History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 199

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 199

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W. C. SCHOOLEY, farmer, P. O. Carverton, was born in Kingston township, Decem- ber 28, 1834. He is son of Isaac and Catharine (Atherholt) Schooley, the former born in Morris county, Pa., N. J., on what is known as Schooley's Mountain, July 25, 1796, the latter in Bucks county, December 28, 1799. They removed to this county about 1826, locating in Kingston township, north of Luzerne borough, on 120 acres of land, to which they added fifty more. This land was unimproved when Mr. Schooley located on it; during his lifetime he brought under cultivation about fifty acres, showing himself to be a hard-working and industrious man. He was a man of some political influence, and believed in the principles of the Democratic party. He lived to be seventy-six years of age, and died in 1878, being followed by his widow, Catherine, on May 8, 1882. Their family consisted of seven children, five of whom are now living. William C. is the fourth of the family, and has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. He and his brother George live on the old home- stead, which they work in partnership. They are both practical farmers and excellent neighbors. The condition of their farm shows taste and refinement in the minds

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

which guide the working of the place. W. C. is a single man, preferring single blessedness to a life in wedlock. He is a man of marked ability and sound judg- ment, whose influence is felt in his own and adjacent localities. He has been chosen school director, and gives much attention to educational matters; he was treasurer of the board for eight years. He has also been township treasurer. George is the sixth in the family, born July 20, 1835, and has always lived at home and worked with his brother hand to hand, shoulder to shoulder. On February 11, 1866, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Charles and Jane A. Shafer, to which union have . been born two daughters: Kate A. and Estella J., both living at home. Mrs. Mary A. Schooley was born in Kingston township. Politically they are both Democrats.

JOHN F. SCHREINER, proprietor of "Schreiner's Hotel," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Baden, Germany, February 20, 1846, a son of John F. and Barbara (Hansser) Schreiner. He was reared and educated in Germany, where he learned the cooper's and brewer's trades, and followed those occupations there until 1870, when he came to America, and worked at his trades in New Jersey and in New York City until 1872. He then located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided. For thirteen years he was in the employ of Charles Stegmaier, and for one year with Reichard & Company. In 1885 he embarked in the hotel business, in which (with the exception of one year) he has since successfully continued. On February 4, 1874, he married Catherine Niedermier, of Wilkes-Barre, formerly of Germany. He has an adopted daughter, Kate. Mr. Schreiner is a member of the Lutheran Church, his wife of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the K. of P., I. O. R. M. and Harugari; in politics he is independent.

HERMAN SCHROEDER, butcher, Luzerne, was born in Germany April 4, 1858. He came to this country in 1874, locating at Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he engaged in mining, which occupation he followed six months. He then journeyed to Beaver Run, where he was engaged in farming for six years, at the end of which time he removed to Wilkes-Barre, this county, where he entered the employ of Mr. Reichard, with whom he remained several years, coming subsequently to Luzerne, where he opened a meat market, and has since been serving the people of the place and neighborhood with all the delicacies to be found in his line. Mr. Schroeder is a member of the Lutheran Church, of the I. O. O. F. and I. O. R. M .; politically he is a stanch follower of the Democratic party.

CHARLES C. SCHULTZ, farmer and lumberman, Fairmount township, P. O. Fair- mount Springs, was born in Columbia county, Pa., November 24, 1863, and is a son of Elisha and Mary (Wolf) Schultz, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. The father, who was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, departed this life December 10, 1875, aged fifty-one years. Our subject, who is the youngest in a family of six children, four of whom are living, was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when fourteen years of age went to work for an uncle, with whom he remained two years; then went to live with a brother, working summers and going to school winters, until he was twenty years of age. At that time he and I. N. Harrison rented a farm, and worked the same for two years, when our subject entered into partnership with Mr. Harrison in the lumber business, in which he is doing business to-day. In 1888 he purchased his home, situated two miles south- east of Fairmount Springs postoffice, and containing eighteen and one-half acres. Mr. Schultz was married, December 31, 1885, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Isaiah and Lottie (Lutz) Harrison, which union has been blessed with one child, Ray, born August 13, 1888. Mr. Schultz is one of the sound young men of his section, and politically he is a Republican.

FRED J. SCHWAB, a prominent tobacconist, of Wilkes-Barre, was born at Birken- feld, near Bingen-on-the-Rhine, Germany, August 1, 1835, a son of Carl and Dorothea (Schummer) Schwab. He was reared and educated in his native country, where he served an apprenticeship of two and one-half years at the trade of tobacconist. On November 5, 1854, he landed in New York, after a voyage of thirty- five days, and came to Scranton, Pa., where he remained four months. He then

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

located in Wilkes-Barre, this county, and here worked at his trade three years, at the end of which time he removed to Tunkhannock, and embarked in business on his own account, remaining there three years. In 1861 he returned to Wilkes- Barre, where he has since conducted a successful tobacco business, and since 1865 has been located at his present stand on South Main street. In 1857 Mr. Schwab married Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas and Mary M. (Baab) Goerlitz, of Wilkes- Barre, and has four children: Jacob A., Mary F., John N. and Charles F. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and of the F. & A. M .; politically he is a Democrat.

MATHIAS SCHWABE, butcher and drover, South Heberton, P. O. Freeland. This gentleman stands in the front rank of business enterprise of Luzerne county. He is a native of Prussia, born October 4, 1849. At the age of twenty he came to America, and located in Lehighton, Pa., where he remained about one year, when he removed to South Heberton, and has since made butchering and droving the chief occupation of his life; he carries on an extensive traffic in this line, handling about forty head of cattle per week. To give an estimate of the amount of business he does, we can state that during the year of 1890 his books show over $187,000 worth of business transactions. He is also interested in real estate, owning the old Dunop homestead in Freeland, and over twenty-five tenement houses. Mr. Schwabe is a lover of blooded horses, and does a great deal of horse dealing, sometimes buy- ing blooded horses by the carload. He is a man who never hesitates to support any worthy public enterprise. Mr. Schwabe was married in 1871 to Miss Margaret Sophia Landmesser, and to this union have been born five children, viz .: George, Francis, Gertrude, Emile and Matilda. In politics our subject is a Republican, but is not bound by party lines and prejudices.

ALEXANDER SCHWARZ, chiropodist, and proprietor of Russian and Turkish baths, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Germany, June 24, 1858, and is a son of Louis and Frederica (Alexander) Schwarz. He was educated at the Gymnasium College, Germany, and immigrated to America in 1873, locating in New York City, where he worked at the barber's trade two years. On January 5, 1876, he came to Wilkes- Barre, and here followed his trade until September, 1878, at which time he opened a barber shop with but very little capital, and by his courteous manners and recog- nized skill has built the finest and largest trade in the city. In 1879 he revisited Germany, and brought his parents to America. Soon afterward he rented and stocked a store at Nanticoke for them, where they are now living. In 1889 he went to New York, where he studied chiropody at the Lafayette Turkish baths, having for his instructor Professor Levy, and then returned to Wilkes-Barre, and on February 1, 1890, opened Turkish bath rooms, which are the largest and best in northern Pennsylvania. Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage, May 5, 1886, with Lillie, daughter of David and Amelia (Rossman) Davidsburg, who are of German descent, and to this union was born one child, Ralph D., now (1892) aged five years. Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz are members of the Jewish Synagogue. He is a member of the B. P. O. E., Y. M. H. A. and K. of H.

HORACE SCHWEPPENHEISER, dealer in flour, feed, grain, hay, etc., Hazleton, was born at Mifflinville July 15, 1836, and is a son of John J. and Rebecca (Sutton) Schweppenheiser, who settled in Mifflinville at the time when the primeval forest stood in the vicinity, and when wild animals prowled within view of the homestead. They suffered many hardships, and their entire existence was one of rigorous self- denial. The subject of this sketch was the youngest in a family of nine children. He was reared and educated in Columbia county, and followed the occupation of a farmer until 1876, when he came to Hazleton and established his present busi- ness. He was united in marriage, December 31, 1860, with Miss Frances C., daughter of Reuben and Lydia (Longringberger) Seybert, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born two children, namely: Lydia Eudora and John Mel- vin. In politics Mr. Schweppenheiser sympathizes with the Democratic party; the family attend the German Lutheran Church. As a business man, Mr. Schwep-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

penheiser has the best facilities for obtaining supplies, and he is known to be trust- worthy and honorable in all his dealings.

MRS. CATHERINE SCOTT, nurse, Plymouth, was born in Kingston, May 14, 1837, and is a daughter of Stephen and Julia Ann Scott, both born in Connect- ient and who, after their marriage, in that State, removed to Kingston, this county, about 1818. They were farmers of some skill and experience, who passed the remainder of their lives in this county. Mr. Scott was an honest and indus- trious man, diligently attending to the duties of his own farm. He died in 1855; his wife, Julia Ann, survives him, and is ninety-four years of age. Their fam- ily consisted of six children who are now living. Mrs. Scott, the third in a family, was reared and educated in her native town, and was married, in 1857, to Andrew Pringle, by whom she had seven children, five of whom are living, viz .: John, Ellen, Samuel, Orange and Estella. Of these, John married Miss Regina Stires, and Ellen married Francis Randell; the others remain single. Mrs. Scott was divorced from her husband several years ago, the action having been commenced by her and sustained by the court. She has always had, and now bears, a name beyond reproach. She owns a house and lot, has raised her children, and carries on her business with marked ability. Though she has resumed her maiden name since her divorce she is better known by the name of Pringle than Scott. She is a con- sistent member of the Christian Church of Plymouth.

J. W. SCOTT, farmer, P. O. Plains, was born in Wilkes-Barre, August 25, 1851, and is a son of Frank and Martha (Williamson) Scott, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1849, locating at Ashley, where they remained till 1859, and then removed to Wilkes-Barre, where the father died in 1860. The family consisted of seven children, of whom four are now living, and of whom John W. is the eldest. At the age of fifteen our subject began working on a farm, where he remained four years, after which he was employed in the mines, running out cars; from 1871 to 1889 he was a full-fledged miner, and has since been employed on the truck farm of Evans Brothers, Plains. Mr. Scott was married, April 23, 1871, to Alice A., daughter of John and Catherine (Heron) McNeal, of Shickshinny, and of Irish and Dutch origin, respectively. Mr and Mrs. Scott have six children, viz. : Luella C., who was educated in the common schools and Wyoming Seminary, normal course, and is at present teaching at Plains; Frank L., who works for Evans Brothers; Bessie M .; William H .; Burton G. and H. Lee. Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. K. of M. C. His son. Frank L., is a member of the church, the A. O. K. of M. C., and the O. U. A. M .; Luella C. is a member of the church and of the Epworth League. Mr. Scott has always given his support to the Repub- lican party.

JAMES R. SCOUTON, attorney at law, Wilkes-Barre, was born at Elwell, Bradford Co., Pa., September 26, 1858, a son of William W. and Lura A. (Robinson) Scouton, and of New England origin. He was reared in his native town, and educated at Wyalusing, Camptown Collegiate Institute, Towanda, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa., and entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, October, 1884, where he graduated and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws, July 2, 1886. He was then admitted to the bar of Washtenaw county, Mich., and immediately received a certificate entitling him to practice in the supreme court of that State. In September, 1886, he was admitted to the bar of Sullivan county, Pa., and in October, 1886, located at Wilkes-Barre. He was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, January 5, 1887, and has since continued to practice his profession in Wilkes-Barre, where he first located for the purpose of ascertaining if it was a desirable locality, and has succeeded far beyond his expectations. Though taking no active part in politics, our subject has always been a stanch Republican. October 20, 1891, Mr. Scouton married Miss Mercy E. Brunges, of Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa., a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Brunges, born in Eaton township, Wyoming county, December 20, 1862. She was educated at Tunkhannock graded school and at Kingston Seminary, and after graduating taught school several terms.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

LOT SEARCH, retired, Reyburn, was born in Union township, May 4, 1815, son of William and Susan (Belles) Search, who were born in Hunlock Creek. William's father, also named William, located in Shickshinny, where he kept a hotel. He was an energetic man, and a good caterer, whose greatest desire was to please his patrons. He lived to be seventy years of age. His family consisted of five children, all of whom are dead. William Search began his business career as a farmer in Union township where he owned 100 acres of land, seventy-five of which he cleared during his lifetime. He was a man of influence and held several township offices. Like his father he was a practical farmer, and lived to be sixty-eight years of age. His family con- sisted of eight children, of which Lot is the eldest. He was reared and educated in Union township coming hither when but one year old, and here he has since resided, a faithful citizen of the commonwealth. In 1836 he married Miss Catherine, daugh- ter of Henry Craigle. There were six children born to them, three of whom are now liv- ing: F. D., Mary E. and Emma J. His farm consists of 100 acres, on which he raises a general crop. Mr. Search and his family are consistent members of the M. E. Church. His son, F. D., superintends the farm. He married Miss Rose Masters, who bore him six children, three of whom are living. Politically, Lot Search and his son are Democrats.

LOT SEARCH, miller, Shickshinny, was born in Union township, Luzerne Co., Pa., November 17, 1820, a son of Lot and Christiana (Fink) Search. His paternal grandfather, James Search, a son of William and Mary (McMasters) Search, was among the pioneers of Nescopeck; his wife was Elizabeth Moore. In later life he removed to what is now Hunlock township, where he died. His children were William, Polly (Mrs. George Miller), Margaret (Mrs. Jacob Miller), Rachel (Mrs. Silas Harvey) and Lot. The latter is said to have been the first white child born in Nescopeck township. He followed the blacksmith trade, and spent most of his life in Union township, where he died. His wife was a daughter of George Fink, of Union township, and his children were William, George, Lot, Ellen (Mrs. William Kremer), Christiana (Mrs. Jesse Wolf), Elizabeth (Mrs. A. C. Nicely) and Thomas. Lot Search, Jr., was reared in Union township and educated in the common schools; at the age of sixteen he began work at a stone quarry near Shickshinny. He soon after became clerk in a general store, and when only nineteen years of age was made manager of a store at Beach Haven, Pa. Before attaining his majority he embarked in general merchandising with his brother, George W., a mile above Shickshinny; they conducted this business together for twelve years, after which he conducted it alone for eight years more. In 1855 he was elected treasurer of Luzerne county, serving his term of two years; during this period he, with others, purchased the site where Shickshinny now stands. In 1858 he embarked in the mercantile business in Shickshinny, continuing five years. In 1865, with his brother, George W., he erected the gristmill and sawmill in Shick- shinny, which they have since conducted, and from 1869 to 1889 he also engaged in grain-raising; from 1848 to 1856 he was postmaster of Shickshinny. He was twice married; his first wife was Rosaline, daughter of James A. and Hannah (Wall) Gordon, of Wilkes-Barre, and by her he had four children: Emily (Mrs. Warrick Miller), Mary B. (Mrs. W. B. Poust), Frances T. and Millennia D. His second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Andrus Fellows, of Huntington township, by whom he has two children living: Florence (Mrs. Charles P. Campbell) and May. Mr. Search is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

GEORGE W. SEARCH, miller, Shickshinny, was born in Union township, this county, December 6, 1816, a son of Lot and Christiana (Fink) Search. He was reared in Union township, educated in the common schools, and in early life followed teaching. Later he clerked in a general store, and in 1842 he embarked in general merchan- dising above Shickshinny, continuing in same until 1850. In 1851 he was appointed superintendent of the Pennsylvania Canal, between Northumberland and Lacka- wanna, and held the position nine years. In 1857, with his brother Lot and others, he purchased the present site of Shickshinny, laid it out in lots, and erected a grist-

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mill which he and his brother Lot have since conducted; and from 1860 to 1888. he was also engaged in merchandising. In May, 1847, Mr. Search married Ann Eliza, daughter of John R. and Polly (Stuckey) Nicely, of Salem township, and has three children: Amanda (Mrs. Charles A. Boone), Hendrick W. and Florence A. (Mrs. Rev. Arthur Johnson). Mr. Search is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and of the F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat.

HENDRICK WRIGHT SEARCH, Shickshinny, was born in Shickshinny, June 30, 1855, a son of George W. and Ann Eliza (Nicely) Search. He was reared in his native town, and educated in the public school, and for three years was clerk in the store of G. W. and L. Search. In 1882 he was appointed clerk of commissioners for Luzerne county, which office he held three years, and in 1885 was made assistant clerk of the Orphans' Court, which he filled two years. In 1886 he was elected sheriff of Luzerne county by a majority of 2,808, running 1,000 votes ahead of his ticket; he served from January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1890, since when he has devoted his time to his private interests in Shickshinny and Florida, and the First National Bank of Nanticoke, of which he is vice-president. Mr. Search was married October 8, 1885, to Elizabeth M., daughter of Austin H. and Mary (Monroe) Church, and granddaughter of Judge Monroe, of Columbia county, Pa. By her he has four children: Ann E., Mary M., George A. and Hendrick M. Mr. Search was one of the organizers of the Shickshinny & Huntington Valley Railroad, of which he is treasurer and director. He is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church; a member of the F. & A. M. He was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention in 1882, 1886 and 1890, the National Convention held in St. Louis in 1888, and was alternate at the National Convention held in Chicago in 1892.

THOMAS R. SEARCH, P. O. Huntington Mills, was born in Union township, this county, February 9, 1864, and is a son of James and Sarah J. (Sorber) Search. His paternal grandfather was William Search, who was a son of Lot, who was a son of James, he being a son of William and Mary (McMasters) Search, pioneers of this county. The father of our subject is a farmer of Huntington township; his wife is a daughter of Andrew Sorber, and by her he has seven children: Rosa (Mrs. Hiram Cole), Thomas R., William H., Lillie M., Fred O., Clyde and Jessie. Our subject was reared in Union township, and educated in the common schools, and has, since attaining his majority, been engaged at various occupations. Since the spring of 1892 he has resided in Huntington township. He was married, May 21, 1887, to Cordelia H., daughter of De Witt C. and Henrietta (Culver) Koons, of Fairmount township. They have two children, Harry K. and A. Leroy. In politics Mr. Search is a Democrat.

J. M. SEEBOLD, contractor, Luzerne, was born in Germany, September 19, 1832, and is a son of Andrew and Maria (Bratesner) Seebold, both of whom were born, reared and educated in Germany, where they passed their entire lives. John M. emigrated to this country in 1872, going first to Omaha, Neb., but neither the climate, nor the scenery, nor the society impressed him very favorably, and in six months he returned east and located in Nanticoke, where he resided one year, thence removing to Luzerne where he was engaged as miner for fourteen years. During this time, he laid up enough money to buy himself some property on which he built. He is a shrewd man of business, taking advantage of circumstances where it is honorable to do so. He soon began to build houses by contract, and although not a carpenter nor even mechanic in any craft, yet he so conducted the business, that he prospered well in it. As he expresses it himself, he is " a good figurer." He now owns three houses in Prindleville, one in Luzerne, and two in Wilkes-Barre. In May, 1863, Mr. Seebold was married, in Germany, to Miss Anna B. Meyers, and there were thir- teen children born to this union, five of whom are now living: John S. (married to Miss Lula Blackman), Mary M., Leonard, Lizzie and Charles. Mr. Seebold is a very popular man in his township, and, at one time, was elected township treasurer, his limited knowledge of the English language, however, prevented his accepting it. During his mining experience, he met with many serious accidents, though none

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proved fatal. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church; he is a member of the K. of H., and politically is a Republican.

HENRY J. SEELY, farmer, P. O. Beach Haven, was born in Salem township, on the farm he now occupies, April 19, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Leah (Keen) Seely. [See sketch of Philip H. Seely. ] He was reared in Salem and Fairmount townships, has always followed farming as an occupation, has been a permanent resident of Salem since 1865, and occupies the old homestead of his maternal grandfather. Frederick Keen, which the latter cleared and improved. In August, 1868, he mar. ried Mary, daughter of Reuben and Lydia (Longenburger) Seybert, of Salem town- ship, and has eight children: Reuben M., Anna H., Frederick E., Harry O., Ella E., J. Arthur, Ada M. and Francis M. Mr. Seely is a prominent farmer and citizen of Salem township; is a member of the German Lutheran Church; is a Republican in politics, and has held several offices in the township, at the present time serving his fifth consecutive year as school director.

PHILIP H. SEELY, farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Beach Haven, was born in Salem township February 23, 1835, and is a son of Jacob and Leah (Keen) Seely. His paternal grandfather, John Seely, was a native of Penn township, Sussex Co. N. J., and a son of Michael Seely; both settled in Salem township in 1801. Michael was a farmer, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and had three sons-John. Samuel and Jacob-besides several daughters. John was a farmer, spent most of his life in Salem township, and died in 1855 in Fairmount township. He married Mary Weltz, and his children were five in number: Jacob, Desire (Mrs. Samuel Pol. lock), Elsie (Mrs. David Cope), Mary (Mrs. Henry Harmon) and Huldah (Mrs. Adam Driesbach). The father of our subject was the only son that grew to maturity, and was born in Salem township July 24, 1803. He cleared a farm, spent all his life ir Salem township with the exception of ten years' residence in Fairmount township and died May 30, 1874. He married Leah, daughter of Frederick and Mary (Stump) Keen, of Salem township, by whom he had eleven children who grew to maturity Frederick K., John W., Samuel P., Philip H., Edwin C., Martha A. (Mrs. Dr. J. E. Patterson), Rachel (Mrs. Thomas E. Edwards), Leah D. (Mrs. M. W. Hess), Henry J. Minerva J. (wife of Wilson Hess) and Cecelia E. (Mrs. C. B. Smithers). Our subject was reared in Salem township, educated in the common schools, and prior to 1876 wa: engaged in merchandising in Fairmount township, boating on canal, and also mill ing. Since 1876 he has been engaged in farming in. Salem township. He was ir the Civil war, having enlisted September 3, 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged June 28, 1865 He married on July 4, 1876, Sarah E., daughter of Solomon and Mary (Bloss) Har mon, of Salem township, and has eight children: Jacob A., Bertha V., Mary A. Thomas K., Sarah M., Leah M., Philip H. and Martha H. Mr. Seely is an attendan of the Lutheran Church; he is a member of the F. & A. M., R. A. M., K. T. anc G. A. R. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1881-82, aud is nov serving his second term as justice of the peace of Salem township; in politics he i a Republican.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 199

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