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 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
Mr. Krapf was born June 13, 1896, at Cranberry, Pennsylvania, a son of John Krapf, born in Harwood, Pennsylvania, and
of Barbara (Hempel) Krapf, born in Saxony, Germany. His father, who died In 1906, at the age of thirty-four, was a talented violin- ist, who gave instruction in playing this instrument for many years and played in several orchestras. In the family there were five children: Harold, of whom further. Myrtle, Edna, Raymond, and Barbara.
Harold Krapf was educated In the public schools of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and at the age of twelve first took up the baker's trade. Before he was sixteen, he was ac- counted a master of his craft, and until the period of the World War he worked as a journeyman baker. In 1918 Mr. Krapf en- listed in the United States Army, but soon thereafter the Armistice was signed, limlt- ing his activities in the service to a period in training camp at Pennsylvania State Col- lege. The following year Mr. Krapf went into business Independently in Hazleton, as a successor to E. D. Snyder, whose bakery was located at Broad and Locust streets, and for four years he devoted himself to this enterprise with complete success. In 1923 he was able to purchase the business of G. O. Praetorius, at No. 40 East Broad Street, Hazleton, which had been established at that time for thirty-one years. Mr. Krapf's two ventures were merged under his direction, his fine energy and executive ability, together with his thorough knowledge of every detail of the baking and allied trades, resulting in a constantly increasing volume of business. Finally, on April 1, 1928, he moved to new quarters on South Wyoming Street, where he has installed complete equipment of the most modern type, and is continuing the excellent service which he has made available to the community.
Mr. Krapf has always been active in the various phases of Hazleton life, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen as a pub- lic-spirited citizen. He is affiliated frater- nally with Azalia Lodge, No. 687, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the executive committee of the American Legion. Mr. Krapf is a director of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is prominent in the work of this organ- ization. He and his family attend Christ Memorial Reformed Church, of Hazleton.
On September 1, 1917, Harold Krapf mar- ried Cora Zimmerman of Nuremberg, Penn- sylvania, and of this marriage there are four children: John Harold, William Henry, Jean Ruth, and Robert James. Mrs. Krapf is also active in community affairs, and Is a member of the Auxiliary of the American Legion.
WALTER E. MacNEAL, D. D. S .- The rugged landscape of the State of Pennsyl- vania has attracted a very large number of Scotch families, and they and their descend- ants have added an element of strength and of sturdy righteousness to the character of the general population. Among the many descendants of Scotch ancestors in Luzerne County is Dr. Walter E. MacNeal, who has been engaged in general dental practice in Nanticoke since 1913. Dr. MacNeal takes care of the dental needs of a prosperous and numerous patronage, and his offices at No. 16 East Main Street are busy the year round. Prominent and active in the Masonic Order, he is a Shriner, and he and his forebears are, and have been, vital factors in the develop- ment of this part of the county.
The MacNeal family, as has already been stated, is an old one in Luzerne County. Wallace MacNeal, grandfather of Dr. Mac- Neal, was for many years an engineer on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He was a
514
soldier in the Civil War, and was an honored citizen of this county to the time of his death. Among the children of Wallace and Phoebe (Sager) MacNeal was William Mac- Neal, father of Dr. Walter E. MacNeal.
William MacNeal, son of Wallace and Phoebe (Sager) MacNeal, was born in Lu- zerne County, Pennsylvania, and spent his life in this county. For many years he was engaged in the drug business in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and while successfully con- ducting his business, he also found time for efficient civic service. As a member of the local school board he was interested and zealous in securing the best possible edu- cational advantages for his district, and in general local affairs he displayed sound judgment and genuine public spirit. Fra- ternally, he was a member of the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; also of the local Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and he was a man whom his associates honored and re- spected. He married Emma Roth.
Dr. Walter E. MacNeal, son of William and Emma (Roth) MacNeal, was born in Hazle- ton, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1890, and at- tended the local public schools. When he decided to prepare himself for the dental profession, he began study in Medico-Chirur- gical College, at Philadelphia, and completed the course there, graduating in 1912 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. After graduation he spent one year in Forest City, Pennsylvania, and then, in 1913, came to Nanticoke, where he has since been engaged in general dental practice. He is a mem- ber of the county, State and national dental associations, and is well known among his professional colleagues in this section of the State. Fraternally, he is identified with Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons; also with Keystone Consistory, at Scranton; and with Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Walter E. MacNeal was married, in 1913, to Edith Myers, of Hazleton, Pennsyl- vania, and they are the parents of two children: 1. William M. 2. Douglas M. The family reside on Tilbury Terrace, West Nan- ticoke.
MORRIS JUDKOVICS-Industry, ambition and meticulous attention to business have, within a comparatively brief period, placed Morris Judkovics, of Luzerne, in a high posi- tion in the business and financial fields here. Still a young man, filled with energy and devoted to his enterprises, honorable in all his dealings, the future holds much for him and his advance will be looked upon with satisfaction by the multitude of friends he has made during his life and activities here.
He was born in Austria, October 12, 1890, a son of Xiel and Dora Judkovics, both natives of that country, and there received an elementary education, working on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he emigrated to America and located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He ob- tained work in a store there and remained for five years, then going to Exeter to work in a meat market for two years, and finally coming to Luzerne in May, 1914, and estab- lishing a meat and grocery business under the title of the Standard Cash Store. This he conducted for seven years, when he opened his present store at No. 59 Main Street. He is a Republican in politics and an attendant at the Jewish synagogne. He is a director of the West Side Mortgage & Loan Com- pany of Kingston, and of the Merchants' & Miners' Bank of Luzerne.
Morris Judkovics married, in June, 1916, Kate Dattner, daughter of Adolph and Fanny Dattner, of Luzerne. Their children are: 1. Marvin, born in 1917. 2. Selma, born in 1921. 3. Harold, born in 1927.
JOHN PHILLIPS DeWITT-Meat dealers in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania num- ber in the membership of that occupation no more enterprising individual than John Philips DeWitt, who is carrying on the busi- ness where his father laid it down at the call of death and who in every detail is maintaining the traditions of the elder in guiding his commercial craft safely through the waters of competition to a successful position. He is a young merchant of high ability, absolute integrity, indefatigable in- dustry and a pleasing personality that wins friends and draws a prosperous clientele to his doors.
He was born in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1893, a son of Ira DeWitt, a native of Luzerne County, and of Dora (Phillips) De Witt, of Wyoming. The elder De Witt was president of the Wyoming Val- ley Beef Company, an organizer of the First National Bank of Wyoming and a director of that institution, who took his son into the business and left it to him upon his death, January 10, 1925. The mother of John is still living. The son received his education in the public schools here and was graduated from high school, after which he attended Wyoming Seminary and was graduated with the class of 1913. He then entered business with his father in the Wyoming Valley Beef Company, but in a short time established himself independently in a retail meat and provision business under the title of De- Witt's Market. Upon his father's death he took over that enterprise. He Is a Repub- lican in politics and a member of the Presby- terian Church. He is fraternally affiliated with the Order of the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 468, of Wyoming; Valley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Wyoming Val- ley Commandery, Knights Templar, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a director in the . First National Bank of Wyoming and in the Franklin Thrift and Loan Corporation, of Pittston, Pennsylvania.
John Phillips DeWitt married in Novem- ber, 1916, Elizabeth Howell, daughter of Thomas W. and Elizabeth Howell, of West Pittston. They have one child: John Phil- lips, Jr., born May 1, 1919.
ANTHONY A. SINCAVAGE - Advancing with certain strides to a ranking position among his fellow dental practitioners in Plymouth is Anthony A. Sincavage, who has been professionally established here since 1925. In undertaking his career he prepared carefully under instructors of tried merit, who have given years to their tasks, and has brought into the field a proportionate degree of skill which should increase as his practice develops .. Aside from his pro- fessional labors he takes a great interest in the civic activities of the community and in fraternal and other organizations and is held in esteem by a large circle of friends and patients.
Dr. Sincavage was born in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1901, a son of Anthony, a miner, and Rose (Slaunckas) Sin- cavage, both natives of Lithuania, and both living (1928). He acquired his elementary education in the public schools of his birth- place and was graduated from the high school of Hanover Township in the class of 1921. He then took the course in the dental college
John Masel
515
of Georgetown University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1925. Coming to Plym- outh at that time, he established himself in general practice and has his offices at No. 50 East Main Street, his residence at No. 753 Main Street, Sugar Notch. He is a mem- ber of the American Dental Association and of the Pennsylvania State and the county societies. He is a Democrat in politics and belongs to the Roman Catholic Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. His fraternal member- ships include the Xi Psi Phi Fraternity, Knights of Columbus, and Fraternal Order of Eagles.
JOHN MASEL-Following the family tra- dition, John Masel became a baker by pro- fession and is today one of the leaders in that line in the Wyoming Valley of Penn- sylvania, where he has conducted his own establishment for upward of twenty-five years, at No. 31 West Eighth Street, Wyo- ming. From early manhood here he has taken a deep interest in vital affairs of the com- munity and has been of great assistance in organization and building up. He has been frequently called to office of honor and re- sponsibility and has acquitted himself with credit to the judgment of his fellow-citizens. He is a man of great industry, of unimpeach- able integrity, with a code of business ethics that places him high in the regard of all with whom he negotiates.
He was born in Germany, November 13, 1869, a son of George Masel, a baker by trade, and Margaret (Kopp) Masel, the first named deceased in April, 1926, the second in June, 1925, both having been natives of Germany. He was educated in the elementary schools of his native land and when twenty years of age came to America and settled in Pittston, where he attended Wood's Business College, afterward engaging in the baker's trade there under the title of Vienna Baking Company. This he conducted for five years, then selling out and removing to Scranton, where he be- came foreman for the Pennsylvania Baking Company and held that post for seven years, when he resigned and came to Wyoming. Here he established his present bakery. which he has since conducted with success. In poli- tics a Republican, he has been very active in civic affairs, having been a member of the Borough Council for eleven years, and once having been appointed burgess, after which, in 1926, he was elected to the office to serve a four-year term. He is chairman of the building committee that erected the Wyo- ming Hose House No. 1 and has been presi- dent of that company, having been an active fireman since 1903. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association and is affiliated with Lodge, No. 228, Improved Order of Red Men; Wyoming Lodge No. 887, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Monument Lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Shannon Lodge, No. 382, of Wilkes-Barre, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Owls, No. 1871, of which he has been treasurer for six years, its headquarters being at Edwards- ville. His church is the Presbyterian.
John Masel married, in 1893, Lena Houck, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Jacob and Mar- garet Houck. They have one child: Margue- retta A.
STEPHEN S. KRAJEWSKI, M. D .- Varied indeed have been the experiences of Stephen S. Krajewski, physician and surgeon, prac- ticing in Nanticoke. He was born in 1880, Christmas Day, December 25, in Poland, a son of Frank and Justina Krajewski. When Stephen S. was one year old the parents
immigrated with their children to the United States, and established residence in Nanti- coke. Frank Krajewski secured employment, as a laborer, with the Susquehanna Coal Company, worked as miner for several years, and finally, in association with his eldest son, John, went into the mercantile business. It was Frank Krajewski who established the family name among those most respected in the circles where known in Nanticoke: and his sons have made it known and respected In Nanticoke at large, in Luzerne County widely, and elsewhere. Frank Kra- jewski died at the age of eighty-seven years; his wife at eighty-four. They were the par- ents of six children: John, Teofila, Louis, Stephen S., Rosie and Michael.
The experiences of Stephen S. Krajewski may be said to have begun at the age of one year, with his crossing the Atlantic Ocean. In Nanticoke he entered the public schools, and at the age of eight, during summer vacation, went to work as breaker boy in the mines. This he continued for several summers, then became a newsboy, and almost at once secured work in the offices of the Nanticoke "News," when it was first established. Here he made himself use- ful in all capacities peculiar to newspapers; and all of this transpired before he had completed the eighth grade in public school. When he had done so, at the age of fifteen, he abandoned the newspaper offices to be- come a salesman for the Raphael Clothing Company. For three years he sold clothing, shoes and gents' furnishing, then matri- culated in Stanislaus College, in Chicago, Illinois, where he pursued the arts courses, and graduated in 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thus fortified in the pos- session of the academic diploma he under- took further study of philosophy, which in- terested him intensely, and for a year was a student in St. Barnard Seminary. He was then, in 1905, twenty-five years of age, had already enjoyed a wealth of diversified ex- perience such as might not accrue to a man twice his age under more prosaic circum- stances, but had not yet, apparently, decided upon any certain career. So it happened that he returned to Chicago, and secured a place in a shoe store, and for two years was its manager. During that two years he had decided definitely on his career: it would be the medical profession. He entered the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia in 1907, applied himself diligently to anat- omy and all other courses, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1911. The year following he spent as interne in the Medico-Chirurgical Hospital, of Philadelphia, and in 1912, thirty-two years of age, re- turned to Nanticoke to practice his profes- sion, with offices at No. 60 West Green Street, where he has since made his headquarters, which have been known to an ever increas- ing clientele. While his work is of a gen- eral range, he specializes in proctology, and for this is recognized widely in the medical fraternity as a man of skill. He is on the staff of Nanticoke State Hospital; for two years he lectured in the hospital on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and for two years lectured on nervous diseases. He is a member of the county, State and national medical organizations, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Maccabees, the Polish Union, Z. M. P., and the Polish Na- tional Alliance. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and since the or- ganization of the Polish Orphanage has served continuously as its health instructor and physician. Dr. Krajewski is active in all charitable undertakings of the community.
516
In the World War he was unsparingly de- voted to the cause of the country, and served tirelessly on boards and committees of war work, as well as to beneficial effect in the Liberty Loan campaigns. Of him it is said, that he is a patriot, proud of and loyal to his country; that he is high in his profession, and will rise still higher in it; and that he is most honorable in his practice and in his private dealings of all sorts.
On April 29, 1906, Dr. Krajewski was united in marriage with Kathrin Smith, native of Pennsylvania; and they are the parents of five children: Mary, Stephen, Jr., John, Eugene, and Henry. Mrs. Krajewski Is prominently identified with various women's clubs and organizations.
MICHAEL LUKAC-MARTIN LUKAC-
Modern civilization daily makes greater demands for experts in the various fields of inventive progress, none of which is of more importance to humanity than electrical knowledge. This demand has been met in the district of Pennsylvania of which Free- land is the center in the instance of Michael Lukac, whose training has well fitted him for the enterprise he conducts of electrical contracting and distribution of electrical ac- cessories. This education was acquired in private enterprises and under the efficlent tutelage of instructors in the employ of the United States Army, a double assurance of the finished acquaintance he has with the intricacies of the trade of electrical expert. Nor has Mr. Lukac forgotten the other duties that a good citizen owes his fellows, for he has mingled with them in fraternal, civic and social matters and devoted himself to valuable religious work. These things make for sound citizenship, a quality which he possesses in noteworthy degree and which keeps his name high on the rolls of those who are making the important history of the Wyoming Valley.
Mr. Lukac was born in Bohemia, now a province of Czecho-Slovakia and formerly of the Austrian Empire, January 17, 1889, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Chernak) Lukac, and was brought to the United States when he was five years of age by his mother, his father having preceded them here and located at Hazleton, where he was employed as an engineer by Cox Brothers first and the Freeland Brewing Company. His death occurred in 1925, his wife having died in 1907. They had a family of seven children, all residents of the United States: 1. Michael, of whom further. 2. John A. (see a follow- ing biography). 3. August, an electrician in Freeland. 4. Christina, a graduate nurse, now employed at the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia. 5. Mary. 6. Martin associated with his brother, Michael in business. 7. Theodora, assistant in the establishment of her brothers.
Michael Lukac was educated in the local public schools and in the Mining and Me- chanical Institute at Freeland, also taking courses in a correspondence school. When he was nineteen years of age he enlisted in the American Army for service in the World War and was detailed to the electric division and sent to Philadelphia for training. From there he was sent to Fort Leavenworth. Kansas, where he was trained for the Signal Corps and then attached to the 5th Battalion, which was encamped at Franklin, Maryland, until the close of the war. On January 29, 1919, he was mustered out of the serv- ice with the rank of master signal elec- trician, having passed an examination with highest marks. Following his military serv- ice he was an instructor in his profession
until he established his business in 1919, in association with his brother, Martin. The house is located at No. 631 Center Street, Freeland, and, in addition to general elec- trical contracting, carries a complete line of all electric devices and accessories and claims to do the largest business in this district of the State.
Mr. Lukac is a member of the American Legion; Freeland Rotary Club; Lodge No. 1145, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Business Men's Organization and Young Men's Christian Association. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church and active in its Sunday school. In 1927 he was a delegate to the convention in Paris of the American Legion.
JOHN A. LUCAS is now assistant manager of the Memphis District Office of the United States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com- merce. He was born in Hazleton, Pennsyl- vania, Mary 24, 1896, the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Chernak) Lukac (notice the different spelling) and he is the brother of Michael and Martin Lukac, of Freeland, Pennsylvania, (see a preceding biography). He received his education in the local pub- lic schools, the Mining and Mechanical In- stitute, Freeland, Pennsylvania, and grad- uated from State Teachers' College, East Stroudsburg, in 1917. He then completed a two-year course in foreign trade in 1923 at Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, and in 1924 received his Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington Unl- versity.
In 1919 Mr. Lucas became a high school teacher, and in 1920 he changed his position to that of specialty salesman. In 1921 he entered the government service as research assistant in the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, Washington, District of Columbia. Subsequently he re- signed this position and on April 16, 1923, he was appointed special agent in the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Depart- ment of Commerce, and was assigned to the Textile Division. . While in this division he prepared special reports for cotton export- ers, manufacturers, etc., on the production, consumption and distribution of raw cotton from a world standpoint: and on July 1, 1926, he was appointed assistant manager in the new District Office of the Bureau at Memphis, Tennessee, created by Congress to assist growers, exporters, manufacturers and others to find foreign markets for their goods; also to assist in the development of domestic commerce. This position he suc- cessfully fulfils at the present time (1928).
During the World War Mr. Lucas enlisted and was a non-commissioned officer in Com- pany D of the 145th Infantry, 37th Division, and saw active service in France and Belgium in the following battles: Baccarat Sector, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Ypres-Lys. He was honorably discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey, May 28, 1919.
STANLEY T. MONAHAN, M. D .- Active at all times in the care of the sick and injured of the community, Dr. Stanley T. Monahan has achieved a position of genuine impor- tance in Hudson, since he began his prac- tice here soon after 1920. In carrying out his professional duties, Dr. Monahan's per- sonal convenience and safety is regarded by him as unworthy of consideration, and this generous attitude together with his general activity in Hudson affairs, has won him the affection and esteem of his fellow-townsmen in an unusual degree.
SACRED HEART ROMAN CATHOLIC SLOVAK CHURCH Background : Wireless Laboratory and Aerial Station WILKES-BARRE, PA.
SACRED HEART SLOVAK PAROCHIAL SCHOOL WILKES-BARRE, PA.
1
٠
517
Dr. Monahan was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1896, a son of John H. Monahan, a school teacher, born in Ireland in 1843, died in 1923, and of Anne (McDon- ough) Monahan, who was born in White Haven, Pennsylvania, and is still living. His father was active in educational work in and about Wilkes-Barre for a period of fifty years. Stanley T. Monahan attended the pub- lic schools of Wilkes-Barre, and was grad- uated from the high school in 1914. For two years thereafter, he attended Fordham Uni- versity, in New York City, after which he entered Jefferson Medical College, in Phila- delphia, and was there gradnated in 1920, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Re- turning soon afterwards to Wilkes-Barre, he became an interne in the Mercy Hospital of that city, and when his period of service there was completed, he began the practice of his profession in Hudson, to which he has since devoted himself with complete success.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.