Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 70

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 70
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 70

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JAMES C. BRADER. In the foremost ranks of the progressive men of Nanticoke stands James C. Brader. The paternal progenitors of Mr. Brader were for several generations resi- dents of Pennsylvania, the family being origin- ally of German stock. Through his mother he is the descendant of Scottish ancestors.

Henry Brader, of Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, was a carpenter and a farmer, and in 1834 moved to Salem township, Luzerne county. His wife was Catherine Boram, also a native of Northampton county, and their family consisted of the following children : Simon, George, Dan- iel, mentioned at length hereinafter : Samuel, Jo- seph, John. James and Catherine. Of this num- ber all were workers in wood except George, who was a bookkeeper.

Daniel Brader, son of Henry and Catherine

(Boram) Brader, was a carpenter and boat- builder. He was one of the representative men of his town, and for some years served as justice of the peace. He was a member and an officer of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Adeline Campbell, a native, like himself, of Beach Haven, and daughter of James Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Brader were the parents of the follow- ing children : Ida G., who is the wife of the Rev. L. W. Karschner, of the Wyoming Conference ; Harry E., of Wilkes-Barre; George G., also of Wilkes-Barre ; and James C., mentioned at length hereinafter. The death of Mrs. Brader, the mother of these children, occurred in 1858, and her husband survived her many years, passing away in 1882.

james C. Brader, son of Daniel and Adeline (Campbell) Brader, was born February 12, 1856, at Beach Haven, Luzerne county, and received his primary education in the public schools of his native town, later graduating from the Commer- cial College of the Wyoming Seminary. After leaving school he taught for one year at Button- wood, and then entered the service of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Com- pany, as telegraph operator at Berwick. He held this position for one year, and then removed to Nanticoke to accept the position of shipping clerk for the Susquehanna Coal Company. There he remained three years, after which he was made manager of the company's supply store, where he spent another three years, and in 1881 became assistant superintendent. This position he held until 1886, when he established himself in the real estate and insurance business in his present office on Main street. In addition to buying and selling real estate and managing estates, he is agent for thirteen of the leading insurance com- panies and for all steamship lines. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Nanticoke, in which he is a stockholder, and also holds the offices of vice-president and secretary of the board of directors. For several years he was one of the directors, and also manager, of the Nanticoke Light Company. Some years ago he was a member of the board of trade, and is now secretary and treasurer of the Landlord's Protective Association. He is a Republican in politics, and for five years was a councilman and also served as auditor. He is a member of Nan- ticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Ma- sons. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which for twenty years he has been a trustee, and of which he is also treasurer. He was unanimously chosen president of the Ep-

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worth League when that society was organized in his church. Mr. Brader married, April 15, 1881, Stella, daughter of Thomas Lazerus, of Buttonwood, Plymouth township, and three chil- dren were born to them: Martha L .: Clarence A., deceased ; and Alfred E. These children were early deprived of their mother's care, the death of Mrs. Brader occurring October 16, 1891.

CHARLES C. BEERS. Among the repre- sentative business men of the borough of Nanti- coke may be mentioned the name of Charles C. Beers, a contractor and builder, whose birth oc- curred in Owego, Tioga county, New York, July 8, 1868. He is a son of Charles and Ruth (Decker) Beers, both of whom were born in Tioga county, New York, the former, who was a farmer of that county, being now deceased, and the latter living at the present time ( 1905). Their family consisted of five children: Don, Frank, Belle, Lena, and Charles C., the latter named being the only one that removed to Pennsylvania. Charles Beers ( father) was a son of David and (Richardson) Beers, who were the par- ents of one other son, namely: Albert Beers.

In the common schools of his native town, Owego, Charles C. Beers obtained an education which qualified him for the activities of life. His early years were spent on a farm where he culti- vated traits and habits which have proved of benefit to him throughout his active career. On December 1, 1888, he migrated to Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where he learned his trade, that of contractor and builder, and where he has re- mained ever since, a loyal and worthy citizen. In the spring of 1897, having thoroughly mastered all the details of his trade, he engaged in busi- ness on his own account, and his work extends in and about Nanticoke, in which territory he has erected over sixty houses. He takes the entire construction of the building from beginning to end, employing ten men of his own trade, in addi- tion to masons and painters. In 1904 he built fourteen houses and one church, which will stand as monuments to his skill and ability along the lines of his vocation for many years. He is a consistent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles.

In 1896 Mr. Beers was married to Miss Lelia Burmaford, who was born in England. March 30, 1873, a daughter of William and Eliza (Copp) Burmaford, who upon their emigration from their native land, England, located in Wilkes-

Barre, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in min- ing. Later he abandoned the mines and devoted his attention to the boot and shoe business, be- coming a prosperous merchant. Mr. Burmaford is now deceased. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beers : Claud, Russell and Charles.

OCTAVUS STANTON WILCOX, form- erly senior member of the firm of Wilcox & Walp, which was one of the leading enterprises of the borough of Nanticoke, is a native of Jack- son township, born March 30, 1864. The Wil- coxes are an old family in the Wyoming Valley, and were survivors of the Wyoming massacre, having been among the number who escaped down the river and reached New Jersey in safety.

Charles M. Wilcox, father of Octavus S. Wilcox, was born in Plains, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. 1836. During his young manhood he was engaged in teaching school for a number of years, a vocation for which he was well quali- fied. Later he was employed as docking boss at the Avondale mine for several years, in which capacity he gave the utmost satisfaction. He was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, who elected him to the office of school director, and he was also the incumbent of several minor township offices. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Wilcox married Esther Cease, who was born in Plymouth town- ship, February 28, 1841, and six of their children grew to maturity, namely: Calvin P., deceased ; Beecher ; Octavus S., mentioned hereinafter ; Homer G., deceased ; Cora L., and Gertrude E., the latter a teacher in the schools of West Nanti- coke since 1895, and is now ( 1905) also engaged in teaching music. Mr. Wilcox died January, 1901. He was survived by his wife, who at the present time ( 1905) is residing at West Nan- ticoke.

Mrs. Charles MI. Wilcox is a daughter of Jacob and Jane (Van Loon) Cease, and grand- daughter of Henry and Polly (Sorber) Cease. Henry Cease was a native of Germany, and after his arrival in this country settled in Jackson town- ship, Pennsylvania, where he became the owner of a large tract of land ; he was one of the pioneer settlers of that township. His wife was a native of Sorbertown, Hemlock township, Pennsylvania, and bore him a family of seventeen children, among whom were the following: George, Jacob Henry, Peter, Philip, Josiah, Benjamin, John, Sarah, Susan, Christian, Priscilla Barbara and Joseph. Jacob Cease (father) was born in Jack- son township, in which vicinity he erected and

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operated a saw mill. He was one of the pioneers of the Wyoming Valley, and became the owner of, a farm consisting of two hundred acres near Ceasetown. His wife, Jane (Van Loon) Cease, a native of Plymouth, whose ancestors partici- pated in the Wyoming massacre, bore him ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity, name- ly: Esther, Jamison, Henry, Fletcher, Raymond, Amelia, deceased ; and Adelia, deceased.

Octavus S. Wilcox, son of Charles M. and Esther (Cease) Wilcox, was reared in his native township, educated in the common schools there- of and at West Nanticoke, and learned his trade of carpenter and builder in Plymouth. He has followed that line of work for more than two de- cades, and being a thoroughly expert workman, and executing faithfully whatever is committed to his care, has achieved a large degree of suc- cess. In 1897 he entered into partnership with Mr. Walp in the contracting and building busi- ness, which connection continued up to May, 1895, the firm being well known for the excel- lence of its workmanship. Mr. Wilcox has since continued the business in his own name, and his work extends over a considerable portion of the Wyoming Valley, but the principal part is in Nanticoke and adjacent towns. Mr. Wilcox is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Carpenter's Union.

Mr. Wilcox married, May 21, 1891, Mamie E. Young, daughter of James A. and Elizabeth (Snyder) Young, the former named having been born in Scotland, 1838, died February 16, 1903, and the latter born in Pennsylvania, May 29, 1843, living at the present time (1905). Their family consisted of five children : James M., Wil- liam M., Charles F., Agnes A., and Mamie E., aforementioned as the wife of Mr. Wilcox. Mr. Young came to this country at the age of six years. He resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, up to his twelfth year, when he removed to Nan- ticoke, same state. He became a farmer of con- siderable importance, and also held several re- sponsible offices, among them being that of jus- tice of the peace for twelve years. Six children were the issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox: I. Calvin P., born July 12, 1891, died August 6, 1891. 2. Preston B., born October 23, 1893. 3. Charles M., born April 15, 1895. 4. Hobart S., born July II. 1897. 5. Gertrude L., born March 11, 1900, died May 10, 1905. 6. Millie H., born August 21, 1903.

OSCAR ELLSWORTH WALP, of Nanti- coke, formerly a member of the firm of Wilcox & Walp, contractors and builders, whose opera-

tions extended throughout a large section of Wy- oming Valley. Oscar E. Walp was born in Sei- bertsville, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1866.

. Thomas Walp, father of Oscar E. Walp, was a descendant of German ancestry. In early life he learned the trade of blacksmith, which he fol- lowed throughout his active career and thereby gained a comfortable livelihood. He married Deliah Boon, a daughter of Daniel Boon, who was a relative of Daniel Boon, of Kentucky, the noted trapper and Indian fighter. Five children were the issue of this marriage, namely: Dora, Oscar E., Lizzie, Harry and John. Thomas Walp, father of these children, died in 1876. His widow became the wife of a Mr. Santee, by whom she had one son, Frank Santee.

Oscar E. Walp was reared in his native town, Seibertsville, Pennsylvania, and attended the common schools of Catawissa, Columbia county, where he obtained a good education. During the first few years of his active career he was em- ployed on a farm, and subsequently he served an apprenticeship at the trade of builder and car- penter. In 1885 he took up his residence in the borough of Nanticoke, where he has since re- sided. In 1897 he entered into partnership with Mr. Wilcox, which connection continued until May 1, 1895, and since then Mr. Walp has fol- lowed the same business on his own account. As a citizen he has always upheld such measures as tend to promote the welfare of others, and he contributes of his time and means to the progress and development of the community. Mr. Walp is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Carpenter's Union.

March 20, 1888, Mr. Walp was united in mar- riage to Stella Gregory, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bloom) Gregory, of Muhlenburg, Penn- sylvania. Joseph Gregory was born May 9, 1818, a son of Peter Gregory, who was among the pio- neer settlers of the Wyoming Valley. The first wife of Joseph Gregory was Rebecca Roberts. By his marriage he became the father of six chil- dren, as follows : Elisha, Erminda, Charles, Russell, Estelle and Rosy. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walp, namely, Roscoe E., Eva D., and Gertrude A. Walp.

WALTER HERMAN DIPPE, one of the representative citizens and successful business men of Nanticoke, is one of that class of men who are adapted to and succeed in whatever line of calling they may choose to enter, and whose ca- reers are worthy of emulation by all young men who would make a place for themselves in the

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

world. He was born in Germany, December 15, 1871, a son of Charles and Minnie (Tauer ) Dippe, both natives of Germany, who came to this country, accompanied by their children, in 1887. The names of their children are as fol- lows : Agnes, Gustave, deceased : Minnie, wife of Richard Keil; and Walter Herman Dippe. Charles Dippe, (father) at the present time ( 1905) is a resident of Greater New York, and there owns and operates a truck farm.

Walter Herman Dippe was reared in his na- tive country, attended the common schools adja- cent to his home, and also spent one year in learn- ing the trade of butcher. In 1887 he accompa- nied his parents to the United States, they locat- ing in New York, where they have resided ever since. After working for several firms and a number of individuals Walter H. Dippe migra- ted to Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, and there for a short time was employed at his trade. In 1892 he engaged in business on his own account, and during the intervening years his patronage has steadily increased until now he is one of the lead- ing butchers in the borough. During the beef strike in 1904 he built a slaughter house for his own convenience, and to this he has attached a sausage factory where he utilizes all the meat. He is a prominent member of the Concordia Singing Society, being the possessor of a fine tenor voice which is noted for richness and clearness.

In 1897 Mr. Dippe was united in marriage to Olga Yeackel, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Charles and Dorothea Yeackel, of Alden, who emigrated to the United States in 1881, when Mrs. Dippe was but two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Yeackel are the parents of the following named children: Augusta, Lena, John, Charles, Tillie, Albert, Olga, Simon, Edith, Adelia, deceased ; and a child who died in infancy. Two children were the issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dippe: Viola, deceased; and Wilma Marion Dippe.

JACOB SCHAPPERT, a leading merchant of Nanticoke, where for twenty-three years he nas conducted his business to the entire satisfac- tion of his numerous patrons, was born in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1858.

Joseph Schappert, father of Jacob Schappert, was born in Germany, and like the majority of the sons of the Fatherland was honest, industri- ous and frugal. In 1855, deciding to test the business opportunities of the new world, he emi- grated thither and located in Wilkes-Barre,

Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade, that of carpenter. In 1869, accompanied by his fam- ily, he removed to Nanticoke and for a period of ten years was engaged with the Susquehanna Coal Company. He then engaged in the grocery business, trom which he derived a profitable in- come. He was one of the worthy citizens of this great commonwealth, and was elected a member of the borough council and of the school board. By his marriage to Mary Smoulter, also a native

of Germany, eight children were born, seven of whom are living: Margaret, Lizzie, Mary, Car- rie, Emma, Rose, and Jacob. The family are members of the German Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Schappert passed away at his home in Nanti- coke, February 6, 1882. His widow is living at the present time ( 1905).

The common schools of Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke afforded Jacob Schappert ample means of acquiring a practical education, which is so essential to success in whatever occupation a man may engage. During his early years he gained a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business, becoming familiar with each and every detail, and in 1882 entered into partnership with his father in the establishment of a grocery store at Nanti- coke, which he has conducted with marked suc- cess up to the present time, his pleasing and ac- commodating manners having won for him a large and increasing patronage. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and as such has held the office of councilman of Nanticoke. He was also a member of the school board, and president 1892 and treasurer 1893. The following year he received the nomination for the office of prothonotary of Luzerne county, but was defeated by a small ma- jority. In 1885 Mr. Schappert was united in marriage to Emma Shong, of Wilkes-Barre, and four children have been born to them: Edward, Joseph, Lillian and Bernard Schappert. !

M. J. DIXON. One of the rising attorneys of the Luzerne county bar is M. J. Dixon, of Avoca. Mr. Dixon is the son of William Dixon. who was born in Ireland, and at some period dur- ing the fifties emigrated to the United States. He settled in the Wyoming Valley, where he has since resided. In his calling, which was that of a miner, he was more than ordinarily successful. He married Maria Egan, also a native of Ire- land, who came to this country about the same time that her future husband left his native land. They were married in the United States, and the following children were born to them: Mary: Rev. George J., who is a priest at St. Francis

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Roman Catholic Church at Overton, Bradford county, Pennsylvania ; M. J., mentioned at length hereinafter ; William F., a practicing physician of Carbondale, Pennsylvania; Letitia, married C. J. Park, of Virginia; they reside at Baltimore, Maryland, where he is attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons: Helen, engaged in teaching ; Margaret ; Thomas, attending Roches- ter Seminary, preparing for priesthood; James ; Rose : Elizabeth ,deceased ; she was the wife of Hugh Jennings, the celebrated baseball player, and an attorney-at-law in Baltimore, Maryland. M. J. Dixon, son of William and Maria (Egan) Dixon, was born October 17, 1872, in Avoca, Luzerne county, and obtained his educa- tion in the common schools of his native borough. After engaging for a time in the production of coal. an industry to which all lads in a mining town are attracted, he entered St. Vincent's Col- lege, from which institution he graduated June 21, 1893. After a brief course at the Scranton Branch of Carlisle Law School, lie entered Dick- inson Law School at Carlisle, from which he graduated with high honors in 1896. In June of that year he was admitted to the Luzerne county bar and is now in the possession of an honorable reputation and a lucrative practice. Not only is Mr. Dixon a successful lawyer, but a prosperous and enterprising journalist. He is editor and proprietor of the Avoca Argus, a weekly paper which was founded in 1902, and has a large local circulation. As a citizen Mr. Dixon is active and public-spirited and has received proofs of the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors. Since 1896 he has filled the office of borough solicitor for Avoca, and for three years served on the school board of that borough. He is a mem- ber of the Heptasophs.

Mr. Dixon married, June 21, 1899, Margaret, daughter of James and Margaret Butler, and they are the parents of a son and a daughter, James and Elizabeth.

ALVA A. HINES. In a list of the success- ful and respected business men of the county the name of Alva A. Hines, of Avoca, would stand very high. Mr. Hines is the grandson of Henry Hines, a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States and settled in the Lackawanna Valley at a time when Slocum Hollow was a place in name only. He purchased a part of that portion of the valley, but considering it a useless piece of land disposed of it at a sacrifice. He was a brickmaker by trade and made the first bricks for Wilkes-Barre's first court house. Dur-

ing the Mexican war he served in the army and was afterward enrolled on the pension list. His wife was Electa Hollenback, a member of a fam- ily of some prominence, owners of the property upon which Greenwood now stands. Mr. and Mrs. Hines were the parents of the following children: Charles, Sylvester, William, George, Lenford, Phoebe, and Caroline. Mr. Hines af- forded a singularly striking example of longevity, his death occurring when he had attained the truly remarkable and venerable age of one hun- dred and eight years and four months.

Lenford Hines, son of Henry and Electa (Hollenback) Hines, was born in Pennsylvania. He was an experienced locomotive engineer, and for a number of years was in the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company. During the Civil war he served under General Sherman and participated in the great march to the sea. He married Sarah Eames, a native of Taylorville, Pennsylvania, and their family con- sisted of four children: Louise, who was born in 1857, and became the wife of W. R. Bryant, of Parsons; Alva A., mentioned at length herein- after ; Imogene and George, both of whom are deceased. The mother of these children passed away in 1861. Mr. Hines sustained injuries in a railroad wreck from the effects of which he died in 1871.

Alva A. Hines, son of Lenford and Sarah (Eames) Hines, was born in 1859, in Taylor- ville, Pennsylvania, but was educated in Moosic, where he remained until reaching his fourteenth year, when he moved to Pittston. In 1879 he went to Avoca and there learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed successfully. For eighteen years he has been a contractor and builder, and during that time has erected a num- ber of fine residences in the Lackawanna Valley. As a thorough master mechanic he enjoys the highest reputation. He has built for himself a commodious and beautiful home. He belongs to the Order of United American Mechanics and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Hines married in 1881, Rose A. Shales, and they are the parents of two children : Mabel, born December 19, 1882, who is a teacher of music, organist of the Sunday school several years, and president of the Epworth League ; and Lenford, born in 1898. Mrs. Hines is a daughter of Henry P. Shales, who was born in 1837, in Kingston township, Luzerne county. He lived for a number of years in Plymouth, and in 1864 moved to Avoca. He was a contractor and

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builder, in connection with which he conducted a lumber yard. He was chief burgess of Avoca borough in addition to holding other minor offices. The Knights of Honor claimed him as a worthy member. He married in Kingston town- ship, Caroline Huff, whose family had moved thither in 1848 from Wyoming county, which was her native place. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Shales consisted of eight children, all of whom are living : Rose A., born in 1862, became the wife of Alva A. Hines, as mentioned above ; Myron E., born in 1864; Minnie F., born in 1866; Frank E., born in 1870; Emma J., born in 1872; Edna, born in 1875; Etta, born in 1877 ; and Roy, born in 1882. Mr. Shales, the father, died May 7, 1903. He was a prosperous, useful and influential citizen. His widow is a resident of Avoca.

CHARLES ELSWORTH MOORE, M. D., ranks high among the practicing physicians at Alden, where for twenty-two years he has been steadily growing in practice and gaining favor with the residents of Newport township. There is no branch of science demanding greater atten- tion and none which receives more scholarly and painstaking research and study than that of medi- cine. Dr. Moore was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1861, a son of Wil- liam H. and Mary (DeLap) Moore, natives of England, who emigrated to the United States in 1853, locating in Schuylkill county, Pennsylva- nia, where their deaths occurred, respectively, in 1884 and 1886. William H. Moore was an ex- perienced mine engineer, and for several years served as foreman and superintendent, respec- tively. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, namely: Annie, married Christopher Spoals, of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania ; Thomas, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Richard, an engineer at Alden, Pennsylvania; Charles Elsworth; Elizabeth, married George Best, re- sides at Miner's Mills; and Catherine, resides with her sister.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 70

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