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 35
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Lewis P. Kniffen left the farm on which he was born, in Dallas Township, after he had completed his education in the district schools, and came as a young man to Wilkes- Barre. Here he obtained employment in the shop of a mortician, and learned that pro- fession. In due time he established funeral parlors under his own name, and at the time of his death, in 1924, had been in the pro- fession for forty-one continuous years, and was the oldest funeral director and mortician in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Lewis P. Kniffen was most active in all phases of life in the community. Fraternally his connections were extensive, and included membership in Land- mark Lodge, No. 442, of the Free and Accept- ed Masons; Caldwell Consistory, at Blooms- burg, of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, in which he held the thirty-second degree; 1rem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Wilkes- Barre, and the Irem Country Club; St. John Commandery of the Knights of Malta; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Wilkes- Barre; Lodge No. 109 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Junior Order of United American Mechanics: the Patriotic Order Sons of America; the Loyal Order of Moose; and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre, devout in its service, and generous in contributions to all charitable causes whether or not they were sponsored by the church in which he was a communicant. Well liked and admired for his high character and great abilities by all who knew him, Lewis P. Kniffen was elected to the office of mayor of Wilkes- Barre in 1907, and during the four years of his service did much for the reform and bet- terment of the community. In 1912 he was elected sheriff of Luzerne County, and this office too was for a term of four years. In 1916 he was nominated by the Republican party to represent Luzerne County in Con- gress, but was defeated by his Democratic opponent, who polled a small majority. For eight years Mr. Kniffen served as city com- missioner, and occupied that office when death occurred. Lewis P. Kniffen married Katherine Gertrude Reick of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Reick; and to this union was born one son, Luther M. Kniffen, of whom further.
Luther M. Kniffen was born in Wilkes- Barre, November 19, 1888, and here attended the public schools. Under the direction of his father he applied himself to gain knowledge of the profession of mortician, so diligently and intelligently that within a short space of time he was well versed in all its branches. He is now (1929) one of the most highly re- garded funeral directors in Luzerne County, and operates his establishment in the quar- ters where the Kniffen Funeral Home has stood since founded by Lewis P. Kniffen. Like his father, Mr. Kniffen is a Republican and loyal to the party's principles of National Government. He takes an active part in public affairs and possesses a considerable influence in elections. He was elected coroner of Luzerne County in 1927. Fraternally he is active also, being a member of Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Ma-
sons; Dieu le Vent Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Keystone Consistory, at Scranton, Pennsylvania, of the Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite Masons, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Wilkes-Barre; the Irem Country Club; Scranton Lodge, No. 123, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Knights of Malta; the Junior Order of United American Mechanics: Loyal Order of Moose; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Patriotic Order of Sons of America; the Pen and Pencil Club; Irem Gun Club; and the United Sports- men of America. Mr. Kniffen is a communi- cant of the Lutheran Church. His gifts for relief of the poor and toward other causes of like appeal are large, readily forthcoming, and distinguished for their substantial pro- portion. When the United States entered the World War in 1917, Mr. Kniffen enlisted for service, and was assigned to duty in the Motor Transport Corps at Camp Joseph E. Johnston, Jacksonville, Florida, with the rank of lieutenant.
Luther M. Kniffen married Charlotte Hynd- man, of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 7, 1922. Charlotte (Hyndman) Kniffen is a daughter of James and Ruth (Harvey) Hyndman, the family being one of the old ones in the history of Luzerne County ; so too, the house of Harvey is one of the oldest in the Wyoming Valley, settlers in the Valley having come from the State of Connecticut with the Susquehanna Company, and having been mentioned with merit in the records of battles between settlers and Indians. Luther M. and Charlotte (Hyndman) Kniffen reside at No. 465 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
ALFRED W. GROVER, M. D .- For nearly a score of years Dr. Alfred W. Grover has been faithfully and successfully engaged in general medical practice in Kingston, Penn- sylvania, where at the present time (1929) he has his offices at No, 293 Maple Street. Dr. Grover is a graduate of Wyoming Semi- nary and of Albany Medical College, and is well known to the profession in this part of the State. He is also well known in fraternal circles, and is prominent in the Masonic Order.
John Grover, great-grandfather of Dr. Grover, was born in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, and settled in Salem Township, Luzerne County, among the earliest settlers of that section. He had a son, Butler Grover, born in Salem Township, Luzerne County, a farmer, who married Mary Briggs, a native of that same locality. They were the par- ents of Millard F. Grover, of further men- tion.
Millard F. Grover, son of Butler and Mary (Briggs) Grover, was born in Hollenback Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of sixty-nine years. For many years he was an engineer in the em- ploy of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, and was a man who commanded the respect and esteem of his associates. He married Anna M. Vand- ling, who survives him at the age of seventy- two years (1929). They were the parents of two children: Nellie B., of Kingston, who makes her home with her mother and brother; and Dr. Alfred W., of further mention.
Dr. Alfred W. Grover was born in Hollen- back Township, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania, November 24, 1882, and spent his boy- hood in Northumberland and in Kingston. He attended the public schools, graduating from Kingston High School with the class of 1899, and then continued his studies in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, where he
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finished his course with graduation in 1903. He then entered the Albany Medical College, of Union University, at Albany, New York, where he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1907. For one year following his graduation he served as an interne in the Wilkes-Barre City Hospital, and then, in September, 190S, he began his long term of service as a general medical practitioner at Kingston, Pennsylvania, where he is known and loved as a faithful and able physician. Over twenty years of service have endeared him to many of those whom he has served and have won for him an assured place among his professional colleagues. He is a trustee of the Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, Kingston, and a member of the surgical staff of that institution. He is a member and vice- president of the Luzerne County Medical Society, of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Asso- ciation, and in addition to these professional affiliations, also finds time for numerous other fraternal connections. He is a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Vent Command- ery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Caldwell Con- sistory of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre; also of lrem Temple Country Club. He is a member of Lodge No. 709, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Washington Post, No. 396, Patriotic Order Sons of America; and his clubs are the Craftsmen's Club, and the Wyoming Valley Motor Club. Dr. Grover served one term of enlistment in the Hos- pital Corps of the 9th Pennsylvania National Guard, Infantry; and during the period of the participation of the United States in the World War served as a member of Local Draft Board, No. 4, of Kingston, Pennsyl- vania. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party, and his religious in- terest is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member.
Dr. Grover has never married, but has de- voted his entire interest and devotion to his profession, giving to his many patients the faithful and expert care which has won for him not only professional success, but the deep and lasting regard of those with whom he has been, and is, associated.
PETER FORVE-More than fifty years ago there was established in the town of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, a plumbing, heating, tinning and cornice work business, which con- tinues to be one of the prominent businesses of this city, and is under the proprietorship and management of Peter Forve, the son of Peter Forve, the founder of the business. That an establishment of this kind should grow and prosper under the many changes that have taken place in the building trades is due to the skillful ability and business acumen of the man who founded it and the business principles which he was able to instill into his son, who has been wise enough to remember the wisdom of his successful father and not forget his admonitions.
Peter Forve, senior, was born in Germany and was brought to this country sometime about the year 1853 when he was five years of age. As he grew up he learned the trade of a plumber and after he became proficient in this line, working in it continuously for many years, he, in 1870, set up an establish- ment of his own which, as has been stated, since his death has been carried on by his son, Peter Forve, junior. This business is still situated where it was begun, at No. 114 North Main Street, where it has been and
continues to be a landmark of the business section of the city, despite the many changes which have taken place during the last five decades of history in the progress of the city. Mr. Forve was a familiar figure in this shop and office until April 7, 1913, when he died at the age of sixty-five years. He was a de- voted member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church and an ardent Democrat in his polit- ical affiliations. For forty-three years he was outstanding as a prominent citizen and busi- ness man of Wilkes-Barre. He was married twice: by his first wife, he had eight chil- dren: 1. Jacob L., who died on November 28, 1898, at the age of twenty-five years, was associated with his father in the business until the time of his death. 2. Peter, Jr., of whom further. 3. George T., who entered the priesthood and is priest in charge of the parish of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church at Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 4. Marie, who married Carl A. Leighton of Wilkes- Barre. 5. Regina, who married Manus J. Gallagher of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. 6. Louis, who married Lulu Schmitt. 7. Fred- erick. 8. Hildegard.
Peter Forve, Jr., grew up in Wilkes-Barre and was educated at the St. Nicholas paro- chial school at Wilkes-Barre. While a young man, he learned the plumber's trade under the proficient direction of his father and so was qualified in every part of the business to succeed his father in its management and to undertake to further its progress. In 1930 this business will be sixty years old and its continuity is remarkable because of the fact that few businesses in this country have withstood the changes of conditions that have taken place since the time of the Civil War. It is, therefore, one of the notable institutions of Wilkes-Barre, with credit due to the founder and his able son who have made this a possibility.
Mr. Forve, like his father, is a member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church and is a staunch Democrat in his politics. He is a member of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and belongs to the Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming Val- ley Chamber of Commerce.
On November 8, 1899, Peter Forve married Caroline Schappert, daughter of Joseph Schappert, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Forve have three sons: 1. Carl J., who is associated with his father in the plumbing business. 2. George Thomas who lives in New York City, and is connected with the New York Telephone Company. 3. Peter, 3d, who is a student at the Villa Nova College.
HENRY SHAPIRO-For more than twenty years Henry Shapiro has occupied a position of importance in the industrial and financial circles of Wilkes-Barre, and today is num- bered among the city's foremost men. His career has been varied, but in the maln course has centered on steel and iron, other connections having been of preparatory char- acter and of the relationship thereto. Since his round success at steel and iron and ownership of the company bearing his name, so well known in the Wyoming Valley, he has formed other connections with finan- cial enterprises; and these are to the main course of his career as branches to a tree, the trunk always having been steel and iron.
Mr. Shapiro was born February 22, 1877, in New York City, son of Max and Mary (Oppenheim) Shapiro. He was five years of age when his parents brought him to Penn- sylvania, and hence looks upon this State as his native place. He attended public schools and business college at Scranton, where his parents established their home, and
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entered the business world as stenographer, in the employ of J. L. Connell and Company, when he was eighteen years of age. With the Connell organization he continued six and a half years, then entered the employ of the Scranton Nut and Bolt Company, where he continued three years, leaving the com- pany in 1906 to found his own organization in Wilkes-Barre. So successful was this from the outset that in 1920 Mr. Shapiro erected one of the finest manufacturing plants for steel and iron products in this part of Penn- sylvania. He deals in iron and steel, paper mill supplies, structural materials, rails and pipe.
Active in the fraternal and civic life of Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Shapiro is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Royal Arch Chapter of Wilkes-Barre; Key- stone Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Scranton; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Manufacturers' As- sociation, Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel, and the National Association of Waste Mate- rial Dealers. He is chairman of the finance committee and a trustee of Temple Israel, Wilkes-Barre. His home is at No. 524 South Franklin Street; his office, Nos. 600-12 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Shapiro married, September 6, 1905, Lulu Fisher, of Wilkes-Barre; and their chil- dren are: Frances Marian, now Mrs. Murray; B. Frankel; Lester, and Selig.
OLIN DERR-In the Wyoming Valley the surname Derr stands for pioneership and en- terprise, but rather less for the former than the latter, while in the State of Pennsylvania and in New Jersey from colonial days the family has figured long indeed, its members having been among the early settlers. Repte- sentatives of the surname in Wilkes-Barre, prominent among them Olin Derr, are de- scended from two old German families: Moe- lich and Dorr. Johannes Moelich (or John Mellick, of Bedminster), was born at Bens- dorf-on-Rhine, Germany, February 26, 1702, son of John Wilhelm and Anna Catherine
Moelich. With his wife, Maria Cathrina Kirburger, daughter of Gottfried Kirburger, a burgomaster, he came to America, aboard the "Mercury," and the date of arrival was May 29, 1725, the place, Philadelphia. One of his sons was Andrew, born at Bensdorf- on-Rhine. This Andrew Moelich made his residence in New Jersey, and fought in the Revolution. He Anglicized the name Moelich, to Malick and Mellick. His eldest daughter, Catharine, married, in 1787, Johannes Fein, later John Fine; and they had a daughter, Hannah, born in 1813, died in 1864, who mar- ried John Dorr, later John Derr. Thus were the two houses brought together. The Dorrs, Derrs, were among the German Protestants driven out of the Palatinates in the first half of the eighteenth century, and the pro- genitor of the family in this country whose descendant, Olin Derr, resides in Wilkes- Barre, was Johann Heinrich Dorr. This Johann settled in Bucks County, and was an elder in the old "Swamp Church," which has since become the Trinity Reformed Church. His son Jacob served in the Revolution; and Jacob's son, Michael, served in the War of 1812. This Michael Derr was the father of twelve children, of whom the eldest son was John Derr, millwright, bridge builder and lumber dealer, in Delaware; and it was he, as noted, who married Hannah Fine, who was
descended of the house of Moelich. They had five children, of whom Thompson Derr, born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1834, was eldest son. He was a business man, and after several experiences elsewhere came to Wilkes-Barre, about 1860, founding here the insurance firm of Thompson Derr & Brother. Meanwhile his younger brother second to him- self in age, Henry Haupt Derr, born in Nocka- mixon Township, Bucks County, July 5, 1839, died in Wilkes-Barre, October 12, 1888, came into the organization. After the death of the senior partner, Henry Haupt Derr came into control and with him was associated another brother, younger than himself, Andrew Fine Derr. Henry Haupt Derr became one of the principal men of Wilkes-Barre, with position, power and wealth. His interests commercial, fraternal and otherwise were many. He mar- ried, May 15, 1866, Mary Delilah Fell, born October 9, 1837, daughter of Samuel Fell and Mary Dingman (Kyte) Fell; and they had children: 1. Grace, born August 22, 1867. 2. Katy Thompson, born August 10, 1869, died August 14, 1886. 3. John, born September 26, 1871, died October 7, 1876. 4. Chester Berger, born April 20, 1873, married Charlotta Con- salus of New York State; later divorced and married, in 1923, to Erica von Heimburgh, of New York City. 5. Ralph, born September 19, 1875, married Edna May Consalus, sister of his brother's wife; divorced and married, in 1914, to Mrs. Phoebe Lewis Howell, of Philadelphia, engaged in insurance brokerage in Philadelphia. 6. Henry Haupt, Jr., born January 7, 1878, died in January, 1922. 7. Olin, of whom follows:
Olin Derr, youngest child of Henry Haupt and Mary Delilah (Fell) Derr, was born in Wilkes-Barre, May 4, 1880. Here he attended the public schools, and prepared for more advanced and professional training in Harry Hillman Academy and Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts. He matriculated in Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1900, at the age of twenty years, graduat- ing with the degree of Mechanical Engineer in 1904. Mr. Derr after having completed his schooling entered the employ of several ship- building concerns of New York, and later, in partnership with his brother Ralph, engaged in marine construction, with dry docks on Staten Island. They sold out after four years, and Olin Derr, together with brothers Ralph and Henry, went to Georgia, there to engage in the manufacture of lumber. Next he be- came associated with the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, as assistant chief coal inspector, and in 1910 became special agent for Thomp- son Derr and Brother in Western- Pennsyl- vania. In 1912 he took a position as special agent for the Hanover Fire Insurance Com- pany of New York. When In 1915 he returned to Wilkes-Barre Mr. Derr took charge of the compensation department of Thompson Derr & Brother. In 1917 he went with E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Delaware, to work in powder, which the Du Pont organization was then supplying in large shipments to the United States and allies in the World War. He remained with the Du Pont interests until 1921, when he assumed charge of the local Philadelphia office of the Pennsylvania Indemnity com- pany Exchange, of Philadelphia. Then, in 1923, Mr. Derr returned to Wilkes-Barre, and has during the years succeeding lived in retirement. Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party. He is a life member of the Wyoming Valley Historical and Geo- logical Society, and a communicant of the First Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre. Toward charity he is ever generous.
On July 16, 1912, Mr. Derr was united in
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marriage with Emily Hand, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Isaac P. and Mary (Richardson) Hand; and they are the parents of three children: John Fine, 2d, Barbara Mary, and Chester Berger, 2d. The family residence was at No. 76 West Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, until the fall of 1929 when they moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, where they purchased a home. Their summers are spent on the shores of Lake Champlain, N. Y.
GEORGE G. SWAINBANK-Descended from the pioneers who were among the survivors of the Wyoming Massacre, of July, 1779, George G. Swainbank, prosperous merchant of Kingston, Pennsylvania, has worthily up- held the traditions of his family in their con- spicuous uprightness as citizens of the Com- monwealth. The family history is the history of this section of the State, its members hav- ing participated in the wars of our country from the Revolution to the World War, as well as in the commercial development of the community in which they have set themselves to labor and advance.
George G. Swainbank was born in Wilkes- Barre, December 23, 1885, a son of Miller H. and Sarah (Barber) Swainbank. Miller H. Swainbank was a son of Jefferson Swainbank, who was born in Luzerne County in 1804 and drove a stage coach a century ago between Wilkes-Barre and Easton. His parents were the original settlers of the family in this section, when the territory was filled with savage Indians and the axe of the pioneer was hewing a way into the forest for the feet of civilization to tread. The son of the stage coach driver volunteered for service with the Union Army upon the outbreak of the Civil War and was attached to Company K, 194th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, ranking as sergeant. He was a blacksmith by trade and after the close of the war con- ducted an establishment at Tunkhannock and Wilkes-Barre. He and his wife were the par- ents of six children: Jennie, who died in childhood; Ella N., who died in 1913, single: Harry H., now a druggist in Wilkes-Barre; Charles M., who is engaged in the electrical business at Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Lil- lian, who is the wife of George H. Powell, of Rochester, New York; and George G., of whom further. The father died May 2, 1927; the mother in 1918.
George G. Swainbank was educated in the public schools here and in the Wyoming Sem- inary, at the end of which time he entered the employ of Voorhis and Murray, furniture dealers in Wilkes-Barre, where he remained for ten years, then going to Harrisburg for eighteen months. In 1916 he returned to Kingston and established himself in the furniture business in his present quarters, at Nos. 260-264 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston. It is the largest store on the west side of the city and carries a full line of furniture of all grades. In politics he is a Republican and attends the Kingston Methodist Episco- pal Church. He belongs to Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Order of Free and - Accepted Masons; Kingston Lodge, No. 709, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Swainbank married, September 3, 1913, Elizabeth Hughes, of Kingston, daughter of Edward F. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Hughes. They have one child, Elizabeth Lonise. Their home is at No. 41 Chester Street, Kingston, Pennsylvania.
PHILIP STRAUSS-Straight from Austria to Wilkes-Barre came thirteen-year-old Philip Strauss, in 1894. He was alone, his parents were dead, but he had an energy, a
vision, a keen mind and an undying faith in himself. Those qualities have proved their value to unflinching courage in the face of threatened defeat. and today that boy is call- ed "the ideal American merchant" by his associates and commercial men throughout a large part of the United States. In Nanti- coke, where he operates the "Million Dollar Store," his preeminence is recognized, his natural gifts for display and salesmanship applauded. He is admired as a citizen, loved as a friend, respected as a fair competitor. His reward has been great. In the opinion of those who know him best it is fully deserved.
He was born in Austria, May 14, 1885, a son of Hirsh and Bessie Strauss. Coming to America on his own initiative, he located in Wilkes-Barre, where he found employ- ment and at the same time attended night school. He never lost a day at either. He kept his eyes open and saved his money. When he had accumulated $300, he fancied he might engage in independent business and established a house furnishing store in Potts- ville. The financial panic of 1907 over- whelmed his small capital and he was forced to' retire. In 1909 he became manager of a store in Nanticoke and, ten years later, opened his own present establishment at Nos. 103, 105, 107 Main Street, Nanticoke. These stores comprise one of the finest business establishments in Eastern Pennsylvania and are held to be worthy of New York City or Philadelphia. His ideas of display are artistic and compelling, each division of a house being represented by itself. There are completely furnished drawing rooms, bedrooms and kitchens, libraries and bathrooms, living rooms and porticos, each a unit in itself. He shows a six-room house, completely furnished in most artistic design, and supplies the du- plicates of all at prices so attractive that customers grow as his visitors increase in number. Magazines and journals throughout the country have paid him the compliment of referring to his institution in terms of the highest praise, and to him as a merchant of the highest qualifications. His capital to begin was $10,000. Today it is known as the "Million Dollar Store," while its owner is an outstanding figure in the commercial life of Luzerne County. He is a director of the Anthracite Cooperative Association. His fra- ternal affiliations include membership in Nan- ticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons, and Lodge No. 109, of Wilkes-Barre, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Nanticoke Kiwanis Club and attends the Washington Street Temple, Reformed, of Wilkes-Barre. His gifts to charity are generous and frequent, and he never fails to help in needy cases. His resi- dence is at No. 698 East Main Street, Nanti- coke.
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