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 98
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REVEREND GEORGE V. INCZURA, the present pastor of St. Mary's of the Annun- ciation, Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, is the son of Aloysius and Veleria (Adoma- vicz) Inczura, both now deceased, who were natives and citizens of Lithuania and the parents of six children: Christina; John; Joseph; Anthony; Leo; and George V., of whom further.
George V. Inczura was born August 1, 1882, in Lithuania, where he was educated and when quite a young man received his degree of Bachelor of Arts. He is especially well versed in different languages, being familiar with the Russian language which he speaks fluently. While living in Lithuania, he was a teacher of penmanship, and also taught Latin in Mintaujia in Latvia. He has famil- iarized himself with four languages. He came to this country in 1907 and very soon after began the study of theology at St. Bonaventure Seminary at Allegany, New York, from which he graduated in 1908. On July 3, 1908, he was ordained in the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul at Scranton, Penn- sylvania, by the Right Reverend M. J. Hoban, Bishop of Scranton. Reverend Inczura took his first charge at St. Mary's Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church at Wanamie, Penn- sylvania, where he remained from August 15, 190S, to December 6, 1910. He was then transferred to the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul at Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he served from December, 1910, to May, 1911. His next charge was at St. Casimir's Lith- uanian and Polish Church at Freeland, Penn- sylvania, in Luzerne County. He was here from 1911 to 1917, when he was transferred to his present charge at Kingston, Pennsyl- vania. The history of the church at King- ston is interesting. It was organized in February, 1902, the congregation being formed from that of the Church of St. Casimir's at Plymouth, which church was burned down about 1901 or 1902. It was owing to the bad roads, the crowded cars
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and the long distance and great inconven- ience in getting to the Church of St. Casi- mir's at Plymouth, especially during bad weather, that many of its worshippers went out to form the new church. After the con- gregation was organized into a church, it worshipped at the Church of Sts. Cyrilius and Methodias, at Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, for a period of six months when that church edifice was burned. This occurred in 1902. The congregation then used the basement of the present church building for worship until the edifice was completed. The church was dedicated by the Right Reverend M. J. Hoban, bishop of Scranton, on August 15, 1908, and the Reverend J. V. Kudizka was installed as its first pastor. He served the congregation from February 15, 1902 until 1917. While in charge, he built the church and the parish house and when he left, the church did not owe a penny. This church is of modern construction and up-to-date in all appurtenances. It has two large double towers of red pressed brick, and is one hundred and ten feet in length, and fifty feet in width with a seating capacity of nearly nine hundred persons. Father Inczura has a congregation of about four hundred and fifty families comprising nearly two thousand souls, and carries on all the work of the parish without an assistant. He is a hard worker, and who is democratic in all his dealings with his fellowmen. He is a member of the Lithuanian Roman Catholic Alliance, Branch No. 1, at Kingston, Penn- sylvania. In politics he is a Democrat.
DENNIS EUGENE SOSNOWSKI-It is quite appropriate that two young descendants of Polish parentage should engage in the prac- tice of law at Wilkes-Barre in the same firm, and that each should have served the country of his adoption in the World War. The reference is to Dennis Eugene Sosnow- ski and Michael John Torlinski (q. v.), who maintain offices at 822-26 Miners' Bank Build- ing and have been quite successful since they entered into partnership.
Mr. Sosnowski was born at Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, October, 9, 1889, son of John and Wladyslawa Sosnow- ski, parents who came to this city about 1870 from their native land, Poland, to seek better opportunities. Mr. and Mrs. Sosnow- ski became the parents of fourteen chil- dren, ten of whom grew up, viz: Stanley, now deceased; Casimir, Frank, Narcissus, Theodosia, now Mrs. Stanley Zborowski; John, Dennis Eugene, of whom further; Mary, now Mrs. Stanley Witkowski: Alex- ander, and Helen, now Mrs. Gerald Ruddy.
Dennis Eugene Sosnowski attended the Nanticoke public schools as a boy and in the class of 1907 graduated from the Nanticoke High School. Thereupon he entered the Wyoming Seminary and graduated in the class of 1911. Desiring to still further equip himself with educational tools, he matric- ulated at Yale University at New Haven, Connecticut, which institution awarded him the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1915. Deciding that his best opportunities lay in the law, Mr. Sosnowski entered the Law School of the same institution, from which he was graduated in the class of 1917 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Shortly after leaving Yale, and before he could become established at his chosen pro- fession, the United States was embroiled in the World War, and he patriotically joined the colors in the fight against German mili- tarism joined the Officers' Training Camp in the Federal Infantry and was commissioned as second lieutenant and stationed at Camp
Lee, Virginia, until the close of the war. He rendered essential service in training combat troops for duty in France, and re- ceived the thanks of a grateful govern- ment.
Mr. Sosnowski was admitted to the Penn- sylvania Bar in 1921 at Philadelphia and was associated with the law firm of Brown and Williams in the Morris Building. He returned to Luzerne County and the friends of his childhood and was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in 1925. Mr. Sosnowski is well versed in law, is well read as a lay-reader, and enjoys an unusually high standing among his fellow-members of the profession. In politics Mr. Sosnowski is an independent, for he has always refused to wear a party collar. He votes for and supports the best man, whether Republican, Democrat or otherwise, holding it to be a duty of good citizenship to vote convictions rather than accept party labels. He is a member of the Luzerne County Bar Association, and the Yale Alumni Association of Luzerne County. In religious affairs he is an adherent of the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church of Hud- son, this county. He represents the consul general of Poland in legal matters at Wilkes- Barre, and in this capacity has proven of great value to the numerous subjects of Poland, seeking accommodation and oppor- tunity in this new country. Altogether he has made himself valuable in the commer- cial and legal cosmology of Luzerne County, and is warmly regarded by his associates and contemporaries. He is still unmarried.
JOHN MENOVSKY-The worthy ambition of European immigrants to achieve success in the Western Hemisphere and their ability to do so are well illustrated in the career of John Menovsky, well known member of the Luzerne County Bar, with offices at 300-301 Meyer Building, Wilkes-Barre. Most of the European countries are overcrowded with people; business and agricultural methods are conservative, transportation slow, and the rank and file of the people poor. Not only these things, but the excesses of the ruling dynasties are such that taxes are extremely burdensome, and the principal item contributing to misery is war, which comes every ten years or oftener. These conditions existed in the boyhood of John Menovsky, whose future looked dark to his fond parents; so the determination was ar- rived at to shake the dust of Europe from their feet and turn their faces to the sunlight in America, the land of opportunity and peace. The family crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled at Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Menovsky obtained employment in a clothing store. The lad had received a little schooling in his native land, and he was anxious to continue, but it was necessary first to keep the wolf away from the door, so he worked hard day and night. When he had made some money and could take things easier, he entered Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, having ac- quired a fair command of the English lan- guage. He worked hard during the sum- mers and at odd times during the winter months, until he was able to set himself up in the office of a member of the local bar with books and the other things needed to start studying law. Presently he entered law school, from which he was duly grad- uated, and began the practice of the law in Wilkes-Barre. That was nearly thirty-three years ago, since which time he has success- fully followed his profession here and won for himself an admirable place in the esti- mation of his associates and contemporaries.
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Mr. Menovsky was born December 31, 1873, at Presov, Czecho-Slovakia, son of hard- working and deserving parents who made many sacrifices for him; his father died some years ago, but his mother and two sisters, with whom he lives, have been spared to see and enjoy his triumphs. After his pre- liminary schooling, at fourteen years of age he accompanied his parents to America. Following his experience at the Wyoming Seminary he entered the law office of the late John T. Lenahan, and later the office of the late W. C. McLarney, of Plymouth. Association with these learned men inspired him, and he got together enough money to enter the Dickinson College Law School at Carlisle. He made rapid progress in his work and after only a year in the Dickinson Law School he returned home and took the Luzerne County Bar examination, and was admitted to practice October 14, 1895, and has been a general practitioner ever since. His knowledge of the law is extensive and he handles himself in court with a becoming ease and grace.
Mr. Menovsky has always cultivated the habit of thinking for himself, and is inde- pendent in his political views. He cham- pioned the cause of Theodore Roosevelt. In the campaign of 1912 he served as treasurer of the Luzerne County organization of the Progessive party, and was successful in add- ing substantially to the campaign chest. In 1910 his prominence and ability were such that he was appointed assistant district at- torney of Luzerne County under the late John H. Williams. He acquitted himself most creditably in this difficult position and ob- tained an experience that has been invalu- able to him ever since.
Mr. Menovsky is a leading member of the Luzerne County Bar Association, the Con- cordia Club of Wilkes-Barre; the Young Men's Christian Association, and the National Slovak Society. He is attorney for the Penn- sylvania Bank and Trust Company, with which concern he has made an admirable record. He is a thorough student and one of the best read members of the Luzerne County Bar.
REV. EDWARD A. BELLAS, born in Hazle- ton, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1895, is a son of Edward A. and Elizabeth (Terrence) Bellas, both of whom were natives of Czecho- Slovakia. He has two brothers and one sister: 1. Joseph J., physician, of Newton Falls, Ohio. 2. Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Gryczka, Doctor of Medicine, of Reading, Pennsylvania. 3. Henry B., student, at Hazleton.
Rev. Edward A. Bellas was the second child of the family. He received his earliest education in St. Gabriel's Parochial School, at Hazleton; graduated then from Hazleton High School, and entered St. Charles' Sem- inary, at Overbrook, Pennsylvania. He com- pleted his course in theology at St. Vincent's at Beatty, Pennsylvania, in the class of 1920, and was ordained a priest July 18, 1920, at the age of twenty-five years. The ceremony was performed in St. Patrick's Roman Cath- olic Church, at Scranton, with the Rt. Rev. M. J. Hoban officiating.
. Rev. Bellas' first charge was in Scranton, over a Polish church of the faith. Early in 1921 he was transferred to the cathedral, of Scranton. In August, 1921, he was sent to the Church of St. Rocco, at Hazleton, there having under his charge a congregation of Italians. The following month he was sent to St. Vincent's, at Plymouth, and in October, 1921, transferred to St. Hedwig's Polish Cath- olio Church, at Kingston. On November 16,
1921, he was called to his present congrega- tion, at Edwardsville, as pastor of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. This church, one of the finest in the region, located at No. 115 Zerbey Avenue, is composed of pressed red brick, modern in every way, and has a capacity for nine hundred persons. The congregation is composed chiefly of Russians and Slovakians of the Roman Cath- olic Order. The history of the church Is
interesting: It was organized in 1901, by the Rev. J. F. Jedlicka, at No. 219 East Grove Street, Edwardsville, and drew its con- gregation from Kingston, Luzerne and Larks- ville. In 1906 the church burned down, and in the year following the church of SS. Cyril and Methodius was begun, but was not com- pleted until 1925, with Rev. Bellas in charge. Father Jedlicka died in 1921, at which time, as noted, Rev. Edward A. Bellas assumed charge of the parish. The parish house was built by the old Myers estate, about 1875, but this has been renovated from time to time, and today the church, house and ca- pacious hall are in harmony of style.
Rev. Bellas takes an active interest in the affairs of Edwardsville and vicinity, and supports all worthy undertakings for the public good, though he devotes the greater part of his time to the church and his parish.
REV. JOHN H. KRASIKEVICH-A native of Russia, but a resident of this country for almost two decades, Rev. Krashkevich de- cided to follow in his father's footsteps, when the time had arrived to choose his life work, and became a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church. After having held several charges in Cambria and Lackawanna coun- ties, Pennsylvania, he came to Wilkes-Barre in 1923 and since then has been rector of the Russian Orthodox Holy Resurrection Church. A man of deep religious feeling and of great executive ability he has built up his con- gregation to very large numbers and to a high degree of prosperity. He has been a powerful influence for good, not only amongst his own people, but also in the community at large, and he has gained for himself to an unusual degree the respect and confidence of all who know him.
Rev. Gregory Krashkevich, the father of the subject of this article was a priest of the Orthodox Russian Church and for many years did valuable work in his native country, Russia. He lost his life shortly after the outbreak of the Russian Revolution, refus- ing to renounce his church and its teachings and as a result was killed by Communist soldiers. He was the father of five sons: Peter, an inspector of public schools in Russia; Basil, a priest of the Russian Ortho- dox Church and now in prison in Russia on account of his determined adherence to his religious faith; John H., of whom further; Eugene, who died in Moscow of starvation in 1917; and Vladimir Krashkevich, a student in Kief, Russia, who expects to come to the United States at the earliest opportunity.
Rev. John H. Krashkevich was born at Holm, Russia, May 27, 1886, a son of Rev. Gregory and Theodora Krashkevich. He was educated in the seminary of his native town and became a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church. After having served for some years in Russia, he came to the United States in December, 1909. His first charge in this country was the Russian Orthodox Church at Vintondale, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, of which he was rector for two years. From there he went to the Russian Orthodox Church of Olyphant, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, the head of which he remained for nine years. In 1923 he became rector
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of the Russian Orthodox Holy Resurrection Church, Wilkes-Barre, a position which he has continued to hold since then with much ability and success. This church was or- ganized in 1894 by Rev. Alexis Toth, who died at Wilkes-Barre in 1909. At the time of its organization its congregation consisted of about one hundred families; in 1927 it had grown to a membership of more than five hundred families, consisting of some 2,800 individuals. Much of this growth is attributable to the work and to the inspiring leadership of Rev. Krashkevich. His church has also done a great deal of missionary work in nearby communities and has or- ganized several new parishes, which have been nourished into a very flourishing con- dition. These include the parishes at Ed- wardsville, Alden Station, Hanover, Old Forge and Berwick, all in Luzerne County. Including the mother church, some ten thou- sand communicants find spiritual guidance in these several churches. Holy Resurrection Church located at No. 591 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, is an attractive, modern brick building and one of the most active religious organizations of the city. A fine priests' house adjoins the church and, under the able direction of its rector, the congregation is engaged in many worthwhile educational and similar enterprises. Rev. Krashkevich, at the outbreak of the World War in 1914 was on a visit to his native country and, like thou- sands of other Americans then in Europe, experienced considerable difficulty in return- ing to this country. However, he finally succeeded in doing so and arrived here even- tually in November, 1914. He is a member of the Russian Orthodox Mutual Aid Society of the United States and of the National Slavonic Society. In politics he is a sup- porter of the Republican party.
Rev. Krashkevich married, May 31, 1912, Mary Repa, of Wilkes-Barre, a daughter of John and Julia (Wanat) Repa. They are the parents of three children: George, a junior in the Wilkes-Barre High School; Natalie and Margaret Krashkevich, both students in the graded schools of Wilkes-Barre.
FELIX W. BOLOWICZ-One of the men of the legal profession who has earned his way as he went and has, by financing his own education, gained a valuable practical ex- perience before admission to the bar, is Felix W. Bolowicz, who is a graduate of the Law School of Columbia University, New York City, and who was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1920 and to the Luzerne County Bar, Pennsylvania, in 1923. Mr. Bolowicz is a director of the Kingston Bank and Trust Company of Kingston, Pennsyl- vania, and solicitor of Larksville Borough, as well as holding other offices of trust.
Felix W. Bolowicz, father of Mr. Bolowicz, was a miner and was killed in an accident in the Gaylord Mines, in Plymouth, Luzerne County, a short time before Felix W., Jr., was born. His mother, Frances Bolowicz, therefore, was left with the care of a fam- ily and of the posthumous son, until several years thereafter when she was married to Anthony Staszinski.
Felix W. Bolowicz, son of Felix W. and Frances Bolowicz, was born in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, November 13, 1891, and when he was nine years of age was taken by his mother to Larksville, Luzerne County. He grew up around the mines of Nanticoke, Simpson, and Larksville, attended the public schools, but even as a boy began work, at the age of fourteen, as a breaker boy, or slate picker, working during all the holidays and vacation periods, and Saturdays, while
attending school. In 1908 he was graduated from the Larksville High School, after which he attended the Harry Hillman Academy, at Wilkes-Barre, for one year, graduating from that institution in 1909. When his prepara- tory course was completed he took a posi- tion with the Kingston Bank and Trust Com- pany, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, where he began as a bookkeeper, and where he rose through various promotions to the position of teller, in which capacity he was serving when he resigned in 1914. In the fall of 1914 he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1917. In the fall of that same year he began professional study in the Law School of Columbia University, in New York City, where he completed his course with grad- uation in 1920, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Meantime, in 1918, he had enlisted for service in the World War, was made a second lieutenant of Field Artil- lery, and assigned to Camp Taylor, in Ken- tucky, where he served until he was mus- tered out of service, in December, 1918, after which he resumed his studies in the Law School of Columbia University, and was graduated in 1920, as has already been stated. Soon after graduation he was admitted to the New York State Bar and became identified with the Union Carbide and Carbon Corpora- tion of New York. In 1922 he returned to Wilkes-Barre, and was admitted to the Lu- zerne County Bar in the spring of 1923. Since that time he has been engaged in gen- eral practice here, associated with Attorney Michael A. Donohue. He is a member of the Luzerne County Bar Association, of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, and in addition to the care of his private practice he is also a member of the board of directors of the Kingston Bank and Trust Company, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, and a solicitor for Larksville Borough. He is also a school director for Larksville Borough. He is a member of the Larksville Post, American Legion, and of Phi Beta Kappa (honorary) and Beta Theta Pi college fraternities. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Cath- olic Church.
FLORENTINE LAURENT SCHOTT-It was about two-score years ago that a resident of Alsace, then a province of the German Empire, but since the World War restored to France, decided to seek his fortune in this great land of opportunity. It was Laurent Schott who thus challenged fate and with him were his wife, Magdalena and his two- year-old son, Florentine L. Schott. Massil- lon, Ohio, then a small but rapidly-growing town, was the place where the Schott fam- ily first located and it was there that Floren- tine L. Schott grew to manhood.
Following his graduation from the public schools of Massillon Mr. Schott took a course in a business college, having set his mind on a commercial career. It was in 1900 that he decided that there was a greater oppor- tunity in a larger field and he went to New York City, where he was employed at various commercial pursuits until 1909. He came in that year to Wilkes-Barre and shortly after- wards was appointed president and general manager of Bartels Brewing Company, at Edwardsville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. In 1923 he founded the Nepenna Building Materials Company and today is president of that concern, with offices at Edwardsville and Kingston and works at Swoyersville. His company manufactures a special line of brick and tile and other building materials.
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Signal honor was paid to Mr. Schott when on January IS, 1927, he was elected presi- dent of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. A Republican in politics, Mr. Schott has never sought for office but has devoted his talents in that line to the advan- cement of Wilkes-Barre. He is an active member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons; Caldwell Consistory, thirty- second degree; and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and of Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Franklin Club of Wilkes-Barre and the Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club. He and his family are members of the Kingston Presbyterian Church.
In December, 1900, Mr. Schott was united in marriage to Rose E. Raab, of Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of George and Louise (Schatz) Raab. They are the parents of a daughter, Eleanor Gertrude, who is a grad- uate of Wheaton College, Norton, Massachu- setts, and Katherine Gibbs School of Boston, Massachusetts.
JAMES RICHARD OLIVER-One of the most attractive automobile garages, show rooms and service stations in Luzerne County, is the structure on Main Street, Dallas, erected and owned by James Richard Oliver, agent for the Dodge and the Packard cars. Mr. Oliver employs ten men in his estab- lishment, and carries a complete line of parts with which to do all kinds of automobile repair work.
Mr. Oliver was born at Pikes Creek, Lu- zerne County, on October 4, 1886, the son of Franklin Pierce and Elizabeth (Payne) Oliver, the former a carpenter by trade, who was born at Idetown, Luzerne County, in 1837, and who died in 1891. The mother of Mr. Oliver was a native of Freeland, Luzerne County, where she was born in 1852. Mr. Oliver obtained his early education in the public schools of Ross Township, Lycom- ing County, after which he was with the American Car and Foundry Company, in Ber- wick, Columbia County, where he acquired a very thorough knowledge of mechanics. He then went into the business of repair- ing and selling automobiles under his own name, and in 1922 he located in Dallas, where he undertook the agency for the Dodge cars, and also did a general repair business. It was in 1926 that he purchased the Dr. Henry Lang property on Main Street and erected thereon his present splendid building. He then took over the Packard agency and, in addition, went into the business of selling radio outfits and supplies. In political faith, Mr. Oliver is a Democrat, but he has taken no active part in the political contests of his town. He is affiliated with Dallas Lodge, No. 531, Free and Accepted Masons; with Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; with Dieu le Vent Commandery, Knights Templar, and with Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliations are with the local Methodist Church, of which he is a member of the official board.
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