History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 176

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 176

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).

SAMUEL MOORE, farmer, P. O. Prichard, was born in Union township, this county, March 26, 1820, son of Walter and Mary (Hobbs) Moore, the former born in Long Island in 1798, the latter in Northampton county, Pa., in 1796. Walter was a son of William Moore, who was a native of Ireland, and his wife was a native of Scot- land. William emigrated to this country early in the eighteenth century, and during the Revolutionary struggle did good service in the American army. He was a man of education, and taught school for a number of years. He owned 200 acres of land in Union township, where he died in 1822, an old and highly-respected man. 68

1192

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

He reared a family of nine children, all of whom are now dead. Walter Moore, father of the subject of this memoir, began his business career in Union township. having removed hither early in the history of Luzerne county, and was an honest and industrious pioneer of his day. His farm consisted of eighty acres of land, which he worked to perfection, for his knowledge of farming was extensive. He held several township offices, and died in 1854 at the age of fifty-eight years. He married Mary Hobbs, and to them were born fifteen children, fourteen of whom grew to maturity, and nine of whom are now living. Samuel, the eldest in the family, was educated at the common schools of his native township. In his early life he learned the stone mason's trade, at which he worked for a number of years. On November 9, 1843, he married Miss Rachel, daughter of William and Susanna Church, and to them were born nine children, seven of whom are living, viz. : Alexander, Susanna, Avery, Elizabeth, Julia A., Jacob F. and Walter, all now mar- ried. Mrs. Moore was born in Union township, June 26, 1829. Mr. Moore removed to his present farm near "Rock School House," in 1854. He has always been a resident of the county. His farm lies in the track of that fearful cyclone which visited Wilkes-Barre in 1890, destroying for him much valuable timber. Mr. Moore is a practical man, a good citizen and a lover of liberty and independence. Politically he is Republican.

THOMAS J. MOORE, proprietor of "Moore's Restaurant," Freeland, was born at Coaldale, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and is a son of Patrick and Hannah (Morter) Moore. When Thomas was a youth his parents removed to this county and located at High- land, where he attended school until he reached the age of eighteen, working in summer around the mines. He then entered the employ of H. C. Koons as clerk, where he remained four years, and in 1890 embarked in his present business. In 1889 Mr. Moore was married to Miss Kate McHale, and they have two children, viz. : Hannah and Rose. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and has been tax col- lector of Freeland borough one term.

WILLIAM S. MOORE, farmer, P. O. Slocum, was born in North Moreland town- ship, Wyoming Co., Pa., November 30, 1833, a son of Archibald and Mary (Ran- som) Moore, both of whom were born in England. The father emigrated to the United States when a young man. He was a wheelwright by trade, at which he worked at Plains for several years, where he first located in this county; later he removed to Wyoming county, where he bought a farm of fifty acres, which he after- ward sold. He then removed to Ross township, this county, and here passed the rest of his days, dying June 5, 1889, at the age of eighty-four years; his wife died November 19, same year, aged eighty-three years. In religious faith they were Methodists. Their family consisted of nine children, seven of whom are living, William S. being the third by birth. Our subject was reared and educated at various points in this county, and has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits and lumbering, at both of which he has proven himself an adept. On February 11, 1860, he married Miss Elizabeth Lutsey, who was born in Slocum township September 16, 1837, the handsome and accomplished daughter of William and Anna Lutsey, and she has borne him six children, five of whom are living: William E., Charles D., Lilly A., Anna M. and Arthur C. Mr. and Mrs. Moore removed from Ross township to Slo- cum in 1869, and in 1873 came to their present farm of 138 acres, which is well under improvement. Mr. Moore is well thought of in his own township, where he is best known, and has held several township offices. He and his worthy and esti- mable wife are Christian people, members of the Evangelical Church of Slocum. The Lutseys were prominent people in Newport (now Slocum) township, in the very early settlement of the county. William Lutsey, the father of Mrs. Moore, is a credit to his county; he was a pioneer school teacher, and a man of more than ordi- nary intelligence. His family numbered thirteen children, eight of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Moore, his daughter, is a woman of marked intelligence and refinement, and in her younger life taught school two terms in Slocum and Newport townships. William is a son of Josiah Lutsey, who, in company with his brother, William,

1193

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

obtained a Connecticut title to a large tract of land in Newport township, which is now the property of some of the descendants. Josiah was a son of John Lutsey, a native of Germany, who took an active part in the war of the Revolution.

M. D. Moor, station agent for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, Miners Mills, was born in Tunnel, Broome Co., N. Y., September 19, 1868, and is a son of David and Adeline (Sanders) Moot, natives of New York, and of German and Yankee origin, respectively. The father, who was formerly a carpenter, and who is now a merchant at Tunnel, reared a family of six children, three of whom are living, of whom he is the youngest. He was educated in the common schools and the Afton Seminary, after which he began the study of telegraphy. In February, 1889, he was stationed at Laflin, Pa., where he remained two months, and then two months more at Waymart, and in June, 1889, came to his present position. Mr. Moot was married, September 22, 1890, to Miss Stella, daughter of William and Maria (Smith) Coon, of Miners Mills. He is a member of the K. of P., and has always given his political support to the Democratic party.

MICHAEL MORAN, butcher, Plains, was born in Ireland in 1856, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Sweeney) Moran, of Pottsville, Pa. They emigrated to Amer- ica in 1861. The father, who was a butcher by trade, reared a family of six chil- dren, two of whom died in infancy; the others were: Michael; Margaret, who mar- ried Michael Hammond (the latter was killed while conductor on the D. & H. R. R.); Edward, who was killed in 1886 by a blast while working in the mines, and Mary, wife of Michael Sweeney, a carpenter. Michael was educated in the public schools at Wilkes-Barre, and commenced business for himself at the age of twenty-two, butchering at Parsons, where he remained four years, and in 1882, removed to Plains, where he has since done a thriving business. Mr. Moran was married, January 10, 1882, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Edward and Mary A. (Howley) Sheridan, natives of Ireland. This happy union has been blessed with six children: Mollie, born February 20, 1883; Rose, born April 10, 1884; Margaret, born Sep- tember 24, 1885, died July 25, 1886; Ann, born June 18, 1887, died May 26, 1891; Josephine, born October 28, 1889, died May 19, 1891; and Belinda born November 25, 1891. This gentleman and his family are members of the Catholic Church; he is a member of the K. of L., and a Democrat in his political preferences.

WILLIAM MORDON, farmer, P. O. Outlet, was born January 28, 1833, a son of John and Nancy (Stanton) Mordon, the former of whom was a son of George Mor- don, who was of English descent on both sides, and served in the war of 1812. John Mordon removed from New Jersey to this county before it was divided, and here passed the rest of his days, dying at the age of fifty-eight. His family con- siated of six children, three of whom are now living, William being the eldest in the family. Our subject began life as a farmer in Abington, where, April 28, 1852, he married Miss Ruth A., daughter of James P. and Anna Ferguson, and to this union were born five children, three of whom are now living: Nancy E., Argie E. and Lillian E., the latter being yet single. Mrs. Mordon was born in Orange county N. Y., August 27, 1832. Mr. Mordon removed to this county in 1855, and in 1856 he occupied his present residence. His farm consists of thirty-one acres of prime land, and he gives his attention to small fruit and berries, having Harvey's Lake as his market. Mr. Mordon is a prosperous man of pure life and sound principles. He and his good wife are members of the Free Methodist Church. Politically he was originally a Republican, but now votes the Prohibition ticket.

CHARLES MORGAN, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Whitpain township, Montgomery Co., Pa., October 31, 1814, a son of Benjamin and Tacie (Stroud) Morgan, and is of Welsh descent. The paternal grandparents were Morgan and Ann (Roberts) Mor- gan, and the great-grandparents were Edward and Margaret (Rittenhouse) Morgan. In religious belief they were members of the Society of Friends, and for many years were residents of Montgomery county, Pa. The maternal grandparents were Edward and Hannah Stroud, of Murderkill, Del. Our subject was reared in his native county until twenty years of age, received a limited education in the common

1194

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

schools, and served an apprenticeship of four years at the shoemaker's trade. From 1834 to 1839 he resided in Philadelphia, and then came to Wilkes-Barre by railroad and packet, via Harrisburg, consuming two days and two nights in making the journey. He worked at his trade as a journeyman until 1843, and then embarked in the shoe business for himself, in which he successfully continued until 1878. He founded the hardware business now conducted as C. Morgan's Sons, and was con- nected with same until 1885, when he retired. On April 2, 1842, he married Ellen, daughter of Philip and Margaret (Wirts) Hann, of Huntington township, this county, and has nine children living: Tacie S. (Mrs. Benjamin O. Loxley), Edward S., Jesse T., Anna L. (Mrs. Dunning Sturdevant), William P., Ellen H. (Mrs. W. L. Post), Charles E., Benjamin F. and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan celebrated their golden wedding, April 2, 1892. He is a member of the Society of Friends, and his family of the M. E. Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican.

EVAN J. MORGAN, fire-boss, Plains, was born in South Wales in 1844, and is a son of John and Mary (Davies) Morgan; in his family there were seventeen children, eight by the mother of our subject, two of whom are living. Evan J. Morgan began work in the mines at the age of six years, where he has always been employed. He came to America in 1869, and after remaining at Plymouth without work on account of the strike, he was successively engaged in mining at the following places: Johns- town, two months; St. Clair, three months; Jeansville, two years; Newport, four years; Plymouth, three years; and in 1877 removed to Plains, where he has since been engaged as fire-boss. He built his present residence, and removed therein in 1878; he also has a store near his residence, which is attended to chiefly by his wife. Mr. Morgan was married, March 6, 1867, to Miss Margaret, daughter of George and Martha (Williams) Harrison, natives of Wales, and of Scotch and Welsh origin, respectively, and they have two children, viz. : Mary and John E. (the latter lives at home and teams with his father's team). Our subject and family are members of the Welsh Methodist Church, in which he is treasurer of the board of trustees; in his political views he is a Republican.

JACOB A. MORGAN, mine foreman, No. 2 Shaft, Susquehanna Coal Company, Nan -. ticoke, was born at Rhymney, Monmouthshire, South Wales, a son of Abram and Elizabeth Morgan. When our subject was nearly one year old his father came to this country, leaving his family in Wales. He remained here twenty-seven years, and died, in 1879, in San Francisco. In the family there were five children, namely: Elizabeth (deceased); Mary Ann (deceased); Hanna, now Mrs. Thomas Elicha; John, who died November 30, 1891, at Nanticoke, from a slight injury which developed into blood poisoning (he left a wife but no children); and Jacob A. Jacob A. Morgan was engaged in mining during his youth and early manhood, in Wales, and came to Nanticoke in 1879, entering the employ of the Susquehanna Coal Company as a laborer. He was soon employed as a miner, which occupation he followed five years, and accepted a position of fire-boss with the same company. In 1889 he was appointed assistant foreman at No. 2 Shaft, in which position he remained until August 16, 1892, when he was appointed mine foreman. He was married in 1871 at Rhymney, Wales, to Miss Helen Webb, and they have six children: Mary, Alice, Jane, David Abram, Lizzie and Annie. Mr. Morgan is a member of the I. O. R. M., S. P. K's., American Legion of Honor, and Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a Republican, and in religion is a member of the First Welsh Congregational Church.

LLEWELYN MORGAN, fire-boss, Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, Wilkes- Barre, was born at Ystradgynlais, Wales, February 14, 1841, a son of Evan and Margaret (Williams) Morgan. The father came to America in 1865, settled at Bellevue, near Scranton, and died there. Our subject came to America in 1860, locating at Pittsburgh, Pa., and for one and a half years traveled about the country, after which he removed to Scranton, Pa., where for five years he engaged in mining. In 1867 he located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided. During the greater part of this time he has been in the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-

1195

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Barre Coal Company, and since 1886 has held the position of fire-boss of Hollen- back Shaft No. 2. In 1863 Mr. Morgan married Miss Jane Williams, of South Wales, and has three living children: Margaret, John and William. Mr. Morgan is a member of the F. & A. M., and in politics is a Republican.

THOMAS D. MORGAN, butcher, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, September, 1845, son of David and Elizabeth Morgan. He was reared in Wales, received a limited education in the common schools, and began life in the lead mines at the early age of twelve years. At the age of fifteen, when his father died, he became a miner and worked in the lead mines until 1866. In that year he came to America and settled in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he has since resided. He worked in a coal mine until 1889, and in 1891 embarked in the butcher's business, in which he has since continued. His father's family consisted of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Elizabeth (Mrs. James James), of Wales; Mary (Mrs. William Williams); Rachel (Mrs. James T. Jones); Blanche (Mrs. John Davis); Thomas D .; Maggie (deceased), and Morgan D. In 1870 Mr. Morgan visited in Wales a year, and returning brought his mother and her six children to Wilkes- Barre. Mr. Morgan is a well-known Welshman of Wilkes-Barre, and in politics is a Republican.

THOMAS J. MORGAN, outside mine foreman, Edwardsville. This gentleman was born in Wales, June 22, 1859, and is a son of Thomas T. and Hannah (Jones) Mor- gan, also natives of Wales, and who came to America, locating at Catasauqua, when Thomas J. was an infant. The father was there engaged as blacksmith for the Thomas Iron Works, remaining about two years, and then removed to Jeddo, where he continued his trade three or four years, at the end of which time he came to Kingston, where he at the age of seventeen became foreman for the Kingston Coal Company, which position he filled four years, and was then promoted to outside foreman, an incumbency he has held ten years. Mr. Morgan was married, in 1878, to Mary Jane, daughter of John Jones, of Edwardsville, Pa., and they have had five children, viz .: Margaret J., Thomas C. (deceased), Stanley, Daniel, and Horetia. Our subject is a member of the K. of M. and the K. of P., and in politics he is a Republican.

THOMAS M. MORGAN, engineer at No. 1 Deep Shaft, Susquehanna Coal Company, is a native of Gloucestershire, England, born January 14, 1869, and is a son of Isaiah and Mary A. (Morgan) Morgan, also natives of England. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, and in 1887 emigrated to America, locating at Nan- ticoke, where he was employed as locomotive engineer for a short time at No. 4 Shaft. He then was fan engineer at No. 1 Deep Shaft for a time; then was hoisting engineer at the Dirt Planes one year, and in 1889 took charge of the ponderous engines at No. 1 Deep Shaft, where he has since been employed. These engines are among the largest of their kind in the anthracite coal regions. The cylinders are thirty-two by seventy-two inches, attached to a fourteen-foot drum. Mr. Morgan was married, in 1891, to Sarah, daughter of Reuben Courtright, a fire-boss. Our subject was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church, and he is a Republican.

THOMAS W. MORGAN, inside foreman, Red Ash Coal Company, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, September 16, 1838, a son of William and Elizabeth (Williams) Morgan. He was reared and educated in his native country, where he followed farming, also lead, coal and iron ore mining until 1866, in April of which year he came to America, locating in Wilkes-Barre, and entering the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes- Barre Coal Company, where he served as miner and fire-boss thirteen years. On March 15, 1879, he was transferred to Sugar Notch, where he remained over eleven years as inside foreman for the same company, and then spent one year in Chesterfield county, Va., as superintendent of the Midlothian Mines, in that county. In August, 1890, he returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided, and since 1891 has held the position of inside foreman of No. 1 Mines, Red Ash Coal Company. Mr. Morgan married, March 4, 1869, Jeannette, daughter of David and Catherine (Price) Elias, of Spring Brook, and has two chil-

1196

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

dren living, Arthur E. and Alice. He and his wife are members of the Welsh Presbyterian Church; in politics he is a Repulican.

JOHN L, MORGANS, bratticeman at the Wyoming Colliery, Plains, was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales, August 15, 1839, and is a son of David and Sarah (Lewis) Morgans. The father, who was a blacksmith, reared a family of six chil- dren, three of whom are living, and our subject is the third, and the only one now living, in America, whither he came in 1864, locating in Hyde Park, Pa. Having worked in the mines since he was six years old, he sought employment in that line and found it; he loaded coal a few weeks, and then mined three years; then removed to Maryland, where he worked in the mines sixteen years; in 1882 he came to Plains, where he has since been employed at company work. Mr. Morgan was married, June 11, 1864, to Miss Mary, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Jones) Price, and they have had seven children, viz .: David J. (deceased); Elias (deceased); Sarah A., married to Augustus Covart, a painter in Jersey City; Charles (deceased); Margaret; Mary L. and David. Mr. and Mrs. Morgans attend the Welsh Congregational Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Anthracite Castle, the A. O. K. of M. C., and in politics he is a Republican. He has lived in his present residence since 1885.

MORGAN R. MORGANS, superintendent of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Com- pany, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, June 24, 1848, a son of Morgan and Margaret (Williams) Morgans, also natives of Wales. Our sub- ject was educated in Wales, and came to America in 1867, locating in Luzerne county and working as miner in the different mines about Wilkes-Barre and vicinity until 1877, when he was given the position of mine foreman under the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company at the Wanamie and Stanton Mines. He was fore- man at these mines for about one year, when he was transferred to the Washington Colliery, at Plymouth, where he was mine foreman for three years. At the end of that period he took charge of the inside work at the Nottingham No. 15, and was foreman there four years. He was appointed assistant superintendent of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, and continued as such until March, 1891, when he was appointed general superintendent of the company's entire coal works, which consist of the following mines: Hollenback and Empire, at Wilkes-Barre; Wanamie Nos. 18 and 19; Maxwell No. 20, South Wilkes-Barre; No. 3 and No. 5; the Stanton No. 7; Jersey No. 8; Sugar Notch No. 9. At Plymouth are operated by the com- pany the Nottingham No. 15, the greatest anthracite coal mines in the world, the Washington No. 16 and Lance No. 11. The subject of our sketch was married, October 3, 1871, to Miss Margaret Williams, daughter of Thomas M. and Ann (Morgans) Williams, natives of Wales. Mr. Williams is superintendent of the Lykens Valley Coal Company. Five children have been born to this union, namely: Maggie, Annie, Edith, Elmer and Irving. In political matters Mr. Morgans is a Republican. The family attend the Congregational Church.

REES W. MORGANS, foreman at the Avondale Mine. This experienced mine fore- man was born, December 25, 1850, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, and is the fourth in a family of eight children born to Morgan and Margaret (Williams) Morgans, natives of Wales. Our subject was educated at his birthplace, and, until twenty years of age, followed the vocation of a farmer. In 1870 he came to America, locating at Wilkes-Barre, and immediately began work at the Empire Mine, where he did general work for about one year, when he began mining, working at it for seven years under the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. In 1879 he was given the position of fire-boss at the Stanton Mine, subsequently being transferred to the Empire, where he remained about one year; at the end of that time he was promoted to assistant foreman, which position he held for two years. He then removed to Plymouth and took the position of mine foreman at the Lance, where he served four years, afterward occupying this position at the following places: The Nottingham, two years; Shamokin Mines, operated by C. A. Langdon & Co., one year; Halstead Mines, under Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, six months; and thence to the

1197

HISTORY OF LUZERNE OOUNTY.

Avondale, where he has occupied the position of mine foreman ever since. There are 280 men employed inside at this colliery, and the daily output is about one thousand tons. Mr. Morgans has been twice married: First, on April 19, 1878, to Lizzie S., daughter of John and Mary (Roberts) Williams, natives of Cardiganshire, Wales. Three children were born to this union: Edwin D., Agnes and Lizzie. Lizzie S., the wife and mother, died May 14, 1885. Mr. Morgans was again married, June 22, 1887, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Richard E. and Aun Jones (Evans), natives of Montgomeryshire, Wales. The family attend the Welsh Pres- byterian Church; in politics Mr. Morgans is a Republican.

SAMUEL R. MORGANS, inside superintendent, Hollenback Mine No. 2, Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, Wilkes-Barre, was born at Ystradgynlais, Wales, Sep- tember 1, 1855, a son of Samuel R. and Margaret (Williams) Morgans. His father came to America in 1867, settling at Plymouth, this county, where he was employed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Coal Company. He sent for his family in 1868, and was smothered in the disaster at Avondale, September 6, 1869. His chil- dren were Samuel R. and Gwinnie (Mrs. Morgan B. Lewis). Our subject was reared in Wales until eleven years of age, and began life in the mines there at the age of eight. He came to America in 1867, locating in Plymouth, where he was employed in the breaker one year, and then for six years served as clerk in the store of Will- iam Davis & Company. At eighteen years of age he entered the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, at Nottingham Colliery, where he was fire- boss four years. He was promoted to foreman, October, 1889, and sent to Wanamie, where he served in that capacity seven months. He then accepted a position of inside foreman for John German & Company, near Taylorsville, and remained there one year and a half, after which he again entered the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, accepting his present position of inside superintend- ent of Hollenback Mine No. 2. In 1878 Mr. Morgans married Miss Marian, daugh- ter of John O. and Martha (Evans) Jones, of Scranton, and by her had six children: Annie, John H., Oliva, Osborn, Edna and Lewis. Mr. Morgans is a member of the Puritan Congregational Church, of the I. O. O. F., and K. of H. In politics, he is a Republican, and served as councilman of Plymouth five terms, during one of which he was president.

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 176

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