Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 98

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 98
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 98

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In 1861 Mr. Hill married Mary E. Martz, born in Brier Creek township, 1840, a daughter of John and Lydia Martz, the former a native of Bucks county, and the latter of Columbia county, they being the parents of six children, four of whom attained years of maturity, name- ly : Lyman, deceased ; Rebecca, Mary E., wife of Daniel Hill, and Isaac Martz. The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill : Franklin E., John M., Catherine D., Charles W., H. F., and Carrie G., deceased.

CHARLES J. KEOGH. Few men in Lack- awanna county are better known or enjoy greater popularity than Charles J. Keogh, of Old Forge borough. He is at the same time a patriotic Irishman and a loyal American citizen, alike true to his ancestral birthplace and his chosen honie.

John L. Keogh was born in 1831, in Ireland, and in 1864 emigrated to the United States, set- tling in Old Forge, where he became a perma- nent resident. He was one of the influential men of the borough in the days when it was a township, being chosen by his fellow-citizens anditor, school director, supervisor and justice of the peace. The last-named office he filled for about seventeen years. For several years lie was proprietor of a hotel. He married, in Ireland, Elesia Fallon, a native of that country, and of the eight children born to them three are living : Charles J., mentioned hereinafter ; a daughter who is the wife of H. Snyder and the mother of five children ; and Ross, who is a tracklayer in the mines, married Mary Ann Murray. Mrs. Keogh, the mother of these children, died in 1884, and the father of the family is still living at the age of seventy-three.

Charles J. Keogh, son of John L. and Elesia (Fallon) Keogh, was born in 1864, in Ireland, and the same year was brought by his parents to the United States. He obtained his education

in the common schools of Old Forge, and at an early age became engaged in the production of coal, in which branch of industry he filled various positions. In 1887 he became the proprietor of a hotel, and in 1896 erected the Hotel Keogh, of which he has since been the popular host. The building is one of the most noticeable on Main avenue, is equipped with all the latest mod- ern improvements and is conducted in the best manner and on strictly legal principles. Mr. Keogh possesses the full confidence of his fel- low-citizens, and is now serving as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Michael Larkin Club.

Mr. Keogh married in 1892, Delia, daugh- ter of Michael and Delia Joyce, of Old Forge. Five children have been born to them: Jennie, Charles, Lawrence, Michael and Marie.

FLEMING F. HUNTER. One of the most industrious and stirring men of Old Forge bor- ough is Fleming F. Hunter, a son of John and Margaret ( Boomer) Hunter, natives of Nova Scotia, where the former was a prosperous farmer. Of their ten children Fleming F. was the only one who emigrated to the United States.

Fleming F. Hunter was born in 1834, in Nova Scotia, and in 1879 emigrated to the United States. He settled first in New Jersey, and in 1883 went to Sibley, where he entered the service of the Sibley Company as fireman. This position he held for fourteen years, and in 1898 turned his attention to the ice business. He carries on an extensive and growing trade, handl- ing during the season over twelve hundred tons of ice. This ice is of the best and purest, coming from the Pocono Mountain, and is the purest spring-water ice on the market. Mr. Hunter is the owner of seven teams which the demands of his business oblige him to keep in constant use. Since he became a resident of Sibley he built five houses, a number of which he has sold.

Mr. Hunter married Sophia Hughes, born in 1847, in Wales, but was then a resident of Nova Scotia, and nine children were born to them, all but one of whom are now living: John W., married a Miss Williams : Margaret M., Gordon N., James G., married Edith Rogers ; Herbert J., Elliott, Robert, and Ira. Mr. Hunter is a man in whom his neighbors place implicit con- fidence.

JOHN B. FISK. One of those worthy and respected citizens of Lackawanna county whose names now belong to the past was John B. Fisk,

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whose entire life, with the exception of its earli- est years, was identified with the history of Ab- ington township.

John Fisk, one of the sons of Nathan Fisk, was born in 1786, in Rhode Island, and in 1830 migrated to Pennsylvania, settling in Abington township, where he bought a large tract of land. His wife was Polly Franklin, and among their children was a son, John B., mentioned herein- after. Mr. Fisk resided continuously in Abing- ton township until his death, which occurred in 1862. His memory and that of his excellent wife are cherished by their descendants and by their surviving friends.

John B .. Fisk, son of John and Polly (Frank- lin) Fisk, was born July, 1826, in Rhode Island, and was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Abington township. Here he attended school and at the same time assisted his father in the labors of the farm. So thoroughly skilled did he become in every department of agriculture and so strong was his attachment to the abode of his ancestors, that in later life he took entire charge of his father's farming in- terests and passed his whole life on the home- stead. Mr. Fisk married, July 4, 1850, Cornelia M., daughter of Calvin and Melia (Tiffany) Corse, and four daughters were born to them: Celestia E. and Celestine A. (twins) ; Jose- phine, married Levi P. Rice, and is now de- ceased ; and Artless V., who on February 22, 1881, became the wife of Delvin D. Franklin. Six children were born to them, three of whom are living: Walter B., salesman in Scranton ; and Pearl J. and Paul L. (twins). Mr. Frank- lin, the father, died in 1892.

Mr. Fisk, whose life was in all respects a blessing to his family, his friends and the com- munity at large, passed away in 1861, at the early age of thirty-five years. His widow then moved to Dalton, where she purchased the home in which she resided until her death, which oc- curred in 1900. Her life was an example of the domestic virtues. The home is now presided over by Miss Celestia E. Fisk, and is shared by her widowed sister, Mrs. Franklin.

HENRY J. SEELY, youngest son of Jacob and Leah (Keen) Seely, was born in Salem township. Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, April 1847, in the house in which he now resides, which was built by his maternal grandfather, Frederick Keen, in 1837, on ground which was formerly the property of Nathan Beach, one of the early settlers of the township, and which

has descended from grandfather to mother, and from mother to son.

He was reared and educated in his native township, attended the common schools thereof, and upon laying aside his school books chose for himself the career of a farmer as being most fitting for a man who loves freedom and inde- pendence. For a number of years he conducted general farming, his property consisting of one hundred and twenty-five acres of choice farm land, but of late years he has turned his attention principally to dairying, in which he has been most successful. His large herd of Jersey cows are not easily surpassed and rarely equalled, and the produce thereof, being of a superior quality, finds a ready sale and commands a high figure. Mr. Seely has always manifested a keen interest in local affairs, especially along educational lines, and has held various township offices, among them being auditor, in which capacity he is now serving (1905), and for nine consecutive years he was a member of the school board. He is a member of the Knights of Malta, and the Grange, and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party.

In 1868 Mr. Seely married Mary Seibert, born in Salem township, 1847, daughter of Reu- ben and Lydia Seibert, and a descendant of an old and honored family who were among the early settlers of Salem township. Their children are as follows: Reuben, married for his first wife Anna Clark, who bore him one child, and for his second wife Mary Pritchard, who bore him four children. Edwin. Anna H., wife of George Henry. Fred H., married Fannie Seely. Harry O. Ella E. Arthur J., married Edith Henry. Ada M. Frances M., and Laura M. Mr. Seely and his family are members of the Lutheran church. A detailed history of the an- cestors of Mr. Seely will be found in the sketch of Hon. Philip H. Seely, which appears elsc- where in this work.

JOHN W. THORNTON. The coal indus- try of the Lackawanna Valley has no more ener- getic and trustworthy representative than John W. Thornton, of Old Forge. He is the son of Hall Thornton, who was born in England, and spent fourteen years in Germany as a mining en- gineer, having been sent to that country by Eng- lish capitalists who required his services there. In 1868 he emigrated to the United States, where he has had varied experiences as an expert miner. As a contractor he sunk many shafts, among them the Roaring Brook shaft, and held

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the position of fire boss with the Roaring Brook Company. At one time he visited British Co- lumbia, but shortened his stay there on account of the uncongenial climate. Since his arrival in this country he has been a resident of Dunmore, where he still makes his home, despite the fact that he is now constructing a tunnel at Manunka Chunk, New Jersey, for the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Railway Company. He mar- ried Barbara Allison, also a native of England, and their children are: Mary E., John W., men- tioned hereinafter; Joseph F., Septia M., and Allison H.

John W. Thornton, son of Hall and Barbara (Allison) Thornton, was born in 1868, in Ger- many, and the same year was brought by his par- ents to the United States. He received his edu- cation in the common schools of Dunmore, and his first employment was in a brickyard, where he gave proof of his willingness to work. His introduction to the mines was at Troop. He was at one time in the service of the Fuller Coal Company as a pumper, but was finally given an engine. Subsequently he operated an engine for Mr. Stutler. During five years he was in charge of pump engines, and now holds the position of engineer at the William Connell colliery, where he has served in this capacity for fifteen years. He also looks after the supplies and has charge of the fan that supplies fresh air to the mines and of the compressed air used for drill and pump work. In 1889 he moved to Old Forge, and in 1896 a well-constructed and comfortable dwell- ing which he erected for himself and which he has since made his home testified to his financial prosperity. He is a member of the Old Forge school board and has served as its treasurer. The Knights of Pythias and the Foresters of America are the fraternal organizations in which he holds membership.

Mr. Thornton married, September, 1871, Isa- bella, daughter of William and Ann Rumford, natives of England, where their daughter was born in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton are the parents of three children: William H., Allison H., and Zellma L.

EMORY STONE. In the ranks of those venerable residents of Lackawanna county who can look back upon more than half a century of industrious devotion to their chosen callings and of faithful service as public-spirited citizens Emory Stone, of Clark's Green, occupies a fore- most place. Mr. Stone is descended from New England ancestors, from whom he has inherited

many of the traits of character which have made him what he is.

James Stone was born in Rhode Island, and about 1815 moved to Pennsylvania, making his. home in the Lackawanna Valley. His wife was Polona Green. also a native of Rhode Island, and the following children were born to them: Mer- rit, Lemuel, Robert, Alfred, Emory, mentioned hereafter; and Nancy. After the death of his wife, the mother of these children, Mr. Stone married Catherine Ackerly, by whom he became the father of the following children : William H., Benirey, Samuel, Eliza A., Melissa, and Milo. Of these twelve children Emory and Milo are the sole survivors.

Emory Stone, son of James and Polona (Green) Stone, was born February 17, 1823, in North Abington township, and when about twenty years of age left home and went to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he worked on a farm for two summers and for twenty-five years was employed in railroad building. For some time he had an interest in a tannery. In the spring of 1863 he sold his property in Wayne county and bought the farm in Lackawanna county, which has since been his home. He is the owner of one hundred acres of the finest farming land in the township, on which he has erected all the necessary buildings and on which for many years he carried on a dairy and stock business. His herd of Jersey cows cannot be surpassed. The business is now conducted by two of his sons, Charles and Oscar. For sixty years Mr. Stone's interest and participation in public affairs has been unflagging. His first bal- lot was cast in 1844, when he voted the Whig ticket. On the birth of the Republican party he identified himself with it and for many years labored in its ranks. When Governor St. John was nominated for president on the Prohibition ticket Mr. Stone's attention was called to that movement, and he at once identified himself with the party pledged to the prohibition of the sale of intoxicants and warmly advocated its princi- ples. He has since returned to the ranks of the Republicans. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds the office of steward.

Mr. Stone married, August II, 1847. Cather- ine S. Jusup, and ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are living: Frank, who is married and has two children; Gertrude M., Eva, wife of Dr. G. Fike and has six children ; Arthur, lives in Scranton, is married and has two children ; Charles; Oscar ; Henry, who is in

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business in Scranton ; Bertie, resides at home, is married, and has one child.

Mrs. Stone is the granddaughter of Sylvanus Jusup, who was a native of New York and one of the pioneers of Carbondale, where he held the position of paymaster for the Delaware & Hud- scn Company. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church, in which he held the office of dea- con. His wife was Margaret Stansbury, and they were the parents of nine children, one of whom, a son named Oscar, was the father of Mrs. Stone. He was a carpenter by trade and was in the service of the Delaware & Hudson Company. His children were: Mary A., Sam- nel, Helen, Julia, Arthur, Hiram, and Catherine S., who became the wife of Emory Stone, as mentioned above.

CHARLES D. BELLES. Few of the men in Lackawanna county now engaged in the pro- duction of coal are more thoroughly conversant with their business than is Charles D. Belles, of Old Forge. Mr. Belles comes of old Pennsylva- nia stock. His paternal great-grandfather was a resident of Union township, as was his grand- father. Anthony Belles. The latter was a farmer and the owner of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land. He married Susan Benscoter, a member of the old families of the county, and their children were: William, Isaac, Jacob, Shad- rach A., mentioned hereinafter ; Lucy, Susan A., and another who died in early youth.

Shadrach A. Belles, son of Anthony and Susan ( Benscoter) Belles, was born in Union township, and early in life was engaged in teach- ing. He subsequently became a successful farmer, owning about seventy-five acres of good land. He was active as a citizen and held several offices, among them those of assessor and school director. He married Hulda B. Benscoter, also a native of Union township, and their children were : Alice (Mrs. Miller), Anna S. ( Mrs. Hart- man), Charles D., mentioned hereinafter ; Dora ( Mrs. Arnold), Estella E., Lillian V., a teacher of some prominence ; Edward V., also a well- known teacher ; and Lucy, deccased. The par- ents of these children now reside at Shickshinny, Pennsylvania.

Charles D. Belles, son of Shadrack A. and Hulda B. ( Benscoter) Belles, was born Decem- ber 24, 1867, in Union township, where he re- ceived his primary education in the public schools. Subsequently he took a course in the International Correspondence School of Seran- ton. and by reading and observation has become a thoroughly well-informed man. In early life

he engaged in farming and afterward worked at the carpenter's trade. Later he entered the serv- ice of the Lehigh Valley Company, with whom he remained until 1902. He cannot then be said to have left them, inasmuch as in that year he became outside foreman of what was known as the Lawrence colliery, formerly the William Connell property, and now operated by the Le- high Valley Company. They operate one slope, two tunnels and a shaft one hundred and ninety- eight feet deep. Mr. Belles nas entire control of all the company's property above ground, and has one hundred and sixty men under his direc- tion. His administration of the duties of his office is in the highest degree satisfactory both to the company and to the men. He has pros- pered financially and is the owner of a farm of sixty acres situated in Hornbuck township, Lu- zerne county. The Improved Order of Red Mcn claims him as a worthy member.

Mr. Belles married in 1886, Sophia B., daugh- ter of Isaac and Margaret Hartman, of Muhlen- burg, Pennsylvania, and three children have been born to them: Daisy, a graduate of the Duryea high school ; Margaret R., deceased, and Frederick V.

MAURICE LAWRENCE THOMAS. Lackawanna county, as is well known, abounds in enterprising young men, and of this class no worthier representative can be found than Mau- rice L. Thomas, of Old Forge. Mr. Thomas is a typical Welshman, possessing no small share of the native ability and force of character which have made his countrymen a power in the Key- stone state.

David Thomas was born in South Wales and followed the calling of a miner. In 1882 he emi- grated to the United States and settled in Win Run, near Sugar Notch, Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania. There he was for many years engaged in contract mining, being particularly experi- enced in rock work in both shafts and tunnels. His wife was Maria Maurice, also a native of South Wales, and cleven children were born to them, five of whom are living: David, John. Richard, Thomas, and Maurice L., mentioned hereafter. Mrs. Thomas, the faithful wife and mother, passed away in 1901, and her husband, despite his many years of labor, survives at the age of eighty.

Maurice L. Thomas, son of David and Maria (Maurice) Thomas, was born September 27. 1874, in South Wales, and was eight years of age when brought by his parents to the United States. In 1890 he entered the service of the Lehigh Val-

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ley Railway Company as trainman, a position which he retained until 1898. In 1899 he became conductor for the Wyoming Valley Traction Company and in 1902 turned his attention to the hotel business, in which he has ever since been engaged. His first venture was at Duryea, where he remained one year, moving at the end of that time to Old Forge, where for another year he conducted the Mitchell Hotel. His business career was interrupted by the Spanish-American war. He was then a member of the National Guard, but volunteered for service at the seat of war. He was transferred to Company D, Ninth Regi- ment, Volunteer Infantry, for a term of three years. He served in this command till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. In 1904 he became the proprietor of the Babylon Hotel, which he purchased from John Surber, its former owner. This is the oldest hotel be- tween Pittston and Taylor and has been the prin- cipal stopping-place on that road for over one hundred years. The present building is spacious and commodious, and the establishment is well regulated and extremely popular. Mr. Thomas is a good citizen, and while living at Win Run served on the police force. He was at one time a resident of Wilkes-Barre, during which period he was a member of the police force of that city, his post of duty being Music Hall. Subsequently he became "property man" for the same place, a position which he held for some time. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Cas- tle No. 195, and holds the rank of past chief.

FRANK BERGER. Among the foreign- born citizens of Lackawanna county there is none more loval and patriotic than Frank Berger, of Old Forge. While faithful to his duties as an adopted American, Mr. Berger has not ceased to be a true son of his native land across the sea.

Frank Berger, a native of Austria, emigrated to the United States in 1871, and settled at Price- burg, Pennsylvania. After remaining there some time he moved to Old Forge, which is now his home. He married before leaving his native land Justina Rudish, and they had children: John, Amelia, Justina, Fanny, Rudolph, Elvira, and Frank, mentioned hereafter. Mr. Berger, the father, is a miner and a truly worthy man.

Frank Berger, son of Frank and Justina (Rudish) Berger, was born in 1872, in Bohemia. Austria, and in 1889 emigrated to the United States. On his arrival in the Lackawanna Val- ley he became a miner, and for ten years was en- gaged in the production of coal. During this

time he purchased an attractive home, a fact which testifies to his financial prosperity. In 1901 he engaged in business as a meat-dealer, and has developed an extensive and profitable trade. Mr. Berger is extremely popular as a citi- zen, and in 1904 was elected justice of the peace. He is a member of the Mystic Chain and the Golden Eagle. Mr. Berger married in 1900, Elvira Reese, a native of Austria, and they have one child, Freeda M., born September 27, 1904.

HON. P. F. CALPIN, senator for twentieth district, comprising Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, is one of the rising young men of his native city, where he is honored and respected by all who come in contact with him, whether in business, political or social affairs. He is a son of Patrick M. and Mary (Conway) Calpin, and his birth occurred March 25, 1872.

Patrick M. Calpin (father) was born in Ire- land, and like the majority of native-born sons of that isle possessed the characteristics of in- dustry and perseverance which were exemplified fully in his career. About the year 1865 he emi- grated to the United States, locating in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and making his home in what is now the sixth ward. He gained a comfortable livelihood by following the occupation of mining. He was a man of worth and stood high in the community in which he resided for many years, this fact being evidenced by his election to the office of assessor of the sixth ward in 1880. His death occurred in October. 1881. His wife, Mary (Conway) Calpin, also a native of Ireland, who died in January, 1902, bore him nine children, four of whom died in childhood, and the surviv- ing members of the family are as follows: Mrs. John Flynn, P. F., mentioned at length here- after ; James A., Mrs. M. J. Noone, and Thomas.

The educational advantages enjoyed by P. F. Calpin were gained by attendance at the public schools and Woods' Business College in Scranton. Like all young men reared in a mining town, he was employed in various capacities about the mines up to 1890. He then became apprenticed to the carpenter trade, and after thoroughly mas- tering all the details followed it for a number of years, achieving large financial gain. In 1894 he established a business for himself as contractor and builder, and this line of work he has con- ducted successfully up to the present time ( 1906). In 1898 he was elected a member of the common council of Scranton, and in 1900 and 1902 was re-elected without opposition, serving in the capacity of president of the same during the years 1900 and 1901. Owing to his record in

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council and reputation for adherence to Demo- cratic principles he was nominated for the senate in 1900 to succeed the late Senator Vaughan, a Republican, who was elected in 1894 by nearly 4,000 majority, and in 1898 by 3,400 majority, and against these tremendous odds he entered the fight to overcome those large Republican majori- ties, and when the votes were counted it was found that he had defeated his Republican oppo- nent by the enormous majority of 4,172. Of the poll of 16,199 votes there were 8,511 in the Dem- ocratic column and in the anti-machine column 7,688, a mighty tribute to his worth and popu- larity. Not only had Mr. Calpin to contend against a naturally large Republican senatorial majority, but a decision by the Dauphin county court adverse to the Democratic candidate for congress in the Lackawanna district had intro- duced further political complications threatening Democratic success. At the session of 1903 he was a member of the following committees : Cen- tennial affairs, city passenger railways, congres- sional apportionment, federal relations, finance, judicial appointments, municipal affairs, public grounds and buildings, public supply of light and heat, and public roads and highways. He is a member of the Order of Elks, the John Mitchell Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 98

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