History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 158

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

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HARRY LARNED, farmer, Huntington township, P. O. Huntington Mills, was born in Exeter township, April 20, 1824. He is a son of Theopholis and Elizabeth (Smith) Larned, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, of English origin; the father was a farmer by occupation, and came from Connecticut to the Wyoming Valley, in 1798, when but seven years of age; he died in 1873. Harry Larned is the sixth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, ten of whom are now living. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and after reaching his majority worked two years for his father on the homestead farm, when he bought his present farm of sixty-eight acres, one and one-fourth miles from Huntington Mills postoffice, on the Shickshinny turnpike. He was married, Feb- ruary 25, 1847, to Sarah J., daughter of Caleb and Hannah (Forbes) Hoyt, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin. By her he had three children, viz. : Charles H., born December 23, 1847; Mary E. (Mrs. E. C. Stanley), born March 7, 1850; and William A., born May 17, 1861. Mrs. Larned died November 13, 1887. He was afterward married June 6, 1889, to Priscilla (Snyder) Zimmerman, widow of Samuel Zimmerman. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Both are members of the P. of H., and Mr. Larned has held the following offices: School director, supervisor and tax collector; in politics he is independent.

FREEMAN LARNERD, contractor, Dupont, was born in Pittston township, March 12, 1841, a son of John and Ruth A. (Mulligan) Larnerd, the former born in Goulds- boro, the latter in Jenkins township. John was a son of Lyman Larnerd, who re-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

moved to this county about 1812, locating in what is known as "Brier Patch," where he bought a lot of land, on which he remained several years. From there he removed to Florida, where he died. He married Catherine, daughter of John Nau- gle, and by her was born one son, John, who was reared and educated in this county, and by occupation was a blacksmith. He, too, was a resident of Brier Patch, and was a man of sound principles, of sterling integrity, one who through life practiced the "golden rule." He died May 8, 1859, at the age of forty-five years; his wife died December 15, 1881, aged sixty-three years. His family consisted of six chil- dren, all of whom are yet living, and in good circumstances. Freeman, who is the second by birth, was reared and educated in this county, and always confined him- self to lumbering. Between the ages of twenty and twenty-one years he showed his patriotism when his country sounded the alarm, and called her loyal citizens to protect the Union by offering their services in its defense. He became a member of Company L, Pennsylvania Cavalry, for the term of three years, and during this service, he showed heroic courage worthy of an old veteran, participating in the battle of Perryville and others. He was honorably discharged, and afterward en- listed in the M. M. B. (marine service) in which he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Here, too, he showed himself worthy of his "stripes." After serving his time he was honorably discharged, and again he became a defender of the stars and stripes, by becoming a member of the Forty-eighth P. V. I., in which he served to the close of the war in 1865, when he was honorably discharged. " During his last year's service he participated in the downfall of Petersburg. During his serv- ice on the gunboat " James Adams," while on a land engagement at Collins Cross Roads, he got his leg broken, but, notwithstanding the excruciating pain, he fought his way through to victory, and triumphed in his ability to be a small factor in the preservation of the union. His courage was also displayed at the battle of Vicks- burg, and other hard-fought battles. On his return to citizenship, he again gave his attention to the lumber business in Pittston township. In 1866 Mr. Larnerd married Mrs. Catherine Sterling, daughter of Michael Beaver, but she died six months after marriage, and on March 21, 1868, he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Mary A., widow of Frederick Urns, and daughter of Caleb Lidy, by which union he had nine children, five of whom are living: John, Gertrude, Freeman, Charles and Bessie. In 1869 Mr. Larnerd removed to the village of Dupont, where he has resided ever since. He owns several houses and eight lots in Dupont; his wife owns six houses and six lots in Dupont, and one lot in Avoca, in her own right. Formerly our subject was engaged somewhat in merchandising, and also carried on a butcher business. He is a man of some influence in his town, and was the prime mover in having the postoffice established at Dupont. He is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., N. H., and G. A. R., George Hill Post No. 540. Mr. Larnerd is a whole-souled and large-hearted man.

WALTER LATHROP, physician and surgeon, Miners Mills. Dr. Lathrop, although a young man, stands among the leading medical men of his county in his pro- fession. He was born in Montrose, Susquehanna Co., Pa., May 23, 1867, a son of Dudson R. and Sarah (Dimmock) Lathrop, natives of Pennsylvania, and of New England origin. Dr. Lathrop was educated in private schools and the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1890, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then came to Wilkes-Barre, where he had charge of the city hos- pital for one and one-half years, when he removed to Kingston, where he acquired a large and increasing practice. He has since removed to Miners Mills, where he is now practicing his profession.

ALEXANDER LATTA, miner, P. O. Inkerman, Jenkins township, was born in Schuyl- kill county, Pa., April 14, 1849, a son of Colon and Jeanette (McGregor) Latta, natives of Scotland. His father, who was a miner, came to America in May, 1848, and died October 25, 1852, at the age of thirty years. The family consisted of four children, two of whom are living: Alexander, and Thomas, a hotel-keeper in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colo. Our subject was educated in the public school, and in the select

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school of Benjamin Evans, Pittston, and at the age of eleven years began working about the mines, which vocation he has since followed, including twenty-one years mining. He built his present residence in 1887. Mr. Latta was married August 17, 1878, to Miss Jane, daughter of William and Barbara (Laird) Robertson, natives of Scotland. They have two children, one of whom is living, Jessie. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Latta is a member. He is a member of the K. of P., and is a Republican in his political views.

EDWIN F. LAUBACH, farmer and merchant, Huntington township, P. O. Cambra, was born December 4, 1859, in Columbia county, a son of Andrew and Eveline (Ste- phus) Laubach, natives of Pennsylvania and of German and English origin, the former of whom is a merchant at Guava, Columbia Co., Pa., a son of Frederick and Mary (Larish) Laubach. Our subject, who is the seventh in a family of ten children, eight of whom are living, was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. When nineteen years of age he started out for himself, and has since been engaged in various occupations, as follows: one year as a farm laborer; taught school, two years; clerk in his father's store, one year; in lumber business a year; proprietor of the "New Columbus Hotel," two years; partner in his father's store until 1888; then opened a store in New Columbus borough, and conducted same until 1891; then he moved on to the William Bellas farm of 115 acres, where he now lives, operating a store in conjunction. Mr. Laubach was married, November 4, 1882, to Miss Mary E., daughter of William and Catharine (Ash) Bellas, natives of Pennsylvania and of Ger- man origin. Mr. Bellas was a farmer by occupation, and was killed by lightning, June 14, 1888. Mrs. Laubach is the second of a family of five children (two of whom are living), and was born September 18, 1862. This union is blessed with two children, viz. : Nora B., born September 7, 1883, and Mary C., born May 31, 1890. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Laubach is a Democrat, and held the offices of treasurer of New Columbus borough, and school director. On Decem- ber 10, 1891, he had the misfortune to lose his left hand by having it caught in the cogs of a corn-husking machine.

THOMAS F. LAUBACH, alderman, city of Hazleton. This gentleman was born at Cole's Creek, Columbia Co., Pa., November 10, 1831, and is a son of Fredrick and Mary (Larrish) Laubach, the former a native of Cole's Creek, Pa., and the latter of Light Street, same county, both being of German extraction. In their family there were seven children, of whom Thomas F. is the fourth. Our subject was reared and educated in his native village, devoting some of his boyhood days to working on a farm, and then engaged in lumbering in Fairmount township, this county, which occupation he followed fifteen years. He then moved to Hazleton, and engaged in the butchering business, which he carried on two years, at the end of which time he went to Beaver Meadows, Carbon county, where for two years he continued in the meat business. After passing two years more in the grocery business at that place, he returned to Hazleton, and was engaged as collector for several newspapers for about ten years, or until 1887, when he was elected justice of the peace. At the expiration of his term, he was elected alderman under the new city charter, and was the first alderman to take the oath of office in the city of Hazleton. Mr. Laubach was married, February 25, 1853, to Miss Phebe J., daughter of Ami and Sarah (Wil- kinsou) Harrison, of Huntington township, this county, and of New England origin. Mr. and Mrs. Laubach have had born unto them five children, viz. : Emma L., widow of Harry Drew (deceased), Ida R., now Mrs. M. D. Williams, of Hazleton; Fred A., in Hazleton, married to Miss Jennie Wynn, of the same place; Sally, married to Thomas Stephens, of Hazleton; and Gertrude, single. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, with the exception of Mrs. Laubach who is a Methodist. Mr. Laubach is one of Hazleton's most respected citizens, and in his political views he is a Democrat.

CHARLES LAUX, farmer, P. O. Dallas, was born, April 27, 1859, in Wilkes-Barre, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Schwab) Laux, both of whom were born in Rhine Pfalz, Germany. They came to this country in

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

1856, landing in New York, August 7, their first home being in Wilkes-Barre where they resided for about eleven years. During their stay in Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Laux followed various vocations, and was always an honest and industrious man. In 1867 he bought the property known as the "Snyder Place," a farm of sixty acres under cultivation. In 1868 they moved on it, and remained in full possession till April 2, 1891, when death claimed the father at the age of sixty-nine years. Jacob Lanx was a hard-working man, honest, industrious to a fault, a good citizen, a loving husband, and an indulgent father. His family consisted of ten children, six of whom grew to maturity and are now living, as follows: John, Maggie, Augustus, Charles, Mary and Phebe. Charles has always confined himself to farming. He is a promising young man of natural abilities, and has helped, under the supervision of his father, to make many improvements on the place. Although still a young man, he has been honored with several township offices. His mother has descended from good German ancestry, some of whom were judges of the German court. In religious belief, they are Catholics; politically our subject is a Democrat. ,

CHARLES LAVIN, tailor, Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, August 20, 1847, a son of Bryan and Margaret Lavin. He was reared in Ireland until eighteen years of age-four years of which time he served an apprenticeship at his trade-and then went to England; here he spent four years in Manchester and Blackburn, working at his trade as a journeyman. In 1870 he came to America and located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided, and engaged at his trade. August 20, 1869, Mr. Lavin married Miss Mary, daughter of Augustine and Mary (Haddigen) Finn, of County Mayo, Ireland. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has represented the Second Ward as councilman since 1889.

THOMAS LAVIN, merchant, Hanover township, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, November 27, 1849, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Leech) Lavin. His father, who was a farmer and saloon-keeper, reared a family of eleven children, seven of whom are living, viz. : Thomas; William, a brick layer, of Chicago; George, of San Francisco; Catherine, married to Thomas Brady, deceased, in Nebraska; Bridget, married to Matthew Spencer, of Sedgwick, Colo .; Michael, in Denver, Colo .; Maria, married to John V. Rogers, in Kansas. The family came to America in 1867, and after a short time passed in Brooklyn, removed to Waterville, Kans. The mother is still living with Bridget in Colorado. Our subject remained in Brooklyn about eight months, and afterward resided a few months in Philadelphia, thence coming to Hanover township, this county, where he worked on the gravel train a few months, and then entered the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, in which he remained till 1889, including sixteen years' mining. He built his present resi- dence and place of business in 1886. Mr. Lavin was married August 23, 1872, to Miss Hannah, daughter of John Murphy, of County Mayo, Ireland. The issue of this union has been eleven children, seven of whom are living, viz. : Michael, Mary, George, William, James, Catherine and Martin. This gentleman and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the Father Mathew Society, A. O. H., and E. B. A. He is a Democrat in his political views, and has held the offices of school director and tax collector in Hanover township. He is a man loyal to his convictions and the principles of his party to which he has rendered much valuable aid, by the respect and influence which he commands in the community in which he lives.

JOHN A. LAW, coal operator, Pittston. This gentleman, who ranks among the prosperons and active young business men of this county, was born in Carbondale, Pa., March 4, 1857, and is a son of Andrew H. and Helen (Aitken) Law, both of Scotch descent. His father was a prominent citizen of Pittston, and for thirty years was engaged in mercantile business in Pittston in the old Odd Fellows Block, and was one of the members of the firm of Law & McMillan, which was organized there in 1857 and continued until 1879, when the death of Mr. Law caused the dis- solution of the firm. The parents had a family of six children, viz .: Jean, wife of

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

W. L. Watson, cashier of the First National Bank, Pittston; Helen, wife of James P. Moffatt, an engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company at Barnum Shaft, with residence in Pittston; Helen, who resides in New Brunswick, N. J .; Martha, wife of James W. Johnson, member of the firm of Johnson & Johnson, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in druggiat's sundries, of New Brunswick, N. J .; John A. and Andrew (twins), the latter of whom is an engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. The mother died March 6, 1888. Our subject passed his boyhood in Pittston, and was educated in the public schools of that city, and the commercial department of the Wyoming Seminary. While a boy he entered his father's store, and there acquired a practical business education far superior to any college training, and which was the foundation of his success. He was con- nected with this business until after his father's death, was appointed by him as executor of his estate, and he was engaged in settling and closing out the business until 1890. In 1885 Mr. Law began to turn his attention to coal operations, and that year made some judicious investments in coal lands in the vicinity of Pleasant Valley, that soon developed into a paying investment. Since the closing out of his father's business he has devoted the greater part of his time to coal operations, and in this line, as in all other things to which he has laid his hand, he has been very successful. To-day he stands in the front rank of the brilliant and successful young business men of the county, and has among the people of his native county a multitude of friends who love and respect him for his intrinsic worth. Mr. Law is a member of Valley Lodge No. 499, Pittston Chapter No. 242, Wyoming Valley Commandery No. 57, Keystone Consistory of Scranton, and Lulu Temple of Phila- delphia; he is now master of Valley Lodge, F. & A. M. He is also a member of Thistle Lodge, I. O. O. F. Politically Mr. Law is a stanch Republican.

JOHN B. LAW, general manager of the Newton Coal Mining Company since Sep- tember 1, 1892, and formerly mine superintendent Pennsylvania Coal Company, was born at Archbald, Pa., November 28, 1852, a son of William and Catherine (Bryden) Law, natives of Scotland. His father came to America in 1842, locating at Carbondale, Pa., where he was a miner, and in 1850 removed to Dunmore, where he had control of the Pennsylvania Company Coal Mines until 1851, in which year he went to Archbald and was superintendent of collieries there until 1854, when he was made superintendent of the Pennsylvania Company's mines at Pittston, in which position he continued until his death December 25, 1889. His children were seven in number: Margaret (Mrs. Alexander Bryden), John B., Jane (Mrs. Adam Harkness), Elizabeth (Mrs. C. C. Bowman), Alexander, Annie and Nettie (Mrs. W. R. Teeler). Our subject was reared in Pittston, where he attended the public schools until fifteen years of age, and then entered the Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., remaining there one year; then entered LaFayette College, Easton, Pa., where he was graduated in 1872. Having made mine engineering a special study, he at once accepted a position on the engineer corps of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Coal Company, which he held nine months, after which he took charge of the Pleasant Valley Collieries at Pittaton, for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, as foreman, a position he held six years, at the end of which time he assumed charge of the Mining Engineering Corps and superintended the engineering for all the collieries in Pittston until 1880, when he accepted a position with the Roberts Iron Co., at Robertsville, Canada, as superintendent of works. After one and one-half years service there he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, and returning to Pittaton was assistant superintendent under his father until the death of the latter, since which time he filled the position until September 1, 1892. Mr. Law was married September 22, 1874, to Jennie, daughter of John McDougall, of Pittston, and has two children, Janet and Jean. Our subject is a prominent mem- ber of the F. & A. M., and of the Presbyterian Church; in politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM H. LAWALL, conductor on the Reading Railroad System, Hazleton Division. This popular railroad man was born at Hazleton in May, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Catharine (Geiger) Lawall, natives of Pennsylvania. William

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H. was reared in Hazleton, and educated in the public schools of that city and at the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. At the close of his school days he secured a posi- tion as manager of the supply store operated by A. Pardee & Co. He occupied this position for six years, and at the end of that time began railroading on the Lehigh Valley Railroad System, and since 1881 has been passenger conductor between Hazleton and White Haven. His courteous manners and obliging ways have won for him hosts of friends, not only among railroad men, but the traveling public in general. Mr. Lawall was married in February, 1887, to Miss Martha, daughter of William Powell, Sr., the only surviving partner of the Upper Lehigh Coal Company. Two children have been born to this union: William P. and Thomas G. Mr. Lawall is a member of the F. &. A. M., and the family attend the Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS FRANCIS LAWLESS, lumber dealer, Kingston, is one of the three members of the prosperous business enterprise of Luzerne county, known as the Kingston Lumber Company, whose business headquarters are located at Kingston. He was born at Tobyhanna, Monroe Co., Pa., December 4, 1859, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Duffy) Lawless, both being natives of Ireland. Mr. Lawless received his education in the common schools of his native county, and the city of Philadel- phia. After leaving school he accepted a clerkship in the office of Albert Lewis, at White Haven, where he was employed two years, when he was transferred to the Bear Creek office of Mr. Lewis, taking full charge of his lumber interests there for eight years, thence coming to Kingston, and embarking in his present business. He was married, January 23, 1888, to Miss Mary Eliza, daughter of Richard and Eliza (McAsy) Caffery, both natives of Ireland. This union has been blessed with one child, Richard, born November 30, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Lawless are members of the Catholic Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.

HENRY A. LAWN, tinner, Conyngham, was born in Sugar Loaf township April 29, 1848, a son of Henry and Caroline (Brown) Lawn. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Brown, a native of Lehigh county, was a weaver by trade and a pioneer of Sugar Loaf town- ship, where he cleared and improved a farm on which he lived and died; his wife was Salome Remaly. Henry Lawn, father of subject, was a native of Germany, and came to America during the " thirties." He was a brickmaker by trade, and settled in Sugar Loaf township, where he cleared a farm, manufactured brick, and died in 1880 at the age of sixty-eight. His children were Sarah (Mrs. Christopher Ulrich), Henry A., John A., Clara M. (Mrs. Nathan Wagner), Lena (Mrs. Jonas Hartz), Louisa (Mrs. George Beedman), Anna (Mrs. Henry A. Wachter) and Daniel C. Our subject was reared in Sugar Loaf township, and educated in the common schools. He served three years apprenticeship at the tinner's trade, afterward working as a journeyman thirteen years, and since 1884 has been in business for himself at Conyngham. Mr. Lawn has been twice married, his first wife being Martha J. Dennis, of New York State; his second wife was Jennie McAllister, of Danville, Pa. By the latter he has four children: Bessie, Rebecca, Ethel and Myrtle M. Mr. Lawn is a member of the M. E. Church, and of the F. & A. M. ; in politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN LAYAON, farmer, was born in Montreal, Canada, May 2, 1834, and is now residing in Jackson township, P. O. Cease's Mills. He is a son of John and Mary (Chevelier) Layaon, both of whom were born in Canada. The father was a son of Joseph, who at the age of forty-one was going to occupy Government land, but was captured by the Indians. He had a varied and trying experience among them; having during his stay of twenty years passed through seven tribes, as one tribe over-powered the other. He was finally released and returned to his friends. John, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Montreal, Canada. In his early life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has worked for forty years, proving himself to be an adept at his calling. He came to the United States in 1851, and located at Ballston Spa, N. Y., where he remained nine months. He then moved to Saratoga Springs, at which place he completed his trade. Mr. Layaon enlisted in the army August 21, 1862, for the term of three years, becoming a member of Company C, Seventy-seventh New York Infantry. He participated in the battles of

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Chancellorsville, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and second Bull Run. He served under Gen. Sedgwick, Third Brigade, Smith's Division, and at the close of the war returned to his family. He came to this county in 1863, locating in Plains; soon moved, however, to Jackson township, on the farm on which he now lives, con- sisting of sixty-three acres, situated about four miles north of Nanticoke; he settled here in 1868. Mr. Layaon is a practical farmer, making the most of his time and opportunities. His farm, though rough, is a model one, he having changed it from a stony waste to its present fertile condition. In 1878 he was so unfortunate as to lose his barn, stock and farming implements by fire. His kind neighbors willingly offered their services; among these were Martin Meyers, Johnson Meyers and Jacob Smith. Mr. Layaon markets all his surplus produce, doing his own selling from his wagon as he moves from house to house. His nearest markets are Nanticoke and Plymouth. Our subject was married December 12, 1854, to Miss Mary, daughter of Isaac and Emily Larabee, and their family numbered fourteen children, eleven of whom are living: John, William, Margaret, Lizzie, Frank, Charles, George, Rosa- mond, Selina, Kate and Theresa; five of these are married: John, William, George, Margaret and Lizzie. Mr. Layaon is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 158

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