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 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
Harold Tippett married, in June, 1919, Emilie J. Stevens, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of James and Ellen Stevens. Their children are: 1. James H., born May 14, 1921. 2. Rob- ert J., born July 24, 1924.
RICHARD PHILLIPS, JR .- In the Wilkes- Barre arca are many persons of Welsh origin, from the strong stock which in early days supplied the local mines with men. Born in Wales, March 21, 1881, Richard Phillips, Jr., is the son of Richard and Jane (Evans) Phil- lips. Both are living, his father, a miner, having been born in Wales in 1852, and his mother in 1857.
Mr. Phillips was brought to the United States by his parents when he was but three years old-1884. The family was then estab- lished in Wilkes-Barre, and here has been represented since. Mr. Phillips secured his academic instruction in the local public schools, and for three years worked in the mines as breaker: In 1896 he left the mines to become identified with the Wilkes-Barre Lace Mill Company, with which organization he has been associated continuously through
624
the more than three decades that have suc- ceeded, as a skilled lace weaver, a master of the craft.
Aside from his work, Mr. Phillips has al- ways shown a lively interest in general af- fairs of the city and its environs. He is known well for his public spirit, and has con- tributed to many movements designed for the public weal. Fraternally active, he belongs to Lodge No. 39, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the Free and Accepted Masons belongs to Landmark Lodge, No. 442; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182; Mt. Horeb Council, No. 34, Royal and Select Masters; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar, and Irem Temple (as life member), Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Craftsman's Club, and a communicant of the Memorial Presby- terian Church, of which he is a deacon. A
Republican, he supports consistently the prin- ciples and candidates of the party. He helped to found and is now a director of the North End State Bank of Wilkes-Barre, and owns, in addition to this financial interest, a num- ber of holdings that have increased materi- ally in value through the years. During the World War he was of valued assistance in the campaigns of the Liberty Loan, Red Cross and War Savings Stamps.
Mr. Phillips married, in 1909, Esther Jen- kins, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Thomas and Ann Jenkins, and they reside in the city proper, at No. 372 Madison Street.
JACOB S. ENGEL-As business man, citizen and philanthropist, Jacob S. Engel has con- tributed to the welfare of the Wilkes-Barre area through a number of years, and his ef- forts have tended to augment with time, rather than to decrease. He is today one of the foremost men of Wilkes-Barre proper, and of Forty Fort, developer of realty, and gentleman of affairs.
The family of which Mr. Engel is a dis- tinguished member, is particularly well known in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. For fifty years, until 1918, when his death oc- curred, his father, Jacob S. Engel, Sr., engaged as a merchant in that city. He was a man of dominant position in Williamsport move- ments, deeply beloved by all who came in contact with him. His passing brought an intense feeling of sadness to the people of all walks who had had dealings of any sort with him. Jacob S. Engel, Sr., married Matilda Glosser, native of Pottsville (he him- self was born in Williamsport, 1854), born in 1857; and she died in 1922, having survived her beloved husband four years.
Son of Jacob S. Engel, Sr., and Matilda (Glosser) Engel, Mr. Engel was born in Wil- liamsport, March 24, 1890, and received his earliest education in the schools of that com- munity. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School with the class of 1908, matricu- lated in Potts College, studied there two years, then left books behind for actual par- ticipation in life's work. He became agent for the Prudential Insurance Company, lo- cated at Williamsport, carrying on this repre- sentation two years. In 1913 he came to Wilkes-Barre, as manager of the local office of the Remington Typewriter Company, from which he resigned in 1925, purchasing a tract of land from Richard B. Raillay known as the Colonel Nathan Dennison Estate. This old homestead tract is of early times, the homestead house having been erected in 1790, and still standing (1928). General Sullivan, on his retreat, buried one of his cannon in the homestead yard, and Mr. Engel has taken
advantage of the historic interest and beauty of the place to offer it, in realty development, to the people of this vicinity for home sites. It is called Englewood Terrace, and affords choice locations to those requiring unusually tasteful sites. Aside from this business in- terest, Mr. Engel is a director of the Susque- hanna Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Engel was the originator of Wilkes- Barre's municipal Easter egg hunt, which has since become an annual event, entertaining about ten thousand children every year. He is president of the Pennsylvania State Soci- ety of Crippled Children, and a member of the directorate of the International Society. Charter member of the city's Rotary Club, he is on the Crippled Kiddies Committee of this organization. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, in which he serves on the Christmas Charities Committee. He is a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Engel married, January 29, 1914, Pearl A. Garrison, daughter of George and Pearl Garrison, of Wilkes-Barre. They have chil- dren: 1. Kenneth W., who was born November 11, 1915. 2. Betty Jean, born March 14, 1920. The family residence is in Forty Fort. Mr. Engel's offices are in Wilkes-Barre.
PATRICK F. LANGAN-More than forty- four years ago, a ten-year-old lad of Irish descent applied for employment in a Wilkes- Barre colliery, and was put to work at pick- ing slate from the breakers. This boy, listed on the payroll as Patrick F. Langan, since has grown to manhood, and has not only attained material financial success, but at the same time has gained the honor and admira- tion of his native community and occupies a position of trust in official ranks, serving as alderman in Wilkes-Barre, representing the Fourteenth Ward. Mr. Langan's career en- compasses a period of fourteen years in the mines, and a like period in the insurance field. He combines the duties of Alderman with the conduct of large-scale real estate operations in Wilkes-Barre, and is a power in political circles.
Mr. Langan was born April 6, 1874, at Wilkes-Barre, son of Mrs. Winifred (Gal- lagher) Langan. His father, a miner during his mature life, was born in 1843, in Lacka- wanna County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1879. Winifred (Gallagher) Langan, a native of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, was born in 1845, and survived her husband until 1911.
Patrick F. Langan's father died when he was about five years of age, and thus it was that Mr. Langan was compelled to become self-supporting at an early age, with the result that his education was limited to the local public schools. Shortly after his tenth birthday, in 1884, he began work as a breaker- boy, and for four years thereafter was so occupied. In 1889 he entered the Franklin colliery of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, and so applied himself to his labors and dis- played such loyalty to his firm, that eventu- ally he was appointed outside loader boss. Mr. Langan was in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company for fourteen years, during which he had, through private study and unceasing endeavor, overcome the obsta- cle of lack of theoretical training in child- hood. At the end of his long period of serv- ice with the mining industry, he abandoned this work and entered the general insurance business under his own name. This was the vocation that was to be his for another four- teen-year period, until 1928, and one in which
625
he has been quite successful. In the last- named year (February, 1928), Mr. Langan was honored by appointment to the Wilkes- Barre Board of Aldermen, representing the Fourteenth Ward therein. Long residence in his native community, which had gained for him the confidence of his constituents, and which also had enabled him to familiarize himself with the wants of his district, have aided Mr. Langan to serve the Fourteenth Ward efficiently. A Democrat in political convictions, he exercises considerable influ- ence in local affairs of this party. He is a devout member of St. Patrick's Roman Cath- olic Church, and has been liberal in his con- tributions to the benevolences of the local parish.
Patrick F. Langan married, in 1901, Helen Black, of Ashley, Pennsylvania, daughter of George and Helen Black. Mrs. Langan died July 4, 1914, survived by her husband and four children: 1. Mrs. Bernedett (Langan) Thomas. 2. William L. 3. Patrick F., Jr. 4. Marian. Mr. Langan also has two grand-
children: Bernedett Thomas, and Florence Langan. His business address is No. 504 Hazle Street, while his home is located at No. 602 Hazle Street, Wilkes-Barre.
VERV REV. ANTHONY REPELLA-Rector of St. John's Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, No. 93 Zerbey Avenue, Edwardsville, the Very Rev. Anthony Repella has charge of one of the largest parishes in this area. The church was organized by the Rev. Basil Oranoski, who gathered 'round him a con- gregation prior to 1911, when the church edifice was completed. The church structure is of fine pressed brick, and has capacity for six hundred persons. The parish is composed of about one hundred and fifty families, num- bering some eight hundred members. Before 1919 this parish and church were served by the Rev. Isidor Salko, then Father Repella was called into charge, and has served with signal benefit to parishioners and the Catholic Order thence onward through the years suc- ceeding. During his rectorship many im- provements have been incorporated into church and parish.
Rev. Anthony Repella was born in Galicia, Austria-Hungary (now Poland), January 23, 1883, son of John and Mary Repella, who were the parents of nine children: Theodosia, Theckla, the Very Rev. Anthony, of whom follows; Basil, who is also a Rev. of the Russian Orthodox Greek Church at Mayfield, Pa .; Demitrius, Anestasia, Peter, John and Paul.
Following training in literary and purely academic courses in Austria-Hungary, Rev. Repella came to the United States, in 1904, at the age of twenty-one years. He received his theological training at the South Canan Monastery, of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, and was ordained a deacon by the late Patri- arch Tickhon, in 1906. On February 16, 1908, he was ordained priest, by Archbishop Platon. His first service for the church was as a missionary in the United States, for one year. Thereafter he was called to the pastorship of St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church at Jermyn, Pennsylvania, where he remained from 1909 to 1914. His next call was to Wilkes-Barre, to the Holy Resurrection Church, and in 1915 he was transferred to Portage, Pennsylvania, there to become pastor of St. Michael's Church, wherein he served until 1917. In that year he was again transferred, as pastor of St. Michael's Church at Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania. In 1917 he was called to the pastorate of
Cyrill and Methodius Church, Terryville, Con- necticut, and finally, in 1919, as noted, to the rectorship of St. John's Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, of Edwardsville. Rev. Repella has now a rank of Archimandrite, a title of honour very like the Latin Monsignor, it gives the right to wear mitre, epigonation and pastoral staff.
Rev. Repella is a Republican, and maintains diversified interests which are concentrated on the welfare of the people at large and his parish in particular. Among his praise- worthy undertakings is the conduct of a church school, in his parish. Of this he is the teacher. He is beloved of parishioners and those of other denominations alike.
PETER MATHER-No other industry of this section of Pennsylvania has contributed more to the growth and development of Wilkes-Barre, and unquestionably this same industry has provided the city and its envi- rons with a majority of its public officials and successful men. An outstanding example of this condition is provided through the life of Peter Mather, who started his career in early boyhood as a slate picker in a coal- breaker, and through inborn talent and un- ceasing devotion, has assumed a high position in Wilkes-Barre, where he is serving as a member of the Board of Aldermen, represent- ing the Fifth Ward.
Mr. Mather's parents were John and Han- nah (Flynn) Mather, both natives of the Key- stone State, and now deceased. John Mather, born in 1853, at Wilkes-Barre, was a station- ary engineer, and was occupied as such until his demise, on December 4, 1915. Hannah (Flynn) Mather, who was born in 1855, at Port Griffith, Luzerne County, survived her husband until August 29, 1924. John and Hannah (Flynn) Mather had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, of whom Peter Mather was the fifth.
Peter Mather was born in Wilkes-Barre, on June 9, 1883, and since has made his home in this city. He obtained a somewhat meager education in the local public schools, but, like many other boys of his time, was forced to abandon his studies and assist in the main- tenance of his family at an early age. Mr. Mather was twelve years old when he first went to work in a coal-breaker here. He continued as an employee of collieries for about four and a half years, but was not satisfied with this line of endeavor, and when about seventeen years of age, abandoned it. He then took a position with the Sheldon Axle Works, a concern with which he was destined to remain for twenty-one years and three months. During these long years, Mr. Mather was variously employed with the axle manufacturing company, attaining the re- spect and esteem of his employers and of his fellow-craftsmen. His personality, combined with talents of leadership and executive abil- ity, long ago had brought him to the fore in public and civic matters, and this resulted in his being drafted for public office. In 1921, Mr. Mather was chosen by voters of the Fifth Ward to represent them on the Board of Aldermen, and he proved himself so capable and so devoted to the welfare of this ward that he was reelected Alderman in 1927. It is of significance that Mr. Mather was unop- posed for this office at the time of his last election. Mr. Mather is a Democrat in polit- ical beliefs and enjoys considerable prestige in local spheres of this organization. In the fall of 1927, upon the organization of the Magistrates' Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Mr. Mather was elected presi-
626
dent and continues each successive year by acclamation. He and his family are com- municants of the Catholic faith, and Mr. Mather has contributed with liberality to the support and benevolences of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of this city.
Peter Mather married, August 29, 1910, Martha Geiger, native of Wilkes-Barre, and daughter of Charles and Anna Geiger. Mr. and Mrs. Mather have three children: 1. Irene, born March 9, 1915. 2. John, born Au- gust 19, 1918. 3. Clara, born June 13, 1925. Alderman Mather's office is located at No. 42 Public Square, and the Mather family home is at No. 16 East Jackson Street, Wilkes- Barre.
FRED W. HOSLER-Education as a profes- sion has long held its appeal to men of large intellectual capacity and vision. Fred W. Hosler, head of the public schools of Hat- boro, has chosen this field, and already has had an extensive experience. Meanwhile he is completing higher studies at Columbia University, New York City.
Fred W. Hosler was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1898, son of Wil- liam C. Hosler, who was a native of Jones- town, this State, for many years an internal revenue agent in charge of Eastern Pennsyl- vania, died, 1921, and Emma (Hartman) Hosler, born at Benton, Pennsylvania, who survives her husband. In the schools of Benton, Mr. Hosler secured his elementary and secondary instruction, graduated from Benton High School in 1915 with scholastic honors, matriculated in Dickinson College, studied there three years, then went into our country's service for duty in the World War. He was with the Chemical Warfare Corps, in charge of the mustard gas plant at Edgewood Arsenal, and was discharged in December, 1918. He is now commissioned first lieuten- ant, Chemical Warfare Service, United States Army. Meanwhile, following this discharge, resuming studies, he was graduated from Pennsylvania State College in 1920, and is now, as noted, taking advance work at Columbia University. His first experience at teaching was as supervising principal of the schools of Petersburg, Pennsylvania, 1920 to 1923. From that year until 1926 he held a like post with the schools of Millville, Penn- sylvania, and in 1926 became supervisory Principal at Shickshinny. Since July 1, 1928, Mr. Hosler has been serving as head of the public schools of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, a beautiful suburban town a few miles from Philadelphia. Mr. Hosler anticipates spend- ing the summer of 1930 with a group of edu- cators in Europe, where a great many prom- inent officials will be met and interviewed. He was chosen among twenty public school men in this country to make the trip.
A Republican, he has interested himself in major political issues, supporting the prin- ciples of the party consistently. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is a member of Lodge No. 667, Bloomsburg Consistory, of the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Jaffa Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Altoona, Pennsylvania. He be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Lodge No. 180, Sigma Alpha Epsilon college fraternity, the Sons of Veterans, and American Legion. His church is the Meth- odist Episcopal.
Mr. Hosler married, in 1921, Grace Seely, of Benton, Pennsylvania, daughter of Charles and Phoebe Seely, and they have a son, Xen Seely, who was born March 27, 1923.
MARVIN CLARK JOHNSON, M. D .- Among the homeopathic physicians of the Wyoming Valley, Dr. Marvin Clark Johnson takes high rank. Since his establishment in practice in Kingston. 1912, he has won a high reputation throughout the entire community, and is re- garded as a professional man of distinction and a public-spirited citizen of high worth to the body politic.
He was born in West Pittston. Pennsylva- nia, February 11, 1888, a son of Dr. Theodore M. Johnson, who was born in Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, in 1854, graduated from Hahne- mann Medical College with the class of 1878 and has long been a practitioner in West Pittston. Mrs. Johnson's maiden name was Levina De Mott, of Philadelphia, where she was born in 1853.
Dr. Marvin Clark Johnson was educated in the public schools of West Pittston and grad- uated from the high school in 1906, then at- tending the Hahnemann Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. This was followed by a year as an interne in Hahnemann Hospital in Scran- ton, after which he practiced for two years in West Pittston and then removed to Kings- ton, where he has since been established. Dr. M. C. Johnson is consulting surgeon to Nesbitt Memorial Hospital. He is on the staff and a trustee of the Wyoming Valley Homeopathic Hospital; a member of the State and County medical societies and the Homeo- pathic Society. In politics he is a Repub- lican and in fraternal circles is affiliated with the Kingston Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His church is the Methodist Episcopal.
Dr. Marvin Clark Johnson married, in 1913, Mary Blair, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, daughter of the Rev. Williams T. and Mary (Strickland) Blair.
REV. PAUL SILAS HEATH-As pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of Wilkes- Barre, the Rev. Paul Silas Heath has won the deserved reputation of being a leader in the religious life of the community, devot- ing his time and attention liberally to the interests of his congregation. This church is now one of the largest and most influential religious institutions in the entire Wyoming Valley. The Rev. Mr. Heath accepted the call to become pastor of it in 1924, since which time he has proved himself to be one of the outstanding men, not only in his own congregation, but in the social life of Wilkes- Barre. He takes an interest at all times in public affairs, being ready to support any cause or movement that he believes will be beneficial to the people here or will improve conditions.
He is descended from old and distinguished families of the United States, being a nephew of the late Elbert Hubbard, and on his father's side of the house he is related to the Ritten- house family, of Philadelphia. He is a son of William R. and Mary (Hubbard) Heath, the former of whom was of English descent and the latter of Scotch. He is one of a family of five children: 1. Horton Hubbard, of Scarsdale, New York. 2. Paul Silas, of further mention in this article. 3. Evelyn (Mrs. Wil- mot Jacobsen), a physician in Buffalo, New York. 4. Thomas, who is a minister in the Congregational Church at Bronxville, New York. 5. Clark Wright, a physician in Bos- ton, Massachusetts.
Paul Silas Heath was born in Hudson, Il- linois, on July 23, 1892, and until he was ten years old he was reared in Chicago, Illinois.
627
Then his parents removed to Buffalo, New York, where he grew to manhood. While a boy, he attended the public schools; later be- came a student at the Lawrenceville School, in New Jersey, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1910; and finally went to Princeton University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1914 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He engaged then for two years in the manufacturing busi- ness, but in 1917 he entered the Auburn Theological Seminary, of New York, where he remained, with the exception of the war period, until 1921, in which year he was grad- uated. In 1917 he joined the United States Coast Guard Heavy Artillery, in which he served until the close of the World War at the fort in Narragansett, Rhode Island. After the war, he returned to his studies, and was graduated in theology from the Auburn The- ological Seminary in the class of 1921. In that year, he went to England, where he took a year of post-graduate work at Oxford Uni- versity. Returning in 1922 to the United States, he took charge of the Presbyterian Church, in North Tonawanda, New York. Then, in 1924, he accepted the call to Wilkes- Barre, where he has come to be highly re- spected as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Heath married, September 18, 1915, Elizabeth Bradford Hubbell, a daughter of Clifford and Grace (Woodward) Hubbell. She is a member of old American families which have played important parts in the history of the United States since the country's earliest days. The Rev. Paul Silas Heath and Elizabeth (Bradford) Heath are the par- ents of four children: Elizabeth Woodward, William Rittenhouse, Mary Hubbard and Rob- ert Hubbell.
JAY C. TREAT-One of the esteemed resi- dents of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, who for years has heen sales agent in this region of the Wyoming Valley for the National Biscuit Company, is Jay C. Treat, who has acquired a wide circle of friends and acquaintances here and whose activities in civic affairs and the social life of his community are many and widespread. There is scarcely any phase of civic development in this part of the State in which he is not keenly interested and in many instances an active participant.
Mr. Treat was born in Honeoye Falls, Mon- roe County, New York, on February 7, 1884, a son of Fred A. and Ida (Featherstone) Treat. His father, born in Mendon, Monroe County, New York, died May 23, 1925, was for the greater part of his life a real estate oper- ator; while his mother, who is still living, is a native of Middleport, Niagara County, New York.
Their son, Jay C. Treat, of whom this is a record, attended the public schools of his birthplace, Honeoye Falls, New York, and then went to the Mechanics Institute in Rochester, New York, from which he was graduated in the class of 1902. He then went with the Eastman Kodak Company, having been stationed at that corporation's main office in Rochester. There he remained until 1906, when he went with the National Biscuit Company as a salesman. Selling the product of this organization until 1911, he built up a large and desirable custom in the territories that he covered. Then, in 1911, he became sales agent for the company in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he remained until Feb- ruary 1, 1913, when he came to Forty Fort as sales agent in this region of Pennsylvania. Here his success has been most marked, and
his fifteen years in this place have brought him not only customers but friends.
So it is that he takes an important part in the affairs of his town and community, and is requested from time to time to give to others the value of his wisdom acquired with the passing years of business life. Keenly interested in political matters, he is identi- fied closely with the Republican party, whose policies and candidates he has for years sup- ported. In 1925 he was chosen as a member of the town council of Forty Fort, a position which he has filled with credit and with ad- vantage to his fellow-citizens since that time. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons in which his affiliation is with the Wilkes- Barre Lodge, No. 655; while he also is a mem- ber of the Shekinah Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; the Dieu le Veut Commandery of Knights Templar; and Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership in the Frank- lin Club, while his religious affiliation is with the First Presbyterian Church, of Forty Fort.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.