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 77
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committeeman from the Fifth Legislative District and held other minor offices. Mat- ters of a public nature have always held the active attention of Mr. Cleary-his pro- fessional practice serves to give him both an intimate and a broad outlook upon poli- tical events in the making and the results attained. His concern with local progress along civic and commercial lines quite natu- rally follows in his work as correspondent, and this general interest commends him to the further regard of the people. One of the honors the town conferred upon him was that of president of the Board of Health, the duties of which office he discharges with punctilious regard for the health of the com- munity.
Mr. Cleary is a lifelong resident of "Old Shawnee," and a charter member of Plymouth Council, No. 984, Knights of Columbus, and Plymouth Aerie, No. 546, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and an honored member of the Father Mathew Society. He and his family worship at St. Vincent's Roman Catholic Church.
William B. Cleary married, January 1, 1901, Mary T. Lynch, of Plymouth, daughter of Thomas and Mary Lynch. Their children are: Mary Theresa, Ann Elizabeth, and William B. Jr.
ROLAND GROVER-Since 1923 Roland Grover has been assistant cashier of the Miners' Bank of Wilkes-Barre, one of the largest financial institutions in the State of Pennsylvania. He is a man of wide experi- ence in his chosen occupation, having held a number of positions with various banking houses, both in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, and he has proved himself a man of excep- tional ability and acumen. Aside from his business career he is extremely prominent in the social and fraternal life of his com- munity.
Mr. Grover was born on November 29, 1886, at Hobbie, Hollenback Township, Penn- sylvania, the son of Marshall E. Grover, now retired, and of Emma May Grover, both of whom are living at No. 487 South River Street, Wilkes-Barre. Marshall E. Grover is the son of Joshua and Ellen (Shortz) Grover, members of old Luzerne County families, Joshua Grover, who, in early life was a farmer, lived until his ninetieth year. Mar- shall and Emma May Grover became the parents of two children: 1. Thaddeus Ray- mond, who is now assistant superintendent of the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hos- pital, in New York City. 2. Roland.
Roland Grover attended the public schools of Luzerne County, and the Wilkes-Barre High School, from which he was graduated in 1905. Later he was graduated from the Wilkes-Barre branch of the Wharton Ex- tension School of the University of Pennsyl- vania, being a member of the class of 1916. Meanwhile his business career was well under way. His first position was with the Lehigh Valley Railroad in a clerical capacity. Later he became connected with the Hanover Bank of South Wilkes-Barre, and after one year accepted a position with the Luzerne County National Bank, where he remained until 1923. At that time the Luzerne County Bank was merged with the Miners' Bank of Wilkes- Barre, and Mr. Grover became assistant cashier of the latter institution, in which position he has continued since that time with great success.
Politically, he is a member of the Repub- lican party. He is a member and a liberal supporter of the First Evangelical Church, of Wilkes-Barre. He is affiliated fraternally with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which
organization he is a member of Blue Lodge, No. 61; of Shekinah Chapter, No. 182 of the Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Comman- dery, No. 45, of the Knights Templar; Cald- well Consistory, at Bloomsburg, Pennsyl- vania, of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree, and Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Wyoming Valley Motor Club, and of the Irem Temple Country Club.
Mr. Grover is unmarried and resides with his parents at No. 487 South River Street, Wilkes-Barre.
ARTHUR E. BOOTH-Attainment of the supreme executive control of the school sys- tem of such an important municipality as Luzerne at the age of thirty years is an achievement of which Arthur E. Booth may well he proud. Qualified for the position of supervising principal by education and per- sonal attributes, his selection for the post has met with the approval of all citizens who have made more than a cursory study of the educational situation and who have watched his rise. His work prior to coming to Luzerne was of such quality as to indicate the cor- rectness of his choice of vocation and there is every reason to expect him to continue to advance, although self-interest would cause the community to deplore a promotion that would remove him from his present position in control of the instruction of the youth of Luzerne.
He was born in Sweden, June 26, 1897, a son of John A. Booth, a lace finisher by trade and English by birth, and Helena (Helberg) Booth, a native of Sweden, who came to America when their on was an infant and settled in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsyl- vania. His education was attained in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, he was grad- uated from high school in 1915 and then at- tended the Pennsylvania State College for four years, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1919, when he began teaching at Pottsville. He continued there for three years and then came to Luzerne, where he held the post of principal of the high school for five years, when he was selected for his present position. The Lu- zerne schools are housed in two buildings, with a capacity of one thousand and four hundred students under thirty-six teachers. The present high school building was erected in 1912. Mr. Booth is a Republican in politics and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is affiliated with Free and Accepted Ma- sons, member of the Blue Lodge, No. 61; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His college fraternity is Sigma Phi Sigma.
Arthur E. Booth married. November 28, 1922, Florence Carey, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Carey, of Wilkes-Barre.
DANIEL W. DAVIS-In the business of plumbing contracting, Daniel W. Davis, of Plymouth, has reached a secure position and applies to his work an estimable quality of intelligent effort and high grade material and construction. He entered the business after a long and careful preparation, which is reflected in the class of work he has done for the builders of this district, where many fine structures bear the mark of his industry and capability. Of the highest character as a citizen and business man, he has drawn trade to his establishment which has a brought him prosperity as well as fame. Of
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happy personality, engaging in his attrac- tive qualities, he makes friends readily and holds them securely, being considered one of the leaders in the field in which he operates.
He was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1889, a son of William Davis, a coal miner, now deceased, and Elizabeth (Evans) Davis, both natives of Wales, living, and received his education in the public schools here and in Wilkes-Barre, where he also attended business college, taking a spe- cial course in accounting. He then took up the study of plumbing and heating and fol- lowed this trade for five years, at the end of which period he established himself in contracting, opening his first store in 1912 on Hanover Street, Plymouth, Penn- sylvania, and purchased another in Wilkes- Barre, at No. 331 South Main Street, in 1925, employing an average of seven men. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Kiwanis Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Master Plumbing and Heating Association, Knights of Malta and Patriotic Order Sons of America. He attends the Welsh First Baptist Church. A director of the Clark Lumber & Supply Company, Plymouth, Penn- sylvania.
Daniel W. Davis married, October 30, 1916, Stella Pilgret, daughter of John Pilgret, an electrical engineer, who died in 1901, and Mary (Knox) Pilgret, a native of England, still living. They are the parents of one son: Theodore A., born September 27, 1917.
ISAAC WILLIAM GRANGER-Having a combined education in the professions of min- ing and civil engineering, with practical experience from his sixteenth year, Isaac William Granger, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, has reached a position of high importance in the coal mining industry of this State, as well as won the regard and respect of a large circle of acquaintances and friends. From boyhood he has shown himself to be of an unusually industrious nature, with a mind peculiarly suited to the technical and mechanical details of the professions he fol- lowed. He has made a notable success in organization of the units that comprise the operating forces that build and that wrest from the earth the products demanded by modern civilization. He has been known through all his works as a man of fair- ness to all, with a capacity for achievement and a technical knowledge that has enabled him to erect with speed and exactitude trans- portation facilities, or to bring to the mar- ket the products of the mines or fields. His personality has made him a host of friends and his high plane of citizenship has brought to him the sincere respect of his fellow- citizens.
He was born in Girardville, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1885, son of John B. Granger, a native of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and of Ellen (Jarvis) Granger, born in England, in 1860, whose death occurred December 16, 1890. His father was born in 1859 and at the time of his death, September 14, 1902, was overseer of the Girard Estate at Girardville. Their son was educated in the public schools of his native town and was graduated from high school in 1901. He then became asso- ciated with the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company and made a study of civil and mining engineering, with head- quarters in Pottsville, where he worked until 1907. He was then employed by the Piney Creek Coal Company to go to West Virginia and open the soft coal beds of the new river fields. This work required one year,
when he returned to Pennsylvania and be- came assistant to the mining engineer of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company at Landsford, where he remained until 1914. In that year he became county engineer of Carbon County, holding the office for four years. In 1918 he built the trolley railroad from Shenandoah to Pottsville for the Schuyl- kill Railway Company, after which he became associated with the technical division of the Du Pont Powder Company, of Wilmington, Delaware, where he continued for two years. This work was abandoned to accept the post of assistant to the consulting engineer of the Hudson Coal Company, with offices at Scranton, where he remained for one year, when he was transferred to the Loree Divi- sion of that corporation at Larksville, with the post of assistant colliery superintendent. He is a Republican in politics and attends the Presbyterian Church, being president of the Men's Club of that religious body. He is also president of the Kiwanis Club and is affiliated with Lodge No. 597, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Scranton; with Lacka- wanna Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Melita Commandery, No. 68, Knights Templar; also with Ashland Camp, No. 84, Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Isaac William Granger married, August 18, 1908, Dora Holmes, of Lansford, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of John E. and Hannah Holmes. They are the parents of six chil- dren: Ellen Jarvis; Isaac William, Jr .; Doris; Charles Avard; John Holmes; and Jean Ruth.
JOSEPH J. JANOWSKI-Coming to America from his birthplace in Poland when he was fifteen years of age, Joseph J. Janowski be- gan a career in the new land that has been a constant advance, until he now is recog- nized as one of the leading retail merchants and most progressive citizens of Nanticoke. In large measure success perches upon the banners of those who select a business early in life and never deviate from the original. This has been the case with this merchant, except that he has added to his enterprise other lines of trade that have proved equally advantageous. He is a man of broad com- mercial vision, of unflagging industry, of impeccable honesty, sound in his religion and meritorious as a citizen.
Joseph J. Janowski was born in Poland, March 17, 1874, a son of William and Appo- lonja (Osowski) Janowski. In 1889 he emi- grated to America, settled in Philadelphia, and obtained work in the sausage depart- ment of a local meat store, where he re- mained but for a short time. He then went on to Chicago, Illinois, and was employed by Swift & Company in the packing department of that great house. One year there and he came to Nanticoke and took a clerkship in Gable's meat store, where he remained until 1907, when he founded an independent butcher business on a small capital. His place was at No. 519 South Market Street and with gro- ceries as a side line he met with immediate encouragement and prosperity began to smile on his efforts. His vision told him of another venture that seemed to be promising and he established a school supply store at No. 7 East Noble Street, which he has conducted for upward of twenty years. He became financially interested in other enterprises and was one of the organizers of the Miners' Bank of Nanticoke, of which he has been a director since its foundation. He is treasurer of the Merchants' Association of Nanticoke and a member of the National Polish Alliance of America, as well as of the Polish Union of America and the Falcons Lodge of America.
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He is religiously affiliated with the Roman Catholic churches of St. Stanislaus and Holy Trinity.
Mr. Janowski married, in 1897, Frances Bozemski, of Nanticoke. Their children are: I. Leo, a meat merchant, who married Julia Groblowski and is the father of one child, Jeanie. 2. Henry, engaged in business with his father; married Mary Sikut and is the father of one child, Joseph. 3. Cecelia, wife of Alphonse Groblowski, a druggist, with two children, Marietta and Joseph. 4. Edward, a student at St. Thomas' College, Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. Casmere, a student in Nan- ticoke High School. 6. Eleanor, a student at Nanticoke High School. 7. Joseph J., Jr. They reside at No. 7 East Noble Street, Nanticoke.
BALA S. NEARY-Starting out in life with- out a dollar, Bala S. Neary has made himself one of the substantial citizens of Kingston, Pennsylvania. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1895, only son of Stephen and Telka (Perchy) Neary, The father is dead, but Mr. Neary's mother still survives.
As a boy Mr. Neary attended the public schools of Kingston. At the age of ten, lie was employed in the grocery store of S. A. Boyd, at Kingston Corners, Kingston, where he remained for fifteen years. In 1918, the entrance of the United States into the World War took him into the Motor Transport Corps of the United States Army and he served at different stations in the United States. Honorably discharged and once more in civilian life, Mr. Neary, in 1920, formed a partnership with L. R. Turner and together they have successfully managed the Quality Restaurant, a business in which they are engaged at the present time.
Mr. Neary is Republican in politics and he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Irem Country Club; Kingston Lodge No. 709, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America, of Kingston. He is also a member of the Crafts- man's Club, and the Black Diamond Post, No. 395, of the American Legion.
Mr. Neary married, March 4, 1924, Ruth Ebbeson, daughter of John Ebbeson, of Wilkes-Barre. They are the parents of one son, Robert Ebbeson Neary.
HARRY TREBILCOX-A resident of Plym- outh, Pennsylvania, for many years, Harry Trebilcox is prominent in all phases of com- munity affairs. He has had much experience in mines and local mining operations, and when, in 1919, he was appointed adjuster of the State Compensation Board, by Governor Sproul, no man could have been found better fitted by temperament and training than Mr. Trebilcox. In addition to this work he has occupied various positions in the Plymouth government, and taken an active part in the civic and social life of this place.
Mr. Trebilcox was born in Plymouth, on March 1, 1882, a son of James Trebilcox, a coal miner, who was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, in 1844, and died in 1900, and of Eliza (Moore) Trebilcox, who was born in 1853, also in Cornwall, and who is still living.
Harry Trebilcox attended the public schools of his birthplace, and at the age of ten began work in a coal breaker. In the course of a year, merited promotion came to him and he
became fireman, and then assistant foreman in the mines, retaining this position until 1919, when he was appointed adjuster of the State Compensation Board by Governor Sproul. To the work of this office he has since devoted his time and attention, dis- charging all duties which come to him, in a highly efficient manner.
Politically, Mr. Trebilcox supports the prin- ciples and candidates of the Republican party. Since 1910, he has been a member of the Plym- outh Borough Council, and during the years 1908 to 1910, he served as borough auditor. Mr. Trebilcox is affiliated fraternally with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is also a member of Lodge No. 872, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of Fire Department No. 3. He and his family worship in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the Plym- outh Church of this denomination, Mr. Trebil- cox is a local minister.
On March 25, 1903, Harry Trebilcox mar- ried Lydia May Horley, of Plymouth, daugh- ter of William and Lydia Horley of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Trebilcox are the parents of two children: 1. Myra Lydia, a graduate of Bloomsburg Normal School, and now a teacher in the public schools of Kingston, Pennsylvania. 2. James, who was graduated from Plymouth High School, and Wyoming Seminary, and is now taking the course in mining engineering at Lafayette College.
DALLAS C. SHOBERT-It is not often that fate decrees more than one successful career for an individual, yet such is the case of Dallas C. Shobert, of Wilkes-Barre, who, for a quarter of a century has been one of our leading musicians and who has, at the same time, been a vital force in several political activities. Add to these the business of a successful merchant and a very unusual com- bination of talents appears. Mr. Shobert's interest in civic affairs of the Wyoming Val- ley has commended him to the progressive element of the community, while his talents as a musician, his attractive personality, his friendly accord with all manner of social and fraternal activities and his stainless reputa- tion make him one of our most valuable citizens.
He was born in Hollenback Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1879, a son of Amos Shobert, born in 1843 in Hollenback Township, and a merchant in Shickshinny and Hollenback Township, until his death in May, 1927, and of Sabilla (Grover) Shobert, born in Hollenback Town- ship, in 1846, deceased September, 1927. He was educated in the local public schools and afterward attended the Philadelphia Con- servatory of Music, from which he graduated as a pianist in 1897. He then took up the profession seriously and established himself in Wilkes-Barre in orchestral and church musical work. He also established a piano merchandising husiness which he has con- ducted for six years. Interesting himself in politics and affiliating himself with the Re- publican party, he served on the Pennsyl- vania State Board of Motion Picture Censors for five years, was chief deputy sheriff of Luzerne County under Sheriff La Bar for four years and in 1928 became personnel deputy to Sheriff MacLuskie. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 655, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of St. Clement's Protestant Episcopal Church.
Dallas C. Shobert married, in 1907, Bertha
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Erath, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Charles WV. and Emma (Hassert) Erath, both natives of this county.
HARHY LOUIS HEESE-For twenty-two years Harry I. Reese was identified with the Susquehanna Collieries Company, of Wilkes- Barre, as an electrical engineer, in which field he has long been an expert. Mr. Reese is a graduate of Lafayette College, of Easton, Pennsylvania.
Abraham Reese, father of Mr. Reese, was living in the South at the time of the open- ing of the Civil War, and he promptly joined the Confederate Army, with which he served throughout the four years of the conflict, the greater part of the time under the command of General Albert Sidney Johnson. After the close of the war he came to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and located at Plymouth, Penn- sylvania, where he was a successful merchant for many years. Upon his retirement from active business life he located in Wilkes- Barre, where he passed the remainder of his life in retirement. He died at the family home, corner South and Franklin streets, on February 17, 1914. Abraham Reese's wife, Sarah, was the daughter of Louis and Fannie (Mayer) Reese. Louis Reese was murdered, and his slayer was the first man hung in Luzerne County. His widow married (second) Isaac Livingston, a prominent merchant of the early days in Wilkes-Barre. Abraham and Sarah Reese were the parents of the fol- lewing children: Ella, unmarried, who re- sides in Brooklyn, New York: Ruth H., de- ceased; Jeannette R., wife of Jacob Fleisch- man, of Philadelphia; Harry L., of further mention; Dr. William C., who died of the "flu" while in service as a lieutenant in the Med- ical Reserve Corps of the United States Army during the World War, his death occurring in 1918: Gertrude, married Samuel W. Myers, of Brooklyn, New York; and Marion R., who married Arthur A. Sternberger. Both Abra- ham Reese and his wife Sarah died in Wilkes- Barre, he dying February 17, 1914, at the age of seventy-four, and his wife, on January 14, 1922, at the age of fifty.
Harry L. Reese, son of Abraham and Sarah Reese, was born in Plymouth, Luzerne County. Pennsylvania, April 8, 1882, and as a boy attended the public schools of Plymouth. Later he graduated from the Wilkes-Barre High School with the class of 1900, and in the fall of 1901 he matriculated in Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905, receiving at that time the degree of Elec- trical Engineer. After graduation he secured practical experience and training by taking the apprentice course in the plant of the General Electric Company, at Schenectady, New York, and in the spring of 1906 he associated himself with the Susquehanna Coal Company. Later he became identified with the Susquehanna Collieries Company, and his connection with that concern was continuous to October, 1927. He served as electrical engineer, and during the many years of his connection with the concern he has rendered service of marked efficiency. He is a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and is well known among his professional associates. He is a Republican in his political sympathies, and is public-spirited but prefers to serve his community as a private citizen rather than as a public official. While in college he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and he is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; and of Keystone Consistory, of
Scranton, in which he holds the thirty-sec- ond degree; also of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Bene- volent and Protective Order of Elks, and Kiwanis Club. Mr. Reese has his office in the Wells Building, at Wilkes-Barre.
JOHN A. PARRY-A resident of Luzerne County since infancy and now a member of the Board of County Assessors, John A. Parry has given much of his time and ability to work for his community. As a Federal and county official he has ever performed his duties with efficiency and impartiality.
Mr. Parry was born December 16, 1867 at Mt. Carmel, Northumberland County, Penn- sylvania, the son of John and Mary (Jones) Parry, the former for many years superin- tendent for W. G. Payne and Company, East Boston Colliery. He died in 1916 at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife, the mother of John A. Parry of this record, passed away in 1913 at the age of seventy- one years.
John A. Parry is a grandson of the founder of the family in this country, Hugh Parry, who came to the United States in 1830 and settled in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparent of John A. Parry was John R. Jones, who immigrated to this country in 1832, going first to Carbondale, but finally locating in Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Both of these ances- tors of Mr. Parry were from Wales.
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