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 52
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and Edith Marcy (Harden) Coon and grand- son on the paternal side of his house of Alfred Henry and Lorinda (Marcy) Coon and on the maternal side of John M. and Mary (Marcy) Harden. A brief review of his grandparents' activities is found in the preceding sketch of his father, Bolton G. Coon.
Alfred Harden Coon received his early education in the public schools, and was graduated in 1912 from the Dorranceton High School, and two years later from Wyo- ming Seminary. He then spent three years at the Pennsylvania State College, where he studied civil and sanitary engineering, and where he remained until, in May, 1917, he left to enter the 1st Reserve Officers' Train- ing Corps, at Madison Barracks, New York. On August 15, that year, he became a second lieutenant of Field Artillery in that corps; and on December 31, 1917, he was elevated to the rank of first lieutenant. On August 19, 1918, he was made a captain in the Field Artillery of the United States Army. From May, 1918, to May, 1919, he served with the American Expeditionary Forces, in the 309th Field Artillery, 78th Division, in which he was regimental adjutant. Since the con- clusion of the World War, too, Captain Coon has continued his military labors, having been, from January 1, 1920, to September, 1927, captain in the 109th Field Artillery of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Since the war, he has been engaged continuously in executive work attending the affairs of the B. G. Coon Construction Company, with the exception of a three-month period, in which, in 1922, he was with the New Mexico Con- struction Company, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since 1919 he has been, with the Coon company, timekeeper, foreman, book- keeper, superintendent and general manager of the organization, and has performed a most useful function in these different posts, He is also secretary of this company, which has completed several million dollars' worth of engineering construction projects, includ- ing roads, bridges, sewers, reservoirs, build- ing foundations and the like.
Along with his labors in this connection, Mr. Coon has acted as a director in the Clark Lumber and Supply Company, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania. He also is active in frater- nal and social circles, having joined, in his student days, the Phi Gamma Delta Frater- nity and the Lions' Paw Senior Society of Pennsylvania State College, and having been elected to the Tau Beta Pi, an honorary engi- neering fraternity. He is a member, too, of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is affiliated with Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a leader in professional quarters, taking an active part in the Engi- neers' Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania and its work. He also belongs to the Lions' Club, of Wilkes-Barre, and the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Kingston. Just as Mr. Coon rendered valuable service as a division executive in his army work, "demonstrating excellent administrative and instructional ability," as his superior officer, Lieutenant Colonel F. S. Clark, wrote of him, so he has contributed to the business affairs with which he has had to do.
Alfred Harden Coon has been twice mar- ried: (first), on October 28, 1919, at Jack- son, Mississippi, to Ada Green, who died August 20, 1922, daughter of Marcellus and Lucy (Edelen) Green, of that place, the foimer an attorney; and (second), on January 27, 1925, at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to Mar- jorie Lindsay, daughter of George P. and
Annie (Jones) Lindsay, of Plymouth, where the father was a coal operator. The chil- dren of Alfred Harden Coon have been three in number, two of whom are now living: By the first marriage, 1. Alfred Harden, Jr., born July 26, 1921. By the second marriage, 2. Bolton G., 2d, born July 22, 1926, died January 19, 1928. 3. Marjorie Lindsay, born May 20, 1928.
JAMES F. O'BOYLE-It is one of the per- versities of human thinking to expect the son of a successful man to begin where his father left off and to judge the son by the matured achievements of the sire. Such was the handicap under which James F. O'Boyle began his business career: for the elder O'Boyle was a business man well known for his outstanding abilities. However, the son is proving himself well worthy of his father's mantle; for by his own acumen, aggressive- ness and sound business judgment, he is carrying forward with increasing success enterprises founded by his father as well as important organizations established by himself through competition, complexities and perplexities unknown to an earlier day.
James F. O'Boyle, president of the Pitts- ton Coal Mining Company, was born in that city, December 26, 1882, son of Michael and Bridget (O'Donnell) O'Boyle. The elder O'Boyle, who is now deceased was a native of Scranton. His wife was born in Pitts- ton. Michael O'Boyle was a man of excep- tional business ability which was employed chiefly in the mining industry. He was a director of the Miners' Bank of Pittston, and took an active part in everything that con- cerned the welfare of the city. His death occurred in January, 1924, at the age of seventy-two. He and his wife had a family of six children: James F., of whom further; Ellen, wife of E. A. Cusick; Charles M., manu- facturer of railway appliances, New York City; Mary C., wife of W. E. Connolly. Two children died young.
James F. O'Boyle prepared for college in the public schools of his native city. He then matriculated at Holy Cross College, Worces- ter, Massachusetts, from which he was grad- uated in the class of 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1926, his alma mater, in recognition of his achievements since leav- ing college, honored him with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Immediately upon grad- uation Mr. O'Boyle plunged into the coal mining business, at first in connection with the Pittston Coal Company, which had been organized by his father on the 21st of April of the previous year. As he became more familiar with the business Mr. O'Boyle extended his operations. Among his interests may be especially mentioned the Hadleigh Colliery at Sugar Notch, which he operates and which gives employment to four hun- dred people. He is also treasurer of the Pittston Coal Sales Company: director of the Miners' Bank of Pittston; president of the St. Lawrence Importing and Distributing Company of Toronto and Montreal.
He is keenly alive to all that affects the welfare of Pittston, and while a staunch adherent of the Democratic party, and believ- ing fully in every citizen performing his civic duties, he feels that he can best serve the interests of the community in a quiet personal manner rather than in the glare of public office. Mr. O'Boyle is a member of a number of fraternal orders and clubs, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Fox Hill Country Club, the Valley Club, Scranton Club, and the Whitehall and Cath-
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olic clubs of New York City. He is a member of the board of directors of the Kislin School for Boys.
James F. O'Boyle married, February 4, 1914, Margaret Dillon of Binghamton, New York, and they have been blessed with a family of seven children: James F., Jr .; Michael W .; John O'Donnell; Eugene D .; Robert D .; Mar- garet; and Catherine. The family are mem- bers of St. John's Roman Catholic Church. The family residence, where a genial hos- pitality is dispensed on many occasions, is located at No. 802 Susquehanna Avenue, Pittston.
JAMES P. COSTELLO. attorney at law with offices in the Hazleton National Bank Build- ing, Hazleton, is the son of Owen and Ann (Donlin) Costello, and was born at Branchdale, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on Decem- ber 15, 1865. He began his education in the parochial school of St. Gabriel's parish and then attended the public school of Hazle Township. After this he went to the Blooms- burg Normal School, where he graduated in the class of 1891. After this, for fifteen years, he taught in the public schools in Luzerne County and for four years he was principal of the Hazle Township schools. During part of this time he was reading law, and in 1897 he completed a course in Dickinson College and was graduated with the degree of Bache- lor of Laws. Admitted to the bar in the same year, he began the practice in Luzerne County which he has continued ever since, with the exception of two years as a pro- fessor in the Law Department of Notre Dame University, Indiana. He carries on general professional work. having been admitted to practice in all the courts of the State. He has served as a member of the Select Council of Hazleton, is a Democrat in political affilia- tions, and is a confirmed temperance advo- cate, personally a total abstainer. He is a member of the County Bar Association, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church.
James P. Costello married, in 1892, Teresa G. Carr, a graduate of the Bloomsburg Nor- mal School, who taught as a member of the faculty of the Newport Township High School. She is an active member of St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church and the Council of Catholic Women. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Costello are: 1. Aloysius, a prac- ticing attorney in Washington, District of Columbia. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and entered the World War in the Ambulance Corps, being among the first to enlist. He was overseas in France for most of the war. 2. Joseph, a physician in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1917, enlisted for service in the World War in the Medical Corps of the United States Army and was commissioned lieutenant, serving overseas. 3. Annie, a graduate of Bloomsburg State Normal School, employed in the Government service in Washington, District of Columbia, during the World War, after which she re- turned to Hazleton and resumed teaching. She married Joseph McGeihan. 4. James P., Jr., a graduate of the University of Pennsyl- vania, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and of Cornell University, Bachelor of Laws. He now lives and practices in Philadelphia. He was in military training when the World War came to a close. 5. Francis A., a gradu- ate of Mount St. Mary's. Maryland, where he completed his classical course, and Allegheny
Seminary; was ordained a priest in June, 1927. He Is now assistant at St. Vincent's parish at Plymouth, Pennsylvania. 6. John, at the age of seventeen, as a senior in the high school, passed civil service examinations and was called to Washington, where he was employed by the Government. At the close of the war, he entered the Coast Guard service and served there for five years. He is a student in the law department of Dickinson College, class of 1929.
EDWARD K. CONRAD-Energetic son of a vital father, who was one of the leading business men of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Edward K. Conrad, of Kingston, is carrying on a great business that shows increasing success with every day of its operation. Still in his early manhood, he has already attained to high estate in the commercial world and in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. Those who know him well and who also knew his father are of undivided faith in his ability, while his friends number all with whom he comes in contact, either in business or social meeting.
Edward K. Conrad was born in Scranton, September 30, 1894, received his education in the public schools and was graduated from the Scranton High School with the class of 1912. His father was Edward, and his mother, Clara ( Woodhouse) Conrad, Edward K. being the second of four children of the couple. The father, Edward Conrad, founded and organized, at Scranton, in 1909, the Lacka- wanna Automobile Company, with headquar- ters at Scranton. This company became sales and distributing agents, April 28, 1910, for the Packard automobile for Columbia, Lacka- wanna, Monroe, Wayne, Wyoming, Pike and Luzerne counties, in Pennsylvania. Edward Conrad was an energetic business man and a natural organizer of trade relations, well and favorably known all over Northeastern Pennsylvania. He came of old Pennsylvania stock, being a son of Andrew and Catherine Conrad, of Pottsville. His death occurred in Scranton, September 23, 1927, in his sixty- second year. Up to that time he had built up a business in automobile distribution of great value to himself and the manufac- turers, his being the third oldest Packard distributing agency in the United States. He was a staunch Republican and a member of the Baptist Church.
Edward K. Conrad, upon his graduation from school, became associated with his father in the industry his parent had founded, and rose rapidly. He is now vice-president of the Lackawanna Automobile Company, in charge of the Greater Wilkes-Barre office, at No. 580 Market Street, Kingston. In politics he is a Republican, in religion a Baptist. He belongs to Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; the Franklin Club, the Westmoreland Club and the Wyoming Valley Country Club.
Mr. Conrad married, October 7, 1919, Doro- thy Page, of Scranton, daughter of John Page of that city.
THADDEUS M. CONNIFF-Two great pro- fessions-that of teaching and that of the law-have claimed the attention of Thad- deus M. Conniff, of Plains. Through long years he engaged as teacher, and made of his career in that direction a large success, attaining to high distinctions. And of years more recent he has practiced the law, this change from one profession to another hav-
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ing come about gradually, through extended interest in law and personal capacity for its practice. He is counted prominent among leading citizens of his community.
Native of Ireland, Mr. Conniff was born August 9, 1854, son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Mckeon) Conniff. His father, native of Ire- land, was born in 1800, was a school teacher and farmer, and died in 1863. His mother, also a native of Ireland, was born in 1819, and died in 1891, at Plains. In the schools of Ireland Thaddeus M. Conniff secured his basic academic instruction, studying thereafter in St. Patrick's College and later still in New York Normal School, New York City. From the Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachu- setts, he received the degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Conniff studied law and was pre- pared for admission to the bar in 1880, but preferred his vocation of educational work. He later was admitted to the bar. For eight years he taught school at Plains, then served as superintendent of schools at Pittston, for a year, being the first superintendent over the Pittston schools. Returning then to Plains, he acted as supervising principal of schools here, and held that post until 1924 at which time he resigned. Since 1924 he has engaged in the practice of law, indepen- dently, having been admitted to the bar sev- eral years prior thereto. A Democrat, he has filled responsible positions of trust, and was seven years prison commissioner by appoint- ment by the County Court, and served as president of the prison commission for the whole period. In temperance work, long before national prohibition, Mr. Conniff was active. He is Senior Past Grand Knight of Wilkes-Barre Council No. 302, Knights of Columbus, in which he received the fourth degree (the first one to receive this degree), and for four years was treasurer of the State Council. He is a member and one of the organizers of the Schoolmasters' Club in Plains. He is a communicant of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Conniff married, in 1876, Amanda Arms- strong, of Plains, daughter of Robert and Margaret ( Mulligan) Armstrong. Of this union were born eleven children, of whom six survive: 1. Augustine P., a lawyer, of Wilkes-Barre. 2. James N., a representative of the Taxpayers' Association of Plains. 3. Mary, wife of B. O. Baldwin, of Scranton. 4. Jean, wife of John J. Walsh, of Plains. 5. Frances E., at home. 6. Agnes M., teacher in high school, Nutley, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Conniff have seventeen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
FRANCIS EDWARD DONNELLY, M. D .- Since his discharge from the United States Army, in July, 1919, after active service overseas as a member of the Medical Corps, Dr. Francis Edward Donnelly has been located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he has his office at No. 8 Lee Park Avenue. Dr. Donnelly is a graduate of Jefferson Med- ical College, in Philadelphia, and served his interneships in Mercy Hospital here in Wilkes-Barre and in New York City Lying- In-Hospital. He served in the World War with the rank of captain, and located in Wilkes-Barre immediately after receiving his honorable discharge from the service.
Born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 14, 1888, Dr. Francis E. Donnelly is a son of Joseph F. Donnelly, who was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and who was engaged throughout his active life as a contract miner, his death occurring in '1889, and of Rose Anna (Rooney) Donnelly, who was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1856,
and who is still living (1930). Dr. Donnelly attended the public schools of Plymouth and of Larksville, Pennsylvania, graduating from the Larksville High School with the class of 1910. After one year spent in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania, he began his four years of professional study in Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, where he finished his course in 1915, receiv- ing the degree of Doctor of Medicine the same year. For one year after his graduation he served as an interne in Mercy Hospital, in Wilkes-Barre, and then, wishing to more thoroughly prepare himself for the heavy duties and responsibilities of his chosen life work, he spent another year in the Lying- In-Hospital in New York City. When this country entered the World War Dr. Donnelly was one of the many young physicians who were eager to serve overseas, and he was one of those who succeeded in gaining what they desired. As a member of the Medical Corps he served throughout the remainder of the conflict, going over with Base Hospital No. 63, but later being detached and assigned to Evacuation Hospital No. 13, in the St. Mihiel sector, where he was in active service. He was discharged with the rank of captain, July 7, 1919, and returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he has since been en- gaged in general practice. Dr. Donnelly is a member of the medical staff of Mercy Hos- pital, and holds membership in the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the American Med- ical Association. In his political faith he is a Democrat, and his religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church. Among his colleagues, Dr. Donnelly has long been known as one of the very able and successful men of his profession, and his genial, friendly personality attracts many friends. He is a director of the Lincoln Bank and Trust Company.
Dr. Francis Edward Donnelly was mar- ried, in 1920, to Anna Coyle, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Bridget (Brennan) Coyle, and they are the parents of two sons: 1. Joseph, born in March, 1923. 2. Robert, born in September, 1926.
JAMES GIBBON-Business man represent- ing the Warner-Quinlan Company, as asphalt division, of New York City, formerly city commissioner and member of the Pennsyl- vania State Legislature, Mr. Gibbon was born at Drifton, Luzerne County, November 27, 1882, son of Owen and Margaret (Jones) Gibbon, the father living retired in Wilkes- Barre, aged seventy-five years. His mother died, aged seventy-three years. Of Welsh origin, Owen Gibhon in his early life was a coal miner, and later, in Wilkes-Barre, a grocer. He was born in Wales, coming to the United States when six months old, with his parents, his father, Benjamin F. Gibbon, removing to his country with his family. Mrs. Gibbon, mother of James Gibbon, taught Sunday school in the Baptist Church for fifty years. Owen and Margaret (Jones) Gib- bon were the parents of three children: 1. Reese, of Wilkes-Barre, foreman in the Street Department. 2. James, of whom later. 3. Benjamin F., of New York City.
When James Gibbon was six years of age his parents left Wilkes-Barre to locate in Buck Mountain, near Mahanoy City, Schuyl- kill County, Pennsylvania, and there he at- tended the public school until 1898, when he came to Wilkes-Barre, occupying himself as clerk in several stores. He acquired a sound experience in retailing by means of these clerkships and before long opened a store of
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his own, at No. 62 South Main Street, deal- ing in shoes for the retail trade. Mr. Gib- bon conducted this husiness until 1914, then took charge of the Wilkes-Barre office of the Wales Adding Machine Company, directing the company's activities in the Wyoming Valley territory until October 4, 1926. While young in years he entered politics, and his first office was to the Wilkes-Barre City Council representing the Twelfth Ward in 1912, and 1913, and after serving on the council for two years, proving himself level headed and possessed of both imagination and executive ability, was elected to Legis- lature as member from the Seventh Luzerne County District. He filled out two years, 1921-22, in the Legislature and was elected to succeed himself in the fall of 1922. In 1923 he was chosen city commissioner of Wilkes-Barre for a term of four years. Al- ways he has been a loyal Republican, but in local affairs permits politics to play no part, constantly holding the interests and welfare of the municipality at large as his first duty. He is a member of the Parrish Street Baptist Church; of Lodge No. 61, of the Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Con- sistory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, of the An- cient Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty- second degree; Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre; the Irem Country Club; he is Past Exalted Ruler of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a member of the Eagles, the Franklin Club, the Concordia Club, and the Orpheus Club.
James Gibbon married (first), in 1906, Mignonette Wallace, daughter of George and Emma (Weiss) Wallace. Mrs. Gibbon died in 1918, leaving two children, James Wallace Gibbon, who died at the State College, where he was a student, August 8, 1918, in his twenty-first year, and Margaret Wallace Gib- bon, at home. Mr. Gibbon married (second), in 1921, Mrs. Evelyn (Gruver) Mooney, daugh- ter of Murray Lee and Clara Margaret (Nobel) Gruver, and she has two children by her first marriage, Margaret and Helen Mooney.
FREDERIC WAGNER STARK-The Stark family, of which Frederic Wagner Stark, well known business man of Wilkes-Barre, was a member, is believed to have proceeded from Aaron Stark, who was identified with affairs in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1639, and prob- ably came out of England. He is said to have been born between 1602 and 1608, and it is known that he died in New London, Connectl- cut, in 1685. At least four generations of the Stark family have resided in Luzerne County, having been descended from the New Hampshire and Vermont Starks, and among the most prominent of them, from whom Frederic Wagner Stark was descended, was Cornelius Stark.
Cornelius Stark was born in Luzerne (now Susquehanna) County, and married Louisa Wagner. About 1840 he removed to the vicin- ity of West Pittston, and opened a livery business, in which many gentlemen were en- gaged in that day. He became possessed of considerable of the land thereabout, but soon exchanged his holdings for farm land in Sus- quehanna County, and removed there. Even- tually he removed to Wilkes-Barre and died there in 1878.
Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Franklin Stark, son of Cornelius and Louisa (Wagner) Stark, was born July 15, 1845, at Montrose, Susque- hanna County, and died in Wilkes-Barre In 1893. He took a keen interest in military
affairs and became lleutenant-colonel of the Ninth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsyl- vania, and attained prominence as well in business and Masonic affalrs. He removed to the Wyoming Valley and ran a general store, was a candidate for mayor of Wilkes-Barre, and became prominent in State National Guard affairs. He married, in 1868, Mary Frances Warner, native of Montrose, daugh- ter of General Dimock D. Warner and Mary A. (Raynsford) Warner, natives of Connecti- cut. The children of their union were Fred- eric Wagner, of whom further; Helen W., Jared W., M. Louise, and Harold R. Stark.
Frederic Wagner Stark was born at Mont- rose, Susquehanna County, April 30, 1870, and received his early education at the Harry Hillman Academy and Wilkes-Barre Business College. After leaving school he was associ- ated with his father in business from 1888 to 1893. In 1894 he was in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. In 1895 he became the agent of the Forcite Powder Company, and in 1904 engaged in the same business for the DuPont Powder Company; he remained with the DuPont people until 1913, at which time he became one of the directors of the Hercules Powder Company, of Wil- mington, Delaware, which position he held until his death. He was also vice-president and director of the Wyoming National Bank, and was prominently identified with civic and business organizations of Wilkes-Barre. He was a self-made man who had attained gratifying popularity and a high place among his neighbors and business associates. He was a member of the Wyoming Valley Coun- try Club, the North Mountain Club, and the Westmoreland Club, of Wilkes-Barre; the Wilmington City Club, the Vic Meade Hunt Club, and the Wilmington Country Club, of Wilmington, Delaware; Valley Country Club, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania; and the Bankers' Club and the Pennsylvanla Society of New York City. He was junior warden and ves- tryman of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Hazleton.
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