History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 167

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

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JAMES McHUGH, freight and passenger agent for the Lehigh Valley Division of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad system, at Freeland, is a popular railroad man, born at Buck Mountain, Pa., September 13, 1861, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Gillen) McHugh, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Carbon county. His parents removed to this county when he was two years old, and his father died in Freeland in 1887, at the age of fifty-two years; he was a well-known citizen of this county, where he had many friends. When James was a youth he attended school and worked around the mines, chiefly in the employ of G. B. Markle & Co., at Highland. At the age of twenty he secured a position as agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, at Jeddo, where he remained about one and one-half years, being then transferred to Freeland, where he has since been employed. As a railroad man Mr. McHugh, by his honesty and integrity, has won the confidence of his employers, and by his genial disposition and obliging manners enjoys the esteem of the people with whom he comes in contact. He was married, September 11, 1884, to Miss Mary Brogan, of South Heberton, which union has been blessed with four children, viz .: Maggie, Katie, Edward and Maria. Mr. McHugh is a member of the Ameri- can Legion of Honor; in national politics he is a Democrat.

JAMES J. MCHUGH, proprietor of the Cleveland street restaurant, Hudson, was born in England, February 28, 1863, and is a son of James and Bridget (Sweeney) McHugh, natives of Ireland. The father, who was a miner, reared a family of five children, of whom James J. is the third; the father came to America in 1865, followed soon after by his family. The names of the children are as follows: Mary A., Frank, James J., Thomas and Anthony. After reaching America the family first located at Pittston, where the father worked in the mines for fifteen years, and then removed to Mill Creek, where the parents of our subject died. Mr. McHugh was unfortunate enough when he was twelve years old to lose his left leg by the cars. His

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

education was limited to the common schools, but, at the age of fifteen, he secured a position as breaker-boss, which he held ten years; he built his present place of business and removed there in 1887. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, the A. O. H. and the Board of Erin, and is a Democrat in his political views.

BENJAMIN MCINTOSH, locomotive engineer, at the foot of the Plane, Ashley, was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and is a son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Mackie) McIntosh. Our subject was educated in the public school at Summit Hill. At an early age he began picking slate in the breaker, and later was stationary engineer until 1869, when he came to Ashley, fired seven years, and was then promoted to his present position. He built his present residence on Ashley street in 1884. In 1868 Mr. McIntosh married Miss Susan, daughter of Edward and Julia (Blackman) Jones, and by her had seven children, three of whom died young; Lula died at the age of twenty-two; Alberta, Clara and Etta live with their father. Mrs. McIntosh died in 1888. The subject of our sketch and his family are members of the Presby- terian Church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers. In his political views he is a Republican.

STEWART MCINTOSH, stationary engineer on the Ashley Planes, was born in County Derry, Ireland, May 25, 1843, and is a son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Mackie) McIntosh. In his father's family there were ten children, nine of whom are living, viz .: Rebecca, widow of Thomas McCalla and William Miller; John; Mary, widow of John Boyd; Nathaniel, who died in a hospital during the Civil war; Rachel (Mrs. John Mckeever); Benjamin; Sarah (Mrs. Abraham Moser); Stewart; Martha, who lives with her youngest sister; and Margaret (Mrs. James Minnich). The mother, accompanied by some of the elder children, came to America in 1845, and located at Summit Hill, Pa., where they were joined in 1848 by the rest of the family; thence removed to Chanceford, Pa., where they remained two years, and then to Summit Hill, where the parents died. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and at an early age began working about the mines, which occu- pation he followed till he enlisted at Wilkes-Barre August 22, 1861, in Company H, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers. During the year 1862 he served six months on the recruiting service in Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill counties. He re-enlisted December 23, 1863; was wounded at Reams Station August 25, 1864, which together with a relapse, disabled him till the spring of 1865, during which time he was home on a furlough of thirty days. He was promoted to second lieu- tenant February 7, 1865, and discharged June 29, following. He then returned to Wilkes-Barre, and was foreman at the Pine Ridge Breaker at Miners Mills four years, after which he removed to Ashley, and accepted his present position. Mr. McIntosh was married March 8, 1866, to Miss Anetta, daughter of Daniel and Christiana (Steel) Frederick, of Ashley. This happy union has been blessed with six children, four of whom are living, viz. : Anna R. (Mrs. Frank Dalley); Stewart T., brakeman; Frederick D., employed on the Planes with his father; and Benja- min S. Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.

REV. THOMAS MCKAY, pastor of the Puritan Congregational Church of Plymouth, was born in the city of Durham, England, February 28, 1855, and is a son of Jabez and Jane (Gordon) Mckay, also natives of England. Our subject received his early education in the Blue-coat School, of the city of Durham, and from there entered Dr. Taylor's private school, where he took a very thorough scientific course. He then entered the Theological Seminary at Sunderland, Eng., where he was graduated in the class of '79. After graduating, Mr. Mckay went to Spannymore as pastor of the Baptist Church, where he remained three years, and returning at the end of that time he took two years' vacation. Later he came to the United States, locating at Hazleton, Pa., where for ten months he was connected with the Primitive Meth- odist Church, after which he went to Morris Run, Tioga Co., same State, where he was pastor of the Primitive Church for four years. He then came to Plymouth,

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and had charge of the Primitive Methodist Church until a dissension occurred re- specting the creeds, when he cast his fortunes with what is now known as the Puri- tan Congregational Church, of which he is now pastor. The marriage of Mr. Mc- Kay with Alice, daughter of George and Jane (Cooke) Clough, natives of England, occurred December 24, 1879, and to this union there have been born children, as follows: George, Elmo, Jabez, Raymond V., Thomas; besides these there is an adopted daughter, Cora Ellen Ward. Politically, our subject votes the Republican ticket, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.

CHARLES McKECHNIE, SR., retired minister, and a justice of the peace, Luzerne, P. O. Box No. 36, was born in Scotland, August 1, 1818, a son of Alexander and Agnes (Wear) McKechnie, both of whom were natives of the North of Ireland, but removed to Scotland where they died, much respected by all with whom they came in contact. Their family consisted of five children, two of whom are now living, Charles and Alexander, both ministers in the same church. Charles McKechnie was reared and educated in Scotland, and in September, 1873, emigrated to this country, locating in Kingston, this county, on what is now known as " Scotch Hill." Mr. McKechnie was in active pulpit work up to 1888, when old age compelled him to retire. In his younger days he was a colporteur for eight years for the " Religious Tract and Book Society " of Scotland, in which work he proved himself worthy of his calling. The churches over which he presided are located in Plains, Wilkes-Barre and Pleasant Valley. His life has been one of usefulness in the Master's Kingdom, his great object being the saving of souls. On July 11, 1836, he was married to Miss Susan, daughter of Neil and Mary McMullen, of Scotland, and to this union were born thirteen children, six of whom are yet living: Mary, John, Neil, Susan, Charles and Jane, all married and in good circumstances. After he retired from his active ministerial labors he was chosen a justice of the peace, which office he is yet holding with eminent satisfaction. Mr. McKechnie is a stanch temperance man, working for the abolition of the liquor traffic with both vote and voice. He is a member of the K. of P., and of the Prohibition party in political matters.

GEORGE W. McKEE, physician and surgeon, Plymouth, was born in Orwell, Brad- ford, Co., Pa., and is a son of Asa and Fannie (Chubbuck) McKee, natives of Hart- ford, Conn. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Ebenezer Chubbuck, body-guard to Gen. Washington during the Revolutionary war, and it is related of him, that on one occasion he received a deep wound on the hand in warding off a blow struck at his illustrious leader by British soldiers. He was commonly known as the "Big stout Englishman," although he was American born. His grandfather on his father's side was Robert McKee, who came from Scotland and settled near Hartford, Conn. It was said of him that he furnished a substitute in the Revolu- tionary war, owing to the fact that, in weight, he came above the requirement, weigh- ing 300 pounds. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of six children, and was educated in the public schools of Bradford county. After completing his early education, he went to Elmira and read medicine under the tutorship of his cousin, Dr. H. S. Chubbuck, remaining three years. He then entered the medical depart- ment at the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1856. After com- pleting his medical course, the Doctor located at Camptown, Pa., where he remained, however, but six months, removing from there to Franklin Centre, Luzerne county. Here he practiced two years; then located at Warren Centre, Bradford Co., Pa., where he practiced seven years, coming from there to Plymouth, Pa., where he has been practicing for the last twenty-five years. Dr. McKee was married September 25, 1856, to Miss N. A. Frantz, daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Young)) Frantz, natives of Monroe county, Pa. Mrs. McKee has practiced pharmacy for twenty-six years, and holds a diploma from the State Pharmaceutical Examining Board. There were two children in the Doctor's family. Frank L. is a physician and surgeon at Plymouth, and was born May 20, 1860, in Bradford county, Pa., and received his early education there and at Wyoming Seminary, where he completed his course. He then entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, and there

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studied three years, locating at Plymouth at the end of that period, where he has practiced since. This young Doctor has taken special courses: first, with Frank H. Boswoth, of New York City, three years; then a course with Prof. Mittendol, of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary; and, lastly, at the Deinill Dispensary. The other child of Dr. George W. and Mrs. McKee was born April 26, 1866, at Owego, N. Y., and died at Plymouth, November 30, 1871. The Doctor and his son, Frank L., both vote the Republican ticket.

ADAM STEPHENSON MCKNIGHT, M. D., Freeland. This well-known and successful physician and surgeon, whose services the people of Freeland and vicinity highly appreciate, is a Philadelphian, and was born in the Twenty-first Ward of that city (Managunk) October 23, 1858. He is a son of Robert and Jane (Stephenson) McKnight, both natives of Ireland, the former of Downpatrick, County Down, and the latter of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. The father when very young emigrated from his native country to Scotland, and in 1853, came from that country to America, locating in Philadelphia, where he has since resided and been chiefly engaged in paper-making. The Doctor's mother came to this country, alone in 1851, at the age of twenty-one, her parents having both died in Ireland. She was married to Robert Mcknight, at Philadelphia, in 1854, and there were born unto them nine children, three of whom are living. Our subject attended the public schools of Philadelphia until he reached the age of eleven, when he engaged in mills and factories in various capacities, still keeping up his studies at night school, and by the time he was seventeen he was bookkeeper for a Philadelphia manufacturing firm. Six months later he left the manufactories, and was apprenticed to learn a trade and business. At the age of eighteen he matriculated at the Artisans Night School of Phila- delphia. Shortly after he began a private course of Latin and Greek under the tutorship of the Rev. W. W. Cook, and about the same time he passed the preliminary examina- tion was admitted as a student at law in Philadelphia county, and registered as such in the office of Senator Horatio G. Jones. In 1879 he relinquished the study of law, and entered the more philanthropic profession of medicine. He began his studies under the preceptorship of Dr. J. H. McManagle, and in 1880 entered Jefferson Medical College, and completed the first course. In March, 1881, he engaged in the mercantile business and from that time until 1885, he took a special course of medicine under Dr. J. H. McManagle, besides attending the clinics of the Pennsylvania Hospital, the Jefferson Hospital, and the Philadelphia Hospital. Mercantile life, although profitable, was not very agreable, so, in 1886, he abandoned it and re-entered Jefferson Medical College, where he was graduated April 4, in the class of 1888. In the following September he engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, in the city of Philadelphia, where he remained a short time. He then removed to Bradford, Mckean Co., Pa., where he was associated in practice with an eminent physician of that place. Later he removed to Smithville Flats, Chenango Co., N. Y., in which place he remained until early in 1890, when he returned to Philadelphia. He served as assistant to Dr. Henry Morris, who had special charge of the depart- ment of Diseases of Women in the Howard Hospital. The Doctor also was assistant in the Throat Department of the Jefferson College Hospital. In 1891 he was appointed assistant in the Out-Patient Medical Department of the Jefferson College Hospital. While in Philadelphia he was medical examiner for various insurance companies and beneficial orders. On March 11, 1892, he came to the anthracite coal regions, as successor to Dr. W. B. Nichols, and assistant to Dr. George S. Wentz, one of Luzerne county's most eminent physicians. Dr. McKnight was united in marriage March 1, 1881, with Miss Sarah L., daughter of Richard Patton, Esq., master mechanic of the large plant of A. Campbell & Co., Philadelphia, and this happy union has been blessed with four children, viz .: Robert B., William A. P., Thomas S. and Richard P. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an ardent worker in the cause of Christianity. He has held many offices of responsibility and influence in the church, and in various organizations. In every- thing that is in furtherance of the influence of Christianity, the Doctor is always

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ready and willing to lend a helping hand. He is a stanch Republican, and has held many political offices of trust and honor. He is at present secretary of the Freeland Board of Health. Lately he was honored by the appointment of deputy medica. inspector to the State Board of Health of Pennsylvania, with jurisdiction over the townships of Foster, Hazle, Butler and Denison in Luzerne county.

PATRICK MOLAIN, of the firm of Roach & McLain, operators of the "Bottle & Cork" Colliery, Pittston. The subject of this sketch was born in Lackawanna county, March 15, 1861, a son of Owen and Cecelia (Howley) McLain, natives o: Ireland. His father was killed in the mines at Schuylkill county, in 1863, by a fall of coal, and his mother died in 1888. The family consisted of four children, two o: whom are living: Alice (Mrs. Martin Haley, of Pittston) and Patrick. Mr. McLair began life as a slate-picker and at the age of nineteen became a miner. He has spent his life thus far in and about the mines, and has worked in every capacity from a slate-picker to a coal operator. He has worked at the "Bottle & Cork" Colliery since its opening in 1880, and in July, 1892, the present partnership was formed, he assuming control at once. In 1881 Mr. McLain married Miss May Kelly, of Pittston, and of this union have been born five children, viz. : Katie (deceased), Owen, Katie (II), Thomas and Michael. In politics, Mr. McLain is & stanch Democrat.

JAMES MCLAUGHLIN, Pittston. This gentleman, who is one of Pittston's leading citizens, was born at Port Griffith, July 18, 1854, a son of Thomas and Mary (Ken. nedy) Mclaughlin, of Ireland. The father was killed in the mines by a fall of coa at Old No. 1 Slope, Port Griffith; the mother died in 1887. In the family there were three children: James and two daughters. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Luzerne county, and began working around the mines at the age of nine. He followed mining until 1885, when he came to Pittston and engaged in the hotel business. April 1, 1878, Mr. Mclaughlin was married to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Michael Murley, who was one of the early settlers of Jenkin: township, and by her had six children, viz .: Mary, Thomas, Michael, Theresa James and Agnes. Our subject is well known and very popular in the Democratic political circles of Luzerne county. He has been tax collector of Jenkins township a member of the school board three terms; a member of the Fifth Legislative Dis trict Committee twelve years; a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, and his name has been seriously considered on several occasions in connection with some of the highest political trusts of his county. He has been a member of the A O. H. seventeen years, and is a member of the Emerald Association.

WILLIAM SWAN MCLEAN, attorney at law, Wilkes-Barre, was born at Summi Hill, Carbon Co., Pa., May 27, 1842, a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Swan McLean. His father was a native of County Derry, Ireland, a son of Jame McLean, who was a son of Gilbert McLean, a native of the Isle of Skye, wh located in Ireland about the middle of the last century. His mother was also : native of County Derry, Ireland. The maternal grandfather of subject was James Swan, of Londonderry, Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1817, and liver and died at Mauch Chunk, Pa. Alexander McLean, father of subject, was bor] in 1800, came to America in 1819, settling in what is now Carbon county Pa., where he had large interests in coal mines as a stockholder. Our subject wa educated at the Wilkes-Barre Academy and LaFayette College, Easton, Pa., wher he was graduated in 1865, taking the valedictory addresses; he also delivered th master's oration at LaFayette College in 1868. He read law with G. Byron Nichol son, of Wilkes-Barre, and was admitted to the Luzerne county bar August 19, 1867 From 1866 to 1869 he was a member of the board of school directors of th township of Wilkes-Barre, and was also secretary of the board for the sam period. He has been city attorney of Wilkes-Barre since 1875. He is a prominen Democrat, and in 1879 was the candidate of his party for judge of Luzerne county but owing to the formation of the Greenback Labor Party he was defeated. I 1883 he was chairman of the committee on resolutions in the Democratic Stat 65

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Convention of that year. For many years he was a director of the First National Bank of Wilkes-Barre, and Wilkes-Barre Deposit Bank, and is now president of the former. Mr. McLean married, November 23, 1871, Annie S., daughter of George H. Roberts, of Philadelphia, and they have four children living: George R., Will- jam S., Margaret S. and Percy Craige.

H. F. McMANUS, blacksmith, Plains, was born in Scranton, Pa., March 17, 1856, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (O'Donnell) McManus, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. In his father's family there were three children, of whom he is the eldest; the family came to America in 1854, and located at Scranton. The subject of this memoir began life working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for four years; he then worked in the mines for a short time, and has since made black- smithing his chief occupation. Mr. McManus was married, September 27, 1879, to Miss Celia, daughter of Thomas and Annie (Flynn) Brannand, natives of County Sligo, Ireland, and the fruits of this union have been three children, viz. : Thomas, Bridget (deceased) and Catharine. Mr. McManus and family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN MCMENAMIN, outside mine foreman at Highland Colliery No. 2, P. O. Jeddo, was born in Wilkes-Barre, October 22, 1864, and is a son of Hugh and Anna (O'Donnell) McMenamin, natives of Ireland. When John was about two years old his parents removed to South Heberton, where they now reside. He was educated at South Heberton until the age of thirteen, and at the same time attended night school. He had worked in nearly every capacity around and in the mines up to the age of sixteen, when he was appointed screen-boss at No. 1. Highland Breaker. He was there about five years, when he was appointed outside foreman of the coll- iery, where he has since been employed, and has filled the responsible position to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. He has constantly under his charge from seventy-five to eighty men. Mr. McMenamin was married May 7, 1889, to Miss Mary Ann Magill, of Highland, and they have two children: Mary Isabell and Peter John. Mr. McMenamin is a member of the American Legion of Honor. He has always worked for G. B. Markle & Co., and is regarded as one of their best foremen.

GEORGE D. McMORRIS, member of the Kellmer Piano & Organ Manufacturing Company, Hazleton. This intelligent and ingenious young gentleman was born at Toronto, Canada, September 10, 1866, and is a son of Daniel and Arabella (Sander- son) McMorris, the former a Scotch-Highlander, and the latter of Canadian extrac- tion. He was educated at Upper Canada College, Toronto, and after completing his college course learned the trade of piano making, which he followed in his native city until 1889, with the exception of two years spent in the city of New York, where he took advanced lessons in the art of constructing and tuning pianos. In 1887 Mr. McMorris was appointed superintendent of W. Doherty & Co.'s piano works, at Toronto, Ontario; this factory is one of the largest in Canada, and only men who have attained the highest degree of proficiency are capable of managing so large a concern. In 1890 he came to Hazleton, and became a member of the Kellmer Piano Company, where he has since been engaged. The works of this widely-known and enterprising firm are located at a very desirable point, near the Lehigh Valley depot, thus having easy shipping facilities, a very desirable item to any concern carrying on so extensive a business. These pianos are shipped to all parts of the world, and are noted for their sweetness of tone, artistic finish, and substantial construction. The company have two branch houses, one at Freeland and the other at Reading.

ALFRED McMURTRIE, farmer, P. O. Conyngham, was born in Conyngham village, Luzerne Co., Pa., August 22, 1820, and is a son of John and Matilda (Horn) McMurtrie. His paternal grandparents were Joseph and Mary (Aten) McMurtrie, who settled in Sugar Loaf township in 1808. He is a great-grandson of John McMurtrie, and a great-great-grandson of Joseph McMurtrie, a native of Scotland, and a pioneer of Sussex county, N. J. The children of the latter were John, Joseph, Abraham, James, Agnes, Marie and Sarah. Of these, John, the great-grandfather of our subject, had children as follows: Joseph, John, Abram, Sarah, Margaret,

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Elizabeth and Nancy. Joseph, the grandfather of our subject, with his wife Mary Aten, settled in Sugar Loaf township in 1808, and cleared and improved the farm now occupied by Alfred and Joseph McMurtrie, where they lived and died. Their children were John, Peggy Ann (Mrs. William Wintersteen), Richard, Catherine (Mrs. Abram Smith), Henry, Sarah A. (Mrs. Henry Bowman), Mary A. (Mrs. Robert Swayze) and Joseph. John McMurtrie, the father of Alfred, was born in Sussex county, N. J., February 25, 1795; he came to Sugar Loaf township with his parents in 1808. For twenty-four years he was engaged as contractor at Mauch Chunk for the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. In 1848 John returned to Sugar Loaf township, and died on the farm now occupied by his son Alfred. His wife was a daughter of Casper and Mary (Roth) Welkenhom, natives of Germany, and pioneers of what is now West Hazleton, this county; their children were Alfred, Josiah, Elijah, Amanda (Mrs. H. C. Hartung), Mary (Mrs. Luther Hartung) and Matilda. Our subject was reared in Mauch Chunk from the age of four years. Since 1848 he has been a resident of Sugar Loaf township, occupying a part of the homestead originally settled by his grandfather, Joseph McMurtrie, where he has been engaged in farming. He married, October 21, 1852, Sarah, daughter of Simon and Lavina (Kutzler) Aten, of Upper Mount Bethel, Pa., and they have had four children: Sue (Mrs. Frank Horn), Mary A., Ella (Mrs. W. F. Snyder) and Asa P. (deceased). Mr. McMurtrie is one of the prominent farmers of Sugar Loaf township; he is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has held sev- eral township offices.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 167

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