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 50

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press
Number of Pages: 772

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 50

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self evident in all matters for public better- ment and general progress.

Frank Barry Brown was born August 23. 1876, in Plymouth, Luzerne County, a son of Daniel and Susan (Barry) Brown, both par- ents now deceased. Danlel Brown, a native of Ireland, and a son of George and Ellen (Maloney) Brown, came to the United States when he was only fifteen years old, and for three years he was employed on the Shaker Farms at Ayer, Massachusetts. When he was about eighteen years old, he joined the 8th Massachusetts Battery, and he was among the early troops in the field of active service at the beginning of the Civil War, and took part in the Battles of Second Bull Run, Cedar Creek, and South Mountain, and the engage- ment at Antietam that was fought at Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 16-17, 1862. After his service of a year in the Army, Mr. Brown returned to Massachusetts for a while, and in 1863 he came to Luzerne County in the employ of the Boston Coal Company that operated the Grand Tunnel Mines at Plym- outh. Afterwards he engaged in contracting, conducted a livery stable, and managed a grocery business. He died in 1917, at the age of seventy-one years; his wife died at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of eight children, only three of whom grew to maturity: George K. Brown, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Poor for Lu- zerne County; Frank Barry Brown, of whom further; and Annie C. Brown, who married James H. Kenney, of Wilkes-Barre.

Frank Barry Brown attended the public schools at Plymouth, and was graduated from Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, in the class of 1887. He then joined the clerical force of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad at Wilkes-Barre, and was afterwards a clerk in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh. Returning to Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Brown entered upon his law studies in the office of Edward C. Hoyt, and he was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in 1901. He is one of the most active men in his profession in this part of the State.

A staunch Democrat in his political views, Mr. Brown was elected on the ticket of that party as an alderman from the Eighth Ward of Wilkes-Barre, and he has held that office for twenty-five years; and, continuing therein from the same ward his present term will expire in 1930. He is a member of the Luzerne County Bar Association, Wyoming Valley Country Club, and Fox Hill Country Club. He is a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Wilkes-Barre. .

Frank Barry Brown married Agnes Lena- han, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Duffy) Lenahan, both parents now deceased, and sister of John T. and James L. Lenahan, both of whom were for twenty-five years leading attorneys of the Luzerne County Bar. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of three children: Mary Elizabeth, educated at Mount St. Vincent Academy on The Hudson, New York; James Lenahan Brown; and George Barry Brown.

JULIAN M. SHOEMAKER-From the time he was sixteen years of age Julian M. Shoe- maker has been engaged in the insurance business, and in January, 1924, became super- intendent of claims for the Wilkes-Barre district of the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation of London, England, and New York City.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Shoemaker

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stetrics. He was the chief of this department until 1925 when he resigned from his active duties on the Staff, and was made an honor- ary attending physician. He is now, 1930, a member of the Board of Directors with the title of consulting physician on the staff.

He has held many positions of honor and responsibility both in his profession and in civic life. He has been secretary and is now, 1930, president of the Staff of the Wilkes- Barre General Hospital, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Kirby Health Cen- ter, now in course of construction. Dr. Meyers has served continuously since 1908 as a member of the United States Pension Board in Luzerne County, and has been the president of this board from the beginning of his appointment. He has for a long period of years been a surgeon for the Lehigh Val- ley Railroad Company and surgeon for the Bell Telephone Company. He was president of the Luzerne County Medical Society dur- ing the World War, 1917, and its secretary for three years, 1919-23. In addition to the local County Medical Society, he holds mem- bership In many other medical organizations, among them: The Lehigh Valley Medical As- sociation, the New England and New York Association of Railway Surgeons, the Ameri- can Medical Association, the Philadelphia Ob- stetric Society, the Philadelphia Pediatric Society, the Philadelphia Medical Club, and the Medical Society of the State of Pennsyl- vania, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is now, 1930, the president of his medical class 1900, and presi- dent of the general Alumni Association of Jefferson Medical College.

In civic life he was formerly a director of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and has been a member of the Wilkes-Barre City School Board since 1911 to this date 1930. On this board he has served at different times as its president. A new high school in Wilkes-Barre in course of construction, which is to cost upwards of two million dol- lars, has been named by his fellow directors, "The Elmer L. Meyers High School."

Dr. Meyers has contributed numerous arti- cles to medical literature and is the inventor of the "Meyers" obstetrical forceps, which instrument is extensively used by the medi- cal profession.

Dr. Elmer L. Meyers married, April 22, 1903, at Wilkes-Barre, Grace H. Morgan, who was native-born to Luzerne County, a daughter of Edward S. Morgan of Wilkes-Barre. Dr. and Mrs. Meyers are now the parents of two children, both of whom are daughters: I. Margaret Foulke, who was graduated from Vassar College with the class of 1926. 2. Helen Wells, who was graduated from the Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, in 1927, and is now, 1930, a student at New York University. Dr. Meyers maintains his principal residence in Wilkes-Barre, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of that city.

FRANK BARRY BROWN- To his steadily increasing practice of law in Wilkes-Barre and throughout Luzerne County, Frank Barry Brown has brought a decided inclination for the profession for which he obtained through his own incentive and effort a thorough training. Politically active, he has for a quarter of a century moved In the executive front rank of the Democratic interests of the county, with an influence that has made it-

seif evident in all matters for public better- ment and general progress.

Frank Barry Brown was born August 23. 1876, in Plymouth, Luzerne County, a son of Daniel and Susan (Barry) Brown, both par- ents now deceased. Daniel Brown, a native of Ireland, and a son of George and Ellen (Maloney) Brown, came to the United States when he was only fifteen years old, and for three years he was employed on the Shaker Farms at Ayer, Massachusetts. When he was about eighteen years old, he joined the 8th Massachusetts Battery, and he was among the early troops in the field of active service at the beginning of the Civil War, and took part in the Battles of Second Bull Run, Cedar Creek, and South Mountain, and the engage- ment at Antietam that was fought at Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 16-17, 1862. After his service of a year in the Army, Mr. Brown returned to Massachusetts for a while, and in 1863 he came to Luzerne County in the employ of the Boston Coal Company that operated the Grand Tunnel Mines at Plym- outh. Afterwards he engaged in contracting, conducted a livery stable, and managed a grocery business. He died in 1917, at the age of seventy-one years; his wife died at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of eight children, only three of whom grew to maturity: George K. Brown, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Poor for Lu- zerne County; Frank Barry Brown, of whom further; and Annie C. Brown, who married James H. Kenney, of Wilkes-Barre.

Frank Barry Brown married Agnes Lena- han, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Duffy) Lenahan, both parents now deceased, and sister of John T. and James L. Lenahan, both of whom were for twenty-five years leading attorneys of the Luzerne County Bar. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of three children: Mary Elizabeth, educated at Mount St. Vincent Academy on The Hudson. New York; James Lenahan Brown; and George Barry Brown.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Shoemaker

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was George Shoemaker of Luzerne County, and his maternal grandfather was Henry Boyed, of Wilkes-Barre, both old families in this region.

George M. Shoemaker, father of Mr. Shoe- maker, died in 1916, and his wife, Edith (Boyed) Shoemaker, resides with her son, Julian M. Shoemaker, at No. 28 West Pittston Street, Forty Fort, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania. They were the parents of five chil- dren: Ethel, married George Ingraham, of Cleveland, Ohio; Jesse, married David M. Titus, of East Orange, New Jersey; Grace M., married Arthur M. Clark, of New Jersey; Henry B., who makes his home at Strouds- burg, Pennsylvania; Millard A., of New York City; and Julian M., of further mention.

Julian M. Shoemaker was born in Scran- ton, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1900, and received his education in the public schools of that city and in the schools of New York City. When he was sixteen years of age he began his long connection with the insurance busi- ness, and eight years later was made super- intendent of the claims department of the Wilkes-Barre District, in the employ of the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation of London, England, and New York City. Mr. Shoemaker is a member of Scranton Lodge, No. 291, Free and Accepted Masons; and of all the York Rite bodies of that Order; also of Keystone Consistory, of Scranton; also holds the thirty-second degree, Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite Masons; and Is a member of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is a member of Irem Country Club, of the Craftsmen's Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party. Mr. Shoemaker has many friends in Wilkes- Barre, and is well liked by his business associates.

FRANCIS J. MURRAY, one of the most promising members of the Luzerne County Bar Association since his admission to prac- tice in 1922, with offices at No. 550 Miners Bank Building, Wilkes-Barre, was born in this city December 20, 1898, the son of P. W. and Catherine (Loftus) Murray. The strides he has made in such a short space of time indicate that the future years hold for him the highest honors and the most generous measure of prosperity.

P. W. Murray has been one of the best known and most popular shoe merchants of Wilkes-Barre for nearly fifty years and is one of the oldest and best established mer- chants in the Wyoming Valley. He is a son of Martin and Catherine (Mclaughlin) Mur- ray, both of whom were representatives of families of culture and accomplishment, whose members represented the best tradi- tions of the life of America and the European countries, whence the original settlers pro- ceeded. On the maternal side Francis J. Murray is the grandson of Thomas J. and Cecelia (McRone) Loftus. The parents of his father and of his mother, the grandparents of Mr. Murray, were buried from the same house in Wilkes-Barre. P. W. Murray, the father, is a loyal member of the Democratic party. In religious matters he adheres to the faith of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. He is the father of two children, M. Irene, married to Joseph F. O'Brien, of Wilkes-Barre, and Francis J., of whom fur- ther mention. In the early eighties Mr. Mur- ray was the owner and the proprietor of a

sporting newspaper which he published at Wilkes-Barre under the name and style of "The Merry World." He added much to the enjoyment of the citizenship, and his publica- tion possessed real literary merit.

Francis J. Murray began his education at the splendid Wilkes-Barre public schools; he was graduated with a fine record from the local high school in the class of 1916, and then matriculated at Villa Nova College at Villa Nova, a suburb of Philadelphia. He applied himself diligently at this institution, and was graduated with the class of 1920 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Desiring to further equip himself for the battle of life, he took up the study of law at the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1922. In this same year he was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar, and ever since has engaged in the general practice of law. At the outbreak of the World War, Mr. Murray enlisted in the United States Navy, and saw active service for a period of eighteen months.

Mr. Murray is a consistent member of the Republican party, whose candidates he loy- ally supports in consonance with the wishes of the organization. His religious affiliation is with the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Wilkes-Barre. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His military organization is the Black Diamond Post of the American Legion, of Philadelphia. He is a leading and enthusi- astic member of the Luzerne County Bar Association; is secretary to the Luzerne County Law Examining Board; president of the Lawyer's Club of Luzerne County; and is eligible to the various legal societies whose advantage and facilities are at the disposal of the members of the profession. Mr. Murray was the organizer and prime mover in the Pennsylvania Lawyers Title Company, and is the author of "Brief of Title to Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties."

Francis J. Murray married Sadie C. Kelly, of Hughstown, Luzerne County, a daughter of Edward L. and Catherine (Carey) Kelly, and they are the parents of a daughter, Frances E. Murray.

J. ROBERT HOMER-A reliable and suc- cessful business man and native of Wilkes- Barre is J. Robert Homer, senior member of the Duncan-Homer Company, one of the lead- ing department stores in the city, known as "The Globe." Starting with slight financial backing he had served a long apprenticeship as store clerk and at last got control of a business accorded the distinction of being one of the most profitable in Wilkes-Barre. His biography is an inspiration to many young men.

J. Robert Homer was born in Wilkes-Barre, December 9, 1882, the son of Robert J. and Mary M. (Boughner) Homer, his father, now deceased, having been a boilermaker by trade. J. Robert Homer was one of four chil- dren, the others being: Myrtle E., wife of J. J. Newberry of New York City; Ruth C., un- married; and Helen L., also unmarried.

J. Robert Homer graduated from the Wilkes-Barre High School with the class of 1898, and immediately entered the employ of Fowler, Dick and Walker, operating the "Boston Store." Here he remained for fifteen years, withdrawing in 1912, owning stock in the company and its treasurer. That

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same year he organized the Duncan-Homer Company, outfitting the new store with stock purchased from Langfeld Brothers. He lo- cated at Nos. 53 to 57, on the south side of the Public Square, which site the store has occupied ever since, though meanwhile it has doubled in size and business has increased five-fold. On January 1, 1927, Mr. Duncan disposed of his interest to Mr. Homer, who did not, nevertheless, change the firm name. It is said of Mr. Homer by his mercantile associates that "he started life without a dollar, and made good." They say further that he is a first-class competitor and one of the public-spirited citizens of Wilkes- Barre. He is a Republican, member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, and has a number of fraternal connections, including membership in Landmark Lodge, No. 442, of the Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 82, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Keystone Consistory of Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; the Shrine County Club, the Craftsmen's Club, and the Franklin Club.

J. Robert Homer married, on April 17, 1907, Nellie McClay, of Wilkes-Barre, daugh- ter of Edward McClay. The marriage has resulted in four children: Virginia Edith, J. Robert, Jr., Elizabeth Ivy, and Edward Dun- can.

MICHAEL J. MCLAUGHLIN-A business man of long standing in Wilkes-Barre, Michael J. Mclaughlin is descended from a family well known throughout Luzerne County, and has served as a member of the Board of County Commissioners for some time.

Michael J. Mclaughlin was born at Wilkes- Barre on May 14, 1872, son of Patrick Mc- Laughlin of Glen Daoun, Ireland, and Cathe- rine (O'Toole) McLaughlin of Belena, Ireland, his father having been a mining contractor, and later engaging In the grocery and livery business. He died at the age of fifty-two years, leaving Mrs. McLaughlin, who died at the age of ninety-two. Patrick McLauglin was a lifelong adherent to the Democratic party, and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was the father of six children: 1. Edward A., who conducts a grocery store In Wilkes-Barre. 2. William P., deceased, who was in the grocery business with his brother Edward. 3. Charles F., deceased, a lieutenant on the Wilkes-Barre police force, drowned at Glen Summit Lake while fishing. 4. Patrick A., an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, of Wilkes-Barre. 5. Thomas V., well known

practicing physician of Wilkes-Barre. 6. Michael J., of whom further.

Michael J. Mclaughlin attended the public schools of Wilkes-Barre. At an early age he began working in the grocery store owned by his brothers, remaining there until twenty- one years old, when he engaged in the milk and confectionery business for three years. Tiring of this he enrolled as a student of un- dertaking, at Baltimore, then returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he went into that busi- ness for himself, at No. 124 South Washington Street. He continued at that address for the next thirty years, until now, 1929, the firm name is M. J. Mclaughlin Company, Inc. Like his father, Michael McLaughlin is a Demo- crat and member of St. Mary's Roman Catho- lic Church. He is also affiliated with the

Knights of Columbus (fourth degree); Wilkes-Barre Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Mr. Mclaughlin's in- terests are now extensive, including the fra- ternal socleties listed, the directorship of the Pennsylvania Bank and Trust Company of Wilkes-Barre, the Liberty Market Company, and various other posts of importance. He was one of the first men In Wyoming Valley to be appointed by President Woodrow Wil- son to serve on the Draft Board until the close of the World War. Mr. Mclaughlin was elected to the Wilkes-Barre Common Council in 1912, and was elected county commissioner of Luzerne County in 1915, serving four years; but in 1920 he met defeat together with all of his party's ticket, but was again elected in November, 1923. He was a dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention which met in San Francisco and nominated Governor Cox of Ohio for President of the United States. Through his commercial, fra- ternal and political connections, Mr. Mc- Laughlin has made himself one of the best- known and most highly esteemed figures In Wilkes-Barre.

Michael J. Mclaughlin married, on October 3, 1900, Alice M. O'Neill, of Richmond, Vir- ginia, daughter of William Moore and Mary (Healey) O'Neill, who were natives of Pitt- ston, Luzerne County. The union has resulted in six children: 1. Michael J., Jr., who is a graduate of Lafayette College, and now man- aging the undertaking business established by his father. 2. Mary, the wife of Paul Conlon, of Kingston, Luzerne County, and mother of one son, Paul, Jr. 3. Alice, a stu- dent in Georgian Court College, at Lake- wood, New Jersey. 4. Catherine, a student in the University of Paris, at Paris, France. 5. Ruth, a student at the Wilkes-Barre Insti- tute. 6. Robert J., a student in the Wyoming Seminary.

REV. EDWARD J. GAFFNEV-Resident pastor of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at White Haven since 1922, Father Edward J. Gaffney has devoted himself to the works of his church throughout his pastorate in a manner that has brought him commendation, both from his superiors and from members of his parish. This church, which at first had about one hundred and thirty-five families, now has more than two hundred and fifty, much of this growth being due to Father Gaffney.

Father Edward J. Gaffney was born May 30, 1874, at Freeland, Pennsylvania, son of Thomas and Mary (Boyle) Gaffney. Thomas Gaffney, a native of Ireland, born in 1843, was a miner throughout his life, but is now living retired. Mary (Boyle) Gaffney, also a native of Ireland, was born in 1845.

The first resident pastor of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church was M. J. Bergrath, and a cornerstone to the present church was laid in 1869, with a pastor at Eckling, Penn- sylvania. Rev. Father Bergrath erected the parochial school in 1879, and also the pastor's residence. He served this parish as pastor for thirty-three years and was succeeded by Father Driscoll, now deceased. Other pastors in the order of their service here were: Father J. F. Holmes, Father J. E. Lynott, and beginning in February, 1922, the present oc- cupant, Rev. Edward J. Gaffney. This church, with a seating capacity of about seven hun- dred, maintains a most successful school, with about one hundred and twenty-five

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pupils enrolled therein. As heretofore noted, the parish growth has been quite remarkable, increasing from one hundred and thirty-five families to two hundred and fifty.

Rev. Edward J. Gaffney obtained his pre- liminary education in the public schools of Freeland, and at the completion of his studies there, matriculated at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts. Holy Cross gradu- ated him in 1899, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and he then entered St. Mary's Semi- nary of Baltimore, Maryland, being gradu- ated therefrom in 1903. Ordained July 4, 1903, by the Rt. Rev. M. J. Hoban, at St. Mary's Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Rev. Gaffney, for the ensuing two years was assistant pastor at Blossburg. Then followed a period of ten years during which he served in a similar capacity at Minooka, Pennsyl- vania, and this was followed by four years as assistant at Freeland, Pennsylvania. Father Gaffney's appointment to St. Patrick's at White Haven, was preceded immediately by four years as pastor at Elkland, Pennsyl- vania. Since coming to White Haven, Father Gaffney has not only labored zealously for his parish, but has been identified with other spheres of activity in this town. During the World War he was quite active in aiding his government in bringing this conflict to a successful conclusion, at that time being located at Elkland. He is a Democrat and a member of the Knights of Columbus, his ad- vice and counsel being highly appreciated in this last-named organization. Father Gaffney resides at No. 580 Elmira Street, White Haven.

HENRY W. EIDAM is among the business men of Hazleton who have built up an enter- prise which promises continued growth. He is the son of Henry and Martha (Mast) Eidam, both natives of Germany who came to this country when very young and for a time settled in Batavia, New York, and later came to Hazleton, where Mr. Eidam engaged in the carpenter's trade. He was employed in this line for many years and, being very fond of music, he taught himself to play both string and brass instruments. He also took an interest in taxidermy as a side- line and in that he became very proficient, doing quite a lucrative business in addition

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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 50

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press Number of Pages: 772

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press
Number of Pages: 772