USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 37
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 37
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
which he was president, his eldest son, Fenwick L. Peck, having charge of the mills at Mina, said to be the most extensive in Pennsylvania. In ad- dition to these large interests, to which he gave diligent and highly intelligent direction, he was actively associated with various other important institutions, among them the Dime Discount and Deposit Bank of Scranton, in which he was a di- rector ; and the Lackawanna Safe Deposit Com- pany and the Lackawanna Hardware Company, in both of which he was a stockholder.
In his personal relations to the community Mr. Peck was an ideal citizen. He was constantly alert in behalf of every movement looking to its advancement along intellectual and moral as well as material lines. Religion and education were his chief concerns, and he aided both, zealously with his influence and liberally with his means. Among his larger benefactions was his gift to the Baptist Church of a beautiful parsonage. His charities were dispensed freely, but with an en- tire absence of ostentation. He was the willing aider of the struggling poor, and many a toilsome worker was lifted into a home and a firm estab- lishment in life by his counsel and material assist- ance. To the afflicted and distressed he was tenderly sympathetic. In brief, his life was a benediction upon all who came into his presence in the hour of need or sorrow.
His useful life came to a close on October 14, 1895, at the end of an illness patiently endured for the long period of ten months. The sad event, although not unexpected, caused profound grief in the community, and came to the greater number with a sense of personal loss. The fu- neral was attended by a great concourse, among them all the employes of the Peck Lumber Com- pany in a body. The board of directors of the Dime Deposit and Discount Bank adopted resolu- tions expressive of their regard for their deceased colleague, and testifying to his great business ability, and his unblemished reputation for probity and honorable dealing. The local press spoke in fervent terms of his life and character, one saying :
"The county loses an estimable citizen, and Peckville, particularly, a benefactor. Of him what more or better can we say than that the world is happier for his having lived ; and what truer message has his life left to those who so. soon must follow, than this stanza from Bryant's beautiful poem :
"'So live that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan,
Thou go not like the quarry slave at night, scourged to his dungeon-
But, sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
As one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him: And lies down to pleasant dreams.'"
Mr. Peck was twice married. His first wife was Miss Mercietta Hall, of Abington, and of this. union were born four children: Fenwick L., Edson S., Frank, and Mary E. Peck, all of whom survive the father.
Fenwick L. Peck, eldest child of J. Wilson and Mercietta (Hall) Peck, was born in Peck- ville, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 18, 1854. He was educated in the public schools of Peckville, and at Wyoming Seminary, where he completed a three years course, grad- uating in 1874. He labored in various capacities in his father's lumber establishments, and became a member of the firm of Peck & Sons, continuing as such until the organization of the Lackawanna Lumber Company, the successor to the old firm, in 1887, and of which he became general mana- ger. He occupied this position until the death of his father, when he became president, contin- uing as such to the present time. Born, as may be said, into the lumbering business, and with the great advantage of an intimate association with his father in its affairs, he was from the first amply equipped for the conduct of its great con- cerns, and is known to the trade throughout the- country as one of its most accomplished and cred- itable representatives. In his connection with the corporation named he has contributed largely to the importance of the Wyoming Valley in an industrial way, and has provided occupation for hundreds of laborers in various capacities. He is also identified with numerous other enterprises of a commercial and financial character-the Peck Lumber Manufacturing Company, in which he is a director, and the Scranton Savings Bank, of which he is vice-president. While thus. busily engaged, and contributing to the wealth and prestige of his home region, he has also been prime factor in large business concerns in a
Mississippi. He aided in the organization of the United States Lumber Company and the J. J. Noonan Lumber Company, with headquarters at Hattiesburg, and in both of which he is presi- dent. He is also a director in the National Bank of Commerce in the same place. Mr. Peck is also known as one of the foremost railroad man- agers in the same state, occupying the position- of president of the Mississippi Central Railroad, and in which he has displayed all the qualities. that mark the thoroughly equipped master of transportation.
Mr. Peck holds membership in the Country Club and the Scranton Club, of that city ; the
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
Transportation Club of Buffalo, New York ; and the Pennsylvania Society of New York; and in all is held in high regard for his genial compan- ionableness and his broad information, upon gen- eral topics as well as those which engage the at- tention of men of large affairs in the world of commerce and finance. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and an earnest advocate of the principles of his party, but without aspirations for political honors.
Mr. Peck has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Jessie Mott, daughter of James Mott, who was a grain merchant in Peckville. She died, leaving to her husband a daughter, Jessie M. Peck. He subsequently married Miss Mina V. Pethick, a daughter of William Pethick, of Honesdale, and of this marriage was born a daughter, Florence L. Peck.
Edson S. Peck, son of J. Wilson and Mer- cietta (Hall) Peck, was born December 8, 1862, at Peckville Lock, Lackawanna county, Pennsyl- vania. He was educated in the public schools of Peckville, and in Wyoming Seminary. On leaving school, as did his brother, he was engaged in his father's lumbering establishments, in which he acquired an intimate knowledge in all depart- ments. At the organization of the Lackawanna Lumber Company he became one of the incorpor- ators, and after the death of his father was made. general superintendent. He is also treasurer of the Peck Lumber Manufacturing Company, and secretary and treasurer of the United States Lumber Company, and has other invested inter- ests. He is a member and trustee of the Asbury Methodist Church, and is affiliated with Oriental Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Peckville.
Mr. Peck married, September 25, 1890, Miss Grace Hull, daughter of H. W. Hull, of Oly- phant, Lackawanna county. Of this marriage have been born five children-Pauline; Lester and Howard, twins, both deceased ; Gertrude and Catherine.
THOMAS SPRAGUE, of the firm of Sprague & Henwood, Scranton, has contributed in large degree to the development of mining properties in the Lackawanna Valley and else- where through his knowledge of mineral evidence and mining operations, and by the aid of a device of acknowledged utility, the Sullivan Diamond Drill. He is also actively identified with various other industrial and financial enterprises which are important factors in the business life of the Lackawanna region.
Mr. Sprague is a native of Rhode Island, born
in Woonsocket, May 15, 1845, and is a represen- tative of an old family of that state. His pater- nal grandfather, Thomas Sprague, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and in early life was a sea captain, sailing a merchant vessel. Later lie embarked in the cotton manufacturing business, setting up a mill near Providence, and about it sprang up a village to which was given the name of Spragueville for him, and where he died. He was a man of large ability and accumulated ample means. His wife was Sarah Fenner.
Edward H. Sprague, son of Captain Thomas Sprague, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1812. In his early manhood he became a cot- ton mannfacturer in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. While residing here he served in state militia, and bore a part in the suppression of the Dorr rebel- lion in 1842, giving loyal response to the call of Governor King, and aiding in the defense of the state arsenal against the attempt of seizure by the pretender-governor, Thomas W. Dorr, who after his defeat was brought to trial, convicted of high treason, and sentenced to life imprisonment, but was afterward pardoned. In 1861 Mr. Sprague located in Boston, where he helped to found the Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was secretary of that corporation up to the time of his death, and much of its suc- cess was due to his effort, it becoming one of the strongest companies in its line in the east. He was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal faith, and for many years a vestryman of the old St. Mark's Church in Boston. In politics he was a Republican. He died in 1891. He married Clara P. Smith, who was born in Middlebury, Vermont, a daughter of Reuel P. Smith. Of this marriage were born four sons and four daughters.
Thomas Sprague, son of Edward H. and Clara P. (Smith) Sprague, was educated in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. In 1862, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted in Bigelow's ( Mas- sachusetts) Battery, in which he rendered faith- ful service until the end of the war. He partici- pated in the most momentous campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, and fought in different general engagements, besides numerous smaller affairs, the battles including those of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Bethesda Church, the operations against the Weldon Railroad, and against Petersburg and Richmond. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, the war having ended in the preced- ing April.
After his discharge from the army, Mr.
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
Sprague took employment in the railway trans- portation service, in turn. with the Boston & Al- bany Railroad; the Pennsylvania Railroad, in Ohio ; the Hartford, Providence & Fishkill Rail- road ; the New York & New England Railroad ; and the New York, New Haven & Hart-
ford Railroad. He was thus employed
from
1867 to 1886, when he located in Scranton. There Mr. Sprague engaged in coal operations with the late William T. Smith, of the Mt. Pleasant and Sterrick Creek collieries, and continued therein until 1900, when he entered upon a business which has occupied his attention to the present time. With Mr. Henwood he formed the firm of Sprague & Henwood, stic- ceeding to the business of H. P. Simpson, con- tracting and prospecting for coal and other min- erals, and have successfully executed many large contracts for drilling for coal and iron mining companies, railroad companies and individuals. In these undertakings they have used with entire success a most excellent device known as the Sullivan Diamond Drill, which bores a perfectly straight smooth hole to any depth and in any given direction from vertical to horizontal. bringing to the surface a solid section or "core" of all strata passed through, in order, revealing their exact individual depth, thickness and character of all stone or other deposits passed through, thus af- fording accurate knowledge of the material to be encountered in sinking a shaft, and providing data for a close estimate of the cost of sinking the shaft, and an approximate idea of the value of the workable mineral strata.
Mr. Sprague is also actively interested in vari- ous other local enterprises of moment. He is a director and the vice-president of the People's Bank of Scranton, and was a director and presi- dent of the board of trustees of the State Hospital at Scranton. For many years he has served as a vestryman of St. Luke's ( Protestant Episcopal) Church, and is a member of the Scranton Club and the Engineers' Club. In politics he is a Re- publican. He is a man of unusual industry, boundless energy, and possessed of those traits which adapt him in eminent measure to his prin- cipal occupation, habits of close observation, care- ful calculation, and a conservatism of judgment which seeks for facts upon which to base action, particularly in those fields of natural products which are unrevealed to the eye save at the cost of large means and much time. Such an equip- ment makes him a safe counsellor in all pertain- ing to mining operations, and have gained for
him the patronage and confidence of a large and important clientele.
Mr. Sprague married Miss Frances E. Dun- can, daughter of Samuel Duncan, of Columbus, Ohio, and of this union were born two daughters, both living in Scranton : Grace D., now the wife of J. W. Leverich, and Gertrude H., now the wife of N. R. Osborne.
EDITH BARTON, M. D. There is an in- finite satisfaction in receiving the gifts of the Creator and utilizing them for the benefit of humanity, but the privilege of becomng the me- dium through which these blessings are be- stowed on others is the greatest privilege con- ferred on mankind. To effect this is the office of the true and conscientious physician, and pre- eminent in this philanthropic work is the female physician, whose loving touch and tender heart is often more potent in alleviating suffering and expelling pain than a more heroic treatment ad- ministered by one of the sterner sex. We are glad the time has come when women are al- lowed privileges afforded to men in the practice of medicine. Time has evidenced the fact that they are his equal in intelligence and skill, and it affords great pleasure to record the name of Dr. Edith Barton as one of the promising phy- sicians of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Barton was born at Lime-Ridge, Colum- bia county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry C. and Mary Frances (Low) Barton, natives of the Keystone state, who were the parents of two children: Mrs. Laura B. Aikman and Dr. Edith Barton. Henry C. Barton is a relative of Clara Barton, of Red Cross fame, and his wife is a connection of Seth Low, former mayor of New York City, and a descendant of Samuel Brewer, a Revolutionary soldier, who fought in the colo- nial ranks, where he displayed valor and patriot- ism in meeting the enemy at the historic battle of Trenton, New Jersey, December. 1776. Mr. and Mrs. Barton reside at the old homestead at Lime-Ridge.
When four years of age Dr. Barton accompa- nied her parents on their removal to Williams- port. She received her early education in the public schools of that place, and later graduated from the State Normal School at Bloomsburg. Pennsylvania. The following two years she was engaged as teacher in the public schools of Hazle- ton, Pennsylvania, and subsequently she accepted a position as stenographer in New York City. where she remained twelve years. During this
ENEDLY . A.G. B. HALL, NEW YORK
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
period of time Miss Barton became interested in medical work and pursued studies along that line, paying especial attention and attending lectures on chemistry and kindred subjects at Pratt Insti- tute, Brooklyn, New York. In 1898 she entered the "Woman's Medical College, of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, from which she was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery in May, 1902. Immediately after her graduation she accepted a position as resi- dent physician in the Philadelphia Hospital, known as "Blackley," for one year, and on the expiration of this term of service accepted a posi- tion as senior resident physician at the Charity Lying-in-Hospital, Philadelphia, for one year. In July, 1904, at the termination of the latter named service, Dr. Barton located in Scranton as a gen- eral practitioner in medicine and surgery. Her office, at 436 Adams avenue, is furnished and equipped with the most modern improvements and appliances of her profession.
EDWARD SCOTT WOODHOUSE. One of those men whose zeal and enterprise impart to the real estate interests of Lackawanna county much of their impetus and vigor is Edward Scott Woodhouse, of Scranton. Mr. Woodhouse is a representative of a family which was founded in the United States by five brothers who came from England. Their descendants can be found in the ranks of good and useful citizens in many states of the Union.
John Woodhouse, one of the brothers men- tioned above, settled at Dimock, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, married and had six chil- dren born, three of whom are living: Frederick Mortimer, Catherine, and Edward W., mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Woodhouse, the father, may be said to have been the founder of the Pennsylvania branch of the family.
Edward W. Woodhouse, son of John Wood- house, was born in Dimock, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and was a wheelwright by trade. He married Mersha Manley. a native of East Canton, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and the following children were born to them: Edward Scott, mentioned at length hereinafter ; J. Louise, and Matilda P. Mrs. Woodhouse, the exemplary mother of the family, has passed away, but her husband survives and is now in the evening of his days, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life.
Edward Scott Woodhouse, son of Edward W. and Mersha ( Manley) Woodhouse, was born January 29, 1865, near Montrose, Susquehanna ·county, Pennsylvania, and received his education
in Dimock, in his native county. After engaging for a time in agricultural pursuits he went to Scranton in March, 1889, and there entered the service of Fenner & Chappell, grocers of that city. In 1893 he was induced to join Wood, Harmon & Company in developing and promoting real estate projects, and continued the connection until 1895, when he engaged with H. N. Patrick in same business and continued until 1900, when he became the successful manager of the Lacka- wanna Land Company, whose property is situ- ated in South Main street and is known as "Round Woods Park." In 1898 this company purchased ninety-five acres of land from the Del- aware, Lackawanna & Western Company, and for two years nothing was done toward the de- velopment of the property. Mr. Woodhouse took charge of the enterprise December 2, 1900, at which time there were but two families living on the land. During the next four years there were erected on this property ninety-three dwellings, four stores, the monastery, and the large silk fac- tory for the Raul Clemens Silk Manufacturing Company. These structures were not built by the company for the purpose of advertising the place, but by individuals who had purchased lots for their own use. The result was entirely due to the persistent efforts and indomitable energy of Mr. Woodhouse, whose zeal has been further rewarded by seeing this beautiful suburb become a part of the city of Scranton, January 18, 1905. December 29, 1904. Mr. Woodhouse sold out his interest in the Lock Land Company, at which time he became half owner of the business form- erly conducted by Messrs. Naegeli and Tiel, suc- ceeding Mr. Naegeli, after which the firm name was changed to that of Woodhouse & Tiel. They are wholesale dealers in flour, feed, meal, corn, oats, hay and straw, and general agents for Schu- macher's stock feed. Mr. Woodhouse is a good citizen and is thoroughly esteemed as such by his neighbors. He and his wife are members of the Christian Science Church of Scranton.
Mr. Woodhouse married in 1888, Hattie, daughter of Benjamin and Laura A. Wilcox, and three children have been born to them: Glenn M., who is deceased ; Clarence W .; and Naomi G. Mrs. Woodhouse is a native of Wayne coun- ty, Pennsylvania.
COLONEL R. A. PHILLIPS, superintend- ent of the coal department of the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Railroad, and president of the Keystone Bank, is widely known for his masterly qualifications in one of the most exacting posi-
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
tions in the entire industrial world, one demand- ing entire self-control, nerve of iron, indomitable resolution, and yet, withal, those personal gifts which at critical times affords one a greater com- mand over others through genial personality than would mere display of authority. Perhaps none other in the great coal fields of Pennsylvania has come to his weighty tasks with superior prepara- tion. Reared to mine work from his very child- hood, he has had practical experience in its every stage-as breaker boy, slate picker in the screen room, door tender in the mines, mule driver in the gangway, as runner, miner and foreman. Throughout his career, he has gained a deep knowledge of men; and, what is greatly to his credit, his own advancement has bred in him no false pride of place, but has deeply planted in him a feeling of sympathy for the toiler, to whom he has ever been a considerate friend, while at the same time he has never neutralized his influence by abating an iota of reasonable discipline. These qualities have afforded him a potent influence with the men under him, who have ever held him in high personal regard.
Mr. Phillips was born in Belleview, Scranton, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1863, a son of Thomas J. and Anna (Jenkins) Phillips. The father was a native of Wales, and came to. Car- bondale, an accomplished practical miner. in 1848. In his later years he was foreman of the Jersey and Avondale mines of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and was occupying that position at the time of his death, in December, 1891. He was a man of strong intellect and deep piety, a licentiate of the Welsh Presbyterian Church, and wielded a wide and salutary influence among the Welsh population throughout the Lackawanna Valley. He was deeply versed not only in the Scriptures but in a generous range of scientific and polite literature, his knowledge being entirely self-acquired. He officiated in a ministerial ca -. pacity from Carbondale to Nanticoke, and in all the intermediate villages, and was primarily in- strumental in organizing various congregations, erecting and furnishing church edifices, and in forwarding all benevolent enterprises. He per- formed such useful labors from the time of his coming to the country to the hour of his death, at Hyde Park, Scranton. He married Anna Jenkins, who was also a native of Wales, and who is yet living, at the age of seventy-seven years. Their children were seven in number: David. deceased : Sarah, Thomas, John, R. A., Elizabeth and Margaret.
R. A., the fourth son of Thomas J. and Anna (Jenkins) Phillips, was reared in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to which place his parents removed when he was an infant, and he there received his education in the public schools, suspending his studies, however, at the age of twelve years, to enter upon work in the Jersey mines at Plymouth. The lad was extremely fortunate in his parent- age; for his father, broadly informed man that he was, supplied to him more practical knowl- edge than he could possibly have acquired in school. The rise of the young man through the various minor grades of mine labor have been al- ready hinted at in this narrative. So well did he acquit himself at each stage, that he became con- nected with the engineering corps of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Company at the age of seventeen years, and in turn was advanced to the positions of assistant inside foreman, in- side foreman, assistant inside general superin- tendent, district superintendent, and finally super- intendent of all the mines of the company, twenty-one in all, employing 15,000 men, all of whom come directly within his personal jurisdic- tion. How well he has discharged all his multi- farious duties is eloquently attested by both classes of men with whom he is constantly and intimately associated-his superiors, the men who hold those vast properties ; and the army of oper- atives-both of whom hold him in deep respect,. with implicit confidence, and sincere regard. His status in the coal-world at large is evidenced by the important positions to which he has been called and in which he was held with entire re- spect. For three years he was a member of the- board of examiners charged with passing upon the qualifications of applicants for certificates as. mine foremen ; and for five years he was a mem- ber of the inspectors' examining board. He is a man of marked public spirit, and affords active aid to every enterprise promising of advantage to the community. He aided in the organization of the Keystone Bank in 1904, and at the initial meeting was chosen to the presidency, with the- following representative gentlemen as fellow-di- rectors: T. E. Clark, Timothy Burke, George- Carson, Morgan Thomas, William Farrell, D. D. Evans, M. P. Casey, George Forgert, William Blume, Hon. John R. Farr, J. G. Sheppard. Col- onel Phillips is a Republican in politics, and is an earnest advocate of the principles and policies of the party. His prominence as a leader found recognition in his being sent as a delegate to many important conventions, including the national convention of 1904, in Chicago, in which Theo-
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