USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. X > Part 9
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FLICK, R. Jay,
Journalist, Leader in Community Affairs.
R. Jay Flick, one of the best known and most popular business men, espe- cially in connection with the real estate field, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is a descendant of a very old and distin- guished family, which has been repre- sented in this State from the middle of the eighteenth century, when it was founded here by his ancestor, Gerlach Paul Flick. This Gerlach Paul Flick was a native of Germany, and emigrated from his home land for the American colonies in the good ship "Neptune," which arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1751. Gerlach Paul Flick did not remain in the city, however, but having that spirit of enterprise which formed the early pioneers of this coun- try, he set out at once into what was then practically a pathless wilderness, and eventually settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in one of the frontier communities of that day. It is remarkable how rapidly these communi- ties developed and how soon the various industries which we associate with civili- zation and progress found their way to the frontier. One of these was brought
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by the original ancestor of the Flick fam- ily, who erected a mill and became the miller for the surrounding region. He was successful in his enterprise, and became a man much respected and esteemed by the neighborhood. His death finally occurred there at the venerable age of ninety-nine years. The great longevity of this family through many generations is a matter of record, and is referred to with pride by their descend- ants.
Gerlach Paul Flick was the father of three sons, Paul, Martin and Casper, all of whom were born at his home in the village of Moore, Moore township, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania. Of these the youngest, Casper, was the ancestor of the branch of the family with which we are here concerned. Casper Flick fol- lowed in his father's footsteps, and was engaged in the milling business all his life. At the time of the Revolution, he joined the patriot forces and took part in that momentous struggle. His death occurred at the age of eighty-two years, and he was the father of twelve children, nearly all of whom lived to be over eighty years old.
The eldest of his children, John Flick, was born January 1, 1783, and died Janu- ary 1, 1869, being at that time eighty-six years to a day. During his early life his occupation was that of a miller, and he became very prominent in the life of Northampton county. Like his father, he was a patriot and served his country as a soldier during the War of 1812, being mustered out when peace was finally declared. He was a Democrat in politics, and took an active part in public affairs, being undoubtedly one of the leading citi -. zens of Northampton county during his life. He was county commissioner of Northampton, Monroe, Carbon and Le- high counties at the time when they con-
sisted of one county, and was twice elected to represent his home community in the State Legislature. In the year 1813 he married Eva B. Caster, a daughter of Philip Caster, a soldier in the Revolution- ary Army, and who at one time lived in the Wyoming Valley, but afterwards set- tled at Lower Mount Bethel, Northamp- ton county. Mrs. Flick died in the year 1873, at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Flick were the parents of a large family of children, of whom the eldest son was Reuben Jay, father of R. Jay Flick.
Reuben Jay Flick, eldest son of John and Eva B. (Caster) Flick, was born July 10, 1816, at the community which had come to be known as Flicksville, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, named in honor of his father, John Flick. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and in the year 1838, when he was twenty- two years of age, he came to the Wyom- ing Valley, where he engaged in mercan- tile pursuits and later in banking. In both these departments of the commun- ity's life he was very prominent, and he became first president of the People's Bank at Wilkes-Barre. Upon first com- ing to this region he had been a man without either resources or influence, but
by dint of his own hard work and inde- fatigable energy, he raised himself to a high place in the esteem and regard of his adopted community and became one of the most influential citizens of Wilkes- Barre. He was always most closely iden- tified with the charitable interests of the city, his position as trustee of Lincoln University of Oxford, the Harry Hill- man Academy, the Female Institute and the City Hospital and Home for Friend- less Children, give ample evidence of his benevolence and the amount of time and energy which he expended for the less fortunate of the community. In the year
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1882 he yielded to the pressure of his friends and, somewhat against his own will, became the candidate for member of Congress on the Prohibition ticket. He was defeated, however. Besides his presidency of the People's Bank, Mr. Flick, Sr., was identified with a large number of important industrial concerns in this region, among which should be mentioned the Wilkes-Barre Lace Manu- facturing Company, of which he was the president for many years. Reuben Jay Flick was married on January 9, 1858, to Margaret Jane Arnold, a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Hoofsmith) Arn- old, of Hamilton, Monroe county, Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Flick were par- ents of five children: Liddon, Warren J., Helen Jessie, Harry Lincoln, and Reu- ben Jay, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Flick, Sr., were staunch members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Flick was a elder thereof for a number of years.
Born June 24, 1871, at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, R. Jay Flick, son of Reu- ben Jay and Margaret Jane (Arnold) Flick, has made his native city his home ever since and the scene of his busy and active career. He received his early edu- cation at the local public schools of Wilkes-Barre, which he attended as a child, and afterwards entered the Harry Hillman Academy, of which his father was one of the officers. He was thirteen years of age at this time, and in 1888, when seventeen, graduated from that institution. In the same year he en- tered Phillips-Exeter Academy, graduat- ing from there in 1890, after having been thoroughly prepared for college. In 1890 he matriculated at Princeton University and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1894, after having estab- lished an enviable record for himself for general good character and scholarship. Young Mr. Flick felt that his talents and
tastes both urged him to a business career, and accordingly, to supplement his general education, he entered the Wyom- ing Business College in 1896 and gradu- ated from the full business course in nine weeks. In the same year he was ap- pointed business manager of the Wilkes- Barre "Times," an evening daily paper, published in this city by the Wilkes- Barre Times Company. So successful did he prove in this capacity that about 1900 he became treasurer of the Wilkes- Barre Times Company, and in 1905 be- came its president and the editor of the Wilkes-Barre "Times." As the editor of this influential journal, Mr. Flick at one bound became a power in the community to be reckoned with, and it may be said of him that the power which he wielded and still wields has ever been used by him in the cause of right and to the best advantage of the community, as he has honestly seen it, so that he deservedly owns the regard and the esteem of the entire community. Perhaps an even greater service to Wilkes-Barre per- formed by Mr. Flick than the influence which he has exerted through his paper is the great stimulus and assistance that he has given to the development of many industrial and business concerns in this region. While still a very young man, he became greatly interested in the pro- motion and reorganization of the various public utilities in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding region, especially of the gas and electric companies hereabouts. He has been very prominently associated with certain of these concerns, and has been president of the Bethlehem Consol- idated Gas Company of Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania, of the Vineland Light & Power Company of Vineland, New Jersey, and is now the president of the People's Light Company of Pittston, Pennsylvania. He is also a director of the Wyoming Valley
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Trust Company, the Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Company, of which his father was president, the Mahanoy City Gas Company, the Hazard Manufactur- ing Company, Wilkes-Barre county, and several other institutions. He is a very prominent figure in the social and club circles of the city, and is a member of the Westmoreland Club, the Wyoming Valley Country Club of Wilkes-Barre, the Scranton Club of Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, the New York Yacht Club, the Bankers' Club, and City Club of New York City.
R. Jay Flick was united in marriage. February 10, 1909, with Mrs. Henrietta Ridgely Flick, the widow of his brother, Liddon Flick. They are the parents of one child, a daughter Eleanor Ridgely Flick, born December 8, 1910.
PARRISH, Charles,
Leader in Wyoming Valley Development.
Since man in his onward march first teamed and gashed the fair Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania with his coal mining devices, and laid down gleaming rails which carry the product of the val- ley to every part of the country, no man can justly lay claim to a greater share in the great development of that rich coal field than Charles Parrish, of Wilkes- Barre. He began his business career under that sterling merchant and finan- cier, Ziba Bennett, when a lad of fifteen, and eventually became his partner, but with the opening of the Wyoming Valley to mines and railroads he quickly saw the possibilities, and with active brain, broad vision and quick initiative, he secured a strong position which he always held. He drew to the coal district capi- tal and labor from all over the world, and the Valley Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre, owes much of her greatness to the vision,
energy, enterprise and unusual ability of her adopted son, Charles Parrish.
Parrish is an eminent English family name, and was brought to Massachu- setts in 1635, by Dr. James Parrish, born in England in 1612. He came in the ship "Increase," in 1635, was made a freeman in 1637, and after practicing his profes- sion many years in Massachusetts, returned to England, where he died. John Parrish, son of Dr. James and Mary Parrish, was one of the original proprie- tors of Groton, Massachusetts, and there resided until 1712. He served as sergeant and ensign in the military company of the town in 1683, was selectman, and con- stable, and in 1693 deputy to the General Court. In 1712 he moved to Stonington, Connecticut, where he died in 1715. Isaac Parrish, son of John, and grandson of Dr. James Parrish, was born in 1698, died in 1764; lieutenant of the first mili- tary company in Windham county, Con- necticut. He served in the French and Indian wars of his day, and was one of the leading men of his section. He mar- ried, March 3, 1720, Margaret Smith.
Archippus Parrish, son of Lieutenant Isaac and Margaret (Smith) Parrish, was born October 10, 1735, died in 1780, and was buried at Storrs, Connecticut. He married Abigail Burnap, March 10, 1763, and in 1766 located in North Mansfield. There he purchased land, and established a tannery which he conducted profitably for many years. He was succeeded by his son, Archippus (2) Parrish, born Jan- uary 27, 1773, at Windham, Connecticut. died at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in October, 1847. He married, in Morris- town, New Jersey, Phoebe Miller, and for several years was engaged in business in New York City, acquiring a substan- tial fortune. In 1810 he located in Wilkes- Barre, there engaging in mercantile life, but later became proprietor of that old-
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time famous inn on the public square, "The Black Horse Hotel." This famed hostelry was a recognized gathering place for the prominent men of the Wyoming Valley, the old soldiers of the Revolution, and the olden time gentlemen of the city, as well as for the traveler on business or visiting the historic battlefields of the Valley. Tales of the olden times were told and retold, and with wonderment the younger listened to the recital of thrill- ing adventure, narrow escapes from and victories over savage foes, as well as to the story of suffering, disaster and death that befell so many in the beautiful Wyoming Valley. Archippus (2) Parrish and Phoebe (Miller) Parrish were the parents of Charles Parrish, to whose memory is dedicated this review of an ancient family and record of an honorable and useful life.
Charles Parrish was born in Dun- daff, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1826, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1896, his sev- enty years spent in the Wyoming Valley. He attended Wilkes-Barre Academy until fifteen years of age, then began the won- derful business career which was only terminated by death, fifty-five years later. His first position was as clerk in the gen- eral store of Ziba Bennett, of Wilkes- Barre. This was in 1841, and until 1856 he continued in business association with Mr. Bennett, passing through all grades of promotion until becoming a partner. In 1856 he withdrew from the firm, then being a young man of thirty, and with that withdrawal the second fifteen year period of his life ended and an entirely new era began. He had discerned the "signs of the times," with clearer vision than the older men, and foresaw that coal was to reign as King of the Valley. See- ing this, he withdrew from mercantile life, and henceforth was the daring, suc-
cessful coal operator and dealer in coal lands and mines. He developed great powers of resource and quick decision, every acre of the vast holdings of the Le- high and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company west of the mountains having been selected after examination and purchased under his direction. He organized the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Company, was its first and only president for twenty years ; was president of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal and Iron Company, and while president founded in a unique way the wonderful philanthropy con- nected with that company. He secured the consent of the employers of the com- pany to allow one day's wages to go into a fund, he agreeing that the company would devote the entire proceeds of the mines for one day to the same fund. The agreement was faithfully kept on both sides, and a capital created which is used for the relief of men disabled in mine work. This was long before the day of indemnity laws, and shows that he was as far in advance of his time in welfare work as in business methods.
His mining interests were large, but by no means measured the extent of his activities. He built railroads; was for twenty years president of the First Na- tional Bank of Wilkes-Barre; president of the Hazard Manufacturing Company ; a promoter and stockholder of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company ; director of the Northwest Branch Railroad; and in addition to the two large coal com- panies previously mentioned, he was president of the Parrish and Annora Coal Companies. He kept in close touch with the business life of Wilkes-Barre, and with counsel and material aid advanced the various undertakings which brought prosperity to the city. He was one of the most generous of men, and many owe their start in life to the aid he quietly
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extended, and to the advice he freely gave when asked.
Not content with being foremost in a business sense, he sought in other ways to advance city interests, and for seven years he was president of the City Coun- cil, giving to city affairs his strong, guid- ing hand in business matters. During his term, well paved and well lighted streets became the rule, not the exception ; suf- ficient fire fighting apparatus to protect the city was installed; and an efficient police force maintained. The city was conducted as a business is conducted, and efficiency ruled in every department. During the Civil War period, he was very active in aid of the Government, both in recruiting, equipping and caring for troops. He was an attendant of the Protestant Episcopal church, a Republi- can in politics, a life member of the Wyoming Historical and Geological So- ciety, member of the Pennsylvania Chap- ter, Sons of the Revolution, and in all was interested and helpful. He held the respect of all men, and personally was very popular. He rose to eminence among eminent men, and through his own indi- viduality and ability won his way to suc- cess.
Mr. Parrish married, June 21, 1864, Mary Conyngham, born February 20, 1834, daughter of Honorable John N. Conyngham, LL. D., and his wife, Ruth Ann Butler, and granddaughter of Col- onel Zebulon Butler, the Continental offi- cer and hero. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Par- rish were the parents of four daughters: I. Anna Conyngham Parrish, married, October 20, 1906, Joseph H. Bradley, of Washington, D. C., she being his second wife; they are the parents of a daughter, Mary Parrish Bradley. 2. Eleanor Mayer Parrish, married, January 14, 1903, Joseph H. Bradley, and died February 9, 1904, leaving a son, Joseph H. (2), who died in 1910. 3. Mary Conyngham Parrish,
died in infancy. 4. Katherine Christine Parrish, married, July 22, 1902, Arthur A. Snyder, M. D., of Washington, D. C .; their children are: Katherine Conyng- ham, Eleanor Parrish, and Sophia Tay- loe Snyder.
SCHOOLEY, Jesse B., Substantial Citizen.
The name of Schooley is perpetuated in New Jersey by Schooley's Mountain, a one-time famed summer resort of War- ren county, numerous descendants of John Schooley, the founder of the fam- ily, settling in that region and owning a great deal of land. Jesse Barber Schooley, a prominent business man of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, is the second to bear the name, Jesse B. Schooley, his father, coming from Greenwich, Warren county, New Jersey. He was a son of Joseph P. Schooley, son of Jedediah Schooley, who was a grandson of John Schooley, the Englishman who came from Lancashire, England, about the year 1700, and settled in Sussex county, New Jersey. Joseph P. Schooley was a man of excellent qualities, owning and culti- vating a farm at Greenwich in Warren county.
Joseph P. Schooley was born at Green- wich, Warren county, New Jersey, April 17, 1785. In 1809 he married, in Warren county, Margaret Barber, and in 1818 moved from New Jersey to the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, locating their home in the township of Exeter (near the now borough of Wyoming) upon a large farm which Mr. Schooley had purchased. Both Joseph P. and Margaret Schooley died at the farm, he on January 28, 1875. They had children: Jesse Barber, of further mention ; Jedediah, Mary Ann, William, Elizabeth, Mehitable, Joanna, Joseph, and Margaret.
Jesse Barber Schooley was born in
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Warren county, New Jersey, April I, 18II, died at Wyoming, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1884. He was seven years of age when the family moved to the Wyoming Valley, and there he was edu- cated and at the home farm passed his years of minority. He learned the car- penter's trade, and in the early twenties was employed in boating upon the Mor- ris and Essex canal. Later he became a merchant operating in Wyoming, having as a partner Thomas F. Atherton, who later was president of the Second Na- tional Bank of Wilkes-Barre. During this period he began investing in coal lands, one of the tracts he owned being the present site of the Mount Lookout Colliery and its workings. After acquir- ing coal interests, he moved his mercan- tile interests to Pittston, and there also conducted a general store. In addition to his store and mining operations, he was also engaged in the manufacture of brick. He was postmaster at Wyoming about 1879, and ever retained his ownership of the homestead farm. He was a director of the Second National Bank of Wilkes- Barre. He married, at Wyoming, Feb- ruary 20, 1838, Eliza J. Brees, daughter of John and Jerusha (Johnston) Brees, granddaughter of Captain Samuel Brees, and great-granddaughter of John Brees, of Somerset county, New Jersey, who, born in Holland in 1713, came to New Jersey in 1735, and in 1736 married Doro- thy Riggs, and was a soldier of the Revo- lution. His son, Captain Samuel Brees, was also a soldier of the Revolution, mar- ried Hannah Pierson, and moved to the Wyoming Valley, arriving at Wilkes- Barre, June II, 1789. Jesse Barber and Eliza J. (Brees) Schooley were the par- ents of: Fannie, Margaret J., Elizabeth S., Joseph J., Jennie E., Kate M., Jesse B. (2), of further mention ; and James M.
Wyoming, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1854, and is now living practically retired from business cares, in the town of his birth. He was seventh of his parents' eight children, and has always resided at the homestead, purchasing the property from the heirs of Jesse B. (1) Schooley in 1884. He was educated in the public schools, and until 1876 remained with his par- ents, engaged in cultivating the land now the site of Lookout Colliery. In that year he was appointed assistant to his father, who was then postmaster of Wyoming. He obtained a good education in the pub- lic schools and at Wyoming Seminary, and as assistant postmaster he was the virtual head of the office until appointed to succeed his father, who died in 1884. Jesse Jr. continued the management of the office until the spring of 1885, then resigned, having been appointed admin- istrator of his father's estate. He was fully occupied with his duties as adminis- trator until 1886, then purchased the homestead, and has since been concerned in its management and in caring for his general business interests.
He was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Wyoming, the existence of that institution dating from March 27, 1907, Mr. Schooley being elected a member of the first board of directors, and by them was chosen vice- president, an office he yet holds. He is a trustee of Forty-Fort Cemetery Asso- ciation, and otherwise interested in local business affairs. He is one of the sub- stantial men of his community, and highly esteemed as a man of sound judg- ment and sterling integrity. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to Wyoming Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Mount Horeb Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters; Dieu le
Jesse B. (2) Schooley was born in Veut Commandery, Knights Templar ;
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and is a Noble of Irem Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Politically he is a Republican, and in addition to being assistant postmaster and postmaster of Wyoming from 1873 until 1885, he was the first elected treasurer of the borough. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and interested in all good works. No worthy cause lacks his support and his friends are legion.
Mr. Schooley married, November 4, 1884, Minnie E. Steel, born October 12, 1864, daughter of Martin and Marie (Billings) Steel. They the parents of two sons: Arthur B., and Allan D. Schooley, the latter born July 9, 1890, died August 18, 1892.
Arthur B. Schooley was born April 26, 1886, and was educated at the Harry Hillman Academy, going thence after graduation to Lafayette College, then taking a business course at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pennsylvania. After completing his student career he entered the employ of the Wyoming National Bank of Wilkes-Barre, and is now hold- ing the position of teller. He married, June 2, 1914, Olive C. Lewis; they the parents of a son, Jesse B. (3) Schooley.
LEHMAN, Albert C., Manufacturer.
Prominent among the younger genera- tion of manufacturers and business men of Pittsburgh is Albert C. Lehman, pres- ident of the Blaw-Knox Construction Company, one of the large industries of the Pittsburgh District. Mr. Lehman is not only well-known in manufacturing circles, but is active in all that makes for the betterment of his city.
Moses Lehman, father of Albert C. Lehman, was born in 1849, in Frank- fort-on-Main, Germany son of Kalman Lehman. He came to Pittsburgh in 1861,
where he received his education and later entered business, as a wholesale clothier, the firm name being Lehman & Kings- bacher. Later Moses Lehman became president of the Blaw-Steel Construction Company, which office he held until his death in 1914. In politics, Mr. Lehman was a Republican, and he was also a member of the Rodef Shalom congrega- tion. Moses Lehman married Fanny Frank, of Baltimore, Maryland.
Albert C. Lehman, son of the late Moses and Fanny (Frank) Lehman, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 14, 1879. He received his education in the public and private schools of Pitts- burgh, and then entered Harvard Univer- sity, graduating with the class of 1901. He then entered the wholesale shoe busi- ness, in Pittsburgh, the firm being Dia- mondstone & Lehman. In 1906 Mr. Leh- man retired from this field to become vice-president and general manager of the Blaw Steel Construction Company, and in 1914 succeeded to the presidency of this corporation. In 1917 Mr. Lehman became president of the Blaw-Knox Com- pany, this being a combination of the Blaw Steel Construction Company and the Knox Pressed and Welded Steel Company.
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