History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 184

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

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LIEUTENANT CHARLES L. PECK, outside foreman at the New Jersey No. 8 Colliery, Ashley, was born in Carbondale, Pa., February 7, 1848, and is a son of Joseph W. and Elizabeth R. (Roles) Peck, natives of Pennsylvania, of English and Holland origin, and early settlers in that State; his father, who was a blacksmith by trade, and is now manufacturer and dealer in proprietary medicine, reared a family of seven children, four of whom are living, viz. : Charles L .; Joseph M., locomotive engineer, on Lake Ontario; Chester, brakeman on a passenger train on the D. L. W. Railroad; and Laura (Mrs. John Price, Wilkes-Barre). Our subject was educated in the public schools of Carbondale, and then picked slate in the breaker for a year and a half, after which he learned the blacksmith trade and followed it for six years. He enlisted at Carbondale, June 26, 1863, in Company H, Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Emergency Corps, and served three months. He enlisted at Scranton March 31, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh P. V. I., and was discharged August 3, 1865. He then resumed his trade at Salamanca, N. Y., where he remained three years, and then resided at Corey one year; Mayville one year; Pleasantville six months; Mayville (again) six months, and Carbondale two years. He then went to Williamsport, Pa., where he worked in the rubber works for six months, after which he began braking on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, at Penobscot, which he followed fifteen months. He then removed to Ashley and worked in Sugar Notch, and the next spring removed to that place, remaining until 1891, when he returned to Ashley, where, after acting as docking-boss for four months he was promoted to his present position. Mr. Peck was married March 7, 1876, to Martha, daughter of Luther and Susan (Johnson) Ellis, natives of Penn- sylvania, and of very early Rhode Island origin; they are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Republican in politics. He has been first lieu- tenant of Company A, Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania National Guards, since Jan- uary 14, 1886.

GALUBHA A. PECK, engineer on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, Ashley, with residence in Hanover township, was born in Clifford township, Susquehanna Co., Pa., August 20, 1858. He is a son of Seril and Rachel (Halstead) Peck, and a grandson of Asher and Polly (Ellis) Peck, who with their son Seril came from New London, Conn., in 1818. They settled on a farm in Clifford township, which is still occupied by his son Bela, and the family of his son Asael. The family con- sisted of three sons: Asael, Seril and Bela. Our subject is also a grandson of

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

D'Alanson and Phebe (Wells) Halstead, who were farmers near Elkdale, Snsque- hanna Co., Pa. He is a great-grandson of Stephen Ellis, who came from Connecticut in 1810 and settled on a farm near Uniondale, Susquehanna county; he was a pen- sioner of the Revolutionary war, and died in November, 1847, at the age of eighty- four years. He is also a great-grandson of John and Rachel (Knapp) Halstead, and of James and Catherine (Van Akin) Wells, the latter of whom in 1806 owned a farm where Elkdale now is. James Wells was a native of Minisiuk on the Delaware, where he had a gristmill from which he furnished flour and provisions for the Revo- lutionary soldiers; he died in June, 1839, at the age of eighty-nine years, at the home of his son, Eliphalet, in Clifford township. The father of our subject, who was a farmer, reared a family of six children, viz. : Nelson H., train despatcher, Newark, N. J .; Henry H., conductor, Scranton; Emily Viola (Mrs. William Shan- non, deceased); John B., engineer, Scranton; Sydney A., engineer, Northumberland; and Galusha A. The last named passed his boyhood on the farm, and at the age of seventeen years went to Scranton, and drove a milk wagon for his brother-in-law one year. He then braked on the D., L. & W. three months, and fired two years and nine months, after which he went west and worked on different roads for nine months. Upon his return be fired two years and three months on the Central Rail- road of New Jersey, and was promoted to his present position in 1882. He built his comfortable home in 1886. Mr. Peck was married August 21, 1880, to Miss Susie, daughter of Frank and Lucy (Reicheldarfer) Mertz, natives, respectively, of Germany and Pennsylvania, and of German origin. The issue of this happy union has been four children, viz. : Emma Viola, Edna Rachel, Laura May and Frank Seril. Our subject and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the F. & A. M., B. of' L. E., and Royal Arcanum, and in politics is a Prohibitionist.

EDWIN R. PECKENS, assistant superintendent of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, coal department, Plymouth division, was born at Bridgewater, Susque- hanna Co., Pa., June 16, 1831, and is the eldest of three sons born to Thompson and Jerusha (Backus) Peckens, the former of Massachusetts and the latter of Con- necticut birth. The subject of this sketch received his education at the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa., and a higher course of training at Bucknell University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1854. After completing his course he returned to Luzerne county, and kept books for his father at what was known as the Black Diamond Store. The breaker of the Black Diamond was the first one erected in the county, and, was built by the father of our subject. After clerking in the store for some time Mr. Peckens was employed in the coal department office at the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, and continued there till 1861, when he joined, as a captain, Company H, Fifty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers, under command of Col. Dodge, and Lieut .- Col. Hoyt, who afterward became governor of Pennsylvania. This regiment had the advance in the whole Peninsular campaign, and was engaged in all the battles connected with that strife. Mr. Peckens served two years, his term of enlistment expiring September 4, 1863. After returning from the war, he accepted a position in the internal revenue office at Scranton, Pa., which was under the supervision of Joseph Scranton. Here he remained three years, and then opened an auction store at Scranton, which he con- ducted for a short time; then removed to Schuylkill county, where he became super- intendent for the Tremont Coal Company; then returned to Scranton and worked for the Northern Coal Company, as clerk under Mr. Albright. There he remained until the Northern Coal Company was merged into the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, when he was given the position as assistant superintendent, which he has since occupied. He has five breakers under his constant supervision. Mr. Peckens was married, November 22, 1855, to Miss Mary, daughter of Anson and Sarah (Mitchel) Atherton, natives of Luzerne county, and three children have been born to them, viz. : Edwin, who married Emma Keller, at Plymouth (Edwin is coal inspector for the Plymouth Division of the D. & H. Coal Co.); Linda, at home; and

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Frank, weighmaster for the D. & H. Canal Co. The family attend the Baptist Church. Mr. Peckens is a Republican in politics; he is a member of the F. & A. M.

F. W. PEDRICK, Pittston. This gentleman, who is one of Pittston's most enter- prising business men, is a native of Carbondale, Pa., and was born November 3, 1847. He is a son of Enos and Mary A. (Shepherd) Pedrick; the former a native of Lackawanna (now Luzerne) county, the latter of Northampton county and of German and Irish descent: Benjamin Pedrick, the grandfather of subject, was a native of Germany, and after coming to America settled in New York, where he remained a short time. In 1802 he came to Luzerne county, being one of the early pioneers. Mr. Pedrick was the second in a family of four children, two of whom are now living, viz .: William, who is now in Chicago in the real estate business; and F. W. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Luzerne county, began life as a brakeman, and shortly afterward was promoted to fireman, in which latter vocation he was engaged when he resigned. In November, 1864, he enlisted in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was immediately transferred to the Fifteenth Engineers Corps to do guard duty, and in June, 1865, was discharged. His brother William was also a soldier, and while he and William were in the army, their two brothers, James and George, were killed on the railroad. At the close of the war, he returned to railroading, for four years, and then engaged in business in Scranton. In 1877 he came to Pittston as manager for J. D. Williams & Co. in the confectionery and ice cream business, and in 1888 bought them out, since when he has carried on a very extensive business. He has recently engaged in the bakery business, also, is the leading baker of Pittston, and tries to please the public. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Mary A. Root, of Carbondale, and this union has been blessed with three children, viz. : Bessie, I'da and Jenny. Mr. Pedrick is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. His political views are in hearty accord with the principles of the Prohibition party.

THOMAS PENCE, farmer and dairyman, Wright township, P. O. Mountain Top, was born in Warren county, N. J., March 31, 1854, a son of Martin and Clara C. (David) Pence, both also natives of New Jersey. The father was a farmer, and reared a family of six children, of whom Thomas is the youngest. His father died when he was young and his school. days were thus necessarily limited, but, by studying at night, he acquired a good education. He worked on his mother's farm from the death of his father until he was twenty-one years old. He then took a farm for himself in his native county, and worked it for six years, during which time he saved enough money to come to Wright township, where he purchased a farm and gave his attention to poultry-raising and dairy-farming, which he is still following. In November, 1873, Mr. Pence was united in marriage with Catharine A., daughter of John R. and Margaret (Moore) Castner, both Americans. Their union was blessed by three children: Jennie V. ; Edgar and Allie M. Mr. and Mrs. Pence and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Rippletown, Pa. Mr. Pence is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of Fairview. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has held the office of school director in Wright township four years.

ALEXANDER R. PENNINGTON, merchant and lumberman, Fairmount township, P. O. Fairmount Springs, was born in that township December 30, 1842, a son of Jona- than C. and Phoebe (Tubbs) Pennington, natives of Chester and Luzerne counties, respectively, and of English origin. Jonathan C. Pennington came to Fairmount township in 1827, where he still resides at the age of eighty-eight years. He is a son of Jesse and Rebecca (Culley) Pennington. Our subject, who is the seventh in a family of eight children, four of whom are living, was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the common schools. When twenty-one years of age he enlisted in the U. S. army, Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Capt. B. F. Gardner. He was with his regiment through the remainder of the war, and was discharged June 12, 1865. He returned to his native town- ship, bought a farm and conducted same till 1869. He then traveled in the western' States for one year, when he bought a half interest in his present store, with Charles

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Good. After one year he sold his interest back to Mr. Good, and was employed in Wilkes-Barre for one year, when he and W. H. Moore purchased the store from Mr. Good, and conducted same until 1891, in which year Mr. Moore retired from the business. In 1891 our subject bought a large timber tract, and has since devoted a part of his time to lumbering. He was appointed postmaster in 1875, and has held the office ever since. He married, July 21, 1872, Miss Phoebe, daughter of George and Rebecca Moore, by whom he has one child, Murad D., born June 30, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Pennington are members of the M. E. Church. He is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and G. A. R. Politically he is a Republican, and has been treasurer of his township three years, also school director three years.

DAVID PERKINS, manufacturer of candies and ice cream at No. 133 East Market street, Wilkes-Barre, and corner of Wyoming avenue and Breese street, Wyoming borough, was born February 28, 1829, in Wyoming, and is a son of John and Unica (Miller) Perkins, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin, the former of whom was a farmer and landlord. Our subject is a grandson of David Perkins (who was a farmer at Wyoming), and a great-grandson of - - Perkins (who came from Connecticut to the Wyoming Valley in 1768, and was killed by the Indians in 1780). Our sub- ject's father reared a family of six children, three of whom are now living, David being third in order of birth. Our subject was educated in the common schools and at the Wyoming Seminary. At eighteen years of age he began farming on the homestead, which vocation he followed for thirty years; he then devoted fourteen years to fruit growing on the same property, and in 1890 began the manufacture of candies and ice cream at Wilkes-Barre. He was married, December 20, 1865, to Miss Christina. daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Woodsum) Lewis, natives of Kenne- bec county, Maine, and of Irish and English origin, respectively. This happy union was blessed with two children: John L., born April 5, 1870, who is with his father in the candy business; and Sallie A., attending Madame Clare's private school in Philadelphia. Mrs. Perkins is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Wyo- ming. Mr. Perkins in his political preferences is a stanch Republican.

SMITH B. PERRIGO, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born November 20, 1849, in Franklin township, where he was reared and educated. He is the son of William M. and Mary A. (Riggs) Perrigo, both of whom were born in New Jersey, and removed to this county about 1836, locating in Franklin township, where they owned a farm of fifty acres. William Perrigo was a man of honest and industrious habits, and a good citizen. He reared a family of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity, and eight of whom are now living. Smith B. is the sixth of the family in order of birth, and, although born and reared on a farm, and naturally a farmer, he has spent much time at mechanical pursuits in the Locomotive Boiler Works in Kingston. He removed to Dallas township in 1884, and settled on a fine farm of forty-five acres, on which he has built a house and barn and made other nec- essary improvements. He has served as auditor and in other offices, and is a worthy man and a good citizen. May 17, 1877, he married Miss Anna E., daughter of William Allen, by whom he has had five children, two of whom are now living: Albert H. and Milton A. Mrs. Anna (Allen) Perrigo was born in Lake town- ship, July 20, 1848. She is a worthy member, in good standing, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

CALVIN PERRIN, merchant, Luzerne, was born in Centre Moreland, Wyoming Co., Pa., November 28, 1843, and is a son of George and Charlotte (Ferguson) Perrin, also natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Perrin was educated in his native county, and at the early age of seventeen years began his career as a school teacher, a vocation he followed two years, subsequently serving one year in a store at Orange, as clerk. He then enlisted, August 1, 1864, in the Two Hundred and Tenth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was attached to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps. He was promoted to the rank of a non-commissioned officer, and participated in the following battles: Hatcher's Run, October 27 and 28, 1864; Belleville Raid, N. C., December 7 to 11, 1864; Dabney's Mills, February 5

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

to 7, 1865; Gravely Run, March 27; White Oak Roads, March 31; Five Forks, April 1; Appomattox, April 9; and in all these engagements, although filling the perilous position of standard bearer, he came out unscathed. Mr. Perrin was mar- ried, December 30, 1864, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Levi Winters, of Wyoming county, Pa., and they have three children: Howard W., who was graduated at the Wyoming Seminary and Princeton College, and is now taking a course of law at the University of Pennsylvania; Herbert, attending school at Binghamton, N. Y., and Fred, at present with his father in the store, and who recently married Miss Bar- bara Wallace, of Luzerne. Mr. Perrin is a member of the M. E. Church, of the G. A. R., F. & A. M., and I. O. O. F. In politics he is a stanch Prohibitionist, and votes not for party but for principle.

MORGAN L. PERRIN, insurance agent, Pittston. This successful insurance man was born May 5, 1850, in Kingston township, this county, and is the son of Gurdon and Frances (Lewis) Perrin, natives of Luzerne county, Pa. The father of our subject was engaged in farming and also in mercantile business up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. There were four children in his family, namely: Minnie (deceased), Morgan L. (our subject), Martha (wife of Eugene Bonstein) and Emily. Morgan L. Perrin was educated in the public schools of Pittston, and was engaged in his father's store until the latter's death, when he became identified with the Butler Coal Company, first in the capacity of bookkeeper, afterward as general superintendent of their works, acting in the latter capacity about two years. In 1872 he embarked in the insurance business, and has built up a large connection. He is also engaged in breeding fine horses, and has some of the best blooded stock in the State. Mr. Perrin was united in marriage, May 1, 1870, with Miss Anna, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Furman) Searle, of Pittston, Pa. Mr. Searle was one of the first jewelers in Pittston, and was postmaster under Abraham Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Perrin have been blessed with four children, viz. : Jessie A., Ralph (deceased), Ella S. and Mary N. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics Mr. Perrin is a Republican. The advent of the Perrin family in America dates back to 1636, when John Perrin came from England and settled in Massachusetts.

JOHN PERRY, farmer, P. O. Carverton, was born in Wales, about 1822, a son of William and Nancy Perry, both of whom were born in Wales. Our subject emigrated to this country about 1849, at the age of twenty-eight, locating first at Pottsville, and afterward in Pittston, where he remained four years, and where his wife kept a small store. Mr. Perry was a miner by occupation, and followed it for over fifty years, both in this and his native country. From Pittston he moved to Carverton, about 1882, and bought a farm of fifty acres which he is improving and embellishing to perfection. He continued to mine until 1886, when he gave it up on account of deafness which interfered with the work. Mr. Perry was married, in Wales, to Miss Anna M., daughter of John and Letissue (Evans) Bowen. Of this union have been born five children, four of whom are living: Mary Ann, born 1850; William H., born 1854; David J., born 1858; and Joseph M., born 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Perry are both hospitable and kind, and are consistent members of the Baptist Church.

MAHLON A. PETER, farmer, P. O. Dorrance, was born in Hollenback township November 12, 1858, son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Whitebread) Peter, both of whom were born in Hollenback township. Jonas was a son of John Peter, who was born in Lehigh county. He removed to this county about 1818, locating in what is now Hollenback township, on 100 acres of land, part of which he cleared. He died when comparatively a young man, at the age of forty-five years. His family con- sisted of nine children, two of whom are living. His son Jonas began his active business life in Hollenback township, on another lot of land. He also owned and operated a sawmill, in which he manufactured custom lumber. He was a thrifty, hard-working, honest and industrious man. He held several prominent township offices. Mr. Peter was a strict churchman and a member of the Reformed Church,

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

in which he held the offices of elder and deacon. He died July 7, 1890, aged sixty- two years. His wife died in February, 1870, aged thirty years. Their family numbered five children, three of whom are now living. Mahlon A. is the second of the family, and during the greater part of his life has followed agricultural pursuits. He removed to Dorrance township in 1887, on a farm of seventy-two acres, forty of which are under cultivation, a feat accomplished by his own personal industry. In December, 1886, he married Miss Sarah C., daughter of William and Eliza Eroh, and to this union have been born three children, two of whom are living, Earl La Mott and Clarence M. Mrs. Sarah C. Peter was born in Dorrance township February 12, 1859. Mr. Peter is a farmer, practical in all his agricultural under- takings, and well thought of in his township. He is a member of the O. U. A. M. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church; politically he is a Democrat.

ABRAM F. PETERS, retired lumber merchant, White Haven borough, was born in Lehigh county, Pa., July 25, 1820, a son of Abram and Elizabeth (Fritzinger) Peters, natives of Lehigh county, and of Swiss origin. Mr. Peters was a stone- mason by trade. He died, leaving a family of three children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth. He received a limited education in the common schools, and began life at the age of fifteen as a farm hand, which occupation he followed until 1837. He then engaged with one Stephen Reitsy to learn the tailor's trade, remaining with him for about two years, and afterward worked at his trade in different towns in Lehigh county for about six years. In 1844 he came to White Haven, where he worked one year as a tailor, when he engaged as clerk in the general store of Ruben Schuler for two years. He then boated for a season, and finally, renting a sawmill from the estate of Ruben Schuler, conducted the same until 1869, when he purchased the mill, improved the property, and did a large lumber business until 1888; in this year he retired, owing to the scarcity of lumber. Mr. Peters was married in May, 1848, to Miss Savina, daughter of John and Mary (Houser) Kleckner, natives of Pennsylvania. This union was blessed with three children, viz. : Almina A. (Mrs. W. L. Hoffecker, of Elizabeth, N. J.), Sadilia (Mrs. John J. Baker, of White Haven), and Mahlon G., born March 3, 1857. The latter received his primary education in the common schools and Wyoming Seminary, and after- ward entered Cornell University, from which he graduated in 1872. He was made an equal partner with his father in the lumber trade. Mahlon G. Peters was mar- ried November 15, 1883, to Joanna Wallace, daughter of Samuel and Effie (Dink) Wallace, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch and German origin, respectively. She was born April 18, 1856, the eldest child in a family of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have one child, Renie E., born August 15, 1884. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mahlon G. Peters is a member of the F. & A. M., and both he and his father are sound Republicans. The family are among the most respected in the borough.

WILLIAM H. PETHICK, contractor and builder, Wilkes-Barre, was born near Bude, Cornwall, England, December 5, 1844, and is a son of William and Dorcas (Barrett) Pethick, who came to America in 1881, locating in Wilkes-Barre, where they now reside. Their children are: Mary A., William H., James, Harry and Charles T. Our subject was reared and educated in England, served an apprenticeship of six years at the carpenter's trade, and afterward worked as a journeyman in London, six years. In 1871 he came to America and settled in Wilkes-Barre, where he was engaged as foreman in the charge of some of the best buildings then being erected. In 1880 he embarked in business for himself as a contractor and builder, in which he has since successfully continued. Among the many churches and business blocks erected under his supervision may be mentioned: S. W. Presbyterian Church; Welsh Baptist and M. E. Churches; the Pell block; People's Bank; Meade Street school house; Syndicate block, and many others. On October 6, 1876, Mr. Pethick mar- ried Sarah A., daughter of Francis and Selina Bone, of Pittston, formerly of Eng- land, and has five children: Jeunie, Charles F., Harry G., Hilda and William G. Mr. Pethick is a member of the I. O. O. F., Sons of St. George and Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

JOSEPH PETKOSKI, saloon-keeper, Newport township, P. O. Glen Lyon, is a native of Russian Poland, born January 25, 1849. His parents were Thomas and Rosa (Vam- anawca) Petkoski, also natives of Russian Poland. Thomas died in 1889 at the age of seventy-three years, followed by his wife, Rosa, in 1891, at the age of seventy-four years. The subject of this sketch is one of a family of three brothers, Isaac, Will- iam and Joseph, of whom Joseph is the eldest. He came to this country on Jan- uary 8, 1872, and landed at New York. He stopped fourteen months in New York State, and then came to Newport township, this county, and started in as a miner, an occupation he followed for a number of years. On September 12, 1878, Mr. Petkoski married Augusta, daughter of Christopher and Fannie (Strober) Bowman, natives of Germany, and Russian Poland, respectively; they are both living in Lu- zerne county, the former at Wanamie, and the latter at Mocanaqua. The subject of our sketch belongs to the Polish Catholic Church.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 184

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