Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 55

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 55
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 55

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.

At one point pursued and pursuers came in sight of each other, when the latter raised their arms and shook their machetes, or large knives, thereby letting them know what to expect if they could lay hands on them, but providentially they reached the confines of the Miryel estate first and the others were afraid to follow. The first large im- portation of slaves from Africa arrived at Estate Alava while Mr. Mitchell was there, for slaves were sometimes smuggled into the island even at this date, in spite of the international law existing to the contrary. In 1865 Mr. Mitchell settled in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and entered into part- nership with the late John Stuart in his foundry on Seventh avenue. Subsequently he disposed of his interest in the business, and in connection with the late John Gorman and Joseph Alexander pur- chased a portion of the land between Salem avenue and the City Park, which a short time be- fore had been completely swept over by a disas- trous fire. He sold a number of lots on Main street and Salem avenue, and also erected the Key- stone block, half of which block belongs to him, as does also the Globe store, and one-half of the Opera House block.

In 1870 Mr. Mitchell purchased land in the eastern part of the city, partly fronting on Canaan street, and this he laid out in lots, which sold quickly, and on the greater portion of which he erected substantial houses, allowing the purchasers ample time in which to pay for them. He also erected a large planing mill, which was struck by · lightning on July 2, 1885, and completely wiped out, together with the lumber yards, sheds and contents, involving a loss of thirteen thousand dollars, with no insurance. He served one term as councilman of Carbondale, but refused nomi- nation for a second term, and he also refused nomination for mayor of the city. He is a Pres- byterian in religion, a Republican in politics, and a Mason in fraternal relations.

On September 5, 1866, Mr. Mitchell married Mary H. Jeffrey, and their children are as fol- lows : Miguel Douglas; Christina May, who became the wife of H. H. Major, and they are the parents of two children : Helen Eudora and An- drew Mitchell Major; Andrew, Jr., mentioned hereinafter ; Marguerite Muirhead, who became the wife of Frank M. Garney, of Kingston ; Robert Duncan ; Helen Ada ; Alexander McLeod ; Virginia Cassells, who died in infancy ; Isabella Wyllie ; Florida Fowler ; and Donald Clyde Mit- chell.

Andrew Mitchell, Jr., second son of Andrew and Mary H. Mitchell, was reared and educated

in his native city, is a graduate of Carbondale high school and of Scranton Business College, and while not a college educated man in the accepted sense he is fully competent for any calling or busi- ness. In early life he learned the trade of car- penter with his father, whom he worked for and with. The Maxwell Throwing Company, of which Mr. Mitchell is half owner, was organized in 1898 by William Heyson, William Maxwell and Henry Kimble, and operated by this firm up to January, 1900, when Mr. Mitchell bought out the interest of Messrs. Heyson and Kimble. The plant is situated in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, is equipped with an eighty-horse engine and a one hundred and ten-horse boiler, and they give con- stant employment to sixty skilled mechanics and laborers. Both Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Mitchell are competent business men, and under their skill- ful management the plant has increased three fold in its capacity, and by their honest and honorable business transactions they have built up a large trade in their special line.

In addition to this enterprise Mr. Mitchell is actively interested in many corporations, and has taken a keen delight in the upbuilding of the city of Carbondale, of which he is a resident, and of Jermyn, where his plant is located. At the pres- ent time (1904) he is vice president of the An- thracite Telephone Company, a director in the First National Bank of Jermyn, which was or- ganized May 15, 1902, and auditor of the Jermyn Electric Light Company. He owns a half inter- est in the Grand Opera House of Carbondale. He is a member of Carbondale Lodge, No. 249, F. and A. M .. and trustee of Andrew Mitchell Hose Company, of Carbondale, named after his father, Andrew Mitchell.

JOHN J. SWIFT, a mine contractor, who re- sides at Archbald, Lackawanna county, Pennsyl- vania, is reported on good authority to be the first inale child born in what is now the borough of Archbald.

He is the son of Thomas and Catherine (Swift) Swift, both natives of Ballena, county Mavo, Ireland. They were industrious and hon- est people, who emigrated to this country in 1844 and located at Archbald. Thomas Swift worked for the Delaware and Hudson Company in laying out the Gravity Railroad until coal was mined in Archbald, after which he became a miner, which occupation he followed up to within five years prior to his death, when he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was the incumbent of the office of road commissioner of his township

2-18

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for a number of years, during which time he per- formed his duties in a highly creditable and ef- ficient manner. The family of Thomas and Catherine (Swift) Swift consisted of eleven children, nine of whom attained years of maturity. The names of their children are as follows: John J., mentioned at length hereinafter ; Mary, de- ceased ; Anna, who resides in Paterson, New Jersey; Sarah : Catherine, deceased: Patrick, a miner, who resides in Archbald ; Bridget ; James, deceased : Thomas, deceased : Norah, deceased ; and Ellen. All of these children were born in Archbald, Pennsylvania, and with one exception of the six living are residents of that town. Thomas Swift, father of these children, died De- cember 7. 1897, aged seventy-eight years, and his wife, Catherine Swift, passed away February 21, 1894, having attained the biblical age of three score years and ten. They were worthy and con- sistent members of the Roman Catholic Church.

John J. Swift, eldest son of Thomas and Catherine Swift, was born May 6, 1846, and was reared and educated in his native town, Archbald, Pennsylvania. His early educational advantages were limited, owing to his being the eldest child of the family, and therefore obliged to contribute to the support of his younger brothers and sisters. He became a full-fledged miner at the age of six- teen years, having chosen that occupation for his life work owing to his residence in a mining town, and that being the means of livelihood followed by his father. At an early age he became a mine contractor, which line of work he has followed up to the present time, and by industry and persever- ance he accumulated sufficient money to build a comfortable home for himself and family and to lay aside an income for his declining years or for the use of his family in case of his sudden demise. In early manhood, realizing the necessity of an education, he attended night school, where he mastered the lower branches, and in this way he qualified himself for attending to such business as would come within his sphere. In 1878, the year following the organization of Archibald as a borough, he served creditably as a member of the school board. He is a noble speciman of manhood and is a representative of that class of men who work their way upward in spite of adversity and difficulties.

February 16, 1871, Mr. Swift was united in marriage to Schina Gilgallon, who died December 4, 1893. Their children were: John P., born De- cember 11, 1871, who married Annie Laughney, and they are the parents of one child, James C. Swift. Mary, born May 1, 1874, who now acts

as housekeeper in place of her mother. James, born February 15, 1876. Michael, born October 23. 1878, died in 1888.

WILLIAM WALLACE WATT, one of the well known real estate men of Carbondale, Lack- awanna county, Pennsylvania, where he has spent the greater portion of his life, is a grandson of Andrew Watt, who was a native of Scotland, a wheelwright by trade, and who emigrated to this country in the year 1817. He settled at High Bridge, New York, where he resided until 1825, when he removed to Canaan Corners, Pennsyl- vania, where he followed his trade for many years. He married and his family consisted of seven children, namely: John, Andrew, Mat- thew, Agnes, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary.

John Watt, father of William Wallace Watt, was born in Scotland in the year 1809. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of wheelwright, and for a number of years followed this line of business. In 1842 he removed from Caanan Cor- ners, where the greater portion of his early life was spent, to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and after working at his trade for a short period of time en- tered the service of the Delaware and Hudson Company as pattern maker. In 1850 he engaged in the milling business at Providence, and in con- nection with this opened a feed store in Scranton, which he operated with a fair degree of success for a number of years. He subsequently opened a general store in his residence town, Carbondale, under the firm name of John Watt and Sons. This continued up to 1884, in which year John E. Watt, a son and partner, bought out the firm. Mr. Watt was a healthy, rugged, Christian man, a liberal-minded and progressive citizen, and a believer and staunch supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1831 John Watt married Harriet M. Free- man, a native of Tolland county, Connecticut, born in ISI1. Their children were as follows: I. Andrew, born in 1833, died August II, 1901. 2. John E., born in 1835, died June 5, 1901 ; he was married to Martha Wells, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, who bore him four children-Wil- liam E., Frederick G., Mary E., and Clara. 3. William Wallace, born in 1838, mentioned hereinafter. 4. Sarah E., born in 1842, de- ceased : was the wife of Alfred Pascoe, and mother of three children : Helen I., Harriet M., and Edwin W. Pascoe. 5. Bell, born in 1845, wife of Daniel Scurry, and four children were the issue of this union, two of whom are living at the present time (1904), namely : Walter G., and

William Wallace Hatt

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Helen Scurry. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Watt cel- ebrated their golden wedding in the presence of a number of relatives and friends, who assembled to offer congratulations and good wishes on that auspicious event. In June, 1885, after having lived happily together for fifty-four years, during which time Mr. Watt was never confined to bed by sickness, he passed away at the age of seventy- seven years. He was survived by his wife, whose death occurred September 27, 1902, at the ex- treme old age of ninety-one years.

William Wallace Watt was born at Canaan Corners, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1838. When he was four years of age his parents removed to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and in the schools of that city he received a practical education which thoroughly qualified him for the duties and re- sponsibilities of life. He is now one of the sub- stantial business men of that section of the state, ·devoting the greater part of his attention to real estate transactions. from which he derives a goodly income. He is a director in the Miners' and Mechanics' Savings Bank of Carbondale. Mr. Watt is a true and public-spirited citizen, and performs his duties of citizenship to the best of his ability.

Mr. Watt was united in marriage in 1863, to Mary J. Gillespie, of Scotch parentage. Their children are: Margaret, born in 1864, became the wife of William Hankins, and they are the parents of three children : Wallace W., Nathaniel R., and Isabelle W. Hankins. Maurice G., born in 1869, married Gertrude Raynor, no issue. Jessie E., born in 1874, became the wife of James H. Paul, and the issue of this marriage is one daughter, Elizabeth W. Paul. Isabelle F., born in 1880, wife of Thomas S. Atherton, of Scran- ton, Pennsylvania, and mother of one son, Thomas Sayre Atherton.

THOMAS J. GILDEA is one of the best known men in the Lackawanna valley. He has held the office of justice of the peace for twenty- four consecutive years, with the exception of one year, in which he served as chief burgess by the suffrage of the people of Archbald, Pennsylva- nia, where he resides. His long term of service, his contact with many of the best attorneys at the Lackawanna bar. his quickness of thought and depth of penetration, all qualify him for this responsible office, which he fills with credit. In his office of justice he tempers justice with mercy, and so well has he pleased the people of his town that no opponent aspires to the office he holds. He is a close observer of men as well as books.

and can readily discriminate between the gen- uine and the spurious, and so he is very seldom imposed upon. His ready Irish wit and fine vein of humor make him a most congenial compan- ion, while his sarcasm and quickness of repartee make him a dreaded foe.

Squire Gildea was born in the historic town of Killalla, county Mayo, Ireland, in 1854, a son of James and Ann (Wright) Gildea, both of whom were of Irish birth. The town of Killalla is one of the seaport towns of Ireland, and fur- nislied some of the brightest mariners that ever studied chart or boxed a compass. James Gildea, father of Squire Gildea, was one of these, but he died early in life, leaving a family of nine chil- dren, namely : Mary, Margaret, John, Peter, Pat- rick. Francis, Catherine, James and Thomas J. Gildea.

Squire Gildea attended school for one year in his native land, his teacher having been Mr. Finnerty, but in that short space of time he laid the foundation upon which he built later in his adopted country. In 1867, at the age of twelve years, he emigrated to the United States, and following in the footsteps of his father led a seafaring life for three years, his navigation be- ing confined to the great lakes. He then located permanently at Archbald, Pennsylvania, and from 1875 to 1900, a period of a quarter of a century, followed the occupation of mine contractor, re- ceiving injuries by the falling of a rock in the latter named year which incapacitated him for that line of work. In 1877 he sent for his wid- owed mother, whom he tenderly cared for in his home up to the time of her decease. His first official position was that of constable, which he held for three years. In 1891 he was elected chief burgess of Archbald, that being the only year in which he did not serve as justice of the peace from his election in 1882 up to the present time (1904). He also served in the capacity of census enumerator in 1900. He is a member of the Father Matthew Temperance Society. the Catholic Benevolent Mutual Association, and the Black Diamond Fire Company, of Archbald. In politics he is independent, preferring to cast his vote for the candidate best qualified for office, irrespective of party.

Squire Gildea was united in marriage in 1875 to Kate Karney, and of the seventeen children born of this union, only three are now living. namely : John, constable of the second ward of Archbald, who married Ann McHale, and they are the parents of two children-Aaron and Mar- guerite Gildea; Mary E., unmarried ; Frances,

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unmarried. Mr. Gildea and his family are worthy and consistent members of the Roman Catholic Church.

ADAM VALENTINE GERBIG, a resident of the town of Archbald, Pennsylvania, where he is a leading and well known merchant, is a worthy representative of that class of men who always take a keen interest in the development and progress of whatever community they re- side in. He is a native of Germany, born March 30, 1830.

He was given a liberal education in his na- tive land, including both vocal and instrumental music. After his graduation from the best in- stitution of learning which his native town could furnish he became a teacher and this line of work he followed up to 1852. In that year a German minister of Archbald, Pennsylvania, persuaded him to come to this country and teach school ; there were several German families in that town, but not enough children attended the school to remunerate him for his services. He soon ac- quired enough knowledge of the English lan- guage to make it convenient for him in his new home and country, and shortly afterward he turned his attention to clerical employment. For a short space of time he worked in a store, and he then entered the service of Peter Walsh, who was also postmaster, with whom he remained four years. Then, at the solicitation of a friend, he learned the trade of harnessmaker, which oc- cupation he followed for two years, and in 1858 he opened a shop in Archbald. During the fol- lowing year he took charge of the Delaware and Hudson depot as passenger and freight agent and operator. During his term of twenty-five years as agent for the above named company he en- tered the mercantile business. This was brought about through a debt which was due him from the proprietor of a store at Archbald. In order to save himself he took the store, stock and fix- tures, and by the aid of his family during the day and his own presence at night business was kept in motion and the trade constantly increased. Later he was obliged to enlarge the capacity of his store, which is one of the finest in the bor- ough and thoroughly equipped with a large and select line of the best. stock procurable in the market, and in order to devote the necessary time to this enterprise Mr. Gerbig dissolved his con- nection with his employers in the year 1887.

For a number of years he held the office of school director at Archbald. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is the

oldest member of that order in Archbald, and has the honor of being past grand. He is a mem- ber of the German Evangelical Church, in which he has held the offices of treasurer and elder. He is a worthy gentleman, who, by honest toil and economy, has built up for himself a profitable business and has gained considerable financial means.

In 1855 Mr. Gerbig was united in marriage to Pauline H. Miller, who was born in Leipsic, Germany, in 1836, daughter of Augustus Miller, also a native of Germany. In 1849 Mrs. Gerbig emigrated to this country with her parents. Her father, Augustus Miller, was a cabinet-maker by trade and a good mechanic. He was also a cof- fin-maker, that business being usually followed by members of his craft. His family consisted of twelve children,ten of whom grew to maturity and eight are living at the present time ( 1905). Elev- en children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerbig, · six of whom are living, namely : Frances A., who married Thomas Law, and has two sons living : C. Herman; Carl W., who assists with the. work in the store, and who was united in mar- riage to Mary J. Holmes ; Theodore A., a car- penter by trade ; Annie P. and Emma V. Gerbig.

C. HERMAN GERBIG, son of Adam V. and Pauline H. Gerbig, was born in Archbald, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1862. He was reared and educated in his native town, and early in life entered the employ of the D. & H. Com- pany, his connection with the same continuing over a period of nineteen years, during which time he gave entire satisfaction to his employ- ers. For nine years of that period he was as- sistant to his father, and ten years was operator, as successor to his father. In 1897 he dissolved his connection with the above named company, and in that year purchased property on the main street in Archbald, where he has since devoted his time and attention to horticultural pursuits. He is the owner of a large establishment with four thousand square feet under glass, and this is devoted to carnations, cut flowers, potting plants and vegetable plants. He conducts a thriving business, which is constantly increasing in volume and importance, and he is justly ac- corded a place among the prominent business men of the town.

March 30, 1890, Mr. Gerbig married Clara M. Horne, a lady of rare tact and brilliancy, great mental attainment and beauty, both of face and character. She was horn March 29. 1869, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Ingles) ..

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Horne, natives of Scotland, who emigrated to America in 1851. They settled in Maryland, from whence they moved to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and in 1884 they located perma- nently in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he fol- lowed his chosen vocation, that of engineer. Both he and his wife died in Scranton. Their fam- ily consisted of thirteen children, eight of whom are living, namely : Jennette Esteruth, Joseph E., Mrs. Clara M. Gerbig, Robert, Willianı, Eliza- beth, Mrs. Sarah Bruns and Mrs. Ann Eggert. Mr. and Mrs. Gerbig are members of the Ger- man Lutheran Evangelical Church, and stand high in the estimation of their many friends. No children have been born of their marriage.

CHARLES C. BATTENBERG, deceased, late postmaster at Archbald, Pennsylvania, where he performed the onerous duties pertaining there- to in a highly creditable and efficient manner from 1898 to his death. December 26, 1904, was a native of Hasse-Cassel, Germany, the date of his birth being September 26, 1841.

He was reared and educated in Germany, and at the age of sixteen years emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City No- vember 5, 1857. He located in Dunmore, Lack- awanna county, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained for two years, and then removed to Archbald, same state. He was employed by the D. & H. Company up to 1861, in which year his adopted country required the services of men to defend her integrity. He voluntarily offered his services, and his life, if need be, that the Union might be preserved. He enlisted as a private in Company H, Fifty-second Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, and in April, 1862, was pro- moted to second duty sergeant for courage dis- played in the face of the enemy and for orderly conduct in camp. This was before Yorktown, Virginia. In January. 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran, and in March of the same year he was commissioned second lieutenant ; in the latter part of 1864 he was commissioned first lieuten- ant, and in January, 1865. was commissioned captain and discharged as such the same year. He was to the front during the severest fighting of the four years' terrible struggle, and only re- ceived a slight wound on the left arm by the ex- plosion of a shell during the seven days battle at White Oak Swamps.

On his return to civil life Captain Battenberg paid a promised visit to his native land to see his parents, Henry and Philipine Battenberg, re- maining from April to September of 1866. While

in Germany he had an opportunity to witness, as a spectator, battles fought between Prussia and Austria. On his return to the United States he settled in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, and from that time until 1880 was employed with Miller & Co., coffin-makers. The following two years he worked for the Pierce Coal Company, and at the expiration of this period of time accepted a position as weighmaster for the D. & H. Com- pany, at Archbald. He was the incumbent of this office up to 1897, when he was promoted to outside mine foreman, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death. This office was one of trust and responsibility, as everything that went in or out of the mines passes through his hands or over his signature. He had the over- sight of all the coal that was mined and shipped. The mine gives employment to over five hun- dred men, one hundred and twenty of whom are employed on the outside, and these were under his immediate supervision and care. Notwith- standing the manifold duties which rested upon him, Mr. Battenberg discharged them all with promptness and accuracy, and the company re- garded him as one of their most reliable men. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was representative of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for two years. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public. He believes in and supports the prin- ciples of the Republican platform.

April 2, 1867, Captain Battenberg was united in marriage to Amelia C. Miller, who was born in Archbald. Pennsylvania, November 13, 1849, daughter of August C. and Caroline Miller, both of whom were natives of Leipsic, Germany. emi- grated to America in 1848, and settled in Arch- bald. Mr. Miller was a cabinet-maker by trade. Ten children were the issue of this union, seven of whom are living at the present time ( 1904). namely: August C., a graduate of the school of the Lackawanna, and he is now a practicing at- torney-at-law in Scranton, having been admitted to the bar in November. 1894: Charles C .. Jr .. a carpenter for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad; Harry J., a casket manufac- turer of Scranton; Helen, assistant postmaster at Archbald : Caroline, wife of David J. Jenkins ; Ernest E., an employe of the Scranton Savings Bank ; Roy, who is pursuing his studies.

AUGUSTUS F. GEBHARDT. Industry. perseverance, thrift and economy have been the chief characteristics in the successful business career of Augustus F. Gebhardt, a prominent res-

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 55

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