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 23
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albert Tt Broker
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Street, Nanticoke. He is chief surgeon for the Grand Tunnel Coal Company of West Nanticoke. In spite of the heavy demands made upon his time and energy by the exact- ing duties of his extensive practice Dr. Cooper has always continued his interest in literature and similar subjects and for a number of years he has continued his studies at La Salle College, Philadelphia, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1926 and where he is now working towards his Master of Arts degree. During the World War he entered the Medical Corps of the United States Army in 1918, being stationed at the Army Medical School, Washington, District of Columbia, where he was placed in charge of important laboratory work. He received his honorable discharge in 1919 with the rank of captain. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Cooper married, in 1915, Esther Gross of Glenlyon, a daughter of Isadore and Hannah (Itskovitz) Gross. Dr. and Mrs. Cooper are the parents of one son, Leroy Gerald Cooper, and make their home at Glen- lyon.
MILLER S. FREDERICK-Coming of a family which has been prominent in Luzerne County for more than a hundred years, Miller S. Frederick is one of Wilkes-Barre's lead- ing citizens and is one of the best-known furniture dealers and undertakers in the city, also conducting a branch of his business at Plymouth. He is also a prominent factor in the financial life of the city, in addition to which he takes a great interest in all com- munity affairs, being always desirous of pro- moting the progress of his city.
Mr. Frederick was born at Sugar Notch, Luzerne County, January 3, 1869, son of Mer- ritt and Margaret (Burg) Frederick, both of whom were descendants of old Pennsylvania families. Merritt Frederick's father, Daniel Frederick, was born in Northampton County and came to Newton, Luzerne County, in 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick had eight children: 1. Miller S., of whom later. 2. Lida, a teacher in domestic science department of Hanover Town schools. 3. Gertrude, a graduate nurse of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, at present nurse for the Hanover Township schools. 4. Harry, of Philadelphia, graduate of Pennsyl- vania State College in electrical engineering. 5. Daniel, deceased. 6, 7, and 8. Edith, Walter, and Charles, died in childhood. Mr. Frederick died at the age of seventy-two, survived by his widow, who is now eighty-six.
Miller S. Frederick received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Ashley, later entering the Harry Hillman Academy and the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston. After the completion of his formal education, he learned the trade of machinist in the shops of the Dickson Manufacturing Company, this city. In 1891, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Wilkes-Barre and later moved his organization to Plymouth. In point of service, Mr. Frederick is one of the oldest active furniture dealers and funeral directors in the Wyoming Valley. He is president of the Lincoln Deposit and Savings Bank and Trust Company and takes a promi- nent part in the business life of the com- munity. In fraternal organizations, he is an active member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Knights of Pythias, Plymouth Lodge, No. 332, Free and Accepted Masons and Valley Chapter, No. 214, Royal Arch Masons, being a Past Master of his Blue Lodge, and a Past High Priest of the Chapter Lodge. He is a member of Dieu le Veut Com- mandery, No. 45, Knights Templar of Wilkes-
Barre; of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Shrine Country Club. In politics, he has always fol- lowed the principles of the Republican party and in his religious belief, he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Plym- outh.
Miller S. Frederick married, in 1891, Emma E. Ferguson of Plymouth, daughter of Alex- ander and Mary ( Wilcox) Ferguson. Mrs. Frederick died in March, 1923, aged forty- six years. To this union were born three sons: 1. Donald, who is associated with his father in business; married Esther Lewis, and they have one son, Donald, Jr. 2. Russell, married Bennetto Wallace and they have three children: Miller S., Mignonette and Margaret B. 3. Kenneth, of New York, mar- ried Miss Berger.
ROBERT J. DORAN-Among the members of the legal profession in Wilkes-Barre who have recently engaged in practice is Robert J. Doran, a veteran of the World War, who, though he was so severely burned during the war that he was totally blind for eighteen months and was unable to read for three years, nevertheless completed his college course after his return to civilian life and was admitted to the Luzerne County har in March, 1926. Courage, persistence, and ability have enabled him to attain his goal un- daunted by difficulties that for most men would have been insurmountable, and he is now (1929) engaged in general legal prac- tice with offices in the Dime Bank Building.
John Doran, father of Mr. Doran, was a mine contractor for about thirty years, and died at the age of fifty-nine years. He and his wife Margaret were the parents of four sons: Robert J., of further mention: and Wil- liam E., Henry, and Leo, who are engaged in the dairy business under the firm name of Doran Brothers. They conduct a high grade dairy at Ashley, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania.
Robert J. Doran, son of John and Margaret Doran, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, June 9, 1895, and when he was about one year of age was taken to Lee Park, Lu- zerne County, by his parents. He attended the public schools of Lee Park, which is in Hanover Township, and graduated from Lee Park High School in the spring of 1914. The next fall he entered the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1922, having finished his course after his return from the World War, al- though he was obliged to spend some three years in regaining his lost sight. On March 5, 1917, while a student in the University of Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the first contin- gent of candidates for officers' training camp, and was ordered to Camp Madison, New York, where, on August 15, 1917, he was commis- sioned a second lieutenant of the United States Cavalry Reserve and was ordered to report at Del Rio, Texas. This order was later rescinded and he was sent to Camp Dix, at Wrightstown, New Jersey, where he was assigned to the staff of General Ander- son. Later, he was assigned to the Machine Gun Training School for Officers, located at Camp Hancock, Georgia, and in January, 1918, he was ordered overseas as a member of Company C, 109th Machine Gun Battalion. He took part in the offensive at Ypres, Bel- gium, and was at La Chapelle, and later took part in the second battle of the Marne, in France. On July 18, 1918, he received a gun- shot wound during the battle of Belleaux Wood, and was sent back to the hospital in Paris, where he remained until August 25, when he rejoined his command at Fismes.
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On August 31, 1918, while making an attack on the enemy on the Hindenburg line, at a place known as Chalk Cliffs, on the west side of the Vailes River, he was very badly burned in the face, eyes, and body, with liquid fire. So bad were the burns that he was compelled to spend the next two years in various hos- pitals in France and in this country. For eighteen months he was totally blind, and for a period of three years he was unable to read. In spite of these difficulties, however, he per- sisted in his purpose of completing his col- lege course, and in the fall of 1921 he was able to return to the University of Pennsyl- vania, and was graduated with the class of 1922. Thus courage and persistence overcame almost insurmountable obstacles, and Mr. Doran is now one of the successful members of the legal profession in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He has his offices in the Dime Bank Building, where he is building up a very satisfactory practice. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party, and he is interested in the public welfare and in the conduct of public affairs, though he does aspire to official responsibility. He is a member of the American Legion, and his religions affiliation is with the Roman Cath- olic Church. Mr. Doran is unmarried.
JOHN R. POWELL-Though a native of Wales, England, John R. Powell has been a resident of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, for twenty-seven years, and has been associated with the business which he now (1928) owns during all that time; first in the employ of his uncle, the founder of the business, and since 1925 as owner of the concern. He man- ufactures squibs, which are explosives used in mining, and is located at No. 42 East Shawnee Avenue, Plymouth.
John R. Powell was born in Aberdare, a mining and maufacturing town of Glamor- ganshire, South Wales, England, May 18, 1877, son of Roger Powell, a miner by occu- pation, who was born in Wales, in 1850, and died in 1879, and of Mary (Lewis) Powell, who was born in Wales, in 1838, and is still living (1928) at the age of ninety years. After attending the public schools of his native district, Mr. Powell served an appren- ticeship of four years in a grocery store in England, and then was employed as a clerk in a grocery store for a period of seven years. The young man was anxious for larger opportunity, however, and he had in this country an uncle, whose name he bore, John R. Powell. That fact proved to be an open door for the youth and in 1901 he left his native land for this country. He came at once to Plymouth, where his uncle was en- gaged in manufacturing squibs for the min- ing industry, and entered the employ of his favorite relative, with whom he remained. He was made foreman of the plant some years before the death of John R. Powell who established the business about 1878, and after that event the business became the property of a daughter of the founder, Mrs. Esther Ferguson, wife of John E. Ferguson. Mr. Powell continued as foreman under the new ownership, and in April, 1925, Mrs. Fer- guson also died, leaving the business to her cousin, John R. Powell, who was named for her father. Under Mr. Powell's direction the business has continued to grow and at the present time (1928) sixty people are em- ployed in the plant. Mr. Powell is a public- spirited citizen who is always ready to aid in advancing the welfare of the community in which he lives, and he is a contributing mem- ber of Fire Company No. 1. Politically, he supports the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally, he holds membership
in Lodge No. 178, Knights of Pythias, being Past Chancellor; and Lodge No. 2, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a mem- ber of the Kiwanis Club, and his religious membership is with the Welsh Congrega- tional Church, of which he is a deacon and recording secretary. He is a member of Wyo- ming Valley Branch of National Eisteddfod and on the social committee thereof: also a member of the Pennsylvania Manuafcturers Association and the Wyoming Valley Motor Club.
John R. Powell was married, June 29, -1909, to Jennie Jones, of Plymouth, daughter of John E. Jones, a miner, who was born in Wales, in 1850, and died in 1897, and of Jane Jones, who was born in Wales in 1850, and died in 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have two daughters: 1. Dorothy Loraine, born Feb- ruary 18, 1911; graduated from the Plymouth High School, 1928. 2. Esther M., born June 22, 1913.
WILLIAM BUCKALEN ROBINSON, former- ly general agent of the Aetna Life Insurance Company at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and for years an important figure in the life of this city, was born in Fairmount Township, Pennsylvania. His parents were Captain John and Sarah (Buckalen) Robinson. The father was a farmer by occupation and was also in the service of the State at Harrisburg. Dur- ing the period of the Civil War he enlisted in the Union cause, and served with distinction as captain of Company I, Pennsylvania In- fantry, until the conclusion of hostilities.
William Buckalen Robinson received his education in the country schools of his birth- place, and as a young man became a clerk in the Courthouse of Luzerne County. He re- mained in this position for two years, from 1890 to 1892, and at the end of this time became associated with the Aetna Life In- surance Company as general agent at Wilkes- Barre. This was the beginning of a connec- tion which was to last for a quarter of a century. Mr. Robinson continued as general agent for this company until the time of his retirement in 1927, and his record in this office was one of constant success.
Mr. Robinson was also for some years a director of the Luzerne County National Bank. A Republican in politics, he was elected to the Wilkes-Barre City Council, serving in that body for a period of years. He gave his hearty support to civic and benevolent movements with whose aims he was in sympathy. Mr. Robinson was a mem- ber of the Westmoreland Club and the Franklin Club. He worshiped in the Pres- byterian faith, holding membership in the Memorial Church of this denomination at Wilkes-Barre.
On June 17, 1896, at Wilkes-Barre, William B. Robinson married Mary Edith Montange, daughter of J. Henry and Anna (MacFall) Montange. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson became the parents of four children: 1. John M., born on January 7, 1898, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in these pages. 2. James B., born on April 16, 1901, also included in these pages. 3. William B., Jr., born on May 5, 1906. 4. Thomas B., born on September 9, 1909. The residence of the family is con- tinued at Wilkes-Barre.
JOIN M. ROBINSON, general agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Company, at Wilkes- Barre, with offices at No. 204 Coal Exchange Building, was born January 7, 1898, in Wilkes-Barre, son of William B. and Mary Edith (Montange) Robinson, and grandson of Captain John and Sarah (Buckalen) Robin- son, who were respected natives of Fairmont
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Than. L. Shefor
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Township, Luzerne County. John Robinson was captain of a company in the Union Army during the Civil War, and proved a gallant soldier. A more detailed account of William B. Robinson's life precedes this sketch.
John M. Robinson grew to manhood here and received his education in the public schools and the Harry Hillman Academy, after which he matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania. During the World War, in 1918, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and upon his discharge entered the insurance business with his father, where he has suc- cessfully applied himself ever since. He is a member of the Republican party, the Memori- Presbyterian Church, and is actively al identified with
the various movements launched for the development of Wilkes- Barre. He belongs to Landmark Lodge, No. 442, of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Alumni Association of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, which organization he joined at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Robinson was married to Edith C. Nich- olson, daughter of Samuel T. and Elizabeth (Dennis) Nicholson, the former president of the Vulcan Iron Works, of Wilkes-Barre, of whom further mention, and they are the parents of a son, John M. Robinson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson reside at No. 235 Butler Street, Kingston, Luzerne County.
JAMES BUCKALEN ROBINSON, son of William B. and Mary Edith (Montange) Robinson, was born at Wilkes-Barre, Penn- sylvania, on April 16, 1901. His father, a record of whose life precedes this, gave most of his active career to work in the insurance field as general agent of the Aetna Life Insurance Company at Wilkes-Barre.
James B. Robinson received his preliminary education in the public schools of his birth- place, and later attended Hillman Academy for one year. In 1920 he was graduated from Wyoming Seminary, and in 1924 from Williams College, where he completed the course of study leading to the Bachelor's degree. Like his father, Mr. Robinson entered the employ of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, and from 1924 until 1927, was superintendent of the casualty department of that company at Wilkes-Barre. In the latter year, with his brother, he took over the duties of general agent for the company, occupying the posi- tion which his father had so ably filled for many years.
Mr. Robinson is a Republican in politics and a member of several clubs, including the Westmoreland Club, the Wilkes-Barre Club, and the Williams Club of New York City. He is affiliated with the Kappa Alpha fraternity, and in 1924 was president of the Williams Chapter of that order. He is a member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church in this city.
On October 6, 1927, James B. Robinson mar- ried Martha D. Nicholson, daughter of Samuel T. and Elizabeth (Dennis) Nicholson. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson maintain their home in Wilkes-Barre.
CHARLES L. SHAFER, M. D .- Member of one of the oldest and most respected fam- ilies of Pennsylvania, with a heritage of successful accomplishment which he was, naturally, called upon to carry on, Dr. Charles L. Shafer, of Kingston, has ful- filled the obligation. Not only has he made great strides in his profession, but he has also gathered a host of friends about him in fraternal organizations and other profes- sions than his own. He has an interesting and worthy military record, both in this country and in France, in which he won merited reward by his promotion to field
rank. In his present work ne has built for himself a large and growing practice and made a legion of staunch friends in every walk.
Charles L. Shafer is one of seven children of George W. and Annie E. (Hartman) Shafer, and was horn in Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, December 5, 1883. Both his father and mother were members of families that settled in this commonwealth early in its history, making here commendable reputa- tions for their interest in and assistance to the advancement of all community ambitions for the development of the country. George W. Shafer, a veteran of the Civil War in the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers, was a contractor and builder of high reputation, whose children all were a source of gratified pride to their parents. Minnie, the first born, became the wife of E. P. Bordo, dis- trict manager of the Bell Telephone Com- pany in Wilmington, Delaware. Harvey is in successful business in Buffalo, New York, and Lillian, the third child, now deceased, married Dr. W. L. Hensyl. Charles L. has one brother living, Albert, of Kingston, and one deceased, Adam, the youngest of the family, who died in childhood.
Charles L. Shafer was educated in the pub- lio schools of Williamsport, graduating, suc- cessively, from the elementary grades, the high school and Dickinson Seminary, in 1903. He then took the full course at the Uni- versity of Syracuse, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1908. Coming to Wilkes-Barre, he was appointed resident physician of Mercy Hospital, which he ad- ministered for two years, then establishing himself in independent practice in King- ston in 1910. He is a member of the Ameri- can Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the Lehigh Valley Medical Society, the Luzerne County Med- ical Society in professional affiliations, and socially of the Kiwanis Club, Craftsmen's Club, Wyoming Valley Motor Club, Frank- lin Club and Trem Temple Country Club. He has also served as president of the Kingston Board of Health. In military affiliations he is a member of Black Diamond Post, No. 395, American Legion, of Kingston, of which he was commander for three years. He is also associate surgeon on the staff of the Nesbitt Memorial Hospital. He is a Repub- lican in politics and a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Tem- plar, of Wilkes-Barre, and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Other organizations in which he has membership are Lodge No. 109, of Wilkes- Barre, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Kingston Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His military record fol- lows: Enlisted in the 9th Regiment, Penn- sylvania National Guard, March 7, 1916; com- missioned first lieutenant, Medical Corps, Pennsylvania National Guard, March 27, 1916 (9th Regiment, N. G. P.); Mexican border service, from September 22, 1916, to Novem- ber 26, 1916. World War: entered the serv- ice June 23, 1917, as first lieutenant Medical Corps, United States Army, stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; Medical Officers' Training Camp, June 27, 1917, to September 10, 1917; Camp Hancock, Georgia, September 14, 1917, to April 28, 1918, as surgeon of 103d Train Headquarters and Military Police 28th Division; France with the American Expeditionary Forces, May 7, 1918, to May
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3, 1919, as assistant division surgeon, 28th Division; promoted to captain, August 25, 1918, in France; promoted to major, Feb- ruary 26, 1919, in France; honorably mus- tered out of the service at Camp Dix, New Jersey, May 20, 1919. Battle service: Cham- pagne-Marne defensive; Aisne-Marne offen- sive: Fismes sector; Oisne-Aisne; Meuse- Argonne; Thiacourt sector.
Charles L. Shafer married, August 7, 1912, in Kingston, Mary E. Bach, daughter of Christian and Sarah J. (Humphrey) Bach, and they are the parents of: Charles Bach, Robert Christian, and Edward Alfred.
BENJAMIN LEWIS JENKINS is the son of Hopkin and Ann (Lewis) Jenkins, both of whom were natives of Wales. Coming to this country in 1882, they located at Nanti- coke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom lived to maturity: 1. William, deceased. 2. David, who is a foreman for the Buttonwood mines of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company. 3. Elizabeth, the wife of the Rev. E. R. Roberts, a minister of the Presbyterian Church at Prompton, Pennsylvania. 4. Jane, who married Daniel Powell, now deceased. 5. John D., who is a baker by trade, located at Kingston, Penn- sylvania. 6. Joseph R., of Wilkes-Barre, a foreman at the South Wilkes-Barre mines for the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Com-
pany. 7. Rachel A., the wife of Clanton Evans of New York City. 8. Benjamin Lewis, of whom further. 9. Mary, the wife of Har- rison Davis, of Niles, Ohio. 10. Daniel R., a department clerk in the county treasurer's office in Spokane, Washington.
Benjamin Lewis Jenkins was born at Nan- ticoke, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1888. He was five years of age when his parents moved to Wilkes-Barre and it was here that he grew up and when a lad attended the public schools. When still a young boy, he held a position as office boy for Paul Sher- wood of Wilkes-Barre. His next position was with a dry-goods firm, Joseph S. Coons and Company, where he learned to be a clerk and held the position for four years. At the age of seventeen years, he entered the employ of the Vulcan Iron Works as an apprentice in the boiler shops. After several years of experience there he was transferred to the office of the same company, where he worked himself through all the branches of the busi- ness until he was elevated to the position of manager of the steel casting department, a position he held for eight years. He severed his connection with the Vulcan Iron Works to accept the position of president and general manager of Powell-Davies Tractor and Equipment Company, a position he now holds. In July, 1927, he was appointed by the county commissioners to the position of tax collector for Wilkes-Barre. In politics he is a Republican and he is a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Sons of Liberty Lodge, No. 1103, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Wilkes-Barre; he is also a member of the Wyoming Valley Encampment and is the president of the Past Grands Association of Luzerne County, Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; a member of the board of governors of the Wyoming Valley Motor Club; member of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce.
On July 20, 1910, Benjamin Lewis Jenkins married Kate Griffiths of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of David P. and May Ann (Haycock) Griffiths. They have two children: David Hopkin, and Ann Griffiths.
EDWARD RUSSELL WHITE-Member and general manager of the firm of W. D. White & Company, dealers in drugs at retail, No. 35 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, a native of this community, and member of a family old in the history of the Wyoming Valley, Edward R. White is accounted prominent among the substantial and most progressively representative citizens of the community, active in its commercial, political and frater- nal affairs. W. D. White & Company is the largest of drug firms in the city and one of those longest established. Mr. White was born May 24, 1875, a son of the late William D. and Sarah Harper (Jones) White, the father having died December 16, 1921, the mother now (1929) living, at the age of seventy-six years, in Wilkes-Barre.
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