USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 8
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John Lloyd Dillon attended the public schools of Bloomsburg and also the Blooms- burg Literary Institute, and at the age of twenty-one years became a partner with his father in the gardening business. He was an active young business man, and after a period of three years started in business for himself. He built a greenhouse, 20 by 60 feet. this being the first to be built in Bloomsburg.
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and in a short time acquired a large local trade. During the winter months he raised let- tuce, which found a large and ready sale. His success in this direction prompted him to cul- tivate flowers, which he did on a very small scale at first, selling potted plants and cut flowers. He eventually turned his whole at- tention to flowers, and in 1879 bought a tract of ten acres adjoining his father's land on the north side of the Normal School of Miss Alice Snyder, and there he has since conducted the Normal Hill Greenhouse. He removed his greenhouse to the new property and built others, and in 1887 he had 12,000 square feet of glass. He erected a windmill and used the power to drill a well, drilling 150 feet through solid rock, in order to get water to supply the plants. On September 18, 1897, a very severe hailstorm traversed that section of the country and, Mr. Dillon's greenhouses being in its track, the glass was nearly all broken and it took 1,300 boxes of glass to repair the dam- age. His loss on both plants and glass amounted to nearly $6,000. The greenhouses at the present time contain about 90,000 square feet of glass and are all heated by steam in the most approved manner. The houses contain all of the modern im- provements suitable to carry on the work successfully. The business as now conducted is largely wholesale and the product is shipped to all parts of the United States and Canada. The specialties are plants and rooted cuttings of verbenas and carnations, plants of roses (grafted and on their own roots) for winter flowering, and cut blooms of roses and carnations. In 1898 there were sold 219,000 verbenas, 30,000 roses for winter flowering and 40,000 field-grown carnation plants. Dur- ing the month of December, 1898, there were cut 26,500 rosebuds. In addition to the ten acres on which his greenhouses were first
built, Mr. Dillon has purchased considerable land and now has ninety acres of the most valuable farming land in the town of Blooms- burg, situated on Normal Hill, overlooking the built-up portion of the town of Blooms- burg and the beautiful valley of the Susque- hanna. He has had it divided into lots and it will no doubt soon contain some of the finest residences of the town. The success with which Mr. Dillon's career has been marked is wholly due to his own efforts, as he began in a lowly way, with little means, and gradually worked his way to the top.
In May, 1873, Mr. Dillon was united in hymeneal bonds with Eliza J. Barkle, a daugh- ter of William Barkle, a native of England, by whom he had three children. Alice M. married Boyd Wells Furman, the assistant at the greenhouses, and they are the parents of two daughters: Josephine D. and Helen H. Max Grant is a student. J. Lloyd died in infancy. Mrs. Dillon died July 30, 1893. He formed a second alliance with Louise Glassell Hutchison, a daughter of Charles Hutch- ison, of Kingston, in 1895. By this union there has been born a son, Charles Hutch- ison. Socially, our subject is a member of the American Florists' Society of Philadel- phia; the American Carnation Society; the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; and the Bloomsburg Club. He is also a Knight Tem- plar and a thirty-second degree Mason. Mr. Dillon and family are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Bloomsburg.
In connection with the above sketch of his life, a portrait of Mr. Dillon is presented on a previous page, in proximity to this.
LINTON S. SMITH. Prominent among the leading business men of South Danville, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He conducts
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a large and well-stocked general store on Sunbury street and also owns considerable property in that vicinity. He is a son of Samuel S. and Sarah (Reed) Smith, and was born in Irish Valley, Shamokin township, Northumberland County, March 2, 1861.
His grandfather, who was a well-known resident of that section of the county, was Morris Smith, whose occupation was that of a miller. Dr. Samuel S. Smith, the father, was born in Northumberland County and early in life decided upon a medical career, study- ing under the direction of Dr. Joseph Rob- bins of Elysburg, Pa. He subsequently took a course of study in the University of Penn- sylvania of two years' duration, and was grad- uated from that institution, after which he entered upon his first practice at Hartleton, Union County. After a time he moved to Trevorton, Northumberland County, where he was successfully engaged in practice until his demise, which resulted from a complica- tion of diseases in 1862, at the early age of thirty-four years. He was a man of high principles and ambitions, and his death was a sad blow to his family and many friends. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah Reed, a daughter of Mathias Reed of Irish Valley, Northumberland County, which union resulted in the following issue: Galen, a farmer of Northumberland County; William, an agriculturist and canner; Nelson M., a rec- ord of whose life appears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies; Clinton S., the subject of this personal history; Laura, the wife of Dr. Kline, a well-known physician of Read- ing; and Clara, who married Lafayette Lech- ler, a farmer of Gearhart township.
Clinton S. Smith, after attending the public school at Kipps Run and the academy of Dan- ville, taught school for two terms with good results, proving himself an able instructor. He
then turned his attention to farming in Gear- hart township, at which he continued for a period of seven years on the old homestead farm. He then removed to South Danville, Pa., where he purchased the general store owned by D. R. Eckman on Sunbury street, which he has since conducted. The building was erected some thirty years ago by Jordan Sober, and is now the property of Peter Gear- hart. Mr. Smith has a complete and high- grade stock, and the manner in which he caters to the wishes of his customers has not only added greatly to his patronage but made him many personal and lasting friends as well. In connection with the store, he was deputy postmaster for many years, and in May, 1897, was appointed postmaster and is still serving in that capacity. He owns considerable prop- erty in South Danville, including a double house just below Railroad street, and another fine double house on Sunbury street.
Mr. Smith was joined in marriage to Cath- erine M. Wilson, a daughter of David Wilson, a prominent farmer of Valley township, Mon- tour County, and five children have blessed their union, namely: Viola G .; Nora M .; Nellie; Reed N .; and Bertha. In religious views Mr. and Mrs. Smith are faithful mem- bers of the Baptist Church. In politics our subject is a Republican and has always taken an active part in local affairs.
ILLIAM C. WILLIAMS, the genial and popular proprietor of the Ho- tel Baldy of Danville, has established an en- viable reputation throughout Montour and adjoining counties and his hostelry is widely known as a "haven of rest" for the weary traveler. Mr. Williams was born in the town of Danville, July 7, 1856, and is a son of William M. and Martha (Phillip) Williams.
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William M. Williams, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Wales where he was reared and received his education after which he took up the occupation of a farmer and also con- ducted a hotel. By strict application to busi- ness and the practice of economy he accumu- lated money and in 1847 he possessed the snug sum of six thousand dollars in gold. With commendable foresight he realized the advantages offered on the American Conti- nent and in the year stated immigrated to this country, locating in Pottsville, Pa. Remaining there but a short time, he migrated to Dan- ville, Montour County, where he was em- ployed in a blast-furnace, but seeing that there was no opportunity to better his posi- tion, he gave up the work and purchased the Washington House in Danville. He remod- eled and enlarged the building and conducted it very successfully for about fifteen years, when he decided to retire from public life, and as a result purchased the Crosley farm in West Hancock township upon which he erected a large barn, rebuilt other buildings, and made many other improvements. He conducted the farm with fair results for two years, at the expiration of which time he rented it and bought a residence in Danville. He next bought the White Horse Hotel, built a large two-story brick addition on an ad- joining lot, and there conducted the hotel un- til his death two years later, aged seventy-two years. He was a man of sterling qualities and might rightfully be termed the architect of his own fortune, as he began life in humble cir- cumstances and at the time of his demise owned considerable property and was well to do. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Mar- tha Phillip, relict of John Phillip who died in England, and a daughter of James and Mary (Evens) Phillip. They reared a family of four children, of whom but two are now living.
namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Lewis Tittle, the proprietor of the White Horse Hotel of Danville; and William C., the subject of this personal history. By her first marriage Mrs. Williams had one daughter, Mary, who is the widow of Charles Green of Danville.
William C. Williams, our subject, after com- pleting a course in the public schools of Dan- ville, engaged in the huckstering business which he followed for a period of five years. Like his father he was of an ambitious nature and was dissatisfied until some advancement marked his career. He was a very industrious worker and was successful from the start. In 1879 he took charge of the White Horse Ho- tel and conducted it until 1891 when he pur- chased the Hotel Baldy, a handsome four- story brick structure on Mill street, contain- ing twenty-three finely furnished rooms. The rooms are all large, with high ceilings, well- lighted and ventilated, and equipped with steam heat, baths and all modern conven- iences for the pleasure of the traveling public. This hostelry under the efficient guidance of Mr. Williams immediately språng into popu- larity, which has constantly increased as he became better known throughout this section of the state. One of the pleasantest features of this house is the unexcelled table, upon which appear viands that would satisfy the ' wants of a king. The culinary department is under the supervision of the landlord's hos- pitable wife, and much of the popularity of the hotel is due to her efficiency in this depart- ment. Mr. Williams is genial and good na- tured, wideawake as to his interests and the comfort of his patrons, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Caroline Shultz in 1877 and they are the proud parents of two sons, as follows: Prof. William Joseph, a musician of merit who is
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WILLIAM CLAYTON MASON.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
organist in Christ's Episcopal Church, born November 29, 1878; and Lewis Perry, who first saw the light of day September 25, 1894. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Houk) Shultz, and a grand- daughter of Martin and Barbara (Brown) Shultz. Martin Shultz, who was a shoemaker by trade, passed to his eternal reward in 1848, aged sixty-four years, and his worthy wife died at the age of fifty-four years. Their union resulted in the following issue: Cres- sence; Magdalene: Catherine; and Joseph.
Joseph Shultz, who has charge of the Beaver estate of Danville, has always been a gardener, receiving excellent training in that line of work in the garden of a large castle in Germany, when a young man. After his marriage to Josephine Houk, a daughter of Joseph Houk, they sailed for America on the "Trumble," landing in New York City in 1853. They settled at Marietta, Lancaster County, Pa., where he was employed in a furnace for seven years, after which they moved to Baltimore, Md., where he followed gardening until 1863. In that year he moved to Danville and became manager of the grounds and hot-house of the Beaver man- sion, which responsible position he has since held, with the exception of brief intervals when he resigned his position, but each time was persuaded to again take up the manage- ment of the place. The grounds have al- ways presented a beautiful appearance and show the excellent character of his work. Upon the death of Mr. Beaver, the entire es- tate was placed under his management. Mr. Shultz is the father of the following children : Joseph, who died young; Clara C., the wife of our subject; Lena, who married R. Det- rick; and William, a mechanic, who married Jennie Burns.
Mr. Williams is a member of Lotus Con-
clave, No. 127, I. O. H .; and of the Elks. Politically he supports the principles of the Republican party.
ILLIAM CLAYTON MASON. Prominent among the civil engi- neers and surveyors of this section of the state, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this narrative and whom we repre- sent with a portrait on the opposite page, who is pursuing that profession in Sullivan Coun- ty, making his headquarters in the town of Laporte. Our subject has followed this pro- fession nearly all his life, having learned it during his boyhood days by working with his father who was also a civil engineer and sur- veyor. This highly esteemed citizen was born on the site of his present home, July 11, 1853. and is a son of William A. and Mary A. (Cheney) Mason, and grandson of Eliphalet and Roxy (Fowler) Mason.
This prosperous family is supposed to have originated from one of three brothers, John, Robert and Nathaniel, who emigrated from England during Cromwell's war. These three brothers settled in Ashford, Windham Coun- ty, Conn., where they purchased farms and engaged in farming; it is thought that this branch of the family sprang from Robert Ma- son, whose farm remained in possession of his descendants until after the time of Eben- ezer Mason, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, after whose death the farm passed through many different hands. Ebenezer married Mary Hastings and they reared seven sons and three daughters; three of the sons, David, William and Alva settled in Philadel- phia; Eliphalet. Ebenezer and Chester lo- cated in Monroetown, Bradford County. Pa .. and the remaining son, Rufus, settled in New York State, near Johnstown.
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Eliphalet Mason, our subject's grandfather, was born June 23, 1780, and was named after his uncle, Eliphalet, who was a Revolutionary soldier and died in a prison-ship in New York harbor. Our subject's grandfather prepared himself for the ministry but later took up sur- veying and followed that profession the great- er part of his active days. He resided in Brad- ford County, Pa., during his early life and in connection with his profession he taught pen- manship, being an expert with the quill, and also taught singing, during the years 1822 and 1823. Later he moved to Monroetown, Pa., near which place he built a grist-mill which he operated until his death; the mill is now situated within the limits of the town called Masontown, named in honor of our subject's grandfather. Eliphalet was wedded June 22, 1802, to Zilpah Coburn, who passed from this life shortly after their mar- riage; he was again married October 22, 1804, with Roxy Fowler, who was born July 16, 1786, and who died February 15, 1851. Our subject's grandfather died March II, 1855. He was the father of the following children: Zilpah, born June 26, 1806; Roxy, born De- cember 10, 1807; Gordon, born January 19, 1810; Rufus, born January 31, 1812; Elipha- let H., born April 28, 1815; William A., the father of our subject; Samuel A., born March 22, 1821; and Mary, born August 13, 1824.
William A. Mason, father of our subject, was born in Towanda, Pa., September 29, 1818, and his boyhood days were spent at- tending the district schools and working with his father learning the profession of a civil engineer and surveyor, which profession he made his life's work and so thoroughly mas- tered it that his surveys and charts are of great value to-day. In 1848, when the town of Laporte originated, Mr. Mason located in that little village where he laid out the town;
he also did much surveying throughout Sul- livan and adjoining counties. He erected a frame house on the site where our subject re- sides; it was the third house built in the vil- lage and is now standing on an adjoining lot. He continued in his profession all his life, with the exception of one year when he was en- gaged in the photograph business at Towan- da. At the expiration of that time he re- turned to Laporte, where he followed his pro- fession until 1868 when he removed to Mon- tour and was resident engineer for the S. L. & S. R. R. for about three years, when he returned to Laporte. Mr. Mason was widely known throughout the county as a man of sterling worth, and he was a man of much weight as his opinion and judgment was often sought by his fellow-citizens. He served as associate judge of Sullivan County; was the first justice of the peace of Laporte, in which capacity he remained many years; was county treasurer, and also held the office of postmast- er. Mr. Mason was called from this earth Jan- uary 7, 1892, and his demise was deeply la- mented by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances, who held him in high esteem. He was united in marriage with Mary A. Cheney, a daughter of Abel and Priscilla Cheney, who was born in Cortland, N. Y., October 28, 1820. Her parents removed to the state of Pennsylvania when she was a small girl. Her father was a bricklayer by vocation. The mother of our subject resides in her beautiful home in Laporte and is a lady well preserved for one of her years, not having a single gray hair in her head, and looks much younger than her age signifies. She was a faithful wife, is a kind and loving mother and a good neighbor, and is highly respected by a host of friends and acquaint- ances. She is the mother of the following children: Ethlen M., a teacher, born No-
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
vember 17, 1842; Ida Adel, born July II, 1845, was the wife of Warren T. Waters, and died September 26, 1891; Mary Ellen, born November 22, 1847, and died in 1874; Will E., born May 18, 1850, and died two years later; William Clayton, the subject of this personal history; and Gordon Hastings, born June 22, 1861, and died in 1863.
William Clayton Mason, our subject, ac- quired a good education in the public and private schools of his native town and at the Mannsville Normal School. His leisure hours were spent working with his father. learning the profession of a civil engineer and surveyor, and he continued to work with him throughout his early life and upon his father's death he succeeded him in the work. Our subject also studied under Rev. H. Arm- strong, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman and an excellent instructor.
Mr. Mason has been very successful in his chosen profession and is the possessor of many valuable maps and charts; he has all the field notes of the late Michael Meylert who made surveys of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Bradford, Pike, Wayne, Tioga and Sullivan counties; he has the field notes of his father of the above counties and of Columbia, Ly- coming, Northumberland, Union and other counties; has Baird's book of maps on the lands of the Asylum Company; and notes and maps of the late Gordon F. Mason of To- wanda, Pa. Our subject is chief engineer for the W. & N. B. R. R. and is also chief engi- neer for the Eagles Mere R. R., and is the most prominent civil engineer and surveyor in Sullivan County. It was under his super- vision that the W. & N. B. R. R. was con- structed from Halls to Nordmont; he also located the line from the latter place to Satter- field, the eastern terminal. The road was built, practically, on his location.
On December 20, 1881, Mr. Mason was wedded to Eliza Stormont, a daughter of Rob- ert Stormont of Laporte, Pa., who was born May 31, 1860, and died October 15, 1895, leaving the following children: Mary Irene, born December 2, 1882; William Robert, born August 24, 1885; Ethelyn Ione, born January 9, 1889; and Marjorie Ida, born August 14, 1894. Our subject in politics, as was his father, is an ardent Republican and has served fifteen years as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a member and past chief patriarch of the Encampment, I. O. O. F., and district deputy grand patriarch of Sulli- van County.
ON. SAMUEL Y. THOMPSON. M. D., who has ably attended the citizens of Danville in his medical practice more years than any other physician and surgeon now residing in that borough, and who is now serving his second term as associate judge of Montour County, was born in Danville, October 29, 1843, and is a son of John G. and Hannah (Yorks) Thompson.
William Thompson, the grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a native of Ireland. With his brother Hugh he bade farewell to his native country and came to the United States, locating in Ber- wick, Pa. Later he settled in Espy, Columbia County, Pa., and, having learned the trade of potter during his boyhood days, established a plant and began the manufacture of pottery. which business he continued until his death. which occurred at the age of sixty years. He was twice married and was the progenitor of three sons: John G., William, and Hugh.
John G. Thompson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Espy where he spent his younger days, attending school and assisting
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
his father in his work. Attaining his man- hood he went to Bloomsburg, and learning the tailor's trade he worked as a journeyman several years. Locating in Danville he con- ducted a merchant tailor-shop on Bloom street for ten years, when he sold his shop to his son-in-law, J. B. Crawford, and retired from active life. He purchased the J. K. West residence and resided there until his leath. He was united in marriage to Hannah Yorks, a daughter of Samuel Yorks who was an early settler of Danville. Three children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson: Dr. Samuel York Thompson, the subject of this narrative; Margaret E., the wife of J. B. Gearhart; and John P., a druggist of Stock- ton, Colo. The father of our subject passed from this life aged eighty years; his wife en- tered the unknown beyond at the age of sixty- three years.
Dr. Samuel York Thompson acquired a good education in the schools of his native town and then studied medicine under Dr. P. H. Long of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Entering the Long Island Hospital of Brooklyn he was graduated in 1866, and one year later he com- menced practicing his chosen profession at Danville where he soon established a large and lucrative practice. In connection with his medical practice he owns and operates a drug-store which alone yields him a hand- some income. Had he not been blessed with Nature's best gift, a large and finely-developed body, a strong constitution and a disposition to make the best of all things, he never could have stood the enormous practice he has ac- quired, but to-day finds him in the best of health. At No. 345 Mill street the Doctor owns a large two-story block, and upon the first floor is located his drug-store, which is the finest in Danville, and on the second floor are his parlors and examining rooms.
Dr. Thompson is now serving his second term as associate judge of Montour County, and has served two terms as burgess. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Annie E. Ege, a daughter of Rev. Oliver Ege of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and they are the parents of two children, Margaret Florence, the wife of Dr. C. Shultz of Danville, and Kate Olive. Our subject is a member of Danville Lodge, No. 780, I. O. O. F., and past sachem of Mahoning Tribe, No. 77, I. O. R. M.
J UDGE HENRY DIVEL. Prominent among the progressive and energetic business men of the town of Danville is the above-named gentleman who is a mem- ber of the firm Hoffman & Divel, the largest meat dealers in Montour County. He was born in Milton, Pa., December 26, 1839. and is a son of Joseph and Maria (Bowers) Divel, and a grandson of Joseph Divel.
Joseph Divel, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Germany, and was a butcher and marketman of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, all his life. Joseph Divel, the father of our subject, was also born in Germany, and followed the trade of a butcher all his active days. In 1839 Joseph immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City; later he moved to Milton, Pa., where some of his relatives resided. He next went to Har- risburg where he worked as a journeyman for a short time and then returned to Milton. where he formed a partnership with Jacob Bowers and opened a butcher shop. They continued that business for two years and then dissolved partnership, and Mr. Divel moved to Danville, where he remained but a short time, when he went to Mooresburg; there he engaged in the meat business and
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