History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 114

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

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JOHN C. DAVIS, farmer, Fairmount township, P. O. Fairmount Springs, was born in Columbia county, August 20, 1846, a son of Solomon and Elizabeth .(Cole) Davis, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Welsh and German origin, respectively. Solomon Davis was a farmer, and died June 8, 1888, aged seventy-four years. He was a son of Solomon and Margaret (Hartman) Davis, natives of Pennsylvania, farmers. Solomon, Sr., was a son of Reuben and Ellen (Fitzimmons) Davis, natives of Wales and Ireland, respectively. Our subject is the eldest of a family of five children. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools and New Columbus Academy, and worked for his father, teaching school winters, until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then rented the farm, and worked same for ten years, when, by the death of an uncle, he inherited his present farm of seventy- six acres, and moved thereon. He also owns seventy acres in Huntington town- ship. He was married, October 10, 1872, to Miss Clara Grimes, daughter of James and Jane (John) Grimes. This happy union was blessed with one child, Ida E., born in November, 1875. She is the pride and joy of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the M. E. Church. He has been supervisor of his township, and politically he is a Democrat.

J. E. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Larksville, was born in Kingston township, Septem- ber 9, 1851, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of David W. and Rachel (James) Davis, both of whom were born in Wales, and who emigrated to this country about 1830. They came by the way of Philadelphia, where they tarried a short season. Then they removed to and located in the Valley where they after- ward resided. David W. Davis confined himself to mining and farming, though he never carried on both at the same time. He owned ninety-seven acres of good hill-

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side land north of Kingston borough, which he improved during his lifetime. He was a hard-working and honest man, of good moral habits. He died in 1878 at the age of seventy-four years, and was followed by his widow in 1886. They reared a family of six children, four of whom are living: David, James, Thomas, and John E. The latter is the youngest of the family, and has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits, living on the farm occupied by his father before him. In November, 1881, he married Miss Emily, daughter of Jos. and Jane Linn, and to this union have been born three children, two of whom are living: Jane and Newell. Mrs. Emily Davis was born in Plymouth in 1850. Mr. Davis is an active and wide-awake man, and a practical farmer. His farm now comprises about seventy acres, and, although a general farmer, he gives the preference to dairying. He retails his milk in various parts of the Valley. Mr. Davis is a member of the K. of H., and a Republican politically.

JOHN P. DAVIS, insurance agent, Plymouth, was born at Swansea, South Wales, June 16, 1847, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Williams) Davis, natives of Cardiganshire, North Wales. Our subject is the second in a family of three children, was educated in Wales, and, at an early age learned mining, which he followed in that country until 1868, when he came to America and engaged in mining in Mahanoy City, Pa., where he remained but a short time. He then returned to Wales, engaging in mining at the Ferndale Mines, and was in what is know as the "Ferndale disaster," one of the most appalling and horrible mine accidents that has ever occurred, the total loss of life being 152 souls. Our sub- ject narrowly escaped death, and after assisting in recovering the dead bodies, he returned to America and followed his old occupation, fourteen years being spent at the Nottingham Colliery. He then abandoned mining, and embarked in the insurance business for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, in which capacity he served for about one and one-half years, at the end of which period he engaged in his old occupation, working at the Parrish Mines for about two years. He then renewed the insurance business, this time representing the Pottsville Home Life Insurance Company, and has since been engaged in this business. Mr. Davis was united in marriage in September, 1873, with Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Douglas) Jones, natives of Wales, to which union have been born seven children, viz .: David J., Martha J., Lizzie, Tallasen, Ermon, Jemima, and Margaret. Mr. Davis is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. R. M. and the Ivorites. The family attend the Congregational Church.

T. B. DAVIS, fire-boss in the Henry Colliery, Plains, was born in Plains, Pa., September 5, 1849, and is a son of Henry and Ann (Eishma), natives of England, the former of whom was a miner, and came to America in 1847, locating in Plains. Their family consisted of seven children (five of whom are living), viz. : Thomas B .; Mary E., married to David B. Williams, a blacksmith in Streator, Ill .; Sarah A., married to Edward Ayer, pumpman, Parsons; Lillian, married to John Murphy, formerly a miner at Plains; Charles, killed in the mines at the age of thirteen; Jane, who died at the age of seven years; and John W., a runner in the Mill Creek Mine, living with his mother. The father of this family enlisted at Wilkes-Barre, November 4, 1861, in Company H, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was discharged December 31, 1863; re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer in the same company, January 1, 1864, and was discharged, January 24, 1866; though he never received any severe injuries, the trials and anxieties attendant upon a soldier's life bore so heavily upon him that his strong mind was shattered so that it never rallied, and he is now in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Virginia. Our subject embarked in life as a runner in the mines. He served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, which he was obliged to abandon on account of sight failure; he then mined six years, and has been fire-boss seven years. Mr. Davis was married, December 26, 1877, to Miss Emetia, daughter of John Royston, of England, and the fruits of this union are two children, Charles A. and Mary C. Mrs. Emetia (Royston) Davis died November 6, 1883, and Mr. Davis married, November 15, 1884, Catherine

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Tasker, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hayes) Tasker, formerly of South Wales, and by this union there are three children, Gertrude A., George E. and Harry J. Since March, 1891, Mrs. Davis has been afflicted with total blindness, caused by paralysis of the optic nerve. Mr. Davis is a member of the Sons of Veterans; politically, he is a Republican. In 1875 he built and moved into his present residence.

THOMAS J. DAVIS, engaged in Company work at the Port Bowkley Mine in Plains township, with residence in Miners Mills, was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales, December 22, 1827, and is a son of John and Ann (Perigrin) Davis. His father, who was a miner, reared a family of sixteen children, four of whom are living, viz .: Mary, Hopkin, Evan and Thomas J. The last named, who began working in the mines in his native country at the extremely early age of four years, came to America in 1865, and was engaged in mining in Bear Gap for six months, and then Ashland, six weeks. He then returned to Wales where he worked at mining three years. He then came to America again, and has since worked at the following places: Mount Carmel, one year; Wanamie, five years; Providence, six weeks; Moosic, eighteen months; and in 1876 removed to Miners Mills where he has since been engaged in mining; he built his present residence in 1887. Mr. Davis was married, August 13, 1859, to Miss Mary, daughter of William and Rachel (Thomas) Thomas. Nine children were the fruit of this union, viz .: Mary A., married to Thomas B. Thomas, M. D., .of Wilkes-Barre; Margaret J., married to Edward Morgans, a druggist in Wilkes-Barre; William T. and John T. (twins), the former of whom was killed July 16, 1881, by a car in the Henry Colliery, and the latter is now mining in Wyoming Colliery; Sarah, living with Mary A. ; Rachel, still at home; Thomas T., employed in his brother-in-law's drug store; Eleaser T., who died at the age of two years; and Martha, attending school. Mr. Davis and wife are mem- bers of the Welsh Congregational Church; he is a member of the Ivorites, and a Republican in his political views.

ROBERT DE FREAN, foreman, Pittston. This typical railroad man was born at Mauch Chunk, Pa., August 20, 1845, and is a son of William and Mary (Gable) De Frehn, natives of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch is the second in a family of nine children. He was educated and reared in Mauch Chunk, and after his school days became employed by William McMillian as overseer at the coal pocket along the Lehigh river, at Mauch Chunk. He worked there for a short time, and was then employed by William Tumbler to look after his lumber interests, at which he remained one year. In 1862 he began work in the Lehigh Valley shops at Mauch Chunk to learn the machinist's trade, and worked there one year, at the end of that time entering the shops at Packerton, where he remained until 1866. In 1867 he went to Delano, Pa., and completed his trade under the master workman, A. Mitchell. After completing his trade he went to Ohio, where he worked at his trade for about seven months, when he returned to Delano and worked as machinist until 1871. He then returned to Packerton, working there until 1873, when he came to Coxton and worked as a machinist until 1884, being then made foreman of the round house at Coxton, which position he has since held. Mr. De Frehn was united in marriage, November 1, 1871, with Miss Clara, daughter of Amos and Sarah (Kimbel) Campbell, natives of Northumberland county, Pa. This union has been blessed with three children, namely: Bertha May, Robert Clyde and Mabel Grace. Mr. De Frehn is a member of the Knights of Honor, and the family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a railroad man he is widely and favorably known.

FRANK DEITRIOK, city clerk, Wilkes-Barre, was born at Carbondale, Pa., April 19, 1867, a son of George and Sarah (Renard) Deitrick, and is of German descent. His maternal grandfather, Adam Renard, formerly of Easton, Pa., located prior to the Civil war at Kingston where he had charge of the Dorrance farm for several years, and he is now a resident of Wilkes-Barre. The father of our subject was a native of Monroe county, Pa .; located at Bear Creek, Luzerne county, before the

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

war; was a member of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-third P. V. I., serving three years, and was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Immediately after his return from the war, he located at Carbondale, where for eleven years he was station agent for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. In 1879 he located at Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided, and worked at the carpenter's trade. He has two children living, Frank and Harry R. Our subjeet was reared at Car- bondale and Wilkes-Barre, receiving both a public and a private school education. When twelve years of age he began work in the Empire Breaker, at Wilkes-Barre, as a slate picker. Soon afterward he entered the employ of the "Boston Store" as errand boy, and later, as office boy in the city clerk's office, and worked his way up to deputy clerk. In January, 1887, he was elected city clerk, and has since con- tinuously held the office. Mr. Deitrick married in December, 1888, Sue, daughter of Richard E. S. Miall, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have one son, Ira H. He is a member of F. & A. M. and Sons of Veterans, of which latter he is past captain, Camp No. 169.

HENRY DEITERICK, farmer and dairyman, Nanticoke, was born in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., a son of Joseph and Sarah (Salzie) Deiterick, both natives of Pennsylvania, and descendants of early New England and New Jersey families. Mr. Deiterick was educated in the common schools of his native town, and began life as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade, which he followed about seven years, when he engaged in farming, and this latter has been the chief occupation of his life. In 1887 he came to Nanticoke, where he has since been engaged in dairying in connection with his farming interests. Mr. Deiterick was united in marriage August 25, 1860, with Miss Celesta, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Engler) Boone, of Columbia county, both natives of this State, the former a member of the Boone family, so well known to every student of American history, through the marvelous pioneer life of the illustrious Daniel Boone. Mr. and Mrs. Deiterick have four children: Charles W., a farmer in Nanticoke, married to Lizzie Mathews; E. S., married to Maggie Fairchild; Lizzie and Perry. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, except Mrs. Deiterick who is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Deiterick has been street commissioner two terme, and his political viewe are of the most Democratic type.

JAMES W. DELANEY, outside superintendent at No. 14 Colliery, Pennsylvania Coal Company, Port Griffith, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, December 5, 1832, and is the only child of Michael and Catherine (Welsh) Delaney, the former of whom was a soldier in the British army. James W. Delaney came to America in 1849, worked a short time in Vermont, and in 1850 located in Pittston, where he ran on the Gravity road for four years, and then for thirty-six years was coal inspector and weighmaster, after which he was promoted to his present position. . Mr. Delaney was married December 25, 1849, to Mies Celia, daughter of Michael and Celia (Hughes) Cummings, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and they had ten children: Michael E .; Ann (Mrs. Luke Brady), who died at the age of thirty-nine years, leav- ing seven children; James, John, Catherine, Martin, Thomas, Celia, Agnes and Edward. Mr. Delaney built his present residence in 1858.

MICHAEL E. DELANEY received a common-school education, and after working about the mines as report and messenger boy, etc., for five years, he learned the shoemaker's trade in Pittston, worked as journeyman in Inkerman, two years, and in 1870 engaged in business for himself, in Port Griffith. He purchased his present residence in 1875, and built his present place of business in 1891. He was married May 23, 1873, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Cauley) McDermot, of Port Griffith, and they had born to them eleven children, viz. : James J., Thomas, Patrick, John S. (deceased), Anastatia, John, Michael, Francis, Sebastian (deceased), Mary (deceased), and Mary (second, also deceased). This family are all advocates of Catholicity and Democracy.

PETER H. DELONG, farmer, P. O. Loyalville, was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Pa., June 18, 1818, a son of Francis and Ann (Stone) Delong, both natives of

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Monroe county. Ann Stone was a daughter of Richard Stone, who served seven years under Washington in the Revolutionary army, and, notwithstanding he was an Englishman by birth, fought for the cause of independence as a loyal citizen of the new Republic. Francis Delong was a worthy citizen of Monroe county, whose life was uneventful, an honest man of energy and pluck, and possessed of good moral principles. There were nine children born to him, six of whom grew to maturity, and two of them are now living. Peter H. Delong, who is the second in the family, was reared and educated in Monroe county. In 1839 he removed thence to Forty Fort, this county, where he remained a short time, and then came to Plym- outh, where he worked at his trade, that of boot and shoe maker. During the Civil war he served one year in the sutler's department, connected with the Fifty-second P. V. I. In 1864 he removed to Lake township, where he purchased 105 acres of land, some of which was improved, and' he has shown himself to be a practical farmer, in the development of his present surroundings, his fields are clear of obstructions, while his buildings are commodious and comfortable. In December, 1842, Mr. Delong married Miss Levina, daughter of John and Elizabeth Santee, by which union there were twelve children, eight of whom grew to maturity and seven of them are now living: John, Sarah, Henry, Caroline, Elizabeth, Andrew and Susan, all married and well to do. Mr. Delong is a charter member of the Grange, and presented that organization with a lot on which to build. He and his good wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in good standing and influence. Henry, his son, who is a promising young man of enterprise, has leased for life, conditionally his father's farm. Politically they are Republicans.

CHARLES DENNIS, fireman at the Wright Slope, Plymouth, was born in Plymouth, Pa., October 6, 1862, and is a son of Wesley and Helen (Bolen) Dennis, also natives of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch is the eldest in a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. He was educated in the public schools of his native county and at the Wilkes- Barre Business College, graduating from the latter in May, 1877. Soon after graduating he was tendered a position as bookkeeper but, owing to the meager salary, he preferred to work harder and earn more, consequent- ly he took the position of fireman at the Wright Slope, where he is now employed. Mr. Dennis was married, August 19, 1889, to Kate, daughter of John Jones, of Plymouth, Pa., and two children have blessed this union, Samuel and Ellen. Our subject in politics votes with the Republican party, and he is a member of the F. & A. M. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EDWARD A. DENNISTON, outside mine foreman, at the Forty Fort Colliery, with residence at Forty Fort, was born December 6, 1826, at Reading, Pa., and is a son of John and Mary (Rothermel) Denniston, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, and of Scotch and German origin respectively, the former of whom was a carpen- ter and contractor. In their family were nine children, of whom Edward A. is the eldest. Our subject was educated in the common schools and at a select school at Easton, Pa., till the age of fifteen, when he was engaged for one year in shipping coal at Port Clinton, Schuylkill county. He then went as rodman for the Schuylkill Navigation Company's Engineer Corps, one winter, after which he clerked in his father's store at Tamaqua, Pa., for two years. Leaving there, we next find Mr. Denniston in charge of a coal colliery at Tamaqua, where he continued two years, after which he operated a colliery at Silver creek for two years, and was then made manager of the company store of Denniston, Bowman & Co., at New Philadelphia, where he remained two years. He then returned to Tamaqua, and took charge of a coal office for William Donaldson nine years, after which he formed a company of six who, in the spring of 1859, started for the Rocky Mountains to dig for gold. They went to St. Louis by rail, purchased an outfit, and took steamer to Fort Leav- enworth, from there proceeding by wagon to Denver, Colo., a distance of 700 miles. Our subject remained in the gold fields until September, meeting with fair success, and was well pleased with his venture. On his return to Tamaqua he worked one winter with his brother, weighing and billing coal for the Little Schuylkill Naviga-

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tion Company; then engaged as superintendent for the St. Nicholas Coal Company, with whom he remained until 1879. In 1881 he came to Forty Fort and accepted the position of outside foreman for the Harry E. and Forty Fort Collieries, where he is now employed. In 1890 he built his home on Wyoming avenue, which is a model of elegance. Mr. Denniston was married July 11, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Frances (Redfern) Donaldson, natives of England and of English origin, which union was blessed with eight children, seven of whom are now living, viz .: Mary F., married to Edward Eynon, a clerk in the adjutant gen- eral's office, Washington, D. C .; Ida M., married to Dr. Edwin C. Williams, of Lebanon, Pa. (deceased); William J., machinist, who married Mamie Aregood; Hannah C., wife of William Williams, a train dispatcher for the Pennsylvania & Reading Railroad, at Tamaqua, Pa. ; Emma J., married to Edward Foster, a black- smith; Lizzie D., wife of Dr. A. D. Thomas, of Forty Fort; and Jesse C., who is the pride of the home circle. Mrs. Denniston is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Denniston is a member of Tamaqua Lodge No. 238, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 177; politically he is a stanch Republican.

DE PIERRO BROTHERS. These gentlemen, R. F. and Salvatore, are natives of Calvello, Italy. R. F. was born October 22, 1860. In 1869, in company with his oldest brother (Raphael), he went to Paris, and in 1870 came to New York, thence to Philadelphia and prominent eastern cities, traveling as a musician. In 1873 his parents settled at Lattimer, near Hazleton, where the subject of this sketch joined them. They then moved to Drifton in 1877, and in 1883 they came to Freeland. In 1884 he married Miss Anna Bush, of Drum's, Pa .; and three children-Michael Salva- tore, Pauline Maud and Rachael-are the fruit of their union. He is a member of the borough council of Freeland, and is at present serving his second term. He is the Luzerne county court interpreter for the Italian language, and is employed in a like capacity by other counties, and he is also a member of De Pierro's celebrated orchestra. Prof. Salvatore was born February 24, 1870, and came to this country in 1876. He is an artist on the violin, whose skill is rarely equalled and never excelled in this locality. From his early boyhood days he has exhibited a wonderful talent as a musician. Mr. De Pierro was not satisfied to rest with the ability with which nature had provided him, so he determined to follow the art of violin music to its highest plane if possible. His parents accordingly sent him, in 1879, to Philadelphia, and subsequently to New York, where he spent three years studying music under the instruction of the celebrated violinist, Prof. Setaro. In addition to the study of music he acquired a good English education, thus fitting himself for the duties of Ameri- can citizenship. At the age of twelve he became leader of the celebrated De Pierro Orchestra, an organization founded by the De Pierro Brothers, and still in active demand from all quarters. By perseverance, push and strict integrity they have accumulated one of the finest properties in the town, and have opened up a first- class cafe. This building is certainly a work of art, and can not be surpassed by many similiar buildings in the larger cities. The beautiful bar, which decorates the room was designed and manufactured by the well-known Chicago firm of Bruns- wick, Balke, Collender Co. The parents of the DePierro Brothers are still living, and are residents of Freeland, as well as the eldest brother, Raphael, who is in business for himself on Ridge street.

JOHN M. DERR, engineer in the Delaware Shaft, Plains township, P. O. Hud- son, was born in Plains, June 7, 1861. He is a son of Joseph and Lavina (Krei- der) Derr, natives of Lehigh and Northampton counties, respectively, and of early German origin. His father, who was a farmer, reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are living, and of whom he is the youngest. When but three years of age he went to live with his brother-in-law, A. J. Scutt, of Plains, and at the age of seven began picking slate in the breaker; he has since worked about the mines in all the various capacities, and was promoted to his present position in 1888. In 1886 he built his present residence, and removed therein the same year. Mr. Derr was married, January 20, 1889, to Mrs. Isabella Albert, daughter of

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Daniel and Christian A. (Harding) Huff, and widow of George F. Albert, by whom she had one child, Jennie. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A .; he has always given his political support to the Republican party, and is at present secretary of the school board in Plains township.

WILLIAM DERR, farmer, Bear Creek township, P. O. Miners Mills, was born in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., April 10, 1837, a son of Joseph and Lavina (Kreider) Derr, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. The father was a farmer; he reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are living, William being the eldest. At the age of nine years William was "bound out" to Andrew Courtright, a farmer living in Salem township, and he worked for him until he became twenty-one years of age. He then secured work on the D. L. & W. R. R., and remained in the employ of that company till the war broke out, when he enlisted in April, 1861, for three months in Company A, Fifteenth P. V. I .; and when his three months were up re-enlisted in Company I, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, for three years; and in 1864 re-enlisted, this time also for three years. Mr. Derr was mustered out in October, 1865, after four and a half years' service. His war record is an exceptionally fine one, he having taken part in more than thirty battles; he was twice wounded, once on the right cheek and another time on the right arm. He belonged to the command that captured Jeff Davis. After the war Mr. Derr came to Plains township, Luzerne county, and worked around the mines for a few years, then purchased a farm in Bear Creek township, whereon he now resides, and upon which he has built a comfortable home. On February 19, 1866, Mr. Derr married Sarah J., daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Turner) Sink, the former of English and the latter of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Derr have had a family of seven children, five of whom are living at home, viz. : Lewis H., Isaac T., Alice M., John W. and Maud L., and two deceased, Minnie D. and Clara. They are all members of the Plains M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Derr is lib- eral; he says he votes for any good man, no matter what he is.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 114

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