History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 118

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

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MARTIN J. DOYLE, reporter for the Wilkes-Barre News Dealer, Ashley, was born in Sugar Notch, this county, July 17, 1863, and is a son of Daniel and Johanna (McMahon) Doyle, natives of County Clare, Ireland. The father, who was a miner by occupation, was killed in the Hartford Mine by a fall of coal. The widowed mother, left confronted by the stern realities of life, and the support of a large family of small children, besides one born five months after her husband's death, now gave the world a shining example of womanhood, when she accepted the situation and set about keeping her little ones together, within daily touch of their mother's love and care. The family consisted of nine children, three of whom died young. The others are: Margaret, who married John Coyle, foreman in the machine shop, Raton, New Mexico, by whom she had five children, four of whom are living. Dan- iel J., stationary engineer, Raton, N. M .; Mary, who is single and resides in Ashley; Johanna, who married Thomas Cannon, of Ashley, by whom she had six children, five of whom are living; Martin J. and Nellie, who live with Mary. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Ashley, and at the age of seven years began working in the breaker, where he remained ten years. He then wiped engines

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in the yard about six months, after which he entered the machine shop, remaining there five years. In 1888 he went to Raton, N. M., where he worked in a machine shop two and one-half years, meantime making a tour of Texas, Mexico, California and Colorado; also a portion of his time was devoted to the political campaign of 1890. In 1891 he returned to Ashley, and after working in the Dixon Works, Wilkes-Barre, for about a month, accepted his present position. Mr. Doyle was married December 31, 1891, with Mary A., daughter of Jacob and Ann (Bly) Gates, natives of Germany and Ireland, respectively. They have one child, Johanna. Our subject and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the A. O. H., and in his political views is a decided Democrat.

JOHN DREISBAOH, farmer, P. O., Wyoming, was born in Monroe county, Pa., March 12, 1847, and is a son of Aaron and Susan (Burker) Dreisbach, both of whom were born in Northampton county, Pa. Aaron removed from Monroe county to this in 1852, locating in Exeter township, on a farm of seventy-five acres; he was an honest and industrious man. He lived to be sixty years of age, departing this life in 1880. Aaron and Susan Dreisbach reared a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, and ten of whom are now living. John is the sixth in the family, and was reared and educated in Exeter township; and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He remained at home until March 18, 1874, when he married Miss Lillie, daughter of Martin and Caroline Dailey. There have been four children born to this marriage, three of whom are living: Norman E., Carol M. and Ray O. Mrs. Lillie (Dailey) Dreisbach was born in Kingston township, June 27, 1854. In 1885 Mr. Dreisbach removed to his present residence in Exeter borough, where he engaged in farming and the dairy business, selling his milk in West Pittston and Wyoming. He is an enterprising man, of upright character and sound principles. He and his wife are highly respected in the community.

JOHN W. DRIESBACH, flour, feed and commission merchant, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Salem township, this county, February 26, 1837, a son of Adam and Huldah (Seeley) Driesbach, and is of German and English descent. His father, as well as his paternal grandfather, John Driesbach, millers by occupation, were both pioneers of Salem township, and lived and died there. His maternal grandfather, John W. Seeley, was a pioneer farmer of the same township. Our subject was reared in Salem, where he received a common-school education, and served an apprenticeship of three years at the miller's trade. Afterward he worked as a journeyman until 1866, when he embarked in business for himself, conducting what is known as the Seybert Mill, until 1868; then was manager of a mill for an uncle two years. In 1870 he located in Wilkes-Barre, where he managed a mill fifteen years, and since 1885 he has been engaged in his present business. Mr. Driesbach is a member of the F. & A. M. and A. L. of H .; in politics, he is a Republican, and has served one term as school director of Wilkes-Barre. He was a member of the Board of Trade, of which he was an active organizer and is one of the trustees; he was an efficient aid and participant in securing the building here of the Wilkes-Barre Lace Mills, the first of the kind in the United States, and the largest in the world, and has been a director in the same from its organization.

CHARLES M. DRIGGS, druggist, White Haven, was born in Carbon county, Pa., June 24, 1860, a son of Stoddard and Lydia (Jumper) Driggs, also natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin, the former of whom was landlord of the "Central Hotel " in White Haven, and died January 12, 1882. He reared a family of four children, two of whom are now living, and of whom Charles M. is second in order of birth. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and at the New York College of Pharmacy. On April 1, 1881, he opened a drug-store, also conducting the "Central Hotel," after the death of his father, until April 1, 1892, when he decided to devote his entire time to his profession. He has now one of the finest drug-stores in Luzerne county, containing a full line of drugs, patent medicines, paints and oils, toilet articles, perfumery, stationery, leather goods, 47

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fishing tackle, etc. On April 23, 1885, Mr. Driggs was married to Josephine B., daughter of Charles C. and Electa A. (Southard) Rogers, natives of New Jersey, and of Welsh origin. Mrs. Driggs is second in a family of six children, and was born, November 30, 1859. This union has been blessed with four children: Stod- dard L., born March 30, 1886; Carl H., born June 10, 1888; Leona G., born Decem- ber 28, 1889, and Marie W., born March 15, 1892. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Driggs is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., P. O. S. of A. and Royal Arcanum. He is a Democrat, and served as auditor of the borough of White Haven for two terms.

A. A. DRUM, merchant, Drum's. This gentleman was born January 25, 1854, near where he now resides, and is a son of Josiah and Maria (Balliet) Drum, both natives of Butler Valley, the former of whom was engaged in mercantile pursuits during his life at Drum's. He was a son of Abram Drum, who settled in the Valley at a very early date, and was also engaged in the mercantile business during the latter part of his life. Josiah Drum, the father of our subject, was born April 13, 1830, and died May 1, 1889. In the family there were six children, viz. : A. A., Richard (deceased), Isa Dora (deceased), Hubbard P. (deceased), Harry D. (a farmer in Butler township), and Adda M. (married to A. P. Beisel, a clerk at Sandy Run). Mr. Drum was educated in the public schools of Luzerne county, Millers- ville State Normal School, and the Wyoming Seminary. About the age of twenty- two he engaged in the store with his father. In 1881, his father having retired, he took charge of the business on his own account and has carried it on ever since. In 1884 he was married to Miss Mary Alice Hess, an accomplished young lady of Drum's, and this union has been blessed with three children: Warren N., Clyde I. (deceased) and Lola Kereane. Mr. Drum has been postmaster at Drum's, and is at present assistant postmaster. His political views are purely Democratic. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Butler Lodge No. 535. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

CHARLES M. M. DRUM, druggist, Wilkes- Barre, was born at Osceola Mills, Clear- field Co., Pa., October 11, 1861, and is a son of Rev. Martin L. and Selina (McMil- lan) Drum, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father is a member of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the M. E. Church, and is now a resident of Mifflintown, Pa. Our subject was reared in his native State, and educated at Dickinson Semi- nary, Williamsport, Pa. In 1879, he engaged in the drug business at Titusville as an apprentice; entered Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1882, and embarked in business for himself in Wilkes-Barre, in August, 1883. Mr. Drum was married April 23, 1885, to Mary C., daughter of Asahel L., and Rebecca (Jenkins) Blodgett, of Plymouth, and granddaughter of Asa P. Blodgett, a pioneer of Hanover town- ship, by which union he has three children: C. Myrtle, S. Rebecca and Charles H. Our subject is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics he is a Republican.

HON. GEORGE W. DRUM, P. O. Conyngham, was born in Sugar Loaf township, March 12, 1832, a son of George and Susan (Winters) Drum. His paternal grand- father, George Drum (whose father was a soldier of the Revolution) was born in Northampton county, Pa., in 1762, and settled in what is now Butler township in an early day. He was a farmer and large land owner; was appointed a justice of the peace in 1811, a position he held several years, and resided in what is now Butler township until his death, which was caused by an accidental gunshot wound. His wife was Rosina Woodring, and his children who grew to maturity were Philip, Jacob, George, William, Peggy Ann and Betsey. Of these, George, born October 16, 1792, settled in Sugar Loaf township about 1824, was a carpenter and cabinet- maker, and also followed lumbering and farming to some extent; he was appointed a justice of the peace of Sugar Loaf township in 1826, and held the office up to his death, which occurred November 21, 1831, when he was aged thirty- nine years. His wife was a daughter of John Adam Winters, and died at the age of ninety-one years and nine months, a pioneer of Sugar Loaf. By her he had seven children who grew to maturity, viz. : Lavina (Mrs. Henry Bowman), Mary (Mrs. Thomas Bowman), Eliza

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

(Mrs. Christian Courtright), Susan (Mrs. Owen Gorman), Lucetta (Mrs. James Bur- cane), Sarah (Mrs. David Petrey) and George. Our subject, who was reared in Sugar Loaf township, and educated in the public schools and at Wyoming Seminary, learned the saddler's trade, which he followed twenty years. In 1860 he was elected a justice of the peace of Sugar Loaf, which office, with the exception of four years, he has held continuously since. In 1879 and 1880 he was elected to the Lower House of the Pennsylvania Legislature, the only Democrat elected to that office from. Luzerne county in 1878, and was re-elected in 1880. He married Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Maria (Fisher) Wagner, and granddaughter of John Wagner, a native of Germany, one of the pioneers of Sugar Loaf township, where he died June 27, 1831. The issue of this union was five children: Samuel B., Dora E. (Mrs. Dr. Heister Hower), Emerson R., George F. and Susan M. Mr. Drum is a member of the German Lutheran Church, of which he is trustee; is also trustee of the Conyngham Church and school lot. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat.

GEORGE W. DRUMHELLER, farmer, constable and tax collector, P. O. Conyngham, was born in the village of Conyngham, this county, July 14, 1854, a son of Jacob and Lavina (Thomas) Drumheller, formerly of Northampton county, Pa. Jacob Drumheller was of German descent, one of the pioneers of Lugar Loaf township, and died in 1824. He had two sons, Jacob and George, both born in Sugar Loaf township. The former followed surveying as a profession, and was also engaged in farming. He served one term as a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and for upward of twenty years was a justice of the peace of Sugar Loaf township. He was born February 18, 1790, and died June 8, 1857. His wife was a daughter of Henry Thomas, of Butler township, this county, and by her he had nine children, as follows: William, John, Aaron, Eliza (Mrs. William Shirley), Stephen, Alonzo, Alice, George W., and Caroline (Mrs. James Rhodes), all deceased except Alice and George W. Our subject was reared in the village of Conyngham, was educated in the public schools, and since attaining his majority has been principally engaged in farming, trucking, and in the flour and feed business. He is a Democrat, and since 1879 has been tax collector and constable of Sugar Loaf township. On April 27, 1875, he married Minnie, daughter of John and Lavina (Heimbach) Knelly, of Sugar Loaf township, and has six children living: William, Emma, Ella, Charles, Howard and John. Mr. Drumheller is a member of the Lutheran Church and the P. O. S. of A.

JOHN DRUMTRA, breaker-boss, Stockton, was born in Germany October 9, 1863, a son of William Drumtra. The father came to America in 1872, settling at Hazleton and afterward removing to South Heberton, and from thence to Freeland, where the family have since resided. There were nine children in the family, John being the third in order of birth. In 1884 he left home, going to Tomhicken, Pa., where he engaged with Coxe Bros. & Co. as screen-boss, which position he held for six years. In 1890 he came to Stockton and took charge of Breaker No. 3, Stockton Mines, where he has since been employed. More than one hundred and fifty hands are in his charge, and he also attends to the complicated machinery of the breaker. Mr. Drumtra is of an ingenious turn of mind, and has devised many patents which are of great value to the coal-operators. Although young, he is the right man in the right place, as is evidenced by the excellent condition in which the breaker and machinery are always to be found. Mr. Drumtra was united in marriage July 24, 1886, with Miss Sarah Readaman, of Cunningham, Pa. This union has been blessed with one child, Harvey E. Mr. Drumtra is a Democrat; the family attend the German Reformed Church.

WILLIAM DRURY, merchant, Pittston, is a native of Bristol, England, a son of George and Ann (Brown) Drury, the former of whom was a carpenter and builder. They reared a family of five children, three of whom came to America. In early life our subject followed clerking in a grocery store in London. In March, 1871, he located in Pittston and entered the employ of J. L. Morgan, with whom he remained until April 1, 1885, when he embarked in the grocery business on his own account,

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in which he has successfully continued, having trebled his trade since he began busi- ness. On February 21, 1869, Mr. Drury married Sarah Davis, of Wales, and has six children living: Sarah, William, George, Hannah, John and Annie, the two former being employed in their father's store as bookkeeper and bill-clerk, respectively. Mr. Drury is a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., K. of P., Falling Spring Lodge, K. of S. G., Keystone Lodge No. 4, R. A. Pittston Division, K. of G. C. Anthracite Commandery. He is a member of the M. E. Church and Y. M. C. A., and in politics he is a Republican.

GEORGE B. DUBois, veterinary surgeon, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Susquehanna county, Pa., May 15, 1863, and is a son of Henry and Harriet (Dougherty) DuBois, of French and Irish descent, respectively. He received an academical education, and in 1883 began the study of veterinary surgery with Dr. Sitterly, of Scranton. The same year he entered the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, where he was graduated in 1887, in the fall of which year he located in Wilkes- Barre, where he has since been in the active practice of his profession, and has suc- ceeded in building up a large and lucrative business in the city and surrounding towns. Mr. DuBois married, in April, 1887, Anna, daughter of William and Emma Onsted, of New York City. To this union have been born two children: Thomas H. and Ray. Dr. DuBois is a member of the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Medical Association. In politics he is a Democrat.

PATRICK J. DUDDY, justice of the peace and miner, Plains, was born in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland, and is the second of the three children of Martin and Cathe- rine (Hassin) Duddy. He came to America in 1865, and located in Mahanoy City, Pa., but iu 1866 he removed to Plains, where he has since resided. Mr. Duddy was married, February 9, 1868, to Miss Susanna, daughterof Hugh and Margaret (Jones) Dougherty, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and they have had twelve children, as follows: Catherine, born September 6, 1861; Margaret, born December 25, 1872; Mary Jane, born April 10, 1874; Lizzie, born July 10, 1875; Susan, born January 29, 1878, and died January 8, 1879; Ellen, born November 24, 1879; John, born October 3, 1881, and died March 17, 1883; Charles, born September 12, 1882; Thomas, born August 16, 1884; Rose, boru June 4, 1886; Frances, born October 28, 1888, and Augusta, born October 28, 1890. Mr. Duddy and family are members of the Catholic Church; he is a member of the Father Mathew Temper- ance Society and the A. O. H. ; in politics he is a Democrat, and has held the office of school director two terms, treasurer one term, and is now serving his second term as justice of the peace.

THOMAS F. DUDDY, miner, Plains, was born in Staffordshire, England, May 23, 1860, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (Karrige) Duddy, natives of Ireland, and now residing in Plains. The father came to America in 1864, and located in Schuyl- kill county, Pa., where he engaged in mining. In 1867 he came to Plains, this county, where he also followed mining. His family consisted of eleven children, nine of whom are living, and of them Thomas F. is the second. Our subject received a common school education, and at an early age began working about the mines. In 1883 he commenced mining, which he has since followed. Mr. Duddy was mar- ried September 30, 1883, to Miss Annie, daughter of Patrick and Norah (Coine) Duffey, natives of County Galway, Ireland, and they have four children living, viz. : Norah, Mary, Catherine and Sarah. Our subject and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the A. O. H. and the Nationalists; politically he is a Democrat, and has held the office of register assessor in Plains township.

JOHN DUGAN, proprietor of "Dugan's Restaurant," Plains, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, May 20, 1847, and is a son of Mark and Mary (Naugher) Dugan, the former of whom was a farmer. They reared a family of nine children, of whom John is the fourth. In 1861 the family came to Canada, where the father died, and John remained there a few months after his father's death. He then went to Ire- land and Scotland, remaining away about four years, after which he returned to the United States, and coming to Plains, this county, engaged in running pumps in the

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mines, and firing outside. In 1887 he embarked in his present business. Mr. Dugan married Mary A., daughter of James and Betsy (Creary) McCormick, and by her he had three children: Mary, Mark and Bessie. For his second wife Mr. Dugan married Margaret Farrel, daughter of Edward and Bridget (Gibbon) Farrel, and by this union there are two children: Allen and John. Mr. Dugan and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the A. O. H., and in poli- tics he has always given his support to the cause of Democracy.

THOMAS M. DULLARD, county commissioner, was born in the County of Durham, England, in 1854, and is of Irish parentage. In 1869 he came to America, and fol- lowed the occupation of miner. In 1878 he visited his parents in England, and in 1879 brought them to America, and settled in Plains, this county. Mr. Dullard is a skilled miner, has always taken an active interest in labor movements, and held several prominent positions in labor organizations. In 1885 he was elected presi- dent of the Miners & Laborers Amalgamatic Association of Luzerne and Lacka- wanna counties, and in 1889 was organizer of the Knights of Labor. Mr. Dullard has taken an active part in politics, was elected a judge of election in 1888, and in 1890 was appointed alderman of the Sixteenth Ward of Wilkes-Barre. In Novem- ber, 1890, he was elected one of the commissioners of Luzerne county. He is an all-round athlete of some note, having won numerous prizes at hand-ball playing; is also the anthor of several popular songs and poems on Irish liberty. In military circles he holds the rank of major in the Irish Military Union of the United States. In 1889 he was married to Miriam E. Goerlity, of Wilkes-Barre.

ROBERT DUNN, outside foreman at No. 4 Colliery, Jeansville. This genial and intelligent gentleman was born in Nova Scotia, March 5, 1839, and is the eldest in a family of seven children born to Robert and Margaret (Wilson) Dunn, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Nova Scotia. The family resided at Beaver Mead- ows, when the subject of this sketch was an infant, and later when he was thirteen years of age removed to Egypt, N. C., where he was reared and educated. He was an engineer at that place until 1865, when he came to Audenried, Carbon Co., Pa., and operated a pair of hoisting engines for five years. In 1871, he went back to North Carolina and ran a steamer on the Cape Fear river for two years. In 1882, he returned to Audenried, and secured a position as foreman at No. 5 Colliery, under the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company. He remained there until 1891, when he came to Jeansville, and took his present position under J. C. Hayden & Co. He was united in marriage March 8, 1860, to Elizabeth A. C., daughter of David and Christian (McIntosh) Wicker, natives of North Carolina. Nine children have been born to this union, namely: Robert D., Christian (deceased), Jessie, Mar- garet R. E., Lee (deceased), James W., Thomas, Blanche and Edgar. Mr. Dunn votes the Republican ticket, and is an adherent of the Presbyterian Church.

P. H. DURKIN, miner, Port Blanchard, was born in Port Griffith, this county, February 28, 18-, and is a son of Peter and Winifred (Hannigen) Durkin, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, who came to the United States in 1847, and settled in Luzerne county, Pa., in 1851. They reared a family of ten children, of whom P. H. is the eldest. Our subject received his education in the common schools, and in 1867 went to work in the mines, first as a slate-picker, then as a driver; in 1875 he was weighmaster; in 1876 a laborer; and in 1881 he was employed in his present occupation, that of miner, by the Pennsylvania Coal Company. From 1885 until 1889, inclusive, he served his District and his fellow workmen, faithfully and well, as their representative in the State Legislature. Mr. Durkin was united in marriage, January 21, 1891, with Cassie, daughter of Patrick and Catharine (Reilly) Flanaghan, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and they have been blessed with one child-Mary, born October 22, 1891. Our subject is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. In addition to having served as a representative, Mr. Durkin acted as clerk of the board of auditors in 1887-88; and school director from 1884 to 1887.

THOMAS DURKIN, miner, Kingston, was born in County Sligo, Ireland, in March,

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1842, and is a son of Miles and Mary (Howley) Durkin, both of whom were born, reared and educated in the same place, where they passed their entire lives. Their family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are living. Thomas is the third in the family, and emigrated to this country in 1861, locating in Ontario county, N. Y., where he remained three years in the employ of a farmer, and afterward spent one year in a malt-house. In 1865 he removed to Kingston, where he was engaged as miner for the Kingston Coal Company, in which business he has continued ever since. He has worked twenty-seven years underground, and in all that time has never met with any accident, something remarkable for a miner of so many years experience. He is a man of sober habits, honest and industrious, and, by hard labor and economy, has accumulated a neat and handsome property, on which he has resided for twenty-two years. He is a member of the Emerald Association. On January 31, 1868, Mr. Durkin married Miss Barbara, daughter of Anthony and Barbara Mullen, and to them have been born eleven children, ten of whom are living: John, Matthew, James, Anthony, Mary A., William, Miles, Edward, Lauretta and Barbara, all of whom live at home. They are all members of the Roman Catholic Church, and politically they are Democrats. John and Matthew are members of the Saint Aloysius Society.

DENTON D. DURLAND, farmer, Wyoming borough, was born August 10, 1843, in Franklin township, a son of James E. and Adeline (Smith) Durland, natives of New Jersey, of English origin. They reared a family of three children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth, and is the only one now living; he was educated in the common schools and the Wyoming Institute, and began life at the age of nineteen as a farm hand, which he followed for about a year. He was then drafted into the U. S. army, and served four months as clerk for a sutler, when he was discharged from the service and came to Wilkes-Barre. He then rented his father-in-law's farm, and worked the same for fourteen years, and is now farming on land owned by his wife. He was married, February 1, 1863, to Emaret M., daughter of William S. and Maria S. (Tripp) Shoemaker, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin. This union was blessed with four children, viz .: Fred S., born November 3, 1865, a carpenter at Wyoming; Jennie M., born February 17, 1869; Grace, born October 5, 1871 (Mrs. W. B. Sommers); and Stanley R., born May 6, 1880, attending the Wyoming high school. Mrs. Durland is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Durland is a member of the I. O. O. F .; in politics he is a sound Democrat, and has been supervisor of Kingston township for two terms.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 118

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