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 61
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In June, 1927, Leonard D. Marinaro married Helen Moran, daughter of Michael F. and Gertrude (Seureman) Moran of this city. Dr. and Mrs. Marinaro are the parents of one son, Francis Leonard, born February 13, 1928. The family residence is at No. 394 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
JOHN EDWARD SCHEIFLY, M. D .- Hav- ing been engaged in the merciful practice of medicine since 1897, Dr. John Edward Schei- fly is one of the most popular physicians in Kingston, holding a high place in the ranks of his profession as one of the leading eye, ear, nose and throat specialists of Luzerne County. In addition to the duties of his pro- fession, Dr. Scheifly finds time to devote to civic affairs, being deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the community, in which he is of great aid to suffering human- ity in his position of ex-president and mem- ber of the staff of the Nesbitt Memorial Hos- pital.
Dr. Scheifly was born in Shenandoah, Penn- sylvania, November 27, 1873, son of James K. P. and Ella J. (Rudy) Scheifly. His father died at the age of eighty-three, but his mother still survives at the age of seventy- eight. James K. P. Scheifly was a son of John Scheifly, who was a native of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and both father and son served in the Union Army during the Civil War. James K. P. Scheifly married Ella J. Rudy, and they had four children: 1. Clara Irene, married C. L. Knight, of Akron, Ohio. 2. Dr. John Edward, of whom further. 3. George Washington. 4. Charles Rudy, both of whom are engaged in business at Tamaqua.
John Edward Scheifly received his educa- tion in the public schools of Shenandoah and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1893. Having a great desire to study medicine and to spend his life in that noble profession, he matriculated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and diligently applied himself to his exacting studies. Re- ceiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1897, he shortly after located at Edwardsville and engaged in the practice of his profession. He soon won the confidence and acclaim of the entire town by his devo- tion to his duties and his expert and thorough ยท knowledge and skill and established a repu- tation throughout the vicinity as one of the ablest practitioners in the county. While in Edwardsville, Dr. Scheifly served as president of the Board of Health for ten years, also being a member of the School Board, which he served for two years as president. In 1912 he went to Philadelphia where he en- gaged in post-graduate work, applying him-
self to an intensive study of the eye, ear, nose and throat during that year and 1913. Upon the completion of this special work, Dr. Scheifly returned to Luzerne County, opening an office in Kingston as a specialist, and he has ever continued successfully, re- ceiving the praise and approbation, not only of his fellow-citizens, but from the members of his own profession, for his splendid work which has marked such a great advance in the medical world. He is a prominent mem- ber and ex-president of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Lehigh Valley Medical Society, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Dr. Schei- fly is also a prominent factor in the financial and commercial life of the county, being vice-president of the Kingston Bank and Trust Company, one of the most prosperous and largest banking institutions in the Wyoming Valley, and a director of the West Side Mortgage Company of Kingston. In po- litical affairs he has always displayed an active interest, and in 1912 he was elected a delegate at large to the Republican conven- tion which met in Chicago and nominated William H. Taft for President, although he was a Roosevelt delegate. Popular in fra- ternal circles, he is a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nohles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre; and Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. John Edward Scheifly married, June 18, 1902, at Kingston, Mary (Luke) Clauser, widow of Dr. Harry S. Clauser, and they have one son, Luke, who resides in Indiana. Mrs. Scheifly is a daughter of Melmont and Almira (Poole) Luke, both of whom are deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Scheifly have three children: 1. Mary Luke, who is a graduate of Wyoming Seminary and Simmons College; married George B. Aspenwall, of Boston, Massachu- setts. 2. Ellen Knox, a graduate of the Wilkes-Barre Institute and a student at The Weylister, in Milford, Connecticut. 3. James Hamilton, a student at Wyoming Seminary at Kingston.
SIMEON LEWIS-Long actively engaged in the business life of Kingston, and now in retirement, though he continues to direct his extensive properties, Simeon Lewis was born in Exeter Township, Luzerne County, June 30, 1863. His father, born in Franklin Town- ship, December 16, 1835, was a merchant and man of affairs. He died in 1906. Simeon Lewis' mother, Louisa J. (Dymond) Lewis, was also born in Franklin Township, in 1843, and died March 9, 1915. The two families, Lewis and Dymond, are old in the annals of Luzerne County.
Simeon Lewis attended the public schools of Kingston, then took work in Wyoming Seminary, and went to work for his father, John D. Lewis, and his uncle, Calvin Dymond, who operated a retail meat business in King- ston under the name style of Dymond and Lewis. For thirty-three years Mr. Lewis con- tinued with this firm. In 1906, when John D. Lewis died, Simeon Lewis and his brother, John Lewis, continued the business, under the style of Lewis Brothers, until 1916, when they sold it to outside interests, themselves retiring. Since then Mr. Lewis has engaged considerably in realty transactions. He is a director of the Harvey's Lake Steamboat Company, has various other holdings, is a
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Democrat, and a communicant of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
Simeon Lewis married, in 1907, Amelia Perkins, of Askam, Pennsylvania, daughter of H. C. and Elizabeth Perkins, a family promi- nent in that community. Mrs. Lewis died in September of 1912. Mr. Lewis resides at No. 400 Wyoming Avenue.
FLOYD PAUL ARCHER, OPT. D .- Few professions have made greater strides than optometry, and one of the foremost members of that profession is Floyd Paul Archer. The rapid development of optometry during the past two decades has been through the ex- haustive research work of members of the profession, and no small amount of this work has been performed by Dr. Archer, especially in the development of wide angle lenses for increasing the field of vision of aviators and motorists. In addition to being a leader in professional life, Dr. Archer has an unusual record of public service, in both civil and military capacities. He is especially devoted to the welfare of his former comrades and is one of the most active leaders in American Legion work.
Dr. Archer was born September 25, 1889, at Lyons, Wayne County, New York, son of George Washington and Ida (Smiley) Archer, both natives of the Empire State and de- scendants of old revolutionary stock. Floyd Paul Archer received rudimentary education in the public schools of Waterloo, New York; and the United States Naval Training School at Newport, Rhode Island; specializing in engineering. Upon leaving the service, he matriculated at the Philadelphia College of Optometry, and in 1909, graduated therefrom with the degree, Doctor of Optometry. Com- ing to Wilkes-Barre, he established offices in the old "Leader" Building on North Main Street. In 1914, Dr. Archer purchased his present home on North Franklin Street. In 1909, he erected a building adjoining, de- signed especially for offices and laboratories. Here he has devoted himself to practice and research work. He has been rewarded with one of the largest practices in the city.
Dr. Archer has been active professionally for more than twenty years, except during the World War, when he served with the Naval Air Service in France, where his previous Naval training enabled him to render un- usually valuable service in the training of men and inspecting sea-planes used in curb- ing the activities of enemy submarines. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Dr. Archer returned to Wilkes-Barre and resumed prac- tice.
Realizing the need of caring for disabled veterans, Dr. Archer took an active interest in American Legion affairs. His qualities of leadership were soon recognized and he be- came the first commander of the 12th District of Pennsylvania. Under his administration the Legion more than trebled in membership and a dozen new posts were organized in Luzerne County. Policies advocated by him have been so practical that Wilkes-Barre Post is the largest in Pennsylvania and the sixth largest post in the world. When the Citizens Military Camps were advocated by General Pershing, Dr. Archer was selected to organize recruiting in Luzerne and three other counties. Both General Pershing and Third Corps Area officers personally com- plimented Dr. Archer upon his efficient serv- ices. The doctor also organized, and for ten years, served as secretary of the Northeast-
ern Pennsylvania Optometric Society. He is a member of Wyoming Lodge, No. 39, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of John Knox Commandery, No. 12, Knights of Malta.
Floyd Paul Archer married, in June, 1913, Mary Elizabeth Parks of Luzerne, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Walter Ide and Anna (Sutton) Parks. They have two children: 1. Floyd Paul, Jr., born November 13, 1914. 2. Laura Pauline, born January 7, 1916. The Archer family residence is No. 107 North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
GOMER R. DAVIS-Urged by a desire to get into active business life and with a pre- dilection for electrical work, Gomer R. Davis, of Wilkes-Barre, began the study of that branch of science when he was sixteen years of age. That his youthful judgment was sound has been proven by his success, which has brought him to the forefront of electrical workers of the Wyoming Valley. Additional to this business acumen and knowledge of his profession, he possesses a personality that has drawn patronage and made friends far and wide, foretelling still farther advances in the field of commerce.
Gomer R. Davis was born in Youngstown, Ohio, December 8, 1881, a son of William G. and Sarah (Davies) Davis, both natives of Wales, who came to America more than fifty years ago and made their home in Youngs- town, where William G. Davis is actively en- gaged in business at the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Davis are the parents of five living sons: David T., of Cocoanut Grove, Florida; Benjamin J .; Evan L .; William H., and Gomer R., of whom further.
Gomer R. Davis received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Youngstown and in the night schools of the Young Men's Christian Association, of that city. When he was sixteen years of age he left school and took up the study of electrical work in his native city, which engaged him for seven years. In 1905 he came to Wilkes-Barre, where he became associated with the Wilkes- Barre Light Company, now the Pennsylvania Light and Power Company, with which or- ganization he remained for seven years. He then established himself in the electrical business and ten years later formed the Davis Electrical Company, of which he is manager and treasurer. The company is one of the largest of its class in Wyoming Valley, dealing in every character of electrical de- vice, equipment and appliance, besides doing an electrical contract business of wide opera- tion. The firm has membership in the Na- tional Electric Contractors' Association. Their offices are at No. 26 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Gomer R. Davis Is a Republi- can in politics and attends the Puritan Con- gregational Church.
Mr. Davis married, September 21, 1904, Ann McMaster, of Youngstown, Ohio, and they are the parents of five children: Bruce M., asso- ciated with his father in business; William R., a graduate at the Wyoming Seminary, now a student in the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, taking a special course in sacred music; Elizabeth S., student in Wyoming Seminary; Ann M., and Sarah Jean.
CORNELIUS J. ("Con") MeCOLE-Better to hear of laughter than of tears, since laughter is the natural function of man. Such is the philosophy of Cornelius J. McCole, or, better
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known to those who have listened to his humorous addresses, the philosophy of "Con" McCole, whose profession is to entertain, who is a master of dialects, and who engages in business meanwhile, carrying forward a wide diversity of enterprise. He is a resident of Wilkes-Barre, native of Luzerne County.
Mr. McCole was born July 27, 1888, at Glen Lyon, son of Irish parents. His father was born in Ireland in 1851. He was a miner, and died November 5, 1907, after long years spent in the mines of Luzerne County. His name was Cornelius. Mr. McCole's mother, Sallie (Mundy) McCole, was born in Ireland in 1853, and died March 29, 1923.
In the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, Mr. McCole secured his academic training, and at the age of nine went to work in the coal breakers. Until he was eighteen he worked around the mines, also attending classes in night school, receiving a comprehensive edu- cation. For four years he was employed by the Wilkes-Barre traction company, on street cars, and for two years served as transcribing clerk in the courthouse. It was during this period as clerk that his humorous talents came into prominence. He was pre- sented in public appearance by John J. Gal- vin, manager of Polis' Theatre, Wilkes-Barre. Following the success of that initial en- gagement his reputation steadily augmented, until today he is called a leader in the pro- fession, and has traveled from coast to coast in its practice, as humorist. As a raconteur his wit and humor are of the sort which startle, entertain and inspire. He is an as- sured asset on any program, telling his own inimitable stories with an appealing charm that instantly captures the audience. His jokes, yarns and quips are warranted to en- tertain through an evening's program, com- plete in themselves. He is a cheerful humor- ist. His stories are replete not alone of humor but of philosophy that is sound and true, and he is said to hold the powers of the late Chauncey M. Depew and Simeon Ford at after-dinner appearances. Four subjects, which he presents in dialect, are well known to his hearers: "Chairman of the Conven- tion," "Black Diamonds," "The Lost Ball," and "West is West." His New York City booking agent has offices at No. 236 West Forty- fourth Street (Thomas Brady, Speaker's Bureau). Press notices in the cities in which he has appeared have been highly laudatory. His reputation is largest, through most fre- quent appearances, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York State, and his reputation in New England is but slightly less.
But aside from his professional career Mr. McCole has builded another. After he had worked, as recounted, in the Wilkes-Barre courthouse two years he was appointed deputy treasurer of Luzerne County, by the late Charles Trethaway, and held that posi- tion three years. In 1923 he became associ- ated with the Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, of New York City, as agent, and was made assistant district manager of the com- pany in 1924. He retains this position. He is a director of Liberty State Bank and Trust Company of Wilkes-Barre, having been identified in the directorate since March 29, 1923. Mr. McCole is active socially. He is an honorary member of the Kiwanis Club and Young Men's Christian Association of Wilkes- Barre; member of the Knights of Columbus, Lodge No. 109, of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Wyoming Valley Country Club, the Wyoming Valley Historical
Society, and is a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. McCole married, December 27, 1923, Arline Sweeney, of Forty Fort, daughter of John and Margaret Sweeney. Their children are: 1. Cornelius J., Jr., born in October, 1924. 2. John, born January 29, 1928.
WALTER WILLIAM KISTLER, M. D .- Having determined to follow the profession in which his father is engaged, that of the practice of medicine, Walter William Kistler, since his early school days, has devoted him- self assiduously to this noble calling, and now is regarded as one of the best-informed prac- titioners in Wilkes-Barre, the city of his birth, where his father also is similarly en- gaged. While Dr. Kistler is a specialist in homeopathy, he carries on a general practice and is associated in a professional capacity with several medical institutions and organi- zations, both local, State and National. Al- though yet a young man, he has proven his wisdom and science so satisfactorily in Wilkes-Barre that he possesses a reputation that might well be the envy of many older men of his profession.
Dr. Kistler was born June 18, 1894, at Wilkes-Barre, son of Dr. Douglas and Sallie (Kunkel) Kistler. The father, a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1893, and during the years that have passed he has attained a position of prominence in medical circles of Wilkes-Barre, where he continues to practice. Sallic (Kunkel) Kist- ler, also a native of Berks County, passed away on the same day that her son was born, June 18, 1894.
Walter W. Kistler attended the public schools of Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, graduating from the high school there in 1911. Having already de- termined upon medicine as his life work, he first attended Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1915, and then ma- triculated at Hahnemann Medical College, the alma mater of his father, for his medical training. Completing his studies at this institution in 1919, Dr. Kistler emerged therefrom with his degree of Doctor of Medicine, and soon after entered upon an in- terneship at Hahnemann Hospital, Philadel- phia, and subsequently was similarly occu- pied in the Philadelphia Municipal Hospital for Contagious Diseases. At the end of this period, Dr. Kistler began general practice at Wilkes-Barre, where he still continues to practice. Realizing the value of association with fellow-practitioners, Dr. Kistler has af- filiated himself with numerous professional associations, among which may be numbered the Luzerne County Homeopathic Society, Luzerne County Medical Association, Penn- sylvania State Medical Association, State Homeopathic Society, and American Institute of Homeopathy. As further evidence of his deep interest in this branch of his profession may be cited his membership on the staff of the Homeopathic Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. Politically, Dr. Kistler is a Republican, and fraternally, in addition to his membership in the college fraternities, Phi Kappa Sigma and Phi Alpha Gamma, he belongs to Lodge No. 222, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Chapter and Dieu le Veut Commandery, of Wilkes-Barre; Caldwell Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Bloomsburg, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Kistler and his family are Presbyterians in
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religious convictions, attending the church of that denomination in Wilkes-Barre, where he is a member of the official board of the church.
Dr. Kistler married, in 1920, Nellie Hammer of Minersville, Pennsylvania, daughter of David and Mary (Davis) Hammer, and they are the parents of: 1. William D., born July 16, 1921. 2. D. Walter, born November 17, 1923. Dr. Kistler and his family reside at No. 144 Hanover Street, Wilkes-Barre.
JOSEPH S. RICE-From the time he was nine years of age Joseph S. Rice has been making his own way in life, and the more than a half century of independent activity which has been his has brought achieve- ments in varied lines. Not many successful business men are the possessors of world records in a field entirely outside the general business world, but Mr. Rice held the world championship as a long distance bicycle rider back in 1896, and for some years he was also a long distance roller skater. He is engaged in business at No. 138 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as a designer and manufacturer of lighting fixtures, and is also the owner of a prosperous and highly attractive gift shop, located at the same address, and has associated with him in busi- ness his wife and his son, J. Granville Rice.
William and Mary Rice, parents of Mr. Rice, came to Wilkes-Barre about 1879. They were hard working people, much respected by their associates, and had five children, of whom only three survive (1930): Peter, Mary, and Joseph S., of further mention.
Joseph S. Rice was born in New York City, March 19, 1867, and received his early school training in the city of his birth. Times were hard, however, in that period following so closely the Civil War, and the family was large. Therefore, the boy, Joseph, had little opportunity for formal education, and when he was nine years of age began his long career as an independent maker of his own way. From very early years he had been deeply interested in athletics, and as the bicycle was at that time very much in the eyes of the world, he managed to become the owner of one, and to make himself expert in the art of handling it. Those were the days of the famous long distance contests, and Mr. Rice rode in many of those events, in many parts of the country. In 1884 he won his first bicycle race on a high wheel, and in 1896 he won the long distance championship of the world in a six-day and six-night race, cover- ing two thousand two hundred and eighty miles. As his first race was captured when he was only seventeen, this crowning achievement came after twelve years of rid- ing, an unusually long career in athletic en- deavor. Mr. Rice was also a long distance roller skater, and has given exhibitions in many parts of the country. Meantime, how- ever, about 1893, prior to the winning of the world championship, Mr. Rice had established a bicycle and skating goods shop in Wilkes- Barre. His reputation as a bicycle rider and roller skater served as most excellent pub- licity, and his business prospered as long as the bicycle and the roller skate remained in the foreground of the world's interest. The coming of the automobile and the natural shifting of general interest, as well as the advancing years made a change of line ad- visable, and about twenty years ago Mr. Rice followed the trend of world progress by engaging in the electrical lighting and elec-
trical appliance business, locating at No. 138 South Main Street, and making a specialty of fixtures of all kinds, which he now designs and manufactures. From 1906 to 1926 Mr. Rice carried on the electrical contracting business. His present store is known as the Gift Shop, and here he and Mrs. Rice, who is associated with him In the business, handle a line of lighting fixtures and gifts. As a designer and manufacturer Mr. Rice has made a reputation for himself, and he supervises this particular branch of the business, while Mrs. Rice has charge of the Gift Shop. Thus, one boy, beginning life for himself at the early age of nine years, without a dollar, his only capital being his youth, his ability, and his unfailing courage and ambition, has achieved not only financial success, but has made for himself a world record and has established himself as a respected citizen and a valuable contributor to the progress of one of the rapidly growing cities of the country. His religious membership is with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Wilkes-Barre, and he has been a member of the Young Men's Christian Association for the past thirty-five years.
Joseph S. Rice married Mae Flynn, of Wilkes-Barre, and they are the parents of two children: 1. Granville, who is an artist and designer of talent and of pronounced practical ability. He is associated with his parents in business. 2. William, who is a student in Wilkes-Barre High School.
FRANK J. WILLIAMS-One of the active young members of the Luzerne County Bar is Frank J. Williams who has an office at 550 Miners Bank Building, in Wilkes-Barre, and who resides in Kingston. He was born Jan- uary 29, 1896, in the Borough of Larksville, Luzerne County, and is a son of Mark and Margaret (Noone) Williams, who reside in Kingston. The father, Mark Williams, a son of Frank and Elizabeth Williams, both de- ceased, is a contractor and builder, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Repub- lican, and one of four children, all of whom survive: Annie, widow of Edward Avery of Edwardsville; Benjamin, a carpenter, Ed- wardsville; and George, of the Borough of Dallas, Luzerne County, part owner and editor of the Wilkes-Barre (Sunday) "Tele- gram."
Frank J. Williams had three sisters, Mary Effie, Margaret Celestine, and Leona, all of whom died in childhood; and two brothers, Mark, Jr., who is professor at Cathedral High School, Pittsburgh, and studying law at Duquesne University; and Joseph, who died at the age of three years.
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