USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 57
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 57
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to his bench until he was disabled on account of an accident, after which he kept the toll-gate on the turn pike between Carbondale and other points. He was a worthy and reliable citizen, and as a mark of the esteem and confidence in which he was held by his fellow-townsmen, was elected to the office of constable, which he held for a number of years. He removed to Blakely township, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1828, and in this place his sons were born, their names being as follows: Albert Sol- omon, born March 29. 1831, now employed as a messenger in the Lackawanna county court house : George B., born February 24. 1832, men- tioned hereinafter : and Stephen Silsbee, born Nay 4, 1837, now a commission merchant in New York City. Henry W. Newton ( father) died in the spring of 1888, aged eighty-six years, and his wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Ann Silsbee, died November 8, 1844.
George B. Newton was educated at the com- mon schools of Blakely township, his birthplace. He began his business career by following rail- roading, in which line of work he was employed for three years, and he then learned the trade of carpenter, which occupation he pursued up to the year of his retirement from active duties, 1892. He is a first-class mechanic. and many of the houses in the beautiful borough of Blakely are monuments of his skill and handiwork. He built three houses on his own account, which he still owns. With the exception of ten years spent in Binghampton, New York, to which city he moved in order to give his children better edu- cational advantages. Mr. Newton has resided in Blakely township and borough. He has had conferred on him all the honors of the borough, having been the incumbent of the office of coun- cilman for six years, tax collector for four years, and a member of the school board for thirteen years, during which time he served in the ca- pacity of president, secretary and treasurer of the board. He is a worthy and active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been identified since twenty-one years of age, ten years of which time he served as secretary, and he is also a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men.
July 3, 1856, Mr. Newton was united in mar- riage to Caroline Wilbur, daughter of Reuben and Laura Wilbur, and four children were the issue of this union, namely: George B., Jr., de- ceased : Stephen J., deceased ; Stanley W., a car- penter by trade; and Catherine, an experienced and successful trained nurse, now residing in
New York. The family are members of the . Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body Mr. Newton holds the offices of trustee and steward.
THOMAS BROWN, who came to an till- timely death in October. 1895. while yet in the prime of life. being in the forty-sixth year of his age, bythe falling in of the roof of the mine which he was operating in conjunction with other parties, was a worthy representative of the class of men of foreign birth, who upon their arrival in this country become loyal and public-spirited citizens, advancing to the best of their ability the general welfare of the community in which they reside. He was born in county Westmeath, Ire- land, in 1850, the third in order of birth of the children born to John and Jane (Burke) Brown. His father still resides on the homestead farm in county Westmeath, Ireland, and his mother- passed away in the year 1895, a month after hear- ing of her son's death.
Thomas Brown was reared on his father's farm and educated in the national schools in Ire- land. When about twenty years of age he re- moved to this country and settled in the state of Connecticut, where he remained a few years, then came to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he secured employment with the Pennsylvania Coal Company and became a practical miner. After- thoroughly mastering all the details of the busi- ness, and feeling competent to establish business on his own account, he formed a partnership with A. J. and M. J. Murray and George Jackson and they sunk a shaft. The work was slow, hard and tedious, but by all working together with a will' they eventually succeeded in reaching the Clark drift and then built a small breaker. This an- swered their purpose for some time, but as the business increased they were obliged to build a new one, which was completed in 1892, and is still in successful operation. After her husband's decease Mrs. Brown took his interest in the mine, and in 1902 John Carney and she bought out the interest of Messrs. Murray and Jackson, the business being now conducted under the firm name of Carney & Brown. Mr. Brown was one of the original parties who succeeded in starting the Dunmore Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, of which Mr. Brown was a stockholder and director. He was a firm adherent of the principles of the Democratic party and in relig- ious belief held membership with the Roman Catholic church, giving his support to the church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. In 1892 Mr. Brown spent four months in traveling through Ireland,.
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his ostensible object being to visit his father and his old home.
January 25, 1881. in Dunmore, Lackawanna county. Pennsylvania, Mr. Brown married Mar- garet Curry, who was a native of Ulster county, New York, one of the eight children born to James and Catherine (Brennen) Curry. James Curry located in Ulster county, New York, upon his arrival from Ireland, and in 1871 re- moved to Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and secured work with the Pennsylvania Coal Company, con- tinuing in their employment until his death, in 1885. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown: John J., who graduated from Mount St. Mary's, and from Villanova College in 1903, and is now serving in the capacity of sales agent for the firm of Carney & Brown; Kate, Nellie and Agnes. Mr. Brown built a comfortable home on the corner of Harper and Ward streets, where his widow and children still reside.
THOMAS PROTHEROE. One of the in- dependent coal operators of the Lackawanna Val- ley is Thomas Protheroe, of Dunmore. Mr. Protheroe is of Welsh birth and parentage, and belongs to a nation distinguished in the history of mining.
John Protheroe was born in Wales and was a miner by occupation. In 1861 he emigrated to the United States, whither he was followed in 1865 by his wife and children. He settled at Dickson City, where he engaged successfully in contract mining. He married Ruth Davis, also a native of Wales, and their children were: Mary. Richard, Edwin, William, Thomas, men- tioned at length hereinafter; and Jantes. Mr. Protheroe, the father, died in 1884. He was an honorable and upright man. His wife, a truly estimable woman, survived him many years, pass- ing away in 1903.
Thomas Protheroe, son of John and Ruth (Davis) Protheroe, was born August 10, 1860, in Wales, and when but five years of age was brought by his mother to the United States. At an early age he went to work for the Delaware Lackawanna Coal Company, and remained with them seventeen years in various capacities from door-boy up, five years of this time working under O. S. Johnson as mining engineer. For six years he was employed as mine foreman by the Pennsyl- vania Company, and was for two years super- intendent for the Nay Aug Coal Company. For the last six years he has operated on his own ac- count a mine situated at Dunmore, and form- ing part of the Nay Ang mines. In this enter-
prise he has been very successful, owing to the long experienc which has givn him a complete and thorough mastery of the business. Mr. Protheroe has been for the last sixteen years a resident of Dunmore. He is a self-made man in the best sense of the term. Notwithstanding the fact that his educational opportunities were of necessity limited, he has by close application sup- plied the deficiencies of his early years. He has been an unwearied student of books as well as of men, and has acquired a large fund of general in- formation. He belongs to the Knights of Pyth- ias, and in politics affiliates with the Republi- cans. He and his family are members of the Baptist church of Dunmore, in which he holds the office of trustee. Mr. Protheroe married, February 18, 1880, Esther Hughes, a native of Wales, and six children have been born to them, four of whom are living: Howard, Edna, Bea- trice and Ruth.
HARRISON E. MAINES, of Peckville, Pennsylvania, is one of the growing young busi- ness men of his town where he has continuously resided for the past twenty-one years. He is one of the leading butchers of Peckville, and by his honorable and straightforward transactions has built up an extensive and profitable business, which he has conducted since June 18, 1888, a period of sixteen years. He was born in Dun- more, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1865, a son of William and Jane (Shafer) Maines.
William Maines ( father) was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1830. He was a veteran in the war of the rebellion, and fought manfully and courageously to maintain the integrity of the Union his forefathers had previously established. He served eighteen months as a private in Company H, Seventy-first Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was then honorably discharged on account of dis- ability. His wife Jane (Shafer) Maines bore him two sons-Oscar S., deceased, who was en- gaged in the butcher and livery business; and Harrison E., mentioned at length hereinafter.
Harrison E. Maines, was reared partly in Peckville and partly in Jermyn, where he quali- fied himself for a life of usefulness. At an early age he entered the employ of A. W. Brundage. one of the oldest butchers in the town of Peck- ville, and after thoroughly mastering all the de- tails of the trade engaged in business on his own account on the date above stated. His enterprise has met with a degree of success that far ex- ceeded his most sanguine expectations, and there-
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fore he has been enabled to purchase property and to build his own home and shop. As a mark of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow townsmen, he has been tivice honored by election to the office of assessor of the third ward of Blakely borough. He is a worthy member of the Knights of Pythias, and serves in the capacity of treasurer of the Wilson Fire Company, of Blakely borough.
Mr. Maines was united in marriage October 26, 1887, to Emily Carolth, born February 4, 1867, daughter. of Mrs. Mary Ann (Reed) Carolth, of Cornwall, England. To this union were born four children : William M., July 30, 1888; Katie, August 16, 1889; George, Decem- ber 2, 1891 ; and Carl, October 29, 1893. Mr. Maines and family attend the Baptist Church of Peckville.
RICHARD J. REESE, burgess of Blakely borough, who is filling the third year of his term in that capacity, having been called to that office by the voice of the majority of his fellow citizens, is one of the most popular young men of his town, and he has also been chosen to represent the people in various other offices of trust and re- sponsibility, namely: inspector of elections in 1891, councilman in 1893-1899, borough treas- urer in 1900, and his administration of affairs in these various capacities was marked with the ut- most integrity and efficiency. He was born in South Wales, in 1869, and was brought to this country the same year by his parents, Isaac J. and Margaret (Lewis) Reese.
Isaac J. and Margaret (Lewis) Reese were also natives of South Wales. Isaac J. was well versed in the manufacture of iron, and in order to obtain a better livelihood from his trade he lo- cated in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he re- sided until he heard such glowing reports from the coal country that he was impelled to take up his residence in Scranton, same state, being ac- companied by his wife and family. He continued a resident of that city up to his death, which oc- curred in 1891. He was survived by his wife, who passed away in April, 1903. Of their seven children only three attained years of maturity, two of whom are living at the present time (1905) : David and Richard J. Reese.
The schools in the western section of Scran- ton, Pennsylvania, afforded Richard J. Reese the means of obtaining an education. In early life he followed the practice of all boys who reside in a mining country, and turned his attention to the work of mining for a short period of time. His
next business venture was railroading, which he shortly abandoned in order to learn the trade of blacksmith, which he mastered when seventeen years of age. He worked at his trade for nine; consecutive years, and being an expert mechanic achieved a large degree of success in this under- taking. He then accepted a clerkship in the office. of the Scranton Coal Company, where he re- mained for five years, and in 1901 he received. his present appointment of burgess. The mine. of which he is foreman employs about ten hun- dred men, and being the outside foreman he has charge of all that enters or comes out of the mine,. namely : the coal that comes out and the supplies that go in have all to pass through his hands or- under his supervision. There are nearly three hundred men immediately under his control, which makes it a most responsible position, but every detail is looked after with the most scrupu- lous exactness. Not only does he work faithfully for the interest of the capitalist, who has money invested in the mine, but also for the interest of, the men who are entrusted to his care. The mine was opened and operations began in 1889. He is a member of Oriental Star Lodge, No. 588, Free: and Accepted Masons; the Knights of Pythias ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; and the- Loyal Knights of America, in all of which bodies he stands high in the esteem of his brethren. He respects the Scriptures and as far as possible- obeys the commands contained therein, and his future career looks bright and promising.
Mr. Reese was united in marriage August 12,. 1903, to Martha B. Pickering, the accomplished. daughter of Frank W. and Mary A. Pickering.
FREDERICK L. VAN SICKLE, M. D., the- leading physician of Olyphant, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, where he has practiced successfully since 1888, a period of sixteen years, is a man of keen intelligence and possesses a thorough knowledge of the human system and its: needs, also skillful in diagnosis, and it is only such who can gain high rank in the profession which he follows. On the paternal side he is descended from a Holland Dutch ancestry, worthy people, who have filled many of the fore- most posts of responsibility in the country. On the maternal side his ancestors were of Eng- lish extraction, and cannot be discounted as loyal citizens.
The first paternal ancestor of whom we have any authentic information was Lewis Van Sickle (great-grandfather), who married Clara Van. Fleet. They were residents of Port Jervis, New
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
York. James Van Sickle (grandfather), son of Lewis and Clara Van Sickle, married Mary Friedenburg, and their family consisted of three children-Lewis, Solomon and Clara-all de- ceased. James Van Sickle and his wife were res- idents of Newton, New Jersey, and were prob- ably natives of New York state.
Dr. Lewis Van Sickle ( father), eldest son of James and Mary Van Sickle, was born in New- ton, Sussex county, New Jersey. He was worthy of high commendation, being one of those men who make circumstances yield to his talents. In his younger days he turned his attention to teach- ing, but realizing the great need of conscientious physicians turned his mind to the study of med- icine. He matriculated at Ann Arbor Medical College, from which institution he went to Phil- adelphia, and subsequently was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He lo- cated at Clark's Green, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, and afterward settled at Waverly, same state, where he spent twenty-seven years of active practice, and where he died in 1890. His widow now resides at Olyphant, Pennsylvania. Her maiden name was Dorcas A. Gardner, daughter of William A. and Almira (Colvin) Gardner, who were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living, namely : Mrs. Van Sickle, widow of Dr. Lewis Van Sickle, born in Glen- burn, Lackawanna county ; Mrs. Rev. J. B. Sum- ner, Mrs. Alfred Reed, Mrs. William A. Pierson, Mrs. Frank Knauss, and Milton W. Gardner. Two children were born to Dr. Lewis and Dor- cas A. (Gardner) Van Sickle, one of whom sur- vives, Dr. Frederick L. Van Sickle. Solomon Van Sickle, brother of Dr. Lewis Van Sickle, was a veteran in the Civil war, in which struggle he honorably distinguished himself by the dis- play of courage and patriotism.
Dr. Frederick L. Van Sickle was born at Clark's Green, Lackawanna county, Pennsyl- vania, September 12, 1862. He was educated at the public schools of his town, Wav- erly Academy, Waverly, Pennsylvania, and the Keystone Academy, Factory, Pennsyl- vania. At the age of nineteen years he began to study medicine under the watchful care of his father, Dr. Lewis Van Sickle, and was assistant at the Lackawanna Hospital, Scranton, for one year. In 1883 he entered Jefferson Med- ical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated at the head of his class on April 2, 1886. For one and one-half years he practiced under his father at Waverly, Pennsylvania, and in 1888 set his own establishment in
Olyphant, where he has since continued. In addition to his private practice, which has steadily increased in volume and import- ance from year to year owing to his ability and skill in professional lore, he serves as ex- aminer for all the old line insurance companies of Scranton, and is medical examiner for all fraternal insurance societies in Olyphant. In 1887 he became a member of the Lackawanna Medical Society, served as its first vice-president and sub- sequently as president, and is also a member of the State Medical Society and the American Med- ical Association. Socially he is affiliated with Kingsbury Lodge, No. 466, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is past master ; Lackawanna Chapter, No. 185, Scranton ; Melita Comman- dery, No. 68, also of Scranton, and Irem Temple, Mystic Shrine, Wilkes-Barre.
In 1888 Dr. Van Sickle married Cora R. Hull, daughter of George M. Hull, of Blakely, Penn- sylvania, and her death occurred in 1895. She was a most estimable woman, faithful and con- scientious in the performance of her manifold du- ties, and was greatly beloved by her husband and children. Their children are as follows: Clara, Karl, and Frieda Van Sickle.
WILLIAM BELL is one of the well known citizens of Peckville, Lackawanna county, Penn- sylvania, where he has resided for two years more than the half century mark. During this long period of time he has enjoyed all the politi- cal honors his fellow-citizens could bestow upon him, having filled every office in the borough of Blakely from chief burgess to judge of elections -councilman, tax collector and school director -being the incumbent of the latter named office for twenty-one years. He was born in Dumfrie- shire, Scotland, August 4, 1834, a son of Robert and Jane (Gillespie) Bell.
Robert Bell (father ) was a native of Scotland, and accompanied by his wife Jane (Gillespie) Bell and six children, all of whom were born in Scotland, emigrated to this country in 1840, when William Bell was six years of age. One child was born after their arrival in the United States, whose name is Joseph. The family settled at Carbondale, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, where Robert Bell entered the employ of the Del- aware and Hudon Company as boss, remaining as such up to 1845 when he removed to what is now known as Mayfield, where he settled on a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in or- der that his children might grow up with less restraint and be subject to less evil influences.
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Of the seven children born to Robert and Jane Bell only two survive-William and Joseph- who were reared and educated in Carbondale, at- tending the common schools.
William Bell followed farming. teaming and carpenter work up to 1864. when he entered the employ of the D. & H. company, with whom he was employed for thirty years in the capacity of superintendent. In 1894 he retired from this position, after which he built a store-room with the intention of conducting an extensive business, but in some unaccountable manner the store with all its contents was destroyed by fire : the loss sus- tained amounted to seven thousand dollars. Since that time Mr. Bell has led a retired life, his means of livelihood being the income from the twelve houses he owns and which are rented to miners. His reputation as a humane landlord is well known. More than once when money was scarce with his tenants, as is often the case during a strike, he would give a receipt for a month's rent without any equivalent whatever, and he has also performed many other acts of kindness known only to the recipients. He erected fourteen dwelling houses in the borough of Blakely, to which place he moved in 1852. twelve of which as above mentioned he owns, and these contrib- uted materially to the growth and development of that section of the town. He is a member of Harper Lodge. No. 707, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1865 Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Kate Coal, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, and their children are as follows: Mrs. C. H. Beatty ; Mrs. Jennie C. Kilthour : William M., a resident of Philadelphia ; Joseph R., an electrician for the D. & H. Company: Mrs. J. B. Reed ; and An- drew, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are both devout Christians and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held the office of trustee. Thomas Gillespie, ma- ternal uncle of William Bell, a bachelor, also a native of Scotland, was one of the first mer- chants of Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and one of its most worthy and estimable citizens.
JAMES YOUNG. The death of County Treasurer James Young, January 20, 1905, re- moved from Dunmore. Pennsylvania, one of its best known and most popular citizens. His ca- reer afforded a striking example of what can be accomplished by the union of capability and in- dustry with high principle and devotion to duty. He was born in Glasgow. Scotland, March 26,
1843, a son of William and Elizabeth ( Bryden) Young.
William Young ( father) was born in Scot- land, reared, educated and married there, and on April 24, 1843. accompanied by his wife and son James, emigrated to the United States. He set- tled at Carbondale, Lackawanna county, Pennsyl- vania, where he resided seven years, during which time he was employed by the Delaware and Hud- son Company. His first position was that of de- liverer of goods, which he filled until 1851. He was a miner and for fifty years engaged in con- tract work. Subsequently he removed to the borough of Dunmore, where the remainder of his life was spent. In politics he was a staunch Re- publican. He married Elizabeth Bryden, also a native of Scotland, and they were the parents of fourteen children, all of whom with the exception of James, the eldest, were born in this country, Eleven grew to maturity and ten are now living : James, mentioned at length hereinafter ; Mary, who became the wife of James Mears; Thomas R .: Isabell, who became the wife of Alexander Smith : Janet, wife of William Law : Katie ; Eliza- beth : Margaret, who became the wife of James Bryden ; Jennie : Alexander ; and David. Will- iam Young, the father of this large family, who was a man of pure principles and highly respected bv all who came in contact with him, died May . IO, 1892. His widow, a woman of most estimable chraracter, passed away March 7, 1897.
James Young received a limited education in the common schools of Lackawanna county, and at an early age was placed at work in the breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Company as slate picker. In 1854 he entered the mines, where for three years he was a mule-driver, and from 1858 to 1863 he was engaged in mining coal with his father. In the latter year he went into the ma- chine shop, where he learned the trade, remaining until July, 1868. Having had the misfortune of losing an eye by an accident, Mr. Young aban- doned his trade and returned to the mines. He moved to Pittston, where he was mine boss, and in 1869 was sent to Pleasant Valley, where he succeeded James L. McMullen as foreman of Brown colliery, a position which he held until March 17, 1873. He was then transferred to Dunmore, where he took charge of the Pennsyl- vania mines as superintendent, retaining this po- sition until 1903. His administration of affairs was very successful, resulting in great profit for the company, and in much satisfaction to the men under his control, whom he treated with firm
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kindness and by whom he was universally loved and respected, and after half a century of steady employment with the company they were unani- mously sorry that he had separated his connec- tion.
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