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 92
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Walter C. Williams was born in Wilkes- Barre, December 30, 1882, a son of John M. and Catherine (Morgan) Williams. His father, who was born in Wales in 1856 and who came to this country early in his life, was for many years a miner and later a tipstaff in the County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. He died in November, 1923. His mother, like- wise a native of Wales and born there in 1857, is still a resident of Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Williams was educated in the public grammar and high schools of his native city, graduating from the latter in 1898. Always of a mechanical turn of mind, he then became a student in the New York Technical School, graduating there in 1902. Next he accepted employment with the firm of William Kaiser & Son, well known plumbing contractors of Wilkes-Barre, with which he was connected for two years. He then went to Colorado and there followed his trade for one year. In 1908 he returned to Wilkes-Barre and estab- lished himself under his own name as a plumbing and heating contractor, in which business he has continued since then, carry- ing on a general contracting business. As the result of his energy, reliability and abil- ity the business has prospered greatly, and today Mr. Williams finds it necessary to em- ploy as many as sixty men. Until February, 1928, his headquarters were located at No. 36 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, from where he moved at that time to No. 24 North Main Street. There he maintains spacious and moderniy equipped offices and showrooms. He is a member and, in 1928, president of the Master Plumbers Association of Wilkes- Barre. He is also a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Vent Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, No. 71, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Congregational Church and more particularly with the Puri- tan Congregational Church of Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Williams married, April 30, 1910, Elea- nor Shadrach of Wilkes-Barre, a daughter of John and Agnes Shadrach. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of four children: Walter C., Jr., born in January, 1912; David S., born in January, 1913; Robert J., born in
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December, 1915; and Catherine A. Williams, born in July, 1918. The family residence is located at No. 43 Carlisle Street, Wilkes- Barre.
GEORGE F. ROYER-As president of the Royer Foundry and Machine Company, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, George F. Royer heads a company which owes its success largely to his own energy and ability. He established a foundry and machine shop in Wilkes-Barre, in the early years of the cen- tury, carefully guided it through the critical first years, watched its business grow to successful proportions under his direction, and finally brought about its incorporation under the present name in Kingston. The company specializes in the manufacture of the Royer Sand Separator and Blender, a machine of unique excellence in its field, which is also manufactured in Birmingham, England, and in Paris, France, for European distribution under a royalty arrangement. Other apparatus is also produced, including the Royer emergency governor for mine cages.
Mr. Royer was born on February 23, 1863, at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a son of Enos and Lucy (Zugenfuse) Royer, both now de- ceased. His father, who came to Wilkes- Barre, then a small country town, in 1850, was a carpenter and builder by trade, a Democrat in politics, and a Protestant in religion. He and his wife were the parents of nine children: Emma, who is now a widow; J. F., who was a carpenter, now deceased; Charles R., also deceased, who was a painter; Mary E., who married John Lyons; Elizabeth, who married John Slusser; Ellen J., the widow of Harry S. Dalley; George F., of whom further; Lucy, also a widow; and Harry D., who lives at Forty Fort, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
George F. Royer grew up about Wilkes- Barre, and until he was nine attended the public schools there. At the age of nine, he was obliged to take a job, and he found work in a bake shop and later in a grocery store. While still a young man he learned the machinist trade at the shops of the Cen- tral Railroad of New Jersey, at Ashley, Lu- zerne County, Pennsylvania, and in 1900, in association with a Mr. Weibel, he established a machine shop and foundry at Wilkes- Barre, which he conducted for eighteen years under the firm name of Royer and Weibel. In this enterprise he was very successful, and finally, in 1918 Mr. Royer bought out his partner, maintained the business for three more years at Wilkes-Barre, and then moved it to the present quarters at No. 158 Pringle · Street, Kingston, Pennsylvania, at the same time that the company was incorporated as the Royer Foundry and Machine Company.
Politically, Mr. Royer supports the prin- ciples and candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 174, of the Knights of Pythias, and is also affiliated fraternally with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which organi- zation he is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 655, an Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Mason of the thirty-second degree, a member of Keystone Consistory, at Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, and a member of Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Royer is also a member of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre.
In 1884, at Wilkes-Barre, he married Har- riet E. LaBar, a daughter of Charles E. and Mary (Marshall) LaBar, of that place. Mr.
and Mrs. Royer became the parents of three children: 1. Gertrude, who died at the age of twenty-seven years. 2. Harriet E., who lives with her parents. 3. George F., who died at the age of three years. The family home is at No. 1740 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, Pennsylvania.
GOMER E. DAVIS-As city controller dur- ing the years 1923-27, Gomer E. Davis ful- filled the duties of that office efficiently and creditably. An able man, natural leader, with wide interests and hosts of friends, he holds a prominent position in the civil, social, busi- ness and fraternal life of Wilkes-Barre.
Gomer E. Davis was born December 4, 1882, a son of Isaiah and Hannah ( Williams) Davis. When he was only six months old, he was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Isaiah and Hannah (Williams) Davis were the parents of three children: M., Gomer E., of further mention, and John. When Gomer E. was six years of age, his father died. He attended the public schools and at the age of eight years began work to help support himself by selling news- papers. When he was sixteen years old he became a clerk in the book store of C. W. Hartman, in Ashland, Schuylkill County, where he served as a telephone operator in the early days of the telephone. His next position was with the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in Centralia, Pennsylvania; then, in 1910, he was transferred to the Wilkes-Barre office, where he held a post in the accounting department in addition to the city controller- ship. Ever on the alert to the best interests of his firm, Mr. Davis continues to be asso- ciated with the accounting department of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in their Wilkes- Barre office. Mr. Davis is a staunch Repub- lican, and has been prominent for many years in this section in the ranks of that party. In 1916 and 1917 he served his party as chairman of the Republican committee for the city of Wilkes-Barre. In 1923 the voters elected him as controller for a term of four years, where he proved himself a conscien- tious worker for the welfare and advance- ment of the community.
Mr. Davis is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member and a past officer of the Brotherhood of America; John Knox Com- mandery, No. 12, Knights of Malta; Past Master of Fidelity Lodge, No. 655, Free and Accepted Masons; member Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar; a Past Mas- ter of Keystone Consistory, of Scranton, An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is also a member of Lodge No. 128, Loyal Order of Moose, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Davis is a member of the First Baptist Church of Wilkes-Barre, which he serves as a trustee. He is a member of the Irem Country Club, the Craftsman's Club, and the Pen and Pencil Club. . Mr. Davis, who has won a leading place in the life and history of Wilkes- Barre and of this section of Pennsylvania, has attained his present position through his own efforts and endeavors, and is one of the best known and highly respected citizens. He is unmarried.
GEORGE FREDERICK SCHROEDER-For almost a quarter of a century Mr. Schroeder has been one of the leading architects of Wilkes-Barre. His high standing in his pro- fession and the great success which he has
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achieved, are the result of his deep study of the work in which he is engaged. His tech- nical education, followed by. many years of practical experience, gained through his con- nection with various important construction companies and architects in New York City and elsewhere, explain why he has been able to make his way to the very front of his pro- fession. During his long career he and his associates have designed and erected many important public and private buildings, and in every case the commissions entrusted to them have been carried out to the complete satisfaction of their clients.
George F. Schroeder was born at Hawley, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1880, a son of the late Frank E. and Louise (Seidler) Schroeder. His father, who was born in Germany in 1846, came to the United States as a boy in 1861. In spite of his youth he served in the Civil War under General McClellan. Later he became a successful con- tractor in Scranton, where he died in Sep- temher, 1922. Mr. Schroeder's mother was born at Kingston, New York, in 1849 and died in Scranton in September, 1917. Mr. Schroeder was educated in the public gram- mar and high schools of Hawley and of Scranton and at the Pratt Institute, Brook- lyn, New York, from which he graduated in 1902. Later he took special courses in engi- neering and architecture at Columbia Uni- versity, New York City, and at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He commenced his active career as superintendent of construc- tion for his uncle, Conrad Schroeder, a well- known builder and contractor of Scranton, with whom he remained one year. During this period he had charge of the supervision of the construction of depots for the Dela- ware and Hudson Railroad, of which his uncle's firm was building five depots in as many different cities at one and the same time. Next he served for one year as super- intendent of construction with the General Electric Company at Schenectady, New York, and then spent one year with the Ransom Concrete Construction Company in New York City. The following two years he was con- nected with two of the leading architects of New York City, first for one year with Arnold Brunner in charge of various con- struction jobs, and then for another year with the architectural firm of Mowbray and Uffinger as that firm's field man. In 1904 he came to Wilkes-Barre and there established himself as an architect, forming a partner- ship with Austin L. Riley under the name of Riley and Schroeder. This arrangement con- tinued until 1913, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Schroeder then engaged in the practice of his profession alone and under his own name in offices in the Weitzenkorn Building, Wilkes-Barre, which he still oc- cupies. However, in 1923, he formed a new partnership with Carl J. Schmitt under the firm name of Schmitt and Schroeder, which has continued since then. The firm also maintain offices at Hazleton, Luzerne County. Amongst the very large number of different buildings designed and erected by Mr. Schroeder should be especially mentioned the Wilkes-Barre Police Station, the Wilkes- Barre South Side Bank and the Nanticoke National Bank. He has also been the archi- tect for the Slovak Orphanage at Middle- town, Pennsylvania, along with the mother house and other buildings, and numerous schools and churches, amongst the latter one of the outstanding examples of his work is the new St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church at the corner of Barney and Division streets,
Wilkes-Barre. Since 1921 he has been the architect for the Luzerne County Commis- sloners. He is a member of the Wilkes- Barre Press Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic Church and more particularly with St. Aloysius Church of Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Schroeder married, in October, 1917. Mary Ruddy of Hudson, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Anthony J. and Mary (Kilker) Ruddy. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder are the parents of two children, Mary Loulse, born in October, 1918, and George A., born in May, 1926. The family residence is located at No. 182 Carey Avenue, Wilkes-Barre.
AUGUST H. GENETTI-The largest food establishment in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is the one generally known as the Genetti Markets, located at the corner of Broad and Pine streets, and operated, since the retire- ment of the founder in 1920, under the name of D. Genetti Sons. Here all kinds of food products of the finest quality may be pro- cured, groceries, meats, delicatessen products, and pastry. A first class bakery and restau- rant gives prompt and efficient service to those who wish to have their meals served here, and the twenty-five acre farm at Con- yngham, Pennsylvania, provides fresh veg- etables, milk, eggs, etc. Since the sons of the founder took charge they have erected a new two-story building to house their greatly expanded business, and they now (1928) give employment to one hundred and twenty-four people.
Damiano Genetti, founder of the business, was born in the Austrian Tyrol, in August, 1858, and came to this country as a young man of twenty-three years, in 1882. He lo- cated at Lattimer, Pennsylvania, where for many years he was engaged as a mining con- tractor. After his marriage, however, he re- turned to Austria, and there he remained for about eighteen years, taking an active part in the public and business life of his town and serving as mayor of Castelfondo for a period of seven years and as Senator for three years. He had the highest respect of his fellow-townsmen and of his many friends and was deeply attached to his home land, but after eighteen years of enjoyment of the association of his countrymen he again came to America, locating this time in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Here he engaged in the meat business, but after a period of success in this line he again returned to the land of his birth. In 1904 he established a meat husi- ness of his own in Hazleton, and this he con- tinued to operate until 1920, when he retired from active business life, leaving his four sons to continue the business under the name of D. Genetti Sons. Since his retirement Mr. Genetti has spent his time in this country and in Austria, alternating each year, spending one year here and the next in Austria. He married Olive Zambatti, and they became the parents of nine children: 1. Leo, married Angeline Morchetti, and has children: Rita, John, Catherine, Adeline, Joyce, and Leo, Jr. 2. Dora, wife of Vercondo Bott, of Hazleton, has children: Anna, Henry, Esther, Agnes, Helen, and Emma. 3. Tillie, wife of Peter Zambatti, of Weston, Pennsylvania, has chil- dren: Leo, Elizabeth, and Leona. 4. August H., of further mention. 5. Albert, unmarried. 6. Esther, unmarried. 7. Erma, wife of Henry Boduz, of Freeland, Pennsylvania; has one child, Catherine. S. Stanley, unmarried. 9. Angeline, unmarried.
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August H. Genetti, son of Damiano and Olive (Zambatti) Genetti, is associated with his three brothers, Leo, Albert, and Stanley, in the management and ownership of the Genetti Markets, under the name of D. Ge- netti Sons. In 1924 the brothers erected the two-story building in which the business is at present (1928) housed, and soon after re- moving to the new quarters, which are com- modious and convenient, forty by two hun- dred feet in dimension, they began to en- large the business, adding one new depart- ment after another until they had made the Genetti Market one of the most complete food establishments in this part of the State. Today they handle practically everything in the food line, groceries, meat, delicatessen stock, pastry, and they also conduct a bakery and restaurant. The business has grown by leaps and bounds, and the brothers are not content to be merely middle men. They own a twenty-five acre farm in Conyngham, Penn- sylvania, where they grow most of their veg- etable produce, and where they produce the finest milk and eggs, and in each of the various, departments of the Genetti Market is found only the finest and best of food products. Quality of goods and quality in service have made the Genetti Market a cen- ter of interest to housewives, and fair prices have made the market a boon to many of the residents of Hazleton.
Along with their business success all of the brothers have shown a deep interest in the town and have been ever ready to lend a hand at the task of improving the com- munity. They give employment to one hun- dred and twenty-four people. In 1925 the number of employees was only six, and this great increase has all come within the short space of three years. Able, progressive, and public-spirited in a practical and intelligent way, the Genetti family has been, and is, a factor to be reckoned with in the business and civic life of the town. Their contribution to the business life of the place is self- evident, and socially, as well as in civic affairs, they occoupy a high place. As time passed the Genetti business has expanded far beyond the limits of its central location and three branch stores aid in the distribution of food products. One at No. 436 South Poplar Street was established in 1912, one at 598 Altar Street, was established in 1925, and the third, at 7 West Diamond Avenue, was estab- lished in 1926. Steady expansion has been the fixed policy since the sons took charge of the business, and the firm foundations laid by the father have made possible this rapid growth. In August, 1928, the firm took over the management of the Hotel Altamont dining room, in Hazleton, and have made it one of the attractive eating places of Eastern Penn- sylvania.
August H. Genetti, general manager of all departments, is also active in civic affairs; is a member of the board of directors of the People's Savings and Trust Company and of the Hazleton Credit Bureau, and is generally known as one of the progressive citizens of the city. He is a member of Lodge No. 200, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks: and of the Rotary National Club. He married Mary Daugherty, and they have one child, Rose Marie. He and his wife, as well as the other members of the Genetti family, are communicants of St. Gabriel's Roman Catho- lic Church.
DR. A. ERNEST SHAFER, D. C .- Nine years of successful practice in the city of Hazleton have brought to Dr. A. Ernest Shafer, chiropractor, well earned success and
a large following. He is a graduate of the Universal Chiropractic College, at Davenport, lowa, class of 1917, and served in the World War for nineteen months before locating in Hazleton in August, 1919. Dr. Shafer is active in civic and fraternal affairs in this district, and both he and his wife have made for themselves many friends here. His offices are located at No. 208 in the Markle Bank Building.
Dr. A. Ernest Shafer was born at Moun- tain Top, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, De- cember 17, 1888, son of Henry and Ellen Shafer, and as a boy attended the grammar and high schools of his birthplace. Later he continued study in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1910, followed by undergraduate work at Syracuse University, after which he was variously engaged for a time working at several different occupations. Finally, how- ever, he decided to complete his professional studies and with that purpose in view began a course of study in the Universal Chiro- practic College, at Davenport, Iowa, where he finished his course with graduation in 1917, receiving at that time the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. By the time he had finished his professional preparation, how- ever, the United States had entered the World War, and soon after graduation he enlisted and was called to Camp Meade. For nineteen months, in all, he was in service, spending ten months of that time in France, and during the greater part of the time serving with the 79th Artillery, in profes- sional capacity. This long term of pro- fessional service under special conditions gave him most excellent experience, and upon his return to civilian life he came at once to Hazleton, where he has since been located. He opened his office here in August, 1919, and during the nine years which have passed since that time he has built up a large and important practice. Each year brings to him more of those who are seeking bodily health without the use of drugs, and his success in a wide range of ailments has won for him a reputation which brings him confidence and the esteem of those whom he serves. He is a member of the State Chiropractic Association, also of the District Chiropractic Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and he is well known among his professional colleagues as a man of skill and experience. Dr. Shafer is interested in the civic welfare of Hazleton and is always ready to "do his bit" in promoting its prog- gress. He is a member of Coalville Lodge, No. 474, Free and Accepted Masons; and of Lehigh Consistory. He is also a member of Mountain Top Lodge and of Berry Hill Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows: Lodge No. 200, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and Epsilon Chi Beta. Politically, he supports strongly the princi- ples and the candidates of the Republican party, and in a quiet way accomplishes con- siderable in its behalf. Progressive and full of enthusiasm wherever his interest is en- listed, he is an effective worker in any cause which he espouses, and his cooperation and support are always eagerly sought. His re- ligious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. A. Ernest Shafer was married, in 1920, to Veda L. Lueder, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, and they have one child, Eugenia L. Mrs. Shafer is identified with several local organizations, and both she and her husband are among the representative citizens of the place. They have their home at No. 177 South Church Street, in Hazleton.
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REV. NICHOLAS MARTYAK-St. John's Greek Catholic Church, Hazleton, of which Rev. Nicholas Martyak is the pastor, came into existence in July, 1893, as an offshoot of St. Mary's Greek Catholic Church, which was founded about seven years previously. Rev. Victor Martyak, a brother of the present priest in charge, was the first pastor, the parish then having a membership of about forty-five. They worshiped in a small edifice which stood on the site of the present church, and which was burned about 1896. Following the fire a part of the building of St. John's was erected, and later the structure was en- larged to its present capacity of five hundred persons. Rev. Victor Martyak resigned in 1900, and he was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. John Halyko, who remained in charge until 1907, when Rev. Theodore Ladomersky, now stationed in Jessup, was pastor here for a short time.
Rev. Nicholas Martyak was born in Hun- gary, July 16, 1879. He was educated at Eperjes, Hungary, and was ordained to the priesthood, September 14, 1902. For five years thereafter he conducted his priestly office in his native land, and on October I, 1907, ar- rived in America. He was called to MacAdoo in this State and was priest at St. Mary's Church there for three months. He then came to Hazleton and was settled over St. John's Church, December 16, 1907. At that time there were three hundred families in the parish, and under his ministrations that num- ber has increased to four hundred families, and the church is said to be in a flourishing state. For five years after the present pastor came to St. John's, he had charge also of the Beaver Meadow Greek Catholic Church of SS. Peter and Paul. Rev. Nicholas Martyak is actively engaged in the civic affairs of Hazleton. During the World War he partici- pated enthusiastically and with great energy in the campaigns, especially for the Red Cross. He is a director of the City Bank and Trust Company of Hazleton.
Rev. Nicholas Martyak married, August 12, 1902, Olga Janiczky, a native of Hungary. Their children: 1. Anna, married Rev. Igor Maczko, priest at Beaverdale. 2. Emil, a medical student at Georgetown University. 3. Helen, a graduate of the Hazleton High School. 4. Gabriel, a pupil of the eighth grade of the Hazleton schools. St. John's Church and rectory are at 545-555 Arthur Street, Hazleton.
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