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 98
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
William Watkin Waters received his early education in the public schools of Nanticoke, and at the age of ten, entered the mines and was employed for eleven years in 'various occupations in the mining industry, becoming a full-fledged miner. At the age of twenty- one, he accepted a position with a rock contractor as time-keeper. During his mining career, he was the first man to operate an air-driven rock drill in the mines of this section. Having become interested in the first- aid work at the mines, he was filled with a desire to study medicine and to make this possible, he took a course and studied conscientiously with the Scranton Correspondence Schools and also tutored for four years with Professor John Davis. Having acquired the neces- sary credits for college entrance, he entered Bucknell Academy, Lewisburg, and took his pre-medical work, after which he matriculated at Jefferson Medical Col-
368
lege, Philadelphia, and applied himself to the difficult medical studies with great zeal and energy, graduating with the class of 1912, and receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He served his interneship at the North- western General Hospital, after which he came to Nanti- coke and opened his office, where he has ever since received the confidence and acclaim of his fellow-citizens. He is visiting surgeon at the Wilkes-Barre General Hos- pital and is a member of the County and State Medical societies and the American Medical Association. His fraternal affiliations are with Palestine Lodge, No. 470, of Philadelphia, Free and Accepted Masons; Nanticoke Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Mt. Horeb Council, No. 34, Royal and Select Masters; Keystone Consistory ; Dicu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar ; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; John Bunyan Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Phi Chi Greek Letter Fraternity of Jefferson College, Phila- delphia; Craftsman Club of Nanticoke; Junior Order United American Mechanics, of which he is a past officer ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Thespian Lodge, of Philadelphia ; Loyal Order of Moose, Nanticoke Lodge, No. 136, and the Nanticoke Kiwanis Club. He is an active member of the American Legion, Nanticoke Post, No. 350, and of the Irem Country Club. Dr. Waters' religious adherence is given to the First Baptist Church of Wilkes-Barre. He is honorary president of the Roosevelt Glee Club and president of the Women's Glee Club. During the World War, he enlisted in the Med- ical Corps of the United States Army, being stationed at the Army Medical School at Washington, District of Columbia, until his discharge from the service, in Janu- ary, 1918.
Dr. William Watkin Waters married (first), Septem- ber 24, 1913, Anna E. Owens, of Nanticoke, who died February 1, 1925. They were the parents of two daugh- ters, Marian Amy and Charlotte Jean, both students at Wilkes-Barre Institute. Dr. Waters married (second) Catharine Owens, sister of his first wife and they reside at No. 103 South Market Street, Nanticoke. Mrs. Owens is active in church work and is prominent also in the Order of the Eastern Star, the Daughters of America, and the Ladies' Auxiliary of Dicu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar.
JACKSON S. MILLER-Numbered among the foremost citizens of Plains is Jackson S. Miller, who was born in this community, September 10, 1891, son of Leonard W. Miller, born in 1849, engaged throughout his career as mortician and funeral director, and died in May, 1922, and Mary (Winterstein) Miller, native of Plains, born in 1861, now living.
Mr. Miller secured his academic instruction in the public schools of Plains, took his diploma from high school in 1916, and studied thereafter in the well-known Eckles School of Embalming, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1918. In that year he became asso- ciated with his father, Leonard W. Miller, who founded the business in 1879, and who, as cited, engaged long as mortician. Following his father's death in 1922 Mr. Miller assumed control of the establishment and has since conducted it under the style of his own name, dis- missing the style of L. W. Miller, by which it had been known for forty-three years. Here Mr. Miller carries a full line of modern equipment, and maintains one of the best appointed funeral homes in the Wilkes-Barre area. For two years he was president of the Luzerne County Funeral Directors' Association, and has continuously been active in its works. A Republican, he is deputy coroner of Plains, Parsons and Miners Mills, and affil- iated fraternally as follows: Member of Lodge No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; member of Parsons Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Junior Order United American Mechanics, and the Order of Eagles. He is a member also of the Lions' Club, International Club, Irem Temple Country Club, and the Municipal Club, and a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Jackson S. Miller married, August 10, 1919, Mae Mug- ford, of Parsons, daughter of William and Martha Mugford.
HUGH LESLIE-Elected chief of police of Ashley, Pennsylvania, in 1921, Hugh Leslie has guarded the security of his community since that time by a vigorous and efficient enforcement of its laws. Mr. Leslie had previously devoted himself to public service in various
other capacities and his support of any project designed to promote civic welfare and growth is always assured.
He was born September 11, 1863, in County Antrim, Ireland, a son of William Leslie, who was born in Ire- land and who died there in 1910, and of Elizabeth (Kil- patrick) Leslie, who was also born in Ireland, and who died in 1906. His father was a farmer until the time of his death. Hugh Leslie attended the public schools of Ireland and when he completed his education, began farming work which he continued for about five years. At the end of that time, he moved to Glasgow, Scot- land, acting as a member of the police force there for four years. In 1887, he came to the United States and settled in Ashley, where for a time he was a blacksmith and a stationary fireman, and later an engine hostler and extra fireman for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, in which capacity he was employed for fifteen years. He left this work to become justice of the peace at Ashley, later securing an appointment as deputy coro- ner, and serving for a term as burgess. Finally, in 1921, he was elected chief of police, which position he has continued to fill since that time.
Politically, Mr. Leslie is a member of the Republican party. He is affiliated fraternally with the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Malta, and with Lodge No. 689, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which organization he is Past Grand. He is a director of the People's State Bank of Newton, Hanover Township, Pennsylvania.
In 1884, Hugh Leslie married Mary Ovens, of Gree- nock, Scotland, a daughter of Alexander and Martha Ovens of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie are the par- ents of seven children : Elizabeth, Martha, now deceased ; Minnie, William, Agnes, Samuel, and Thomas H. Mr. Leslie and his family attend the Presbyterian Church.
HENRY MARION NEALE, M. D .- The fact that Dr. Henry Marion Neale of Freeland, was one of the crganizers of the State Hospital at Hazleton, and is the sole surviving member of the original board of trustees, a position he still retains, testifies to his long connection with medical affairs in Luzerne County. However, it does not disclose the esteem and respect he has gained in a half century of practice, and the many paramount positions of trust and responsibility he now holds in his community, professional and otherwise. Al- though he now (1928) has passed the three score and ten years allotted to man on this earth, he is the most industrious and conspicuous of Luzerne County's many celebrated practitioners, his duties encompassing service to many hospitals, mines, and other institutions, public and private. Dr. Neale, too, is a most convincing plat- form speaker, and his voice is often heard pleading for some worthy cause in this section of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Neale was born July 27, 1858, at New Haven, Connecticut, son of Martin H. and Martha Marian (Hitchcock) Neale. The mother is a descendant of one of the first settlers in New England, while the Neale family was founded in America by Jeremiah Neale, who migrated from County Tyrone, Ireland, to the United States, who was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and at the time of his death was widely and favorably known as a construction engineer, being a member of the engineering staff of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway. His son, Martin H. Neale, father of Dr. Neale, also was an engineer, and was, like his father, in the employ of the New Haven Rail- road.
Henry Marion Neale was given his early education in the public and academic schools, a training that later was enhanced by special studies at Trinity College, Hart- ford, Connecticut. At that stage of his life, Mr. Neale definitely decided upon the medical profession for his career, and thereupon matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, which graduated him in 1880. Graduation was followed by a period of interneship in Blockley Hos- pital, Philadelphia, after which Dr. Neale served eighteen months as ship surgeon, thereby gaining experience denied most young medical men. After severing his connections with the steamship company, the doctor launched into his independent practice at Upper Lehigh, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, following his profession there and at Freeland, his clientele having increased steadily until now he perhaps is the most popular and influential mem- ber of his profession in this community. Since locating in Pennsylvania, Dr. Neale has been called to assume charge of the medical work for many mines and other industrial concerns, and at the same time has toiled unremittingly in the operations of hospitals and other institutions, professional and otherwise. He is one of
369
the original trustees of the State Hospital at Hazleton, helped organize that institution and now is the only surviving member of its first board and for the last twelve years president of this board. He is a member of the staff and a director of the White Haven Sanato- rium for the Treatment of Tuberculosis, and a consulting physician at Mercy Hospital of Wilkes-Barre. Among his many other affiliations may be mentioned the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Science; Ameri- can Medical Association; Medical Association of Rail- way Surgeons; Luzerne County Medical Society, and Pennsylvania State Medical Society. Dr. Neale serves as chief surgeon for the Jeddo Highland Company, and the Hazle Brook Coal Company; also surgeon for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company for some years. It has been said that members of the medical profession are usually impractical in financial affairs, but such is not true in the case of Dr. Neale, who is a director of the First National Bank of Freeland, his colleagues thereiu having great confidence in his judgment and business acumen. Although Dr. Neale has (to quote an old saying) "many irons in the fire," he ever has been a conspicuous worker for civic progress and development, a familiar and valued member of the Kiwanis Club of Hazleton, and a popular brother in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. Neale married Adda L. Lysingring, and this union has been blessed by three children: 1. Mahlan Kem- merer, a mechanical engineer. 2. Joseph H., owner and operator of Freeland Bobbin Works. 3. Gertrude, mar- ried George B. Markle, of Hazleton. The doctor resides at Upper Lehigh, Pennsylvania.
LOT SEARCH-A lifelong resident of Union Township, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Lot Search was prominent for many years in the life of Shickshinny and the vicinity. Merchant, farmer, operator of a grist- mill and sawmill, there were few phases of the business life of the community with which he was not connected in his day, while he was frequently honored by election to various positions of public confidence and trust
The Search family is an old one in this part of Penn- sylvania, James Search, son of William and Mary ( McMasters) Search being among the pioneers of Nes- copeck, to which he came with his wife, who was Eliza- beth Moore. In later life he removed to what is now Hunlock Township, and there he died. His children were: I. William. 2. Polly, who married George Mil- ler. 3. Margaret, who married Jacob Miller. 4. Rachel, who became Mrs. Silas Harvey. 5. Lot, father of the subject of this record, said to have been the first white child born in Nescopeck Township. Lot Search. Sr., was a blacksmith by trade, spending most of his life in Union Township, where he died. He married Chris- tiana Fink, daughter of George Fink, of Union Township, and of this marriage several children were born: 1. Wil- liam. 2. George. 3. Lot. of whom further. 4. Ellen, who became Mrs. William Kremer. 5. Christiana, who married Jesse Wolf. 6. Elizabeth, who married A. C. Nicely. 7. Thomas.
Lot Search, second of the name, was born in Union Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1820. He attended local public schools, and at the age of sixteen, began work at a stone quarry near Shick- shinny. Soon afterwards, however, he became clerk in a general store, where his great business ability soon became apparent. When he was only nineteen vears old, he was made manager of a store at Beach Haven, Penn- sylvania, and before he had attained his majority, he established a general store one mile above the present site of Shickshinny, in association with his brother George W. Search. This arrangement continued in a very suc- cessful way for more than twelve years, and thereafter, for eight more years, Lot Search `was sole owner of the business. In the year 1855, Mr. Search was elected treasurer of Luzerne County, serving his term of two years in a highly efficient manner, and during this period he, with others, purchased the site where Shickshinny now stands. In 1858. he opened another general store, in Shickshinny, which he operated for five years, and finally, in 1865, with his brother, George W. Search, he erected the gristmill and sawmill in Shickshinny, to which he was to devote his energy and attention for 30 long a period of time. In addition to this work, from 1869 to 1889, he engaged extensively in the raising of grain.
Politically, a member of the Democratic party, Mr. Search was always active in civic affairs, contributing liberally to the support of any movement which he considered to have for its ends the growth and welfare
of the community. In addition to serving as treasurer of Luzerne County for two years he was, from 1848 to 1856, postmaster of Shickshinny, and on several occasions he gave, for public improvements, properties which he owned. The Shickshinny railroad station and one of the school buildings stand on land which came to the town through his gift, together with the three others who owned the original town.
Lot Search was twice married, (first) to Rosaline Gordon, daughter of James A. and Hannah ( Wall) Gor- don, of Wilkes-Barre, and of this marriage four children were born: 1. Emily, who became Mrs. Warrick Mi !- ler. 2. Mary B., who married W. B. Poust. 3. Frances T. 4. Millennia D. Mr. Search married (second) Elizabeth Fellows, daughter of Andrus Fellows, who was born at Waterton, Huntington Township, in Luzerne County, May 16, 1792, and of Sallie (Smith) Fellows. The Fellows family is an old and very prominent one in this country, William Fellows coming to America aboard the ship "Planter" as early as 1635. By his second marriage Mr. Search was the father of two chil- dren: 1. Florence, who married Charles P. Campbell. 2. May M. Both sisters have been prominent in various community activities, and in the work of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in which organization they hold membership.
Lot Search died in Shickshinny, March 26, 1910, in the ninetieth year of his age. His long life, so notable in achievement, so distinguished in helpful service, came to a close in the community which gave to him high place in its esteem, and many honors, but only with his passing, perhaps, did it come to realize the extent of its deep affection for him and the constant value of his presence.
ROBERT O. KOONS, M. D .- Shickshinny has been fortunate in its medical men. Here are physicians of broadest training and most extended experience, one of whom is Dr. Robert O. Koons who, though he has engaged in practice within the Shickshinny area less than a decade (1928), has built up an extended clientele and is accounted a foremost figure in movements of citizen- ship. His record is of interest, and is presented, in cur- tailed form.
Native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Koons was born at Conyngham, Luzerne County, May 12, 1875, member of a family old in the history of this county. His father, Edward L. Koons, born at New Columbus, Pennsy !- vania, 1835, had an active career at business, notably as a salesman, and died May 20, 1918. His mother, Flor- ence (Ottens) Koons, was born at Conyngham, April 4, 1856, and survives her husband.
In the public schools Dr. Koons secured a sound aca- demic basis for more advanced studies. He attended Hazleton Seminary, in which he was of the class of 1893. and matriculated in the fall of that year at Bucknell College, from which he took the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1897. Meanwhile his taste for science and the profession of medicine had increased to the point where it could not be denied, and accordingly he chose medicine as a life's work, becoming a student of medicine in the University of Pennsylvania. He took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1900, at the age of twenty-five years, and of more recent times has studied as post- graduate student at the Polyclinic hospitals of Phila- delphia and New York City. Dr. Koons commenced in active practice at his native town, Conyngham, and there continued engaged generally in affairs of the profession until 1920, save for that period during which he served the country in the World War. When the United States entered the war he took service with the Medical Corps, and was stationed at Raritan Arsenal and Camp Greenleaf, with the commission of first lieutenant. Dis- charged honorably April 1, 1919, he resumed the course of his profession, in Conyngham. But in 1920 he came to Shickshinny, and here has engaged in practice since. He is a member of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania State and American Medical associations; was for a year member and secretary of the school board of Shick- shinny; belongs to the American Legion, and is affil- iated with the Free and Accepted Masons, as member of Lodge No. 327, at Hazleton, Mount Vernon Com- mandery, Knights Templar, No. 73, Hazleton, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a communicant of the Lutheran Church.
Dr. Koons married, in 1915, Helen J. Leonard, of Montgomery, Pennsylvania, daughter of Sumner J. and Ermina (Smith) Leonard. Their children are: I. John K., born May 15, 1918. 2. Constance, born September 15. 1919.
370
HUGH J. LENAHAN, M. D .- While the practice of medicine is not now so arduous as it was in the early pioneer days, when the doctor had to drive over a wide territory to minister to the ills of a scattered population, and had only horse-drawn vehicles in which to travel, the modern physician is still the servant of the public, probably more than the members of any other profes- sion or business ; subject at all times to every beck and call. Often at night for trivial ailments, he gives of himself regardless of personal discomfort or sacrifice which, only too often, awakens no response of apprecia- tion. Then, too, the rapid advances being made in the knowledge of physical functions, the nature of diseases and therapeutic agents and measures, make exacting demands upon the physician who would keep abreast of modern progress. Dr. Hugh J. Lenahan is such a physician, as is well known to present-day readers of this work; but the fact is worth recording for the bene- fit of coming generations of descendants and others to whom this history will he especially valuable.
Dr. Lenahan was born in Sugar Notch, December 21, 1881, son of Anthony and Catherine ( McGowan) Lena- han. Both parents came to America from County Mayo, Ireland and are now deceased. The father lived to the age of sixty-two, and after coming to Pennsylvania worked in the mines until his death.
Dr. Hugh J. Lenahan made his preparation for col- lege in the local schools and then matriculated at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in the class of 1905 with the degree Doc- tor of Medicine. This was followed by a year in prac- tical work as interne in Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, and in 1906, Dr. Lenahan settled in Pittston and began the private practice of his profession. The fact that Dr. Lenahan is now president . of the staff of the Pittston Hospital is all the commentary necessary to indicate the place he has won in the esteem of his profession and of the general public. He is surgeon of the Pennsylvania Coal Company and formerly held that position with the Lehigh Valley Railroad. During the World War, Dr. Lenahan served on the Exemption Board of District No. I, Luzerne County. He is a member of the New York and New England Surgeons' associations, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fox Hill Country Club, St. Aloysius Temperance Society, and of the County and State Medical societies and the American Medical Association.
On June 25, 1908, Dr. Lenahan married Alice Don- nelly of Pittston. From this union the following chil- dren have been born : Ellen Donnelly, Catherine Frances, Hugh James and Frank. The family are members of St. John's Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Lenahan is active in many of the local women's organizations. includ- ing the United Charities and the women's work con- nected with the hospital. The family residence is at No. 107 York Avenue, West Pittston.
GEORGE W. MITCHELL-Born in Jenkins Township, Luzerne County, July 8, 1849, George W. Mitchell is a son of John and Isabelle ( Smith) Mitchell. His father, native of Scotland, was born in 1816, and as a young man came to the United States, taking residence in Plains, where he engaged at work in the mines. and died December 6, 1883. His mother, who was born at Sidney, Nova Scotia, in 1820, died in 1878.
In the schools of Plains Township, and Harvey, George W. Mitchell secured his education, and for sev- eral years engaged in farming, in association with his father. Thereafter he formed a partnership with his hrother. Robert C. Mitchell, under the firm style of Mitchell Brothers, general contractors. This endured with prosperity for ten years, after which Mr. Mitchell returned to farming, also carrying on as contractor independently, under the style of his own name. In 1918 he retired, and has made his home in Plains through the years that have followed. Here he is a citizen of prominence. For one term he served as director of the poor. A Republican, he supports the principles and candidates of the party consistently, and is a com- municant of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George W. Mitchell married, in 1885, Anna D. Wor- rell, of Plains, daughter of Elwood and Emily Worrell. Their children are: 1. Ralph B. 2. Donald W. 3. Jean, wife of Dorrance Beyea. and mother of two chil- dren: Nancy and Benjamin Dorrance. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have also two other grandchildren : Jane Cos- grove and Mary Louise, children of Ralph the eldest.
GEORGE C. LEWIS-As a dairy farmer, George C. Lewis, of Lehman, Luzerne County, has attained much
prominence in his community. After some eleven years of timber cutting and hauling, Mr. Lewis took up agricul- ture, and for a quarter of a century had a farm and dairy at Hanover, Luzerne County. In 1924 he removed to his present estate of eighty-four acres in Lehman Township, where he has a herd of finely-bred cows, together with four horses and the equipment of a truly model farm and dairy.
Mr. Lewis was born in Sweet Valley, Luzerne County, July 24, 1870, the son of William and Katheryn (Sands) Lewis, and grandson of Asa E. Lewis, whose history will be found elsewhere in this volume. Following his early education in the public schools of Sweet Valley, Mr. Lewis went to Center County, in this State, where he worked for about eleven years at timber cutting and hauling. He then returned to this county and took up farming in Hanover Township. For twenty-five years he operated his farm there, raising some vegetables and operating a dairy. In 1914 he purchased his present farm in Lehman Township, with much success. Mr. Lewis is a member of the local Grange, and his religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.