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 72
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
Rev. Father John Szabo is a loyal and patriotic citizen, and has continuously taken a deep interest in the American civic, social and economic evolution. He was present at the inauguration of President Mckinley, and at that of President Roosevelt. On the oc- casion of the latter's inauguration, Rev. Szabo was presented, and has always held the great American's memory in admiration.
St. Mary's Greek Catholic Church-Known as the "mother of all Greek Catholic churches in the Anthracite region," St. Mary's Greek Catholic Church of Hazleton, at the inter- section of Cedar and Beach streets, was founded in 1889, during the month of July, with a small congregation, and has grown steadily to present size, now (1929) having within the parish two hundred families. The church was founded by the Rev. Volyanski and the Rev. Andruchovics, missionaries from
Galicia. They erected a small chapel on the site of the parish house of today, and the first regular priest was the Rev. Nicholas Sztec- zovics, the second Rev. Eugene Volkay. There have been many changes in the pastorate, Rev. John Szabo being the twenty-sixth to hold charge in forty years. He has filled the charge since February, 1927. The church as it is seen at the present time was constructed in 1893. It is one of fine architectural de- sign, as will be noted from the illustration on another page of this volume, and was re- modelled in 1926, under the pastorate of the Rev. Simon Szmandray, D. D. Detail has been kept in harmony with the original design, in order that no part of the historic significance of St. Mary's might be lost.
WATKIN MORGAN WATERS, D. D. S .- Intimate knowledge of the dental profession, reached through careful education and prac- tical experience, has brought Dr. Watkin Morgan Waters, of Wyoming, to a prominent position among the practitioners of the Wyo- ming Valley of Pennsylvania. Esteemed for his value to the community, he is popular because of his personality and attractive qualities both in and out of business life; he has served well when called upon by his country in time of its need and bears a high reputation among his associates in the sev- eral fraternal organizations with which he is connected. These attributes make for sound citizenship, a title to which Dr. Waters is eminently entitled. Not satisfied with any result less than the best, he has drawn about him a large clientele and made a host of admiring and staunch friends through his devotion to this principle of professional guidance.
He was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1888, a son of Ivor J. and Catherine (Sims) Waters, both natives of Wales. His father, deceased in 1919, was a mine foreman and the son's education was begun in the local public schools of the district. After his graduation from high school he attended Keystone Academy at Factoryville, Pennsyl- vania, and was graduated with the class of 1913. He then took up the study of dentistry, graduating from Temple University in 1916, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. For the first eight years of his professional work he chose Nanticoke, then removing to Wyoming, where he has since been located. During the participation of the United States in the World War, he held the commission of first lieutenant and was attached to the den- tal staff of Walter Reed Hospital, in Wash- ington, District of Columbia, being honorably mustered out of the military service Decem- ber 24, 1918. He is a member of the National Dental Society and of the American Legion and is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of Pythias; Junior Order United American Mechanics; Palestine Lodge of Philadelphia, No. 470, Free and Accepted Masons; Caldwell Consistory, of Bloomsburg, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and Irem Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Wyoming Business Men's Club.
HERMAN RALPH NAGLE-In 1913, after several years' experience in the general mer- cantile business, Herman Ralph Nagle came to Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, and estab- lished here the retail store which he has since operated. Mr. Nagle's energy and abil- ity brought him immediate success in his venture, and in the years which have passed since 1913, the volume of his business has constantly expanded, Keeping pace with this
632
growth, he has enlarged the scope of his store and now offers to the community a service in general merchandise of the highest quality.
Mr. Nagle was born on November 8, 1889, at Raven Creek, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, a son of Mathias Franklin Nagle, born at Benton, Columbia County, in 1866, died in 1906, and of Ellen (Carey) Nagle, born in 1869, in Pine Creek, Columbia County, who is still living. His father was a farmer until the time of his death.
Herman Ralph Nagle attended the public schools of Berwick, Pennsylvania, and when he completed his education, engaged in vari- ons occupations in that placc, until he en- tered the employ of the local store of the At- lantic and Pacific Tea Company, with whom he remained for two years. At the end of that time, in 1913, Mr. Nagle came to Shick- shinny, and though still a young man, estab- lished his own store, dealing in a small way in retail provisions. The high quality of his merchandise and his own business ability insured success, and the subsequent expan- sion forced a move into larger quarters. Mr. Nagle now occupies a two-story building, fifty-four feet long and sixty feet wide. He has in his employ four clerks.
Politically, Mr. Nagle is a member of the Democratic party, and he is active in the civic and social life of Shickshinny, being a member of the local Chamber of Commerce. He is affiliated fraternally with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Woodmen of the World, and Lodge No. 180 of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the National Protective Associa- tion, and of the Shickshinny Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member of the of- ficial board.
In 1911, Herman Ralph Nagle married Anna Lola Oplinger, daughter of Philip and Angeline Oplinger, and of this marriage there are five children: Elizabeth, Maxine, Ralph, Jr., Franklin, and Janice Elaine.
GUSTAV A. JOHNSON-A member of the firm of Johnson Brothers, electrical con- tractors of No. 407 North Main Street, Wilkes- Barre, Gustav A. Johnson is not only highly competent in his profession, but by his able management of the executive details con- nected with his business has won for himself a reputation as a progressive and efficient business man. He has been instrumental in supplying to Wilkes-Barre an electrical con- tracting service of high quality, and his ef- forts in this direction have resulted in a constantly increasing volume of business.
Mr. Johnson was born at Wilkes-Barre, on August 6, 1889, a son of John E. Johnson, who was born in Sweden in 1852, and died in Feb- ruary, 1928, and of Johanna (Bale) Johnson, also born in Sweden, in 1853, and died in March, 1927. His father was well known as a carpenter at Wilkes-Barre until the time of his death.
Gustav A. Johnson attended the public schools of his birthplace, and when he com- pleted his education, learned the electrical trade which he followed until 1918. In that year, in association with his brother, Louis Johnson, he established the electrical contracting firm of Johnson Brothers, to which he has devoted his attention since that time with complete success. The Main Street headquarters includes a retail store and show room, and the company now employs five men.
Politically, Mr. Johnson supports the prin- ciples and candidates of the Republican
party, while in various movements to pro- mote the civic welfare he has been very active. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 139; and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is also a member of the Fritzoff Society, an organiza- tion interested in the study of Scandinavian culture and institutions. Among the societies of the men of his profession, he is a member of the Wilkes-Barre Contracting Association, and the National Electrical Association. Mr. Johnson's sound judgment in business mat- ters is highly respected, and he was one of the organizers, and is now a director and vice-president of the North End State Bank, of Wilkes-Barre.
In 1916, Gustav A. Johnson married Bertha Pyatt, of Parsons, Pennsylvania, daughter of Fred and Anna Pyatt, of that place. Of this marriage there is one child, Lillian Claire, born March 7, 1925. Mr. Johnson and his fam- ily worship in the Lutheran faith and are members of Trinity Church of that denomina- tion at Wilkes-Barre.
CHARLES HOOPER-Business activities of Charles Hooper have been many, and of di- versified character. He is today one of the foremost business figures of the town in which he was born-Shickshinny, Luzerne County-and widely known in business spheres of this center's environs. From small beginnings he has created extensive holdings.
Charles Hooper was born July 8, 1880, son of William and Annie (Harry) Hooper, both of whom were natives of Wales. His father was a miner, and he came to Shickshinny as a young man, here spent the balance of his years, and died, May 31, 1897. His mother survived, her death occurring in 1912.
After he had secured a basic academic edu- cation in the public schools of Shickshinny, Mr. Hooper went to work in the mines, work- ing there in all some seven years, after which period he took up the trade of car- penter and plied it two and a half years further. Meanwhile he had accumulated a small capital, and he next went into business as owner and proprietor of a retail confec- tionery store under his own name. This he conducted successfully for two and a half years. For thirteen years he owned and operated, successfully, the Hooper Hotel, and in 1923 constructed the present Hooper Build- ing, which houses a cinema called the "Peo- ple's Theater," at No. 29 Main Street. It also contains apartments, an ice cream par- lor, and a store space. Mr. Hooper operates the store and theatre and leases the apart- ments at a round income. In 1914 he became interested in the coal and ice business, at which he continued until 1923, under the style of his own name. All things he has touched of financial nature have turned out well. He is a director of the Farmers' State Bank of Shickshinny, maintains other substantial connections of the sort, is a Democrat, and was for eight years a member of the Town Council. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which order he is a member of Lodge No. 1138. During the war he was of valued assistance in the several campaigns of patriotic appeal. He is a communicant of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Hooper married, December 18, 1915, Kit Shaffer, of Shickshinny, daughter of Charles and Esther (Miller) Shaffer. Her father, a carpenter, was born in Shickshinny, 1844, and died here March 11, 1928. Her mother, also a native of the town, was born in 1848 and died in June, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Hooper have chil- dren: Beach, Daisy, and Lillie.
633
ALEXANDER ARTHUR DUNN-A resident of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for many years, Alexander Arthur Dunn has become known as one of the ablest of the commu- nity's business men. At present district rep- resentative for the Leader Manufacturing Company, he has been very successful in this work, discharging all the duties of his posi- tion to the complete satisfaction both of his company and of the party whom it serves. In various other phases of Wilkes-Barre life, he has also taken an active part.
Mr. Dunn was born in Wales, on July 20, 1881, a son of John G. Dunn, who was born in England in 1852, and died in 1922, and of Ann (Smith) Dunn, born in Wales, in 1851, died in 1900. The father was a lampman for many years in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company.
Alexander Arthur Dunn came with his par- ents to the United States in the year follow- ing his birth, and grew up in and about Wilkes-Barre. He attended the public schools of this place and later also undertook the course of study in the Wharton School of Business, connected with the University of Pennsylvania. Beginning his business career at the completion of this work, he became connected with the Wyoming Valley Lace Mills, with whom he remained for a period of eight years, winning gradual advancement for his meritorious services. At the end of this time, however, he formed the association with the Leader Manufacturing Company, which has proved so satisfactory. Entering the employ of this house in 1908, he has been district representative at Wilkes-Barre since that time, and has creditably served in that capacity throughout his connection.
Politically a member of the Republican party, Mr. Dunn is active in party councils, and for the past sixteen years has served as Republican registrar of the First District, First Ward, at Wilkes-Barre. He is affiliated fraternally with Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is also a member of the United Commercial Travelers and the Commercial Travelers of Utica. Mr. Dunn is president of the North Wilkes-Barre Tennis Club, and has actively supported worthy enterprises designed to promote the growth and welfare of the community. He was one of the organizers and is now a direc- tor of the North End State Bank, of Wilkes- Barre.
In July, 1918, Alexander Arthur Dunn mar- ried Laura C. Hoffman, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Mathias and Margarethe Hoff- man. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are members and active workers in the affairs of Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church.
ROBERT W. JOHNSON-As city editor of the Wilkes-Barre "Record," Robert W. John- son plays an important part in the journal- istic and newspaper life of this part of Pennsylvania, while his interest in public affairs and in the furtherance of prosperity in his community and county renders him a more than ordinarily valuable citizen for the type of work in which he is engaged. Mr. Johnson is a native of this State, and here has many friends, while he is thoroughly con- versant with local conditions as a result of his long residence in this region.
He was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, on May 29, 1888, and received his early training in the Ashley High School, from which he was graduated. He then studied at the Wilkes-Barre High School, where he took advanced studies, and, in 1904, he became a member of the staff of the Wilkes-Barre
"Record." From then until 1911 he made a marked impression upon his superiors be- cause of the excellent work that he did as a reporter, and in 191I he was advanced.to the city editorship of the paper, a position which he has creditably filled since that year. Al- though newspaper work is his primary inter- est, Mr. Johnson is closely connected with the business affairs of his community and State, being a vice-president of the North End State Bank.
Also interested intensely in political and civic matters, it is perhaps only natural that he should be identified with the Republican party, whose policies and candidates he has consistently supported. He served for one term as vice-chairman of the Republican County Committee, while, since 1918, he has been chairman of publicity for the Repub- lican party's local organization in Luzerne County. He is secretary of the Salvation Army Committee and also secretary of the Ashley Taxpayers' Association. His news- paper interests extend beyond the borders of his community and county, for he is the Luzerne County correspondent of the Phila- delphia "Public Ledger." He is also a mem- ber of the Craftsman's Club and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. In the Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a staunch member, he belongs to the Coalville Lodge, No. 474; Keystone Consistory, the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Irem Tem- ple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
JOSEPH CHARLES ASZUK, M. D .- A prac- ticing physician at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, for several years, Joseph Charles As- zuk has won the complete confidence of the community through his work, and has built up an extensive following throughout the city as the demands on his services have con- stantly increased. He has been active at all times in the care of the sick and injured, counting his personal convenience or safety as nothing when opposed to his professional duties, and for his allegiance to the highest ideals of his calling he has gained the affec- tionate esteem of the people of this city and the vicinity.
Dr. Aszuk was born at Nanticoke, in Lu- zerne County, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1896, a son of Charles and Anna Aszuk, who had come to the United States from Lithuania. The father, formerly a hotel keeper, is now retired.
Joseph Charles Aszuk attended the public schools of Wilkes-Barre and was graduated from the high schools here in 1914. For a few years he was variously employed in local enterprises, and then, deciding upon a career in medicine, he undertook the course of study at Temple University, from which he was graduated in 1926, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During 1926 and 1927 he was attached to Mercy Hospital at Wilkes-Barre as an interne and member of the general staff but with the completion of this period, he began the immediate practice of his profes- sion in the city, extending his practice widely in a very short time. Dr. Aszuk has kept well abreast of every latest development in the medical sciences by constant reading and study, bringing to the community a general medical service of the finest type, of which the people of the city have been quick to avail themselves.
Among the various associations of the men of his profession, Dr. Aszuk takes an active part in the work of Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Soci-
634
ety, and the American Medical Association, holding membership in each of these organi- zations. Politically he supports the Democrat party. . He is also a member of the Phi Chi medical fraternity at Temple, while in relig- ious affiliation he worships in the faith of the Roman Catholic church, attending Holy Trin- ity Church at Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Aszuk's ad- dress at Wilkes-Barre is No. 107 Hillside Street, and here he may always be reached.
AUGUST W. M. GREBE-Realty develop- ment in Wilkes-Barre and its environs during very recent years has been given a striking impetus through the energy and unflagging activities of August W. M. Grebe, whose oper- ations here have commanded the favorable attention of the people, who are all directly, or indirectly, benefited by all community progress. Naturally equipped with an artistic nature, he added largely to it through asso- ciation in the field of landscape gardening prior to the World War and during that con- flict gained much further knowledge in France, where he was intimately associated with the interment of the soldier dead. He is a man who takes a deep interest in the ar- tistic development of natural resources and in the creation of attractive locations for the erection of homes, an artist in his field and a citizen of the highest character and value to the population, with a legion of friends and the complete faith and esteem of the commu- nity. Greatly interested in public affairs, he has displayed much talent in several fields of endeavor, is a good churchman and a popular member of society and a number of standard fraternal organizations.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1895, a son of August A. Grebe, a native of Berlin, Germany, who came to the United States in 1885, establishing himself in the wholesale meat business, and of Anna (Zimmerman) Grebe, a native of Switzerland. His education was acquired in the Philadel- phia public schools and, following his gradu- ation from high school in 1912, he became en- gaged in landscape gardening, at which he worked for five years. With the entrance of the United States into the World War, he entered the service and was assigned assist- ant to the senior chaplain of the 79th Divi- sion, serving in that capacity overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces for thir- teen months and engaged in burial of the dead. He was honorably mustered out of the military service in June, 1919, and came to Wilkes-Barre, where he was given charge of the Government surplus food sale, an occupa- tion in which he spent ten months. For the following eighteen months he managed the country-wide tour of Russell H. Conwell and in 1922 established himself in the real estate and insurance business here. His principal developments have been in South Wilkes- Barre in what is known as Grebe Place and the MeLean Tract. He also has developed the Denison Estate in Forty Fort and the Denison Cemetery there, of which last named organi- zation he is vice-president. He is also one of the organizers and now president of the Susquehanna Building & Loan Association and a life member of the American Associa- tion of Cemetery Superintendents. He belongs to the American Legion; Lodge No. 109, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Wyo- ming Lodge, No. 39, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Lodge No. 128, Loyal Order of Moose. His church is the Presbyterian of Wilkes-Barre.
August W. M. Grebe married, in 1920, Mar- jorie Deibel, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Christian J. and Mary (Kropp) Grebe. Their
children are: Russell Conwell, horn in June, 1921; and Robert McLean, born in January, 1924.
REV. JOSEPH KORMAN-During the twelve years of his ministry as pastor of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, of Freeland, Rev. Father Joseph Korman has enabled the parish to achieve distinction in several respects. One of the largest church bells in the State of Pennsylvania calls the people of St. John's to worship, and can be heard eighty miles away when weather conditions are good; the church building itself is one of beautiful design and of architectural dis- tinction; the interior is one of the most elaborate in this part of the State; and the organ, with its seventeen hundred pipes, floods the building with majestic harmonies of sound unsurpassed in any church build- ing. The erection and furnishing of the church and of the beautiful parish house are the work of Father Korman.
Rev. Joseph Korman was born in Czecho- Slovakia, March 7, 1882, son of George and Anna Korman, both of whom died in their native land. Father Korman received his education in the Benedictine College, at Lisle, Illinois, and in St. Mary's Seminary, at Balti- more, Maryland, graduating from the last named institution with the class of 1912. He was ordained at Scranton, in 1913, by Bishop Michael Hoban, and then for three months was located at St. Anthony's Church, at Larksville, Pennsylvania. His next assign- ment was to the Holy Rosary Church, Ashley, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, but after
seven months there he was assigned to Holy Trinity Church, at Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a period of two years. At the end of that time he came to St. John's Church, in Freeland, taking charge of the parish, October 15, 1916. Since that time he has worked earnestly for the progress and the spiritual and material development of the parish, and how well he has succeeded is clear to all who see the beautiful church and parish house which he has erected. Almost as soon as he was made pastor of St. John's he began to plan for the building of a suitable church structure, and the result of his plan- ning and his work is the beautiful granite building which now graces the borough.
The parish was organized in 1892 with a membership of one hundred and fifty fam- ilies, and as soon as possible after organiza- tion a small frame building was erected at the corner of Luzerne and Ridge streets. That building was one in use when Father Korman took charge, and as the parish had already somewhat outgrown the old edifice, he at once went to work. In 1917 the pres- ent church building was erected on the corner of South and Vine streets, at a cost of $100,- 000, and since that time all indebtedness has been removed. The church is well de- signed, built of granite, and accommodates some nine hundred and thirty people. As has already been stated, one of the largest church bells in the State is hung in the belfry of St. John's, and all who step inside the church are impressed with the magnifi- cence of its interior furnishings and its finish. It is said that the interior is one of the most elaborate in this part of the State, and cer- tainly, he who looks may see for himself that no effort and no expense have been spared in the work of making the interior of St. John's one of the most attractive and pleasing, as well as one of the richest church interiors. The organ, which is one of the finest built, contains seventeen hundred pipes, from which come harmonies calculated to
Le Sseph Airman)
635
raise the human spirit to heights of religious feeling and understanding. When one re- members that the erection of the church building, its finishing, and its furnishing, all were accomplished under the direct super- vision of Father Korman, one recognizes the fact that this beautiful church building is in expression of his taste, his personality, and lis deep religious devotion. It is also a monument to his practical executive ability, for after building the church at a cost of $100,000 Father Korman not only raised the money to clear the building of debt, but in 1923 erected the parish house at a cost of $55,000.
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.