History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 139

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 139

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ANDREW HEIM, superintendent of Wilkes-Barre City Cemetery, was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 19, 1826, a son of Peter and Maria (Becker) Heim. He was reared and educated in his native country, and in 1852 came to America, settling in Wilkes-Barre, where he worked at various occupations up to 1872, in which year he was appointed superintendent of Wilkes-Barre City Cemetery, a position he has acceptably filled to the present time. He was married, November 6, 1853, to Anna, daughter of Martin and Anna (Beck) Hofsomer, of Germany, and they had eight children, as follows: Martin, Mary (deceased, Mrs. Fred Rave), Peter, Anna (deceased), Lena (Mrs George Bittenbender), Anna (second) (also deceased), Lewis and Belle (Mrs. Henry Schmoll). Mr. Heim is a member of the German Lutheran Church, of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and of the Wyoming Verein; in poli- tics he is a Democrat.

ADAM HEISZ, truck farmer, Forty Fort, was born November 19, 1846, at Bow- man's Creek, Wyoming Co., Pa., a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Shipe) Heisz, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1837. Mr. Heisz was a stone-cutter, and while in Wilkes-Barre helped cut the stone for the Wyoming monument. Our

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subject is the seventh in a family of twelve children, six of whom are now living. He was educated in the common schools and has followed farming all his life. At the age of twenty he farmed for one year on a company farm, then came to Forty Fort and lived in the house of James Space for one year. He then purchased a piece of land from James Van Loon, and built a house on it, living there for six years, after which he purchased his present farm, and built thereon, in 1877, his present cozy home. January 9, 1866, Mr. Heisz was married to Elizabeth L., daughter of John S. and Anna (Allabuch) Jackson, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English and German descent, respectively. He has two children: Cora L., and Charles P., who married Carrie Pemberton, now deceased (he is a farmer by occu- pation). Mr. and Mrs. Heisz are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Forty Fort. He is a Prohibitionist, and served as a member of the Borough council for three years.

A. WESLEY HELLER, lumber and coal dealer, Wapwallopen, was born in what is now Conyngham township, this county, July 11, 1854, a son of Absalom and Catherine (Weiss) Heller. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Heller, formerly of Northampton county, Pa., and of German descent, settled at Wapwallopen about 1839, owned and operated the old gristmill, and was also a dealer in general merchandise. His wife was Elizabeth Young, and his children were Eliza (Mrs. Philip Odenwelder), Absalom, Henry, Samuel and John M. Of these, Absalom, father of our subject, in early life was a miller; his wife was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fenstermacher) Weiss, of what is now Conyngham township, and by her he had five children who grew to maturity, viz .: Sallie E. (Mrs. J. M. Snyder), Mary A. (Mrs. John Andress), A. Wesley, George W. and France E. (Mrs. W. C. Bond). Our subject was reared on the old homestead, where he has lived since three years of age, and which he has owned since 1880. Until 1883 he was engaged in farming, when he embarked in the lumber and coal business, in which he has built up a large and successful trade. On May 22, 1888, he married Flora E., daughter of Reuben and Mary A. (Weiss) Swank, of Hollenback township, and has two sons, Clark W. and Hoyt E. Mr. Heller is a member of the German Reformed Church, of the P. O. S. of A., and politically is a Democrat.

WILLIAM M. HELLER, clerk, P. O. Conyngham, was born in Conyngham village, June 14, 1859, and is a son of David and Marietta (Keim) Heller. His paternal grandfather, Michael Heller, formerly of Lehigh county, Pa., was a tanner, butcher and farmer, and one of the early settlers of Conyngham village, where he followed his various occupations until his death. His wife was Sophia Raedler, who bore him two children, David and Caroline (Mrs. Dr. A. L. Cressler). David Heller was a farmer, and lived and died in Sugar Loaf township. He married a daughter of John M. and Lydia (Musselman) Keim, of Sugar Loaf township, and his children were John M. and William M. William M. Heller, our subject, was reared in his native town, and was educated in the public schools and the State Normal School, at Bloomsburg. He has followed various occupations, and since 1888 has been clerk in a general store. June 8, 1878, he married Minerva, daughter of Ernest and Elizabeth (Benner) Frederick, of Sugar Loaf township. He has two children, Erma and Earl B. Mr. Heller is a member of the I. O. O. F., and P. O. S. of A .; in politics is a Democrat, and in religious faith a member of the Reformed Church.

CHARLES D. HENDERSON, farmer, P. O. Dallas, was born in Bear Creek township, where he received his primary education, afterward finishing his education in Dallas. He is a son of James S., and Catharine (Long) Henderson, the former of whom was born in New York, the latter in New Jersey. James removed from New York to New Jersey, where he married, and in 1833 removed to Bear Creek town- ship, this county, where he remained until 1861, when he removed to Dallas township and purchased a farm of eighty acres of land. He was an honest, upright, and industrious man, content to look after his own farm, and was much respected. He died in January, 1883, at the age of seventy-three years. His family consisted of thirteen children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and three of whom are now liv-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ing. Charles D., although the son of a farmer, for years gave farming a wide berth, busying himself at various vocations. He took a trip to Michigan in his younger days, remaining in the pine forests for two years, an experience which had a salutary effect on the boy in after years. He was appointed deputy sheriff from 1872 to 1874, and held other offices of trust and importance. He afterward owned and controlled a livery stable in Wilkes-Barre with successful results. On May 17, 1883, Mr. Henderson married Miss Elizabeth C., daughter of Peter Bertram, by whom he has had five children, four of whom are living: Milton B., Fred, Crissy L., Charles P., and Clarence. In the same year he removed to his present home, where he has since given his attention to farming and stock-raising. His farm consists of sixty-six acres; his stock is very fine and promising. On October 9, 1890, the West Side Water Company, in making the necessary preparations for building a large reservoir covering about 500 acres, took in his farm, which he sold to the company at a reasonable figure. Mr. Henderson has held the office of councilman since the incorporation of Dallas borough, up to the present time. He is a member of the Grange, and a consistent member of the Christian Church of Dallas. Politically, he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL W. HENESS, of the firm of Watkins & Heness, contractors and builders, Plymouth, was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, November 18, 1861, the only child of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lodge) Heness, natives of England. He received his early education in Wales and learned the mason's trade, serving at it in England and later in America. In 1883 he came to Plymouth, Pa., and engaged in general mason work with Charles Watkins, his brother-in-law, and they have been partners ever since. Mr. Heness was united in marriage, August 9, 1885, with Miss Mary, only daughter of Morgan and Ann (Rodgers) Evans, natives of Wales. This union has been blessed with three children: Ann, born August 25, 1886; Flora May, born February 22, 1888; Lizzie, born May 30, 1890. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and of the Loyal Knights of America. The family attend the English Baptist Church.

GEORGE HENNEY, proprietor of bakery, and collector for Reichard & Co., Wilkes- Barre, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 6, 1854, a son of Frederick and Eliza- beth (Simons) Henney, natives of Germany who came to America in 1848, remaining in Philadelphia ten years, when they removed to Charleston, S. C. They returned to Philadelphia in 1864, and died in Wilkes-Barre city, this county. They had four children, viz. : Minnie (Mrs. Simon Aicher), Henry W., Augusta (Mrs. August Scholl) and George. Our subject, who was reared in his native State and educated in the public schools, learned the trade of tanner in Philadelphia, serving an apprenticeship of three years, and worked as a kid-finisher in that city thirteen years. In 1876 he located in Wilkes-Barre, and embarked in the bakery business, in which he has since successfully continued, and since 1889 has held the responsible position of collector for Reichard & Co. On January 30, 1882, he married, Lizzie, daughter of Philip and Mary (Reinhard) Knuber, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have two children: Henry and Charles. Mr. Henney, in politics, is independent.

JOHN HENRICH, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born in Bavaria, on the Rhine, Germany, a son of Charles F. and Susanna (Hoffman) Henrich, the former of whom was a farmer in Germany, and lived and died in his native land. His family con- sisted of eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, John being the seventh in the family. Our subject was reared and educated in Germany, and he and his sister, Phillipine, were the only members of the family to immigrate to this country. John came to this county by way of New York, in 1851, locating in Wilkes-Barre, where he lived about three years, working at various jobs. In 1854, he moved to Lehman township where he purchased a farm of sixty-two acres, on which he erected a house and outbuildings. There was no clearing on this place, but Mr. Henrich went in to the wilderness, out of which he has produced a comfortable home. In 1879, he added forty-two acres to his original farm, making in all 105 acres of fertile land, but somewhat rough. He is a wide-a-wake farmer, keeping well abreast

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of the times, and looking well after his own interests. In 1851 Mr. Henrich married Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Frances Gable, and there were nine children born to them, five of whom are living: Margaret, Adam, Jacob, Elizabeth and Henry. Of these, Margaret married Ludwig Roos, by whom were born two children; Adam married Miss Elizabeth Layer, by whom were born two children; Jacob married Elizabeth Henry; and Elizabeth married Charles A. Conrad, by whom were born six children. Mr. Henrich is a Democrat, and was school director for the term of four years. He and family are members of the German Catholic Church.

P. J. ARNOLD HENRICH, proprietor of the "Windsor Hotel," Pittston. This enterprising and well-known hotel man was born in Germany June 16, 1848, and is a son of Th. Joseph and Caroline (Schmitz) Henrich, natives of Germany. The subject of this sketch is the eldest in a family of five children, and was reared and educated in his native land. In 1864 he came to America, settling in New York City, where he learned photography, working at the same in that city for five years. He was then bar-keeper in New York for fifteen years, after which he went to Scranton, Pa., running a hotel in that place for two years, and then embarking in the cheese business, which he also continued for about two years. In December, 1890, our subject came to Pittston, and tended bar at the " Windsor Hotel " until 1892, when he bought out his employer, and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Henrich is a skillful caterer, and viands of all descriptions can be had at his café during all hours. He has been twice married: first to Miss Frederika Carl, who died in 1886, leaving two children: Walter and Carl (the latter being deceased). In 1887 Mr. Henrich was married to Lizzie Rosar, and to this union have been born three children, namely: Julia, Carl and Lizzie. In political matters Mr. Henrich is a Democrat, and the family are members of the Catholic Church.

WILLIAM HENRY HERRING, outside superintendent of Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, Wilkes-Barre, was born September 7, 1853, a son of Clinton D. and Mary (Knorr) Herring. His paternal grandparents were John and Rachel (Snyder) Her- ring, and his great-grandfather, John Herring, who was a native of Germany, was among the pioneers of Columbia county, Pa. His grandfather in early life was a farmer, later entering the employ of the Pennsylvania Canal Company, and serving as master carpenter for eighteen years. Clinton D. Herring is a native of Colum- bia county, Pa., and a carpenter by trade. Since 1860 he has resided in Wilkes- Barre, and for the past eighteen years has been connected with. the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company as master carpenter. His wife was a daughter of Henry D. Knorr, of Columbia county, Pa., of German descent, and by her he has six children, as follows: William H., Samuel B., Abner M., Ernest M., Emma (Mrs. Joseph French) and Maggie I. Our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre from the age of five years. His education was received at the public schools, the Academy at Orangeville, and the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, from which he grad- uated in 1871. He has since been in the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, twelve years as carpenter, seven years as outside foreman, and since 1890 as outside superintendent. Mr. Herring married, October 1, 1874, Mary I., daughter of Hugh P. and Mary I. (Morton) Smith, of Glasgow, Scotland. They have two children, George DeWitt and Marian E. Mr. Herring is a member of the Grant Street Presbyterian Church, in which he is treasurer of the board of trustees; in politics he is a Republican.

S. M. HERRMAN, senior member of the firm of Herrman & Green, merchants, Hazleton, is a progressive young business man. He was born in Gleusdorf, Bavaria, May 14, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Rose (Kaufman) Herrman, natives of Ger- many. Our subject was reared and educated in the land of his birth, and, when a mere boy, came to America, locating at Pittston, where he was employed as clerk in the large dry-goods establishment of A. B. Brown. He remained with this gentle- man for thirteen years, and, at the expiration of that time (in 1887), came to Hazle- ton, and, in company with Mr. Green, opened their present establishment, where a

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

large line of ladies'millinery and cloaks, and gents' furnishings, are handled. The members of this firm are practical, "go-ahead " business men, and with such char- acteristics it is only natural that their business should be extensive and of a first-class order. It requires the services of twelve clerks and employes to supply the wants of their many customers. Mr. Herrman was married, February 4, 1885, to Miss Millie, daughter of the late Simon Green, of Scranton, Pa., and two children have blessed this union, May F. and Irene. In political matters, Mr. Herrman reserves the right to vote as he chooses, and is not controlled by party ties or prejudices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the K. of H.

JOHN H. HERSHBERGER, blacksmith, Plymouth, was born September 21, 1848, at Tremont, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and is second in the family of six children of David and Elizabeth (Singer) Hershberger, also natives of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Dauphin county, Pa., and at quite an early age became an apprentice to Lewis Boughton, for the purpose of learning the blacksmith trade, serving there twenty-one months. In 1866 he came to Plym- outh, and here worked with Boughton for a short time, afterward at No. 5 Shaft for nearly six months. Later he worked at the following places consecutively: Harris- burg, one month; Avondale Mine, four months, and Cramer Hook, six months. He then returned to Plymouth, and worked at No. 12 Shaft for eighteen months, going from there to Chicago, where he remained six months, when he once more came to Plymouth, and worked for Matthew Wier, one year, after which he opened business for himself on Church street, Plymouth, continuing four years and a half, at the end of which time he sold out and removed to Michigan, where he carried on a shop for about three and one-half years. He then returned to Plymouth, and worked at No. 12 Shaft for a short time, afterward proceeding to Beaver Run, where he was employed as clerk in Shonk's store about one year, after which he again came to Plymouth, and was employed by Albert Gabriel for one year. Moving from there to Pittston, worked at the Pittston Shaft; and coming from there to Plymouth, he established his present business, which consists of general blacksmithing, horse- shoeing, painting, and manufacturing carriages, buggies, and light and heavy wagons. Mr. Hershberger has a factory equipped with every facility for carrying on a great variety of work. On May 20, 1869, he was married to Barbara, daughter of William and Barbara (Clyde) Young, natives of British Columbia, and five chil- dren were born to this marriage, viz: Charles, Wilbert, Harry, Frank and Marion. The mother of this family died May 21, 1884, and in 1886 Mr. Hershberger married Rubina Young, sister to his former wife. One child was born to this marriage, named Linnie B. In politics Mr. Hershberger is a Republican. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

PETER HESLIN, miner in No. 7 Shaft, Inkerman, Jenkins township, was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, in 1832, and is a son of James and Mary (Morahan) Hes- lin, in whose family there were seven children, of whom Peter is the third. Our subject came to America in 1848, and located in New York, where he drove a horse and cart for three years, after which he came to Inkerman, this county, where he has since been engaged in mining. With the exception of a slight injury across the left hand, he has never had a hurt while employed in his vocation. Mr. Heslin was married June 28, 1855, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Early) Moran, natives of County Leitrim, Ireland, and they have eleven children, viz .: Bernard, an inmate of the Ransom Insane Asylum; Bridget (deceased wife of John McCue); Elizabeth (Mrs. John King); Ellen (Mrs. John Gannon); Mary, a Sister in the Sacret Heart Convent, Boston, Mass .; Celia, still living with her parents; Margaret, Sister Egidius in the Immaculate Heart Convent, Carbondale, Pa .; James, Patrick, Susan and Catherine. Mr. Heslin and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the Father Mathew Society, and in his political views is a Democrat. He built his present beautiful residence in 1882.

E. FREAS HESS, station agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Wap- wallopen, was born in Huntington township, this county, February 18, 1859, a son

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of Milton E. and Harriet C. (Golder) Hess. His paternal grandfather, Elijah Hess, was a native of Columbia county, Pa., where he died at thirty years of age; his wife was Margaret Coleman, by whom .he had five children who grew to maturity, viz .: Milton E., Mary A. (Mrs. Edward McHenry), Clara (Mrs. Thomas Hartman), Adeline and Helen. The father of our subject was a native of Columbia county, Pa., where he was reared and educated, and was a miller by trade. He located in Huntington township, this county, in 1859, and operated a mill there twenty-two years, then removed to Watrousville, Tuscola Co., Mich,, where he still resides, engaged in farming. His wife was a daughter of David Golder, of Sugar Loaf township, Columbia Co., Pa., formerly of New Jersey, and by her he had nine chil- dren, as follows: Asenath, E. Freas, Mary R. (Mrs. Willard Greenfield), Frank D., Edward B., Cora A., Lee G., Doyle C. and Harry S. Our subject was reared in Huntington township, educated in the public schools, and since 1882 has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, having held his present position at Wapwallopen since 1883. He married, December 23, 1886, Jennie M., daughter of Hon. Huston and Susan (McMicken) Hepburn, of Williamsport, Pa. Socially, Mr. Hess is a member of the P. O. S. of A. and K. of M .; in politics he is a Democrat.

URIAS HESS, farmer, P. O. Beach Haven, was born in Salem township, October 21, 1847, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Harter) Hess. His paternal grand- father, Jeremiah Hess, a native of Lehigh county, Pa., was a pioneer of what is now Conyngham township, this county. He removed to Salem township in 1824, where he died at the age of eighty-two years. His wife was Catharine Fenstermacher, and by her he had eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity: Philip, Susan (Mrs. John Fenstermacher), John, Jeremiah, Polly (Mrs. Thomas Brader), Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Hill), Nathan, Aaron, Reuben and Catharine (Mrs. Reuben Hill). The father of our subject was born in what is now Conyngham township, in 1820, but, with the exception of eight years, spent all his life in Salem, where he died in 1882, at the age of sixty-two. His wife was a daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Hess) Harter, of Conyngham township, and by her he had five children: Norman, Urias, Lydia C. (Mrs. Charles Harmon), Alice (Mrs. Jacob Smethers) and Lizzie (Mrs. Frank Hess). Our subject married in January, 1881, Frances, daughter of William and Martha (Stahl) Edwards, of Salem township. Mr. Hess is a member of the Reformed Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He has always resided in Salem township.

W. I. HIBBS, attorney at law, Pittston. This gentleman, who ranks among the foremost of the attorneys of the Luzerne county bar, was born in Juniata county, Pa., June 3, 1851. He is a son of Edward M: and Catherine (Potter) Hibbs, natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Bucks county, the mother of Mifflin county. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Hibbs, of English origin, was a farmer, and removed from Bucks county to Juniata county, while the father of our subject was a boy. The maternal grandfather, John Potter, was of German origin, a native of Dauphin county, Pa., and a farmer by occupation. Edward M. Hibbs, father of our subject, was a farmer and lumber contractor, and passed his entire life in Juniata county. He had a family of five children, viz. : John Edward, who died in infancy; W. I., the subject of this sketch; Margaret Jane, who resides in Juniata county, Pa .; Henry P., a locomotive engineer on the Coalport & Cresson Railroad; and George S., ticket and freight agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad, with residence at Thompsontown, Pa. The father died in 1882, aged sixty-one years; the mother is yet living. Our subject passed his boyhood in Juniata county, and was educated in the public and private schools of that county and at Millersville State Normal School, graduating from the latter in 1880, taking the degree of B. E., and two years later he received the degree of M. E. Mr. Hibbs began teaching in 1871, and pursued that vocation in the counties of Juniata, Mifflin and Luzerne for several years; he was principal of the Mc Veytown high school, one year; Mifflin high school, two years; Patterson schools, four years, and the Northumberland schools, two years. In September, 1883, he was appointed principal of the West Pittston

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schools, and has since then made Pittston his home. He had charge of the West Pittston schools for five years, and then entered upon the practice of his profession. In May, 1881, he began reading law in the office of Hon. L. E. Atkinson, of Mifflin- town, and he pursued his course of reading during vacations until his admission to the bar of Juniata county in February, 1889, and the Luzerne county bar March 11, same year. He at once opened an office in the room he now occupies in the National Bank Building, Pittston, and commenced the practice of his profession; and having located among a people who knew and valued his abilities, he soon secured a good clientage, which has been constantly increasing. Mr. Hibbs is a member of the West Side Presbyterian Church, and an active worker in the same; he is a member of Valley Lodge, No. 499, F. & A. M., of Pittston Chapter No. 242, and Wyoming Valley Commandery No. 57; he is also a member of the Y. M. C. A. of Pittston, and a member of the board of directors and chairman of the lecture committee of that body. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and is a member of the West Pittston school board. Mr. Hibbs has always been a successful man in whatever calling he has been engaged in, and now occupies an enviable position among the people of his adopted city.

HENRY HICKS, proprietor of the "Plains Hotel," and miner, was born in Tavis- tock, Devonshire, England, January 1, 1850, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Heedy) Hicks, the former of whom was a sawyer by trade. They reared a family of twelve children, of whom Henry is the fourth. When a boy our subject worked at rope-making, copper and lead mining, and various other occupations, and at fourteen he began life for himself at the sawyer business, which he followed until he came to America in 1871, since when he has been engaged in mining, sinking shafts, contracting on gangways, airways and the like, variously in Scranton, Plym- outh, Plains, Illinois and Wyoming. He worked in some of these places for several years, and is looked upon by his employers as a very able workman. Mr. Hicks was married in England February 12, 1870, to Miss Mary, daughter of Nicholas and Eliza (Gusgat) Reymend, and they have had born unto them seven children, viz .: John (deceased), Flora (deceased), Nellie, Henry, Frank, William (deceased) and Elizabeth (deceased). Mr. Hicks and family are members of the Church of England; he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Sons of St. George. Politically he has always been a Republican, but now stands ready to vote for the best interest of himself and his fellow-man, regardless of party lines or political prejudices.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 139

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