History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 157

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

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HENRY R. LACEY, wholesale dealer in Chicago beef, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Laceyville, Wyoming Co., Pa., June 13, 1846, and is a son of George G. and Susannah (Scott) Lacey. His paternal grandfather, Henry Lacey, a native of Connecticut and a farmer by occupation, was a pioneer of what is now Laceyville, and from him the borough derives its name. He married a Miss Northrop, and by her had nine children: Lydia A. (Mrs. Cyms Stevens), Ebenezer, Zeruah (Mrs. George Spalding), Sally (Mrs. Miner Terry), Polly (Mrs. T. L. Spring), George G., Of these, George

Canfield J., M. Antoinette (Mrs. Henry Kinney), and Charles.

G., father of subject, was born and reared in Laceyville, where he followed general merchandising, dying there in 1861. His wife was a daughter of Davis Scott, a pioneer of Montrose, Susquehanna Co., Pa., and by her he had three children: George, Henry R. and Elizabeth (Mrs. J. A. Bosworth); his second wife was Har- riet Norton, by whom he had one daughter, Theresa (Mrs. A. B. Christian). The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Laceyville, and in 1868 he em- barked in the coal and lumber business there, which he carried on until 1874, when he removed to Wilkes-Barre, and commenced in the produce commis- sion business, in which he successfully continued up till 1889. In 1882 he also engaged in the wholesale meat business, and was the original dealer in Wilkes- Barre for Armour & Co. in Chicago dressed beef; has now establishments in Free- land and Nanticoke, and has built up a lucrative business. On December 31, 1868,

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Mr. Lacey married Clara H., daughter of Hamlet and Temperance (Cooley) Hill, of Wyoming county, Pa., and has four children: George, Hettia, H. Roberts and Louise. Politically Mr. Lacey is a Republican. He is one of Wilkes-Barre's most enterpris- ing business men.

EDWIN G. LA FRANCE, a retired carpenter, Wyoming borough, was born May 7, 1845, and is a son of Lot and Amny (Gregory) La France, natives Pennsylvania, and of French and English origin, respectively. They reared a family of eleven children, five now living, Edwin G. being the seventh in order of birth. Our sub- ject was educated in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen he went to New York City, where he worked as ship' joiner for ten years; he then returned to Wyoming and followed farming ten years, after which be built his present fine residence. Again he went to New York, and was engaged there as ship-builder, and returning home in a year he worked at general carpenter work until 1887, when he retired, Mr. La France was married, July 6, 1868, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jesse B. and Elizabeth J. (Breece) Schooley, natives of New Jersey and Penn- sylvania, respectively, and of English origin. This happy union was blessed with children as follows: Hattie A., born May 29, 1869, died January 6, 1871; Christine, born August 24, 1875, died July 23, 1876; Gershon B., born April 11, 1877, is attending the Wyoming Seminary; Jennie L., born August 31, 1878, is a student at the Menken Convent, Wilkes-Barre; James S., born March 7, 1880, at the private school of Mary L. Reeves, Wyoming borough; Eva H., born July 13, 1881, died November 4, 1884; Anna S., born January 1, 1884, died June 5, 1884. The mother of this family died July 1, 1889. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a loving wife, and a kind and gentle mother, whose Christian influence is sadly missed by the interesting family left behind. Mr. La France and children attend the Methodist Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Jr. O. U. A. M., and in politics is a good Democrat.

JAMES D. LAIRD, harness maker, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Wilkes-Barre July 13, 1818, and is a son of Gilbert and Charlotte (Mattley) Laird, the former of whom was born in Ireland and came to Wilkes-Barre when he was seven years old. The paternal grandfather, James Laird, a native of Scotland, came to America about 1800; was a shoemaker by trade, and died at Forty Fort, this county, where he is buried. His wife was Ann Cashore, born in Ireland of Scotch parents, and by her he had five children: Glover, James, Gilbert, Mary and Ann. The father of our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre, and after attaining his majority opened the first drug-store in Wilkes-Barre. He was also a shoe merchant and a baker, and for many years was proprietor of a stage freight line between Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia-running a four-horse team for that purpose. He was the father of eight children: John, Ann (Mrs. James Snyder), James D., Mary (Mrs. Joseph Easterline), Charlotte (Mrs. Joseph Schooley), Hattie (Mrs. William Neimau), Glover and Gilbert. Our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre, learned his trade in Newark, N. J., serving there an apprenticeship of five years. In 1840 he embarked in business on his own account in Wilkes-Barre, in which he has since successfully continued, with the exception of twenty months he was located at Lock Haven. In 1847 Mr. Laird married Patience, daughter of William Jackson, and has four children living: Lottie (Mrs. Jesse Carpenter), Ann (Mrs. Daniel Lodrick), Emma (Mrs. James Hughes) and Florenia (Mrs. Lee Stanton). Mr. and Mrs. Laird are members of the M. E. Church. In politics he is a Republican. He is the oldest native-born citizen of Wilkes-Barre living at the present time in the city.

DAVID H. LAKE, M. D., physician and surgeon, Kingston, is a native of Carmar- then, Wales, and was born July 26, 1863, a son of Rev. L. and Magaret (Hughes) Lake. The family came to this country in 1872, and located at Youngstown, Ohio, where they remained about four years, when they removed to Pennsylvania, residing in Mahanoy City for a time; thence removed to Scranton, where they remained until 1885, when they proceeded to Knoxville, Tenn., where Rev. Mr. Lake is now pastor of the Welsh Congregational Church. Our subject was prepared for college under

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the preceptorship of his father, and entered Marietta College; after completing his course, he taught school in Scranton for a time, and then began his medical studies under Dr. Allen, a very prominent member of the profession, at Scranton. In 1882 he entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated in the class of 1885; then received the appointment of resident physician of the Philadelphia (Blakeley) Hospital, where he remained fourteen months. He then removed to Drifton, Pa., and practiced with Dr. Wentz for a short time; he also had charge of the hospital there. He remained there but a short time, however, when, in 1886, he located at Kingston. He has since been engaged in his pro- fessional work in that place, and his skill has crowned his efforts with success. Dr. Lake was married, December 25, 1889, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas Layshaw, of Kingston, and this union has been blessed with one child, Louise, born December 19, 1890.

CHARLES C. LAMOREUX, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born September 14, 1843, and was reared and educated in Jackson township. He is a son of Wesley and Emeline (Brown) Lamoreux, both of whom were born in Jackson township. Wes- ley was a son of Thomas, a native of France, who came to this country about 1815, locating in Jackson township, where he followed farming with marked success. He died at the age of fifty years. His family numbered eleven children, two of whom are now living. Wesley, the father of our subject, lived all his life in Jackson township, following in the footsteps of his father, and was a loyal citizen and an industrious farmer. He died at the age of fifty, having reared a family of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, Charles C. being the second in the family. Charles C. Lamoreux has always confined himself to farming, and at the age of twenty-one began life for himself, working by the month. On December 4, 1872, he married Miss Emma, daughter of Charles and Margaret Smith. To this union were born five children, three of whom are now living: Maggie E., Morris H .. and Minnie P. Mrs. Lamoreux was born in Trucksville, Pa., November 13, 1851; her ancestors on her mother's side were the oldest settlers this side of the mountain. At the age of nineteen Mr. Lamoreux enlisted, in 1862, in Company D, Thirtieth Pennsylvania Emergency Corps, from which command he was honorably discharged. He is now a farmer of considerable means, and has a comfortable home and luxuri- ous surroundings. In 1873 he moved to his present home of 150 acres, where he has ever since remained. Our subject is a member of the Grange, and politically is a Republican.

D. M. LAMOREUX, farmer, P. O. Silkworth, was born in Plymouth township, Feb- ruary 26, 1851, and is a son of Nathan and Kate (Benedict) Lamoreux, the former born August 17, 1807, in what is now Jackson township, the latter January 13, 1810, in Kingston township. Nathan was a son of James, also a native of this county, and a son of Thomas Lamoreux, who was a Frenchman, and one of the first of the Lamoreux to remove to this county. Nathan lived in Plymouth township all his life, and, like his forefathers, followed a farmer's calling. He was a worthy citizen, a good neighbor and an indulgent parent. He held several township offices. He died March 10, 1883, aged seventy-six years, having been preceded by his wife Feb- ruary 26, 1878, at the age of sixty-eight years. Their family consisted of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and six of whom are now living. D. M. is one of a pair of twins, and the last of the family. He always followed farm- ing and within the limits of Plymouth township. In April, 1876, he married Miss Mary J., daughter of Isaac and Sarah Cragle, and there have been three children born to them: Gershom, born in 1877; Devolsom, born in 1880, and Daisy R., born in 1883, all of whom are living. Mrs. Mary J. Lamoreux was born in Lehman in 1853. Mr. Lamoreux is a practical farmer; he owns sixty-five acres in Plymouth township on which he resides, also sixty-five acres in Lehman township. Mr. Lam- oreux is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., patriotic in the extreme. His four brothers, George, Josey, Josiah and Philip, served in the Civil war; Josey died in Belle Isle Prison in March, 1864. Politically our subject is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

FLETCHER LAMOREUX, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born, January 12, 1823, and reared and educated in Jackson township. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Boston) Lamoreux, the former born in Jackson township, the latter in or near Sunbury, Pa. Thomas was a son of Thomas Lamoreux, who was one of the first to locate on the north side of the mountain. Thomas Case, A. Skadder, Mr. Ruggles and Jesse Brown were the others. Thomas Lamoreux, Sr., is supposed to have come from New York State. The Lamoreux were all tillers of the soil, honest and conservative. His son, Thomas, Jr., settled in Jackson township near Brown's Corners, where he always followed farming. He died at the age of thirty-eight, leaving a family of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. Fletcher, who is the fifth in this family, received a common-school education, and has always confined himself to a farmer's life, and he has always lived on the farm on which he was born, which he has improved and beautified to perfection. The old home- stead consisted of eighty acres, but by patient toil and a close eye to business, Mr. Lamoreux has purchased land on all sides of him, until now his farm counts 200 acres of valuable and fertile soil, At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Mary, daughter of William and Jane Ransom, and children were born to them, all of whom grew to maturity, viz .: Frank, Emma, Ellen, Wilbert, Addie, Clara, Ira and Eudora. Of these Emma married Henry Johnson; Ellen married Weldon Harter; Addie married Eugene Davenport, and Clara married Wesley Morton. Mrs. Lamoreux died after a peaceful wedded life of forty-two years. Her death oc- curring July 10, 1890, when she was aged sixty years. Mr. Lamoreux is a prosperous and wealthy farmer, who can look with satisfaction on the labor of his honest and diligent, hands. He lives within easy access of Plymouth market, about four miles from that town. Politically, he is a Democrat,

FRANK LAMOREUX, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born in Jackson township, March 28, 1853, and is a son of Fletcher and Mary (Ransom) Lamoreux, both of whom were also born in Jackson township. Fletcher is a son of Thomas, who was also born in Jackson township. Thomas was a son of Thomas Lamoreux, who was one of the first to locate north of the mountain. The family are all farmers, in dustrious and honest. Fletcher is a prosperous farmer, and lives on the same farm on which he was born. His family consisted of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. Frank is the eldest in the family, and was reared and educated at the common schools in Jackson township, where he has always lived as a loyal citizen of the Commonwealth. On December 12, 1877, at the age of twenty-four he married Miss Lizzie, daughter of Miles and Betsy Davenport. By this union were born eight children, seven of whom are now living: Maude, Rush, May, Eugene, Ethel, Edith, and one unnamed. Mr. Lamoreux is a thrifty farmer and lives on a 134-acre farm of fertile soil. The house in which he lives and in which the subject of this sketch has resided for twelve years, was built about fifty years ago by John Lamoreux.

PHILIP LAMOREAUX, farmer, P. O. Outlet, was born in Jackson township, May 29, 1844, a son of Nathan and Kate A. (Benedict) Lamoreaux, the former born in Jackson township, the latter in Wilkes-Barre. Nathan Lamoreaux is a son of James, who was a son of Thomas, who was the first of the family to come over the Plymouth Mountain. They are of French descent, and it is said that their fore- fathers came over with Gen. LaFayette during the Revolutionary war, and fought in that struggle under their countryman. The Lamoreaux family first located in Orange county, N. Y., from which place they removed to Plymouth, Pa., suhse- quent to the Massacre, and thence to Jackson township, Thomas settling on the farm now occupied by Ira Ransom. His son James occupied 150 acres in the same neighborhood, which he cleared and beautified during his lifetime; he was a good moral man, whose life was uneventful. Some twelve of his grandsons served in the defense of their country during the dark days of the Rebellion. His family con- sisted of ten children, all of whom are dead. Nathan Lamoreaux remained in Jack- son township until he reached his majority, when he purchased a farm of seventy- five acres in Plymouth township, on which he ended his days. He was a hard-

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working, industrious man, and a consistent member of the Baptist Church. He reached the age of seventy-five years and reared a family of seven children, six of whom are yet living, and four of them he sent to the defense of his country, one of whom died in Libby prison (Jose). Philip Lamoreaux, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Plymouth township, and always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1864 he became a member of Company F, Two Hundred and Third P. V. I., for the term of one year, and served to the close of the war, having participated in the battle of Fort Fisher and other minor engagements. He was honorably discharged, and is now a member of the G. A. R. In 1869 he mar- ried Miss Maria, daughter of William and Ann Hoover, and by her had five chil- dren: Arthur, Clarence, Lavina, Norman and Morgan. In 1886 Mr. Lamoreaux married, for his second wife, Miss Laura, daughter of Jesse and Elmira Dexterly, by which union he had two children: Jose and Vernie. In 1872 Mr. Lamoreaux removed from Lehman to the place on which he now resides. He has a neat farm of 100 acres, fifty of which are well under cultivation, and he has made vast improve- ments in the clearing of the fields, planting of orchards, and the erecting of build- ings. He is a thorough-going man, a practical farmer, and a hospitable gentle- man. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN S. LAMPMAN, Wilkes-Barre, is known throughout the United States as one of the most successful oculists and aurists in the country. He was born at Pittston, Pa., December 20, 1838, and is a son of Norman and Phoebe (Engle) Lampman. His father, who was a native of Columbia county, N. Y., settled in Pittston, Pa., in 1810, married there, and had eight children who grew to maturity: George, John S., Norman, Joseph, Edward, Elizabeth, Frances and Mary A. The father of subject was skillful in treating diseases of the eye, and the latter early manifested great talent in locating, and applying proper remedies. He applied himself to make discoveries, and succeeded in bringing into use remedies unknown to any other oculist in the world, rendering his method of treatment entirely original, and he began his practice by treating and curing an afflicted sister in 1863. During that year his father died, and our subject assumed his practice, residing at Pleasant Valley, near Pittston, until 1876, when he removed to Wilkee-Barre, where he has since resided, and built up an extensive and lucrative business. Our subject married, January 25, 1872, Margaret, daughter of Charles Shales, of Kingston township, and by this marriage has two children: Frank and Ralph. Dr. Lampman has established such a reputation for skill in his special line, that further comment is unnecessary. He is a prominent member of the Society of Good Fellows, and in politics is a Democrat.

LEWIS B. LANDMESSER, postmaster, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Hanover township, March 5, 1850, a son of Lewis Landmesser, one of the earliest settlers of this county. The latter was a native of Prussia, and immigrated to this country in 1836. Lewis B. Landmesser was educated at Wilkes-Barre Institute, Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven, and at Yale College; he was graduated from the latter in the class of 1871, and afterward spent a year and a half in Germany attending lectures at Heidelberg and the University at Berlin. He then returned to Wilkes-Barre, and entered the law office of Hon. L. D. Shoemaker as a student. He subsequently read law with Hon. H. B. Payne and Hon. Stanley Woodward, and was admitted to Luzerne county bar April 15, 1875. For three years Mr. Landmesser was examiner of the Orphan's Court, and in 1888, at the request of Hon. D. L. Rhone, Judge of the Orphan's Court, he revised and arranged the present "Rules of the Orphan's Court." In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and has always taken an active part in State affairs, and for the past three years has been chairman of the Republican County Committee. He is also a prominent Mason, being Past Master of Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., one of the oldest lodges in the State, constituted in 1794, and past high priest of Shekinah Chapter No. 182, R. A. M.

M. J. LANGAN, mine superintendent for the Newton Coal Company, Pittston.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The successful operation of such vast mining industries as this company carries on requires men of experience and ability at the heads of the various departments, and in this respect it may be truthfully said of Mr. Langan that no man is better fitted for his position than he is. His good judgment, supplemented by years of experi- ence, renders him well capable to deal readily with all perplexing questions, of what- soever nature, that may arise around him. He was born in Pittston, Pa., October 5, 1851, and is a son of James and Mary (Besnan) Langan, natives of Ireland. He was educated in the public schools of Pittston, and when about ten years of age com- menced work as a slate-picker. Mining seems to have been the mission of his life. He has worked in every capacity around the mines from that of a slate-picker to his present position of trust and responsibility. In 1877 he was appointed mine fore- man, and in 1885 was promoted to superintendent. He was united in marriage April 26, 1876, to Miss Mary Finan, of Carbondale, and to them have been born eight children, viz. : James, Ambrose, Mame, Edgar, Michael J., Vincent, Richard and Maggie. Mr. Langan is one of Pittston's most widely known and highly respected citizens, and has always been a stanch Democrat.

JOSEPH J. LANGDON, miner, Henry Shaft, Plains, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1862, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Martin) Langdon, the former of whom was a locomotive engineer. They reared a family of nine children, six of whom are liv- ing, viz. : Julia (Mrs. Thomas Butts, Plains), Elizabeth J. (Mrs. John Hayes, Plains), Mary M. (wife of William Pengelby, a gold-miner in Australia), Joseph J., Rosina (who lives with her parents in England) and Albert H. (who came to America in 1886, and has since been engaged in the Henry Shaft, where he lost his arm by a fall of rock; he now lives with his brother, and tends the foot of the slope). Our subject came to America in 1881, and engaged as laborer in the Henry Shaft three years, since when he has followed mining. In 1887 he built and removed to his present residence. Mr. Langdon was married August 10, 1887, to Miss Phebe, daughter of William George, of Plains, and they have had five children, viz .: Will- iam G., Elizabeth, Joseph Gilbert, Edgar, and Esther Lillian, who died March 1, 1892. Mr. Langdon and family usually attend the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the Sons of St. George; in political sympathy with the Republican party, he held the office of constable in Plains township, from 1888 to 1892.

JOHN LANING, retired, Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city, October 7, 1836, and is a son of A. C. and Amanda E. Laning, now deceased. He received his education at the old academy on the Public Square, preparatory to his entering LaFayette College in 1854. After a three years' course at that institution, he entered Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., and was graduated from the latter in 1858. Imme- diately following his graduation, he was employed as draughtsman, and afterward as bookkeeper for Laning & Marshal, at their machine shop on Canal street, now the Dickson Manufacturing Company. He was a member of the town council the year Wilkes-Barre became a city. Mr. Laning was united in marriage September 19, 1865, with Helen C. Brower, of New York, and they had six children, three of whom are living: Augustus C., Elizabeth V. and John, Jr. From 1866 to 1879 he was engaged in the lumber business, running a planing-mill in connection with his lumber yard. In 1880 he became superintendent of the Hollenback Coal Company, holding that position until 1887, when he retired from active business life. He has been conspicuous in improving the city of Wilkes-Barre, notably in erecting the Laning Building. He is a director of the Miners' Savings Bank, the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company and the Wilkes-Barre & Wyoming Valley Traction Company.

ENOCH LANNING, a farmer of Fairmount township, P. O. Ripple, was born in New Jersey, April 29, 1824, a son of Daniel and Rebecca (Huffman) Lanning, natives of New Jersey, and of English and German origin respectively. Daniel was a miller, stone-mason and farmer by occupation, and departed this life in 1867, at the age of seventy years. Enoch Lanning is the third in order of birth in a family of five children, three of whom are living. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when twenty-one years of age began life

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for himself as a farm laborer. This he followed until 1857, when be purchased his present farm-then a wilderness- and proceeded to clear it up and build thereon. It is three-fourths of a mile south of the Ripple postoffice, contains ninety acres, and is to-day one of the leading farms in the township. Mr. Lanning was mar- ried, March 29, 1848, to Mary A., daughter of George and Susan Vosler, natives of New Jersey, and of German origin. She is the eldest in a family of eight children, and was born September 7, 1829. This union was blessed with two children, viz. : Sarah E., born October 13, 1850, died June 7, 1867; and John W., born July 9, 1853, living with his father and working the farm (he married Eliza E. Blaine, daughter of Joseph Blaine, and they have one child, Alfred C., born November 3, 1877). All the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1864 Mr. Lanning enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth P. V., served with his regiment through the remainder of the war, and was discharged June 28, 1865. He has been auditor of his township three terms, supervisor one term, school director three years, and town treasurer for three years. In politics he is a Republican.

ALVIN LAPE, Nanticoke. Among the leading men of Nanticoke borough may well be noted the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He was born in Nanticoke January 20, 1839, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Croop) Lape, natives of Luzerne county, of German lineage; he is the fourth in a family of seven children. He was educated in the common schools of Luzerne county, and began life for himself at about the age of twenty, following boating for about three years on the lower Susquehanna. He then lived on a farm for a time, at the same time engaging in the butcher business. He continued in this until 1863, when he left the farm and came to live at Nanticoke, devoting his entire attention to the meat market. Mr. Lape carried on business alone until 1870, when he entered into a partnership with J. H. Hildreth, under the firm name of Lape & Co., and, since that time, they have conducted the largest meat market in the Wyoming Valley. July 10, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Amelia James, an accomplished young lady of Nanticoke. This happy union has been blessed with seven children: Bessie, married to Frank Levenworth, of Wilkes-Barre; Andrew C., a bookkeeper; Carrie, married to I. E. Leonard, of Athens, Pa .; Harry; Helen; Joseph, and Frank. In politics Mr. Lape is a Republican, and has been a member of the borough council of Nanticoke; he has also served as chief of the Nanticoke Fire Department two years. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 157

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