Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 83

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 83
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 83

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).

THOMAS HUNTLEY. There are men who in the course of time invariably come to be recognized as the mainstays of whatever branch of industry they may engage in. It would be the unanimous verdict of all who are acquainted with Thomas Huntley, of Pittston, that no one has a better right than he to be numbered among this valuable class of citizens.

John Huntley was born in England, and while yet a young man emigrated to the United States, settling in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He was for a time engaged in mining, but finally abandoned it for mercantile business, which he carried on suc- cessfully for some years. He married, in Pitts- ton, Hannah Shepherd, also a native of England, who came to this country in 1849. Their family consisted of the following children: Maria, who married Joseph N. Snowdon ; George, who owns and operates the Cyclone Machine shop of Pitts- ton ; Annie, wife of J. B. McDonald ; Lizzie, wife of Alfred Williams; and Thomas, mentioned at length hereafter, The death of Mr. Huntley, the worthy father of this family, occurred in 1879. He was respected by all who knew him. The mother of this family is living ( 1905) and enjoys good health at the age of seventy-four years.

Thomas Huntley, son of John and Hannah (Shepherd) Huntley, was born December 5, 1866, in Pittston, and obtained his education in his native town. As was usual with boys in a mining town he became engaged in the produc- tion of coal at a very early period of his life, being introduced to the breaker when but nine years of age. By dint of diligence and ability he advanced step by step until 1888, when he was given charge of an engine. This position he re-

tained for fifteen years. During all this time he was in the service of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and in 1901 was promoted to the posi- tion of outside foreman of Central colliery. He had under his control one hundred and sixty men and the entire charge of all property above ground. The output of coal from this colliery is twelve hundred tons per day. April 1, 1905, he was transferred from Central colliery to No. 14 colliery of Pennsylvania Coal Company as outside foreman ; this colliery has a capacity of four thousand tons per day, and employs two hundred and twenty-five men and boys outside. Mr. Huntley is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he holds the rank of past noble grand. He has twice repre- sented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania. He is also a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

Mr. Huntley married in 1889 Elizabeth Mer- riman, and they are the parents of three children : Lewis, Martha and Harry.

MICHAEL J. O'MALLEY. One of the most respected citizens of Avoca is Michael J. O'Malley. He is the son of Thomas O'Malley, who was born in county Mayo, Ireland, and emi- grated to Scotland, where he passed the remain- der of his life. His wife was Julia McCormick, a native of the same county as himself, and they were the parents of seven children: Mary, who became the wife of Martin McGlynn : Patrick, in Scotland: Michael J., mentioned at length here- after ; James, deceased ; Bridget, deceased ; and two who died young. Mrs. O'Malley, the mother, as well as her husband, died in Scotland.

Michael J. O'Malley, son of Thomas and Julia (McCormick) O'Malley, was born in 1858, in Scotland, where he received his primary edu- cation in the common schools. At the age of thirteen he emigrated to the United States in company with some of his friends and relatives. In 1871 he settled at Avoca, where for a time he attended the common schools. He then turned his attention to mining, and passed through the various grades of coal production, faithfully dis- charging every obligation. He is now a contract miner and is employed by the Pennsylvania Coal Company. He has also worked for other com- panies, and has frequently been obliged to take business trips to different parts of the country, always, however, making his home at Avoca, where he has become by purchase the owner of two houses. He is a member of the Young Men's Institute, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Improved Order of Red Men and the W. M. W.

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of A. In 1900 he was elected justice of the peace, and again in 1905, to serve till 1910.

Mr. O'Malley married in 1881, Ann A. Mc- Afee, a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and the following children were born to them : William, who was killed by accident in the mine ; Thomas, Charles, Patrick J., deceased ; and Frances.

DAVID D. DAVIS, of Avoca, is one of those men, who whatever may be their calling and environment, command, by reason of ability and force of character, the respect of all who know them. Mr. Davis is the son of John and Anna ( Williams) Davis, natives of Wales, who both died in their native country. Their family consisted of three sons-John, David D., men- tioned at length hereafter; and Thomas. The second of these sons was the only member of the family who sought a home across the sea.

David D. Davis, son of John and Anna ( Wil- liams) Davis, was born May 10, 1851, in Wales, and when only nine years old began to work in the mines. At the age of twenty he worked in one of the largest mines in South Wales. In 1871 he emigrated to the United States and settled in the Lackawanna Valley, making his home at Hyde Park, Scranton. There he was employed as a miner by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, remaining with them five years. In 1876 he removed to Moosic, where he was employed by the Hillside Coal & Iron Com- pany. During this period he moved to Dupont and in 1889 to Avoca, where he took charge of the Avoca Coal Company's mines. He remained with this company until he became assistant min- ing foreman of the Langcliffe Colliery, a position which he held six years, then promoted to have full charge as foreman, and still (1906) holds this position. The colliery is operated by the Delaware & Hudson Company, and Mr. Davis has entire charge of one shaft and three drifts in which are employed three hundred and thirty men over whom he has full supervision. He rep- resents the interests of the company under- ground, and is one of their trusted men. At the same time he pays constant attention to the wel- fare of his men. Financially he has prospered greatly and has erected three fine houses. As a citizen he possesses the fullest esteem of his neighbors, has served for six years on the school board, and July 1, 1905, was appointed postmas- ter of Avoca borough. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a strong Republican.

Mr. Davis married in 1870, Elizabeth Davis, and the following children have been born to them: Alargaret, died at the age of seventeen years; Mary J., who is the wife of George A. Kennedy, has two children: Maruel and Eliza- beth ; John D., who married Lucinda M. Saun- clers ; Thomas, who married Sarah Danks; Rachel, William, Lizzie, Arthur, Maud, Frances, Howard, and Emerson, died at the age of six years.

ALBERT WAGNER. Among the old and respected residents of Lackawanna county must be numbered Albert Wagner, of Dunmore. He is the son of John F. and Jane (Devoe) Wagner, and was born April 17, 1841, in Hawley, Penn- sylvania.

Mr. Wagner in early life learned the machin- ist's trade, which he has followed with success for many years. In 1864 he became a resident of Dunmore, where he is employed by the Erie Rail- road Company. Both as a business man and a citizen he possesses the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He married, in 1864, Frances, daughter of Charles W. and Sarah A. (Eakin) Potter, of Dunmore, and the following children have been born to them : William ; Sarah, who is now deceased ; Charles, married Cora Mc- Cawley, and has three children, William, Arthur and Beth; Leet. married Hannah Allison, and has two children, Florence and Frank ; and Jes- sie, wife of T. H. Swift, a printer of Dunmore, and has one child. Kenneth. Mrs. Wagner is a native of Dunmore, having been born there in 1847. She and her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Sav- age, own a portion of the land which was form- erly the property of their father, the late Charles W. Potter.

BENJAMIN G. JONES, of Nanticoke, in- side foreman of Bliss colliery, Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Company, is one of the trust- worthy. and efficient employes of that company. Thoroughly understanding every detail of his business, industrious and energetic, always at his post, he is a most valuable addition to their corps of workers. He was born in Wales, February 20, 1868, a son of David and Rachel (Jones) Jones, whose family consisted of four children. David Jones (father) is still ( 1905) a resident of ·Wales ; his wife passed away in 1880.

In 1888 Benjamin G. Jones, accompanied by his sister Anna (now Mrs. Goodfell, of Nanti- coke), emigrated to this country, locating in Nan- ticoke, Pennsylvania. During his residence in Wales Benjamin G. Jones attended the common

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schools, and after emigration took a course in mining engineering in the International Corre- spondence School of Scranton, which thoroughly equipped him for his responsible position, and also fulfilled the requirements of the law. In' 1895 he became an employee of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company; the first two years he was fire boss, the following two years assistant foreman, and from then to the present time (1905) inside foreman of Bliss colliery. This mine is equipped with the most modern methods of mining ; they have in a measure dis- pensed with the use of mules, using motor cars for the transportation of coal to the shaft, and the avenues or gangways leading to the shaft are lighted by electricity. The output of this mine is from seven hundred to eight hundred cars per day. Mr. Jones looks after the interests of the company below the surface, and he has the super- vision of five hundred and twenty men and boys. He is a consistent member of the Welsh Baptist Church, a stanch Republican in politics, and a member of Nanticoke Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Nanticoke Lodge, Knights of Malta.

In April, 1891, Mr. Jones was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Hudson Richards, and to this union have been born four children : Anna, Abraham, Cecelia, and Rachel. The par- ents of Mrs. Jones, Abraham and Cecelia (Lewis) Richards, are natives of Wales, from whence they emigrated to the United States in 1870. En route from New York city to Nanti- coke, Pennsylvania, their place of destination, by way of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, the mother gave birth to twin girls, who were named, respectively Delaware and Hudson by one of the officials. Subsequently they were named in full Diana Delaware and Catharine Hudson, the lat- ter named being the wife of Benjamin G. Jones. These twins were given medals by the officials of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad which entitles them to free transportation for life over the road.

BURR B. VOSBURG. Throughout the length and breadth of the county there can be found no worthier descendant of pioneer ances- tors than Burr B. Vosburg, of Duryea. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Vosburg was a resi- dent of Wyoming county previous to 1830. He was a man of some note and influence, and it was in honor of him that the village of Vosburg re- ceived its name. His wife was a well-known physician, whose skill was such that she was fre- quently sent for from Wilkes-Barre and even from Bradford county.

William Vosburg, son of the pioneer ances- tor mentioned above, was a prosperous farmer and passed his entire life in his native county. He married Phoebe J. Bennett, whose mother was Maria Custer, a relative of General Custer, the illustrious and unfortunate soldier. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vos- burg: William C., Alonzo C., U. S. Grant, Burr B., mentioned at length hereafter ; Beecher M., Elias E., Wellington N., deceased ; Deiphine, and Lucy B. Mr. Vosburg, the father, closed his useful life in 1892. He is survived by his widow, who is a resident of Scranton.

Burr B. Vosburg, son of William and Phoebe J. (Bennett) Vosburg, was born May 6, 1869, at Vosburg, Wyoming county, and was but a year old when his parents moved to Meshoppen, where his boyhood was spent in attending the public schools and assisting his father on the farm. In 1889 he went to Moosic to learn the carpenter's trade, remaining there until 1892, in which year he moved to Duryea borough, where he culti- vated a farm in connection with the practice of his trade. In 1901 he added to his farm an ex- tensive dairy, having one of the finest herds of mixed breed in the county, consisting of Jerseys, Guernseys, and a few Holsteins. He is a mem- ber of Bennet Lodge, No. 907, Independent .Order of Odd Fellows, of Moosic; Slocum Lodge, No. 271, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of Pittston. Politically he is a Republican.

Mr. Vosburg married, January 5, 1895, Pa- tience E., daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Wil- liams) Mahar, and two children have been born to them : Marjorie, deceased ; and Albert M.

THOMAS O'BRIEN, general inside fore- man of Seneca colliery, Pittston, Pennsylvania, and a leading and influential citizen of Avoca, Pennsylvania, was born at Port Griffith, Luzerne county, September, 1859, a son of Luke and Mary (Sanders) O'Brien.

Luke O'Brien ( father) was born in Ireland, in 1834, and in 1856, when twenty-two years of age, left his native land for a new home in the United States, settling in Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania. When the dark clouds of war hung heavy over our fair land, and men strong, brave and true were needed, he willingly offered his services in defense of the honor of his adopted country, and was enrolled as a member of Com- pany I. Thirteenth Regiment, New York Cav- alry. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, whereupon he returned to civil life. While in the service he endured many hardships

2-27

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and contracted disease, which in a few years caused the loss of sight. This affliction he heroic- ally endured for more than thirty years. His wife, Mary (Sanders) O'Brien, bore him a fam- ily of ten children, four of whom are living, namely: Thomas, Patrick, Michael and Luke. Mr. O'Brien died November 2, 1903. His widow resides in Avoca, Pennsylvania.

Thomas O'Brien resided in Port Griffith until 1868, when his parents removed to Avoca, where he has since made his home. As he became a wage earner when but eleven years of age his education was limited, but as years passed on and he aspired to fill higher positions of trust and responsibility, he appreciated the need of an edu- cation and took a "Complete Mining Course" with the International Correspondence School of Seranton, from which he received a diploma in November, 1895. This action was very com- mendable on his part, and if followed by more of the youth of the nation would place in their hands a better means of livelihood. In his posi- tion as mine foreman of Heidelberg colliery, No. 2, he had entire control of all underground work, employed about two hundred men, and the out- put of coal was about four hundred tons per day. He held this position two years, and for ten years previous he served as foreman for MeClure & Company, at Old Forge. On August 1, 1905, Mr. O'Brien was appointed general inside fore- man of Seneca colliery, Pittston, Pennsylvania, which position he has held up to the present time. He has charge of about four hundred men. Politically Mr. O'Brien is a Democrat, but dis- posed to be independent in his views. He is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Asso- ciation.

In June, 1883, Mr. O'Brien was united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Kelly) Morahan, and six children have been born to them. as follows: Joseph, Alice, Agnes, Thomas, William and Gerald. The fam- ily have established a pleasant home in- Avoca, and have gained many friends in this locality.

JAMES PERRY. Few men are more gen- erally or more justly esteemed in all the rela- tions of life than James Perry, of Duryea. Mr. Perry is a son of Charles Perry, who was born in England, and in 1870 emigrated to the United States, making 'his home in Duryea. His wife was Caroline Shean, also a native of England, and they were the parents of ten children : Anna, cleceased ; Charles ; John : James, mentioned at lengthı hereafter: Gilbert, deceased; Albert ; Wil- liam; Alice; Ida; and Jesse. Mrs. Perry, the

excellent mother of this numerous family, died in 1864, and her husband, who was in all re- spects a good man and a worthy citizen, passed away in 1891. All of their children are now resi- dents of Duryea and its vicinity.

James Perry, son of Charles and Catherine (Shean) Perry, was born in 1865, in England, and was but five years of age when brought by his parents to their new home on this side of the Atlantic. While still a lad he became a wage- earner at the breaker, and has filled many of the various positions in and about the mines. For twenty-two years he has been employed at the Halstead colliery of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Coal Company, his present position being that of pump runner. This long term of service speaks volumes for Mr. Perry's faithful- ness and ability and amply testifies to the confi- dence reposed in him by his employers. Mr. Perry is an active and earnest citizen, manifest- ing in a practical manner his interest in the cause of education by allowing himself to be made a member of the school board, and is now serving his second term as treasurer of that body. He is a member of Bennett Lodge, No. 907, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Moosic; Old Forge Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle; and Custer Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Lacka- wanna. He has filled all the chairs in the last named organization. In polities he is a steadfast Republican.

Mr. Perry married, December 14, 1887, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Jane A. Wood, resi- dents of Duryea and natives of England. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Perry : Beatrice, who is now a teacher in the public school; Alice, who is deceased; Ruth, who is also deceased; and Elizabeth.

JAMES H. BADMAN, one of the progres- sive citizens of the borough of Nanticoke, is a native of England, born in 1873. a son of Joseph and Mary (Brown) Badman, natives of Eng- land, from whence they emigrated to the United States in 1882, settling at Nanticoke, Pennsylva- nia. Joseph Badman (father) worked in the mines for a short period of time, and then en- gaged in farming. About the year 1887 he leased the farm on which his son James H. now resides, successfully operated the same for seventeen years, after which he retired from active business and was succeeded by his son. Joseph and Mary (Brown) Badman were the parents of ten chil- dren, six of whom are living at the present time (1905) and reside at Nanticoke.

James H. Badman attended the public schools

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of Nanticoke, and by close application to his studies acquired a thorough and practical edu- cation. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, which line of work he followed for a number of years, and at the same time assisted his father with the labors of the farm, thereby gaining a knowledge of all the details of agricul- ture which has proved of use to him in his sub- sequent career. In 1902, upon the retirement of his father from the management of the farm, he assumed entire control. The farm, which is the property of the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern Coal Company, consists of eight hundred and sixty-two acres, and upon this he raises stock of all kinds which commands a good price in the nearby markets. In addition to this he contracts for general,teaming, employing a number of men and a half dozen teams, and this enterprise yields him a goodly income. He has served as a mem- ber of the borough council for one year, and is now (1905) assistant chief of the fire depart- ment. He is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Nan- ticoke; Knights of Malta, Nanticoke; and the Carpenters' Local Union.

On July 20, 1892, Mr. Badman was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hitchings, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Seige) Hitchings, natives of Wales, who emigrated to this country in 1885, settling at Nanticoke. The issue of this marriage was six children : Mary Louise, Sarah, Emily, Elizabeth, John, and James Badman.

WILLIAM HENRY MORGAN, of Nanti- coke, who is serving in the capacity of outside foreman of the Auchincloss colliery, Delaware. Lackawanna and Western Company, with which corporation he has been actively connected for more than two decades, is well qualified both by knowledge and experience for his present posi- tion of trust and responsibility, and he enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire man- agement.

His parents, William and Martha (Williams) Morgan, natives of Wales, had born to them two sons-James, of Hyde Park, and William Henry, whose name heads this sketch. When the latter was eight months old his father died, and subse- quently his mother became the wife of John Rey- molds. To this marriage three children were born, one son and two daughters, all of whom reside in Green Ridge, Pennsylvania. The death of John Reynolds occurred at his home in Hyde Park in 1871. His widow, who died in August, 1905, resides with her son, William Henry Mor- gan, in Nanticoke.

William Henry Morgan was born in Wales, September 1I, 1855. When thirteen years of age he emigrated to this country with his par- ents. They settled in Tioga county, Pennsylva- nia, and in 1870 removed to Dickson City, Lack- awanna county, same state. Previous to emigra- tion, William Henry attended the common schools of his native town and worked in the mines, continuing the same line of work after locating in his new home. As years advanced he realized the necessity of obtaining a more lib- eral education in order to compete with men of more advanced thought, and he determined to se- cure the same. He therefore entered the Pough- keepsie Business College, where he completed his course in 1883. Upon his return to Dickson City, he secured employment with the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Company, and subsequently was appointed assistant outside foreman at Storr's colliery, near Dickson City, where he re- mained thirteen years, and from which he was transferred to the Auchincloss colliery, at Nan- ticoke. The output of this mine is from seven to eight hundred tons per day, and it gives em- ployment to five hundred men and boys, all of whom are under the personal supervision of Mr. Morgan. During his long residence in Dickson City, he was elected to and filled all the various offices of the borough, this fact attesting to his popularity and qualifications. He adheres to the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a member of the church of that denomina- tion in Nanticoke. He is a firm believer in the principles of Republicanism, and has cast his vote with that party since becoming a citizen. He is a member of Celestial Lodge, No. 833, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, of Providence, and of the Order of Heptasophs. Providence Con- clave.

In 1878 Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Mary Rogers, daughter of the Rev. Gurdon B. and Julia (Tucker) Rogers, of Brooklyn, Sus- quehanna county, Pennsylvania. Their children are : Jennie, wife of Edgar Hartshorn, of Dick- son City; Charles C., of Dickson City: George A .. Harry R., Anna, Helen, Hazel, Maud, and Willard Morgan.

FRENK SENCOSTROUSKI. Among the foreign-born residents of Throop few are more popular than Frenk Sencostrouski. He was born in 1871, in Poland, and is one of the two survi- vors of the three children of Jolin and Ella Sen- costrouski.

Mr. Sencostrouski emigrated to the United States in 1889, and settled in Shenandoah,

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Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where for seven years he engaged in mining. In 1896 he moved to Throop and in that place also found employ- ment as a miner. In 1901 he purchased a hotel in Throop, and for one year rented it to his brother-in-law, Frank Korelsky. Mr. Sencos- trouski then personally conducted the hotel for two years, and the liberal patronage it received testified to his executive ability and his agreeable qualities as a host. In November, 1904, he sold his hotel and purchased a residence. in Throop, where he now resides, and is employed as a miner. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Sencostrouski married in 1892 Mary Korelsky, and their chil- dren are: Matthew, Joseph, Peter, John and Frank. Mrs. Sencostrouski is the daughter of Frank and Mary Korelsky, natives of Poland, who emigrated to the United States and settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Their chil- dren were: Frank, Michael, Mary, born in 1870, in Poland, and became the wife of Frenk Sen- costrouski, as mentioned above; Josie, and Anna.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 83

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