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 96
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Born here in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 20, 1897, Dr. Hoebener is a son of John P. and Catherine E. (Reinmiller) Hoebener, the first mentioned of whom is living (1928). He attended the public schools of his birth- place, graduating from the high school with the class of 1916, and then entered the em- ploy of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, with whom he remained as assistant division shipper until 1920. By that time, being then a young man of twenty-three years, he de- cided that he would enter professional life and chose chiropractics as his field of en- deavor. Accordingly, he entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic, at Davenport, Iowa, where he finished his course with the class of 1922, graduating in February of that year. For a period of one year he practiced in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, and then came to Hazleton, where he has since been engaged in practice. He has been successful in treating a wide range of ailments and has built up
both a practice and a reputation. Conscien- tious in his work, always ready to call in the assistance of an M. D. when he finds that the nature of the trouble is such that drugs rather than chiropractic treatment are needed, he has won the confidence of his patients by his honest recognition of the limits of his profession as well as by his skill and success in giving treatment. Dr. Hoebener is a member of the Pennsylvania State Chiropractic Association and of Delta Sigma Chi Fraternity; and he is also a mem- ber of Lodge No. 200, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and of Lodge No. 34, Junior Order of United American Mechanics. His religious interest is with Christ Lutheran Church, of which he is a communicant.
Dr. A. D. Hoebener was married, October 20, 1926, to Anna E. Bohan, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and they make their home at No. 70 South Wyoming Street, in Hazleton.
LEO LANDAU-One of the finest business concerns in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is the jewelry, music, victrola and furniture estab- lishment owned by the four Landau brothers, and managed by Leo Landau. The brothers own two establishments, one located at No. 66 South Main Street, in Wilkes-Barre, and the other here in Hazleton, located at No. 17 West Broad Street, and they operate on the deferred payment plan. Though young in point of time in operation, the Hazleton busi- ness is prospering greatly and its operations cover a wide territory.
Leo Landau was born in Austria, February 8, 1897, son of Manual and Mary Landau. In June, 1910, the parents came to this country, bringing with them their little family, and Mr. Landau, who had been attending the com- mon schools of Austria, finished his education in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre. From boyhood days he was associated with the music and jewelry business which was oper- ated by his brothers, and in 1919, when he was twenty-two years of age he was admitted to partnership in the firm. In the business in Wilkes-Barre he received a thorough train- ing, and for eight years he continued to work hard in the interests of the original concern. As time passed, however, it became evident that it would be advantageous to all con- cerned to expand the field of operations, and this was accordingly done by opening a sec- ond store in Hazleton and placing Leo Landau in charge as manager. The store was opened on November 11, 1927, under the name of Landau Brothers, and they are selling full lines of jewelry, music, radios, and furniture on the deferred payment plan. The business is owned by the four brothers, Hyman, Leo, Nat and Isadore; Leo Landau has full charge of the Hazleton district. The store is seven- teen and a half by one hundred and fifty feet, four floors, and basement, and it draws its patronage from all sections of Hazleton as well as from a large territory surrounding the place.
Fraternally, Mr. Landau is affiliated with Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and Accepted Masons, Wilkes-Barre; also with Irem Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and with Caldwell Consistory, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic Club and of the Kiwanis Club, also of the Craftsman's Club, and has been very active in the Young Men's Hebrew Association, of which he is a member of the board of directors. His religious membership is with the B'nai B'rith Hehrew Congrega- tion, and he is a helpful member of all the various organizations with which he is iden- tified.
Leo Landan was married, September 10,
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1922, to Anna Weisberger, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of two sons: Howard R. and Calvin Jerome. The family home is located at No. 160 North Church Street, Hazleton.
ZOLTAN J. DROSDICK-Though still a young man, Zoltan J. Drosdick has won a position of unusual importance in the finan- cial world of Hazleton and the vicinity. After thorough preparation for his career and a period of preliminary training during which he revealed great talent, he became an officer and a director of, the City Bank and Trust Company, of Hazleton, of which his father, Michael Drosdick, was then president. Aside from his business interests, Mr. Drosdick is highly regarded in his community as a public-spirited citizen, and he is a member of several local civic and fraternal organiza- tions.
Mr. Drosdick was born October 8, 1899, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, a son of Michael Drosdick, now deceased, who was born in Hungary, and of Malvina (Duboczky) Dres- dick. His father came to the United States when he was fifteen years old and after working in various capacities for a number of years, entered the foreign exchange house of Martin and Nemeth, at Hazleton, of which he soon became manager and eventually a partner in the business. In 1917, he organized the American Bank and Trust Company, first known as the Hazleton Slavonic Bank, of which he was vice-president and manager of foreign exchange, and in 1922 he organized and served as first president of the City Bank and Trust Company, which position he re- tained until his death on December 21, 1926.
Zoltan J. Drosdick attended the public schools of Hazleton, and the high school, from which he was graduated in 1917. Later he undertook a course of study at the Whar- ton School of Finance in Philadelphia, and upon its completion, entered the employ of the Hazleton Slavonic Bank, where he re- mained from February, 1918, until February, 1922. At the end of that time, he and his father began the organization of the City Bank and Trust Company, which was char- tered on February 8, 1923, and opened its doors on April 2, of the same year, at No. 31 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton. This bank has a capital of $125,000, and deposits of well over a million dollars, its shares of capital stock selling now at a premium. The original officers of the institution were: Michael Drosdick, president: J. H. Lahm, vice-president; Zoltan J. Drosdick, secretary; J. L. Michel, treasurer; directors: Michael Drosdick, J. H. Lahm, John H. Bonin, M. A. Gallagher, Stephen F. Payer, John Eagler, Adam Iffert, E. F. Hanlon, E. D. Snyder, C. A. Mason, Charles H. Rice, and Zoltan J. Drosdick. Upon the death of Michael Dros- dick, John H. Lahm became president, and Zoltan J. Drosdick, vice-president and treas- urer, and this arrangement has continued since that time. Correspondents of the bank include: The City National Bank and Trust Company, of Philadelphia, the Mellon Na- tional Bank, of Pittsburgh, and the Chemical National Bank, of New York City.
Politically, Mr. Drosdick is a member of the Republican party, and he is affiliated fra- ternally with the Knights of Columbus, fourth degree. He is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and attends St. Ga- briel's Roman Catholic Church. His residence is at No. 160 South Church Street, Hazleton.
CLEMENT H. WARKOMSKI, D. D. S .- Although he is one of the younger profes- sional men of Pittston, Clement H. Warkom-
ski already has shown considerable promise as a practicing dentist of this city. Those who have become his patients and they in- clude a large number of men and women of the community-have been impressed by his skill and craftsmanship, as well as with the care with which he goes about his work. He has been practicing only a few years, but in that time he has made a name for himself, both among his patients and among his fel- low professional men.
Dr. Warkomski is a son of Barney and Josephine Warkomski, his father being a native of Russia and his mother having been born in Germany. His parents live in Nanti- coke, Pennsylvania, where the father is en- gaged in mine work. As a hoy, Clement H. Warkomski, who was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1903, attended the public schools and the high school there. In the class of 1921 he was graduated from the Nanticoke High School. Then he became a student at the University of Pittsburgh, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1925, receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Then in 1926 he began his practice, settling in Pittston. IIe maintains offices at No. 200, New Rose Build- ing, Pittston, and already has attained a large following of faithful patients who rely utterly upon his skill because they have learned to know his work and the care with which he performs it.
Dr. Warkomski keeps in close touch with affairs in his profession, especially through his membership in the National Dental Asso- ciation, the Pennsylvania State Dental As- sociation, and the Luzerne County Dental Association. In his religious affiliations, he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Pittston.
LOUIS A. TURON-When Louis A. Turon was ten years of age he had already begun to acquire his education in the "University of Hard Knocks," and if the character of his schooling is to be judged by the success of mature years, his school was a good one. In 1913, as a young man of twenty-three years, he formed a partnership with D. H. Schwartz under the firm name of Turon & Schwartz, and engaged in the lumber business in Pitts- ton, and today (1928) that concern ranks as one of the leading lumber concerns of Pitts- ton. Mr. Turon is very well known in this section of Luzerne County as a very able business man and also as a public-spirited citizen. He is chief of the Building Com- mittee of the Italian-American Society of Wilkes-Barre, and active in all its affairs.
Lawrence P. Turon, father of Mr. Turon, was born in Italy, about 1862, but in 1885, as a young man of twenty-three years of age, he left his native land and came to America seeking the longed for opportunity to make the most of his ability unhampered by the restrictions of the Old World. He came to Pittston, Pennsylvania, and here for a time he worked as a mason and later as a car- penter. The energy and initiative which had enabled him to leave the land of his birth and come to a strange country for the bet- terment of his fortunes, however, was still his in large measure and he had no intention of remaining merely a carpenter working in the employ of others. He decided to study architecture and to this profession he brought not only his building experience but also first class artistic ability. As time passed he came to be recognized as one of the talented men of his profession and took his place among his fellows as one of the finest architects in the city. Some of the contracts executed by Mr. Turon are the Dime Bank, the Newrose
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Building, the Kehoe residence, and the Planters Building, of Wilkes-Barre. In early life, Mr. Turon was a cabinet maker, and all his early experience has contributed to his pronounced success in later years. He is still active (1928) at the age of sixty-six years and is steadily adding to his well earned reputation as a skillful and talented architect and an able business man. He is a member of the Italian-American Society, of Wilkes- Barre; and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of Pittston. He married Mary Pulisanna, also a native of Italy.
Louis A. Turon, son of Lawrence P. and Mary (Pulisanna) Turon was born in Pitts- ton, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1890, and se- cured his education wherever he could find something to learn. He says that his educa- tion was secured mostly in the "school of hard knocks," and it is certain that he began that training at an early age for when he was ten years old he was hard at work in a bake shop. He had inherited a goodly share of his father's progressiveness and ability, however, and he worked steadily toward his goal, never fearing hard work, giving full measure for the pay he received, and keeping a close look-out for opportunity in whatever form it might appear. He was well aware of the fact that if he was ever to become the owner of a business he must have capital, and with that end in view he not only worked hard but he also saved hard. In 1913, when he was still only twenty-three years old, he formed a partnership with D. H. Schwartz under the firm name of Turon & Schwartz, and engaged in the lumber business. Both of the partners were good business men, and both devoted their energy to the development of the business which they had founded. The result is that the enterprise has grown and prospered marvelously, and the boy who at the age of ten was working hard in a bake shop is now one of the leading business men of the city of Pittston. Like his father, Mr. Turon is a member of the Italian-American Society, of Wilkes-Barre, and he, too, is active in its affairs, serving as chief of its building committee. He is also a member and a director of the Roaring Run Fishing Club.
Louis A. Turon was married, April 14, 1920, to Jeannette Eagan, of Pittston, and they are the parents of four children: Jean, Louis A., Jr., Marie and Doris. Mr. and Mrs. Turon are members of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, but Lawrence P. Turon, the father, and his wife are communicants of St. Rocco's Roman Catholic Church. Louis A. Turon and his family make their home at No. 1110 Susquehanna Avenue, in Pittston.
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JACK LANDAU-Since early 1927 Jack Landau had been manager of the Landau Music and Jewellery Store at Pittston. Though still relatively young he has proved himself a business man of the finest pro- gressive type, maintaining the traditional excellence associated with the Landau name. The Pittston store, a direct outgrowth of the original store founded by Samuel Landau in 1898 at Wilkes-Barre, was established on October 21. 1921. bv Harry Michlosky, Messers. Hyman and Nathaniel Landau. Lo- cated first at No. 40 South Main Street, they moved in April, 1923, to larger quarters at No. 21 North Main Street, where they still remain, occupying a two-story building one hundred and sixty-five feet long and twenty- five feet wide. The store is well stocked with a complete line of the best jewelry, musical instruments, and radios, featuring especially Victor records and Victrolas, R. C. A. Radiolas, Atwater Kent radios, Buescher and Gibsons
instruments, Leedy drums, Bulova wrist watches and other merchandise of a high grade. For the first six years of its existence Nathaniel Landau acted as manager for the store, but in March, 1927, Harry Michlosky assumed full control of the enterprise, Hyman and Nathaniel Landau relinquishing their holdings, and at that time Jack Landau became manager, a position which he still holds.
His father, Samuel Landau, was born in Galicia, Hungary, in 1876. Coming to the United States as a young man, he established a jewelry and music store in 1898 at Wilkes- Barre, at the age of twenty-two, continuing in business there until his death in 1913. Mr. Landau was highly respected in the commun- ity and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Sara Michlosky, a sister of the present proprietor of the Landau Pittston store, who is still living, and they were the parents of three children, Jack, Nathaniel, and Leroy. Of these Nathaniel is now connected with the Wilkes-Barre store, and the manager of the Victor department there.
Jack Landau was born in Wilkes-Barre, January 31, 1905. He attended the public schools there, and as he grew up, became associated with the Landau music and jewelry stores in Wilkes-Barre and Pittston, finally becoming manager of the latter. His initia- tive and undoubted business talent, besides being of great value in his work, have brought him the respect of his entire com- munity. He is a member of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, and associated with the local Chamber of Commerce.
On January 16, 1927, Mr. Landau married Frances Baron, of Plymouth, and they are the parents of one child, Samuel, who was born December 29, 1927. The family home is at No. 85 First Avenue, Kingston, Penn- sylvania.
EDMUND NIKLEWSKI - One of the younger doctors of dental science engaged in general practice in Nanticoke, with offices in the Hill Building, South Market Street, is Edmund Niklewski, who was born in Nan- ticoke, May 15, 1898, a son of Joseph and Anna (Nilkewski) Niklewski. Joseph Nik- lewski was born in Posen, Poland; there at- tended public school, learned the trade of stone mason, and came to the United States soon after he had attained his majority of years. He located in Nanticoke and here engaged in his trade for many years, up until the time of his retirement. He is now (1928) living, still active in affairs of Nanticoke, and especially in those of the Polish circles in which he moves.
Edmund Niklewski attended the public schools of his native city. He graduated from Nanticoke High School with the class of 1917, and matriculated in Bucknell Uni- versity. At Bucknell he was for four months in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, up to the close of the war and to the end of his studies in that institution. Meanwhile he had decided upon dentistry as a career, and after leaving Bucknell, which is located in Lewisburg, he entered the University of Pittsburgh, and from its department of den- tistry graduated in 1924, with honors for class standing and the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Without delay he began the practice of his profession in Nanticoke, and his offices are known to an ever increas- ing clientele. Dr. Niklewski is secretary- treasurer of the Nanticoke Dental Society; a member of the Dental Association of Lu- zerne County and of the National Dental
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Society, and in all organizations enjoys the highest professional standing. He is also a member of the American Legion, the Polish Union, and the Polish Falcons. While he does not profess great concern in matters of politics, his influence in Polish circles and in those fraternal bodies in which he is a member tends to be substantial, and he em- ploys it quietly, always to the good of the community at large. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, is devout in the service of the church, and most kindly in his works for charity. Dr. Niklewski is one of the staff of physicians and surgeons attending the clinics held in the Polish Orphanage, and here, as in so many ways outside, he accomplishes material good.
Dr. Niklewski is possessed in generous degree of those endowments of character which elevate a man in the opinions of his fellows: and it is said of him by those who know him well, that in his profession he is skilled, strictly ethical; in his manner tem- perate; in conviction firm, but ready quickly to alter a contention upon discovery that it is in error; and a citizen whose value to community, State and Nation is not to be doubted. Bowling forms his chief recreation, and he is a member of the American Bowl- ing Team (1928).
FREDERICK A. MUSCHLITZ, M. D .- Since 1917 Dr. Frederick A. Muschlitz has been identified with the medical staff of the Pitts- ton Hospital where he devotes most of his activity to general practice and surgery.
Frederick A. Muschlitz was born in Slating- ton, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1887, the son of Robert F. and Amanda S. (Meensden) Muschlitz. He has received his education in most well known institu- tions in the State of Pennsylvania, going first to Mercersburg, then to the University of Pennsylvania, and then graduating from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadel- phía with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1911. This was followed by a term as interne in the Philadelphia Gen- eral Hospital and when he had completed his interneship, he returned to his native town and began the general practice of medicine. He continued in this work until the death of his father, when he found it necessary to retire from the practice for awhile and carry on the business of his late father. This he did for a period of five years, after which time he again resumed the activities of his chosen profession. It was at this time that he came to Pittston and became a member of the staff in the Pittston Hospital.
In 1917, Dr. Muschlitz enlisted in the United States Navy for the period of the World War. While waiting to he called into service, he went to Clinton, New Jersey, where he took charge of the practice of Dr. A. H. Coleman. He spent several months in Clinton and then came back to Pittston where he has since remained as a member of the surgical staff of the local hospital. He is also an assistant surgeon at the Penn- sylvania Coal and Coke Company's collieries.
Dr. Muschlitz is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society; the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Associa- tion. He is also a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, the Fox Hill Country Club and the Presbyterian Church.
In 1911, Dr. Frederick A. Muschlitz married Elizabeth Boyer, of Easton, Pennsylvania. They have one child, Charlotte. Dr. and Mrs. Muschlitz make their home at No 910 Susquehanna Avenue.
JORN H. HARACZ-Patriotism runs high in the blood of John II. Haracz, of Plymouth, whose retail clothing business at No. 105 West Main Street, is well known and one of the prosperous establishments of the township. He was but twenty years of age when he enlisted in the army and spent more than two years at the fighting front in the World War. This indomitable spirit won for him the praise of his fellow-townsmen and a circle of friends that has been a power- ful factor in his success as a merchant, although his individuality, industry and per- sonality have had their full share. lle has proven himself a citizen of great value to the community, for it is the younger element working today that will lead the way for another to follow and the example that is set by the present generation will have its effect upon the next. In this respect Mr. Haracz is a worthy example to follow.
He was born in Plymouth Township, Lu- zerne County, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1896, a son of Anthony and Victoria (Ripski) Haracz, both natives of Poland, who came to this country when young and settled here. His father is connected with the fire depart- ment of the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern Railroad. The boy acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Plymouth and was graduated from high school, after which he entered the employ of Max Kaiser, cloth- ing merchant, where he worked for five years, learning the business. In 1916 he enlisted in the army, before the United States entered the World War, and was assigned to the Machine Gun Corps, with which, in the 16th Company, he was sent overseas with the first 100,000 men of the American Ex- peditionary Forces. He was in action in the Toul sector and elsewhere and was wounded. He was discharged, with the rank of cor- poral, June 16, 1919, and returned to Plym- outh, where he established himself in the men's clothing and furnishings business at No. 105 West Main Street, where he now continues to conduct the enterprise. He is a member of the Plymouth Chamber of Com- merce, the American Legion, Kiwanis and Shawnee clubs, Lodge No. 109, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Société 40 Hommes et & Chevaux and Plymouth Fire Company, No. 1. In politics he is a Repub- lican. His church is St. Mary's Roman Cath- olic.
John H. Haracz married, in 1921, Blanche Surowinski, of Plymouth, daughter of An- thony and Catherine Surowinski. They are the parents of two children: 1. John J., horn June 18, 1923. 2. Rosemary, born Feb- ruary 4, 1926.
BENJAMIN C. RYDZEWSKI-A fine exam- ple of rise to a position of importance and influence in the banking world of this dis- trict is furnished by the career of Benjamin C. Rydzewski, one of the organizers of the Glen Lyon National Bank, which, and its predecessor as a State bank, he has served as cashier for a period approaching twenty years. Mr. Rydzewski worked up from an employee at a coal-breaker, through various clerkships, to a position in a bank, where he made practical application of a course in banking taken at an institute. His ascent was rapid, and he is still a young man, a leader in the group of progressive financiers of the Wyoming Valley.
Benjamin C. Rydzewski was born in Plym- outh, April 17, 1890, the son of Hilary and Aniela (Niemkiewicz) Rdyzewski, his father born in Russian Poland, in 1861, and is a miner; his mother, born in Russian Poland in
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