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 64
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In January, 1927, Mr. Walborn entered into partnership with Jacob S. Pettebone, with offices in the Second National Bank Building, in Wilkes-Barre. In June, 1927, he was elected associate architect for the Wilkes- Barre City School District, being associated with Mr. Robert Ireland.
Volunteering in the World War, Mr. Wal- born was at first assigned to the Construction Division of the United States Army Air Service, and was assigned to Fort Myer, Vir- ginia, then, consecutively, to Camp Morrison, Virginia, Taylor Field, Montgomery, Alabama, and to Southern Field, at Americus, Georgia. Subsequently, Mr. Walborn was ordered to the Field Artillery Officers' Training Camp, Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky, where he was mustered out November 28, 1918.
In his political views a Republican, Mr. Walborn with his vote and influence supports the principles of that party. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chap- ter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Horeb Council, Royal and Select Masters; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Caldwell Consistory, of Bloomsburg, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the thirty-second degree; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His re- ligious faith is that of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Stanley K. Walborn married, October 30, 1916, Ruth Whiteman, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Stephen J. and Lydia Ann (Major) Whiteman. They have one daughter, Ruth DeRemer Walborn.
JOSEPH E. CONLON-John Conlon, of Hud- son, Luzerne County, and his wife, Mary (Clarke) Conlon, who died in February, 1927,
were the parents of eleven children: 1. Willlam, married Catherine Featherstone. 2. May F., who married Dr. Leo C. Mundy, of Wilkes-Barre. 3. Margaret, who married Dr. Daniel F. Daley, of Kingston. 4. Gertrude, teacher in the public schools of Plains. 5. Joseph E., of whom further. 6 and 7. (twins) Peter, married Mary West of Trenton, New Jersey, and Paul, married Mary McLaughlin of Kingston. 8. John, a student at George- town University. 9. Julia, in school at George- lan Court, Lakewood, New Jersey. 10. Alice, also at Georgian Court. 11. Charles.
Joseph E. Conlon was born August 6, 1896, in the Borough of Hudson where he spent his boyhood, attending the public schools there. He graduated from the the Mansfield (Penn- sylvania) State Normal School in 1916; and in 1917 enlisted in Battery D, 311th Field Artil- lery, 79th Division, stationed at Camp Meade, Maryland, until June, 1918, when his organi- zation embarked at Philadelphia and was landed at Barry, Wales, on account of the transport being chased by submarines, the men being then sent to France where he served until January, 1919, when he was re- turned to the United States and discharged. He then matriculated at Lafayette College from which he was graduated with the class of 1922. The following two years were spent in the Harvard Law School, and in the spring of 1926 he was admitted to the bar of Luzerne County, followed shortly by admittance to practice before the State Supreme Court. He maintains an office at 226 Second National Bank Building in Wilkes-Barre. He is solici- tor for Plains Township School Board.
Attorney Conlon is a member of Fox Hill Country Club, Sigma Nu Greek letter fra- ternity, Black Diamond Post of the American Legion, Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is a Re- publican, and he is a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, in Wilkes- Barre.
AGNES NELSON FLACK, M. D .- Though one of the younger generation of physicians of Luzerne County, and just on the threshold of her career, Dr. Flack has already given many signs of future success and usefulness in her chosen profession. A native of Luzerne County, she established herself in the active practice of medicine at Kingston and in the short time elapsed since then she has gained for herself a high reputation as an able physician. The fact that she devoted herself assiduously to various forms of civic work during the World War indicates her strong patriotism and her sincere interest in the public welfare.
Agnes Nelson Flack was born at Plymouth, Luzerne County, a daughter of Rev. Ebenezer Flack, D. D., and Sarah (Hutcheson) Flack. She was educated in the public schools of Latrobe and Scranton, Pennsylvania, and, after graduating from the Scranton High School in 1915, entered Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1920. Two years later she entered the Women's Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia, where she graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1926. The next year she spent as an interne at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, ac- quiring further practical experience. In August, 1927, she established herself in the general practice of medicine at No. 471 Wyo- ming Avenue, Kingston, in which town she
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is rapidly building up a successful and large practice. During the World War Dr. Flack had charge of the War Garden work at New- burgh, New York, and also served for two years with the United States Army Canteen. She is a member of the Luzerne County Medi- cal Society and of Alpha Epsilon Iota Frater- nity, a national medical fraternity. Her re- ligious affiliations, like those of her family, are with the Presbyterian Church.
LE ROY TURNER-One of the well-known business men of Kingston, Pennsylvania, is Le Roy Turner, who is a partner of Bala S. Neary in the ownership and management of the restaurant located at Nos. 203-205 Wyo- ming Avenue, in Kingston, and of the cafe- teria which is conducted in connection with the General Cigar factory at Forty Fort, the largest cigar factory in the world. Mr. Turner served overseas for fourteen months during the World War.
Le Roy Turner was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1892, only child of Samuel and Rebecca (Devenay ) Turner, both of whom came to this country from England about 1885. He was brought to Wilkes-Barre by his mother when he was ten years of age, and received his education in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre. While still a boy he began to earn his way in life. He secured a position in the butcher shop of Percy Brown, with whom he remained for some years, mak- ing himself useful in various ways at the beginning, and eventually, learning the busi- ness thoroughly. Later he conducted a meat market in Wilkes-Barre, for the Davis Brothers, and he continued this market for three years. At the end of that time he came to Kingston as manager of a meat market, in the employ of S. A. Boyd, and he continued to successfully operate this market for Mr. Boyd during a period of seven years. The entrance of the United States into the World War, however, interrupted his successful business operations, and in April, 1918, he enlisted in the Motor Transportation Corps of the United States Army as a member of Motor Transportation Company, No. 545, with which unit he served in France for fourteen months, transporting trucks to the various divisions of the American Expedition- ary Forces. He was mustered out of service November 11, 1919, and soon afterward re- turned to this country. Upon his return he resumed his position as manager of the meat market at Kingston, in the employ of S. A. Boyd, but in the spring of 1920 he formed a partnership with Bala S. Neary and engaged in the restaurant and cafeteria business at Kingston Corners, locating at Nos. 203-205 Wyoming Avenue. The enterprise has met with unqualified success, and Mr. Turner and Mr. Neary have extended their operations, taking charge of the cafeteria which is oper- ated in connection with the General Cigar factory, the largest factory of its kind in the world. Both of the partners are able business men, and there is every indication that an increasingly successful business career awaits them. Politically, Mr. Turner gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar, of Wilkes-Barre; and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also of Irem Temple
Country Club, of Wilkes-Barre. He is a mem- ber of Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, of Wilkes-Barre; of Kingston Lodge, No. 709, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Black Diamond Post, No. 395, American Legion, of Kingston; of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and of the King- ston Business Men's Association.
Le Roy Turner was married, June 24, 1925, to Amanda Kresge, of Hanover Green, Penn- sylvania, daughter of Julius and Catherine Kresge.
ERNEST GRAY SMITH, M. S., LL. B .- Owner and publisher of the Wilkes-Barre "Times-Leader," Ernest Gray Smith has been an important figure in the Wyoming Valley for many years. He was born at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, on October 26, 1873, a son of Hiram Wolfe and Evangaline (Lash) Smith. Following the completion of his preliminary education, he entered Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania, and was there grad- uated in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In 1897 he took the Master of Science degree at the same institution, hav- ing meanwhile completed the course of study at Yale leading to the Bachelor of Laws degree.
In 1898 Mr. Smith enlisted as a private in the 17th United States Infantry, serving in Cuba, the Philippines, and China. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1900 but resigned in 1902. These months of military life were an impor- tant preliminary to his later service during the period of the World War when he held the rank of major and lieutenant-colonel in the United States Army and won the Dis- tinguished Service Medal for high merit in the discharge of duty. Mr. Smith was also made an Officer of the Black Star of France in 1919.
His career as a publisher began in 1905 when with the late F. C. Kirkendall he purchased the Wilkes-Barre "Leader" later merging it with the "Evening Times." Mr. Smith has since continued as the owner of this paper. He is president of the Leader Publishing Company, the Times-Leader Print- ery, Incorporated; a director of the Second National Bank; president of the Wilkes- Barre Chamber of Commerce, the Wilkes- Barre Airport, and the Wilkes-Barre Hotels Corporation. Aside from his business con- nections Mr. Smith is also a member of the Pennsylvania State Welfare Commission, and president of the Wilkes-Barre Playground and Recreation Association.
On October 14, 1913, Ernest Gray Smith married Marjorie Harvey, of Wilkes-Barre. They are the parents of three children: Har- rison Harvey, Lois Gray, and Andries DeWitt. The residence of the family is maintained in Wilkes-Barre at No. 4 Riverside Drive.
COLONEL ROBERT BRUCE RICKETTS- On October 1, 1918, the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, Robert Bruce Ricketts and his wife, Elizabeth (Reynolds) Ricketts, were spending the autumn months at their sum- mer home, Ganoga, Sullivan County, Penn- sylvania. There, a few weeks later, on November 13, 1918, Colonel Ricketts died; the shock of his unexpected death caused his widow to survive him by only a few days. Mrs. Ricketts died at her home in Wilkes- Barre, November 19, 1918.
Colonel Ricketts, through his brilliant mili- tary career as an officer of the Civil War, and through his connection with the lumber- ing interests, was well known in this city,
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his death removing another of Wilkes-Barre's grand old men upon whose strong, enduring character and personal quality rested much of the city's earliest reputation for exalted citizenship. It is a pleasure to recall the circle of intimates who every week were gathered in the library of the Ricketts home in Wilkes-Barre, and discussed things past, affairs of the present, and speculated on what was expected of the future. For long years this was their practice, and while the group often included many occasionals, it was sel- dom that the parties around the book-laden table did not include these five: Colonel Ricketts, the host; Judge Stanley Woodward; Thomas Graeme; Colonel Beaumont, and H. W. Palmer. One by one this group passed away, until finally the last survivor was the long-time host. Time dealt gently with him and he gave little evidence of his age until a short time before the end of his years, seventy-nine. The last few years of his life were spent largely at his summer home at Lake Ganoga on North Mountain, where a substantial stone house, built long years ago, had been transformed into a comfortable residence for all the year use. There he employed his time with his walk and talks, his books, and his communings with nature, for he was a great lover of the out-of-doors.
Of Mrs. Ricketts the world knew less, of course, but as a young woman and as a matron she was among the most highly esteemed women of the Wyoming Valley. She was at various times and through her more active years identified with many asso- ciations of religious, charitable and social character, and to these she gave freely of her time and her special talents. She was a woman of grace and charm, made friends easily, and held them to her by the strength of her womanly character. Her delicate health compelled her to spend the last years of her life in the quiet of her own home, but her trained mind delighted in the store of literary treasure the library contained, and as she had always been deeply devoted to her home and family, the society of her family and her intimates occupied her time. At the Ricketts home a generous hospitality was dispensed, and there are none but will recall with pleasure their privileged friend- ship for the gentle lady who there presided. She was a glory to the relationship of home and friends, and always about her name will linger the most pleasant associations. These two comrades of a lifetime were seldom separated in life, and when the natural head of the family was taken, the spirit of the weaker partner was broken, and less than one week later she was laid by his side.
Colonel Ricketts was of Scotch and Eng- lish ancestry, and in the Scotch line he had fully traced his line of descent. He had also visited ancestral homes in Scotland, in which he found his kith and kin and made many warm friends. He was a grandson of Lieutenant Edward Ricketts, who in 1781 was an officer of the Pennsylvania militia, and fought in the Revolutionary War. He was the fifth son of Elijah Green and Mar- garet Leigh (Lockhart) Ricketts, of Orange- ville, Columbia County, Pennsylvania.
Robert Bruce Ricketts was horn near Orangeville, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1839, and died at his country home, Lake Ganoga, North Mountain, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1918. He was educated at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania. and was prepared for Yale when the war broke out. He chose the profession of law as his lifework. No sooner had President Lincoln issued his call
for men, for "three years or during the war," than Robert Bruce Ricketts responded, and he enlisted in Battery F. 43d Regiment, Penn- sylvania Light Artillery, and in June, 1861, was mustered into the United States serv- ice. The following August he was commis- sioned first lieutenant, and with Battery F assigned to the 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, that corps then being commanded by General Nathaniel P. Banks. Battery F, received its "baptism of fire," December 20, 1861, and soon afterward was transferred to the 1st Corps, 3d Division, Army of the Potomac, and Lieutenant Ricketts named as its commander. Battery F, or as it was now called in accordance with army custom, "Ricketts' Battery," had been cited "for bravery and efficiency," once in particular, February, 1863, by General Hunt, chief of artillery, Army of the Potomac, who named it among a few other batteries as "being in the best of order." In May, 1863, he was commissioned captain, his major's commis- sion being bestowed December 1, 1864, and finally, on March 15, 1865, he was commis- sioned colonel of the Ist Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Light Artillery. Ricketts' Battery was one of the noted units of the Army of the Potomac, and its commander won military glory with his battery on more than one battlefield. At Bristoe Station, when the 2d Corps was in much peril, the battery used for the first time the new rifled guns that amazed the Confederates by the range and accuracy of their fire. Here, too, it was, on October 14, 1863, that "while Brown's Battery from beyond the run and Ricketts' Pennsyl- vania Battery, which had made its way at a gallop through the throng of infantry to the ridge above mentioned, back from the rail- road, near the stream, poured in a rapid and most effective fire. 'It is conceded,' says General Morgan, 'that the finest artillery practice in the experience of the corps was witnessed here,'" ("History of the Second Army Corps," Francis A. Walker). So too at Gettysburg and Spottsylvania, in the Wil- derness and elsewhere, the battery was in the thick of the fight. At Gettysburg, Cap- tain Ricketts and his battery was posted on East Cemetery Hill, with Weidrick's New York Battery on his right, and a Rhode Island battery on his left. They stood the brunt of the fierce charge of the Confeder- ates, led by the Louisiana Tigers, and after being almost overwhelmed finally drove the enemy back with the aid of reinforcements. Colonel Ricketts said once, in describing this terrific conflict: "How long it lasted I couldn't tell, but I remember that when we were done with it and the assault was broken I looked up and saw the full moon above the horizon." Later he came in wider notice as the young but brilliant commander of most of the artillery of the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg and Richmond, and won the esteem of all by his courage, coolness under fire and his fine executive ability. He was retained in the service for several months after General Lee's surrender, and during the entire period served as an artil- lery officer. He rose in rank early as he possessed the qualities which forced promo- tion, and he stood high among the ranking officers of the Army of the Potomac. After the war Colonel Ricketts was intimately connected with the various military organ- izations of the country, his affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic being through Conyngham Post of Wilkes-Barre, and he was an honored member of that organization of Civil War officers, The Mili- tary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United
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States. He was also a member of the Penn- sylvania Gettysburg Military Commission, whose duty it was to erect markers and gen- erally care for and develop the battle area as a national preserve.
Colonel Ricketts inherited and purchased a large tract of land, and several years of his life were spent under a heavy financial burden, which he courageously carried and which finally was lifted through his lumber- ing operations. His life was largely spent in the care and management of his estate. He had no other important business connec- tions, neither did he hold any political or public offices, save only one term as tax collector, to which he was appointed by Judge Woodward. He was a lifelong Demo- crat, but he was not so strict a partisan as to lose his independence. When the free silver heresy was rampant in the party, he stood with the Sound Money Democrats and supported Palmer and Buckner for the presi- dencies. In 1886 he was the Democratic can- didate for lieutenant-governor of Pennsyl- vania. Judge Chauncey F. Black being the nominee for governor. He could have had the nomination for governor when that office was again to be filled, but he refused to allow his name to go before the State convention.
When free from business cares Colonel Ricketts always sought companionship with his books, for he was an intense lover of good literature. His library was his choice abiding place, and it was filled to overflow- ing with the treasures of his own and other languages. Next to his books he loved nature and her works, and many were the happy hours spent in the open. He was openhanded and generous, very thoughtful and consider- ate of others. His military record glows with the spirit of loyalty to those under whom he served, and the same spirit was manifested in his friendships. He held his honor sacred, and one could rely upon his word with absolute assurance. He knew no middle ground, but held positive opinions which he was always ready to defend, but he granted every man the same freedom of thought and conscience which he demanded for himself. He was a member of the Wyo- ming Historical Society, and vice-president of the original board of directors of the Westmoreland Club, So his years, seventy- nine, were spent, and in the record there is no flaw.
Colonel Ricketts married, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1868, Elizabeth Rey- nolds, born at Kingston, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1842, died at her home on South River Street, Wilkes-Barre, November 19, 1918, sur- viving her husband but six days. Mrs. Ricketts was a daughter of Judge William Champion Reynolds, and a granddaughter of Benjamin Reynolds. William Champion Reynolds was among the early anthracite coal operators, and until 1835 was associated with Hender- son Gaylord in the coal business, continuing in the coal trade until 1854, being one of the first shippers of anthracite from the Wyoming Valley. He was also one of the first public-spirited men of Wilkes-Barre to adopt and foster internal improvement plans which included canals, turnpikes, bridges and postal routes, also advocating such improve- ments while a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. He was a trustee of Wyoming Seminary, a director of the Wyoming Na- tional hank, and manager of the Wilkes- Barre Bridge Company, appointed by the attorney-general of Pennsylvania. He mar- ried, June 19, 1832, Jane Holberton Smith, daughter of John French and Frances ( Hol- berton) Smith, of Revolutionary and Colo-
nial ancestors. John French Smith was a pioneer in coal mining, who did more than any man of his day in demonstrating the value of anthracite coal as a domestic fuel. He visited many sections of the State in his missionary tours to prove that coal could be burned in grates and to him is largely due the rapid extension of the business. He was the first to use powder for blasting coal, as well as the first to use the stationary steam engine in Luzerne County, setting the engine up himself and running it. In 1769 representatives of the Reynolds family came to the Wyoming Valley. After the massacre they fled, to return later, hut again were compelled to flee, their homes and barns being burned by the Pennamites in 1784. The family is also descended from the General Nathanael Greene family and from Lydia Fuller, wife of Benjamin Reynolds, three of whose ancestors came in the "Mayflower." Benjamin Reynolds, grandfather of Mrs. Ricketts, was a justice of the peace and a one-time sheriff of Luzerne County.
MORRIS M. LLOYD-Important among the motor car dealers of Wilkes-Barre is Morris M. Lloyd, who successfully conducts his own enterprise in that line under the title of the Susquehanna-Knight, Incorporated, with offi- ces and salesrooms at No. 248 Wyoming Ave- nue, Kingston, Pennsylvania. Prior to en- gaging in this business he had tried work at railroading and as a traveling salesman. Some years were necessary in experimenta- tion before he discovered his real calling, which, once found, he has made highly profit- able. Self-made in all he has achieved, he is one of the beneficial citizens of the com- munity, helping others through the medium of his own industry and prosperity.
Morris M. Lloyd was born in Brooklyn, New York, in February, 1877, a son of J. O. and Rosa (Murrell) Lloyd. His father's family originated in Wales, the first emigrants to America settling on Long Island in 1667 on land that is still occupied by their descend- ants. J. O. Lloyd had two sons, Robert, of New York, and Morris M., of whom further.
Morris M. Lloyd was educated at Trinity Church School in New York City and at Stev- ens' Institute, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Upon finishing his education, he obtained a posi- tion with the Erie Railroad, with which cor- poration he remained for four years. He left this to become a traveling salesman for the J. D. Williams Brothers and Company, of Scranton, remaining with them for nine years. This work was abandoned that he might engage with the Willys-Overland Automobile Company operating in North- eastern Pennsylvania, working in the whole- sale department. In 1923 he established him- self independently as a member and secretary of the Susquehanna-Knight, Incorporated. He is the founder and operator of the first and only taxicab line in Kingston and the West Side, which he established in 1923. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion a Protes- tant. He is very much interested in fra- ternal organizations, being a thirty-second degree member of the order of Free and Ac- cepted Masons and holding membership in Lodge No. 61, of Wilkes-Barre, as well as in Keystone Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons, of Scranton. He belongs to Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre, and to the Irem Temple Country Club and the Craftsman's Club.
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