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 69
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ULRICH D. RUMBAUGH, B. D., M. D .- Active in medical circles in Kingston, Ulrich D. Rumbaugh here conducts a general prac- tice of medicine and surgery, and is regarded as a leader in the civic and social life of his eommunity. Not only is he skilled in his work beyond the ordinary degree, but devotes his time tirelessly to the activities in which he is engaged, sparing no effort to give needed aid to a patient even though his service involves all sorts of personal sacrifices on his own part. Also a participant in the public and civic affairs of Kingston and the Wyoming Valley, he is affiliated with several influential fraternal orders and or- ganizations important to the development of his city and county.
Dr. Rumbangh was born in Millerstown, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 1886, a son of Cleophas and Elizabeth (Auker) Rum- bangh. Both his father and mother were natives of Perry County, Pennsylvania, where they were born in 1859. Mrs. Cleophas Rumbaugh died in October, 1925. Cleophas Rumbaugh was a farmer by occupation, and is now living retired.
Ulrich D. Rumbaugh, who now practices his profession in Kingston and resides in Luzerne, attended the public schools of his birthplace, Millerstown, and then studied at the State Normal School in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in the class of 1907. For three years he taught school in Perry and Cumberland counties, and then took up further academic work at Collegeville, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in the class of 1914 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then went to Drew Theological Seminary, in Madison, New Jersey, which granted him the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1917. After three years in the ministry in Pennsylvania and Southern lowa, he attended Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1923 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then served as interne at the Wilkes-Barre General Hos- pital for a year, since which time he has practiced in Kingston. Here, engaged in a general practice of medicine, Dr. Rumbaugh has gained the esteem and confidence of a large number of people, and has succeeded in building up a most enviable and lucrative practice. Both his skill and gentle personal- ity qualify him for the work that he per- forms, and mark him as a leader in the local activities of the medical profession.
In addition to his own practice, Dr. Rum- baugh keeps in active touch with the affairs of his profession and his colleagues, espe- cially through his active membership in the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Penn- sylvania State Medieal Society and the Amer- ican Medical Association. He also belongs to the American Electro-Therapeutic Associa- tion, and the American Congress of Physical Therapy. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which his affiliations are with Lodge No. 385, the Caldwell Con- sistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite at Bloomsburg, and Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His political views are those of the Republican party, whose policies and candi- dates he regularly supports. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Rumbaugh being a member of
the official board of the Luzerne Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1917. Dr. Rumbaugh married Marguerite McKechnie, of Luzerne, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Williams) McKechnie, prominent citizens of this place.
JOHN MORGAN MILES-A native of Scran- ton, Pennsylvania, but a resident of Kingston since his early childhood days, Mr. Miles is one of the most widely known and most prominent citizens of the Wyoming Valley. For many years he has been prominently active in its civic, fraternal, social and reli- gious activities, while his keen interest in politics has made him one of the political leaders of the Republican party in Luzerne County. He enjoys to an unusual extent, the liking and confidence of his fellow-citizens and in every way represents the best type of modern, useful and progressive citizen- ship. In business circles, too, he has made for himself an enviable reputation as an able executive in his position of sales man- ager of an important Wilkes-Barre firm, with which he has been connected uninterruptedly for almost a quarter of a century.
John Morgan Miles was horn in Scranton, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1886, a son of Evan M. and Mary (Williams) Miles. His father, who was born in South Wales in 1853, lived the greater part of his life in this country, Where he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits. He died in April, 1914. His mother was born in Wales in 1863 and is still liv- ing. Mr. Miles has also three brothers and two sisters: David W., Walter M., and Thomas E. Miles, and Mrs. Mildred ( Miles) Ralston and Mrs. Rachael (Miles) Porter. What little formal schooling Mr. Miles en- joyed as a child was gained in the public schools of Kingston. Like so many children of that period he left school at an early age to help in the support of the family. When he was only eight years of age, he started work as a breaker boy in a coal mine, continuing there for three years. He then became connected with Edwards and Company of Kingston, with which firm he remained for five years as an elevator opera- tor and teamster. At the age of sixteen years he took up the plumbing and heat- ing trade, but a year later became a clerk for Edwards and Company and A. J. Roat Hardware Concerns. This type of work he followed for the next year and a half. In 1904 he hecame an employee of the Eastern Pennsylvania Supply Company of Wilkes- Barre, with which firm he has remained ever since then. Starting as a clerk in its ware- house, he gradually gained a very thorough knowledge of this concern's business. His ability and strict attention to his duties gained him frequent promotions to different positions of ever increasing responsibility and importance. Eventually he transferred to his firm's sales force and in this new field he met with such success that in 1916 he was appointed sales manager, which posi- tion he continues to hold and in which he has materially contributed to the growth and prosperity of the business. How highly he is regarded by his business associates, is proven by the fact that he is also a mem- ber of the board of directors of the com- pany. He is also a director of the First National Bank of Kingston. Though he him- self had not found it possible to attend school in his youth for any considerable period of time, his interest in the cause of education has always been very great and for fourteen years (1911-25) he was a mem- ber of the Board of Education of Kington,
& Humphrey Owen
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of which body he has also been the sec- retary for seven years (1913-20). Other civic affairs, too, receive much of his atten- tion, and every movement tending to advance the growth and welfare of Wyoming Valley and its people can always count on his enthusiastic and effective support. In poli- tics he is a staunch supporter of the Repub- lican party and its principles, and for many years he has stood very high in the coun- cils of his party in Luzerne County. He has served for two years as secretary and for the same period of time as treasurer of the Republican County Committee, and in 1928 was a member of the advisory board of this body. In 1924 he had the honor of serving as Presidential Elector from Luzerne County, casting his vote for President Coolidge. In spite of these many and varied activities he has also found time and energy to be very active in fraternal and social matters. He is a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar; Irem Temple of Wilkes-Barre, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Caldwell Consistory of Bloomshurg, Pennsylvania, thirty-second de- gree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Patri- otic Order Sons of America; Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Franklin Club; Kiwanis Club; Craftsman's Club; Irem Country Club, of the Country Club Committee of which he is also a mem- ber; Orpheus Glee Club, of which he is presi- dent; Pennsylvania Wholesale Hardware As- sociation; and Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. Mr. Miles is one of the trustees of the Community Welfare Federation, and has been very active since its inception. His religious affiliations are with the Congrega- tional Church and more particularly with the Welsh Congregational Church of Edwards- ville, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Miles was married October 28, 1914, to Martha Davies of Edwardsville, Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Davies) Davies. Mr. and Mrs. Miles make their home at No. 227 Butler Street, Kingston.
E. HUMPHREY OWEN- The Welsh race, which claims as one of its prominent mem- bers in Pennsylvania E. Humphrey Owen, proprietor of the Caxton Press, No. 21 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, has preserved its autonomy better than any of the several hordes of people who have swept over Eng- land from the Continent, and is more deserv- ing of recognition as an autonomous or un- mixed entity than the Anglo-Saxon tribe. In fact, the term Anglo-Saxon is somewhat of a misnomer, and 'twere better Americans were called Anglo-Celts from the fact that Saxon blood came less generally out of the southern part of England than did the Celtic. As the great native Welshman, David Lloyd George, forcibly pointed out, the Welsh ante- dated not only the Saxons but the Normans under William the Conqueror, and thus have a prior claim to territory in England, and priority in the arts and sciences as well. Need- less to say, their accomplishments in this country have been considerable, and their representatives have played a leading part in community life wherever they have settled to make their homes.
E. Humphrey Owen, subject of this writing, is descended from Sir Hugh Owen, member of Parliament, and who was created first baronet of Orielton in 1641. He was born April 17, 1866, in Bangor, North Wales, a son of William and Anna (Humphrey) Owen, also
natives of the little rugged country in the southwest corner of England. Mr. Owen spent his young manhood in his native land, and received his education at Welsh schools and was a well-known in and outdoor athlete. He learned the craftsmanship of type setting, printing, presswork and bookbinding at Bethesda. Thence he went to Caernarfon, and to London, where for eighteen years he held official positions with some of the larg- est printers. His father, native of Wales, classic scholar, particularly adept in Greek, was author of a Welsh grammar and of various religious books. He died in 1898. The mother also native of Wales, died in 1894. A brother, W. Mark Owen, deceased, achieved fame as a writer. During the years in the printing and publishing trade in Eng- land Mr. Owen achieved prominence as a singer, and was soloist at St. Mark's, Middle- ton Square, All Saints, West Dulwich, and St. Stephen's, Clapham Park, London. He sang under Sir Frederick Bridge and other famous conductors, and for years was a member of the famous Handel choir of London under Augustus Mann.
He was married in St. Barnabas Church, King's Square, London, October 4, 1889, to Emma Burden, native of that city, and their union has been blessed with four children: I. Florence, who married Samuel Lloyd of Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and they have a son, Donald Judson. A daughter, Doris May, died in infancy. 2. Anna May, married Jack Sewell of Forty Fort, Lu- zerne County. Of their three children: Ber- nard died; Doreen and Gladys survive. 3. Emma Helen, married John O'Malley of King- ston, and they have a son Jack. 4. Dorris Evelyn, died in childhood.
Mr. Owen came to the United States in 1912 and was employed with the Raeder concern for three years. In 1906 he founded the Caxton Press, which has since had its meas- ure of prosperity. Changes due to expansion brought this concern to the present location, No. 21 South Franklin Street, where it oc- cupies the entire ground floor, and where with complete and modern equipment they do a general printing and binding business. Mr. Owen was among the first to do engraving work without dies, and was also one of the first in this country to publish the old Welsh and English hymnal. This product has been so well received that the hymns are now used in the various Congregational churches of the United States and Canada. He is in politics a Republican. He has been promi- nent in Masonic affairs, and is a member of Kingston Lodge No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Keystone Consistory of Scran- ton, is a thirty-second degree Mason; mem- ber of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Knights of Malta. He is also a valued adjunct of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Crafts- man's Club. He has held important posts with church and other music in the com- munity, and served for a time as president of the Mason Glee Society. He has also been active in the formation and regulation of societies, having for a mission the keeping alive of Welsh tradition.
In church matters Mr. Owen is an Anglican. His native associations were with that an- cient church, called on this side the Episco- palian. He has been one of the leaders in the formation of the parish of The Prince of Peace at Trucksville, a mission branch of Grace, Kingston, and he is a vestryman and
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junior warden and a licensed layman in the newly formed parish. It should be stated that Mr. Owen stands prominent among his brethren of Wales who have over here cher- ished their ancient traditional attitude in regard to music and the arts, and who in the land of their adoption have fared well in the estimation of all people. And with them he has also shown an active concern in all things which have to do with civic and com- munity betterment, and has willingly under- taken his share of the burdens that fall upon intelligent and well disposed people.
FRANKLIN DAVID COOPER-Vice-presi- dent of the First National Bank of Wyoming, of which institution he is also a director, Franklin D. Cooper is one of the foremost figures in the financial circles of the valley, for he has been connected in some capacity with the banking interests of this section for over a quarter of a century.
Mr. Cooper is a native of Kingston, hav- ing been born here on March 28, 1879, the son of Robert and Sophia A. Cooper, the former a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, where he was born in 1850, and by trade a builder of locomotives. The mother of Mr. Cooper was born in Kingston, Luzerne County, in 1848, and died in the month of January, 1920. Mr. Cooper received his early education in the public schools of Kingston, and later entered the Wyoming Seminary, from which he graduated with the class of 1897. For two years he held a clerical position with the Wyoming Valley Traction Company, and he then entered the employ of the Wyoming National Bank, at Wilkes-Barre. He was with this institution in various capacities for eleven years, in 1911 becoming associated with the First National Bank of Wyoming, as cashier, which position of trust and respon- sibility he held until July, 1929, when he was made vice-president, becoming a member of the directorate in 1918. In politics Mr. Cooper is a Republican. and his religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian Church. He is very prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; of Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Wilkes- Barre; of Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar, and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Crafts- man's Club, of Wilkes-Barre.
On October 9, 1912, Mr. Cooper married Ruth Goff, daughter of Simon D. and Mary (Dow) Goff, of Wilkes-Barre, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are the parents of three children: 1. F. David, born February 26, 1914. 2. William G., born June 24, 1917. 3. Katherine M., born June 27, 1925. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper and family reside at No. 43 Pierce Street, Kingston.
J. FRANK REINIG-As justice of the peace and alderman representing the Tenth Ward of the city of Wilkes-Barre, J. Frank Reinig holds a place prominent in the ranks of the leading citizens of this place. There is almost no civic, social or business enterprise in the city with which Mr. Reinig is not familiar, while he is willing to devote his time and energies without stint to any project which he believes will lead to the advancement of prosperity among his fellowmen.
Mr. Reinig was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on June 2, 1882, a son of John C. and Katharine C. (Rinemann) Reinig. His father was born near Frankfort, Ger- many, in 1854, came to the United States in
early life, owned a retail meat market in Wilkes-Barre for a number of years, and later became engaged in farming. He was city meat inspector for many years, and is now living retired. The mother, Katharine C. (Rinemann) Reinig, was born in Wilkes- Barre in 1860, and died on January 21, 1921. She was a daughter of the late Justice Rine- mann and Mary (Aubel) Rinemann, the former of whom was a large truck farmer in this region, as well as the owner of consid- erable property.
J. Frank Reinig received his early educa- tion in the public schools and the high school here, from the latter of which he was grad- uated in the class of 1900. He then took post-graduate work at the Wilkes-Barre High School, studying legal stenography, a type of activity in which he was engaged for about eight years with different lawyers in Wilkes- Barre. In April, 1908, he was appointed clerk of the police court here by the late Hon. Lewis P. Kniffen, of Wilkes-Barre, and in this capacity he continued to serve until 1915, when he was elected alderman of the Tenth Ward of the city. He is now serving in his third term (1928) as alderman, and since 1915 has heen a justice of the peace. His knowl- edge of city affairs, his large acquaintance with the business people of this place and his grasp of the problems of municipal ad- ministration render Mr. Reinig a most valu- able public servant and cause him to stand high in the estimation of his fellows.
In addition to his public activities, Mr. Reinig is active in many other ways. He naturally holds a prominent place in the councils of the Republican party, on whose ticket he was elected to the office of alder- man. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which his affil- iation is with Lodge No. 109. He also is an honorary life member of the American Fed- eration of Musicians, the Luzerne County Insurance Exchange, the Pennsylvania In- surance Agents' Association and the National Association of Insurance Agents. His affil- iation with these insurance groups is a result of the fact that since 1917 he has transacted a general insurance business under his own name, and is active in this business. His talent as a musician has brought him to the fore in musical circles in this part of Penn- sylvania, and he belongs to several musical organizations and clubs in Wilkes-Barre. For a number of years he played professionally. Mr. Reinig's religious faith is that of the Lutheran Church, he being a communicant of St. John's English Lutheran parish.
BERT II. JONES-Perhaps one of the best recommendations that may be put forward on behalf of Bert H. Jones of Wilkes-Barre lies in the fact that he has represented his ward on the Board of Aldermen here, of which he first became a member in 1922, through appointment of former Governor Sproul of the State of Pennsylvania. Wilkes- Barre, which is one of the Keystone State's leading centers of industry and mining, and
has a population of approximately one hun- dred thousand, has been faced with many difficult civic problems during the time Mr. Jones has assisted officially in the city's affairs, and that he has acquitted himself well is the consensus of opinion through- out the community. His commercial endeav- ors, which have included clerical work, affilia- tion with transportation and a laundry, are narrowed down to the conduct of his flourish- ing real estate and insurance business.
Mr. Jones was born November 26, 1875, at
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Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, son of David and Sarah R. (Rogers) Jones. David Jones, a native of Wales, having been born in that province of Great Britain in 1835, later came to Plymouth, was a substantial merchant, and here died, in 1898. Sarah R. (Rogers) Jones, also born in Wales, in 1841, survived her husband until December, 1918.
Bert H. Jones first attended the common schools in Plymouth, and completed his scho- lastic work in the public schools of Wilkes- Barre. His first full-time employment there- after came when he associated himself with Lueder Brothers, remaining with this retail grocery firm as cashier and bookkeeper for two and one-half years. Severing his con- nection with Lueder Brothers at the expiration of that period, Mr. Jones followed this with another three years in the capacity of driver for Bailey's Bus Service. His next position was with the Wilkes-Barre Laundry Com- pany, and for twenty-three years thereafter Mr. Jones was associated with this well known concern. In 1920, he was appointed Alderman from the Twelfth Ward here, this appointment coming from the then Governor Sproul. This was to fill a term that expired in 1922, and in that year Mr. Jones' con- stituents were so well pleased with his ad- ministration that they elected him to rep- resent them on the Wilkes-Barre Aldermanic Board. This second term expired in 1927, but Mr. Jones was not permitted to give up his official duties, for he was reëlected Alderman from the Twelfth Ward. Being a man of varied talents and large capacity for work, he is a conspicuous figure in commercial life here, through his success in real estate and insurance activities, a field in which he is engaged in his own name, with offices at No. 466 River Street. Mr. Jones is a Repub- lican, and ever has been a supporter of his party's principles and candidates. His reli- gious devotion is given through his member- ship in the Baptist Church. While Mr. Jones' business and official interests naturally have caused him to participate in public welfare proposals and plannings, his connection with such work was made long before he assumed his present rank among the citizenship of Wilkes-Barre, and has ever been a loyal sup- porter and a liberal devotee to such move- ments.
Bert H. Jones married, June 19, 1907, Jean McFarlane of Larksville, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas and Agnes McFarlane, and this union has been blessed by two chil- dren: 1. Agnes M., born April 14, 1908. 2. Eleanore R., born May 15, 1910. The build- ing owned by Mr. Jones, and the one in which he and his family resided at one time, was known as Arndt's Tavern, and has a most interesting history. This structure, which is about one hundred and thirty years old, sheltered royal fugitives from France, among them Louis Phillippe, later King of France, and his two brothers. Many other notable characters at one time or another enjoyed the hospitality of Arndt's Tavern, which since has been remodeled into a comfortable dwelling house.
HAROLD TIPPETT-Cashier of one of the soundest financial institutions of the Wyo- ming Valley when scarcely turned thirty-two years of age, Harold Tippett, of Kingston, is one of the best examples of our younger cit- izenship, industrious, progressive and de- voted to the continued prosperity of the com- mercial machinery of which he is an impor- tant part. Deciding upon a financial career during his school days, he continued his edu- cation in technical institutions and made a
careful preparation before venturing into the contest with others already established. Ap- preciation of his efforts was shown by busi- ness men hy whom he was engaged, an atti- tude that he reciprocated by returning value received in the good work that he did. Points of this character in the make up of a young man are productive of desirable results, both to himself and to his associates, and to this rule there has been no exception in the case at hand. He has shown himself to be a most desirable citizen, with a bright future in the business world of the district.
He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, January 31, 1895, a son of Alfred Tip- pett, a carpenter, and Mary (Tahb) Tippett, natives of Cornwall, England, where they were both born in the same year-1865. His education was attained in the public schools, after which he took a business course in Wilkes-Barre and then attended the Amer- ican Institute of Banking. With this prepara- tion he became engaged by the Miner-Hil- lard Milling Company, with which enterprise he remained as a clerk from October, 1909, until March, 1914. He then went to the Dime Bank Title & Trust Company of Wilkes- Barre, where he did clerical work for five years, then being made teller and continuing in that capacity until September, 1924, when he became assistant treasurer of the West Side Trust Company, of Kingston, and in January, 1926, its treasurer. In September, 1927, this organization was merged with the Kingston Bank & Trust Company and he was appointed cashier of the new institution. Mr. Tippett is also a director, secretary and treasurer of the Mortgage Investment and Guaranty Company of Kingston; secretary and director of the West Side Building and Loan Association, and Great Victory Oil Com- pany, Kingston. During the participation of the United States in the World War, he was a member of the Air Service and was with the Headquarters Division, with station in Paris, France, for eighteen months, being discharged in May, 1919. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Dorrenceton Methodist Episcopal Church, where he is a member of the official board. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 655, Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Consistory, thirty-second degree, including all bodies; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and is a mem- ber of Irem Temple Country Club.
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