History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 141

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

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ROBERT HISLOP, inside foreman at the Keystone Colliery, Ridgewood, Plains township, was born in Scotland, November 9, 1844, and is a son of William and Sarah (Slaun) Hislop, the tenth in a family of thirteen children, two of whom are living; Mrs. Henry Kirk, of Plains, and Robert. Our subject at the age of eight years began working about the mines in his native country, and has followed mining all his life. He came to America in 1869, and located at Plains, this county, where he engaged in mining; in 1873 he became foreman of the Enterprise Colliery, a position he held until that colliery was shut down; in 1891 he accepted his present position. Mr. Hislop was married, July 17, 1864, to Miss Jennette, daughter of William and Agnes (Wilson) Keirs, of Scotland, and they have eight children, five of whom are living, viz .; Robert, married to Eugenia Linsey, of Plains (they have one child, Robert); John, a member of the class of 1892 in Jefferson Medical Col- lege; Thomas, time-keeper at the Keystone Colliery; Agnes and Edgar. ,Mrs. His- lop is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hislop is a member of the F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and the Caledonian Club of Wilkes- Barre; in his political views he is a Republican.

RUDOLPH C. HITCHLER, jeweler, Nanticoke, was born in Wilkes-Barre, January 13, 1853, a son of Lewis and Barbara (Bernhart) Hitchler, both of whom were natives of Germany. He was educated in the Harvey private school, Wilkes-Barre, and, at the age of sixteen years, commenced work as an apprentice in the Wyoming Val- ley Machine Shops, Wilkes-Barre, where he learned the trade of machinist. He worked at that trade thirteen years in the following places: Lehigh Valley Shops, Wilkes-Barre; Dickson's, Wilkes-Barre, Jersey Central, Ashley, and Swoyers, at Port Bowkley. He then went to Galveston, Texas, and remained there one year; he returned to Wilkes-Barre, but shortly after went to Ellis, Kans., where he worked in the Union Pacific Shops. After working in most of the above-named places, at various times, he went, in 1881, to Plymouth and commenced to work at the jeweler's trade with his brother, A. F. Hitchler, who is a thriving jeweler of that place. He remained with him until December 11, 1883, when he came to Nanticoke and opened his present place of business, which consists of as full a line of the highest quality of watches and jewelry, guns, revolvers and fishing tackle, as can be found in any place in the county. Mr. Hitchler was married December 24, 1881, to Lizzie M., daughter of Daniel Growf, of Wilkes-Barre. This happy union has been blessed with two children, Bessie and Anna. He is a member of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, the Sovereign Patriotic Knights, and the F. & A. M. He has served two terms on the Nanticoke school board, as treasurer

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of same one term, and president the other. In his political predilections he is a Democrat.

DENNIS F. HOBAN, miner, Plains, was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland, November 11, 1844, and is a son of John and Bridget (Holloran) Hoban, the former of whom was a stonecutter by trade. They reared a large family of children, of whom Dennis F. is the youngest; his only sister, Mary, married Patrick Jordan, who is foreman in a cotton-mill at Fall River, Mass. The father came to America in 1848, and located at Rochester, N. Y., where he worked at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1858. Our subject came to America in 1861, and after remaining a short time at Lawrence, Mass., enlisted at Boston, August 20, 1861, in the South Atlantic blockading squadron, Commodore Dupont and Admiral John H. Dahlgren, aboard the flag-ship, "Wabash." He participated in the naval battles of Mobile Bay, Port Royal, siege of Vicksburg, Galveston (Tex.), and many other minor engagements.

At Galveston he fought on board the "Nipsic," commanded by William E. Gibson, and was wounded in the side by a piece of an exploded shell; he was then placed on board the hospital ship and taken to Philadelphia, where he was mustered out, October 28, 1864. Returning then to Boston, he passed about a month there visiting his friends, and then came to Plains, this county, where he has since been engaged in mining, chiefly at the Wyoming Colliery. Mr. Hoban was married, August 19, 1866, to Miss Ann, daughter of Michael and Win- neford (Durkin) Egan, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and they have five chil- dren, viz. John J., a miner at Idaho Springs, Colo. ; Charles F., a coal inspector at the Prospect Colliery, and Mary A., Catherine L. and Dennis F., Jr., living with their parents. Mr. Hoban and family are members of the Catholic Church; he is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.

REV. MICHAEL J. HOBAN, pastor of St. Leo (The Great) Catholic Church, Ashley, was born in Waterloo, N. J., June 6, 1853, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Hennigan) Hoban, natives, respectively, of Ratheskin and Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland. The father, who was a railroad contractor, was married in Archbald, Pa., January 2, 1850, and reared a family of seven children, viz .: Michael J .; Cather- ine, who died single at the age of twenty-seven years; Thomas, a lawyer in Scranton; Mary, who lives with her parents; Charles, a physician in Philadelphia, and Anna and Alice, who also live with their parents. Our subject's early education was received at his mother's knee, where he learned to read at the age of four years. He afterward attended a private school, and (in 1867-8) the St. Francis Xavier College, New York. From 1868 to 1871 he attended the Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Mass., after which he passed two and a half years at home in mercantile business. In February, 1874, he entered St. John's College, at Fordham, N. Y., for the remainder of the term. In September of the same year he entered the Overbrook Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, and on October 8, 1875, was chosen by Bishop O'Hara to enter the American College, at Rome, Italy, whither he set sail on the sixteenth of the same month, arriving on the second of November. He attended classes in the Propaganda and in the American College, and had as instruct- ors such eminent men as Dr. Ubaldi (who has attained quite a reputation as a Script- ural writer), Archbishop Galimberti (now Cardinal), Archbishop Agliardi (now nun- cio at Munich), Sambucetti (once nuncio to Brazil), Monsignore Caprara (Promotor Fidei), popularly known as the "Devil's Advocate." He remained in Rome five years, and on Saturday, May 22, 1880, was ordained a priest in the Church of St. John Lateran, by Cardinal Monaco La Valletta. The next day, Trinity Sunday, he read his first Mass in the chapel of the American College. Leaving Rome on the 6th of June, he traveled through Italy, crossed the Alps, traveled through Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and England, and sailed from Queenstown, Ireland, Septem- ber 2, 1880, landing in Philadelphia on the 13th. After a short visit at his old home he proceeded to Towanda, where he was appointed assistant to Rev. Charles F. Kelly in the Church of SS. Peter and Paul. He remained there two years, and was then appointed assistant at Pittston, where he remained three and one-half years,

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

after which he was appointed pastor at Troy, Pa., and in November, 1887, he assumed his present position. The chief task before him in coming to Ashley was to collect the flock and to erect a church which would accommodate the large con- gregation at that place. This he has done very effectually, and has conducted him- self and all business connected with the church in such a manner as to command the highest respect of all denominations. The church was erected in 1890, and the rectory was built in 1892.

OSCAR E. HOFMANN, M. D., Conyngham, was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., May 18, 1869, a son of John and Catherine (Cable) Hofmann, and comes of German stock, the father being a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, the mother of Shamokin, Pa., and are now residents of Pottsville, Pa. The subject of this sketch was reared in Hazleton, this county, from six years of age, and was educated in the public schools of Hazleton and Shamokin. In September, 1887, he began the study of medicine with Drs. J. R. and H. B. Casselberry, of Hazleton, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in the spring of 1891. He immediately returned to Hazleton, when he became associated in practice with his preceptors, the Doctors Casselberry, for one year. In March, 1892, he located at Conyngham, where he has already succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice, and his friends are legion.

A. H. HOLCOMB, farmer, Shavertown, was born in Canaan township, Litchfield Co., Conn., April 19, 1812. He is a son of Rosell and Mary (Spellman) Holcomb, both of whom were born in the above place. Rosell Holcomb removed with his family from Connecticut about 1818, locating in Dallas township, near Huntsville. He was a farmer of some experience and knowledge, working on the principle that "what is worth doing at all is worth doing well." He was also a man of some influence, and was elected constable for a number of years. He lived to be fifty years of age, and reared a family of seven children, five of whom are now living. A. H. is the second of the family in order of birth, and was reared and educated in Jackson township. He was six years of age when he removed here from Connecti- cut with his father. He always confined himself to agricultural pursuits, and has always resided in this county since he removed to it. At the age of twenty-four he began life for himself working as a farmer. On December 3, 1835, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of James H. and Catherine Williamson; to this union have been born eight children: James W., Clarinda, Elias H., E. J., Catherine E., Alfred H., Asa R., and Lambert H., all of whom are living and married. Mr. Holcomb's original farm contained two hundred and fifty acres, one hundred of which he cleared, and one hundred and forty of which he sold. He now has a model farm of one hun- dred and ten acres, upon which he has erected commodious buildings and a com- fortable house. Mr. Holcomb is a practical farmer, and a man of influence in his town. Politically a Democrat, he now holds the office of township treasurer.

E. H. HOLCOMB, farmer, P. O. Sweet Valley, was born at Trucksville, Pa., May 31, 1843, a son of Albert and Sallie A. (Williamson) Holcomb, the former of whom was born in Connecticut in 1802, the latter in New Jersey in 1817. Albert was a son of Russell Holcomb, a native of Connecticut, who removed to this county about 1808, when Albert was six years of age, and located in Dallas township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He raised a family of seven children, all of whom became sturdy pioneers of the county. Albert began his active business life in Trucksville, where he now resides and owns 160 acres of good land, and where he is an active business man and a practical farmer. He raised a family of eight chil- dren, of whom E. H., the third by birth, is the only one now living. Our subject was reared and educated in Trucksville, and always confined himself to farming. He married Miss Mary E., daughter of James Shaver; by her he had three children, of whom Albert H. is the only one now living. For his second wife Mr. Holcomb married, in 1875, Martha J., daughter of Jacob L. and Catherine Gerton, by which union there are five children, all living, viz. : Eva M., Lena C., Susie M., Fredia E. and Howard E. Mr. Holcomb removed to his present property, a farm of seventy-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

five acres, in 1875, and he is a good farmer, making the most of his time. He has held some township offices with much credit, and enjoys the full confidence of his neighbors.

ARTHUR A. HOLBROOK, editor of the Dallas Post, is a native of Susquehanna county, the son of Rev. Philip Holbrook, a member of the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received his education at the Wyoming Sem- inary, and immediately upon leaving school began work on the Kingston Times, a weekly paper which had just been started. After a few months he purchased the paper, and soon changed it to a semi-weekly issue, which was continued till the fall of 1889, when Mr. Holbrook brought out the first issue of the daily, The Morning Times. He was at this time the youngest newspaper publisher in the State. He continued a few months as publisher, and was succeeded by the "Times Printing Co.," of which he was manager. However, in September, 1891, C. B. Snyder secured the paper and removed it to Wilkes-Barre, where it is now published, and is recognized as one of the leading journals of the county. Mr. Holbrook removed to Dallas in the spring of 1892, and assumed the management of the Post, which is, under his direction, taking front rank among the weekly papers of the county.

. JOHN HOLGATE, farmer, Marcy township, was born in Chester county, Pa., Feb- ruary 16, 1841, and is a son of John and Mary (Hastings) Holgate, natives of Sussex, England. He was educated in the common schools, and afterward assisted his father on the farm. On September 8, 1868, our subject was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Susannah (King) Henderson, natives of Providence, R. I. Their union has been blessed with the following issue: Susannah, born October 23, 1870, was married August 10, 1891, to Edwin Arnott, a machinist, of Scranton; and John, born January 17, 1874. Our subject is a member of the M. E. Church, also of the K. of P., I. O. O. F., and P. O. S. of A. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Holgate came to this county in March, 1873.

OWEN HOLLAND, proprietor of the "Inkerman Hotel," Inkerman, Jenkins town- ship, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1845, and is a son of Patrick and Mar- garet (McCurrah) Holland, the former of whom was a farmer. They reared a family of seven children, of whom Owen is the eldest. Our subject came to America in 1871, and located in Port Washington, N. J., where he followed teaming for a short time, and then proceeded to New York, in which city he engaged in the bakery busi- ness, which had been his former occupation. He remained there eighteen months, and then moved to Philadelphia, where he worked in the street-car stable for five and one half years. In 1879 he came to Inkerman, this county, and established his present hotel and grocery business; he also worked about the mines till 1884. Mr. Holland was married August 19, 1879, to Mies Margaret, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (McAndrew) Spellman, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and they have one child, Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Holland are members of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat in his political views, and was appointed postmaster at Inkerman, November 26, 1884, which office he held until January 1, 1889.

JOSEPH HOLLAR, conductor, Hazleton. This popular and courteous gentleman was born at Beaver Meadows, Pa., February 19, 1843, and is the eldest in the family of twelve children of Jacob and Elizabeth (Henry) Hollar, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Pennsylvanian extraction. . Mr. Hollar was reared and edu- cated in this county, and at an early age was employed around the mines, where he continued to work until 1872, when he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. In December, 1877, he was appointed regular passenger con- ductor between Hazleton and Mauch Chunk, which position he has since creditably filled. As a railroad man he is much respected, not only by his employers and associates, but also the general traveling public. Mr. Hollar was united in marriage, September 30, 1865, with Mies Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Catharine (Louzer) Hinnesscheidt, natives of Germany. Six children were born to this union, namely: George P., John, Elizabeth A. (deceased), Joseph L., Christian and Anna C. The family attend the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Hollar is a member of the

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following Orders: K. of P., O. U. A. M., P. O. S. of A., and K. of M. In his political preferences he is an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party.

S. L. HOLLEY, physician and surgeon, Nanticoke. Among the leading profes- sional men of Luzerne county may well be mentioned the name of this gentleman. He is a native of Cassel, Germany, and was born August 15, 1848. His parents, Christian and Catharine (Fish) Holley, emigrated to the United States, and settled at Wilkinsburg, Allegheny Co., Pa., when our subject was about two years of age. He received his early education in the district school, and at Wilkinsburg Academy, later attending the Cooper Institute, New York. At the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, he began the study of medicine, and completed his course at the Uni- versity of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1878. Dr. Holley then moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for a short time, and then came to Nanticoke, where he has since successfully fol- lowed his profession, having built up a large practice. On March 24, 1880, Dr. Holley married Theressa Jones, of Wilkes-Barre; they have no children. The Doctor is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder, and has been a member of the borough council. He was appointed by Governor Hoyt, and re-appointed by Governer Pattison, assistant surgeon of the Ninth Regiment, National Guards of Pennsylvania, which position he held six years. He is a mem- ber of the Luzerne County Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. In his political views the Doctor is a Republican.

F. L. HOLLISTER, D. D. S., Wilkes-Barre, was born in what is now Forest Lake township, Susquehanna Co., Pa., August 16, 1846, a son of F. P. and Alice B. (Young) Hollister. His paternal grandparents, Cuza and Susan (Robinson) Hollis- ter, natives of Connecticut, of Puritan stock, were pioneers of Delaware county, N. Y., settling in Susquehanna county, Pa., in 1836, where they died. The father of our subject, who was born in Delaware county, N. Y., in 1820, was successively a teacher, farmer, tanner and merchant; he served one term as sheriff of Susque- hanna county, and now resides at Myersdale, Somerset Co., Pa. His wife was a daughter of George and Mary (Bard) Young, of Susquehanna county, formerly of Connecticut, and by her he had three sons living: F. Lee, George Young and Will- iam Starr. Our subject was reared in his native county, educated at Montrose Academy and the Union School at Hamilton, N. Y. In early manhood he assisted his father in the management of the tannery and store at Forest Lake, and in 1877 began the study of dentistry at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery at Phil- adelphia, where he was graduated in 1879, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Tunkhannock, where he remained one and a half years. He then located at Towanda, remaining there five years, and in 1886 removed to Wilkes- Barre, where he has built up a name in his profession second to none in the city. On September 10, 1869, Dr. Hollister married Lillie, daughter of Hon. Isaac P. and Anese (Handrick) Baker, of Susquehanna county, and has two children, Lizzie (Mrs. Harradon S. Smith) and Fred B. Dr. Hollister is a member of the Susque- hanna District Dental Association, and of the Pennsylvania State Dental Society. In politics he is a Republican.

S. C. HOLLY, merchant, Lehman. was born in Dallas, this county, July 20, 1861, a son of Robert and Isabella (Hodge) Holly, both of whom were natives of the North of Ireland, boru of Scotch descent. They came to this country about 1850, locat- ing first at Pittston, Pa., where Mr. Holly engaged in mining. In 1851 he moved to Dallas, where he purchased a farm of 120 acres of fertile land, which he still owns and improves. Mr. Holly is a loyal citizen, and has the entire confidence of his neighbors. There were born to him eight children, seven of whom he reared and educated, S. C., the subject of this sketch, being second in the family. He was educated in the rudiments of the English language in Dallas, at the common school, after which he entered the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, where he took a commercial course, also one in ornamental penmanship, and from this institution he graduated with high honors in the class of 1884. After his college course was

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completed he received a position from Roger & Co., of Huntsville, where as a clerk he did credit to himself and gave satisfaction to his employers. In the fall of 1884 he took charge of the store and business of R. A. Whiteman during the term of office of the latter as county treasurer. After faithfully serving Mr. Whiteman, he went to Wilkes-Barre, where he was engaged as shipping clerk for the firm of Whiteman & Patterson, wholesale grocers. At the earnest solicitation of R. A. White- man he left his office in Wilkes-Barre, and again took charge of the former's inter- ests at Lehman, where he remained for two years with satisfaction to himself and profit to his employer. He then proposed to purchase the property and stock of Mr. Whiteman, but not being able to come to an agreement about the same, Mr. Holly decided to open a store of his own; and with this view in his mind purchased the hotel property in Lehman. This seemed to bring the matter to a crisis, and Mr. Whiteman rented him his store which Mr. Holly stocked with new goods of a general line, including drugs. He has a fine assortment, and by his genial manner and strict integrity has built up for himself a first-class trade. His store is neat and clean, while his goods are of the latest kind and best quality. The postoffice is in his store, and over it he has entire control as assistant postmaster. He has been honored by being elected to the offices of town treasurer, school treasurer, and also treasurer of the Lehman French Coach Horse Company. On November 4, 1890, he married Miss Frances, daughter of Amos and Clarissa Shortz, and by her he has one child, Marion Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Holly are both consistent members of the M. E. Church; politically he is a Democrat.

FRANK HOLMES, farmer, P. O. Carverton, was born in Exeter township, this county, May 20, 1845, a son of Alvin and Minerva (Ingersol) Holmes, the former of whom was born in New York State, the latter in Luzerne county, Pa. Alvin Holmes removed to this county about 1834, locating in Exeter township, on a farm of seventy acres, to which, by industry and economy, he added sixty more, making a total of 130 acres, seventy-five of which he improved, and on which he built during his lifetime. He was a practical self-made man as well as a practical farmer; he was a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and had been honored with various township offices, which he held with credit. His family consisted of ten children, nine of whom were boys, all growing to maturity, and six of them are yet living. F. S., who is the youngest in the family, was educated in the common schools of Exeter. He has always resided on the farm on which he was born, and on which he now resides, and has been a lifetime agriculturist. His farm consists of 107 acres. Mr. Holmes is an enterprising "go-a-head" young man, and is conversant with his business in all its varied and difficult branches. Since he has occupied the farm, there have been many visible improvements. Mr. Holmes married, on May 9, 1876, Miss Jane, daughter of Nathan and Nancy Lewis, and by her he has had one son, F. Howard, born June 19, 1878. Mrs. Holmes was born in Franklin town- ship in 1850. Politically, Mr. Holmes is a Democrat, and has held various offices, such as assessor, collector and others.

THOMAS J. HOLMES, farmer, Fairmont township, P. O. Rittenhouse, was born in Ross township, this county, July 25, 1851, and is a son of John and Sylvina (Long) Holmes, respectively natives of Newark, N. J., and Ross township, Luzerne Co., Pa., and of Irish and English origin. Tbe father, who was a farmer and Methodist minister, died May 12, 1886, aged seventy-four years. He was a son of Thomas J. and Eleanor Holmes, natives of County Down, Ireland, who came to America in 1812, and settled at Newark, N. J. Our subject, who is the sixth in a family of eight children, was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and when twenty-one years of age began farming on rented land, which he remained on for seventeen years, when he purchased his present farm of fifty-four acres, situated two miles southeast of Rittenhouse postoffice. He was married December 2, 1871, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of John M. and Maria (Waltman) Albertson, and their union was blessed with six children, viz .: James W., Tillie S., Emma G., Edward A., Sarah E. and George W. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Republican, and has held the office of school director.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 141

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