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 29
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He returned to America in the summer of 1871, and in the following autumn he entered as a student of law in the office of his uncle, Andrew T. McClintock, LL. D., of this city. After the prescribed course of study, during which he exhibited a marked aptitude for the dry precepts of the law, as for the more congenial researches in literature and science, he was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, September 14, 1874, under circun- stances which afforded ample assurance of his distinguished suc- cess in a profession to which his family had contributed several able members. But he, however, was attached to a vocation which offered distinction of a different kind, and soon abandoned the active practice of the law ; but not until he had gained great
I 360
HARRISON WRIGHT.
credit and commendation for his able services as one of three auditors appointed by the court to make a special examination of the accounts of the county ; a work which involved the minutest inquiry into its financial affairs for the preceding seven years, and the auditing of ail the accounts in their multitudinous details ; the practical results of which were the recovery of a large sum of money and the exposure and punishment of the parties guilty of the embezzlement. Mr. Wright was a democrat in politics, and like all his father's family, positive in his convictions. In a number of campaigns he accepted and intelligently and satisfac- torily acquitted himself of the city contingent of the party. In this way he won the confidence and esteem of the members of his party, who repeatedly solicited him to accept political hon- ors, but these offers, like the law, failed to lure him from the pur- suits upon which his heart and ambition had long been set. He was once regularly nominated for a seat in the legislature, with such unanimity and cordiality as would almost certainly have insured his election, but, though willing to do service in the ranks whenever called upon, he peremptorily declined this proffered and well deserved reward. His leaning, in part inher- ited as I have already said, manifested in early youth and encour- aged and intensified by his education, was towards literary and scientific pursuits. To these he gave much attention, even when studying and practicing law. He became a member of the Wyom- ing Historical and Geological Society, was immediately assigned a leading position in it, and found here a fruitful field for the em- ployment of his varied talents. He took charge of and arranged its extensive mineralogical and other collections, adding to them from his own rich private stores and assiduously gathering valuable con- tributions from other sources. He prepared numerous papers of much value and interest on a diversity of subjects; he accumulated, by persistent research, many previously undiscovered facts in the history of the valley and of the coal-trade, until every material incident of each-so thorough was his study and so retentive his memory-was before him like the words upon a printed page, which enabled him at all times to answer with great clearness and accuracy all inquiries concerning either of these subjects. When the late Isaac S. Osterhout decided upon his munificent bequest
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HARRISON WRIGHT.
for the founding of a public library in Wilkes-Barre, Harrison Wright was in the midst of these labors and had achieved the reputation of being perhaps the best historical and scientific authority in the community, and the testator's thoughts natural- ly turned to him as one fitted in all respects to take a leading part in executing the trust, and he appointed him one of the trustees. Had he lived he would have been of inestimable ser- vice in the preliminary arrangements for and securing the prac- tical operation of the library in accordance with the generous designs of its founder. All who knew Harrison Wright must have been impressed with his unselfish and generous disposition, his genial companionship, his thoughtful and kindly considera- tion in all his relationships, and his warm and true friendship, as well as by his scholarly attainments, the wide scope of his mental powers, and his extended and accurate learning in many and diverse branches of human knowledge. His time, his talents, and his means were but instruments toward the attainment of his honorable ambition, the endeavor to let light in' where darkness had previously prevailed and open thoroughfares in the hitherto trackless places in history and science. And in the every day relations of life, there are many who could attest that his gener- osity was only bounded by his ability to give. His capacity for labor-the exacting labor of the fields to which his inclinations led him-was exceptionable. He did not deny himself reason- able recreation, but what he esteemed to be his duty was never permitted to wait upon pleasures to which he was invited, and the secrets of his success and of the results achieved in so short a lifetime were his steadfastness of purpose and his continuity of application. Where his strong sympathies led, his energies fol- lowed. When there was a new duty to be performed, he was never too overburdened to undertake it, though other tasks in various stages of progress were piled high before him. It is not often that we can speak thus in praise of the achievements of one so young as Harrison Wright was when he died, and yet abide within the strict limits of the truth ; but our friend was one among a thousand. His sudden and generally unexpected departure from among us has left a void in our ranks it will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill. It is inexcusably ungrateful in the midst
I 362
WILLIAM JOSEPH PHILBIN.
of the Maker's many and munificent providences, to speak of any earthly loss as irreparable, but the loss of Harrison Wright to this society is as nearly irreparable as any loss could be.
MONTGOMERY JOSEPH FLANAGAN.
Montgomery Joseph Flanagan, who was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., June 12, 1876, was a native of Potts- ville, Pa., where he was born August 27,- 1842. He read law with A. H. Winton, in Scranton, but practiced principally in this city. He was the son of William Flanagan and his wife Catha- rine Gannon, daughter of Timothy Gannon, who were natives of Ireland. He died February 1, 1880, at the residence of his mother in Plymouth, Pa. Mr. Flanagan was an unmarried man.
WILLIAM JOSEPH PHILBIN.
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William Joseph Philbin, who was admitted to the bar of Lu- zerne county, Pa., November 22, 1876, was a native of Jenkins township, in this county, where he was born January 11, 1854. His father, Michael J. Philbin, was a native of county Mayo, Ireland, where he was born in 1819. He emigrated to this country in 1838 and settled in Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y. He removed to this county in 1844 and located at Port Griffith, in Jenkins township, where he engaged in the hotel business. His hotel was subsequently burned out. He then built a store and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he con- tinued until the spring of 1865. In 1859, during his residence at Port Griffith, he was elected captain of the Emmet Guards, Second Brigade, Ninth Division of Uniformed Militia of Pennsyl- vania. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1860. In 1864 he was elected prothonotary of Luzerne county for a term of three
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DANIEL STREBEIGH BENNET.
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years, and was reelected in 1867 for another term of three years. After the expiration of his second term as prothonotary, he be- came the proprietor of the Exchange hotel, in this city. Aban- doning the hotel business, he was elected an alderman of the fifth ward of this city for a term of five years, and was serving his second term at the time of his death, November 5, 1879. He took a very active part in the incorporation of this city and was elected its first treasurer in 1871. He was also a member of the board of prison commissioners of Luzerne county. His daugh- ter, Julia, became the wife of P. J. O'Hanlon, of the Luzerne county bar. William J. Philbin was an unmarried man and died in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 29, 1882.
FRIEND AARON WHITLOCK.
Friend Aaron Whitlock, who was admitted to the bar of Lu- zerne county, Pa., April 3, 1877, was a native of Exeter township, "Luzerne county, Pa., where he was born December 30, 1850. His grandfather was Lewis Whitlock and his father was Enoch Whitlock. The Whitlocks were old settlers of Exeter township, and the name is to be found in the list of taxables in 1796. The mother of F. A. Whitlock was Mary Sickler, a daughter of John Sickler, of Exeter. Mr. Whitlock was educated in the public schools of his native township and in a select school in Illinois. He read law with W. G. Ward, in Scranton, and practiced in that city and Wamego, Kansas. While he resided in the latter place he was elected a justice of the peace. He married, in 1879, Eva Walter. Mr. Whitlock died November 24, 1880.
DANIEL STREBEIGH BENNET.
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Daniel Strebeigh Bennet was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., June 11, 1877. He was the son of the late George Bennet, of Montoursville, Pa., whose wife was Martha Strebeigh,
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DANIEL STREBEIGH BENNET.
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a daughter of Daniel Strebeigh, of Montoursville. He was the son of Andrew Bennet and grandson of Thomas Bennet. (See page 630.) D. S. Bennet was born at Fairfield, near Williams- port, Pa., September 3, 1853. He was brought up on his father's farm, and received the advantages of such district and public schools as his neighborhood afforded, and afterwards was gradu- ated with distinguished honors by the Pennsylvania state college in 1875. While there he took the prescribed three years' course in military tactics, thus fitting him for the position he was subse- quently to occupy in the militia of the state. Soon after grad- uating he came to Wilkes-Barre and entered as a law student with E. P. & J. V. Darling. From a child he had a passion for a military life, and when only ten years old he participated in the battle of Gettysburg as a drummer boy attached to an indepen- dent company. Much of the credit is due him for the high standard which our local militia has reached. He was instru- mental in organizing Company F of the Ninth Regiment, N. G. P., and was elected its captain July 14, 1870. On October 30 of the same year he was elected a major of the Ninth Regiment, and at the time of his death ranked as third major in the National Guard of Pennsylvania. In March, 1884, he was appointed quar- termaster of the Third Brigade, on the staff of General J. K. Sieg- fried, with the rank of major. Major Bennet's industry and integrity soon won him an enviable place at the Luzerne bar, and even in the few years during which he had practiced he built up a legal business that would do credit to a much older man. He was a worker in the legal profession, as he was in everything which he undertook, and mastered every obstacle which pre- sented itself. In June, 1883, he was elected a director of the Third school district, and was such at the time of his death. He discharged the duties of that trust with fidelity and marked satis- faction. In politics he was a republican, and one of the most active workers in the local organizations, notably the republican league of Wilkes-Barre. In August, 1884, he was nominated by acclamation for assembly from the First legislative district, com- prising the city of Wilkes-Barre, and on the day following he was prostrated with the illness which caused his death. In 1880 Major Bennet was united in marriage to Mary Margaret Myers,
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WILLIAM ROBERTS KINGMAN.
daughter of Lawrence Myers, of this city. He died September 16, 1884. His widow, now Mrs. John P. Yeager, survived him. They left no children. During the summer of 1884 Major Ben- net found that too close application to business had overtaxed his strength, and he participated in the state camp of the National Guard at Gettysburg, with the belief that the change of scene would fully restore him. On the contrary, it seems to have planted the seeds of that insidious disease, typhoid fever, which, before he was aware of it, had taken a firm and relentless hold of him. He returned to participate in the excitement of a political canvass, and no sooner was his object accomplished, and his nom- ination secured, than his bodily powers gave way and he took to his bed, his physician predicting a serious illness by reason of having deferred so long in seeking medical advice, and he died within a month.
WILLIAM ROBERTS KINGMAN.
William Roberts Kingman was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., November 12, 1878. He was a native of Charles- ton, South Carolina, where he was born January 1, 1838. He belonged to an old and wealthy family and great care was taken with his education. He was sent to college early, and graduated from Columbia university with high honors when but twenty- two years of age. So greatly were his talents esteemed that immediately after leaving college he was offered the principalship of the high school at Charleston, a preparatory school of good standing. This position he held until soon after the breaking out of the late civil war. He was an ardent supporter of the south- ern cause, and enlisted as a private. He rose to the rank of cap- tain of an artillery company, and for a time served on the staff of one of the Confederate generals. At the close of the war he returned to his position as principal of the Charleston high school, which he successfully conducted until 1870, when the school was broken up on account of a virulent outbreak of small-pox among the students. Shortly afterwards he visited
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AARON JARED DIETRICK.
Wilkes-Barre, and while here was impressed with the field which this city afforded for a first-class preparatory school. After a few months, passed in adjusting his affairs in the south, he returned here in 1871 and opened his academy in the old Presbyterian school house. For three or four years the school flourished and turned out excellent scholars, and Mr. Kingman finally turned his attention to the preparation of pupils for college. During all this time, and in fact ever since he left college, he had studied more or less for the bar, his chosen profession being that of a lawyer. After the close of his school he continued his studies with redoubled ardor, in the office of E. P. Darling. Between the close of the school and his entering the profession of the law he occupied the position of bookkeeper at the First National bank. He was at one time one of the "seven years" auditors, to audit the accounts of the county officers. Mr. Kingman was a man of rare mental endowments. He had the true instinct of a Southern gentleman, and his politeness was proverbial. Mild and unassuming in his manner, he was little known outside of his own social circle, yet wherever known he was a favorite. He never married. He died in this city August 23, 1884. The mother of Mr. Kingman was Mary Roberts, who was a sister of the first wife of the late O. B. Hillard, of this city.
AARON JARED DIETRICK.
Aaron Jared Dietrick was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., December 1I, 1880. He came from German stock, his parents emigrating from Germany, and settling in Northamp- ton county, Pa., removing afterwards to Columbia county, Pa. He was born, April 6, 1822, in Briarcreek township, Columbia county, and his early days were spent on the farm of his father, John Dietrick. Until quite a lad he could speak only the lan- guage of his parents, and his family still possess the bible of his boyhood days, printed in German. He became later a fine Ger- man scholar, and earned many a valuable retainer by this fact,
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AARON JARED DIETRICK.
and when he became a judge he more than once conducted a . case entirely in German. He was apprenticed as a blacksmith when a lad, but did not complete this course of training, his tal- ents inciting him towards one of the professions. After attend- ing the district schools of his neighborhood, he became a pupil in Berwick academy, and afterwards in Wyoming seminary, at Kingston. After leaving these he entered as a law student with M. E. Jackson, of Berwick, supporting himself meanwhile by teaching school in the township where he was born. He was admitted to the bar, at Danville, August 14, 1847, after which he practiced law nine years in Laporte, Sullivan county, Pa. While there he held the office of deputy district attorney three terms, and served two terms as county treasurer. While residing in Sullivan county he received the nomination of his district for state senator, but was defeated in the election. In 1856 he removed to Williamsport, Pa., where he settled and engaged in the practice of the law. In January, 1864, he removed to Wash- ington, D. C., and became interested in the settlement of claims before the different departments of the government. He resided · in Washington about four years, when he returned to William- sport, April 1, 1868, and resumed the practice of his profession. He also served as revenue commissioner for that judicial district. After the adoption of the Wallace law by the city of Williams- port, he was appointed city recorder by Governor Geary, on March 27, 1868, which office he held until 1875. Before the expiration of his term the new constitution was adopted, which retired him. At the ensuing election, June 4, 1876, Judge Dietrick was elected and commissioned to serve five years. It was here that he derived his title of judge, the office of city recorder being a tribunal of limited civil and criminal jurisdic- tion. At one time he was business manager of the Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin, and it was through his efforts mainly that the old Gazette and the West Branch Bulletin were consolidated, November 22, 1869. In 1880 he resigned his office of city recorder, and removed to this city.
Judge Dietrick was twice married, his first wife being Catha- rine E. Burke, daughter of William Burke, whom he met while teaching at Briarcreek. Three children suvive this union-Wil-
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JOHN SEARLE COURTRIGHT.
lard M. Dietrick, who was treasurer of the Williamsport school board, Ezra P. Dietrick, and Franklin Pierce Dietrick, the latter two being the Philadelphia shoe manufacturing firm of E. P. Dietrick & Company. Judge Dietrick was married a second time to Mary S. Kellog, of East Smithfield, Bradford county, Pa., who survived him, as do their two children-Edward H. Dietrick and Carrie M. Dietrick. Judge Dietrick was a consistent member of the Congregational church in Williamsport, and upon his com- ing to this city he united by letter with the First Presbyterian church. He was a man universally respected and revered, and as far as known had not an enemy. His gentleness of manner and evenness of disposition were his striking qualities, and he was never known to lose his temper even under the most trying circumstances. In his home he was a devoted husband and lov- ing father, in the community he was a faithful citizen, in the church he was an unassuming but sincere member, in the legal profession he occupied an eminent position. He died in this city September 8, 1884. He had been ill about a year, his trouble dating with a business trip to Kansas in August, 1883, where he was interested in a mineral spring property. His health rapidly failed, and a change of scene-first to Atlantic City and then to Lake Carey-was powerless to check the ravages of his disease, which was a complication of bladder and kidney disor- ders. Throughout his illness he had been a most patient sufferer, and even when his malady was most excrutiating not a murmur escaped his lips, he calming the anxiety of his family by saying that it might be worse.
JOHN SEARLE COURTRIGHT.
John Searle Courtright was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., January 11, 1876. He is a descendant of Benjamin Courtright, whose son, Cornelius Courtright, a native of Minni- sink, N. J., near the Delaware Water Gap, was the first of the name in this county. He was born March 7, 1764, and was one
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1 369
JOHN SEARLE COURTRIGHT.
of the prominent men of his day. He was one of the commis- sioners of Luzerne county in the years 1813, 1814 and 1815, 1830, 1831 and 1832. In 1816 he was a candidate for state sen- ator in the district composed of Northumberland, Columbia, Union, Luzerne and Susquehanna counties, but was defeated by Charles Frazer. On January 1, 1806, he was appointed a justice of the peace. He held the office until 1840. In 1820, 1821 and 1823 he was a member of the legislature of Penn- sylvania. He was a large landholder in this county, his first pur- chase being made December 30, 1789, from William Hooker Smith, and his second, September 19, 1791, from Timothy Pick- ering. He died at his home in Plains township, in this county, May 25, 1848. His wife, whom he married October 1, 1786, was Catharine Kennedy, a daughter of John Kennedy, a native of Dublin, Ireland. Benjamin Courtright, son of Cornelius Court- right, was born in now Plains township, March 19, 1789. He was a farmer the greater part of his life. He died at the residence of his son, J. Milton Courtright, in this city, January 22, 1867. His wife was Clarissa Williams, daughter of Thomas Williams. (See page 157). James Courtright, son of Benjamin Courtright, was born in Plains township, November 3, 1831. He is a resi- dent of this city, and was treasurer of Luzerne county from Dec- ember 22, 1873 to December 29, 1875. The wife of James Court- right is Ruth G., daughter of John Searle and his wife, Mary Stark, daughter of Henry Stark. (See pages 389, 566 and 1228). John Searle was the son of Constant Searle. (See page 1255). John S. Courtright, son of James Courtright, was born at Plains- ville, Pa., July 21, 1855. He was educated in this city, and at Wyoming seminary, Kingston, Pa. He read law in this city with ex-Governor Henry M. Hoyt, and at Montrose, Pa., with D. W. Searle. After practicing a few years in this city he removed to Montrose, Pa., where he now resides. He married, in Jan- uary, 1877, Ella V. Lathrop, of Montrose, Pa., a daughter of Azur Lathrop, son of Benjamin Lathrop. The latter was the son of Walter Lathrop, who removed from Connecticut to Lu- zerne (now Susquehanna) county, Pa., in 1803. Benjamin La- throp was an associate judge of Susquehanna county from 1841 to 1846. His wife was a daughter of Asahel Avery, who removed
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I370
JOHN RICHARD JONES.
from New London county, Conn., to Susquehanna county in 1801. Mr. and Mrs. Courtright have one child-Sarah Lathrop Courtright. Mr. Courtright comes, as will be seen, from a stock not a few scions of which have made their mark in the commu- nities in which they have severally resided. He has won for himself, at the bar, a place that does credit both to himself and to the distinguished gentlemen by whom his preliminary studies were supervised.
JOHN RICHARD JONES.
John Richard Jones was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, Pa., June 8, 1880. He is the son of Edward Jones, who was born near St. Donats, Wales, in 1814. He was educated at Cambridge scientific school, and came to America in 1836 to avoid a sea faring life for which his parents had intended him. He entered the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company at Car- bondale, Pa., as a miner, and was in a few years promoted to be a mine boss, and in 1854 was placed in charge of the company's mines in Archbald, Pa., where he remained until 1858, when he became a partner in the successful coal firm of Eaton & Company, at that place. In the fall of that year in company with two partners, he commenced operations which led to the successful develop- ment of the coal fields of Olyphant, Pa., which were continued until 1864, under the firm name of E. Jones & Company, and then sold out their interest to the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. He was, afterwards employed by the Erie Railway Company in developing and perfecting their extensive collieries near Carbondale, and is now actively connected with coal opera- tions as a member of the firm of Jones, Simpson & Company, and also as president of the Pierce Coal Company. In 1875 he was elected a director of the Merchants' & Mechanics' bank, of Scran- ton. In 1876 he was the candidate of the republican party for congress in the twelfth congressional district of Pennsylvania, but was defeated by a majority of two hundred and eighty-six votes in favor of his democratic competitor, William H. Stanton. As a business man, he is prudent and sagacious. As a practical geologist, he has few if any superiors in the mining regions. If
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JOHN RICHARD JONES.
an unblemished reputation, a life spent in successfully developing the material resources of our country, and a well balanced mind are evidences by which it is safe to judge, it is not an exaggera- tion to call Edward Jones a successful man. He was burgess of the borough of Blakely in 1870 and 1871. He was also elected the first justice of the peace of the borough. He mar- ried, August 4, 1846, in New York, Mary E. Jones, a daughter of Richard Jones, a woolen manufacturer of Landilas, Montgomery- shire, Wales. John Richard Jones, son of Edward Jones, and Mary E. Jones, was born in the village of Archbald, Pa., on May 27, 1856. In 1858 his parents moved to Blakely, opposite the town of Oly- phant, where he now resides. The subject of our sketch was edu- cated in the common schools of Olyphant, and when seventeen years of age was sent away to boarding school. He was educated at Keystone academy at Factoryville and at the well-known Wyom- ing seminary. He remained about three years at these institu- tions, and then on September 28, 1876, entered Harvard Law School at Cambridge, Mass. On June 25, 1879, after pursuing a three years' thorough course in the common law, he graduated and received the degree of Legibus Baccalaurei, (LL. B.) He was admitted March 12, 1878, to practice law at the celebrated Middlesex bar, in the county of Middlesex, Mass. After passing a creditable examination by a board of examiners, composed of three of the most prominent members of that bar, September 23, 1879, he entered the law office of Alexander Farnham, Esq., at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and remained there until June 8 following, when he was admitted upon motion of Andrew T. McClintock, Esq .- Mr. Farnham being absent from the city-to practice law in all the courts of Luzerne county. He practiced at our bar until October 8, 1880, when he entered the law office of R. W. Archbald, Esq., at Scranton, and was, on the same day, on motion of that gentleman, admitted to practice law in all the courts of Lackawanna county. He remained with Mr. Archbald until the latter was elected to the bench in 1884. Mr. Jones then removed his office from the Third National bank building into the Coal Exchange, where he is now engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, which is large and extensive, his clients being from all parts of the county. He is counsel for many of the boroughs
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