History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 213

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 213

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THOMAS THOMAS, outside foreman of the Exeter Colliery, Pittston, Pa., was born in Wales, January 9, 1858. He is a son of Shadrach and Margaret (Davies) Thomas, natives of Wales who came to America in 1861, settling in Schuylkill county, where the father followed the occupation of a miner, at which he is still employed. Thomas is the second in a family of six children, and was reared in Pittston, where the family had located in 1864. At the early age of eight years he began working about the mines, doing all kinds of work pertaining to mining. His early educational opportunities were very limited, but by hard work and economy

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he accumulated, through years of toil and hardship, enough to pay his way at school for a few years. In 1882 he extinguished his miner's lamp, and entered the Lewis- burg (now better known as Bucknell) University. Here he spent one year, and in 1883 entered Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pa., where he remained until 1885, in which year he became identified with the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in the capacity of civil engineer. He remained on the surveying corps for four years, when he was given the position as foreman under this company, which he has since occu- pied. Mr. Thomas was married January 3, 1884, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Daniel Williams, of Olyphant, Pa., and their union has been blessed with three children, namely: Harold, Earle and Beatrice. In political matters he is a Repub- lican; the family attend the Baptist Church. Mr. Thomas is a self-made man, having by individual effort and perseverance obtained a thorough education.

T. D. THOMAS, hotel proprietor, Duryea, was born in Wales, December 4, 1850, and is a son of Daniel and Hester (Hughes) Thomas, natives of the same place. Our subject received his education in Wales, and afterward worked in the mines, and in 1867 came to America, locating in Scranton, where he was employed as a miner until early in the year 1885, when he rented the "Eagle Hotel," Scranton. His business there prospered so well, that when Duryea commenced to boom he came down there in 1889 and bought the old homestead hotel, where he now resides. Mr. Thomas was united in marriage November 11, 1870, with Ann, daughter of John M. and Mary (Daniels) Jones, of Scranton, Pa., and natives of Swansea, Wales. Their union has been blessed with the following children: Hester, born September 24, 1872, was married March 8, 1892, to Steven B. Price, a carpenter, of Duryea; Daniel J., born March 27, 1877; Cora M., born August 27, 1879; Marga- ret A., born March 30, 1882; John C., born August 6, 1883; and Jenkins, born December 24, 1887. Our subject is a Republican in politics; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., A. P. A., K. of M. S., and I. O. O. R.

THOMAS R. THOMAS, mine foreman, Parsons, was born November 24, 1850, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Reese) Thomas. He was educated in his native town and came to America in 1870, set- tling at Ashley, where he engaged in mining and remained about fifteen months; he then came to Parsons, where he has since resided, devoting his entire attention to mining, and for over ten years has been foreman at the Mineral Spring Mine, where he is at present employed. Mr. Thomas was married, February 13, 1869, to Miss Jane, daughter of Reese Davis, of Mountain Ash, Glamorganshire, South Wales, and they have children as follows: Nellie, Thomas, Reese, Hannah, Jane, Edison, Gwladys, Daniel and William. Mr. Thomas and his family are members of the Baptist Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Honor, and in politics always has been, and still is, a Republican.

WILLIAM N. THOMAS, fire-boss at the Cunningham Shaft, Parsons, was born in Llanddybe, Wales, February 15, 1844, and is the second in the family of eight chil- dren of Thomas and Hannah (Reese) Thomas. He was educated in the common schools of Wales, and came to America in 1866, engaging in mining in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he remained for a short time. He then moved to Upper Lehigh, and after a short time, removed to Wilkes-Barre, where he remained about twenty-one years, working in the mines. In 1874 he came to Parsons, where he has since been permanently engaged in mining. Mr. Thomas was married October 8, 1865, to Miss Jane, daughter of Pew and Jane (Jones) Jenkins, and of this union were born thirteen children, viz .: Hannah (Mrs. Evan Thomas, of Parsons); Benja- min; Mary Jane (Mrs. Morgan L. David, of Wilkes-Barre); Thomas (deceased); Jenkin; Sarah; William; Wirewood; Edith (deceased); Edith (second); Blodwin; Ethel (deceased); and Naomi. Mr. Thomas is an adherent of the Baptist Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., I. O. R. M. and Knights of Honor. He is a Re- publican in politics, and has held the office of borough councilman two terms, and school director one term.

REV. W. D. THOMAS, pastor of the Baptist Church, Parsons, was born in Wales

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June 17, 1842, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Simons) Thomas. He was edu- cated in the common schools, Lewisburg Academy, and at Bucknell University, and in 1871 began active work in the ministry at Mahanoy City, Pa., where he remained ten years, and then removed to Parsons, where he has since been engaged in the pursuit of his profession. Mr. Thomas was married, December 11, 1860, to Ann, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Jones) Kelley, and they have had children as follows: Elizabeth A., born September 9, 1864, died April 24, 1866; Cardoc, born December 26, 1865, died April 25, 1881; Addie, born June 26, 1868; Gladius, born October 12, 1870; Minerva, born November 3, 1872; Lorenzo, born November 3, 1874; Lillie, born March 22, 1877; William, born January 8, 1880; Anna, born October 27, 1882; and Leroy, born June 22, 1885. Our subject is a persistent worker in the cause of Christianity; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and polit- ically is a Republican.

WILLIAM H. THOMAS (deceased) was born in South Wales, August 31, 1826, and was a son of John and Mary (Jones) Thomas, who died in their native country. He came to America in 1854, and located at Wilkes-Barre, where he engaged in mining; in 1864 he removed to Ashley, where he was for nineteen years a mine foreman. In 1874 he built the comfortable home now occupied by his family. Mr. Thomas was married November 22, 1858, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Peter and Catherine (New) Coons, natives of Germany, whence the family emigrated in 1836. The issue of this union was four children, viz. : Charles, died at the age of nine- teen years; Byron, died at the age of five and one-half years; one who died in infancy, and Oscar, a very promising young man, who graduated from the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania in 1892, and is now practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Thomas also has an adopted child, Helen S. Thomas. The family are Presby- terians in their religious views, and Republicans in politics, in which Mr. Thomas was very active; he held the office of school director in Ashley borough for seven years. He was killed by being smothered in a culm bank at the Franklin Mine, February 16, 1883. His death was a severe shock to his family, and was a cause of deep regret to the community in general, but Mrs. Thomas rallied as soon as the delicacy of true womanhood would allow and managed the estate and reared her family in a way which devolves much credit upon her. Mr. Thomas was a man who com- manded the highest respect of his employers as well as those under his charge. He was a kind husband, a loving father, and a man of great influence in the town in which he lived, and from which he was so suddenly swept by the cruel hand of death.

WILLIAM M. THOMAS, inside foreman, Stanton Mines, Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Breconshire, South Wales, April 22, 1838, a son of William and Gwennie (Morgan) Thomas. He was reared and edu- cated in his native place, and when nine years of age began life in the coal mines there, working in various capacities up to 1865. On August 3 of that year he landed in New York City, and the following week located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since been in the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, as miner, assistant fire-boss, fire-boss, assistant inside foreman, and inside foreman, having held his present position since 1881. Mr. Thomas married, December 19, 1869, Miss Mary A.,daughter of John and Gwennie (Williams) Thomas, of Carbon- dale, Pa., formerly of Wales. Mrs. Thomas' father was an official with the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal & Coal Company at Carbondale for twenty-eight years, but in later life he removed to Susquehanna county, Pa., where he engaged in farming, and died there in 1882, at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have three children: Thomas, Gwennie and Richard. They are members of the Welsh Presbyterian Church. Mr. Thomas is a member of the I. O. O. F. and R. A .; in politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM O. THOMAS engineer at the Nottingham Colliery No. 2 Slope, Plymouth, was born in England, September 14, 1851, a son of Thomas O. and Jenefer (Rowe) Thomas, natives of England. William O. was the third in a family of four

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children, and was reared and educated in England, coming to America in 1865, and settling in Orange county, N. Y., where he worked about the lead mines for one year. In 1871 he began as fireman at the Nottingham, continuing in that capacity for six years, when he was given charge of an engine at the Wright Slope, which he ran for twelve years, coming from there to No. 15, where he has since had charge of the large pair of slope engines. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, June 29, 1882, with Lutisia J., daughter of William and Mary (Crosby) Culver, natives of Luzerne county. Two children have blessed this union: Emma S., born April 10, 1883, and William C., born April 24, 1885. Mr. Thomas is a member of the following Orders: I. O. O. F., Mystic Chain, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and Knights of Honor. He is independent in political matters; the family attend the Methodist Church.

ALEXANDER THOMPSON, mine foreman, Pittston. This skillful and experienced mine foreman was born in Lanarkshire, near Edinburgh, Scotland, April 12, 1844, and is the third in the family of eight children of James and Elizabeth (Simpson) Thompson, also natives of Scotland. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in' his native land, and early in life learned mining, which he followed there until 1866, when he emigrated to America and located at Pittston, Pa. Here he engaged in mining and sinking shafts for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, con- tinuing in that capacity nine years. In 1876 he was promoted to the position of mine foreman for the company, and has since been so employed. He now has charge of Shafts Nos. 1 and 8, having 250 men under him, who daily prepare for the market nearly 600 tons of the black diamonds. Mr. Thompson was united in. marriage, August 27, 1869, with Miss Annie, the accomplished daughter of William and Caroline (Williamson) Reid, natives of Scotland, and one child has been born to this union, James R., who has chosen the medical profession. Mr. Thompson is a member of the F. & A. M. and the K. of H. He attends the Presbyterian Church. Standing in a position as he does, between a great corporation on the one hand and its hundreds of employes on the other, it requires the utmost ability in action and impartiality of judgment, and it is truthfully said of him by the voice of the people that no man is better fitted for such a position than Mr. Alexander Thompson.

PETER THOMPSON, Pittston, is the proprietor of that popular resort known as the Keystone Restaurant, located at No. 110 South Main street, Pittston. He is a native of Scotland, born November 25, 1858, and is a son of Robert and Jenetta (Wier) Thompson, both natives of Scotland. When our subject was about six years of age the family came to America, locating at Pittston, and there he was reared and educated. He followed mining until he reached the age of twenty-eight, then engaged in running a diamond drill, and worked in various places through the anthracite coal fields, and after four years assumed proprietorship of the Keystone Restaurant, where he has since enjoyed a flourishing trade. Mr. Thompson was married, in 1879, to Miss Bridget Gibbons, one of Pittston's fair daughters, and of this union have been born six children, three of whom are living, viz. : Robert, Jehu and Peter. The subject of our sketch is a member of the Caledonian Society; in politics he is a Republican.

Dr. WILLIAM THOMSON, physician, Luzerne, was born at Nanticoke, Luzerne Co., Pa., in June, 1823, and is a son of David and Susan (Saylor) Thomson, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of German origin. The family consisted of three sons, of whom our subject is the youngest. He received his education princi- pally at the old Wilkes-Barre Academy, and in 1845 began the study of medicine with Dr. A. P. Gardener, of Carbondale, Pa. He completed his course at the Castleton Medical College, Vermont, graduating there in 1845. After receiving his "sheepskin," the Doctor located at Nanticoke, Pa., where he practiced for six years, at the end of which time he removed to Orange, Pa., remaining there until 1857, when he took up his abode at Centre Moreland, Wyoming Co., Pa., where he practiced thirty years. In the spring of 1887 the Doctor came to Luzerne, where he and his son, Benjamin, established the lumber business that has since flourished under their

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management. The Doctor was married in March, 1852, to Mary Ann, daughter of John and Eliza (Naylor) Urquhart, and the children born to them are Frank H., horn in June, 1853, died in July, 1884; Benjamin S., born in Centre Moreland, Pa., October 23, 1862; and Ruth S., born June 28, 1868, and now residing with her parents. The Doctor was commissioned an army surgeon, November 1, 1862, and assigned to the One Hundred and Thirty-third Pennsylvania, where he served his time, after which he was re-commissioned to the Forty-second Pennsylvania, and served therein until the regiment was discharged; he was then assigned to the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania, where he remained until the close of the

war. He is now a member of the G. A. R., and no man was more faithful to his post than he. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics casts his ballot with the Republican party. His son, Benjamin S., with whom he is in partnership, was educated in Luzerne county, and embarked in the general lumber business with his father in 1887, where he can always be found attending strictly to business. He was married, October 16, 1884, to Ida L., daughter of Heister and Adaline (Sharpe) Keeler, natives of Pennsylvania, and among the first settlers of this Valley. Three children have come to Mr. and Mrs. Thomson: E. Roy, born September 9, 1885; Albert Lewis, born August 6, 1887, and Benjamin N., born November 12, 1889. As regards politics and religion, Mr. Thomson adheres to his father's views. Dr. Thomson and son, since establishing the lumber business at Luzerne, have succeeded well, and a survey of their neat establishment will afford ample proof of their prosperity.

FRED THORN, proprietor of the City Bottling Works, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Rhenish Hesse, Germany, November 2, 1845, and is a son of Balthasar and Julia (Winternheimer) Thorn. He was reared in his native country and educated at the Gymnasium of Mayence, near Bingen on the Rhine, and in 1864 immigrated to America, after which he followed the seas for several years as a sailor. In 1871 he located at Wilkes-Barre, where he was employed as clerk in Reichard's brewery, in which capacity he served nearly three years. In 1874 he engaged in the bottling business, as a member of the firm of Knorr & Thorn, which partnership existed up to 1881, when, on account of illness, he disposed of his interest to Mr. Knorr. In 1883 he purchased of A. M. Bryden the City Bottling Works, established in 1870, which he has since successfully conducted, and in 1884 erected his present plant on North 'Main street, one of the leading establishments of the kind in the State. Since 1889 he has conducted a branch works in Nanticoke, this county, and in 1891 embarked in the business of bottling the Lathia and Chalybeate waters at Talla- poosa, Ga. These waters are known as the "Southern Pride." Mr. Thorn was mar- ried in 1879 to Mrs. Katherina (Wedda) Krebs, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have three children: Louisa, Julius and Adolph. Mr. Thorn is a member of the Legion of Honor, Royal Arcanum, Knights of Pythias and Red Men and Harugari; in pol- itics he is independent.

THOMAS TIGHE, proprietor of the " Ashland House," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 1, 1839, a son of Dennis and Ellen (Durkin) Tighe, natives of County Mayo and County Sligo, Ireland, respectively. The father came to America in 1834, locating in Philadelphia, where he was married. In 1841 he set- tled in the Wyoming Valley, where he engaged in mining thirty years, and next embarked in the hotel business at Pittston, in which he continued seventeen years, dying there August 6, 1891, at the age of eighty years. He was the father of five children: Anthony, Thomas, John D., Patrick and James. Our subject was reared in Luzerne county from two years of age and began life as a miner, which occupation he followed twenty years, since which time he has been engaged in the hotel business, fifteen years in Pittston, two years in Scranton and five years in Wilkes-Barre, and since November, 1889, has been the proprietor of the "Ashland House." In 1860 Mr. Tighe married Miss Bridget Taylor, a native of County Sligo, Ireland, and by her he had eight children, five of whom are living: Dennis, Ellen J., Mary, Kate and John. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

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M. J. TIGUE, merchant, Port Griffith, was born in Jenkins township, January 12, 1862, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (McGee) Tigue, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. His father came to America in 1853, and in the same year located in Port Griffith, where he has since been engaged in mining. The family consisted of eight children, six of whom are living, viz: Michael J., Bridget (Mrs. John T. Flannery), Ellen (Mrs. John McCormick), John, Mary and Catherine. Our subject was educated in the common schools and then worked about the mines for twelve years, including four years' mining. In 1884 he engaged in his present business, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Tigue was married November 26, 1889, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Bridget (McHale) Blewit, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, which union has been blessed with three children, viz. : Maria and Mabel (twins), who died at the age of ten months, and Elizabeth. Our subject and family are members of the Catholic Church; he is a member of the Father Mathew Society, the A. O. H. and the C. M. B. A. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held the offices of school director and tax collector in Jenkins township.

SOLOMON TINKLEPAUGH, farmer, P. O. Prichard, was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., May 27, 1817. He is a son of Hontice and Ellenor (Shoefelt) Tinklepaugh, both of whom were born in New York State, of Dutch descent. Hontice and his wife were married in New York and removed to this county in 1817, when Solomon was six months old. They located near Pittston, in what is now a part of Lacka- wanna county, where they purchased 200 acres of virgin soil, which the father improved during his lifetime. He confined himself strictly to agricultural pursuits, and the improvements on his farm speak for his industry and perseverance. He died at the age of seventy-five years, after living an uneventful but toilsome life. He reared a family of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity, and four of whom are now living. Solomon is the sixth in the family, and was reared and edu- cated near Pittston, in Lackawanna county. Here he resided until he reached his twenty-fifth birthday, when he removed to Union (now Hunlock) township, there purchasing a property of 100 acres, to which he has added thirty-one acres more, all of which he and his sons have brought under cultivation. Mr. Tinklepaugh is an industrious man and a practical farmer; while belonging to no religious body, his life and principles are honest and upright. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been honored with several township offices, all of which he filled with credit. In 1839 our subject married Miss Angeline, daughter of William and Mary Cappell, who bore him nine children, seven of whom are living: George, William, Jane, Mary, Amy, Martha and Margaret. Mr. Tinklepaugh is a hearty man of seventy- five years; he is a social and genial companion, and has the full confidence of his neighbors.

ROBERT TODD, JR., butcher, Plymouth, was born at Pittston, Pa., October 25, 1854, and is a son of Robert and Isabella (Haston) Todd, natives of Edinburgh, Scotland, who came to this county when it was but sparsely settled. The family consisted of seven children-five boys and two girls-of whom five are now living. The subject of this sketch was educated in Pittston, and began life as thousands of the boys of the Valley have done, and still do-picking slate in the breaker. He worked in and about the mines in many capacities for twelve years, and in 1887 opened a meat market on West Main street, Plymouth, near his present place of business, which is located at No. 505 same street, and where he has since continued. Mr. Todd has a very neat, well-regulated market, and commands a large portion of the trade in his locality. He attends the Methodist Church, and in politics is a sound Republican.

A. L. TOWNER, proprietor of the Star Shoe Store, Pittston. Among the prominent young business men of Pittston is to be found the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born on Towner's Hill, Bradford county, and is a son of J. G. and Julia (Forbes) Towner. The Towner family is one of the oldest and best known in Bradford county, of which his parents were both natives. He was a teacher of

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vocal music, and obtained the reputation extending far beyond the borders of his native county, of being one of the most successful teachers that the State ever pro- duced. Many members of the Towner family have proved themselves to be musicians of note, and the father of our subject was one of the best. He died on his farm in Bradford county, December 8, 1870. J. G. and Julia (Forbes) Towner had a family of four children, viz. : Ladorna, who died when about twenty-two years old; Daniel B., who now resides in East Northfield, and is a vocalist of national repute, has devoted many years of his life to evangelical work, and by means of his sweet songs has been enabled to win many souls from the ways of destruction; he has accompanied Moody, Bliss, Munhall, Whittel, and many other noted evangelists, in their work in the different parts of the United States, and has visited almost every State in the Union; is a composer of decided ability, and many of his songs have won immortality); A. L., our subject; and William F., a commercial traveler, and a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. The mother is still living, and resides in East North- field, Mass.

Our subject was born and reared on the farm in Bradford county, and received his education in the common schools of his native county and the commercial depart- ment of the Wyoming Seminary, graduating from the latter in 1876. He then came to Pittston and embarked in the grocery business, associating himself as a partner with W. R. Sax, under the firm name of Sax & Towner. He continued in this business for three years, then sold his interest to Sax, and became a clerk in the store of T. W. Kyte, of West Pittston, remaining there six years. After leaving the employ of Mr. Kyte he went west, but finding no suitable opening returned to Pittston, and in October, 1888, purchased the boot and shoe business of James Fitch, in which he has since been engaged. His establishment, known as the "Star Shoe Store," is one of the most popular places in the county, and Mr. Towner has built up a trade second to none. Under his able management the business is constantly increasing. His shelves are lined with a very complete stock of goods, and there you can purchase anything in the boot and shoe line, from a baby's French kid shoe to a miner's heaviest brogan. Mr. Towner makes a specialty of fine goods, and in his establishment you can procure the best goods manufact- ured. Our subject was united in marriage, September 26, 1878, with Christine Polen, daughter of Winters Polen, a carpenter of Pittston, and their union has been blessed with two children: Burt T. and Paul D. He and family are members of the First M. E. Church of West Pittston, and are earnest workers in the same. He is a contributing member of the Y. M. C. A. ; also a member of the E. A. U. and P. O. S. of A., both Pittston societies. Mr. Towner has resided in Pittston since his fifteenth year, and has created for himself a host of friends. As a business man he has been very successful, and his methods have been such as to command the respect of all. He has won for himself an enviable position in the city of his adoption.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 213

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