History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 190

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 190

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

freight train. He continued to conduct freight until 1889, when he was again pro- moted, to the position of passenger conductor, running between Hazleton, White Haven, Eckley and Lattimer Mines. In his business relations with the public, Mr. Reese is always obliging and pleasant, and looks to the safety and comfort of those who are patrons of the trains he runs. Mr. Reese was united in marriage, Decem- ber 24, 1874, with Miss Susan, daughter of Robert and Ann (Bertley) Stevens, natives of England, to which union have been born nine children. In political matters Mr. Reese is a firm Republican; he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

B. C. REEVE, farmer, P. O. Dallas, was born February 16, 1849, in Kingston township, where and at Wyoming Seminary he received his education. He is a son of David and Martha (Chandler) Reeve, the former born in Orange County, N. Y., and the latter in Hope township, Warren Co., N. J. They are now living in King- ston township on a place of 220 acres, and are prosperous farmers, highly respected by all who know them. The father is an honest, industrious and upright man; politically he is a stanch Republican. There were five children born to them, all of whom are living. B. C. is the only son, and has always confined himself to agri- cultural pursuits. In 1871, at the age of twenty-two, he began life for himself in Dallas township as a farmer, working the farm he now owns, but which then belonged to Joseph Frantz. After the lapse of two years he moved back to King- ston township, and finally, in 1877, he again moved to Dallas on the farm he for- merly worked, and which he had purchased from Joseph Frantz, his father-in-law. It consists of 100 acres of land which he is fully able to manage. He is a man of tact and energy, always keeping abreast of the times. His stock is of mixed grade, but fine; it numbers thirty-nine, and this is accounted for by the fact that Mr. Reeve is an extensive dairy-man. In other respects he is a general farmer. He hauls his milk to Wilkes-Barre, where he sells it to wholesale dealers. Mr. Reeve was married, at the age of twenty-one, on February 22, 1870, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Frantz. To this union there were born children as follows: Joseph, David, Charles, Emma and Mary E., all of whom are living. Politically, Mr. Reeve is a Republican.

STEPHEN J. REGAN, a popular liveryman of Wilkes-Barre, was born in Ransom, Lackawanna county, October 7, 1861, a son of Daniel and Mary Regan, natives of Ireland. His parents came to America about 1855, and settled in what was then Ransom township, now Lackawanna county, Pa., where the father was employed by the Reading Railroad system. Their children who are living number seven: Mary, Kate, Stephen J., William, Ellen, Margaret and Elizabeth. Our subject was reared in Ransom township, educated in the public schools, and began life as a farm hand. In 1881 he located in Wilkes-Barre, where he was employed as teamster two years, and where, in 1883 he embarked in the teaming business on his own account. In 1888 he established a livery business, which he has since successfully conducted. June 11, 1890, Mr. Regan married Miss Anna, daughter of Patrick and Mary Lenahan, of Long Eddy, Sullivan county, N. Y., and by her had one daughter, Mary. He is a member of the Catholic Church and 'St. Aloysius Society, and in politics is a Democrat.

COL. GEORGE N. REICHARD, of the well-known firm, Reichard & Co., brewers, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., October 13, 1834, a son of John and Wilhelmina (Schrader) Reichard. The father came, an immigrant, to Wilkes- Barre in 1833, and soon after purchased the old brewery of his cousin. [See history of the first brewery in Wilkes-Barre elsewhere. ] There were sixteen children born to the parents, eight of whom grew to maturity (the others having died in infancy), and six are now living, in the order of births as follows: George N. (our subject); Henry C., in the employ of the brewery; Kate (Mrs. Leonard), of Wilkes-Barre; Lena (Mrs. Swoyer), whose husband in his lifetime was one of the prominent coal operators of Wilkes-Barre; John, a real estate agent of Denver, Colo., whither he had removed on account of his health, and Charles W., who owns and operates a

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cattle ranch in New Mexico. Our subject was educated in the public schools and Deacon Dana's Academy, of Wilkes-Barre, and at the President's call for volunteers in the spring of 1861 he enlisted, and was made captain of Company G, Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; he served his three months, was discharged, and returned home. In August, 1862, he helped to organize the One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, was elected captain of Company C, and as such served two years, when he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, and thus continued in the service to the end of the war, experiencing all the trials and vicissitudes in camp and field and bloody battle-ground. He was twice wounded in battle: at Gettysburg, and June 18, 1864, in the storming of Petersburg; he was honorably discharged with his command in June, 1865. In 1870 he became associated with his father in the brewery, when the name and style of the firm became Reichard & Son, and so continued until the death of the father, which occurred August 19, 1884. Soon after this John Reichard was admitted to the firm, when it became known as Reichard's Sons until January 1, 1889, at which date, owing to failing health, John Reichard retired from the firm, and George Weaver and J. G. Reichard were admitted, the style of the new firm being Reichard & Co., as it stands to-day.

On October 27, 1875, our subject was united in matrimony with Miss Grizzy E., daughter of Peter McC. and Elizabeth (Horton) Gilchrist, natives of New York State, the former born in Saratoga, the latter in Windsor, Broome county. Mr. and Mrs. Reichard have no children. They are members of the Episcopal Church, Mr. Reichard affiliates with the Democratic party, and has held the office of assist- ant United States assessor, and has been a member of the city council. He is a director of the Anthracite Savings Bank, and is a F. & A. M.

WILLIAM A. REICHARD, of the firm of Reichard & Trethaway, prominent grocers of Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city June 14, 1868, a son of Henry and Jennie G. (Griffin) Reichard. He was reared in his native city, educated in public schools and Harry Hillman Academy, and began his business career as a civil engineer, which profession he followed three years. In September, 1890, he embarked in the grocery trade as a member of the firm of Reichard & Trethaway, in which he has since successfully continued. Mr. Reichard is one of the popular young business men of Wilkes-Barre, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Landmark Lodge No. 442, F. & A. M., Shekinah Chapter No. 182, R. A. M., and Dieu Le Veut Commandery No. 45, K. T.

FRANKLIN S. REICK, jeweler, Ashley, was born in Cressona, Pa., July 22, 1865, son of William E. and Catherine A. (Heiser) Reick, of Ashley, natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania, the latter being of early German origin. His father, who is a carpenter by trade, reared a family of four children, two of whom are living, Franklin S. and Esther. Franklin S. was educated in the Ashley public schools, and at the age of fourteen began learning his trade which he has since fol- lowed. He engaged in business in 1888. Mr. Reick was married March 5, 1890, to Miss Lida, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Kilmer, of Wilmington, Del., natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Scotch origin, respectively. Mr. Reick and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and is a Democrat in his political views.

THOMAS H. REID, proprietor of a meat market, Pittston, was born at Yatesville, Pa., and is a son of John B. and Grace Reid, natives of Staffordshire, England. His parents came to America in 1849, settling at Pittston, Pa., where they resided until 1851, when they removed to Yatesville and purchased a farm which they tilled for thirty-six years, and where they reared a family of twelve children. The father soon after removed from the farm and took up his residence in the village, and was engaged in carrying mail up to the date of his death, which occurred in 1886. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Yatesville, and until eighteen years of age worked on the farm owned by his father. He then moved to Wyo- ming, Pa., and served an appenticeship of four years with a carriage builder. In the

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fall of 1882 he came to Pittston, Pa., and engaged in the meat business with W. A. Reid, a brother who started the business at Pittston in 1880. It was con- ducted from 1880 until 1890 under the firm name of Reid Bros., and at the latter date W. A. retired from the business and William Gowan took his place. The firm is now known as Reid & Gowan. They are enterprising men and are doing an extensive business. Mr. Reid attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in poli- tics he is a stanch Republican.

PHILIP REILEY, late merchant in Wilkes-Barre, passed into eternity January 6, 1892, and was followed by his kind and dearly beloved wife, May 15, of the same year, both being survived by their four children: Peter, Cornelius, Mary A. (Mrs. P. E. Flood), and Katie A. Much has been written concerning the early set- tlers in Luzerne county, but in recording the history of the wise, industrious, important and ambitious families of a more modern time, none can be found more worthy of note and a place in the annals of the county than that of Philip Reiley, as one among thousands of his countrymen who emigrated to this country to seek their fortunes. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1824, and was a son of Peter and Catherine (Waters) Reiley, in whose family there were two sons and two daughters, of whom Michael, a wealthy prospector and speculator, residing at Placerville, Boise Co., Idaho, is the only survivor. Philip Reiley came to America in 1847, and for two years was employed on a farm in New Jersey, where, in 1849, he met Miss Mary Masterson, of Newark, N. J., daughter of Cornelius and Cath- erine (Coyle) Masterson, natives of County Cavan, Ireland. In October of the same year he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he found employment on the coal docks, and accumulated a sufficient sum to purchase a comfortable home. Meantime he was very prompt in his attention to Miss Masterson, and the following year sought and obtained her hand in marriage, after which they located in their new home in Cleveland, where is now the central part of that great city. Becoming dissatisfied with his employment there, he sold his property, and in 1851 removed to Wilkes- Barre, where, in March of that year, he entered the employ of a Mr. Lippencotte, of the Baltimore Mines, having charge of the loading of boats and wagons in the capacity of weighmaster for about thirty years. Mr. Reiley's education was scant, but his rare judgment and good common sense won for him the greatest confidence of his employers during that long term of service, and was his unerring guide in his mercantile and real estate business in which he was, lately, extensively engaged. He was a kind father, a loving husband and an excellent financier and business man. Mr. and Mrs. Reiley were noted for their industry and good management, kind and charitable disposition and neighborly conduct, to which may be largely attributed their success in mercantile business from 1883 to 1892. Another great component of their success was the fact that they reared a good family who always worked for a common interest, and to whom they gave a liberal education. When Mr. Reiley embarked in mercantile business, his daughter, Mary A., took charge of his books and accounts until her marriage in 1885, when she was succeeded by her sister, Katie, who was educated in the Wyoming Seminary, including the commercial department, and in the Sisters of Mercy Convent, Wilkes-Barre. Being a very accurate accountant, she opened a systematic and comprehensive set of books for her father, and was otherwise of great aid to him in the management of the busi- ness until his death, when she became interested with her brother, Peter, in the management of their present business, the style of the firm being known as P. Reiley & Co. The Reiley family have been widely known in Luzerne county, and among their business fraternity, as they were always considered very charitable to the poor, devoted advocates of Catholicity and Democracy, and supporters of every worthy enterprise in the community in which they live.

PETER REILEY, of the firm of P. Reiley & Co., No. 471 Hazle street, Wilkes- Barre, was born in that city, January 5, 1853, and is a son of Philip and Mary (Masterson) Reiley. He was educated in the public school, and then worked in the breaker and about the mines for several years, was for a short time variously

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engaged in the draying, retailing cigars and in the bottling business, after which he returned to the mines where he was for seven years stationary engineer until January, 1892. At that time he joined his sister Katie in the continuance of the well-established business of their father. Mr. Reiley was married January 27, 1881, to Miss Mary O'Brien, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Walsh) O'Brien, natives of County Waterford, Ireland, and they have five children, as follows: Mary, Philip M., Catherine, Edward J. and Irene. Mr. Peter Reiley and his family are members of the Catholic Church; he was a charter member of the St. Aloysius Society, and the E. B. A., and in his political views is a Democrat.

CORNELIUS M. REILEY, merchant, No. 215 Parrish street, Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city, and is a son of Philip and Mary (Masterson) Reiley. He was educated in the schools of his native town and at the Wyoming Seminary, where he finished the commercial course. Was then car dispatcher at the Franklin Mine, five years; county detective of Luzerne county, three years; railroad detective for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company from Wilkes-Barre to Sunbury, one year; and in 1887 built his beautiful place of business, with residence attached, and engaged in his present business which he has since carried on with a marked degree of success. Mr. Reiley was married September 25, 1889, to Miss Katie M., daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Walsh) Fitzpatrick, of West Auburn, Susquehanna Co., Pa., natives of New Jersey and of Irish origin. Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Reiley are both members of the Catholic Church; in his political views he is a Democrat.

JAMES T. REILLY, merchant, Ashley, was born in Towanda, Pa., November 10, 1838, and is a son of Hugh and Anna (Reilly) Reilly, natives, respectively of Coun- ties Longford and Cavan, Ireland. His father. a weaver by trade, came to America about 1830 and located in Towanda, later in Montrose, and then at the red mill on the Ashley Planes, where he was stable-boss for many years; thence removed to Newtown, where both he and his wife died. The family consisted of four children, viz .: Mary A. (Mrs. Patrick Smith); Sarah (Mrs. Patrick McGraw); James T .; and Margaret (Mrs. John Shea). Our subject was educated in the old log schoolhouse which stood where the Central machine shop does, and commenced work in the blacksmith shop on the Plane where he remained until 1858, after which he was suc- cessively engaged as brakeman on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, two years; brakeman on the Bloomsburg Railroad, one year; fireman on the Lehigh & Susque- hanna Railroad, one year: fireman on the Reading Railroad, six months; engineer on the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad, fifteen years; engineer on the Keokuk & North- western Railroad, five years. In 1884 he came to Ashley and engaged in his present business. In April, 1863, Mr. Reilly married Miss Anna, daughter of James and Anna (Deleavy) Mulligan, natives of Ireland, and by her had the following children: Hugh V., collector for Coslet & Co., Wilkes-Barre; William S., clerk for Coons & Co., four- teen years, and now for Hoffimier, Wilkes-Barre; Annie T., clerk in Coons & Co., four years, married John Rain also a clerk in the same store; Agnes; Alice; James; Thomas; Edward; Austin; and Emmet (the last was instantly killed by a street car in front of his home at the age of two years; there was also one child that died in infancy). Mr. Reilly and family are strong advocates of Democracy, and zealous adherents of the Catholic Church.

JOHN REILLY, of Hanover township, while riding down South Main street, Wilkes- Barre, with Andrew Lenahan, was shot and killed by the latter about half past six on the evening of September 15, 1874. The body was carried to the Newtown bridge, and thrown down the bank where it was soon after discovered. The murderer escaped to Rock Island, Ill., where he assumed the name of Patrick Reilly; but mur- der will out, and he was discovered by a decoy letter and brought to Wilkes-Barre for trial. The jury were out but twenty minutes when they brought in a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree, and he paid the just penalty of his crime. Mr. Reilly was a man well liked by all, and held the office of justice of the peace at the time of his death. Even his murderer and he were friends, and the motive that prompted the deed is difficult to locate, unless it was for money paid by some

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politicians to destroy the life of one whom they imagined had wronged them, or at. least defeated their purposes. Mr. Reilly was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1841. After coming to America he enlisted in Company D, Ninth P. V. I., served during the entire war and was discharged as corporal; afterward he was captain of a company of Shield's Home Guards. When he returned from the war he embarked in the grocery business, which he followed until within about two months of his death, when he engaged in the saloon business in Wilkes-Barre but continued to live in Hanover township. April 4, 1867, our subject married Miss Margaret, daugh- ter of James and Mary (McGonigal) Meighan, natives of County Donegal, Ireland, where the family are wealthy and influential, and whence her parents emigrated in 1839. Of this union were born three children: Mary E. A., a graduate of the Bloomsburg State Normal School in 1886, and teacher in Wilkes-Barre schools; Anna B., graduate of the same school in 1891, and teacher in Hanover township and assistant principal; and Alice, who lives with her mother. The family have always been devoted advocates of Catholicity and Democracy.

AUGUSTUS REISENWEAVE, proprietor of the "Phoenix Hotel," Conyngham, was born in Sachsen Coburg, Germany, July 11, 1851, and is a son of George and Mar- garet (Laesterin) Reisenweave, who came to America in 1852, locating in Sugar Loaf township, this county. The father, who was a mason by trade, which he followed in connection with farming, died in Hazleton March 17, 1888, in his sixty-sixth year. His children were five in number, viz: John, Augustus, Peter, Amelia (Mrs. Leroy Gavitt), and Jacob (deceased). Our subject was reared in Sugar Loaf Valley, learned the shoemaker's trade which he followed seven years; then learned the car- penter's trade, which he carried on four years. In 1883 he embarked in the hotel business, and has been owner and proprietor of the "Phoenix Hotel," the principal hostelry in Conyngham, since 1886. On December 23, 1873, Mr. Reisenweave mar- ried Sarah, daughter of William and Sophia (Benninger) Houseknecht, of Sugar Loaf township, and they have two children living: William W. and Esther F. Our subject is a member of the Lutheran Church, of the I. O. O. F., and in politics he is a Democrat.

GEORGE REITH, farmer, P. O. Carverton, was born in Kincarndineshire, Scotland, near the city of Aberdeen, on the banks of the River Dee, January 19, 1841, where he was partly reared and educated. He is the son of George and Ann (Esson) Reith, both of whom were born in Scotland, the former near the castle of Fyvie, the history of which dates back about nine hundred years to the time when the Norman Conquerors invaded Great Britain. George was a son of Alexander Reith, who was in his day a practical farmer, serving seven years to fit him for all the various branches of horticulture. His son, George, Sr., was an overseer on the estate of a large landowner, where he became thoroughly acquainted with agricultural pursuits. He removed to this country with his wife and son, George, Jr., when the latter was eleven years of age. After a voyage of six weeks he located in Wilkes-Barre in June, 1852, engaging as a farmer, and taking a deep interest in all its branches. His long practice and knowledge of farming on scientific principles became so widely known that his counsel was sought after and acted upon by the thinking men of his community. He was a man of pure life; one in whom his fellow-men could place confidence without fear of betrayal; he was honest and industrious, and loyal to his adopted country. In religious doctrine he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an elder in that body at the time of his death, which event occurred February 17, 1866, when he was aged fifty years. His family consisted of four children, two of whom are living. His son, George, Jr., began life in Kingston township, on the John Dorrance estate, on which his father labored five years pre- vious to his death, and on which our subject labored five years subsequently. In 1871 he removed to Franklin township, where he purchased of D. H. Frantz a farm of 125 acres. On December 20, 1865, Mr. Reith was married to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Aaron and Zibee La Bar. This union resulted in the birth of one son, George, born October 3, 1866. Mrs. Eliza J. (La Bar) Reith was born in Mt.

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Bethel, Northampton Co., Pa. The La Bars are a numerous family, and are of French descent. Mr. Reith is a practical man in every sense of the word; a man who reads and remembers what he reads, keeping well abreast of the times in civil and social matters. He is a self-made man, who, by a close application to business, has succeeded in accumulating for himself a sufficiency of this world's goods. He has made many visible improvements in his place, and many others, not quite so apparent, perhaps, but which are appreciated in harvest time. He has held nearly all the town offices with credit, and is a man of influence in his neighborhood.

H. S. REMALY, farmer, Huntington township, P. O. Huntington Mills, was born February 13, 1852, in that township, and is a son of George and Lucy (Smith) Remaly, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English origin, respectively; the father is a farmer and resides near Huntington Mills. Our subject is the fifth in a family of eight children, six of whom are now living. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when seventeen years of age went to work as fireman in Koons Bros.' paper-mill, where he remained for nine years, after which he went to Canada with Prof. Robert, prospecting for coal for three years. He then returned to his native township and rented the Monroe farm, which he worked in this way until the spring of 1889, when he purchased the same. It is a property of 110 acres, between the turnpike and Huntington creek, one-half mile from the postoffice. Mr. Remaly was united in marriage, April 17, 1887, with Miss Edith, daughter of Perry and Martha (McCafferty) Monroe, natives of Pennsylvania and of English origin. Mr. and Mrs. Remaly attend the M. E. Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P .; has held the office of school director, and in politics is a Republican.

WILLIAM J. RENNIMAN, druggist, Avoca, son of Justus and Mary (Miller) Renni- man, was born at Honesdale, Pa., November 10, 1854. His father and mother are both natives of Germany, where they were educated. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Justus Renniman left Germany and came to this country, in 1849 taking up his resi- dence in Honesdale, Pa., where he remained as a canal boatman and teamster until 1880; at this time he removed to Avoca, where both he and his wife now live. Thirteen children were born to their marriage, viz. : William J. (the subject of this sketch); Justus, Jr. (deceased); Win; Anna (deceased); Mary, married to James Bell, a barber at Avoca, Pa; Margaret, a teacher at Avoca; Magdalene, residing with her parents; Carrie, married to P. H. O'Brien, a miner at Avoca; Elizabeth, living at home; and four who died while quite young. Mr. Renniman was edu- cated in the schools of Honesdale. When thirteen years of age he left school and began working in a rolling-mill at Scranton, Pa., remaining until 1869, and then entered the drug-store of Matthews Bros., of that place. In 1874 he matriculated at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., as a special student, and graduated in 1876. Mr. Renniman then returned to Scranton, to his old place in Matthews Bros., and remained with them seven months. In the latter part of 1876 he removed to Avoca and opened a drug-store of his own, which he is still conducting. In 1890 he was appointed deputy coroner. Our subject is a member of Valley Lodge No. 170, Avoca, Pa., of the Knights of Honor. He sustains an honorable reputation and has prospered in business because of his unflagging industry, his courteous bearing and manly qualities having won for him many friends.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 190

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