Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 107

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 107
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 107

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day. He was appointed a member of the council of the borough of Taylor, and this office he filled. with credit to himself and profit to his fellow' citizens.

In 1860 Mr. Jenkins married Catherine. Davis, a native of Wales, born in 1840, and died in 1899. Their children were: Priscilla, born in Wales, became the wife of William Hoskins, and their children are: William, Lydia, Thomas, Ar- thur, Roy and Olivette Hoskins. William G., born in Wales, deceased. Rebecca, who became the wife of B. O. Jones, and one child was born of this union, William Jones. Sarah J., who be- came the wife of Joseph Francis, issue, ten chil- dren : Maud, Martha, Rebecca, Margaret, Eva, Catherine, Thomas and three deceased. Gwinnie, who became the wife of William N. Williams, issue, three children : Douglas, Verne and Wil- liam Williams. George W., who married Linnie Jenkins, and their family consisted of three chil- dren: Fred, Catherine and Priscilla Jenkins. Mary, who became the wife of Watkin D. Mor- gan, and their children are: Daniel and Rhea. Morgan. Mattie, deceased. Richard, and an unnamed infant. The surviving children of this. family reside in Taylor.

EVAN C. DAVIES. A list of the experi- enced miners of the Lackawanna Valley would be incomplete without the name of Evan C. Davies, of Taylor. The statement that Mr. Davies eomes of Welsh ancestry is equivalent to the declaration that he has achieved success in the coal fields of Pennsylvania.

Thomas C. Davies was born in Wales, and in 1858 emigrated to the United States. After liv- ing for a time in Ohio and Indiana he came, in 1873, to Pennsylvania, and took up his abode in Taylor. His wife was Elizabeth Rosser, also a native of Wales, who came to this country in 1861. Five children were born to them, three of whom are living: Nellie, another daughter who is the wife of J. E. Watkins ; and Evan C., mentioned hereinafter. The death of Mrs. Davies oeeurred in 1887, in Colorado, whither she had gone in quest of health.

Evan C. Davies, son of Thomas C. and Eliza- beth (Rosser) Davies, was born in 1867, in Meigs county, Ohio, and attended school in his native state, as well as in Indiana and Pennsyl- vania. At the age of nine years he was . em- ployed in a coal breaker, and was subsequently engaged in various pursuits in and about the mines. It must not be supposed, however, that because Mr. Davies began at so early an age to work in the mines he neglected any opportunity

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for mental improvement. He was ever a close where for so many years he has made his home. student of books and an attentive observer of events as well as of the men who brought those events to pass. He acquired an education which fitted him to become, in 1885, a schoolmaster in Taylor. He accompanied bis invalid mother to Colorado in 1886, and while in that state took charge of a school. After the death of his mother he returned to Taylor and for a short time edited the Taylor Journal. In 1892 he was employed by the Connell Coal Company as chairman of the mine engineering corps, and was soon ap- pointed to the position of mining engineer for the same company. After the Connell Coal Com- pany sold their interest to the Lehigh Valley Company, he remained with the latter organi- zation until 1902. After the great strike of that year he worked for the Stevens Coal Company of West Pittston, from which place he was called by the Connell Coal Company to fill the position of inside superintendent of National colliery. This position Mr. Davies still retains, discharg- ing the important and responsible duties devolv- ing upon him in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to his employers. He has under his control about one hundred and sixty men, and invariably awards an impartial consideration to their interests as well as to those of the company. As a citizen Mr. Davies is active and public-spirited, and has held the office of secretary of the school board.

PHILIP HEUSER. There are few men in Lackawanna county whose experiences in the production of coal has been more thorough than that of Philip Heuser, of Old Forge. He is of German nationality, having been born in the Fatherland, January 12, 1840.

In 1859 he emigrated to the United States, settling first in Philadelphia, where he was en- gaged in stage driving and also in the livery business. In 1867 he moved to the Lackawanna Valley and the following year took up his abode in Old Forge borough, where he has since re- sided continuously. For thirty years he was successfully engaged in contract mining, and during that period met with but one accident and that not serious. For seventeen years he was employed at the Sibley mines, and later he was in the service of the Jermyn Company. In August, 1900, he abandoned mining after a career of more than thirty years. during which time he had reaped the success which was the just re- ward of his industry, ability and trustworthiness. Mr. Heuser is an active and loyal citizen, who has at heart the best interests of the borough 1

His sterling traits of character are fully appre- ciated by his neighbors in response to whose solicitation, enforced by their votes, he filled for one term the office of assistant assessor. In poli- tics Mr. Heuser affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Heuser married, December 8, 1861, Cath- erine Elrich, a native of Germany, and ten children were born to them, six of whom are now living: Henry; Lizzie, wife of Henry C. Courtwright : William, Frederick, Ella and Emma (twins). Ella is an accomplished teacher in the Old Forge high school, and Emma married in 1898, John Ayers, a book-keeper of Old Forge. The death of Mrs. Heuser, the mother of these children, occurred June 17, 1901. She was an irreparable loss to her family and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. Heuser is the owner of two fine houses, in one of which he makes his home.

ANDREW J. WIDNER. Among those who laid the foundations of the prosperity of Lackawanna county must be numbered Andrew J. Widner of Dunmore, one of the pioneers of that borough. On the paternal side Mr. Widner is of German parentage, and through his mother comes of English stock.

Peter Widner was born in Germany, and was by occupation a stone mason. When a young man he emigrated to the United States and set- tled in New Jersey, where, as he was an excel- lent mechanic, he had no difficulty in securing employment. He married in 1814, Jane B. Guy, who was born in England, 1792, and came to this country when but fourteen years of age. Their children were: James W., born 1816: Eliza- beth, born 1818; Margaret, born 1820; Jane B., born 1822; William, born 1824 ; Andrew J., men- tioned hereafter; and Peter, born 1828, was a carpenter, and migrated to Dunmore with his brother, Andrew J. Of the father and mother of these children it can be truly said that they were good parents, good neighbors and good citizens.

Andrew J. Widner, son of Peter and Jane B. (Guy) Widner, was born May 15, 1826, in Belvidere, Warren county, New Jersey, and was educated in his native town. He learned the carpenters' trade in the most thorough manner. and in 1847 went to Dunmore, where he entered the service of the Scranton Iron & Coal Com- pany. He remained with them until 1850, when he secured employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in whose service he remained

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uninterruptedly for forty-five years. During that time he filled his position, which was that of foreman over a carpenter gang, in such a man- ner as to serve the best interests of both the com- pany and the men. In 1899 he was retired on a pension of ten dollars per month in recognition of nearly half a century of faithful service. Mr. Widner's fidelity in his occupation has been equalled by his disinterested activity as a citizen. He has contributed to the growth and develop- ment of Dunmore by the erection of two beauti- ful dwelling-houses, one of which was built in 1853, and which he has since made his home. His townsmen testified to their appreciation of his good qualities as a citizen by making him for twelve years assessor of Dunmore. In politics he is a Republican. He and his family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Widner married in 1854, Laura C. Dolph, and their children were: Helen F., who became the wife of Hugh Higgins; Charles. George, Kate E., and Mary J., all deceased. The Dolph family is of French extraction and was founded in this country in New England, whence a branch was transplanted to Pennslyvania. Moses Dolph married Annie McArthur, a native of Scotland, and one of their sons was Alexander, a well-to- do farmer of Blakely township. He owned about two hundred acres of land and was a man of influence in the community, holding several township offices. He married Susan London, and they had children: Eliza, Emeline, Moses, Edward, Alfred, Warren, Laura C., who became the wife of Andrew J. Widner. as mentioned above ; and Mary.

WILLIAM HENRY REYNOLDS. It is an acknowledged fact that the farmers of Wyo- ming county in all the elements which go to the making of thorough agriculturists are excelled by none throughout the length and breadth of the Keystone state, and that to their industry, abil- ity and enterprise the county is indebted for no small share of its material prosperity. This im- portant and influential class of the population finds in William Henry Reynolds, of Factory- ville, a worthy representative. The ancestors of Mr. Reynolds on both sides were among the pio- neers of Wyoming county.

Robert Reynolds, a native of Rhode Island, was one of that band of patriots whose heroism rendered possible the independence of the Amer- ican colonies. He served with the rank of cap- tain under the command of General Washington. Solomon Reynolds, son of this ancestor of Revo- lutionary fame, was born in Rhode Island, but

in middle life migrated to Pennsylvania and built the first house ever erected in Factoryville.

Crispin Reynolds, son of Solomon Reynolds, was born in Rhode Island, April 30, 1794, died March 17, 1855. In early life he became a resi- dent of Pennsylvania, and had the happily uneventful career of a prosperous farmer. Like his grandfather, Captain Robert Reynolds, he took up arms in the defense of his country, serv- ing as a soldier during the war of 1812. He married Arba Celinda, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of John Seaman, who shared with Sol- omon Reynolds the honor of being one of the founders of Factoryville. Here he owned a large farm which he cultivated successfully, at the same time following the shoemaker's trade. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were the parents of eight chil- dren, two of whom are now living: William Henry, mentioned at length hereafter ; and Cath- erine, who became the wife of B. S. Gardner, and now resides on the old homestead in Benton township, Lackawanna county. Mr. Reynolds, the father, died at the age of sixty-one. Both he and his estimable wife left behind them the mem- ory of good and useful lives.

William Henry Reynolds, son of Crispin and Arba Celinda (Seaman) Reynolds, was born April 26, 1838, in Benton township, Lackawanna county, where he received his education. At the age of fifteen he engaged in farming, which he made his life-work, and in which he met with a gratifying degree of success, reaping as the re- ward of his labors an honorable reputation as well as pecuniary profit. In the matter of mili- tary service Mr. Reynolds has followed in the footsteps of his ancestors. During the Civil war he served nine months in the Union army, and was present at the battle of Antietam, where he received a wound, in consequence of which he was in 1863 honorably discharged on account of disability. Untiring as has been Mr. Reynolds' application to the labors of his chosen calling, he has never been unmindful of the obligations of citizenship, having always been found in the front rank of those public-spirited members of the community who are at the same time pro- gressive and conservative. . Every enterprise which commends itself to his judgment as likely to conduce to the welfare of his neighbors re- ceives his ready support and advocacy, while at the same time he guards with vigilant care those methods and institutions which have stood the test of experience. He is a member of Captain Rice Post, No. 211, G. A. R., of Factoryville. in which he has filled all the offices of trust. Politi- cally he is an ardent Republican, and enjoys the

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distinction of having voted for every president elected by that organization from Lincoln to Roosevelt.

Mr. Reynolds married, October 14, 1858, Philena M., daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Redrick) Reynolds, and the following children were born to them : Frank L., Hattie J., Katie J., and Mabel. Of these all are now deccased with the exception of the last-named, who is the wife of Charles H. Cox and the mother of two chil- dren : Helen Reynolds and Ruth Dimock. Frank L. Reynolds, the eldest of the family, married, . March 10, 1897, Mary E. Williams, of Washing- ton, District of Columbia, and two children were born to them: Kenneth M. and Crispin C. The death of this eldest child and only son of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds occurred June 29, 1903. Al- though Mr. Reynolds has now relinquished the active labors of the farm, he is frequently sought as a counsellor by those engaged in agricultural pursuits, in relation to which his word carries great weight for the reason that he is regarded as an unimpeachable authority on all the details of husbandry.

HENRY H. BURSCHEL, whose connection with the dairy business in the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, extends over a period of twenty- five years, during which time his success has been beyond his most sanguine expectations, is a worthy representative of the upright and stable German element. Although of foreign birth and with few friends and limited means when he came to Scranton and launched out in this busi- ness, yet by close observance of business princi- ples and a strict adherence to honest and upright dealings he has won a high place for himself in the community, and has endeared himself to numberless friends, who commend him for his integrity and worthiness.

Henry H. Burschel was born in Germany, April 22, 1856, a son of John and Christina (Shifler) Burschel, natives of Germany, who reared a family of two sons and one daughter, one son and the daughter residing in the father- land. John Burschel died a few years ago, fol- lowed one year later by his widow, and their remains were interred in their native land.

Henry H. Burschel was indebted to the com- mon schools of his native land for his educational advantages. At the age of seventeen years he emigrated to the United States, arriving in the city of New York in November, 1873. He at once located in Archbald, Pennsylvania, where he followed agricultural pursuits for several years, removing from thence to Scranton, in

1880, where he immediately engaged in his pres- ent business. While not an old man by any means, yet he has been for a longer period of time identified with this line of work than any other man in Scranton. Mr. Burschel has been for many years an honored and devoted member of the German Presbyterian church, of which body he has been president for the past eight years. In politics he is an ardent Republican, strenuously advocating its principles of progress and prosperity, to which he attributes his success in business affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Hyde Park Lodge, No. 956; and of the Knights of the Gol- den Eagle, No. 388.

In October, 1880, Mr. Burschel was united in marriage to Henrietta Shifler, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Shifler, and a native of Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania. Five chil- dren were born of this union, three of whom are living, namely : Mamie, Louise and George. Mr. and Mrs. Shifler, parents of Mrs. Burschel, are natives of Germany, from whence they emigrated to the United States in early life, locating in Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, where they were married and reared a family of children, who became good and loyal citizens of the com- monwealth, filling various offices of trust and responsibility.

JOHN S. BOUR, of Scranton, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, is an example of those men who by a close application and strict adher- ence to the business in hand has made for them- selves a place in the confidence and respect of the companies for which they labor. He holds the position of car inspector for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, having held the incumbency for sixteen consecutive years. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 2, 1856, a son of John B. and Margaretta (Dufour) Bour, both natives of France, who em- igrated to this country in 1853, locating at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where their deaths occurred, respectively, 1875, 1881. John B. Bour (father) was a contractor and builder, well known and highly respected in the various com- munities in which he resided. Their family con- sisted of four children, all of whom attained years of maturity, namely: Mary, Margaret, John S. and Sophia.

John S. Bour received a common school edt- cation in his native city, Wilkes-Barre, where he remained until 1873, in which year he removed to Scranton, where he has since resided. Like most boys reared in mining towns. his first cm-

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ployment was at the breaker, where he spent some time, but, desiring to improve his condition and hew out for himself a course in life by which he could aspire to a higher and more lucrative position, he turned his attention to the carpenter trade. In 1884 he was employed in the shops of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, where he plied his trade four years, and at the expiration of this period of time was promoted to his present position, car inspector. In connec- tion with this for two years he has been joint inspector for the N. Y., O. & W. and the D. & H. companies. In politics he is independent ; he has never been actively connected with political affairs, but keeps posted on the subject and takes an interest in matters conducing to the progress of the people. Mr. Bour is a member of the order of Heptasophs, also of the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Beneficiary Society.

In 1877 Mr. Bour was united in marriage to Miss Agatha Ramminger, daughter of Lawrence and Susanna (Myers) Ramminger, natives of Germany, who emigrated in the earl fifties and settled in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Twelve chil- dren were the issue of this union: John L., a blacksmith ; Lawrence J., an advertising agent ; Paul J., a car inspector ; Susanna M .; William V., an ornamental plasterer ; Louis J., a student at the Pontifical College; Josephinum, located at Columbus, Ohio; Margaretta J .; Joseph J. ; Anna M .; Casper J .; Mary T .; and Louisa M. The family is held in high esteem in the commu- nity, and have a host of friends.

JOHN B. SMITH. One of the chief reli- ances of every community is that class of truly useful and unostentatiously public-spirited citi- zens which is worthily represented by John B. Smith, of Scranton. The parents of Mr. Smith, John B. and Sarah (Bradshaw) Smith, natives of England, came in 1869 to the United States and settled at Pittston, where the death of the former occurred in 1894, and where the latter is still living in the home which was the abode of herself and her husband for many years.

John B. Smith, son of John B. and Sarah Smith, was born in 1865, in Manchester, Eng- land, and during his early childhood was brought by his parents to the United States. He is an experienced engineer, and for a number of years has been in the service of the Erie Coal Com- pany. He is an honorary member of the Eagle Hose Company of Pittston, and also of the fa- mous drill team of the same company. His polit- ical affiliations are with the Republicans, the men and measures advocated and supported by

whom he strongly upholds with his vote and inuflence. Mr. Smith married, October 30, 1890, Florence Miller, who is widely and favorably known as an exceptionally enlightened and skill- ful exponent of the principles of massage.

Mrs. Smith belongs to one of the pioneer families of Abington township. Caleb Miller was the father of five sons, four of whom served in the Union army during the Civil war. Of these, Wilson Miller lost his life on the battle- field, and Albert was for some time confined in Libby prison. Frank Miller, who was pre- vented by the claims of duty from following his soldier brothers to the field, married Hester, daughter of the Reverend Lewis Miller, a brother of Caleb, mentioned above. Of the twelve chil- dren born to them eight are now living: James D. ; Della, who married Louis Smith ; George H. ; Wilson E .; Florence I., who became the wife of John B. Smith, as mentioned above; Alice R., who is the wife of John Jermyn ; Lou Anne, who married Frederick Pahler ; and Earl W., who served during the Spanish-American war in Company C. Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers. Mrs. Smith is a native of Susquehanna county, born in 1869.

MICHAEL J. MACKIN. In the ranks of the younger men of Lackawanna county who are engaged in the coal industry Michael J. Mackin, of Scranton, fills an honorable place. His father, Patrick Mackin, was born in Ireland, whence he emigrated in 1868 to the United States. He was a miner, and made his home in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, where men of his call- ing were sure to find employment. His wife was Catherine Grimes, also a native of Ireland, and they were the parents of ten children : John. Mary, Delia, James, Michael J., mentioned at length hereinafter ; Patrick H., Sadie, and Anna. Mr. Mackin, the worthy father of this family, lost his life in a mine accident. His widow is still living (1905).

Michael J. Mackin, son of Patrick and Cath- erine (Grimes) Mackin, was born September 24, 1875, in Minooka, Lackawanna county, and up to his seventh year attended the common schools. Such was his desire for knowledge that from that time until he reached his twenty- third year, he attended night school, where he acquired a fair education. This not satisfying him, he took a course in the Scranton Business College, thereby fitting himself for any offices of trust and responsibility to which he might in the future be appointed. He then took a mechanical course in the International Correspondence

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

School of Scranton. During all this time he was leading a life of severe physical toil. When but seven years of age he entered the services of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, and passed through the various stages of outside employment, rising step by step until April, 1899, when he was appointed outside foreman of the Bellevue colliery. This colliery was opened in 1854. The number of hands employed is nine hundred, and of this number two hundred and fifty are under the special supervision of Mr. Mackin. All the output of coal and all supplies entering the mine must pass through his hands, or the hands of those who represent him. The importance of the trust involved in such a posi- tion will readily be perceived. Mr. Mackin is a stockholder in the Keystone Bank of Scranton, and a director in the Taylor Building and also in the Loan Association. The social affiliations of Mr. Mackin are with the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America and the St. Brendon Council, Young Men's Institute of Hyde Park. Mr. Mackin married, June 29, 1905, Kathryn Ruddy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Ruddy. Mr. Mackin owns a beautiful home in the Lincoln Heights section of the city in which he resides.

J. FRED SCHWENK. The career of J. Fred Schwenk, who is serving in the capacity of register clerk in the Scranton postoffice, is a striking illustration of what may be accomplished by well directed energy, steadfast purpose and never-ceasing effort. He is a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, born August 26, 1864, the young- est child in the family of John Schwenk and his wife Catherine E. Greenburg, nee Schmidt.

John Schwenk (father) was born, reared and educated in Germany, from whence he emigrated to the new world locating in Paterson, New Jer- sey, in which city he was married. While a resi- dent of Paterson he learned the trade of soap making, which proved a lucrative means of liveli- hood, and which he followed until failing health compelled him to retire from business re- sponsibilities. In 1860 he removed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the manu- facture of soap of various kinds, both hard and soft, and also in the manufacture of candles. In 1865 hie purchased a block of ground at Wash- ington and Elm streets, whereon lie erected a fac- tory and conducted business several years. He is a member of the German Presbyterian church, his wife having also been a member during her lifetime. He is an honored member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He is living at the present time

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 107

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