USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Families of the Wyoming Valley: biographical, genealogical and historical. Sketches of the bench and bar of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, vol. III > Part 15
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1196
MORRISON ELIJAH JACKSON.
Judge Cooper, at Danville, Pa., then the county seat of Columbia county, where he was admitted to the bar November 16, 1840. In 1852 he represented Columbia and Montour in the house of representatives at Harrisburg. After Mr. Jackson's admission to the bar he opened his office in Berwick, where he was in contin- uous practice until his death, appearing as occasion required before the several courts in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Sulli- van, Wyoming, Carbon and Schuylkill counties, also before the district and circuit courts of the United States for the western district, and the Supreme Court of the state. He was at the time of his death the senior member of the bar of Columbia county and president of the bar association. He was a successful prac- titioner, and held deservedly high place among his associates. In politics he belonged to the democratic party, and was an active member of the organization in Columbia county, assisting in the yearly canvass with the force and effect that a positive man always exerts. His influence was also strong in its bearing on the borough government, and as a member of the council he served a number of terms to the advantage alike of the corpora- tion and the taxpayers. In a business way he was a man pos- sessed of more than ordinary good judgment, and amassed a large property. He was a director of the First National bank from its inception, being a considerable stockholder therein and the attor- ney thereof. He was a trustee in behalf of the state of the normal school at Bloomsburg. He stood well up in the masonic fraternity as a member of the Berwick lodge. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty-seven years, and was a class leader therein a number of years. The following named persons had been at one time and another students in his office : Hon. C. R. Buckalew, Hon. Aaron J. Dietrick, Silas Buzzard, Alfred Hall, Hon. A. H. Dill, W. A. Peck, L. T. Thompson, Mil- ton Stiles, C. B. Jackson. Mr. Jackson married, July 4, 1843, Anne S. Gilmore, a daughter of Stephen Gilmore, born in Ireland in 1794, and Jane Gilmore, (nee Doane). They had a family of two children-Charles B. Jackson, who was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county October 18, 1875, and Anne G. Jackson, who married Andrew K. Oswald, who was admitted to the bar of Lu- zerne county November 29, 1881. Mr. Jackson was never a resi-
1197
HORATIO W. NICHOLSON.
dent of our county, but living near the line in Columbia county, we have seen fit to name him as one of our lawyers. As a mat- ter of fact he did more business in our county than he did in Columbia county. He died at Berwick, July 23, 1879.
JOHN I. ALLEN.
John I. Allen was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., January 6, 1841. He established at Carbondale, Pa., January I, 1855, the Democratic Standard and Know Nothing Expositor, which was continued until September 17\following, when the building in which it was printed, together with about twenty others, was burned, and the paper was never reestablished. He also at one time owned and conducted the Wayne County Herald, at Hones- dale, Pa. He was drowned in the canal at Honesdale. He had a son, George Allen, who became a lawyer, but is now deceased.
WILLIAM CHAMPION REYNOLDS.
William Champion Reynolds was commissioned an associate judge of Luzerne county, Pa., March 15, 1841, succeeding Wil- liam S. Ross in that position. (For a sketch of Mr. Reynold's life see page 778).
HORATIO W. NICHOLSON. 4
Horatio W. Nicholson, who was admitted to the bar of Lu- zerne county, Pa., April 6, 1841, was a descendant of Ambrose Nicholson and his wife, Margaret Hill, of Glastonbury, Connec- ticut, who were married June 13, 1756. Francis Nicholson, eld-
1198
LYMAN HAKES.
est son of Ambrose Nicholson, was born in Glastonbury April 13, 1758. His wife was Rachel Loveland, daughter of David Loveland, of Glastonbury, whom he married February 7, 1781. Francis Nicholson served in the war of the revolution, and about the end of the last century removed to what is now Hamlinton, in Wayne county, Pa. He died soon after. Zenas Nicholson, son of Francis Nicholson, was born in Glastonbury November 21, 1795. His first wife, the mother of H. W. Nicholson, was Mary, daughter of George Goodrich, who was the son of Seth Goodrich, who came from Connecticut. (See page 123.) Hora- tio W. Nicholson was born at Salem Corners, now Hamlinton, Pa., December 4, 1817. He was educated at Harford academy, Susquehanna county, Pa., and read law with Luther Kidder in this city. He practiced here for some years and then removed to Waverly, Pa., where he died June 16, 1855. He married, March 4, 1838, Rhoda Stone. She was the daughter of John Stone, who removed to Abington, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, in 1810 from Rhode Island. She subsequently married Lathan Jones, M. D. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson had a family of two children-Oscar E. Nicholson and George S. Nicholson. The latter is still living. Oscar F. Nicholson, of this city, and J. Milton Nicholson, of Kingston, are half brothers of Horatio W. Nicholson.
LYMAN HAKES.
Lyman Hakes was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., April 6, 1841. He was a descendant of Solomon Hakes, who was of Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1709. The records of the town meeting held in April, 1709, show that Solomon Hakes and some others were proposed to be made freemen, and at the next meeting Solomon was admitted a freeman and was allotted one hundred acres of the vacant land. The next year he removed to Stonington, Connecticut. The wife of Solomon Hakes was Anna Billings, granddaughter of William Billings, who came
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LYMAN HAKES.
from England in 1640 and settled in Stonington. Her father was Ebenezer Billings, whose wife was Anna Comstock. Solomon Hakes had a son George Hakes. George S. Hakes, son of George Hakes, was born January 27, 1751, in Stonington. He left Ston- ington and from 1770 to 1793 was settled in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He removed from Berkshire to Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1793, and died about 1826 at Salisbury, Herkimer county. He married Zurvia Church, a descendant of Captain Church, in 1774. His occupation was that of a farmer. Lyman Hakes, son of George S. Hakes, was born at Hancock, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, May 26, 1788. He married his first wife, Nancy Dayton, of Watertown, Litchfield county, Connecti- cut, at Harpersfield, Delaware county, N. Y., where she was engaged in teaching school, September 22, 1813. She died in 1850, after raising a family of eight children. He married for his second wife Delinda Osborne. He was for several years sup- ervisor of Harpersfield, and took an active part in building up schools and establishing useful libraries, and was of much value to young men in their debating societies. He was the leading spirit in favor of good roads and in the construction of a turn- pike through Delaware and Schoharie counties about 1836. In 1841 he was commissioned by Governor Seward a judge of the courts of Delaware county. It was during his term that the anti- rent insurrection broke out, making much business for the courts. In the war of 1812 he was drafted into the military service and was stationed at New York. In those days bounties were un- known. Each man had to provide his own weapon and accou- trements. He was honorably discharged and started home with- out a shilling. About 1870 he was awarded a pension of one hundred dollars a year, every dollar of which he gave away as soon as he received it. He died at Harpersfield July 14, 1873. His sister Hannah was the grandmother of Hon. Charles E. Rice, now president judge of Luzerne county. Lyman Hakes, son of Lyman Hakes, was born at Harpersfield, N. Y., March 23, 1816. He came to Pennsylvania in 1837, and for some time taught school at Berwick, Columbia county, Pa. While thus engaged he commenced the study of law under the tuition of the late Hon. S. F. Headley. In 1839 he came to Wilkes-Barre and
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LYMAN HAKES.
continued his legal studies under William Wurtz. Very early in his career Mr. Hakes gave evidence of his power as a criminal lawyer, which afterwards distinguished him. He had to con- tend against able men and powerful orators, who did little to help the struggling young attorney; but opposition only developed the powers of his mind, and his strength of will overcame every obstacle, until he stood the peer of the brightest, if not, indeed, peerless at the Luzerne bar. He was not a brilliant orator, but he had a mathematical mind, capable of condensing facts and pre- senting them to a jury in a most convincing manner. He excelled in clearness of statement and was always powerful before a jury. In the earlier years of his practice Mr. Hakes was a close student and was almost as successful în civil as in criminal cases, but in his later years his practice was principally criminal and books were in a great measure neglected. But even up to the last he was no mean antagonist in any case. In the midst of a large practice at the bar he found timc to keep up with the current scientific liter- ature of the day, and was greatly interested in all scientific dis- coveries. He had almost a passion for machinery and when riding on a railroad almost invariably took a position on the loco- motive. In appreciation of this trait of his character the Lacka- wanna and Bloomsburg railroad company named one of their locomotives the "Lyman Hakes." Among the students of the deceased are to be found some of our most promising lawyers. The intercourse between Mr. Hakes and. the young gentlemen who studied under him, of which we can truthfully testify, was ever of the most agreeable kind. So likewise the indulgence he manifested towards the younger members of the bar. He was not envious of any other's success but rather preferred giving aid to its further advancement.
While it is not possible in a notice such as this to comment on all that is worthy of remark, there is, nevertheless, a trait per- taining to legal ethics wherein this practitioner was always the most scrupulous. He stood steadfastly by his word. His fellow- attorney need not ask under his signature for the evidence of any agreement pertaining to any matter to come before court on trial. His word was sufficient. What he verbally agreed to do was with him a matter of professional pride to consummate.
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HENRY MILLS FULLER.
In his private life Mr. Hakes had many admirers, and this not without cause. He was a true and faithful friend ; in the capacity of a neighbor, justly noted. There were few men more ready to serve, to aid, to counsel. His generosity was noble and exalted. Perhaps the highest meed of praise that man can bestow upon man is that due to charity. And all who knew Mr Hakes freely accord to him the exercise of this heaven-born virtue. The last dime in the purse was never refused to the cry of the needy. If he did not always give with discrimination, he gave liberally ; and whatever were his faults, there are many whom he befriended who sincerely mourned his loss.
In the estimation of human character we are accustomed to place most confidence in the evidence of those most qualified, from closest intimacy, to judge. And it is in this case weil worthy of notice that all nearest allied to this man, in professional, social and domestic life, bear the same testimony to his many virtues, and most keenly feel the providence which has summoned him from amongst us.
We knew Mr. Hakes well. As a student in his office, for a while a member of his family, by our intercourse with him, we learned not only to respect him, but to love him, and we here drop a tear to his memory.
"And the night dew that falls, though in silence it weeps, Shall brighten with verdure the grave where he sleeps."
Mr. Hakes was twice married. His first wife, whom he mar- ried in 1851, was Elizabeth J. Baldwin, of this city. She was the daughter of Jared R. Baldwin, who was clerk of the board of commissioners of Luzerne county from 1845 to 1850. His sec- ond wife; whom he married in 1868, was Margaret D. Cowley, of Pittsburg. He left no children by either wife. Mr. Hakes died in this city December 8, 1873. He was a brother of Hon. Harry Hakes of this city. (See page 134).
WYO
HIGY.
GRY
CFO
HENRY MILLS FULLER.
Henry Mills Fuller was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., January 3, 1842. (For a sketch of his life see page 586.)
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ZIBA BENNETT.
ZIBA BENNETT.
· Ziba Bennett was commissioned an associate judge of Luzerne county, Pa., February, 21, 1842. He was a native of Weston, Connecticut, where he was born November 10, 1800. His grand- father, Thaddeus Bennett and Mary Platt, were married at Wes- ton April 15, 1761. Platt Bennett, son of Thaddeus Bennett, was born at Weston July 28, 1770. His wife was Martha Wheeler. While quite young Mr. Bennett's father removed from his native state to West Chester county, N. Y., whence, after a brief stay, he removed to Newtown (now Elmira), N. Y. Young Mr Bennett's educational advantages were sim- ilar to those generally enjoyed by boys in the beginning of the present century, but, notwithstanding their limited nature, he profited by them far more than the average of his fellows. His superior intelligence, excellent moral character and good manners made him noticeable even when a mere boy, and particularly attracted the attention of the late Judge Hollenback, who had at that time a branch store at Newtown. Judge Hollenback easily persuaded Mr. Bennett's father that the boy was better adapted to a mercantile career than to farming, and shortly after entering his "teens" Mr. Bennett was given the position of junior clerk in Judge Hollenback's branch store. In 1815 he was transferred to the main store at Wilkes-Barre, and immediately entered upon his duties in the store on South Main street. He proved a val- uable acquisition in every way, being apt, obliging and conscien- tious, and besides becoming a prime favorite with the general public, so impressed his employer that he was rapidly advanced from the position of a subordinate to that of chief clerk of the establishment. In 1821 Judge Hollenback admitted his son, George M. Hollenback, to partnership, and the business was removed to new quarters at the corner of River and Market streets, where John Welles Hollenback's building is in process of erection. In 1822 Mr. Bennett became the partner of George M. Hollenback, and their business relations were maintained un - til 1826, when Mr. Bennett purchased the property of Stephen
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ZIBA BENNETT.
Tuttle, on North Main street, and branched out for himself as a merchant. By close application to business and carefulness in its management he speedily placed his venture on a sound foot- ing, and although at an age when few men have even fully decided what to do for a living, he took his place among the leading business men of the community. He continued thus en- gaged up to the time of his death, when he was at the head of the hardware house of Z. Bennett & Co., and the oldest merchant in Luzerne county. Mr. Bennett's perceptions were unusually clear, and his judgment always sound, and in spite of the fact that he was one of the most cautious of men, readily dis- cerned the avenues to wealth, and so boldly entered them that he succeeded in amassing a large fortune. It has been said of him that he was one of the most popular, successful and upright merchants that ever graced the mercantile circles of the Wyoming valley. During the years 1833 and 1834 he was a member of the legislature of the state. Being elected to the office, he dis- charged his duties with the same fidelity to the interest of his constituents and of the state as he exercised in the man- agement of his commercial affairs. The last named year the bill for common schools passed both branches of the legis- lature. Mr. Bennett took a very active interest in the mat- ter, and as his name was the first in the alphabetical list of mem- bers of the house, his was the first vote given to the bill. The act of 1834 inaugurated a new era in education in this state. From that time forward steady progress has been made. At times it was slow and to many imperceptible, but public sentiment was never stagnant and legislation never went backward. With this . law the foundation of the system of common schools now in vogue was laid. It provided that a tax should be levied on all the tax- able property and inhabitants; that townships, boroughs and wards should be school districts, and that schools should be maintained at public expense. The establishment and supervis- ion of schools in each district were entrusted to a board of six school directors to be chosen by the legal voters. The people in each township were allowed to determine by an election whether the new school system should be adopted or rejected, and an election upon this question might be held once in three
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ZIBA BENNETT.
years. The secretary of the commonwealth was made superin- tendent of public schools, and the legislature was authorized to appropriate funds annually from the state treasury in aid of the work of education. Mr. Bennett was a member of the reform convention which met at Harrisburg, Pa., January 8, 1834. His associates from this county were Luther Kidder, Albert G. Broad- head and Ovid F. Johnson. This convention was preparatory to the constitutional convention of 1838. They recommended the following amendments to the constitution : "The abolition of all offices for life ; the meeting of the legislature on the first Monday in January ; members of the senate to be elected for two or three years only ; the enjoyment and security of the right of universal suffrage ; the judges of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Common Pleas to be appointed by the governor, and the appoint- ment to be sanctioned by the senate, or to be elected by joint bal- lots of both houses, in either case for a term of five or seven years ; associate judges, justices of the peace, prothonotaries, registers and recorders and county treasurers to be elected by the people for a term of years; all executive and judicial officers who shall be appointed by the governor to have their appointments sanctioned by the senate; the election of a lieutenant governor, to preside in the senate, and to act as chief magistrate in case of the death, refusal to act, removal or impeachment of the governor; the term of continued eligibility to the office of governor to be reduced or shortened ; a provision for future amendments of the constitu- tion, and a restriction of the pardoning power of the governor." Mr. Bennett had no taste for politics, and when his term had ex- pired he set his face against renomination, and also declined every subsequent invitation to enter the political arena, including several offers of a nomination to congress. Although not caring for public honors, and avoiding prominence so far as lay in his power, he was by no means indifferent to public affairs; on the contrary, he was unselfishly interested in every question that concerned the people, and while not caring to appear at the front in dealing with them, he was not infrequently active in determin- ing them one way or the other. Judge Bennett possessed the public confidence to a degree seldom exceeded. Every trust confided to him was administered with religious exactitude and
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ZIBA BENNETT.
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never with an eye to his personal advantage. His careful and methodical business habits were carried into his public life with the happiest effect upon the affairs transacted. During his re- markably long and successful business career Mr. Bennett was identified with many enterprises in the Wyoming valley. He was one of the founders of the Wyoming bank, an institution which owes its prosperity and unblemished record largely to his personal supervision of its affairs. Of this institution he was a director from its organization in 1829 until his death, and its pres- ident for nearly ten years. He was also for some years president of the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company and of the Hollenback Cemetery Association. He was an incorporator of the Wilkes- Barre Gas Company, the Wilkes-Barre Water Company, Miners' Savings Bank of Wilkes-Barre, of the Home for Friendless Chil- dren, and other associations. In 1862 he founded and became the senior member of the banking house of Bennett, Phelps & Co., of Wilkes-Barre, his associates being John C. Phelps, his son-in- law, and George S. Bennett, his son. Of this banking firm he remained the head until his death. Mr. Bennett became a pro- fessing member of the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of twenty-one, and immediately proceeded to identify himself with its work. For over half a century he was a useful and prominent officer in the church. As a young man he was chorister. A large part of his labors at a later period were in connection with the First Methodist Episcopal Sabbath school, which he suc- ceeded in making one of the most flourishing in Wilkes-Barre. His zeal in religious work was unflagging, and as Sabbath school superintendent, steward and trustee of the First Methodist Epis- copal church, he was able to give it free rein. He was truly a religious man, and it is not too much to say that his whole life was sweetened, ennobled and rounded out by his sin- cere christianity. He donated the land on Franklin street upon which the First Methodist Episcopal church is erected. He was in active sympathy with all reforms, and was particularly inter- ested in the cause of temperance, which he believed to be a starting point toward the higher moral state. He was one of the originators of the first organized movement against intemperance in Luzerne county, and lived to see many beneficial results follow
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ZIBA BENNETT.
its inauguration. In 1872 he was elected by the layman's con- vention to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, held at Brooklyn, N. Y., and was thus one of the first lay delegates to that body from the Wyoming conference. His connection with the church established in the early days of Meth- odism in the Wyoming valley was lovingly maintained till the closing hours of his life. He gave liberally of his ample fortune to sustain religious and charitable work, and not the least worthy of his kind deeds was his unfailing hospitality to all engaged in christian work. He assisted in founding the Luzerne County Bible Society, was a liberal contributor to its funds, and was for twenty-six years its treasurer. As early as 1828 he was its re- cording secretary. In the work of public education he was warmly interested, and in order to bring the advantages of higher education closer to the people with whom his lot was cast, he aided in establishing the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, was one of its trustees for many years, and founded its ample and extensive library, which was named in his honor. He held other positions of honor and trust besides those named, and in all was able, prudent and faithful in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. He was treasurer of the borough of Wilkes-Barre in 1824 and 1825, and a member of the town council in 1828, 1829, 1849 and 1850. One of his marked characteristics was his kind, conciliatory disposition. He resolutely avoided all wrangling and contention, and never took part in or countenanced disputes on any subject. The wealth he acquired was obtained honestly, and was used generously to promote the welfare of humanity. This old, widely known and greatly esteemed citizen died No- vember 4, 1878, to the great regret of the people of this city. Mr. Bennett was twice married. His first wife, whom he married November 25, 1825, was Hannah Fell Slocum, the eldest daugh- ter of Joseph Slocum. (See page 339.) This most estimable christian lady died February 5, 1855, leaving behind a precious memory, fragrant of noble virtues and good deeds. Their two surviving children are :
I. George Slocum Bennett, born August 17, 1842, in Wilkes- Barre, Pa. ¢. B. K. ; A. B., Wesleyan University, 1864; A. M., 1867. Commencement orator. 1864, with his father in banking
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ZIBA BENNETT.
business, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1864-1889, director of Wyoming National bank, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1864-1889, secretary of board of directors of Wyoming National bank, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ; 1865-79, member of the firm of Bennett, Phelps & Co., Wilkes- Barre, Pa .; 1868-89, superintendent First Methodist Episcopal church Sunday school, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1868-70, member of town council, Wilkes- Barre, Pa .; 1869, traveled extensively in Europe ; 1869-89, manager of Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company ; 1870-73, member of school board, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1871, president of Young Men's Christian Association, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1871-87, member of board of managers of Young Men's Christian Association, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1873-89, trustee of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa .; 1874-89, trustee First Meth- odist Episcopal church, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1876-89, manager Wilkes-Barre City Hospital; 1876-89, treasurer Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company ; 1878-89, manager Hollenback Cemetery As- sociation, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1879-83, member of school board city of Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1879-89, secretary Luzerne County Bible Society ; 1883, president school board, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1886, vice president Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Company ; 1886-88, treasurer Sheldon Axle Company, Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; 1887-SS, president Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Company ; 1888-89, trustee of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn .; 1888-89, trustee of Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N. J .; 1888-89, president board of trustees of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa. He married, September 7, 1871, Ellen W. Nel- son, daughter of Rev. Reuben Nelson, D. D., of Kingston, Pa. Their children are: 1. Martha Phelps Bennett, born October 16, 1873; 2. Reuben Nelson Bennett, born December 12, 1875; 3. Ziba Platt Bennett, born March 22, 1881.
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