Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 46

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 46
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 46

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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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

passed his seventieth year, was the predisposing cause of his death. He passed away June 4, 1877, after an illness of a little more than two months, universally respected and mourned, and as the funeral cortege passed through the prin- cipal business street of the village, business was entirely suspended in token of respect to his memory.

Edward Merrifield, son of Hon. William Merrifield, was born in Hyde Park, in 1832. He obtained his elementary education in the com- mon schools, and later attended the Wyoming Seminary, and the Oxford (New York) Acad- emy, graduating from that last named. His early predilection was for the law, and on com- pleting his education he entered the law school of Judge MacCartney, at Easton, Pennsylvania, later studied in the offices of H. and C. E. Wright in Wilkes-Barre, and was admitted to the bar in 1855, since which time he has been constantly engaged in professional work, his practice ex- tending to all the courts in the valley. He pos- sesses an extensive knowledge of technical and general law, and his opinions have been habitually accurate in many important causes with which he was associated as counsel. His diligence as a student has not abated with his rise in his pro- fession, and at the Lackawanna bar he is recog- nized as one who is ever interested in and con- versant with the latest and most complicated legal propositions of the day. He enjoys an extensive clientele among the best class of citizens, and represents various of the most important com- mercial and financial interests in the valley. His high standing among his professional colleagues is attested by the fact that he is one of the most highly regarded members of the Lackawanna Law and Library Association, and was called to the presidency of that body for several years.

His principal service to the community at large, and one for which he will be ever held in honor, was in connection with the creation of the new county of Lackawanna. He was a leader among the influential and far-seeing men who advocated the movement, for which he labored with all the earnestness of his nature. He drafted the organic act, and was one of the most earnest and constant in securing its passage by the legis- lature, and, his end attained, contented himself with resuming his usual avocation, without thought of personal profit or preferment on ac- count of his services. A Democrat of the sub- stantial and consistent type, his political action is based upon principle rather than personal in- terest. In recognition of his sincerity and ability he has frequently been presented by his party for

various official stations, having been nominated for recorder of the mayor's court in 1870, and for judge of the court of common pleas in 1884. While prominent in his profession, he has ever been a loyal maintainer of the city of Scranton, has ever taken a deep-seated pride in its advance- ment, and has exerted his best ability to that end. In all his relations to the community his conduct has been characterized by intensity of interest, earnestness of purpose, and sagacious effort, without evidence of bustle or self-assertion. His personal qualities are such as beget confidence, and attaches friends as with hoops of steel.

THOMAS B. MCCLINTOCK. Among the successful business men of Lackawanna county must be numbered Thomas B. McClintock, the leading florist of Scranton. He comes of old and honored Pennsylvania stock.

Benjamin McClintock, father of Thomas B. McClintock, was born at Cove, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Sarah McClin- tock, who resided on a farm in that section of the state for many years. Benjamin McClintock was a contractor and builder, and he also owned and operated a large farm. He married Matilda Barnett, also a native of Cove, and the following children were born to them : Annie, Myra, Sallie, Thomas B., mentioned at length hereafter ; Lo- gan E., deceased ; and John, deceased.

Thomas B. McClintock was born near Har- risburg, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, March 5. 1861. He received his education in the schools of that city, and in 1878 entered the employ of John Kepple, the well known Harrisburg florist, and for a short period of time served in the ca- pacity of foreman. In 1882 he came to Scranton and went into business for himself, renting a property on Monroe avenue, between Vine and Olive streets, where he remained up to 1888, when he purchased land on Jefferson avenue and Electric street, where he erected a commodious conservatory. In 1904, in order to keep pace with the rapid growth of his business, he was obliged to erect additional buildings. His first purchase consisted of one and one-half acres, upon which he has twenty thousand square feet of glass, and which is devoted to the growing of hardy herbs, pansies and roses. He also culti- vates a tract of four acres in the nineteenth ward -- on Throop street-where he grows carnations and nursery stock. Later he purchased a one- half acre plot opposite his greenhouses-on Elec- tric street-upon which he erected his residence. He carries a large stock of palms, ferns, roses, carnations, and decorative material for supply-

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ing all sorts of functions, and one special cause of the constant increase of his business is his wide-spread reputation for artistic designs. His salesrooms, office, etc., are furnished with the latest appliances peculiar to the business, and are heated by steam. He employs five men regularly and many more during the busy season. After five years of service in Company B, Thirteenth Regiment, Mr. McClintock was honorably dis- charged. He is a member of Green Ridge Lodge, No. 597, Free and Accepted Masons, the Hep- tasophs, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Malta, Anthracite Commandery, No. 211, and United American Mechanics, in all of which he is extremely popular, and this wide and favorable acquaintance aided him greatly in his business. He is a Republican in politics. He is a man of genial nature and agreeable personality, and as a citizen is progressive and public-spirited.

Mr. McClintock married, February 20, 1885, Miss Idell Miller, born in Prattsburg, Steuben county, New York, daughter of Lee and Ellen Marion (Winnie) Miller. The former was a ma- chinist, and died in September, 1904, at Scranton, whither he moved from Steuben county, New York, where he was much esteemed. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Clintock: Lee E., Clarence E., Marion, Ruth, Hazel, deceased ; and Ethel.

SAMSON BROTHERS. The members of this well known firm are numbered among the progressive business men of the city of Scran- ton, and their well equipped establishment is lo- cated at Nos. 627-29 Cedar avenue, where they manufacture homemade sausage, hams, bacon and lard of the highest quality and conduct an exten- sive wholesale business, their products having gained a high reputation under the seal of "Vic- tor" brand. The interested principals are Ed- ward L. and Joseph L. Samson, and their energy and reliability have been the powers which have so signally forwarded their industrial enterprise. In their factory employment is given to a corps of about ten men, and power is furnished by a twelve-horse power engine. The Messrs. Sam- son have had excellent training in the line of their present vocation, having grown up in the busi- ness, as their father, William Samson, is an ex- tensive wholesale meat dealer in Wayne county, this state. William Samson ( father) was born in Connecticut, from whence he came to Lake Aeriel, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, later re- moved to Avoca, but subsequently returned to Wayne county. He served in the Heavy Artill- ery for one year and eight months. He is a Re-

publican in politics. William and Ella ( Bell) Samson had twelve children, of whom eleven are- living, while three are residents of Scranton, the subjects of this sketch, and their brother Eugene H., who is in their employ.

The Samson brothers are both natives of the. city of Scranton, Joseph L. having been born February 9, 1875, and Edward L. November 18,. 1876. In their native place they secured their educational training in the public schools, and they accompanied their parents on their removal to Wayne county, where Edward L. continued to. reside until 1898, when he returned to the Lack- awanna Valley, where for three years he was en- gaged in the grocery business in Scranton. The. two brothers founded their present thriving en- terprise in 1903. In politics they are supporters of the Republican party, and in a fraternal way Edward L. is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America and the Knights of Malta.

In 1900 Edward L. Samson was united in mar- riage to Miss Cora House. Joseph L. wedded Miss Mary E. Keizer, in 1897, and they have one. child, Lourine.

THOMAS D. DAVIES, deceased, for more than forty years actively identified with the in- dustrial affairs of Scranton, was numbered among the most forceful and useful of its citizens, his in- terest extending to all that was of advantage to. the community, not alone in material concerns,. but education, religion, and well conceived works. of charity. A Welshman by birth, he was an ad- mirable representative of the splendid race from which he came, and it was his distinction to enjoy wide recognition throughout the state and nation- for his active and intelligent labors in perpetuat- ing in America knowledge of the rich Cambrian. literature and music of the bardic days, reaching back to an era when present-day English was not.

Mr. Davies was born April 15, 1835, in Rhandirmwyn, Carmarthenshire, South Wales. He came to America in 1858, at the age of twen- ty-three years, and located at once in Hyde Park, where he has since continually resided with the exception of a brief period when he lived in the North End, in that part known as the Notch. A. thoroughly equipped, practical miner, trained to. that degree of thoroughness and carefulness for which Welsh miners have ever been distinguish- ed, he commanded instant confidence, and was ad- vanced from position to position as opportunity offered. For six years he had charge of the old Luzerne slope at the Notch. in North Scranton, operated by the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern Coal Company. From this post he was trans-

thos D. Dails

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ferred to Bellevue shaft, as foreman, and subse- quently served in the same capacity at the Dodge mine. During all these years the value and safety of the properties entrusted to him were so enhanced as to attract the particular attention of his superiors, and in 1872 he was made assistant to General Manager Benjamin Hughes, in which confidential and highly responsible position he served with conspicuous ability and entire fidelity until he was incapacitated through the effects of the illness from which he soon died.

The excellences of the personal character of Mr. Davies were signally exemplified in his con- duct in relation to the community. Candid, sin- cere, and entirely devoid of self-assertion, he had no disposition to be made conspicuous, much less to thrust himself forward. At the same time he had lofty ideas of the dignity and re- sponsibilities which belong to true citizenship, and took an active interest in all matters affecting the progress and welfare of the community. He was particularly devoted to the cause of common school education, and for some years rendered efficient service as a member of the board of schcol directors of the borough of Hyde Park, and when that section was incorporated with the city of Scranton he was continued as a mem- ber of the city board of control. He also repre- sented his ward in the select council for four years. He was among the incorporators of the West Side Bank, and was a member of its board of directors from its organization until his death. He was also from time to time called to various positions of trust as administrator of estates, etc. Careful in all concerns of life, his investments were judiciously made, and he accumulated a handsome estate, being a stockholder in several manufacturing and financial institutions, and a considerable real estate owner in Scranton and elsewhere. He was a most exemplary Christian, and for forty years was numbered among the most consistent and useful members of the First Welsh Baptist Church, in which he had filled every lay office, serving as trustee and deacon, and as superintendent of both the home and mis- sionary Sunday schools. He was keenly alive to the necessities of the afflicted, and was an efficient aid to the Lackawanna Hospital, which he served for several years in the capacity of director. He also liberally aided that institution out of his means, and his benevolence extended to all worthy causes and persons whose necessities came to his attention. His charitableness led him to con- nect himself with the leading fraternal societies, and he was an organizing member of Siberian

Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he was the first noble grand.

Thorough American as he was, in every thought and action of life, he held a warm af- fection for the land of his birth, and a peculiar reverence for its literature, its music and its his- torical traditions. He was a high authority upon all these subjects throughout the United States, and in the great meetings of the Welsh of Amer- ica he was a conspicuous figure, and honored al- most to the point of reverence. He was a grand officer of the lodge of Welsh Ivorites, and as a member of the board charged with the undertak- ing, aided most efficiently in effecting the union of the various lodges of the order. He was also president of the Eisteddfod committees of 1875, 1880 and 1885, and to him was due in largest de- gree the great success which attended the great meetings of those years.

For the last six years of his life Mr. Davies had been a great sufferer from bronchial catarrh, but his indomitable resolution would not permit him to lay aside his duties and restrict himself to his home until a fortnight before the end came, on May 28, 1898. The sad announcement was received with profound sorrow and regret by the people among whom he had so long been a familiar and honored figure. The place which he held in the hearts of all found significant ex- pression at the funeral, in the participation in the services of so many as four of the most promi- nent clergymen of the neighborhood-Rev. Hugh Davies, of the Welsh C. M. Church : Rev. Mr. Harris, of Taylor, Pennsylvania; Rev. David Jones, of the Tabernacle Church, and Rev. T. T. Morris, of Bellevue C. M. Church. The tributes to the worth of the lamented dead were eloquent in their fervor and truthfullness. The life of Mr. Davies had been one of remarkable activity, usefulness and beauty. In all his efforts he had held himself near to the hearts of his fellows, particularly to those who were under his charge as workmen, using his abilities and means as though they were committed to him for the ben- efit of others. Amid all the activities and an- noyances of life he kept his name unsullied. nor was ever an act ascribed to him but was becoming to the Christian gentleman. In his family circle his presence was ineffably sweet.

"Years sat with decent grace upon his visage,

And well became his graying locks;

He bore the marks of many years well spent.

Of virtuous truth well tried, and wise experience."

Mr. Davies was survived by his wife and their three children, Mary, Margaret, and T. Ellsworth Davies.

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

CHARLES HENWOOD, deceased, of Scranton, a man of excellent traits of character, enjoying the esteem of the entire community, who was in large degree a contributor to the material development of the city, and a strong moral force in society, was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England, May 28, 1846. His parents were Charles P. and Sarah ( Hosking) Henwood, natives respectively of Liskeard and Penzance. The Henwood family was one of the oldest in the English shire where was its home. The father of Charles Henwood, Charles P., was em- ployed in the governmental revenue service, sta- tioned at various places in England and Scot- land. He died in Wellington, Somersetshire. The mother of Charles Henwood traced her an- cestry to Thomas Harris and Amy Harvey, whose descendants became interested in the Har- ris-Hartley estate litigation, a cause celebre in the chancery annals of Great Britain. She died when her son Charles was about seven years old, and also left a daughter Elizabeth, who be- came MIrs. Scott Hammett, of Wellington.

Charles Henwood accompanied his father to the various places to which his official duties called him, until he was approaching young manhood, when the family home was established in Wellington. He was educated in Ottery, St. Mary, Devonshire, and in William Corner's acad- emy. In1 1861, when fifteen years old, he was ap- prenticed to a pharmacist, Thomas E. Hooker, afterward widely known as a London electrician. After a service continuing for five years, Mr. Henwood went to Bath, where he secured an excellent position as assistant pharmacist. He was well equipped for his profession, and a suc- cessful career was before him, but his ambition to enter upon a broader life led him to America, and in the autumn of 1867, the year of his com- ing of age, he located in Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, which was henceforth to be his home and the scene of his busy effort. For three years he served as pharmacist for Matthews Brothers, and January 1. 1870, he purchased the store of Rich- ard J. Matthews, on the corner of North Main avenue and Market street. His business grew to large proportions, and in 1877 he removed to larger and more eligible quarters at 1909 North Main avenue, where he remained during all the years to the time of his death. Since 1886 he had as partner a cousin, Sydney R. Henwood. In his business Mlr. Henwood was systematic and accurate. possessed of a surpassing techni- cal knowledge of pharmacy, and withal deeply conscientious.

In an unobstrusive way, he exerted a strong

influence in community affairs, and was ranked among the most progressive men of the city. There was a definite method in all that he at- tempted, whether as principal or aider. He was not to be drawn into visionary schemes, nor was his mind capable of conceiving such. His well balanced mind accurately measured conditions and necessities, and when he favored an enter- prise it went without saying that it was prac- ticable, honorable, and that it would materially advantage the people at large. His attention was principally directed to the establishment of such works as would afford employment to wage earners, and he aided usefully in interesting local capitalists to lend their means to such. He was a prime mover in the organization of the Seran- ton Woodworking Company, of which he was treasurer for several years prior to his death. In all his business relations, whether personal or in association with others, he was the soul of honor, and his simple word was sufficient assurance that whatever he favored was practicable and salu- tary, and that whatever obligation he assumed would be discharged to the uttermost. His coun- sel was relied upon by all with whom he was at any time or in any way associated, and there were many who ascribed their successs in life to the- advice which he gave them.

Mr. Henwood was of a deeply religious but undemonstrative nature. He was an exemplary member of the Penn Avenue Baptist Church, in which he long served as deacon, and he afforded most liberal support to its maintenance and to that of its various benevolences. He was also- greatly interested in the North Main Baptist Chruch, which he served in the capacity of trus- tee, and much of its usefulness is aseribable to his helping hand in affording it a firm establishment. His benefactions were not circumscribed by his church relations, but his warm sympathy for the suffering and distressed called out his liberal aid. Next to his religious obligations he esteemed® those which pertained to citizenship, and his po- litical views were firmly entrenched in his con- science. He supported the principles and poli- cies of the Republican party with all the ardor of his nature, rendered useful service as a mem- ber of the central committee of his party, and in- other capacities, but with entire absence of self- seeking, and aspired to no official position. He- was a charter member of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association, and furthered the purposes of that beneficent organization with his influence and means. He was an honored member of the Board of Trade and the Druggists' Association. In his personal qualities he was most lovable,

Charles Herwood

Je Reynolds.

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

endearing himself to all who came within the 'sphere of his presence. Wise counsellor and sympathizing friend as he was to all who claimed his acquaintance, his deepest enjoyment was in his family and home, where he was in the high- est degree the devoted husband and loving pa- rent, his life a perpetual benediction upon his wife and children.

Mr. Henwood married, in Glenwood, Miss Ada Hartley, who was born in Glenwood, Sus- quehanna county, daughter of James Hartley, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Five children were born of this union-Elizabeth May, Frederick, died at eight years of age; Julia Alice; Charles Hartley, and Ethel, died at four years of age. Death came to him suddenly, from heart failure, February 27, 1902, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. The sad event came to the community as a great shock. On the evening before, Sunday, he was in reasonably good health. He retired as usual, and when he fell asleep his family no- ticed nothing in his condition to occasion alarm. On Monday morning, however, he was only semi- conscious, and his family noticed that his breath- ing was heavier than usual. Medical assistance was at once summoned, but proved ineffectual, and he passed painlessly away. The funeral ser- vices at the family residence on the Wednesday following were attended by a large concourse of deeply affected friends, and during their contin- uance the business places about the public square in Providence were closed out of respect for the beloved dead. 'The services were conducted by his pastor and closely attached personal friends, the Rev. R. F. Y. Pierce, and the esteem in which the deceased was held by all classes was evi- denced by the presence and assistance of the Rev. George E. Guild, of the Providence Pres- byterian Church: the Rev. R. S. Jones, of the Welsh Congregational Church ; and the Rev. A. H. Smith, of the North Main Avenue Baptist Church. Interment was made in the Forest Hill Cemetery. And so passed away one "Whose noble spirit kept its youthful power

Nor weakness in his life its strength had marred; And serving God and man till his last hour,

Passed all victorious to Heaven's great reward."

J. SEYMOUR REYNOLDS. One of the men whose influence under all circumstances and in all environments invariably makes for pro- gress in the various departments of the life of the community is J. Seymour Reynolds, of Scranton. Mr. Reynolds is descended from New England ancestors, who transmitted to him many of the

traits of character which have contributed to make him what he is.

George Reynolds was born in 1786, in Rhode Island, and in 1819 moved to Pennsylvania. He settled near Crystal Lake, where he followed ag- ricultural pursuits for the remainder of his life. He was the owner of six hundred acres of land, on which he built a saw-mill and engaged exten- sively in the lumber business, using the timber on his own land. He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Arnold, also a native of Rhode Island, by whom he was the father of the following children, all of whom are deceased : Henry, Arnold, Amy, Ellen, Mercy, George, mentioned at length hereinafter; Samuel, Shef- field, Hannah, Dorcas and Alice.

George Reynolds, son of George and Hannah (Arnold) Reynolds, was born in 1817, in Rhode Island, and was but two years old when taken by his parents to Pennsylvania. Until 1842 he led the life of a farmer, and in that year engaged in mercantile business in Scranton, where for about thirty years he was a successful dealer in pro- visions and groceries. He married, February 19, 1845, Mary A., daughter of James H. and Eliza- beth (Hanson) Phinney. Mr. Phinney came to the Lackawanna valley in 1829, and was the pro- prietor of hotels in Wilkes-Barre, Providence and Hyde Park, and he was also builder of the first storehouse in Providence. During the war of 1812 he served in the army with the rank of first lieutenant. His family consisted of thirteen children, only two of whom are now living; a daughter who married Samuel Means, of Phila- delphia, and Mary A., mentioned above as the wife of George Reynolds. Mr. Phinney died at the age of seventy-six. He was one of the in- fluential and respected men of the valley. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were the parents of the fol- lowing children : J. Seymour, mentioned here- after : George F., Ida E., who is deceased ; Clar- ence E., E. Phinney, Anna A., John C., and Blanche G. The three last named are deceased. Failing health compelled Mr. Reynolds to retire from business and he took up his abode in Scran- ton, where he died in October, 1900. He was a man of strict integrity and was universally es- teemed. Mrs. Reynolds, who was born in 1823, in Berwick, Pennsylvania, is still living at the ad- vanced age of eighty-one years, and is in the en- joyment of vigorous health.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 46

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