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 95
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In Baltimore, Maryland, on August 12, 1918, Tom Hart married Edna C. Callahan, daughter of J. H. and Sarah ( McGarigle) Callahan. They have three children : Mary Claire, Margaret Ann, and Thomas Gordon.
GEORGE J. DURBIN-With the exception of the period of time during which he was away at school and at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, George J. Dur- bin has spent his life in the place of his birth, Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Since 1896 he has been the proprietor of a prosperous pharmaceutical business of his own, located now (1928) at No. 139 East Main Street, in Plymouth, and he is also a member of the board of directors of the Plymouth National Bank.
George J. Durbin was born in Plymouth, Pennsyl- vania, November 3, 1872, son of John Durbin, a native of England, born in 1842, a miner by occupation, who died in 1922, and of Anna (Edgell) Durbin, also born in England, in 1845, who survives her husband. Began work when twelve years old and after attending the public schools, including the high school, Mr. Durbin continued study in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania, and then began preparation for his chosen work by entering the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895, receiving the degree of Graduate Pharmacist. For a year after graduation he was in the employ of R. D. Williams, a pharmacist here in Plymouth, but on Janu- ary 1, 1896, when he was twenty-four years of age. he began business for himself at No. 133 East Main Street, where-he continued until 1904, when he built the structure in which he is now located, at No. 139 East Main Street. This building includes his home and his store and is planned to meet his special needs. He carries a general line of drugs, cosmetics, perfumes, etc, also stationery, and holds the agency for the Rexall patent medicines, the Eastman kodaks and kodak supplies, and the United Cigar Company products for Plymouth. Mr. Durbin has for many years been one of the well-known business men of this city, and at the present time he is serving as treasurer of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the board of directors of the Ply- mouth National Bank, which position he has filled since 1918, and he is one of the active and progressive men of the city. In fraternal circles he is well and favorably known. He is a member of Lodge No. 332, Free and Accepted Masons; of the local Commandery, Knights Templar; and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also Craftsman Club of Wilkes-Barre. He is also a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Plymouth Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows ; his club is the Kiwanis Club, and he is treasurer of the Crippled Children Fund of same. Mr. Durbin is a man who is well liked among his business associates and by those with whom he is associated in social, civic, fraternal, and religious activities, and his many patrons find him a skilled and obliging pharmacist. His religious
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affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he serves as a member of the official board.
George J. Durbin was married, in September, 1898, to Clara May Nesbit, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, daugh- ter of Charles S. and Myra Nesbit, and they are the parents of six children: 1. Willard N., who took a course in engineering in Bucknell University, at Lewis- burg, Pennsylvania. 2. John C., who is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State College, where he received the degree of Electrical Engineer. 3. Marian, who is a graduate of Dr. Arnold's School of Physical Education .. at New Haven, Connecticut; married Albert B. Llewellyn, and has a son, Albert Llewellyn. 4. Louise, who is a grad- uate of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Normal School. in Ruth, a graduate of Cedar Crest College, at Allentown, Pennsylvania. 6. George, Jr., who is a student in Ply- mouth High School, and was manager of the 1927 Ply- mouth High School Football Team. Mr. and Mrs. Dur- bin have three grandchildren, Albert Llewellyn, men- tioned above, and Mary Lou and Ruth May Durbin, deceased.
JOHN R. HESSEL, one of the active members of the Luzerne County bar, has been engaged in general legal practice here since 1914, and-whose offices are located at No. 908 Coal Exchange Building, in Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Hessel is a graduate of the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania, and is assistant district attorney for Luzerne County. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Dime Bank Title and Trust Company.
John Hessel, father of Mr. Hessel, was born at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and came to Wilkes- Barre in 1868. He received his education in the public schools of Philadelphia. He was the first real estate broker of Wilkes-Barre, where for fifty years he was one of the leading citizens. He was an earnest supporter of the Republican party throughout his life, and one of the active and prominent members of the Memorial Pres- byterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, of which he was an official and which he served for many years as an elder. He died at the age of seventy-three years. He married Jane Swank, and to them was born six sons : William T., Philip S., James T., Edward E., Albert C., and John R., of further mention.
John R. Hessel, son of John and Jane (Swank ) Hessel, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1889, and grew up in this city. He graduated from the Wilkes-Barre High School in 1910, and the same year entered the Law Department of the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1913. receiving at that time the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the Luzerne County bar in 1914, and since that time has been successfully engaged in general practice at No. 908 Coal Exchange Building. Mr. Hessel has always been a loyal and public-spirited citizen, giving his allegiance to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and serving the gen- eral welfare in every possible way. He was a candidate for the State Legislature in 1920, and at the present time (1929) is first assistant district attorney for Luzerne County. He is a director of F. Hessel Company of New York City; of Pingolet Instrument Company, of New York City; and of MacLean Sporting Goods Store, Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Hessel is a member of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons: Dieu le Veut Com- mandery, Knights Templar; Consistory, thirty-second degree; and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre, of which he is assistant Raban. In 1918 Mr. Hessel joined the 312th Coast Artillery Corps, and was located at Camp Eustis, Virginia, and at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. He was mustered out of service at Camp Dix, New Jersey, in 1919, after the close of the World War. In addition to the professional activities already mentioned Mr. Hes- sel is vice-president and a member of the board of direc- tors of the Dime Bank Title and Trust Company of Wilkes-Barre, and his legal knowledge, as well as his business acumen and sound judgment are of recognized value in the conduct of the business of the bank. He is a member of Sigma Phi Sigma college fraternity, and while a student in the University of Pennsylvania was a member of the college football team. He is also a mem- ber of Franklin Club and Craftsman Club. He retains his interest in out-of-door sports and in all athletics, and his associates find in him an interesting and enthusiastic com- panion. Mr. Hessel has a host of friends in Wilkes- Barre, where the greater part of his life has been spent. Mr. Hessel married, March 11, 1927, Mary B. Dasch, of Wilkes-Barre.
ALBERT H. GABRIEL, M. D .- In Plymouth, Pennsylvania, Dr. Albert H. Gabriel has become known as one of the skilled and able of the younger physicians of the community, and his practice has grown rapidly during the seven years in which he has been located here. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, and has his offices at No. 418 West Main Street, here in Plymouth. Though he was born in New York City, his father is a native of Plymouth, and his family is well known here.
Charles Van Loon Gabriel, father of Dr. Gabriel, was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1859, and after completing his preparatory course became a student in Princeton University, at Princeton, New Jersey, from which he graduated in 1882. He then studied law in the Law School of Columbia University, and since the com- pletion of his course there has been engaged in general legal practice. He has been successful in his chosen profession and has won the respect of his associates in every walk in life. He married Emma Rupple, a native of New York City, who died in February, 1904.
Dr. Albert H. Gabriel, son of Charles Van Loon and Emma (Rupple) Gabriel, was born in New York City, October 4, 1893, and received his early education in the public schools of Montclair, New Jersey. He prepared for college in the Princeton Preparatory School at Princeton, New Jersey, graduating with the class of 1913, and then entered the Medical School of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he fin- ished his medical course in 1920, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During 1920-21 he served his in- terneship in Mercy Hospital, at Wilkes-Barre, Penn- sylvania, and in 1921 he opened his office here in Plym- outh, where he has since been engaged in general practice. He is well known in this vicinity and is taking care of a practice which is larger each year. He is a member of Mercy Hospital staff, the Luzerne County Medical Soci- ety, of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association, and is also identified with the D. Hayes Agnew Surgical Society. In his politi- cal sympathies he is a Republican, and fraternally, he is identified with Beta Theta Pi College Fraternity, Nu Sigma Nu Medical Fraternity, the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and his religious 'member- ship is with St. Vincent's Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Albert H. Gabriel was married, June 29, 1921, to Mary Parker Foulkes, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, daugh- ter of Thomas and Margaret (Thomas) Foulkes, and they make their home in Plymouth. They have no children.
BURTON A. WEIL, M. D .- For over eight years Dr. Burton A. Weil has been practicing as a physician in Plymouth, and during that time he has taken his place among the successful and progressive men of the medical profession in this part of Luzerne County. A graduate of Jefferson Medical College, he supplemented his training there with practical experience in the Moses Taylor Hospital, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in the Manhattan Maternity Hospital, in New York City, and then came to Plymouth, where his offices are located at No. 151/2 West Main Street.
Born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1895, Dr. Burton A. Weil is a son of Isaac A. Weil, a native of Wilkes-Barre, born in 1862, who was engaged as a merchant here in Plymouth, where he died in February, 1909, and of Liva S. (Van Loon) Weil, who was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, in 1873, and is still living here (1928). As a boy he attended the public schools of his hirthplace, including Plymouth High School, and then entered Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsyl- vania. When ready to begin professional training, he matriculated in Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and upon graduation with the class of 1919 he received his medical degree. After fifteen months of practical experience in Moses Taylor Hospital, at Scran- ton, Pennsylvania, he still further enlarged his practical preparation for independent practice by serving another interneship in the Manhattan Maternity Hospital in New York City, where he remained for three months, com- pleting a total hospital experience of eighteen months. In October, 1920, he opened an office for general practice in Plymouth, and he has since been continuously engaged here. He is a member of the staff of Nesbitt Hospital, at Kingston, and both in his private and his hospital practice he has made for himself a reputation as a skilled practitioner and a physician who is faithful to all trusts committed to him. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and a Fellow of the American Medical Asso-
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ciation, and the Ptolemy Society, and is well known among his fellow members of the profession. Frater- nally, he holds membership in Phi Alpha Sigma medical fraternity, also in Theta Nu Epsilon fraternity, and in Alpha Omega Alpha honorary fraternity; and he is a member of Lodge No. 332, Free and Accepted Masons ; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Junior Order United American Mechanics, and the American Legion, being eligible to membership in the last-mentioned organization by virtue of four months' service in the Student Army Training Corps, while at Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, during the World War.
Dr. Burton A. Weil was married, in June, 1925, to Dorothy Fidell, of Jersey City, New Jersey, daughter of Edwin and Florence Fidell. Their home is at No. 145 Gaylord Avenue, in Plymouth.
HAROLD WEIL-Inheriting the active manage- ment of the business founded in Plymouth by his grand- father, in 1875, and continued by his father, Isaac A. Weil, until his death in February, 1909, Harold Weil has come to a position of high regard in the commercial field of this section of Pennsylvania, his native district. During the interval between the death of his father and his reaching man's estate, his mother conducted the estab- lishment for the family, and the boy imbibed a pre- liminary business education from association with that excellent example. Thus is the third generation of this family having its record of business accomplishment maintained by one who has shown an ability that will reflect credit on his own industrious application and his absorption of the work he has been called upon to do by attention to details under competent instruction. He is a young man of attractive personality, who makes friends and holds them, a citizen of value to the community which he serves in its commercial, fraternal, religious and social fields.
Mr. Weil was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1901, his father being Isaac A. Weil and his mother Liva S. (Van Loon) Weil. The father was a native of Wilkes-Barre, born in 1862, the mother of Plymouth, born here in 1873 and still living. Although almost two decades have passed since Isaac A. Weil filled his accus- tomed places in the life of Plymouth, there remains in the minds and hearts of those who knew him the recol- lection of a man of admirable qualities, who made many friends and held them by the virtues of sincerity and dependability that are the essence of friendship. His loyalty to Plymouth found expression in many works of public benefit, in public-spirited activity for the common good that aided in the development and upbuilding of the community. That the name of Weil represents in Ply- mouth all that is good in citizenship and in private life is due in no small measure to the upright, well-directed career of Isaac A. Weil.
Harold Weil acquired his education in the public schools here and was graduated from high school, after- ward taking the commercial course at Wyoming Semi- nary. Upon leaving that institution he entered the busi- ness established by his grandfather and was made man- ager, later being elevated to the general management and relieving his mother of the responsibility. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Plymouth. In the fraternal order of Masonry he holds the thirty-second degree, being affiliated with Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine ; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar; Lodge No. 332, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to the Kiwanis Club, Shawnee Club, Junior Order United American Mechanics, and Fire Company No. I. The Weil store, dealers in home furnishing goods and women's apparel, is located at No. 19 West Main Street, Plymouth.
Harold Weil married, July 24, 1923, Grace M. Downs, daughter of Thomas and Mary Downs, of Plymouth. They are the parents of two children: 1. Jean Liva, bern May 28, 1924. 2. Grace Mary, born June 22, 1925.
HENRY S. JONES-It is safe to assert that there is no public service more important than that performed by the educator ; yet the majority of the public has little understanding or appreciation of what his work involves or implies. Reference is not made here to broad training and superior moral qualities, which are taken for granted, but to the great responsibility to pupils and the com- munity, State and Nation. Teaching is one of the few vocations in adopting which financial possibilities are not
a decisive factor. There are few educators whose abilities would not command larger remuneration in the world of business. But, as Ira Remsen once said: "There is some- thing more important than making a living-making a life." True education does not consist in merely impart- ing information, as so many assume, but, rather, in train- ing the mind to think, to apply itself effectively in analyz- ing and solving the problems of life; in inculcating lofty ideals of personal responsibility to society. The educator has it in his or her power in large measure to shape the characters and view points of the citizens of tomorrow, into whose hands the destiny of the nation will fall. The opinion is current in Plymouth that the borough is fortunate in having a native son, Henry S. Jones, as its superintendent of schools.
Mr. Jones was born in Plymouth July 26, 1884, son of John S. and Catharine (Harris) Jones. The father was born in Wales, followed the occupation of stationary engineer for many years and is now living retired from active work. Mr. Jones' mother was born in Danville in 1853 and died in 1888. Henry S. Jones attended the gram- mar and high schools of Plymouth, graduating from the latter in 1902. He then matriculated at Bucknell Univer- sity, from which he was graduated with the class of 1906 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Always a lover of children and youth, and ambitious to do work of perma- nent, constructive value, he adopted the vocation of teach- ing, and for the first two years after his graduation from college was employed in this capacity in the Plymouth High School. He was then elected principal of that school, and during the next seven years demonstrated such executive and administrative ability that in 1926 he was elected superintendent of schools of the borough. The present modern high school building was erected in 1925. It contains thirty-five classrooms, a capacious audi- torium and a well equipped gymnasium, with chemical and biological laboratories and a department for the prac- tical teaching of home economics. There is also a well equipped manual training room. In 1928 the school's enrollment numbered four hundred and ninety.
Mr. Jones is a Republican, a member of the Kiwanis Club and of the Knights of Pythias, which order honored him with the Grand Chancellorship of the State in 1921. He is also identified with the Junior Order United Ameri- can Mechanics and the Patriotic Order Sons of America. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Association of Teachers and a member of the National Education Association. He is a member of Plymouth Fire Com- pany No. I.
In 1908 Henry S. Jones married Cecelia Lewis, daugh- ter of Daniel B. and Elizabeth Lewis of Plymouth. From this union five children have been born: 1. Elizabeth H., born November 10, 1909. 2. Catharine C., born July 23, 1915. 3. Henry L., born December 9, 1917. 4. Merlin E., born, April 1, 1921. Bennett, who was born February 20, 1913, is now deceased.
WILLIAM CLIFTON STIFF, M. D .- In Plym- outh, Pennsylvania, Dr. William Clifton Stiff, whose offices are located at No. 118 East Main Street, has been prominent as a successful physician for many years, and he has the unusual distinction of having served with hon- ors through two wars, the Spanish-American War and the World War. In the latter conflict he served overseas, taking part in all the engagements of the 3d Division, in- cluding the Second Battle of the Marne, St. Mihiel, and the Argonne, and accompanied his division to Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and also has special cita- tions from General Pershing. His Victory Medal bears a silver star for the citation and seven bars, one each for the various important engagements in which he served. At the time of the signing of the Armistice he held the rank of maior.
Dr. William Clifton Stiff was born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1879, son of Charles Wesley Stiff, a carriage painter, born in Bloomsburg, Pennsyl- vania, in 1852, died in August, 1916, and of Maria Beacham ( Miller) Stiff, a native of Danville, Pennsyl- vania, born in 1854, who is still living (1928). Dr. Stiff attended the public schools of Wyoming, and West Pitt- ston High School, and then prepared for active life by taking a course in Wood's Business College, in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1898, when he was not yet twenty years of age, the Spanish-American War some- what changed his plans, for, like hundreds of the youth of the land, the helpless condition of the Cubans, as well as the desire for adventure made him anxious for service, and he enlisted as a private in Company B, 9th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served through the months
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of that brief conflict rising to the rank of corporal. When the war was over he secured a position in a pharmacy, but after working there for a period of two years, he decided to become a physician, and began professional study in the Maryland Medical College, at Baltimore, Maryland. In 1903 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that college, and served his interneship in Franklin Square Hospital, at Baltimore. When his in- terneship was finished he engaged in practice in Plym- outh, Pennsylvania, and for twenty-five years he has been successfully ministering to the needs of a large clientele here. He conducts a general practice, and he has long since established a reputation of which any member of his profession may well be proud. While still a student in college, during the vacation periods of 1901-02 he endeared himself to the people of Plymouth and vicinity by "standing by" during the smallpox epi- demic in Larksville Borough, Plymouth Township, and his entire professional life has fulfilled the promise of those early months of faithful service.
When the World War broke out in Europe, and the prospect of the entrance of this country into the conflict began to loom threateningly, Dr. Stiff, in common with many others who had served as young men under Colonel Roosevelt in the Spanish-American War, at once placed himself in correspondence with his old friend and hero, "Teddy" Roosevelt, and offered his services in case the United States entered the war, hoping that he might serve under that beloved commander. When this country did declare war and ex-President Roosevelt, the hero of a nation and of the world, was refused participation, Dr. Stiff applied for a commission in the Medical Reserve Corps. He was commissioned a first lieutenant, and. en- tered upon active service at Camp Colt, Gettysburg, August 10, 1917. Later, he was assigned to the 7th United States Infantry, Regular Army, and accompanied that regiment to Camp Greene, Charlotte, North Caro- lina, later, in France, being advanced to the rank of captain in January, 1918. The 7th Regiment became a part of the 3d Division, which sailed for France on April 7, 1918, landing at Brest, France, April 16, 1918, and reaching the front in time to take part in the Second Battle of the Marne, thus helping to stop the advance of the Germans upon the city of Paris. So well did the 3d Division acquit itself upon this memorable historic occa- sion that it became known as the "Rock of the Marne" Division, an epithet which it fairly earned and which it continued to deserve throughout the war. The division took part along the St. Mihiel and the Argonne fronts and is credited with more front line service than any other of the divisions of the American Expeditionary Forces. After the signing of the Armistice, when the Army of Occupation went into Germany the 3d Division was part of that army of peaceful occupation and was stationed at the headquarters at Coblenz, Germany. Dr. Stiff personally served with his division in all of the en- gagements and activities mentioned above. He was made regimental surgeon, November 8, 1918, and was advanced to the rank of major, November 11, 1918. Later, he was recommended for advancement to the rank of lieutenant- colonel by the commanding officer of the 7th Regiment of Infantry, 3d Division, and after his return to this country he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, which token of appreciation was pinned in its proper place by Major-General Sladen, the ceremony taking place in the historic office of West Point, where General Sladen was commandant, he having been Dr. Stiff's brigade com- mander during the entire period of the doctor's service. Dr. Stiff also received special citations from General Pershing, and the silver star on his Victory Medal stands for citation, while the seven bars indicate the number of important points at which he served. He was the only field officer who, from the time the division was formed. served through every front line action and continued with the Army of Occupation in Germany, without ever hav- ing been absent from his division. He has the deep and sincere respect and esteem of his many military associ- ates, as well as of those who know him only in the regu- lar contacts of his professional practice.
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