Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 84

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 84
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 84

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 PICKRELL. That spirit of en- terprise which is so marked a characteristic of nearly every citizen of Lackawanna county has been strikingly exemplified in the career of Thomas Pickrell, of Old Forge. Mr. Pickrell is a representative of the Welsh element which en- ters so largely and forcibly into the life of the Keystone state.

Hopkin Pickrell was born in South Wales, where he was trained to the calling of a miner. In 1865 he emigrated to the United States, set- tling first in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and then moving to Wilkes-Barre, where he made his home for twelve years. Finally he took up his abode in Old Forge. He was an experienced miner and was employed by the Pennsylvania Coal Company. His wife was Margaret Davis, also a native of South Wales, and they were the parents of the following children: Hannah ; Heptsey; Thomas, mentioned at length here- after; Evan; David; Samuel; and Margaret. David, the fifth child and third son of this family, served during the Spanish-American war in Company E, Twenty-eighth United States In- fantry. He saw active service in the Philippines, once receiving a wound. After serving two years he was honorably discharged, but in 1901 died from the effects of exposure while in the service. The same year Mr. Pickrell, the father of the family, lost his life in a mine accident. He was a worthy man and at the time of his death was sixty-two years of age. His widow survives him,

and in the love of her children and grandchil- dren is reaping the fruits of a well-spent life.

Thomas Pickrell, son of Hopkin and Marga- ret (Davis) Pickrell, was born May II, 1871, in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and received his education in the common schools of Wilkes-Barre. In that city he learned the barber's trade which he followed for fourteen years, also working in the mines in various capac- ities until 1891. In 1889 he moved to Old Forge, where he became a popular and trusted citizen, his neighbors conferring upon him many honors of a political nature. In 1897 he was made treasurer of Old Forge borough, and in 1899 was elected justice of the peace. After serving four years in the latter office he was obliged to re- sign before the expiration of his term in conse- quence of the strong pressure brought to bear upon him in order to obtain his acceptance of the office of postmaster. Since December II, 1902, he has filled this office creditably to himself and satisfactorily to his fellow-citizens. He was at one time councilman of Old Forge, and in that position served the best interests of the boroughi. He is a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 509, F. and A. M., the I. O. O. F., the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Old Forge, holding a position on the official board. Mr. Pickrell married, November 12, 1903, Mae, daughter of Andrew E. and Eliza (Carpenter) Williams. The former was born in Newton township, Lackawanna county, where he passed the greater portion of his life. During the Civil war he served in Company B. One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, and at the end of two years and a half was honorably discharged. Mrs. Williams is a member of an old Connecticut family, which was planted in Mehoopany township, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, by Tillinghast Carpenter, who settled there when only eighteen years of age. He was the only one of the family to leave his native state. Mr. Carpenter was a practical farmer, owning one hundred acres of land. His wife was Sarah Arnold, and they were the par- ents of four sons and four daughters. One of their sons, James S. Carpenter, was born in Me- hoopany township, and married Elmira S. White. Ten children were born to them, six of whom are living. One of their daughters Eliza became the wife of Andrew E. Williams, as mentioned above, and they were the parents of two daughters: Carrie, who married John C. Davis ; and Mae, who was born in Milwaukee, Pennsylvania, is a

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

graduate of Harford, and for some time pre- vious to her marriage was engaged in teaching. She became the wife of Thomas Pickrell, as men- tioned above. Mr. Williams is deceased, and his widow, who is a native of Mehoopany town- ship, is still living.

JACOB H. WARG. No engineer in Lack- awanna county enjoys a higher reputation for efficiency and faithfulness than does Jacob H. Warg, of Dunmore. He is a representative of a family of German origin, the members of which have always been useful and worthy citizens. His grandfather, John Warg, was a native of Upper Saucon township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania.

Jacob Warg, son of John Warg, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. His trade was that of a wheelwright, but he also engaged in business as a carpenter. He married Louise Hufford, also a native of Lehigh county, and ten children were born to them, seven of whom are now living: John H., Jacob H., mentioned at length hereafter; Thomas B., Franklin S., Robert Q. B., Isabella and Elizabeth. Two de- ceased sons, Josiah and Prosper M., served three years in the army during the Civil war; they were honorably discharged, but their lives were shortened by their military experience. Mr. Warg, the worthy father of the family, died in 1883, and his estimable wife passed away in 1898.

Jacob H. Warg, son of Jacob and Louise (Hufford) Warg, was born in 1846, at Rockport, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native town. At the age of seventeen he was employed by the Lehigh Valley Railway Company. He spent eighteen years in the service of this com- pany, for the first eighteen months as fireman and subsequently an engineer. His run was between Easton and Mauch Chunk. He afterward ran a passenger train between Wilkes-Barre and Mauch Chunk. For the last twenty years he has filled the position of foreman of the round-house for the Erie Company, at Dunmore, having for- merly served under the Pennsylvania Company. His office is to supply the locomotivve power for that division, or, in other words, he is engine dispatcher. Mr. Warg's record is a very hon- orable one, and during all his years of active service on the road he never met with a mis- hap. He assumed the duties of his present of- fice December 17. 1885, and the following year brought his family to Dunmore, where he has purchased a fine property, and enjoys the sat-

isfaction of living in his own house. He is a member of the Knights of Malta and the Knights of Honor. In politics he is a strong Republican. Mr. Warg married in 1870, Mary A. Harleman, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of two sons: Thomas J., who is an op- erator, and Charles A., who is a draughtsman and pattern maker. Thomas J. married Anna Bryden, and they have a son, Arthur A. Charles A. married Lucy Decker.

JACOB M. BERRY. In all Lackawanna county there is no better foreman or worthier citizen than Jacob M. Berry, of Scranton. His father, John J. Berry, was born in April, 1832, in Jefferson, Pennsylvania, and is actively en- gaged in the service of the Delaware and Hud- son Company, for whom he has worked for a number of years. To the experience of more than three score and ten years he joins the vigor, mental and physical, of a much younger man. He married Catherine Coss, also a native of Jef- ferson, where she was born in August, 1835, and the following children have been born to them : Florence, deceased ; David William; Jacob M., mentioned at length hereafter; Frederick S. and Frank, deceased. Mrs. Berry, the mother of the family, like her husband, sets the advances of age at defiance, and is at the present time (1905) in the enjoyment of excellent health.

Jacob M. Berry, son of John J. and Cath- erine (Coss) Berry, was born March 1, 1863, in South Canaan, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and obtained his education in the schools of Peck- ville, Pennsylvania. At the age of ten years he became breaker-boy to the Delaware and Hud- son Company, but did not on that account neg- lect his mental training. He filled all the in- termediate positions from breaker-boy up to foreman of the colliery. The office of outside foreman he has held since 1898, serving the two last years at Capouse colliery. This is one of the many mines belonging to the Scranton Coal Company, the shaft of which was sunk in 1864. The depth of the shaft is five hundred and fifty- one feet below the surface, the area of mine being fifty-one hundred by thirty-four hundred feet in extent. In this mine are employed four hundred and fifty miners and laborers. The one hundred and fifty men and boys employed on the outside are under the control and manage- ment of Mr. Berry. The simple fact that he has so long held this responsible position is con- vincing testimony to the perfect confidence of his employers in his ability and sound judg- ment. Mr. Berry married, September 25, 1886,

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Emma J. Van Gorden, and they have three chil- dren : Earl S., Florence P. and Cecil R.

WILLIAM B. STONE. One of the worthy citizens of Taylor is William B. Stone. He is a son of James Stone, who was born in Eng- land, and was a jeweler by trade. In 1852 he emigrated to the United States, whither he was followed a year later by his family. In 1853 he settled in Minersville, Schuylkill county, where he obtained a position as mine foreman. During the Civil war he served in the emergency call, thus proving his devotion to his adopted country. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1846 he married Harriet Bright, also a native of England, and ten children were born to them, seven of whom grew to ma- turity and five of whom are now living : William B., mentioned at length hereafter; Isaac, John, James and Joseph. Three of this number are residents of Taylor. Mr. Stone, who proved himself throughout his life a man of ability and integrity, died in 1864. His excellent wife sur- vived him but two years, passing away in 1866.

Willliam B. Stone, son of James and Harriet ( Bright) Stone, was born January 8, 1849, and was four years old when brought by his parents to the United States. He was educated in Schuyl- kill county, and adopted mining as his life-work. For forty years he has followed his chosen call- ing with success. In 1868 he moved to Luzerne county, and in 1869 to Taylor, where he has since resided. He has built for himself a com- fortable and commodious residence on Main street, where he enjoys all the good things of life in moderation. He belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, in which body he is past grand: He is a Republican in politics, and is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Evans married, September 23, 1872, Mary B. Evans, whose parents were prom- inent citizens of Taylor, and the following chil- dren have been born to them: William J., Ar- thur G., a traveling salesman ; Clarence D., and one who died in early infancy.

ALFRED HATTEN, a respected and worthy citizen of Taylor, where he has spent almost all of his uneventful but useful life, is a descendant of a Welsh ancestry who settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, at an early date.

Robert Hatten, father of Alfred Hatten, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1805, his father having been one of the useful and prominent cit-

izens of that city. About the year 1844 he re- moved to Luzerne county and purchased a farm of one hundred acres, which he partly cultivated and improved, but being a man of generous and kindly impulses he was imposed upon by his neighbors, who asked him to endorse checks and notes and then left him to meet the responsibil- ity, thus causing him to lose the property which he had bought with the earnings of years of hard toil. Later he purchased another farm, but he never fully recovered from his first embarrass- ment. He was united in marriage to Rachel Brown, who was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and the following children were the is- sue of this union: Theodore, Sarah Jane, de- ceased, who married James Ross ; John, who died in early life; Lewis, Alfred, Morris, Mary, who became the wife of John Bowman, and Jerome. Theodore, Morris and Jerome were veterans of the Civil war. Robert Hatten (father) died in 1872, survived by his wife, who passed away in 1884.

Alfred Hatten, son of Robert and Rachel (Brown) Hatten, was born in Easton, Pennsyl- vania, in 1839. When five years of age his par- ents removed to Luzerne, now Lackawanna county, and for a number of years thereafter lie assisted with the work on his father's farm. Later he worked in the lumber woods for John Gould, and in 1859 located in the borough of Taylor, where he has since made his home. Since then he has been employed in and about the mines of the Delaware, Lackawanna and West- ern Company in various capacities, and being a trustworthy and reliable man, has enjoyed the full confidence of his employers during almost a half century of service. In 1876 he built for himself a fine brick dwelling house, which is comfortable, commodious and substantial, and their home is noted for the utmost hospitality. Mr. Hatten is a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and the Order of United American Mechanics. Mr. Hatten married, Oc- tober 5, 1879, Miss Jennette Lewis, who was born in South Wales and emigrated to the United States in 1868, daughter of Thomas and Ann Lewis, and their children are as follows : Robert, who married Lillian Kettle; Lizzie, wife of Daniel Kean, of Bangor, Pennsylvania, and mother of one child, Margaret Kean; Herman, Laura and Ada. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Taylor, and for three years Mr. Hatten served in the ca- pacity of superintendent of the Sunday school connected therewith.

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

FRANCIS CASWELL. Among the old residents of Taylor none is more highly re- spected than Francis Caswell, who for more than thirty years has made his home in that borough. Mr. Caswell is a native of Hanham, Gloucester- shire, England, where he was born February 14, 1842.

In 1868 he emigrated to the United States. On his arrival in this country Mr. Caswell set- tled in Pennsylvania, making his home for a short time in Dunmore and then moving to Tay- lor, where he has resided ever since. He was employed by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Company, in whose service he remained for thirty years. For a number of these years he worked as a miner, finally becoming mine mason, a position which he held until 1903, at which time he retired from active service. He had the misfortune during his experience in the mines to receive an injury, from which he has never quite recovered. In 1901 he opened a store in Taylor, which is conducted by his daugh- ter. During his residence in Taylor he has built four houses, two of stone and two of frame. He is a useful, loyal and patriotic citizen, possess- ing the fullest confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Taylor and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Taylor, of which he is one of the charter members. He has devoted much time to the Sunday school, both as teacher and superintendent.

Mr. Caswell married, May 4. 1863, Amelia Griffee, who was born in England December 9, 1841, and eleven children have been born to them, three of whom, Keziah I., Keziah II. and Frank, were born before their parents left Eng- land. The names of the entire family are : Keziah, who is deceased; Keziah (second), who is the wife of Frederick Andrews, and their chil- dren are: Charlotte, Roval, Willard, Wesley, Fred, Frank, who married Mary John ; children, F. May, Frank, Wesley, William, and Hannah. James, who is deceased. Priscilla, who became the wife of William Jenkins, and is now de- ceased ; they have one child living, Ethel. Adelia, who is married to Thomas Bayliss; children : Amelia, Francis and Irene. Charles, who is de- ceased. Amelia G., who conducts the store of which her father is the proprietor. Daisy A., who is the wife of Thomas Williams, and they have one child, Daisy Louise. Ernest, who mar- ried Alice Harding, have one child, James Francis. Fred. Mr. Caswell and his children sustained a severe affliction in the loss of the

excellent wife and mother, whose death oc- curred February 1, 1895. She was sincerely mourned, not only by her family, but by a large circle of friends, her many estimable traits of character having endeared her to all who had been brought within the sphere of her influence.

MICHAEL J. FOLEY. That portion of Old Forge known as Rendham has no worthier or more respected citizen than Michael J. Foley. Mr. Foley is a son of Patrick Foley, who was born in Ireland, and in 1846 emigrated to the United States. After spending some time in other parts of the country he moved in 1855 to Old Forge, where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife was Mary Hackett, also a native of Ireland, and of their eleven children nine grew to maturity: Anna, Bridget, John, James, Patrick, Michael J., mentioned at length hereafter ; James, Sarah and Margaret. With the exception of Bridget, Michael J. and James (2) all these are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Foley, who possessed the respect of all who knew them, both died in Old Forge, the former in 1886 and the latter in 1892.

Michael J. Foley, son of Patrick and Mary (Hackett) Foley, was born in 1856, at Old Forge, where he attended the public schools. He chose the occupation of a miner, beginning as a breaker-boy, and passing through the various positions which a boy is called to fill until he reached that of miner, which he now holds. Mr. Foley married in 1903, Margaret Horn, and they are the parents of one child : Michael J., junior, who was born July 21, 1904. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Foley is a gathering place for their many friends. Mr. Foley is at the same time a true Irishman and a loyal citizen of the United States, setting an example worthy of the imita- tion of all our citizens of foreign birth or parent- age. All his brothers and sisters who reached maturity were born in this country, and his brother James is principal of the high school in Taylor borough. Mrs. Foley is a daughter of Thomas and Catherine Horn, and was born November 15, 1874, in Ireland, whence in 1893 she emigrated to the United States.

JOHN D. FRANCIS. Many years' experi- ence in one of the most responsible and perilous positions of all those connected with the produc- tion of coal have given to John D. Francis, of Taylor, his high and justly deserved reputation as a miner.

. John Francis was born in Wales, and was by occupation a miner. In 1869 he emigrated to the

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

United States and settled at Old Forge, where he found employment in the coal industry. His wife was Hannah Davis, and they were the par- ents of the following children: John D., men- tioned at length herafter: Annie, deceased ; Tabitha : David; Eliza, deceased ; Catherine ; Mary, deceased : Thomas, and Evan. Of these children John D. is the only member of his father's family . now living in the Lackawanna valley. Mr. Francis. the father, died in 1886 and his widow is still living.

John D. Francis, son of John and Hannah (Davis) Francis, was born July 28, 1858, in Wales, and was eleven years old when the family crossed the sea and took up their abode in this country. Since that time, with the exception of four years spent in the west, he has resided con- tinuously in the Wyoming and Lackawanna val- leys. He has passed through all the stages of the mining industry, having worked his way up from the position of a slate picker, and was at one time employed as foreman at Forty Fort, in the Wyoming valley. For the last ten years he has held the position of fire-boss, first with the Delaware and Hudson and now Dela- ware, Lackawanna and Western Company, and at present is employed in the Archbald mines. The fact that for so long a period Mr. Francis has proved his competence for this most danger- ous and responsible position is sufficient testi- mony to his ability and trustworthiness. During his residence in the west he engaged in silver mining. Mr. Francis has always been active as a citizen, and while living in Taylor served as secretary of the school board. In Luzerne county also he was a member of this board, and for two years filled a place in the council of Taylor bor- ough. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, affiliating with Acacia Lodge, No. 579, Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which order he holds the rank of past grand. In the Welsh Baptist Church, of which he and his wife are members, he holds the office of deacon. Mr. Francis married, in 1882, in the borough of Tay- lor. Catherine Morris, and they are the parents of four children : Mary E., a graduate of Blooms- burg : E. Warren ; Haydee, and Robert M., deceased. Mrs. Francis was born September 7. 1860, and is the daughter of James and Mar- tha Morris, both natives of Wales, who emi- grated to this country while their daughter was still a child.

JOHN J. BECKER. It has been remarked that no foreigners make better citizens of the

United States than do the Germans, and this valuable element in our population' is worthily represented by John J. Becker, of Taylor.

Mr. Becker's parents were born in Germany. His mother was Kate Tannein. Her first hus- band was Charles Mirtz, by whom she became the mother of four children: George, Charles, Elizabeth and Kate, who is the wife of Charles Neuls. After the death of Mr. Mirtz she was married to Joseph Becker. They resided in Ger- many until 1867, when they emigrated to the United States, taking np their abode in Scran- ton. Mr. Becker died the following year, and Mrs. Becker died in 1871. Four children blessed their union, namely: Philippina, Elizabeth, John J., the subject of this sketch, and a daughter who died in infancy.

John J. Becker, the youngest child of Joseph and Kate (Tannein) Becker, was born in Ger- many in 1860, being seven years old when brought by his parents to the United States. He received his education in the public schools of Scranton and in 1878 secured employment on a farm in Taylor. In 1881 he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with the Delaware, Lacka- wanna and Western Company, in whose service he has remained until the present day. He pos- sesses the fullest confidence of his employers. and his financial success is attested by the fact that he has built for himself a pleasant and com- fortable home. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. In matters of religion he is identified with the German Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Becker married in 1891, Kate E. Hilde- brand, and three children were born to them, two of whom are living: Jacob J., born in 1892. and Hilda D., born in 1904. Mrs. Becker is a daughter of Jacob and Gertrude Hildebrand, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 1866. In 1873 they moved to Taylor, where they now reside on a farm. Their family consisted of five children, four of whom are living: Frank, Dora M .. Henry W. and Kate E., who was born in 1868, in Archbald, and became the wife of John J. Becker, as men- tioned above.

WILLIAM G. HOWELL. No citizen of Taylor is more widely known or more highly respected than is William G. Howell. Mr. How- ell is a son of Joseph Howell, who was born in South Wales, and followed the calling of a miner. In 1865 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Taylor, where he was em- ployed in the Taylor colliery. His wife was

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

Lydia Jones, also a native of South Wales, and they were the parents of three sons: Joseph, de- ceased ; Evan J., who is one of the managers for Marshall Field & Company, of Chicago; and William G., mentioned at length hereafter. Mr. Howell, the father, met the tragical death which is so often the lot of a miner, being killed Feb- ruary 25, 1870, by an accident at the Taylor shaft.

William G. Howell, son of Joseph and Lydia (Jones) Howell, was born in 1846, in South Wales, where he received a limited edu- cation, the deficiencies of which were supplied in after years. At the age of seven years he began to work in the coal mines of South Wales and continued to do so until 1865, when he em- igrated to the United States. He settled at Pittston, where for three years he worked as a miner. In 1868 he moved to Taylor and, with the exception of three years' residence in Scran- ton, has ever since been a continuous resident of that place. He has experienced all the vicissi- tudes of a miner's life, and on April 3, 1869, had both arms broken as the result of an acci- dent. He is now reaping the fruits of long years of arduous toil. Mr. Howell is a public- spirited citizen and served one term as alderman of the Twentieth ward. Since 1901 he has held the office of justice of the peace, having been elected not only by the votes of the Republican party, of which he is a stanch member, but by those of the Democrats as well, a merited trib- ute to his uprightness of character and liberality of sentiment. He is past grand district deputy of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, past deputy grand sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men, and past deputy grand chief of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is past na- tional grand master of the United States Protest- ant Association, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. For fourteen years he has been correspondent of the Scranton Republican. Mr. Howell married, January 1, 1874, Diana John, of South Wales, and the following children have been born to them: William, deceased; Lydia M., who is the wife of Isaac Davis; Edith A., deceased; Cordelia, deceased ; Maud G., de- ceased; Olwen M., wife of Professor John B. Evans, of Carbondale : Joseph, deceased ; Lenore E .; Evan, deceased, and Mundell, deceased.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 84

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