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 13
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selves firmly in the confidence of their patients. The practitioner who has the happy faculty of brightening the sickroom, whose presence alone is an important auxiliary of curative value-the practitioner of that type will never lose favor. There will always be a place for him. Dr. Howell measured up to that standard in an eminent degree.
It is a commonplace expression to say that he will be missed. It is more fitting to say that in his passing away the community is bereaved, for the going of a person so well beloved, so distinguished in the traits that people most admire, is a real community loss and it brings upon us more than the mone- tary pang of sorrow.
JOHN T. HOWELL, JR., was born June 14, 1899, in Wilkes-Barre, son of Dr. John T. Howell (see accompanying biography), and his wife, Minnie B. (Brandow) Howell.
He attended the local public schools, gradu- ated from Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania, in 1918, after which he ma- triculated in the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1922, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. At the last named institution, he was a member of the Delta Phi Fraternity.
In September, 1922, Mr. Howell entered the employ of the F. W. Woolworth Company at Philadelphia, after which he was transferred as assistant manager to Washington, District of Columbia, and later to Shenandoah, Penn- sylvania. In June, 1923, he resigned from this company and with Henry L. Jones, 2d, who had just completed his college course, formed the co-partnership of Howell and Jones, to engage in the real estate and insurance busi- ness. Careful study and five years of applica- tion brought merited success and in July, 1928, it was found necessary to reorganize and enlarge this growing business by means of incorporating it, which was done under the name of Howell & Jones, Incorporated. This move brought actively into the firm Mr. Alfred Darte, brother of Colonel Franck G. Darte (an account of whom is found else- where), who is secretary of the company, with Mr. Howell as president and Henry L. Jones, 2d, vice-president and treasurer.
Mr. Howell is a Republican and vitally inter- ested in public affairs. He is an energetic member of the Republican city organization, although not interested in seeking office for himself. He is interested in Welfare Federa- tion work and is a member of the Board of Directors of Wilkes-Barre Blind Association. His fraternal affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 61, at Wilkes-Barre; Bloomsburg Consistory; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the Irem Coun- try Club, Wyoming Valley Country Club of Wilkes-Barre, and the St. Elmo Club of Phil- adelphia. He is a communicant of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church.
GEORGE II. LAWRENCE - Substantial reward for labor well performed has come to George H. Lawrence, of Plymouth, who, since 1917, has been supervising agent here for the Lackawanna Railroad. He has estab- lished himself in the regard of the citizenry to the extent of having been called to public office of honor and responsibility by hand- some majorities and has found popularity among the fraternal, religious and social organizations of the district.
Mr. Lawrence was born in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, British Isles, a son of George Lawrence, a native of England, born in 1828 and who was a coal miner until his death in 1923. The mother was Emily (Pope)
Lawrence, also born in England, in 1832 and who died in 1918. The son came to America when a boy and went to work as a breaker hoy in the mines of Schuylkill County, Penn- sylvania. He worked at mining until he was twenty-three years of age, then settling in Plymouth and becoming associated with the Lackawanna Railroad, first as a clerk and warehouseman, then telegraph operator and agent and eventually being appointed agent and supervisor here. In 1921 he was elected by the vote of both political parties to the office of school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is secretary of the board of that organiza- tion. He is a thirty-second degree member of the Masonic Fraternity, affiliated with Lodge No. 332, Free and Accepted Masons; Valley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Past High Priest; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Past Chancellor for seventeen years, Captain of Uniform Rank of the Knights of Pythias; and of the Kiwanis Club of Plymouth.
George H. Lawrence married in 1899, Eliza E. Evans, of Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas and Ann Evans.
MITCHELL PLESSETT-For thirty -five years the citizens of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, have been familiar with the retail clothing business carried on by Alex Plessett and his son. Mitchell Plessett, the younger member of the firm of Alex Plessett and Son, is one of the aggressive young business men in this community and is well known in many social and business organizations of the city. He is the son of Alex and Hilda Plessett, both of whom are natives of Russia but many years age came to this country, and, adopt- ing it as their own, became naturalized citi- zens and have found their interests in the best welfare of this land.
Mitchell Plessett was born at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1898. He was educated in the public schools of Plymouth, Pennsyl- vania, finishing here by completing the course of the high school. After this school work was completed and he was ready to enter the business world, he engaged in business with his father, and, in 1914, became a part- ner in the firm of Alex Plessett and Son. He is now considered one of the leading young merchants of Plymouth where he is on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Kiwanis Club and a Knight of Pythias. He is an active member of the Congregation B'nai Israel, of which he was president for eight years. He is now the chairman of the Board of Educa- tion of B'nai Israel. In his varied activities, he exemplifies the reliable all-round citizen who takes part in building up the commun- ity in which he lives and so becomes one of the dependable ones on whom the community can rely to put through measures of prog- ress.
In 1920, Mitchell Plessett married Rose Sicherman, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. They have two children: David, and Ruth.
JOSEPH G. SCHULER-One of the most prominent and influential men of Wilkes- Barre is Joseph G. Schuler. He is president of the South Side Bank and Trust Company, and for many years has been the owner of the firm which is now known as Joseph G. Schuler and Son, general plumbers and deal- ers in heating supplies. Since 1923 he has been commissioner of accounts and finance, and a member of the Wilkes-Barre City Coun-
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cil, and for fifteen years he served as chief of the local Fire Department. Mr. Schuler has always taken an active part in the social and fraternal life of his community.
His father, Valentine Schuler, was a mine carpenter and engaged in this work until his death. He married Elizabeth Smoulter, who is also now deceased, and they were the par- ents of six children: John, Frank, Joseph G., William, Elizabeth, who married Frank Ankner, of Wilkes-Barre; and Margaret, who is the wife of Fred Kraft, of Wilkes-Barre. Joseph G. Schuler was born July 9, 1870. at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He attended the local public and St. Nicholas Parochial schools and at the age of fourteen years began work as a water boy for John Tracy, a sewer contractor of Wilkes-Barre. Later he took a position under W. D. Ingham, city engineer of Wilkes-Barre, remaining for over two years. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the plumbing business under J. W. Patten with whom he remained for five years. At the end of this time, in association with his brother, John Schuler, he established the plumbing firm of Schuler Brothers, with which he has been connected since that time. A few years after the founding of this firm, Mr. Schuler bought out his brother's interest, and for the next twenty-five years conducted the business alone and with considerable suc- cess under the firm name of Joseph G. Schuler, Incorporated. Finally, in 1923, his son Carl F. Schuler joined him as an associate and the firm name took its present form, Joseph G. Schuler and Son, Nos. 79-81 Hazle Street, Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Schuler is president of the South Side Bank and Trust Company, and is financially interested in the Fern Brook Park Amusement Company.
At the age of sixteen he joined the city fire department, and for a time he served as fcreman of Cinderella Street hand drawn company and Steamer Company, No. 1. Later he became assistant chief, and still later was appointed chief of the department in 1899, by Mayor F. M. Nichols, which position he held for fifteen years. By political inclination Mr. Schuler is a member of the Republican party, and in 1923 he was elected a member of the Wilkes-Barre City Council, since which time he has also served as commissioner of ac- counts and finance. Mr. Schuler was a candi- date at the Republican primary in 1928 for Mayor of Wilkes-Barre, but was defeated by a small majority, by the present mayor, Daniel Hart. In 1929 he was nominated by both parties to the office of city commis- sioner. He is affiliated fraternally with Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Conrad Society, the Franklin Club, the Wyoming Valley Country Club, the Press Club and the Pen and Pencil Club. He is a member of the St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church of Wilkes-Barre.
On June 24, 1900, Joseph G. Schuler married Louise Hartmann, who was born at Wilkes- Barre. They became the parents of four chil- dren: 1. Carl F., who is now associated with his father in the plumbing business. 2. Ger- trude. 3. Louise. 4. Joseph, who died at the age of sixteen years. Mrs. Schuler died July 30, 1918.
HARRY T. ROBERTS-Well known as a master plumber since a young man in this community and since 1907, as a contracting plumber, Harry T. Roberts, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, is the son of John E. and Mariah Louise Roberts. His father was born in Wales and since coming to this country
has been engaged in mining for some years, at present, he is with his son. His mother, Mariah Louise Roberts, is a native of Nanti- coke, Pennsylvania.
Harry T. Roberts was born at that section of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, known as "Jer- sey Hill," in 1884. He was educated here in the public schools and after finishing his school education, he learned the plumber's trade. Being energetic and ambitious, Mr. Roberts soon realized his own executive abil- ity and initiating his own promotion, started a contracting business which he has carried on since 1907, a period of twenty-one years. He employs, on the average, eight men, and his business has been eminently successful. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club; the Junior Order United American Mechanics; the Shawnee Club; two fire companies, No. 1 and No. 2. In the first, Fire Company No. 1, he is an active member, and in Fire Com- pany No. 2, he is an honorary member. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Roberts is a Republican.
On August 12, 1913, Harry S. Roberts mar- ried Stella M. Daniels, daughter of John and Mary Daniels of Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have no children.
THOMAS VINCENT BRENNAN - When Thomas Vincent Brennan was twenty-two years of age, he had been working, and working hard, for fourteen years. He was not afraid of hard work and was able to do his full share, but he was discerning enough to see that unskilled labor oftenest brings prosperity to somebody else. He had had plenty of time to observe that fact while working as a coal breaker and also while working as a peddler in the employ of his father. He resolved to procure the training which would enable him to operate a busi- ness of his own, and after looking about a bit chose the undertaking business. With this end in view he secured his training in one of the best embalming schools in Phila- adelphia, and in 1909 he engaged in busi- ness for himself in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, operating under his own name. For nineteen years he has been serving the people of this vicinity, and during that time he has taken his place as one of the leading morticians of Plymouth. His modern, fully equipped establishment is located at No. 133 West Main Street, in Plymouth.
Thomas Vincent Brennan was born at Welsh Hill, Plymouth, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 4, 1880. His father, Andrew J. Brennan, born in Heckscherville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in 1846, was a successful mer- chant in Plymouth for some forty years, and died here, September 10, 1926. His mother, Ellen (Roan) Brennan, was born in Hecks- cherville, Pennsylvania, in 1851, and died here in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1927. Both were highly respected among their friends and associates, and are sadly missed in the community. Thomas Vincent Brennan attended the parochial and the public schools of Plymouth until he was eight years of age, and then began work as a coal breaker here. At that laborious work he continued until he was eighteen years old, a period of ten years, doing several different kinds of work in and about the mines, but when he was eighteen he left the mines and entered the employ of his father, first selling goods from door to door, and later assisting in the general store which the father had established. After four years of association with his father's business, Mr. Brennan decided to fit himself for the under- taking business, and began study in the Eckles School of Embalming, in Philadelphia.
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He was twenty-two years of age at this time, and after graduation he worked for a year in the Oliver H. Baer funeral parlors, in Philadelphia, thus supplementing his regular training with the best of urban experience in his chosen profession. After a year and one month spent in this connection, he went to Buffalo, New York, for a year, and then, fortified with a little more than two years of practical experience, he returned to Plym- outh and established his own business, in 1909. Since that time he has operated under his own name and his been steadily develop- ing one of the finest establishments in this locality. He has a full line of modern equip- ment, including well planned funeral parlors and show room for his stock, and he has long been known as one of the skilled and depend- ahle men of his profession. Tact, considera- tion, unobtrusive sympathy and expert serv- ice have made easier for many the difficult seasons of bereavement, and the well-known Integrity of Mr. Brennan in business matters has won him many friends and patrons. Polit- ically, he is a Democrat, and at the present time (1928) he is serving as deputy coroner for this district. He is a charter member of the local chapter of the Knights of Colum- bus and of the local lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and holds membership in the Shawnee Club. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church.
Thomas Vincent Brennan was married, in 1908, to Elizabeth Morgan, of Danville, Penn- sylvania, daughter of James and Mary Mor- gan, and they are the parents of three chil- dren: 1. Helen E., born November 2, 1908, is now attending the Conservatory of Music, at Ithaca, New York. 2. Andrew J., born April 1, 1909, is now (1928) attending George- town University, at Washington, District of Columbia. 3. James V., born February 2, 1911.
Mr. Brennan is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of Plymouth, and both he and his family are popular among a large circle of acquaintances. As the years have passed, events have amply justified his early decision that thorough preparation for some useful line of business activity would be a paying investment, and all of his fam ily are sharing with him the benefits of his wisdom and discretion.
HARRY G. DAVIS-One who is prominent in the affairs of Plymouth, Harry G. Davis is a native of this community. He was born February 13, 1883, son of William and Jane (Reese) Davis, both of whom were born in Wales, British Isles. William Davis was born in 1856 and died in 1910, having been a mine employee for many years. Jane (Reese) Davis was born November 30, 1859, and died May 12, 1928.
Harry G. Davis secured his earliest educa- tion in the public schools of Plymouth and went to work in boyhood as breaker boy in the mines. This work he continued for five years, and in 1899 entered Wyoming Semi- nary, where he studied for three years. For three years also he worked as a coal inspec- tor for the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Com- pany. Then, for four years, he was with the Delaware & Hudson Coal Company, in the company's electrical department, and sub- sequently secured a good connection with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Coal Com- pany, with which organization he was en- gaged in construction work for eight years. In 1911 Mr. Davis studied in the Eckles School of Embalming, Philadelphia, and on February 7, 1912, opened his present busi- ness as mortician and funeral director. By invitation he is a member of the National
Selected Morticians. He carries a complete line of modern equipment, maintains in his funeral home a private chapel and show room, and is accounted one of the foremost directors of the region around Plymouth. He is a Republican, member of the Plymouth Park Commission, past president of the Cham- ber of Commerce, past president of the Penn- sylvania State Funeral Directors' Association (president in 1925), and is affiliated frater- nally with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is a member of Lodge No. 291, of Scranton; the Knights of Pythias, Knights of Malta, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Junior Order United Ameri- can Mechanics. He is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club and a communicant of the Baptist Church.
Harry G. Davis married, in 1912, Clara Martin, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of F. Howard and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Martin. F. Howard Martin was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1855, and is now liv- ing, a machinist by trade. Elizabeth (Haw- kins) Martin is a native of Boston, Massachu- setts, born October 6, 1859.
ANTHONY LAWRENCE WILLIAMS-The late Anthony Lawrence Williams, for more than four decades engaged in general and corporation practice of law, was born in Ebervale, Hazle Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1862, son of Rich- ard and Mary (Thomas) Williams, natives of Wales, who came to Luzerne County in 1856 or 1857. His father was engaged in mining for many years and served two years in the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, during which time, in 1871, the bill was pre- sented to incorporate the city of Wilkes- Barre.
Mr. Williams attended the public schools of his native district and continued his edu- cation at the State Normal School of Millers- ville, Pennsylvania, from which he gradu- ated in 1881, following which he taught in the public schools of Luzerne County for a period of two years. He then entered the law office of the late Alexander Farnham, Esquire, of Wilkes-Barre; he was admitted to the bar of Luzerne County in 1885 and subsequently admitted to practice in the Appellate Courts of the State of Pennsyl- vania, Federal Courts, and to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1920. Mr. Wil- liams specialized principally in corporation law, and at the time of his death was general counsel of the Susquehanna Collieries Com- pany.
For thirteen years Mr. Williams was presi- dent of the Luzerne County National Bank, and when that bank merged with the Miners Bank of Wilkes-Barre he became a member of the board of directors. He was a trustee of Wyoming Seminary; trustee, director and a former president of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association of Wilkes-Barre; and for a number of years he was a member of the board of directors of the Children's Home.
The religious affiliation of Mr. Williams was with the First Methodist Episcopal Church. At the time of his death he was president of the board of trustees and for many years served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally, he was identified with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons: Shekinah Royal Arch Chapter, No. 182, Dien le Vent Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Williams was a staunch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He was a member of the county, State and American bar associations; Wilkes-
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Barre Law and Library Association; Wyo- ming Historical and Geological Society; Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Wyoming Valley Motor Club; Cambro-American Society; Pennsylvania So- ciety of New York; and the General Assembly of Mooseheart. His clubs were: Westmore- land, Wyoming Valley Country, Irem Temple Country and Skytop.
On July 24, 1929, Mr. Williams, accompanied by his sister, Miss Mary Williams, left Wilkes-Barre for a land cruise to Alaska. While on this trip, on August 4, 1929, at Portland, Oregon, Mr. Williams suddenly passed away. An unusually sad incident was that his sister, Miss Mary Williams, pre- ceded him in death by a few hours. By their deaths the family group, which had origi- nally consisted of six brothers and sisters, was reduced to one, the surviving member being Mr. Morris Williams of Philadelphia.
Evidence of the great loss to the com- munity in the death of Mr. Williams is found in the following excerpts from an editorial in the Wilkes-Barre "Times-Leader":
Known as a leading lawyer, of learning and and of probity, he had achieved a large measure of success in his profession and he had never released his interest in the con- cerns that should have proportionate interest of every right-minded citizen.
There was in him that fine vein of loyalty that kept him keenly interested in affairs of Welshmen. He was ever to be found at great occasions sponsored by them, particularly when music was a feature. And by them he was frequently honored, as was his due.
His ability, his faithfulness, his wide inter- ests, his large heart of human sympathy, his ready comprehension of the problems that beset individuals and organized bodies, ranked him among our most representative citizens, whose cooperation is essential to the best community achievements, and whose loss is always correspondingly heavy and depressing.
Mr. Williams was the type of man whose identification with any enterprise meant active and prominent and valuable work therein. He adorned whatever he undertook and not a single organization with which he was an officer failed to profit by his counsel and his effort. Because of a great deal of unrecorded kindness and consideration to- ward people and things, grief for his death is very largely spread through the city and valley.
ROBERT NESBITT CLARK, M. D .- In the personage of Dr. Robert Nesbitt Clark, King- ston possesses one of the most promising younger members of the medical profession. Medicine, perhaps, or rather the practice thereof, exerts great influence upon the wel- fare of any city, due to the fact that prac- tically every business or endeavor needs healthy men and women for its conduct. Thus, in administering to the ailments of the citizens of Kingston, aiding materially in promoting, not only the health of his patients, and curing their ills, but also assisting sub- stantially in maintaining healthful living conditions, Dr. Clark is an important mem- ber of his community and is doing his full share to the best of his ability. Within the comparatively few years during which he has been engaged in general practice in Kingston, Dr. Clark has evidenced exceptional talents for his profession in various ways, and has maintained his search for the mod- ern methods and practices therein. In addi- tion to this, he is a member of the staff of a hospital, affiliated with the various asso- ciations peculiar to his profession, and active in the circles of the political party of his choice, the Republican.
Robert Nesbitt Clark was born July 27, 1893, in the city of Wilkes-Barre, son of Dr.
George A. Clark, also a physician and sur- geon, born in Greenvillage, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1861. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1885, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine in that year. He is still practicing medicine and with his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Teasdale) Clark, resides in Wilkes-Barre. Mrs. George A. Clark was born June 14, 1858, and is a native of Wilkes-Barre.
Dr. Robert Nesbitt Clark received a splen- did education in the public schools of Wilkes- Barre, graduating from high school there In 1911. As has been noted, his father was a physician, and this influenced the son in the choice of his profession, resulting in his matriculation at Lafayette College, from which he was graduated in 1916, with his degree of Bachelor of Arts, and where he had laid the ground-work for his medical training. To obtain this he entered the University of Pennsylvania, was graduated therefrom with the class of 1920, standing high among his classmates, and holder of the degree of Doc- tor of Medicine. Thence, following the usual procedure, he served as an interne in the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Feeling con- fident that his studies and experience gained as an interne had qualified him for his pro- fession, he thereupon began practice in King- ston, which has since been the scene of his labors. In addition to caring for his con- stantly increasing clientele in Kingston, Dr. Clark is on the staff of Wilkes-Barre Gen- eral Hospital. Realizing that each day brings many newer and better methods and dis- coveries in medicine, Dr. Clark keeps himself thoroughly informed in this respect through his membership in several professional groups, among them the Wilkes-Barre Med- ical Association, the Luzerne County Medical Association, the State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. While he has not found it advisable to enter into politics as an office-holder, he does take an interest in the principles and candidates of the Republican party. With his family he attends the Presbyterian Church.
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