USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 50
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has succeeded in building up an extensive and lu- of James and Judith (Sigfried) Fatzinger, and great-grandson of James and Christiana (Seip) Fatzinger, the latter named couple having been natives of Alsace, France, from whence they em- igrated to this country at an early date, taking up their abode in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
James Fatzinger (grandfather) was a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He followed the occupation of drover for several years, driving his stock from Buffalo to Allentown prior to the in- troduction of railroads in that section of the country. He afterward became a miller and later engaged in a general merchandise business. At the age of forty he became a convert to the Evangelical faith, the doctrines of which he firmly adhered to for the remainder of his life. He married Judith Sigfried, of Allentown, Pennsyl- vania, who bore him twelve children, among whom was the following: Edward, deceased ; Elmira ; Theodore, deceased ; Franklin ; Uriah ; James, deceased ; Tilghman, deceased ; and Har- vey, deceased.
Uriah Fatzinger (father) was born in Bath, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1843. He engaged in mercantile pursuits in Lehighton for several years, and later in company with his father conducted in a prosperous manner a gen- eral merchandise business. He was a stanch sup- porter of the Evangelical Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Stout, was born in 1846, and died June 19, 1892, aged forty-six years. Their family consisted of twelve children, four of whom are living at the present time, namely: Wesley A., mentioned hereinafter, the only one residing in the Lackawanna Valley; Elsie H., Franklin T., and Lillie M. Fatzinger.
Wesley A. Fatzinger was reared in Lehighton, attended the schools of that town and was gradu- ated therefrom upon the completion of his studies. He then served an apprenticeship at the trade of painter, decorator and paper hanger at Mauch Chunk, after which he moved from his home in Lehighton to Freeland, Luzerne county, where for seven years he engaged in the clothing busi- ness. In 1888 he took up his residence in Tay- lor, purchased a lot upon which he erected a shop of considerable dimensions and at once engaged in the painting, decorating and paper hanging business. His shop is well stocked with a large assortment of the finest paper, paint and other articles necessary to that trade, and by honorable and straightforward transactions he has estab- lished himself in the confidence of the best citi-
zens of the town, and his constantly increasing patronage is taxing the capacity of his shop to its utmost limit. He has a reputation for performing nothing but first-class work, gives employment to none but skilled artisans, and this in connec- tion with the fact that he keeps advancing with the needs and demands of the times is the reason for the success he has attained in his career. He is a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 579, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Protective Order Sons of America. On May 28, 1890, Mr. Fatz- inger was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Cooper, who was born in Wayne county, New York, February 25, 1868, daughter of Jabez G. and Elmina (Warfield) Cooper, and the issue of this union was three children: Uriah, born May 21, 1891 ; Myrtle, born April 8, 1895, and Ray- mond, deceased. The family hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Taylor, in which Mr. Fatzinger is a member of the official board and secretary of the board of trustees. For several years he acted as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school, but finally resigned, pre- ferring to teach a class to which he devotes con- siderable time and attention.
Jabez G. Cooper, father of Mrs. Fatzinger was born in New Jersey, in 1825, and was a car- penter by occupation. The Cooper family dates back to the arrival of the "Mayflower," four of their ancestors having been immigrants on board that historic vessel, namely: Captain John Hol- land and his wife Elizabeth Tillay, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carver) Tillay, and Cap- tain John Gorham and his wife Desire Holland. Other ancestors of the family were Job Smith, who founded Seneca Falls, New York, in 1787; Jabez Gorham, who founded Watertown, New York, and built the first bridge over the Seneca river which bears his name to-day. Both these men were active in the Revolutionary war. The ancestors in the direct line were: Price Cooper, who made his home in the Wyoming Valley some time previous to the Revolutionary war, was one of the first settlers in the valley and also one of the first physicians. Price Cooper, who was a member of the Connecticut militia, served as a mounted trooper in Captain Sampson's company during the Revolutionary war and was wounded at the battle of Monmouth. John Price Cooper, who was a man of marked intelligence, and a well-to-do agriculturist. Jabez G. Cooper, dieđ in 1884. His wife, Almina (Warfield) Cooper, born in 1834, a descendant of a Connecticut fam- ily, died in 1895.
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
EBER BRANNING. Among those industri- ous, law-abiding citizens who constitute so im- portant a factor in the prosperity of every com- munity and of which Luzerne county has its full share must be numbered Eber Branning, of Dun- more. Mr. Branning comes of German lineage. His grandfather, Jacob Branning, was a native of Orange county, New York. C. L. Branning, son of Jacob Branning, was born in Wayne coun- ty, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and was also engaged in the lumber business. He married Laura Smith, also a native of Wayne county, and their family consisted of nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity and six of whom are now living : Eber, subject ; Eleanor ; John, deceased; Henry, Mary, Huldah, George and Cornelius. Mr. Branning, the father, spent the last four years of his life in Dunmore, where he died in 1895, at the home of his son, Eber, being then seventy-seven years of age. The death of his wife occurred in 1898, when she had reached the age of seventy-nine.
Eber Branning, son of C. L. and Laura (Smith) Branning, was born July 16, 1839, in Damascus township, Wayne county, Pennsylva- nia, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native place. In early life hie en- gaged in farming and also in the lumber business, for some years running rafts on the Delaware river. He then went to Salem, where he was en- gaged for several summers in peeling bark, and in 1873 removed to Dunmore, where he has since remained. For some time he was in the service of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, working on the Gravity Railway. In 1886, after that road was abandoned, he held the position of foreman for three years, and was then placed in the paint and repair shop. He is now in business for him- self. He has contributed to the growth of Dun- more by building two fine houses of considerable dimensions. As a citizen he enjoys a well-de- served popularity, and has served his borough as judge of elections of the third ward six terms. He has been for thirty-four years a member of the I. O. O. F., in which organization he has held all the prominent offices, in addition to serving as treasurer and trustee. Several times he has acted as representative to the grand lodge. For sixteen years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to the Knights of Malta. in whose lodge he has sat for seven years. Politically he is a Democrat and a stanch upholder of the principles of the organiza- tion. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Dunmore. Mr. Branning married
June 25. 1874, Emma Little, who was born May 16. 1851, in Hawley, Pennsylvania, and of the four children born to them three are now living : Harry D., who was born July 12, 1876, and is a patternmaker ; Bertha A., who was born Novem- ber 9. 1880; and Walter E., who was born Au- gust 23, 1889, and is a clerk in the service of the Erie Coal Company.
JOHN CARNEY. No more enterprising business man can be found throughout the length and breadth of Lackawanna county than John Carney, of Dunmore. Although of foreign birth Mr. Carney has been for fifty-six years a resident of this town, with which he is thoroughly and completely identified.
Michael Carney was born in Ireland, in 1798, and in 1848 emigrated to the United States. He settled in Dunmore, where he was engaged about the mines in various capacities. He married Winifred Connell, also a native of Ireland, and they were the parents of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity and six of whom are now living: John, mentioned at length hereinafter ; Owen, Mary, Julia, Nora, and Winifred. Mr. Carney, the father, died in 1879. He was a man of the most genial temperament, who made for himself a host of friends. His widow is still liv- ing at the advanced age of eighty-four.
John Carney, son of Michael and Winifred (Connell) Carney, was born in 1843, in Ireland, and at the age of five years was brought by his parents to the United States. At an early age he began to work for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, and after a short time entered the service of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. His position was at first at the foot of No. 10 plane, at the head of which he was subsequently placed. Several years after he was promoted to the responsible position of engineer at No. 9 and No. 10 planes, and this he held for twenty- two years. A. J. and M. J. Murray, George Jack- son and Thomas Brown, coal operators, were then in business in Dunmore, and in 1891 Mr. Carney purchased the share of Mr. Jackson, while in 1902 he and Mr. Brown bought the in- terest of the Murrays, since which time the firm has been Carney & Brown. Their colliery was opened in 1885. The present depth of the shaft is two hundred and eighty-five feet. It pierces four veins of coal which average four and one- half feet in thickness per vein. The firm employs about two hundred hands, and the business in all its departments is in a very flourishing condition. Politically Mr. Carney is a Democrat. He and
John & Gibbous
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Carney married in 1880 Mary Ca- veney, of Ashtabula, Ohio, and they were the parents of two children : Mollie and Sallie. Mrs. Carney died July 23, 1884, and in 1888 Mr. Car- ney married Kate Fitzpatrick. By this marriage Mr. Carney became the father of one daughter. Helen. In 1887 he built the beautiful modern house which has since been the family residence.
JOHN J. GIBBONS. Among the independ- ent coal operators of Lackawanna county none can be found more energetic or more truly able than John J. Gibbons, of Dunmore. Mr. Gibbons is descended on both sides from Irish ancestors. Edward Gibbons was born in Ireland, and was by occupation a miner. In 1865 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, making his home at Avoca, where as. the name suggests he would probably find numbers of his countrymen. Here he worked as a miner, and speedily became an influential and popular man in the community, as is evident from the fact that for twenty years he held the office of school director. He is now engaged in the mine owned by his son, John J. He married Sevina O'Malley, and they are the parents of the fol- lowing children: John J., mentioned at length hereinafter; Edward, junior; Leo, who is super- intendent of the mine owned by his brother, John J. : Ella : Kate ; Bina, who is a teacher ; Agnes, who is also engaged in teaching : Jessie, who is a milliner ; and Nettie, who is a bookkeeper and stenographer.
John J. Gibbons, son of Edward and Sevina (O'Malley) Gibbons, was born March 31. 1867, in Avoca. Lancashire, England. He was brought by his parents to this country, locating in Avoca, where he attended the common schools, and at the age of nine years began his career as a miner by entering the breaker. The following year he was placed in the mines as doorkeeper, and next became driver, then laborer and finally miner. His first work was for the Avoca Coal Company. after leaving whom he worked for the Lehigh Valley Company and then for the Providence Coal Company. He then entered the service of the Nay Aug Coal Company, and finally obtained the position of mine boss for the firm of Carney & Brown. This responsible office he filled for eightcen months with the utmost satisfaction to all concerned. In 1900 he began operating his own mine, and in January, 1901, sold his first coal. His breaker was built and in operation the "same year ; he employs twenty hands and is con-
ducting a flourishing business. Mr. Gibbons takes an active interest in public affairs, and his townsmen repose implicit confidence in his ability to serve them. During his residence in Avoca he was chief burgess, held the office of chief of po- lice, and for thee years served on the council. In 1895 he moved to Dunmore, where his character and abilities have won the sincere respect and cordial liking of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
TIMOTHY J. GILHOOL, a progressive, young business man of Carbondale, Pennsyl- vania, is a representative of that class of men who, while others wait for a good opportunity to present itself, seek and therefore make an opening for themselves. He is also one of those men who know not what defeat is, but firmly believe in the doctrine that all things are possible to the man who will. He was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. November 27. 1873. a son of Thomas, whose death oc- curred in 1880, and Kate (Killeen) Gilhool, who is living at the present time (1904), both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Thomas Gilhool (father) was a moulder by trade, and was employed by the Van Bergen Company. He was an honest, honorable man, and was highly respected by all who knew him. His family consisted of the following named children : Thomas, Annie, Margaret, Mary and Timothy J., (twins) and Catherine Gilhool.
Timothy J. Gilhool was reared and edu- cated in Carbondale, and while his educational advantages were only those to be acquired in the common schools, yet he made such excel- lent use of his opportunities as to thoroughly qualify him for high offices of trust and re- sponsibility. His first experience of business life was gained in the employ of the Delaware and Hudson Company, where he was em- ployed as first office or telephone boy. In order to obtain an increased salary he ac- cepted a position in the mine, but preferring railroading to that line of work, accepted a position on the Delaware and Hudson Rail- road. After a short space of time he was given the position of conductor, in which capacity he served for two years. He then served as motorman on the Traction Road between Car- bondale and Scranton, but resigned from this, in 1896 on account of his strong adherence to the Labor Union, of which he is a member. In the same year he purchased a horse and
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
wagon, and with ten dollars capital started out in the fruit business. He achieved a large degree of success in this enterprise, and every year added to his stock in trade, and also to his experience in business affairs, until now he is the owner of a large general store and has an extensive and constantly increasing patron- age. The prosperity which has attended his efforts is but the natural and rightful reward that should be the sequel of years of honest and earnest toil. Mr. Gilhool is popular in the social circles of Carbondale, and holds membership in the following named orders and societies: St. A. L. P. A. B., which has a membership of four hundred members, and of which he is president ; I. C. B. U. (Branch), of which he is president; Scranton District, I. C. B. U., of which he is president ; K. of C .; and the Order of Heptasoph. He is major of the First Regiment of Lancers, and a mem- ber of Columbia Hose Company, No. 5, of Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
A. W. BRUNDAGE, a well known and much respected citizen of Peckville, Lacka- wanna county, Pennsylvania, where he has achieved a large degree of financial success in business, his time being devoted to the man- agement of a meat market, which he estab- lished in 1872, and transactions in real estate, is a native of the county in which he now re- sides, having been born in Benton township, in 1847, a son of James and Phoebe (Farnham) Brundage, and grandson of Parmenas and Lillis (Brundage) Brundage.
Parmenas Brundage (grandfather) pur- chased one hundred acvres of land in Penn- sylvania in 1822, and was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of that state, coming thence from Connecticut. He was an active and public- spirited citizen, and enjoyed the full confidence of his friends who were numerous. He mar- ried his consin Lillis Brundage, who bore him the following nanred children : James, Abner, Dr. A. T., D. C., Dr. A. H., and a daughter who died voung.
James Brundage (father) was born at Eagle Rock, New Jersey, in 1805. In 1822, at the age of seventeen years, he came to Pennsylvania with his father, and in due course of time in- herited part of the latter's farm, to which he made additions from time to time. He fol- lowed farming as a means of livelihood, and in the community in which he resided won the respect of all by the courtesy and kindness he
displayed in his daily life. He was united in marriage to Phoebe Farnham, who was born in Connecticut, in 1809, and their children were as follows: Rev. Israel, Presbyterian clergyman, died in Chetopa, Kansas; Julia, A. F., J. P., E. I., Mrs. L. M. Ensign, Stephen, a veteran of the Civil war; Mrs. Lucy C. Doyle; Jeffery A., a veteran of the Civil war; A. W., mentioned at length hereinafter; Abel W., and Mary J. Brundage.
A. W. Brundage was reared in his native town and attended the common schools there- of, and the knowledge thus obtained was sup- plemented by attendance at the Keystone Academy and at New Milford. After com- pleting his education he did not lay by his books, having been a student ever since not only of books but of men and nature at large,. that great book where men can come in close touch with their Creator. The first few years of his active career was spent in agricultural pursuits, after which he taught school one term in his native county, and then engaged in the meat business with his brother A. F., who was a butcher. He remained with him up to 1872, when he began business on his own account, and as he deals in nothing but the best stock which is neatly dressed and sold at a fair profit, with the stilyards recording six- teen ounces to the pound, he well deserves the patronage accorded him. He has been a resi- dent of the borough of Peckville since 1862, and has contributed his share to the growth and development of the same by buying and improving property. He has built several houses, some of which he now owns. He has honorably distinguished the borough council as a member of that body, and during that per- iod of time looked carefully after the interests of Blakely borough. Mr. Brundage and his. family are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which body he serves in the capac- ity of elder, which office he has held since the dedication of the new church in 1895. He is one of the active members of that church, whose daily life and influence keeps the fire burning in the sanctuary. Politically he is a staunch supporter of the Republican platform. In 1877 Mr. Brundage was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Richards, daughter of J. P. Richards, and a descendant of an English ancestry. Six children were born of this union, four of whom are now living ; namely: J. H.,. who married Miss Ethel Shearer, in 1904; Fannie M., Edna J., and Paul B. Brundage.
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS is a representa- tive of that class of enterprising, honest and capable men, who though born poor succeed in attaining a prominent place in either the financial, commercial, manufacturing or indus- trial circles of the world, and thereby accumu- late a fortune which will enable them to spend their declining years in ease and comfort. Mr. Williams, who is now leading a retired life in the city of Carbondale, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, is a native of Cornwall county, England, born December 28, 1840. His pa- ternal grandfather was William Williams, who was the father of a family of four children, as follows: Richard, Jane, Maria, and Wil- liam. His parents were Richard and Ann (Roberts) Williams, both natives of Cornwall, England, where the former named followed the occupation of farming, receiving as .com- pensation the small sum of nine shillings per week. Their family consisted of four children, three of whom are living, William Williams being the only one resident in this country.
During his boyhood, after receiving a common school education, he worked in his native country for two pence per day, and sub- sequently was employed in various capacities. On November 30, 1861, he married Eliza Solo- mon, daughter of William Solomon, for fifty years a local preacher of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. In 1871, leaving his wife and daughter at home until such time as he could procure a suitable home for them, he set sail from England in the steamship "City of Brus- sels." The voyage was a rough and danger- ous one, but the steamer brought its load of human freight safely to port, but shortly after- ward sank to rise no more. Mr. Williams at once located in Carbondale, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, and he secured em- ployment with the "D. & H." Company as fire- man at No. 5 gravity road, which position he retained for eight years. In 1872 his wife and daughter joined him in his new home, and two years later they opened the first store on Bel- mont street, Carbondale, which was chiefly managed by Mrs. Williams, an intelligent and active woman. They conducted this enter- prise. which was devoted to the sale of a gen- eral line of merchandise, up to 1890, and then moved to the farm which Mr. Williams pur- chased in Carbondale township, in 1880, con- taining two hundred and twenty-five acres of fertile land, which he still owns. In addition to this he is the owner of nine houses in Car-
bondale, whither he removed in 1903, upon his retirement from active pursuits.
Mr. William is a Prohibitionist in politics, upholding the principles of that party, and us- ually voting that ticket. On April 13, 1887, he was elected alderman of the fifth ward in Car- bondale, and was elected to the office of jus- tice of the peace of Carbondale township in 1891-96-and 1901, his term of office to expire in 1906. He has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been actively engaged in its growth and develop- ment. He assisted in the organization of the Sunday school in the Methodist Episcopal chapel at No. 4, at which time he was elected assistant superintendent, later became super- intendent, subsequently served as secretary and treasurer, and is now one of its trustees. Mr. Williams is a natural poet, and the pro- ductions of his fertile brain is eagerly sought. by the local publishers, and on one occasion the New York Herald, copied one of his pub -- lications. In 1886 and 1897 Mr. Williams paid a visit to his native country, where ten years of his life prior to his coming to the United States were spent as a member of the police force, and he expects to take another trip to the scenes of his childhood before his death. He possesses the happy faculty of retaining his youthful spirits, even though he is advancing in years, and this characteristic makes him an agreeable and interesting companion. He enjoys the full confidence of his fellow citi- zens and the esteem of his many friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams were the parents of nine children, six of whom are deceased, and the surviving members of the family are: Louey Augusta Alberta, born in England, 1867, wife of William Cox, of Carbondale; Emily, Gertrude Louisa, wife of Eugene. Schaffer, of Waymart, Pennsylvania; and William Walter Wesley, who married Emma. Wills, to whom was born one son, William H .. Williams.
P. H. MONGAN, a representative citizen of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, is a native of Ire- land, born 1841, son of Patrick and Mary. Mongan. His father was born in Ireland, and in 1848 emigrated to the United States, set- tling first at Equimink, Wayne county, Penn- sylvania. In 1852 he removed to Moscow, Lackawanna county, and in 1857 migrated to Wisconsin. His wife, Mary Mongan, also a . native of Ireland, bore him children: P. H ...
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
mentioned hereafter : Catherine, Thomas, John, Michael, deceased : Hugh, George, Bridget, Mary, and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Mongan, the worthy parents of tliese -children, died in Wisconsin.
P. H. Mongan was seven years of age when he was brought by his parents to this country. He received his education in the common .schools of Equimink and Moscow, Pennsyl- vania, and was first employed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railway Company as laborer, but his fitness for a higher position could not long escape notice, and in 1863 he was made foreman. In 1867 he entered the ser- vice of J. R. Davis as outside foreman of the Roaring Brook colliery. where he remained until 1872, when he was given a position on the inside which he held until 1900. In that year he associated himself with M. J. and A. J. Murry, forming a company known as the Northern Anthracite Coal Company of which he is now president. The mine is situated in Sullivan county, Pennslvania, the coal land comprising four hundred and fifty acres. The shaft is one hundred feet deep, with a capacity to turn out twelve hundred tons of coal daily. The firm employs one hundred and fifty men. Mr. Mongan has been a resident of Dunmore since 1863, and has thoroughly identified him- self with the best interests of the borough. He takes a deep interest in the cause of edu- cation, which he has manifested in a practical manner by serving for twenty-five years as school director. Mr. Mongan married, March 1, 1863, Catherine F., daughter of Andrew and Catherine Haley, of Dunmore, and of their eleven children the following are living: John J., Frank F., William H., Catherine A., Minnie, Agnes, Joseph A., George, Jennie and James.
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