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 VI > Part 101
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Mr. Cohen takes a lively interest in every question that concerns the well-being of the city. He is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 345, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Keystone Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite at Scranton. He is also iden- tified with Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Wilkes-Barre Craftsman's Club, the Fox Hill Country Club, Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Furniture Club of America, and a member and director of the Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, and of the Young Men's Hebrew Association.
On August 27, 1912, Joel Cohen married Gussie Frankel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Frankel, of West Pittston. From this union four children have been born: May- nard, Miriam, Joel, Jr., and Anne. The fam- ily residence is at No. 29 Terrace Street.
JOHN H. BOSACK-Character of high order, a strong physique and dauntless courage are a few of the attributes that have brought success to one of the busy business men of Wilkes-Barre, who came to the United States from Slovakia, where he was born, in 1890 and settled in this State-John H. Bosack, manufacturer and merchant. In his active life of more than thirty years in his adopted land, he has labored with his hands as well as his brains and has made for himself a record and a name of which the community may be proud. His constant advance in his business has proved him to be a man of high worth, his pleasing personality bringing to him a host of friends, both commercial and social.
J. H. Bosack was born in Slovakia, Decem- ber 21, 1869, son of Andrew and Mary Bosack, both now deceased. The lure of America brought him to this country when he was twenty-four years of age and he settled at Olyphant, Lackawanna County, where he went to work as a miner. Leaving this original employment, he established a grocery busi- ness at Luzerne, Luzerne County, which he conducted for a considerable period, when he broadened his sphere of action by engaging
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in the wholesale liquor business. This he conducted until 1914. In the meantime he had invented Bosack's Poluiko Horke Vino Medicinal Tonic, in Wilkes-Barre, and later manufacturing Mint Lax Chewing Laxative Gum. He is the sole proprietor of the J.
H. Bosack Product Company, wholesale dealers and manufacturers, of Wilkes-Barre.
In politics Mr. Bosack is a Democrat, in religion a Roman Catholic, being a member of the Sacred Heart Slovak Church of Wilkes-Barre. He also holds membership in the St. John's First Slovak Catholic Union, of Trinity Slovak Catholic Union, and has served as vice-president of the Pennsylvania Slovak and Greek Catholic Unions.
John H. Bosack married Mary Yurkanin, of Ashley, Luzerne County. Their children are: Margaret S., John H., Jr., and Charles.
CHARLES H. WEISSMAN-Less than twenty years ago a young Russian emigrant landed on Ellis Island, New York, penniless, with no knowledge of the language of this country, but with a determination to make his way. Today he is one of the leading citizens of Wilkes-Barre, a business man of highest repute, prominent in civic, fraternal and religious affairs, a hustling, bustling example of what an indomitable perseverance and unflagging industry may do for the possessor. This emigrant boy was Charles H. Weissman, now general manager of the Wilkes-Barre plant of the American Auto Accessories Company, one of the most pros- perous concerns of its class in the Wyoming Valley, with branches in Scranton, Pittston and Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
Charles H. Weissman was born in Russia, August 16, 1888, a son of Nathan and Chie Weissman, deceased. The boy, one of nine children of his parents, all of whom except three are deceased, was educated in Russia and when he had reached the age of twenty- one years he came to America, settling first in New York City, penniless but determined to correct that misfortune by hard work. He made a living, no more, and in two years came to Wilkes-Barre to seek better fortune. It came in the shape of employment in a wholesale jewelry house here at a moment when his funds amounted to twenty cents in cash. He was learning the difficult lan- guage of the land of his adoption and he was advancing in business. Within five years he had gone so far that he was able to engage in the business of automobile acces- sories, an occupation that was to be his future work. By stages he has risen to his present important position. He was very active in the work of gathering contributions for the erection of the new building for the Young Men's Christian Association in Wilkes- Barre, by which $800,000 were obtained, although he is a Hebrew and now president of the Wilkes-Barre Hebrew Institute. He holds membership in all of the important civic societies of the city and also belongs to the Young Men's Hebrew Association, the Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Fox Hill Country Club, the Wilkes-Barre Automobile Club and the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Weissman married, August 16, 1910, Fannie Tannenbaum, of Nanticoke, Pennsyl- vania. They are the parents of three chil- dren: Mazie Esther, Regina and Oscar. .
GEORGE YESKO-The history of this State is replete with accounts of self-made men, who, by their ambition and industry have risen to positions of prominence in their different communities. The city of Wilkes-
Barre is particularly fortunate to claim as one of its important citizens, George Yesko, the genial treasurer of the Liberty State Bank and Trust Company, who started his business career as office boy with the Dela- ware and Hudson Coal Company.
Mr. Yesko was born on March 19, 1890, in that part of Austria which is now Czecho- Slovakia, son of Paul and Mary Yesko. Paul Yesko came to the United States in 1890 and later returned to his native land where he died. Mrs. Yesko came to Luzerne County with her family in 1900 and they took up their residence at Miners Mills in this county.
George Yesko was educated in the public schools of the county, and after high school. entered a business college at Hoboken, New Jersey. Upon the completion of his course. he returned to Luzerne County, obtaining a position with the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company, as office-boy at their Baltimore Colliery Plant. His ability and courteous dis- position soon won him advancement and he was promoted to the position of chief col- liery clerk. Continuing to advance success- fully, he decided to venture into independent business, consequently, in 1919, he opened a real estate office in Wilkes-Barre, which he operated profitably until 1920, when he was elected cashier of the Liberty Bank which had just been organized. In this capacity he served with great courtesy and tact and be- came a popular figure in financial circles. When the bank obtained a State charter in 1923 and the name changed to that of the Liberty State Bank and Trust Company, Mr. Yesko was elected treasurer, being one of the youngest men to hold such a responsible position in the city. In politics, Mr. Yesko has always followed the principles of the Republican party in which he has taken an active part since reaching his majority. Al- ways interested in civic affairs, he is an energetic supporter of all movements for the advancement and improvement of his city. In fraternal circles, he is prominently identified with the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose and Wilkes-Barre Council, No. 302, Knights of Columbus. He also is a member of the Monarch Club and several Polish fra- ternities. In religious affiliations, he is a member of the Catholic Church.
George Yesko married, on June 18, 1913, Mary Switch, daughter of Michael Switch, and they have two children, Betty M. . and Elmer G.
ALBERT R. FEINBERG, M. D .- Conduct- ing a general medical practice in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, Albert R. Feinberg, M. D., has come to be regarded as one of the city's most trusted physicians and leaders in the professional world. Combining a natural skill in diagnosis and treatment of disease with a manner essentially calm, gentle and kind, Dr. Feinberg is thus fitted for a place of preëminence in the field of medicine; and the work that he does in this city is a most valuable one. Especially since he is a native of this place, he has come to be regarded as a most desirable type of man to have asso- ciated with the medical profession locally; and at the same time has been invited upon numerous occasions to participate to a marked extent in the social and civic life of his city and county.
Dr. Feinberg was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1899, a son of Louis
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and Anna (Robins) Feinberg. His father, born in Russia in 1875, was formerly a mer- chant in Mount Carmel, although he is now retired from active life; while the mother, Anna (Rohins) Feinberg, is a native of New York City. Albert R. Feinberg received his early education in the public schools of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, and went to the high school there, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1917. He then became a student at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, where he took two years of pre- medical work, and entered Jefferson Medical College, in the same city, from which he was graduated in the class of 1924 with the de- gree of Doctor of Medicine. His interneship he served at the Allentown General Hospital, where he remained for a year. Since that time he has practiced in Wilkes-Barre, hav- ing been engaged in a general line of medical work and having established a practice that is deservedly large.
Dr. Feinberg has shown every inclination to keep in touch with all the newest develop- ments in his profession, and he is close to the activities of his colleagues in the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medi- cal Association. In his political views, he maintains a policy of independence, pre- ferring to vote for the candidates of his choice rather than to ally himself blindly with either of the existing major parties. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons, in which he is identified with Lodge No. 61; a director of the Young Men's Hebrew Association; Hebrew Institute of Wilkes- Barre, and a member of the Fox Hill Country Club. He belongs to the 109th Field Artillery, National Guard. Dr. Feinberg is a member of Temple Israel Synagogue.
THOMAS BUTKIEWICZ-One of the best known men of the legal profession in Lu- zerne County is Thomas Butkiewicz, whose main office is in the courthouse, at Wilkes- Barre. Mr. Butkiewicz is a native of Luzerne County, born of Polish parentage, and is a veteran of the World War who received five decorations from the French Government, and was made a Chevalier of the Order of the Military Cross by the Polish Republic. Mr. Butkiewicz is chief assistant district at- torney.
Thomas A. Butkiewicz, father of Mr. But- kiewicz, was born in Poland, and came to this country as a boy, locating in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He made his home in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where he married Anna Klidzio. In 1894 he was appointed post- master of Nanticoke by President Cleveland, in which office he served until 1898. They are the parents of six children: Thomas, of further mention; Bolish, deceased; Zygmunt, who is a dealer in automobile accessories in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; Harry C., a lawyer in Detroit, Michigan; Lucy, who married Dr. C. C. Groblewski, who is a practising physician in Plymouth, Lu- zerne County, Pennsylvania; and Dr. Edward, who is a dentist in Detroit, Michigan.
Thomas Butkiewicz, son of Thomas A. and Anna (Klidzio) Butkiewicz, was born in Nan- ticoke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1883, and as a lad attended the public schools, graduating from the high school with the class of 1897. He prepared for College at Phillips-Andover Academy, at Andover, Mas- sachusetts, remaining there for a period of three years, and then matriculated in Prince-
ton University, at Princeton, New Jersey, where he continued his studies for two years. In the fall of 1902 he entered the law department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905, receiving at that time the de- gree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in the fall of that same year, and has been engaged in practice here in Wilkes-Barre since that time. Twenty- two years of success as a lawyer has won for him a reputation which is a valuable business asset, and has made him well known among his professional associates. He is a member of the American Bar Association. In 1907 he was made assistant district attorney under Abram Salsbury, and on February 1, 1926, he was chosen assistant district attorney under Arthur H. Jones. In November, 1926, Arthur H. Jones was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania, and Thomas M. Lewis was chosen as his successor. Mr. Butkiewicz was then made assistant to Mr. Lewis, this time serving as first assistant, and this office he is still filling (1930). Meantime, in 1915, Mr. Butkiewicz joined the Norton Horges Ambu- lance Corps and was attached to the French Army. He went to the front as a private, and was later commissioned a first lieutenant. In September, 1917, he joined the United States Army Ambulance Corps as a first lieutenant, and served with the French Army to the close of the war, being mustered out of service in March, 1919. During his period of service he received five decorations from the French Government as a recognition of valor and of distinguished service, being awarded the Croix de Guerre twice with the palm, once with the gold star, and twice with the silver star. In March, 1919, he went to Po- land as assistant commissioner with the American Red Cross, and remained on duty there until December 1, 1919, at which time he returned to the United States. While in Poland he received from the Polish Repub- lic the honor of being made a Chevalier of the Order of the Military Cross. Since his return to civilian life Mr. Butkiewicz has been en- gaged in legal practice and as first assistant district attorney he is rendering valuable public service. He gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Repub- lican party. His religious affiliation is with the Holy Trinity Polish Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Butkiewicz is unmarried.
WOLFE KIRSHNER-Born in England, of Austrian stock, Wolfe Kirshner has achieved a distinct success as a business man and to- day conducts one of the very enterprising motor accessory establishments in Wilkes- Barre, as well as another in Allentown, Penn- sylvania. Energy, perseverance, uprightness and conscientious endeavor to give full value for honest material, in addition to a keen interest in the progressive march of the peo- ple among whom he has cast his lot have combined to bring a full return on the in- vestment. He thus enjoys a prosperity that such community service fully merits.
Wolfe Kirshner was born in London, Eng- land, July 10, 1892, a son of Abraham and Mollie (Lereich) Kirshner, now living in Plains, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Abra- ham is a son of Isaac and Pauline Kirshner, both natives of Austria, who emigrated to England. When Wolfe was four years of age his parents came to America and settled in Wilkes-Barre, five years later removing to Plains, where the father established himself
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in a general merchandise business, which he has since conducted with success. He and his wife are the parents of six children: Jacob, who is associated with his father in business; Wolfe, of whom further; Samuel also associated with his father and brother; Harry, another associate in the business of his father and brothers in the business at Plains; Mae, who is the wife of Morris Green, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Max, asso- ciated with Wolfe in business and having charge of the management of the Allentown store. Abraham Kirshner is a Republican in politics and is a director in the Plains State Bank.
Wolfe Kirshner was educated in the public schools of Plains Township and in boyhood worked in his father's store, establishing his own business when he was twenty-two years of age, repairing and selling motor trucks, his headquarters at No. 300 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. In 1922 he founded his present business under the title of the Kirshner Motor Parts Company, with offices and sales- rooms at No. 76 North Main Street, Wilkes- Barre. Mr. Kirshner is also a fish, fire, game and forest warden of Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in politics and has served in the Pennsylvania Reserve Militia, at Pittston, Pennsylvania, ranking as sergeant. He be- longs to Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, and to Lodge No. 353, Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is director of United Sportsmen of Penn- sylvania, Camp 103; director of Congregation O. L. A. H.
Mr. Kirshner married, February 14, 1914, Rose Lefkowitz, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The couple are the parents of four children: Blanche, Pauline, Myron and Birdie.
GILBERT G. JACOBOSKY-Two honored professions are represented in Wilkes-Barre by members of the Jacobosky family. Accom- panying this biography will be found a rec- ord of Dr. Cyrus Jacobosky, one of this city's outstanding medical practitioners, a brother of Gilbert G. Jacobosky, whose career will be discussed hereafter. He is engaged in busi- ness here under his own name, devoting his time and talents to civil engineering, in which he holds a college degree. Gilbert G. Jacobosky has to his credit here many large buildings and residences, constructed under his supervision, and his professional record compares well with that of his distinguished brother. He, too, is deeply interested in fra- ternal, civic, and religious affairs and has served in the military forces of his govern- ment.
Mr. Jacobosky was born September 26, 1881, in Wilkes-Barre, son of the late Isaac and Adelaide (Auerbach) Jacobosky, both natives of Germany, now deceased. Isaac Jacobosky was born in Posen, Germany, in 1844; mi- grated to America, and after settling at Wilkes-Barre engaged in real estate activi- ties on a large scale. He is credited with developing and christening the settlement now called Breslau, in Luzerne County, Penn- sylvania. He remained an important figure in real estate circles until his death, which occurred in December, 1920. Adelaide (Auer- bach) Jacobosky, also born at Posen, Ger- many, died in May, 1911.
Gilbert G. Jacobosky gained his elementary education in the local public schools, and after his graduation from Wilkes-Barre High School, in 1881, for a period of five years he traveled extensively and obtained much
knowledge of engineering practices that were to prove of inestimable value to him in the years which have followed. He returned to Pennsylvania about 1903, entered Lehigh University, there devoted himself to a spe- cial study of engineering, and was graduated by the University in 1907, with the degree of Civil Engineer. Unlike a great many other graduates, Mr. Jacobosky already had several years of practical experience in his profes- sion and thus was enabled to enter business under his own name soon after completing his theoretical training. He established his offices in Wilkes-Barre and since has been occupied as an engineer in this city. Mr. Jacobosky has designed and erected many substantial buildings in Wilkes-Barre, includ- ing the Jacobosky Building on South Main Street, where his own offices are located. Many years ago he was converted to Repub- licanism, that party has since been given his allegiance, and he has been one of the leaders in local political circles, although he has refused to enter public office.
Mr. Jacobosky at one time held a lieu- tenant-colonel's commission in the United States Army, Engineers' Corps. He entered the service in 1916, went overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces, and spent a year with the United States Army Engineers. His connection with the military forces was maintained until 1919, he receiving his hon- orable discharge in August of that year. Since discarding his uniform and returning to peace-time pursuits, Mr. Jacobosky has re- talned the memories of his soldier days through his membership in the American Le- gion. In this organization he has been ex- tremely active and at one time was adjutant of the Pennsylvania Department, American Legion. His professional ideas and methods are freshened through his contact with the American Society of Civil Engineers, of which he is a. member. In the Masonic order Mr. Jacobosky also plays a leading rôle and is a member of Lodge No. 655, Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Consistory, Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, and Irem Temple, An- client Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. In religions matters he has been of material assistance in the B'nai B'rith Synagogue- physically, morally, and financially.
Gilbert G. Jacobosky married, June 28, 1923, Audrey Blumenthal. Mrs. Jacobosky is a native of New York City and a daughter of Charles and Hattie Blumenthal, and is a graduate of Vassar College. She and her husband reside at No. 116 West Ross Street, while Mr. Jacobosky's offices are located in . the Jacobosky Building, No. 211-13 South Main Street, this city.
CYRUS JACOBOSKY, M. D .- Respected by his confreres for his accomplishments in medicine and honored and esteemed by his fellow-citizens for his many good works in Wilkes-Barre, Dr. Cyrus Jacobosky
has gained additional renown through his mili- tary service, including affiliation with the Pennsylvania National Guard, and with the United States Army during the World War. A native of this city, he has made it his home since graduating from college, with the ex- ception of that period devoted to his govern- ment, and enhancing his professional achieve- ments is Dr. Jacobosky's long list of good deeds performed within the ranks of frater- nal and religious organizations.
Dr. Jacobosky is a son of the late Isaac
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and Adelaide (Auerbach) Jacobosky, both natives of Germany, now deceased. A brief review of his father is found in a preceding sketch of a brother, Gilbert G.
Cyrus Jacobosky was born August 17, 1889, in Wilkes-Barre, and here he obtained the rudiments of his education, being graduated from high school in 1909. In the autumn of that year he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied assiduously for four years the science and practice of medicine. In 1913, he was graduated from the university, with his coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. Following the custom of his profession, Dr. Jacobosky then served his interneship in a hospital, being so oc- cupied from September 1, 1913, until Novem- ber 1, 1914, in the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. His training completed, Dr. Jaco- bosky then launched upon his practice in his home city, and was forging rapidly to the forefront of his profession when he responded to the call of his government for service in the World War. He entered the Medical Corps, was commissioned first lieutenant, and five months later was promoted to a cap- taincy, the rank he held at the time of his discharge, July 19, 1919. Captain Jacobosky, for two years, was assigned to camps throughout the United States, devoting him- self unceasingly to looking after the welfare and health of Uncle Sam's soldiers, and after receiving his discharge, about eight months after the Armistice, returned home to Wilkes- Barre. Here he has since remained. From 1908 to 1911, Dr. Jacobosky was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, entering this organization as a private. After the World War, from 1919 to 1923, he held a com- mission in the National Guard, and in the last-named year was discharged with the rank of major-surgeon. He bears the dis- tinction of having been the only man to attain this rank in the local regiment of the Pennsylvania Guardsmen, in which he has, incidentally, served in every rating, from private to major-surgeon. The doctor also has held six separate commissions in the mili- tary forces-three with the Reserve Corps, and a like number in the State organization.
Resuming his practice in Wilkes-Barre, late in the summer of 1919, Dr. Jacobosky has since specialized in the treatment of venereal diseases, and is an acknowledged authority in this work. Since 1919 he has been connected with the State Department of Health, and has aided materially in the oper- ations of that body. He serves on the staff of Mercy Hospital here, having been connected with this institution since 1915; was presi- dent of the staff in 1925, and now is associate urologist there. For two years Dr. Jacobosky was an instructor at St. Thomas College, Scranton, Pennsylvania. Among the profes- sional associations in which he has enrolled are the Luzerne County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society. Fra- ternally, he is a member of King Hiram Lodge, No. 721, Free and Accepted Masons (Past Master); Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Mount Horeb Council, Royal and Select Masters; Keystone Consistory, thirty- second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Scranton, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Jacobosky's religious de- votions are made through B'nai B'rith Syna- gogue. His offices are at No. 211 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, while the doctor re- sides at No. 45 South Street.
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