History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 150

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

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THOMAS H. JONES, inside mine foreman, for the Susquehanna Coal Company, at No. 1 Shaft, Nanticoke, was born at Mountain Ash, Glamorganshire, South Wales, a son of Thomas and Sheba (Bath) Jones, both natives of Wales. Our subject is a self-educated man, never having attended school more than two weeks in his life, and this was when he was disabled from working in the mines on account of an injured hand. At the age of eight years he entered the mines, and worked in

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

various capacities, from slate picker to miner. At the age of twenty-one he emi- grated to America, and engaged in mining at Excelsior Station, Northumberland Co., Pa., where he remained about two years, when he removed to Shamokin, same State, and was employed in the mines there until 1874. He then came to Luzerne county, locating at Nanticoke, entered the employ of the Susquehanna Coal Com- pany, and worked as a miner until 1880. In that year an explosion occurred in No. 4 Slope, and during the progress of this fire he was appointed fire-boss in this mine, where he remained until a large explosion and fire took place in No. 1 Shaft, when he was transferred to the latter. Immediately after this, Mr. T. M. Williams, then mine inspector of Luzerne county, appointed him inside mine foreman of No. 1 Shaft, where he has since been employed. Mr. Jones was married December 25, 1869, to Miss Mary Summers, of Excelsior, Pa., and they have children as follows: Eliza, Sheba Bath, Mabel, Mary Jane, Sterling Omana, and Florence Apella Verdella. Mr. Jones is a member of the Legion of Honor, the Sons of St. George and the Fraternal Guardians.

THOMAS M. JONES, miner at Laflin, with residence at Hudson, Plains township, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., June 8, 1846, and is a son of Morgan and Ann (Williams) Jones, natives of Wales, whence they emigrated to this country, in 1836. The father lived in Pottsville eight years; Pittsburgh, two years; Pittston, forty-four years, and come to live with his son at Mill Creek, this county, in 1891, where he now resides; he was born May 1, 1800, and is unusually well preserved for his time of life; his wife bas been dead forty-one years. His family comprised twelve children, eight by his first wife, of whom Thomas M. is the sixth. Our subject embarked in life driving on the canal, which occupation he followed three summers, and then enlisted at Ray- ville, N. Y., but, being a miner, his father compelled him to return home, where he remained three months, and then entered on an apprenticeship with John M. Groover, of Plains, to learn the carpentry trade. On February 6, 1865, he again enlisted, this time in Scranton, in Company F, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Volun- teers, and served till July 12, 1865, when he was discharged at Fairfax Seminary, whence he went to Philadelphia, where he was paid off. He then returned to Pitts- ton, remained a few months, and then went to Plains, where he finished his trade and worked five years. In 1870 he engaged in mining at Mill Creek, which he has. since continuously followed, with the exception of five years, during which he was engaged as watchman at the Mill Creek Slope. Mr. Jones was married October 14, 1867, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of John and Ann (Harper) Hine; they have six children, five of whom are living, viz .: Annie M. (Mrs. James Isaac), Carrie E. (Mrs. James E. Turner), William H., Charles M. and Nellie C. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Primitive Methodist Church, and of the Pocahontas; he is a member of the I. O. R. M. In his political views he is a Republican, and has held the office of constable in Plains township. He built his present residence in 1882.

WILLIAM JONES, miner, Parsons, was born in Chicago, Ill., September 27, 1847, and is the only son of William and Esther (Parry) Jones. When he was very young his father removed to Wales, where he prepared for college, and then went to Oxford University, England, remaining for a time, after which he returned to Wales to assist his father in the mercantile business. In 1874 he enlisted in the British army, in which he remained for seven years, serving her Majesty faithfully through- out the Zulu and the Boer wars. In 1875 he went to Natal, Africa, remaining there a short time; thence proceeded to Cape Colony, also in Africa, and embarked for Philadelphia, where he remained a few months. He then went to Wyoming Terri- tory, where he was engaged in mining four years, after which he came to Parsons, where he has since been engaged in mining. Mr. Jones is an esteemed and worthy citizen, and his political preferences are Republican.

WILLIAM J. JONES, carpenter, Kingston, is a native of Wales, son of Owen and Catherine Jones, also natives of Wales. His parents came to America in 1853, when he was very young, and located at Carbondale., where they remained for a time, removing thence to Olyphant, residing there until their deaths. Mr. Jones

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

began life working in the mines when yet a mere boy, and, at the age of twenty, commenced to work at the carpenter's trade at Olyphant, where he remained a short time. He then removed to Kingston, where he has resided about eighteen years, during which time he has been constantly engaged in the carpenter trade, at general house-building, at which he has attained the highest degree of proficiency. He was married January 8, 1877, to Miss Carrie, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Loudenberg) Cobert, of Kingston. They have two children: Katie, born October 16, 1886; and Ernest, born October 2, 1891. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and politically is a Republican.

WILLIAM M. JONES, justice of the peace, West Hazleton. This genial and learned gentleman was born February 22, 1832, in Monroe county, Pa., and is the second in the family of fourteen children of Peter and Hester (Muffly) Jones, the former of Welsh extraction, the latter of German. Our subject was reared and educated at his birthplace, and when quite young learned the forgeman's trade, working at it about ten years. On October 15, 1862, he answered the call of his country by enlist- ing in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until July 27, 1863. As a soldier he never feared danger, and was found to be where the strife was fiercest. At the close of his service he came to Carbon county, and was elected justice of the peace for two consecutive terms, aggregating a service of ten years. At the expiration of his term of office he came to Hazleton, and was elected to the office of justice of the peace, two terms, a period of ten years. He has held two commissions by appointment for West Hazleton borough, and has recently been elected to serve another five-year term. In his official capac- ity Mr. Jones is always guided by the merits of the case on trial, and his long experience has so well fitted him for the position that he makes few, if any, mis- takes in his decisions. Mr. Jones was married, February 17, 1852, to Miss Susan Van Buskirk, of Wind Gap, Pa., to which union were born seven children, namely: Angeline, Cecelia, Louis M. (deceased), Joseph H., Alinia (deceased), Silas E. and Marietta. Politically Mr. Jones votes with the Democratic party; he is a member of the G. A. R. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM R. JONES, miner in the Oakwood Colliery, Miners Mills, was born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, July 24, 1839, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Richards) Jones. The father, who was a miner for fifty-five years, reared a family of eight children, five of whom are living, and of whom W. R. is the eldest. The sub- ject of this sketch came to America in 1869, and has been engaged in mining suc- cessively at the following places: Irvine Station, four months; Taylorsville, eight years, and in 1879 removed to Miners Mills; he has worked in and about the mines forty-five years. He purchased his present residence and removed therein in 1887. Mr. Jones was married February 20, 1859, to Miss Esther, daughter of Daniel Edwards, of Caermarthenshire, South Wales; she died April 6, 1891, having become the mother of six children, viz. : Mary, who married Daniel Bevan, a miller of Miners Mills; William, who is a miller at Sparta. Wis .; Anna E., who married Thomas H. Price, a miner in Miners Mills; John R .; Gomer, engaged with John R., and Elvira, at home. Mr. Jones has been a member of the Welsh Congrega- tional Church forty-one years; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Republi- can in politics.

GEORGE JOPLING, miner, Iukerman, Jenkins township, was born in Mill Creek, Schuylkill Co., Pa., October 12, 1852, and is a son of James and Jane (Routledge) Jopling, of Inkerman. At the age of thirteen years he began working about the mines as errand-boy, has since been engaged in the various occupations pertaining to min- ing, and has been mining since 1868. Mr. Jopling was married June 29, 1879, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Foster) Bostock, natives of Durham County, England. They have three children, viz. : Olive, Bartholomew B. and Howard S. Mr. and Mrs. Jopling attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she is a member. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. and the K. of H. His

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

political sympathy is with the Republican party, but he votes irrespective of party lines. He built his present residence in 1887.

HENRY JOPLING, inside foreman at the Pennsylvania Colliery, No. 14, Inkerman, Jenkins township, was born in the County of Northumberland, England, July 30, 1833, and is a son of James and Mary (Bainbridge) Jopling. His father, who was a miner in England, and also in America, whither he brought his family in 1851, reared ten children, of whom Henry is the seventh. Our subject has always been engaged about the mines, including fifteen years mining and twenty-one years boss- ing. In 1855 he was married to Miss Ruth Routledge, of Inkerman, who died eleven months later, leaving one child, also desceased. On January 7, 1857, Mr. Jopling was married to Miss Ann, daughter of John and Ann (Merry) Adamson, natives of Scotland, the fruit of which union was ten children, five of whom are living, viz .: Ann (Mrs. George L. Walker, of Plains), Mary (Mrs. William Mitchell, of Inker- man), John (assistant mine foreman with his father), Henry (married to Miss Annie, daughter of Mary E., (Sprinker) Pullman, of Alexandria, Va., and natives of Eng- land and Maryland, respectively), and Sarah, a sweet-faced school-girl, still at home. Mrs. Jopling died July 3, 1885, and our subject was afterward married, January 19, 4 1888, to Miss Jane, daughter of James and Agnes (Black) Robertson, natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Jopling attend the Presbyterian Church, of which she is a member. He is a F. & A. M .; a Republican in politics, and has held the office of justice of peace in Jenkins township.

JAMES JOPLING, a prominent citizen of Inkerman, Jenkins township, was born in the County of Northumberland, England, August 29, 1828, and is a son of James and Mary (Bainbridge) Jopling, the former of whom was a miner in both England and America. They reared a family of nine children, five of whom are living, viz. : Ann (Mrs. Robert Baxter, of Duquoin, Ill.); Robert, a shoemaker in the State of Missouri; James and Henry, of Inkerman, and Bartholomew, a miner in Duquoin, III. Our subject, accompanied by his brother, John (since deceased), came with his family to America in 1849, and located in Mill Creek, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he resumed his former occupation of mining, and remained seven years, when he removed to Inkerman, where he followed same business till 1875-mining in all about forty years. He then embarked in mercantile business, continuing at same some fourteen years. after which he retired from active life. Mr. Jopling was married, June 27, 1849, to Miss Jane, daughter of George and Ruth (Gardner) Routledge, natives of England, and they had eight children, six of whom are living, viz .: George, Ruth (Mrs. William A. Reed, of Scranton), Mary (Mrs. Thomas Walker, of Inkerman), James (a carpenter iu Scranton), Sarah J. (Mrs. William .Rooke, of Peckville, Pa.), and Anna, who is still at home. One son, Thomas, died at the age of thirty-nine, leaving a widow and six children in Yatesville. Mrs. Jopling died September 23, 1869, at the age of forty-three years. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political views is a Republican.

THOMAS H. JORDAN, merchant, Parsons, was born at Archbald, Lackawanna Co., Pa., June 9, 1851, and is a son of Richard and Bridget (Hosie) Jordan, both natives of Ireland, the former born in Crossmolina Parish, County Mayo, and the latter in Innisgrove, County Sligo. They came to America in 1848, and located at Arch- bald, Pa., where they remained until 1891, in which year they removed to Green Ridge, Lackawanna county, where they now reside. Thomas H. Jordan was educated in the common schools, and began life for himself, at the age of twenty- one, as brakeman on the Delaware & Hudson Gravity Road, where he remained about. four years, when he came to Parsons, and engaged as clerk for Golden & Walsh, remaining with them thirteen years. On June 20, 1887, he embarked in his present business, consisting of a store of general merchandise. Mr. Jordan was married, August 9, 1874, to Miss Hanorah, daughter of Martin and Margaret (Kearney) Golden, of Archbald, formerly of Carbondale, they have had children as follows: Richard, born June 21, 1875, who is a student at St. Michael's College, Toronto, Canada; Joseph, born March 29, 1877; Mary, born February 8, 1879; Gertrude,

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born June 15, 1881, died October 21, 1882; Martin, born September 18, 1883; Margaret, born March 20, 1885; James, born March 11, 1887, and Rose, born September 5, 1890. Mr. Jordan is a member of the C. M. B. A. of which he is secretary, and of the E. B. A., of which he was president for two terms. He is president of Parson's borough council, and was assessor of Parsons one term. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. JOHN W. JOSEPH, assistant inside foreman, South Wilkes-Barre Shaft, Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, Wilkes Barre, was born in Craigtrebanos, Glamorgan- shire, South Wales, April 7, 1843, a son of William and Rachel (Williams) Joseph. He was reared and educated in Glamorganshire, where he began life in the coal mines at the early age of six years, and worked there in the various grades up to 1866. He then came to America and located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since been in the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, as miner fifteen years, fire-boss nine years, and assistant inside foreman since 1890. On October 18, 1867, Mr. Joseph married Margaret, daughter of William and Gwennie (Morgans) Thomas, of Ystrad Gynlais, Wales, and has eight children living, viz .: Rachel, Isaac W., Albert, Gomer, Annie, Alice, John A. and Cedwyn. Mr. Joseph is one of the prominent Welsh citizens of Wilkes-Barre, has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-four years, is a member of the Legion of Honor, and in politics is a Republican.

PATRICK JUDGE, merchant, Plains township, P. O. Hudson, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in March, 1830, and is a son of Edward and Catherine (Hagerty) Judge. The father, who was a farmer, reared a family of eleven children, five of whom are still living, and Patrick is the sixth. Our subject came to America in 1862, and located in Wayne county, Pa., where he remained three years; he then traveled through Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and New York, also spending con- siderable time in Pennsylvania. He then worked one year in Hawley, Pa., after which he removed to Wilkes-Barre, where he labored seven and mined fourteen years, engaging in his present business in 1888. Mr. Judge was married, July 3, 1868, to Miss Mary, daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Irwine) Ruddy, natives of County Mayo, Ireland; they had born unto them five children, three of whom are living, viz. : James J., Mary A. and Margaret C. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church; in politics he is a Democrat.

THOMAS JUDGE, conductor, Lehigh Valley Railroad, Pittston. This popular young conductor was born at Pittston, October 13, 1863, and is a son of Michael and Ann (Cardan) Judge, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. He is the second in a family of nine children-five boys and four girls-and was educated and reared in Pittston. At the age of nine years he began railroading, first as water boy; and then through the different grades of work until in 1888 he was promoted to the position of conductor, which he has since filled. His services have always been with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with the exception of fourteen mouths he was in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad freight office. As a rail- road man Mr. Judge is thoroughly posted in all departments. He was united in marriage April 8, 1885, with Miss Mary J., daughter of Patrick and Mary (Hart) Monahan, natives of Glasgow, Scotland, and to this union were born four children, namely: Willie (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Annie and May. In political mat- ters Mr. Judge is independent; the family are members of the Catholic Church.

GEORGE KAEUFER, outside foreman of the Florence Coal Company (limited) Dupont, was born in Germany, February 11, 1851. He is a son of George and Dorothy (Easterly) Kaeufer, both of whom were born in Germany and emigrated to this country in 1854, locating in Scranton, where they remained two years, thence removing to Wilkes-Barre, where they permanently resided. He was employed in Reichard's beer brewery, where he remained till his death, which occurred in 1862 when he was aged thirty-six years. Mr. Kaeufer was a man of respectability and of sound principles, an indulgent parent, and a loyal citizen of his adopted country. His family consisted of five children, all of whom are living: George, John, Bar-

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bara, Jacob and Martin. George is the eldest, and was seven years of age when he came to this country, receiving his education at the common schools in Wilkes- Barre. In early life he learned the painter's trade, which he followed for twelve years in various parts of the county. In 1872 he married Miss Margaret J., daughter of Alexander and Mary McCaa, by whom he had eight children, four of whom are now (1892) living; Ursula, Pauline, Barbara and Charles H. In 1883 he removed to Dupont (then Smithville), where he took charge of the outside works of the Florence Coal Company, under the supervision of W. E. Colburn, in which position he has since remained. His office is to look after everything above the ground, and see that all is in perfect working order. Under his supervision there are 130 men and boys. The Florence Mine has a capacity of 800 tons per day, giving employment to 300 hands. He is an active and energetic man of business, and under his watchful eye everything outside is kept in perfect harmony. He has held the office of school director, and, while in office, he was the means of improv- ing the building and system of the schools in his district. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

JAMES KANE, miner, Inkerman, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, April 12, 1847, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Welsh) Kane, natives of the same place. They reared a family of nine children, of whom James is seventh in order of birth. Our subject came to this country in 1863, and in October of that year located in Pittston, where he worked in Hughes' brewery for about six months. He was then employed as a laborer in the mines until the year 1869, since which time he has been a miner in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. On January 12, 1867, Mr. Kane was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John and Sarah (Fieran) Cohan, natives of County Galway, Ireland, and their union has been blessed with the following issue: Mary, born January 6, 1869; John, born May 7, 1874; Thomas, born June 14, 1878, and Belinda, horn January 12, 1880. In religion Mr. Kane is a Roman Catholic. He is a member of the C. T. A. U., and in politics is an Independent.

PATRICK KANE, laborer, Inkerman, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1847, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Walsh) Kane, natives of the same place. They . reared a family of seven children, of whom Patrick is second in order of birth. Our subject received his education in Ireland, and came to America in May, 1865, at once settling in Sebastopol, this county, and has been employed from that time to the present by the Pennsylvania Coal Company. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony December 3, 1862, with Julia, daughter of Dominick and Ann (Con- way) McDonald, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and they have one daughter: Mary, born April 4, 1876. Our subject is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and the C. T. A. U. In politics he is a Republican.

JACOB F. KAPPLER, letter carrier, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Baden, Germany, January 17, 1845, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Brecht) Kappler. His father came to America in 1846, served through the Mexican war, and is now a resident of Lancaster, Pa. Our subject was reared in Germany, educated in the common schools, and came to America in 1858, locating in Wilkes-Barre, where he served an apprenticeship of three years at the shoemaker's trade. He enlisted, September 1, 1861, in Company D, Ninth P. V. C., and re-enlisted January 1, 1864, in the same company and regiment. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Ky., Carter's Raid, Shelbyville, Franklin and Chickamauga, Tenn., and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, taking part in the battles of Savannah, Ga., Averysboro, and Bentonville, N. C., and was one of General Sherman's escorts at the surrender of General Johnston. April 5, 1862, he received seventeen bullet wounds in a guerrilla fight, and still carries three bullets in his body. He was honorably discharged with his regiment at Lexington, N. C., July 29, 1865, returning to Wilkes-Barre, where he resumed his trade, following it until 1875, when he was elected high constable of the city, serving one year. He then spent one year in Kansas, then returned to Wilkes-Barre, and worked at his trade until 1883, when he was appointed letter-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

carrier, which position he still holds. He was married April 12, 1868, to Catherine, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Schaib) Burkel, of Wilkes-Barre. They have four children: Lizzie S. (Mrs. George Steinhouer), Charles F., Henry W. and Edward S. Mr. Kappler is one of the most popular carriers in the city. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, German Lodge No. 421, I. O. O. F., and G. A. R .; in politics he is a Republican.

G. WASHINGTON KARCHNER, farmer and grocer, P. O. Briggsville, was born in Nescopeck township, July 27, 1849, a son of George and Lydia (Harter) Karchner, and was reared and educated in the township of his birth. He began life as a farmer, and with exception of five years he resided in Salem has always lived in Nescopeck; he now owns and occupies the old homestead of his father, where he was born. In May, 1872, Mr. Karchner married Amanda, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Keen) Breyfogle, of Nescopeck, and has six children: Elmer F., Laura M., Mary G., Cora E., Elsie M. and Harvey C. Mr. Karchner is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He is an enterprising citizen.

HENRY KARCHNER, farmer, P. O. Nescopeck, was born in Nescopeck township, July 6, 1830, a son of George and Lydia (Harter) Karchner. He was reared in his native township, and educated in the common schools. He learned the carpenter's trade, and erected many of the buildings in his vicinity. Since 1860 he has resided on the farm he nowoccupies, which he has partially cleared, and on which he has made all the improvements in buildings. His wife was Maria, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Mosteller) Hartzel, of Nescopeck, and his living children are: James, George, Samuel, Lloyd and Hiram. Mr. Karchner is a member of the Reformed Lutheran Church; in politics he is a Democrat, and has served as a constable of Nescopeck nine years.

MARTIN KARCHNER, farmer, P. O. Nescopeck, was born in what is now Conyngham, township, Luzerne Co., Pa., February 1, 1836, a son of George and Lydia (Harter) Karchner. His paternal grandfather, Henry Karchner, formerly of North- umberland county, Pa., was a miller by trade, which he followed all his life. His wife was Christina Limbauch, by whom he had four children: Catherine (Mrs. Mar- tin Ritter), Elisabeth (Mrs. Daniel Hill), Lydia (Mrs. David Hartzell) and George. The latter, his only son, was also a miller, and operated what is known as the Empire Mills, in Nescopeck. He died in 1880. His wife was a daughter of Martin Harter of Nescopeck township, a granddaughter of Martin Harter, and a great- granddaughter of Martin Harter, the two latter being natives of Germany, and pio- neers of what isnow Conynghan township. George and Lydia Karchner were the parents of twelve children; Catherine (Mrs. Michael Ruckel), Henry, Elizabeth (Mrs. George Stetler), Christina (Mrs. Hiram Hartzell), Martin, Sarah (Mrs. Frederick Fry), John, Absalom, William, Eliza (Mrs. Jonathan Miller), Washington (all living), and Jacob (deceased). Our subject was reared in Nescopeck township. He is a car- penter by trade, but is principally engaged in farming. He was in the Civil war, enlisting in 1861, in Company K, Eighty-first P. V., and was wounded at the battle of Seven Pines, being honorably discharged after two years' service. In 1864 he married Mary, daughter of Christian and Hannah (Heller) Kengle, of Weiss- port, Carbon county, Pa., and has six children living: Elizabeth, Henry, Elmer, Robert, Nora and Blanche. Mr. Karchner has served as school director of Nesco- peck township for eighteen years. In politics he is independent.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 150

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