History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 205

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

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WILSON A. SMAWLEY, contractor and builder, Wilkes-Barre, was born in North- ampton County, Pa., September 3, 1852, a son of Henry and Sarah (Lilley) Smaw- ley, and is of English and Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. He was reared in his native county, educated in the common schools, and served an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade. For twelve years he worked as a journeyman in Northampton and Luzerne counties; located in Wilkes-Barre in 1878, and in 1885 embarked in business as a contractor and builder, in which he has succeeded in building up a lucrative trade, having erected some of the principal residences in the city. Mr. Smawley married, in 1876, Frances Greene, of Carbon County, Pa., and they have six children: Ida M., William H., Raymond, Bessie, Charles and Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Smawley are members of the German Reformed Church.

CHARLES M. SMETHERS, moulder, P. O. Beach Haven, was born at Beach Haven, Salem township, this county, May 2, 1863, and is a son of Conrad and Sarah (Min- nich) Smethers. His paternal grandparents were William and Catharine (Biebel- hammer) Smethers, of Salem township; and his maternal grandparents were Henry and Leah (Shiley) Minnich, of Shickshinny. His father, who was a native of Nes- copeck township, from a boy boated on the Pennsylvania Canal, and was captain of a boat at eighteen years of age. He died at Beach Haven June 23, 1892, at the age of sixty-one. His children were Warren W., Charles M. and Lizzie (Mrs. Echart Jones). Our subject was reared in Beach Haven, educated in the public school, and for one and one-half years has been in the employ of the Jackson & Worden Car Company, at Berwick, Pa. He married September 25, 1891, Stella Seely, of Beach Haven. Mr. Smethers is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and is a Democrat.

A. SMITH, teamster for Miner & Co., Plains, was born in Plainsville, November 24, 1852. Our subject began picking slate at an early age, and when fifteen years old left home, went west, and located at Sabetha, Kans., where he was engaged in

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farming and herding; he followed this occupation fifteen years, including three years passed on a ranch in Colorado, and then returned to Plains, where he has since been engaged in teaming and farming; he has held his present position since 1887. Mr. Smith was married October 25, 1888, to Miss Ida, daughter of Asa Brader, of Plains, and to their union has been born one child, Asa B. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the O. U. A. M .; he has always given his political support to the principles of the Republican party.

AARON SMITH, farmer, P. O. Sybertsville, was born in Nescopeck township, June 27, 1848, a son of John and Mary (Keen) Smith. - His paternal grandfather, Samuel Smith, settled in Nescopeck in 1814, purchased a large tract of land, and while going to Philadelphia to meet his last payment on same, was killed by his horse within a short distance of home. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Frederick Keen, a pioneer of Nescopeck township. The father, Aaron Smith, was horn in Nescopeck township, was a farmer and drover, and met his death by being killed by his horse. His children who grew to maturity were Susan (Mrs. J. H. Nyer), Aaron, Martha, George, Arletta (Mrs. Jacob Young), Sabina (Mrs. Philip Young), Ellen (Mrs. William Seely) and John. Our subject was reared in Nesco- peck township, and educated in common schools, remaining with his father until his twenty-fourth year. He has been a resident of Sugar Loaf township since 1875, and has occupied his present farm since 1881. On August 15, 1872, he was married to Mary J., daughter of Jacob S. and Eliza (Housenecht) Balliet, of Sugar Loaf township, and has one son living, Reuben H. Mr. Smith is a member of the Reformed Church, of which he was deacon five years; in politics he is a Republican.

ABNER SMITH, a rising, brilliant and popular young attorney at law of Hazleton, was born December 13, 1865, at Montreal, Canada, and is the only child of Joseph and Ann (Ball) Smith, natives of Staffordshire, England. The family removed to Troy, N. Y., when Abner was but one year old. They remained there six years, re- moving at the end of that period to Philadelphia, where the subject of this sketch received his early education: first at Cheltenham College, where he received a thor- ough preparatory course and, later, at Prof. S. A. Smith's academy. After six years' thorough training in these institutions of learning, Mr. Smith went to Eng- land, and for five years was a student at Cambridge University. On returning to this country, he passed one year in the University of Pennsylvania; he then be- gan the study of law with Harry Halsey, of Philadelphia, who afterward, accom- panied by. Mr. Smith, came to Hazleton and established a practice. Mr. Smith was with Lawyer Halsey for about two and a half years, and then entered the office of C. W. Kline, with whom he has since been associated. He was admitted to the Lu- zerne county bar in April, 1891. Mr. Smith was united in marriage, January 21, 1891, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Green) Hale, of West Pitts- ton, Pa .. and one son has blessed this union. In his political views Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican. He is well known not only at Hazleton but at the county seat, where he is exceedingly popular among the members of the bar. In religious faith he is a supporter of the Episcopal Church.

ADAM D. SMITH, locomotive engineer, Ashley, was born in Scott township, Lackawanna Co., Pa., March 2, 1847, and is a son of Valentine and Eliza (Fellers) Smith, natives of Dutchess county, N. Y., and Columbia county, Pa., respectively, and of Dutch origin; the father, who was a blacksmith by trade and later a farmer, had a family of twelve children: Hannah C., who died young; Henry and John (twins); David; Mary J. (Mrs. Isaac Hass); Charles; Valentine, who died on his engine at Rockport, Pa., at the age of forty-two years; Sophia, who died at the age of twenty-one; Adam D .; Catherine (Mrs. Frank Benedict); Alfred who was killed at the age of two years by falling into a tub of lye; and Emma E., who died at the age of thirteen years. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Scott town- ship, and at the age of seventeen began working in a sawmill near Moosic, Pa., for Edward Delph, where he remained two years and then leased a mill and oper-

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ated it for three years. After this he engaged in blacksmithing with his brother, Valentine, one year. They worked their father's farm a year, and purchased a farm which they worked a year. In June, 1871, he became brakeman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, was promoted to fireman in March, 1872, and to his present posi- tion September 20, 1875. He moved to Ashley in 1886, and built his comfortable house two years later. Mr. Smith was married in 1873 to Miss Jessie A., daughter of Samuel and Julia (Messenger) Crane, natives of Illinois and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of Dutch origin. Of this union were born four children: Josephine died at the age of six weeks; Frank E. and Lena W. are attending school; and Gaius died at the age of two and a half years. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M., of the B. of L. E. and the K. of H. He is a Democrat, and was once president of the school board in Wright township, this county.

ANTHONY SMITH, farmer, P. O. Sybertsville, was born in Monroe county, Pa., De- cember 8, 1850, a son of David and Anne (Smith) Smith. His paternal grand- father was Martin Smith, and his maternal grandfather was Manuel Smith-both pioneers of Monroe county, Pa. David Smith, father of our subject, was a native of Monroe county, and in 1862 settled in Sugar Loaf township, this county, where he still resides. He has two children living: Anthony and Mandus. Our subject was reared in Monroe and Luzerne counties, and cleared and improved the farm where he now resides, and on which he located in 1876. He has one of the finest farms in Sugar Loaf township. His wife was a daughter of Peter Zellner, and he has one daughter, Helen E. Mr. Smith is a member of the Reformed Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

BARTON T. SMITH, postmaster and merchant, West Nanticoke, was born in Ross township, Luzerne county, January 4, 1862, and is a son of Levi and Deborah (Edwards) Smith, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvanian extraction. The family were early settlers of this county. Barton T. is the second in a family of three children, and was reared and partially educated in Luzerne county, completing his education in Union Academy, Broome county, N. Y., where he took a three years' course. In 1887 our subject purchased the general store at West Nanticoke formerly owned by Solomon Hersch, where he has since enjoyed an extensive and lucrative trade. In November, 1888, Mr. Smith was appointed post- master of West Nanticoke by William F. Vilas, and has since performed the duties of that office. He is also manager of the Barrall Lumber Yard, at West Nanticoke, and is an energetic, enterprising business man. He attends the Methodist Church, is a member of the F. & A. M., and politically ia a loyal adherent of the Democratic party.

BERNARD P. SMITH, farmer and justice of the peace, Fairmount township, P. O. Fairmount Springa, Pa., was born in Delaware county, N. Y., October 26, 1844, and is a son of John H. and Rachel B. (Koons) Smith, natives of Delaware county, N. Y., and Luzerne county, Pa., and of German and English origin, respectively. John H. Smith was born November 15, 1817, a son of William and Aseneth (Park) Smith; came to Fairmount Springs, Pa., in 1846, and built the present Smith home -the only stone house in said township-where he farmed and conducted a hotel, and was also justice of the peace; during his term of office the license was in Rachel B. Smith's name; he died March 2, 1859. Our subject is the eldest in a family of seven children, five of whom are yet living. He was the only son, was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools and Eastman Business College, Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., and when fifteen years old (was sixteen on October 26) enlisted Septem- ber 18, 1861, in Company A, Fifty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Capt. G. R. Leonard, where he was known as " Pokey " Smith; a Dutch cook would call out very loud " Pokey Smit come and get your braid," so that all the officers and men knew him. He served with his regiment for eleven months; was in the battles of Williamsburg, Bottom's Bridge and Fair Oaks, where he was wounded by a rifle ball passing through his right ankle joint. He was discharged on account of this wound August 8, 1862, returned home and was obliged to use crutches for five

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years. In 1866 he opened a hotel and for about ten years conducted the same as a licensed house, and during "Local Option" was once fined by U. S. Revenue Collector Hoyt, his old colonel, afterward Gov. Henry M. Hoyt. He has ever since furnished meals and lodging for the traveling public. He also owns a fine farm of 180 acres. Mr. Smith was married February 2, 1870, to Lucy F., daughter of James M. and Malinda (Lakin) Twaddell, natives of Hancock township, Delaware Co., N. Y., and of Irish and English origin, respectively. She is the eighth in a family of eleven (two of whom are living), and was born December 4, 1843. This union was blessed with four children, viz. : Edwin G., born October 12, 1872; Roy D., born December 31, 1875; Helen R., born August 28, 1880; and Charles T., born October 8, 1886. Mr. Smith is a member of the G. A. R., and has always been quartermaster since the post was organized, about eight years ago; in politics he is a Republican, and has held the offices of auditor and town clerk, and is justice of the peace at the present time. His great-grandfather on his father's mother's side, known as Bosen Park, came from near the headwaters of the Delaware river, in Hancock township, Dela- ware Co., N. Y., across the country on foot to the Susquehanna river, and procuring a skiff he floated down the river with the express purpose of warning the inhabitants that the Indians were coming. He called out as he floated past the houses: . "flee to the mountains, ye long beaver tails, the Indians are coming;" this was just before the mussucre. Reference us to authenticity: Orin Park, Plymouth, Pa., late of Fairmount Springs, Pa .; Mrs. Malinda Twaddell, Upperblack Eddy, Pa., late of East Branch, N. Y. ; Edwin Twaddell. Upperblack Eddy, Pa., late of East Branch, N. Y. ; Mrs. Rachel B. Smith, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., late of Fairmount Springs, Pa.

CHARLES SMITH, farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Rock Glen, was born in Black Creek township July 14, 1845, a son of Michael and Maria (Rupert) Smith, natives of Lehigh and Schuylkill counties, Pa., respectively. His father first settled in what is now Black Creek township about 1819, where, with the exception of four years spent in Lehigh county, he resided until his death. He was a shoemaker, but in later life engaged in farming. He was a son of Michael Smith, of Lehigh county. He married Maria, a daughter of Charles. Rupert, a pioneer of Black Creek township, who cleared and improved the farm now occupied by our subject. The children of Michael and Marin (Rupert) Smith were Catherine (Mrs. Benaiah De Frain), Fiana (Mrs. Joseph Rittenhouse), Elias, Levi, Esther, Mary (Mrs. Elias Lamberson), Celinda (Mrs. Amos Johnson) and Charles. Our subject wus reared in the old Rupert homestead where he has always resided. He married Sarah, daughter of Henry and Judeth (Brosius) Croll, of Black Creek township, and has four children living: Carrie, Gilbert, Ruth and Edna. He is a member of the Reformed Church; in politics he is a Democrat, and in 1892 was elected justice of the peace for a term of five years.

CHARLES B. SMITH, bookkeeper, Pittston, was born in Cymbran, Monmouthshire, England, a son of W. B. and Emily (Hall) Smith, both natives of England, who came to the United States, locating in Scranton, Pa., in April, 1868. They removed, in 1869, to Pittston, where the father is a salesman in the employ of Mr. Hitchner. The family consisted of seven children, of which Charles B. is the eldest. Our sub- ject was reared in Pittston and educated in the public schools of that borough. At the age of thirteen he began as a newsboy in Pittston and distributed papers in that city for two years, when he secured a position as bookkeeper with the grocery house of J. L. Morgan & Company, a position that he held for two years. In 1886 he became assistant bookkeeper and correspondent for the Pittston Stove Company, and has continued to give perfect satisfaction to his employers up to the present day. Mr. Smith is a young man of more than ordinary ability, a fact that, coupled with his splendid moral character and industrious habits, is sure to win for him success in whatever line of business he chooses. He is a member of the Broad Street M. E. Church, of the Pittston Y. M. C. A., a mem- ber and N. G. of Gohonto Lodge, No. 314, I. O. O. F., and also a member of the Eagle Hose Company. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and, although a young

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man, has acquired a considerable political influence, being an earnest worker for Republican interests. In 1891 and 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican State Convention from the Fifth Legislative District, was the youngest member ever sent from that District, and is secretary of this District. He is a member of the Repub- lican County Committee, and chairman of the Borough Republican Committee. Also the Pittston correspondent for the Scranton Republican, and his journalistic efforts show decided merits.

CHARLES H. SMITH, engineer at the Wyoming Shaft, Plains, was born in Plains- ville, February 3, 1859, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah A. (Prutzman) Smith, natives of Monroe county, Pa., and of German origin. In his father's family there were thirteen children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Adam; William, a mine superintendent, at Gletson, Pa .; Frank, a mine-boss at Osceola, Pa .; Amanda, married to Lawrence Rogers, a farmer at Maltby, Pa .; Charles H., whose name opens this sketch; Ellen, married to Samuel Thompson, a miner of Forty Fort; and Catherine, married to George Aitkins, a miner at Maltby, Pa. Our subject began picking slate at an early age, and, following the usual routine, did nearly all kinds of work about the mines, being promoted in 1889 to his present occupation, which he has since followed. He built and removed to his present residence in 1890. Mr. Smith was married, April 14, 1880, to Jennie A., daughter of Manuel and Mary J. (Fenstermacher) Smith, of Plainsville, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children, viz. : Myrtle A., Raymond E., Viola M., Adam D. and Hazal A. Mr. Smith and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the P. O. S. of A., and in politics is a Republican.

DALLAS J. SMITH, carpenter, Parsons, was born in Lycoming county, Pa., July 22, 1844. He is a son of John S. and Rachel (Taggat) Smith, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former of New England parentage, and the latter of Irish descent. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen began life for himself, working at the carpenter's trade, in Danville, Pa., where he remained about one year, when he enlisted in the Union army, March 20, 1864, in Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth P. V. I. He participated in the following engagements: Drury Bluff, Fair Oaks, Petersburg, Cemetery Hill, Chapin's Farm, Fort Harrison and several minor skirmishes. He was mustered out with his regi- ment at Philadelphia, in December, 1865, when he returned to Danville and resumed his trade, remaining there until 1871. He then removed to Miners Mills, where he worked at his trade until 1877. He then went to Salina, Kans., where he resided three years, thence removing to Lawrence, same State, and remained seven years, having followed the carpenter work during his residence there and in Salina. He then removed to Ottawa, Kans., where he followed farming two years, when he removed to Parsons, Pa., and returned to his trade. Mr. Smith was married Sep- tember 11, 1872, to Miss Annie, daughter of Thomas Burch, of Scranton, Pa. They have one child, Grace A., born March 11, 1879. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.

DRAPER SMITH, retired, Plymouth, was boru November 7, 1815, in Wyoming county, Pa., and is a son of Newton and Deborah (Reeder) Smith, the former a na- tive of New London, Conn., the latter of New Jersey. They were among the earli- est settlers of this historic Valley, and the father, who was then a child, numbered among the little band of women and children who were sent to Connecticut for safety during the Wyoming Massacre period, as the depredations of the Indians and Tories at that time were of the most alarming and atrocious nature. Our subject was next to the youngest of the nine children in this pioneer family, and was edu- cated in the pay schools of Wyoming county. After completing his education he clerked in a business house at Tunkhannock, Pa., for a short time, moving from there to Plymouth in 1832. He was employed by Gaylord & Reynolds for nearly four years, at the end of which period he entered into partnership with Gay- lord in the business and continued with him three years. In 1840 our enterprising

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subject entered into partnership with Mr. Little, of Kingston, where they success- fully handled iron for two years. This firm being dissolved, Mr. Smith returned to Plymouth, the scene of his early business adventures, and engaged in coal traffic until 1847, when the mercantile fever again seized him and he embarked on the sea of commerce, this time opening a general store, which he successfully conducted for ten years. At the end of that time Mr. Shupp, one of Plymouth's most worthy and respected citizens, entered into partnership with Mr. Smith and the firm continued business until 1864, when Mr. Smith retired from actice commercial life. He is still, however, at the head of many public concerns, and was appointed deputy col- lector of his district. a position in which he discharged his duties very creditably, but one that he found irksome, and he therefore resigned after a few months' service. He is at this time, and has been for the past twenty years, vice-president of the First National Bank of Plymouth, is president of the Light, Heat & Power Co., also of the Plymouth Water Company. Though Mr. Smith claims to have retired from business, yet the above facts will satisfy the reader that his business burdens are anything but light. He was first married January 7, 1840, to Miss Caroline, daughter of John and Frances (Halberton) Smith, natives of Connecticut. One child was born to this union, Elizabeth L. (Mrs. Hubbard B. Payne, of Kingston, Pa.). In 1846 Mrs. Smith died, and in 1847 Mr. Smith married Miss Louisa, daughter of John Myers, a resident of Marietta, Lancaster county, Pa. She passed away in 1865, and our subject, in 1874, was married in Middleton, Conn., to Mrs. Atkins. Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican, and he is a member of the Christian Church.

ELIHU SMITH, outside foreman at the Baltimore Colliery No. 2, Parsons, was born in Benton, Pa., August 19, 1836, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Sisson) Smith, natives of Rhode Island, of English lineage, and early settlers in the Wy- oming Valley. The father, who was a carpenter and later a farmer, reared a fam- ily of four children, two of whom are living, viz. : Samuel, a farmer at Clark's Sum- mit, Pa., and Elihu, the subject of this sketch. The last named was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty, began work- ing at the carpenter's trade on the Pennsylvania Gravity Railroad, and later was employed about the mines and railroad in and about Pittston. He was then inside and outside foreman at the Everhart Colliery near Pittston, for eighteen years, after which he removed in 1883 to Mill Creek, since when he has been employed as fore- man for different companies, and has held his present position two years. Mr. Smith was married, November 25, 1855, to Miss Isabella, daughter of James and Mary (Hall) Nicholson, natives of England, which union has been blessed with ten children, viz .: James M., who died at the age of nineteen years; George R., who died at the age of two years; Mary E., who married Thomas Henshel, of West Pittston, by whom she has three children: James N., John W. and Thomas; Georgi- ana, married to Henry Frosey, of Mill Creek, by whom she has one child, Walter; Samuel, an engineer at the Delaware Breaker (he is married to Ella Gilmore; they have four children: Charles (died at the age of one year), Arthur, Wilson and Isa- bella); Elihu, engaged in company work at the Baltimore Colliery No. 2; John W., an engineer at the same mine, and Sarah A., Isabella and Wilson T., attending school. Charles Williams, a bright lad of twelve years, whose mother died when he was seven years old and whose father was killed in the mines two years later, has since found a home with Mr. Smith. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and the K. of H. ; he is a Democrat in his political views, but votes irrespective of party lines.

E. M. SMITH, hotel proprietor, Plymouth, was born at Old Forge, Lackawanna Co., Pa., March 10, 1839, and is a son of Erastus and Matilda (Howard) Smith, the former a native of East Haddam, Conn., the latter of New York State. They came to Old Forge when the subject of this sketch was three years of age, the county at that time being but sparsely settled. There were seven children in this family, of which Erastus M. is next to the youngest. The father was one of the leading citizens of Old Forge township, and for many years in the early days

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operated a foundry in which was cast one of the first iron ploughs ever manu- factured in this part of the country. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native county, and at Wyoming Seminary. After completing his course of study he went west, and commenced in the hotel business at Janesville, Wis., where he was proprietor of the first hotel on the European plan of that place. Here he remained five years, at the end of which time he sold out, came east, and remained two years on the farm with his father. Owing to ill health he went to Florida, and there remained the greater part of the time for seven years, during which period he was engaged in the orange-packing business, operating one of the largest establish- ments of the kind in the State. He then returned north and located at Scranton, Pa., where he was engaged in the real estate business six years; then coming from Scranton to Plymouth in 1890; he embarked in the hotel business, and is now pro- prietor of the " Frantz House," a commodious, first-class hostelry, where the genial proprietor spares no pains in making his patrons comfortable. Mr. Smith has been twice married: first time to Miss Elizabeth Ann, daughter of John W. and „ Elizabeth Choal, natives of Canada. Five children were born to this union, viz. : Frank M., residing at Scranton, Pa. ; William E., a merchant, also in Scranton; Nellie M., who married Frank M. Stewart; Frank, deceased; and Frank T., at home. The mother of this family died December 10, 1888, at Scranton, and Mr. Smith afterward married, December 9, 1890, Miss Mary, daughter of Henry and Emeline (Gunning) Jones, natives of England, who came to this country about 1847, locating at Towanda, Pa. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican, and he attends the Presbyterian Church.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 205

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