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 54
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
which establishment he serves as secretary, treasurer and general manager. He is a thirty-second degree member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, holding member- ship in Lodge No. 541, of Nanticoke. He also belongs to the Keystone Lodge and to the Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons, of Scran- ton, and to Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Irem Temple Country Club; of Black Diamond Post No. 395, American Legion, of Kingston; the Navy Club; the West Side Business Men's Association; and the Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Craig married Sylvia L. Kearney, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, in February, 1919, daughter of John P. and Mary Ann (Lough- ney) Kearney. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have two children: William E., 2d., and R. Delbert, Jr.
WILLIAM ESAU EVANS-Probably no citizen of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, is more widely known than William Esau Evans who, in addition to being proprietor of one of the best drug stores thereabouts, handles the sub-postal station. And few have attained the place in the affections and esteem of fellow-townsmen that Mr. Evans has won through his efficient handling of the public's interests as a member of the Board of Health since 1913, and in various other public capac- ities. He is an earnest church worker, con- tributing his services as a member of the official board for the Presbyterian congrega- tion in Forty Fort, and is a man with numer- ons fraternal affillations.
Mr. Evans was born at Danville, Pennsyl- vania, January 2, 1874, the son of John J. Evans, ore miner at Danville of Welsh de- scent, whose death occurred in 1879, and Sarah (Esau) Evans, native of Danville. William E. Evans attended the public schools, then clerked for three years in a grocery store. There followed three years more as clerk in the Danvllle post office, following which he came to Edwardsville where he spent six years as a grocery clerk. He entered a drug store to learn pharmacy and for ten years was in the drug business in an em- ployed capacity. In 1907, Mr. Evans opened first a drug store of his own in Maltby, where for five years he retailed drugs, selling the Maltby business in July, 1912, to open up amid the larger opportunities offered at Forty Fort. The following year Mr. Evans' store was made a sub-post office of the Wilkes- Barre office, and he has since continued in the dual capacity of postmaster and drug- gist. In February, 1929, he opened another drug store at Breslau, Pennsylvania, of which his son, Floyd, is manager. Mr. Evans is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patri- otic Order Sons of America; and Masonic units that include: Lodge No. 395, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Evans is secretary of the Board of Health of Forty Fort and is treasurer of the Forty Fort Fire Department. For fifteen years he has served on the official board of the Pres- byterian Church.
Mr. Evans married, in 1901, Sarah Jones, of Edwardsville, daughter of John R. and Frances (Williams) Jones. Their four chil- dren are: 1. Floyd E., who attended the Phil- adelphia College of Pharmacy, now manager
564
of the Breslau store. 2. William E., now at the same college, and was president of the class of 1929. 3. Frances Sarah. 4. Russell Lee.
CHARLES E. FLYNN-One of the thor- oughly reliable funeral directors of the Wyoming Valley who stands high in the ranks of his chosen profession is Charles E. Flynn, formerly of Plymouth, now engaged in this line of activity in Wilkes-Barre, where he has established a fine chapel and showroom and carries a complete modern equipment. Highly esteemed by his fellow- citizens, Mr. Flynn participates to a consid- erable extent In the social and fraternal life of his community, where he has lived prac- tically all his life.
He was born in Avondale, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Ann (Gillespie) Flynn, both of whom were highly respected residents of that place and were also widely known throughout other cities and towns of Luzerne County. His father was born in Avondale, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 1858, and is now engaged as a mine section foreman; while the mother, Ann (Gillespie) Flynn, was born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1860, and died on March 25, 1928.
His early education, Charles E. Flynn re- ceived in the public schools of Plymouth, and later he studied at Wyoming Seminary, from which he was graduated in the class of 1916. His first work was with the undertak- ing business, for which he had prepared him- self by studies at the Eckels School of Em- balming, in Philadelphia, of which he was a graduate. He became associated with Moore Brothers and Company, of Plymouth, and remained with them until April, 1925, when he purchased their business and continued it in Plymouth under his own name. There he continued until March 1, 1928, when he removed his business to Wilkes-Barre, mak- ing his quarters at No. 79 South Washington Street, where he has every possible conven- ience and modern equipment provided for undertakers, including a beautiful chapel, fine display rooms and comfortable carriages, all selected in the very best and quietest of dignified artistic taste. The cars are Cadil- lacs, and they insure the utmost in comfort and ease that is obtainable. Mr. Flynn him- self has acquired a large number of friends throughout the various parts of Luzerne County and the Wyoming Valley, people at- tracted by his pleasing personality and the character of the work that he performs.
In addition to his work as undertaker, Mr. Flynn is keenly interested in political devel- opments, especially in the Democratic party, whose policies and candidates he supports by his vote and influence. He is a member of the Luzerne County Funeral Directors Association; the Knights of Columbus; and the Loyal Order of Moose. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he is affiliated with St. Mary's parish.
WILLIAM E. DORON-In his practice of the profession of mortician, William E. Doron, managing proprietor of one of the oldest funeral establishments in Wilkes-Barre, is worthily continuing as the successor of his father, who was engaged in the same pro- fession for more than half a century. Mr. Doron and his assistants move with sympa- thetic ease and professional finesse among the families that in their extremity must call
upon them for their ministrations for those they love and have lost awhile. In the civic affairs of Wilkes-Barre Mr. Doron finds time to give the proper consideration due from a citizen of his standing and personal desire for the community's general advance.
William E. Doron, Sr., was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey. He was farmed out as a boy at a wage of twelve dollars a year and had only such education as he could gather himself. He ran away and enlisted in the Civil War, serving as a private in the Union Army as a member of the 23d New Jersey Infantry. He afterwards located in Plains, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the company store. He was prominent in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He eventually settled in Wilkes-Barre, where he was a funeral director, following that pro- fession for more than fifty years. He was very highly esteemed by the people of the city whom he had served so faithfully on occasion and with such rare courtesy and skill. He was also active in the civic move- ments of the city. He married Elizabeth Barnes, a member of an esteemed family long resident in Luzerne County, and now deceased.
William E. Doron, son of William E., Sr., and Elizabeth (Barnes) Doron, was born in Plains, Luzerne County, April 8, 1883. His education was received in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, graduating from the high school in the class of 1902. Directly from the classroom he became associated with his father and under his able preceptorship familiarized himself with the details of appli- cation of the mortician's profession. He con- tinued as an assistant to his father until the latter's death, which occurred July 23, 1919. In the meantime he became very proficient in the different departments and practice of the establishment, so that it was an easy and logical matter for him to become the sole proprietor and managing director following his father's decease. He has modernized the equipment and brought the service up to the last word in the profession's vocabulary, inclusive of a funeral home, the use of which is deeply appreciated by those who have oc- casion to meet there.
Mr. Deron's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and his support of that organization's candidates and principles has been constant through all the years of his majority. He is prominent in fraternal activi- ties, being a member of Lodge No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Com- mandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 39, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Columbia Council, No. 43, Junior Order United American Mechanics, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Exchange Club and the Presbyterian Church.
William E. Doron married, in 1911, Bernice A. Tiffany, daughter of Delbert and Jennie (Titus) Tiffany, of Ashley, and they are the parents of a daughter, Margaret V. Doron, born March 16, 1918. Mrs. Doron is a direct descendant of Revolutionary stock, Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was an ancestor. The Doron family residence is at No. 451 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
Christian Walter
Edwin L. Walter
565
CHRISTIAN WALTER-Half a century ago the late Christian Walter associated himself with William M. Bennett in establishing the retail shoe store known as Bennett & Walter, and later he came to be the sole owner of one of the most flourishing business enterprises in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was a public-spirited man who participated actively and enthusiastically In whatever promised to advance the general community interests. His friendship was highly prized by all who knew him, and his sturdy and independent character, marked by integrity and loyalty, was esteemed throughout the section.
Christian Walter was born in Beischlag, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, June 1, 1848, son of David and Magdalena ( Esser) Walter. He read and studied continually throughout the years and worked out his own liberal edu- cation. He came to Butler Township, Lur erne County, from Germany, when a young man and worked on a farm until he was given charge of a coal company store at Gowen, Pennsylvania, training for which he had ac- quired as clerk in a general store at Conyng- ham, where he was employed for a time, in 1867. From Gowen, where he resided in 1872, he came to Wilkes-Barre and served as travel- ing salesman for William Stoddart and Com- pany, wholesale grocers. It was in July, 1879, seven years after he settled in Wilkes-Barre, that Mr. Walter purchased the interest of J. R. Coolbaugh in the firm of J. R. Cool- baugh & Company, retail shoe merchants. His partner in the new venture was William M. Bennett, and the firm operated successfully under the name of Bennett & Walter until 1897, when Mr. Walter purchased the Ben- nett interest from Mrs. Bennett. Until 1901, the store was named for the owner, Christian Walter. In that year he admitted to partner- ship his son, Edwin LeRoy Walter, and the new title was C. Walter & Son. The son and a daughter have shared the ownership of the business since Mr. Walter's death, February 29, 1920. Since 1888 the store has occupied the same location, its present site.
The interests of Mr. Walter were varied. He was one of the original directors of the Luzerne County National Bank, later merged with the Miners' Bank. In 1871 he was first lieutenant of the Conyngham Rifles of the National Guard of Pennsylvania; in 1874 first lieutenant of the 9th Regiment Infantry of the National Guard, with the duty of Quarter- master, and in 1876 commissary of the same company with the rank of captain. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster at Gowen, Pennsylvania. His fraternal affiliations were with the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 61; the Knights Templar; and Irem Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was one of the first presi- dents of the Wilkes-Barre Young Men's Christian Association and its treasurer for many years. He was a communicant of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Wilkes- Barre.
Christian Walter married (first), Septem- ber 16, 1872, at Conyngham, Pennsylvania, Mary Alice Knelly, who died in 1886, daugh- ter of George Henry and Molly (Cunius) Knelly. Mr. Walter married (second), In 1887, Margaret LaBar, who died October 20, 1909. Three children were born of the union: Edwin LeRoy Walter, whose record accom- panies this; Helen Roxy Walter, who dled in infancy; and Arline (Walter) Pulverman.
A long and honorable life was that of Mr. Walter, who lived to be seventy-one years old and who retained his vigor and keen interest in life and people almost as long as he lived.
His was a generous and kindly nature which endeared him to many. To his city he made the lasting contribution of an established business enterprise, which has long meant much to the public comfort and well-being and of continued and helpful support to civlc enterprises.
EDWIN LEROY WALTER-Walter's Shoe Store in the Welles Building at No. 23 Public Square, Is one of the oldest shoe stores in the Wyoming Valley. Prior to the time Christian Walter purchased an interest In this business it had been known as Coolbaugh and Bennett, and was located on the corner of West Market and South Franklin streets, site of the pres- ent Miners Bank Building. The firm hecame Bennett and Walter and in 1888 moved to the present location. Mr. Bennett's interest was purchased in 1896 and the store became the sole property of Christian Walter (see pre- ceding sketch), who conducted it under his own name until 1901, when he sold an inter- est to his son, Edwin L., popularly known as "Roy," since when it has been operated as Christian Walter and Son. Upon the death of the father in 1920, a daughter, Mrs. Arline (Walter). Pulverman, inherited a share which she retained until January, 1929, when Mrs. Pulverman's interest was purchased by Edwin L. Walter, and a one-fourth interest was sold by Mr. Walter to Julius Long Stern. The busi- ness continues under the management of Ed- win L. Walter as Walter's Shoe Store.
Edwin LeRoy Walter, known to his friends as "Roy," was born January 25, 1880. He at- tended the local public schools, graduating from high school in the class of 1897, and soon after took up his duties as a clerk in his father's store. Today he is a director of the Middle Atlantic States Shoe Retailers' Asso- ciation and active in many phases of the business, civic, fraternal, social and religious life of his native city. He is a director of the Young Men's Christian Association; treasurer of the First Methodist Episcopal Church; past president of the Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club; director of the Miners Bank; a member of Irem Country Club; Lodge No. 61, of Free and Accepted Masons, Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, of Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, of Knights Templar, Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Con- cordia Club, which is one of the best local organizations in the United States. He is a Republican in politics.
Edwin L. Walter married, November 5, 1906, Marion Clink, daughter of Frank and Martha (Smith) Clink. Mrs. Walter's parents now reside at Wyalusing, Bradford County. Mr. and Mrs. Walter have three children: 1. Fran- ces Marian, graduate of the Leland Powers School in Boston. 2. Christian, student at Wyoming Seminary, a preparatory school in Kingston. 3. Margaret Alice, student at Wilkes-Barre Institute. The family resides in their beautiful home, No. 25 James Street, Kingston.
G. GUTHRIE MARVIN-The florist business of Ira G. Marvin, one of the oldest and lead- ing florist establishments of the Wyoming Valley, was founded by Ira G. Marvin, in 1871, and is now conducted by his two sons, who have retained for the business the original name of Ira G. Marvin. The founder of the business was a native of Stroudsburg, Penn- sylvania, who died at Wilkes-Barre in 1916. He married Sophie L. Ahlborn, of Wilkes- Barre, and they were the parents of four chil- dren: 1. Gertrude Ahlborn, who married A.
566
Allen Woodruff, of Philadelphia. 2. Frederick, who died in infancy. 3. George Guthrie, of whom further. 4. Ira Huston, who married Ernestine Healey of Kingston, Pennsylvania, they have two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Sophie Louise. Ira H. Marvin is associated with his brother in the florist business. Ira G. Marvin, who founded the business, was a staunch Republican, a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Lutheran Church. At the time of his death, he was one of the highly esteemed and well- known citizens of Wilkes-Barre. He was a business man of sound judgment and the business he established and conducted testi- fies to his understanding of the principles of progress. He is survived by his widow, who now makes her home in Kingston, Pennsyl- vania, and by his three children.
George Guthrie Marvin was born in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, on November 24, 1896, and grew up in the city in which he was born. He attended the public school and graduated from the high school in the class of 1915. He then spent one year at the Wyoming Semi- nary and when his work there was completed, he took a course at the Wharton School of Commerce of the University of Pennsylvania. Like his late father, he is a Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church. He is also a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis Club; the Con- cordia Society; and belongs to John Knox Commandery Knights of Malta, of Wilkes- Barre. He is a member of the Greek letter fraternity, Pi Delta Epsilon, of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania.
On October 4, 1921, George Guthrie Marvin married Louise Kidder, daughter of Calvin P. and Emma (Nichols) Kidder, of Wilkes- Barre, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin have two children: Louise Amelia, born in 1922, and Gertrude Ahlborn, born in 1925.
E. BRUCE ROSSER, D. D. S .- One of the well-known dentists of the Wyoming Valley is Dr. E. Bruce Rosser, who occupies offices on the second floor of the Church Drug Store on Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, Pennsylvania. Dr. Rosser finished his training for his chosen profession in 1917, just as the United States entered the World War, and he immediately enlisted in the service of his country, re- maining until after the cessation of hostili- ties. When he returned to Kingston, in 1919, he quickly won the confidence of his patients and built up a successful practice to which he has since devoted his time.
Dr. Rosser was born on May 22, 1893, at Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, a son of Eli and Marjorie (Prosser) Rosser. Eli Rosser was born in Glyn Neath, Wales, and came to the United States with Morgan Rosser, with whom he developed the Kingston coal mines for Mr. Daniel Edwards. He and his wife are the parents of nine children: 1. Henry, a resident of Wales. 2. Gwen, who married Thomas Davis, of Kingston, Pennsylvania. 3. David, who died at the age of forty-five years. 4. Richard, of Kingston. 5. Edith, the wife of William Morgan, of Kingston. 6. Ida, a teacher in the Wilkes-Barre public schools. 7. Oliver, who is also a teacher in the Wilkes- Barre public schools. 8. E. Bruce, of whom further. 9. Evan R., who lives in Williams- port, Pennsylvania.
E. Bruce Rosser
attended the public schools of Kingston, and later entered the
Dental College of the University of Pennsyl- vania, where he was graduated in 1917 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. It was on September 26, 1917, that he was assigned to the 304th Supply Company of the 79th Division of the United States Army and went to Camp Meade, where he spent eleven months, with the rank of first lieutenant. On July 4, 1918, he sailed with his division for France, serving with distinction with the American Expeditionary Forces until after the close of the war. He was mustered out of the service in May, 1919, with the rank of captain, and shortly afterward returned to Kingston to begin the practice of his pro- fession. He has served six years as dental surgeon to Mental Hospital at Retreat, and two years as the dental surgeon to the Lu- zerne County Prison.
Dr. Rosser is a member of the Luzerne County Dental Society, the Pennsylvania Den- tal Society and the American Dental Associa- tion. He is a member of Black Diamond Post No. 395 of the American Legion, at Kingston, a reserve officer with the rank of major of the Jefferson Base Hospital No. 38, and is the dentist for the Kingston District of the United States Army Veterans Bureau. Po- litically, he is a member of the Republican party, and he is affiliated fraternally with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which or- ganization he is a member of the Kingston Lodge, No. 395. He attends the local Presby- terian Church.
While Dr. Rosser is a busy man, he is not too busy to support any movement which he considers to be for the best interests of Kingston, and among his fellow-townsmen, he has a wide reputation as a public-spirited citizen.
RUSSELL E. ANDREAS-In the personality of the late Russell E. Andreas, of Wilkes- Barre, there were many unusual and attrac- tive qualities. He was endowed with fine business ability and with a kindly nature, a geniality and friendliness in his associations with all that gave him a reputation, through- out the district where he was long and widely known, as a citizen of high character and magnetic individuality. For more than a third of a century he lived in this city and during that long period was pronounced in his con- tributions to the business, religious, fraternal, civic and social enterprises of Luzerne County. The ease with which he made friends and retained them throughout life was due largely to an unswerving loyalty, a code of business ethics based upon the highest prin- ciples of honor and an upright method in every transaction. Throughout the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania he was esteemed for these qualities and left a name that will be permanently engraved upon the records of its history.
He was born in Mifflinville, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1866, upon the family farm, a son of Aaron and Eliza- beth (Wolfe) Andreas. The family name is an old one in Luzerne County, John Andreas, father of Aaron, having been a large land owner near the present city of Hazleton. His son, Aaron, grew to manhood in this county, where he was born, attained an education in the public schools and at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in Company E of the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He attained the rank of lieutenant in that organization and was engaged with it in many of the major con- flicts through which it passed.
Ромлибо. амаси
567
His son, Russell Emerson Andreas, attended the public schools of the district in which he was born and later learned telegraphy, this taking him Into the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company as an operator, an occupation which he followed for a number of years. He then changed to clerical work with the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company in Wilkes-Barre and after acquiring consid- erable experience in office work accepted a position as head bookkeeper for the Steg- maier Brewing Company. Changing again, he became affiliated with the First National Bank of Wilkes-Barre as note teller, a posi- tion he held until he resigned to accept ap- pointment as district manager of the New England Life Insurance Company, of Boston, Massachusetts, a post he held for the bal- ance of his life. He was a valiant supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but never sought public office, and his religions affiliation was with the St. Stephen's Protes- tant Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre. He was widely and favorably known in fraternal circles throughout the Valley, being affiliated with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons, of Wilkes-Barre, of which he had served as Master; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar. His death occurred in this city, March 13, 1929, In the sixty-third year of his age.
Russell E. Andreas married, July 14, 1893, Hattie L. Sloan, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of Charles P. and Phoebe A. (Lott) Sloan, and they were the parents of one son, Charles Sloan, who died at the age of twenty years in 1915. He was a graduate of Wyo- ming Seminary and at the time of his death was associated in business with the Lehigh Valley Coal Company.
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.