History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 120

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

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HENRY L. EDSALL, general merchant, Duryea, was born in Cambra, Luzerne Co., Pa., November 18, 1858, and is a son of Lewis and Anna (Best) Edsall, natives of Bradford county, Pa., and of New England and German origin, respectively. Our subject received his education in the common schools, and accepted a position as clerk in a store in Moosic, Lackawanna county, though he afterward engaged in farming, but two years later returned to Moosic, where he commenced business for himself. In 1885 he came to Duryea and opened the store where he is now located, in which he has done so prosperous a business as to necessitate the enlarge- ment of his building twice in seven years. Mr. Edsall was united in marriage September 26, 1883, with Alice, daughter of Eben and Martha (Blanchard) Foote, natives, respectively, of New York and Port Blanchard, this county. Their union has been blessed with the following issue: Muzette, born June 13, 1885, and Rena, born August 24, 1891. Our subject is a member of the Marcy Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and a member of the official board. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and is a member of the K. of P.

GEORGE K. EDSON, farmer and laborer, P. O. Sweet Valley, was born in Hunt- ington township November 16, 1843. He is the son of Eliphalet and Elizabeth

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Edson, the former born in Vermont, in November, 1793, the latter in Columbia county, in 1811. Eliphalet removed to this county about 1816, locating in Huntington township. He was by occupation a carpenter, and was a thrifty, honest, hard-working and industrious man. He married his first wife in Huntington township; by her he had three children, all of whom are dead. By a second marriage he reared seven children, all boys, five of whom are living, and two of whom were in the army. Eliphalet Edson died May 6, 1867, aged seventy-four years. George K. is the second son in order of birth by the last marriage. He was reared and educated in Huntington township, and at the age of seventeen years he went to Vermont, the native place of his father, finally going to Hartford, Conn., where he remained until 1864. He then joined the U. S. army, becoming a member of Company G, Tenth Conn. V. I., for the term of three years. He served to the close of the war, and was honorably discharged in August, 1865. He displayed great courage and heroism in the following battles: before Richmond and Petersburg, Cold Harbor, and many others. He now receives a pension as a reward for the sacrifices made for his country. Mr. Edson generally confines himself to lumbering. January 10, 1869, he married Miss Arminda, daughter of Michael and Jane Edwards. To them have been born three daughters, two of whom are living: Elizabeth and Myrtle. Mr. Edson owns a neat house and lot. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in religion is an adherent of the Christian Church.

JOHN H. EDSON, manufacturer's agent for agricultural implements and machinery for Luzerne and Columbia counties, P. O. Town Hill, was born in Huntington township, Luzerne Co., Pa., August 24, 1845, a son of Eliphalet and Elizabeth (Kramer) Edson, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania, respectively. The former settled in Huntington township about 1830; he was a bridge-builder and millwright, erected several gristmills in Columbia and Luzerne counties and the bridges at Catawissa and Berwick; he died in Huntington township in 1866. Mr. Edson was twice married, his first wife being Ann Millard; his second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of William Kramer, of Columbia county, Pa., by whom he had seven children: Charles C., George K., John H., Eliphalet A., Marcus L., Arva J., and Elisha B. Our subject was reared in Huntington township, educated in the common schools, and on August 12, 1862, enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Penn- sylvania Bucktail Volunteers; he was wounded at Culpeper, Va., January 12, 1864, and at North Anna river, May 23, same year; he was honorably discharged from the service June 27, 1865; since the war he was engaged in farming and lumbering until 1892, when he embarked in his present business. Mr. Edson was married, October 30, 1866, to Mary E., daughter of Jesse and Phoebe (Tubbs) Harrison, of Huntington township, and has one son, Jesse. Mr. Edson is a member of the I. O. O. F., G. A. R., and Patrons of Industry; in politics he is a liberal Republican; he is not governed by party prejudices, however, always voting for the best man.

GEORGE A. EDWARDS, manufacturer, and proprietor of the Eagle Iron Works, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Cardiff, South Wales, in July, 1849, and is a son of John and Mary (Anthony) Edwards. He was reared in his native country, educated in the common schools, and at the age of eleven began life as an errand boy in a railroad office; he later learned telegraphy, which he followed several years; and was then a shipper, eleven years. In 1881 he came to America, and settled in Wilkes-Barre, where he founded the business in which he is now engaged-the manufacture of wrought iron fences, etc. In July, 1882, Mr. Edwards married Sarah, daughter of John and Jane (Anthony) Anthony, of Wilkes-Barre, and has two children living: Arthur Gladstone and Stanley Gordon. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Baptist Church and the Y. M. C. A., also of the F. & A. M., and the Cambro American Society of Wilkes-Barre, of which he is one of the founders; in politics he is independent.

JAMES N. EDWARDS, retired, P. O. Sweet Valley, was born in Ross township, September 25, 1849, where he was reared and educated. He is the third son of Samuel and Harriet N. (Callender) Edwards, the former of whom was born in Mon-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

mouth county, N. J., February 14, 1814. Samuel Edwards is a son of James and Mary (Shonk) Edwards, the former born in Wales, the latter in Germany. When a young man James Edwards emigrated to this country, and he married while at Long Branch, where he owned some property, now very valuable. He resided in Monmouth county till 1824, and during his residence there was engaged in coast- ing for several years. In the year just mentioned he removed to Dallas, this county, with his family of six children, and afterward came to Ross township, where he purchased 100 acres of land, forty of which he improved during his lifetime. He was a chair-maker by occupation; a conscientious Christian, a member of the M. E. Church, and a man of sound judgment and pure morals. There was one child born to him in this county, making seven in all, and two of them are now living. Samuel, who is the fourth in the family, was ten years of age when he came to this county, since which time he has been a resident of it. He has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. He was the first postmaster at Sweet Valley; has also held the offices of township and school board treasurer; also treasurer of the Christian Church, in which he was trustee and deacon for many years. He was married twice, and his family numbers seven children, all by his first wife, who died March 6, 1866.

James N. Edwards, who is the third son, early in life commenced learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for eight years, proving himself a skilful mechanic. In 1880 he entered mercantile business, and in the following year formed a stock-company store, he being the general manager and leading spirit. During his mercantile business he has proven himseif to be a good buyer and a close seller. He gave his undivided attention to it, and consequently was successful beyond his most sanguine anticipations. On April 7, 1872, he married Miss Emma A. Bronson, who was born in Lake township in 1854, the bright and accomplished daughter of Jonah R. and Elizabeth Bronson, and to them were born four beautiful children, all now deceased, namely: Arthur S. and Ira B. (twins), Cora E. and Eugene F. The last three died during the year 1891, which so affected the mind of the father that in the same year he retired from active business. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are very devout people, their whole mind being absorbed in laying up treasures in heaven. They are both members of the Christian Church. Politically Mr. Edwards is a Republican.

JOHN P. EDWARDS, farmer, P. O. Carverton, was born in Salem township, Janu- ary 23, 1833, a son of Thomas and Jane (Pollock) Edwards. The former was born in Columbia county, the latter in Montour county. Thomas Edwards was a farmer by occupation, and removed to this county about 1827. He first located near Beach Haven on a farm of 100 acres, where he remained eighteen years. He then removed to Andrew Courtright's property, where he remained about eight years. He then, in 1853, removed to Salem township, where he bought the property now occupied by his son, Samuel. The farm comprises 136 acres, thirty of which were cleared when he purchased it, aud fifty of which he cleared afterward, also adding other improvements. In his younger days, he was captain of a militia company, and, during his residence in this county, held several township offices. He was much respected for his worth, and was a man whose influence was sought by both political parties. He died in 1866 at the age of sixty-three years. He reared a family of seven children, five of whom are now (1892) living. John P., the third of the family, was reared and educated in Salem, and always followed farming as his chosen vocation. He lived at his home with his father till he reached the age of twenty-five. On January 12, 1860, he was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jonas and Lydia Rebert. By this union two children were born, one of whom is living, Lydia. John P. resided in Salem township two years after his marriage, when he moved to Kingston township. He resided in the Valley two years; in 1863, during his residence there, he was burnt out. He then removed to Exeter township, where he remained three years, thence removing to the Dilly farm, where he remained ten years. He next removed to the Honeywell farm, ou which he lived

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

seven years. From there he removed to the Camp Ground farm, where he stayed two years, and, in 1886, purchased his farm (comprising fifty acres) at Carverton, of H. Mulford. Mr. Edwards is a practical farmer, and is a hard-working, honest and worthy citizen. He is a member of the P. of H., and in politics is a Democrat.

LEWIS EDWARDS, M. D., physician and surgeon, Edwardsville, was born in Wales, and is a son of T. L. and Margaret (Jenkins) Edwards, also natives of Wales. When Lewis was yet a mere child his parents came to America, and located at Plymouth, where they now reside. In his father's family there was one child besides the sub- ject of this sketch-Mary J. Mr. Edwards learned the machinist's trade when he was comparatively young, and worked at it for a short time. He was educated at the Wyoming Seminary and the Jefferson Medical College, where he was graduated in the class of 1891, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Edwardsville, where he has met with splendid success, having an extensive and increasing practice. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society.

ROBERT E. EDWARDS, decorative painter, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 23, 1861, a son of Davis and Elizabeth (Smith) Edwards, and is of Welsh extraction. He was reared in his native city, educated in the public schools, and served an apprenticeship of five years at decorative painting and paper-hanging. On September 19, 1881, he married Mary, daughter of John and Mary Cochran, of Pottsville, Pa., and has one son, William. Mr. Edwards is a member of the I. O. R. M., K. of M. C., P. O. S. of A., and A. M. Politically he is a Republican. He has been located in Wilkes-Barre since 1882.

S. A. EDWARDS, farmer, P. O. Meeker, was born in Ross township December 13, 1852, where he was reared and educated. He is the son of Stephen A. and Dorinda C. (Durland) Edwards, both of whom were born in Dallas township. Stephen A. was a son of Stephen, who was a native of New Jersey, and removed to Dallas town- ship in the early history of the county. His life was uneventful. He was honest and industrious, and lived to a good old age. He reared a family of eight children. His son, Stephen A., began life as a farmer in Ross township on a farm of fifty acres of unimproved land, all of which he cleared and cultivated during his lifetime. He sold his place in Ross township and removed to Lehman, where he resided five years. He then went to Virginia and bought a farm, but soon after sold it. In 1872 he removed to Luzerne borough, where he is now engaged in the trucking bus- iness on a small lot. His family consists of seven children, all of whom are living. S. A. is the third of the family in order of birth, and has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1872 he married Miss Florence, daughter of David and Sarah Gordon; by her he had eight children, six of whom are living (1892): Harry E., David A., Florence G., Myrtle F., Stephen L. and Sherman D. Mrs. Florence (Gordon) Edwards was born in Lehman, June 7, 1855. They moved on their present place in 1879. Mr. Edwards is a practical farmer, who, in agricultural pur- suits, will make his mark in life. His farm consists of ninety-one acres, which was unimproved when he moved on it. Now it is an attractive place, with beautiful house and out-buildings, with fields and fences complete, all the result of his own energy and patience. Mr. Edwards is a very unassuming man, but one of good principles and upright character. Politically, he is a Republican.

THOMAS EDWARDS, miner, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Swansea, South Wales, Sep- tember 1, 1837, and is a son of Thomas and Ann (Griffiths) Edwards. He was reared in Wales, where he received a limited education, and at home was known as "Black Boy" Edwards. His early life was spent on the farm, and for five years he was employed as groom in the noted Vivian family of Skelty, Wales. . In 1866 he came to America and settled in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided, engaged in mining, and by industry and frugality has secured a comfortable home and com- petency. He was twice married; first time, January 14, 1861, to Emma, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Banwell) Lock, of Backwell, near Bristol, England, by whom he had children as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. Evan Harris), Henry, John, Benjamin, William and Rachel A. His second wife was Mrs. Catherine (Williams) Davis, who

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

is a member of the Welsh Baptist Church. Mr. Edwards has served as assessor of Wilkes-Barre township three terms, and in politics is a stanch Republican.

THOMAS A. EDWARDS, postmaster at Edwardsville, was born in Brynmawr, South Wales, December 25, 1845, and is a son of Rev. Charles W. and Sarah (Allcock) Edwards, natives of Wales and of English descent. At the age of nine years he came to America with his parents who settled at Pottsville, Pa., where they remained three years, and then went to Scranton, where our subject was educated.

On August 29, 1861, when he was not much over fifteen years of age, he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-second P. V., under Capt. Smith. He participated in the fol- lowing engagements, etc .: Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Chickahominy, reconnois- sance to Seven Pines, Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, Railroad and Bottom Bridge, White Oak Swamp Bridge, Carter's Hill, Matthews County, Gloucester, Yorktown, Port Royal, Beaufort, siege of Charleston, capture of Fort Wagner, expedition on the Santee river, and Sherman's Carolina campaign. He was mustered out July 12, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C., having during his term of service served under Gens. McClellan, Foster, Gilmore, Ferry, and, lastly, the world-renowned Sherman, having a record of nearly five years of war service by land and by sea-a record of which he and his posterity may well be proud. After the war he returned to Scranton, and engaged in railroading on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad; in a short time he was promoted to locomotive engineer on the Bloomsburg division of that road, and so remained about a year; then engaged at stationary engineering at Plymouth, where he remained about eight years, and then returned to railroading, this time for the Central Railroad of New Jersey. On that road he fired for a time, but was soon promoted to engineer, continuing as such, however, only one year. He then came to Edwardsville and rau a narrow gauge engine for the Kingston Coal Company about five years, at the end of which time he embarked in mercantile business, which he still carries on. On June 6, 1891, he was commissioned post- master at his place. Mr. Edwards was married November 8, 1868, to Elizabeth E. Titus, of Plymouth, and they have three children, viz. : Margaret, (married to John J. Jenkins, of Edwardsville), Cora (deceased) and Sarah. Our subject is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.

WILLIAM D. EDWARDS, engineer at the Parrish Slope, Plymouth, was born in Wales, April 3, 1864, and is the fourth in the family of fourteen children of David and Elizabeth (Davis) Edwards, also natives of Wales. The family came to America in 1869, locating at Danville, Pa., where the children were reared and educated. Our subject began life working about the mines, and did a variety of work at the Danville Iron Ore Mines, working as a miner for about two years of the time until 1883, when he came to Plymouth and was employed as fireman at the Gaylord for about one and a half years, doing company work after that for a year, when he was promoted to hoisting engineer, which position he occupied one year. He then went to the Parrish Mines, and was employed as pump-runner for one and one-half years, when he was promoted to his present position. William was married, November 1, 1888, to Mary A., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Davis) Price, natives of Wales. Two children, Adam and Thomas, both now deceased, were born to this union. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in political affairs reserves the right to support the best man. The family attend the Pilgrim Church.

WILLIAM J. EDWARDS, foreman of the Gaylord Shaft, Plymouth, was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales, February 16, 1859, and is the son of John and Cecilia (Martin) Edwards, also natives of South Wales. The family came to America in 1871, and located at Danville, Pa., where the subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools. He learned stationary engineering after leaving school, and for seventeen years has been engaged in handling the levers of those ponderous machines which not only require skill as a machinist, but demand constant alertness, as a false move might endanger many lives. In 1866 Mr. Ed- wards was appointed to the position of foreman at the Gaylord Shaft, where he has been employed ever since. This shaft is about 600 feet deep, and yields an average of

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

about 1,000 tons daily. There are 225 men employed, those working inside being under the immediate charge of George Picton, inside foreman. In December, 1880, Mr. Edwards was married to Anna, daughter of George and Sarah Trimble, natives of Pennsylvania, and two children have been born to this union, viz .: Mary, born June 4, 1881, and John, born October 26, 1884. In politics, Mr. Edwards is a Republican. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

P. J. EGAN, merchant, Plains, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, July 3, 1857, and is a son of Michael and Winneford (Durkin) Egan. In his father's family there were thirteen children, eight of whom are living, and our subject is the fifth. The family came to America in 1858, locating at Hawley, Pa., later at Pittston, this county, and subsequently at Plains, where the father died in 1881 at the age of fifty-four years. Our subject and a brother and a sister came to America in 1869, and joined the family at Plains. He began working in the mines tending door, and did all the various kinds of work about the mines during a period of seventeen years, including two years' mining. In 1886 he embarked in mercantile and saloon busi- ness at Port Bowkley, where he remained three years, and in 1889 he built and removed to his present place of business at Midvale. Mr. Egan was married, Sep- tember 8, 1887, to Miss Margaret J., daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Gaghagan) O' Donnell, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and they have two children, Michael and William. Our subject and family are members of the Catholic Church, and in his political views he is a Democrat.

EDMUND EGGE, painter and paper-banger, Plains, was born in Plains township, June 5, 1859, and is a son of Perimus and Lydia (Moyer) Egge, natives of Allen- town, Pa., and of German origin. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom seven are living, and Edmund is the youngest. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and remained at home with his parents until their death. When but a boy be evinced a fondness for mechanics, and was engaged to a consid- erable extent in repairing furniture and the like. He then worked two years at the carpenter's trade, and has since been engaged in painting; he is also sole owner and proprietor of a job-painting establishment. Mr. Egge was married, March 26, 1890, to Miss Nora, daughter of Winthrop Oplinger, of Plains, and they have one child, Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Egge are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and in his political views is decidedly Democratic.

JACOB EGGE, Plains, was born in Allentown, Pa., February 21, 1842, and is a son of Perimus and Lydia (Moyer) Egge, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. In their family there were twelve children, seven of whom are living, and of them Jacob is the third. Our subject came to Plains with his father at the age of thirteen, and worked on a farm for seven years; theu drove 'bus in Wilkes-Barre two years, and has since given his attention chiefly to his trade. Mr. Egge was married, September 26, 1863, to Mary E., daughter of Cornelius Masten, of Plains. Our subject is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and in politics is a Democrat.

J. R. EHRET, retired, Pittston, was born in that town December 30, 1846, a son of A. H. and Sarah (Stroh) Ehret, both of German descent and natives of Monroe county, Pa. They had five children, four of whom are living, viz. : J. R., Ashley, Della and Pierce. The father, who for years was a hotel-keeper in Pittston, died in 1888, aged fifty-six years. The subject of this memoir was reared in Pittston, where he received his primary education, which was supplemented with a course at the . Commercial College of Kingston, from which he graduated in 1866. In December, 1863, he enlisted in the First New Jersey Cavalry, Company G, and served until July 28, 1864; he participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, in the raid to Richmond, in the engagement at Ream's Station, and at Bottom's Bridge, where he was wounded by a piece of shell, which resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee. He was discharged from David's Island Hos- pital on account of disability, October 10, 1864. After returning home he was station agent for a time for the Central Railroad of New Jersey at Moosic, Pa. ; then 48

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

was elected clerk of courts for Luzerne county, serving in that capacity three years; then for four years was proprietor of the "Eagle Hotel," since when he has been correspondent from Pittston for the Scranton Tribune. Mr. Ehret was united in marriage December 16, 1881, with Cora Cook, a daughter of Mrs. Julia Cook, of Pittston. In politics he is a stanch and active Republican; socially he is a member of Nugent Post No. 245, G. A. R., and past post commander of the same. Mr. Erhet has always had his home in Pittston and neighboring towns, and has a large host of friends who justly esteem him for his many social qualities.

G. F. EICKE, carpenter, Plains, was born in Wilkes-Barre, January 3, 1852, and is a son of Sydney (a merchant) and Catherine (McGinness) Eicke, natives of Luzerne county and New York, and of New England and Irish origin, respectively. They reared a family of seven children, of whom George F. is the fourth. Our subject, when a boy, assisted his father in the store, attending, at the same time, the com- mon schools, and at the age of twenty he was engaged as shipping clerk in the office of J. H. Swoyer, where he remained eleven years. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed. Mr. Eicke was married, June 20, 1877, to Miss Emma, daughter of John and Caroline (Osborne) Floyd, natives of England, and they have four children, viz .: John S., Lotta R., Matilda and Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Eicke are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is steward; he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and, in his political views, he is strictly an inde- pendent voter.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 120

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