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 91
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
ROSCOE B. SMITH-One of the well-known and successful members of the Luzerne County Bar is Roscoe B. Smith, who has been engaged in general practice in Wilkes- Barre since 1913. Mr. Smith has been United States Commissioner for the Middle District
702
of Pennsylvania for the past thirteen years, and since December, 1926, has been assistant district-attorney for Luzerne County. He has his offices in the Bennett Building, in Wilkes- Barre.
The branch of the Smith family to which Mr. Smith belongs came to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from Warren County, New Jersey. John J. Smith, father of Mr. Smith, was for many years a merchant in Wilkes- Barre. He is a son of Isaac Newton and Emeline (Brown) Smith, and he married Christina Louise Angell, daughter of Frank and Melissa (Lowen) Angell, and grand- daughter of William Angell, who was one of the early graduates of Yale College and was one of the pioneer teachers among the In- dians of New York State. Frank Angell, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Smith, was a soldier in the Civil War, 143d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
Roscoe B. Smith, son of John J. and Chris- tina Louise (Angell) Smith, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1891, and after graduating from Wilkes-Barre High School in 1909, entered Dickinson Law School, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1912, receiving at that time the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in March, 1913, and has since been continuously and successfully engaged in general practice in Wilkes-Barre, where he has his offices in the Bennett Building. He is a member of the Luzerne County Bar Association, and in 1914 was appointed United States Commissioner for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which office he con- tinues to hold. In December, 1926, Mr. Smith was also appointed assistant district-attor- ney for Luzerne County. In 1917 Mr. Smith volunteered for service in the World War, was assigned to the Quartermaster's Depart- ment of the United States Army, and assigned to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, where he was stationed for a period of twenty-one months, being mustered out of service in the sum- mer of 1919. He is a member of the Diamond City Post of the American Legion, of Wilkes- Barre, and fraternally is identified with Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 442, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; with all the Scottish Rite bodies; and with Keystone Consistory, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; also with Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nohles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Sons of Veterans, and of the Lions Club and the Shrine Country Club, also of Delta Chi College Fraternity. His religious affilia- tion is with the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, and in politics he is a Republican.
Roscoe B. Smith was married, September 25, 1918, to Madelyn Keiser Morton, daughter of Robert L. and Henrietta Morton, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children: Roscoe Blaine, Jr., and John Don- ald. The family home is in Kingston, Lu- zerne County.
ERNEST SLOAN MILLARD-Since Ernest S. Millard first came as a business man to Kingston, the community's physical appear- ance and inherent prosperity have improved greatly. For a share of this favorable com- munity evolution he is responsible, as he has served it consistently as financial figure and as private citizen. His record is interesting in its variety.
Born in Columbia County, November 28, 1867, Mr. Millard is a son of Mordecai and Sarah (Hoffman) Millard. His father was a native of Willow Grove, Columbia County, born in 1832, and died in March, 1898. He is recalled to the people as a foremost citizen, prominent in the law, associate judge of Columbia County for many years. Sarah (Hoffman) Millard was also a native of Columbia County, born in Center Township. Her death occurred in 1908.
Mr. Millard secured his elementary and secondary academic instruction in the public schools of Columbia County, then matricu- lated in State Normal School, at Bloomsburg. Following the completion of studies there he formed a connection with the J. C. Braden Insurance Company which endured twelve years. This company, located at Nanticoke, gave him his first real experience in business enterprise. He was engaged with it as clerk and office manager. Following this he came to Kingston, and, in association with Mr. Loveland, formed the partnership of Millard and Loveland, retail and wholesale feed and grain dealers. This partnership continued some eighteen months, when R. H. Scureman purchased the holding of Mr. Loveland and became joint partner, the firm name then being altered to the style of Millard and Scureman. In 1918 Mr. Millard incorporated the business under the style of Millard and Sons, Mr. Scureman having withdrawn. As Millard and Sons, Incorporated, business was continued until 1927, when it was disposed of to outside interests at a satisfactory figure. Of the company, under its charter, Ernest Sloan Millard was president; his two sons, E. H. and D. H. Millard (concerning whom more follows), and M. J. Moore and C. E. Norton were also members of the firm. Since 1927 Mr. Millard has engaged exten- sively in the real estate and insurance busi- ness, with offices at No. 416 Wyoming Ave- nue, Kingston, under the style of his own name. This, as indeed with all his projects, has proved roundly successful, and Mr. Mil- lard continues to be, as he has been through so many years, one of Luzerne County's domi- nant business factors.
But business has not claimed the whole of his energy. Mr. Millard is a Republican, loyal to the party's principles and of influence in its local direction; a member of the Franklin Club; of Lodge No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and is a communicant of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Kingston, of which he is a trustee and member of the official board. During the World War he was of assistance in the movements of patriotic appeal, and always has shown himself to have at heart the hest interests of Kingston and Luzerne County.
Mr. Millard married, in 1893, Edna M. Moore, of Nanticoke, daughter of Mason and Margaret Moore. Of this union were born two sons: 1. Ernest H., born June 12, 1894, is a graduate of Cornell University, class of 1916, degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. During the World War he had special training at Kelley and Ellington fields, and served as instructor in machine gun aviation. Later he was trans- ferred to the Camp Hancock Machine Gun School, was made a second lieutenant, and was there when the war closed. 2. Dudley H. Millard, born in March, 1897, graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1916 and served
703
in the World War. He went with a contin- gent from Culver to Camp Custer, Michigan, and later volunteered for the machine gun school at Camp Hancock, to which he was sent, later being made a second lieutenant. Subsequently, transferred to Camp Funston, he became adjutant, serving in that military capacity until the close of the war. The family residence is at No. 633 Market Street, Kingston.
CHARLES WASILEWSKI-Familiar indeed to the citizens of Nanticoke is Charles Wasi- lewski, proprietor of a fruit, vegetable and delicatessen store at Nos. 37-39 Market Street. He is a man of considerable standing in this community, and public-spirited, sup- porting all enterprises directed toward the good of Nanticoke at large.
Mr. Wasilewski was born in Nanticoke, November 1, 1885, son of Karl and Josephine (Graski) Wasilewski, both of whom are liv- ing on Green Street, Nanticoke. Karl Wasi- lewski was born in Lithuania, and came to the Wyoming Valley to make his home in Nanticoke as a young man. A miner by train- ing, he secured work here in that capacity, and pursued it for a time, then engaged in the hotel business. Prosperity came to him in this during the ten years which he spent as owner and proprietor of a hostelry, and enabled him to retire in comfortable circum- stances. He is a communicant of Holy Trin- ity Roman Catholic Church, and active in its works. Josephine (Graski) Wasilewski was horn in Poland. She has been of much assistance to her husband in his career, a good wife and mother. To them were born eleven children.
Charles Wasilewski, fourth child and third son of Karl and Josephine (Graski) Wasi- lewski, received his academic training in the public and high schools of Nanticoke and then entered Wyoming Seminary, at King- ston, where he studied for one year. In 1905, at the age of twenty years, he founded what has evolved into his present lucrative enter- prise, the fruit, vegetable and delicatessen business in Market Street. At first this was housed in the small building at Nos. 37-39 that occupied this site in 1905, but in 1917 Mr. Wasilewski rebuilt the structure, im- proving it in every way. Here he has a floor space 38x44 feet square, and carries a full line of edibles of the finer grades. His im- ported goods have a favorable reputation in the neighborhood. Mr. Wasilewski is a direc- tor of the First National Bank, and is a com- municant of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. In matters of charity he deals largely, regardless of creed and race, and takes part wholeheartedly in works of benev - olence as he does in those of civic nature.
Charles Wasilewski married Catherine Chimcych, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania. They live in South Market Street, Nanticoke.
JAMES A. CORRIGAN, M. D .- Well known among the people of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is Dr. James A. Corrigan, who has been en- gaged in general practice of medicine here for the past fifteen years. He is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, class of 1915, and has also studied in New York City. While conducting a general practice, Dr. Corrigan also gives special attention to ob- stetrics, and has achieved a' noteworthy suc- cess in this special field, and also heads the Corrigan Maternity Hospital. He has his offices at No. 330 West Broad Street, in Hazleton.
Martin Corrigan, father of Dr. Corrigan,
was horn in Ireland, and worked in the mines in Wales, where he became a very proficient miner. After some years of ex- perience in his native land, he came to this country and settled in Milnesville, Pennsyl- vania, where he soon became known as an unusually skillful miner and as a man of more than ordinary technical knowledge. He opened many "slopes" in the vicinity of Milnesville, including "Corrigan's Counter, Milnesville, No. 7," and this particular slope was opened hy Mr. Corrigan in the face of strong opposition on the part of operators and engineers, who insisted that no coal was there. Mr. Corrigan insisted as strongly that there was coal there, and finally prevailed upon his superiors to act upon his advice and open. The result fully justified his in- sistence and demonstrated the fact that Mr. Corrigan was a man of wisdom and experi- ence, for the new mine proved to be one of the best in that section. As a boy and as a young man he had worked in the mines in Wales, and he had also from early years been one to read and to study. Though, as in the case with so many of those who work in the mines, his school training was limited, he did not for that reason content himself with merely plodding along through his day's work. He used his spare hours in acquiring knowledge and in close study, and through- out his life remained a student and a great reader, keeping his mind growing with the passing of the years. In his desire to make the most of his opportunities and to train his children in application and desire for an education he was ably helped by his wife, Mary (Walker) Corrigan, and all of the chil- dren grew up to be an honor to their par- ents and to the community. Along with his skill in his chosen occupation, Mr. Corrigan was of an inventive turn of mind and his resourcefulness and inventive ability was of great usefulness to him and to those with whom he was associated. A man of ability, a good citizen, a good father, he fairly won the high esteem in which he is held by his many friends.
Dr. James A. Corrigan, son of Martin and Mary (Walker) Corrigan, was born in Milnes- ville, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1881, and received his education in the public schools of his birthplace, in St. Gabriel's Parochial School, and in the Bloomsburg State Normal School. Later, he decided to enter the medical pro- fession, and with that end in view began study in Jefferson Medical College, at Phila- delphia, from which he was graduated. with the class of 1915. After serving his interne- ship in the Hazleton State Hospital, he took a post-graduate course in New York State, and then located here in Hazleton, where he has been engaged in general practice for fifteen years. As has already been stated, he is especially interested in obstetrics, and has added special practice in that field to his general practice, Dr. Corrigan, in associa- tion with his brother, Dr. John J. Corrigan, and the latter's son, Dr. L. F. Corrigan, having recently opened the Corrigan Ma- ternity Hospital in Hazleton, of which Dr. James A. Corrigan is the superintendent. This is the only exclusive maternity hospital in the hard coal fields of Pennsylvania.
He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association, also of the New York and New England Railway Surgeons' Association. Dur- ing the period of the participation of the United States in the World War he was a member of the County Examining Board, and
.
704
he had been accepted as a first lieutenant in the medical corps, but was not called. Fra- ternally, Dr. Corrigan is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Fraternity, and his religious membership is with the St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church. He is active socially and is a popular after-dinner speaker.
Dr. James A. Corrigan married, July 26, 1918, Anna L. Monahan, of Shenandoah, Penn- sylvania, and they have two children: Mary and James.
WILLIAM D. THOMAS-A native of Wales, but for almost a quarter of a century a resident of Kingston, Mr. Thomas, ever since coming to this country, has been identified with the Pennsylvania coal mining industry and has been connected with the Kingston Coal Company. He is not only an experi- enced coal miner himself, but he also pos- sesses the valuable gift of imparting his knowledge and experience to others and at one time was for a number of years a mem- ber of the teaching staff of the Wilkes-Barre Mining Institute. Throughout his residence in Kingston he has taken an active part in that community's civic, fraternal and reli- gious life.
William D. Thomas was born in Wales, February 9, 1879, a son of the late Dr. David Thomas and Elizabeth (Davis) Thomas. His father, who was born in Wales in 1828 and who died there in 1889, was a physician and surgeon. His mother, too, was a native of Wales, having been born in 1856 and dying in 1878. Their son was educated in the pub- lic schools of Wales and later made special studies in mining, both in his native country and in the United States. He came to this country in 1905 and at once settled at King- ston, where he entered the employ of the Kingston Coal Company as a miner. In 1912 he was made an assistant foreman, a position which he filled so capably for the next four years that in 1916 he was promoted to fore- man. This latter position he continues to hold with much success. During several years, from 1911 until 1918, he was also an instructor in the Wilkes-Barre Mining Insti- tute. He is a member of several Masonic bodies, including Lodge No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; and Irem Temple of Wilkes-Barre, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party and its principles, while his religious affiliations are with the Edwards Memorial Church of Ed- wardsville.
William D. Thomas married, in 1901, Han- nah Williams, a native of South Wales and a daughter of Thomas I. and Janet Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of three children: Emilie M., born in May, 1902; Aaron W., born in May, 1908; and William D., Jr., born in July, 1912. The family home is located at No. 374 Chestnut Street, Kingston.
BURTON WILLIAM DAVIS- One of the well-known members of the Luzerne County Bar, Burton William Davis, Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Laws, has prac- ticed the law in Luzerne County since 1893. He has been attorney representing Kingston Borough for thirty years, is director of a bank in Wilkes-Barre, and has numerous fraternal and political connections.
Burton William Davis was born at Strat-
ford, Fulton County, New York, on November 7, 1867, son of William C. and Louisa (Brow- nell) Davis, his father having been a farmer, lumberman and cheese manufacturer, and the son of John W. and Esther (Jones) Davis, both natives of Llanarth, Cardiganshire, Wales, who came to the United States toward 1827. Mr. and Mrs. John Davis were the par- ents of nine children, whose names were Mary, David, Margaret, William C., John, Ellen, Evan, Edward, and Elizabeth Ann. William C. Davis and his wife were likewise the parents of nine children, viz .: 1. Arthur J., postmaster at Noxen, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. 2. Burton William, of whom further. 3. Martin C., deceased, was a rail- way engineer on the D. L. and W. Railroad, killed in an accident at Mount Pocono, Penn- sylvania. 4. Fred B., member of the Luzerne County Board (q. v.). 5. William K., died at the age of fourteen years. 6. Henry K., deceased, was a teacher in the medical de- partment of Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York. 7. John W., a farmer, near St. Johnsville, New York, on the old homestead. S. Edward, and (9) Esther, twins, Edward a merchant at St. Johnsville.
When a youth, Burton W. Davis attended grade and high school at St. Johnsville, then enrolled in the Starkey Seminary at Eddy- town, New York, and later entered Cornell University, where he graduated in the class of 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Philos- ophy. He then entered the law department of Cornell, and was graduated in the class of 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Davis took the New York State Bar examination after his graduation, then came to Wilkes-Barre. He was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar Association in 1893 and has since continued in the practice of law. In addition to his membership in the County Bar Association he is also a member of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Mr. Davis was once a candidate for the presidency of the American association, and is affiliated with a large number of fraternal organizations, including the Kingston Lodge, No. 395, of the Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 82, Royal Arch Masons; Dien le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; the thirty-second degree of Keystone Con- sistory of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; the Irem Temple Country Club, the Craftsman's Club, and Wilkes- Barre Lodge, No. 109, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a director of the Kingston Bank and Trust Company; and a member of the Kingston Methodist Epls- copal Church.
Burton William Davis married, June 16, 1892, Rose L. Cross, daughter of John Cross, of Ithaca, New York. The union has resulted in two children: 1. Daniel Beach Davis, who is superintendent of the County Service Cor- poration, at Oakmont, Pennsylvania. He married Mildred L. Space of Forty Fort, Lu- zerne County, to them being born three chil- dren, Betty Jane, Dorothy, and Daniel Beach, Jr. 2. Esther L. Davis, unmarried, of King- ston, a graduate trained nurse from Mercy Hospital at Wilkes-Barre, with special train- ing at Johns Hopkins Hospital at Baltimore, and a graduate of the Floating Hospital at Boston, Massachusetts.
Burton William Davis is known among his confreres in the law and in business as one of the most public-spirited citizens in Lu- zerne County.
705
EDWARD FIRANCIS MeGOVEIN-An In- spiring illustration of the success which comes to the man of ability and character who bends every energy toward advance- ment in his profession and who uses his gifts and attainments for the public welfare, is the life-story of Edward Francis Mc- Govern, one of the leading lawyers and citi- zens of Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He is chairman of the Demo- cratic County Committee and maintains his law offices at No. 514 Second National Bank Building.
Edward Francis McGovern was born at No. 239 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Penn- sylvania, in 1896, son of Edward Francis and Ellen (Murphy) McGovern. The father, born in Darlington, England, September 10, 1860, was the son of Frank McGovern, and Frances (Ray) McGovern. This conple came to the United States when their son was about three years old and, after a brief residence in Carbondale, settled in Luzerne County, where the senior Edward Francis McGovern grew up. As a boy he worked in the mines and lost a leg in an accident as a young man. He had the same quality of ambition as was later dis- played by his son, and refused to be downed by his misfortunes. He was a breaker boss for the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company, became interested in politics and was elected alderman of Wilkes-Barre, in 1881, and served for five years and saw the necessity of further educating himself. By unwearying efforts he surmounted all difficulties and en- tered the law school of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, class of 1886, and win- ning admission to the Luzerne County Bar June 6, 1887. There he practiced with great success for fourteen years, building up an excellent reputation as a capable, honest, and alert lawyer. His career came to an abrupt close on April 27, 1902, when he died at the age of forty-five. His widow and several of their six children survive him: Francis, who died at the age of eight years; Edward Fran- cis, of whom further; Lawrence John, who died at the age of twenty-seven; Paul George, foreman for the Glen Aldon Coal Company of Luzerne County; Theresa, a teacher in the Wilkes-Barre public school; Michael Francis, a clerk; Helen Esther, a medical student at Loyola University School of Medicine in Chi- cago. The father was an active Democrat for more than twenty years and declined the nomination to the office of judge of the Orphans Court of Luzerne County.
The son of this courageous and successful man, Edward Francis McGovern, Jr., attended the Wilkes-Barre public schools and gradu- ated from high school in 1908. He followed this up with a post-graduate course in the high school in 1909, continuing his education in the Law School of the University of Penn- sylvania in 1910 and graduating in 1913 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. That same year he was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar. Because of his father's early death, he had experienced many of the difficulties which confronted his father in his pursuit of an education. At the age of twelve he became a delivery boy for the "Times-Leader" and was a carrier for the Wilkes-Barre "Morning Record." He later worked in the circulation department of the first-named paper. Thus he was well known and conversant with af- fairs in general in his city when he began to practice law. Like his father a Democrat he is influential in his party and is now county chairman. He enjoys a large and growing practice, with a reputation for deal-
ing honestly and capably with Important litl- gation. He Is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Fox Hill Country Club. His religions affillation is with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Mc- Govern has never married.
WALTER C. WILLIAMS-Born and edu- cated in Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Williams has spent his entire life in that city, excepting only one year, during which he resided in Colorado. Having acquired in his youth a very thorough knowledge of the plumbing contracting business, by attending a trade school and by working for several years as a practical plumber, he established himself some twenty years ago as a plumhing and heating contractor in Wilkes-Barre. He has built up a very large and profitable business, employs constantly a large force of men and is considered one of the leading men in his field. For many years he has been prominent in Masonic affairs and in every way he is regarded as one of the most useful and sub- stantial of the younger generation of Wilkes- Barre business men.
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.