USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 94
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 94
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Henry B. Casselberry resided in his native village, Conyngham, until 1871, when his par- ents removed to Hazleton, where he has since resided. He attended the public schools of
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Conyngham and Hazleton, and in the fall of 1880 . entered Williston Seminary at East Hampton, Massachusetts, where he remained one year. During his connection with this school he, with six other students, founded the "Iota Zeta Fra- ternity" (now a popular secret society at Willis- ton and other preparatory schools), and at the first annual reunion in New York city, in 1886, he was elected "grand president" of the Alumni Lodges. In 1881 he entered Lafayette College, taking the scientific course at that institution. He then registered as a student of medicine in his father's office, and April 2, 1886, was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Jef- ferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. During his course at the latter named institution he gave particular attention to the eye, ear, nose and throat, and after his graduation spent considera- ble time in the hospitals of Philadelphia devoted to those branches. In the spring of 1887 he took a trip abroad in order to continue his studies, and for a time attended the various eye hospitals of the Frederichs Wilhelm University, of Berlin, Germany, under the famous professors, Schweig- ger and Hirschberg. At the completion of his studies he made a tour of Europe, and then spent several months in St. Mary's College Hos- pital, London, England, under Professors Juler and Critchett. Since then he has been a great traveler and has visited nearly every section of the world with the exception of the far east, thus adding considerably to his store of knowledge and experience. Upon his return to his native land Dr. Casselberry located in Hazleton, Penn- sylvania, where he has since continued in active practice.
In addition to his profession Dr. Casselberry has served for the past ten years in the capacity of director of the Hazleton National Bank, Haz- leton Gas Company, Hazleton Regalia Company, and Midland Street Railway Company of Phila- delphia. He is an active and stanch Republican in politics, was a member of the county commit- tee several times, and was chosen as representa- tive at the various nominations and conventions. When Hazleton became a city in 1892 he was nominated by the Republicans of the eighth ward for select council. Without any solicitation on his part the Democrats of the ward assembled in convention and endorsed his nomination so at the succeeding election he was elected, receiv- ing every vote cast. This was the first campaign for city officials, and when the first select council was organized April 4, 1892, although he was the youngest member, on account of his wide knowl- edge of parliamentary law, he was made the
president of that body, in which capacity he served eight terms of one year each. He served two terms of four years each in the select council,. after which he retired, and although his name has been mentioned at different times for various positions has always declined to serve. He has always evinced a decided fondness for literary work, and has contributed many articles relating to his profession and otherwise to the leading journals of the day. He was for a number of years the dramatic critic of the Hasleton Senti- nel, and his articles written under the nom-de- plume of "The Man with the Opera Glass" have gained him an enviable reputation in this line. He was also a staff correspondent of a number of musical journals. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 65, Hazle- ton ; Patriotic Order Sons of America, Washing- ton Camp, No. 90, of Hazleton ; and Hazleton Council, No. 408, Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Dr. Casselberry is a fluent German scholar.
Dr. Casselberry married, June 29. 1898, Marie Leigh Johns, daughter of George and Ann Johns, the former named, a retired coal operator of Wales, England. Mr. and Mrs. Johns are the parents of seven children, namely: Annie, wife of Moses Owens, of Hazleton ; Elizabeth ; Char- lotte, wife of John Boyer, of Easton, Pennsylva- nia : Carrie, wife of Elmer H. Lawall, of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania: Marie, wife of Dr. Cassel- berry : Amy, wife of Harry Lee Taft, of Chicago, Illinois ; and George, Jr., of Chalfonte, Penn- sylvania.
HENRY P. SMITH. One of those natural- ized citizens of foreign birth of whom Lacka- wanna county has reason to be proud is Henry P. Smith, of Dunmore. Through both his par- ents Mr. Smith is of pure German descent, com- ing of a stock than which there is none better for making good citizens.
George Smith was born in Germany and was a blacksmith by trade. In 1865 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Petersburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked successfully at his trade. He purchased four lots on which he built a fine dwelling house. He married Anna E. Henrich, also a native of Germany, and of the eleven children born to them five are now living: Elizabeth, married Yuenklatt ; Lena, married Yuenklatt : Philip : Henry P., mentioned hereafter ; and Susanna, married - Butler. Mr. Smith, the father, was a man not merely successful in worldly matters, but also much respected. The family were accompa-
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
nied in their emigration by Charles Henrich, a brother of Mrs. Smith. He was a landscape gardener, and was employed by the Albright family, by whom he was much respected. He subsequently became an inmate of the Archibald family, with whom he remained until the time of his death. He was a man of real worth and genuine refinement.
Henry P. Smith, son of George and Anna E. (Henrich) Smith, was born April, 1849, in Ger- many, and was educated in his native land, where he learned the cabinetmaker's trade. In 1865 he accompanied his parents to the United States, and after their settlement at Petersburg attended school and made himself familiar with the lan- guage of his adopted country. He entered the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company as patternmaker, and at the end of six months was transferred to assist in the erection of the company's foundry building. He was en- gaged upon this until 1870, when he returned to his trade. In 1872 he again entered the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Com- pany, this time in the coach-building department. His superior judgment and perfect knowledge of the trade procured for him the position of assist- ant foreman of the coach and sleeper department in 1876. In 1883 he took entire charge of the coach shop, and in 1889 was promoted to the position of general foreman of the coach and sleeper shop, which office he now holds. Mr. Smith is active as a citizen, and has served his town as member of the town council. He be- longs to the Lackawanna Beneficent Society, and the I. O. O. F., in which he has held the office of secretary. Politically he is a staunch Repub- lican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Smith married in 1873, Anna Willner, and ten children have been born to them, five of whom are living: Anna, wife of E. Robertson ; Henry F., Minnie, Robert, and Leonora. In one of the houses owned by Mr. Smith he has made his home, which is a very attractive one, and since the death of his father has been the owner of the old family residence. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Julius Willner, who was a house painter and decorator in New York. In 1855 he moved to Pennsylvania. His wife, Kate Willner, bore him six children, five of whom are living : William, Anna, who became the wife of Henry P. Smith, as mentioned above ; Julius, Frederick, and Kate. Mr. Willner, the father of the family, was a man much looked up to in whatever com- munity he might reside, and while living in Scranton was at one time a member of the school board.
HENRY C. TRIPP. Among those well- known and respected residents of Lackawanna county whose names have become part of the his- tories of the communities in which they resided, Henry C. Tripp, for many years a leading citizen of Scott township, is remembered with sincere regret and cordial esteem. Mr. Tripp came of worthy ancestry, tracing his descent from New England pioneer stock.
James Tripp was born in Rhode Island and was one of the early settlers in the Wyoming Valley, where he was a prominent and well-to- do farmer. He finally disposed of his property in the Wyoming Valley and bought seventy-five acres of land in Scott township. In politics he was an adherent of the Republican party. His religious faith was that of the Baptist denomina- tion. He married Melantha May, also a native of Rhode Island, and their children were: George, Dexter, Theodore, Henry C., mentioned hereafter : James, Electa, Nancy, Martha, Har- riet, Helen and Sarah. All these children were born in Scott township, and of the whole num- ber only James and Electa are now living.
Henry C. Tripp, fourth child of James and Melantha (May) Tripp, was born March 17, 1839, in Scott township, where he was reared and educated. As a young man he engaged in the lumber business, but on the breaking out of the Civil war responded to the call to arms sent forth by the government. He enlisted as a pri- vate August 22, 1861, in Company C, Fifty- fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try, for three years' service. During this time he participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, and was promoted to the rank of first orderly sergeant for valiant conduct in the face of an advancing foe. He was honor- ably discharged with the rank of sergeant, July 28. 1864. On his return to civil life Mr. Tripp became identified with the Jermyn powder mills, where for fifteen years he held the position of engineer. He resigned this office and purchased the old Tripp homestead in Scott township, which became his home for the remainder of his life. He was a member of Waverly Lodge, No. 301 F. and A. M., and of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. His political affiliations were with the Republicans, and he was a member of the Metho- (list Episcopal Church.
Mr. Tripp married, October 21, 1867, Cather- ine, daughter of Laban and Lavinia Bell, and the following children were born to them: Carrie. Flora, Harry G., Lavinia, and Minnie, wife of Oscar Brown, and the mother of three children : Mildred M., Arthur H. and Ralph. The death
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of Mr. Tripp occurred in 1891, while he was yet in the prime of life, being but fifty-two years of age. The loss was an irreparable one to his family and a severe one to the community, to whom he had ever set the example of a consci- entious man, a good neighbor and a loyal citizen. In 1899 his widow exchanged the homestead in Scott township for a farm of fifty acres in South Abington township.
JOSIAH BROWN. Prominent among the substantial farmers of South Abington township is Josiah Brown, of Chinchilla. The grandfather of Mr. Brown, who was a native of Massachu- setts, was a sea captain and lost his life during one of his voyages.
James M. Brown, son of Captain Brown above mentioned, was born in New York state and married Lydia Kilmer, a native of the same state. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, four of whom are living: Josiah, men- tioned hereafter; Eli, Diana, married Ackerly : and Mary Ann, wife of Gid- dings, of Pittston. Mr. Brown, the father of the family. died in 1862. He was a worthy and much respected man, and his widow, who passed away in 1865, was esteemed and loved by all who knew her.
Josiah Brown, son of James M. and Lydia (Kilmer) Brown, was born November 16, 1828. in Columbia county, New York. On the second anniversary of his birth his parents moved to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and settled be- tween Dunmore and Providence, on a small farm of forty acres. On this farm Mr. Brown was reared, attending the district school, and receiv- ing at home that thorough training in agricult- ural pursuits which contributed so largely to his success in after life. In 1866 he purchased the farm which has since been his home and which bears witness in all its appointments to the in- dustry and enlightenment of the owner. The land is well-tilled and fertile, its products com- manding the highest market price. As a citizen no less than as a farmer Mr. Brown's example is worthy of emulation. His interest in community affairs is unflagging and his efforts to promote the public welfare constant and unwearied. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Brown married, August 16, 1858, Polly Johnson, and three children were born to them: Arminda, deceased; Franklin, married Nellie Johnson ; and Viola, wife of Holgate.
Mrs. Brown is a granddaughter of Owney Johnson, a native of Rhode Island, who in 1826 migrated to Pennsylvania and settled in South
Abington township, where he purchased four hundred acres of land. This land was subse- quently divided among his children. He mar- ried a Miss Colvin, and their children were: Horace, Rhodes, Owney, Warren, Manson, Oli- ver, Franklin, mentioned hereafter : Eliza, Lydia, Abby and Susan. This large family did much to recruit the ranks of the loyal and useful citizens of the county, and their descendants are today among the foremost residents of South Abington township.
Franklin Johnson, son of Owney Johnson, was born April 23, 1803. in Rhode Island, and married, April 11, 1833, Julia Ann White. Their . children were: Emily, born 1834; Polly, born 1836, in South Abington township, became the wife of Josiah Brown, as mentioned above ; Alvah, born 1839: Irene, born 1841, deceased ; Henry, born 1845, deceased; Julia Ann, born 1848; Franklin C., born 1854: Delphine, born 1855, and Alma, born 1857. The death of Mr. Johnson, the father of the family, occurred in 1869. He was a man who in all the relations of life was generally and deservedly esteemed. His widow, who was born in 1815, in Delaware county. New York, is still living at the very ad- vanced age of eighty-nine years, blessed in the love and veneration of her children and grand- children.
EDWARD J. FALLON. It would be diffi- cult to find throughout the length and breadth of Lackawanna county a more popular man than Edward J. Fallon, of Old Forge. He is one of those Irish-American citizens of whom to their honor be it recorded there are many who are equally loyal to their two homes: the land to which they are bound by ties of blood and that to which they are linked by the fact of birth and the obligations of citizenship.
John William Fallon was born in county Ros- common, Ireland, and in 1848 emigrated to the United States. After living for a time in Scran- ton he moved to Old Forge, where he passed the remainder of his life. For a number of years he engaged successfully in mining, and subsequently opened a general store in Old Forge. In this enterprise he prospered and became possessed of considerable means. He was active as a citizen, and held at one time the office of supervisor of the township, and for several years served as school director. During his mining experience he sunk the L. H. McClure shaft in a manner entirely satisfactory to the company. He married Mary Conlon, a native of county Mayo, Ireland, whose emigration to the United States had taken
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place the same year as his own. Mr. and Mrs. Fallon were the parents of the following chil- dren : Edward J., mentioned hereafter ; William, Patrick J., also mentioned hereafter ; Matthew, Joseph, Henry, Margaret A., Mary J., John R., Charlotte, and Elisia. Mr. Fallon died in 1890. He was a man whose native worth and ability caused his influence to be felt in the community. He was respected by all, and as a business man enjoyed the highest reputation for integrity. Mrs. Fallon survived her husband a number of years, passing away in 1903. She was endeared by her many estimable traits of character to all who knew her.
Edward J. Fallon, son of John William and Mary (Conlon) Fallon, was born November 5, 1854, in Old Forge, and was educated in the schools of his birthplace. His first work was in and around the mines where he was employed in various capacities until 1884, at which time he decided to abandon that field of labor. In 1879 he erected a building which he opened as a hotel, assuming proprietorship himself. His success was such that at the end of five years he re- signed all other occupations in order to devote himself exclusively to his duties as a host. He has at various times been obliged to enlarge the building in order to accommodate his growing patronage. His hotel is one of the principal stop- ping-places between Pittston and Scranton, and is a great resort for the farmers of the surround- ing country on their way to the Scranton market with their produce. His establishment is in all respects admirably conducted, and its popularity is owing in no small measure to its courteous and genial host. Mr. Fallon is a worthy citizen, tak- ing a keen interest in all that pertains to the wel- fare of the community and ever ready to bear his part in every public-spirited enterprise. He is a member of the C. M. B. A. Society.
Mr. Fallon married in 1876, Mary, daughter of James Clark, and their children were: John, Nellie, Mamie, Jennie, James, Henry, Edward, deceased ; Theodore, deceased ; Anna, deceased ; and Gertrude. In 1893 Mr. Fallon and his chil- dren were deeply afflicted by the death of the wife and mother. On July 7, 1901, Mr. Fallon married Mrs. Florence B. Glassenger, widow of Clarence V. Glassenger.
Patrick J. Fallon, son of John William and Mary ( Conlon) Fallon, was born in 1857, in Old Forge, and received his education in the schools of that borough. All his life he has been identified with the production of coal, having filled almost every position in the mines. For twenty-five years he was in the service of the
L. H. McClure Company, and during that period filled the position of engineer for seven years and that of foreman for sixteen years. He is now foreman for the Jermyn Company at shaft No. I, where he has under his control two hundred and fifty men and directs the course of affairs in such a manner as to produce the best possible results. As a citizen he commands the sincere respect and cordial esteem of the entire community. Mr. Fallon married in 1877, Kate Gallagher, a native of Old Forge, and they are the parents of the following children: John, William, Chatty, Mary, Kate, and Charlotte. Mr. Fallon is the owner of a pleasantly situated and attractive home.
DAVID J. DAVIS. Among the most expe- rienced miners and respected citizens of Lacka- wanna county is David J. Davis, of Old Forge. He is a Welshman both by birth and parentage, possessing in a marked degree those characteris- tics which have given to his countrymen suchi success and influence in their home in the new world.
John Davis was born in Wales and married Ann Isaac, a native of the same country. Of the eight children born to them five are living : David J., mentioned hereafter ; Milcah, Owen, Shem and James. Of this number David J. was the only one to leave his native land and seek a home across the sea.
David J. Davis, son of John and Ann (Isaac) Davis, was born January 26, 1845, in Wales, where he worked in the mines, holding one of the most responsible positions, that of fire-boss. In 1879 he emigrated to the United States, arriving in Plymouth, in the Wyoming Valley, on July 28 of that ycar. There for four years he made his home and in 1883 moved to Old Forge. At both places he was continuously engaged in min- ing. He was for thirteen years with the Jermyn Company at shaft No. I. For fifty-one years in all he has been a successful miner and has never met with a serious accident. During his resi- dence in Old Forge he has erected three houses, a fact which testifies to his financial prosperity. As a citizen he possesses the fullest confidence of his neighbors, by whom he has been chosen coun- cilman of Old Forge borough and also judge of elections. He belongs to the Knights of Labor, in which organization he has held the office of treasurer. Politically he is a strong Republican. He is a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, in which he held the office of treasurer and the doctrines of which he strenuously up- holds.
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Mr. Davis married in 1877, Mary Jones, born in Wales, February 15, 1849, and three sons have been born to them: Edward; John (I), de- ceased; and John (2). Of these Edward, born February 15, 1879, married Rose Hill, and they have two children: David, born December 30, 1898; and Garfield, born August 20, 1902.
Mr. Davis had an uncle, David Davis, who in 1851 emigrated to the United States. He was an experienced miner and prospered in his chosen vocation. He died in this country, leaving three daughters, who are still in the United States : Esther (Mrs. Irkley), Anna (Mrs. Lloyd), and Ruth ( Mrs. Getsinger).
BYRON F. AKERLEY. Among the many professions in which men engage none requires more skill and ability than the legal profession, of which Byron F. Akerley, a well known and highly respected citizen of South Abington town- ship, is a representative. He was born in the vicinity of his present home, April 2, 1844, a son of Isaac T. and Mary A. (Leach) Akerley.
The paternal grandfather of Byron F. Aker- ley was a native of New York state, removing from thence to Pennsylvania shortly after the birth of his son Isaac T. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Townsend, and whose birth also occurred in the state of New York, bore him a family of twelve children, as follows : Eliza, married J. Leach ; Justus ; Nancy, married James Griffin ; Mary, married S. Camp ; Catherine, married H. Reichard; Jane, married a Mr. Rollands; Olive, married E. Snyder ; Laura, married Levi Townsend; Hiram, Isaac, Ada, unmarried ; and Elsie, also unmarried.
Ephraim Leach, maternal grandfather of Byron F. Akerley, was a native of Connecticut and migrated to Pennsylvania in the latter part of the eighteenth century, settling at what is now Chinchilla. He purchased four hundred acres of land in its primitive state, and in due course of time this became under his judicious manage- ment one of the best cultivated and most produc- tive farms in that section of the state. He mar- ried Elizabeth Fellows, born in Warwickshire, England, in 1784, and their children were as fol- lows: Joseph, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Ebenezer, Layton, Henry, Lydia, Morrow, Sarah Oster- haut, Jane Tinkham. Ephraim Leach, after a long and useful life, died in 1851, at the age of eighty years, having survived his wife, who passed away in 1847.
Isaac T. Akerley, father of Byron F. Akerley, was born in Westchester county, New York, in 1804. Here he was reared and educated, and in
1828 changed his place of residence to South Abington township, Pennsylvania, where he pur- chased a farm of three hundred acres which he tilled and enriched, and the product therefrom yielded him a goodly income with which to pro- vide the necessaries and comforts of life for him- self and family. He accumulated considerable of the goods of this world, and wielded an influence for good in the community. His religious views were in accord with the doctrines of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and he was firm in his advocacy of the principles of Republicanism. He married Mary A. Leach, born in South Abing- ton, Pennsylvania, 1806. Their children are : Albert I., Mrs. Elizabeth Keller, Mrs. B. A. Beemer and Byron F. The father of these chil- dren died in October, 1882, aged seventy-eight years ; his widow survived him until 1891, pass- ing away at the age of eighty-five years.
Byron F. Akerley received his preliminary education in the common schools, and later pur- sued advanced studies at Kingston Academy. He then took up the study of law under the precep- torship of Hon. H. M. Edwards, and after a suc- cessful competitive examination was admitted to the Lackawanna county bar in 1880. Since then he has been in successful practice, and his vast knowledge of legal lore has gained for him an extensive clientage ; his office is located in Scran- ton, but he resides in South Abington township, where he owns and superintends a farm of eighty-five acres of highly productive land. In addition to his professional duties Mr. Akerley is the incumbent of the office of justice of the peace, performing successful work in that position for a period of fifteen consecutive years. He is a member of Waverly Lodge, No. 301, Free and Accepted Masons, and Electric Star Lodge, No. 490, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Akerley married, November, 1866, Sarah Clark, daughter of George W. and Ellen (Nel- son) Clark, and five children were the issue, two of whom are living : Bradford I. and Imogene, wife of H. C. Down.
J. H. PRESTWOOD. There is no better augury for the financial prosperity of a commu- nity than the character of its younger business men. When these are enterprising, sagacious and of strict integrity the outlook is full of prom- ise. Lackawanna county is rich in men of this class, and among them J. H. Prestwood, of Tay- lor, has a recognized standing.
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