Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 87

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 87
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 87

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EMANUEL C. COLE, familiarly known as "Man" Cole, was born September 5, 1836, died October 13, 1886. He was a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, and had inherited the characteristics of thrift, industry and perseverance which distinguished his an- cestors. He was prominent both in business and social circles, and contributed in large measure to all enterprises which tended toward the im- provement and welfare of Ashley, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He was also a man of unimpeachable integrity, his word being as good as his bond. His straightforward dealing and his upright life commended him to the confidence and esteem of all, and he was justly regarded as one of the leading citizens of his community.

Josiah A. Cole, father of Emanuel C. Cole; was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, 1810. He was educated in the common and high schools, graduating from the latter with high. honors. He followed the vocation of teaching for a number of years, in which he was emi- nently successful and for which he was thoi - oughly qualified, and then learned the trade of millwright, which he followed for a number of years. He then turned his attention to lumber- ing, continuing the same for a considerable length of time and deriving therefrom a com- fortable livelihood. He came to this section when it was but a swamp and built a house at White Haven, where he carried on the lumber business for Striker Brothers. Subsequently he determined to go to the Wyoming valley, locat- ing at Hendricksburg, now Ashley, and there spent the remainder of his days, his death oc- curring September 5, 1875, at the age of sixty- five years. He married Elizabeth Labded Wil- son, born 1812, died 1882, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Hains) Wilson. Jacob Wilson was sheriff of Sussex county, New Jersey, for a number of years, and was the son of Jacob Wil- son, who came to the United States from Leeds, England. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cole were Emanuel C., see forward. Jacob Wilson, born July 7, 1840, died February, 1902. Martha Jane, born November, 1844, married John A.

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Lawn, of Conyngham, Pennsylvania. Sara H., born September 14, 1848, married John Mc- Connell, and they have children: Flora Elsie, born November 27, 1882; Ruth Esther, April 13, 188; and Frank Wilson, January 19, 1886. Sanı- tel S., born 1850, died September, 1884. Amelia M., born July 3, 1852, married James W. Die- fenderfer, of Union county, Pennsylvania. Ed- ward W., born January 12, 1854, married Eliza- beth Odenwelder, of Odenwelder, Pennsylvania ; he is an engineer and resides in Ashley, Penn- sylvania.

Emanuel C. Cole, eldest child of Josiah A. and Elizabeth L. (Wilson) Cole, was educated in the common schools of Sussex county, New Jersey, and accompanied his parents upon their removal to White Haven, Pennsylvania. He there pursued advanced studies and later en- tered Wyoming Seminary, from which institu- tion he was graduated. For a number of years thereafter he held various positions with the Le- high Valley Railroad Company, the Schuylkill & Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, also Jersey Central Railroad, on which he served as super- visor of tracks between Phillipsburg and Green Ridge. Afterward he engaged in business in Ashley, but at the expiration of two years' time his store was destroyed by fire. He then en- gaged in business in Wilkes-Barre, purchasing the stock of McNeish & Pease at Five Points, and also established a store at Parsons in con- nection with his brother-in-law, Hezekiah Par- sons, and during his connection with both these enterprises they proved exceedingly remunera- tive. At the time of his decease he was inter- ested in the lumber business, being associated with J. C. Wells, of Ashley and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Mr. Cole was one of the pioneer settlers of Ashley borough, having migrated here from White Haven when the settlement was in its infancy, and was an important factor in its improvement and advancement along various lines. He was interesting and progressive, and his influence for good was widely felt throughout the community. Mr. Cole had two paralytic strokes, the second depriving him of the power of speech for eighteen months prior to his death, but seemingly not affecting his health otherwise. The day before his death he was apparently in normal health, but the following morning com- plained of not feeling well, and, arising about 4 o'clock, he told his eldest daughter, Edna, not to call him for breakfast, as possibly sleep would relieve him of his headache. A few hours later he was found lying on the bed in an unconscious state, from which he never revived. He left

to his family the priceless heritage of a good name, which is far better than great wealth.

Mr. Cole married, October 10, 1870, Almeda Adelia Parsons, born July 31, 1843, daughter of Capt. Calvin Parsons. (See Parsons family.) Their children were: Effie Parsons and Ethel Wilson (twins), born August 8, 1871, died in in- fancy. Edna Elizabeth, born in Ashley, Pennsyl- vania, September 28, 1872, educated in the public and high schools, graduated from the latter in 1889, then entered Bloomsburg State Normal School, from which she graduated in 1893. She then returned to Ashley and taught in the bor- ough schools for seven consecutive years, and now resides at home with her mother. Anna Dana, born November 1, 1873, educated in the common and high schools of Ashley, married, December 14, 1899, Roland Bell, of Ashley, and they have children: Carlos Cole, born January 16, 1900; and Calvin Parsons, born August 27, 1905. Ralph Allen, born June 21, 1877, educated in the schools of Ashley, and now ( 1906) a help- er in the Ashley shops, and resides at home. Elsie Pasco, born February 8, 1881, died Oc- tober, 1881. Carlos Parsons, born July 14, 1885, educated in the common schools of Ashley and Wyoming Seminary, is now engaged in an art studio of a prominent Wilkes-Barre artist, and resides at home with his mother.

GEORGE M. HULL is one of the univer- sally respected citizens of Blakely, Pennsylva- nia, and a descendant of one of the first families in the Lackawanna valley. The Hull family are of English extraction, and at an early date in the history of the colonies settled in New Eng- land. The first member of whom we have any authentic history was Gideon Hull, the great- grandfather of George M. Hull, who was the father of two sons, one of whom was John Hull, grand-father of George M. Hull, a native of Rhode Island, who migrated to Massachusetts, where he settled, married and reared a family.

William Hull, son of John Hull, and father of George M. Hull, was a native of Tolland, Hampton county, Massachusetts. In 1825 he removed to Blakely, Lackawanna county, Penn- sylvania, and became associated in business (selling wooden dishes) with Calvin Barber, who subsequently became his brother-in-law. Mr. Hull purchased four hundred acres of land on ·the east side of the Lackawanna river, where he resided for three years. After his marriage in 1831 to Miss Rebecca Parker, he turned his attention to lumbering and farming, in both of which he was successful from a financial point

George Ml. Hull,

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

of view. He conducted his agricultural pursuits on a one-hundred-and-thirty-nine acre farm lo- cated on the west side of the Lackawanna river. where he built a house for hotel purposes, but never himself conducted it as a hotel: later it was conducted as a hotel by Joseph Kilmore, and this tract of land his descendants still own. Dur- ing the building of the Pennsylvania Railroad lie turned his attention to the butcher business, which he followed for three years. About 18.40 he opened a mine on his own property for do- mestic consumption, and in 1858 he leased the land on the east side of the Lackawanna river to the Delaware and Hudson Company, who now operate the coal on that side of the valley. During his entire career Mr. Hull was a hard- working man, economical, but not penurious. He was an active and public-spirited citizen, and shared the honors of various offices conferred upon him by his fellow-citizens.

William Hull was twice married. First to Miss Rebecca Parker, as stated above, who died in 1854. to whom seven children were born, six of whom grew to maturity, namely: George MI., born September 9. 1835, mentioned at length hereafter; William H., born December. 1836; John L., born February 16. 1840: Phoebe R., born in 1842, deceased: Stephen P., born in 1844: Alonzo, born in 1847; and Oristes T., born in 1852. For his second wife William Hull married Miss Maria B. Dewey, in 1861. Three children were the issue of this union, namely : Clara, Thomas, horn in 1866; and Joseph, born in 1868. William Hull (father) died in Feb- ruary, 1868, survived by his widow, who is now residing at Blakely.

George M. Hull, eldest son of William and Rebecca (Parker) Hull, was born September 9, 1835. He was reared and educated in his na- tive county, and his entire business life has been connected with agricultural pursuits and the sale of agricultural implements and machinery. He acted as agent for the disposal of the four hun- dred acres of land on the east side of the valley. In October, 1858. he purchased the interest of his brother William N., and in 1903 he sold out the remaining surface to the Delaware and Hud- son Company. Mr. Hull has served in the of- fices of school director and assessor of Blakely, and the manner in which he performed his du- ties reflects credit upon himself and those who elected him. He and his family are strong sup- porters of the Baptist Church. in which body he holds the offices of senior deacon and treas- urer, and is a stanch advocate of the principles

of Republicanism. His ancestors were mneill- bers of the Whig party.

June 16, 1861, Mr. Hull was united in mar- riage to Lucy A. Lillibridge, of Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and their children are: George A., born May 10, 1862, a student, resides at home. Edgar J., born October 25. 1863. a florist. married Louise Reynolds, and they are the parents of three children : Edna, Clarence E., and Cleo E. Cora R., born September 30, 1865. died October 25. 1895 : she was the wife of Dr. Frank L. Vansickle. Charles W., born January 6. 1868, died March 30, 1870. Agnes W., born January 10, 1870. married Charles B. Bean, of Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania, a glass cutter by trade. Lucy A., born February 26, 1872, mar- ried Dr. William Van Buskirk, and they are the parents of one child. William. Mary L., born March 4, 1877, resides at home.

WILLIAM SAMPLE FRACE. One of the men who are recognized, wherever their lot may he cast. as leaders in the commercial world. is William S. Frace, of Clark's Green. The ex- perience of a quarter of a century has placed MFr. Frace in the assured position which he now oc- cupies in the community in which he resides.

Isaac Frace, a resident of Warren county, New Jersey, moved to Tannersville, Monroe county. Pennsylvania. where he remained but for a brief period. In 1857 he removed to Clark's Summit, where for about ten years he was the proprietor of a hotel. He married Eliz- abeth Sample. and they were the parents of a son. William S .. mentioned hereafter. Mr. Frace was a conscientious and scrupulous man, whose strict adherence to principle caused him to be universally respected.

William Sample Frace, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Sample) Frace, was born in 1847. in Warren county, New Jersey, and was but ten years of age when his parents removed to Clark's Summit. He received his education in the common schools, and in early manhood en- tered upon a commercial career. In 1878 he bought out the interest of George W. Decker. of the firm of Decker Brothers. and conducted business under the firm name of Frace & Decker until 1883. when he purchased the interest of his partner. E. S. Decker. From 1888 to 1802 he had a branch business in Clark's Summit. Mr. Frace is no less earnest and enterprising as a citizen than as a business man. Since 1878 he has held the postoffice in his store, and for over twenty years has held the

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appointment of postmaster to the entire satis- faction of the patrons of the office. The or- ganization of the Abington Mutual Fire As- sociation was mainly owing to his efforts. It was incorporated June 9, 1896, since which time Mr. Frace has filled the office of secretary. He was at one time a member of the board of school directors of South Abington township, the man- ner in which he discharged the duties of the po- sition being much commended by his fellow-citi- zens. He belongs to Waverly Lodge, No. 301, Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and the Encampment. . -

Mr. Frace married in 1872, Senora L. Park- er, a native of Clark's Green, and they have two daughters: Lulu J., wife of A. C. Lamont ; and S. Elizabeth. Both daughters are graduates of Wyoming Seminary.

THOMAS E. REDDINGTON. It is doubt- ful if Lackawanna county numbers among its citizens one more popular or more deservedly so than Thomas E. Reddington, of Jessup. He be- longs to that superior class of naturalized citi- zens whose loyalty to the land of their birth goes hand in hand with the allegiance which they owe to the country of their adoption, and who never forget, in the strength of the ties formed in the New World, the more ancient claims of friends and kindred in the old home.

Thomas E. Reddington ( father) was born in Ireland and married Catherine Dimsay, a native of the same country. Their family consisted of five sons and three daughters. Among the for- mer was Thomas E., mentioned hereafter. All these children subsequently emigrated to the United States, and are now residents of Oly- phant. Mr. and Mrs. Reddington, the father and mother, are both deceased, having lived and died in their native land.

Thomas E. Reddington, son of Thomas E. and Catherine (Dimsay) Reddington, was born in 1841, in county Mayo, Ireland, and in 1865 emigrated to the United States. He came to Pennsylvania and settled in Lackawanna county, making his home in Olyphant. There he en- tered the service of the Delaware and Hudson Company, and for ten years worked as a miner. He prospered to such an extent that he was able to build five houses in a style which rendered them valuable acquisitions to the borough both in point of beauty and utility. These houses he still owns. In 1875 he abandoned mining and engaged in business as a greengrocer in Oly- phant. In this enterprise he was very success- ful and conducted the store for a number of

years. The establishment of this business was not the only momentous undertaking which en- gaged his attention at the time of his removal to Jessup. In 1886 he purchased of William H. Burke the hotel called the Winton House, of which he became the proprietor, and which he still owns. This building is of modern construc- tion and contains every improvement and con- venience, lacking none of the facilities necessary to insure the comfort of guests. Mr. Redding- ton was thoroughly conversant with the wants of the public and is noted for his skill in sup- plying them in a manner to satisfy the most fas- tidious. Order, system and regularity reigned throughout his hotel, which was justly one of the most popular in the vicinity, the source of its success lying in the executive and administra- tive ability, genial disposition and courteous de- meanor of the proprietor. In 1905 he leased his hotel, built a five thousand dollar residence on lot adjoining hotel and there leads a retired life. The qualities of a good citizen have always been prominent traits in the character of Mr. Red- dington, and that they are appreciated by his neighbors is shown by the fact that, while a resident of Olyphant, he served five years as tax collector for the borough, and for three years held the office of treasurer. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Jessup. In 1903 he presented his church-St. James'-with a three hundred dollar bell, which will long ring to his memory.

Mr. Reddington married in 1865, Mary Mo- ran, a native of county Mayo, Ireland. They have no children. The duties and responsibil- ities imposed by kinship have ever been faithfully fulfilled by Mr. Reddington. He was the first of his family to emigrate to the United States, and amid his new surroundings was not unmind- ful of the welfare of those left behind. It was by his aid that his brothers and sisters were en- abled to come to the United States, of which they are now prosperous and useful citizens. In 1903 Mr. Reddington took a trip to Ireland and experienced keen emotions of pleasure in find- ing himself once more in his native land. He took great delight in revisiting the old scenes, meeting the companions and friends of his youth, noting the beneficial, changes wrought by time, and indulging in reminiscences of bygone days.

MORRIS DAVID LEWIS, general con- tractor and liveryman of Peckville, Pennsylva- nia, is making for himself a record worthy to be imitated by the business men of his town.

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Beginning his career with less than nothing, in money, but with a large stock of perseverance and pluck, he has succeeded in purchasing a fine property and establishing a successful and per- manent business in Peckville along his lines. He is a native of the town in which he now resides, the date of his birth being January 3, 1869. He is a son of David T. and Hannah H. (Hub- bard) Lewis, and grandson of Thomas Lewis.

Thomas Lewis (grandfather) was a native of Wales, a miner by occupation, and while in the pursuit of this line of work in his native country was killed. His widow, with her two sons David T. and John, emigrated to the United States in 1833. David T. is mentioned in the following paragraph; and John, deceased, was a tailor by trade.

David T. Lewis ( father) was born in Wales in 1825, and in 1833, when eight years of age, was brought to this country by his mother, as above stated. He was a school teacher during the early years of his manhood and achieved a large degree of success in this vocation. He subsequently followed various pursuits, in each of which he earned'a comfortable livelihood. He served two terms in the borough of Blakely as justice of the peace; served as alderman in the city of Scranton; served as constable, assessor and road commissioner in the village of Peck- ville, and assessor in the village of Providence. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Baptist Church, and an adherent of the Republican party. His wife, Hannah H. (Hubbard) Lewis, who was born in Scott township, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, bore him the following named children: Helen V., wife of the Rev. George A. Cure, of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Wyoming conference; Frank H., and M. D., mentioned hereafter. Both Mr. Lewis and his wife are living at the present time (1906).

MI. D. Lewis was reared and educated in his native town, Peckville, and Providence. His first venture in business was selling papers in Providence, when he was only twelve years of age. He continued this occupation for four years, and during that period of time lost but one week. His next occupation was driving a team for a grocer in Providence, with whom he remained one year, and the following two years he worked on a farm. He then began driving a team for his father and continued at this labor until he attained his majority. Thus far he had been a hired bov and a hired man, and the thought occurred to him "if others could engage in business, hire help and make it pay, why

not I?" In 1891 he purchased a team and wagon, for which he went into debt, but soon earned sufficient to pay for them, and from that time on he hired others to work for him. He located in Peckville, where he carried on team- ing, but after one year he returned to Provi- dence and resided there one year. On August 6, 1895, he returned to Peckville, where he pur- chased a property on which he built a home the following year. He next erected a barn in 1897, and in' 1903, because of the increase of the busi- ness, he was compelled to purchase more land and enlarge his barn room to take care of his increasing stock. During the same year he added a livery stable to his business of contract- ing, and he now keeps fifteen well-bred and stylish horses, whose glossy coats indicate care and feed. His turnouts, ten in number, will compare favorably with those of any city. This does not include a tallyho, which is frequently used by his wealthy patrons.

In 1890 Mr. Lewis married Emma B. Lowry, daughter of Wright Lowry. No issue. For his second wife he married Agnes E. Williams, daughter of Edward Williams. The ceremony was performed in 1897. To this union there were born three children: Mildred, Paul, de- ceased; and Freda Lewis. Mr. Lewis, like his father, is a Baptist in religion and a Republican in politics.

HENRY M. WILLIAMS, ex-burgess of Nanticoke, is one of the well known citizens of that borough who has entered the arena of poli- tics and became successful in municipal affairs. He was born in Wales, in 1860, only child of Silas and Mary (Jones) Williams, natives of Wales, from whose shores they emigrated to the United States in 1862, when their child was two years of age, locating in the Wyoming valley, Pennsylvania. Silas Williams was a miner of considerable experience and prominence. His death occurred at Nanticoke about 1868. His widow is living at the present time ( 1906), aged eighty years.

Henry M. Williams was reared in the Wyo- ming valley, and his education was acquired principally in the night schools adjacent to his home, where he became conversant with the nec- essary branches to insure success in life. Like the majority brought up in the mining district he took to that occupation readily, beginning as a door-tender and passing through the various stages of mining until thoroughly qualified in all and finally gaining the responsible position of fire boss, in which capacity he was employed

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

by the Susquehanna Coal Company, resigning in 1898. He was for years the proprietor of the Williams Hotel, located at the corner of Market and Broad streets, Nanticoke, but April 1, 1906, removed to No. 102 Market street, where he has one of the well known and best patronized hos- teleries in that section of the county. The es- teem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens was evidenced by the fact that in 1900 he was elected to the highest office the town could con- fer upon him-that of chief burgess, in which he served up to 1903. Politically he votes the Republican ticket, the principles of which party he has upheld since attaining his majority, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pyth- ias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

In 1882 Mr. Williams married Mary L. Davis, whose death occurred February, 1883. One child was the issue of this union, Silas, who ably assists his father in the management of his business. In 1896 Mr. Williams chose for his second wife Mary A. Morris, who died March 2, 1898.

JOHN P. WALKER, M. D. Among the well-known and skillful physicians of Lacka- wanna county Dr. John P. Walker, of Scranton. holds an honorable position. Dr. Walker is of Irish parentage, and is alike loyal to the land to which he is bound by ties of blood and that in which his lot has been cast by the accident of birth.

John J. and Catherine (O'Connor) Walker, both natives of Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1864, and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Walker engaged in commercial pursuits, in which he was successful. Of the nine children born to him and his wife four are now living: Two daughters, one of whom is the wife of Thomas Kearney and the other of James Mc- Donald, of Dunmore, Pennsylvania ; John P., mentioned at length hereafter ; and Patrick H.

John P. Walker. son of John J. and Cath- erine (O'Connor) Walker, was born April 30, 1869, in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, and received a common school education in his native town. After leaving school he engaged in various oc- cupations, but always with a view to ultimate advancement. He entered Wood's Business Col- lege of Scranton, from which institution he graduated with high and recognized honor in 1892. He immediately matriculated in Balti- more Medical College, from which he received in 1896 the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then returned to Scranton, where he has since resided, and where by persistent effort and su-

perior skill he has built up for himself one of the largest fields of practice in the city of his abode.

The professional labors and interests of Dr. Walker are wide and far-reaching, both in their scope and in their results. In 1901 he obtained a charter from the state for the establishment of a correspondence school in medicine, surgery and nursing, for the use of which he is now compiling a text-book treating of these three subjects. Dr. Walker is the inventor of an in- strument which has long been greatly desired and needed by the medical profession. This is a bullet prober and packer, and is used in cases of hemorrhage or in cleansing the tissues of a dangerous wound, thus preventing the possibil- ity of blood poisoning. By this invention Dr. Walker has conferred a benefit not only on the members of his profession, but on the world at large. The demands upon his time and thoughts are increased by the appointments which he holds of examining physician for the L. C. B. A. of Scranton, and also for the Brotherhood of Rail- way Men. He is a member of the Society of Elks of Scranton. Dr. Walker has built for himself a comfortable and spacious house, in which he has fitted up and set apart certain rooms to be used as a private hospital. He is a close student, and is the owner of an excep- tionally fine medical library.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 87

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