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 106
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JAMES M. STACK-Among the members of the legal profession in Luzerne County who have been engaged in practice for more than a quarter of a century is James M. Stack, who has been practicing in Wilkes- Barre since 1901. His offices are located at No. 614 Second National Bank Building, in Wilkes-Barre.
James M. Stack was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1876, son of Maurice M. and Margaret (McClosky) Stack. Maurice M. Stack, the father, was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and came to this country while a young man. He died at the age of fifty years, leaving his wife, who still sur- vives him, and two children, of whom only James M., of further mention, survives.
When James M. Stack was three years of age he was taken by his mother to Meadows, in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, where as a lad he attended the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he came to Wilkes-Barre, where for a time he was employed as clerk in a store. Later he was employed as clerk by Fowler, Dick and Walker, but he had de-
termined to enter the legal profession and was working at these jobs In order to earn the money to help finance his education. After working at Fowler, Dick and Walker's for a time he entered Mount St. Mary's Col- lege, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he was a student for four years. He then re- turned to Wilkes-Barre and began the study of law in the office of James L. Lenahan, and was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in 1901. Since that time he has been continu- ously engaged in general practice here. Mr. Stack is a Democrat in his political affilia- tions, and has been an active party worker for the past twenty-five years. He served as solicitor for the comptroller of Luzerne County for ten years, from 1913 to 1924, and served for four years as Democratic State Commit- teeman. He has been active in the party ranks of Luzerne County, and active also in civic and philanthropic affairs. He is chair- man of the board of directors of Mercy Hos- pital, of Wilkes-Barre, and is always ready to give his support to any project planned for the advancement of the general welfare. His religious affiliation is with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Wilkes-Barre, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
James M. Stack was married, July 28, 1915, to Emily F. Stephens, of Wilkes-Barre, Penn- sylvania, daughter of William and Ann Stephens, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. and Mrs. Stack are the parents of two daughters: Margaret Mary and Kathleen Gertrude.
HYMAN LANDAU-In Wilkes-Barre are many men who, in boyhood, youth and early manhood, had very little with which to advance themselves in commercial careers, but who have made for themselves notable positions in this progressive community, where rewards are to be had by the deserving and courageous. Hyman Landau, senior mem- ber of the firm of Landan Brothers, dealers in jewelry, music, radios and furniture, with principal retail unit at No. 60 South Main Street and another unit at No. 17 West Broad Street, Hazleton, is one of these men who have carved out their own career and suc- cess. He came to Wilkes-Barre July 25, 1905, and on that day he had little money, nor many friends. But he had faith in the city, reliance in its stability and growth; and above all else, he had faith in himself. Today he is counted among the foremost of the com- munity's active men.
Hyman Landau is a son of Manuel and Mary Landau, now of Wilkes-Barre. Manuel and Mary Landau had children: 1. Harman, assistant superintendent of the Wilkes- Barre offices, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. 2. Hyman, of whom follows. 3. Clara, wife of Aaron Goldner, of Wilkes- Barre. 4. Leo, member of Landau Brothers. 5. Tillie, wife of Max Unger, of Kingston. 6. Isador, member of Landau Brothers. 7. Nat, also a member of the firm.
Having received his school training and first experiences in the business world, Mr. Landau found himself in Wilkes-Barre, in 1905, as recounted. In that year he founded Landau Brothers as it has become, associated in it with Leo, Nat and Isador Landau, him- self as eldest brother, chief organizer and natural director of the whole in charge. From that time until the present, the growth of the Landau enterprise has been attended with good fortune, thanks largely to the talents of Mr. Landan, who has given i serious thought from conception to the full and rugged maturity of recent years. While he has ever been occupied busily with the
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affairs of this business, placing its impor- tance' before the importance of other con- siderations, he has not failed to take an active part in all proper movements for community development. Indeed, from his commencement in the mercantile life here, his support never has been withheld from any beneficial program for the city's good. He is known for his public spirit and the liberality of his views. A Republican, he is loyal to the principles of the party, a staunch supporter, possessing some power locally in political questions. Fraternally he is affili- ated with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Caldwell Consistory, at Bloomsburg, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and is a member of Irem Temple Country Club, the Lions' Club, and the Young Men's Hebrew Associa- tion. He is a member of Temple Israel, and since 1922 has been its treasurer. Toward charity Mr. Landau is always kindly and largely disposed. He gives with a fine gener- osity, with no considerations of creed or race, in that spirit that is most truly humani- tarian.
On January 1, 1911, Mr. Landau was united in marriage with Mollie Michlosky, of Wilkes-Barre; and to this marriage were horn children: Rose, Celia, and Julius.
JOIIN EVANS-Close attention to work, from the time he became a breaker boy at the coal mines of Wyoming Valley when nine years of age, concentration on the multi- plicity of details that make up the industry and an unflagging industry lifted John Evans, of Freeland, to the position of com- petent miner and commended the admiration of his associates. He seems to have inherited the mining instinct and to have coupled this native advantage with untiring application of intellect and muscle, tools of trade that are always productive when placed in com- petent hands. In addition to his labor of production he has always been deeply inter- ested in the civic affairs of the community and has been called to public office by his fellow-citizens, in, which instances he has served faithfully and well and justified the confidence reposed in him. His npstanding citizenship is unshaken, his contributions to the general progress of unquestioned value.
He was born in Jeddo, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1864, a son of David and Elizabeth (Au- brey) Evans, natives of Wales and England, respectively. His father was a miner who emigrated to America, worked at his trade and died in 1869. His son, John Evans, was reared in Drifton and when nine years of age went into the collieries as a breaker boy, two years later advancing to work in the mines with the older hands. His work took him from mine to mine as he advanced in knowledge, eventually becoming superinten- dent at Hazlebrook, at which place and at Eckley he worked for fifteen years. This was followed by four years in a similar position with the Lehigh Valley Coal Company at Drifton, also as inside foreman. He then went to Pond Creek as superintendent for seven years, and then came to Upper Lehigh, where he still remains. Allied with the Re- publican party, he served for eighteen years on the local school board of Foster Town- ship and for four years as tax collector, also having membership on the Republican County Committee. He is a director of the First
National Bank of Freeland and fraternally affiliated with Arbutus Lodge, No. 611, Free and Accepted Masons. His church is the St. John's Reformed.
John Evans married, in 1885, Catherine Lutz, of Eckley, Pennsylvania. Their chil- dren are: 1. George, an engineer. 2. Esther, deceased, formerly a teacher in the public schools of Foster Township. 3. Barbara, taught school for two years, married Com- mander G. R. French, surgeon, United States Navy, and they are the parents of Catherine, Barbara, George, Jean, Virginia and Alvin. 4. Alvin, deceased, a graduate of Lehigh Uni- versity with the degree of Civil Engineer, who taught school for a year. The residence of Mr. Evans is at No. 450 South Street, Freeland, Pennsylvania.
W. GORDON WILLIAMS, a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Williams Brothers and Company, holds a prominent place in the business and industrial life of Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding community of Pennsyl- vania. This firm, one of the oldest wholesale grocery companies in the Wyoming Valley, was founded in 1869 by R. S. and David S. Williams, the latter of whom is the father of W. Gordon Williams and is still the head of Williams Brothers and Company. For many years this firm went on under the name of Williams Brothers, but in 1910 it was changed to its present name. Since he com- pleted his academic education, W. Gordon Williams has been with several different companies and has done considerable banking work, with the result that his experience, together with his native talents, has made him an accomplished business man.
He was born on July 6, 1885, in Wilkes- Barre, a son of David S. and Mary F. (Lucas) Williams, the former born in 1849 and is still living, and the latter deceased. David S. Williams is now the head of the firm of Williams Brothers and Company. A native of Wales, he came to America as a young man, and in this country has made for himself an important place in the vicinity of Wilkes- Barre in the business world. He and Mary F. (Lucas) Williams had seven children: 1. Grace. 2. J. Lucas, who is in the banking business on the Pacific Coast. 3. W. Gordon, of further mention. 4. Roger S., who is with the Buttes Copper Company, of New York City. 5. Howard L., who is with the broker- age firm of Cassatt and Company, of Scran- ton, Pennsylvania. 6. Vaughan, who is with the Williams Brothers and Company whole- sale grocery business. 7. Alan S., who is with the banking house of Tobey and Kirk, of New York City.
As a boy, W. Gordon Williams attended the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1902. After completing a business course he took a position with the Corn Exchange National Bank, of Philadelphia. In 1905 he returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he became associated with his father in Williams Brothers and Company, with which firm he has been connected continuously since that year and has taken an active part in the management of it. He is one of the leading men in this line of business in the Wyoming Valley, and the many years that he has devoted to his work-a quarter of a century -have brought him the experience that is necessary for the complete adaptation of his business to local needs. Deeply interested in the civic and social life of the city, Mr. Williams' political convictions have aligned him with the Republican party, of whose
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principles he is a staunch supporter. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, In which organ- ization he is a member of the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, of Wilkes-Barre. His religious affiliation is with the Grant Street Presbyterian Church.
On July 20, 1916, Mr. Williams married Anna L. Lang, of Wilkes-Barre, a daughter of Henry C. and Amelia K. (Creter) Lang. W. Gordon and Anna L. (Lang) Williams are the parents of three children: Gordon L., Francis K., and Helen K.
WILLIAM ALOYSIUS O'CONNOR-Few of the younger members of the legal profession in the Wyoming Valley District of Pennsyl- vania are rising more rapidly than William Aloysius O'Connor, who has been in practice here since his admission to the bar in 1921. His civic interests commend him to the peo- ple and he has been active in the local work of the Democratic party, of which he is a staunch member. Progressive citizens of his high character are the underlying forces upon which is erected sound government, and in this respect Mr. O'Connor has won the admiration and esteem of the community and may confidently expect to reap the reward of his sincerity in public affairs.
He was born in Mildred, Pennsylvania, and was educated in the public schools of Sulli- van County, graduating from high school and then attending St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the class of 1918. He then matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania and fin- ished the course in 1922, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. This led to his decision on the law as a profession and he went to the Law School of Georgetown University, graduating in 1926 with the degree of Bache- lor of Laws. During the Presidential cam- paign of 1928 he was vice-chairman of the Smith-Robertson Democratic Campaign Com- mittee and contributed freely of his time and energy. He is a director of the Susquehanna Building and Loan Association, and has mem- bership in the County Bar Association; the Lawyers' Club; Knights of Columbus; Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the college fraternity of Delta Theta Phi. He is a Roman Catholic in reli- gion and attends St. Mary's Church.
Mr. O'Connor's father was for many years a prosperous and popular hotel proprietor and dealer in lumber and real estate in Mildred and vicinity. He was James O'Con- nor, born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1852, deceased October 11, 1914. His wife, mother of William Aloysius, was Ellen (Scanlon) O'Connor, born in Bradford County, Penn- sylvania.
BENJAMIN NICHOLAS DAVIS-Commer- cial life in the city of Wilkes-Barre and its environs has appreciably improved through participation in the wholesale meat business on the part of Benjamin N. Davis, who has been at the head of an establishment of his founding for some ten years. Mr. Davis has kept pace with modern ideas relative to his line of business, and has the reputation of owning one of the best-equipped plants of its kind in the territory which he serves. He is also prominently identified with the Ma- sonic fraternity and is known for his deep and practical interest in the civic movements of Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, February 18, 1888, Benjamin Nicholas Davis is the son of
Benjamin N. and Mary Jane (Flynn) Davis, both parents natives of that city, the father a well-known police officer there for many years, and the mother died in June, 1913. The son, Benjamin, received his education in the public schools of Youngstown, and on leaving school learned the electrical trade, which he pursued in Ohio for eleven years.
A kindly fate pointed Mr. Davis the way to Wilkes-Barre, in 1914, and in this city he established himself in his own electrical contracting and garage work. This he oper- ated under his own name for about five years, and met with increasing volume of good- will on the part of the people. In 1919, he helieved he had a greater field of service offered him in an advantageous opportunity, and founded the wholesale meat business, which bears his name, at No. 44 South Penn- sylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. That was ten years ago approximately, and the wisdom of making the change from one business to the other has been attested many-fold in the suc- cessful career that has attended his efforts in the newer field. His house has made a good name for itself by handling an exclusive line of meat products, and thus by excellent management and superiority of the goods offered the business goes forward satisfac- torily on an increased profit-returning basis. The business furnishes employment for seven persons. Among its up-to-date equipment and facilities are a fleet of five motor trucks and a modernly arranged storage plant. The entire outfit is one of the business show- places of the city.
The Republican party has the loyal and long-time support of Mr. Davis, whose politi- cal fervor has never carried him into the "practical realm." He is, however, one of that desirable group of party men who are known as reliable. His fraternal relations are with Fidelity Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Consistory of the Scottish Rite, of Scranton; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious obligations are given to the Baptist Church, of which he is a member and a lib- eral supporter.
Benjamin N. Davis was married, November 27, 1923, to Josephine Marie Schuller, daugh- ter of John E. and Anna (Sheerer) Schuller, of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, both parents residing in that town. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have their residence on Walnut Street in Kingston.
JOHN MacCALLUM-Of Scotch descent as the name MacCallum suggests, Mr. MacCal- lum's parents were both natives of Scotland. His father, John MacCallum, Sr., was born in 1835, and came to this country in 1859, and worked at his trade of boilermaker. He died in 1908. His mother, Jane (Bond) Mac- Callum, was born in 1841, and died in 1902.
John MacCallum, the younger, was born in Wilkes-Barre, October 10, 1872, and received his education in the public schools in this city. His first employment was with machine shops; first, with the Richard Sharp Boiler and Machine Works, where he remained for four years. Then six years in the shops of the Central Railroad at Ashley, followed by five years in the Lehigh Valley Shops, always in expert mechanical work. His progress was interrupted for a time by his enlisting with the 9th Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Spanish War. He was commissioned as first lieutenant and saw service for seven months. When he returned he was employed as a mechanic in the shop of the Hazard Manu- facturing Company, remaining thus for three
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years. In 1902 Mr. MacCallum started his own business under the name of MacCallum Com- pany. The name and partnership have sur- vived throughout these years and the com- pany has prospered tremendously, employing an average of twelve men and building their present building on Wood Street, in 1905. Mr. MacCallum is acknowledged to be one of the constructive forces of the commercial struc- ture of Wilkes-Barre, and one who is looked up to for his qualities of staunchness and probity. He was one of the original stock - holders and acts on the board of directors of the Hanover Bank and Trust Company. Mr. MacCallum is a Republican in politics and has been a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons, for thirty-four years. He belongs to the Caldwell Consistory of the Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, and a member of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
In 1899 John MacCallum married Maude Cornelius, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have two children, Helen Ruth, now Mrs. James, and Earl Donald, who is engaged in the insurance business in this city.
DANIEL BITTNER WILLIAMS, D. D. S .- Following in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Williams decided upon a dental career after completing his education in the public schools of his native city, Wilkes-Barre. There he has been engaged very successfully in the general practice of his profession ever since graduating from a dental college, almost thirty-five years ago. He has built up a large and profitable practice and is consid- ered one of the leading dentists of the city.
Dr. Daniel Bittner Williams was born in Wilkes-Barre, July 1, 1872, a son of the late Dr. Edward Dennison and Elizabeth Jane (Bittner) Williams. His father, who was born at Dimock, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in 1836 and who died in Wilkes-Barre in February, 1893, was a dentist. His mother, a native of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was born in 1839 and died in January, 1927. Dr. Williams himself was educated in the public grammar and high schools of Wilkes-Barre and, after graduating from the latter, took up the study of dentistry at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Baltimore, Mary- land, from which he graduated with the de- gree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1894. Returning then to Wilkes-Barre, he estab- lished himself there as a dentist and has carried on a general dental practice ever since then. He is known as a very able dental surgeon and constantly keeps himself in- formed about the latest developments and in- ventions in the field of dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Society, the Pennsylvania State Dental Society, the Lu- zerne County Dental Society and the First District Dental Society of the State of New York. He is also a member of the West- moreland Club and of the Wyoming Valley Country Club. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliations are with the Protestant Episcopal Church and more par- ticularly with St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre.
Dr. Williams married, July 27, 1912, Alice Guernsey Mercur of West Pittston, Luzerne County, a daughter of Edward and Louise (Belin) Mercur. Dr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of one son, Edward Mercur Wil- liams, born February 28, 1915, a student at the Wilkes-Barre Academy. Dr. Williams'
offices are located at No. 76 West Northamp- ton Street, Wilkes-Barre.
HERBERT BUDD GIBBY, M. D., Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and one of the most prominent surgeons in Eastern Pennsylvania, was born on September 12, 1871, at Princeton, New Jersey. Dr. Gibby is a son of William J. and Helen (Budd) Gibby; and a grandson, on the paternal side, of William and Anne (Mckinley) Gibby, and, on the maternal side, of John Shivers and Charlotte E. (Ward) Budd, who had twelve children. John Shivers Budd fought in the War of 1812, and was a son of John Cozens Budd, who was himself a son of Barne Budd, a surgeon in the War of the American Revo- lution, in General Winds' regiment from Morris County, and also one of the founders of the New Jersey Medical Society in 1766. William Gibby, Dr. Gibby's paternal grand- father, was for many years a judge of Union County, New Jersey, and also was an exten- sive manufacturer of dyes and dye materials.
William J. Gibby, the father, was a promi- nent member of the Mercer County Bar, of New Jersey, and served for several terms as mayor of Princeton. He died when he was only forty-eight years of age, a man beloved by those who knew him well and respected by all with whom he came into contact. By his marriage to Helen (Budd) Gibby he be- came the father of seven children: I. William D., an attorney-at-law of Princeton, New Jersey. 2. Leroy A., an attorney at Summit, New Jersey. 3. Herbert Budd, M. D., of whom further. 4. Helen D. 5. Walter R., a whole- sale coal dealer of New York City. 6. Edgar M., a dealer in office furniture, New York City. 7. Harold J., M. D., an ear, nose and throat specialist of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Herbert Budd Gibby, of whom this is pri- marily a record, was the third son and third child of his parents. He received his early education in the public schools of the com- munity in which he was born and reared, and at the Princeton Preparatory School. In Princeton he lived all his early life, and when the time came for him to enter an insti- tution of higher learning, he became a stu- dent at Princeton University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered Medical College at the University of Pennsyl- vania, from which, in 1895, he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1895 he also received the degree of Master of Arts from Princeton University. In 1896 he set- tled at Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania. In 1900 he spent a year in post-gradu- ate study at Vienna, Austria. He then fol- lowed the general practice of his profession until 1907, when he removed to Rochester, Minnesota, where he attended clinics under the celebrated Mayo brothers. He returned to Wilkes-Barre in 1908, but in the following year. 1909, he gave up his general practice, and has since devoted his time to surgery. He has been one of the very active surgeons of Wilkes-Barre for the last eighteen years, a man of particular prominence in this part of the State. He is now serving as a member of the surgical staff of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital; and he is also a member of the board of trustees of the Wilkes-Barre Institute, a school for girls.
Despite his many varied and often exacting duties of his profession, Dr. Gibby has, nev- ertheless, found time in which to take a keen interest in the civic and general affairs of his community. He is especially noted for
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the excellent manner in which he stands behind any movement devoted to the welfare and advancement of his community. He has also been active in the organizations that pertain to his profession, and among the more important of those in which he now holds membership are the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the Luzerne County Medical Society. He is, as noted above, a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.
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