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 37
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gaged in practice in Wisconsin, but later he returned to his home in Sheppton and en- gaged in practice there, until 1924. In that year he came to Hazleton and opened his offices in the American Bank Building, and since that time he has been most successfully engaged in practice here. He has built up a fine clientele and has won a reputation for skill and success in treatment that is daily bringing him new patients. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Chiropractors Associa- tion, the Universal Chiropractors Association, and the Delta Sigma Chi Fraternity, and has made for himself an assured place among his professional associates and in the community. During the World War, before he had become a chiropractor, Dr. Feddish contributed his "bit" by working in a munitions plant in Janesville, Pennsylvania. His religious mem- bership is with St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
Dr. Peter B. Feddish has his offices at No. 212 in the American Bank Building, and makes his home at No. 739 Alter Street, in Hazleton.
CONDY O. BOYLE-Dogged determination to succeed in life was coupled with industry that never wearied in the case of Condy O. Boyle, of Freeland, who has been one of the most active units of its industrial system for nearly half a century. His work has all been constructive and profitable alike to him- self and the community wherein he labored, for his keen business mind guided him in a sound cooperative course that redounded to the success of all enterprises with which his own became associated. He produced from the raw material essential things for the public demand and built the people's homes in improved territory that added to the sum total of the district's wealth. For all the years that he has spent among us he has ever shown himself to be a citizen of high distinction, valued for his contri- butions to the general prosperity and hap- piness and because of his many natural at- tractive qualities. He may number his friends by his acquaintances, for they are synonymous and their name is legion.
Mr. Boyle was born in the County Done- gal, Ireland, December 22, 1858, a son of Owen and Mary (O'Donnell) Boyle, and was educated in that country and at night schools in the United States. His parents both died in his youth and he emigrated to America and settled in Drifton, Pennsylvania, where he found employment in the mines operated by the Cox brothers, working there for eight years. He was thrifty and saved enough money to purchase a lot on Center Street, upon which he erected a building and later used as a hotel, conducting it suc- cessfully until 1906, when he disposed of it in order to give his entire attention to other interests. In 1900 he had formed a partner- ship with Peter Trunery, James McHugh, John Shigo and Charles Duscheck and or- ganized the Freeland Brewing Company, erected a plant and began its operation. The enterprise grew and for years its output annually was 25,000 barrels of beer. Mr. Boyle was president of the corporation and as each partner withdrew or died he pur- chased his stock, eventually becoming sole owner of the plant, which he operated until 1927, when he leased it and retired from active work. He is president of the Citi- zens' Bank of Freeland and the oldest living member of that financial institution. Owner of a large tract of land lying to the west of the brewery, he had it surveyed into some 500 building lots, organized the Cox Grove Realty Company and marketed the lots for residential purposes. He was also
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the owner of twenty-two acres of land in Butler Township, west of Foster Township, which he developed in like manner, erecting thereon many handsome residences, his own having been the first one to be built in this section. His investments in real estate in Freeland are heavy in addition to the prop- erty noted. He is fraternally affiliated with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and attends the Roman Catholic Church of St. Ann. The family residence is at No. 501 Vine Street, Freeland, Pennsylvania.
Condy O. Boyle married, in 1891, Nellie McGetrick. Their children are: 1. Eugene. 2. Frank. 3. James, deceased. 4. Joseph. 5. Mary.
DIE. JAMES F. GALLAGHER-Among the younger members of the medical profession in Freeland, Pennsylvania, is Dr. James F. Gallagher, who has been engaged in general practice here for the past two years (1928). Dr. Gallagher is a graduate of Temple Uni- versity and has his offices in the Reforwitch Building. He has already laid the founda- tions of a very satisfactory practice and there is every prospect that his career will be a highly successful one.
Dr. James F. Gallagher was born in Lans- ford, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1900, son of John P. and Anna (Carlin) Gallagher. After completing the usual early and pre- paratory courses he entered Temple Univer- sity, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he completed the medical course with the class of 1925. His interneship was passed in the Reading General Hospital, and in the fall of 1926 he located here in Freeland, where he has since conducted a general med- ical and surgical practice. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and though he has been engaged in practice but a short time has already established a reputation, among those with whom he has been associ- ated, for skill and for close attention to the interests of his patients. At the time of the World War Dr. Gallagher was a stu- dent and he entered service as a member of the First Student Army Training Corps. He was transferred to the Medical Depart- ment of Camp Lee, Virginia, and later to Camp Colton, and was mustered out of serv- ice in December, 1918. Dr. Gallagher has many warm friends in Freeland and vicinity, and is one of the able and energetic young men, of whom much may be expected. He is a member of the Rotary Club, and frater- nally, is affiliated with the Knights of Colum- bus, being a member of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. James F. Gallagher is unmarried, and makes his home at No. 536 Center Street, in Freeland.
WILLIAM M. DOUGHERTY-Leaving the railroad business after serving in many ca- pacities and in almost every State through- out the West, William M. Dougherty re- turned to his native State of Pennsylvania, settled in Freeland and for many years con- ducted a successful hotel that had been founded by his father. Mr. Dougherty throughout his life has shown a versatility that has enabled him to handle with skill the details of many positions in the railroad field and, stepping out of a business in which he had been engaged for years, quickly demonstrated his qualifications for the new work he undertook. He has been a very useful citizen, with hosts of friends and bear- ing a reputation of unblemished record, tak-
ing a sincere interest In all civic affairs of a nature appealing to the progressive ele- ment and identifying himself with such fra- ternal organizations as are constructive In their activities and sympathetic in their ideals and accomplishments.
Mr. Dougherty was born in Summit Ifill, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1860, a son of Patrick and Jane (Mulhall) Dougherty, he being a native of Donegal, and she of Kilkenny, Ire- land. They met and were married in this district and were the parents of twelve children, the death of the mother occurring in 1892, the father in 1922 at the age of ninety-two years. Patrick Dougherty was a son of William and Mary (Doran) Dougherty, and was brought to America by his parents, when he was about six years of age. They made their home in Philadelphia and William became associated with the railroad business, working for the Pennsylvania Railroad, assisting in the building of the road between Johnstown and Altoona. Patrick grew up In Philadelphia and during the summer came to Summit Hill, where he worked in the coal mines as a hoisting engineer. It was during this occupation that an explosion occurred that blinded him for life and he was com- pelled to give up the work and seek other means of support. Coming to Freeland in 1867, he built and operated a hotel at Washing- ton and Walnut streets, later conducting another on Center Street, known as the St. Elmo Hotel, where lie was associated with his father and ably assisted in the manage- ment by his wife, the business being even- tually taken over by his son, William M. He was a man of cheerful disposition and took a deep interest in the civic activities of Freeland, was frequently chosen as dele- gate to conventions and gave a good ac- count of himself, regardless of his affliction. His church was the Roman Catholic St. Ann's of Freeland.
William M. Dougherty was the eldest son of the couple and as a hoy did his share of the work around the hotel, but with man- hood reached and the success of the enter- prise assured, he answered the urge to go out into the world and entered the railroad service. During this period of his life he moved from State to State as duty called, becoming yardmaster at St. Louis, Missouri, for the Missouri Pacific and assigned to the transportation department of the Southern Pacific at Los Angeles, California. His father's advancing age caused him to return to Freeland in 1900, where he took over the hotel and conducted the enterprise until 1924. In politics he has always been identi- fied with the Democratic party, to which he has been very assistful in' campaigns. He is a director of the Citizens' Bank of Freeland and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Freeland, the Fishing Club, and St. Elmo Club. This latter club was formed by Mr. Dougherty. during war time for the purpose of assisting their local soldiers abroad. Among other things: Four hundred and seventy new one dollar bills of issue of 1918 were sent to each soldier from Freeland and vicinity. One also was sent to General Pershing, whose secre- tary wrote as follows:
Mr. William Dougherty,
St. Elmo Club, Freeland.
Assistant Secretary,
General Pershing directs me to acknowl- edge the receipt of your letter of November 25 and to thank you for your good wishes.
With reference to the one dollar bill which you enclosed I am pleased to advise you that it has been donated to a fund for the benefit of the French children in the town where general headquarters are located.
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Mr. Dougherty is a member of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church.
William M. Dougherty married, in 1893, Ann Hagan of Alton, Illinois, whose death occurred November 1, 1924. His residence is at No. 910 Center Street, Freeland, Penn- sylvania.
JOHN J. KOSKER, M. D .- Poland has con- tributed largely to the successful population of Nanticoke, both in mercantile activities and in its professional life, an outstanding mem- ber of the latter class being John J. Kosker, physician and surgeon, with his offices at No. 107 South Market Street. Although a native of Luzerne County, Dr. Kosker is a son of a Polish immigrant, who came to America and settled in Nanticoke when a boy. The son of this boy, who took to wife a native American and reared a family of nine children, absorbed the germ of true Americanism, acquired a sound professional education and has become one of the leading physicians and surgeons and one of the most upstanding citizens of the community.
He was born in Nanticoke, November 14, 1886. His father was Con Kosker and his mother Bridget Kosker, the first named hav- ing been born in Poland and coming to America when he was seven years of age. He settled in Nanticoke and became a breaker boy at the mines, afterward a miner. He was a man of natural musical ability and for years played a cornet in St. Mary's band here. Six of the nine children of his marriage are still living.
John J. Kosker was educated in the public schools of Nanticoke and graduated from the high school in 1914. He then took a course at Bucknell and at the University of Penn- sylvania, from which last-named institution he was graduated in the class of 1920 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He became an interne in Mercy Hospital, in Wilkes- Barre, coming to Nanticoke in 1921, where he established himself in practice. He is on the visiting staff of the Nanticoke State Hospital, a member of the local medical examiner for the Woodmen of the World; the New York Life Insurance Company; the Missouri State Life Insurance Company; the Woman's Bene- fit Association; the Liberty Life Assurance Society and the Knights of Columbus. His church is the Roman Catholic, St. Francis. He belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, to the Knights of Columbus, Alhambra Cara- van and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. Kosker married, in 1915, Martha C. Schkosky, of West Nanticoke. Their children are: Aurelia Camilla, Ileen Antoinette, Yvonne Marie, and John, deceased.
CHARLES F. DONNELLY-Few profes- sions have shown more advancement than that of funeral directing in the sixty years that have elapsed since the Donnelly under- taking business was established. Like every- thing else, it has felt the quickening hand of science, especially in embalming. Orig- inally the undertaker had to be a cabinet- maker too-in fact, the latter was his chief occupation-for he had to make his own coffins; today, these are manufactured in finely equipped modern plants. The equip- ment of the funeral director has also been improved to a point not even dreamed of half a century ago.
Charles F. Donnelly, the well-known fun- eral director of Pittston, is of the third gen- eration of his family in this country. His grandparents, Michael and Catherine (Fal- lihu) Donnelly, both natives of Ireland, came to America early in life. They settled in
Susquehanna County, where Michael Donnelly engaged in farming. Their son, Cornelius Donnelly was born in 1840 and reared on the home farm. Early in life he learned the trades of wagon builder and cabinet- maker, which he followed as a journeyman until 1869. By that time, as a result of his thrift and industry, he had acquired suf- ficient capital to establish himself in busi- ness, and having confidence in his ability and being a man of courage, he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business at 79 South Main Street, Pittston, where he, continued with ever increasing success until his death in 1913. He built his own hearse and furniture delivery wagons and con- structed his own coffins. He was a skilled mechanic and did fine work. He had a most agreeable personality, was unfailingly cour- teous and sympathetic, and these qualities attracted and held a large circle of friends. He was married three times. By his first wife, Hanora Neville, he had the following children: John J., deceased; Michael N., now an attorney-at-law in Pittston; George B., engaged in the insurance business in Philadelphia; Rev. Father Francis, a jesuit priest in Poughkeepsie; Cornelius Jr., de- ceased; William J., deceased; Alice, wife of Dr. Hugh J. Lenahan of Pittston, a sketch of whom appears in this work; and Nora. His second wife, Elizabeth McGuire, of Pitts- ton, bore Mr. Donnelly two children: Charles F., of whom further, and Sister Mary Frances of the Order of Sisters of Charity of Mont- clair, New Jersey. For his third wife Mr. Donnelly married Belinda Powers of Pitts- ton, and from this union three children were born: Agnes, wife of Frank Ryan, a lawyer of Elizabeth, New Jersey; Dr. Joseph, a phy- sician of Philadelphia, and Regina, Sister Miriam, of the Order of Sisters of Charity of Newark, New Jersey.
Charles F. Donnelly, with whom this re- view is more especially concerned, was born in Pittston, June 15, 1882. He first attended St. John's Parochial School, prepared for col- lege at the Harry Hillman Academy in Wilkes-Barre, and matriculated at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in the class of 1903, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Returning to Pittston, he began to work with his father, under whose instruction he mas- tered the practical details both of the furni- ture business and funeral directing. He also took a course in embalming at Eckles' School of Embalming, Philadelphia. Upon the death of the elder Donnelly the son assumed con- trol of the business, maintaining the same policies which had gained the favor of the general public. But by 1915 the undertaking department of the business had grown to such proportions that it seemed desirable to devote his entire time and attention to it; so in that year he disposed of the furniture business. 1n 1923 he erected a modern build- ing, especially designed and equipped with every modern device and convenience, includ. ing a showroom, where caskets and fittings can be displayed most effectively and in an appropriate atmosphere, a morgue and a garage. His progressive methods, always falr and straightforward, his kindly consideration and his attentive and efficient service have won for Mr. Donnelly a place among the leading morticians in this section of the State. He is a member of the Luzerne and Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Associations.
Mr. Donnelly is vice-president of the Lib- erty National Bank of Pittston and is a trus- tee of the Pittston Hospital. Nothing that affects the welfare of his native city lies out- side the field of his interests, for he realizes
Loare MY.
John
*
Philip Hertz M. D.
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and believes that the measure of a citizen's civic responsibility is his ability to serve his community. Mr. Donnelly's fraternal mem- herships are in the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is also a member of the Pittston Chamber of Com- merce, of which he is a past president, and the Fox Hill Country Club.
On June 3, 1910, Charles F. Donnelly mar- ried Agnes Martin of Pittston, and they have the following children: Charles, Neil and William. Mrs. Donnelly is active in many of the women's organizations of her city, in- cluding the Hospital Auxiliary and St. John's Guild. The family are communicants of St. John's Roman Catholic Church. Their spa- cious residence is at 10 Delaware Avenue, and here they dispense a hospitality that is noted for its cordiality and charm.
LEWIS PERNA-The legal profession is represented in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, by many men of ability, both among the older members of the bar and among those who have begun practice within the last ten years. Prominent among those who belong to the last-named class is Lewis Perna, who was admitted to the bar in February, 1920, and has since that time been engaged in general legal practice here. Mr. Perna has his offices on the eighth floor of the Markle Building and is taking care of a very substantial and lucrative practice.
Nicholas Perna, father of Mr. Perna, was born in Italy and remained in his native land until after his marriage. In 1882, the year following the birth of Lewis Perna, he brought his family to America, and located in the State of Pennsylvania, settling first in Lattimer Mines, where he worked as a la- borer in the coal mines. He died in 1906, after twenty-four years in this country, at the age of sixty-three years, survived by his wife, Rosa, who died in 1908 at the age of fifty-eight years. They were the parents of four children: John B., who is alderman of the Fourteenth Ward of the city of Hazleton; Anna; Emanuila; and Lewis, of further men- tion.
Lewis Perna, son of Nicholas and Rosa Perna, was born in Italy, November 27, 1881, and was brought to this country by his par- ents when he was an infant less than a year old. His parents settled in Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania, at first, but about five years later the family came to Hazleton, and in the public schools of this city young Lewis re- ceived his early training. School days for him were brief, however, as a boy, for when he was eight years of age he went to work in the mines as a breaker boy. Hard work and long hours did not discourage him. He stuck to his job, working his way up until he was a full fledged miner, and then con- tinuing as a miner until 1908. By that time he had reached his twenty-seventh year and had managed to complete a course in the Hazleton Business College. He decided that the time had come to make a definite change in his occupation and found employment with the Prudential Life Insurance Company, with whom he remained three years. The next two years he spent in the grocery business, and then, on January 1, 1914, he began his term as minute clerk in the Luzerne County Court. This experience opened the way to his professional life, and he continued as clerk of the court until 1920, but he set about the task of preparing himself for the prac- tice of law, and while still serving as clerk was reading law under the direction of John Kemp and John M. Carr. On February 3, 1920, he successfully passed the examinations
for admission to the bar and since that time he has been successfully engaged in general practice in Hazleton. Perseverance and hard work enabled him to achieve the goal he had set for himself, and his eight years of practice have demonstrated the fact that the "University of Hard Knocks" does its work thoroughly and well, inculcating some qual- ities which no other institution has been able to so successfully instill. Mr. Perna has built up a very substantial practice, and has be-
come well known in this section of the county. He is a member of the Luzerne County Bar Association, and has won the respect of his professional associates, and he has also found time for active participa- tion in local public affairs. He gives his sup- port to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and for twelve years has served as assessor in Hazleton. He is a progressive citizen who can always be counted upon to aid in the furtherance of all plans for the advancement of the welfare of the city of Hazleton, and his ability has long been recognized. Fraternally, he is identified with the Garibaldi Society (Past President), and the Knights of Pythias (Past Chancellor Commander).
Lewis Perna was married, April 26, 1906, to Elizabeth Roman, and they are the parents of nine children: Mary Sunday, Rose Marie, Nicholas Joseph, Anna Carmen; Michael Archangel, John B., Caesar Dominic, Daniel Roman, and Jane. The family home is located at No. 704 North Laurel Street, in Hazleton.
PHILIP E. HERTZ, M. D., one of the lead- ing physicians of Luzerne, was born in this city, September 1, 1900, the son of Joseph and Hannah (Goldstein) Hertz, both natives of Austria-Hungary, who came to this coun- try in 1884, the latter operating a large grocery store in Luzerne and later in Wilkes- Barre, when he retired. His wife, the mother of Dr. Hertz, died September 2, 1920.
The early education of Dr. Hertz was ob- tained in the public schools of Luzerne, after which he attended Wilkes-Barre High School, graduating with the class of 1918. He then went to Lafayette College, at Easton, North- ampton County, for about three months, at- tending students army training camp. In 1919, he entered the University of Pennsyl- vania, graduating with the degree of Bache- lor of Arts in 1923. He then took up his medical studies and in 1925 secured his de- gree of Doctor of Medicine. For a year he officiated as an interne at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and on September 1, 1926, started as a general practitioner in Luzerne, and in a very short space of time built up for himself an extensive and lucrative prac- tice. He is on the staff of the Nesbitt West Side Hospital and is a member of the County and State medical societies and of the Amer- ican Medical Association. His college fra- ternity is Phi Delta Epsilon, and his religious affiliations are with the Luzerne Synagogue. Dr. Hertz finds keen enjoyment in the games of tennis and baseball, and was a member of the University of Pennsylvania football team during his attendance there.
On November 23, 1926, Dr. Hertz married Helen Goldberg, daughter of Louis and Lena Goldberg, of Luzerne. Dr. and Mrs. Hertz have their residence at No. 465 Bennett Street, Luzerne, where the former also has his office.
STANLEY CARSON CROOP-Since 1924 Stanley C. Croop has been proprietor of a general store and postmaster of Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, where he was born and where he has lived during the greater part
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of his life. Mr. Croop is a graduate of Wyoming Seminary and Business College, and of Blair Hall, at Blairstown, New Jersey, and he is a veteran of the World War, having served for eighteen months on a submarine chaser. In addition to his business activities as merchant and postmaster Mr. Croop is a director of the Farmers' State Bank of Shickshinny, Pennsylvania.
Benjamin F. Croop, father of Mr. Croop, was born in Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1858, and has spent most of his life here. He attended the local public schools, tried his hand at several different lines of business activity, and finally became a successful hotel owner and operator. Eventually, he added to his business as hotel owner the operation of an amusement park known as Croop's Glen. This he made attractive with picnic grounds, all sorts of amusements, pony rides and vari- ous other novelties. His experience as a hotel manager enabled him to make a profitable concern of Croop's Glen, the natural features of the tract brought many pleasure seekers to the place and the Glen became one of the well-known and popular resorts of excursion- Ists and picnickers. Benjamin F. Croop mar- ried Alveretta Jane Eves, who was born in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1859, and both are still living (1928).
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