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 65
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Mr. Lloyd married, February 9, 1897, Eva
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Ellis, of Bloomingburgh, New York, daughter of William H. and Amanda ( Winfield) Ellis. The couple have three children: Elbert E., Richard M., and William H.
WILLIAM S. ALLAN-Few men in Luzerne County, or for that matter in the entire State of Pennsylvania, have followed more inter- esting careers than William S. Allan, who, for several years, engaged in the automobile business in Wilkes-Barre. He has traveled widely in this country and abroad, not in the easy manner of a tourist bent on holiday for relaxation, but to little known parts of South America, as engineer and builder of railroads. This work led him into many ad- ventures, and returning to the United States still other adventures came to him, as engi- neer and as contractor. When he first went into the automobile business he had pro- gressed far as an engineer; and as a figure in commercial spheres he has likewise suc- ceeded, with honor to himself and associates. It would be possible to construct an interest- ing volume concerned with his experiences, as engineer and business man-nor would it be dull reading in any portion. But curtailed space to hand prevents elaboration of detail.
Willlam S. Allan was born in Toronto, Dominion of Canada, October 6, 1888, son of Selby G. and Agnes (Oliver) Allan. His father died at the age of seventy years, survived by his wife. Both parents were born in New- foundland, and their parents were natives of Scotland.
When Mr. Allan was a child-but two years old in fact-he was brought to the United States by his father and mother, who estab- lished residence in Chicago, Illinois. There he secured a good elementary and secondary education in the public schools, and in 1908, at the age of nineteen years, graduated from Lewis Institute, of Chicago. Thereafter he entered the University of Illinois, depart- ment of engineering, and in 1911 was gradu- ated with the degree of Civil Engineer. Thus technically versed and possessed of an im- mediate opportunity he embarked in the fall of that year for South America, and there began the first chapter of his experiences as an engineer on the frontiers of civilization. Located in Brazil, he was engaged in the con- struction work and building program of the Madeira Marmose Railroad, remaining two years so employed. At the close of the two years he returned to the United States, again located in Chicago, and directly, in the fall of 1913, took a place with C. A. Chapman. Incorporated, engineering firm, Chicago. Later he organized an engineering office with a partner, under the style of Standish and Allan, engaging in contracting, construction and engineering. This firm, it may he noted here, designed and had charge of building the Attica Bridge across the Wabash River, at Attica, Indiana; the Stanhope Railway Bridge at Joliet, Illinois; and the Red River Bridge, at Arthur City, Texas, for the Frisco Rail- road Company.
It was while he was in this business as engineering contractor, meeting with success on every hand and faced with the outlook of still more responsible prospects, that the United States declared war on Germany, in April, 1917. Soon afterward Mr. Allan con- cluded his affairs sufficiently well to join Company I, 11th Illinois Infantry, as a private. Subsequently he advanced to the rank of first lieutenant, which rank he held when mus- tered out of the service, in November, 1918.
The war ended, he resumed the course of his career where he had dropped it.
In 1922 Mr. Allan gave up the contracting, engineering and construction enterprise, pro- ceeded to New Park, Kentucky, and there en- tered the automobile business, which he con- tinued at New Park until 1925, when he came to Wilkes-Barre, as member of the Bell-Allan Motor Company, No. 201 Carey Avenue. He Is vice-president and treasurer of the organi- zation, which handles Dodge Brothers motor vehicles and Graham Brothers trucks. It oc- cupes a two-story brick and steel service and distribution building, fire-proof, modern in every phase, 200x200 feet, being one of the largest and best appointed plants of the kind in the Wyoming Valley.
Despite the heaviness of his responsibilities, Mr. Allan devotes a great deal of time to gen- eral affairs of interest to Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County. He is a Republican, staunch supporter of the party's principles, and in- fluential in its workings locally. Fraternally he is active in the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Washington Lodge, of Washington, Indiana; Royal Arch Chapter, Fort Thomas, Kentucky; New Post Com- mandery, No. 13, Knights Templar; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is a member of Irem Temple Country Club, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the National Automobile Dealers Association, Pennsylvania Auto Dealers Association, and the Forty Fort Progressive Club, of which last he is president. He is chairman of the field committee of the Wyoming Air Port Association. His church is the First Presby- terian, Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Allan married, January 1, 1918, Dorothy Winston, of Washington, Indiana, daughter of John L. and Laura (Scudder) Winston, her father having at one time been national champion trap pigeon shot. Of this union were born four children: Suzanne Winston, William S., Jr., Jean Rutherford, and Mary Scudder. The family residence is at No. 1710 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.
PAUL STERLING-A descendant of one of the oldest families of America, Paul Sterling is a prominent figure in the business and industrial life of Wilkes-Barre, having held since 1900 a position as mechanical engineer for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. His is an important place in the city, and he is highly respected by all the residents of the community who have the honor of his ac- quaintance.
He is a son of Walter G. and Emma (Elder) Sterling, both of whom are deceased. His ancestry has been traced back to David Ster- lin, Starlin, or Sterling, as the name vari- ously occurred in the original records, who was said to have been born in Hertfordshire, England, about 1622, and to have emigrated to Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1651, and to have died there in I691. He is undoubtedly the common ancestor of the Sterlings of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and of the Wyo- ming section of Pennsylvania. William Ster- ling, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, evidently the son of David Sterling, was made a free- man in Massachusetts on May 11, 1681, the town records showing that "William Starlin" was granted two town lots of ten acres each, one "at the Fishing River near the sawmill path" and an adjoining one granted to him "to set up a Corn Mill at Fishing River." About 1703 William Sterling moved with his
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family to Lyme, where he died on January 22, 1719. He was four times married, and by his second wife, Mary (Blaisdell) Sterling, born March 5, 1641-42, died May 29, 1681, whom he married on December 19, 1676, he had a son, Jacob. Jacob Sterling, the eighth child of William Sterling, was born in Haver- hill, Massachusetts, on August 29, 1678, and died in January 9, 1765; he married, about 1710, Hannah (Odell) Seeley, horn October 20, 1679, died June 14, 1756, the widow of Sergeant Nathaniel Seeley, of Fairfield, Con- necticut, who died in 1698, and the daughter of John and Joanna (Walker) Odell, of Fair- field, the former of whom was a son of Wil- liam Odell, of Concord, Massachusetts. Sam- uel Sterling, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Braintrim, Pennsylvania, born about 1750, died in Black Walnut, Pennsylvania, in 1830, was doubtless the grandson of Jacob. He re- moved from Bridgeport with his family to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, about 1790, settling first at Exeter, afterwards in Falls Township (then Wyalusing Township), and finally in Black Walnut, Braintrim Township, all now in Wyoming County, where he bought large tracts of land. Warrants were issued by Pennsylvania to Samuel Sterling, Samuel Sterling, Jr., James Sterling, and Lucy Ster- ling for four hundred acres of land each in Luzerne County, which was surveyed for them on August 20, 1792. Samuel Sterling had at least four children, of whom the eldest, Daniel, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on July 8, 1776, and died in Rock Island, Illinois, on August 25, 1839; and he was thrice married, his third wife, to whom he was mar- ried about 1814, having been Rachel Brooks, a native of New York State. After he had come with his father to Pennsylvania, he managed his father's affairs, bought land on Sterling (now Meshoppen) Creek, near its junction with the Susquehanna River, and for many years was interested in lumbering, grist milling, merchandising and farming, until in 1837 he removed to Rock Island, Illinois, to fill a contract for the United States Government. Daniel and Rachel (Brooks) Sterling were the parents of twelve children, the second of whom was Walter G. Sterling, the father of Paul Sterling, of the present generation.
Walter G. Sterling, who was born on No- vember 24, 1821, and died in Wilkes-Barre on August 14, 1889, was one of that city's first bankers. He built the old Music Hall on the corner of West Market and River streets, where now stands the Sterling Hotel, which took its name from the Sterling family. He came to Wilkes-Barre when he was a boy fifteen years old, at a time when the town had a population of only a few thousand people, with no railroads or manufacturing activity of any kind. He went to California as a "Forty-niner," and sailed around Cape Horn in an old-fashioned sail ship. He was known as one of the leading citizens of Wilkes-Barre. He was twice married, the name of his first wife not known; he married (second) Emma (Elder) Sterling, and they were the parents of five children who grew to maturity: 1. Walter C., who is a member of the Luzerne County Bar. 2. Margaret, of Rochester, New York, who is single. 3.
Knight, who died in 1899. 4. Paul, of further mention. 5. Leila, of Wilkes-Barre, who is single.
Paul Sterling, their son, who now lives in Wilkes-Barre, attended as a boy the public
schools of the city, then the Harry Hillman Academy, and finally Yale College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1900 after he had taken a course in scientific sub- jects. Then he returned to Wilkes-Barre, where ever since that time he has been a mechanical engineer for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. He is also a director of the Morris Run Coal Company. Keenly interested in political matters, he shares the opinions of the Republican party. In his religious beliefs he adheres to the Protestant faith. He be- longs to several clubs and organizations, in- cluding the Westmoreland Club, the Wyoming Valley Country Club, the Mining and Metal- lurgical Engineers of America, and the Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.
On February 12, 1914, Mr. Sterling married Arline Payne, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Edward and Elsie (Reith) Payne, both de- ceased.
JOHN B. RUSSELL, JR .- One of the younger business men of Wilkes-Barre is John B. Russell, Jr., representing Addressograph Sales. John B. Russell, deceased, father of Mr. Russell, was a resident of New York City, where he was engaged in the investment se- curity business. He was a son of Joseph Em- ory Russell, also a native of New York, and of a daughter of John J. Schooley, of Wilkes- Barre. He married and was the father of three children: Louise, who married A. J. Griffith, of Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania; J. E. Russell, of New York; and John B., Jr., of further mention.
John B. Russell, Jr., was born in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1897, and grew up in New York City, where he attended the public and private schools. Upon the com- pletion of his school training he was engaged in the investment and security business for a time, but upon the entrance of the United States into the World War he enlisted for service in the Signal Corps, with which unit he served to the end of the conflict. After the close of the war and his return to civilian life he was variously employed until 1928, at which time he took charge of Addressograph Sales in this territory. Politically, Mr. Russell gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of the Westmoreland Club, and of the Wyoming Valley Country Club, and in his religious faith he is a Protestant.
John B. Russell, Jr., married, April 24, 1922, Lucille Harvey, daughter of H. H. Harvey, a member of one of the oldest families of the Wyoming Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are the parents of two children: John B., 3d, and Jane DeWitt.
JOHN LANING-The family of the surname Laning of which John Laning and his brother, Augustus C., (q. v.) of Wilkes-Barre is a member is of Welsh origin, and dates back in its American foundation to the latter part of the seventeenth century, with the arrival in this country of three brothers Laning, who settled first on Long Island and later in New Jersey. One of them, Robert, located in what is Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and married a Miss Hart. Among their children was a son Daniel, baptized in Lawrenceville in 1713, who married a sister of Jonathan Furman; and this Daniel Laning was a sur- veyor, and lived near Ewingville. One of his sons, Robert, was born in 1779, lived and died in Sussex County, New Jersey, and married Sarah Coryell, daughter of John Coryell, of
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John Lamingo
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French-Huguenot extraction, whose lineage is traced to the nobility of France. Among the children of Robert and Sarah (Coryell) Laning was John, who lived in Owego, Tioga County, New York; and he was the progenitor of one of the prominent families of the "Southern Tier" of New York, whose descend- ants in later years came to be recognized among the foremost families of the Wyom- ing Valley in Pennsylvania. John Laning of Owego, New York, married, in 1806, Mary Ann Deshong, widow of Welmar Godfrey Deshong and a daughter of Colonel Mathias Hollenback. They had seven children, and of them Augustus C., who was born Septem- ber 30, 1808, and died May 29, 1875.
It was Augustus C. Laning who removed from Owego, New York, and founded the family in Wilkes-Barre, in 1822. He made his home with his uncle, George M. Hollenback, and obtained a clerkship in the mercantile establishment of his grandfather, Colonel Mathias Hollenback. For a time, too, he worked in his uncle's store, and in 1830, after he had become of age, set up in business for himself, in Kingston, but removed back once more to Wilkes-Barre within a short time, here, for a period, doing business on the east side of the square. In 1833-34 he erected a stone building for an iron foundry, on the west side of the square, on the site where now (1929) stands the Laning Building. Here he carried on business with good success until the building was destroyed by fire, in 1850; then he built again, a foundry and machine shop on the west side of the canal, north of Market Street, and there engaged in iron manufacturing. About 1853 Samuel R. Marshall of Philadelphia, acquired an interest in the business, and the partners made it the foremost of its kind in North- eastern Pennsylvania. In 1869 they sold it. From then until his death eight years later Mr. Laning devoted his time to private inter- ests, notably real estate. He was active dur- ing his career in all phases of civic life, served in various offices, and was a bene- factor to Wilkes-Barre on more than one occasion. He married Amanda Elizabeth Christel, daughter of Dr. Charles Francis Joseph Christel, and his wife, Elizabeth (Stookey) Christel.
John Laning, Sr., only son of Augustus C. and Amanda (Christel) Laning, was born in Wilkes-Barre, September 27, 1836, and here spent his whole life. He was educated in the old academy that stood in the public square, entered Lafayette College, and at the end of three years there matriculated in Union College, Schenectady, New York, where he graduated in 1858, at the age of twenty-two years. He was employed by his father, in the firm of Laning & Marshall, mastered thoroughly its every detail, and upon its sale in 1869 and the death of his father in 1875 assisted in and then attained to management entirely of the extensive Laning properties and interests, which became greatly enlarged under his handling. The estate was never divided, but remained intact, as when Augus- tus C. Laning died. John Laning was a director of the Miners' Saving Bank, of the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company, and the Wyoming Valley Traction Company. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was prominent in Masonry and other orders. He married Helen Cobb Brower, daughter of John Gardiner and Sarah (Berger) Brower of New York. Her parents removed to New Orleans in her childhood, and on a steam- boat near Vicksburg she was wounded in the leg by a bullet from a Rebel's musket. John and Helen Cobb (Brower) Laning were the
parents of children: 1. Augustus C., of Wilkes- Barre, prominent in commercial, fraternal and social affairs of the city. 2. Emily B., born and died in 1867. 3. Elizabeth V., born in 1868. 4. Horace P., died in infancy. 5. Helen B., died in infancy; and 6. John, of whom follows.
John Laning, sixth child and third son of John. Sr., and Helen Cobb (Brower) Laning, was born in Wilkes-Barre, March 16, 1873, and has here spent his career, a substantial and representative citizen of the community, engaged in the management of the Laning real estate holdings, which are considerable. He received his education in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Mili- tary College at Chester, Pennsylvania, and in the University of Pennsylvania, whence he graduated toward the forefront of his class, in 1895, at the age of twenty-two years, the age at which his father had graduated from Union College. Soon after completion of his studies Mr. Laning returned to his native city, and has been engaged in com- merce and notably in real estate during the succeeding years until the present. He is a Republican, like all of the men in his family, and is equally staunch in support of the party, maintaining a considerable voice in mat- ters of a political character, when he wishes to exert it. He is a communicant of St. Stephen's Church, Wilkes-Barre, and toward charity is ever large of heart. Fraternally, his connections are extensive, and include membership in Lodge No. 61 of the Free and Accepted Masons, Shekinah Chapter, No. 182 of the Royal Arch Masons, Dieu le Veut Commandery No. 45 of Knights Templar; and he is a life member of Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Irem Temple Country Club. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution, the Pennsylvania Athletic Club, of Philadelphia, and of other societies. When the United States declared existence of a state of warfare with Ger- many, April 6, 1917, Mr. Laning was eager to be of service to his country's cause, and in this desire was most active on the boards dealing in war work, and in the Liberty Loan drives.
John Laning married in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, April 12, 1910, Mary Hewson Brad- ford, a daughter of Dr. T. Hewson and Kath- erine (Nevins) Bradford, great-granddaugh- ter of Colonel William Bradford, Attorney- General in President George Washington's Cabinet; also a direct descendant of William Bradford, the printer, of 1600. Mr. and Mrs. Laning reside at No. 74 West Ross Street, Wilkes-Barre.
JOHN H. DANDO-One of the leading mem- bers of the Luzerne County Bar is John H. Dando, whose offices are located at No. 1006 Brooks Building, Wilkes-Barre, and who has been successfully engaged in practice here for twenty-nine years.
Issachar Dando, father of Mr. Dando, was born in Wales, and came to this country in 1866, bringing with him his wife whom he had met and married in England. He settled at Sugar Notch, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania, where he was engaged as a miner in the employ of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company for many years, and where he died at the age of seventy-two years. He was a Republican in his political principles, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Issachar Dando married, in England, Louisa Beams, who was born in England, and they became the par-
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ents of six children: George, deceased; Charles, deceased; Issachar, Jr., deceased; John H., of further mention; William S., of Wilkes-Barre and Albert, deceased, who was a soldier in the World War, was gassed in France, and returned to the United States, where he died from the effects of the gassing; Martha, the only daughter, married David Cairns, of Wilkes-Barre.
John H. Dando, son of Issachar and Louisa (Beams) Dando, was born at Sugar Notch, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1872, and was reared in Sugar Notch, where he at- tended school until he was about twelve years old. He was then put to work digging coal in the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Com- pany's Coal Mines, where he remained for several years, working all day and attending the night schools when his day's work was done. Later he took up the study of law in the office of E. D. Nichols, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Mr. Dando passed the bar ex- aminations and was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in 1900, and has since been one of the active lawyers of Luzerne County. He gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and has served as chairman of the Republican County Committee. He also served for one term as assistant district attorney of Luzerne County, under Abram Salsburg, and he has served as solicitor for Luzerne County for the past nine years. He is a member of the Luzerne County Bar Association, and is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Wilkes- Barre Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, Wyoming Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; Byars Lodge, Junior Order of United American Mechanics; Patriotic Order Sons of America; Loyal Order of Moose; and of the Knights of Pythias, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Dando is a self-made man in the best sense of the word, and by energy, ability and perseverance, even in the face of the seemingly insurmountable difficulties of his youth, he has achieved an honorable and useful place in his profession and in the community.
John H. Dando married, in August, 1900, Wilhelmina Firstenfield, and they are the parents of two children: John H., Jr., of Wilkes-Barre, and Walter B.
HAYDEN WILLIAMS-As a promoter of the approved commercial and civic interests, through organized efforts of his associates, Hayden Williams, secretary of the Wilkes- Barre Chamber of Commerce, which office he has occupied for more than a decade, con- tinues to perform a splendid service to that body and the community as well. A former newspaperman and city official, Mr. Williams brought to his present position a broad ex- perience and a knowledge of men and af- fairs, of which the chamber has been pleased to avail itself as he discharged his respon- sibilities efficiently and in so acceptable a manner. Many have been the desirable re- sults effected through his official efforts; the business community has been strengthened and the local commercial tone heightened, while the city at large has felt the influence of his activities.
He was born in Wilkes-Barre, January 26, 1887, the son of John M. and Katherine ( Mor- gan) Williams. His father, born in Wales, in 1856, was a miner, a member of the city police force for twenty years and was court officer. He died November 7. 1923. His mother, Kath-
erine (Morgan) Williams, was born in South Wales.
Hayden Williams is a product of the local educational system, a graduate of the Wilkes- Barre High School, class of 1906. In his early young manhood he joined the staff of the Wilkes-Barre "Record" as a reporter, and was engaged in journalism for that newspaper for fourteen years. He made an extensive and valued acquaintance during that period, and developed gifts for organization and admin- istration. From newspaper work he entered the service of the city of Wilkes-Barre and established a purchasing department as a branch of the local government, remaining at its head for one and one-half years. One of the most important turns of events in his career was reached on June 13, 1917, when he was elected secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Wilkes-Barre, of which office he has ever since been the incumbent. The wisdom of the membership in making him secretary of its organization has been dem- onstrated manyfold and on numerous impor- tant occasions. He has proved one of the strongest and most energetic officials the chamber has had during all its existence.
Mr. Williams enters into the various activi- ties of the people of Wilkes-Barre with that readiness and cooperative spirit which be- speak for him the popular favor that he en- joys. In his political alliance a Republican, he is a loyal party man, but his partisanship is not of the unwholesome sort that does not recognize the rights of others of the opposite faith to think and act for themselves. His citizenship is of that all-round type which is desirable in a community of complex po- litical and commercial activities. He is a trustee of the Wyoming Valley Homeopathic Hospital, Wilkes-Barre; affiliated with Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Consistory of the Scottish Rite, Scranton; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and has his re- ligious fellowship with the Presbyterian Church.
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