, The Wyoming Valley Motor Club. The American Society of Civil Engineers (associate member and member of its sanitary and highway sec- tions), and of the American Water Works Association. He is a member of the Franklin Club, the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Kiwanis Club, The Chamber of Commerce, and he is also a director and vice-president of the Liberty State Bank and Trust Company of Wilkes-Barre, Penn- sylvania. and director and secretary of The Wilkes- Barre Mortgage Company. He and his family are mem- bers of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Wilkes- Barre.
On March 31, 1908, Ferd C. Wintermute married Jessie Archer Zundt, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Zundt, of Brooklyn, New York. They have four chil- dren : Donald Stewart, Jack Lee, Lois Jean, and Janice Louise. Mr. Wintermute and family reside at No. 21 West Union Street.
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MONROE A. SCHWARTZKOPF-Successful dealer in insurance, director of an extended business in this field, well known throughout the Wilkes-Barre area and in Pittston, Monroe A. Schwartzkopf was born in Scranton, June 28, 1883. His father, Morris Schwartz- kopf, was born in Bohemia, in 1852, and coming to America settled in Scranton, where, for forty years, he engaged in the wholesale liquor business. Later he moved to Pittston, and there died, in December, 1918. Monroe A. Schwartzkopf's mother, Theresa (Freeman) Schwartzkopf, was also a native of Bohemia, born in 1851. Her death occurred in June of 1908.
Mr. Schwartzkopf secured his academic training in the schools of Scranton. In 1905, then twenty-one, he went into business handling a generalized line of insur- ance. at Pittston, under the hrm style of his own name. He has been represented in business there since, now maintaining a second office in Wilkes-Barre. He opened the second office in February, 1917, and has continued to operate this under his own name, with a general line of policies. He is a director and assistant secretary of the Union Savings Bank and Trust Company, of Wilkes-Barre, a director of the Keystone Building and Loan Association and the Industrial Loan Corporation, Wilkes-Barre.
Fraternally active, Mr. Schwartzkopf is affiliated with Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Scran- ton ; }rem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; with Lodge No. 382, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the Fox Hill Country Club, and is a communicant of B'nai B'rith Synagogue.
Mr. Schwartzkopf married, in 1909, Corine Rosen- bluth, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Max and Rose Rosenbluth. His offices in Wilkes-Barre are in the Miners' Bank Building.
WILLIAM CHARLES BOYD-Secretary and treasurer of the Pressed Steel Company, William Charles Boyd has had a career of variety and interest. He was born at Avondale, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1881, son of William and Elizabeth Janet (Weir ) Boyd, descended through his mother from Mathew Miller Weir. The WVeirs are an old family in the Wyoming Valley, hav- ing opened the Gaylord Mine at Plymouth in early days. William Boyd was born in' 1850, at Ebervale, Pennsyl- vania. He engaged as merchant for many years at Wanamie, and died September 13, 1892. Elizabeth Janet (Weir) Boyd was born in Salem Township, Luzerne County, in 1857, and died November 24, 1024.
William Charles Boyd attended the public schools of Newport Township, Luzerne County; Peirce Business College of Philadelphia, and in 1902, when twenty years of age, began his career, first in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with which organization he continued six years. In 1908, leaving the Lehigh Valley, he became identified with the Stegmeier Brewing Com- pany, and continued with the company until 1917, when he became assistant auditor for Armour and Company. out of Wilkes-Barre. In 1919 he became secretary and treasurer of the Pressed Steel Company, with offices on North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, and has retained this position since, being one of the foremost executives engaged in pressed steel work in this part of the State. Mr. Boyd is a Republican, interests him- self in all movements designed for the improvement of general conditions in the Wyoming Valley, and is frater- nally active, being affiliated with Lodge No. 61, Free and Accented Masons; Caldwell Consistory, at Blooms- burg, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine: Lodge No. 867 of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; Maumee Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men ; and Lodge No. 100, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a communicant of the Puritan Con- gregational Church.
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