History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 133

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections > Part 133

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

SAMUEL GRIFFITHS, inside foreman, Empire Mines, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Carbon county, Pa., February 8, 1857, a son of Griffith and Elizabeth (Howell) Griffiths, natives of Brecknockshire, Wales. His parents came to America about 1853, first locating at Carbondale, Pa., later in Carbon county, and in 1857, settled in Luzerne county, where the father died. He was a miner by occupation, and the last fifteen years of his life were spent in Wilkes-Barre, where he died in 1884. His children were: William, Samuel and John, all of whom grew to maturity. Our subject has been a resident of Wilkes-Barre since 1869, received a limited educa- tion in the public schools, and began work in the mines when twelve years of age. He served as assistant and has been inside foreman since 1890. April 6, 1881, Mr. Griffiths married Miss Hannah, daughter of Lewis S. and Anna (Meredith) Jones, of Wilkes-Barre, and has five children living: Bertha, Edward, Winifred, Lewis Byron, and an infant son. Mr. Griffiths is a popular and well known citizen of Wilkes-Barre, and politically he is a Republican.

JAMES GRIMES, engineer at the Washington Colliery, Plymouth. This bright young engineer was born in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., May 4, 1870, and is the fifth in the family of twelve children of Edmund and Catherine (Heffron) Grimes, also natives of Pennsylvania. In 1871 the family removed to Plymouth, this county, where the father was engaged as a practical miner, working at that business the greater part of his life. The children were reared and educated in Luzerne county, where the subject of our sketch early began working about the mines. He went to firing at the Delaware & Hudson Mines No. 3, and continued there until October, 1891, when he was given charge of the breaker engine at the Washington Colliery, where he has since been employed. Mr. Grimes is yet a sin- gle man, and lives with his respected mother at Plymouth. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the Father Mathew Society; politically he votes the Demo- cratic ticket.

JOHN GRIMES, engineer, Colliery No. 3, Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, Plymouth. The great responsibility of handling the immense hoisting engine at No. 3 devolves upon the young man whose name opens this sketch. He was born at Mahanoy City, Pa., April 11, 1864, and is the fifth in the family of Edmond and Catherine (Heffron) Grimes, natives of County Tipperary, Ireland. After receiving his education at the public schools of Luzerne county, our subject was employed at the Delaware & Hudson No. 4, as fireman, remaining there three years, and from running pumps he was promoted, and given charge of the hoisting engine at this colliery, where he has been employed since November 9, 1888. Mr. Grimes was united in marriage September 12, 1888, with Adelaide Emily, daughter of Frank M. and Maggie (Morrison) Girton, the former of Pennsylvania birth, the latter born in New York, of New Jersey extraction. This union has been blessed with one child, Edmund, who was born December 19, 1889. Politically Mr. Grimes is a Democrat; socially he is a member of the Father Mathew Temperance Society. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

THOMAS GRIMES, engineer at the Delaware Colliery, Hudson, Plains township, was born in Hindley, Lancashire, England, January 1, 1845, and is a son of Will- iam and Alice (Walker) Grimes. His father, who was an engineer and overseer in a cotton factory, reared a family of five children, two of whom are still living, viz .: Anna (Mrs. Thomas McLean, in England) and Thomas. Our subject came to

943

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

America in 1869, located first at Hudson, N. Y., and later at Schaghticoke, where he fired in a woolen mill for over four years. He then came to Mill Creek, where he fired and ran a fan-engine for three years, then a double-hoisting engine and a breaker engine for eight years, and accepted his present position in 1884; in 1883 he built his present residence. Mr. Grimes was married in 1870 to Miss Hannah, daughter of Frank and Martha Vernon; they had two children, viz. : Frank V. and William T. Mrs. Grimes died in 1876, and he was again married November 7, 1877, to Miss Permelia, widow of John Dils (by whom she had three children), and daughter of Daniel P. and Phebe (Billings) Mills, natives, respectively, of New Jer- sey and Pennsylvania, and of Irish and Yankee origin, respectively. She is a grand- daughter of Cain and Huldah Billings, who were early settlers of Pennsylvania. In her father's family there were seven children, three of whom are living, viz. : Louisa (Mrs. A. J. Williams, Plains), Permelia and John Mills, of Parsons. Mr. Grimes and his wife attend the Primitive Methodist Church, of which she is a mem- ber; in his political views he is a Republican.

DANIEL M. GROVER, carpenter, P. O. Rock Glen, was born in Black Creek town- ship, April 1, 1863, a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Swank) Grover. His father was a native of Mifflin township, Columbia Co., Pa., and for thirty years was engaged in farming in Black Creek township; He is now a resident of Hazleton. His chil- dren were Samuel, George, Edward, Hattie (Mrs. James Totten), Lettie (Mrs. Freas Rhone), Daniel M., Fannie (Mrs. Herman Myers), Minnie (Mrs. Samuel Turnbach) and Ollie. Our subject was reared in Black Creek township, and educated in com- mon schools, serving an apprenticeship of four years at the cabinet making and carpenter trade, and since 1887 has worked as a journeyman carpenter. He married, October 2, 1884, Sarah, daughter of Michael and Fannie (Lutz) Hetler, of Mifflin township, Columbia Co., Pa. To this union have been born two children: Iva and Carrie. Mr. Grover is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics is an advo- cate of the principles of the Prohibition party.

HARRY L. GROVER, baggage master and express agent, Kingston, was born at Beech Grove, Pa., October 15, 1864, and is a son of Paul and Harriet (Heck) Grover, natives of Pennsylvania, of New England origin. In his father's family there were six children, viz. : Sherwood (deceased); Stanley W., a stenographer at Wilkes-Barre, with residence at Kingston; Harry L. (the subject of this sketch); Lizzie E., a professional nurse at Kingston, Pa. ; Sadie, who resides at home; and Charles J. (deceased). Mr. Grover was educated in Luzerne county, and in 1889 accepted a position as baggage master for the D. L. & W. R. R., and as express agent for the United States Express Company at Kingston, where he has since been employed. He is a man who commands the confidence of his employers and the respect of their patrons. Our subject was married June 10, 1889, to Miss Maggie M., daughter of William and Celestia (Bowman) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Grover are members of the M. E. Church. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and I. O. O. F., and in his political views is a Republican.

LINCOLN GROW, Ashley, fireman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, was born in Plymouth, this county, February 9, 1866, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Kissinger) Grow, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. The father, a locomotive engineer on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, lett home in 1876 and not being heard from is supposed to be dead. The family consisted of nine children: William, engineer, Denver, Colo .; Catherine (Mrs. Charles, Beltz); George, train despatcher, Council Bluffs, Iowa .; John, engineer, Texas; Samuel, killed at the age of nineteen years by being run over by a gravel train while braking thereon; Elizabeth (Mrs. John Betzler), Lincoln; Edward, fireman, Denver, Colo., and David, brakeman, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Ashley, and when nine years old worked in the breaker for one year. He had charge of the breaker machinery for two years, afterward wiped engines at night in the Ashley round house for five years, was on the day shift six months, acted as hostler one month, and was promoted to his present position in 1884. He has knowledge of

944

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

machinery rarely found outside the finished and apprenticed mechanic, and has made several valuable inventions, among which is an improvement on the Westing- house air-brake for which he has been offered large money. March 16, 1887, Mr. Grow married Miss Minnie, daughter of Frederick and Rachel (Hall) Kegley, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania,'and of this union have been born three children, viz. : Harry E., William D. and Emery Erl. Mr. Grow and his family worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church of which his wife is a member. He is a member of the B. of L. F. and the Jr. O. U. A. M. ; and is a Republican in his political views.

ANDREW GUARD, miner, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Cornwall, England, September 16, 1857, a son of William and Elizabeth (Waters) Guard. He was reared in Eng- land, until fifteen years of age, where he received a limited education in the com- mon schools. In 1872 he came to America, locating in New Jersey, where he engaged in mining there, four years. In 1876 he removed to Plymouth, this county, and was employed in the mines here, two years. In 1878 he went to Colorado, and worked in the gold mines of Central City and Leadville, four years. In 1882 he returned to Luzerne county and has since been a resident of Wilkes- Barre, engaged in mining for the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company. Mr. Guard married, July 1, 1876, Susan, daughter of John and Mary I. (Davey) Jones, of Plymouth, this county, and has three children: William A., Minnie and Arthur S. He is a member of the First M. E. Church, and of the Sons of St. George; in politics he is a Republican.

JOHN GUINEY, agent for the Moosic Powder Company, Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Cork, Ireland, December 12, 1847, a son of Nicholas and Catherine (Roach) Guiney. The parents emigrated to America in 1850, locating in Upper Canada, and removed in 1859 to Wayne County, Pa., whence, in 1871, they came to Luzerne county. Our subject settled in Wilkes-Barre in 1862, remaining there four years, when he returned to Wayne county, where he engaged in railroading and boating up to 1872. He then entered the employ of the Moosic Powder Company, and since 1875 has been their representative in Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Guiney married, April 8, 1874, Bridget, daughter of John and Mary (Jordan) Walsh, of Moosic, Pa., and formerly of Ireland, by whom he had one son, Edward, who was drowned May 21, 1886. Mr. Guiney is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the Columbia Club; politically he is a Democrat, and is now serving his second term as councilman of the city of Wilkes-Barre.

G. G. GUINNIP, veterinary surgeon, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Damascus, Wayne Co., Pa., November 3, 1840, and is a son of David and Parmelia (Dunn) Guinnip, being of English and Welsh descent. He was reared and educated in his native county, and in 1873 located in Wilkes-Barre, where for nine years he was engaged in the livery business, and since 1883, has practiced veterinary surgery, in which he still successfully continues. Mr. Guinnip was married November 1, 1883, to Mar- garet Gilmore, a daughter of James McLellan, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have one daughter, Alice. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and in politics is a Democrat.

EDWARD GUNSTER, Wilkes-Barre, was born January 10, 1836, in Lockweiler, Germany, and emigrated to this country with his parents and brothers in March, 1853, settling in Scranton, Lackawanna Co., Pa., March 11, 1853. He learned the cabinet-making trade with his father, who at that time operated one of the largest cabinet shops in that section. He has six brothers as follows: Joseph H., a retired banker; Henry, a contractor; Peter, furniture dealer; Fred W., additional law judge, Lackawanna county; P. Francis, a physician; John, an attorney-at-law, but at present engaged in boat building at Jamestown, N. Y. On February 5, 1860, Mr. Gunster married Miss Mary Weiskercher, daughter of Andrew and Katherine Weiskercher, of Pittston. Pa., and eight children were born to them, four of whom are living, viz. : Edward, August, Andrew and Katie. Of these, Katie married George C. Rasbridge, a telegraph operator in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company, and lives in Wilkes-Barre; Edward, Jr., married Miss M. S. Bow-

945

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

man, and also resides in Wilkes-Barre; the other two children are unmarried. In 1871 our subject was elected treasurer of Luzerne county on the Democratic ticket, being the first German ever elected to that office. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and of various other Societies; was one of the charter members of the Concordia Singing Society, the leading one of its kind in Wilkes-Barre. He is at present engaged as a wholesale dealer in cigars.

EDWARD GUNSTER, JR. was born in Scranton, Pa., November 8, 1860, received his early education at a private school in that town, and after removing to Wilkes- Barre, in 1871, attended the public schools for two years, then the preparatory school at Nazareth, Pa., where he graduated in 1876. He has filled various posi- tions as bookkeeper, and in 1888 opened an office in the Loomis Building as a public accountant; in 1890 he removed to the Coal Exchange, where he occupies three offices, and does a general type-writing and copying business, audits books and does office work of all kinds, employing seven people. He is a member of the Institute of Accounts, of New York City.

WILLIAM A. GUSTIN, outside foreman, Miners Mills, was born in Bethany, Wayne county, Pa., August 19, 1840, son of Austin and Permelia (Sanders) Gustin. He is a grandson of Timothy and Elizabeth (Hough) Gustin, who came from Sussex county, N. J., to Cherry Ridge, Wayne Co., Pa., in 1810, the family originating from the Island of Jersey, and coming to America as early as 1675. His maternal grandparents were David and Maria (Whitaker) Sanders, who came from New Eng- land in 1802, and settled in Pennsylvania. His father, who was a farmer, reared a family of five children, as follows: Francis, died at the age of eighteen months; William A. ; Louisa, married Oscar Moon, a locomotive engineer, LaGrande, Ore .; Edward, died in Hornellsville, N. Y, at the age of nineteen years; and Mehetable, married Frank Hall, railway conductor, Hornellsville, N. Y. William A. Gustin passed his boyhood on the farm and in attending the public schools, and then pre- pared himself for teaching, a vocation he followed for six terms. He enlisted, at Honesdale, Pa., in the spring of 1863, in the army of the Republic, but was sent home at the end of six months, resuming teaching and doing secret service for the Government, which he followed till the close of the war. He then found employ- ment running cars and braking for the Delaware & Hudson Coal Company, till 1867, when he was appointed outside foreman at Olyphant, Pa., which position he held till 1871, when he accepted his present position, with the same company. Mr. Gustin was married, September 12, 1865, to Miss Augusta, daughter of Z. B. and Elizabeth (Miller) Vastbinder, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of German origin. The issue of this union was seven children: Charles H., a carpenter; Eva C., who died at the age of four years; Emma J., who died at the age of six years; Edward M., a coal inspector; Clara I .; Elwin J., and Walter A. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the F. & A. M., and the K. of H., and a Republican in his political views.

JACOB GUTENDORF, P. O. Wilkes-Barre, was born in Heimbach, Germany, April 4, 1849, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lock) Gutendorf. His parents came to Amer- ica in 1854, locating in Wilkes-Barre, where the father, a stonemason, worked at his trade, and followed mining until his death, in 1883. Our subject was an only child. He was reared in Wilkes-Barre from five years of age, educated in the public schools and Harvey Academy, served an apprenticeship of three years at the coach-painter's trade, and afterward followed this trade three years. From 1878 to 1889 he engaged in the hotel business, and next was jobber in cigar trade for a year. March 22, 1886, Mr. Gutendorf married Miss Kunegunde, daughter of George and Margaret (Zim- merman) Long, of Bavaria, Germany, and by her has two children: Jacob and Fred W. He is a member of the German Catholic Church, Schuetzen, Wyoming Benefit Association, and German Young Men's Benefit Association. In politics, he is a Dem- ocrat, and has served one term as alderman of the Thirteenth Ward in Wilkes- Barre, 1874-9.

JOB HABBLETT, inside foreman of No. 3 Shaft, Delaware & Hudson Canal Company,

946

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Plymouth Division. Perhaps there are not many men who have had a more varied expe- rience in coal mining than the one whose name opens this sketch, as he has been engaged in it the greater part of his life, and has not confined his labors to one locality. Mr. Habblett was born September 29, 1834, and is the oldest in the family of nine chil- dren of John and Mary (Llewellyn) Habblett, natives of Gloucestershire, England. The parents emigrated from England to the United States and were married in Schuylkill county, Pa., where their family were born and reared, all being educated in the public schools of Schuylkill county. The subject of this sketch began mining when quite young, working with his father (who was a contractor for many years) until he was eighteen, when he served an apprenticeship of three years with John Parker, a blacksmith of Bucksville, Pa. After completing his trade, he assisted his father, who had a contract for tunnelling from one vein to another at the Bucks- ville Colliery; after completing this work he engaged in the business of contractor with Thomas Moss, and continued it for seven years, near Tamaqua, Pa., afterward taking a contract to sink a slope for Stine & Co., which was to be six hundred feet in depth. Matthew Camp was taken into partnership, and the work was satisfacto- rily completed; but owing to a fire, it was necessary to re-open it, and Mr. Habblett had full charge of the work. After completing this work a second time, he removed to Coaldale, Pa., where he was engaged in removing standing gas from the mines, a gas which is very deleterious to health if permitted to remain in the coal chambers and gangways. In 1877 he came to Plymouth, and was employed as assistant inside foreman at the old Union Mines which were then being operated by Albrighton & Co., where he remained three years, at the end of which time he accepted a position as foreman of the Fairmount Colliery, operated by Morris, Roberts & Co., where he remained six years. Mr. Habblett then returned to Plymouth and took the position of inside foreman of No. 3 Shaft, Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, in which capacity he has since been employed. In this mine there are employed 100 miners, 100 laborers, 117 company hands, and a number of extra hands, making a total of about 330 men. They take out on an average one thousand tons of coal daily. Mr. Habblett was united in marriage September 28, 1850, with Eliza, daughter of Will- iam and Eliza (Parfet) Lane, natives of England, to which union have been born nine children, viz. : John, born March 10, 1859; Lizzie, born June 8, 1860, now wife of James Sassaman, of East Mauch Chunk, Pa .; William, born March 29, 1862; Willington, born February 28, 1864; Harriet, born August 29, 1866, now wife of Frank Leeds, of Plymouth; George Lincoln, born April 4, 1873; Melinda, born December 14, 1875; Mary, born March 10, 1878; Sadie, born October 14, 1880. In politics Mr. Habblett is a Republican. The family attend the Primitive Method- ist Church.

REV. JOHN HAGUE, pastor of the Ebenezer English Baptist Church, Plymouth, was born June 4, 1843, in Glamorganshire, South Wales. He is the eldest of five children born to Elijah and Catharine (Davis) Hague, the former of English and the latter of Welsh descent. His early education was received in Wales, and he was there married December 7, 1862, at Stowe Church, Monmouthshire, to Mary, daugh- ter of John and Margaret (Davis) Davis, also natives of Wales. Seven children were born to this union, viz .: Mary Ann (deceased), John Arthur, Louisa, Cleman- tine, Catharine Florence, Rebecca Ann and Elijah Frost. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1879, and was, for some years prior to studying for the ministry, superintendent of Black Creek Mines, and later master mechanic for G. B. Markel & Co., at Jeddo, Pa. He was afterward master mechanic for the zinc mines, located at Friedensville, Pa., where the largest engine in the world, "The President," is operated. In 1886 he entered the Crozer Theological Seminary, at Chester, Delaware Co., Pa., and took a course of study in that institution, graduating in 1889. Immediately thereafter he assumed the pastorate of the Ebenezer English Baptist Church, at Plymouth, which position he has satisfactorily filled ever since. When he first took charge, the meetings were held in McAlarney Hall, but by his efforts a comfortable church has been erected on Centre avenue, where the con-

947

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

gregation, which has greatly increased in numbers since his pastorate, can worship at their own altar, all being largely due to the efforts of the pastor.

John A. Hague, music teacher, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Hague, has been a student of music since he was eleven years old, at which age he was placed under the tutorship of Dr. Frost, of South Wales, one of the greatest musicians in the world. As soon as the family came to America he was placed under the tutorship of competent teachers at Reading, Pa., and for the last three years has been a student of Dr. D. J. J. Mason, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Hague is skilled both in vocal and instrumental music. He was united in marriage February 25, 1890, with Amelia Evans, a graduate of the West Chester State Normal School, and one child was born to this union; but, ere the young couple had fairly launched out on the sea of mar- ried life, the young wife was taken seriously ill and died a few hours later, leaving the baby, Marguerite, as the only comfort for the bereaved husband. He has since resided with his father at Plymouth.

EDWARD HAHN, inside foreman of the Delaware & Hudson Colliery, No. 4, was born in the Province of Hessen, Germany, April 30, 1832, and is a son of Edward and Ann Catharine (Haeinbaecher) Hahn, natives of Germany. He was educated in the land of his birth and, in July, 1850, came to America. He first engaged in the cabinet-making trade at New York for a short time, afterward followed farming, canaling, etc., until 1852, when he went to Hazleton, Pa., and there engaged in mining about one year. Removing at the end of that time to Wilkes-Barre, he here worked as a miner at the Baltimore Shaft, No. 2, until 1855, when he returned to Hazleton, and mined there one year. From there he again came to Wilkes- Barre and worked once more in the old Baltimore Shaft. In the spring of 1857 he moved to Hyde Park, Pa., and worked there as miner for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company until the spring of 1861, when he removed to Nanticoke, working in the Lees Mines until 1865, in which year he was given a position as foremen at No. 1 Shaft at Wanamie, Pa. This incumbency he held till 1869, when he was tendered a like position at Baltimore Shaft, No. 2, which he accepted and occupied until 1877, when he was installed as foreman at No. 4, and has since filled that position. Mr. Hahn was married, May 23, 1854, to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Jeannette (Pekin) Burns, natives of Scotland, and fourteen children have been born to this union, of whom William E. is the fourth in order of birth.

William E. Hahu is occupying the position of assistant inside foreman at No. 4, Delaware & Hudson. He was born February 8, 1861, and was educated in Luzerne county. At an early age he began mining in all varieties of labor about the mines until 1885, when he worked as a miner. In 1887 he was appointed to his present position of assistant inside foreman. He was married October 29, 1884, to Bridget, daughter of Eugene and Margaret (Carey) Doyle, natives of Pennsylvania, and four children have been born to them, viz .: Elizabeth, William E., Edwin and Eugene. In politics William is a Democrat; socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the P. O. S. of A. The family attend the German Reformed Church.

HARRY HAKES, Wilkes-Barre. The Hakes family is of English extraction and of the earliest Puritan stock. The Hon. Harry Hakes was born June 10, 1825, at Harpersfield, Delaware Co., N. Y. His father, Lyman Hakes, Sr., first saw the light as far back as 1788, at Watertown, Litchfield Co., Conn., which county furnished a large part of the early settlers of this Valley. The grandfather of Harry Hakes was Lewis Hakes, who married Hannah Church, of the family of Capt. Church, about 1778, in Massachusetts. Lyman Hakes, Sr., moved to Harpersfield, N. Y., where he died in 1873. He married Nancy Dayton, of Watertown, Litchfield Co., Conn., September 23, 1813. Her father, Lyman Dayton, was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war. The mother of Mr. Dayton was Abiah, daughter of Stephen and Rebecca Matthews, of Watertown, Conn. Stephen Matthews was the son of Thomas Matthews, also of Watertown. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was at the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga. Thomas Matthews was the son of William

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 133

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