History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 128

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

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From the time of its organization, Company I made rapid progress, and soon took a prominent position in the Ninth Regiment, which place it has thus far maintained. During the first year of its existence, and before it had attained a full year's growth, it succeeded in qualifying, as marksmen, every member of the company-a circum- stance without parallel in the history of the National Guard. This record has since been maintained, and in the third year of its existence its record of sharpshooting is excelled by only one company in the regiment. Soon after the company was organ- ized, its need of a permanent home and place for drill became apparent to the cap- tain who, after mature deliberation, boldly determined to attempt the erection of an armory. At first, it was thought that a wooden structure, at a cost of about $8,000 for lot and building, would serve the purpose, but, after further considera- tion, a brick structure was determined upon. A desirable lot on Gaylord avenue, 60x130 feet, was offered for the purpose, and Capt. French, in full confidence of the success of his project, purchased the same for $1,900 in his own right. A petition was in the meantime circulated, soliciting subscriptions for bonds to be issued, paya- ble in ten years, bearing interest at the rate of five per cent. per annum, the pro-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ceeds of which were to pay for the building. It took considerable time and much persuasion to secure the required amount of subscriptions for bonds-in some instances a personal guarantee for their payment being necessary before a subscrip- tion could be secured. However, by persistent and indomitable perseverance the necessary amount, $11,000, was finally secured, and the building commenced upon plans which had already been adopted. The property was turned over to trustees- these trustees being named-and the future disposition of the property being pro- vided for in the deed of Capt. French. In event of failure to maintain a military company in the town, the building was to revert to the town for a hospital or pub- lic library. The armory was opened with appropriate ceremonies on April 20, 1891, there being an immense attendance of people from the surrounding country, and many distinguished people from a distance, of both civil and military dignity-the Lieutenant-Governor and the Governor's staff, Major-General Snowden and staff, and the Ninth Regiment. The fair, which continued eight days, realized over $7,000, and marked an event in the history of the town of Plymouth, which will long be remembered.

FRANCIS FREW, miner, P. O. Plains, was born in the parish of Irving, Ayrshire, Scotland, March 24, 1854, and is a son of John and Mary (Patterson Frew). The father, who was a miner, reared a family of ten children, seven of whom are now living, and our subject is the fourth. He came to America in 1880, and located at Plainsville, where he engaged in mining, which occupation he has since chiefly followed; he built his present residence and removed there in 1884. Mr. Frew was married June 12, 1877, to Miss Jane, daughter of Alexander and Jane (Taylor) McCall. There have been seven children born to them, four of whom are living, viz .: Mary P., Elizabeth T., Francis, and William M. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Free Church of Scotland, but usually attend the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the K. of H., and in politics sympathizes with the Repub- lican party.

EMIL FRIEDRICH, butcher, Conyngham, was born in Sugar Loaf township, July 21, 1860, a son of Ernest and Elizabeth (Benner) Friedrich. His father was born in Sachsen Coburg, Germany, in June, 1829, a son of Lawrence and Barbara (Jacobs) Friedrich. He served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade with his father, and in 1852 came to America, locating in Sugar Loaf township; since 1859 he has been a resident of Conyngham, where he is engaged in the shoe business. His wife was a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Strunk) Benner, of Butler township, and by her he has three children: Emil, Minerva J. (Mrs. William M. Heller), and Samuel Y. Our subject was reared and educated in Conyngham, and at fourteen years of age entered a general store as clerk, in which capacity he served three years, and then engaged in the produce business four years. In 1881 he embarked in the butchering trade, in which he has since successfully continued. On August 15, 1882, he married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Knelly) Beishline, of Sugar Loaf township, and has one daughter, Getha A. Mr. Friedrich is a member of the German Reformed Church, of the I. O. O. F., and P. O. S. of A .; in politics he is a Democrat.

REV. ABRAHAM FRISBIE, farmer, P. O. Lehman, was born in Wayne county, Pa., October 16, 1825, a son of Solomon and Charlotte (Morgan) Frisbie. Solomon Frisbie was a son of Abraham (first), who was a native of Connecticut, and came to this State in the early history of Luzerne county. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his son Solomon was a soldier in the war of 1812. A man of genius, he was one of Nature's mechanics in the true sense of the word. He settled in Wayne county where he owned a well-cultivated farm, and his family consisted of sixteen children, thirteen of whom reached maturity, nine of them now living. Abraham, who is the fourth in this numerous family, was educated in Plymouth at the common school. He always carried on farming as his chief business, but for fifteen years he followed mining in conjunction with it. Mr. Frisbie has always resided either in Plymouth or Jackson, in the former twenty-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

three years, in the latter thirty-five years. For twenty-nine years he has lived on his present farm, which consists of 100 acres of well-improved land, and he deserves great credit for the improvements he has made on his place, whilst his two sons, George C. and A. P., have proved invaluable aids in this arduous task. There is a mineral which Mr. Frisbie has discovered on his place that proves to be aluminum, with a mixture of silver, and if it proves to be in large quantities, it will make Mr. Frisby and family rich and affluent. He is an able preacher of primitive Christi- anity, a true believer in the Apostle's doctrine, taking the Word as his infallible guide in faith and practice. He has preached with marked success for twenty years, and has been a consistent member of the Christian Church for fifty years. He has held several offices in his own town, such as assessor, supervisor, and poor master. He is also a successful auctioneer, and is in great demand as such. On August 22, 1847, Mr. Frisbie married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Chester and Mary Nesbit, of Plymouth, and there were born to them five children, three of whom are now living: George C., A. P. and Emma G. Of these, George C. mar- ried Mise Ella M. Edwards; A. P. married Miss Sarah D. Wilkinson, by whom he had two children: Cora B. and Wilber P .; Emma G. married Alfred Ayers, a wealthy farmer residing in Dallas township. Mr. Frisbie is proud of his family which has proved to be a blessing to him, causing him to rejoice as he passes down the declivity of life's journey. He is a member in good standing in the I. O. O. F.

GEORGE C. FRISBIE, mechanic, Cease's Mills, was born May 5, 1849, in Plymouth, a son of Rev. Abraham and Mary Ann (Nesbit) Frisbie, the former born in Wayne county, Pa., the latter in Plymouth, Luzerne Co. In early life our subject learned the trade of wheelwright, at which he has become an expert, and he devoted him- self to the service of his father in clearing the farm, which was in those days unim- proved. On March 22, 1873, he married Miss Ella M., daughter of Michael and Sarah J. Edwards, and by her he had four children: Walter A., Charles M., Ira B. and Rosie M., all yet living. In 1890 Mr. Frisbie purchased the old mill property of Chester Ransom, which he has renovated and improved, and in which he intends manufacturing lumber, shingle, lath and pickets. He has also erected on the ground a cider-mill, which has proved lucrative. Mr. Friebie's facilities for manu- facturing can not be surpassed, as he is situated on a never-failing creek (Harvey's) having a fall of eighteen feet, and has easy and near approach to market (Nanti- coke), four miles from the river. He is a thorough-going man, and with the develop- ment of upright principles instilled in his mind in his younger daye, must be suc- cessful. Politically he is a Republican.

CHARLES FRITSCH, photographer, Pittston, was born in Scranton, February 11, 1863, eon of Jacob G. and Margaret ( Walter) Fritsch. His parents were natives of Baden, Germany, and his father, while a resident of that city, was a carpet weaver by trade. They came to the United States in 1855, and located at Cherry Ridge, Pa., after a short sojourn there removing to Scranton, where his mother yet resides; the father died at Scranton, December 31, 1877. The parents had a family of eight children, viz .: Mary, deceased; Michael, a mechanic residing at Scranton; Jacob, a carpenter, of Scranton; John, a baker, of New York City; Elise, married to Harry Harder, a real estate dealer, of Scranton; two, who died in infancy, and Charles. Our subject passed his boyhood in Scranton, and attended the public schools of that city until his fourteenth year. His father dying at this time, he was compelled to leave school, and contribute his aid to assist in the support of the family. From that time until 1880 he was employed as a slate picker at different coal breakers, in the vicinity of Scranton; he then secured a position as brakeman on a railroad, and served in that capacity until 1883, when he entered the Keystone Academy and pur- sued a course of study there for one year; then returned to Scranton and began the study of photography. After mastering the art he was employed in the capacity of an expert photographer in the cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Lebanon and Factoryville. March 1, 1891, lie opened a studio at his present quarters on North Main street, Pittston, where the excellency of his work soon secured for him a large

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

patronage. He was united in wedlock November 7, 1890, with Jessie Hollenback, of West Pittston; this union has been blessed with one child, Frances Florence. Mr. Fritsch worships at the M. E. Church of West Pittston, and politically is a Republican. During his short residence in Pittston he has secured a host of friends.

HON. JAMES M. FRITZ, an able lawyer of the Luzerne county bar, Nanticoke, was born March 10, 1857, at Orangeville, Columbia Co., Pa. His father died when he was but eight years old, and his mother having five small children to support, found herself, soon after the death of her husband, hard pressed by the hand of poverty. James M. was the second eldest child; when but ten years of age he was sent to work on a farm, where he remained two years, working during the summer and attending school during the winter; during this time doing all he could to assist his mother in supporting the little household. While he was in his twelfth year his mother and family removed to New Brunswick, N. J., where he found employment in one of the city grocery stores as errand boy. After working there one year he changed his vocation, obtaining employment in a hosiery factory, where he also remained a year. By this time he began to get acquainted in the city, and by his courteous and modest demeanor, his strict honesty and uniform habits of industry, he attracted the notice of a dry-goods merchant, by name W. K. Lyons, in whose store he was proffered employment as errand boy. Accepting the position, he at once assumed its duties. Here he soon commenced to display his inborn industry, fidel- ity and promptness. His wages were but four dollars per week during the first year, after which they were increased to five, then to six. This pittance he devoted to the wants of his mother and little sisters, excepting a very small amount which he invested in a loan fund until he was able to buy out two shares at fifty dollars each. When he was about eighteen years of age, his mother died. James had been her main stay through life; he paid the doctor's bills incurred during her last illness. During the five years he worked in the dry-goods store, he never allowed an oppor- tunity to pass to improve his growing mind, his pliant intellect, his natural genius. When he first entered the store he could scarcely write his own name. Becoming conscious of the advantages of an education, he formed a resolution to teach himself the rudiments of English. When his day's work was done, he would go home and instruct himself in reading, writing and other common branches, purchasing books whenever he could spare the money. Step by step he stored his mind with knowl- edge, and soon mastered the rudiments of an English education. After five years of arduous labor, he graduated from his own academy, and soon after accepted a position as a teacher in the public school of Cole's Creek, Columbia county, this State. This was in 1875; in 1876 he went to Orangeville, where he attended school in the summer and taught in the winter. After two years of hard work, he had pre- pared himself to take a classical course, and the fall of 1879 found him registered in Lafayette College. When he entered he had only $100, which he knew would not go far toward paying his expenses, so he began to look around for some means to supply the deficiency. In this he was successful, for the beginning of his third term found him the manager of a boarding club, which duty be performed for his board and one dollar per week. During his summer vacations he was not idle, but taught school; and one winter, finding bis finances running low, be taught a school at Rupert Station, Columbia county, keeping up his college studies at the same time. Although he had continually practiced a very strict economy, he had, never- theless, found it necessary to borrow money to assist himself, so that when he grad- uated, in 1883, he found himself $300 in debt; but be it said to his credit that he paid back every dollar. After graduating, he registered with Charles G. Barkley, a leading lawyer of Columbia county, and began the study of law, at the same time accepting an offer to teach a private school in Fishing Creek township for a few months. In the fall of 1884 he was elected principal of the Shickshinny high school for one year, at the expiration of which time he was elected to a similar position at the New Columbus Academy. In December, 1885, he entered the office of Mr.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Barkley, and began the study of law in good earnest, and on December 13, follow- ing, 'he was admitted to the Columbia county bar. Soon after this Mr. Fritz removed to Nanticoke, and in January, 1887, was admitted to practice at the Luzerne county bar, where he now commands an extensive practice, and is regarded by all who know him as an esteemed citizen and an advocate of unusual talent and ability. In 1890 Mr. Fritz became the candidate of the Democratic party for the Pennsyl- vania Legislature, and was elected by a good majority. He was married in Septem- ber, 1886, to Annie E., daughter of John Stackhouse, one of the leading members of the Salem Coal Company at Shickshinny, Pa. This union has been blessed with two children, Margaret and John.

EUGENE K. FRY, of Richards & Fry, dealers in wall-paper and stationery, Wilkes- Barre, was born in that city, December 22, 1863, a son of Herman C. and Ellen R. (Phillips) Fry. His paternal grandfather, Conrad Fry, was of German descent, a brick and stonemason by trade, and had been a resident of Wilkes-Barre for many years when he died. His father was a native of Northampton county, was a brick manufacturer and contractor, and resided in Wilkes-Barre upward of fifty years. He was a member of the city council several terms, and represented Luzerne county in the State Legislature two terms. He died in May, 1891. Of the children of Herman C. Fry, eight reached maturity: Wilbur W., Ada (Mrs. H. N. Bard), Herman R., Hendrick W., Mary E. (Mrs. A. C. Luder), Eugene K., Augusta M. and Annie L. Our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre, educated in the public schools, and served for a time as clerk in a wall-paper store. September 1, 1890, he embarked in business as a member of the firm of Richards & Fry, and is meeting with great success. December 31, 1891, Mr. Fry married Miss Mary J., daughter of Rev. George and Malvina (Rowland) Frear, of Wilkes-Barre. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

CHESTER FULLER, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born January 22, 1815, in Leh- man' township where he was reared and educated. He is a son of William and Amy (Allen) Fuller, both of whom were born in Stockbridge, Mass., the former December 17, 1778, the latter December 30, 1782. William was a son of Bennajah Fuller, who was a valiant soldier and did good service in the Revolutionary war in defence of liberty and independence. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Allen, was also a Revolutionary soldier. Both families (the Allens and Fullers) moved to this county; the Allens about 1800, and locating near Trucksville; the Fullers about 1795, locating near Huntsville on the property owned by Mr. Ittle. Those pioneers did much for their adopted country, both by their own individual efforts, and in giving to the town, county and country, descendants worthy of their name. Bennajah Fuller owned about 700 acres of land in company with his brother Joshua; they were both pioneer farmers, honest and hard-working. Bennajah died in 1830 at the age of eighty-five. He reared a family of eight children-four sons and four daughters. William, one of his sons, began life in Huntsville, remaining with his father until 1801 when he married Miss Amy Allen, and in 1802 he moved north of Huntsville onto the farm now owned by his son Chester. He was an honest and industrious man, teaching his children those principles of truth and integrity that they afterward practiced. He was an extensive and practical farmer, his place comprising 165 acres. He was the first poor master and school director in the town. The Fullers were patriotic citizens, devoted to their country, as the following will illustrate: William received a captain's commission from Gov. Snyder; Jeremiah was first lieutenant, while Isaac was drummer, all in the same company, and did active service in the war of 1812. In religious sentiment, William was a Baptist; politically he was a Whig. After a life of much usefulness, he died May 2, 1848, at the age of sixty-nine years. There were born to him eight children, four of whom grew to maturity, and two are now living, Chester being the sixth in the family. Our subject has always confined himself to agriculture, and is now living on the farm on which he was born. He is a practical farmer, enjoying the full confidence of his fellow citizens. He has held several offices in the town, such as

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

school director, constable, supervisor, etc. In February, 1843, he married Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel and Nancy Elston, and there were born to them five children, four of whom are now living: Nettie, Clarissa, Matilda M., Albertine and Estella. Mr. Fuller is a gentleman in the full sense of the term, an extensive farmer, raising a general crop, giving preference, however, to grain-raising. He deals in live stock considerably, supplying the dealers in the adjacent towns and cities. He has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church for the last forty years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., in good standing. Politically he is a Republican.

THOMAS M. FUREY, clergyman, Yatesville, was born in Springville, Susque- hanna Co., Pa., May 21, 1860, son of Rev. John G. and Keturah (Rhoades) Furey, natives of County Londonderry, Ireland, and of Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. J. G. Furey is a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, and is at present engaged on the Board of City Missions in Philadelphia. Our subject was educated in the public schools and the Philadelphia Episcopal Academy. In 1877 he went to learn the wholesale drug business, and followed that vocation until the latter part of 1879; during that time he was a student at the College of Pharmacy, but his health failing, he was compelled to abandon the trade. He then went into the Con- ference of the M. E. Church, and in 1881 commenced to preach, his first charge being at Berrysburgh, Dauphin county, following which he was at Fairfax Court House, Va. In March, 1884, he was transferred to the Wyoming conference; since that time he has been stationed in Fairdale, Susquehanna county; Oakland, Susque- hanna county; Union Centre, Broome Co., N. Y .; Lake Como, Wayne Co., Pa .; Thompson, Susquehanna county; and in May, 1892, to his present charge at Yates- ville. He was united in marriage October 14, 1881, with Martha Annie, daughter of William and Sarah J. (Breech) Wilson, natives of Schuylkill county, and of English extraction. Our subject is a member of the Prohibition party.

ADAM GABEL, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born in Jackson township, this county, February 17, 1856, a son of Jacob and Barbara Gabel, natives of Germany. Jacob came to the United States about 1850, landing in New York, whence after a few years he came to this county, locating in Jackson township, where, by honest toil and perseverance, he accumulated a large farm which he cleared and beautified, adding, ever and anon, acre after acre until he could give each of his sons a farm when they were able to commence life for themselves. His family consisted of four children, Adam being the second. Our subject was educated in Jackson township, at the common schools, where he made marked advancement in the branches taught. He worked on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-five, when October 4, 1881, he took to himself a wife in the person of Miss Maggie, daughter of Adam Shidel, and by her he had six children, five of whom are living, viz. : William, Jacob, Kate, Edward and George. Mr. Gabel has lived on his present place since 1881, improving and beautifying it as only a young man of taste and ambition can, proving himself a general and practical farmer of marked ability. He has built on his place a cider-mill, run by horse power, with a capacity of man- ufacturing 600 gallons per day. He is a good citizen, an upright man, a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, and also a member of St. Peter's Society. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has been chosen by his fellow citizens to the offices of assessor and register.

CHARLES S. GABEL, proprietor of "Hotel Gabel," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 21, 1839, a son of Thomas and Maria (Segfried) Gabel, and comes of the sturdy German stock who were among the pioneers of Pennsyl- vania. He was reared and educated in his native city; learned the tobacconist trade with his father, who conducted a tobacco store in Philadelphia many years, where he still resides. In August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, which company he, with others, raised in Wilkes-Barre. He was elected a corporal, promoted to sergeant and detailed to headquarters under Gen. Crawford, Fifth Corps, as sergeant of provost guard;

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served in that capacity three months, when he was sent to New York City on con- script duty, where he had charge of the examination of all discharges. He was honorably discharged at close of war, at Hart Island, New York Harbor, and returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he had previously located in 1861. After working at his trade for a time, he engaged in the cigar trade two years, and for fourteen years has been in the hotel business. He has occupied his present hotel since April, 1891. In 1866 Mr. Gabel married Miss Mary Zaun, whose father was for many years pro- prietor of the "Old Fell House," the oldest hostelry in the city. Mr. Gabel is a member of Zion Reformed Church, G. A. R., State and U. S. League of Red Men (being brigadier inspector of latter), and P. O. S. of A. In politics he is a Republican.

L. C. GABRILL, hotel proprietor, corner of Main and Market streets, Nanticoke, is a native of Kurnik, Prussian Poland, born May 11, 1851, and was educated in his native land. His father, Michael Gabrill, is a prosperous butcher at Edwardsville, Pa., and our subject naturally learned that trade of him when yet a mere boy. At the age of twenty he came to America and located in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade about a year; then moved to Scranton, Pa., and worked as a striker in a blacksmith shop about eight years, when he came to Mill Creek, Luzerne county, where he worked as a miner about four years. In 1882 he came to Nanticoke, and entered the employ of the Susquehanna Coal Company, first at picking slate, and later had charge of the lumber distributing department. He followed this about four years and then opened a meat market, later engaging in the hotel business, still continuing the meat market. Mr. Gabrill was married in 1878, at Nanticoke, to Miss Agnes Mekloski, and they had one child, John. This wife dying, our subject was afterward married to Miss Maksymi Tesar, by whom there are three children: Mary, Edward and Frank. Mr. Gabrill is a member of the Polish Alliance and the Polish Church; in his political views he is a Democrat.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 128

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