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 66
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Hayden Williams married, February 2, 1907, Sumyra Gertrude Molyneaux, daughter of Jabez M. and Jessie Molyneaux, of Wilkes- Barre. They are the parents of a son, John Hayden, born June 27, 1910. The family has its residence in Kingston, a suburb of Wilkes- Barre. Mr. Williams has come prominently to the fore in a broad sense by reason of his secretaryship in the local Chamber of Com- merce. He is a leading figure in the adop- tion and execution of the national programs of the National Association of Commercial Organization Secretaries, and is a past presi- dent of the Pennsylvania State Organization of Secretaries (1922-23). He was chief of staff of the Wilkes-Barre Sesqui-Centennial celebration held in July, 1928.
THOMAS HUNT RIPPARD-This name is one of the well-known names of Wilkes- Barre, having belonged to Thomas Hunt Rip- pard, Sr., late distinguished citizen of this community, and now being honorably borne by Thomas Hunt Rippard, progressive busi- ness man, greatly interested in the prosperity and progress of the greater community.
Thomas Hunt Rippard, Sr., was for many years in the forefront of all musical activities of Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley. He held a unique place in the life of community and valley, and his death, July 23, 1923, was a severe loss. He was born in Wilkes-Barre,
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June 14, 1866, son of Josiah Alexander and Catherine (Linden) Rippard, and received his education at Harry Hillman Academy, now known as Wilkes-Barre Academy, and later under private tutor at the school of Alex- ander Newell, an uncle. Meanwhile he had shown a decided musical talent, and had commenced the study of music at the age of. four, when he played the violin for the first time. After his return from Baltimore he be- gan seriously to study the cello. This he con- tinued to do while employed by the Wilkes- Barre Deposit and Savings Bank, with which he was associated in various capacities dur- ing the next thirty-seven years. He was acting cashier when he resigned, 1917, due to ill health. Mr. Rippard organized the Rip- pard String Quartet, popular throughout the State. He was active in the Scranton Sym- phony Orchestra, and was extremely gener- ous with time and talents, performing at church recitals and for charitable causes hun- dreds of times without remuneration. He was particularly happy in giving encouragement and instruction to young musicians, who re- call him with affection as friend and in- structor. When he left the bank he devoted the greater part of his time to music, and when the Snyder Music Company was organ- ized in 1920 he became its director, holding this position until shortly before his death. Keenly interested in radio broadcasting, his own musical renditions over the air were ap- preciatively received. On one occasion, when his cello music was picked up by an ocean liner far at sea, the request came to him that he repeat the number, or another. Frater- nally Mr. Rippard was affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he belonged to the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and was a communicant of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rippard married, October 17, 1888, Esther Reichard, daughter of Henry Colt and Jennie (Griffin) Reichard, her father a well- known citizen of Wilkes-Barre, and of this union were born sons: 1. Linden C. 2. Cap- tain Harry C. 3. Thomas Hunt, of whom we write.
Thomas Hunt Rippard was born in Wilkes- Barre, August 26, 1900. He secured a sound elementary and secondary academic prepara- tion in the local public schools, and since his majority of years has been engaged in the realty business here, with success, now be- ing a foremost realty factor in the city. He carries on a general brokerage, dealing in all manner of parcels of land, and gained par- ticular recognition through development of property on Pocono Mountain. He has also been of prominence as president of the Na- tional Bond and Mortgage Company, of Wilkes-Barre, as president of the Men's Club of the Young Men's Christian Association, as a member of the Drama League, and as an active figure among Wilkes-Barre Radio Players.
Following his academic preparation in Wilkes-Barre's public schools, Mr. Rippard entered Wyoming Seminary, and still later matriculated in Lafayette College. He was popular among classmates, as today he is popular among the city's business men, and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, at Lafayette. When the United States entered the World War he went into the service. Upon receipt of his discharge he followed the course of the career above outlined.
Mr. Rippard has his offices in the Miners Bank Building, and resides at No. 35 West North Street.
EDWARD A. BEDNER-Though still rela- tively young, Edward A. Bedner is widely experienced in the banking profession. He has served in various capacities with several different banks, both in Pennsylvania and in New York, and is at present assistant cashier of the Hanover Bank and Trust Company, at Wilkes-Barre, in which position he has been very successful. His careful preparation for his career, and his unusual energy and ability mark him unmistakably as a coming man in his community. He is a member of several clubs and fraternal organizations, and is active in the civic and social life of Wilkes- Barre.
His father, Andrew Bedner, was born in Philadelphia, and came to Wilkes-Barre as a young man. For over thirty years he was a merchant at North Wilkes-Barre, where he now lives, having retired from business. He married Anna Lynch, who died in 1917, at the age of forty-nine, and they were the parents of twelve children: Margaret, who was mar- ried to Joseph C. Koval, of Nanticoke, Penn- sylvania; Joseph, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, who is connected with the Equitable Trust Company of New York City; Thomas R., of Wilkes-Barre, employed by the American Bridge Company, of Philadelphia; Robert L., engaged in the real estate business at Wilkes-Barre; Edward A., of whom further; Martha Gertrude, who was married to An- drew Frantz, of Philadelphia; Andrew, Jr., who is now a student; Emily Irene, a student; Mary, who is also a student; Carl, and Anna, both students; and Leopold, who died in childhood.
Edward A. Bedner was born at Wilkes- Barre, on May 30, 1900. He attended the local public schools and the Wilkes-Barre High School, from which he was graduated in 1918. During this time he worked a little in his father's store. Later he took a course in the American Institute of Banking, and from 1921 until 1924 he attended the Wilkes- Barre branch of the Wharton Extension School of the University of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile his business career was well under way. He served for a time as paying teller of the Irving National Bank, In New York City, and then returning to Wilkes-Barre, he took a position there as paying teller in the Heights Deposit Bank. From 1921 until 1923 he filled the same position at the Polish De- posit Bank, in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and at the end of that time he became associated with the Luzerne County Bank, at Wilkes-Barre, where he remained as a teller until 1924, when this bank merged with the present Miners Bank, of Wilkes- Barre. From 1924 until 1926 he was con- nected with the American Bank and Trust Company at Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and in September, 1926 he became the assistant cashier of the Hanover Bank and Trust Com- pany, at Wilkes-Barre, in which position he has remained since that time.
Politically, Mr. Bedner supports the prin- ciples and candidates of the Republican party. He is affiliated fraternally with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, in which organization he is a member of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109. He is also a member of the Alliance Club, and of the Valley Country Club, at Hazleton. He attends the Roman Catholic Church.
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J. MUIR CROSBY-Coming from two of the older families active in the settling of Lu- zerne County, J. Muir Crosby is a true son of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, James Crosby, married a daughter of L. A. Barber, one of the first settlers of Forty Fort, Lu- zerne County. His parents were George A. and Elsie M. (Muir) Crosby, the father re- ceiver for the Wilkes-Barre Electric Rail- road Company. George A. Crosby and his wife had children: Lydia, who died in child- hood; J. Muir, the subject of this sketch; Mildred, who died in childhood; Kenneth, who lived to he sixteen years of age and died as the result of being struck by an automobile, in May, 1927. George A. Crosby was well known throughout this vicinity and is affili- ated with the Republican party in his politi- cal activity and is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
J. Muir Crosby was born at Carbondale, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, on July 24, 1897. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from the Forty Fort High School in the class of 1916. He then studied civil engineering and later took a position with the Glen Alden Coal Company as a mining engineer and held this position for five years. After this, he took a position as traveling salesman for the Supple and Biddle Hardware Company of Philadelphia. After a year, he traveled for the Crew Levick Oil Company. In 1924, he gave up traveling and took the position which he now holds, that of bookkeeper and clerk for the Eastern Pennsylvania Supply Company at No. 56 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. In 1917, during the World War, Mr. Crosby joined the Ordnance Department of the United States Army and was stationed at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, until the war was over. Before the war, he was a member of the old 109th Regiment of the National Guard of Pennsylvania. Mr. Crosby is a mem- ber of the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and, on March 6, 1928, he was chosen Exalted Ruler for the term of 1928 and 1929. He has never married and makes his home with his parents.
GEORGE REULING DAVIS-Well known and highly respected in the business circles of Kingston and Wilkes-Barre, George Reul- ing Davis is active in all phases of endeavor, commercial, political and fraternal, in the community wherein he resides, Kingston, and is here accounted a most progressive citizen. His principal commercial interest is in the Kirby-Davis Company, Inc., dealers in auto- mobiles, at Market and Gates streets, of which company he is a founder and the vice- president. He is also one of the directors of the Davis-Craig Company, a department store, of Kingston. Mr. Davis was born in Wilmore, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, De- cember 10, 1887, only child of Edward W. and Emma (Miller) Davis.
With his parents, in his childhood, Mr. Davis came to Wilkes-Barre, and in Wilkes- Barre received his early academic training in the public schools. He attended the Harry Hillman Academy and the Hotchkiss School at Lakeville, Connecticut, and matriculated in Yale University, at New Haven, Connecticut. After a period of study at Yale he returned to Wilkes-Barre, and studied law in the offices of C. B. Lenahan. He studied with industry and intelligence under the tutelage of Mr.
Lenahan, and in 1918 was admitted by ex- amination to practice before any bar in Pennsylvania. During the four years that followed he attained to some distinction among confreres in the profession for the ability with which he prepared briefs and argued cases. Meanwhile, however, in 1920, he perceived another opportunity, ripe and awaiting attention: in association with Mr. Kirby he formed the Kirby-Davis Company, Incorporated, under the laws of the State, to deal in automobiles; and after two years it became apparent that, either Mr. Davis would have to discontinue his law practice or per- mit the then thriving business to suffer. Ac- cordingly, since 1922, he has given his whole attention to the automobile enterprise, and to incidental business ventures. The pros- perity of the Kirby-Davis organization dates from its founding. It comprises large show and repair space, and is most modern in ap- pointments. The Chrysler car, known nation- ally and with generous favor because of ad- vertising and excellence in actual perform- ance, is the make dealt in; a complete selec- tion is at all times on display in the sales- rooms. As vice-president and general man- ager of the company Mr. Davis is known widely in Luzerne County. He is a Republi- can, devoted to the principles of government upheld by the party, possessor of a consid- erable voice in political questions pertaining to Kingston and Wilkes-Barre, and judicious in its exercise, always supporting those enterprises of public character which he be- lieves designated for the greatest good to the largest number. He is a Protestant, and his Christianity is of the large-hearted and prac- tical sort, less concerned with outward ex- pression than with works. To charity he con- tributes substantially, readily, in a spirit truly humanitarian, without the narrowing restrictions of race or creed. Mr. Davis is a member of the Westmoreland Club and the Wyoming Valley Country Club.
On March 10, 1910, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miriam Rutter, of Wilkes- Barre, daughter of James M. Rutter of Wilkes-Barre. To this union has been born one child, a daughter, Peggy Rutter. They make their home at No. 6 Gresham Place, Kingston.
LEO W. WHITE-In the general practice of law, with offices both in Wilkes-Barre and Pittston, Leo W. White has secured for him- self a place of steadily increasing activity, having demonstrated the value of a thorough training combined with personal abilities. He has rendered a service to his profession as a pleader and counsel in legal matters; and he holds important office, to the satisfaction of his constituency and the general public.
Leo W. White was born February 22, 1899, in Pittston, a son of William F. White, Pitt- ston City Commissioner, and one of its leading citizens, and Mary (Harrington) White. The children of William F. and Mary (Harring- ton) White: Raymond A., office manager for the Frank Martz Cadillac Automobile Com- pany, at Forty Fort, Pennsylvania; he mar- ried Mary Ward, and they have three chil- dren: Marion, Raymond Ward, and Ruth; Paul B., a foreman for the Lehigh Railroad Company, at Coxton; he married Mary O'Con- nor, and they have one son, William; Leo W., of whom further; Elizabeth M., a trained nurse at Wilkes-Barre.
Leo W. White on November 18, 1929, mar-
Eng'd by Campbell N -. -
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ried Jessie L. Dyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Dyer, of Washington, District of Columbia, and Beloit, Wisconsin.
Mr. White attended the public schools, and was graduated at Pittston High School with the class of 1917, and took a postgraduate course there in 1918. In that year, he enlisted in the United States Army, and was stationed with a regiment of infantry at Washington, District of Columbia. After the war, Mr. White returned to Pittston, where he took a position as bookkeeper and teller in the Dime Bank. An opening presenting itself in the War Department at Washington, Mr. White again returned to that city, where he was employed in the Audit Department of the Internal Revenue. While there he matric- ulated in the Law School of Georgetown University, where he was graduated in 1922 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
Mr. White was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in 1925, returning from Phila- delphia, where in 1924 he was a member of the Claims Board of the United States Vet- erans Bureau; and in 1925, he was admitted to practice before the State Supreme Court. Mr. White is also a member of the bar of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Ap- peals of the District of Columbia. He is solicitor for the School Board, of Pittston, for the School District of Jenkins Township and for the Ramson Poor District.
Fraternally, Mr. White is a member of the Corp. John D. Stark Post, No. 542, of the American Legion, at West Pittston, Pennsyl- vania, and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
OSCAR JEWELL HARVEY-Oscar Jewell Harvey, of the ninth generation-Elisha B. VIII), Benjamin (VII), Elisha (VI), Benjamin (V), John (IV), John (III), Thomas (II), Thomas (I)-was the son of Elisha B. and Sarah (Garretson) Harvey, and was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, Sep- tember 2, 1851.
He was prepared for college at the school conducted by his father, and during his last year there taught some of the primary classes. In September, 1867, ten days after his sixteenth birthday, he entered the fresh- man class of Lafayette College, Easton, Penn- sylvania. While in college he became a mem- ber of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. and of the Washington Literary Society, and was elected historian of his class for life. In 1870 he was instrumental in organizing the D. K. E. Boat Club, and was the first captain of the club. He was graduated from college in June, 1871, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and three years later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him.
From 1872 to 1882 he maintained at Lafay- ette College "The Harvey Prize for English," an annual prize of twenty dollars in gold given to the student of the Junior class excelling in the English studies of the year. He also contributed a collection of valuable books to the college library, and was record- ing secretary of the Alumni Association from 1872 to 1882. The year following his grad- uation from college he spent as a clerk in the office of his father-then a practicing lawyer and a magistrate-in Wilkes-Barre.
In July, 1872, Oscar J. Harvey was elected Professor of Mathematics and Higher English in the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Penn- sylvania, and in September following entered upon his duties. He remained at this institu- tion until July, 1873, when, owing to the fact that it was necessary for him to devote a good deal of time as acting executor to the
affairs of his deceased father's estate, he resigned his professorship. In the follow- ing autumn he became a student of law under the direction of the Hon. Caleb E. Wright and Isaac P. Hand, Esq., Wilkes-Barre, and in October, 1875, passed his examination for admission to the bar; but the courts not being in session he could not be admitted at that time. A few days later he sailed from New York for Europe, where he spent six months in study and sight-seeing in London, France and Italy. Returning to Wilkes-Barre May 13, 1876, he was admitted to the Bar of Luzerne County three days later, and in April, 1879, was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Harvey took an active part in the National political campaign of 1876, and in January, 1877, was put forward by the young Republicans of Wilkes-Barre as their can- didate for the mayoralty nomination. He was defeated in the city convention by four votes, the successful candidate being W. W. Loomis, Esq., a man of years and experience-who, a month later, was elected mayor of the city.
Oscar J. Harvey was made a Free Mason in Lodge No. 61, Wilkes-Barre, May 25, 1873, and was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1879. He became a Companion of Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons, in 1877, and the same year received the various de- grees of Templar Masonry, and was admitted to membership in Dieu le Veut Commandery No. 45, Knights Templar, Wilkes-Barre. He held the office of Prelate in the Commandery for two or three years. In 1873 he was one of the charter members of E. B. Harvey Lodge, No. 839, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Wilkes-Barre, and subsequently held the office of Noble Grand of the Lodge two terms. In 1879 and again in 1881 he was one of five or six candidates for the office of Right Worshipful Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (then as now the largest Grand Lodge in the Order), and next to the successful candidate received at each election the highest number of votes.
He was the first captain of the Wilkes- Barre Fencibles, an infantry company organ- ized November 28, 1878, under the militia laws of Pennsylvania. This company was the nucleus of the 9th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, and in June, 1879, became Company B of that organization. October 17, 1879, Captain Harvey was pro- moted commissary of the regiment, and this office he held until July 11, 1881, when he was honorably discharged from the service. in accordance with "the provisions of section twenty-two of the Act approved June 8, 1881, which directs all regimental paymasters and commissaries to be discharged."
The latter years of his life Mr. Harvey gave almost exclusively to literary work and especially to research in the rich field of local history. He was the author of "A His- tory of Lodge 61, F. and A. M.," a large octavo volume much valued by the Masonic fraternity. For the dedication of Irem Temple he prepared a handsomely illustrated his- tory of that organization from its hegin- nings in Wilkes-Barre. A booklet of wide vogue during the Wilkes-Barre Centennial celebration of 1906 was also from the pen of Mr. Harvey.
In 1907 Oscar J. Harvey published two volumes of his "History of Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley," upon which his fame as an historian rests secure. These volumes are to be found in nearly every public library of the country and are accepted as the most complete and most authentic historical sketches published of any locality of the United States. Financially, this history
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proved a heavy loss to its author and, while he continued with unabated zeal his studies of local events, Mr. Harvey never completed the manuscript of many additional chapters intended for the remaining two volumes of this important work. At his death, his fam- ily very carefully preserved the data the author had collected in almost a half cen- tury of investigation and requested Ernest G. Smith, of Wilkes-Barre to accept it as a basis for the completion of the work. Colo- nel Smith secured financial assistance from various public-spirited citizens who desired to see the work finished and has devoted some six months of patient effort to classify- ing and arranging this data in proper order and has written eight chapters in addition to the manuscript left by Mr. Harvey to com- plete the third volume. A fourth volume, giv- ing a running narrative of events from the year 1800 to the present and concluding with an index of all four volumes should be ready for the printer by the end of the present year (1930).
Oscar J. Harvey was united in marriage to Fannie Virginia Holden, daughter of Eben B. and Martha (Smith) Holden, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1880. Five children were born to the couple: Thorndyke. born at Wilkes-Barre, May 18, 18SI; Ethel and Helen, twins, born at Wilkes-Barre, Sep- tember 18, 1883; Ernest, born at Washington, District of Columbia, June 2, 1886; Walter, born at West Chester, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1887. The youngest child died in infancy, the wife and remaining children surviving Mr. Harvey.
In 1913, Mr. Harvey became historiographer of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, retaining that office until his death. The services of Mr. Harvey in recent years had been retained by the Wilkes-Barre Ro- tary Club in connection with delivering a series of lectures on local history to pupils of the high school of the city. These lectures were of a nature to provoke class room dis- cussions on interesting topics, proving as well an incentive to a more accurate knowl- edge of local history on the part of teachers and students. As a consequence they were looked forward to with an interest not often accorded in school affairs and became a source of enlightenment to all concerned.
Historian Harvey was frequently called upon by Historical Societies in all parts of the country to prepare outlines of subjects allied with the history of the Wyoming Val- ley, and his papers have been featured on programs of community interest in several States. The last paper read before the Wyom- ing Society by Mr. Harvey featured "Early Newspapers of the Wyoming Valley," and is published in this volume. For several years before his last illness Oscar J. Harvey was a sufferer from a complication of ailments. But these afflictions he bore cheerfully as was his custom. Of a gentle, retiring and studious nature, Oscar J. Harvey made friends slowly but held them by his geniality, his loyalty and his warm-hearted consideration of others.
It was a last regret with him that cir- cumstances had forced him to abandon the completion of his history. It can, therefore, be a matter of satisfaction to his friends. as it will be a memorial to his name. to have this history published in its intended four volume form at an early date by those of the community who realized its worth. Oscar J. Harvey died at the home of his sister, Mrs. L. L. Reese, of Kingston, March 26, 1922.
HERMAN B. DEWITT-Vice-president of Deemer & Company, stationers and dealers in office furniture and fixtures, in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton, Herman B. De- Witt, scion of one of the oldest families in Luzerne County, occupies a position of im- portance in the business circles of Wilkes- Barre and maintains a reputation in other walks of life that is unimpeachable. Enter- ing his present office as vice-president after an extended period in other departments of his firm, he was fortified therefor through experience, and a thorough understanding of the problems accompanying his new duties. For this reason, he fills this post with much credit to himself.
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