History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 104

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532

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two years. By his first wife, Catherine (Bishop) Cassedy, he had two children, both of whom are dead; by his second wife, who is still living at Cherryville, Pa., he had four children: George R., register and recorder of Fremont county, Canon City, Colo .; Elizabeth (Mrs. Osborne Knecht), Treichlers, Pa .; Susan (Mrs. George R. Shaeffer), Salt Lake City, and Thomas. The grandfather of our subject was born in the parish of Inver, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1775. In 1793, during the war between England and France, he emigrated to America, and while on the voy- age their ship was hailed by a man-of-war, and eighteen of the crew and passengers impressed into the British service, he being saved only by the kindness of the cap- tain, who concealed him between the two beds upon which his wife was confined by illness, in which situation his escape was nearly at the cost of suffocation, it being in July. He subsequently settled in Springville, Susquehanna Co., Pa., then a comparative wilderness, where he participated in all the trials and privations of pioneer life. He boldly faced all barriers, and founded a comfortable home for him- self and family. He was an extensive reader, and a man of rare intelligence; was well-versed in history, and once revisited his native country. He died December 29, 1853. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Schuylkill county and at the Commerical College of Philadelphia, after which he studied telegraphy for a

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

few months at Shenandoah, Pa. He then came to Wilkes-Barre, where he held a position as clerk for Conynghams & Paine, four years, and bookkeeper in their Ashley store, six years. When C. M. Conyngham succeeded Conynghams & Paine, he was appointed manager, which position he held five years, and the present firm was formed January 1, 1884. Mr. Cassedy was married March 15, 1877, to Miss Emma L. Roper, daughter of J. J. Roper, of Brooklyn, Susquehanna Co., Pa., and the issue of this happy union is four bright children: George F., Fred F., Susan E., and Thomas, who is the seventh Thomas Cassedy in a direct line of descendancy. Mr. Cassedy is a member of the F. & A. M., a Republican in his political views, and was appointed oil inspector of Luzerne county, January 26, 1892.

HARRY BRUNDAGE CASSELBERRY, M. D., was born in the village of Conyngham, Luzerne Co., Pa., December 19, 1863, a son of Dr. Jesse R. and Amanda (Brundage) Casselberry. He was brought up in the place of his birth until 1871, when his parents removed to Hazleton, where he has since resided. He attended the public schools of the borough until the fall of 1880. when he entered Williston Seminary at East Hampton, Mass., where he remained one year. During his stay at this school he, with six other students, founded the "Iota Zeta Fraternity " (now such a popular secret society at Williston 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 was finally, April 2, 1886, graduated with the degree of M. D. from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. During his college course he gave particular attention to the eye, ear, nose and throat, and after graduating spent a considerable time in the hospitals of Philadelphia devoted to those branches. In the spring of 1887 he sailed for Europe 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, Schweigger and Hirschberg. At the completion of his studies in Germany, he made a tour of Europe, and then spent several months in St. Mary's College Hospital, London, England, under Professors Juler and Crit- chett. Returning to Hazleton, he began the practice of his profession, in which he still continues.

Dr. Casselberry has always shown a great fondness for literary work, and has contributed many articles, relating to his profession and otherwise, to the prominent journals of the day. His literary work, however, has been mostly confined to subjects connected with music and the drama. He has been for a number of years the dramatic critic of the Hazleton Sentinel, and his articles written under the nom- de-plume of "The Man with the Opera Glass" have gained him an enviable reputa- tion in this line. As a critic he aims to tell the truth, and while often severe, no one is quicker to give credit when it is due than he. He is also a staff correspondent of a number of musical journals.

Secret societies have always seemed to exercise a fascination for the Doctor, and he is now connected with a number of secret and social organizations. By virtue of his revolutionary descent, he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution Society, and is an enthusiastic Odd Fellow, besides holding membership in the A. and I. O. of Knights of Malta aud Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a director of the Hazleton National Bank.

Even before coming of age Dr. Casselberry was much interested in politics, and now he is numbered among his party's most active workers. He is an uncom- promising Republican of the stalwart type, and his own familiar remark: "I do all my kicking before the nomination is made," is thoroughly indicative of the man. He has represented his party in many conventions, and being a ready speaker is much sought after in public meetings. When Hazleton became a city in 1892, he was nominated by the Republicans of the Eighth Ward for Select Council. With- out 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, receiving

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

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 knowledge of parliamentary law he was made the president of that body, which position he still holds. He was also prominently mentioned as a suitable candidate for State Senator during the campaign of 1892, but took him- self out of the fight by a peremptory declination. He is a politician without any desire for public office. He is unmarried.

T. P. CASSELBERRY, M. D., Nescopeck, was born in Butler township, this county, August 9, 1851, a son of Thomas M. and Julia A. (Potts) Casselberry, both natives of Montgomery county, Pa., and who, about the year 1848, settled in Butler town- ship, this county, where the father taught school for several years. Later he kept store in Conyngham, after which he contracted for the carrying of the U. S. Mail over different routes in the State, and for twelve years was engaged in the livery business at Hazleton. He is now a resident of Philadelphia, and an extensive dealer in horses. Our subject was reared in Luzerne county, and educated in the public schools. In 1879 he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. R. Casselberry at Hazleton, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1882. He immediately located at Hazleton, where he remained four years; then removed to Wapwallopen, where he resided six years, and in 1891 came to Nescopeck, where he has already succeeded in building up a lucrative practice. In 1888 Dr. Casselberry married Alta, daughter of Aaron and Martha (Keen) Harter, of Nescopeck. The Doctor is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and in politics he is a Republican.

ASA CASTERLINE, farmer, P. O. Orange, was born July 2, 1842, in Franklin, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of James and Eliza (Allen) Casterline, both born in Sussex county, N. J., the former of whom was a son of Robert Casterline, also a native of Sussex county, where he died. James removed to this county in 1832, locating in Franklin township, where he owned 500 acres of land, 200 of which he cleared and improved, or caused to be improved, during his lifetime. He was a blacksmith by trade, which he commenced at as soon as he arrived. His work was in great demand, and he did much toward the advancement of civilization, both by his trade as a mechanic and his enterprise as a pioneer farmer, for he carried on agricultural pursuits in conjunction with black- smithing. During the years of his life, and at various times, he disposed of some of the original .500 acres. He reared a family of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, five of them now living. He died in February, 1884, at the age of seventy-five. Asa, his sixth son, in early life learned the wheelwright's trade, which he followed for several years, and at different places, serving time in various establishments in order to perfect his trade. On March 17, 1868, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Jerome and Margaret Blakslee, and by her had three children, two of whom are living: Walter, who is fitting himself for the practice of medicine, and Frank, a farmer, both bright and promising boys. Mrs. Casterline was born in Luzerne borough, in November, 1848. The Blakslees are New Englanders; well-informed people, representing various professions, including the bench, bar, and pulpit. After his marriage he removed to Scranton, where he remained two years; then removed to Wilkes-Barre, where he remained four years; thence proceeded to Pittston, and here remained eleven years, working at his trade at all these places. Finally, in 1881, he came to Franklin township, where he bought a part of the old homestead, consisting of 100 acres, on which he now resides. On August 4, 1891, his house caught fire and burned down. He now has a fine residence on the old site, of modern style and finish. Mr. Casterline is a live business man, and a practical farmer, having a special view to stock raising. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. He and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church.

HIRAM CASTNER, farmer, P. O. Dupont, was born in Plymouth, May 26, 1840, a son of Elijah and Margaret (Hoover) Castner, both of whom were born in New 42

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Jersey. They removed to this county in 1848, locating in Mill Hollow, where the father purchased 200 acres of unreclaimed land, some of which he cleared, and afterward he sold it all at a profit. He removed to Plymouth, when he also engaged in farming for a number of years, and finally went to Ohio, where he now resides, a well-to-do farmer. He is a man of large experience in agricultural pursuits, and a thorough-going man of business. His family numbered ten children, eight of whom came to maturity, and are yet living, Hiram being the fifth by birth. Our subject was reared and educated at the common schools of his native town, and, having regarded farming as his special calling, has confined himself to it more or less all his life. He was stable-boss for the Butler Coal Company about sixteen years, and for the Lehigh Valley Company five years. On August 26, 1864, he entered the United States service to defend his country, and protect the union of the States. He was a member of the Two Hundred and Third P. V. I., serving honorably till the close of the war, having participated in the battles of Fort Fisher, Deep Bottom, and many others. In 1858 he married Miss Catherine Sullivan, who was born in Ireland in 1840, a daughter of Jeremiah Sullivan, and there were born to them ten children, all of whom are living: Jane, Lizzie, William, Mary M., John, Jeremiah, Elijah, Kate, Anna, and Della. Of these, Jane married William Kester; Lizzie married Edward Keating; William married Miss Kate Divers; Mary M. married Peter Kennedy; John married Miss Mary Taugher. Mr. Castner removed on his present place of 104 acres of improved land. He is a practical farmer, and a man much esteemed in his own locality, because of his worth as a neighbor and as a man. Politically he is a Republican, and has held some township offices with much credit.

SILAS CAVENEE, farmer, Huntington township, P. O. Town Hill, was born January 22, 1835, in Columbia county, and is a son of James and Nancy L. (Hedden) Cavenee. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and, respectively, of Irish and German origin; the father was a laborer by occupation, and died in June, 1874, aged seventy-nine years. Silas Cavenee is the only one living of a family of ten children. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when ten years of age began working out at farm work, continuing in this until August 12, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-third P. V .; he participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Petersburg, Weldon R. R., and other minor engagements, receiving his discharge June 12, 1865. He returned to Huntington township, and worked on rented farms until 1879, when he bought his present place, containing twenty acres, one-half mile west of Town Hill post- office. Mr. Cavenee was married, February 26, 1871, to Miss Orselia, daughter of Fredrick and Sarah Hartman. This union was blessed with three children, viz .: Calvert R., born April 8, 1872; Alfred E., born August 15, 1876, and Sarah A., born October 7, 1881. Mre. Cavenee is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; our subject is a member of the G. A. R., and is a Democrat, politically.

GEORGE CEASE, retired farmer, P. O. Cease's Mills, was born in Beach Haven, Luzerne Co., Pa., August 24, 1810, a son of Henry and Mary (Sonber) Cease, the former born iu Northampton county, the latter in Luzerne county. Henry was a son of Henry Cease, a native of Germany who came to America when about eighteen years of age, landing in Canada, wheuce he moved to New York City, then to Hun- lock Creek, this county. He was a tailor by trade, but engaged in farming and other occupations pursued by early settlers. His family consisted of four children -three sons and one daughter-of whom Henry, in about 1820, located in Plymouth, about four miles north of the river, where he engaged in farming, and lived until 1856, in which year he died at the age of sixty-seven years. His family consisted of fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, and nine are now living, George being second in the family. Our subject was reared and educated in this county, and August 7, 1837, he married Miss Jane, daughter of Thomas and Mary Lamareaux, by which marriage there were born twelve children, ten of whom are now living: Almira, Elijah, John, Emily, Thomas, Benson, Maritta, Ira, Diana and

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Mary. Mr. Cease came to his present neighborhood when the county was com- paratively new, and helped to make the township what it is. In his early life he was extensively engaged in lumbering. His son, Thomas, now occupies the old site. Henry Cease, father of our subject, built in 1825 the sawmill which is now owned by his son Josiah, who is also a manufacturer of lumber. Henry also built in 1846 the first gristmill, now owned by Sydney Gregory. Mr. George Cease has had the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, holding several township offices. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church; politically he is a Democrat.

JOSIAH CEASE, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Cease's Mills, was born in Jackson township, this county, March 3, 1833, a son of Henry and Mary (Sonber) Cease, the former born in Northampton county, the latter in Luzerne county. Henry was a son of Henry Cease, a native of Germany, who came to America when about eighteen years of age, first landing in Canada, whence he moved to New York City, thence to Hunlock Creek, this county, where he remained the rest of his lifetime. His family numbered four children-three sons and one daughter. In his early life he learned the tailor's trade, but later in life he was a tiller of the soil. Henry, his son, located in Plymouth township in 1820, about four miles north of Nanticoke, where he lived as a farmer until he died in 1856, at the age of sixty-seven years. His family consisted of fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, and nine are now (1891) living, Josiah being the youngest in the family. Our subject was reared and educated in Jackson township. In his early life, he confined himself to farming and lumbering, which gave him a knowledge of machinery, at which he became an expert. He now owns and operates a sawmill, located on the same site on which his father built in 1825. He is engaged in the manufacture of lumber and rollers for mine purposes. In August, 1854, he married Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of Oliver and Amanda Ide, by which union there were born seven children, five of whom are now living: Henry E., Celestia A., Morgan A., Amanda L. and Thomas J., all married except Thomas J. Mr. Cease has the entire confidence of his fellow citizens. He was justice of the peace ten years, a school director thirty years, clerk of the town ten years and is now postmaster. Politically he is a Democrat, and he is a consist- ent member of the Baptist Church.

WILLIAM H. CEASE, blacksmith, West Nanticoke, was born in Plymouth town- ship, October 17, 1844, a son of Jacob and Emma J. (Van Loon) Cease, early pio- neers of Luzerne county. The subject of this sketch is the fourth child in a family of twelve. He was reared and educated in Plymouth township, and, during his early life, he was engaged in farming and lumbering, engaging in 1874, as an apprentice to the blacksmith trade at the Avondale, where he finished his trade. He remained there thirteen years altogether, when he began business for himself at West Nanticoke, where he has since continued to do a thriving business. He was joined in marriage in 1865 with Miss Susanna, daughter of William and Lydia (Hummel) Reed, natives of Salem township, Luzerne county. Twelve children have been born to this union: Clarence E., Sanford D. (deceased), Hendrick (deceased), Jacob, Calvin (deceased); and Emma J., James M., Anna M., Birdie, William H., Lavina (all living), and Aliva (deceased). Mr. Cease attends the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and politically is an ardent worker in the cause of the Democratic party.

WILLIAM CHALLENGER, proprietor of the " Cambryae House," Nanticoke, was born in Monmouthshire, England, in 1845, and was educated in his native land. In March, 1869, he came to America, locating at Erwin Station, Pa., a small place near Pittsburgh, where he was engaged in mining three years, at the end of which time he moved to Macon, Ohio, where he followed mining, and remained until 1870, when he proceeded to Frostburg, Md., and was engaged in mining there also a short time. In 1870 he came to Nanticoke, where he worked as miner until 1882, and from 1882 to 1884 as fire-boss. He then engaged in the hotel business, and has since given that his entire attention. Mr. Challenger was married in 1772, to Miss Elizabeth John, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and they have two children, William and

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Mary. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and Royal Society of Good Fellows; in politics he is a Republican.

NATHAN D. CHAPIN, farmer and carpenter, Huntington township, P. O. Hard- pan, was born in that township October 10, 1846, and is a son of Warren S. and Elizabeth (McBeth) Chapin. He is the third of a family of five children, was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when twenty-one rented some land from his father, and farmed same for two years. He then farmed the Millick farm for one year, when he went to Hunlock Creek and engaged in the lumber business for five years; thence removed to Fishing Creek, Columbia county, and worked a rented farm one year; then back to Huntington township, on the Larned farm, one year, when he purchased his present farm of sixty acres, one mile south of the Hardpan postoffice, on the Huntington creek, and has since devoted his time to his farm and his trade, also running a threshing machine. He was married, December 15, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth A. Emory, who was born January 13, 1847, a daughter of John and Catherine (Kindig) Emory. This union was blessed with eight children, viz .: John W., a farmer of same township, born July 18, 1869, married Jennie Ridall; Lillian G., born March 8, 1871; Charles A., born July 23, 1873; William O., born January 23, 1875; James D., born December 4, 1877; Hannah C., born November 29, 1879; Walter S., born October 12, 1882; and Eddie Grover Cleveland, born November 20, 1884. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Politically our subject is a Democrat.

WARREN S. CHAPIN, farmer, Huntington township, P. O. Waterton, was born, on the farm he now occupies, September 21, 1818, son of John and Phoebe (Tubbs) Chapin, natives of Connecticut, and of English origin. The father came to the Huntington valley in 1788, with his father, who settled on the same farm now owned by Warren S. Our subject is the youngest of a family of five children, two of whom are living. He was reared on the farm he now owns, educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one years began working the farm for half. This he continued for nine years, when he bought fifty acres just north of his father's, and farmed the same until 1864, when he purchased the homestead which he has since conducted. He was married, January 3, 1859, to Elizabeth McBeth, daughter of James and Lucy (Kingsbury) McBeth, natives of Pennsyl- vania, of English origin. This union was blessed with five children, viz .: Lucinda A. (Mrs. S. B. Sutliff, of Berwick, Pa.), born March 4, 1840; Hannah, born March 16, 1842, died February 25, 1845; Nathan D., born October 10, 1846, married Elizabeth A. Emery; Alford T., born November 19, 1850, a furniture dealer and undertaker of Jonestown, Pa., married to Mary E. Buckalew; Amy E. (Mrs. J. N. Arnold), born June 27, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin are members of the M. E. Church. The Chapin farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres two and one- fourth miles below Waterton postoffice, on the Huntington creek. Politically, Mr. Chapin is a Democrat.

MILTON Z. CHARLES, proprietor of the "Charles Cafe" and the leading and popular caterer of Wilkes-Barre, was born in Norristown, Montgomery Co., Pa., August 31, 1858, son of Abram M. and Emeline (Zepp) Charles, and is of German descent. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and educated in the com- mon schools, locating at the age of seventeen in Philadelphia, where he was clerk in a restaurant for five years and eight months. During this time he was also the manager for four years and eight months. In 1881 he took possession of the lunch counter and restaurant at the Lehigh Valley depot, Bethlehem, which he man- aged four and one-half years. He then purchased the business and conducted it one year, during which time he was proprietor of a lunch counter at Tamaqua, dining room and restaurant at the Philadelphia & Reading depot at Reading, and also conducted the lunch counter at Wayne Junction, near Philadelphia, from 1887 to 1889, residing in Reading. In July, 1889, he sold all these enterprises with the exception of the one at Bethlehem, and remained there until March, 1890, when he removed to Wilkes-Barre and took possession of the Lehigh Valley restaurant,

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which he conducted until April 1, 1892. At this time he opened his present popu- lar resort, which is patronized by the elite of the city. He married, December 16, 1879, Amanda, daughter of Reuben Landis, of Collegeville, Montgomery Co., Pa. They have three children living: A. Milton, Rollin L. and Hattie A. Mr. Charles is a Knight Templar; is recent eminent commander of Lodge No. 20, I. O. O. F., of Allentown, and is also a member of the P. O. S. of A. and the Elks.

WILLIAM CHARLES, manager for Michael Langer, Hazleton. The gentleman whose name opens this sketch was born near Hazleton January 6, 1839, and is a son of S. S. and Anna (David) Charles, the former of whom was a native of Sugar Loaf township. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and lived his entire life in the vicinity of Hazleton; he died in 1886, at the age of seventy-eight. John Charles, the grandfather of William, was also a blacksmith, and lived in Sugar Loaf town- ship. At one time he was offered the entire tract of land where the city of Hazle- ton is now situated, in consideration of shoeing a team of oxen one year, but its valne being unknown to him he refused to take it. Our subject was educated in the pub- lic schools of Hazleton, and at the age of ten years began picking slate. He worked around the mines about two years, and at the age of twelve commenced his trade in Wilkes-Barre with W. W. Loomis. After remaining there five years, he moved to Bethlehem, where he tarried a short time, and then came to Sugar Loaf, where he engaged in the harness business for himself, in the manufacturing and retail branches. Heremained in business there twenty years, and then came to Hazle- ton, where he worked as journeyman until 1889, at which time he took charge of Mr. Langer's store, where he is still engaged. In 1860 Mr. Charles married Miss Catharine Valenrath, a native of Germany, which union has been blessed with four children, viz .: Minor Ellsworth, a druggist in Philadelphia; Lizzie May, married to Martin Still, Hazleton; Carrie May and Annie. Mr. Charles is a Republican, and was postmaster of Sugar Loaf nine years.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 104

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1532

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532