USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 54
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 54
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June 4. 1884, Mr. Thompson married Isabel Sands, who was born in Prompton, Wayne- county, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Capt .. James E. and Isabel (Hornbaker) Sands, both of whom were born and bred in the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have four chil- dren, namely: Harold, Bessie, Ruth and Allan .. The family is one of prominence in the social. life of the community, and their pleasant home- is a center of gracious hospitality, while Mr. Thompson is known as a progressive and public- spirited citizen.
CASPER OTT. Our nation is so unmis -- takably cosmopolitan in its social makeup that. it can scarcely be said that we have as yet de- veloped a distinctive American type, though the- amalgamation and assimilation of varied elements is proceeding day by day and year by year. Many of our most loyal and valued citizens are of for- eign birth and breeding, and their positions in their respective communities entitle them to rec- ognition for sterlng worth and marked useful- ness. In the boroughi of Taylor, Lackawanna.
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county, is found such a citizen in the person of Mr. Ott, who is one of the representative busi- ness men and prominent citizens of this locality, being here engaged in the general merchandise business.
Mr. Ott claims the fair little republic of Switz- erland as the place of his nativity, and his lineage traces back to stanch German origin. He was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, July 13. 1855, being the only child of Casper and Margaret Ott, both of whom died while he was a child. He was reared and educated in his na- tive land, and as a boy began his association with mercantile pursuits, growing up in the business and gaining experience which has proved of in- estimable value to him in carryng on his suc- cessful enterprise in America. He continued his residence in Switzerland until 1880, when, in company with his wife and their two children, he immigrated to the United States, coming forthwith to Lackawanna county and locating in the borough of Taylor, where he has ever since maintained his home and where he has gained the confidence and high regard of the people of the community. In 1885 he here established himself in the general merchandise business, and his well equipped store is one of the finest in the borough, while he controls a large and represent- ative patronage and is recognized as one of the progressive business men and public-spirited cit- izens of this county. In politics Mr. Ott is found stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and while he has never been a seeker of office, he has been chosen to represent his borough as a councilman, his preferment indicating the estimate placed upon him by his fellow-citizens. He is affiliated with Acacia Lodge, No. 579, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Taylor, and with the local organization of the Improved Order of Hepta- sophs, while both he and his wife are zealous members of the Lutheran Church, in whose faith they were reared.
In the year 1876 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ott to Miss Margaret Weisenfihn, who was likewise born and reared in Switzerland, where their two eldest children were born, Annic and Margaret, the former of whom remains at the parental home, while the latter is the wife of Alexander Fuller, of Taylor. Seven children were born after the immigration to America, and their names in order of birth are as follows: Catherine, Edward, Emma, George, Emil, Kate and Henry.
REV. FRANCIS KOWALSKI. It is cer- tainly incumbent that within the pages of this work be incorporated a brief review of the ca- reer of Father Kowalski, the able and honored rector of the Polish National Church at Price- burg, Lackawanna county, where he labors with all of zeal and consecration in the uplifting of his fellow-men and the furthering of the work of the divine Master whom he serves with earn- est devotion.
Father Kowalski was born in Russo-Poland September 30, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Kowalski, both of whom passed their en- tire lives in their native land, where the father was the owner of a good farm. Both he and his wife died about 1890, and their farm is now in possession of their cldest son, Joseph, while the only doughter also resides in Poland, so that the subject of this tribute is the only representa- tive of the family in America. Father Kowalski secured his early educational discipline in the parochial schools of his native province, and later entered the Catholic Seminary in Pultusk, Poland, where he completed his classical and di- vinity courses, being graduated as a member of the class of 1892 and also being there ordained to the priesthood of the Catholic Church, of which his honored parents were devoted mem- bers. He officiated in the priesthood for a pe- riod of ten years, within which time he had made a careful study and investigation regarding the independent or Polish national movement, an account of which is given in the sketch of the life of Bishop Hodur, appearing on other pages of this work, and his interest became intense, as the movement was in harmony with his ideas and aspirations, so that he decided to become apostate of the Church of Rome and to identify himself unequivocally with the new organization. He accordingly entered into correspondence with Bishop Hodur, one of the revered leaders of the church and movement in the United States. and this correspondence led to his immigration to America in 1902.
He was appointed to the charge of the Polish National Church at Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he remained about eighteen months, at the expiration of which time he was assigned to the church at Duryea, Pennsylvania, and six months later was called to his present important pastor- ate at Priceburg, where his labors have greatly inured to the spiritual and temporal upbuilding of the parish. Two hundred families are repre- sented in the membership of the church, while
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there are in addition fully one hundred and fifty unmarried communicants. The church edifice is a substantial and attractive building, and the parochial school is well attended and ably con- ducted. Father Kowalski has direct charge of all branches of the parish work, and his zeal and devotion are unceasing, while he has gained the affectionate regard and earnest co-operation of his people and is highly esteemed in the com- munity, being a man of marked intellectual abil- ity and of sterling characteristics.
FRANK FUHR. A farsighted business man and progressive, public-spirited citizen is Frank Fuhr, of Dunmore. He represents a class of foreign-born Americans who are ex- tremely valuable to their adopted country, Amer- icans by political right and devoted allegiance, al- though of foreign blood. Martin Fuhr was a native of Rhine Province, Germany, and a farmer by occupation. He married Charlotte Arm- bruster, and three of their children came to the United States : Peter ; Frank, mentioned at length hereinafter: and Elizabeth. Mrs. Fuhr died in her native land in 1868, and in 1878 her husband joined his children in this country. For twelve years, or up to his death in 1889, he made his home with his son Frank. He was a worthy man and merited the respect of all.
Frank Fuhr, son of Martin and Charlotte (Armbruster) Fuhr, was born September 5, 1847, in Germany, where he received his education and learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which in that country is taught in the most thorough manner. This trade he followed for eight years. He landed in this country. January 6, 1867, and after staying a short time at Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania, went to Scranton, where he remained six years. In 1873 he moved to Dunmore, where he engaged in business for himself as a manufac- turer of cigar boxes. He began on a small scale, but by unwearied application and by producing the best work has prospered until he is now at the head of a large establishment. employing fifteen hands who turn out twelve hundred boxes per day. For the first seven years he produced his work by hand, but seeing the necessity of keeping pace with the times, he in 1880 put in machinery of the latest improved pattern, and at the present time is installing an electric ten-horse power motor for power in the future. The rapid and constantly increasing growth of his business has long since shown the wisdom of this action. As a citizen he gives evidence of the same traits of character which he manifests as a business man, and so
highly are they appreciated by his neighbors that they have elected him three times to serve in the. town council. He has held the office of poor di- rector, and in 1902 was chosen chief burgess, a. post of honor and responsibility whice he still holds, being elected on the People's ticket. Poli- tically he is a Democrat. He is a stockholder in. one of the strong building and loan associations of. Scranton, also the Deposit and Discount Bank of Dunmore, and has invested interests in other im- portant business enterprises. He belongs to the: Royal Arcanum of Scranton, the Knights of Co- lumbus, and the Liederkranz Society. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Fuhr married, in 1877, Lizzie Beker, of Hyde Park, and two children were born to them: Frank, who is in the factory wit.i his father ; and Susie. Mrs. Fuhr died in 1886, and in 1896 Mr. Fuhr married Mary Epp, of New York. They have three children: August J., Martha R., and George H. Mr. Fuhr lives in a house which was built under his personal super- vision and is one of the most delightful residences in the town.
MILLS FAMILY. The Mills family of Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, with its num- erous honorable representatives of the present day, is of English extraction. It was planted in America in colonial days, and some of its mem- bers bore an active part in the war of the Revolu- tion. Of this stock was John B. Mills, who came- from Hadley, Massachusetts, at an early day. He located in what is now Lackawanna county, on what is known as the Russell farm, but subse- quently removed to that now owned by John Williams. His wife Hannah was of Scotch de- scent. They were the parents of the following
named children, all of whom were born in Had- ley, Massachusetts: John, Theodore, Edward,. Dwight, Charles, William, Samuel, Abiel, and Mary-eight sons, and but one daughter.
Samuel Mills, one of the sons of John B. and Hannah Mills, removed to Carbondale, Lacka- wanna county, in August, 1828. The little set- tlement then comprised only one house, and he may be properly classed among the pioneers of that region. As early as 1843 he established him- self in the hardware business, into which he came by a natural transition, having in his young man- hood entered the employ of the Delaware and Hudson Gravity Railroad as a blacksmith, and continuing with it for the long period of twenty- one years. In 1850 he was succeeded in the- hardware business by Mills & Poor, who in 1868
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gave place to E. W. Mills & Company. In 1875 the business came into the charge of Mills Brothers, who have since continued it, and now occupy the building so well known to the people of the county. Samuel Mills subsequently en- gaged in the lumber business. He was a worthy and capable man, who proved highly useful in his relations to the community, and enjoyed its re- spect and confidence to the utmost. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a trustee in his church. His wife was Agnes, daughter of An- drew Watt, of a Scotch family. Their children, -all born in Carbondale, were as follows: I. Eliza- beth, born in 1840, who became the wife of O. C. Moore, and to whom was born a daughter, Jessie ; 2. Frederick W., to be further referred to below ; 3. Edward W., born in 1844, who remained un- married : 4. Hannah, deceased, born in 1847; 5. Samuel B., born in 1849, married Jennie B. Munn, and to them were born two children, Ed- ward B. and Elizabeth B .; 6. George E., born in 18545, married Carrie Ottman, and to them was born a daughter, Madolin.
Frederick W. Mills. eldest son and second child of Samuel and Agnes (Watt) Mills, was born January 9, 1841. He was educated in the common schools of his native village, and, like his brother Edward learned the trade of machinist which he followed for some time in Scranton. He was destined, however, for a somewhat adven- turous career, one of unusual activity and fraught with great danger. During the Civil war he en- listed in the Eighty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharg- · ed therefrom after the expiration of his term of service. For ten years afterwards he was in the employment of the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- pany, on board vessels plying between San Fran- cisco and China, and other far eastern regions. In 1876 he returned from California to take · charge of the business which his father and S. D. Baker had established in 1870, and which is now conducted under the firm name of F. W. Mills & Co. The company of which he is the head is en- gaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, mouldings, frames and general furnishings for house builders, and supplies a large circle of con- tractors over a wide region. Mr. Mills also con- tracts and builds, and is recognized as a most capable mechanic and business man. He also conducts a branch office and lumber yard at Jermyn, where he transacts an extensive business. He affords employment to about twenty people.
Mr. Mills is prominent in community affairs, and has rendered public services of much value,
and which have brought him high appreciation. He served for eight years as a member of the city council, and for four years of this time he was chairman of that body. He has also served upon the school board. He is a member of W. H. Davis Post, No. 187, G. A. R. He was married in 1867 to Miss Anna D. B. Smith, of New York, New York, and they became the parents of the following named children: George, who married Hannah Atkinson ; Agnes Watt, Marion, and Jessie.
Theodore Mills, another son of John and Hannah Mills, was born in Hadley, Massachu- setts, where he received a common school educa- tion. He was reared a farmer, and followed that occupation throughout his life. He lived for a time in the state of New York, and in 1844 re- moved with his family to Carbondale, Pennsyl- vania. He was a man of ability and high char- acter, as is attested by the fact that he was re- peatedly called to public positions, among them those of supervisor, tax collector, and school di- rector. He married Maria Smith, and they be- came the parents of seven children : Hannah C., deceased ; John E., Dwight, Mary, William H., deceased : Washington, deceased ; and Maria. Mr. Mills died in 1871, and his widow long survived him, dying in 1890.
John E. Mills, eldest son and second child of Theodore and Maria (Smith) Mills, was born August 4, 1834, in Greenbush, New York, and came to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in 1839. He was there educated in the common schools, and there also he learned the trade of carpenter. He became an expert mechanic, with a broad know- ledge of architecture, and his native city, which has ever been the scene of his busy effort, is adorned with numerous edifices, business and resi- dential, beautiful and substantial, which stand as monuments to his masterly workmanship. He has borne a full share in otherwise advancing the growth and improvement of the city, and has per- formed many years faithful and efficient service in the most important local offices. His zealous interest in educational affairs finds eloquent affirmation in the fact that for twenty years he was continued in the position of school director. He was also assessor for seven years, and collector and auditor for several terms. He also served nine months in the same regiment with his brother, D. Mills, and holds an honorable dis- charge, dated 1863. He also belongs to W. H. Davis Post. No. 187, G. A. R.
Mr. Mills was married November 6, 1872, to Mary Ann Williams, who was born in Carbondale
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township, September 20, 1848, and died August 19, 1897. Of this marriage were born three sons : Walter J., born October 2, 1873, died June 10, 1902; Arthur, born March 10, 1876, who married Mame Wagner ; Raymond S., born April 4, 1880.
Dwight Mills, another son of Theodore and Maria (Smith) Mills, was born July 13, 1839, in what was old Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools, and was reared a farmer, and he followed that pursuit un- til liis sixtieth year, in 1899, when he sought a well earned retirement. He served with fidelity and courage during the Civil war for a period of nine months, as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, receiving an honor- able discharge in 1863, and maintains his associa- tion with his former comrades by means of mem- bership in W. H. Davis Post, No. 187, Grand Army of the Republic. He has been a capable and faithful servant of the people in the capacity of tax collector of Fell township, and poor master, hav- ing occupied the latter office for eight years.
Mr. Mills was twice married. His first wife was Miss Ella Fuller, who bore to him three chil- dren, of whom but one is living-Mamie, who is the wife of William Blake. In 1887 Mr. Mills was married to Miss Mary C. Smith, and of this union were born three children : Leonard D., Grace an dLosi.
CHARLES O. MELLEN, superintendent of the Van Bergen Company, of Carbondale, Penn- sylvania, has justly earned his present responsible office, not only by his ability as a man well quali- fied by experience for the position, but also be- cause of the length of time he has been connected with the company. He entered the employ of the Van Bergen Company as a clerk in 1861, and by efficiently fulfilling the duties of that humble posi- tion was advanced to bookkeeper, which office he held for twenty years, and in 1899 he succeeded Mr. Van Bergen as superintendent and treasurer, which offices he now holds. Mr. Mellen is thor- oughly conversant with all the details of the es- tablishment, hence its success under his manage- ment. He was born i Hudson, Columbia county, New York, in 1842, a son of Christopher M. and Catharine (Villee) Mellen. The Mellen family originally migrated from Massachusetts, having been among the early settlers of that east- ern state.
Christopher M. Mellen (father) was also a native of Hudson, New York. He was the owner of a line of steam boats plying between Hudson
and New York, known as the Mellen Line of Steam Boats, and for twenty years he successfully operated the same. He was considered one of the safest and best captains on the Hudson river. At that time there was much traffic on that beautiful and picturesque river, and his business in passen- gers and freight was very extensive. He married Catherine Villee, also a native of Hudson, New York, who traced her ancestry to a French family, who were prominent in their native country, and of considerable importance socially. Her mater- nal grandfather was an officer of high rank in the French army. Their family consisted of five children, namely: James L., deceased ; Charles O., mentioned hereinafter ; Cordelia V., Samuel L., and Christopher, deceased.
Charles O. Mellen was educated in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His education was somewhat lib- eral, and by taking advantage of every oppor- tunity, he prepared himself for a life of usefulness and activity. He has been actively connected with the Van Bergen Company in various ca- pacities for the long period of forty-three years. In 1863, answering to the "emergency call" for troops to stem the onward march of the Con- federates north, and being sergeant in the Forty- seventh Pennsylvania militia, he served three months in defending the integrity of his country. Since his residence in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, he has been the incumbent of the office of city treasurer three terms, and school director for six years. He is a worthy and honored member of the following named organizations : Carbondale Lodge, No. 249, Free and Accepted Masons ; Eu- reka Chapter, No. 179; Palestine Commandery, No. 14, and W. H. Davis Post, No. 187, Grand Army.of the Republic.
Mr. Mellen was united in marriage, October II, 1864, to Margaret Ottman, and to this union there was one son born, Charles W., who is now chief assistant to his father. He married Minnie Warwick, and their family consists of three chil- dren, namely: Winthrop W., Margaret and Louise (twins).
JOHN B. GRIFFITHS, the popular and genial postmaster at Jermyn, Pennsylvania, is a native of the town in which he now resides, born April 9, 1871, a son of Thomas M. and Ann ( Ben- gough) Griffiths, and grandson of William and Margaret (Williams) Griffiths.
William Griffiths (grandfather) and his wife, Margaret (Williams) Griffiths, were both na- tives of Wales. The male members of the Will- iams family were prosperous farmers, who prided
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themselves on their fine ground and superior stock, and the Griffiths family were also well-to- do people, but they were not blessed with as large a share of this world's goods as were the Williams family. William Griffiths and wife reared a fam- ily of eight children, namely: Rachel, Letitia, Sarah, John, Stephen, Thomas M., who emigrated to America : William, who also emigrated to America, and is now a Congregational minister in Wisconsin ; and Griffith Griffiths.
Thomas M. Griffiths ( father) is a native of South Wales. In 1869, accompanied by his wife, Ann ( Bengough) Griffiths, also a native of South Wales, he emigrated to this country and located in Gibsonbury (now Jermyn), Pennsylvania, where he immediately engaged in mining, which occupation proved both pleasant and lucrative. He has always been a loyal and patriotic citizen of his adopted country, and has identified himself with the Republican party, whose principles he advocates. At the present time ( 1904) he is serving in the capacity of chief burgess of the borough of Jermyn, and he has also served on the school board and in the council. In all of these offices he has worked for the interests of the town of Jermyn and for the advancement of her var- ious resources. Mr. Griffiths was married twice. His first wife, Ann (Bengough) Griffiths, bore him one son, John B., mentioned at length herein- after. His second wife, Mary (Evans) Grif- fithis, also bore him one son, Henry M., who is an experienced stenographer. Thomas Bengough, father of Ann ( Bengough) Griffiths, is supposed to have emigrated from Scotland to Wales, where he resided up to the time of his death. He was a cabinetmaker by trade, and an expert mechanic. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Reese, bore him six children, namely: David, John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Ann Bengough. Four of this number-John, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Ann-emigrated to America and became good, respectable and loyal citizens of the United States.
John B. Griffiths received a liberal education. He first attended the common schools of his na- tive town, Jermyn, Pennsylvania ; then Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, from which he was graduated in 1888: the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1893; then Wesleyan Uni- versity, Middletown, Connecticut, from which he was graduated. From that date up to 1899 he was employed in clerical capacities, and in the lat- ter named year was appointed postmaster of Jermyn, which is a third grade office and a pres-
idential appointment. He is a member of Aurora Lodge, No. 523, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of Jermyn, in which he is junior warden, a member of Patriotic Order Sons of America, and a member of the Wesleyan University Chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
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ANDREW MITCHELL, JR., one of the progressive young business men of Carbondale. Pennsylvania, whose future looks bright and prosperous,and who will not be deterred in bring- ing events to pass, is a member of the Maxwell Throwing Company ( Silk Throwers). He was born in Carbondale , Pennsylvania, January 7, 1871, a son of Andrew and Mary H. ( Jeffrey) Mitchell, and grandson of Michael Mitchell, who carried on the business of ship joiner and builder in Scotland.
Andrew Mitchell ( father) was born in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, Scotland, November 22, 1831. He was reared and educated in his na- tive country, and at the age of twenty-one years .. accompanied by his widowed mother and young- est sister, he came to New York and about the year 1853 went to the island of Cuba, where he remained twelve years. He served as superin- tendent of some of the largest sugar plants, draw- ing out plans for and overseeing the erection of all the machinery required in that business, for which he received the highest salary of any man on the island. He had a severe attack of yellow fever while residing there, which nearly proved fatal. Among many interesting anecdotes of his life in Cuba, we will quote the following: He was one of five white men on a plantation with one thous- and negroes. The latter had planned an uprising at midnight. when the white men were to be assassinated ; the plot was discovered and ten min- utes before the time the Spanish cavalry from the nearest garrison rode in like a whirlwind and seized the ringleaders, which was the first intima- tion Mr. Mitchell had of his danger. On another occasion he, with a brother-in-law, had gone over to the small town of Miryel. While paying for some articles purchased he incautiously pulled from his pocket a handful of gold coins. While replacing them he noticed there were several evil- looking men lounging around. They had left the town but a short distance when the clattering of hoofs behind them told them they were being pur- sued. Intuitively divining the cause, they put spurs to their horses and fortunately took the right hand road, which skirted one side of an im- passable morass, while their pursuers, just miss- ing them at the cross roads, struck off on the left.
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