Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 80

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 80
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 80

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James. 4. Martha, married Frank Butterfield, and has five children : Thomas, Edward, Frank, George and Martha. 5. Frank W., mentioned hereafter. 6. Fannie, wife of F. D. Chambers, and mother of two children: Ella and Daisy. The death of Mr. Filer, which occurred April 28, 1898, was felt to be a great loss by all who were in any way connected with him. His abili- ties and above all his character commanded the respect of all. His widow, who is in feeble health, resides on the old homestead.

Frank W. Filer, son of George and Martha (Ashley) Filer, was born in 1871, in Dunmore. In early youth he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed steadily and with a fair meas- ure of success for twelve years. At the end of that time he abandoned it in order to devote him- self to electricity, of which he had made a thor- ough and exhaustive study. He is now in the service of the Ellis Chalmers Company as an ex- perienced electrician. He is a good citizen and possesses the esteem of all who know him. Mr. Filer married, in October, 1898, Agnes Drake, and they are the parents of three children : George A., Charles W. and Helen M. Filer.

CONRAD NAGLE, bos carpenter for the .Susquehanna Coal Company, at Nanticoke, in whose service he has been for the long period of thirty-five years, twenty-one of which he has held his present position, being an expert mechanic and having the entire confidence of the manage- ment, was born near the river Rhine, Germany, October 1, 1851, a son of George J. and Catherine (Thomas) Nagle, both natives of Germany, par- ents of six children: Conrad, Jacob, deceased ; Nicholas, Mary, wife of the Rev. Lewis U'lmea ; Godfried, and Barbara, wife of Frederick Ack- erle. George J. Nagle ( father) died in his native land. Conrad was the first of this family to emi- grate to the United States; he was followed, at intervals, by his brothers-Nicholas and Jacob- and sister Mary; and in 1892 his widowed mother, Godfrey, Barbara, and a daughter of his sister Mary emigrated, coming directly to Nanti- coke, Pennsylvania.

Conrad Nagle was tenderly reared by his par- ents and well educated in the schools of his native country. His father, being a man of considerable means and a carpenter who followed contracting and building in his own name, gave him many advantages other young men were deprived of. He learned the trade of carpenter with his father, who taught him all its secrets as he knew them. In 1870 he emigrated from his native country to seek a new home and new associations. He came

to Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county, Pennsylva- nia, but after a brief residence there removed to Wilkes-Barre, May 4, 1870, and for six months thereafter was employed by Christian Duval, a contractor. He then entered the employ of the Wilkes-Barre Coal and Iron Company, with whom he remained up to 1872, when he removed to Nanticoke and he has been a worthy and re- spected citizen of that borough ever since. In the latter named year he became an employee in the car repair shop of the Susquehanna Coal Company, later was promoted to the building of new cars, and in 1884 was appointed to his pres- ent position, boss carpenter. His work is to erect breakers and washeries for repair work, and he has the entire control of a gang of men, thirty-six in number. He is a man of excellent executive ability, keen discrimination and sound judgment, capable of wisely controlling men. He is a worthy member of Nanticoke Lodge. No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons.

Mr. Nagle was married (first) to Miss Mary Retzaff, July 9, 1874, and (second) to Miss Mary Drobka, June 7, 1902. His first wife, who died October 3. 1901, bore him ten children, eight of whom are living, namely: William, Mary. Con- rad, Minnie, Edward, Eva, Herbert and Freda. His second wife bore him two children: Theo- dore and Theophilus.

R. A. REED, outside foreman for the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, at Wanamie, who gained the necessary knowledge to fit him for his responsible position in the high school of experience, the only real institution which thor- oughly qualifies men for the various activities of life, is one of the progressive and public-spirited men of that borough. His parents, Abraham and Sarah (Wallard) Reed, are residents of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, and their family consists of three children : Harriet, Annie and R. A. Reed. Abraham Reed (father) was superintendent for the Hillside Iron and Coal Company for thirteen years, and at the present time ( 1905) is master mechanic for the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, which position he has held four years.

R. A. Reed was born in Scranton, Pennsylva- nia, January 18, 1867. He was reared in that vicinity and educated in the public schools of Lackawanna county. He gained his first experi- ence in business life in the employ of the Lacka- wanna Iron and Coal Company as tool boy, and later was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer. He then became connected with the Hillside Coal and Iron Company, in whose em- ploy he remained several years, after which he

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accepted a position as fireman on the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, from which he was transferred to that of engineer. During his seven years' connection with this company he gained an experience which broadened and wid- ened his mind and paved the way to something better. In 1890 he turned his attention to the production of coal, which he has followed up to the present time ( 1905), a period of fifteen years, six of which has been in the employ of the Le- high and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company. In his present position of outside foreman he has under his control three hundred men, whose interests · he carefully looks after, as well as those of the company he represents. As a mark of the con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens Mr. Reed was elected to the office of township com- missioner, and is now serving his second term. He is a Republican in politics. Socially he is a member of Coalville Lodge, No. 474. Free and Accepted Masons ; Wanamie Lodge, No. 867, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; and the Order of Eagles.

In 1892 Mr. Reed married Lizzie Ripple, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Two children were born to them: Helen, deceased ; and Howard Reed.

GEORGE MORGAN MORGAN, engineer for the Susquehanna Coal Company at North shaft No. I, where for twelve years he has held the throttle while lowering and hoisting men into and out of the mines, is a native of Gloucester- shire, England, born May 16, 1871. Perhaps no position is more exacting or trying to the nerves than that of the shaft engineer. One moment or even a fraction thereof of inattention on the part of the engineer may mean loss of life, property, or both, therefore the men of steady nerves and clear brain are selected for this position, in whom not only the company, but the miners, have im- plicit confidence.

Isaiah Morgan, father of George M. Morgan, was born in Gloucestershire, England, May 22, 1833. He was reared, educated and married in his native land, and in 1888, accompanied by a married daughter whose husband was in the United States, emigrated to this country, arriv- ing in September of that year. The following spring his wife and the remainder of the children followed him to their new home. He located in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where he secured a position as engineer (that being the line of work he followed in his native country) with the Sus- quehanna Coal Company, they giving him a fan

engine. After dissolving his connection with this company, he became the proprietor of a hotel, from which he realized a fair income. He was a member of the Foresters of America, and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. By his mar- riage to Mary A. Morgan, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, May 22, 1839, the fol- lowing named children were born: Emily, who became the wife of W. S. Powell ; Margaret, who became the wife of Thomas Wright; Hannah, who became the wife of Thomas Baugh; Isaiah, deceased ; William M., deceased, who for ten years served as foreman for the Susquehanna Coal Company ; James M .; Thomas M .; George M., mentioned hereafter; Harry M., whose per- sonal sketch follows this: Joseph I. M., who worked his way up from breaker boy to his pres- ent position of master mechanic ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Albert H. Clifford ; and John. Isaiah Morgan, father of these children, died August 29, 1892. His widow is living at the present time ( 1905).

George M. Morgan emigrated from his native country, England, in 1889, at the age of seven- teen years, in the meantime having acquired a common school education. His first settlement was in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where he has since remained. He became an employe of the Susquehanna Coal Company; his first work was firing, from that position he was given an engine at a slope, and from that he was promoted to his present position, shaft engineer. His honorable and straightforward actions in everyday life have won for him the full confidence of the company by whom he is employed, as well as the respect of his fellow citizens. Mr. Morgan has been a member of the Nanticoke Hose Company for six- teen years, has filled every position in the same and is now treasurer, which office he has held for eight years. Mr. Morgan is a member of Nanti- coke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Ma- sons ; the Consistory of S. P. R. S., 32nd degree, of Bloomsburg ; Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre ; Valley Chapter, No. 214, Ply- mouth ; Dieu Le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knight Templars; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Grand Lodge of the latter named Order of Pennsylvania, of which he was a representative at Philadelphia in 1895, and at Pittsburg in 1896; Knights of Malta; and the Order of Engineers of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Mor- gan is unmarried. He is an Episcopalian in re- ligion, and a Republican in politics.

EVAN M. MUIR. cashier of the Nanticoke National Bank, to which responsible position he

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was chosen in September, 1904, is well qualified for office, having been actively connected with banks and banking in various capacities for a number of years. Banking today is one of the great financial enterprises of this country and of this age. It is a business more than any other that requires a watchful eye on the money mar- ket, a thoughtful and careful attention paid to its fluctuations, as well as an oversight of the finan- cial field in general, and the selection of trust- worthy and competent financiers to represent the stockholders and make the best use of the funds entrusted to their care.

Thomas Muir, father of Evan M. Muir, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and possessed those sturdy and virtue-loving qualifications that are found inherent in almost every native of that country, which characteristics they transmit to their children. After his emigration to the United States he located in Pennsylvania, about 1848, taking up his residence in Barclay, Brad- ford county, where he served as superintendent of the coal mines. Later he moved to Towanda, same county, where he engaged in the mercantile business, conducting the same for seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Meredith, was of Welsh parentage and her death occurred shortly after the birth of her youngest child. Their family consisted of three children: James E., of Towanda; Margaret, married Herbert I. Graves, of Towanda, now retired, and resides in Schenectady, New York ; and Evan M. Muir.

Evan M. Muir was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1866. He was reared and edu- cated in Towanda, the county seat of Bradford county. He engaged in the grocery business in partnership with his father in 1888, and contin- ued up to 1890, in which year he became messen- ger for the Citizens' National Bank of Towanda. By faithfully discharging the duties of this posi- tion, he was promoted to that of clerk, then to bookkeeper, and finally to that of teller, in which capacity he served until July, 1903, when he was tendered the office of cashier in the Citizens' Na- tional Bank of Windber, Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, which he served up to his appoint- ment to his present position in Septem- ber, 1904. The Nanticoke National Bank was chartered in 1904 with a cash capital of $100,- 000.00. Its president is A. A. Enke, vice-presi- dent, A. Lape, and there are fifteen directors. At the beginning of January, 1905, its resources were $237.389.08, and at the present time-March, 1905-has reached the sum of $281,800.47. This growth and development proves conclu-

sively that while yet a young institution, its mat- ters are conducted in a thoroughly businesslike and reliable manner. Mr. Muir is a member of Union Lodge, No. 108, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of Towanda ; of Union Chapter, No. 161 ; of Northern Commandery, No. 16; and Irem Temple, Wilkes-Barre. He is past master of these.

In 1889 Mr. Muir was married to Hila P. Willson, of Towanda, who bore him two chil- dren : Thomas C., January 15, 1891, and Alfred B., November 24, 1893. Hila P. was one of four children, three living, namely: Hiram, of Chi- cago ; Hila P., and Fred, of Wilkes-Barre, Penn -* sylvania. She is the daughter of Rev. Clark and Mary Elizabeth ( Bliss) Willson, the former an evangelist, and the latter a sister of P. P. Bliss, the singer. She has traveled all over the world, and is known in singing sacred songs as the Jenny Lind of America. Mr. and Mrs. Will- son have an adopted daughter, Laura, who is the wife of the Hon. Richard Brown, of Jersey City, New Jersey.

R. WILLIS REES, superintendent of the Elliot McClure colliery, situated at Sibley, Old Forge borough, which company was organized in 1872, and for which he has been a trusty and re- liable employee since 1885, a period of two de- cades, is a native of Wales, born in 1862.

Benjamin Rees, father of R. Willis Rees, was also a native of Wales, where he resided during his boyhood and young manhood. In 1863, hav- ing decided to test the business opportunities of the new world, he crossed the broad Atlantic and upon his arrival in this country located in Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, where he followed mining for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Com- pany. After a residence of five years in Hyde Park he removed to the borough of Taylor, where his widow now resides. From 1868 to 1880 he held the position of superintendent for the Elk Hill Coal and Iron Company, and in the latter named year assumed the superintendency of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Company, which then took in the Greenwood and Sibley mines, remaining with them for three years, up to 1883, when his death was caused by the running away of a coal car down a slope at the Green- wood colliery. Mr. Rees understood mining in in all its departments, was thorough and consci- entious in the performance of all his duties, and enjoyed the entire confidence of the companies for which he worked. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order

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of Odd Fellows. His wife, Louise (Willis) Rees, also a native of Wales, who accompanied him to this country, bore him six children: Annie, who became the wife of William H. Slocum ; R. Wil- lis, mentioned hereafter: Ada, wife of Dr. Weston ; John B., Bertha, wife of W. W. Evans ; and Gertrude, who is a competent and accom- plished teacher.

R. Willis Rees was reared principally in Prov- idence, Scranton, and his education was obtained in the common schools of that locality. His first experience in business life was gained as clerk, and shortly afterward he was employed as weigh- master for the Delaware and Hudson Company. Later he was employed by the Pennsylvania An- thracite Coal Company, then by the John Jermyn Company, and finally by the Elliot McClure Company, whose service he entered in 1885. For eighteen years he served in the capacity of book- keeper, his methods meeting the hearty approval of his employers, and at the expiration of this period of time was assigned to his present posi- tion of superintendent of the colliery situated at Sibley. There are two openings to the mines, a shaft sunk two hundred feet deep and a slope. They employ about six hundred hands, and the output of coal is about nine hundred tons per day. Mr. Rees has the entire charge of every- thing and has so far proved his competency as to merit the commendation of the members of the company. He is a resident of Old Forge bor- ough, and has been honored by his fellow citizens to the highest office a borough can confer, that of chief burgess, which he creditably filled one term. He served as justice of the peace five years, and also as tax collector and school director for a number of years. He is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 597, Free and Accepted Masons, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party, the principles of which great body he ad- mires and upholds to the best of his ability. In 1886 Mr. Rees married Emma Kohler, daughter of Melchoir Kohler, of Old Forge, and seven children were born to them, six of whom are living, namely: Willis K., Emily, John H., Ern- stine, Benjamin and Helen Rees.

JAMES CROFT, superintendent of the brick department of the American Car and Foundry Company of Berwick, Pennsylvania, is one of the worthy residents of Beach Haven, Luzerne coun- ty, where he has made his home since 1902. He is a native of Staffordshire, England, born Jan- uary 28, 1864, a son of Moses and Martha (Brown) Croft, natives of England, in which

country their deaths occurred. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: John. James, Jefferson, William, Martna, Harry and Benjamin.

In 1876, when only twelve years of age, after completing a common school education, James Croft emigrated to the United States and located first at Berwick, Pennsylvania, but after a resi- dence of one year there removed to Danville, same state, where he remained two years. He then returned to Berwick, where for fourteen years he made his home, and in 1902 he pur- chased the property of Daniel Brader, in Beach Haven, residing thereon up to the present time. His position of superintendent of the brick de- partment of the American Car and Foundry Company of Berwick is one of trust and respon- sibility, and has been held by him for seventeen consecutive years with the perfect approbation and confidence of that extensive company. . Mr. Croft keeps his own horse and carriage, in which he makes the journey to and from his place of business, a distance of four miles. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Berwick.

On August 17, 1877, while a resident of Dan- ville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Croft married Elizabeth Ann Jenkins, born in South Wales, in 1856, a daughter of Morgan and Ann Jenkins, who emi- grated to this country from Wales, their native land, in 1880. They settled in Danville, Pennsyl- vania, remained there several years, and then re- moved to Scranton, same state, residing there until the death of Mr. Jenkins; his widow at the present time ( 1905) resides in Berwick. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins had six children: Elizabeth Ann, wife of James Croft; John G., Charles J., William, Anna J., and Mary. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Croft, three of whom are living, namely: Martha A., Benjamin W., and Anna M. Croft.

THOMAS G. FORD, a representative citi- zen of the borough of Nanticoke, where he has resided for more than three decades, and who is now serving as assistant mine foreman for the Susquehanna Coal Company, was born in South Wales, April 2, 1858.

Thomas Ford, father of Thomas G. Ford, was a native of Somersetshire, England, was there educated, learned the trade of puddler, which he followed for a number of years, and was united in marriage to Margaret George, a native of Wales. In 1865, having decided to test the busi- ness opportunities of the United States, he emi- grated thither, accompanied by his family, and

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

his first place of residence was Pottsville, Penn- sylvania, where he followed his trade. In 1872 he removed to Nanticoke, same state, and there took up mining. Later in life he abandoned this occupation. He was elected to the office of high constable for Nanticoke and served four years. His death occurred March 2, 1899, his wife pre- ceding him, passing away August, 1880. They were the parents of five children : Thomas G., John, Sarah A., Benjamin, and Lizzie.

At the age of seven years Thomas G. Ford accompanied his parents when they left his na- tive hills in South Wales for a home in the United States. For two years the family re- sided in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsyl- vania, the following six years they made their home in Wilkes-Barre, in the public schools of which city he obtained his education, and in 1873 they located in Nanticoke, where Thomas G. Ford has since remained. At the age of four- teen years he entered the employ of the Susque- hanna Coal Company, remaining continuously in their service from then to the present time (1905). He began work as a door boy and has been promoted through various positions up to his present office, assistant mine foreman, which he has filled with credit since 1893. He is an experienced miner, understanding from personal knowledge all the arts and mysteries of coal mining, and is therefore competent to take charge of the interests of the company in the mine and well qualified to look after the best interests of the miners also. He is trustworthy and enjoys the full confidence of the management of the company which he has served since boyhood. During his years of usefulness, which are still in progress, he purchased a fine, commodious and comfortable home, which he has by the as- sistance of his wife most tastefully furnished and adorned. Mr. Ford served one year on the bor- ough council and a similar period of time on the school board. He is a member of the Knights of Malta, Knights of Pythias, and Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Ford was married November 18, 1881, to Hannah Griffiths, who was born in Wales, 1860, a daughter of Lewis and Ann Griffiths. Their children are: Maggie, wife of Lewis Smith, a painter ; Lizzie, wife of William G. Williams, a tailor by trade; Mary, wife of William De Vale; Lewis, Gertrude, wife of D. J. Jones ; John and Rachel Ford.

JAMES HENRY COPPIN, of Nanticoke, who is serving in the capacity of foreman of the Nanticoke Water Company, is a man who stands

high in the estimation of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a native of England, born September 27, 1868.

His parents, Hugh and Thomasine (Vivian) Coppin, natives of England, left their native land for a home in the new world in 1879, locating in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. From early boy- hood Hugh Coppin was connected with mining in rock, was an experienced and expert mechanic, his work consisting of the cutting of tunnels and the sinking of shafts. The esteem in which he was held by the citizens of Nanticoke was evidenced by the fact that he was elected high constable of that borough, and during his in- cumbency of office discharged his duties in a highly creditable manner. Their family con- sisted of five children: James H., Maurice, Louise, Ann and John, deceased. Mr. Coppin died March 7. 1889. His widow is living (1905).

James H. Coppin acquired his preliminary education in the schools of England, which he attended until eleven years of age, and his sub- sequent educational advantages were obtained in the public schools of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, whither his parents removed in 1879. Like the majority of boys who reside in a mining town, he became identified with the production of coal. He worked in the mines in various capacities up to 1898, when an opening was made for him with the Nanticoke Water Company as an engineer. He held that positition up to 1902 when he was promoted to his present office, foreman, which is one of responsibility as regards the company and the consumers. He is in charge of the en- tire system, and is also collector for the com- pany, whose interests are looked after by Mlr. Coppin with the utmost fidelity and conscien- tiousness. He is a member of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is senior warden; Valley Chapter, No. 214, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu Le Veut Command- ery, No. 45, Knight Templars ; Irem Temple, of Wilkes-Barre; John Bunyan Commandery, No. 240, Knights of Malta; and Nanticoke Lodge, No. 886, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Coppin is unmarried.

IRVIN P. WALP, of Nanticoke, conduc- tor on the Pennsylvania Railroad since 1892, was born in Hollenback township May 15, 1867, a son of Nathan and Emma (Hart) Walp.

Nathan Walp (father) was also a native of Hollenback township. He was a shoemaker by trade and owned and operated a shoe store at Ashley, whereby he gained a comfortable

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 80

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