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 93
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WILLIAM J. COSTELLO-Distinguished as a soldier in the late World War and conducting one of the leading clothing busi- nesses in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, William J. Costello is one of the outstanding citizens of this place. He is the son of Michael and Mary (Gavin) Costello, both of whom are natives of Ireland. His father, who is now deceased, was a miner by trade.
William J. Costello was born at Larks- ville, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1895, and was educated there in the public schools. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh for six months after which he clerked in P. A. Roan's drug store at Plymouth, Penn- sylvania, for eight years, and at the end of that period, Mr. Costello started a retail cigar business which he carried on under his own name for four years. In 1924, he made a complete change in his business activities by starting a retail gents' furnishing goods store. He successfully carried on this busi- ness until August, 1927, when the business reached such proportions that it was incor- porated under the name of Thomas, Costello, Incorporated. The officers in this organiza- tion are W. J. Costello, president; David B.
Thomas, secretary and treasurer; Frank
Martz, vice-president. The new company handles a full line of haberdashery and men's clothing. During the World War, Mr. Cos- tello served with the 423d Motor Truck Divi- sion of the Transportation Department and was in service overseas for thirteen months. His rank was that of a sergeant. He re- ceived a special citation for distinguished service and was honorably discharged at Camp Dix in May, 1919. He is a member of the American Legion, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Columhus, the Repub- lican party, and Saint Vincent's Roman Cath- olic Church.
In October, 1921, William J. Costello mar- ried Lillian Tischler, of Plymouth, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Robert and Minnie Tisch- ler. They have three sons: I. William, born February 28, 1923. 2. Robert, born August 23, 1924. 3. Burton, born May 28, 1926.
ABDIEL PHILLIPS-Having been impelled by the commendable desire to advance, Ab- diel Phillips, of Plymouth, has given evidence during his remarkable business career, of his great ability and fund of energy which have been powerful factors in his forging ahead to his present prominent position in the financial life of Pennsylvania. Mr. Phil- lips is cashier and secretary of the board of directors of the Plymouth National Bank, one of the most substantial banking insti- tutions in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and his entire business life has been spent with this institution in which he started his career as a messenger boy in 1908, and just twenty years later, January, 1928, was elected to his present responsible positions. Still a young man, he possesses the youthful enthusiasm and idealism which have contri- buted so greatly to his success, while these same qualities have attracted to the bank many new and desirable clients. Esteemed by his townspeople, he is active in every- thing pertaining to civic progress and is a leader in the various activities and organiza- tions which foster the work of public wel- fare and improvement.
Mr. Phillips was born in Plymouth, May 16, 1890, son of John L. and Elizabeth G. (Richards) Phillips, both of whom were born in Wales. John L. Phillips is actively en- gaged in the real estate and insurance brokerage business in Plymouth and is one of the foremost citizens of this town.
Abdiel Phillips was educated in the public schools of Plymouth and after high school took special courses with the International Correspondence School of Scranton in busi- ness forms and bookkeeping. Satisfactorily completing these studies, in 1908, he accepted a position with the Plymouth National Bank as messenger boy and from the first displayed the same estimable qualities which have marked his career, step by step, during the succeeding years. He applied himself to mastering the various details of the bank- ing business and was promoted to the rank of clerk and later becoming bookkeeper, from which position he proceeded to the office of teller, and in this work by his contact with the patrons of the organization, proved his great value and made many friends among the depositors and clients. Successfully con- tinuing as teller, Mr. Phillips was elected on January I, 1928, cashier and secretary of the board of directors and as such has con- tinned in his capable and prosperous direc- tion of the bank's affairs. In fraternal cir- cles, he is a popular member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Plymouth Lodge, No. 321, also Plymouth Chapter, Royal Arch
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Masons, the Junior Order United American Mechanics, the Foresters of America, Knights of Malta, and the Kiwanis Club. His political principles are those of the Republican party and his religions adherence is given to the Welsh Baptist Church, where he is now presi- dent of the board of trustees and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school.
Abdiel Phillips married, in 1917, Hannah Morgan, of Plymouth, daughter of Winfield S. and Mary E. Morgan, and to this union were born three children: Elizabeth H., John W. and Abdiel, Jr. The family resides at No. 10 West Shawnee Avenue.
Mr. Phillips' career is a remarkable ex- ample to the younger generation and he deserves to be called a true, self-made man, having risen by his own untiring efforts and spurred on by a rightly fostered ambi- tion.
B. P. ROBERTS. D. D. S .- Dentistry is really a highly specialized branch of medicine and surgery; and as such it may be con- sidered the youngest of the healing arts. It is easily within the memory of men now living that the importance of the proper care of the teeth and gums came to be recognized, not only as an end in itself but in relation to health in general. And the most mar- velous advances have been made within the past thirty-five or forty years in the knowl- edge of every phase of this subject. Every year witnesses a great stride forward. The doctor who has come from a great school of dentistry within recent years has at his command all the latest knowledge in the theory and practice of his profession. Dr. B. P. Roberts is one of those whose train- ing includes the very latest word on the subject of dentistry. Oral defects that were not even recognized a few years ago now receive scientific attention. For example, defects in the formation and occlusion of teeth are corrected; teeth that a few years ago would have been extracted are now saved for years of useful service and simi- lar progress has been made in the making and fitting of artificial teeth. But the dental profession lays greatest stress upon preven- tive treatment whereby the suffering and loss formerly endured through neglect and ignorance can be avoided by modern scienti- fic attention.
Dr. B. P. Roberts was born in Plymouth, October 22, 1899, son of James and Mar- garet (James) Roberts. The father was born in Cardiff, Wales, and grew up in the coal mining industry. After coming to America he located in Plymouth where he was em- ployed as section foreman in the mines. He died February 13, 1913. His widow, who is still living, was born in Aberystwith, Wales, February 6, 1860.
Dr. Roberts attended the grammar and high schools of Plymouth, graduating from the latter in the class of 1918. In 1927, Dr. Roberts was graduate manager of the Plym- outh High School athletics. He pursued his dental studies in Temple University, from which he was graduated in 1926, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Imme- diately he opened an office in his home town where he is meeting with gratifying success. He is a member of the Luzerne County Dental Society, the Pennsylvania Dental Society and the National Dental Association. His frater- nal memberships include the Junior Order United American Mechanics and the Knights of Pythias.
On April II, 1925, Dr. B. P. Roberts mar- ried Mildred Keeley of Philadelphia. They are members of the Congregational Church. During the World War, Dr. Roberts served
with the 22d Infantry, 11th Division. He was discharged in May, 1919.
WILLIAM G. NEILSON-As a successful and progressive florist, there is perhaps no one more alert to the business of cut-flowers than William G. Neilson, of Plymouth, Penn- sylvania. The history of Mr. Neilson's business career is of much interest. He is a native of Scotland, son of Hugh and Ann (Lloyd) Neilson, his father was a general contractor, who was born in Scotland in 1832 and lived until 1870. His mother was also a native of Scotland, born in 1834 and died in 1883.
William G. Neilson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 3, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Wales, and when quite a lad, started to learn the plasterer's trade under the direction of his father. He fol- lowed this trade until 1894, after coming to this country and then engaged in a retail florist's business of his own at Plymouth, Pennsylvania. He has also carried on a gen- eral contracting business here during the years from 1902 to 1909. Prior to that time, from 1882 to 1902, he had been employed with Hershberger Brothers and Mains, con- tractors in Plymouth, and in 1902, when Mr. Mains and son retired from the business, Mr. Neilson became a partner and the firm name was changed to Hershberger and Neil- son and so continued until 1909, since which time, Mr. Neilson has given all of his time to the florist business. He deals mostly in cut-flowers and has twenty-five thousand feet of space under glass. This enables him to produce quantities of flowers of high quality and supply the markets in the neighbor- hood. Mr. Neilson has taken active part in public affairs by serving as school director in the borough of Plymouth from 1896 to IS98. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Shawnee Club, the Knights of Pythias; Lodge No. 332, Free and Accepted Masons; Chapter No. 214, Royal Arch Masons; Wilkes- Barre Commandery, Knights Templar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
On December 25, 1880, William G. Neilson married Janet Noble of Avondale, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Alexander Noble, Sr., who is now deceased, and Margaret (Ross) Noble. Mr. and Mrs. Neilson have had nine chil- dren, five of whom are living: Howard, Alexander Lloyd, Harry M., Walter Ross, and Janet Noble, now wife of Edward L Fenn. Mr. Neilson also has two grandchildren: William G. Neilson and Janet N. Neilson.
MICHAEL JOHN MRAS-The great idea behind all merchandising is service; for the merchant is not a producer; he performs the important function of distributor. That mer- chant succeeds best who makes it a point to study the merchandise needs of the territory he serves and gets that merchandise into the hands of the consumer most expeditiously, giving in value the utmost possible for each dollar expended. Thus the merchant who serves his community best also serves best his own personal interests. Michael John Mras of Plymouth is such a merchant. The treatment he accords his customers is the kind he would like to receive were their relative positions reversed. And the success he is achieving shows that he made no mis- take in choosing his vocation.
Michael John Mras was born in Kisfalu, Austria, April 24, 1874, son of Andrew and Mary Mras. The father was born in Austria in 1840, and followed farming there. After
he came to America he became a contractor and engaged in that business until his death in 1887. Young Mras began his elementary education in his native land. He came to the United States and Plymouth with his parents in 1887 and continued his schooling here, completing his grammar school grades and attending the high school. His first work was as a clerk in the general store of Charles Shupp, with whom he remained five years. He was then in the employ of Chamberlain and Company in a similar capacity for a year. During all this time he had been study- ing the merchandise he handled and the whims and peculiarities of people as well; also, he had been practicing the utmost thrift and economy that he might accumulate capital wherewith to start into business for himself when the opportunity presented. In March, 1899, he felt that the time to make the venture had arrived, and full of hopes, courage and confidence he opened his pres- ent store stocked with a good line of general merchandise. He did not trust to any ele- ment of luck or personal favor to put the new husiness on its feet. He worked inde- fatigably, early and late, he studied the busi- ness from every possible angle; he watched income and outgo and overhead; he fol- lowed the markets and bought to advantage, remembering the old adage, "A thing well bought is half sold." And the result was the only one to be expected-results were encouraging from the start and he has estab- lished for himself an enviable place in the confidence and good will of his fellow-citi- zens. Since 1908 he has been a director of the First National Bank of Plymouth, and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Merchant's Association, and the Shawnee Club.
He is identified with the Republican party and at one time served as clerk of the Board of Elections in the Second Ward. His inter- est in public affairs is not limited to the political phase, however. Every concern of the community is a matter of personal importance to him and he supports in every way in his power all movements that have as their object the promotion of the common good.
On January 13, 1901, Michael John Mras married Theresa Prokop, daughter of Michael and Veronica Prokop of Plymouth. Four children have been born from this union: George A., now in business with his father; Joseph, a law student at Carlisle University; John A., associated with his father: and Anna, a student in the Plymouth High School. The family are members of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church.
REV. ANDREW PAUCO-Holy Trinity Catholic Church, of Hazleton, was founded in 1907, when there occurred a schism in St. Joseph's Parish. Among the organizers of the new branch were Michael Cimbala, John Parish, Andrew Mike, George Hanisck, John Kallar, and John Petra. Subscriptions were taken, and a plat of ground on North Wyoming Street between Gum and Fern streets secured. A fine church of blue granite with a seating capacity of eight hundred was erected, together with the parsonage, at the intersection of Fern Street and Wyoming. The latter was completed in 1923, at a cost of $25,000. The cost of the church edifice was $60,000. It is one of the most prosperous parishes in the Wilkes-Barre area.
Rev. Joseph Zuchy was the first pastor of Holy Trinity, from 1907 to 1909; next, Rev. John Szeman, Rev. Frank Chevry, Rev. Joseph Marciuko, Rev. M. Tusch, Rev. Alex Kutka, Rev. Joseph Korman, and Rev. Andrew Pauco,
who assumed to the pastorate in October of 1916, and has held it since. His congregation numbers three hundred families, and the parish owns a cemetery of four acres at Laurel Hill.
Rev. Andrew Pauco was born In Czecho- slovakia, November 3, 1863; was educated at the University of Budapest, and ordained to the priesthood in 1886. First he served as priest in a German parish, and in 1897, at the age of thirty-three years, came to the United States, serving at Scranton, Pittston and Freeland before assuming to the pas- torate of Holy Trinity in 1916. He built the church and parish houses in Freeland, and the rectory in Hazleton, in addition to the parish house at Scranton. He is a devoted worker for the faith, unanimously esteemed by his parishioners, and well known in church circles.
REV. LOUIS LUCIII-The Hazleton area is wealthy in its assemblages of persons whose connection with Europe continues com- paratively fresh, removed as they are from the mother countries by one, two or three decades, or by a single generation. Hazle- ton is interesting for its sociological aspects, and is fortunate in the possession of num- bers of citizens from the Tyrol, that small and cultured section between Austria and Italy in the South of Continental Europe. The cultures of the Tyrol are developed to that degree possible only through centuries of contact with civilization, and its admira- ble people, whose tastes include something of the tastes of Italians and Austrians to- gether with a blending of individual cul- tivation, make most worthy American citi- zens.
A recognized leader, at the head of the Tyrolese people in Hazleton, Father Louis Luchi has given long years of service to the happy amalgamation of Tyroleans and native citizenry. In him they have implicit confi- dence, having found his leadership of incal- culable benefit, and the church of which he is pastor, the Lady of Mount Carmel, No. 102 South Church Street, is the center of their society. This parish, St. Vigilius, Ro- man Catholic, was the first Tyrolese founded in the United States, in 1905. At that time it included some one hundred and seventy families. Growth has been steady, healthful; and today the parish is composed of two hundred and twenty-five families, number- ing about one thousand souls. Rev. Louis Luchi was founder of the church-a work for which he will own immortality. He has presided over it through the ensuing years to the present. The church edifice was erected in 1906, a year after foundation of the parish, and has a seating capacity of four hundred. In 1927 Father Luchi's parish completed a beautiful mortuary establish- ment in the Tyrolese Cemetery: and the parish also has a capacious hall, used by the St. Vigilius Society of Young Men, as well as by the Lady of Lourde's Society for Young Women, a sorority. On the whole, Father Luchi has lived to see this important parish attain to a flourishing condition. He founded the Italian Church of the Holy Rosary, Ro- man Catholic, and this too flourishes nicely, under the charge of his nephew, Rev. Henry Luchi.
Father Luchi was born in the Tyrol, in September, 1859. He received his earliest school instruction there, then studied at Verona, Italy, afterward taking an advanced course in the University of Padova, Italy, whence he received a certificate entitling him to teach. For eighteen years, accord- ingly, he did teac'. It was in 1883 that he
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was ordained a priest-in October of that year-of the Stigmatini, in Italy, then being twenty-four years of age. In 1905 he came to the United States, joined the people of his native blood in Hazleton, and estab- lished the Order of Stigmatina in Hazleton, Scranton and Springfield, himself having been founder of the order in this country. From the first, October, 1905, until the present, he has made his center of operations in Hazleton. For some years, in Hazleton, he took charge of two other churches besides his own. Both of them were Italian Roman Catholic. When they were suitably supplied with priests from the Stigmatini, he retired from control. The Tyrolese are among the most prosperous people in Hazleton, and the Church of the Lady of Mount Carmel is free of all financial encumbrance, leaving Father Luchi free to pursue works of good unham- pered by monetary restrictions. He himself was responsible for many Tyrolean families coming to Hazleton, as they took residence here at his suggestion. Largely they are agriculturally inclined; sound business men of conservative habits. All became citizens of the United States of America at the earliest possible time, and are especially proud of their industry and their American- ism.
Father Luchi founded a newspaper for his people in Hazleton. This proved a worth- while medium for exchange of news and comment, and was a valuable agent in the solidification of American-Tyrolese. During the period of America's participation in the World War Father Luchi served the cause notably, being the means of a unified Tyro- lean support of American principles at that decisive period. He is sought after by the business and social spheres of the commun- ity. For by all classes he is respected for the work which he has carried through so admirably, and is esteemed most sincerely for his personal attributes of integrity and manliness.
JOHN M. JANOSOV-Owner of the Citizens Publishing Company of Hazleton, which issues the only Slavic newspaper in this city, John M. Janosov has one of the most profitable and, at the same time, one of the most valuable establishments from the pub- lio viewpoint, in this county, with its large percentage of Slavonic population. This paper, founded by Mr. Janosoy's brother, has experienced satisfactory growth since John M. Janosov assumed charge of it, and among its other departments is included one for commercial printing. Another unique dis- tinction held by the Citizens Publishing Com- pany is the fact that four brothers are con- nected in various capacities therewith, all of them practical printers. Mr. Janosov is widely known and highly respected among the Slavic residents of this district, and is connected with virtually every society com- posed of members of this race. In political affairs, too, he holds a place of leadership, and plays an important rôle in the ranks of his party.
John M. Janosov was born October 30, 1898, in Hazleton, son of Michael and Theresa (Hlad) Janosov. Michael Janosoy and his wife came from Czechoslovakia to this coun- try and first located near Hazleton, where they now reside. For more than thirty years he has worked as a miner, and he and his wife have seven children: Michael J., George A., Mary, John M. (of whom further), Theresa, Joseph J., and Andrew A. All of these chil- dren were educated in Saint Joseph's Paro- chial School. The four sons apprenticed themselves to the printing trade in this city
and, as heretofore noted, are now connected with the Citizens Publishing Company.
The Citizens Publishing Company was founded by the oldest son of Michael and Theresa (Hlad) Janosov, Michael J. Janosov, in 1912, and he was responsible for the estab- lishment of the "Slovak Citizen." He re- tained control of this company until 1922, when John M. Janosov took over the manage- ment of the concern. In the meantime, the other brothers have entered into the com- pany and through their joint efforts are providing the people of their race with one of the best newspapers of its kind in America. The "Slovak Citizen" is a weekly publication, seven columns wide, and with a minimum issue of six pages. Two editions are printed, one for Hazleton and another for Lansford. The circulation, six thousand, is unusually large for a weekly newspaper, and the con- tents of this journal are devoted mainly to happenings of interest to members of the Slavic race, although general affairs also The are given space within its columns. concern also maintains a modern and com- pletely equipped job printing department, producing commercial printing of the high- est class. This newspaper is filling the needs of the community most adequately, and its conduct has brought praise and prestige upon the Janosov family.
John M. Janosov is a member of Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and having been a Republican since maturity, has de- voted much time and effort in promoting the candidates and principles of that party. His fraternal affiliations, as heretofore noted, are confined to a great extent to those societies of Slavic origin.
Mr. Janosov married, in 1922, Veronica Mihalik, of Hazleton, and their children are John, Margaret, and Mary. The family re- sides at No. 588 North Vine Street, and Mr. Janosov's business headquarters are in the office of the Citizens Publishing Company, 36 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton.
FELIX DOMBROWSKI-From a beginning with a capital of nothing but a will to suc- ceed and a knowledge of the business, gained by years of study under competent masters, Felix Dombrowski has built up one of the finest and most successful jewelry establish- ments in the Wyoming Valley, at Nanticoke. An exceptional industry, a keen business ability and a favoring personality have brought their reward in an ever-growing cus- tom, making for him, as well, friends in all walks of life. His store is not only a credit to Nanticoke but would be a worthy com- panion of similar establishments of much larger centers. His motto has been that the best is none too good for his customers, a position that he has maintained in every re- spect, to the benefit of his trade and to his own.
Felix Dombrowski was born in Poland, January 10, 1888, a son of John Dombrowski, and emigrated to the United States when he was eighteen years of age. For a time he lived in Connecticut, coming to Nanticoke in 1910, where he has since resided and con- ducted his business. He learned the jewelry business in his native land and immediately went to work here as a salesman, doing con- siderable traveling and creating a good trade in the neighborhood and in New York and New Jersey. Eventually he established him- self in business at No. 18 South Market Street, where he conducts his business and makes his home in the same building, which he erected a few years ago. He does a considerable mail order business through his annual cata- logue, which illustrates a large and attractive
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