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 47
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
This experience was very valuable to him in quite another field, when in 1905 he ex- plored the Alaskan wilderness for many months as a member of the Mckenzie Expe- dition. During this period much territory was covered in Northern and Central Alaska which had never previously been explored by any white man, and much information was obtained of great scientific value. Again at the outbreak of the World War Mr. McLean had occasion to visit the far places of the earth. Although considerably above the mili- tary age at this time, he volunteered in the Army, was commissioned major, and served for several months at certain of the con- centration camps. He was then ordered to join the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia after the overthrow of the Czarist Government, and was appointed and served for some months as Judge Advocate General of the American Expeditionary Forces in Russia and Siberia. These experiences, aside from their immediate practical importance, were beneficial in contributing to the varied background of knowledge which is necessary in the formation of a sound and catholic judgment.
Meanwhile, at Wilkes-Barre, he had ad- vanced to the front rank of his profession as the demands on his services constantly increased, and to the various duties of his practice he gave most of his time and atten- tion. His advice was frequently sought, how-
ever, and highly regarded hy the largest financial interests, and in addition to his legal work, he is a stockholder, officer and director in a number of important financial and industrial institutions. Among these may be mentioned the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company and the First National Bank, in both of which he is a director. His profes- slonal activities and husiness connections were never permitted to interfere with his devotion to the tasks of ameliorating the condition of the poor and needy, the aged and children, fo Mr. McLean has been a con- sistent supporter of and leader in all char- itable, social and welfare movements in his community. In politics Mr. McLean has usually allied himself with the Democratic party in his State, but has been consistently independent. He was elected controller of Luzerne County in 1901, while in 1917 he was chairman of the State Democratic Committee, resigning to enter the World War. In 1911 he was the Democratic candidate for Con- gress, and successfully contested the election of his Republican opponent before the House of Representatives of the United States. Since coming to the bar, Mr. McLean has taken a great interest in many of the charitable insti- tutions and welfare movements of the com- munity, and to these various causes he has contributed generously of his effort, time and substance. For a number of years he was president of the Community Welfare Federa- tion, while he is now president of the Wyo- ming Valley Homeopathic Hospital, trustee of the Home for Friendless Children, and of many other benevolent organizations. He is also a trustee of Wyoming Seminary.
Fraternally Mr. McLean is affiliated with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in this order he is also a member of Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, of the Royal Arch Masons, Dieu le Veut Com- mandery, No. 45, of the Knights Templar, a member of all bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, including the thirty-second degree of the Consistory, and a member of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In a professional way Mr. McLean is identified with the Pennsyl- vania State Bar and the American Bar asso- ciations, while his clubs include the West- moreland Club and the Wyoming Valley Country Club. He is a Presbyterian and at- tends the First Church of this denomination at Wilkes-Barre, where he is a member, and officially connected with the church boards.
Through his ancestors on both sides of the family, Mr. McLean is qualified for menber- ship in various Colonial and Revolutionary societies, and in this connection it is especi- ally interesting to note that his mother, Anne S. (Roberts) McLean, is a lineal descendant of Captain John Roberts, close friend and ad- viser of William Penn and a companion when the Quaker Colony in Pennsylvania was founded.
On April 2, 1902, George R. McLean married Mary Barber, daughter of Colonel Albert P. and Helen (Jenkins) Barber, and a direct descendant of Colonel John Jenkins of Lu- zerne County fame. Mr. and Mrs. McLean became the parents of five children: 1. Wil- liam Swan McLean, III, a graduate of Lafay- ette College and the Law School of Harvard University, and a member of the bar of Lu- zerne County. 2. Theodore Barber, who was fatally injured in an accident in 1923 while a student at Choate School, Wallingford, Con- necticut. 3. Roberts, who died in childhoo l.
540
4. Alexander, a student at Wyoming Semi- nary, Kingston, Pennsylvania. 5. George Roberts, Jr., a student at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts.
JUDGE WILLIAM SWAN MeLEAN, JII .- It is the privilege of some sons to break away from the trail of the father in life's journey, the pleasure of others to walk in it. Family independence may be dictated by contrary courses in certain cases, and family solidarity may demand that the members of a flock who are temperamentally alike should religiously follow the leader. The leader of the unified family of McLean of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Alexander McLean, a native of Ire- land, was a trail blazer of rare energy and ability; and his descendants, while capable of barking their own trees, have found his leadership so wise that their preference has been to follow his general course; the same may be said of the present generations with respect to the activities of William Swan McLean, Sr., father of the William Swan Mc- Lean, who is described herein. Alexander McLean, in the first place, was a man of originality, imagination and courage, quali- ties which have passed on down in generous measure; he was an excellent business man, and this quality has shown no lack of propa- gation. He was a director and one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Wilkes-Barre his son James became the first president of this bank; his son, William Swan (q. v.) was the fifth president of it, and still serves it; while his grandson, George R. McLean (q. v.), is a director of it. William Swan McLean, Sr., was a member of the Democratic party and the Presbyterian Church, and a graduate of Lafayette College at Easton, and his sons, George R. and Wil- liam Swan McLean, Jr., have followed him through these three steps. Furthermore, both sons have come after him in the law and he has been the worthy tutor of both as they studied in his law office in preference to tak- ing a law school course. William S. McLean, Sr., received his law schooling under a pre- ceptor, and he always thought this was the best way; in the case of his sons, to say the least, his judgment has been amply vindi- cated. In general, the club and secret order affiliations of father and sons have been the same. In wars the father served during the Civil War, while George R. McLean served in the Spanish-American and World wars, and William S. McLean, Jr., in the World War. There is finally another parallel which com- pletes this interesting picture; the parallel being broken into perpendicular form, to make use of such a figure of speech, to the extent that the son succeeded in an ambition the father never attained: the father aspired to become judge of the Eleventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, embracing Luzerne County, and was twice defeated, whereas William Swan McLean, Jr., coming along a good many years later, retrieved his father's lost laurels in a race for the associate judge- ship of the enlarged court, a place he has held several years and with great credit to himself and his contemporaries. It is small wonder, therefore, that at eighty-five years of age William Swan McLean, Sr., can with- draw in retirement Into that inner shrine of contentment and contemplation of a well- spent life and a glorious future for the family name.
William Swan McLean, Jr., was born De- cember 17, 1877, at Wilkes-Barre. (For a
more extensive account of his genesis, the reader should consult the accompanying sketches of William S. McLean, Sr., and George R. McLean). He attended the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, where he proved his right to the name of diligent pupil, and the Harry Hillman Academy of the same city, where he gained the reputation of being a rare young scholar. Entering Lafayette Col- lege at Easton in 1894, he was graduated with the class of 1898 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and continuing his studies in a search after the deeper springs of knowledge, he graduated with the degree of Master of Arts. Repairing to Wilkes-Barre, he studied law in the office of his father and his older brother, George R. McLean, and on success- fully standing the bar examinations in 1901 he was admitted to practice at the Luzerne County Bar. He straightway entered upon the practice of the law from his father's office, and succeeded beyond his fondest ex- pectations until President Wilson called upon Congress in April, 1917, for a declaration of war against Germany, when he offered his sword to his country's cause. He had previ- ously had military experience, including service in 1900 with the old Pennsylvania National Guard, and then in 1916 as captain of one of the companies which went to the Mexican Border to quell disturbances there. He was quickly accepted to join one of the American Expeditionary Force Regiments, and was made captain and adjutant of the command. After a sufficient period of train- ing he sailed in April, 1918, for France, and was soon afterward sent to the French front for active service, and underwent an experi- ence which was highly meritorious but neces- sarily similar to that of thousands of his fel- low countrymen. He returned to the United States on a transport and arrived in the United States in May, 1919, and was soon afterward mustered out. Going home, he picked up the broken ends of his law prac- tice and soon had his pre-war clientele well reconstituted and adding to his fame and purse. In 1922 he was elected as a Democratic candidate to the associate judgeship of Luzerne County, now as presiding judge, a position he holds with dignity, ability and grace. He is a member of the First Presby- terian Church of Wilkes-Barre in religious affairs. In secret order circles he is a mem- ber of Landmark Lodge, No. 442, of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he was pre- ceded by his father and his brother, George; and he maintains an alumni connection with the Zeta Psi Fraternity, one of the oldest Greek letter societies in the country, having been founded in 1846 at Yale University, and the local chapter of which he joined as a student at Lafayette College.
Judge McLean married, January 27, 1921, Frances Leigh Ricketts, a daughter of Colo- nel R. Bruce Ricketts and Elizabeth (Rey- nolds) Ricketts, of Wilkes-Barre, representa- tives of an old family of culture and achieve- ment; and their union has been blessed with a daughter, Elizabeth Swan McLean. The wedding was solemnized, it may be remarked, a little more than a year before Judge Mc- Lean was elevated to the bench.
Two qualities may be said to have obtruded themselves in the career of Judge McLean: first, an innate ability which to a large extent was inherited from conquering ancestors, and second, the determination to succeed over all obstacles, by the exercise of patience, tact and progressiveness. Judge McLean was
Leurs Historical Pub Co
541
above the service age in the World War, so that his enlistment was entirely voluntary; but he is still in the prime of life, and his friends are predicting that higher political preferment is reserved for him in the near future.
PERCY C. MeLEAN-A review of the life history and accomplishments of the late Percy C. McLean touches a business and so- cial leadership in the thriving city of Wilkes- Barre, toward whose advancement he so greatly contributed. A widely known and universally respected representative of va- rious leading insurance companies, he had qualities of mind and character and ideals which fitted him for his great profession. Rank among the wealthiest and most pro- gressive fields of modern American business enterprise belongs by right to general in- surance. The man to promote it is the man of vision, of broad humanitarian interests, of keen business ability, the believer in the great virtues of thrift and a sense of re- sponsibility. Such a man in every sense of the word was Percy C. McLean.
The family was founded by Alexander Mc- Lean, of Scotch-Irish lineage, born in Ireland, and a trail blazer of rare energy and ability. He handed down to his descendants not only his prominent place in the community, but also his originality, imagination and courage, and his business ability. He was a director and organizer of the First National Bank of Wilkes-Barre; his son, James McLean, became the first president of the bank; and his son, William Swan McLean, Sr., the fifth president of the institution, still serves it. A grandson, George R. McLean (q. v.), is its vice-president and served on its board of directors. William Swan McLean, Sr., served his country during the Civil War, after graduating from Lafay- ette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania. He was an influential member of the Democratic party and supporter of the Presbyterian Church. A lawyer of note, he aspired for a place on the bench and lived to see the goal attained by his son, William Swan McLean, Jr. (q. v.), president judge of the Luzerne County courts. William Swan McLean, Sr., married Anne Stevens Roberts, of Philadel- phia, and the following children born to them reached manhood and womanhood: George R. McLean, Margaret S. McLean, Wil- liam Swan McLean, Jr., and Percy C. McLean, of further mention.
Percy C. McLean was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1885, son of Wil- liam Swan and Anne S. (Roberts) McLean. The father is now in his eighty-ninth year, and the mother deceased. The son grew up in his native city and was educated in the Harry Hillman Academy of Wilkes-Barre, and the Chestnut Hill Academy of Philadelphia. His entire business career was concerned with the general insurance business. As a representa- tive of the leading companies In England and America, he maintained imposing offices in the Coal Exchange Building of Wilkes-Barre. He was president of McLean and Quick, In- corporated, general insurance brokers of Philadelphia.
In political and religious affiliations, Mr. McLean followed the family tradition in sup- porting the Democratic party and the Pres- byterian Church. He also belonged to the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
September 21, 1917, Percy C. McLean mar- ried Emily D. McCoy, of New York City,
daughter of Charles E. McCoy, and they be- came the parents of three children: Willlam Swan McLean, 4th; Craig McLean; and Anne Roberts McLean.
When he was at the height of his success and powers, Mr. McLean died, February 29, 1928, at the age of forty-two. Words seem cold and lifeless when set over against the abounding life and warmth of Mr. McLean's personality. He was a man of great heart, fine mind, and much personal charm. llis un- selfish devotion to the welfare of others, his cordiality, and his capacity for affection were noteworthy. Not only his family and friends but an entire community mourns his death.
WILBUR HENRY FLECK-One of the active figures in the educational circles in this State is Wilbur Henry Fleck, Dean of Wyoming Seminary. During his teaching career Dean Fleck has held a number of responsible positions. He came to Wyoming Seminary in 1911 as instructor in the Depart- ment of Latin, and because of the acceptable manner with which he filled the require- ments of this position, he was elected to the office of Dean in 1917.
Dean Fleck was born in Tyrone, Blair County, the son of Abram L. and Martha (Cryder) Fleck, both of whom were natives of Blair County and who are now deceased. Abram L. Fleck was the son of Jacob and Susan (Hostler) Fleck. Jacob Fleck was the grandson of Conrad Fleck who was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War under Gen- eral Washington. The Fleck family is one of the oldest and most influential families in Blair County, the original ancestral home being at the present time (1929) in the pos- session of the fifth generation, having been continuously the property of the family for one hundred and thirty-five years. Abram L. Fleck was engaged all his life in agricul- ture, and he and Mrs. Fleck were the parents of seven children: 1. Margaret, married A. C. Sorrick, of Hollidaysburg. 2. Anna, mar- ried Hudson Irwin, of Bellwood. 3. Frances, married the Rev. L. H. Waring, Ph. D., of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. Ada, unmarried, deceased. 5. Wilbur Henry, of whom further. 6. Forrest R., a merchant at Juniata, now deceased. 7. A. Ross, who owns and occupies the original Fleck homestead in Tyrone Township, Blair County.
Wilbur Henry Fleck spent the early years of his life on his father's farm, during which time he assisted with the farm work and attended the local public schools. At the age of seventeen he became a teacher in one of the nearby schools, remaining In this position for three years. He then entered Grove City Academy where he prepared for Gettysburg College, from which latter instl- tution he was graduated with the class of 1902, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts. Renewing his career as an educator, he accepted the appointment as vice-princi- pal of the high school at Hazleton, where he was a popular figure for several years. Re- moving to Philadelphia in 1907, he taught in private schools in that, city, and in the meantime took a post-graduate course at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of Master of Arts in 1909. Two years later he became a member of the faculty in the school of which he is now Dean, and his executive ability being recognized and appreciated, he was chosen to fill his present responsible and important position.
Dean Fleck has always received the esteem and respect of his entire student body and the
542
earnest cooperation of all the faculty. In politics, he is an Independent, preferring to judge the merits of each particular can- didate rather than align himself with any definite political party. In civic affairs he takes an active part and is ever deeply concerned with the welfare and advancement of his fellow-citizens. Fraternally, he is identified with Hazle Lodge, No. 327, Free and Accepted Masons, of Hazleton; he is a member of the Royal Arch Masons and of Pi Gamma Mu honorary scholastic fraternity. He is a leading member of the Kiwanis Club of Wilkes-Barre and in his religious affiliations is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Kingston, serving on the official church board, and for several years has also been teacher of the Men's Bible Class. For three years he served as a mem- ber of Sheridan Troop, Pennsylvania Cav- alry of the National Guard.
Wilbur Henry Fleck married, on June 14, 1905, Evelyn Heine, of Montoursville, daugh- ter of J. R. and Vinetta (Hartranft) Heine.
ALBERT MEREDITH THOMAS, M. D .- Service to people in a large area of the anthracite coal-mining region continues to be rendered in an efficient manner and with the touch of sympathy by Dr. Albert M. Thomas, a skilful practitioner of the younger group of physicians and surgeons, who is well known throughout Luzerne County. To his practice in Wanamie he gives close atten- tion, while also serving in a professional capacity in hospital, at coal collieries and in the public schools. An overseas medical officer of both American and British forces, he achieved a praiseworthy record for duty in action near the front lines, and returned with a commission as captain. He enjoys good standing with the organized bodies of his profession.
Born in Newport Township, Luzerne County, January 21, 1893, Dr. Albert Meredith Thomas is the son of John J. and Hannah (Meredith) Thomas, his father a native of South Wales, later a mine foreman at the Susquehanna Collieries, Wanamie, died in November, 1925; his mother, born in South Wales also, survived her husband at his death. The son, Albert Meredith, received his early education in the public schools of New- port Township, and was graduated from the high school there in 1911. For some time he had been conscious of a compelling desire to be a physician and surgeon, since he saw in that profession aims and purposes that fitted in with his ideas of service to the greatest number possible. He entered Jeffer- son Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1915 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His interneship of sixteen months was served in the Wilkes- Barre General Hospital.
Dr. Thomas began practice in his own name at Glen Lyon and later at Wanamie, where he has ever since ministered to an increasing number of patients with the exception of his period of enlistment in the World War. The British armies and the American Expeditionary Forces were for- tunate in being enabled to command Dr. Thomas' services during the World War. With the commission of captain he per- formed heroic and efficient work on several fronts with the troops in heavy action. All told, he was overseas for twenty-two months, and received his honorable discharge, June 16, 1919. Resuming his general practice where the war interrupted it, he has risen to a place of high esteem and in the pro- fessional regard of his contemporaries. He
holds the post of surgeon to the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre coal collieries Nos. 18 and 19. As medical inspector of the schools of Wanamie he renders a fine service in the cause of education, and he is also a mem- ber of the staff of Nanticoke Hospital. He served as deputy coroner of Luzerne County for eight years. His affiliation with profes- sional organizations includes the American Medical Association, the Luzerne County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society.
He is a director of the Glen Lyon National Bank. In politics he votes with the Re- publicans, and is accounted a strong member of his party organization. His fraternal alliances are with Cauldwell Consistory Scottish Rite Freemasonry, of Bloomsburg; Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Glen Lyon Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and the Junior Order United American Mechanics. His religious fellowship is with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Albert M. Thomas married, June, 1924, Eunice Evelyn Hilgert, of Scranton, daughter of Charles and Electa Hilgert, a well-known and highly esteemed family of that city.
SPENCER E. ARNOLD-One of the most prominent and alert business men of Wilkes- Barre, Mr. Arnold may be said to be a con- structive force in the interests of the growth and prosperity of the city. His real estate operations have added greatly to the beauty of the environs of the city and have been carried out with unusual breadth of vision and judgment. Mr. Arnold was born in Wilkes-Barre on November 3, 1889, a son of Clayton T. and Caroline (Hand) Arnold. The family on both sides dates back to early pioneer days of Wyoming Valley. Caroline (Hand) Arnold was born in Lan- caster, in England, in 1870 and was brought over here as a child. Her father, Alfred Hand, had a large share in developing the county and was city engineer for many years and the name of Alfred Hand is still spoken of in civic memorials. Clayton T. Arnold was born in White Haven, Luzerne County, in 1863 and died in 1923. He was a carpenter and diamond driller by trade and was also of the old settler stock that founded and developed the county. Mary Arnold, mother of Clayton T. Arnold, was postmis- tress at Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, at one time.
Spencer E. Arnold was educated in the public schools of the city and supplemented this education with courses at the Wilkes- Barre Business College, entering the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad on completion of his studies. He held a clerical position with that company for three years and a steno- graphic position with the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in the real estate department, for four years; following this with a connection in the sales department with the Hazard Manufacturing Company and later was asso- ciated with the real estate firm of Freed- man and Dattner, as salesman. Always gathering valuable sales experience, and knowledge of the real estate potentialities of the city and its surroundings has been the basis of his present widely disseminated operations. Mr. Arnold when he first went into business for himself, entered into part- nership with Leslie A. Steele, and as Arnold and Steele were active realtors for two years, when Mr. Arnold sold his interest in the company and formed the organization of Spencer E. Arnold, Incorporated, with Mr.
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.