Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 40

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 40
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 40

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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and fellow attorneys, and he devised the present admirable arrangement of keeping the dockets, issue-lists, etc., in the prothonotaries' offices at Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. He prepared and published the Luserne Legal Journal, now con- tinued under the name of the Luserne Legal Register, and was long connected with the Seran- ton Law Times, the legal official organ of the courts of the county of Lackawanna. Imme- diately after his admission to the bar he entered into a business partnership with Honorable Gar- rick M. Harding, late president judge of Luzerne county ; and in the first three months of his law practice he was engaged in the famous Corwin murder trial, and in his maiden speech in this case he at once gained renown as a talented, gifted and powerful debater and orator. Since then he has been engaged in very many of the most prominent criminal and civil cases, where he was associated with or opposed to many of the criminal lawyers, judges and statesmen of Pennsylvania.

In 1866 he removed from Wilkes-Barre to Scranton, and at once took rank among the fore- most pleaders at that bar. He conducted the prosecution and secured the conviction of the Carbondale Bank robbers, who, being well dis- guised, on January 14, 1875, entered the First National Bank of Carbondale, Pennsylvania, at noon, and after gagging the cashier, succeeded in escaping with many thousand dollars. In con- nection with detective Robert Pinkerton, as coun- sel for the bank, Mr. Winton went to work with scarcely the shadow of a clue to begin with, and eventually enmeshed all the robbers and their accomplices in the net of the law, and recovered most of the stolen funds. On December 12, 1874, four young men from Binghamton arrived in Scranton and began to buy all the oil barrels that could be obtained from all the leading mer- chants of Scranton and all the adjacent villages. In many cases they paid far more than the market value of the barrels, claiming they had immediate use for them for an oil refinery in Binghamton. Their peculiar haste, however, aroused suspic- ions, and, upon investigation, it was discovered that there was a sharp law in Pennsylvania fixing a penalty of three hundred dollars for selling any barrel without removing the brand of the inspec- tor. In the present case many 'of the barrels had been sold without the removal of the brand in question. Very shortly these enterprising young men from another state began to teach the Penn- sylvanians their own state law. Several suits were brought against the sellers of the barrels, and many thousands of dollars were involved. The merchants were greatly concerned by this

matter and at once retained Mr. Winton to repre- sent their interests in the proceedings. Mr. Winton immediately had the young men arrested on a criminal charge, and prosecuted the case with such vigor, that the young men were glad to settle, withdraw their suits for penalties, and escape without further punishment. They had their expensive oil barrels in their possession to recompense them, but have never again attempted to operate such a "corner." Another famous case was that in which Mr. Winton appeared in the defense of F. A. Beamish. This was a Free Press libel suit, and was caused by the publication of an article entitled the "School Board Muddle." Judge Alfred Hand prosecuted the suit, and Mr. Winton had for his opponents Attorney-General H. W. Palmer and other distinguished counsel, but Mr. Winton conquered all difficulties easily, and on May 27, 1875, secured for his client a ver- dict of acquittal. In the well-known case of the State against F. S. Pauli, Mr. Winton made the closing argument for the commonwealth ; in this case he had for his opponent that eloquent law- yer of Philadelphia, Mr. Daniel Dougherty. In many more important causes Mr. Winton took a leading part, either for the prosecution or the defense. The court rules of Luzerne county had · received many amendments, and were by reason of this in a somewhat disordered condition. On January 4, 1878, the court appointed a committee for the revision of these laws. Mr. Winton was the chairman of this committee and soon reported a new set of rules which he submitted to the com- mittee, who were unanimous in their approval of the same. They were adopted almost in their entirety by the court, and still form the basis for the rules of the court of Lackawanna county.

Mr. Winton was a very popular speaker and was often called upon for an address upon all sorts of occasions. The same day that witnessed his triumph in the case of the State against F. S. Pauli had been selected for the opening of the armory of the Scranton City Guards. . Mr. Win- ton had been requested to make the presentation speech on behalf of the citizens of Scranton. On May 30, 1878, he was chosen to make the Decor- ation Day address before the Veteran Association at the Academy of Music. He has on several oc- casions, at the request of the lady managers of the Home for the Friendless, delivered addresses at their large assemblies and on their excursions. He has been of great assistance to the Father Matthew Society. not only by delivering ad- dresses, but also by his recitations, as he was an exceedingly fine elocutionist. The Robert Burns Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, owe

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him a debt of gratitude for his oratorical efforts in their behalf at several anniversary festivals.

Long before the birth of Mr. Winton there had been a struggle for the division of Luzerne county. This matter occupied a good deal of his time up to 1878, when with all the eloquence of which he was master he came to the front as an advocate of the new county, and gave substantial pecuniary aid as well, also writing editorials in behalf of the measure until sticcess crowned his efforts on August 17, 1878, and Lackawanna county became an established fact. October 24, 1877. was a gala day in the history of Scranton. The City Guard and the First Regiment of the State Militia were reviewed and inspected by Governor J. F. Hartranft and his staff. The prominent citizens of Scranton tendered a colla- tion at noon in the Lackawanna Valley House. Many prominent national and state officers were present, and many speeches were made, but that of Mr. Winton was conceded to excel them all. The Scranton Republican, the next day, said: "Mr. Winton's effort was replete with eloquence, beauty, wit and fun, and he was greeted with long applause."

Some years ago his father became interested in the tracts of coal land on which is now situated the village of Winton, and this tract was after- wards incorporated and given the name of Win- ton in his honor. The only public office Mr. Winton ever held was that of director of the poor of the city of Scranton, and he held this office for ten years, being secretary of the board for the greater part of that time. His systematic habits of business and clear judgment were of the great- est benefit to the city in that position. When the Law and Library Association was organized Mr. Winton was made the treasurer and held that position up to the time of his death. He was also treasurer of the Coeur de Lion Commandery of Scranton for many years.

On May 9. 1865, Mr. Winton married Miss Alice M. Collings, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of the late Hon. Samuel P. Col- lings, a former United States consul at Tangier, and a granddaughter of Hon. Andrew Beau- mont, of Wilkes-Barre, member of congress in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Winton had two daughters : Katharine, wife of Dr. G. D. Murray, of Scran- ton ; and Elsbeth.

Mr. Winton died February 2, 1896. His health had been impaired for several years but his death was a sudden one. Probably no lawyer at the Lackawanna bar was more sincerely ad- mired for his native abilities than Aretus Heer- mans Winton. He was a man of rare intellec-

tual attainments, a close student, and one of those- cheery genial natures that command deep friend- ships and effect the closest ties between man and man. His death was sincerely deplored by all who knew him. The Lackawanna Bar Associa- tion held a special meeting to take action upon the death of Mr. Winton. Mr. Edward paid a glowing tribute to the mental powers and orator- ical talents of the deceased. Hon. John P. Kelly referred to the brilliancy of Mr. Winton's mind, the clearness of his intellect and his knowledge of the law. S. B. Price spoke of his manly traits and paid a tribute to Mr. Winton as a friend. A committee was appointed to draw up a set of resolutions to be published in all the daily papers, and a copy of which was to be engrossed and presented to the family of the deceased. As a public servant in behalf of the poor, Mr. Winton showed the goodness of his heart : as a political speaker he had few equals ; and in his social rela- tions he stood pre-eminent as one of the most amiable, genial and hospitable of men.

SAM SYKES, who was identified with a line of enterprise which has important bearing upon the well being and general attractiveness of every community, having been a member of the well known and substantial firm of S. Sykes & Sons, which holds prestige among the leading contrac- tors and builders of the Lackawanna Valley, hav- ing its headquarters in the city of Scranton and controlling a business of wide scope and import- ance. For thirty years the head of this firm was actively engaged in business, and during this long period it was his good fortune and his just desert to retain the unqualified confidence of the public, both as a business man and as a citizen, while he and his firm have had to do with the erection of many fine buildings in Lackawanna and adjoining counties.

Mr. Sykes was born in Yorkshire, England, August 30, 1846, being a son of Joseph and Pris- cilla (Kidd) Sykes, both of whom passed their entire lives in England and both of whom at- tained to advanced age. They had five children, of whom three came to America, William, Sarah and Sam. Sam Sykes secured his educational training in the schools of his native land and there continued to reside until 1865, when at the age of nineteen years he set forth for the hos- pitable shores of America, feeling assured of here finding better opportunities for individual ac- complishment and success. He located in Ches- ter, Pennsylvania, where he served an apprentice- ship at the stone-cutter's trade under the direc- tion of his older brother, William, who had come

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to this country several years previously. In 1867 he canie to Scranton with his brother, and here worked at his trade under the latter's supervision for several years. He then initiated his independ- ent career by turning his attention to the manu- facturing of monuments and tombstones, in which line he continued operations for four years. At the expiration of this time he entered into a co-partnership with Patrick Muldoon, under the firm name of Sykes & Muldoon, and they con- tinted the monument business and also expanded the enterprise to include the execution of heavy masonry, including flagging, curbing, etc. The partnership was dissolved at the end of ten years of successful operation, and Mr. Sykes then en- gaged in general contracting, establishing his office and headquarters at 110I Washington ave- nue, where he remained for eight years. He erected some of the finest buildings in the city of Scranton, among which may be noted school houses Nos. 25 and 35, the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church. In February, 1894, he admit- ted to partnership his sons John K. and Harry R., and when he died, a few months later, the sons assumed active control and management of the business, in which their mother still retains her interest, and they have ably upheld the high reputation gained by their honored father and have proven to be worthy successors of one who stood as one of the reliable and representative business men of this section of the state. They are progressive young men, and in the handling of all contracts manifest the utmost fidelity so that they retain the confidence of those with whom they have dealings and further the prece- dence of the firm with which they have been iden- tified for more than a decade.

Mr. Sykes was summoned into eternal rest September 5, 1894, and in his death Scranton lost one of its most popular and honored business men and loyal citizens. He was thoroughly prac- tical in his chosen field of endeavor, possessed marked executive ability and so directed his ef- forts as to accumulate a competency by worthy means, having been in the fullest sense of the term the architect of his own fortunes. In poli- tics he was a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and frater- nally he was identified with Union Lodge, No. 291, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was a charter member of the local organization of the Sons of St. George, and also affiliated with the Ancient Order of Foresters and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.

On March 25, 1869, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Sykes to Miss Charlotte Hirsch- man, daughter of John and Amy (Dailey) Hirschman, who were at that time residents of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sykes all are living except two, the names being as follows: William J., John K., Harry R., Frederick E., Walter W., Robert B., Mary P., Samuel S., Charlotte J., Edward D., James A. ( deceased ), and Nancy A. (deceased). All the sons are mechanics and mas- ters of the brickmason's trade with the exception of Robert, who is a solicitor for a leading New York concern.

RUDOLPH KUNZ. Men of deeds are the men whom the world delights to honor, and he who out of the material that is within his reach brings into being that which adds to the con- fort, convenience or happiness of men follows in the steps of the great architect of all things. All the countless and useful inventions lived first in the minds of men, and thence have they been brought forth and given form and substance.

Among the well known captains of industry in the city of Scranton is numbered Rudolph Kunz, who has obtained no little prominence as one of the progressive and successful job printers of the city, having a well equipped establish- ment at 505-7 Cedar avenue. His office has one cylinder press and two job presses, and the mo- tive power is furnshed by a gas engine of five horse-power capacity. The complement of type faces and other modern accessories of a first-class printery are found in the office, and all work is handled by able artisans, so that the results at- tained are of the utmost excellence. In addi- tion to the regular work of job printing he man- ufactures rubber stamps of all kinds, possessing for that purpose a complete line of the latest ma- chinery. This is the only rubber stamp estab- lishment in the northeastern section of the state, and this branch of his work is constantly growing and reaching out into new fields. Mr. Kunz es- tablished himself in his present location in 1893, and here he has built up a large and prosperous business, the work turned out standing as the best of advertising for the establishment.

Rudolph Kunz was born in Nohen, Germany, December 31, 1869, being a son of John and Anna M. ( Hoffman) Kunz, who immigrated from their fatherland to America when our sub- ject was but two years of age. They located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and here the father still maintains his home. The father was a tailor by

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trade and followed the same as a vocation in his native land, but in the United States he found the methods and fashions so radically different that he found it expedient to abandon the work of his trade and turn his attention to other lines of in- dustrial enterprise. His devoted wife was sum- moned into eternal rest a number of years ago, and of their two children the subject of this re- view is the one surviving, his sister Barbara hav- ing died in childhood.

Mr. Kunz secured his educational training in the public schools of Scranton, and here he served a thorough apprenticeship at the trade of printer. He was employed as a journeyman for ten years in one place, resigning his position only when he found it possible to establish himself in business on his own account. He retains the confidence and respect of the business men of the city, and thus has been successful in his efforts since start- ing his independent career. In politics Mr. Kunz is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party so far as national and state issues are involved, but in local affairs he maintains an independent attitude. In a fraternal way we find him identified with the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

August 29, 1893, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Kunz to Anna M. Blum and they have four children, Rudolph J., Philip W., Emma, and Henry W.

FREDERICK SCHRADER was for many years a well known business man of Scranton, and was also prominent in public affairs, taking a lead- ing part in the organization of the municipality and serving as one its first officers, also aiding largely in promoting the development of the city along industrial and commercial lines. Addi- tional interest attaches to his name from the fact that his family was carly identified with the Wy- oming Valley, and bore a large part in its settle- ment and upbuilding.

Frederick Schrader was born in the historic village of Frankenthal, in Rhenish Bavaria, bor- dering on France, December 23, 1818. His father was a brass founder, and was not only an accom- plished workman, but the possessor of fine artis- tic tastes which found expression in his handi- work. Bavaria had long been famous for its per- fectly harmonized chimes, and the exquisite beauty of the bells, with their bas relief adorn- ments of flowers, leaves and other designs, and their lettered inscriptions, quaint, and oftentimes pathetic. Such was the work to which the elder Schrader gave himself, and with such masterly

skill as to win high praise and make for himself a yet remembered name. After his death his widow came to America, bringing with her the fatherless children, one son, Frederick, and six daughters, one of whom became the wife of John Riker, of the well-known Riker family of Wilkes- Barre, a narrative of which appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Schrader's coming to this country was under the inducements held out by the will of Captain Philip Schrader, a grand-uncle of her husband. Captain Schrader left a large estate, principally in lands in Pennsylvania which had been patented to him by the government of the United States in recognition of his military serv- ices in the cause of American independence. He served in the Wyoming Valley, and he con- structed the famous redoubt which was thrown up for the protection of the infant settlement at Wilkes-Barre, the remains of which are yet visi- ble within the present limits of the city, on an extension of River street. Captain Schrader's possessions included large tracts of land at Eas- ton, Pittston, on Bear creek, and on the Dela- ware river in northeastern Pennsylvania. His name is commemorated in Schrader's creek. He died near Easton, leaving no children. He was an ardent American in spirit, and he provided that in order to obtain inheritance in his estate, his kindred in Germany should come to the United States, establish a residence here, and as- sume the obligations of citizenship. As a further inducement to his heirs to come to this country he offered a large sum of money to the first child born in the United States to such immigrants.

Frederick Schrader had received a thorough education in the schools of his native land, and he readily gained a familiar knowledge of the English language, and speedily adapted himself to his new conditions. His mother had located with her family in Wilkes-Barre, where in course of time Frederick became a partner with his brother-in-law. John Riker, in the brewery busi- ness. After many years of pleasant and profit- able association this partnership was dissolved. During this period Mr. Schrader cultivated many social relationships, taking particular interest in the state militia, with which he was actively iden- tified for several years. Among his most highly prized possessions was a medal awarded him for crack marksmanship while a member of that body. On parting with Mr. Riker, Mr. Schrader removed to Scranton, where he established a bot- tling business in the building now occupied as a flouring mill, on South Blakely avenue. Later he located in Petersburg, but the water supply be-

FREDERICK SCHRADER

D.D. atherton

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came so greatly diminished owing to mining op- erations in the neighborhood that removal was imperative. - He now set up his business on Mul- berry street, near the Thompson Hospital, and occupied these premises until 1877, when it was removed to its present location at 826-828 Adams avenue. In this enterprise Mr. Schrader was eminently successful, building up a large business and creating a valuable property, which he re- tained during the remainder of his life. Display- ing all the attributes of the well equipped man of affairs Mr. Schrader was also identified with various other industrial and commercial interests, and took a prominent part in public affairs. He aided in the organization of the city government. and was the first city treasurer, filling the position mots capably and honorably. He was subse- quently a member of the city council, and during the formative period rendered valuable service in promoting the development of the city, lending his aid to the laying out and paving of streets, procuring water and gas supply, and the erec- tion of public buildings. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and occupied a position of ac- knowledged leadership in his party. He was a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and of other beneficial societies. He regularly attended the Lutheran Church, and was a generous con- tributor to its support, and to the maintenance of its various charities. A man of unbounded generosity, he constantly bestowed his benefac- tions. even beyond what was justified by his means, being too tender-hearted to refuse an ap- peal for aid. Of excellent social qualities, he made many friends, and throughout the commu- nity he was held in high regard by those not intimate with him for his cheerfulness of disposi- tion and for the deep sympathy and ready aid which the distressed and unfortunate ever re- ceived at his hand.

For the last ten years of his life. terminating with his death, Mr. Schrader had been afflicted with entire loss of sight. While incapacitated for business in large degree, he did not permit this great sorrow to unduly prev upon his mind, and retained his warmth of spirits and genial dis- position to the last. His death was deeply de- plored by a large circle of friends, and especially by the many to whom he had ever been a ready and willing helper.

Mr. Schrader was twice married. His first wife was Miss Anna Bartels, a sister of Arnold Bartels. Her death occurred in 1852. On April 26. 1860, Mr. Schrader married Miss A. W. Brink, a daughter of Jonathan and Rosa (Dex-

ter) Brink, her father being a farmer and lum- berman in Wayne county, Pennsylvania. During the ten years of her husband's blindness she man- aged the business, at the same time giving un- remitting personal care to him. She was ever one with him in ministering to the wants of the needy and suffering. and continues to dispense a liberal charity, modestly and quietly, but with a winning grace which adds to the value of her benefactions. She is at the same time a woman of marked business ability, and her establishment is numbered among the important business en- terprises of the city.

CAPTAIN DOLPH B. ATHERTON is justly numbered among the foremost of the men to whose indefatigable energies is due much of the commercial and industrial growth of the city of Scranton. He has aided in the creation and development of some of its most important enter- prises, and in the capacity of secretary of the board of trade, and afterward as vice-president of that body, he was diligent and untiring in his efforts to procure the location of new industries in the city, and which in their firmi establishment stand in large degree as monuments to his public- spirit, energy and consummate ability.

Captain Atherton was born in Dimmock township, Susquehanna county. Pennsylvania, July 22, 1858, a son of Jerre and Clara L. (Bul- lard) Atherton. The Atherton family is of Eng- lish extraction, and the American branch was planted in the early colonial days by Jonathan Atherton, who came from England, and with a brother settled in Franklin county, Massachu- setts. There was born Jonathan, junior, son of Jonathan, the immigrant. He was a farmer by occupation, held various public offices, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. By his marriage with Huldah Chamberlain he had the following children: Susan, Martha, Alva, Almeda. Ralph, who came to Pennsylvania about 1830 and subsequently removed to Illinois ; Ma- ria, Permelia, Jonathan A. and Zora.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 40

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