Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 116

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 116
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 116

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In 1896 Mr. Howe organized his first company and exhibited moving pictures in all the New England and Middle Atlantic states, and by his superior exhibitions readily established the high- est reputation in this form of entertainment. This he has maintained by regular semi-annual visits that have made of his exhibitions an institution in the world of amusements. So signal was the success of this company, and in order to comply with the ever-increasing demand for engagements from other states, Mr. Howe organized another company in 1902 covering Maryland, Virginia and the Middle Western states. This second company duplicated the success of its original,

and served to still further extend the reputation of his exhibitions, and in 1904, in response to a still increasing demand he organized a third com- pany touring the far Western and North-western states. Since organizing these companies, he found it imperative to make four trips to Europe in the interest of his enterprises and to insure se- curing the most exclusive scenes from the Old World.

His well deserved and unique reputation has proceeded not only from his fine attention to the mechanical and electrical details of projection, but he has become an influential educator. How influential may be inferred from the fact that hundreds of thousands annually are not only en- tertained but instructed by the vivid, graphic and faithful moving pictures of national and inter- national importance which he gathers with tire- less zeal from all parts of the world. Methods, habits, customs, dress, processes, transportation, industrial activities-all phases of life from all lands are transferred by him on the curtain with such added charm and fidelity that legions of pa- trons find his exhibitions of aminated scenes a source of knowledge that would not be obtained in any other way. Those who lack the means, time or inclination to enjoy the luxury and knowl- edge that travel imparts realize by Mr. Howe's efforts and exhibitions a medium of seeing at minimum cost and with maximum comfort what would otherwise be entirely denied them. Ac- cordingly his exhibitions have justly become an institution with the double mission of educating and entertaining.

In the conduct of his various enterprises, Mr. Howe necessarily maintains commodious offices and an efficient office staff in Wilkes-Barre, from which point he directs and manages his enter- prises. He is prominently identified with many local enterprises, and his public spirit and inter- est in the welfare of the community at large make him one of that type of citizens that are all too rare. His uniform courtesy and affability, and his native good humor and gentleness of manner have made him widely popular. He is a member of Lodge No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons : Shekinah Chapter, No. 82; Mount Horeb Coun- cil, No. 31: Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, and Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Elks Lodge, No. 109, and of the Board of Trade.

Mr. Howe married, September 26, 188S, M. Alice Koehler. daughter of Franklin and Susan ( Newhard) Koehler. Mr. and Mrs. Howe, hav- ing no children of their own, adopted a son whom

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they named Harold Nathan Howe, born May 22, 1901. Franklin Koehler, Mrs. Howe's father, followed the occupations of miller and farmer, but now leads a retired life at his home in Allen- town, Pennsylvania, of which city he has been a life-long and honored resident. His wife, who died in 1898, at the age of sixty-one years, bore him the following children : Emma J., born April 30, 1857 : M. Alice, born August 15, 1860, (wife

of Mr. Howe) ; Joseph H., born October 8. 1863 ; William, born August 15, 1868; Robert L., born January 5, 1872; and S. Gertrude, born April 5, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are both communi- cants of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes- Barre. H. E. H.

HON. THEODORUS HART, during a long and active career, exercised a potent influence in advancing the material and moral interests of his town and state. In the newspaper world he was known for his great ability, and unflinching adherence to principle.

MIr. Hart was born September 10, 1847, in Athens, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, a son of Theodorus and Eliza (Ruland) Hart, both na- tives of the state of New York, and now de- ceased. He received but a common school edu- cation, but this proved a substantial foundation, and out of his own ambition and industry he ac- quired a fund of knowledge which enabled him as a journalist to take a front place with his con- temporaries throughout the commonwealth. A large part of his information came to him while he was an apprentice in a printing office, through careful and self-chosen reading, after the fashion of a class of newspaper men now practically ex- tinct. This training was during a period when the country was passing through its greatest crisis-the conflict between the free-soilers and the slavery extensionists. He learned his politi- cal creed from the writings and platform utter- ances of the great leaders of that day-Lincoln, Greeley, Thaddeus Stevens, Andrew G. Curtin, and others of the same illustrious stamp ; and he held to his political principles with a consistency and tenacity alike to their own.

Having mastered his trade, he worked as a journeyman in various places, including Pitts- ton, where, in 1874, at the age of twenty-seven, he purchased a half interest in the Weekly Ga- sette. This was the first newspaper established in the place, as long ago as August, 1850, by G. M. Richart and H. S. Phillips. It was at first a seven-column folio, a weekly issue. Originally an exponent of Whig principles, it became Re- publican in 1856, when that party was organized .

and set up as its first presidential standard bearer, General (then Captain) John C. Fremont, and it' wielded a strong influence in that campaign. In 1853 Mr. Richart bought out the interest of his partner and conducted the paper alone until 1857, when he sold it to Dr. John H. Puleson, a native of Wales, who subsequently returned to his own land and was afterward heard of as a member of parliament. In 1860 the Gazette was purchased by G. M. Richart, Benjamin D. Beyea and Abel C. Thompson, who conducted it until 1863, when Mr. Richart again became proprictor. In 1869 the plant was leased by J. W. Freeman, and after a year Mr. Richart again assumed the publication of the paper. In the following year (1870) Mr. Theodorus Hart purchased a half interest, becoming junior member of the firm of Richart & Hart. This association was maintained until May 1, 1878, when Mr. Hart became sole proprietor, and so continued until his death, in April, 1901. During this period he made many important innovations, adding greatly to the worth and prestige of his paper. In 1882 he be- gan the publication of the Daily Evening Gasette, and in 1890 enlarged the weekly edition to an eight-column sheet. The extent of the develop- ment of the Gasette may be appreciated by point- ing to the increased mechanical equipment which MIr. Hart installed-a new Babcock press and a Hoe cylinder, in addition to the old Taylor press, with steam power, turning out four thousand copies an hour ; while during the same time he introduced an entirely modern job printing equip- ment. Throughout the years which witnessed Mr. Hart's newspaper labors in Pittston, nearly a dozen rivals made their appearance, only to dis- appear after periods of a few months to a few years.

Mr. Hart was a forceful writer, and his paper bore the impress of his sturdy personality through several important political campaigns, beginning with the second presidential candidacy of Gen- eral Grant to that of Major McKinley. While he was strong in his advocacy of his political principles as an old-line Republican, he was none the less in earnest in advocating the interests of his town, county and state, and he was a leader in every movement promising of local improve- ment along material, moral and educational lines. Church and school both lay dear to his heart, and to them he contributed every aid in his power. In religion he was a Baptist. He had served as president of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and as treasurer of the Pennsylvania Chris- tian Endeavor Union. He represented the Lu- zerne-Lackawanna district in the state legisla-

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

ture in the session of 1885-86. He was prom- inent in the two leading fraternal orders-the Masons and Odd Fellows-and in the former had attained to the thirty-second degree. His death left a great void in whatever he was asso- ciated with, and in the community at large. In the line of his profession, it is pleasing to note that his mantle fell upon the capable shoulders of the husband of his only child, Mr. William J. Peck.

Mr. Hart was twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Dymond. His second wife was Mrs. E. E. (Hopkins) Davis. His daughter, by the first marriage, Mary Lawson Dymond, be- came the wife of Mr. William J. Peck.

WILLIAM JOSEPH PECK, well known as the editor and proprietor of the Pittston ( Penn- sylvania) Daily Gasette, was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1874, oldest son of William H. and Arminda (Kyte) Peck. (See sketch of William H. Peck and ancestry else- where in this work).

William J. Peck was educated in the public schools of Scranton, prepared for college at the School of the Lackawanna, and graduated with honors from Syracuse University, class of 1896, receiving the classical degree, Bachelor of Arts. While in college he obtained his first experience in journalistic work as business manager of the college paper. From 1896 to 1898 Mr. Peck was junior member of the firm of Millar & Peck. which conducted "China Hall." a wholesale and retail china, glass and crockery establishment at Scranton, and while there became an expert china packer.

Mr. Peck moved to Pittston, in August, 1898. and became a member of the Gazette staff, his father-in-law, Hon. Theodorus Hart, being the publisher. In December of the same year Mr. Peck was appointed deputy postmaster of Pitts- ton under MIr. Hart, and upon the death of the latter was made acting postmaster from April. 1901. The same year he was commissioned as postmaster by President Mckinley; in 1902 he was appointed for a full term by President Roose- velt, and in 1906 was again appointed for four years by President Roosevelt.

Upon the death of Theodorus Hart, the sub- ject of this sketch became owner of the Pittston Daily Gasette. May 7, 1901. Here his natural taste for machinery became of practical use to him. for it became immediately necessary to thor- oughly overhaul the printing plant and equip it with the needful modern appliances. New ma- chinery was installed, including linotype ma-

chines and perfecting press. From the four- page Gasette of 1901 the paper increased in size and circulation, and the number of pages varies. from eight to sixteen daily. Mr. Peck takes a just pride in publishing one of the acknowledged best papers in northeast Pennsylvania. Its typo- graphical improvement is his constant study and aim. The editorial policy of the Gazette has been Republican since the founding of the party, and Mr. Peck, being a staunch Republican, gives loyal support to the party through its columns although quick to condemn wrongdoing in either political organization. A large and well-equipped commercial printing plant is conducted by Mr. Peck in connection with the newspaper.

Inheriting a strong love of nature, he at an early age showed a great fondness for flowers, and when a boy grew pansy plants for market. His floral proclivities have been manifest in re- cent years through the fine collection of pond lilies of varied sort and hue grown in a cement pool at his home in West Pittston. Mr. Peck is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of West Pittston. In society connections he is as follows: a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 233, Free and Accepted Masons, at Pitts- ton, Pennsylvania: New England Society of Northeast Pennsylvania : Pennslyvania Editorial Association : Pittston Board of Trade; Delta Upsilon fraternity. He was a delegate to the National Editorial Association at St. Louis in I904.

He was married, October 6, 1897, at Pittston, Pennsylvania, to Lawson Dymond Hart, only child of the late Hon. Theodorus Hart. (See preceding sketch.) Mrs. Peck had received her education in the West Pittston schools and Wyo- ming Seminary, graduating at Syracuse Univer- sity in music and Belles Lettres course in 1896. Children were born as follows: A daughter, born December 31, 1898. died January 3, 1890 : Mary Hart Peck, born February 17, 1903, died A11- gust 3. 1905, both buried in West Pittston cem- etery ; a son, Theodorus .Hart Peck, born May 16, 1906.

JACOB FLEISCHMANN. deceased, for many years the proprietor of a grocery store on Main street, Wilkes-Barre, was a man of in- tegrity and honor, and the position attained by him in commercial circles was gained by the exer- cise of energy and unconquerable determination. He was a native of Bavaria, Lamsheim, born in 1833, a son of Henry and Margaret Fleischmann, who were the parents of one other child. Mar- garet Fleischmann. Henry Fleischmann ( father)

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was a weaver in the old country and followed the same after his arrival in America in 1841, and kept to his profession until his death. He es- tablished a general store on River street, Wilkes- Barre, which he conducted for a number of years. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church on Washington street, Wilkes-Barre, to the building of which edifice he contributed gen- erously, and prior to its erection the Sunday school attached to the same was held in his home. He was a Democrat in politics. His death oc- curred at his home in Wilkes-Barre, 1871. He was survived by his widow, who passed away December 23, 1886, aged seventy-seven years and five months. Henry Fleischmann adopted three orphan children, two girls and a boy, by the name of Fink.

Jacob Fleischmann accompanied his parents and sister to the United States when eight years of age, they settling in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, in the private schools of which city young Jacob secured a thorough education. After vari- ous employments he entered the service of a Mr. Morgan, who was engaged in the coal business at Ashley, Pennsylvania, and for several years served in the capacity of timekeeper and clerk. He then entered the employ of a Mr. Tracey, at South Franklin and Market streets, Wilkes- Barre, and after several years service with him became clerk in the postoffice under a Mr. Reich- ard, remaining for a number of years. He then established a grocery store on Main street, Wilkes-Barre, which building he erected in 1876, and this he thoroughly stocked with a full line of reliable goods. This enterprise proved a most profitable investment, bringing to Mr. Fleisch- mann fair returns for labor expended. He ac- quitted himself in such a way as to gain the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he was as- sociated, and his business capability was recog- nized throughout the community. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a number of years, and in politics was an adherent of Democratic principles.

Mr. Fleischmann married (first) Charlotte Rittersbaugh, who bore him two children, Mar- garet, and Henry, deceased, and whose death occurred February 8. 1880. Mr. Fleischmann married (second) Julia Rittersbaugh, sister of his first wife, who bore him six children : Char- lotte, died January 21, 1886. Charles S., died June 4, 1864. George R., died 1806. Jacob C., died May 17, 1868. Chrissie. Louisa, died July 25. 1876. Mr. Fleischmann married (third) Dorothea (Joel) Pehling, July 5, 1883. in New

York. She was born April 22, 1838, in Nurem- berg, Hanover, Germany, a daughter of Charles and Louisa ( Miltz) Joel, whose family consisted of six children, Dorothea being the eldest. Charles Joel emigrated to the United States from his native land, Germany, and settled in New York. Jacob Fleischmann died at his home in Wilkes-Barre, July 26. 1891, aged fifty-eight years, and his remains were interred in Hollen- back cemetery. Mrs. Fleischmann, who is a most estimable woman in every respect, is living at the present time ( 1905) in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where she is highly esteemed by her neighbors and friends. H. E. H.

HERMAN A. FISCHER, M. D., of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, is a native of that city, born March 28, 1877, a son of Adam and Mary ( Abel) Fischer, of Hirschfeldt, Hesse Cassel, Germany, who came to America about 1865 and located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Adam Fischer was born November 13, 1840, son of John and Margaret ( Maus) Fischer. John Fischer was son of Christopher Tobias Fischer, a tailor or weaver, who died in Germany, April 18. 1839. Adam Fischer attended the common schools in the neighborhood of his home, and learned the shoemaking trade in Germany, where he followed it for a livelihood. After coming to the United States he entered the employ of Au- gust Schnell, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, who was engaged in the same line of business, and there continued for some time. Later he opened a shoe store at the corner of East Northampton and South Washington streets, Wilkes-Barre, and there continued until 1882 when he moved his business to the opposite side of the street and continued the same until 1889. In April, 1883, he took possession of the Old Mansion House on East Northampton street, Wilkes-Barre, which he conducted until his death, which occurred Oc- tober 26, 1901, aged sixty-one years. His wife, Mary (Abel) Fischer, born October 21, 1841. died April 4. 1894, aged fifty-three years, and their remains are interred at Hollenback ceme- tery, Wilkes-Barre. They were the parents of seven sons, namely : Louis, who married Martha Mork, resides in Buckley, Washington. Adam, who died at the age of four years. Frederick, who married Alice Sackett, resides in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania. Archibald, who died in infancy. Edward, who married Bessie Corne- lius, resides in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Her- man A., mentioned hereafter. Robert W., a resi- dent of Wilkes-Barre. Adam Fischer ( father) was a Democrat in politics. For many years he

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Wilkes-Barre, was a member of the Concordia Society at the time of his death, and was formerly a member of the Saengerbund Society, both of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer were for many years members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and later of the Zion Reformed Church.

Herman A. Fischer, son of Adam Fischer, was educated in the public schools of Wilkes- Barre, his native city, and Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and in September, 1895, entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated June 13, 1900. The first three months after his graduation he served on the dispensary staff of the University Dispensary, and for one vear thereafter was interne at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, thus gaining a practical knowledge which has proved most useful to him in his active career. In November, 1901, he began the practice of his profession in Wilkes-Barre, where he still continues, steadily gaining each year more patients, and winning for himself an enviable reputation among his fellow practitioners. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is a member of Anthracite Council, No. 487, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and was elected councilor, July 1, 1905. His religious views coincide with the doctrines of the Re- formed church, and in politics he favors the prin- ciples of the Republican party, believing them best for the country's welfare.

Dr. Fischer married, December 17, 1901, Margaret Roche, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Igo) Roche, of Plainsville, Pennsylvania, and a descendant of an Irish lineage. Their children are: Herman Thomas ; Adam, born September 30, 1903: and Marian, born March 23. 1905. Thomas Roche, father of Mrs. Dr. Fischer, was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, April 24, 1854, son of Thomas and Katherine (O'Hara) Roche, of county Mayo, Ireland. His wife, Ann ( Igo) Roche, was a daughter of John and Ellen ( Cos- tello) Igo. of Sligo, and county Mayo, Ireland, respectively. Thomas Tucker, step-father of Mrs. Ann (Igo) Roche, was a soldier in the Civil war. Thomas and Ann (Igo) Roche were the parents of the following children : Margaret, wife of Dr. Fischer, born November 6, 1882. Mary, born August 13, 1881; -, born August 1, 1886, died in infancy; Anna, born March 1, 1888: Ellen, born September 18, 1891 ; Katherine. born November 24, 1893: and Agnes, born March 3. 1897. H. E. H.

JOHN TRITLE LUTHER SAHM, whose knowledge of the principles of law and familiar- ity with the statutes have been the chief factors in the successful performance of the duties de- volving upon him as chief deputy prothonotary of Luzerne county, in which capacity he has served since January, 1880, is a native of Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being September 6, 1843. His parents were the Rev. Peter and Susan (Tritle) Sahm. His grandfather was John Sahm, who was born in the vicinity of Manheim, Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, where he followed the occupations of farming and distilling, dying at the age of forty- seven years. His ancestors were natives of Wur- temburg, Germany, who located in Pennsylvania at an early date.

Rev. Peter Sahm, D. D., was born near Man- heim, Lancaster county, in 1809. After acquir- ing a thorough education in the rudimentary branches in the common schools he entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1831. The following year he began his ministerial labors, and having an aptitude for the profession he chose for his life work, and being a master of the German as well as the English language, his ministry of about forty-four years' duration was most suc- cessful. His sermons were logical, impressive and eloquent, his pastoral work was performed faithfully and conscientiously, and he exerted a powerful influence for good in the community by carrying out in his daily walk and conversation the lessons he taught from the pulpit. He served as pastor in the following named places : Maytown, Middletown, St. Thomas, Greencas- tle, Blairsville, Johnstown, Indiana, Friedens- burg, Loysville, Aaronsburg, and New Berlin. Although a firm believer in the doctrines of the Lutheran church, he was liberal in his views on christiantiy, and the last Sabbath of his life was spent in participating in the exercises of the ded- ication of the Lutheran Church at Laurelton, Pennsylvania. He married Susan Tritle, daugh- ter of the late John Tritle, of Guilford, Franklin county. Pennsylvania, who devoted his active career to agricultural pursuits on the old home- stead near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and a granddaughter of Jacob Tritle, who was a native of Bavaria, from whence he emigrated to this country, locating in Franklin county, Pennsylva- nia, where he was a farmer and distiller. The following children were the issue of this mar- riage : John T. L., mentioned hereafter ; Theoph- ilus H. T., a lawyer at Hamburg, Iowa ; William

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

K. T., a physician at McCoysville, Pennsylvania, for many years, now engaged in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad relief department at Pittsburg ; and Malancthan O. T., a Lutheran minister, now engaged as principal of a school in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. Rev. Peter Sahm. D. D., died at Laurelton, Union county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1876, in the sixty-sev- enth year of his age. His remains are interred at New Berlin, Pennsylvania.

John T. L. Sahm pursued his studies at a select school which was under the preceptorship of Silas M. Clark, a well known educator, and later one of the judges of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, and completed his preparatory studies at Somerset Academy. He then entered the Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, and after the regular course there was graduated in the class of 1862. He studied law in the office of B. McIntyre at New Bloomfield, Perry county, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the Perry county bar in April, 1865, after passing a success- ful competitive examination. He then located in Mifflintown, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and the following year was elected district attorney of this county, his term of office being three years. He then entered into partnership with Ezra D. Parker and they conducted a successful legal practice under the firm name of Parker & Sahm until 1873, a period of four years, when Mr. Sahm removed to Wilkes-Barre. He was admitted to the Luzerne county bar, April 23, 1873. The following December he accepted a clerkship in the office of the prothonotary, and in January, 1880, was appointed chief deputy to that official, which position he still holds. Al- though Mr. Sahm is a Democrat in his political views. he has retained his position under all administrations ; he has been the incumbent of the office for a longer period than any of his pre- decessors, and is the oldest officer in the service of the county, these facts attesting to his capa- bility and efficiency.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 116

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