USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 55
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geon, and upon coming to Bloomsburg later he soon acquired a large practice as a physi- cian and surgeon. He is a man of wonderful nerve and superior judgment, and his cool- ness in the most trying cases inspires confi- dence in the patient. He is widely known throughout the eastern section of the state and is often called to great distances to per- form operations, which would otherwise be performed in the hospitals of large cities, as they require a thorough understanding of the cases and a skill which is seldom found else- where. He is a stockholder in many of the leading industries of Bloomsburg and owns considerable property. Our subject pur- chased the Bittenbender property on East Main street, upon which he made many im- provements and remodeled into a beautiful residence. He owns many tenement houses which he has enlarged and remodeled and made other improvements. He purchased the old Miller farm upon which he also built new buildings and made various improve- ments, which have made it a profitable invest- ment.
Dr. Gardner was united in hymeneal bonds to Ida Melissa Pennington, a daughter of Henry Pennington, and a niece of the ex- governor of North Dakota. This union re- sulted in the following issue: Katherine P., who lives at home; Frank P., an electrician, who is superintendent of the People's Electric Railroad of Nanticoke, Pa .; and Le Roy P .. who is now in attendance at Nazareth Hall. Pa
HRISTIAN MOMLEY, who is a most respected German-American cit- izen of Shamokin, Pa., and a prom- inent veteran of the Rebellion, is a son of Christian Momley, and was born June 4, 1841, in the provincial state of Wurtemberg, Ger-
JAMES M. STAVER.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
many. He was educated and learned his trade as a butcher in his native country and was well prepared to follow his chosen occupation when he came to the United States at the age of twenty-three years, locating in New York City, where he remained but a short time.
Like thousands of his fellow Germans, the subject of our sketch was greatly aroused by the events of the Rebellion, which was then nearing its end, and his patriotic spirit im- mediately showed itself in his volunteering for the service of the country which he intended should adopt him as one of her foreign-born sons. He enlisted in the 28th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., in 1864, served in Company C, of that regiment, and was mustered out of ser- vice in the following year.
After leaving the army Mr. Momley fol- lowed his trade as butcher in Ashland, where he was associated with an uncle, also in Ma- hanoy City and at Mount Carmel, removing to Shamokin in 1868, of which town he has since been a resident, following butchering continuously. His is the oldest butcher's shop in the town, and he has built up an extensive and profitable business.
Our subject was united in the bonds of mat- rimony to Mary Wetzl, and unto them have been given four children, three of whom are living: Susanna Katherine, born February 22, 1871, who is the wife of Carus Winn of Shamokin; William Reuben, born October 26, 1874, who married Elizabeth Rouck of Shamokin; and George Christian, born Feb- ruary 26, 1876. The fourth child, Mahala Wielhema, died when about twelve years of age.
J AMES M. STAVER, who owns a half interest in the establishment of E. C. Caswell & Company, one of Blooms- burg's most prominent industries, and a high-
ly respected citizen of that town, was born in Pine Creek township, Lycoming County, Pa .. February 21, 1855, and is a son of John and Mary (Nicely) Staver.
The father of our subject was also born in Pine Creek township, Lycoming County, Pa., and upon growing to manhood moved to Jersey Shore, Pa., where he embarked in the lumber business and became one of the valued members of the community. He was united in marriage with Mary Nicely, and they were the parents of four children, named as follows: Lizzie, deceased; Carrie, widow of .A. J. Sy- pher; Martin Luther, a prominent real estate and insurance man residing in Jersey Shore. Pa .; and James M., the subject of this sketch. John Staver, who still resides at his home in Jersey Shore, is now eighty-two years old. In politics is a Prohibitionist, being greatly opposed to the use of intoxicating liquors.
James M. Staver was reared and educated in Jersey Shore, Pa., his father having moved there while James was a mere lad; during his carly manhood he worked on his father's farm and at the age of seventeen engaged as a clerk in the store owned by Howard & Staver, re- maining there until 1876, when he engaged in business with his father, under the firm name John Staver & Sons. In 1882 he re- moved to Bloomsburg and accepted a posi- tion as bookkeeper and cashier for Caswell Brothers & Company. In 1888 he purchased a one-third interest in the business and later increased his share in the business to one-half interest. The Bloomsburg Woolen Manufac- turing Company was established in 1882 by E. C. Caswell and S. A. Caswell; they erected a three-story building, 54x124 ft., with a boil- ci and engine room 26x36 ft .. at a cost of $15,000; fitted the plant with 14 looms and the latest improved machinery to manufac- ture fancy dress goods, the factory and ma-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
chinery costing in the neighborhood of $30,- 000; they use only XX fine merino wool, and employ some 40 hands. Upon the death of S. A. Caswell, E. C. Caswell bought out his heirs, and the business was conducted under the name of E. C. Caswell & Company. In 1888 our subject was taken in as partner, and a dye house, 30x36 ft., added to the plant. The building is heated throughout by steam supplied by a 50 horse-power engine; they have three sets of cards and 1,260 spindles. At I o'clock, September 30, 1896, a tornado passed over the town of Bloomsburg, com- pletely destroying the upper floor of the mills. by which the firm sustained a loss of $8,000. Ten days previously a hail-storm had demol- ished over 1,000 windows. The building was immediately rebuilt and in two months busi- ness was again in full sway. The goods man- ufactured by this firm are of the finest quality and are shipped directly to New York City, where.they own a large wholesale warehouse, and from there they are shipped throughout the United States. Mr. Staver is a stock- holder in many other enterprises of Blooms- burg, and is regarded as one of the most pro- gressive business men of his community.
Mr. Staver is a member of La Belle Valley Lodge, No. 232, F. & A. M., Jersey Shore, Pa .; past high priest and treasurer of Blooms- burg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M .; past grand master and treasurer of Mt. Moriah Council, No. 10; past E. M. commander and treasurer of Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T .; V. J. G. W. of the Ancient and Accepted Order of Scottish Rite; member of Enoch Grand Lodge of Perfection; past E. S. P. G. master of Zerrubabel Council, P. of J., 16th degree; G. O. of Evergreen Chapter of Rose Croix, 18th degree; second Lt. Com. of Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32nd degree; past junior general of Orient Conclave, No. 2; and
member of Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Staver's portrait is shown on a preceding page.
ARRY E. WALTON, one of the lead- ing and enterprising business men of the borough of Berwick, is an em- balmer and funeral director and is proprietor of one of the most attractive stores in the bor- ough, dealing in pictures, picture frames, mouldings, furniture, etc. He was born in Salem township, Luzerne County, July 8, 1865, and is a son of Morris and Caroline (Kline) Walton.
Morris Walton, the father of our subject, was born in Luzerne County, where he was educated and prepared for the ministry, but owing to poor health was obliged to sacrifice his plans. He then took up farming and fol- lowed that occupation during the remainder of his days. He died in August, 1870. He was united in marriage to Caroline Kline and they reared a family of children, one of whom is Harry E., whose name heads these lines. After her beloved husband's death Mrs. Wal- ton removed to Berwick, where she has since resided.
Harry E. Walton removed to Berwick with his mother and was educated in the common schools, after which he learned the trade of a carpenter and worked as a journeyman at Nanticoke, Wilkesbarre, Pa., and Newark, N. J. He then engaged in contracting in Ber- wick, continuing from 1891 to 1893. He then removed to Newark, N. J., and while there at- tended the United States Embalming School at New York City, from which he graduated December 12, 1892. He returned to Berwick in the spring of 1893 and purchased the pic- ture and moulding business of W. W. Pursel.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
In 1895 Mr. Walton bought out Klinetob Bros.' undertaking establishment, which he has since conducted. He is thoroughly ac- quainted with every detail of his profession, and by his honest and straightforward meth- ods he has won the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens as well as their patronage. Hle is a young man, very popular, and has a bright future before him.
Our subject was joined in matrimonial bonds to Jennie Kingsbury, a daughter of Daniel Kingsbury of Hardpan, Luzerne County, and they are the happy parents of five children, as follows: Fred M., born in Berwick, Pa .; Eudora, born in Irvington, N. J .; George W., born in Irvington, N. J .; Dan- iel K., born in Berwick; and Lena E., born in Berwick. Religiously Mr. Walton and his family are members of the Evangelical Church. He is a member of W. T. Sherman Commandery, No. 23, K. T .; Camp No. 105, P. O. S. of A .; and Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F. He has served as assistant regis- ter and as secretary of the school board of Berwick.
DWARD C. WELLS, a member of the firm of Creasy & Wells, is a man of tried ability who stands foremost among the leading business men of Blooms- burg. The planing mills conducted by him- self and partner and operated in connection with their extensive lumber yard between Sixth and Seventh streets, are modern and up-to-date in every particular, and are unex- celled in point of size and quality of work turned out, in Columbia County. Mr. Wells is a son of Theodore and Martha (Clark) Wells, and was born in Hughesville, Lycom- ing County, Pa., September 4, 1832.
Our subject is a descendant of a very promi-
nent family, being a great-grandson of Lem- uel Wells, a direct descendant of Hugh Wells, who settled in Hartford, Conn., in 1636, one of the earliest settlers of that state. lle is supposed to have been a cousin of Gov. Wells. Lemuel Wells was a sergeant in the Revolu- tionary War and after its close located at Wethersfield, where he was a very prominent man, his name being closely connected with the history of that section.
Israel Wells, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born at Whately, Mass., June 16, 1774, and moved west with his family in June. 1817, locating at Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa., where the residence of Dr. W. M. Reber now stands. He was a wheelwright by trade and attained distinction throughout the state as the manufacturer of the old Dear- borne wagons with wooden springs, which were at that time considered a great luxury. He made large sales and did an extensive business for many years before his death in 1853. On June II, 1798, he was united in marriage with Dolly Smith, a daughter of Gad and Irene Smith, and they became the parents of five children: Sedwick; Theodore; Israel; Clarissa; and Mosely D.
Theodore Wells, our subject's father, was born in Whately, Mass., in 1804, and early in life engaged in the mercantile business at Hughesville, Lycoming County, Pa., where he remained until 1832, when he located at Catawissa. There he successfully pursued the same line of business and in addition, with others, he entered into a contract for the construction of a bridge and one mile of track on either side, near the village of Mainville, Pa., for the Catawissa Railroad. In 1842 he moved to Muncy, Lycoming County, where he embarked in the hotel business, opening what is now known as the City Hotel, a large brick structure. This he conducted un-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
til his death in 1861. In 1828 Mr. Wells formed a matrimonial alliance with Martha Clark, a daughter of John Clark of Catawissa; she was born in 1808, and was called to her final rest in 1880. This union was blessed by the following offspring: Edward C., our subject; Mary; John; Rufus; Israel; Joseph; Jane; and Blanche.
Edward C. Wells at an early age took up the business at which his father had made a success, and in 1855 opened a mercantile store at Muncy, Lycoming County, which he conducted until 1861, when he sold out and accepted the appointment of sutler with the IIth Pennsylvania Reserves. He was lo- cated at Washington, D. C., and continued in that capacity for a period of eighteen months. After the evacuation of Petersburg, Va., he accepted a similar appointment, pur- veyor to Gen. McKlever's headquarters at Petersburg, and served until September, 1865. He then engaged as general traveling agent for the Oil Creek Railroad, running from Corry to Oil City, for the following seven years. He then moved to Bloomsburg and accepted the position of steward and superin- tendent of the Bloomsburg State Normal School, continuing as such for about eleven . years in a faithful and efficient manner. In 1885 the firm of Creasy & Wells was formed, his partner being Samuel C. Creasy, Esq., a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies. The latter established the lumber business in 1883 on a very small scale, but under successful management it prospered and increased in size, and at the present time has assumed vast proportions. They have a large lumber yard between Sixth and Seventh streets, all of which is under cover. They purchased hundreds of acres of timberland and run a number of stationary and portable saw-mills, furnishing all of their
own lumber. Their planing mills are models of completeness. They make sashes, blinds, doors, screens, etc., employing a large force of men the year around, all being skilled workmen. They are men of energy and push and it is due to their own abilities that their success has been such as it has. Our subject in recent years built a beautiful home on Fifth street; it is supplied with all modern con- veniences, finely furnished, and is one of the best in the borough.
Mr. Wells was joined in wedlock with Eliza- beth Brunner, a daughter of Isaac Brun- ner, who served in the state militia and was also a member of the Legislature, and this union has been blessed with four children, namely: Jennie W., the wife of S. B. Hen- derson, a lumber merchant; O. Bruce, de- ceased; May, the wife of S. C. Creasy, who is in business with our subject; and Joseph G., who looks after his father's business in- terests and who married Lottie Kuhn. Mrs. Wells died in 1897, aged sixty-eight years. Politically Mr. Wells is a Republican, whilst in social circles he is a member of the Masonic order at Muncy; Bloomsburg Chapter; and also Bloomsburg Commandery.
ARTIN E. PURCELL is a son of Patrick and Mary (Purcell) Purcell, and was born in 1858 at Heck- scherville, Schuylkill County, Pa. His father, Patrick Purcell, was a native of Ireland who immigrated to America about 1840, locating in the anthracite coal regions in Schuylkill County, Pa., where he followed mining the rest of his life.
Martin E. Purcell, our subject, was edu- cated in the common schools of Cass town- ship, and between the ages of eleven and twelve years went into the breaker as a
DR. FRANCIS J. MEEK.
DR. J. FLORIAN MEEK.
1
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
picker of slate, remaining in and around there for about seven years. He then went into the Oak Dale shaft at Glen Carbon, Pa., as a laborer, and afterwards did rock work in the turrets at the same place, continuing un- til 1872. Hle then moved to the Thomas- ton Colliery in Schuylkill County, Pa., and followed mining for seven years, working some of the time as a miner and the rest of the time as a fire-boss, holding the latter po- sition from April, 1883, until January 6, 1888, when he went to Bear Valley Colliery and accepted the position of inside-foreman, which position he still holds.
Mr. Purcell married Mary Shore, a daugh- ter of Michael Shore, and they are the parents of five children, as follows: Patrick; Robert; Mary; Julia; and Ella.
R. FRANCIS J. MEEK is a son of Martin and Agnes (Duszynski) Meek and was born September 27, 1868, in the Province of Posen, Prussian Poland. He immigrated to this country with his parents at the age of six years, his parents coming direct to Shamokin, and the boy entered the public schools, working around the breakers during the summer months. At the age of fifteen years Francis had completed his primary edu- cation in the public schools in and about Sha- mokin, and with private instruction, after which he found employment as an appren- tice in a drug store at Mount Carmel. Two years later he successfully passed the exam- ination of the pharmaceutical state board of examiners and was qualified to act as a drug- gist's assistant.
In 1888 our subject entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, but the fol- lowing term found him with a depleted bank
account, so that he was compelled to return to the drug business in order to earn suffi- cient funds to allow him to complete his med- ical course, the next term. He was graduat- ed from Jefferson Medical College in May, 1892, after having taken a full course in gen- eral medicine and surgery. Dr. Meek then returned to Shamokin and immediately began the practice of his chosen profession. He was successful to a marked degree in building up a large practice and in 1896 took into partnership his brother, Dr. J. Florian Meek, who had just completed his medical course and received his diploma; their business has continued to prosper and they now enjoy a practice second to none in the borough.
Dr. Francis J. Meek is an honored member of the Northumberland County Medical So- ciety. His practice consumes his time so com- pletely that he often is obliged to further pur- sue his studies at night in order to keep pace with modern medical science. He is a pleasant gentleman and has many friends who appre- ciate his zeal and progressiveness.
Martin Meek, our subject's father, was unit- ed in the holy bonds of wedlock with Agnes Duszynski and their family consisted of six children, four of whom are still living, as fol- lows: Francis J., subject of this sketch; J. Florian, a brief sketch of whom is herein given; Stanley, who is now a soldier in the U. S. volunteer army in Cuba, serving in Company E, 12th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and after his time has expired and he has been honorably discharged from this service. it is his firm intention to join the regular army of the United States; and Anna, a charming and accomplished young lady.
Dr. J. Florian Meek, brother of our subject. was born January 24, 1875, in Shamokin, Coal township, Pa. At the age of eleven years he began to pick slate in the breakers, and at
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
the age of fourteen began to work in the mines. He continued to work in the mines in summer and to attend school in winter until 1892; thus his early education was ob- tained in the public schools in and about Shamokin; subsequently he entered the Sha- mokin Business College, graduating in 1892. Soon after completing this business course he entered a preparatory school in Philadelphia, and in 1893 enrolled himself as a student at Jefferson Medical College, where he took a course of lectures. He completed his medi- cal education at the Baltimore Medical Col- lege, graduating therefrom in 1896, and at once returned to Shamokin, where he suc- * cessfully passed the state board examination, and became associated with his brother in the practice of his profession.
The publishers of this volume take pleasure in announcing that on preceding pages, in connection with the above life account, ex- cellent portraits of Drs. Francis J. and J. Florian Meek are shown.
I SAAC MOWREY, one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Columbia County, residing in the section of Mon- tour township, known as Dutch Valley, where he owns a tract of fifty-six acres of as fertile land as the county affords, is a son of John and Catherine (Wireman) Mowrey, and was born near Danville, Montour County, Pa., March 17, 1832.
The paternal great-grandfather of our sub- ject was a native of Germany and came to America almost a century and a half ago, lo- cating in Eastern Pennsylvania, probably in Montgomery County. His son, Peter Mow- rey, the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer in Montgomery County for many years, but during his latter days was engaged
in tilling the soil near Seneca Lake, N. Y. He was the father of the following children: Pe- ter; John; Jacob; Joseph; Isaac; Chris- tianna; and Elizabeth. They all remained in the state of Pennsylvania excepting Isaac, who moved to Michigan, and Joseph, who went to Brown County, Ohio.
John Mowrey, our subject's father, was born in Montgomery County and removed to what is now Montour County, then Northum- berland, about 1820. He learned the trade of a stonemason, but after moving to Montour County he purchased a farm one mile east of Danville, which was but partially improved. He built a stone and a brick house, which are still standing on the property. He was also engaged in mining ore to a considerable ex- tent on his own farm and became a very pros- perous man for those times. In religious be- lief he was a member of the Reformed Church. He was joined in wedlock to Catherine Wire- man, a daughter of Jacob Wireman of Mont- gomery County, and they became the parents of nine sons and four daughters, a record of whom is as follows: Jonas, Charles, Mary, William, Henry, and Peter, all deceased; Ja- cob, a resident of Michigan; Isaac, the sub- ject of this personal history; John, who lives in Northumberland County; Elizabeth, de- ceased, who was the wife of Dr. B. F. Shultz; Michael S., of Michigan; Sarah, the wife of Otis Knapp of Montour County; and Cather- ine, the wife of Michael Breckbill, an ex-sher- iff of Montour County.
Isaac Mowrey was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of his native town. As his ancestors were all members of the agricultural class it was but natural that he should also chose farming as his life occu- pation. He was engaged in farming until 1851, when he began working in iron ore mines in the vicinity, continuing until 1854,
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
a period of three years. He then moved to Columbia County and purchased his present excellent farm, about a quarter of a mile dis- tant from Grovania, which he has since been engaged in cultivating. He is a very indus- trious man, of careful habits, and during his active life has accumulated considerable prop- erty. He also owns another farm consisting of 101 acres of good land in Dutch Valley.
In 1854 Mr. Mowrey chose as his life-com- panion Eleanore Yost, a daughter of the late John G. Yost of Bloomsburg, by whom he had four children: George, a farmer of Montour township, who married Elizabeth Lazarus and has four children, Guy A., Ursa M., Dora S., Ruth E .; Olevia, who died at an early age; Mary Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of D. E. Heberling, by whom she had three chil- dren, namely,-Elanora, Bertha May, and Pearl E .; and Lloyd Franklin, a ticket agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Wilkes- barre, who married Hattie R. Bidleman, and has had two children, R. Blair, deceased, and Lloyd Glenn.
ETER WENDLING, outside-foreman of the Bear Valley Colliery, is a son of Adam and Phoebe (Wentz) Wend- ling, and was born January 31, 1867, near Patterson, Schuylkill County, Pa.
The grandfather on the maternal side was Peter Wentz, a native of Germany, who never came to America. The father of our subject, Adam Wendling, was a coal miner, and a resident of Schuylkill County, Pa. To him and his wife were born ten children as fol- lows: Mary. Emma, Louisa. Rose, Kate, Phoebe, Sarah, Adam, Peter the subject of this sketch, and George.
Peter Wendling, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and began work in the factory at Manayunk at
the age of thirteen years and continued for two years when he went to Shenandoah. There he entered the breaker, picking slate and, alternately, working in various stores for about eight years. At the end of that time he took up outside work around the collicries near Shenandoah, remaining there until June I, 1896. Prior to moving to Bear Valley Colliery, he was foreman at Schuylkill Col- liery, Mahanoy City, Pa.
On October 15, 1891, our subject marrie 1 Elizabeth Frost, and their union has been blessed with two children: Thomas Nelson and Phoebe Elizabeth. Mr. Wendling is well known in Northumberland County and has many warm friends. He is a member of Council No. 367, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Shen- andoah, Pa.
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