Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 47

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 47
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 47

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J. Seymour Reynolds, son of George and Mary A. (Phinney) Reynolds, was born October IO, 1846, on his father's farm in the Lackawanna

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valley, and received his education at the Scran- ton high school. After leaving school he was employed for a time in performing clerical work for a general store, and subsequently became a clerk in the store of the Lackawanna Coal Com- pany, at Scranton, remaining for five years, and was also superintendent of one of the stores. Later he opened a store for himself at South Canaan, which he conducted until 1887, in which year he located at Laurel Springs, New Jersey, where he organized two land companies, and where he served as postmaster under President Harrison's administration. He came to Scranton in 1894 and took up his abode on Lincoln Heights.

It was chiefly owing to his efforts that a real estate company was formed called the Keystone Land Company. This company purchased eighty acres of land upon which Lincoln Heights now stands, and the first year sold lots the value of which amounted to forty thousand dollars. On this land three hundred houses-fine modern structures-and two schoolhouses, have been erected. In 1901 Mr. Reynolds added to Lin- coln Heights what is known as Reynolds' addi- tion in Taylor borough, which in 1905 was taken into the city of Scranton as the twenty-second ward.

Mr. Reynolds married in 1869 Margaret, danhgter of David Mason, and six children were born to them. Of these, J. Seymour, Ida M., George M. and Helen are deceased. Two daugh- ters are living : Maud F., who is the wife of Louis Boynton, of New Jersey, and has two children, Louise and Lucia, aged respectively five and six years ; and Edith M., who is superintendent of a sanitarium in Louisiana. Mrs. Reynolds, the mother of these children, died in 1887, and in 1888 Mr. Reynolds married Mrs. Emma ( Rog- ers) Kirkbride, who was born November 9, 1859. in Kirkwood, New Jersey, and was the mother of one son, Edwin N. By his second marriage Mr. Reynolds has become the father of a son, J. Seymour, Jr., who was born in 1896.

CHARLES F. GREENBURG. Among the prominent and energetic business men of Scran- ton, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, may be mentioned the name of Charles F. Greenburg, proprietor of the Greenburg Soap Company of that city, one of the leading industries. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, 1853, a son of Carl and Catharine E. (Schmidt) Greenburg, both natives of Germany. The father died prior to the birth of this son, and subsequently his widow was united in marriage to Jolin Schwenk,

in Paterson, New Jersey. John Schwenk emi- grated to the United States in 1252, learned the trade of soap maker in Paterson, which line of work he followed up to the time when old age incapacitated him for active pursuits. He is liv- ing at the present time ( 1904), aged seventy-six years ; his wife, who was born in 1823, died in 1898. Their family consisted of three children : Henry, deceased ; Augusta, deceased ; and J. Fred, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

When Charles F. Greenburg was nine years of age, his stepfather and mother, Mr. and Mrs. John Schwenk, removed to Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, and in the schools of that 'city he was edu- cated. For seven years he engaged in mining, after which, in 1882, he purchased the soap fac- tory established by his stepfather about the year 1861, and since then has operated the same very successfully. His plant is located on Elm street, covers an area of nine lots, and here he manu- factures a first class grade of laundry and toilet soap, also the famous brand, Self-Washo soap, the superior quality of his goods being sufficient recommendation for their ready sale. As a citi- zen Mr. Greenburg favors measures having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people, and is always to be relied upon in mat- ters affecting the public interests. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On May 23, 1874, Mr. Greenburg married Miss Elizabeth Weisin, born July 1, 1855, daugh- ter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Weisin, both na- tives of Germany. The Weisins emigrated from Germany at an early date in the history of the Lackawanna Valley. They located in the latter place about 1839. Mr. Weisin was a miner by occupation, but subsequently became a farmer. He was born in 1814, and died in 1895, aged eighty-one years and eight months ; his widow is living at the present time ( 1904), aged seventy- seven years. Their family consisted of five chil- dren : Caroline. Elizabeth, Mary, Christine and Nicholas Weisin. Six children were the issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Greenburg, namely: Charles, .deceased ; Alfred, deceased ; John C .. who is engaged in business with his father : Frederick, Mabel J., and Charlotte.

JOHN T. PORTER. The prominence of John T. Porter in the commercial and financial concerns of the city of Scranton and the Lacka- wanna Valley is attested by his long official con- nection with various of their most important cor-

ENGDEY CHAS B. HALL NEW YORK

Iron Porter

Quibure Hpulley.

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porations, prominent among them being one of his own founding, the John T. Porter Company, wholesale grocers, the largest house of its class in the entire northwestern portion of Pennsyl- vania, and whose trade extends into the adjoin- ing states of New York, New Jersey and Dela- ware. A fact which further testifies to his abil- ity, enterprise and public-spirit is his active iden- tification with the Scranton board of trade al- most from the day of his arrival in the city, and of which excellent organization he has been pres- ident for two terins.

Mr. Porter is a native of the state of Dela- ware, born in Middletown, May 24, 1850. Here was born Abel J. Porter, father of John T. Por- ter. Abel Porter passed his life there, following his twofold calling of farmer and miller. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Sarah Ann Van Pelt, who was of Dutch extraction, her father, Jesse Van Pelt, being a native of Holland. To Abel and Sarah Ann Porter were born the following children : Lydia, Anna Mary, who became the wife of Thomas Price, of Maryland ; and Jolin T. Porter.

John T. Porter was educated in Smyrna (Delaware) Seminary, and when he had attained the age of nineteen years was well equipped for making his beginning in an independent career. After leaving school he at once went to New York City, where for five years he was engaged as a salesman in a foreign fruit importing house. Here he served with such efficiency as to win the confidence and esteen of his employers, while the experience which he obtained was invaluable to him personally, and afforded him a substantial foundation for an early establishment in business upon his own account. In 1875 he located per- manently in Scranton, where he established a wholesale grocery business at Nos. 26 and 28 Lackawanna avenue, a site which his house has occupied uninterruptedly to the present time. While catering to all immediate demands, he was constantly developing his business into larger channels, and added to his lines of goods large quantities of his own direct importation from foreign markets. Handling every description of staple and fancy groceries, canned goods, produce and fruits, he made his house a rival in a large field of those of the more pretentious metropoli- tan centres. He conducted this great enterprise under his individual name until the year 1903, when he effected its incorporation under the style of the John T. Porter Company. This house gives constant employment to more than thirty "employes, many of whom are heads of families.

While it would seem that the upbuilding and

management of so large an enterprise would fully tax the capabilities of any one person, Mr. Por- ter's unbounded energy and activity have found other aventies in the part he has taken in connec- tion with numerous other large undertakings, all of which are useful factors in the business of the community. He was one of the original incor- porators of the Traders' National Bank, served long upon its directorate, and has been president since 1895. This bank, organized in 1890, with a capital of $250,000, now has a surplus of $200,000, and is recognized as among the safest and most prosperous financial institutions in the country. It has afforded judicious and valuable support to numerous commercial and industrial enterprises of merit, and in all ways has contrib- uted in large degree to the promotion of the ma- terial interests of the community. Associated with Mr. Porter in the officiary are the following named gentlemen of acknowledged financial and personal standing: J. J. Jermyn, vice-president ; F. W. Wollerton, cashier ; E. W. Dolph, assis- tant cashier ; directors : H. H. Brady, Jr., W. L. Connell, Thomas H. Dale, T. J. Foster, Joseph J. Jermyn, Cyrus D. Jones, Edward S. Jones, John L. Kemmerer, Charles P. Matthews, John T. Porter, Charles Schlager, James G. Shepherd, W. W. Watson, C. S. Woolworth. Mr. Porter is also a director of the Citizens' Bank of Oly- phant, Pennsylvania, and of the Taylor Bank. He is a stockholder and director in the Mississippi Central Railroad, and holds similar relations with the United States Lumber Company, which has extensive lumbering and other interests in, the state of Mississippi which are being developed into mammoth proportions. Mr. Porter has been for twenty-five years a member of the board of trustees of the Elin Park Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds membership. He is an independent in politics. He is a highly re- garded member of various leading social bodies : the Scranton Country Club, the Southern Society of New York, and the Sons of Delaware, in Phil- adelphia.

He married Miss Harriet Schlager, a daugh- ter of the late John Schlager. Of this marriage have been born six children: Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of R. E. Weeks, of the firm of Foote, Shear & Co., in which he is secretary and treasurer ; Florence S .; Clara ; John Ken- netli ; James Russell ; and Eleanor.

AMBROSE MULLEY. "In the sunset of life, in the early morning of the dying year, Am- brose Mulley passed away. Death came peace- fully, and calmly as in sleep were his eyes closed

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in the eternal rest that knows no waking among men. It was a sublime passing from the earthly existence into the eternal home. By his bedside, as life ebbed away in the midnight hours, was the wife of his youth and his age, the wife who had journeyed with him through all the years of his busy life. Solemn indeed was the close of life."

Such was the touching announcement in a local journal of the death of Ambrose Mulley, on Sunday, December 31, 1899, at the age of sev- enty years, nine months and one day. For the unusual period of fifty-four years his activities had been unceasingly exerted in the community among whom he died. In the ordinary affairs of life he was the soul of honor, and his personal life was modeled after the loftiest standards. Without ambition for public preferment, he was an ideal public spirited citizen, taking a deep in- terest in all which would benefit the people in the mass, and entertaining an exalted view of the duties and dignities of American citizenship.

He was a native of England, born in Essex, March 30, 1829, and was a mere child when his parents came to the United States. The family settled on a farm on the Hudson river, in New York, and there the lad was reared, receiving his education in the common schools. He remained at home until he was nearly twenty years old, when he went to California with the "forty-nin- ers," making the voyage from New York via Cape Horn in the ship "Sarah Sands," one of the famous clippers of that day, and which fig- ures largely in one of Rudyard Kipling's stories. His stay in the land of gold was extended to some years, but was not productive of the for- tune looked for. Returning home, Mr. Mulley came in 1854 to the vicinity of Scranton, where for two years he worked industriously at car- pentry. In 1856 he opened a small grocery store near the public square in Providence. His en- tire capital, the closely hoarded savings out of small wages, and only accumulated through close economy and stern self-denial, was the modest sum of seven hundred dollars. In course of time this humble little venture was developed into the "Providence Triple Stores," once the only first- class department store in the city, with twenty- five thousand square feet of floor room, carry- ing a stock of goods ranging in value from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars, and giving steady employment to nearly half a hundred people. This splendid result was due to no fav- oring smile of fortune. Its development was best epitomized in the modest yet impressive words of Mr. Mulley himself, who the very year before his death addressed to the patrons of his

house a little catalogue volume in the preface of which he said : "The house, like most of the pros- perous enterprises of the land, has been charac- terized by slow growth. It was a small begin- ning without friends, prestige or credit, but more valuable aids were self-reliance, tenacity of pur- pose, untiring industry, a disposition to learn, and the closest economy consistent with a due regard for the property rights of others. To the young I would say (and never was an ever- needed lesson more strongly laid down .- Ed.) that after sixty years of labor I am still learn- ing to work, and working to learn."

A man so constituted as was Mr. Mulley would have proven successful in any calling to which he would devote himself. He would have made an accomplished mechanic. as was evidenced by his skill in carpentry in his early life. He- gave another exemplification when, in order to illustrate mining operations in California, he constructed a one-fourth size model of a sluicing box, and a complete set of mining tools, patterned after those in use in the gold mining camps in 1849. This is now in possession of one of Mr. Mulley's daughters, and is regarded by the fan- ily as a priceless heirloom.

While devoting himself faithfully to his per- sonal business, meeting the every requirement of its development after plans of his own laying down, Mr. Mulley took an active and intelligent part in public affairs, and no one contributed in larger degree to the industrial and commercial advancement of the city. While Providence was yet a borough he was a most efficient member of the school board. He was ever a warm advocate of education, his solicitude for the rising youth growing out of his keen appreciation of his own early disadvantages-disadvantages which, how- ever. he compensated for by diligent personal reading and habits of close observation. He sub- sequently served upon the city council of Scran- ton, and his earnestness of purpose, rugged in- tegrity and firm grasp of public affairs were po- tent factors in shaping the early legislation of the city, and establishing a rule of law and or- der. At times stormy scenes were witnessed in the council. In these he bore himself with na- tive dignity, standing unflinchingly for what he. deemed honest and right and for the best inter- ests of the community, yet in such manner that those who opposed him, at times in even angry mood, could not but recognize his unbending in- tegrity and uprightness of character and pur- pose. It is of particular interest to note, as evi- dence of his local pride, that in 188t he pub- lished at his own expense a directory of the city"

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of Scranton-the first, and one after which all subsequent publications have been modeled.

His personality was a thing of itself. In ap- pearance he was unusually attractive, with an ad- mirable physique, and a countenance which was really handsome, and which lighted up most ad- mirably in conversation. He was extremely neat, even fastidious, in his personal habits, every act and pose indicative of a refined and aesthetic taste. He wore a long flowing board, well kept, which with his figure and face gave him the appearance of an ideal artist. In all he was highly regardful of the rights and comfort of others. Au illustration of this, full of mean- ing, is found in the fact that, persistent smoker as he was, he never smoked in his home, nor in the presence of ladies, even his own family.

In 1854, at Sing Sing, New York, Mr. Mul- ley married Miss Elizabeth Hoyt, who bore to her husband nine children, eight of whom, with their mother, survive the husband and father. They were : Miss Isabel Mulley, Joseph H. Mul- ley, Mrs. L. T. Mattes, William A. Mulley, Mrs. John McDonnell, Mrs. Richard Cowles, Mrs. G. D. Hinds, and George M. Mulley. A son Ralph died in infancy.

Although well advanced in his seventy-first year, and after fifty-four years of incessant and arduous labor, accompanied with great though self-imposed responsibilities, up to the very evening before his death he was in usual health and spirits. Shortly after midnight he passed peacefully away. His end could not have been more fitting, more in consonance with his habit of thought. It is of pathetic interest, and elo- quent as an expression of his religious convic- tions, that from its first appearance he was par- ticularly fond of Tennyson's last great poem "Crossing the Bar," (which might well ever ac- company Bryant's "Thanatopsis,") and he often repeated from it the lines :

"Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me,

And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea."

And so this excellent man set out on his last voyage, to

"Meet my pilot face to face. When I have crossed the bar."

Funeral services were held in the Providence Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the la- mented deceased had been a loved and useful member for many years. The high esteem in which the dead man was regarded was evidenced by the presence in the pulpit of four well known clergymen-the Rev. William Edgar, pastor of

the church ; the Rev. George E. Guild, D. D., of the Presbyterian church; the Rev. R. S. Jones, D. D., of the Welsh Congregational church, and the Rev. Judson N. Bailey. The church was filled to overflowing, and hundreds were unable to gain admittance. Rev. Mr. Edgar spoke feel- ingly from the words of Paul: "He being dead. yet speaketh," and closed with repeating a poem of the Quaker poet Whittier, which was a favor- ite of Mr. Mulley's, and which he read to his family on the Thursday preceding his death. The character of Mr. Mulley was voiced in resolu- tions adopted by the Sunday school of the church with which he held connection, and which found an approving echo throughout the entire com- munity :

"In his death we feel the loss of a dear friend,. a safe and ready counsellor, a sympathetic and kind benefactor, and a noble example of Chris- tian manhood. Judged by the world at large he was honest and industrious, punctual in every engagement, truthful as to his word; a philan- thropist, benevolent and charitable. Fearless in voicing and maintaining his own convictions, he- was great enough to forgive an enemy ; digni- fied in bearing, he was withal a tender husband,. a loving father, a sympathetic friend and a faith- ful Christian. His manhood personified, in storm and trouble he was a stately and fearless oak ; in summer and sunshine he was a sweet flower- emitting fragrance to those around; and were every one for whom he did some loving act to- bring but a single blossom, he would now sleep beneath a wilderness of flowers."

CHARLES H. SHEDD, of Scranton, Penn- sylvania, whose success in business affairs has come to him through persistent and painstaking labor, reliable methods, honorable transactions and a constant desire to supply his customers with the very best quality of product, is a native of Kankakee, Illinois, born July, 1864, the youngest in a family of five children, born to Walter R. and Sarah (Griffin) Shedd, natives, respectively, of Eagle Bridge, near Saratoga, and Griffin Cor- ners, Delaware county, New York.

The maternal great-great-grandfather of Charles H. Shedd was William Griffin, of Con- necticut, who served as a soldier in the Colonial army, fighting in defense of freedom and inde- pendence in the Revolutionary war. The pa- ternal grandfather of Charles H. Shedd was Jolın Shedd, whose wife was Phoebe Center, and both were natives of Washington county, New York. They were farmers and worthy people of that county, respected and esteemed by all who

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had the honor of their acquaintance. Their fam- ily consisted of the following named children : Julia A., Gilford D .; Walter R., Emeline M., Shel- don A., and John J. The latter was a soldier in the Civil war, was a member of an Illinois regi- ment, brave and patriotic in the performance of duty, and his death was occasioned by the priva- tions endured during that terrible period, from the effects of which he never recovered. The ma- ternal grandfather of Charles H. Shedd was William Griffin, a native of Delaware county, New York, whose ancestors were residents of Connecticut. His wife, Esther (Ackerly) Grif- fin, was also a native of Delaware county, New York.

Walter R. Shedd, father of Charles H. Shedd, at an early age accompanied the other members of his father's family west to Illinois. There he grew to manhood on a farm, and being familiar with the duties thereof selected that line of work for a means of livelihood. He followed that oc- cupation for a number of years in Kankakee county, Illinois, but in 1869 returned east and for several years made his home in Clarks Green, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, subsequently removing to Scranton, same state, where he led a retired life. His wife, Sarah (Griffin) Shedd, bore him the following named children: Frank E., Center J., deceased ; Ruth, wife of H. J. Hall ; Ira, and Charles H.

consists of milk, butter, fresh eggs, cottage cheese, bakery goods and the celebrated Scott Valley cream. Mr. Shedd is a member of the Green Ridge Presbyterian Church, and an adher- ent of the Republican party. He also holds mem- bership in the Order of Heptasophs, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and Green Ridge Lodge, No. 603, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mr. Shedd was united in marriage to Jennie E. Storie, daughter of Samuel Storie, a farmer of Delaware county, New York, where she was born. Their children are: Donald, Margaret, and Louise Shedd.

FREDERICK W. NAYLOR. One of the most popular and at the same time respected citizens of Old Forge is Frederick W. Naylor. Mr. Naylor is the son of Frederick and Sarah (Joy) Naylor, both natives of England. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom the following emigrated to the United States: Will- iam H .: George: Walter: Frederick W., men- tionel at length hereafter; and Charlotte. The last named, however, has now returned to her native country.

Frederick W. Naylor, son of Frederick and Sarah (Joy) Naylor, was born April 27, 1856, in England, and was educated in his native country. In 1884 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Old Forge, where he has since re- mained. His first four years in the place were spent as a miner, and for eight years thereafter he was engaged in business as a butcher, an oc-

Charles H. Shedd accompanied his parents when they removed from the state of Illinois to Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, he being then but five years of age. Hc was reared and edu- cated at Clarks Green, from whence he removed . cupation which he followed successfully. He to Scranton in 1884, and four years later he estab- then became the proprietor of the Rockaway Hotel, which is one of the finest buildings in Old Forge, and this house he still conducts. It was erected by Mr. Naylor in 1897, is commodiously constructed, having all the modern appliances and conveniences, and is admirably conducted, en- joying a liberal patronage. A more popular host than Mr. Naylor or one better fitted to discharge the duties of his position it would be difficult to find. He is a public-spirited citizen, and in that character also is highly appreciated by his neigh- bors. He has served for two years on the coun- cil of Old Forge borough and has held the offices of assessor of the fourth ward and registrar of votes, being still the incumbent of the latter office. He is a member of Sons of St. George, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Mystic Chain, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and Knights of Pythias. Mr. Naylor married, June 22, 1877, Sarah Jane Greene, also a native of lished a dairy business. He had only one wagon at first, but as his patronage increased he also en- larged his facilities for business, in due course of time having three wagons. His office and depot of supplies at No. 536 Spruce street is fully equipped with every facility for the suc- cessful conduct of a large wholesale and retail trade, including the telephone, which he also has at his residence at No. 616 South Keyser avenue. In 1901 he moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which was form- erly known as the old Dale farm. He owns one of the nest herd of grade Jerseys in the Lacka- wanna Valley, consisting of thirty-two head, and this herd yields two hundred and fifty quarts of pure milk per day, which is sold to his customer directly from the cow, and commands the first place in the market. Mr. Shedd, unlike other dairymen, uses only his own productions, which

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 47

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