USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 97
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 97
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love of country, home and self, not meaning by the latter that he is selfish, but that his love of self, or self-pride, elevates him above the petty things of life into which many men fall. Were we to search the records of this country we would find that many of our best citizens emni- grated from the hills of Scotland.
His parents were James and Isabel (Neil- son) Monie, natives of Scotland, whose family consisted of twelve children, eight of whom are now (1904) living, and seven of whom accom- panied their mother to the United States after the death of her husband in 1869. Mr. Monie followed the occupation of puddler, having been employed for many years in the Kingshorn Iron Works, Scotland. The death of Mrs. Monie oc- curred in Pittston, Pennsylvania, in 1892.
William C. Monie attended the schools of his native town, Denny, and at the age of nine years accompanied his parents to Kingshorn, Scotland, where he was employed in the water works, becoming thoroughly conversant with the city water supply system. On May 3, 1884, he left his native land for a home in the new world, locating in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He at once entered the employ of the Pittston Wa- ter Company, where he remained until he was elected to his present position, district superin- tendent of Spring Brook Water Supply Com- pany, July 6, 1886. For eighteen years Mr. Monie has proved his faithfulness in the con- scientious discharge of his arduous duties, a fact which has made him almost indispensable to the company. His supervision is over a large terri- tory, including in part the following towns : Moosie, Old Forge, Duryea, Avoca and Lack- awanna. Mr. Monie believes, as do also the consumers of the Spring Brook water, that it is the best water that can be supplied. Indeed, he believes that water is the only liquid that should be used as drink, and consequently is a strong advocate of the principles of the Prohi- bition party. He believes in the doctrines of the Presbyterian faith, and is one of the strong supporters and most active workers in the church and Sunday school of his town.
On December 31, 1880, Mr. Monie married Jessie Dow, a daughter of David and Isabel (Anderson) Dow, natives of Kingshorn, Scot- land, also the birthplace of Mrs. Monie. Seven children were the issue of this union: Isabel, James, David, Helen, Charles. Annie, deceased ; and Marjorie Monie.
JOHN SLIWINSKI. One of the leading citizens of Priceburg, Lackawanna county, and
one who is held in high regard as a citizen and business man is John Sliwinski, postmaster of the town and also incumbent of the office of justice of the peace. He has been in a significant sense the artificer of his own fortunes, having. come to America as a young man and without the reinforcement of capitalistic resources or in- fluential friends, and having pressed forward to the goal of success and worthy prestige with energy and honest endeavor.
Nr. Sliwinski was born in Galetia, Austrian Poland, 1863, being a son of Matthew and Mary Sliwinski, the former of whom died in his native land in 1889. while his widow still resides in the old homestead. They became the parents of three sons and one daughter, the latter being now deceased, while John is the only representative of the immediate family in America. Jolin Sliwinski duly availed himself of the educational advantages of the schools of his native city, where he completed a course in what Americans would designate a normal school. He continued to reside there until 1883, when, at the age of twenty years, he set forth to seek his fortune in the United States. He located in Nanticoke, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained until 1894, having been employed for the greater portion of the intervening time as a salesman in the dry goods establishment of W. P. Jones, a leading merchant of that place. In 1894 he came to Priceburg to accept a position as teacher in the parochial schools of the Polish Catholic Church, and also became organist in the church, retaining these positions two years. In 1895 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and at the expiration of his term, in 1900, was again chosen incumbent of the office, in which he had rendered most efficient service, while in the spring of 1905 he was again elected to the same office. After resigning his position in the schools Mr. Sliwinski engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business in Priceburg, and still continues this enterprise, in connection with his official duties, having a well equipped and well stocked store and securing a representative sup- porting patronage. In July, 1901, he received his appointment to the office of postmaster, and in the handling of his official work in this con- nection has gained unreserved popular approval in the community. In his political allegiance he is unswerving in his devotion to the grand old Republican party, and in religious matters is found numbered among the stanch members and supporters of the Independent or Polish National Church. He was a member of the synod of the church which convened in Scranton in 1904, and
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
he is also a valued member of the Polish Na- tional Alliance.
In the city of Nanticoke, Luzerne county, 1889, Mr. Sliwinski married Christina Schafer, born in Switzerland, whence she came with her parents to America when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Sliwinski have four children: John, Helen, Casi- mere and Joseph.
JOHN KUTZKI. Few men of foreign birth have adapted themselves more readily to the cus- toms and surroundings of their new home than has John Kutzki, of Nanticoke. He is a son of Joseph and Mercy Ann Kutzki, natives of Po- land. Their family consisted of seven children, all but one of whom are still in their native land.
John Kutzki, son of Joseph and Mercy Anna Kutzki, was born August, 1860, in Prussian Po- land, and until reaching the age of eighteen at- tended the public schools of his native land. In 1878 he emigrated to the United States and set- tled in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he has ever since resided. With the exception of five years' residence in Plymouth, Nanticoke has been his home since his arrival in this country. Realizing that his ignorance of the English lan- guage formed an insuperable obstacle to his ad- vancement, he sought employment in the mines as a means of familiarizing himself with the ac- cents of the foreign tongue. He also attended night school for a time and subsequently con- tinued his study of English by himself until, in the course of time, his perseverance conquered every difficulty. In a few years he was able to establish himself in the mercantile business, which he conducts at the present time. He has been for fourteen years employed as court inter- preter for Luzerne county, a fact which in itself fully demonstrates his mastery of the English language. In 1898 he was elected justice of the peace, and for five years discharged the duties of the office in a highly creditable manner. He is a member of Nanticoke Lodge, Order of Heptasophs, and the Polish National Alliance. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Kutzki married, September 19, 1885, Anastasia Guriska, a native of Poland, and they have one child: Josepha, who was born in 1887, and is now a student at the Stroudsburg Normal School.
JOSEPH E. SCOTT. The coal industry can boast of few men more efficient than Joseph E. Scott, of Pittston. He is a grandson of Gar- rett Scott, one of the old residents of Union township. His children were : Isaac, John,
Elisha, mentioned hereinafter; Stephen, George, Rebecca, Amy, Mary, Susan, Christine and Eliza- beth. Late in life Mr. Scott moved to Lake township, where he passed the remainder of his days, and where his death occurred.
Elisha Scott, son of Garret Scott, was born in Union township, and was a miller by trade, a calling which he followed until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company F, One Hundred and Forty- third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infant- ry. He fought bravely in defense of his flag, and fell mortally wounded at the battle of Hatcher's Run, February 7, 1865. His wife was Elizabeth Frame, a native of the Catawissa Val- ley, and their children were three in number, two of them being now living: Joseph E., men- tioned hereinafter ; and Elisha G., born February 4, 1865. The widow of Elisha Scott, whose memory is still cherished as that of a martyr, still survives.
Joseph E. Scott, son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Frame) Scott, was born in 1858, in Union township, Luzerne county, where he received his education. In his youth he engaged in farming, but later learned the carpenter's trade, at which he labored for twenty-two years. For a num- ber of years he was foreman of a carpenter force for the Lehigh Valley Company, and then, be- cause of his ability as a mechanic and his tact in the management of the men under his control, he was given the position of outside foreman of Heidelberg colliery, No. 2. This colliery has been in operation since 1887, and has one open- ing, a shaft three hundred and sixty feet deep. Mr. Scott has under his supervision a force of one hundred and twenty men, and is in all re- spects equal to the great responsibilities devolving upon him. He has been with the company over ten years, and during six of those years has held the position of foreman. The mutations of busi- ness have several times obliged Mr. Scott to change his residence. While living in Union township he held the office of assessor for six years, and when a resident of Dorrancetown, where his property is situated, he served in the council of that borough. He is a member of the Knights of Malta, and in politics is strongly Republican.
Mr. Scott married in 1884, Nola, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Hess, and they have two children : Lulu and Ray.
JAMES E. BERGIN, a member of the firm of James E. Bergin & Company, millers, of Nan- ticoke, the other members being Michael Bergin,
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
his father, and E. R. Cable, was born in Oswego, Tioga county, New York, 1864. This is one of the leading and successful firms in Nanticoke borough, and their mnill is one of the old land- marks in Plymouth township. It is situated on Harvey's creek and is the only mill in Plymouth township. It was built by Henry Yingst, a Ger- man from Dauphin county, for Joshua Pugh about 1832 or 1833, and since then it has passed into the hands of various persons. In 1895 it became the property of Michael and James E. Bergin, who overhauled it and fitted it up with
steam power-seventy-five horse power-and with the latest improved roller system. It was formerly run by sixty horse water power. The mill under its present management has a ca- pacity of twenty-five barrels of flour, seventy- five barrels of buckwheat and twenty tons of feed, and they employ the services of from eight to ten hands. Michael and James E. Bergin conducted the business alone up to 1903, a period of eight years, when Mr. Cable was admitted to partnership.
Michael Bergin ( father) was born in Ireland, from whence he emigrated to the United States in 1847, locating in Oswego, New York, and be- coming a most loyal and faithful subject of his adopted country. He engaged in the general mercantile business, which he continued until his removal to Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, in 1886. In 1895, in partnership with his son James E., he purchased his present milling business as above mentioned. In Oswego, New York, he married Catherine McBeth, a native of Scotland, who died June 9, 1903. Their children are : Isabella, William H. and James E. Bergin.
James E. Bergin was reared in Oswego and in the common schools of that city obtained a practical education which prepared him for the activities of life. For a number of years after the completion of his studies he followed various vocations, principally bookkeeping and account- ing. In 1886 he took up his residence in Nanti- coke, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the mercantile and milling business. continuing the same up to 1895, in which year he entered into partnership with his father and they purchased their present milling property and established a business, which is now one of the leading enter- prises of that borough. Mr. Bergin has always been a hard-working man, industriously winning his way upward, and in so doing he has displayed broad intelligence and liberal spirit, which has gained for him universal esteem.
In 1887 Mr. Bergin married a Miss Starr,
a native of Oswego, New York, and their fam- ily consists of two children: Catherine and Douglass Bergin.
SAMUEL WHITSON. One of the old and respected residents of Nanticoke is Samuel Whit- son, a son of Seneca Whitson, who was born in . Bretton township, Lancaster county, Pennsylva- nia, and was by trade a cabinetmaker. He moved to Wilkes-Barre, where for twelve years he was foreman for two firms, serving seven years with one and five with the other. He was sometimes employed to run coal arks down the river as far as Marietta, those being the early days of coal production. From Wilkes-Barre he moved to Nanticoke, where he lived and labored during the remainder of his life. He was a first-class mechanic and a useful citizen. As a young man he served in the army during the war of 1812. In religious belief he was a Friend.
Seneca Whitson married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Samuel Wolmsdorph, a Pennsylvania Ger- man, who about 1819 settled where Nanticoke now stands. He was a blacksmith by trade and a forgeman as well. His children were: Jordon, a blacksmith; Levi; Samuel, a farmer ; Eliza- beth, born in Nanticoke, married Seneca Whit- son, as mentioned above; Polly, whose husband, James Bullen, was employed by Colonel Lee to mine the first coal ever produced in Nanticoke ; Sarah, married G. Daly, a farmer; and Jane, married A. Snyder. Mr. and Mrs. Whitson were the parents of the following children: Albert, Henry, Helen, Lucinda, Mary, Harriet and Sam- uel, mentioned hereinafter, the only member of the family now living, with the exception of Henry. who served in the Civil war as a private in the Fifty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, forming part of General Han- cock's corps. He was taken prisoner at Reims' Station, but finally escaped, returned to his com- pany, and served to the elose of the war.
Samuel Whitson, son of Seneca and Eliza- beth (Wolmsdorph) Whitson, was born August 21, 1841, in Nanticoke, and received his eduea- tion in his native town. In 1856 he began to work in the mines as driver and subsequently be- came miner, a calling which he followed for four- teen years. In 1884 he bought a farm in Salem township, and for four years devoted himself to its cultivation. At the end of that time he re- turned to the mines, and now holds the position of foreman for the Susquehanna Coal Company, still retaining his ownership of the farm. He is a member of Shiekshinny Lodge, No. 351.
A, Lake
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
Free and Accepted Masons, and in politics is a strong Republican. His church membership is with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
Mr. Whitson married in 1875, Jennie Mc- Graw, of Salem township, and two children were born to them, one of whom, Bessie, is a teacher in the Nanticoke high school.
ALVIN LAPE. One of the business pio- neers of Nanticoke is Alvin Lape. He is de- scended from German ancestors. He was born January 20, 1839, in Nanticoke, fourth of the seven children of Adam and Elizabeth (Croop) Lape, both of whom were natives of Luzerne county.
Alvin Lape was educated in the common schools of Nanticoke, and on reaching his twentieth year engaged in boating on the lower Susquehanna. At the end of three years he turned his attention to farming and at the same time engaged in business as a butcher, and since 1863 he has devoted his entire time to the meat business. His shop was the first of the kind opened in Nanticoke, and was necessarily on a small scale, but by strict application to business, taking into account the increase in population, his trade has grown to its present large propor- tions. In 1870 he took as a partner J. H. Hil- dreth, the firm being known as Lape & Com- pany. In 1903 he purchased the interest of Mr. Hildreth, and since that time has conducted the business alone. His establishment covers three lots in Nanticoke, and in addition to his home shop he has a meat market in Glen Lyon, which is conducted by one of his sons. He is also interested in the ice business, usually packing away about six thousand tons in a season. He employs a number of men and keeps four wagons constantly on the road, as well as two ice wagons in their season. He is vice-president of the Nanticoke National Bank, and a stock- holder in that institution. Mr. Lape is a public- spirited citizen, and for two years served as chief of the Nanticoke fire department. He has repre- sented his borough in the council and has ren- dered service on the school board. He is a charter member of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, F. and A. M. Politically he is a staunch Repub- lican.
Alr. Lape married, July 10, 1863, Amelia James, of Nanticoke, and the following children have been born to them: Bessie, who is married to Frank Leavenworth, of Wilkes-Barre, two children : Franklin and Harriet. (See Leaven- worth family). Andrew C., bookkeeper for his
father. Carrie, wife of I. C. Leonard, of At- lantic City, New Jersey, two children : Helen and Amelia. Harry, who takes charge of his father's market at Glen Lyon, married Celia Williams, two children : Alvin and Clara. Helen, deceased, married William Bittenbencler, one child : William. Joseph. Frank. t
HARRY M. MORGAN, timekeeper for the Susquehanna Coal Company, at Nanticoke, is a son of the late Isaiah and Mary A. (Morgan) Morgan, and his birth occurred in Glouscester- shire, England, December 8, 1873.
He was reared and educated in his native town, residing there until 1889, his sixteenth year, when, attracted by the possibilities of suc- cess in the business life of the United States, he emigrated thither and located in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. He entered the employ of the Susquehanna Coal Company, and in order to fit himself more thoroughly for his work took a course in mining engineering in the International Correspondence School at Scranton. He began as a driver boy in the mines and was advanced from one duty to another until he attained that of fireman, after which he became engineer, a position he held four years. He was first placed at a slope and later transferred to a shaft, this being the most responsible position an engineer can hold around the mines, and this promotion was due entirely to his trustworthiness and fidel- iy. In 1896 he was appointed to his present posi- tion-timekeeper- the duties of which are to keep the time of all the outside men and to re- ceive the time of the inside men from the inside foremen's book and report to the main office. He has on his pay roll eight hundred and fifty outside men and seven hundred and fify inside men. Mr. Morgan is an Episcopalian in religion, and a Republican in politics.
Mr. Morgan married, July 1, 1895, Annie Coppin, born in England, 1875, but was reared and educated in the United States. Their chil- dren are : Arthur, Edgar, Ethel, Helen, and Harold. By thrift and economy Mr. Morgan accumulated sufficient capital to purchase a home at No. 1009 Hanover street, Nanticoke, which is a model of beauty and neatness. The family are highly respected in the community, holding a prominent place in the best social cir- cle.
S. B. ADKINS, justice of the peace at Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, was born at Townhill township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, Oc-
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
tober 13, 1858. He is a descendant of an old English family, who emigrated to this country in1 1730, settling in Vermont. Thomas Adkins, great-great-grandfather of S. B. Adkins, came to America as an English soldier, but soon seeing the justice of the Colonists in their struggle for independence espoused their cause. His son, Isaiah Adkins, also lent his aid in the great struggle for independence. Isaialı married Rhoda Collins, and to them was born one son, Samuel Adkins, the grandfather of S. B. Adkins. Samitel participated in the war of 1812. In 1820 he removed to the Lackawanna Valley, and there married Hannah Hicks, who bore him the following children: Luther C., Andrew J., Ben- jamin, Rhoda C., Mary, Harriet and Elizabeth.
Andrew J. Adkins, second son of Samuel Adkins and father of S. B. Adkins, was born in Mehoopany township, Wyoming county, Penn -. sylvania, in 1828. He was a merchant tailor and conducted quite an extensive business. He held every office of distinction which the borough of Shickshinny could confer upon him, and is now living a retired life in Shickshinny. He married Mary J. Kocker, born in Shickshinny, in 1835, and who is still living. To them were born the following children: S. B., Martha J., Mason H. and Wilber R. Luther C. Adkins, brother of Andrew J. Adkins, was a soldier in the Mexican war. Another brother, Benjamin, served in the war of the Rebellion, and his son, W. R., partici- pated in the Spanish-American war.
S. B. Adkins, son of Andrew J. and Martha J. (Kocker) Adkins, was born in Luzerne coun- ty, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1858. He was reared and educated at Shickshinny, and immed- iately after leaving the schoolroom entered the drug business for a time, and later became ident- ified with the West End Coal Company as out- side foreman. In 1888 he was elected to the office of councilman, which position he retained for five years. In 1895 he was elected to the po- sition of justice of the peace, of Shickshinny, which office he has held for ten years. He is considered one of the leading men of his town, and during the period he has been in office has won the respect and admiration of his towns- people. In 1896 he was elected to the office of burgess of the borough. The study of geology has occupied a portion of Judge Adkin's time and attention, and he has in his possession a choice collection of mineral specimens and In- dian relics, which he contemplates turning over to the borough as a gift to Shickshinny and a monument to his own memory. He is a mem-
ber and past master of Sylvania Lodge, No. 354, F. and A. M.
In 1893 S. B. Adkins married Elsie Allegar. There have been no children born to this union.
DANIEL HILL. The family of which Dan- iel Hill, a prosperous agriculturist of Salem township, is a representative, is among the old and respected families of that section of Luzerne county, they having resided there since 1816. The first of the Hills to come to this vicinity was Frederick Hill, grandfather of Daniel Hill, who migrated from Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and purchased two hundred acres of land in Salem township, which he cultivated and improved, and on which he spent the remainder of his days, passing away at an advanced age. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Seibert, bore him eight children, all of whom were born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. Their names were as follows: Jacob, Daniel, John, David, Joseph, Reuben, Catherine, and , wife of a Mr. Dreisbach.
Daniel Hill, father of Daniel Hill, and second in order of birth of the children born to Fred- erick and Margaret (Seibert) Hill, was born in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, 1791. He resided there until twenty-four years of age, when he accom- panied his parents to Salem township. He and Jacob were the only sons of the family that re- mained on the homestead, the others making for themselves homes in different states, and conse- quently the father's estate was divided equally between them. Mr. Hill was a tailor by trade. He served in the capacity of tax collector of Salem township, his incumbency of office being for a long period of years. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and his political allegiance was given to the Democratic party. Mr. Hill mar- ried Catherine Kistner, of Salem township, born in April, 1800. Their children were : Desiah, cleceased : Sarah, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Charles, deceased : Catharine, deceased ; Stephen, Daniel, and Jacob, deceased. Daniel Hill (father) died December 28, 1870, survived by his wife, who passed away June, 1871.
Daniel Hill, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was born on the farm where his grandfather, Frederick Hill, first settled in Sal- em township, Luzerne county, March 18. 1830. In 1840, when ten years of age, his parents moved on the farm which is now in his possess- ion ; two years later the house in which he now resides was built by his father, and in 1844 the barn was built. While he was reared on a farm,
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
he followed boating in early life and was as- sociated with his brother, Stephen Hill, in the construction of boats at Beach Haven. The farm on which he has resided for sixty-five years consists of one hundred and seven acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, and the neat and thrifty appearance of everything pertaining thereto is evidence of the owner's skill and ability along these lines. Like his father and grandfather, Mr. Hill is a firm believer in and an ardent supporter of Democratic principles, and he has always upheld that party by his vote and influence. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
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