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 74
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Fred H. Gates married Lillian Rinehimer of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of John Rinehimer of that city. Children: Ralph C. Gates, ac- countant for the Boston Store of Wilkes- Barre; John Gates, deceased; and F. Carleton Gates, with the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company of Wilkes-Barre.
WILLIAM VALE DAVIS-Tragedy marked the childhood days of the little son of a Lu- zerne County coal miner, his father having met death in an explosion when he was six years of age. Two years later he became a breaker hoy, and for ten years at that work and as a real miner he remained. He saved his pennies, invested, and set himself up in business. Today that boy is proprietor of one of the most pretentious automobile distrib- uting plants in Eastern Pennsylvania, a power in finance, a citizen of the highest rep- utation. He is William Vale Davis, of King- ston. His integrity, his industry, his percep- tion of the intricate details of large affairs, have brought to him selection for preferment in many fields, all illustrative of the regard of his fellow-citizens and of the governing body. Still far from the prime of life, he may confidently visualize larger fields for his lahor. That he will conquer where he en- gages is the undivided opinion of the commu- nity that knows him so well and happily.
William Vale Davis was born in Edwards- ville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1887. His father was Thomas B. Davis and his mother Jane (Vale) Davis. Thomas B. Davis was working as a miner for the King- ston Coal Company when, in 1893, he was killed by an explosion, leaving his widow
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with five small children to support. They all went to work, as they had always worked, and all have made successes of life. At this writing the mother still lives, at the age of seventy-one years. Of her other children, Margaret is the wife of Richard Lloyd, of Edwardsville; Elliott V. is a drug manufac- turer, of Allentown, operating under the name of the Vale Chemical Company; Thomas V. is a partner of his brother, William V., of whom further; and Rachel is the wife of Warden Kunkle, of Kunkle, Pennsylvania.
William V. Davis had hardly time to regis- ter as a pupil in the public schools before he was called to the mines to assist in the work of taking care of the family. However, he did get two years of education therein. The rest he has taught himself and he has been a successful teacher and scholar. By the time he was eighteen years of age, through most persistent self-denial, he had saved a small sum of money and with this he engaged in business, establishing himself in a cigar and confectionery enterprise at Edwardsville. He had learned how to work and for nine years his business prospered. In 1914 he was ap- pointed assistant deputy revenue collector for the Twelfth District of Pennsylvania, ac- cepted and continued in that office for eight years. During this period he began his work in the automobile distributing business at Edwardsville, locating at his present head- quarters in Kingston in 1921. All this time his industry was being rewarded and, in 1925, he erected the fine building at No. 303 Wyoming Avenue, which houses the Davis Brothers Auto Company, William V. and Thomas V. Davis, proprietors. The building is one of the finest examples of its class in the Wyoming Valley, 100 by 150 feet in superficial area, built of yellow pressed brick upon a steel skeleton and containing every modern facility for the work it has to do. The principal business of the company is the distribution of the Paige six and eight-cyl- inder motor cars, with side lines of every automobile accessory. William Vale Davis is a Republican in politics. He is a director of the Kingston Bank and Trust Company, one of the three largest financial institutions in the Wyoming Valley; is president of the Shawnee Clothing Company, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania; was formerly the owner of Sandy Bathing Beach, at Harvey's Lake, Lu- zerne County, and is a charter member of the Kingston Fire Company. His fraternal affilia- tions include membership in the Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He also belongs to the Wyoming Valley Motor Club.
JUSTIN BERGMAN-In the Wilkes-Barre section of Pennsylvania there is no more modern or better conducted department store than is the one owned and operated by Justin Bergman. Located at Nos. 40-42 South Main Street, in Wilkes-Barre, the Bergman De- partment Store serves a very large number of the people of the city and its environs, and during the twelve years since Mr. Bergman engaged in business here he has established among those who have traded with him, an enviable reputation for efficient service and honorable dealing. Beginning his active busi- ness life as a clerk in a dry goods store in Chicago at the age of fourteen years, Mr. Bergman has made himself thoroughly famil- iar with all the various phases of the busi- ness, and has gained his experience in sev- eral different localities. He has been located in this city for fourteen years, and is a di- rector of the Wilkes-Barre Deposit and Sav-
ings Bank and of the Royen Foundry, at Kingston.
Justin Bergman was born in Germany, March 3, 1880, but as a boy of fourteen years he came to this country, locating in Chicago, Illinois, where he found employment in a dry goods store. There, as a clerk, he re- mained until 1902, in which year he made a change, removing to Altoona, Pennsylvania. There he made his first venture in business for himself, establishing a dry goods store, which he successfully operated until 1911, a period of about nine years. Johnstown was the scene of his next venture, and there he continued as proprietor of a thriving depart- ment store until 1916, when, having accumu- lated sufficient capital, he resolved to come to Wilkes-Barre and establish a larger depart- ment store in a locality where there was plenty of opportunity for expansion. In his present location, at Nos. 40-42 South Main Street, he has for the past fourteen years been building up one of the modern, and progressive department store concerns in this city. In fact, the Bergman Department Store ranks among the best in the Wyoming Valley. The business occupies four floors and a basement, the latter being given over to the very large and excellent stock of shoes, and here may be found all lines of dry goods, also men's, women's, and children's wearing apparel. The ability of Mr. Bergman is well known among his associates, and since his coming to Wilkes-Barre he has greatly ex- tended his business operations. In addition to the operation of his prosperous department store, he is a member of the board of direc- tors of the Wilkes-Barre Deposit and Sav- ings Bank, also of the Royen Foundry, at Kingston, Pennsylvania, in hoth of which connections he is contributing the benefits of his long business experience. Fraternally, he is identified with Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; also with Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; and Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons. Politically, he supports the principles of the Republican party. He is highly esteemed among his many associates, and is one of the active and progressive cit- izens of the city of Wilkes-Barre.
Justin Bergman was married, January 7, 1915, to Josephine Isaac, daughter of Louis and Carrie Isaac, of New York City, and they are the parents of one son, Justin Bergman, Jr., who was born December 9, 1919.
REUBEN W. KINTZER-During nearly thirty years of active work in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania, all of which have been identified with the telephone industry, Reuben W. Kintzer, of Kingston, started in the humblest of positions in that field to be- come manager and district manager for the Bell Telephone Company, with control over its lines throughout several counties of the Northeastern section of the State. Gifted with an alert and keen mind, and a capacity for hard work, Mr. Kintzer's career has com- bined a substantial success as beneficial to this community as to his private fortune. He is an able and valued citizen. Broad in in- terests, alert to everything of definite benefit to others, he is foremost in all progressive movements, has a host of friends, holds the respect and affection of his associates in all the spheres of his activities.
Reuben W. Kintzer was born in Werners- ville, Berks County, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1880, a son of John A. and Adeline S. (Ruth) Kintzer, deceased. The father was a farmer and member of one of the pioneer families of Berks County. He eventually
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established himself in the hotel business and for many years conducted the old Werners- ville Hotel. R. W. Kintzer acquired his edu- cation in the local public schools, graduating from high school and then attending the State Normal School, at West Chester. Upon completing this course he was engaged by the Pennsylvania Telephone Company as an installer and "trouble man" and was located at Reading for several years. He was then transferred to Easton, Honesdale, Carbon- dale, Bloomsburg and other places success- ively, eventually becoming manager at the Wilkes-Barre office in 1910. He continued in this post until May, 1927, when he was ap- pointed manager of the district of several counties, in which position he continued until he resigned August 1, 1928, to become con- nected with the Commonwealth Telephone Company as vice-president and general man- ager, with headquarters at Forty Fort, Penn- sylvania. The Commonwealth Telephone Com- pany is an independent company, having a connection with the Bell system and operat- ing in Luzerne, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Sul- livan, Susquehanna, Bradford, and Columbia counties, in fact all of the northeastern sec- tion of Pennsylvania. In politics he is a Re- publican and attends the Reformed Church. He is affiliated fraternally with Kingston Lodge, No. 709, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Junior Order of United American Mechanics; Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Command- ery, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Irem Temple Country Club. He also belongs to the Craftsman's Club of Wilkes- Barre, the Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre, is a director of the Wilkes-Barre-Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Independent Telephone Pioneers of America. Mr. Kintzer married, in August, 1903, Mayme A. Senior, of Reading, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of three children: 1. Mae Ade- line, an artist employed by the Isaac Long department store in Wilkes-Barre. 2. John Senior, a student at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, class of 1930. 3. Claire Katherine.
LOU F. MITTEN-Within a few months, Lou F. Mitten, manager of the power and mining department of the Vulcan Iron Works, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, will have completed thirty years of continuous service with that well known concern. He learned his trade, that of machinist, in the shops of the Vulcan Iron Works, of which his father was superintendent for many years, and re- mained in West Pittston, where the shops are located, until 1903, since which time he has been in Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Mitten completed his academic education in the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, at Tamaqua, Pennsyl- vania.
Thomas B. Mitten, father of Mr. Mitten, was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish parentage. About 1882, he re- moved from Bradford County to Luzerne County and located at West Pittston. He was a machinist by trade, and for many years was the efficient superintendent of the Vulcan Iron Works, in West Pittston. He was a man of ability and of public spirit, giving his support to the Republican party, and for sev- eral terms he served as burgess of West Pittston. He was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, active in promoting its activities, and much loved and respected by his associates. He married Emma A. Fuller,
also deceased, and they became the parents of one child, Lon F., of further mention.
Lou F. Mitten, son of Thomas B. and Emma A. (Fuller) Mitten, was born in Herrick, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1879, but was reared in West Pittston, where he attended the public schools. Later, he con- tinned his studies in the Susquehanna Col- legiate Institute, at Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and then returned to West Pittston, where he began to learn the trade of the machinist in the shops of the Vulcan Iron Works. That was in 1899, when he was twenty years of age, and he continued at his trade in this con- nection for a period of four years. In 1903 he came to Wilkes-Barre and entered the sales department of the Vulcan Iron Works. Pro- motions were the reward of able and faithful work, and through various responsible posi- tions he has been advanced to the position of manager of the power and mining depart- ment of the Vulcan Iron Works. Nearly thirty years of continuous service with this concern have made him a valuable member of the big force of employees, and his faithful- ness and loyalty to the firm have brought mutual understanding and appreciation. Like his father before him, Mr. Mitten is a sup- porter of the Republican party. He is a member of Valley Lodge, No. 499, Free and Accepted Masons, of West Pittston, Pennsyl- vania; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons, of Wilkes-Barre; Dieu le Veut Com- mandery, Knights Templar; Keystone Con- sistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Scranton, Pennsylvania, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; and of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is also a mem- ber of Irem Country Club, the Craftsman's Club, Westmoreland Club, and the Wyoming Valley Club. Professionally, he is identified with the American Institute of Miners and Metallurgical Engineers. He takes a very active interest in the general affairs of the city of Wilkes-Barre, and is serving as vice- president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Cham- ber of Commerce. He is a member of the Engineers' Society of Northeastern Pennsyl- vania, and his religious membership is with the First Methodist Church of Wilkes-Barre.
Lon F. Mitten was married, in 1906, to Helen Louise Hemstreet, daughter of Obadiah and Augusta (Wentz) Hemstreet, and they are the parents of one daughter, Louise A., who is a student in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania.
THOMAS P. THOMAS-Always interested in sales promotion through the medium of advertising, it is a logical outcome of the early commercial days of Mr. Thomas, that he should turn to and develop splendidly, a large and live business of manufacturing dis- play signs. He is looked upon as one of the progressive and alert business men of the city of Wilkes-Barre.
Thomas P. Thomas was born in the town of Taylor, Lackawanna County, March 13, 1888, a son of John G. and Susan (Price) Thomas, both of whom were born in Schuylkill County. He attended the public schools of that place. For three years thereafter he worked in the mines of the district and then found a position as a clerk in a department store in Taylor, where he imbibed his first conceptions of advertising as a sales force. He then be- came window trimmer and advertising man for the men's clothing store of Lauer and Maiks in Scranton. His next move was to associate himself with the Hub Clothing Store of Wilkes-Barre. This was in 1906 and he stayed with the company for three years,
Vincent Gallizi M.D.
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developing his taste in window dressing and adding to his knowledge of advertising. In 1910 he ventured into the making of display signs, and the business has grown to the extent that it now occupies a two-story build- ing for its own housing and has acquired a reputation for originality, and is steadily growing in the volume of its output and In its contacts. Mr. Thomas is actively inter- ested in the community life of Kingston, where he makes his home, and belongs to the Kiwanis Club. He gives his support, politic- ally, to the Republican party and fraternally is a Mason, belonging to all the bodies of the Masonic order, and of the Bloomsbury Consistory of the Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret; and to the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
In 1909, Thomas P. Thomas married Mabel Morris, of Old Forge, a daughter of George B. and Lottie Morris. They have one daugh- ter, Faye, who was born in July, 1912.
DR. VINCENT GALLIZZI-Having been the recipient of honors accorded to few men in his native land, Dr. Vincent Gallizzi, of Pittston, is one of the younger physicians who has already established a reputation for unusual ability and skill in the exercise of his profession in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Dr. Gallizzi came to Pittston in August, 1927, and at once engaged in general medical prac- tice in the city, opening his office at 78 South Main Street, and since then he has acquired a clientele which is a splendid tribute to his accomplishments. He practiced in Italy for a few years but always the desire to come to the United States persisted, due to his con- tacts with the American Red Cross at the time of the war, and also due to the accounts he had received from his father who had worked with this great American organiza - tion at the time of the terrible catastrophe in Sicily, in 1908, when the earthquake de- stroyed the cities of Messina, Reggio and Calabria.
Dr. Gallizzi was born in Southern Italy, son of Dr. Dominic Gallizzi, a physician and sur- geon of San Calogero, Province of Catanzaro, Southern Italy, August 17, 1897. He received his early education in the schools of his native town, high school in Monteleone, Province of Calabro, and later entered the Royal University at Naples, where he applied himself to the medical course which he com- pleted and was graduated with the class of 1921. He at once engaged in practicing his profession in Italy and continued until 1923, when he sailed for the United States, and became an interne at the Easton Hospital, Easton, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1926, when he took his examinations before the Pennsylvania State Board and was certified as a medical practitioner. He con- tinued his connection with the Easton Hos- pital after passing his certification require- ments in January, 1926, until August, 1927, when he removed to Pittston and inaugurated his present independent practice. Dr. Gallizzi continues to receive the heartiest commenda- tion and approval of his fellow-townsmen who recognize and appreciate his thorough devotion to his profession and his remark- able erudition which he has exhibited on so many occasions. He is a constant student in matters of medical science and keeps abreast of every modern discovery and is ever ready to adopt new methods and ideas when they have been demonstrated to be of value in treating patients for whom he is ever con- cerned. He is active in the organizations con- nected with his profession, being a member of the Luzerne County and Pennsylvania Medical societies and the American Medical
Association. In civic and social affairs, he is prominent and ever ready to work for the good of his community and its people and every campaign finds in him an earnest and enthusiastic supporter. He is a popular member, founder and first president of the Century Club of Pittston, and his religious affiliations are with Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church. He is an accomplished lin- guist, speaking French, Italian and English.
While practicing in Italy, Dr. Gallizzi re- ceived from King Victor Emmanuel, the Cross of Chivalry of the Crown of Italy, January 7, 1923, it being conferred upon him for spe- cial service at the time when he was but twenty-six years of age, one of the youngest men ever to receive such an honored decora- tion. During the World War, he served in the Medical Department of the Italian Army, enlisting in September, 1916, and remaining in service until January, 1919, when he was mustered out with the rank of first lieuten- ant. While serving in the army, he came in contact with the American Red Cross Society and became most favorably impressed with their methods and activities and thus was implanted the desire which eventually brought him across the Atlantic. His father, Dr. Dominic Gallizzi was a member of the Italian Red Cross and at the time of the great Sicilian earthquake was called to the scene of the disaster, where he rendered heroic service and while there, worked side by side with the men of the American Red Cross, who did such noble work, and he told of the philanthropic performance of the Americans to his son who was but a child at that time. The memory of this occasion was another link in the chain of circumstances which induced him to come to the United States. Dr. Gallizzi has two brothers and three sisters: I. Anthony, an attorney in Messina. 2. Patsie, a medical student at the Royal University in Rome. 3. Carmen. 4. Chiara. 5. Antoinette.
Dr. Vincent Gallizzi married, October IS, 1926, Lina Matteucci, of Pittston, and they reside at No. 129 William Street, Pittston.
JOSEPH A. MULLEN-One of the able busi- ness men of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is the present owner and proprietor of the Clover Restaurant on North Market Street, who is no other than the individual whose name heads this review. He was born in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1895, the son of Patrick and Mary (Martin) Mullen. His father, a native of Ireland, came to this country to seek a live- lihood, and locating in the coal mining sec- tion of Nanticoke, found employment in the coal mines. His death occurred in 1898, and that of his wife, Joseph A. Mullen's mother, who was a native of New York City, in 1924.
Joseph A. Mullen was given only such edu- cation as the public schools of the neighbor- hood afforded, and at the age of fifteen began working in and around the mines where his father was employed. When he was eighteen years of age he decided to venture out for himself, and going to Wilkes-Barre, he found employment with the Atchison Bread Com- pany. With this concern he remained six years, during which time he became a valu- able salesman. His ability as a salesman be- came recognized and caused him to sever his connection with this company for a more remunerative one with the Kolb Bread Com- pany. In 1922 he started in business for him- self, opening a wholesale provision and pro- duce market, which he continued until 1924 under the title Quality Food & Products Com- pany, Mr. Mullen being the sole owner and
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manager. During this same time he did a small business in catering, and in 1924 took over the catering business of the Clover Res- taurant, in Wilkes-Barre. Mr. George H. Brayford was at that time the owner of the Clover Restaurant, and in 1925 took in Mr. Mullen as a partner. This partnership con- tinued until 1928, when Mr. Mullen purchased Mr. Brayford's interest. He has since con- tinued the restaurant alone, and is doing a thriving business, a force of thirty employ- ees carrying out his well-planned instruc- tions. Mr. Mullen is a young man who de- serves much credit for his rise in the busi- ness world.
During the World War he served with the 99th Division, having received training at Camp Lee, Virginia, and Camp Wheeler, Georgia. When the Armistice was signed and he was later honorably discharged from the army, he held the rank of sergeant. Mr. Mullen is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Order of Owls. His religious affiliation is with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
FALCONER R. GILBERT-An educator for several years and more recently the superin- tendent of the schools of Larksville, Mr. Gil- bert has had a splendid pedagogic training, well fitting him for executiveship in the field. Mr. Gilbert is not a Pennsylvanian by birth, having been born in Bainbridge, New York, on February 22, 1895, son of Don A. and Emma (Reese) Gilbert, the latter born in Luzerne County and the former at Bainbridge. The elder Gilbert is at present law librarian at the Luzerne County Court House.
Falconer R. Gilbert attended the public schools through the high school of Wilkes- Barre, graduating in 1912, and then matric- ulated at Hamilton College at Clinton, New York. He graduated from that college in 1917 with his degree of Bachelor of Arts and then went to the University of Wyoming for a further course, graduating from Wyoming in 1921. Between these dates the World War called most of the young men of our country to military service and Mr. Gilbert was one of those to enter into training at once. He was at the officers' training camp at Madison Barracks, New York, in 1917, and emerged from there with the rank of first lieutenant of infantry. He went overseas with the 7th Army Corps Headquarters, on detached serv- ice with the 16th Engineers. He was over there for thirteen months, seeing active service at the Meuse and Argonne offensives and then joining the Army of Occupation in Germany. He received his discharge in 1919 and it was then that he went to the Univer- sity of Wyoming, at Laramie. He taught at that institution for two years until called to act as principal of the West Pittston High School. He remained there for two years and then assumed charge of the Larksville schools where he has been since 1923, filling that posi- tion with eminent ability and earning the esteem and liking of the community. Mr. Gilbert is a Republican in his political con- victions and votes for that party's candidates at all elections. He helongs to the American Legion, the Kiwanis Club of Plymouth, Lu- zerne County, and to his college fraternity, the Chi Psi. He and his wife are regular at- tendants of the Presbyterian Church.
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