History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 163

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

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EUGENE B. LONGWELL, farmer, P. O. Orange, was born in Vernon township, Sus- sex Co., N. J., October 7, 1844, a son of John and Sarah J. (Boughton) Longwell, both of whom were also born in Sussex county. John Longwell was born in 1816, a son of Andrew Longwell, who was a native of Ireland, and after emigrating to this country settled in that part of New Jersey as a prosperous farmer. He reared a family of six children. John Longwell was only seven years of age when his father died, and always followed farming, at which he became an expert. On Sep- tember 29, 1838, he married Miss Sarah J. Boughton, after which he removed to this county. He first located in Kingston township in 1850, but remained only a few months, when he removed to Franklin township, where he purchased seventy- six acres of land, most of which was unimproved; but by industry and economy he cleared the farm, causing the harvest fields to succeed the forest, and the rude log- cabin to give place to a more modern structure, thus helping by his labors the onward struggles to a higher civilization. He was a man of deep sympathy, whose home was always open to the oppressed, and whose hand was ever ready to lift or help the weak and needy. A man of strictly honest principles, he was honored with many offices in his township, all of which he filled with ability. In politics he was Democratic; in religion, a Methodist. He reared a family of three children: William H., Mary E. and Eugene B. The father died in September, 1882, at the age of sixty-six years. Eugene B. Longwell was five years of age when he came to this county with his father, and has always confined himself to agricultural pur- suits. On April 17, 1870, he was married to Miss Melvina C., daughter of Silas and Chloe Clark, and by her he had two sons: John and Fred, the former born in 1873, the latter in 1878. Mrs. Melvina C. (Clark) Longwell was born in Inde- pendence, Allegany Co., N. Y. Mr. Longwell has lived on his present farm all his life with the exception of three years he spent in Pittston subsequent to his mar- riage. He retains the farm on which his father settled in Franklin township; is a practical, general farmer, and a good business man. He has been favored with several township offices, which he invariably discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction of his constituents. He is a class-leader in the M. E. Church, a man in whom his fellows place confidence, and in this work his good wife helps, in both word and work fulfilling her mission. She is a true help-meet for him, and her home is a model home of which she is a queen. Politically, Mr. Longwell is a Democrat.

MICHAEL LONZER, Hazleton, passenger locomotive engineer on the Lehigh Valley Division of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad System. This well-known and popular engineer is a native of Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Hin- dershiedt) Lonzer. When our subject was about five years of age, the family emi- grated to America and settled near the present site of Hazelton City, Pa. He was reared and educated at Hazleton, and at the age of twelve began life working in a breaker; he worked around the mines until he reached the age of twenty, when he engaged at breaking on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. After about six years at

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that, he was promoted to fireman, a position he faithfully filled eleven years, and in February, 1891, he was made locomotive engineer on a passenger train between Hazleton and Freeland. Mr. Longer owns a harness store in Hazleton, which he opened in 1889, and which is now under the able management of Mr. William Charles. This is the leading establishment of the kind in the city. Mr. Lonzer was married in 1871 to Miss Catherine Elizabeth Meyer, of Hazleton, and they have had born to them six children, viz. : John F. (harness-maker), Carolina E., Anna C., Jacob C., Lizzie May and Katie E. Mr. Lonzer is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in politics he is a stanch Republican.

GEORGE PECK LOOMIS is the son of William Wallace and Elizabeth R. (Blanch- ard) Loomis, the former of whom is at this writing, with one exception (Nathaniel Rutter), the oldest living resident of the city of Wilkes-Barre. He is descended from Deacon John Loomis, who emigrated from England in 1638, and settled in Windsor, Conn., a year or so later, since which time many of the Loomises have been leading citizens of Connecticut. William Wallace Loomis came with his parents to Wilkes-Barre in 1827, when he was but twelve years of age. He is an ordained elder of the Methodist Church, and has always been very active in church and Sunday-school work. He was burgess of the old borough of Wilkes-Barre from 1854 to 1861, inclusive, and was mayor of the city three years, commencing in 1877. He has held many incidental positions of trust, and, as these facts testify, is one of the most respected of Wilkes-Barre's citizens. Mrs. Loomis, the mother of George Peck Loomis, and second wife of William Wallace Loomis, was Elizabeth R. Blanchard, descended from Capt. Jeremiah Blanchard, who came to Luzerne in 1772, and was the first settler of Port Blanchard, in Jenkins township. He was constable for Pittston in 1775 and 1776, and was in the fort at that place as a cap- tain of militia at the time of the battle and massacre of Wyoming. George Peck Loomis was born in Wilkes-Barre May 1, 1859. He graduated from the Wyoming Seminary in 1878, and from Syracuse University in 1882. He began the study of the law with A. Ricketts, but abandoned it for a year's service as cashier for a moulding-mill owned by his uncle at Brooklyn, N. Y. Then he returned to Wilkes- Barre, and resumed the study of the law under the preceptorship of H. A. Fuller. He was admitted to the bar January 31, 1887. Mr. Loomis is connected with the Wilkes Barre Gun Company, and several other business institutions; politically he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Methodist Church.

EDWARD STERLING LOOP was born in Elmira, N. Y., February 11, 1823, and is a son of Peter P. and Eliza Irene (Ross) Loop. He received a limited education in the schools of Wilkes-Barre, and in 1840 left home, going to St. Louis, where he was employed in a retail dry-goods store about three years. In 1844 he went to New York, where he was employed as bookkeeper in a dry-goods house for nearly ten years. He returned to Wilkes-Barre in 1853, and entered the Wyoming State (now National) Bank, where he remained for over twenty-one years, first as teller, and afterward as cashier. He resigned July 22, 1874, since which time he has lived a retired life. Mr. Loop married, December 28, 1852, Cornelia B., daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Wadhams) French, of Plymouth; she died June 25, 1856, leav- ing one daughter, Estelle (Mrs. Major Charles F. Larrabee, of Washington, D. C., who has one son, Sterling Loop Larrabee). On July 1, 1858, Mr. Loop married Harriet A., daughter of T. D. Lander, of New York City.

MORGAN LORD, farmer, Carverton, was born, October 2, 1839, reared and educated in Franklin, a son of Stephen and Phebe Ann (Hallock) Lord, the former born in Franklin, the latter in Luzerne county. Stephen was a son of Alexander Lord, a native of Connecticut, an old soldier of the war of 1812, and one of the first settlers of Franklin township. His children were eight in number, all of whom are dead. He first settled at what is known as Flat Rock Schoolhouse, where, by thrift and hard labor, he made a complete farm, and here he lived and died. His son, Stephen, lived on the homestead until he was of age, when he removed to the farm now owned by his sons, J. D. and Lyman, consisting of 116 acres, to which he added

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ninety-four more. He was a carpenter by trade, at which he worked all his life, and at which he proved successful. He was married twice: First time to Miss Phebe Ann Hallock, by whom he had six children, four of whom are living, and for his sec- ond wife he wedded Miss Elizabeth De Witt, by whom he had five children, four of them yet living. He died March 21, 1891, at the age of eighty years. Morgan, who is the fourth by the first marriage, has always confined himself to farming, and to-day is a recognized practical agriculturist. He owns 110 acres of prime land, on which he has made many improvements on both field and buildings. His stock is good, his buildings are commodious, and his surroundings generally suggest good management. On November 7, 1865, he was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of E. D. and Sally Wilson, and by her he had one child, Wesley, born March 5, 1871. In 1862 he became a member of Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh State Militia, to serve his country for the term of nine months, which he did, and was honorably discharged. He was subsequently drafted, but his relations at home were such that they could not be severed, so he paid $625 for a substitute.

SAMUEL D. LOUDENBURG, miner, Parsons, was born March 22, 1847, at Kingston, Pa., and is the second of eight children born to George and Caroline (Gray) Lou- denburg. He was reared and educated at Kingston, and at the age of seventeen began life for himself, lumbering at Fairview, Pa., in which business he was engaged for twelve years in the State of Pennsylvania. In 1879 he engaged in mining at Forty Fort and remained there for a short time, when he came to Parsons, where he has since resided. Mr. Loudenburg was married January 1, 1872, to Elmira, daugh- ter of Burton Hedsale, of Wyoming county; they have four children: William, Ellen, Freeman and Albert. Samuel's grandfather, John Loudenburg, came from Germany, locating at Kingston at a very early date. Our subject is a firm adherent to the cause of Democracy.

W. A. LOUGHREY, grocer and justice of the peace, Port Blanchard, was born September 13, 1855, in the house where he now resides, and is the eldest son of Will- iam and Mary (Glynn) Loughrey, natives, respectively, of Counties Galway and Mayo, Ireland; the parents arrived in this country in June, 1848, and settled immediately in this county. The subject of our sketch was educated in the common schools, and in 1866 went to work at the mines as a slate-picker; in 1868 he became driver, and in 1871 laborer, working at the latter five years, when in 1876 he was employed as a miner. He continued mining until 1880, when he went to Colorado to the silver mines, where he remained, however, but four months. He then went to Port Grif- fith and took up his old position as a miner, but was seriously hurt by a fall of rock, and on November 26, 1882, he went into the grocery business, at his present stand. Mr. Loughrey has been twice married, his first wife being Bridget, daughter of John and Bridget (McAndrews) Cook, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, to whom he was united on November 26, 1882. She died August 1, 1889, having become the mother of the following children: Mary, born November 20, 1883; William, born April 21, 1885; Eleanor, born November 13, 1886; and Annie, born, July 24, 1888. Our subject married again, on January 28, 1892, Mary, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Boland) Lynn, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. They are members of the Cath- olic Church; our subject is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, in which organization he holds the office of county delegate. In politics he is a Republican, and held the office of school director from 1881 to 1887, during which time he was treasurer of the board four years and secretary one year; in 1886 he was elected justice of the peace for five years, and is now serving his second term, having been, re-elected in 1891. Mr. Loughrey was nominated by his party in 1890 to represent them in the State Legislature, but was defeated by a small majority.

WILLIAM LOVELAND, Kingston, was born in Kingston, Pa., August 5, 1821, the second son of Elijah and Mary (Buckingham) Loveland, whose ancestry in this country were among the Puritans who came to Connecticut about 1630. Our subject received his early education in the old academy on Main street, Kingston, and at Dane's Academy, Wilkes-Barre. He has always been a farmer, and at his

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father's death assumed control of the family homestead in Kingston. As a business man he has ever been active and prominent, and has aided to develop and sustain the most important local interests. For years he has been a member and officer of the Presbyterian Church. He identified himself with the Republican party at its organization, and has been deeply interested in its progress to the present time, although never an active politician. In 1856 Mr. Loveland was married to Miss Lydia Hurlbut, of Arkport, N. Y., granddaughter of Christopher Hurlbut (a native of Connecticut), a surveyor well known in the Wyoming Valley in pioneer days. This union has been blessed with seven children, four of whom are living, viz .: Mary Buckingham, Fanny Vaughn (now Mrs. Robert P. Broadhead), Elizabeth Shepard, and Emily.

JOHN LOVELL, general merchant, No. 96 South Main street, Pittston. This energetic and successful young business man is a Pittstonian bred and born, and a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Powell) Lovell, the former a native of England, the latter of South Wales. The father came to America in 1859, and died at Pittston in 1876; the mother still lives there. The family consisted of nine children, six of whom are living, viz .: George, merchant, Pittston; John; Jennie (Mrs. C. F. Phillips, Pittston); Anna (Mrs. A. G. McMillian, Pittston); Isaac C. and Ida May, Chicago. Our subject was born November 24, 1859, and was educated in the common schools and in Wood's Business College. When a boy he engaged in working in the mines, and continued this occupation until twenty-five years of age. He then engaged in his present business. May 22, 1884, Mr. Lovell married Miss Amelia Barnes, of Pittston, and by her had two children, viz .: Lulu and Raymond. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle; and is a Repub- lican. He is an enterprising citizen, never hesitating to support any deserving enterprise that promises public good.

PATRICK LUDDON, miner, Inkerman, was born in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, November 13, 1859, and is the son of Michael and Mary Luddon, also natives of the same place. He received his education in Ireland, and came to America in the year 1874, settling in Pittston, this county, where he received employment as a laborer in the mines, working for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and since 1890 he has been a miner. Mr. Luddon was united in marriage January 21, 1882, with Annie, daughter of Brian and Margaret (Collins) Luddon, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and their union has been blessed with the following issue: Kate, born December 5, 1883; Patrick, born February 2, 1885; Thomas, born March 6, 1886; Michael, born March 5, 1888; Mary, born February 24, 1890, and Margaret, born June 24, 1892. Our subject is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and the A. O. H., and in politics he is a Democrat.

RUDOLPH LUDWIG, Freeland, is a native of Prussia, born February 5, 1850. When he was about four years of age his parents emigrated to America and located at Hazleton, where they resided two years, afterward removing to Eckley. At the age of ten years Rudolph began picking slate, and also worked in various other capacities around the mines for eight years. He then worked with his father, who was a butcher, and there learned the butchering trade. After working with his father for nine years, he came to Freeland and engaged in the business on his own account. He has also carried on various other businesses in Freeland, and con- ducted a restaurant six years, and it may be truly said of Mr. Ludwig that in every- thing he has undertaken he has succeeded. Few men have more friends than he in the community where he resides. On June 16, 1872, Mr. Ludwig was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Bell, an accomplished young lady of Mauch Chunk, who is of Scotch descent. They have had one child, Earnest, who is employed in the office of the Hazleton Sentinel. Mr. Ludwig is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Malta. He was one of the men who took an active interest in the incorporation of the borough of Freeland, and has been chief burgess of that town one term. In political views he is a Republican. He has been a great base-ball player, and was at one time a well-known figure on the diamond.

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CAPTAIN JOHN H. LUTZ, miner, Plains, was born in Wilkes-Barre September 9, 1842, and is a son of John H. and Mary C. (Swortwood) Lutz, also natives of Penn- sylvania, and of German origin. The father, who was a saddler by trade, reared a family of six children, of whom John H. is the second. Our subject began life boating on the canal, a vocation he followed two years; then engaged in mining at Nanticoke, where he remained six years. When his country was in peril, he was one of the first to practically demonstrate his willingness to die for the old flag. On October 15, 1861, he enlisted, at Wilkes-Barre, in Company A, Fifty-second P. V. I .; was transferred to Company D, Ninth P. V. C., and in 1864 re-enlisted in the same company; he was mustered out July 18, 1865. Capt. Lutz has a military record equaled by few, if any; he was with his regiment continuously, taking an active part in sixty-three engagements, and during the last five months of the war he was detailed to help man some guns which had been captured from Gen. Stoneman, and re-captured by the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and manned by picked men of that regiment. After the war he went west, and was in Indiana, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, and went with a Government train of sixty-four oxen from Fort Leaven- worth to Fort Larma (where they were stopped by the Indians), and returned at the end of six weeks. He then came to Wilkes-Barre, where for three years he was engaged in the lumber business for Mench & Loenstien, after which he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, first as carpenter, then as stationary engineer. At present he is engaged in mining. Mr. Lutz was married, July 5, 1869, to Miss Martha, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth (Slyker) Arnold, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. The fruit of this union has been eight chil- dren, viz. : Margaret F., Susan R., Daisy L. (deceased), John H. (deceased), Harry H., Barton B., Sterling L. and Ethel. Capt. Lutz is a member of A. O. K. of M. C. and the G. A. R., in both of which he has held all the offices, and in politics he is a Republican. He is descended from a family of considerable military record; his grandfather, Daniel Lutz, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his uncle, Samuel Lutz, was in the war of 1812. Our subject's title as "Captain" came to him through being captain of a cavalry company raised in 1882, and cap- tain of a military company in the M. C., known as the "Military Rank, Wyoming Company, No. 88."

WILLIAM J. Lurz, carpenter, Forty Fort, was born December 17, 1860, in Lu- zerne borough, and is a son of Andrew and Susan (Santee) Lutz, natives of Penn- sylvania, and of German origin. Our subject, who is the third in a family of four children, was educated at the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one began work for the Jackson & Wooden Manufacturing Company, of Berwick, Pa., where he remained one year. He then came to Forty Fort, and engaged with J. S. Monks, a contractor of Kingston, with whom he is now employed as carpenter. Mr. Lutz was married May 20, 1882, to Annie, daughter of William and Susan (Wright) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. By this happy union he has two children: Keith W. and Beryl M. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., also of the Forty Fort Band. Politically he is a Prohibitionist.

REV. G. C. LYMAN, pastor of the first M. E. Church of Wyoming borough, was born July 16, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Eunice (Earl) Lyman, natives of Vermont and Connecticut, and of Scotch and English origin, respectively. They reared a family of twelve children, three of whom are now living. Our subject, who is the eleventh in order of birth, was educated in the common schools, the high school at Montrose, Pa., and the Wyoming Seminary. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted in Company E, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry (Captain Ewing), and was with Sherman on his march to the sea; his regiment was the first to whom Johnson offered to surrender. He was discharged July 22, 1865, and returned to his home, where he engaged in farming for four years, teaching school winters. His first charge as minister of the Gospel was at Jenningsville, and he has since preached in the following places: Mehoopany, Clarks Green and Waverly, Carverton, Dallas,

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Nanticoke, Tunkhannock, and in the spring of 1890 he came to Wyoming, where he is now. Mr. Lyman was married, June 9, 1866, to Lydia A., daughter of John W. and Lucy (Sumner) Bunnell, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin, which union was blessed with four sons, viz .: John P., born May 30, 1867 (is con- ductor on the city railway in Philadelphia), George E. and Charles E. (twins) born March 8, 1871 (Charles E. . is shipping clerk for the C. R. R. of N. J., at Scranton; George E. is bookkeeper for Billings & Son, produce merchants, De Ruyter, N. Y.), and I. Olin, born August 2, 1874, at present attending the Wyoming Seminary. Mrs. Lyman and the eldest three boys are members of the M. E. Church; Mr. Ly- man is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and G. A. R., and is a strong Pro- hibitionist in his political predilections.

JOHN A. LYMAN, Hazleton, railroad conductor, Lehigh Valley Division, Reading System. Among the many Lehigh Valley Railroad conductors, none are more widely known and popular than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Columbia county, February 16, 1841, and is a son of James and Lucy (Lowermiller) Lyman, natives of Pennsylvania. At the end of his school life he worked in a brickyard until June 16, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Twenty- eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt. A. Pardee, Jr. Mr. Lyman served in the following battles and skirmishes: Bolivar Heights, Va., Leesburg, Va., Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mt., Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Ga., Pea Vine Creek, Ringgold, Ga., Cedar Mt., Va., Rappahannock, Va., Sulphur Springs, Rodsy Place Ridge, New Hope Church, Dallas, Pine Hill, Culp's Farm, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, Siege of Savannah, and Edisto Island, S. C. Besides these regular engagements, Mr. Lyman participated in about two dozen hot skirmishes. He served until 1864, when the company was mustered out. With the exception of a slight wound received while in the engagement in front of Atlanta, Mr. Lyman passed through the war without receiving an injury, although he participated in some of the fiercest battles that were fought. After re- turning from the war our subject began railroading. filling the positions of brake- man, baggage-master and extra conductor until 1876, when he was promoted to conductor of passenger trains, running between Hazleton and Penn Haven Junction. He has been on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, as conductor, ever since, and truly merits the confidence of the company that he represents, as well as the respect of the traveling public. Mr. Lyman was united in marriage, September 28, 1865, with Miss Mary A., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Atersall)- -, natives of England. Two children have been born to their union, namely: John A. and Elsie E. Mr. Lyman votes the Democratic ticket, and is a member of the following Orders: Railroad Conductors, Jr. O. U. A. M., I. O. R. M., and also of the Fire Department, serving ten years as president of the last named organization. The family attend the Lutheran Church.

ALEXANDER J. LYNCH, justice of the peace, collector and real estate agent, Plymouth, was born October 9, 1853, at Heckscherville, Schuylkill, Co., Pa., and is a son of Richard and Margaret (Lawless) Lynch, the former of whom was born on the Isle of Wight, England, the latter in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Edw. Lynch, the paternal grandfather of our subject, came to this country first as an English soldier in the war of 1812, and served for twenty-one years under the English flag. Honora McDonald, grandmother of our subject, died recently in Schuylkill county, Pa., at the advanced age of one hundred and six years. Alexander J. Lynch, who is the youngest of nine children, was educated at Heckscherville, Pa. He commenced life as a mine laborer, and worked in and about the mines until he arrived at the age of seventeen years, when he began clerking in the general store of James McAlarney, Plymouth, Pa., where he remained from 1871 to 1878. He then engaged with Mckinney & Simmous, remaining with them eighteen months. In 1879 he embarked in the grocery business on his own account, in which he continued till 1887. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace of Plymouth borough on the Citizens' ticket, and was re-elected in May, 1889, which last term will expire in 1894. Mr. Lynch

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 163

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