History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 212

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 212

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

having served in the Continental army throughout the war; he settled on land now owned by Horace Harrison, in said township. Our subject, who is the third in a family of nine children, five of whom are now living, was reared on a farm, and when fifteen years of age enlisted in the United States army, in Company A, Fifty- second P. V., Capt. George R. Leonard; he served all through the war with his regiment, was captured at White Oak Swamp, but escaped in a short time; partici- pated in all the battles of Mcclellan's Peninsular campaign; was promoted to cor- poral in January, 1864; had charge of a detachment of men at the Swamp Angel Battery for seven months; during the siege of Charleston, S. C., his regiment was the first to enter that city after the rebels evacuated, and joining Sherman's army marched to Greensboro, N. C., where Johnson's army surrendered; he was dis- charged July 22, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C. Returning to his native county, he here operated a sawmill and turning lathe for two years; then went to Elk county, where he was in the lumber business for one year; thence returned to Huntington township, and rented the Trescott farm for eight years, after which he was for three yearson the J. C. Laycock farm in Fairmount township. In 1882 he bought his present farm, con- taining thirty acres, and he also owns two other small farms. Mr. Taylor was mar- ried February 22, 1866, to Ellen, daughter of Tarbel and Huldah (Dilts) Rood, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English and German origin, by which union he had four children, three of whom are living, viz .: Bayard C., teaching in Hunlock township; Blanche, teaching in Lake township, and Thomas B., who superintends the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the M. E. Church. He is a strong Republican, and has been constable for one term, justice of the peace and consta- ble of Fairmount township. Socially he is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. Mr. Taylor is engaged in the bee business, having one of the largest apiaries in this section of the State, being an importer of and dealer in bees, queens, honey and bee-keepers' supplies.

JOHN TEASDALE, manager of the West End Coal Company, Mocanaqua, P. O. Shickshinny, was born at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., August 3, 1831. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Sunter) Teasdale, natives of England who came to America about 1828, settling in Schuylkill county, where they resided until their death. The father was one of the first miners of that county, and continued at that occupation until his decease. Our subject was reared in his native county and edu- cated in the common schools, and when but seven years of age began work about the mines. In 1850 he was made outside foreman of mines for James C. Oliver, at Glen Carbon, Pa., serving him three years, and in 1856 located at Wilkes-Barre, and was foreman for Lewis, Audenried & Co., fourteen years; from 1870 to 1871 he was engaged with the Wilkes-Barre & Seneca Lake Coal Company, above Wilkes- Barre. In 1872 he sunk the No. 1 Shaft for the Susquehanna Coal Company, at Nanticoke, and then, for nearly eight years, was general agent of the Hollenback Coal Company; and since 1880 he has been general manager and superintendent of the West End Coal Company, at Mocanaqua, in which he is a large stockholder. Mr. Teasdale was married, in 1852, to Sarah Nesbitt. They have one adopted daughter, Elizabeth M. (Mrs. Dr. George A. Clark). Mr. Teasdale is a member of the F. & A. M., and in politics is a Republican.

NELSON C. TEETER, track foreman, Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, Wilkes- Barre, was born in Tunkhannock, Pa., June 1, 1836, a son of Jacob E. and Eliza- beth (Waldron) Teeter. His paternal grandfather, Conrad Teeter, a native of Hope, Sussex Co., N. J., a saddler and harness-maker by trade, was a pioneer of Wilkes- Barre, where he resided until his death. He carried the first mail between Wilkes- Barre and Painted Post, New York. His children were five in number, as follows: Eliza, Jacob E., Houghton B., Mary A. and Charles H., of whom Jacob E., father of subject, a tanner and currier by trade, resided in Wilkes-Barre until his death. His wife was a daughter of Major and Elizabeth Waldron, of Honesdale, Pa., and by her he had eight children, five of whom grew to maturity: Nelson C., George, Elizabeth, (Mrs. C. W. Tatro), Kate (Mrs. Henry Riddle), and Horace H. Our sub-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ject was reared and educated in Luzerne county. In April, 1855, he enlisted at Wilkes-Barre, in the regular army, as a member of Capt. Frank Bowman's com- pany, and served five years in the old Indian war, on the northwestern frontier, receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of term of service. He afterward engaged in gold and silver mining in Idaho, Oregon and Utah, and for a time was in the service of the Government, as guide and interpreter among the Indians. He visited China and Australia, and in 1872 returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he has since resided. During the Civil war he served four months in Capt. Nathan Olney's com- pany of volunteers, Oregon Cavalry, for the protection of the Canyon City Road, in which he was first sergeant, and during his five years' previous service in the reg- ular army he was a non-commissioned officer. Since 1884 he has been in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. On June 13, 1872, he mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Martin L. and Mahala (Fox) Brown, of Plains, Pa., and they have one daughter, Mahala E. Politically Mr. Teeter is a stanch Republican.

STEPHEN A. TELLER, proprietor of the "Central House," Kingston, Pa., was born July 11, 1858, at Neversink, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Black) Teller, both natives of New York, the former of French lineage the latter of Irish. Mr. Teller's great-grandfather, Teller, came to this country at a very early date, settling on a portion of the present site of the City of New York, and what has since been generally known as " Teller's Point," and concern- ing the claims of his descendants, has arisen the celebrated "Teller Case," involv- ing the title of the land where Trinity Church now stands, and that vicinity. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native county, and in 1878 went to Dakota, where he was engaged in farming two years, at the end of which time he again returned to Sullivan county, N. Y., remaining there about one year. He then came to Wilkes-Barre, embarked in the hotel business, and was proprietor of the "Baltimore House" three years. He then abandoned the hotel business, turning his attention to the mechanical world, and was engaged in slating, which business he carried on very extensively about one year, when he again returned to his former business and took charge of the "La Peer House," remaining there two years. Again quitting that business, he bought a half interest in the Albany Shoe Store, Wilkes-Barre, where he carried on a successful trade for about six months, when he sold his interest, and in October, 1889, came to Kingston and took charge of the " Central House." As a landlord he has given general satisfaction to the people of Kingston, as well as to the hosts of commercial men who frequent his house. Mr. Teller was united in marriage, May 2, 1883, with Miss Victoria, daughter of Robert Armstrong, of New York City. He is a member of the I. O. M., and P. O. S. of A., and in politics is a Republican.

HUGH TEMPLETON, general merchant, Plymouth, was born in Scotland, January 9, 1840, and is the third in a family of nine children born to William and Jeanette (McGuffey) Templeton, natives of Scotland. The subject of this sketch was educated in Scotland, and came to America in 1859, locating at Plymouth, Pa., where he engaged in mining at the Old Union Mine, continuing there till 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves, under Capt. Rice and Col. Harvey. He served out his time and re-enlisted, March 18, 1864, in Company I, attached to the One Hundred and Ninety-first Veterans, under Lieut. Colburn, Chas. Hartshorn commanding. Mr. Templeton was engaged in many battles, being in the Seven Days' campaign under MacClellan, and participating in the following engagments: Second Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam, where he received a wound in the left shoulder. In the Grant campaign he was taken prisoner near Mechanicsville Pike, May 30, 1864, and was confined in Libby Prison for three weeks; was then taken to Andersonville, where he was kept for three months; thence taken to Charleston, S. C., where he was incarcerated three weeks, and finally removed to Florence, S. C., where he was exchanged; his discharge bears the date of July 3, 1865. After returning home, Mr. Templeton again engaged in mining, continuing at that until August 9, 1866, when he was seriously injured by a

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portion of coal falling on him from the roof of the chamber in which he was work- ing, injuring his back and depriving him of the use of his ankles and feet. Our subject then embarked in mercantile business, and now has, at No. 568 W. Main street, one of the largest general stores in the borough, where he commands an immense trade. Mr. Templeton was married, December 25, 1865, to Miss Christine, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Hutchinson) Wier, natives of Scotland. Chris- tine Wier was born and reared at Sydney, British America. The fruits of this mar- riage have been eight children, viz .: Thomas, born October 25, 1866; Willie, born November 2, 1868; James, born January 17, 1871; Hugh, Jr., born February 14, 1873; Harry, born February 1, 1875; Maggie, born May 28, 1878; Jessie, born June 29, 1880, and Agnes, born May 11, 1883. Politically Mr. Templeton is a Repub- lican. The family attend the Presbyterian Church.

JAMES P. TERRY, harness maker, P. O. Orange, was born in Franklin, November 9, 1855, a son of Chauncy F. and Catharine (Honeywell) Terry, the former of whom was born in Centre Moreland, Wyoming county, the latter in Dallas. Chauncy F. is a son of Conklin Terry, who removed from New York to Wyoming county about the year 1830, locating in Franklin township, as a farmer. He, however, moved back to Wyoming county, and soon after again came to Luzerne county, this time locating in Kingston township, but finally removed to Wilkes-Barre, where he now resides. During his life he has held various offices of trust and responsibility in the various townships in which he has resided, such as constable, supervisor and collector. He reared a family of seven children, four of whom are living, James P., being the sixth. Our subject received his primary education at various places, finally finish- ing at Wilkes-Barre. In early life he learned harness-making, in Kingston, at which he has worked most of the time since. In 1890 he removed to Franklin, where he is now engaged at his trade, and is doing a good business. He is a worthy young man and will yet make his mark in his life vocation. His work, which is first-class, is drawing an increase of custom that warrants an extensive trade. On May 22, 1886, at Wyoming, he married Miss Rose, daughter of Phineas and Eunice Ferry, to which union there was born December 3, 1889, one son named Ray M. Mrs. Rose Terry was born at Mount Zion in 1867. Politically Mr. Terry is a Democrat.

TIMOTHY THEOPHILUS, mine foreman, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Carmarthen- shire, Wales, November 7, 1853, a son of William and Rachel (James) Theophilus, and is a half-brother of the Hon. Morgan B. Williams, of Wilkes-Barre. Our subject was reared and educated in Wales, and from twelve to twenty years of age was employed in the lead mines of his native place. He first came to America in 1873, and locating at Wilkes-Barre, entered the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, with whom he remained three years, when he revisited Wales. In 1879 he returned to Wilkes-Barre and was employed in the mines of the Red Ash Coal Company a year. He then embarked in business as a contractor on rock work, doing successful work for the Lehigh & Wilkes- Barre Coal Company, the Red Ash Coal Company and Hanover Coal Company. In 1886-87 he engaged in the same business at Shamokin. In 1887 he spent three months in Wales, and on his return to Wilkes-Barre, engaged in butchering for nine months. Since 1888 he has held the responsible position of mine foreman for the Red Ash Coal Company. Mr. Theophilus was married in 1878 to Sarah, daughter of Mor- gan and Sarah (Williams) Williams, of Wales, and they have two children living: Clifford and Albert. In politics our subject is a Republican, and he is now serving his second term of three years as councilman-at-large of Wilkes-Barre.

ALBERT D. THOMAS, physician and surgeon, Forty Fort, was born in Llewellyn, Pa., January 31, 1858, and is a son of Duncan and Margaret (Scott) Thomas, natives of Glasgow, Scotland, who came to America in 1842, resided in Nova Scotia two years, and then located permanently at Llewellyn, Pa. Our subject, who is the seventh son in a family of eight children, attended the common school when a boy, took his academic course under a private tutor, and graduated from Hahnemann Medical College in 1881. He immediately thereafter began practicing

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

medicine in Shamokin, Pa., where he remained two years, after which he removed to Forty Fort, where he has built up a large practice, and done much toward the upbuilding of the town and the promotion of many public enterprises. Dr. Thomas was married, January 28, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Edwin A. and Eliza- beth (Donaldson) Denniston, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin. This union has been blessed with two sons and one daughter, viz. : Ethel S., Frank D. and Albert D. Mrs. Thomas died March 1, 1892. Dr. Thomas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in his political views he is a Prohibitionist, and has held the office of treasurer of the borough of Forty Fort since its incorporation in 1886; he was also a member of the first school board, and is a very active mem- ber of the Board of Trade.

DAVID A. THOMAS, Hazleton, is one of that city's most progressive and deserving citizens, and is a native of Wales, born August 24, 1842. He was reared and educated in his native land, and at the age of twelve years began an appren- ticeship at the miller's trade, following that about five years, and then engaged in working in the mines, where he had previously been employed. He followed mining until 1865, in which year he came to America, locating at Audenried, Car- bon county, where he was mine superintendent for A. L. Mumphin & Co. for a considerable period; this he resigned and next went to Virginia, there managing a plantation for a time. In 1882 Mr. Thomas came to Hazleton and engaged in the livery business, which he has since carried on very extensively, keeping on hand about twenty very fine road horses and carriages, which are excelled by none. Our subject was married, December 25, 1866, to Miss Anna John, of Audenried, and their union has been blessed with ten children, viz .: Anna (married to Elmar Drake), Mary (married to James Johnston, Hazleton), Margaret, Selina, Elizabeth, Thomas, David, Olive, Harry and Sarah. In politics Mr. Thomas is a stanch Republican.

EVAN H. THOMAS, engineer at the Parrish Slope, Plymouth, was born at Danville, Pa., April 23, 1863, and is the fifth in a family of eleven children born to John H. and Hester (Davis) Thomas, natives of Monmouthshire, Wales. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated at Danville, and, after completing his education learned the blacksmith's trade at the Montour Locomotive Works, at which place he remained three years, going from there to the Frosty Valley Iron Ore Mines, where he was given the responsible position of hoisting engineer; he filled this position four years, at the end of that time coming to Plymouth, and running the locomotive used in the Gaylord Mine. He continued in this about one year, when he was given his position at the Parrish mines, where he has been since 1886. Our subject was married, April 19, 1886, to Miss Effie, daughter of Bartholomew and Elmira (Crum- ley) Perry, natives of Pennsylvania. The results of this union have been four chil- dren, namely: John, Jessie, Raymond and Howard, the last named being the only one now living. Mr. Thomas is independent in political matters. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and P. O. S. of A. The family attend the Pilgrim Church.

JOHN W. THOMAS, master mechanic for the Parrish Coal Company, Plymouth, was born in Aberdare, South Wales, April 9, 1861, and is the fourth in the family of eleven children born to John H. and Hester (Davis) Thomas, also natives of Wales. The family came to America when our subject was but a child, locating in Montour county, Pa., where the children were reared and educated. John W. started in life as hoist- ing engineer at the Montour Iron and Steel Works, where he ran an engine for five years, going at the end of that period into the shops of the same company. Here he worked for about a year at his trade, that of machinist, and then for one year as boiler inspector, afterward resuming his former position of engineer, in which he continued two years. Having a desire to try railroading, he went on the Reading as fireman between Catawissa and Williamsport, where he remained one year, and next worked for a short time as a machinist, at the Funnell Ridge Colliery, Schuyl- kill county, and the Gaylord, at Plymouth. In 1885 Mr. Thomas again took charge of a hoisting engine, this time at the Gaylord, where he worked one year, and in

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1886 came to the Parrish Slopes, putting in the first pump at that mine and running same one year. He then ran a hoisting engine one year, and was at the end of that period promoted to his present position, where he now has charge of all the ma- chinery used in this extensive mine. Mr. Thomas was united in marriage, January 4, 1872, with Miss Annie, daughter of Jacob and Tillie (Kemmer) Miner, natives of Germany, and two children have been born to this union, namely: Gertrude and Maud. Mr. Thomas is a Republican in politics; he is a member of the Knights of Pythias; the family attend the Congregational Church.

JAMES J. THOMAS, Wilkes-Barre, was born at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., June 23, 1856, a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Leg) Thomas, natives of Wales and England, respectively,, who came to America in 1842, locating at Minersville, Pa. The father was a foreman in the mines of Schuylkill county for many years; in 1869 he removed to Plymouth, this county, and died there in 1888. Our subject was reared in Schuylkill and Luzerne counties, and at the age of eight and one-half years he began life in the breakers, and worked about and in the mines, in various capacities, until 1879. He was then appointed deputy prothonotary of Luzerne county, which position he held five years; from 1883 to 1886 was U. S. Revenue gauger, under E. H. Chase, Esq .; and from January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1892, was deputy clerk of courts, under William P. James. On February 13, 1879, Mr. Thomas married Sarah, daughter of David J. and Mary Williams of Danville, Pa., natives of Wales, who came to America in 1840. Mr. Thomas has one daughter living, named Lizzie. He is a member of the K. of P., and in politics is a stanch Republican.

JOHN F. THOMAS, carpenter at the Keystone Colliery, Miners Mills, was born in Llanerchymedd, Anglesea, North Wales, March 10, 1864, and is a son of Hugh and Ellen (Williams) Thomas, the former of whom is at present a shoe merchant in his- native country. The family consisted of eight children, six of whom are living, viz. : Hugh, a shoemaker, in South Wales; Ann, married to Hugh Hughes, a shoe- maker, in North Wales; William, a shoemaker, in South Wales; Elizabeth, married to James Grimshaw, a mechanic, in Birkenhead, England; Ellen, married to Thomas Jones, farmer, in West Winfield, N. Y .; and John F. Our subject learned his trade in Wales, and in 1880 came to America, locating first at Waterville, N. Y., where he worked eight months on a farm, then proceeded to Parsons, where he engaged in mine labor for eight months, and in 1883 removed to Miners Mills, where he has since resided, with the exception of two months when he was on a visit to Wales. Mr. Thomas was married, February 2, 1884, to Mary A., daughter of John J. and Ann (Jones) Thomas, and they have four children, viz. ; Anna E., John, William and Mary. Mr. Thomas and wife are members of the Welsh Congregational Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Ivorites, and a Republican in his political views. He built his present residence in 1885.

JOHN J. THOMAS (deceased) was born in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, July 23, 1837, and was the eldest of nine children born to David and Esther (Jones) Thomas. He was a carpenter in Wales, and came to America November 2, 1879, locating in Miners Mills, where he followed mining till his death, which occurred March 6, 1890. The homestead residence, now occupied by his widow, was constructed in 1886. Mr. Thomas was married, November 3, 1863, to Miss Ann, daughter of William and Mary (Jones) Jones, natives of Carmarthenshire, South Wales, and the fruit of this union was six children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being David, who died January 10, 1890, at the age of twenty-six years; Mary A., married to John F. Thomas; and John Henry, a driver in the Pine Ridge Mine. Mr. Thomas was a member of the Welsh Congregational Church, with which his widow is also identi- fied; he was a member of the A. O. K. of M. C., and the Ivorites, and was a Repub- lican in his political views.

JOSEPH R. THOMAS, merchant, Edwardsville, was born in Aberystwyth, Wales, March 19, 1841, and is a son of John Watts and Helena (Jones) Thomas. Our subject came to America in 1870, locating at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he remained

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

one year engaged in mining, and then went into the hotel business as proprietor of the "Pleasant View House," at Wilkes-Barre, where he remained three years previous to coming to Edwardsville. He also engaged in the hotel business at the latter place as proprietor of the " Hanover House," which he conducted for ten years, and then embarked in his present business. Mr. Thomas was married in 1865 to Miss Phobe, daughter of David Reese, of Wales, and the fruits of this marriage were six children, viz .: Margaret Helen (deceased), Susanna (deceased), Anna, Ida, David William and Arthur. Our subject and his family are members of the English Baptist Church, and he is a member of the P. A. S. and the A. O. F; he now holds the office of burgess of Edwardsville.

ROBERT THOMAS, tailor, Ashley, was born in Anglesea, North Wales, in December, 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Hughes) Thomas. The father, who was a watchman, reared a family of four children, two of whom are living: Hugh, a quarryman in Wales, and Robert. Our subject was educated in Wales, and then learned his trade in Glasgow (Scotland), which he followed in Liverpool (England), Dublin (Ireland), on the Isle of Man, and at other places. In 1865 he came to America, and conducted a shop eight years in Slate Ridge, Pa .; then at Slatington a few months; Upper Lehigh, six years, and in 1879 removed to Ashley. Mr. Thomas was married August 10, 1862, to Miss Ann, daughter of Richard and Jane (Williams) Jones, the issue of which union was thirteen children, five of whom are living, viz .: Richard, Robert, John, Jennie and David. Mr. Thomas and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the I. O. R. M. A Republican in politics, he has held the office of justice of the peace since 1887, and that of burgess twice.

ROBERT G. THOMAS, Ashley, brakeman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, was born in Beech Bottom, N. Y., June 3, 1868, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Jones) Thomas. Our subject was educated in the public school, and at an early age began working about the mines, where he remained four years, and was then employed blocking at the foot of the Ashley Plane for some time, and in 1889 began the occupation of brakeman. Mr. Thomas was married September 24, 1890, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Johnson) Blair, and they have one child, Bertha May. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and the B. of R. T., and is a Republican in his political views.

REV. ROLAND S. THOMAS, Presbyterian minister, Nanticoke, was born in Carmar- thenshire, South Wales, April 24, 1844. He attended school very little in his native land, and came to America in 1869. When a young man he worked in the mines, in the meantime taking advantage of every opportunity for improving his mind; he devoted all his spare time to study, and it may be well said of him that he is a self- made man. By the year 1879 Mr. Thomas had prepared himself to enter Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was graduated three years later. Immediately after graduating he engaged in the ministry at Taylorsville, Pa., where he remained until 1886, in which year he came to Nanticoke as pastor of the Welsh Presbyterian Church, the duties of which position he performed until 1890, when he resigned. He is now engaged in preaching in various places, from Carbondale to Danville. Mr. Thomas was united in marriage, December 29, 1866, with Miss Margaret Evans, of Tully, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, and to their union were born six children, all of whom are deceased.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 212

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