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 88
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To the Republican party, Mr. Jackson has always given his political allegiance, and he is considered one of the party's strong men in his district. His fraternal obligations are made to Lodge No. 327, Free and Accepted Masons; Chapter No. 227, Royal Arch Masons, of Hazleton; and Lodge No. 200, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a Past Exalted Ruler. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian denomination.
William A. Jackson married, in 1902, Har- riett Mott Bobst, of Drifton, daughter of Frank and Libb Bobst. They have their resi- dence in Ebervale.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM A. CLARK-Entering the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police as a private, after having served five years in the United States Army, William A. Clark of Wyoming has advanced steadily in the State organization until he now holds the rank of captain, in command of Troop B, covering the northeastern district of Penn- sylvania. The requirements of this police organization are not easy of accomplishment, and the present rank of Captain Clark speaks volumes for his training and inherent ability. The Pennsylvania State Police are second to no other institution in efficiency and disci- pline, and it is largely due to the efforts of such men as Mr. Clark that it has attained the prestige it now enjoys. Banking, fra- ternal organizations, and social life, too, have felt the influence of this man, for while he is a stern and conscientious official in the
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conduct of his police duties, he also is the possessor of a temperament and personality that make him popular with all law-abiding classes.
William A. Clark was horn June 26, 1880, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his parents being the late Andrew J. and Margaret V. (Tracey) Clark. The father, also a native of Philadelphia, followed railroading through- out his life. He was born in 1844 and was a locomotive engineer at the time of his death in 1896. Margaret V. (Tracey) Clark was born in 1846, at Philadelphia, and died in 1894.
William A. Clark attended the public schools of Philadelphia, being graduated from high school there in 1897. His school days ended, Mr. Clark availed himself of an opportunity to enter the engraving trade, and this occupied him for three years. The lure of adventure removed him from this calling at the end of that period, and he entered military service in 1900, being assigned to the 21st Infantry, United States Army. With this unit he was transported to the Philippine Islands, where he assisted in quelling the insurrections that preceded the relinquish- ment of these islands to the United States by the Spanish government. Mr. Clark's enlist- ment expired in 1905, and he returned to his native State. Soon after his arrival he en- tered the Pennsylvania State Police as a private, but his previous military training soon brought him promotion. He filled vari- ous offices in the organization until 1917, in which year he was commissioned lieutenant, and shortly afterwards, in 1918, was made a captain, the rank which he now retains. Cap- tain Clark has served in many districts of the State during his years with the State Po- lice, and was placed in command of Troop B. This unit has eighty men on its rolls, covers the Northeastern District, and has its head- quarters at No. 475 Wyoming Avenue, Wyo- ming.
Captain Clark was an important factor in establishing the First National Bank of Exeter, which opened its doors for business in February, 1928, and he now is a valued member of the board of directors and vice- president of that financial institution, which is headed by Louis N. Jacobs. Mr. Clark usually casts his ballot for Republican prin- ciples and candidates of that political party, and fraternal affiliations include Lodge No. 382, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Knights of Columbus, and the Fox Hill Country Club. A follower of Catholicism, Captain Clark attends St. Cecelia's Catholic Church, as do the other members of his family.
William A. Clark was married, June 26, 1913, to Rose C. Daley, of West Pittston, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Thomas and Anna Daley, and she and her husband have become the parents of six children: 1. Wil- liam, Jr., born in February, 1916. 2. George E., born in February, 1917. 3. Eugene J., born in May, 1918, and died at the age of five years. 4. Thomas F., born in October, 1919. 5. Margaret A., born in April, 1923. 6. Lucille V., born in October, 1924, and died at the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Clark and their children reside at No. 298 Monu- ment Avenue, Wyoming.
B. FORD JOHNSON-Conducting one of the oldest general merchandise concerns in Trucksville, one that was founded by his father in 1895, B. Ford Johnson has proved a worthy successor to his parent, having as- sumed full charge of the establishment at the
death of the elder Mr. Johnson. In this husi- ness he has striven to emulate the example of the founder, and that his efforts have not been in vain is attested to by the Increased patronage given the store. Mr. Johnson has adhered strictly to a policy of giving the customer the benefit of shrewd buying and economical administration, and this has proved profitable, both from a financial view- point and from that of the satisfaction that comes with the knowledge of an honestly- conducted business.
Mr. Johnson was born June 6, 1893, and is a native of the county in which he since has lived, having been born at Chase. His father, William C. Johnson, was born in Jackson Township, Luzerne County, in 1865, and passed away in 1928, after a long and successful career as a merchant in Trucks- ville. He had married Jennie Coolbaugh, born in Jackson Township, in 1865, who sur- vives her husband. She is a daughter of the family well known in Luzerne County.
B. Ford Johnson attended the public schools of Luzerne, graduating from high school in 1910. Then followed additional scholastic training at Wyoming Seminary and Wyoming College of Business, after which Mr. Johnson entered the business founded more than thirty years ago by his father. This association endured until April 9, 1928, when B. Ford Johnson assumed con- trol of the firm, after the death of William C. Johnson. Everything usually found in a general store is stocked by Mr. Johnson, and special efforts are made to keep the merchan- dise fresh and up-to-date. This, and Mr. Johnson's ethical standards, combine to place the store among the better known business institutions of Trucksville. In political issues, Mr. Johnson has usually been a supporter of the Democratic party, although he refuses ¿o allow partisan policies to blind him to the capabilities of a candidate of different faith. He is a member of the Mount Greenwood Kiwanis Club, and he and his family attend the Presbyterian Church of Luzerne.
The marriage of B. Ford Johnson and Pearl M. Barrett was solemnized on June 14, 1914, and on January 3, 1916, they became the parents of a daughter, Mollie Jean. Pearl M. (Barrett) Johnson is a native of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, and her parents were John and Mary Ellen (Eustice) Barrett. John Barrett, born at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in 1843, died in 1925, while his wife, born at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1854, passed away in 1917. Mrs. Johnson is a musician of note, and was engaged in piano instruction previ- ous to her marriage. She has continued this teaching since her residence here, having taught in Kingston and throughout the Wyo- ming Valley.
CHARLES MILLARD HARTER-This fam- ily is one of the oldest in Pennsylvania, long resident in Cunningham Township, dating back to 1796 when the town was known as Hollenback. It was one of the original fam- ilies to settle here. Charles Millard Harter, of Wapwallopen, has in his possession today a grant written upon sheepskin from the heirs of William Penn conveying a tract to the Harters. His father, Jacob William Har- ter, was born at Nescopeck, in 1848, and died in November, 1922, having spent many years actively engaged in agriculture. His mother, Martha (Weiss) Harter, was born in Wap- wallopen, in 1848, and died in 1913.
Charles Millard Harter, foremost citizen of Wapwallopen, was born in this community, April 1, 1875. He attended the public schools,
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studied at Wyoming Seminary, at Michaels University of Logansport, Indiana, and com- pleted his academic instruction at Blooms- burg Normal School, following which he went to work for the Bell Telephone Company, at St. Louis, Missouri. For six years he was employed by this large organization, and be- came one of their valued men. He built the Hollenback Telephone Company's lines and exchange in the Wyoming Valley, 1904-05, then, for two years, served as manager of the Berwick Telephone exchange. In March, 1917, he went into the hardware business, in Wapwallopen, organizing his firm under the style of Harter's Hardware Company, hand- ling a general line of farm implements, all hardware goods, and in addition a well- known make of tractor. During the some- what more than one decade of his enterprise, fortune has followed him, and he is accounted one of the leading commercial figures of this part of the Wilkes-Barre area. He is vice- president and a director of the Nescopeck National Bank, holding other and similar connections of an extensive scale.
A Republican, Mr. Harter has interested himself liberally in the general affairs per- taining to the community's advancement, and served as auditor of Cunningham Township. Fraternally he is prominent in the works of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is a member of Knapp Lodge, No. 62, of Berwick; Caldwell Consistory, at Blooms- burg, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Also, he is affiliated with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, being a member of Lodge No. 334, and with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a mem- ber of the Kiwanis Club and a communicant of the Lutheran Church. During the period of America's participation in the World War, Mr. Harter had just entered the hardware busi- ness. He was able, through his position in the town's affairs, to give valued assistance to the campaigns of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross, helping as he could to further all causes of patriotic appeal.
Mr. Harter married, in 1900, Sarah C. Karchner, of Wapwallopen, daughter of Absalom B. and Hannah Karchner. They have a son, Wilbur Allen, who was born March 21, 1904, and is now associated with his father in business. Wilbur Allen Harter is a graduate of Nescopeck High School and Gettsyburg College, from which he took the degree of Bachelor of Science.
ROBERT J. MeNULTY-Thoroughly equipped to enter into the profession of his choice, by inheritance and training, Robert J. Mc- Nulty, funeral director of Freeland, has combined these with tact and decorum, thus explaining the trust and confidence in which he is held here. His father, uncle, and brother have been similarly engaged, and thus the name of MeNulty has become almost synony- mous with reliability and finesse whenever qualifications of morticians are discussed. Mr. McNulty, while still a young man, has been engaged in Freeland as a funeral direc- tor for almost a decade, and during this period has conducted his professional duties in such a manner as to win the admiration of his colleagues and the esteem of those in need of his services.
Mr. McNulty was born on May 13, 1894, the son of Patrick F. and Margaret (Boyle) Mc- Nulty, of Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, one of thirteen children: Peter, Nellie, Sarah, Hugh, William, Andrew, John, Charles, Robert J., of further mention; Mary, and three children
who died in infancy. Patrick F. McNulty for many years was in business in Hazleton, a partner in the firm of McNulty Brothers. This undertaking concern he continued after the death of his brother, coming to Freeland dur- ing the exciting period in which the "Molly McGuires" were active. Here he conducted his business until the time of his death, in June, 1908. He was well known throughout this section of the country, did a large busi- ness, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of a great number of the residents here. Al- though born in Ireland, he came to this country at the age of seven years. He was especially active in political circles, and wielded a great influence in local Democratic affairs.
Robert J. McNulty was educated at St. Ann's High School, and studied at the Mining and Engineering Institute. Later he received his professional training in one of the best known institutions of its kind in this coun- try, the Eckels School of Embalming, being graduated therefrom in 1913. Previous to this course, however, he had worked with his father and had obtained many of the funda- mentals of the undertaking business. Soon after his graduation he went to work for his brother-in-law, who also was a funeral direc- tor. He remained thus employed until 1922, when he opened his present concern in Free- land. With the commencement of his indi- vidual enterprise, experienced as he was in matters of this kind, he soon became well known for his reliability, refined demeanor, and tact. His establishment has grown rap- idly and contains complete and thoroughly modern equipment, including a morgue, nicely appointed funeral parlors, and other appurtenances, including a splendid limou- sine hearse, for the conduct of such an insti- tution.
Ever alert to new methods and practices concerned with his profession, Mr. McNulty affiliates with, and takes a serious part in the various societies peculiar to his calling. He is a member of the Luzerne County Fu- neral Directors' Association, the Pennsyl- vania State Funeral Directors' Association, and the National Funeral Directors' Associa- tion. Mr. McNulty served his country during the World War, having entered the military in 1918; went overseas with the 305th M. S. T. He remained in France for about fourteen months, most of this time being spent at the front, until the Armistice. He was mustered out in June, 1919, having given valorous service to his country. A man possessing full confidence of his fellow-citizens, Mr. Mc- Nulty has been conspicuous in the various movements designed for the community's ad- vancement. A devout Catholic, he and his wife attend St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. McNulty is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He retains connections with his former comrades-in-arms through his mem- bership in the American Legion.
Mr. McNulty married, in November, 1927, Mary Mezner, of Freeland, and in this town they make their residence at No. 405 Center Street.
THOMAS HALE KEISER-Associated with Victor Lee Dodson, Thomas Hale Keiser is proprietor and director of the Wilkes-Barre Business College at Nos. 29-31 West North- ampton Street, Wilkes-Barre. He is known for his ability as an instructor, having been a teacher in (and director of) several schools, and one of the staff under Mr. Dodson in the Wilkes-Barre Commercial College, before their joint operation of the new institution,
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which became effective on July 21, 1921, and was transferred to the more spacious and modern building.
Thomas Hale Keiser was born in Hanover Township, Luzerne County, on a farm, the son of Edward A. and Sarah (Edwards) Keiser. The father resides on a farm at Askam; the mother died in 1926 at the age of sixty-five years. Edward A. Keiser is the son of Emanuel Keiser, who was a contrac- tor, and who built the old Methodist Church at Askam; and he is the father of ten chil- dren, nine of whom reached maturity: 1. Raymond, of Forty Fort, Luzerne County. 2. Valentine, who died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. 3. Ethel, wife of Robert J. Hagen- baugh, of Hanover Township. 4. Edna, wife Df R. R. Metcalf, merchant of Askam. 5. Thomas Hale, of whom further. 6. Lavina, widow of Arthur Loewer of Nanticoke, Penn- sylvania. 7. Anna, wife of Frank Regan of New Jersey. S. Edward A., Jr. 9. Harry, of Askam.
Thomas Hale Keiser was educated in the public schools of Hanover Township, then graduated from the Bloomsburg State Normal School in the class of 1911, after which he taught school for eight years in Hanover Township. He was for five years principal of the Newtown Public School. In 1919 Mr. Keiser established residence in Wilkes-Barre and became teacher and principal in the commercial department of the Wilkes-Barre Commercial College, under Mr. Dodson, at that time located on West Market Street. Soon after followed the partnership between Mr. Keiser and Mr. Dodson and the estab- lishment of the new school on Northampton Street, West. Mr. Keiser has extensive fra- ternal affiliations. He is a member of the Coalville Lodge, No. 64, of Ashley, Luzerne County, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 82, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Also, he is a member of the Shrine Country Club, the Franklin Club, Private School Owners' Association, the School Men's Club of Luzerne County, and of the Eastern Commercial Teachers' Asso- ciation. Mr. Keiser was for many years a first-class athlete. While in the normal school at Bloomsburg he played football, basketball and baseball.
Thomas Hale Keiser married, June 30, 1915, Agnes A. Treas, daughter of Frank and Mary S. Treas of Luzerne County, and niece of Judge Andrew M. Treas of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. and Mrs. Keiser are the parents of two children, Thomas Hale, Jr., and Mary Lois.
Mr. Keiser is a self-made man, and of that he is proud, as he is of his family, which is one of the oldest in the county. His great grandfather, Valentine Keiser, was an early settler in Hanover Township, and for many years was the proprietor of the Old Red Tavern at Hanover Green.
JOIN P. SCHMITT-One of the well-known builders and brick manufacturers of Wilkes- Barre is John P. Schmitt, who with his broth- ers, Martin H. and Frank J., is one of the partners of the firm of John A. Schmitt's Sons, contractors and builders, workers in brick, stone, and concrete masonry, and man- ufacturers of brick, with offices at No. 38 Bennett Building, in Wilkes-Barre.
John A. Schmitt, father of Mr. Schmitt, was one of the well-known citizens of Wilkes-Barre and for more than fifty years was engaged in the contracting and building and brick manufacturing business here. The
business established by him, now known as John A. Schmitt's Sons, is one of the oldest concerns of its kind in Luzerne County, and has built many of the modern husiness houses and homes in Luzerne County. Mr. Schmitt was a Republican in his political allegiance, and was a member of St. Nicholas' Roman Catholic Church, of Wilkes-Barre. He mar- ried, and he and his wife, Victoria, were the parents of nine children: John P., of further mention; Martin H., Frank J., Mary, de- ceased; Otto, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Lena, deceased; Frederick J., a practicing physician in Wilkes-Barre, and Carl J., an architect in Wilkes-Barre. The father of this family died at the age of fifty-four years, and the mother is still living, aged seventy- four years.
John P. Schmitt, son of John A. and Vic- toria Schmitt, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1875, and as a boy attended the public schools of his birthplace and St. Nicholas Parochial School. Later, he completed his education in Wyoming Semi- nary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania. As a young man he became associated with his father in the building and contracting business, also in the manufacturing of bricks, and as his hrothers reached years of maturity they, too, were admitted to the business, which, after the death of the father, was continued under the name of John A. Schmitt's Sons, the name under which it still operates. As has already heen stated, this concern is one of the oldest and best known in Luzerne County, and has been an important factor in the development of many sections of the county, building many of the modern business houses and also a very large number of private dwelling houses in this section. The three brothers, John P., Martin H., and Frank J., are well known for their skill and their sound knowl- edge of the business in which they are en- gaged, and they have also made a reputation for sound business methods. In addition to his responsibilities and activities as a build- ing contractor and as a manufacturer of bricks, Mr. Schmitt is a member of the board of directors of the Lake Transit Company which operates on Harvey's Lake, in Luzerne County, a director of the Dime Bank Title and Trust Company of Wilkes-Barre, and a director of the Jones Oil and Supply Com- pany, of Wilkes-Barre. Politically, he gives his support to the principles and the candi- dates of the Republican party, but has never participated in its activities. He is a member of Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Wyoming Valley Country Club, and his religious affiliation is with St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, of Wilkes-Barre.
John P. Schmitt was married to Anna Men- toup, of New York, and they are the parents of four children: 1. John A., who is associ- ated with the Haddock Coal Company, of Wilkes-Barre. 2. Mary B., wife of Frank Malenowski, of Wilkes-Barre. 3. Victor C., a musician, of Detroit, Michigan. 4. Berna- dina, who lives at home with her father. Mrs. Schmitt died August 31, 1924.
MICHAEL A. DONAHUE-With the excep- tion of the period during which he was serv- ing in the World War, Michael A. Donahue has been continuously engaged in general legal practice in Wilkes-Barre since his admission to the bar in 1915. He has his offices at No. 203 in the Dime Bank Building, where he is taking care of a large clientele.
Michael A. Donahue was born in Glen Lyon, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Febru-
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ary 22, 1890, son of John and Catherine (Barrett) Donahue, the first mentioned of whom was a coal miner, and the father of two children: Michael A., the subject of this review; and Mary, wife of John Walsh.
Mr. Donahue grew up at Glen Lyon, and after attending the local public schools, be- came a student in the State Normal School at Stroudsburg, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1905. After the com- pletion of his Normal course he taught school for two years, and then, in the fall of 1907, entered Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he completed his course in 1911 and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He had decided upon the legal pro- fession as his future field of activity and in the following fall matriculated in the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1914, receiving at that time the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1915 he was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar, and since that time, with the exception of the time during which he was in service in the World War, he has been successfully engaged in general practice in Wilkes-Barre. In June, 1918, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as ensign until mustered out of service in 1919, when he resumed legal practice in Wilkes-Barre. He is a member of the Lu- zerne County Bar Association, of the Penn- sylvania State Bar Association, and of the American Bar Association, and has made for himself an assured place in his profession. He is solicitor of the borough of Newport, in Luzerne County, and attorney for the Glen Lyon Bank, at Glen Lyon, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. In his political alle- giance Mr. Donahue is a Democrat. Fra- ternally, he is identified with Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No, 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; with the Knights of Colum- bus; and with the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and he is a member of the Fox Hill Country Club.
ARTHUR DAVENPORT-Fourteen years of successful legal practice in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, have placed Arthur Davenport among the well-known and well established men of his profession in this part of the State. Since his admission to the bar in 1913 he has been engaged in practice in Wilkes- Barre, with offices at No. 713 Coal Exchange Building, where he is taking care of a large clientele. Mr. Davenport is a graduate of the Law School of the University of Michigan.
The branch of the Davenport family to which Mr. Davenport belongs has been set- tled in Luzerne County for three generations. Clark Davenport, grandfather of Mr. Daven- port, came to Plymouth, Luzerne County, about one hundred years ago, coming from New York State and bringing his family with him. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Davenport were Thomas and Hannah (How- ard) Gould, of Luzerne County. Samuel M. Davenport, father of Arthur Davenport, died at the age of eighty-six years. He married Harriet Elizabeth Gould, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Howard) Gould, who lived to be eighty-four years of age, and they were the parents of eight children: Stanley Irving, of Kingston, Pennsylvania; Carrie, who died at the age of eleven years; Thomas G., of Plymouth, Pennsylvania; George P., who died in childhood; Frederick M., deceased, who was a leading physician of Scranton, Penn- sylvania; Harvey Howard, who is a member of the Luzerne County Bar; Harriet Blanche, a teacher in the Plymouth schools; Maud G.,
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