History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 178

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

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MICHAEL MURPHY, proprietor of restaurant No. 79 Hillside street, Wilkes-Barre, was born in the Province of Leinster, Ireland, January 6, 1848, and is a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Farnan) Murphy. The father died in Ireland the year our subject was born, leaving a widow and five children, as follows: Charles (killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, December, 1862), William, Bridget (Mrs. John Plun- kett), Elizabeth (Mrs. M. Brennan) and Michael. The mother and family, with the exception of Michael, came to America in 1848, and located in Wilkes-Barre. Our subject was reared in Ireland until May, 1862, when he came to America and June 3, of same year, located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided. He was employed in the mines until 1887, when he embarked in the restaurant business, in which he has since successfully continued. In 1873 he married Katherine, daughter of John and Katherine Mundy, of Plains, this county, and is the father of six chil- dren: Charles A., John (deceased), William, Helen, Joseph and Rose Elizabeth. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Catholic Church; in politics he is a Democrat, and served one term as alderman of the Sixth Ward of Wilkes-Barre.

MICHAEL MURPHY, farmer, P. O. Pittston, was born in County Clare, Ireland, February 18, 1821, a son of Michael and Hannah (McMahon) Murphy, both natives of Ireland, where they died. They were hard-working, honest people, strict mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church, bringing up their children in the way they should go. They had six in number, Michael being the fourth, and the only one that survived. He emigrated to the United States in 1851, locating in Pittston township, where he has remained ever since. He followed mining forty-two years, and was, to use his own words, "forty-two years under ground." He has had long experience in coal mining, and still feels as young as a man in middle life. On May 6, 1865, he removed to his present place, a farm of fifty acres, all untilled, but which, by hard labor and a perseverance undaunted, he succeeded in bringing under fence and plough. He has suitable buildings, and everything to make home complete and comfortable. Mr. Murphy is a hard-working and honest man of sound business principles, and, like his ancestors, a member of the Roman Catholic Church. On May 18, 1851, he married, in Ireland, Miss Mary, daughter of Michael and Bridget Mulcahey, and there were ten children born to them, eight of whom are living: Mary, Catherine (a Sister of Charity), Ellen, Anna, Bridget, James,

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Lizzie and Jennie. Of these Mary married Michael McCandrew, and James married Miss Anna Langa. One son, Michael, together with his wife and five children, was lost in the Johnstown disaster. Politically, Mr. Murphy is inde- pendent, but leans toward the Democratic party.

CHARLES FRANCIS MURRAY was born at Athens, Bradford Co., Pa,, November 5, 1851. Through his father he is of Scottish ancestry, while his mother was of English origin. The branch of the Murray family from which he descended came to Connecticut in the latter half of the eighteenth century, and of the number Abner and Noah Murray came afterward to Pennsylvania. Noah Murray was prominent in the Wyoming Valley. He was appointed a justice of the quarter sessions November 23, 1788, and commissioned a justice of the peace for Luzerne county a year later. He had been a clergyman in the Baptist Church, and afterward embraced the doctrine of Universalism, which owes so much to the Rev. John Murray, who was a relative, and is regarded as practically the father of the Univer- salist Church in this country. Noah Murray was afterward called to the pastorate of the then only congregation of that faith in Philadelphia, where he achieved much distinction. He was noted for his remarkably persuasive powers. It is related of him that upon one occasion he was waited upon by two ministers of other denomi- nations, who thought to win him from what they looked upon as his dangerous heresies. " Mother," he said to his wife, "put a pitcher of water and a loaf of bread in the room with us, turn the key, and we will stay 'till we all come out, of one faith." And so they did, but the one faith was the Universalist faith, for he had converted those who had come to convert him. Abner Murray, his brother, was a prosperous farmer at Athens. His son, Edward Abner, the father of Charles Francis, followed the same vocation. The mother was Marianne Page. Her parents, Thomas and Anna West Page, came from England in 1831 in the ship "Marion," which was two months and eleven days out from Liverpool before reaching this country. The voyage was made with great privation. The stock of provisions ran short, so that the allowance of those aboard was barely sufficient to sustain life. One of Mr. Murray's most precious mementos is a copy of a diary kept by Mrs. Page, in which the interesting incidents are recorded faithfully, and in the spirit of a devout woman who never lost faith in the successful ending of the perilous journey and its hardships.

Charles Francis Murray was educated at the Athens Academy. In 1869 the firm of Voorhis & Page, was established in Wilkes-Barre, for the sale of fine furniture. F. N. Page, of the firm, was the maternal uncle of Charles Francis, who was seven- teen years old at the time he came to Wilkes-Barre, to represent his uncle. This he continued to do until 1876, when he was admitted into the firm, which now was changed to Voorhis, Page & Co. In 1877 Mr. Murray bought his uncle's interest, and the firm name was changed to Voorhis & Murray. In March, 1890, G. H. Voorhis died, since which time the business has been conducted by Mr. Murray and his late partner's son, Burton Voorhis, but still under the old firm name. The house is the oldest, and unquestionably the leading one, in the furniture business in this section of the State, and has the proud record of never having missed a payment since its doors were first opened. Mr. Murray married in October, 1878, Ella Autoinette Mandeville, a Southern lady from Athens. Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have three children: Eleanor Welles, Charles Edward and Marion Page Murray. They attend the services of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Murray is a Republican in politics, but has never held or sought office. He is one of the substantial and respected business men in an advanced and prospering business community.

JAMES P. MURRAY, of the firm of Jones & Murray, general hardware dealers, Plymouth, was born in Staffordshire, England, May 4, 1865, and is a son of Michael and Julia (Jennings) Murray, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. They came to America in 1870, settling at Plymouth, Pa., where the family have since lived, and where the children were educated and reared. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of three children and is unmarried; Mary comes next, and is married to Mr.

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Kraig, of Plymouth; John is the youngest, and is married, also living at Plymouth. After receiving his early education in the public schools of Luzerne county, James P. was employed by Schwartz Bros., wholesale liquor dealers, remaining with them eight years, and on January 1, 1890, he and his partner William L. Jones succeeded to the business of Lindsay & Company, in which they are now doing a large trade. Mr. Murray has always been a follower of the Democratic party, and is identified with Company J, Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania National Guards. He is also a member of Fire Company No. 1, of Plymouth. In religious matters he is identified with the Catholic Church.

JOHN MURRAY, hotel proprietor, Parsons, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, January 12, 1851, a son of Martin and Sarah (Carcerian) Murray, natives of Ireland. He is the youngest of eight children, was educated in Ireland, and at the age of twenty came to America, locating at Wilkes-Barre. Engaging at once in mining, he followed this vocation for fifteen years, at the end of which time he engaged in the hotel business and met with success. In 1888, he then came to Parsons, continuing the hotel business, and now commands an extensive patronage. Mr. Murray was married, March 22, 1877, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Kelly) McCormick, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. Of this union were born seven children, viz. : Mary, Sarah, Peter, John, Michael, Annie and Kate (deceased). Mr. Murray and his family are members of the Catholic Church; he is a Democrat.

PETER MURRAY, farmer, Georgetown, P. O. Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, a son of Patrick and Bridget (O'Malley) Murray. He was reared in Ireland. In 1864 he came to America, stopped two years at Honesdale, Pa., and, in 1866, removed to Wilkes-Barre township, where he has since resided. For many years he was employed in the mines, and since 1884 has been engaged in farming. His wife was Ann, daughter of Martin and Ann (Callahan) Kearney, of County Mayo, Ireland, and by her he had eight children: Mary, Maggie (Mrs. Andrew De Long), Patrick, Bridget, Kate, Peter, Anna and Agnes. Mr. Murray is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

F. B. MYERS, farmer and gardener, Kingston, was born in that town in 1845, and is a son of Madison F. and Harriet (Myers) Myers, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. The Myers family played a very active part in the history of the Wyoming Valley, being among the early settlers of this county, and connected with the early settlement and development of this locality. They were at the battle of Wyoming, and among the few who found refuge within the walls of Forty Fort. The subject of our sketch was educated at Cazenovia, N. Y., and Wyoming Semi- nary, and has since devoted his attention chiefly to the pursuit of agriculture, being the possessor of some of the finest farming lands in the Valley. Mr. Myers was married in 1869, to Miss Naomi, daughter of James and Mary Ann (Barber) Mott, of Luzerne county, and the fruits of this happy union are six children, viz. : Fred- rick M., May M., Hattie, Philip, Laura and Jessie. Mr. Myers and his family are members of the M. E. Church; politically he is an advocate of the Prohibition party.

JAMES MYERS, farmer, P. O. Lake, was born in Unionville, Orange Co., N. Y., April 10, 1814, a son of Martin and Jane (Davis) Myers, both natives of Orange county, N. Y. Martin was a son of a Revolutionary soldier who commanded a company in that struggle; his name is not now obtainable, but he is known to have been a man of undaunted courage. Martin was a soldier in the war of 1812. He moved to this county about 1829, locating near Harvey's Lake, in Lehman township, on a farm of 160 acres. He was a very industrious farmer who, by his skill and judgment made mother earth to yield sometimes sixtyfold, sometimes one hundredfold. He was a moral man in his social relations, and a leading spirit in the Democratic party. He had been honored with several town offices which he dis- charged with credit to himself and satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He died at the age of sixty-seven years. His children numbered ten, all of whom grew to ma- turity, and of them two are now (1891) living: Jasper T. and James. The subject of this memoir came to the county with his father when he was fifteen years of age,

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and has remained on the same place ever since, always confining himself to agricult- ural pursuits. At the age of twenty-one he began business for himself, at the same time helping his father to make a home for the other children. At the age of forty-one, September 20, 1855, he married Miss Sabra D., daughter of George and Electe Gallup, and there were born to them three children, one of whom is living: Electe Jane, born July 4, 1856, and married to Harmon Ide. Mrs. Myers was born in Connecticut, May 18, 1819. Mr. Myers is a retired farmer, but in his younger days was a practical man as well as an active farmer. He is now comfortably situ- ated on that beautiful sheet of water, Harvey's Lake. Politically, he is a Democrat. [Since the above was written we are in receipt of information of Mr. Myers' decease .- ED.]

JOHN G. MYERS, farmer and teacher, P. O. Briggsville, was born in Albany, Bradford Co., Pa., August 31, 1853, a son of Peter and Ellen (Mosier) Myers. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Myers, formerly of New Jersey, died in Mifflin town- ship, Columbia Co., Pa., and is buried there. His wife was Susanna Payne, and their children were Lavina (Mrs. Jacob Kishbauch), George, John P. and Peter (the father of our subject). The latter, a native of Mifflin township, was reared in Bradford county, Pa., and in 1868 moved to Nescopeck township, where he still resides: His first wife was Ellen Mosier, by whom he had eight children who grew to maturity: Daniel P., John G., Lizzie (Mrs. Lewis Greising), Mary, Caroline (Mrs. William Campbell), Josiah J. and Sophia (twins) and Norman. His second wife was Mrs. Mary (O'Neill) Treaner, by whom he has three children living: Robert L., William J. and Philip. His third wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Kisbauch) Creasy. Our subject was reared in Bradford and Luzerne counties and educated in the common schools and in Wyoming Seminary, the State Normal School, Bloomsburg, New Columbus and Orangeville Academies, and the Northern Indiana State Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind. At twenty-one years of age he began teaching, continuingin that for nineteen years, and since 1888 has also been engaged in farming. In 1886 Mr. Myers mar- ried Sarah A., daughter of John W. and Margaret (Raber) Seely, of Nescopeck. They have one son, Clyde Blaine. Our subject is a member of the M. E. Church; in politics he is a Republican, and has served as school director one term, and assessor.

JOSIAH J. MYERS, M. D., Nescopeck, was born at New Albany, Bradford Co., Pa., March 22, 1860, a son of Peter and Ellen (Mosier) Myers. His paternal grand- father, Daniel Myers, a native of Pennsylvania, died in Mifflin township, Columbia Co., Pa. His maternal grandfather, Peter Mosier, a native of Holland, was among the pioneers of Sullivan county, Pa., and at one time owned the land where Dushore now stands. Peter Myers was a native of Mifflin, Pa., and has been a resident of Nescopeck since 1868. He was thrice married, and is the father of fourteen children, ten of whom survive. His first wife was Ellen Mosier, by whom there are seven children living: Daniel P., John G., Elizabeth (Mrs. Lewis Greising), Mary S., Caroline E. (Mrs. William Campbell), Josiah J. and Norman H .; his second wife was Mrs. Mary (O'Neill) Trainor, by whom he has three children living, Peter L., William J. and Philip R .; his third wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Kisbaugh) Creasy. Our subject was reared in Nescopeck from eight years of age, and was educated at New Columbus and Orangeville Academy. In 1884 he began the study of medicine and was graduated from the College of Physicians, Baltimore, in 1886, and passed regular examination at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, same year, and the State Pharmaceutical Examining Board, January 11, 1888. April 1, 1886, he located at Nescopeck village, where he has built up a lucrative practice. August 28, 1886, he married Anna E., daughter of John W. and Margaret (Raber) Seely, of Nescopeck township. The Doctor is a member of the M. E. Church and K. of M .; in politics he is a Republican.

REUBEN MYERS, farmer, P. O. Slocum, was born in Newport township, April 20, 1836, a son of Philip J. and Margaret E. (Brodt) Myers, both natives of Northamp- ton county, the former born in 1805, the latter in 1808. They removed to this

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county about 1830, locating in Newport township, on a farm of fifty acres, to which he added 315 more, thus showing himself to be a man of superior business qualities; he was also a man of some education and natural abilities. He held several prominent offices in the township, that of justice of the peace for twenty-five years. He was a Democrat, and took quite an active part in politics. At one time he was a member of the Lutheran Church, but finally joined the Evangelical, in which faith he died, June 3, 1884, aged seventy-nine years, at which time he had about 125 acres cleared. His wife died December 9, 1885, aged eighty-one years. Their family consisted of sixteen children, each of the parents having had a child by former marriages, making fourteen by their last marriage. Nine of these grew to maturity, eight of them now living, Reuben being the eighth in the family. Our subject was reared and educated in Newport (now Slocuui) township, has always been a resident of the county, and has followed agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary A. Hoch, who was born in Slocum township in 1833, daughter of Philip and Margaret Hoch. To this union six children were born, four of whom are yet living: Lyman P., Margaret E., Anna A. and Elizabeth A. Mr. Myers lived on and worked his father's farm till 1884, and in 1887 he removed to his present residence, a farm of eighty-five acres, forty-five of which are improved. He is a man of intelligence, and a practical farmer. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been honored with all the important offices of the township. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

WICKHAM MYERS, milk dealer, Pittston, was born in Orange county, N. Y., December 2, 1838, and is a son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Myers, natives of the same place, and of German descent. Our subject received his education in the common schools, and when old enough assisted his father on the farm, in which work he continued until early in 1860, when he removed to Kingston, this county. In 1861 he settled on his homestead, where he had about eighty acres of land. Mr. Myers was united in marriage January 1, 1865, with Kate, daughter of Emily Prutzman, native of Pennsylvania, and their union has been blessed with the fol- lowing issue: Henry, born October 13, 1865; William W., born October 13, 1867; Emma Elizabeth, born June 18, 1870, and Edward, born March 20, 1879. The family are members of the M. E. Church, and in his political preferences Mr. Myers is a Republican.

SAMPSON NANKIVELL, practical miner and contractor, Plains, was born in Tavis- tock, Devonshire, England, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Warne) Nankivell. The father, who was a miner, reared a family of five children, two of whom are living in America, and of whom our subject is the fourth. He came to America in 1866, and located at Five Points, where he remained four months, firing; he then went to Mt. Carmel, where he was engaged in mining two months; and then went to Michigan, where he worked in the mines two and a half years. He then moved to Idaho, via New York, Aspinwall and San Francisco, and remained there a year and eight months, after which he sailed for England and brought thence his family to Plains, where he has since been engaged in mining and contracting. Mr. Nankivell was married, March 25, 1861, to Miss Mary, daughter of William and Mary (Foot) Bath, and by her he has had four children, three of whom are living, viz .: Luke, Thomas and Lizzie. Mrs. Mary Bath died March 26, 1875, and Mr. Nankivoll married for his second wife, Mrs. Jane Coleman, sister of his first wife, and widow of John Coleman; to this union have been born four children, two of whom are living, viz .: Mary J. and William. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M., and the Sons of St. George; in politics he is a Republican. He has made a success of his business, sometimes employing fifteen or twenty men; and with an experience of twenty years in a somewhat dangerous business, he has had no serious injury to his men or himself.

THOMAS NATTRASS, mail carrier, Yatesville, was born in the county of Durham, England, October 12, 1820, and is a son of George and Mary (Weller) Nattrass, natives of the same place. They reared a family of five children, of whom our

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subject is third in order of birth. He received his education in England and worked there in the mines until 1847; after coming to the United States, he first located in Schuylkill county, Pa., and in 1849 removed thence and took up his residence in his present location, where he was employed as a miner by the Pennsylvania Coal Com- pany until his retirement, in 1887. Mr. Nattrass was united in wedlock, September 20, 1845, with Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret Wilson, natives of Dur- ham, England, and their union has been blessed with one son-Thomas C., born September 1, 1855, who is employed at the Laflin Powder Mills in the capacity of superintendent. Our subject is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics is a Republican. He is one of the original incorporators of the borough, and has held the offices of chief burgess, tax collector, member of council and justice of the peace.

THOMAS C. NATTRASS, superintendent of the Laflin Powder Mills, Laflin, was born in Yatesville, September 1, 1855, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Wil- son) Nattrass, natives of the county of Durham, England. The family consisted of four children, of whom our subject is the youngest, and the only survivor. He was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twelve years began working in a breaker, his employment about the mines lasting in all nine years, including four years as engineer. He then entered the employ of the Laflin Powder Company in the capacity of engineer, continuing as such for seven years' when he was given charge of the machinery and carpenter work, a position he held for five years, and in 1890 he was promoted to his present position. The mills, which have a capacity of 336 kegs a day, are owned by the Laflin Powder Company, H. D. Laflin of Saugerties, N. Y., being president. Mr. Nattrass was married Debember 25, 1875, to Mary E., daughter of Alfred and Mary (Siddons) Day, natives of Yorkshire, Eng- land, and very early settlers in Yatesville, Pennsylvania. Our subject and wife have five children, viz .: Mary J., Ida B., T. Wesley, Alfred J. and Ella J. (twins). Mr. Nattrass is a member of the I. O. O. F., a Republican in politics, and is at present treasurer of the borough council and school board.

CHAUNCY L. NAUGLE, proprietor of livery and sale stables, Gaylord avenue, Plym- outh, was born in Pittston December 2, 1859. He is a son of Minor and Mary (Evans) Naugle, the former born in Northumberland county, Pa., the latter a native of England. Minor Naugle was a soldier in the Civil war, and fought faithfully in defense of his flag; he is, by occupation, a tiller of the soil. His family consists of ten children, all of whom are living, Chauncy L. being the second in the family. He was reared and educated in Plymouth, and is now engaged in the useful and lucrative business of express, baggage, freight and general delivery. A history of Plymouth would be incomplete without a mention of C. L. Naugle and his estab- lishment. He is an enterprising and progressive business man. His livery, board- ing and sale stables are the largest in town; the stables are kept in the best possible condition, and everything about the place bears the mark of careful attention and good management. His horses are of excellent stock, his vehicles can not be sur- passed. Although Mr. Naugle is a comparatively young man, it is to his energy and enterprise alone that his business success is attributable, his entire trade, the largest of its kind in the Valley, having been built up in the last seven years. Mr. Naugle married, June 18, 1891, Lizzie, the accomplished daughter of James Eley, the well-known and popular proprietor of the "Eley House." Mr. Naugel is a Mason in good standing, and in religion is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

GEORGE P. NAUGLE, mason and farmer, P. O. Nescopeck, was born in Nescopeck September 12, 1827, a son of Philip and Rosanna (Driesbach) Naugle. His pater- nal grandfather was a pioneer of Nescopeck, a mason and farmer. His father, Philip, was also a mason and farmer, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, in 1827. He cleared and improved most of this place, where he died. His wife was a daughter of Yost Driesbach, a pioneer of Nescopeck, and by her he had seven children who grew to maturity: Lavina (Mrs. Joel Walp), Polly (Mrs. Daniel

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Hasler), Theodore, George P., John, Christianna (Mrs. Jesse Andrews) and Alfred. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, where he has always resided, and learned the mason's trade, which he followed forty-two years, and since 1864 has carried on farming in connection with same. He served nine months in the Civil war, being a member of Company C, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth P. V., and was honorably discharged at the expiration of service. He married, December 26, 1854, Sarah A., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hess) Bittenbender, of Conyng- ham township, and has seven children: John, Mary (Mrs. Samuel Sluser), Milton, Joseph, William, Emily J. and Sarah R. Mr. Naugle is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 178

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