History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 173

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections > Part 173

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

EDWARD MEREDITH, stationary engineer, Larksville. This gentleman, who has charge of a gigantic pair of hoisting engines for the Kingston Coal Company at No. 3 Shaft, was born at Dowlais, Glamorganshire, South Wales, January 23, 1845, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Cromwell) Meredith, also natives of Wales. The father being a machinist, as a natural consequence Edward, who is the eldest son, followed that occupation. At the age of fourteen he began his apprenticeship in the Cambrian Railroad Shops (one of the largest systems in England) in Shropshire, England, and five years later entered the employ of the same firm as a journeyman. He continued with them, working throughout various parts of England, until 1880, when he came to America and located at Scranton, Pa., where he entered the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, working at his trade about one year. He was then engaged in locomotive engineering for a short time, when he took up his present vocation, and has since given entire satisfaction, being noted for his caution and ability in handling the stupendous machinery that is guided by his manipulation of the levers. Mr. Meredith was married, February 1, 1861, to Miss Margaret Roberts, a native of Wales, and they have four children, viz. : Thomas, a carpenter in Larksville; Margaret Jane, a dressmaker in Larksville; Edward, a student, and Mary. Mr. Meredith is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. R. M., Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Knights of Malta, the Chieftain's League of Pennsylvania, and the Sovereign Patriotic Knights of America; in politics he is a Republican.

HAYDEN MERITHEW, manager of Pittston Box Company, Pittston. This energetic young business man was born in Wayne county, Pa., March 18, 1867, and is the only child of Myron and Christine (Swingle) Merithew, natives of Pennyslvania. He was reared and educated in Wayne county, and followed the occupation of a miller, working with his father, who had been a miller the greater part of his life. He continued in the mill until he reached manhood, and then embarked in the mer- cantile business at Simon, Pa., where he was also postmaster. Two years later he removed to Wilkes- Barre, engaging in the hardware business, and continuing there until 1892, when he came to Pittston as manager of the Pittston Box Company. August 10, 1887, Mr. Merithew married Miss Jennie, daughter of Irvin and Orilla (Swingle) Benjamin, natives of Wayne county, Pa., and this union has been blessed

1175

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

with the birth of one child, Lyle L. In political matters, Mr. Merithew is a Republican, and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM MERREL, farmer, P. O. Carverton, was born in Greenwich township, Warren Co., N. J., October 20, 1825, a son of John and Ann (Lutz) Merrel, both of whom were born in Warren county, N. J. John was a true patriot (serving two terms in the war of 1812, and receiving two honorable discharges), a loyal citizen in time of peace, and an affectionate father in the home. His wife's name was Van- Horn, and William Merrel is one of the claimants of the great Van Horn estate. John Merrel had eight children, who grew to maturity, five of whom are now living, William being the sixth. . In early life he learned the boat-builder's trade, at which he worked about five years. In 1844 he removed to Wilkes-Barre, where he resided about twenty-five years, working at various vocations, and accumulated considerable property, so that he and his wife are comfortably off, and his children are well edu- cated and provided for. In 1847 he was married to Miss Augusta L., daughter of William W. and Mahaley Gitt. Stephen Evans, her grandfather, served in the war of 1812, and was in the same regiment as James Bird. By the union of William Merrel and Augusta L. Gitt, nine children were born, five of whom are now living:

Albert E., Emma F. C., Bertha L., Josephine C. and Benjamin F., all living in Wilkes-Barre. Of these, Albert married Miss Jemima Frantz; Emma married G. L. C. Frantz, of Wilkes-Barre; Josephine C. is fitting herself for a professional nurse. In 1872 Mr. Merrel removed from Wilkes-Barre to Franklin township, where he bought a farm of 125 acres of good land of S. W. Frantz, on which he has lived ever since, and on which he has made many necessary improvements. He is a. practical farmer, and he shows a master mind in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Merrel is not only a man, but a gentleman, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Augusta L. Merrel was born in Plymouth, March 3, 1831, and on her mother's side is a descendant of William Cooper, one of the old settlers in that town, who owned a large tract of coal land before coal was discovered in the Valley. His daughter, Mira, was the first teacher who taught school in Wilkes-Barre.

HENRY MERRITT, postmaster and merchant, Plains, was born in England, December 15, 1845, and is a son of Henry W. and Mary A. (Truscott) Merritt, who were the parents of four sons, of whom Henry is the third. His father made three trips to America, and finally died in San Francisco. Henry, our subject, went to Australia from England in 1865, the voyage occupying 105 days; remained there three years, and then crossed the Pacific Ocean to California, calling on the way at Tahiti, where they remained three weeks; thence sailed for Honolulu, arriving there in twenty-two days, and remained three days; thence sailed for San Francisco, the entire voyage from Sydney, N. S. W., taking 101 days. In California he remained three years, and then came to Parsons, this county, where he worked in the mines for fifteen years, during a portion of which time he also carried on a mercantile business, but of late years he has devoted his entire attention to the latter. In 1889 he was appointed postmaster at Plains. Mr. Merritt was married May 8, 1871, to Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Mary A. (Torr) Rodda, natives of England, and they have had seven children, viz .: Mary A., born February 6, 1872, assistant postmaster, Plains; Henry W., born July 19, 1873, assistant bookkeeper for Stoddard & Co., of Wilkes-Barre; Elizabeth, boru February 17, 1877; Edith, born September 20, 1879; Frank G., born August 16, 1881; William, born August 15, 1883, and Florence, born January 3, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Merritt and family are members of the Primitive Methodist Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encamp- ment, the sons of St. George, and in his political views is a Republican.

JOHN W. MERRITT, electrician, Pittston. This gentleman may well bear a scien- tific title, for he comes from a family of inventors. He was born in Pittston, Decem- ber 21, 1859, and is a son of John and Margaret (Stephens) Merritt, natives of Eng- land. John Merritt had charge of the machinery of the Pennsylvania Coal Com- pany until 1870, and from that time was superintendent of the Pittston Gas Com-

1176

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

pany, in which capacity he served until his death, which occurred March 1, 1882. His wife, Margaret Stephens, was a daughter of William Stephens, a well-known mechanical engineer, who was for many years identified with various machine shops in Pittston and vicinity. He died in 1890. Our subject is the second in a family of four children, the others being Adrian, an engineer in Pittston; Mary E., and Margaret J. John W. Merritt was educated in the common schools of Luzerne county and in Wyoming Seminary. In 1879 he went to learn pattern-making, and after completing his apprenticeship, accepted a position as clerk in the Pittston postoffice, where he served two years, and then worked for the Pittston Gas Company for about the same length of time. After this he again attended school for a time, making a specialty of electricity, and in 1885 entered the employ of the Scranton Illuminating Company, as electrical engineer, and in 1890 resigned this position, and accepted his present one. Mr. Merritt was married October 14, 1891, to Miss Myrtle S., daughter of George Warner, of West Pittston.

JOHN W. METCALF, a prominent farmer of Huntington township, P. O. Irish Lane, was born in Illinois August 14, 1841, a son of Rev. Richard R., and Mary (Moister) Metcalf, natives of England, the former of whom came to Luzerne county in 1824; he now resides in Askam, Hanover township, at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Metcalf, who is the third in a family of four children, was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when twenty-one years of age began life for himself. It was in 1874 that he purchased his present property. He enlisted in September 1864, in Company F, Two Hundred and Third P. V., was wounded at Fort Fisher, and discharged from the service in June, 1865. Mr. Metcalf was married April 22, 1866, to Miss Christina, daughter of Reuben Keysar, and by her he has six children, viz. : William R., Harry R., Elmer Dana, Milbery B., Clark L., and Charles M. The mother of these departed this life February 21, 1879, and August 14, 1879, Mr. Metcalf married Miss Mary Selena Snowden, daughter of Rev. E. H. Snowden. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and Presbyterian Church, respectively. The Metcalf farm, consisting of one hundred and fifteen acres, is situated two miles east of Harveyville postoffice, and is worked.by a tenant. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf reside in Forty Fort.

JAMES L. METZ, proprietor of the " Columbia House," Ashley, was born in Nes- copeck township, this county, May 2, 1849, a son of William and Charlotte (Swank) Metz, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. The father, who was a boat- man and later a United States detective, reared a family of five children (three of whom were by his second wife) viz. : Miner, killed in the Red Ash Mine in Novem- ber, 1889, at the age of fifty-two years; James L .; Capitola, a milliner in Pittston; Luella (Mrs. Stewart Hartman, Pittston); and Franklin B., stationary engineer, Scranton. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Nescopeck, and boated on the canal for ten years, after which he played the part of comedian in Concross and Dixie's minstrel show, at Philadelphia for two years; for one year he was in the Commonwealth Circus. Later he acted as brakeman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, three years, and was engaged at the Hartford Breaker, eight years. In 1885 he commenced the hotel business in the "Hartford House," Ashley, and removed to his present place in 1890. July 4, 1869, Mr. Metz married Miss Hannah Rebecca, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Close) Kugle, of American birth and German extraction, and of this union were born nine children, six of whom are living, viz. : Charlotte (Mrs. Jeremiah W. Huff); William F. ; George W .; Mary J .; John L .; and Robert C. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F .; and is a Republican.

RAYMOND E. MEYER, Freeland, is one of the hustling, energetic young men of Luzerne county. He was born in Hazleton, July 9, 1871, and is a son of W. C. and Mary (Boyd) Meyer, also of Hazleton. In his father's family there are four chil- dren, viz .: Raymond E., Carrie, Olive and Mame. The subject of this sketch was educated in the Hazleton high school, where he graduated in the class of 1890. Before completing his education he had served an apprenticeship at watch-making

1177

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

with J. E. Giles, of Hazleton, and also with William Glover, Jr., of the same place. Since his childhood Mr. Meyer has been a close student of the most complicated sciences. When he was but eight years of age the phenomena of electricity at- tracted his attention, and since that time he has been an ardent worker in this broad field of scientific development. Through his experiments and investigations he has brought to light many marvelous features of the utility of this power. His investi- gations have not been confined to electricity alone, but he has developed new ideas in the use of steam, and has also constructed telescopes and models to prove the suc- cess of many inventions in various scientific branches. . In 1891 he purchased the jewelry business of W. J. Gentz, of Freeland, where he has since enjoyed an appre- ciative patronage of the people in that vicinity. His stock of jewelry is among the best in this part of the country, and his policy of dealing is fairness to all. Besides a full line of jewelry he carries a supply of musical instruments and photographic outfits.

R. H. MEYER, druggist, Nanticoke. One of the leading gentlemen in busi- ness, and in society of Nanticoke, is the subject of this memoir. He was born in Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Pa., October 31, 1855, and is a son of Charles and Sarah (Boston) Meyer, the former a native of Osnabruck, Germany, the latter of London, England. Mr. Meyer's father came to America in 1848; he was an exceedingly well educated gentleman, speaking and writing seven different languages; after settling in this country he followed bookkeeping for an occupation. Robert H., was educated in the Hazleton high school and the Philadelphia College of Phar- macy, where he was graduated in 1874. He then engaged as clerk in a drug-store at Hazleton, where he remained until 1878, when he came to Nanticoke and began business for his own account; he has succeeded in building up a large and respect- able trade. Mr. Meyer was united in marriage November 19, 1880, with Miss Iola Bird, of Hazleton, and they have one child Hubert. Mr. Meyer is a Republican, and has served on the Nanticoke school board two years.

MRS. HARRIET B. (GOODWIN) MEYERS, Pittstou, was born in Exeter, May 6, 1837, and she is a daughter of David and Rachel (Jenkins) Goodwin. She is consequently descended from one of the first pioneers of the "Valley." Rachel Jenkins was a daughter of Col. John Jenkins, a very prominent man in the Wyoming Valley. He was a son of John Jenkins, Esq., who was a loyal patriot to the struggling colonies during their efforts to free themselves from English oppression. For this cause he was expelled from Westmoreland, and he settled in Orange county, N. Y. His son John was as patriotic as his father, and was willing to lay his life on the altar of his country as a sacrifice in behalf of independence. In November, 1777, while on a scouting expedition he, with his companions, was captured by a band of Indians and taken within the British lines, this taking place near Wyalusing. During his captivity among the Redmen he became the object of a young Indian's friendship through whose intercession and watchfulness he was released, and he was finally allowed to return to his home and loved ones. After the Massacre he joined Capt. Spaulding's company as lieutenant, with whom he did valiant service, proving him- self a courageous soldier. When Gen. Sullivan invaded the Indian country Lieut. Jenkins was appointed guide because of his zeal and courage. After peace and tranquility were restored, he went back to a life of citizenship of which his country might be proud. He followed the occupation of surveyor several years; he took an active part, and was a leading spirit in civil and military matters, and held several offices in each department. In the county he was commissioner, member of Assem- bly and colonel of a regiment of militia. Politically he was a Democrat. He pur- chased the ground on which Fort Wintermoot stood, and on which he built his house, which house and land have fallen to his granddaughter, Mrs. Harriet B. Meyers. Col. Jenkins married Miss Bertha Harris, by whom he had six children. He died April, 1827, at the age of seventy-three years. His daughter Rachel mar- ried David Goodwin, by whom she had four children, two of whom came to maturity. Harriet B. is the only surviving heir. She was reared and educated in the Valley

1178

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

where she has always resided. On September 25, 1857, she was married to Jona- than E. Meyers, by whom she had seven children: Clarence E., Ida A., Mary G., Nellie A., Harry C., Jonathan E. and Willie. Of these, Nellie A. married Fred Weinerth, a carpenter of Carbondale, and died May 3, 1892, leaving a baby boy nine days old that survived her six months, dying October 30, following. Jonathan E. Meyers was born in Sussex county, N. J., July 7, 1835, and is the son of Jacob and Susan Meyers, being the sixth in a family of twelve. He was reared and educated in Luzerne county, and in early life learned the carpenter's trade which he always followed. He is a hard-working and honest man. His wife is a consistent member of the Baptist Church.

THOMAS J. MIERS, retired, Kunkle, was born in Chemung county, N. Y., Septem- ber 20, 1830, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Wilcox) Miers, both of whom were also born in New York State. They came to this county in 1834, locating in Dal- las township, on the place where William Goss now resides, and here they remained until they died. Jacob was a hard-working man and a worthy citizen. His farm contains seventy-five acres, which was well looked after by its owner. He was post- master for several years, and after his decease his wife succeeded him, with much credit. He died at the age of forty-three, in the year 1838. His family consisted of seven children, all of whom came to maturity. Thomas J. is the fourth in the family, and was reared and educated in Dallas township, at the common schools. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has worked for over forty years. On November 27, 1853, our subject married Miss Hannah J. Ferguson, who was born in Orange county; N. Y., July 7, 1834, a daughter of Isaac and Eliza Ferguson, by whom he has had seven children: Frederick; George, married to Miss Lydia Wilson; Elizabeth, married to A. A. Shultz; Ida, married to M. W. Herdman; Miles C., and two deceased.

In 1863 Mr. Miers went to New Jersey, and there became a member of the Fourth New Jersey Light Artillery, to serve for the term of three years. He served to the close of the war, and participated in several well-contested battles. At the battle of Deep Bottom he was wounded in both hands by the explosion of a shell. He was honorably discharged, and now draws a pension. Mr. Miers is a member of the G. A. R. He has lived in Kunkle for thirty years, and in his present residence for sixteen years. Politically he is a Democrat, and has held several township offices, having served as supervisor, poor master and assessor, with much credit.

SAMUEL F. MIFFLIN, farmer, P. O. Beach Haven, was born in Nescopeck town- ship, this county, April 18, 1844, and is a son of Francis and Hannah (Croll) Mifflin. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Mifflin (whose wife was Elizabeth Davis), died in Harrisburg, Pa., in 1829. He was president of the Union Canal Company, and in his day was a prominent and wealthy citizen of Pennsylvania. The parents of sub- ject were natives of Philadelphia, the father being born February 20, 1807. He settled in Nescopeck township about 1836, and in 1855 removed to Salem, where he died in 1872. His wife was a daughter of Adam and Sarah (Pettit) Croll, and by her he had five children: Charles H., Jane (Mrs. Adam Smith), Samuel F., Sarah E. (Mrs. J. A. Fenstermacher), and John T. Our subject was reared in his native county, and has resided in Salem township since 1855. His wife was Maria D., daughter of Michael and Susan (Fenstermacher) Hess, of Salem township, and has one son, Archie N. During the Civil war Mr. Mifflin was employed six months by the U. S. Government on a boating expedition, was shipwrecked, lost boat and cargo, and narrowly escaped with his life. In politics he is a Democrat.

EVAN M. MILES, clerk in Batterton's store, Laflin, was born in Llanharan, Glamorganshire, South Wales, July 14, 1853, and is a son of John and Mary (Morgans) Miles. His father, who was a carpenter, and, later, hotel-keeper, reared a family of four children, viz. : John, who died in Wales at the age of twenty-eight years; Ann, married to Thomas Davies, a nephew of ex-Lieutenant-Governor Davies, of Pennsylvania (he lives at Hafod, where he has one of the finest hotels in South Wales); Evan M., who is the subject of this memoir; and Thomas, a plasterer by trade, who has been in America since 1886, and resides with his brother. Our sub-

1179

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ject, who was educated in the Eagle School, at Cowbridge, South Wales (as was also his brother Thomas), came to America in 1879, and has been engaged in clerking successively at the following places: Sharon, Ohio, six months; Akron, Ohio, six months; Nanticoke, Pa., one year; Scranton, five years; Plymouth, four years, and in 1889 removed to Laflin. Mr. Miles was married, May 30, 1885, to Miss Mary, daughter of David J. and Rachel (Roberts) Williams, natives of Aberdare, South Wales, now residents of Dallas, Pa., and they have four children, viz .: John, David, Walter and Thomas. He is a member of the K. of P. and the Philan- thropics. He is a Republican in his political views, and is at present secretary of the borough council.

JOHN MILES, engineer at Parrish Slope, Plymouth, was born August 12, 1861, and is the eighth in a family of twelve children born to Edward and Gwynnie (Lewis) Miles, natives of Wales. The family came to America in 1872, locating at Plymouth, Pa., where the children were reared and educated. After leaving school John began working about the mines, as an inside hand at the Parrish Slope, until 1885, when he became a miner, following that occupation, however, but seven months, when he accepted the position of fan engineer, in which he continued for seven months, taking charge, at the end of that time, of the large pair of slope engines, which he has since run. Mr. Miles was united in marriage, January 21, 1884, with Miss Gwynnie, daughter of John H. and Gwynnie (Williams) Williams, natives of Wales, and now residents of Saint. Clair, Pa. Two children have been born to this union: Richard, born April 26, 1886, and Jeanette, born September 17, 1890. Mr. Miles is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Star Lodge No. 178; he is independent in political matters, and the family attend the English Baptist Church.

WILLIAM H. MILES, of the firm of Kern & Miles, merchant tailors, Wilkes-Barre, was born in that' city February 15, 1865, a son of William and Emeline (Gruver) Miles. His father was a native of Columbia county, Pa., and in early manhood located in Wilkes-Barre, where for upward of thirty years he has held the position of foreman in a brickyard. His wife was a daughter of Michael Gruver, a native of Northampton county, Pa., who settled in Newport, this county, in 1812. His parents have five children: George E., Hattie (Mrs. Harry Speece), William H., Charles, and Daisy E. Our subject was reared in Wilkes Barre, educated in the common schools, served an apprenticeship of three years at the wire-drawer's trade, which he followed eight years as a journeyman. In July, 1891, he embarked in the merchant tailoring business as a member of the firm of Kern & Miles, one of the leading and most popular firms of the city.

ARCHIBALD MILLER, dental surgeon. Pittston, was born in that town April 15, 1866, and is a son of Jacob M. and Caroline (Sultz) Miller. His father was born in Germany, where he was educated, and served several years in the Imperial army, at the age of twenty-one coming to the United States and to Pittston, where he has since been engaged in mining. The mother was a native of Tunkhannock, Pa .; the parents are both living and reside in Pittston. They had a family of eight children, viz. : George, a potter, residing in Elmira, N. Y .; Edward, a telegraph operator at the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Junction, Pittston, Pa .; Peter, a coal dealer, of Bloomsburg, Pa .; Archibald; Joseph, a telegraph operator at the same station as his brother Edward; Barbara, Carrie and Jacob, the three last named being students in the public schools of Pittston. Our subject was born and reared in Pittston, and attended the public schools of that city until his fourteenth year; he worked in the coal mines for two years, and then secured a position as telegraph operator for the L. V. R. R., serving in that capacity until the fall of 1889, when he entered the Dental Department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadel- phia, from which he graduated in the spring of 1891. On September 7, 1891, he opened his office in his native city, and having a host of friends soon secured a large practice, which the excellence of his work is constantly increasing. He wor- ships at the First Presbyterian Church of Pittston. Mr. Miller has numerous

1180

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

friends in Pittston, some of whom have known him from childhood; his pros- . pects are bright, and a brilliant, successful career is assured him.

BENJAMIN L. MILLER, assistant postmaster, and merchant, Dorranceton, was born in Dorrance township, January 11, 1861, a son of Jonas P. and Mary (Davis) Miller, the former being a native of Germany, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller was educated in his native county, and has, since finishing hie course, been largely engaged in the manufacture of cider and vinegar at what is known as the Koseck Mills. This mill was formerly known as S. B. Vaughn's Cider and Vinegar Mills, and was also operated by Benjamin L. Miller. Mr. Miller has the largest store in Dorranceton, and is doing a thriving business, carrying a stock of general merchan- dise. The Dorranceton postoffice, which thie gentleman has charge of, is located in the store, making it an official as well as a trading point. Mr. Miller wae married December 26, 1882, to Miss Mary, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Miller) Welsh, natives of Pennsylvania. One child, a son, was born to this union, October 12, 1883. The subject of this sketch has always been a stanch Republican, and he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Patriotic Order Sons of America.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 173

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