History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 177

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

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JOHN C. MORRIS, M. D., Orange, was born in Philadelphia, October 29, 1816, a son of Issachar and Elizabeth (Corsan) Morris, both of whom were born in Mont- gomery county, Pa. Issachar was a merchant of Philadelphia, a thorough man of business, and a reputed lineal descendant of Robert Morris, of historic fame. His family of ten children all reached maturity. Our subject, the ninth of the family, was educated at Philadelphia and at Bloomsburg, where he studied medicine under Dr. J. Ramsay. He attended several courses of lectures at Jefferson Col- lege, and began the practice of medicine October, 1839, in Wyoming county. In 1854 he removed to Orange, where he has a large practice, and enjoys the full con- fidence and love of his patients. Dr. Morris is a congenial companion, a man of refinement and wide experience, a good judge of human nature, and he is also gen- tle and sympathetic to a marked degree. Politically, he is a Republican. On June 7, 1842, he married Miss Caroline Fuller, who was born in Centre Moreland, Wyoming county, a daughter of Henry and Lucy Fuller, and of this union have been born five children, three of whom are now living: John C., Jr., Frank T. and William H. John C., Jr., married Miss Lillie King; Frank married Miss Shafer; William H. married Miss Caroline Cooper.

WILLIAM GRANT MORRIS, physician and surgeon, West Nanticoke. The gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this memoir is a native of Liverpool, Perry Co., Pa., and is the only child of Dr. Thomas G. and Sarah (Thompson) Morris, both natives of Pennsylvania. He received his education in the public schools and in the New Bloomfield Academy. During the years 1875 and 1876 he attended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and in 1877 entered the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, Baltimore, where he was graduated in the class of 1878. He

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immediately began the practice of his profession at Beach Haven, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he was engaged three years, when he moved to Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., Pa., where he also practiced three years. He then came to Nanticoke, where he has since been successfully engaged in his profession, enjoying a large and lucrative practice. In connection with his general practice, the Doctor was surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company during the years 1883-84-85. He also was the physician in charge of the Central Poor District for the year 1884. Dr. Morris was married April 14, 1878, to Miss Anna M., daughter of George W. and Caro- line (Wolfe) Fisher, natives of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., Knights of Malta, Sons of Veterans and Daughters. of America, a branch of the Jr. O. U. A. M. Although not a politician he is always ready to lend a helping hand to the success of the Democratic party.

DENNIS MORRISSEY, justice of the peace, P. O. Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, November 2, 1842, and is a son of Dennis and Julia (Maloney) Morrissey. He came to America in 1855, landing at New York City, where he remained until eighteen years of age. He then located at Mahanoy City, Pa., and was engaged there in mining until 1868, when he removed to Sugar Notch, this county, and from there in 1876 to Wilkes-Barre township (where he has since resided), and worked in the mines until 1883. He married, May 19, 1867, Catha- rine, daughter of John and Mary (Murtha) Quinn, of Wilkes-Barre, and has nine children living: John, James, Dennis, Jr., William, Charles, Harry, Thomas, Kath- erine and Margaret. Mr. Morrissey is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the A. O. H. ; in politics he is a stanch Democrat, and was elected justice of the peace of Wilkes-Barre township in 1883, and re-elected in 1888.

JOHN F. MORROW, one of the Morrow Bros., proprietors of the " Hotel Morrow," Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city October 26. 1856, and is a son of James and Sarah (Gorman) Morrow, natives of County Sligo and County Mayo, Ireland, respectively. His father landed in America in June, 1846, settling in Wilkes-Barre, where he worked as a miner for thirty-three years, and died December 14, 1891, at the age of sixty five years. His children were: Bridget (deceased), John F., Cath- erine, James H., Margaret (deceased), Sarah, William and Eugene. Our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre, receiving his education in the public schools, and fol- lowed mining fourteen years. He afterward was employed as a railway brakeman, and in 1885 embarked in the hotel business in Wilkes-Barre, in which he has since successfully continued. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and politically he is a Democrat.

REV. ALLEN J. MORTON, Baptist minister, Kingston, was born in the County of Montgomery, Wales, March 14, 1836, and is a son of John and Mary (James) Mor- ton, both natives of Wales, the former of whom was a nephew of John Morton, one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Our subject was graduated at Pontypool College in the class of 1861, the celebrated Dr. Fred Evans being a mem- ber of the same class. Mr. Morton was practically engaged in the ministry two years before he had completed his college course, and after graduating he was, for three years, located at Brinmour, Wales, engaged in the ministry, whence he pro- ceeded to Glasbury, same country, where he remained two years. Mr. Morton then came to America, locating in Upper Lehigh, Pa., for about thirteen years, engaged in his professional work; he organized churches at Lansford, Drifton, Upper Lehigh, and Shenandoah. In 1879 he removed to Pittsburgh, where he was engaged in the ministry three years, at the end of which time he came to Kingston, where he has since resided, although he is engaged in his ministerial work at Mahanoy City and New Pottsville, Pa. In 1860 Mr. Morton was married, in England, to Miss Mary Ann Morgan, a native of Wales, and this happy union has been blessed with seven chil- dren, viz. : Alleu, Jr., a very successful student at Brown University; Mary, a grad- uate of Adder College, and now a medical student at the Brooklyn Hospital; Wini- fred, a graduate of Garfield College; Lizzie, bookkeeper for James Evans, Edwards- ville; and Jennie and Anna, both now attending the Wyoming Seminary. Mr. Mor-

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ton is a member of the F. & A. M., and is past grand of the I. O. O. F .; in politics he votes from a rational independent standpoint.

JOEL MORTON, proprietor of the " Berwick House," Berwick, was born in Shef- field, Yorkshire, England, December 6, 1839. He was reared in his native country, and in 1863 came to America, locating at Mahanoy City, Pa., and for a time worked in the mines. Later he kept hotel there seven years; was in the same business at Rock Glen, Luzerne county, ten years, and since 1891 he has been the successful proprietor of the " Berwick House," at Berwick. He has made many improvements on this popular house, making it one of the leading hostelries in Columbia county. The wife of Mr. Morton was Mary Fisher, of Sheffield, England, and by her nine children were born: Sarah A. (Mrs. William T: Huntzinger), Frank, William, Mary A. (Mrs. John Treas), Lizzie, Benjamin D., George H., Thomas and Florence. Mr. Morton is a thorough "Boniface." He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican.

A. B. Moss, retired, Plymouth, was born in Ross township, Luzerne Co., Pa., Novem- ber 30, 1833, and is the sixth in a family of eleven children born to Joseph and Amelia (Sutliff) Moss, also natives of Luzerne county. Mr. Moss is descended from one of the early pioneer families of this Valley; he was educated in the county and reared on a farm, where he resided until forty-seven years of age. He then came to Plymouth and worked at the carpenter's trade about three years, retiring at the end of that time from active labor. Our subject held the position of justice of the peace for five years, being elected on the Citizens' ticket; at the expiration of his term of office he was elected constable, which position he now holds. Mr. Moss was united in marriage, January 14, 1856, with Eliza, daughter of Alvin and Emma (Harrison) Wilkenson, the former of Connecticut origin, and the latter of Pennsyl- vanian descent. Three children have been born to this union, viz .: Alvin W., principal of the Wilkes-Barre Business College; Amy E. A., and George A., at home. Mr. Moss is a Democrat in politics. The family attend the Christian Church.

C. E. Morr, bookkeeper, Luzerne, was born in Ross township, Luzerne county, September 25, 1859, a son of Lorenzo D. and Mary E. (Harrison) Mott, natives of Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, and is a graduate of the Wyoming Business College. Shortly after receiving his educa- tion he was employed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Com- pany as car inspector at Northumberland, Pa., a position he held for ten months. He then engaged in photography for three years, was employed in a grocery store as clerk and bookkeeper, and finally obtained his present position with Mr. Raub. Mr. Mott was married May 4, 1886, to Miss Anna, daughter of George and Sarah (Teel) Wilson, natives of New Jersey, and by her has one child, Floyd Eugene, aged five years. Mr. Mott is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the M. E. Church. In politics his interests are with the Republican party.

LEVI MOWERY, farmer, P. O. Hobbie, was born in Hollenback township, April 25, 1851, a son of Philip and Lydia (Andress) Mowery, both of whom were born in what is now Conyngham township. Philip was a son of Peter Mowery, a native of Northampton county, who removed to this county in its early settlement, locating in what is now Hollenback township, where he owned 400 acres of land, where he built, and which he improved as long as he lived. He was a sturdy pioneer in his time. He lived to be seventy-one years of age, and reared a family of eight chil- dren, only one of whom is now living. His son Philip began his business career as a farmer in Hollenback township, where he has always resided as a well-to-do agriculturist. He owned 118 acres, 100 of which were cleared during his lifetime. He was honored with several township offices, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church; he died at the age of seventy-one years. Their family num- bered twelve children, eight of whom are living, Levi being the seventh in the order of birth. He was reared and educated in the Hollenback township, and is a promising young farmer, with bright prospects before him, owning eighty-five acres of well-improved and valuable land, on which he removed in 1889. On September

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20, 1878, he married Miss Mary W. Eroh, who was born in Hollenback township, September 19, 1856, a daughter of John and Abbie Eroh, to whom were born two children, one of whom is living, Carrie M. Mr. and Mrs. Mowery are both mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, in good standing.

WILLIAM S. MOYER, Ashley, brakeman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, was born in Vermont, October 19, 1864, and is a son of Solomon and Sarah (Thomas) Moyer, natives of Vermont. He has one sister, older than himself (Mrs. Samuel Moyer, Freeland, Pa.). His father was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, and his mother then married Stephen Shellhammer, by whom she had six children, five of whom are living. The mother now lives with Mrs. Samuel Moyer. The family located in Butler township, this county, in June, 1865. Our subject was educated in the Harford Orphan School, Susquehanna county, Pa., and then worked about the mines for five years. He worked with lumber for some time, and in 1886 became a brakeman on the Fort Wayne Railroad. In 1890 he moved to Ashley. Mr. Moyer was married, October 14, 1890, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Charles F. and Emma (Taylor) Miller, of Stroudsburgh, Pa., and by her has one child, Sarah E. Our subject is a member of the S. M. A. A., and of the R. R. T. A. In his political views he is a Republican.

WILSON MOYER, farmer, P. O. Hobbie, was born July 23, 1852, in Dorrance township, this county, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of Daniel and Priscilla (Rimer) Moyer, the former of whom was born in Lehigh county, Jan- . uary 29, 1820, the latter in Hanover township, same county, April 3, 1833. Daniel Moyer is a son of John Moyer, who was a native of Germany, and who emigrated to this country when a young man, locating in Lehigh county, where he remained a number of years. He finally removed to Dorrance township, this county, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a man of sound judgment and pure morals, with a keen perception of what is right, and possessed of a strong will to perform it. He died at the comparatively early age of forty-two years. His family numbered eight children, two of whom are now living. His son Daniel began active business life as a laborer, and by a perseverance in well-doing, and a spirit of zeal- ous and endless energy, he succeeded in acquiring fifty-six acres of land which he in time brought under cultivation. He and his wife are now enjoying the wane of life in a manner that only those of a pure and clear conscience can. They reared a family of eleven children, six of whom are living, Wilson being the eldest. Our subject spent his early life by working out as a laborer. He, too, is of an economical turn, a hard worker, sober and upright, qualities which go far in the promotion of a man's success and happiness in this life. Buying himself a farm in 1882, he has since improved it considerably, proving a practical farmer, and keeping well abreast of the times. On September 16, 1876, Mr. Moyer married Miss Mary F., daughter of P. H. and Catherine Good, and to this union were born seven children, four of whom are living: Lloyd E., Clara E., Laura A. and Dora A. Mrs. Mary F. Moyer was born in Hollenback township, this county, April 3, 1859. Mr. Moyer has held several township offices, and has proven himself a worthy citizen in various respects. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. Politically he is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church at Dorrance.

MICHAEL M. MOYLAN, merchant, Port Blanchard, was born at that place Septem- ber 26, 1856, a son of Patrick and Julia (Morris) Moylan, natives of County Galway, Ireland. The father, one of the two survivors of eight children boru to John and Honora (Loughrey) Moylan, was born in 1815, came to America in 1847, and seven years later moved to Port Blanchard, where he engaged in the real estate and mer- cantile business. He was married February 7, 1854, to Julia, daughter of Peter and Monica (Donahue) Morris, natives of County Galway, Ireland, and they had seven children, four of whom are living, viz. : Michael M. ; Dr. John J., of German- town, Pa .; Dr. Peter F., of Philadelphia, Pa., and Mary A. (Mrs. Joseph J. McCormick, of Philadelphia). Our subject was educated in the public schools, and at an early age began working in his father's store, of which he became proprietor

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in 1888. Mr. Moylan was married October 26, 1887, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Noon) O'Brien, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. To this union have been born three children, viz. : Julia, Joseph and Mary. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics Mr. Moylan is a Democrat.

JAMES MOYLES, justice of the peace, Laurel Run, P. O. Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, December 22, 1833, and is a son of James and Catherine (Rutledge) Moyles. He was reared in his native country, where he resided until he was thirty years of age. In 1863 he came to America, and located in Wilkes- Barre. He has been employed about the mines ever since, and has resided in Wilkes-Barre township and Laurel Run borough since 1868. He was married March 31, 1861, to Ann, daughter of John and Bridget (Hope) Higgins, of County Mayo, Ireland, and they have four children living: Catherine (Mrs. Barney Biehl), Mary, Frank A, and William I. Mr. Moyles and family are members of the Catho- lic Church. He is a member of Emerald Society, No. 33, Wilkes-Barre. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace of Laurel Run borough; has been chief burgess since 1887.

CHARLES MUGFORD, pumpman in the Pine Ridge Mine, Miners Mills, was born in Cornwall, England, August 18, 1861, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hooper) Mugford, of Miners Mills, also natives of Cornwall. His paternal grand- parents were Charles and Elizabeth (Truan) Mugford, and his maternal grand- parents were William and Catharine (Trevthan) Hooper, all natives of Cornwall. In his father's family there were children as follows: Charles, the subject of this memoir; William, a pumpman at Miners Mills; Mary E., married to William Brain, of Laflin (they have two children, Samuel H. and Elizabeth G.). The family came to America in 1868, locating first at Parsons, Pa., and in 1872 removed to Miners Mills. Our subject received a common-school education in England, and began working about the mines in America at an early age; he has been engaged in picking slate, oiling breakers, as docking-boss, firing, teaming outside, working in the carpenter shop, and then to his present position, all at the same breaker. In 1885 he built his present residence, and removed therein the following year. Mr. Mugford was married, May 14, 1886, to Mary P., daughter of John P. and Mary (Lawrence) Evans, natives of South Wales, and they have three children, viz .: Samuel C., John H. and Richard L. Our subject and wife attend the Primitive Methodist Church, of which Mrs. Mugford is a member; he is a member of the Sons of St. George, and a Republican in his political views.

J. M. MULHOLAND, M. D., Pittston. This gentleman, who stands in the front rank of the practicing physicians and surgeons of Luzerne county, was born in Mercer county, Pa., September 28, 1850, a son of Dr. I. M. and Margaret (Praul) Mulholand, the former a native of Ireland the latter of Mercer county, Pa. The father was a physician, and a graduate of one of the old schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and now resides in Toledo, Ohio, where he is a specialist of some notoriety in chronic diseases. The family consisted of four children, viz. : J. M .; Charles W., a merchant in Toledo, Ohio; Frank, a salesman in Toledo; and Lillie (wife of James L. Outzenhiser, wholesale merchant of Greenville, Pa.). Our subject received his English education in the public schools of Vassar, Tuscola and Saginaw, Mich., and at Flint College, Flint, Mich. He then read medicine with his father, and entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from that institution May 12, 1865. He located at Mechanicsville, Pa., practicing his profession there for two years, next formed a partnership with Dr. Woodwerdg, of Tunkhannock, and remained with him until 1881, when he removed to Pittston, where he has since practiced his profession, at No. 4 Broad street. Dr. Mulholand is enjoying a large and lucrative practice, and has been eminently successful. He is a hard student, thoroughly versed in all modern methods of treating disease, and a surgeon of pronounced ability. May 12, 1873, our subject married Miss Mary Porter, daughter of Alexander Porter, a native of Scotland, and this union has been blessed with two children: I. Porter and J. Mortimer. Dr. Mulholand is a member of

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Valley Lodge No. 499 F. & A. M., of Pittston Chapter No. 242, and of Wyoming Valley Commandery No. 557, and also of the Eclectic Medical Association of Penn- sylvania, being a surgeon of the Association. He is a member of the Eclectic Association of the United States, and secretary of the credential committee. Polit- ically he is a stanch Republican.

DANIEL MULLIGAN, brakeman, P. O. Oliver's Mills, was born in Carhon county, Pa., October 8, 1862, and is a son of Daniel and Rose (McCoal) Mulligan. The parents were natives of Ireland, and for some years resided in Carbon county, Pa., whence, about 1871, they removed to Laurel Run borough, Luzerne county, where the father worked as a miner until his death, which occurred October 19, 1891. The mother died in 1879. Their children were Patrick, Daniel, Edward, Neil, Charles, Hugh and Mary Ann. Our subject was reared in Laurel Run borough from eight years of age, and received a limited education in the public schools. At nine years of age he worked in the breaker as a slate-picker, being employed about the mines until 1884, since which time he has been a brakeman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey (now Reading System). Mr. Mulligan was married January 22, 1885, to Bridget, daughter of John and Hollern Shannon, of Wilkes-Barre township. They have three children: Rose, Mary and Charles. Mr. Mulligan is a member of the Catholic Church; he has served as school director of Laurel Run borough three years (1887, 1888 and 1889), and tax collector two years (1890 and 1891); he is a member of the St. Aloysius Society and Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen; in politics, he is a Democrat.

EUGENE W. MULLIGAN, cashier of the Second National Bank, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Reading, Pa., October 28, 1852, a son of James and Caroline (VanHorn) Mulligan, natives of Paterson, N. J., and Reading, Pa., respectively, and is of Irish and Holland- Dutch descent. His father was a master mechanic and superin- tendent of machinery, Philadelphia & Reading Canal. Our subject was reared in his native city, and educated in the public schools where he was graduated in 1874. He then served three years as clerk for the Philadelphia & Reading Express Company. In 1877 he located in Wilkes-Barre, and entered the employ of the Second National Bank as exchange clerk, was three years deposit ledger keeper, three years general ledger keeper, and in 1883 was promoted to cashier, in which capacity he has since served. On June 5, 1888, he was married to Alice H., daughter of Michael W. and Ellen (Mulligan) Morris, of Pittston, Pa., and they have two children, Eleanor M. and James. Mr. Mulligan is a member of the Westmoreland Club, of Wilkes-Barre, and in politics is a Democrat.

ROBERT MURDOCH, M. D., was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, July 9, 1847, and is a son of Alexander and Jeannette (Roger) Murdoch, who came to America in 1850, and settled in Ulster, Bradford Co., Pa., where the father engaged in farming and stock dealing, he still residing there. Our subject was reared in Bradford county from three years of age; received an academical education at Susquehanna Collegiate Institution, Towanda, Pa .; in 1869 began the study of medicine with Dr. D. S. Pratt. of Towanda, and was graduated from Hahnemann Homoeopathic Medical College, Philadelphia, in the spring of 1872. He immediately began the practice of his profession in UIster township, where he remained one year, when he removed to Burlington, Bradford county, remaining there until 1887, in which year he came to Wilkes-Barre, where he has already succeeded in building up a lucrative practice. Dr. Murdoch married, November 29, 1873, Ophelia, daughter of Moses and Wealthy (Vought) Watkins, of Sheshequin, Bradford Co., Pa., and has four children: Ella, Lena, Marguerite and Robert. The Doctor is a member of the M. E. Church, the Homoeopathic Medical Society of Northern Pennsylvania and Homoeopathic Medical Society of Pennsylvania. In politics he is a Republican.

EDWARD A. MURPHY, restaurant proprietor, Freeland, was born March 9, 1864, at Jeansville, this county, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Turney) Murphy, natives of County Cavan, Ireland. Barney Murphy, grandfather of our subject, came to America in 1848, and located at Jeansville, this county, and his son Patrick,

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who was the oldest of the family, came one year later; in 1850 they sent for the other members of the family. Barney Murphy died at Jeansville in 1890. He was a man of iron will and always accomplished his purpose at any cost, regardless of circumstances. When he went to New York to meet his family there was but one train that left Hazleton for New York, and that was a coal train. The morning that he intended to go he missed the train; he accordingly set out on foot and walked to New York that day. Patrick, the father of our subject, now resides in Hazle- ton. In his family there are six children, viz .: Mary, married to Philip Ferry, Hazle- ton; James, a boiler-maker in Wilkes-Barre; Edward A .; Barney, a machinist in Wilkes-Barre; Annie and Andrew. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Luzerne county, and at a very early age began working around the mines, being employed in various capacities until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to work at the machinist's trade at Jeansville. After serving his apprenticeship of four years, he worked as journeyman there three years. He then went to Drifton, where he remained a short time, when he went to Sioux City, Iowa, in which place he entered the employ of the Omaha, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, as machinist. He remained there about one year, then went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he remained a short time, and returning to Wilkes-Barre entered the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, where he worked at his trade part of the time, being also engaged in running a locomotive for the company. On October 8, 1889, he came to Freeland and purchased his restaurant from Charles Dushek, which he has ever since conducted. In February, 1892, he purchased one of the best livery stables in Hazleton, where he is now doing a good business also. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Catholic Church, and his political views are Republican.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 177

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