Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 105

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 105
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 105

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car, deceased; Benjamin, Carrie, deceased ; and Elmer E., deceased.

Eugene A. Myers was born as aforesaid in the house in which he now resides, in 1854. He was reared and educated in his native township, and being thoroughly familiar with the duties of farm life by assisting his father during his boyhood days chose the occupation of farming upon attaining years of manhood. Like most of his fellow citizens who followed the plow, his life has been quiet and uneventful. The farm which he cultivates consists of ninety acres of arable land, and is one of the finest and most productive in that vicinity. For three years he has faithfully and efficiently discharged the dut- ies of assessor of South Abington township, and for a similar period of time has held the office of register of voters. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Odd Fellows Encampment and Mac- cabees. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, the doctrine of which he firmly adheres to, and his political views coincide with those of the Republican party. In 1879 Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Clara Fish, daughter of Elijalı and Laura Jane Fish, of Falls, Wyom- ing county, Pennsylvania, who were the parents of eight children, the surviving members of the family being : Clara, Emma, Albert, Ellery, Hubert and Sarah; the deceased members were Halloway and Grace Fish. The Fish family were residents of the valley for a number of years, but finally moved to Falls, Wyoming county. Elijah Fish is a blacksmith by trade, but now devotes his attention to farming. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers, Grace, the wife of A. F. Staples.

JAMES H. VANDERBURG, of Taylor, for many years a progressive agriculturist, but now an employee of the Delaware & Hudson Com- pany, is a descendant of an old and honored family who have been residents of the Wyoming Valley for a number of years.

Jude L. Vanderburg, father of James H. Vanderburg, was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in the year 1814. During his boyhood he came to the Valley, and upon attain- ing young manhood drove a stage from Wilkes- Barre to Tunkhannock and from Wilkes-Barre to Carbondale, this being before the day when railroads were in operation. He was a tailor by trade, which line of work he followed for a num- ber of years, but later in life turned his atten- tion to farming. His wife, Rachel (Jenkins) Vanderburg. was born in West Pittston, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Benjamin and Saralı

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

(Tuttle) Jenkins, who were respected and hon- ored by all who knew them, and whose family consisted of nine children : Thomas, Kate, Mary, Sarah, Ellen. Martha, Ada, Rachel, and John S., the latter named being the only surviv- ing member of the family. Twelve children were born to John L. and Rachel Vanderburg, as fol- lows : Samuel, John, Kate, Amos, deceased ; James H., Martha, Thomas, deceased ; Benjamin, Charles, Henry, Sarah, deceased ; and Emma. The father of these children died in 1890, aged seventy-six years, and the mother passed away in 1896.

James H. Vanderburg was born in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1854. He was reared and educated in his native town, and his early life was somewhat uneventful as is the life of the majority of men who follow agricultural pursuits. His farming was conducted principally in what was then Luzerne county, but now Lack- awanna county. Later in life he took a trip through the west, thus broadening his views. He returned to the anthracite region again and in 1897 took up his residence in Taylor, where he purchased the property of Mr. Winslow on the corner of Grove and Washington streets, which is one of the most desirable homes in the borough of Taylor. As a citizen he has always been progressive and liberal-spirited, ready and willing to promote all plans for the welfare of the people. In 1887 Mr. Vanderburg married Annie M. Berry, who was born in Ransom town- ship, Lackawanna county, in 1862, and their children are as follows: Mary, Fred, William, Kate, Margaret, and Arthur. The parents of Mrs. Vanderburg were John and Margaret (Ott) Berry, whose family consisted of three children, Mrs. Vanderburg being the only one, living at the present time. John Berry was born in Ger- many, and his wife was a descendant of an old family of Ransom township, now Lackawanna county, who settled there upon their arrival from their native land, Germany.

J. GEORGE KEHR. No man in Sibley is more widely known or more highly respected than J. George Kehr, who for twenty-two years has been a continuous resident of that place. He was born in Germany. in 1848, and is a fair rep- resentative of the native-born sons of that coun- try, who are noted for thrift, industry and per- severance, and who become loyal and staunch adherents of whatever country they adopt as their own. He is a son of the late John and Sabina Kehr, who were natives of Germany, the former named having been a prosperous

farmer and a most worthy man. Their family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are living at the present time ( 1905) : Frederick, J. George, Anna, Sabina, Harriet, Christian, and Margareth. Frederick and Christian are operat- ing a ranch in Colorado and are among the suc- cessful stockmen of that state.

The common schools of his native land af- forded J. George Kehr a practical education, which prepared him to take his place in the busi- ness world and earn for himself and family a comfortable livelihood. In 1864, at the age of less than sixteen years, he emigrated to the United States, locating in Hyde Park, Pennsyl- vania, where for many years he successfully fol- lowed the occupation of mining. In 1883 he took up his residence in Sibley, and the first two years devoted his attention to the same line of work he had previously followed. He contributed to the growth and development of the town by the erec- tion of a block in 1887, in which he kept a hotel, adding a commodious barn the same year, and this hotel he conducted in conjunction with min- ing. In 1897 he erected a hotel which he con- ducted up to 1904, when the building was turned into a dwelling house, from which he derives a goodly profit. During his nineteen years pro- prietorship of the hotel at Sibley the house was conducted strictly according to the prescribed letter and spirit of the law. He has been hon- ored by his fellow citizens by election to the offices of township clerk, supervisor and tax col- lector, the duties of which he performed with credit to himself and with satisfaction to all con- cerned. Whatever success he has achieved and whatever property he has acquired has been the result of his own ambition and effort, and very justly he merits the prominent place accorded him in the community. In 1878 Mr. Kehr was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gusser, who bore him three children : Hannah, Sabina, and Ella. After the death of Mrs. Kehr in July. 1884, he married for his second wife Mrs. Thomas, who bore him six children, but one of whom is living at the present time, Hattie Kehr. The second ceremony was performed in Septem- ber, 1885.

JACOB HILDEBRAND. Probably no bet- ter example of thrift and frugality could be ex- emplified than that displayed in the life of Jacob Hildebrand, a true type of the Americanized German, who, while turning his face toward a new and distant country, brought with him the loyalty and patriotism which he would otherwise have lavished on his own Fatherland. There is

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

no better citizen today than the Americanized German, as he is honest, trustworthy, economic, industrious, moral, and loyal to his adopted country.

Jacob Hildebrand was born in Germany, April 17, 1846, a son of Frank and Anna C. (Wilhelm) Hildebrand, both natives of Ger- many, now deceased, whose family consisted of two other children, namely: Yost P. and Henry WV. In 1866, at the age of twenty, Jacob Hilde- brand emigrated to the United States, locating at Archbald, Pennsylvania, where he was em- ployed by the Delaware and Hudson Company and where he remained up to 1873. On March 4th of that year Mr. Hildebrand removed to Taylorville, now the borough of Taylor, and from then to the present time (1905), a period of thirty-two years, has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He cultivates eighty-six acres of land, pastures and cares for twelve cows and three horses, and has gained a reputation as one of the practical farmers in that section of the Lackawanna Valley. He is a director in the Taylor Building and Loan Association, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is one of the most substantial citizens of the com- munity, is in all respects a conscientious, busi- ness-like man, and enjoys the implicit confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact. On June 16, 1867, during his residence in Archbald, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hildebrand was united in marriage to Gertrude Peters, daughter of George P. and Anna D. Peters, and five children were born to them: Kate E., who became the wife of John J. Becker ; Anna E., deceased ; Frank, who married Anna Seeley, of Scranton, Pennsylva- nia ; Dora M .. and Henry W. Hildebrand. Mr. Hildebrand and his family are active and worthy members of the German Evangelical church.

JOHN R. JOHNS, who in 1889 was selected by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Company to fill the office of mine foreman, an office of trust and responsibility which only the trustworthy and highly recommended men are chosen to fill, is a native of South Wales, born April 5, 1858, a son of David O. and Sarah (Joseph) Johns, and grandson of William and Sarah Johns, the latter named having been a noble and worthy woman, from whom no doubt her descendants inherited their noble traits of character.

David O. Johns (father) was a native of South Wales. He was reared, educated and fol- lowed the occupation of miner in his native coun-

try. In 1860 he became a resident of the United States, but in 1865, having in the meantime met with an accident which deprived him of the use of his legs and therefore incapacitated him for further usefulness physically, returned to his native country where he remained up to 1873, when he and his family returned to the United States, he becoming one of its most loyal and worthy citizens. While Mr. Johns was unquali- fied to perform bodily labor his mind was active. He was not a college educated man, but in his own time and way possessed himself of the men- tal power and intellectual ability which resulted in his meeting with college men and measuring weapons with them on their own ground. He was an extensive reader, taking up the various scientific subjects such as astronomy, geology, psychology and other deep studies as well as be- coming familiar with the classics. This broad- ened his views and brought him in touch with the best thought of the past ages. He was also a close student of current events, and so stored his fertile brain with living issues that at all times he was ready to put them in a masterly way. before the reading public. While a resident of his native land he competed for a prize with a graduate of Oxford and was granted the medal, his essay being far superior to his opponent. He was acknowledged the best essayist in the Welsh language in this country, taking for his subjects geology, physics, astronomy and medicine. He was a man of a very independent spirit, who counted himself second to none and yet was humble and reserved withal. He was a true lover of America and her institutions, and was as loyal a citizen as if born on the soil. He adhered closely to the principles of the Republi- can party, of which he was an ardent admirer. He was a resident of Wilkes-Barre from 1873 to 1883, and served as alderman of the third ward. He was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Wilkes-Barre. He continued his literary work up to 1880. He was born April 10, 1826, died May 18, 1883, aged fifty-seven years. His wife Sarah was born in Wales, January 21, 1823, and died November 8, 1894. Their chil- dren were eight in number, five of whom are living at the present time: David, a musician of considerable repute ; John R., mentioned at length hereafter ; Thomas, a professor of music ; William, a musical director in one of the largest theatres in the city of London, England; and Horacc, a native of this country, who is em- ployed as assistant surveyor for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western.

In 1873, after obtaining a practical education

John R. Johns

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

in the schools of South Wales, John R. Johns emigrated with his parents to the United States, locating at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Shortly afterward he became engaged in the production of coal, an enterprise which he has followed up to the present time. In 1884 he was appointed on the engineer corps of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna and Western Company, and at the expi- ration of two years was appointed assistant fore- man in the Taylor mines. In 1888 he was ap- pointed foreman of the Hunt mines, and in March, 1889, was transferred to the Taylor mines, where he is now serving in the capacity of foreman, having under his personal charge two hundred and fifty men. Since Mr. John's resi- dence in Taylor he has been honored by his fel- low citizens by election to several offices of trust and responsibility. In 1896 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of councilman, is now (1905) serving the second term and is acting as president of the board. He was a dele- gate to Harrisburg to represent his party (Re- publican) at one of the state conventions, and proving a worthy representative well merited the praise of his fellow citizens. December 6, 1882, Mr. Johns was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Evans, of Minersville, Schuylkill coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and their children are: Stella, born September 25, 1883; Norma, born Decem- ber 9, 1887, and Hector, born June 20, 1897. James and Elizabeth Evans, parents of Mrs. Johns, moved from Schuylkill county to the Wy- oming Valley, locating at Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Evans was a man of sterling qualities and up- right character, and was an honored and re- spected deacon in the Welsh Baptist church.

AARON T. PARFREY. Among the many citizens of the county who hold responsible posi- tions in connection with the mining industry none is better fitted, both by training and experi- ence, for the office assigned to him than Aaron T. Parfrey, of Throop. The paternal progenitors of Mr. Parfrey were of English birth, while through his mother he is the descendant of Welsh ancestors.

Timothy Parfrey was born in England, and in 1852 emigrated to the United States. He set- tled in Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsyl- vania, and as he was an experienced miner found no difficulty in obtaining employment. He moved after a time to Peoria, Illinois, where he purchased a farm upon which was discovered a coal mine. This he opened and operated for about six years, and at the end of that time mi- grated to California, where he spent four years.

He finally returned to Pennsylvania and settled at Dunmore, where he built a house, being em- ployed by G. L. Davis at Roaring Brook. He next went to Oak Hill, near Moosic, where he worked some time, and later moved to Green Ridge, where he was boss of a mine. We next find him in the service of Fisher & Leroy, at Winton, where he made several openings for them in the coal fields. He subsequently went to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres, the forty being coal land, and this valuable property is still in his possession. After his many wanderings he returned once more to Pennsylvania and ac- cepted a position as boss for Johnson, at Green Ridge Slope, and some time after he opened a tunnel for S. B. White. In 1888 he abandoned mining altogether. His great experience made his services very valuable, and he was one whose heart was always in his work. He took delight in prospecting for mineral. He is now on the verge of eighty, having been born in 1825, and is enjoying a well-earned rest. He married Mar- garet Williams, a native of Wales, and their fam- ily consisted of eight children, four of whom are living : Mary A., who is the wife of William Cole, of Dunmore; Aaron T., mentioned at length hereafter ; Alfred, who is a trainmaster ; and Maggie Blanche, who is the wife of James Brown, of Moosic. Aaron T. Parfrey, son of Timothy and Margaret ( Williams) Parfrey, was born August 31, 1856, at Minersville, Schuyl- kill county, Pennsylvania, and educated at Peo- ria, Illinois. He learned the trade of engineer in all its branches, both stationary and locomative. He began as a fireman, advancing step by step as he gained in knowledge and experience. The first place where he held the position of engineer was at Winton, Lackawanna county, where he remained until 1877. He then went to Pittshurg, Pennsylvania, where he operated a pair of up- right engines for the Atlas Works, remaining two years in this position. In 1885 he went to Dunmore and entered the service of the Pancoast Coal Company, and since that time has remained with them with the exception of three years spent in South Carolina as locomotive engineer on the South Carolina Railway. That during this long period he has held the position of chief engineer is an all-convincing evidence of his ability and faithfulness. Mr. Parfrey is one of those men who thoroughly understand their business in all its departments and enjoy the full confidence of their employers, and he has in his possession many testimonials of a most gratifying nature. During his residence in Throop he has added to

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the growth of the borough by the erection of discharge of the onerous duties of his position. three houses, one of which he sold. His own residence, which is one of the finest in Throop, was built in 1889. Mr. Parfrey married in 1886, Mary Ann Fallon, of Throop, and two children have been born to them, Blanche and Alfred, both of whom are deceased. In 1897 Mr. and Mrs. Parfrey adopted an infant only six weeks old and named him Roy Parfrey.

MICHAEL D. MANLY is a respected and worthy citizen of Dunmore, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, where he has resided since he was eight years of age. He is one of the self-made men of his day who met and overcame the ad- verse circumstances of early life, and by his in- dustry and integrity enjoys a position of trust and responsibility with the Union Cash Store in the borough of Dunmore, with which corpora- tion he has been connected for nine years. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1858, a son of John and Mary ( Kelly) Manly, both natives of Ireland. They came to this country prior to their marriage, locating in Baltimore, Maryland, where they were married and resided for several years, removing to Dunmore, Pennsylvania, in 1866. John Manly (father) was employed as mine foreman by the Pennsylvania Coal Com- pany. His death occurred in 1871 ; he was sur- vived by his wife, who is now (1904) residing in Dunmore. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living.

Like the majority of young men who are reared in a mining territory Michael D. Manly began the labors of life at the coal breaker, and was subsequently advanced to various positions in and about the mines until 1884, when he took up the mercantile business, which he has fol- lowed up to the present time. Mr. Manly is thoroughly devoted to his adopted city, taking a great interest in all that pertains to its advance- ment and prosperity, and has added to its adorn- ment a beautiful home where he and his family reside, esteemed and respected by their many friends. In 1884 Mr. Manly was united in mar- riage to Catharine Howard, of Dunmore, Penn- sylvania, and they are the parents of four chil- dren : John, Charles, Mary and Frances Manly.

GEORGE TREGELLAS, chief engineer at the Dupont Powder Mill, at Moosic, Pennsylva- nia, in which capacity he has served since 1877. is a man of courage, careful and methodical habits, sobriety and business ability of a high order, these characteristics being needful in the

To all the various callings in life there is more or less danger to life by accident, but to some particular vocations there is greater risk than others and among the latter class we might men- tion that of powder making. He must necessa- rily be always on the alert, never off his guard. as other lives as well as property depend on his faithfulness to duty.

George Tregellas was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, April 27, 1846, a son of Henry and Nannie (Rogers) Tregellas, whose family consisted of six children, five of whom, three sons and two daughters, are living at the present time (1904). The death of Mrs. Tregellas occurred in 1856, and subsequently Mr. Tregellas married again, his second wife bearing him four children. His demise occurred in 1900.

In 1853, when seven years of age. George Tregellas accompanied his parents to this coun- try, they first settling in Schuylkill county, at Minersville, and later located in Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and young George attended the public schools of both towns. He began work at the breaker at the early age of ten years, and the following year abandoned this work to engage in the blacksmith shop with his father, who had charge of the same for the Big Mine Run colliery. With the exception of the winter months when he attended the district school, he remained at that employment until six- teen years old. He then took charge of a black- smith shop for the same company, remaining for ten years. At this time his father engaged in the mercantile business in Mount Carmel, Penn- sylvania, and he abandoned his work at the mines in order to assist him, but at the end of one year engaged with the Delaware and Hud- son Railroad Company, remaining with them three years. In 1870 he came to Oak Hill and at once secured employment with the Filer Coal Company as engineer, and continued as such until 1877, when he was appointed to his present position, chief engineer at the Dupont Powder Mill. He has under his supervision eleven en- gines, which supply the mills with motive power, and it is to his credit to say that no acci- dent has occurred in or been traceable to his de- partment. The same cannot be said of the other departments, for in 1892 an explosion occurred in which nine men were killed, and another acci- dent occurred in 1895 when the fatality was less. Mr. Tregellas has always maintained an interest in all matters calculated to promote the welfare of the people of the borough of Moosic. where he erected his home in 1872 and has since re-

atching throng. The dog jumped it, snapping and pushing, trying to ige out of the mire. But the day as tired and the water cool. She rench, bleating now and again, as a more than usually severe nip. hanged from curses to songs of ith a white face and quivering lip, ignal. As if he realized the danger oubled his efforts; but his jaws were ites and snarls had no effect. He ered, snapped and growled, but h of a younger dog would have his charge, "Robin" was helpless. losing battle; he bristled, a very s fury.

atisfaction arose from the crowd as plunged, scrambled up the bank, its fellows. But "Robin" did not ort bark of pain, struggled, yelped, the slough, made a heroic effort to id sank down, whining piteously. ver knitted perfectly had broken with victory right before him, was

r a moment as if turned to stone. stress, he cast the now useless plaid wn the steep slope.

too bad," said one judge to another. hibeetion." ves the cup for his trainin' alone, Aweel, it's a peetie."

log, and crying quite shamelessly, and staggered with him to the side It, holding "Robin's" head in his

ggie!" he wailed in despair and sor- ee doggie-and we nearly had it, noble dog; ye beat 'em a'-if we '"

quietly away from her party. Ma- le came upon the miserable, weep- ed dog. The lad looked up into the that leaned above him. nured, "leddy, ma doggie. It's his

voice with a strange, foreign accent. vfully sorry; we all are. He should low much you wanted to win, and

in the nicht I hear her greetin' to gae nanie. She nales the Spey because it drowned ma faither-an' she's gettin' sick wi' the greetin', greetin'. I didna telt her I was try- in' fer the Spey prize. I didna want her to be disap- pointed. But I'd made so sure we'd get it, 'Robin' and me. He kenned, oh, he kenned a' aboot it, ma dog, an' he tried-he tried so harrd. He would ha' beaten them a' if it hadna been for yon domned sheep, the limmer, the wully, hateful limmer. He couldna bite, ye see; he has nae teeth; he only gets his milk an' porritch. He cudna bite the limmer, an' she broke his leeg. Oh, wae's me!" He threw himself full length upon the stony sod, and lay still.

Lady Olive struggled for composure. She remembered that song in the mists of the dawn, the sweet, boyish treble that had stirred her:

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 105

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