History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 192

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

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JACOB RICE, retired, Dallas borough, was born, June 16, 1817, in Dallas, where he was reared and educated. He is son of Chriseon and Sarah (Mackferrin) Rice, both of whom were born in New Jersey, the former, December 25, 1780, the latter, February 20, 1780. They came to this county in 1812, locating first in Trucks- ville, Kingston township, where they resided for several years. The father was a wagon-maker by trade, and at various times followed milling. In 1816 he removed to Dallas, where he purchased a tract of land on which he built a sawmill propelled by water power, said to be the first mill in Dallas. He was a man of sober and industrious habits, and lived to be over eighty-four years old; he reared a family of three children, two of whom are now living. Jacob is the youngest in the family, and confined himself to farming and lumbering for the first thirty years after reaching his majority. He kept store in Dallas for abont twenty years, and at one time kept the " Lake Grove House," which he built on Harvey's Lake, that beautiful summer resort. Our subject was married, June 25, 1837, at the age of twenty, to Miss Susan, daughter of Alexander and Margaret Fergusou. By this union there were born six children, five of whom grew to maturity, and four of whom are now living: Zibe B., George H., William H. and Sarah J. Mr. Rice owned the first painted house, and used the first spring-wagon in Dallas township. Jacob Rice has an interesting and honorable military record, and is the representative military man of Dallas. In May, 1839, he was commissioned first lieutenant of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Pennsylvania Militia. On August 20, 1849, he was commiss- ioned captain of the Dallas Artillery; in 1857, lieutenant-colonel of Col. Rhoads Regiment; on May 1, 1861, quartermaster of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and on October 12, 1861, of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, thus showing a record of which he may be proud. At the expiration of his term of service in the Civil war, he received many recommendations from line officers of the brigade and regiment to which he belonged, to Gens. Hancock and Ingalls, for promotion; but pressure of business at home prevented him from presenting them, or desiring to return to camp life. Capt. Rice, as he is familiarly called, is a man of much

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influence in his town, both in civil and religious circles. He is a member of the G. A. R., and of the M. E. Church, holding the office of trustee in the same. Polit- ically, he is a Republican.

DAN C. RICHARDS, fire-boss, Hillman Vein Coal Company, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Lianelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales, August 25, 1844, and is a son of William P. and Hannah (Williams) Richards, who came to America in 1860, and located in Pittston, where the father engaged in mining; later he removed to Springbrook, now Lackawanna county, where for several years he was farming, after which he once more moved to Pittston, where he now resides. His children were seven in number: David, Harriet (Mrs. Edward Harris), Dan C., Sarah (Mrs. Thomas J. Morgan), Lettice (Mrs. John Mathews), Maria (Mrs. T. B. Evans) and Maggie (Mrs. William W. Mathews). Our subject was reared in Wales until sixteen years of age, when he came to America with his parents in 1860 He has been a resident of Wilkes-Barre since 1868, where he has been engaged in mining, and has held the position of fire-boss under the Hillman Vein Coal Company since 1883. Mr. Richards was married June 20, 1869, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Mathews) Kidney, of Wilkes-Barre, and has seven children living: William, George, Joseph, Eddie, Albert, Lewis and Arthur. He is a member of the First M. E. Church of Wilkes-Barre, and of the Mystic Chain and K. of G. E. In politics he is a Republican.

DAVID L. RICHARDS, retired, Wilkes-Barre, was born near Swansea, Glamorgan- shire, South Wales, May 26, 1834, a son of David L. and Sarah (Lloyd) Richards. He was reared in his native country, where, at seven years of age he entered the coal mines, working in the various positions up to 1860. He then came to America, locating in Scranton, Pa., and was employed in the mines of that vicinity two years. In 1862 he came to Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided, and for eighteen years was in the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, as miner, inside and outside foreman and contractor, retiring in 1880. His wife was a daughter of David and Charlotte (Davis) George, of Wales, and by her he has one daughter, Charlotte (Mrs. Thomas Oliver), a resident of Wilkes-Barre, and who has three children living: Gertrude, Edith and Alice. Mr. Richards is one of the old and respected Welsh residents of Wilkes-Barre; is a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican.

DAVID T. RICHARDS, mine contractor, Hanover township, was born in Carmar- thenshire, South Wales, March 2, 1857, a son of Reese and Mary (Thomas) Richards. The father, who was a farmer, reared a family of nine children, four of whom are living, viz. : Mary (Mrs. Henry G. Jones); William T., farmer, Vermont; David T., and Jane (Mrs. John Richards, Wales). Our subject was educated in South Wales and followed the occupation of jockey until 1878, at which time he came to America, locating in Wilkes-Barre. He engaged in mining, which he has since followed, and in 1881 removed to Ashley, where he built his present residence, at the corner of Ridge and Liberty streets in 1888. January 12, 1883, Mr. Richards married Miss Hannah, only daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Thomas) Hughes, natives of North Wales, and by her had five children, viz .: Mary, Joslin, William B., Rees T. and Julia Lena. Mr. Richards is a member of the I. O. R. M. and of the Ivorites. He is independent in his political views, but in sympathy with the Republican party.

EDWARD RICHARDS, of the firm of Richards & Fry, dealers in wall-paper and sta- tionery, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., August 25, 1852, and is a son of Oliver and Harriet (Peterson) Richards. The father was a native of Manchester, England, a carpenter by trade and in early life located in Luzerne county, where he followed his trade for several years; in 1853 he removed to Fayette county, residing there until his death in 1861. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Peterson, of Lu- zerne county, and by her he had four children: Emeline (Mrs. William Baur), Ed- ward, William (deceased) and Albert (deceased). Our subject was reared in Wilkes- Barre from nine years of age, was educated in the public schools, and served an ap- prenticeship of three years at painting, also two years at paper-hanging, and fol-

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lowed his trade from 1869 up to the present time, six years in Oil City. He has been a permanent resident of Wilkes-Barre since 1884, and September 1, 1890, he formed a partnership with E. K. Fry, under the firm name of Richards & Fry, deal- ers in wall-paper and stationery, ranking among the prominent firms of the city in that business. Mr. Richards was married, May 8, 1876, to Clara, daughter of John Boehmler, of Hazleton, this county, and has six children living: Mable, Grace I., Emma, Ida, William and Walter. Our subject is an adherent of the Baptist Church; politically he is an advocate of Prohibition.

GEORGE P. RICHARDS, retired, Plymouth. This genial gentleman was born April 17, 1820, at Ahesyshen, Monmouthshire, South Wales, and is a son of David and Mary (Parey) Richards, the former a native of Carmarthenshire and the latter of Breconshire, South Wales. The subject of this sketch was educated in Wales and in 1860 came to America, locating at Dunmore, near Scranton, Pa., where he en- gaged in mining, which he followed for nearly two years. Removing from Dun- more to Wilkes-Barre, in 1852, he put in the ponderous machinery for the Black Diamond Breaker, this being among the first to be erected in the Valley. In 1854 he removed to Mauch Chunk, Pa., and was employed by Bradley & Butler as ma- chinist one year, at the end of which time he returned to Wilkes-Barre and assumed charge of the mechanical work in the mill then operated by O. B. Hillard & Son. From Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Richards proceeded to Plains, where he had charge of a hoisting engine, and where he remained a short time, coming in September, 1865, from there to Plymouth, where he at present resides. There he was engaged in running the river steamer " William Patton," which plied between Plymouth and Nanticoke, which he followed for about fifteen years, although he was connected with the line for twenty years. During the time he was with the steamship line our subject was also employed as salesman by Patton, Fender & Co., coal operators. At about this time Mr. Richards purchased the steamer " Windhoken" and launched her on Harvey Lake, it being the first boat of the kind ever floated on that pictur- esque body of water. It was transported by sleighs from the Susquehanna over- land through what was then called a dense wilderness. Mr. Richards kept it on the lake three years, during which time it was well patronized. He then sold it to Col. Wright, who transferred it to New Jersey (this was in 1865), and since then Mr. Richards has been extensively engaged in the real estate and hotel business. In 1887 he erected the imposing brick block situated on the corner of Main street and Center avenue, which is occupied by James Eley and is known as the " Eley House," one of the finest regulated and best kept hotels in northern Pennsylvania. Mr. Richards has been twice married, first time in Wales to Miss Sarah, daughter of William and Ann (Thomas) Thomas, natives of Wales, and to this union were born fifteen children. The three eldest are deceased, and those living are: Mary Ann (now wife of E. E. Fletcher, of Plymouth, Pa. ); Sarah (who married Reese D. Williams, druggist, Plymouth), David, Ida (who married John Appleton, of Plym- outh), Martha (now Mrs. John B. Phillips), George W., Harriet (wife of Joseph Griffith, merchant, Danville, Pa.), John (married and residing at Plymouth), and Maggie, Cora, Josie and William at home. Mr. Richards was again married May 5, 1880, this time to Alice, daughter of Julius and Sarah (Whittaker) Mulford, granddaughter of Rev. John Whittaker, who emigrated from England and settled at Dringman's Ferry, Pike county, of which county he was one of the early pio- neers. Mr. Richards is a Republican, and in 1870 was elected clerk of the Luzerne county courts. Charles Robinson was his opponent, but the gray-haired veteran downed him by 624 votes. In 1874 he was also elected to the office of justice of the peace. He has done much to develop and build up Plymouth, and it can be truth- fully said that he was here early in the history of the borough, and has always been ready to assist in any enterprise that would add prosperity to the town. Mr. Rich- ards and family attend the M. E. Church.

HENRY J. RICHARDS, inventor and mining timberman, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Merthyr Tydvill, Glamorganshire, South Wales, November 14, 1845, a son of Will-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

iam H. and Martha (Jones) Richards. His father came to America in 1856, locat- ing at Danville, Pa., where he remained about fifteen months, and returned home. In 1873 he came back, located in Plymouth, this county, and engaged in mining up to the time of his death, in 1882. His children were: Catherine (Mrs. John Davis), William, Jane, Henry J., Miriam (Mrs. John Evans), Arthur, Hiram, Jane (second) (Mrs. William Walters), Anna (Mrs. John W. James) and Frank. Our subject was reared in Wales, and educated in the public schools. He began life in the mines at six years of age in his native country, where he was employed sixteen years. He started for America in October, 1867, but three days out from Queenstown was ship- wrecked, and was rescued by a ship sailing for Quebec, Canada, where he landed. At a later date he spent five months in Pittsburgh, and from there moved to Dan- ville, Pa., in 1868, and to Kingston, this county, in 1869. Since that time he has been a resident of Luzerne county, and of Wilkes-Barre since 1880. He has been in the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company twenty years, as timber- man, and has worked for other companies. Mr. Richards is an inventor of note, having taken out inventions of particular interest for mining purposes, the most important being miners' lamps, patented June 16, 1885, November 23, 1885, Novem- ber 6, 1889; a drilling machine patented in 1886, and a safety gauze lamp patented May, 1892. All of these inventions are pronounced by competent critics superior to any others used. May 15, 1865, Mr. Richards married Miss Ann, daughter of The- ophilus and Charlotte (Charles) Lloyd, of Merthyr Tydvill, South Wales, and by her has six children living: Martha A., Margaret, William H., Theophilus H., Arthur H., and Harry J., Jr. Mr. Richard's wife and sons are members of the First Welsh Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, and his daughter of the First Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mystic Chain, and I. O. R. M. In politics he is a Republican.

THOMAS E. RICHARDS, Baptist minister, Edwardsville, was born in South Wales, in 1860, and is a son of Evan and Elizabeth (Evans) Richards, also natives of Wales. He was educated in London, and at the age of eighteen began the ministry, preach- ing in both England and Wales. In 1886 he came to America, and embarked in his ministerial work in New York City, where he remained about two years. In 1890 he came to Edwardsville, this county, where he has since been pastor of the Baptist Church. Mr. Richards was married to Miss Elizabeth Steeksma, of Eng- land, and they have two children, Ruel and Mary Belmont.

J. H. RICKETTS, Pittston. This gentleman is well known in business circles as "Ricketts the Hatter," and he is not only the leader in his line in Pittston, but in Luzerne county. He was born in Danville, Montour Co., Pa., September 6, 1855, a son of Samuel and F. (Hacker) Ricketts, natives of England. His father came to America in 1853, and located at Danville, where he has since resided. Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children. He was educated in the public schools of Danville, and at the age of twelve entered the employ of Waterman & Beaver at Danville, as a cash boy. A short time after he took charge of their shoe and hat departments, and remained with them seventeen years, when he came to Pittston and engaged in his present business, which consists of ladies' and gents' furnishing goods and hats. In 1885 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Coxey, one of Danville's most accomplished young ladies. This happy union has been favored with three children: Howard, Mary and John. Mr. Ricketts is a Republican, and a member of the P. O. S. of A.

WILLIAM T. RIDALL, a prominent farmer of Huntington township, P. O. Water- ton, was born in that township June 26, 1844, and is a son of William T. and Eliz- abeth (Robinson) Ridall, natives of Nottinghamshire, England. The father was a minister by profession, and came to America in 1842, settling in Huntington town- ship, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred October 18, 1871. The subject of this memoir is the fifth in a family of twelve children, nine of whom are now living. He was educated in the common schools, and when twenty years of age enlisted in Company I, Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Capt. R. J. Millard.

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He participated in the following battles: Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, North Ann and Petersburg; he was wounded in the back by a piece of shell, in front of Petersburg, and received his discharge in October, 1865. On his return Mr. Ridall engaged in lumber business for one year; then worked rented land for four years, when he bought a farm on Buck Hill, which he sold one year later, and then pur- chased one at the foot of Knob Mountain, which he sold in 1876, and purchased his present farm of ninety acres on Huntington creek, one mile below Waterton post- office. Our subject was married August 30, 1866, to Sarah A., daughter of William and Catherine (Delamater) Thomas, natives of Connecticut, and by her he has nine children, viz. : Cora M., born January 27, 1868, a dressmaker, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; John T., born January 18, 1880, at home on the farm; Jennie B. (Mrs. John Chapin), born February 14, 1872; Bertha L., born May 31, 1874; Robert B., born April 7, 1877; Walter C., born May 6, 1880; Harry S., born April 22, 1883; Myrtle, born January 23, 1886; and Maud L., born May 23, 1888. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Ridall is serving his third term as supervisor of his town- ship. He is one of the sound men of his section, and politically is a Republican.

FREDERICK RIECHERS, retired, Miners Mills, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 16, 1822, and is a son of John and Louisa Riechers. The father, who was a farmer, reared a family of seven children, of whom Frederick is the second. Our subject came to America in 1847, and for thirty-six years was engaged in laboring, mining and mine contracting, in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania. He built his present large and beautiful residence in 1865. Mr. Riechers was married, February 28, 1853, to Miss Catharine, daughter of Conrad and Sophia (Herman) Killian, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany; three of her brothers served in the Civil war, yiz. : John, Philip and Peter, the last named being killed in the battle of Bull Run. This happy union has been blessed with nine children, seven of whom are living, viz. : Martin, Mary (Mrs. Otto Kiel), Fred P., Jacob, Margaret (Mrs. Henry J. Stark), John and George. Mr. Riechers and family are members of the German Lutheran Church at Wilkes-Barre, and he is a Republican in his political views.

FRED P. RIECHERS, liveryman and contractor, Miners Mills, was born November 9, 1859, in a log house near his present residence, and is a son of Frederick and Catharine (Killian) Riechers. He was educated in the public schools and the German schools at Wilkes-Barre, and at the age of eight years began working about the mines, which vocation he followed till 1881. He then engaged in teaming for his father, and two years later, engaged in his present business, at first on a small scale, but now has twelve horses and two mules, and employs twelve men; besides his livery he does a general delivery and moving business, and furnishes sand and building stone from his sandpit and quarry. Our subject is unmarried and lives with his parents; he attends the German Lutheran Church at Wilkes-Barre; he is a member of the I. O. R. M. and the I. O. O. F., and is a Republican in his political views, but votes for the best candidates and principles, irrespective of party lines.

JOHN J. RIECHERS, merchant, P. O. Hudson, Plains township, was born in Miners Mills, August 10, 1865, and is a son of Frederick Riechers, of that place. He was educated in the common schools and the German school in Wilkes-Barre, and at the age of seven years began working about the mines, which occupation he followed chiefly for seven years, doing every kind of work about the mines except that of a foreman. He embarked in his present business in 1888. Mr. Riechers was married, April 4, 1889, to Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Catherine (Schaef- fer) Adolph, natives of Germany; they have two children, viz. : Margaret Caroline Mary and John George Fred. Mr. Riechers and his wife attend the German Lu- theran Church at Wilkes-Barre; he is a member of the I. O. R. M. and the P. O. S. of A. ; politically he is a Democrat, but votes for the best candidates and the best principles, regardless of party lines.

MARTIN RIECHERS, mason, Miners Mills, was born in that place May 14, 1856, and is a son of Frederick and Catharine (Killian) Riechers. He was educated in the common schools and the German school in Wilkes-Barre, and began working in the

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breaker, following all the different stages of mining for nineteen years, after which he learned his trade, which he has since chiefly followed; he built his present resi- dence, on part of the old homestead, in 1888. Mr. Riechers was married, October 15, 1884, to Miss Isabelle, daughter of Jackson and Elizabeth (McDonald) Faulk- ner, of Tioga Centre, Tioga Co., N. Y., natives of England, and of Scotch origin. They have three children, viz .: Mary, Frederick and Martin. Mr. Riechers is a member of the German Lutheran Church at Wilkes-Barre, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Parsons; in his political views he is a Republican.

JACOB RIEG, musician and proprietor of restaurant, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, February 8, 1836, and is a son of Generos and Catherine (Bernthaler) Rieg. He was reared and educated in Germany, and served six years as a musician in the German army. In 1866 he came to America, and in July, 1867, located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided. He was a music teacher, but for the past eight years has been proprietor of a restaurant on South Main street, and this is the headquarters for the musical talent of the city. In 1866 Mr. Rieg married Miss Christiana Rieder, of Germany, and by her has had seven children: Fannie, Rosa, William, Nicholas, Mary, Doren and George. Mr. Rieg is one of the most prominent musicians of Wilkes-Barre. He is a member of the Catholic Church, his family of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Democrat.

E. RILEY, farmer, P. O. Dallas, was born in Morris county, N. J., September 13, 1817, and educated in Dallas township. He is son of Joseph and Jane (Doty) Riley, both of whom were also born in Morris county, N. J .; they moved to this county about 1813, locating in Dallas township, where they passed the remainder of their lives, dying in 1858; Joseph was at that time seventy-three years of age. He had nine children, four of whom are now living. Our subject is the fourth in the family. He came to Dallas when nine years of age, and has always confined him- self to agricultural pursuits. He began life as a farmer, and has never left the plow nor turned back from his chosen vocation. On March 23, 1841, he married Miss Jane, daughter of Edward and Esther McCarty, and ten children were born to them, eight of whom grew to maturity: William J., Adeline D., Edward, Almond, Mar- vin, Julia, Esther, Mary E., Ida and Josephine. William J. married Miss Mary S. Nulton; Almond married Miss Clara Bisher; Marvin married Miss Emma Randall. In 1884 Mr. Riley moved from another farm in Dallas township on his present farm of seventy-five acres. He is a practical farmer, and possesses the entire confidence of his neighbors; he is a hard-working and honest man. In politics, our subject is a Democrat, and has been honored with several offices in his township.

GEORGE W. RIMER, county auditor, Kingston, was born in Wilkes-Barre, March 8, 1845, a son of John H. (an engineer and farmer) and Sarah J. (Ruggles) Rimer, both natives of Hanover township; Mrs. Rimer's parents were born in Connecticut. John H. and Sarah J. Rimer were the parents of thirteen children, as follows: George W., Jennie, Carrie, Louisa, Perlina, Sadie, Rhoda, Rettie, R. M., F. J., J. E., Rejenia and Flora J. George W. Rimer was educated in the public schools and at New Columbus Academy, at New Columbus, Pa. He worked on his father's farm until his sixteenth year, when he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and later in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Gen. Osborne, and was discharged June 29, 1865. After the war he engaged in the lumber business until 1884, when he had his spine fractured, since when he has had no particular occupation. He was confined to the house for three years. In 1887 he was elected county auditor, and has filled that office ever since. On September 13, 1868, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary, daughter of George and Eliza (McSherry) Armstrong. Of this union there were eleven children, as follows: Elzora May (deceased), John A., Elsie, Flora (deceased), Jennie (deceased), Reese M., Rettie Maude, Rilla May, Hazle, George D. and Warren J. (the latter being deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Rimer are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the G. A. R., S. of V., P. O. S. of A., Golden Rule, Conclave No. 20, S. P. K., and politically he is a Republican.

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JOHN RINGSDORPH, laborer in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, at the Henry Colliery, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., October 20, 1818, and is a son of Simeon and Elizabeth (Coon) Ringsdorph, natives of New York and of Dutch origin. The family came to Scranton in 1831, where they remained three years, and then removed back to New York State, where they remained four years, and then returned to Scranton. His parents resided there until their decease, except the time, between 1856 and 1862, when they lived near where the Plainsville Church now is. Simeon and Elizabeth Ringsdorph had five children, of whom John is the third. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and began life farming, which occupation he followed fifteen years. Our subject enlisted at Brook- lyn, January 20, 1864, in Company K, Forty-eighth New York Volunteers; partici- pated in the engagement at Lake City, Fla. ; was on the skirmish line at Petersburg, and at Drury's Bluff; and was also in many minor engagements; he was mustered out September 1, 1865, since which time he has been employed around the coal works in the vicinity of Plainsville. Mr. Ringsdorph married, for his first wife, Miss Harriet, daughter of Jacob E. Everett, of Laurel Run, and by her he had four chil- dren, one of whom is living, Edgar Ringsdorph, of Plains. Mr. Ringsdorph mar- ried, for his second wife, Mrs. Rosella (Smith) Brownell, daughter of Robert and Harriet (Benedict) Smith, natives of Luzerne county and of Dutch origin, and widow of James Brownell, by whom she had five children, viz .: Charlotta, Anna, Edgar, John and George. By this union there is one child, John. In politics our subject has been identified with the Republican party.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 192

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