Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 101

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1026

USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 101
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 101

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Jacob F. Graeber acquired his early educa- tional training in the common schools of his na- tive town, and subsequently attended St. Vin- cent's College, at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He de- voted special attention to civil and mining en- gincering, and after leaving the school room be- came identified with the Locust Gap colliery, of which he was appointed superintendent. Mr. Graeber occupied this position for eight years and during that time was the first to introduce the product of that colliery to the Baltimore mar- ket. He next turned his attention to mining en- gineering, and engaged extensively in prospect- ing for various minerals in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington State, California and British Columbia. For five years he was occu- pied in prospecting in Alaska, and reported on several iron mines which are successful produc- ers to-day. During these years of travel and ex- ploring Colonel Graeber held the offices of pres- ident and general manager of the Northumber- land Dredging and Mining Company, president of the Lasardargus Mining Company of Mexico and manager of the Graves Kimball Coal Com- pany. He is a man of large and varied expc- rience, having crossed the continent eighteen times, and was a passenger on the first regular train to run from Omaha to California. Colonel Graeber afterwards became a successful stock speculator, and through his instrumentality

many of his friends have succeeded along that line.

In 1904 Colonel Graeber purchased the estab- lishment known as the "Union Hotel" in Shick- shinny, Pennsylvania, then conducted by Charles Simpson. The hotel had been unsuccessfully carried on by various proprietors up to the time of its purchase by Colonel Graeber, who recon- structed and remodeled it from cellar to garret. naming it the "Shickshinny Inn." The house ac- commodates thirty guests, and is one of the best equipped and most successful houses in that sec- tion of the country. In connection with Shick- shinny Inn there is a commodious stable which accommodates sixty horses and several auto- mobiles.

Colonel Graeber was twice married. Of his first marriage eight children were born, six of whom are living, namely: Mary M., Charles R., who is in service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; James B. D., a lieutenant on board the battleship "Ohio," United States navy; George G., Florence and Catherine. In 1904 Colonel Graeber took for his second wife Mrs. Catherine E. Creasey, (nee Haas) daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth Haas. Mrs. Graeber is prominently interested in the wholesale liquor and bottling works which her former husband successfully conducted for ten years in Shickshinny, and which is now under the management of her father, Conrad Haas.

JOHN A. HILDEBRANT. The Hilde- brants came to America from Germany probably more than a century and a half ago, and settled in New Jersey, whence some of their descendants removed into the territory of Pennsylvania. Giles Hildebrant, grandfather of John A. Hilde- brant, served with the Americans in the Revolu- tionary war and was killed at the battle and mas- sacre of Wyoming in July, 1778. His son, Con- rad Hildebrant, lived and died on the old home farm in Hope, Warren county, New Jersey, which appears to have been the ancient seat of the family in this country. John T. Hildebrant was a son of Conrad Hildebrant, who married Mary Swazey, and had children, among them being John A. Hildebrant, born in Hope, June 23, 1824. Mary Swazey's father was William Swazey, who was a captain in the American ser- vice during the second war with Great Britian.

John A. Hildebrant was brought up on his father's farm in Hope, and was educated in the common schools. When old enough to begin work for himself he found employment at farm-

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ing, after which he rented a farm, and in 1859 purchased a tract of land and became a proprie- tor. This land, however, he sold in 1866, and came from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, locating in the old township of Dallas, in Luzerne county, in the historic Wyoming Valley. His farm in Dallas, which is still a part of his possessions, is situated a little more than a mile from Dallas borough, and is one of the best farms in either that township or Luzerne county ; and whatever it is has been the result of its owner's persevering effort. Mr. Hildebrant has been successful in his business endeavors, and has deserved all the success which has rewarded his labors. In the township he is a man of influence and is respected by his fellowmen wherever his acquaintance ex- tends. He is a Republican, and has served as member of the school board, poormaster, auditor, supervisor, and several times inspector on boards of elections.

Mr. Hildebrant has been twice married, and is a widower. His first wife was Mary Shannon, daughter of David Shannon, a veteran of the war of 1812-15. Five children were born of this marriage : David, of Wyoming county, Pennsyl- vania ; John B. of Dallas; Mary Catherine, wife of Clark Smith, of Walton, Warren county, New Jersey ; James, of Lake township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania; and Angeline, widow of John Gareham, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Hildebrant mar- ried (second) Mary Decker, daughter of Rich- ard Decker, of Warren county, New Jersey. One child has been born of this marriage-Sher- man W. Hildebrant, of Dallas township. Mary Decker Hildebrant died February 2, 1899.

CHARLES W. BOOTH. The aggressive element in the coal industry of Lackawanna county is well represented by Charles W. Booth, of Dunmore. Mr. Booth belongs to one of the old families of New York state, the members of which have been known for their large landed possessions and also for the many proofs of de- voted patriotism given by them at crises in our national history, when every citizen was called upon to testify to his loyalty.

Moses H. Booth was born in New York, where he owns seven hundred acres of valuable land, two hundred of which are under cultivation. He is one of the most extensive agriculturists in his part of the state. He is a public-spirited citizen and exercises much influence in his township. He married Henrietta, also a native of New York state, daughter of J. L. Smith, an ex- perienced engineer, who served on steamships plying between the United States and European

ports, and subsequently on vessels navigating the Hudson river. Mr. and Mrs. Booth have chil- dren : John, James, William, Alfred, Charles W., mentioned hereinafter. Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Annie.

Charles W. Booth, son of Moses H. and Hen- rietta (Smith) Booth, was born December II, 1876, in Dutchess county, New York, where he received his education in the common schools. He learned the machinist's trade in Newburg, New York, in 1898 moved to Scranton. and the same year found employment with the Erie Com- pany. The best possible tribute to his capability and faithfulness is found in the fact that he re- mained in the service of the company for six years, and in 1904 was made foreman of the round-house repair shop, a position for which his thorough knowledge of his trade fits him in a high degree.

Mr. Booth married in 1897, Selina, daughter of Joseph S. and Ann (Collon) Edwards. Mrs. Booth and her parents are natives of London, England, where Mr. Edwards was a coal mer- chant. He was a man of great intelligence and some influence, and was strongly interested in the labor question. His attitude in this con- troversy was one cause of his emigration to the United States, which took place in 1884. He settled first in Northampton, Orange county, New York, and subsequently moved to New- burg, in the same county and state, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of paper, having formerly been employed as a machinist and also as a mechanical draughtsman. Mr. Booth is a man for whom further advancement in his line of business is confidently predicted by all who know him.

PROFESSOR MORGAN J. LLOYD, su- pervising principal of the schools of the borough of Taylor, which number eight, with a corps of twenty-one teachers, which office he has held since 1902, is in point of active and successful labors one of the recognized educators in the Lackawanna Valley. He was born in Wales in 1858, a son of Frederick and Ann (Evans) Lloyd, who emigrated to the United States, lo- cating at Olyphant, Pennsylvania. Frederick Lloyd was one of the pioneers of that town, and was also one of its most worthy citizens. He was closely identified with the Welsh Baptist church of Olyphant, in which he served as dea- con. His decease occurred in 1896. His widow survives him, as do also his children, namely : Morgan J., George, Edwin, Fred and William.

When one and a half years of age Morgan

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J. Lloyd was brought to this country by his par- ents, and his early life was spent in Olyphant, Pennsylvania. Like most boys reared in a min- ing town he began work in the breaker and sub- sequently in the mines, around the engines. He was of a mechanical turn of mind and took great interest in machinery. In the meantime he was ambitious to obtain an education and came under the influence of that master teacher, Robert J. Leighton, under whom he studied specially in the night school. By dint of close study and the utilization of privileges within his reach he prepared for the State Normal school at Mansfield, where he was graduated in 1887, and the following year was appointed assistant in the public schools of Jermyn. Here he re- mained for one year, but developed such quali- fications for the position, that when Professor Cummings was chosen as principal in Olyphant, he was elected as his successor in Priceburg. He entered upon his duties there with high ambi- tions and aspirations. Throop was then a part of Dickson City borough, which has three dis- tinct public schools with three principals. He was principal of No. I school. At that time there was no centralization of the school idea, but by 1892 he had so worked up the true thought of concentrating the school work that he was made the supervising principal of all the schools, a position which he has filled ever since with honor to himself and credit to all concerned. Subsequently Throop became a separate bor- ough, which took its school out from this super- vision. Since then the improvement in the school buildings is very marked. No. 3 is a new building and an ornament to any community. No. I is practically a new building, while No. 2 is so changed as to have kept with the pace. The proportion of foreign born or foreign speaking children in Nos. 1 and 2, is twenty per cent and in No. 3 it is ninety-five per cent. Professor Lloyd as a leader, director and organizer, has proved himself equal to these conditions. He has found this class of pupils sturdy by nature, and capable of hard work and advancement. He has kept stepping upwards himself and has kept his schools on the upgrade, so that the gradu- ates from the high school department are oc- cupying today important positions in the busi- ness and professional world. In 1902 he was chosen for the office of superintendent of the schools of the borough of Taylor, and his accept- ance of the position was a public loss to Dickson City borough.

The success which Professor Lloyd has at- tained in his chosen vocation has been brought

about by his feeling a profound pride in his pro- fession, by being a close and wide reader of books, and a careful observer of those elements which are so essential in an educator. He has always had a remarkable inspiring and moulding influence over his pupils, which has made him of inestimable value to them, and a great host who are out in the world today honor him for what he has done for them. His name has been prominently mentioned for county superinten- dent, a position for which he is eminently well fitted. Under the new law in the state he has been twice appointed a member of the com- mittee of three by the state department at Har- risburg to examine parties applying for a certi- ficate to teach. In his younger manhood Pro- fessor Lloyd was for many years superintendent of the Welsh Baptist Sunday-school in Olyphant, and for a number of years was an esteemed mem- ber of the Blakely Baptist Church. He is a member of the Order of Heptasophs.

In December, 1893, Professor Lloyd married Minnie Thomas, of Taylor, Pennsylvania, a lady of fine culture and of a distinguished ancestry. Her father was one of the great students in the Lackawanna Valley; her brother, Talley G. Thomas, is an artist of note; another brother, William H. Thomas, is at the head of the music department in the schools at Taylor, and her kindred have been noted for their extended and long line of Christian ministers in the family. Both Professor and Mrs. Lloyd are deeply inter- ested in music and he by study has made himself a master of the German zither. They are both members of the Calvary Baptist Church of Tay- lor. Three children have been the issue of this union : Mildred, Theodosia, and Carl B. Lloyd.

FRANK D. BRUNDAGE. Incumbent of the responsible position of special agent of the financial department of the National Express Company in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna county, Mr. Brundage is recognized as one of the representative business men of the younger generation in the "Electric City," while he is held in high esteem in social circles as well as those of business, and his official preferment in- dicates the appreciative estimate placed upon his services by the company in whose employ he has been retained for nearly a decade and a half.

Mr. Brundage is a native of the old Keystone state, having been born in South Gibson, Sus- quehanna county, Pennsylvania, 1871, and being a son of Stephen S. and Alice (Gillett) Brun- dage. both of whom were born and reared in Susquehanna county, where the father was

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prominently identified with agricultural pursuits and other industrial enterprises for many years, having been a man of influence and prominence in his community and having commanded un- qualified confidence and regard. He was twice married, and of the first union were born two sons, Monroe and Norman, and two sons were born of the second union, Garfield and Frank D. The honored father died at the age of seven- ty-six years, and his widow still maintains her home in Susquehanna county. The Brundage family was founded in Susquehanna county in the pioneer epoch of its history, and the name has long stood for the highest type of citizen- ship in that section of the commonwealth. Dr. Edward Brundage, grandfather of Frank D. Brundage, was a representative physician and surgeon of that county, and his vocation was the same as that of his father, who was an early member of the medical profession in the county.

Frank D. Brundage, to whom this sketch is dedicated, passed his boyhood days on the home farm, and in the public schools of his native county secured his early educational training, making good use of the advantages afforded him. In 1890 he severed the home ties and set forth to initiate his independent career as one of the world's workers. Energy and determination have ever been dominating attributes of the man. and these proved the factors which have con- served his success and advancement. He went to the city of Wilkes-Barre, where he secured a position as deliverer for the National Express Company. This very subordinate position he retained for two years, after which he was em- ployed in the local office of the company for an equal period, while he had in the meanwhile so signally demonstrated his fidelity and ability that he was in line for promotion. In 1894 his company sent him to Scranton, where he became paymaster, retaining this office until 1905, when he was advanced to his present responsible of- fice of special agent of the company's financial department. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Improved Order of Heptasophs.

Mr. Brundage married, in November, 1894, Elizabeth Hughes, born and reared in this state. being a daughter of William and Jane Hughes. The children of this union are Alice and Edna. Mrs. Brundage is a distinctive favorite in Scranton social circles, and has gained a high reputation, of more than local order, as a musi- cian of marked talent, especially as a vocalist. She is known as one of the best sopranos of this section of the state, and her interpretations have

gained the unqualified commendation of the best musical critics. She is of Welsh lineage and thus comes of a singing nation as well as a musical family, her father having been well known as a talented vocalist. Mrs. Brundage has a voice of excellent register and marked purity of timbre,· well calculated for grand-opera or ora- torio work, since the voice has been developed through most effective cultivation and its charms heightened through naturally sympathetic utili- zation. She has appeared in numerous musical contests and has never failed to win honors in the connection, having taken a first prize at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. and having also secured the highest honors and award in the contest held in Scranton in 1901. while she has competed in several other contests in this and other states.

WILLIAM W. REESE. The life of the miner is fraught with risk and is liable to acci- dent when least expected. There is danger from water, cave-ins. fire, gas and other sources of which the experienced miner is conversant. To guard against these accidents by which so many miners lose their lives a man is selected from his fellows with certain qualifications which fit him in a peculiar manner for the responsibility re- posed in him. His work is to visit the mines four hours prior to the entrance of the miners and in- spect every avenue, crevice and chamber to see that there is no gas in the mines and that the roof is secure. This man, in mining parlance, is known as the fire boss. This responsible posi- tion in the Pine colliery of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Company is held by William W. Reese, who has faithfully discharged the duties for twenty-two years, during which long period of time no loss of life has occurred at- tributable to his neglect of duty. He has been in the employ of the same company for thirty-five years and enjoys the entire confidence of his employers.

William W. Reese was born in Wales, in 1839. He engaged in the same line of work in his native country, filling the same responsible position. In 1862, attracted by the possibilities offered to young men in the United States, he emigrated thither and at once located in the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he remained seven years, then removed to Taylor, where he has since resided. He is the only son and living member of the family born to William and Mary (Thomas) Reese, of Wales, where the latter died. By industry and close application to busi- ness he accumulated sufficient capital to pur-

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

chase several lots in Taylor, on two of which he erected houses, from which he now derives a goodly income. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Iverites, a Welsh society.

In August, 1859. Mr. Reese married Sarah Morgans, a native of Wales, and their children are: Thomas W., Mary J., William, deceased ; William (2) deceased : Morgan, deceased ; John deceased ; Sarah, deceased ; Elizabeth, and Henry In 1904 Mr. Reese and his wife enjoyed a trip of two months' duration in their native country, during which time they renewed the old acquaint- .ances and friendships of former years.

A. B. KLINE conducts a successful black- smithing and carriage-making business at 527 Birch street, Scranton, where he has a well equipped establishment, having succeeded the late C. Peil. Mr. Kline is a general iron worker and practical horse-shoer, and in his present quarters has the best of facilities for all work in his line, including the repairing of all kinds of vehicles, and he gives employment to eight skilled mechanics, so that the work turned out is of the highest grade.

A. B. Kline was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, 1872, a son of A. H. and Mary (Bomboy) Kline, both of whom were likewise born and reared in that county. The father fol- lowed the blacksmith trade in his native county until 1879, when he removed to Columbia county, this state. Of the six children in the family A. B. is the eldest, and all the others remain residents of Columbia county, their names being as follows: Gertrude, Mabel, Pierce, Mazie, and Charles.

A. B. Kline was a lad of about seven years at the time of his parents' removal from Schuyl- kill to Columbia county, in the public schools of which latter place he completed his educational discipline, while he early began an.apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade under the careful direc- tion of his honored father, becoming in due time a skilled artisan in all departments of his voca- tion. He continued a resident of Columbia county until 1897. when he came to Scranton, where he has ever since maintained his home and where he has achieved a worthy success in his business operations. He has never been active in political work, though ever mindful of the duties of citizenship. Mr. Kline married Mary C. Johnson, a daughter of Hurd Johnson.

LEWIS MORSE. £ The family of which Lewis Morse, an honored and influential resident

of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a worthy represen- tative, was founded in this country by two broth- ers-Samuel and David-natives of England, who settled in Massachusetts at an early date in the nation's history. The next in line of descent was Daniel, who had a son Anthony, who had a son James, who in turn had a son Deacon James Morse (grandfather), who was a resident of Mil- ford, Massachusetts, was a farmer, held various township offices, was a captain in the Revolu- tionary war, and performed valuable service in guarding the public stores. It was written of him, that he was a man of more than ordinary in- telligence, was gifted with a good command of language, served as moderator of the town meet- ings, was frequently delegated to counsellor to churches, had charge of the drafting of soldiers, and was a champion of freedom. He was small of stature, but possessed of great energy, was patriotic and aggressive, spiritual and devout, and of sound faith. It was somewhat proverbial in Medway that "if the little Morse was present all would move again." He was tinited in mar- riage to Hannah Daniel, who bore him seven children.

Deacon Henry Morse (father), son of Dea- con James and Hannah (Daniel) Morse, was born April 25, 1766, at Milford, Massachusetts, and was there reared and educated. Later he removed to Paxton, Worcester county, where he conducted agricultural pursuits and also success- fully operated a mill. He held membership in the Presbyterian Church, and at the time of his de- cease was serving in the capacity of deacon. Mr. Morse was married three times. His first wife, Eleanor (Clark ) Morse, bore him three children. His second wife, Betsy (Taft) Morse, bore him three children. His third wife, Esther ( Whit- ney) Morse, also bore him three children. namely: Eunice, married Rev. John C. Smith, a missionary to Ceylon, and in that country her death occurred. Henry, married Lucinda Bar- low, of Massachusetts, who bore him two chil- dren : Eunice and Clarence. Henry Morse was engaged in business in Boston, Massachusetts, and his death occurred in that city. Lewis, men- tioned hereafter. Hon. James K. Morse, a dis- tinguished lawyer of Mississippi, who lacked but three votes of being elected governor of that state, was an uncle of Mr. Morse, and Mrs. Eliz- abeth S. Higgins, a wealthy and celebrated phi- lanthropist, late of Chicago, was an aunt of Mr. Morse.

Lewis Morse, son of Deacon Henry and Esther (Whitney) Morse, was born in Paxton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, August 24.

Lewis Morse_

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

1822. He removed from his native town to Bing- hamton, New York, and during his younger days was a miller, but later turned his attention to lumbering. From Binghamton he removed .to Great Bend, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1861, when he located in Scranton, Pennsylva- nia. In 1864 he opened a bottling establishment on a small scale, using a handeart in his delivery, and conducted the same alone until 1879, a period of fifteen years, during which time there was a steady growth in the business, the reasons for which were that he manufactured the best mate- rial then on the market and that he dealt squarely with all men, two vital points to be considered by all business men. In the latter named year his sons-Alfred M. and Eugene B .- took hold of the business under the style of Lewis Morse's Sons, and since then it has grown to extensive dimensions and has prospered to an unusual de- gree. In 1884 they erected their present build- ing adjoining the site of the old one. They man- ufacture exclusively soda water which is com- pounded from the best materials. They employ a force of seven men, have four teams constantly on the road to deliver their numerous orders, and as business men they enjoy the full confidence of their patrons and fellow citizens at large. Mr. Lewis Morse served in the capacity of council- man of the fourth ward of Scranton one term, discharging his duties in a highly efficient and capable manner.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 101

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1026

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1026