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 44
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Although he is very busy with his own business interests, Mr. Rickard takes time to be active in the public and civic affairs of his community, and is always ready to sup- port wholeheartedly any movement which he believes will bring about in some way or other the betterment of Wilkes-Barre or Luzerne County. In his political outlook, he is a Republican, and supports the prin- ciples and candidates of that party. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is affiliated with the Plym- outh Lodge, No. 332; Chapter, No. 214 of the Royal Arch Masons; the Dieu le Veut Com- mandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the Irem Temple Country Club. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian Church, of Kingston. In 1888 John B. Rickard was married to Edith L. Major, a daughter of Abram G. Major, of Plymouth. By this marriage there are two children: 1. Helen, who married Harradon H. Smith, of Kingston, by which marriage there are two children, May Virginia and Edith Rickard Smith. 2. Albertina, who married Harry Melvin Vivian, of Kingston, by which marriage there are two children, John Rickard and Harry Melvin. Mr. and Mrs. Rickard reside at No. 201 Pierce Street, in Kingston.
MICHAEL JOHN TORLINSKI-Poles and descendants of natives of Poland, emulating the example of their gallant Kosciuszko, have always fought for liberty wherever they have gone throughout the world, and for the pres- ervation of democratic institutions from spoliation by selfish, designing men. As a descendant of representative Polish gentry Michael John Torlinski, lawyer, at 822-26
Miners' Bank Building, Wilkes-Barre, has imbibed the spirit of freedom, and on two occasions has embarked on crusades to glorify the American flag-as an officer of the United States Navy in the world-cruise of the battle- ship fleet in 1908, and again with the sea forces in the World War struggle to conquer the German military machine. Mr. Torlinski is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and of the Law School of the University of Pennsyl- vania at Philadelphia. After having spent eight years in the naval service, during which time he was promoted several times, he re- signed to study law, and practiced several years prior to the outbreak of the World War, in which he reentered the naval service as an officer. He rose to the rank of lieuten- ant-commander, and for his exceptional ac- complishments received special letters of ap- preciation from his immediate superiors in rank, and was awarded the Victory medal. At the conclusion of the war he again sheathed his sword and returned to the prac- tice of the law at Wilkes-Barre, where he had won for himself an enviable place among his associates and contemporaries.
Michael John Torlinski was born August 31, 1885, at Wanamie, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, son of John A. Torlinski, a well-known merchant of Nanticoke, Lu- zerne County, and Mary Torlinski, who is deceased. From 1891 to 1903 he attended the public schools of Nanticoke, after which, in 1903, he matriculated at the naval school, from which institution he was graduated with his class in 1907. From 1903 to 1907 he was of the rank of Midshipman of the United States Naval Academy, but on going to sea was advanced to Passed Midshipman, United States Navy. In 1907 he began his career as a naval officer when he was assigned to duty aboard a battleship of the Atlantic Fleet, which was then preparing for its notable cruise around the world under orders from the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, Theodore Roosevelt. On board the battleship "New Jersey" he completed the cruise around the world, an experience no one who went will ever forget. In 1909, having completed the required theoretical and practical course afloat, he was commis- sioned an ensign by President Taft, who had succeeded Mr. Roosevelt in the Presidency. In 1911, feeling that his opportunities lay in the law ashore, he resigned his commission and it was accepted by the Bureau of Navi- gation; this action was not taken, however, until after he had taken part in a revolution in Honduras in conjunction with his ship- mates stationed in that section. In 1911 he entered the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated three years later with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1914 he was admitted to the bar, including the right to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the various sub- ordinate courts and in June, 1919, he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. After he resigned from the Navy he took an active interest in the work of the National Guard of Penn- sylvania, which he served during 1912-13, and in which he attained the rank of lieutenant, when he resigned his commission to devote more attention to the practice of the law. When the World War involved the United States in 1917 he was commissioned a lieu- tenant. (junior grade) in the Navy as a volunteer, and was assigned to duty under Admiral Leigh C. Palmer, chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, at Wash- ington, District of Columbia, in connection with the organization and administration, of
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the personnel of the United States Naval Reserve Force, particularly in formulating and executing policies involving the entry of commissioned officers and their promotion. In 1918 he received from Admiral Palmer (who later became president of the Emer- gency Fleet Corporation of the Shipping Board) special letters of appreciation for his valuable work in the Bureau of Navigation In training officers and men; a special letter in 1919 from the Chief of the Bureau of Navi- gation for his service in the Bureau involving his active and directing part in the organiza- tion and administration of the Naval Reserve Force during the World War; other letters of appreciation on various phases of his serv- ice in World War duty. From lieutenant (junior grade) he was advanced to senior grade lieutenant, and thence to the rank of lieutenant-Commander, which he bears at this time as a member of the United States Naval Reserve Force.
In 1916 Mr. Torlinski became general coun- sel and member of the Supreme Board of the Polish Union of the United States of North America, a fraternal benefit society with principal offices at Wilkes-Barre; and he con- tinues to hold these offices to the present time. From 1920 to 1924 he served capably as assistant district attorney of Luzerne County, and since 1923 has been solicitor of the Miners' Trust Company. From 1924 to 1925 he was solicitor of the School Board of the City of Nanticoke, and from 1926 has been solicitor of the city of Nanticoke, a city of 26,000 persons.
Mr. Torlinski enjoys a deserved popularity and prominence as a member of the following clubs and other organizations: the Polish Union of the United States of North America, Wilkes-Barre; the Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America, of Chicago, Illinois; the Army and Navy Club, Washington, District of Columbia; the United States Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland; the Wyoming Valley Country Club, Wilkes- Barre; the American Legion, Nanticoke; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wilkes-Barre; the Navy Athletic Association, Annapolis; the Association of the Class of 1907 of the United States Naval Academy: the Wilkes- Barre Law and Library Association; the Miller Law Club, University of Pennsylvania; the Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity; the Pennsylvania Bar Association; the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association; the Wyoming Valley Motor Club, Wilkes- Barre.
Mr. Torlinski married, November 24, 1919, Nancy Reynolds, native of the State of Georgia, and a daughter of Fletcher and Isa- bella (Hillyer) Reynolds. Mrs. Torlinski on her maternal side is a direct descendant of Oliver Wolcott, former Colonial Governor of Connecticut and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and on her paternal side, also of old American stock, she is descended from Purmedus Reynolds, her grandfather, judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Torlinski are the par- ents of two children: Nancy Reynolds, born in 1922, and Eunice Ames, born in 1927.
GEORGE J. LLEWELLYN-A story well worthy of record is that of George J. Llewel- lyn, who since 1902 has been successfully engaged in legal practice In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with offices at No. 21 South Franklin Street. Mr. Llewellyn Is an excep- tional man in many respects, especially so In the fact that from the time he was fourteen years of age he has made his own way in Ilfe, and that after more than thirty years of active business life he began the study
of law and not only passed the examina- tions for admission to the bar, but has achieved success in his profession.
George J. Llewellyn was horn in Wales, British Isles, September 24, 1856, and when he was fourteen years of age came to this country and located at Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where he secured employment in the coal mines. For six years he continued steadfastly at that laborious and heavy work, and then secured a position as printer's "devil" on one of the Pittston papers. Later he learned the stone cutter's trade, which he followed for twenty years. At the end of that time he made another change, this time engaging in the plumbing and heating and general merchandise busi- ness, in which line he continued for seven years. In 1894 Mr. Llewellyn was elected, on the Republican ticket, prothonotary of Lu- zerne County, in which office he served for three years. From 1900 to 1903 he was war- den for the Luzerne County prison. In the meantime, however, he had been studying law in the office of John T. Lenahan, and in 1902 had been admitted to the Luzerne County Bar. Since that time he has been success- fully engaged in practice in Wilkes-Barre, where he has built up a very satisfactory clientele. Though he was forty-six years of age when he was admitted to the bar, he has brought to his professional work all the enthusiasm and interest that are some- times ascribed only to the earlier years of life, and the success which he has achieved is conclusive evidence of the fact that ability, hard work, determination, and persistence are winning factors in the game of life, both during the early years and when the sup- posedly more difficult years of middle life have been reached. Mr. Llewellyn is a mem- ber of the Luzerne County Bar Association, and keeps well in touch with the develop- ments of his profession throughout the State and Nation. It is a long way from the newly arrived immigrant boy working in the mines at Pittston to the law office of George J. Llewellyn, in Wilkes-Barre, but Llewellyn traveled that long road without the aid of influence or money other than that which he won by his own effort, and the record of his achievement is one of inspiration for those who find that the way to their "heart's desire" in blocked by difficulties. Fraternally Mr. Llewellyn is affiliated with Pittston Lodge, No. 332, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is a life member of the Pittston Lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is also a member of the Pittston Hose Company, and at one time was chief of the Pittston Fire Department. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Llewellyn was secretary of the State League of Republican Club of Pennsylvania for fif- teen years, and during that period attended as a delegate the National League, held in other States.
George J. Llewellyn was married, in 1879, to Mary A. Williams, and they are the par- ents of two children: 1. Mary, who married E. G. Hollister, of Chicago. 2. Samuel G., of Chicago.
REESE D. HUGHES-Auditor of Pennsyl- vania Millers Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. His residence is at No. 52 Pierce Street, Kingston, Pennsylvania. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, April 25, 1894, son of John and Mary Jane (Davis) Hughes. He was educated in the public schools of Wilkes- Barre and the Wharton School of Commerce and Finance of the University of Pennsyl- vania. He was associated with Hazard Manu- facturing Company from 1910 to 1917. He
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moved to Bluefield, West Virginia, in 1917, where he was connected with Superior Sup- ply Company; returning to Wilkes-Barre in 1920 to become auditor of Pennsylvania Mil- lers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Dur- ing the World War he served as a sergeant in the Camp Adjutant's Detachment, Camp Headquarters, Camp Lee, Virginia.
Mr. Hughes was married on December 25, 1917, to Helen R. George, daughter of John R. and Margaret (Roberts) George. They have two children: Helen Elizabeth and Ruth Jane.
JOSEPH JAMES KOCYAN, M. D .- A mem- ber of the medical staff of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and president of the Liberty State Bank and Trust Company, Dr. Joseph James Kocyan, specialist in gynecology and an outstanding citizen in affairs of the com- munity and county, maintains two offices in the exercise of his profession, one at No. 123 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, and the other at Plains, Luzerne County.
Joseph James Kocyan was born at Balti- more, Maryland, February 16, 1884, a son of John and Mary (Cott) Kocyan, who were the parents of eight children: Joseph James, of whom further; Antoinette, wife of J. T. Leyko, of Baltimore, Maryland; Frank, of Baltimore; Anna, married, of Baltimore; Catherine, un- married, a trained nurse in the United States Army; George, of Kingston, Pennsylvania; Louise; and Andrew, who died in childhood.
Joseph James Kocyan, while a boy, worked on a farm in Baltimore County, Maryland, and received his early education in the public and parochial schools and at Loyola College at Baltimore, later matriculating in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, which institution is now (1929) incorporated in the University of Maryland, and took his degree as Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1911. The latter part of 1911 he spent in the soft coal regions near DuBois, Pennsylvania, and in the year 1912 took up past-graduate work in New York City. He then came to Luzerne County (1913) and opened an office at Plains, where he has continued during the years since spe- cializing in diseases of women and in obstet- rics; and in this field has established a high reputation. Dr. Kocyan was . commissioned first lieutenant in the Medical Corps, United States Army, in June, 1917; he attended the Medical School at Washington, District of Columbia, later transferred to Fort Ogie- thorpe Training Camp. In July, 1918, he was advanced to rank of major and sailed over- seas with the Base Hospital Unit, located at Juit and Paris. Shortly after, he was as- signed to Evacuation Hospital No. 5, at the Argonne Drive, as surgeon, and also in Bel- gium. After the Armistice he returned to Paris and joined Base Hospital, No. 57, as chief surgeon, and sailed for the United States in March, 1919.
Dr. Kocyan is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Lehigh Medical Society, and the American Medical Associa- tion. He is a member of SS. Peter and Paul's Roman Catholic Church at Plains, and in political disposition a Democrat. Among his affiliations are the Wyoming Valley Club and the Municipal Golf Club. Although Dr. Koc- yan devotes the greater portion of his time to gynecological practice and is an earnest devotee to various other aspects of medicine and surgery, which he studies assiduously, he is always in the forefront of new develop- ments relating even remotely to his own spe- cialty; and at the same time, through his
circle of acquaintances, including as
his friends the most prominent men in Wilkes- Barre and Plains, he has developed extra professional contacts taking him into the business life of both communities. Perhaps the principal financial office for which he is known is the directorship in the Liberty State Bank and Trust Company of Wilkes-Barre, where he served as secretary of the director- ate, and in 1929 was elected president of that institution.
Dr. Joseph James Kocyan married, on Au- gust 5, 1912, Marie S. de Nesterowicz, of Toledo, Ohio, daughter of Stephen and Melania Habdank-Bialohrzeska Nesterowicz. Dr. and Mrs. Kocyan have three children: Marie M., Josephine Barbara, and Jeanne Halina.
GEORGE E. GWILLIAM-One of the most popular and efficient of the officials of Lu- zerne County, Pennsylvania, is George E. Gwilliam, county recorder of deeds, who has taken a conspicuous part in the civic and fraternal developments of the community.
Born in Plymouth, Luzerne County, October 15, 1883, he was the son of George Evans and Annie (Lewis) Gwilliam, now deceased. Both were natives of Wales and the elder Gwilliam, who had been a coal miner in the old country, was engaged in the mines of Pennsylvania for many years, but late in life went into the insurance business. Mrs. Gwilliam died at the age of sixty-four, but her husband lived until he was seventy-three. There were nine children in the family, of whom five reached maturity: Thomas F., a member of the Luzerne County Bar, now deceased; John, also now deceased; May, who married A. J. Young, of Plymouth; Carolyn, who married Dr. W. C. Stiff, of Plymouth; and George E., the youngest of the nine, of whom further.
Educated in the public schools, and at Wyoming Academy, George E. Gwilliam joined his father in the insurance business at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, upon leaving school. Mr. Gwilliam was appointed a jus- tice of the peace in Plymouth Borough, on July 14, 1916, during Governor Brumbaugh's administration. Instead of coming out for reelection to this office in 1918, he ran for burgess of Plymouth, and won the latter office with both major party nominations, something which had never been precedented. Mr. Gwilliam also had the honor of being the youngest burgess in the history of the borough. Some time later Mr. Gwilliam was appointed a county detective in the office of the Hon. Arthur H. James. While in this position he was nominated and reelected to the burgess office for the second term. In 1923 he was a candidate for the office of Recorder of Deeds of Luzerne County, was nominated and elected, and in 1927, was a candidate to succeed himself and was reelected, winning both major party nomina- tions, Republican and Democratic.
Mr. Gwilliam is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 655, Free and Accepted Masons of Wilkes-Barre, of Keystone Consistory at Scranton, and has attained the thirty-second degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and is a member of the Wilkes-Barre Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and Shrine Country Club; Patriotic Order Sons of America; Junior Order United American Mechanics; Loyal Order of Moose; Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Knights of Pythias lodges.
On May 5, 1920, Mr. Gwilliam married Laura Hughes, daughter of Evan and Laura (Jones) Hughes, of Plymouth. They have one son, George E. Gwilliam, III.
Joseph f. Skocyan!
Chas. Imaldass
531
WILLIAM H. FREY-QFINTES G. FREY- Though natives of Northampton County, both William H. and Quintus G. Frey have been residents of Wilkes-Barre the greater part of their lives, having come there in their early youth. Having entered within a year of each other the employ of the late A. G. Hull, they learned in a very thorough manner all branches of the shoe finding and leather business. Later they acquired ownership of the business, which has since then been known as Frey Brothers and which has be- come one of the leading firms of its kind in that part of Pennsylvania. During their long association in one and the same busi- ness, covering a period of more than four decades, the two brothers have built up not only a very large and prosperous trade, but have also made for themselves an enviable reputation for fair dealing, keen judgment and progressiveness. Both are rated amongst the substantial and influential business men of the city and take an active part in its fraternal and religious life.
William H. Frey was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1869, the older son of William H. and Elizabeth (Roth) Frey. His father, who was born in North- ampton County, in 1837, and who died in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, in March, 1918, came to Wilkes-Barre in 1887, and for many years was connected with the Hazard Rope Works of Wilkes-Barre. His mother likewise was born in Northampton County, in 1839, and died in Wilkes-Barre in October, 1918. Mr. Frey was educated in the public schools of Northampton County and came to Wilkes-Barre in 1886, entering at that time the employ of the late A. G. Hull, who con- ducted then a shoe finding and leather busi- ness on North Main Street. He continued with him and with his successor, H. A. Jacoby, until 1894, when, together with his younger brother, Quintus G. Frey, of whom further, he purchased the business, which the two brothers have since then conducted under the firm name of Frey Brothers. Under their able management the business has been greatly expanded and today is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the most sub- stantial of its type in Luzerne County. For many years active in Masonic affairs, he is a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons, and of several other Masonic bodies, up to and including Caldwell Consistory, of Bloomsburg, thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, as well as of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran Church and more particu- larly with St. John's Lutheran Church of Wilkes-Barre, of the official board of which he was a member for several years.
Mr. Frey married in April, 1895, Henrietta Brenner of Wilkes-Barre, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Besteder) Brenner. Mr. and Mrs. Frey were the parents of one son, Robert H. Frey, who was born in 1896 and who died in 1909. The family home is located at No. 31 Terrace Street, Wilkes-Barre.
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Quintus G. Frey was born in Northamp- ton County, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1871, the younger son of William H. and Elizabeth (Roth) Frey, a short record of whose lives has already been given in the previous ac- count of their older son. He was educated in the public schools of his native county and of Wilkes-Barre, to which city he came with his parents in 1887. In the same year he accepted employment with the late A. G. Hull, engaged in the shoe finding and leather business, with whom his older brother had begun work the year before. Since that time Quintus G. Frey has always been associated
in business with his brother, first for several years in the employ of Mr. Hull and of the latter's successor, H. A. Jacoby, and later, since 1894, as a partner with his brother in the firm of Frey Brothers. In the building up of this concern to its present state of influence and prosperity he has fully shared with his older brother, and like him he is considered one of the substantial business men of Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County. He is a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons: Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he was the presid- ing officer in 1928; Fraternal Order of Eagles; Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club; Craftsmen's Club; and Junior Order United American Mechanics of the United States of North America. His religions affiliations are with the Lutheran Church and more particularly with St. John's Lutheran Church of Wilkes-Barre, of the official board and the board of trustees of which he is a member.
Mr. Frey married, in February, 1896, Jose- phine Brenner, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Besteder) Brenner, of Wilkes-Barre, and a sister of his brother's wife. Mr. and Mrs. Frey are the parents of two sons: Earl DeWitt, born in Wilkes-Barre in June, 1898, and Willard Allen Frey, born in Wilkes- Barre, November 16, 1900. The family resi- dence is located at No. 41 North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre.
The firm of Frey Brothers, consisting of William H. and Quintus G. Frey, was founded in 1894, though its history dates back to 1876. In that year the late A. G. Hull established a shoe finding business on North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, which he continued to carry on until 1887. In that year he was succeeded by his son-in-law, H. A. Jacoby, who con- tinued in its ownership until 1894, when its present owners, William H. and Quintus G. Frey, bought out Mr. Jacoby, after having been in the employ of both Mr. Hull and Mr. Jacoby for a number of years. In 1894 the firm name was changed to its present form. Since April 1, 1927, the business has been located in its present fine and modern headquarters at No. 41 East Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre. The firm carries on a very extensive business in shoe findings, saddlery goods, all kinds of leather and leather goods and employs some twenty-two people. It has the distinction of being the oldest business of its kind carried on con- tinuously in Luzerne County.
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