History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 214

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 214


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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CHARLES W. TRAVER, proprietor of the " Hotel Traver," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Steuben county, N., Y., February 7, 1849, son of Charles and Olivia (Veley) Traver, of English and German descent, respectively. He was reared in his native county, receiving his education in the common schools, and in 1865 began life for himself as a news agent on the Erie Railroad, which occupation he followed until 1868. He then filled a position as brakeman two years, being next employed from 1870 to 1873, as baggageman, and from 1873 to 1884, as freight and passenger con- ductor. From 1884 to 1888 he managed installment houses in Wilkes-Barre and Sunbury, and from 1888 to 1891 was traveling salesman for wholesale liquor houses in Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia. In March, 1891, Mr. Traver embarked in the restaurant business in Wilkes-Barre, in which he still continues, being one of the most popular caterers in the city. On July 4, 1871, he married Sallie Shaffer, of Sunbury, Pa., and after her decease wedded Lillie, daughter of Jacob Hill, of Shamokin, Pa. By the latter union there are two children, Millie and Frances.


PETER TRAXLER, a prominent farmer of Huntington township, P. O. Town Hill,


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was born on his present farm, November 24, 1834, a son of Henry and Sarah (Dod- der) Traxler, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin. The father was a farmer by occupation; he died October 3, 1863, aged sixty-three years. Our sub- ject is the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children, six of whom are living. He was reared on the farm he now owns, educated in the common schools, and worked for his father until the death of the latter, when he purchased the farm from the heirs, and has since devoted his attention to its improvement. The prop- erty consists of seventy-five acres, one and one-half miles southwest from Town Hill postoffice. Mr. Traxler was married, September 17, 1859, to Martha E., daughter of Philip and Rebecca Dodder, and by her he has one child, Charles L., who resides with his father and helps work the farm; he is married to Bertha Full- mer. The family are members of the M. E. Church, and politically, Mr. Traxler is a Republican.


FRANK TRENERY, shoemaker, Plains, was born in England May 7, 1865, and is a son of Frank and Sarah (Trenery) Trenery. The father, who is a shoe maker and dealer, in company with his youngest son, came to America in 1871, followed a year later by the remainder of the family, and located in Jersey City, where all except Frank still remain. The family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Edward, proprietor of the largest boot and shoe store in Jersey City; Jennie, married to John Walbrecht, a shoemaker, formerly of Plains, now of Green- ville, N. J .; Sarah, married to William Leach, a boss carpenter, in Jersey City; Emma, married to William Furze, a car driver, also in Jersey City; Joseph, a shoe maker and dealer, Jersey City; Frank, whose name appears at the head of this memoir; and Richard, in partnership with his father. In 1887 our subject located in Plains, where he has done a thriving business. Mr. Trenery was married, De- cember 26, 1887, to Miss Martha, daughter of Jacob and Martha (McIntyre) Covart, of Jersey City, and natives of Maryland and Ireland, respectively; her father, who was formerly a resident of Wilkes-Barre, went, in 1841, to Philadelphia, the next year to New York, and in 1867 to Jersey City, where he has since remained. To the union of Frank and Martha Trenery have been born two children, one of whom is living, Frank A. Our subject is a member of the A. O. K. of M. C., and is a Re- publican in his political views.


GEORGE W. TRIMBLE, veterinary surgeon and barn-boss, Edwardsville, was born in Elizabethtown, Pa., and is a son of George W. and Eliza (Vance) Trimble, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of French and German origin, respectively. Our sub- ject began life for himself at the early age of seven, working on a farm on Middle- town, Pa., where he remained about eight years, and thence going to Pottsville, where he was employed as a teamster until 1846, when he went to Danville, driving team there until 1859. He next went to Light Street and remained there until 1860, when he removed to Irondale, working in the iron furnaces there until April 9, 1861, at this time Mr. Trimble enlisted in the Bloomsburg Iron Guards and went with them to Harrisburg, and when that organization was not accepted, re-enlisted, this time in Company A, Sixth P. V., under Capt. Ricketts. He was all through the Peninsular Campaign, and was mustered out with his regiment at the close of the war. He then returned to Bloomsburg, where he was engaged at teaming, and remained there three years, when he again returned to Danville, in which place he remained until 1875. In this year he came to Edwardsville and engaged as barn- boss for the Kingston Coal Company, where he is still employed. Mr. Trimble was married March 2, 1858, to Miss Sarah, daughter of William Hilburn, of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., and they have had eight children, namely: Mary Jane, who is married to John Harris, of Plymouth; Anna, who is married to William J. Edwards, of Plymouth; Olive (deceased); William F., an engineer, at Plymouth; Ida, who is married to Benjamin Fox (now deceased), at Edwardsville; George, an engineer, at Edwardsville; Elias, who married Sarah Lines, of Edwardsville; and Bertha. Mr. Trimble and his family are members of the M. E. Church, and in politics, he is a Republican.


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JOHN TRIMBLE, restaurant keeper, Fairview township, P. O. Mountain Top, was born in Ireland in 1844, and is the fourth in the family of seven children born to Alexander and Jane (Burns) Trimble. He attended the public schools in his native country until he was twelve years of age, afterward working on his father's farm until 1863, when he came to this country, and to Durham, Bucks Co., Pa., securing employment there in a blast furnace, where he stopped but a short time, thence proceeding to Catasauqua, and working on the Lehigh Valley Railroad as repair- man. After a few months he secured work in Mauch Chunk, and worked around there until 1868, when he went to Seigfried's Bridge, in Lehigh county; he was employed there as a railroad brakeman, and, in July, 1869, had his right leg mangled so badly by the cars that it was necessary to have it amputated. In April, 1870, Mr. Trimble came to Solomon's Gap, and accepted a position as weigh- bill clerk in the scale office for the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad Company. He held that position until 1874, when he opened a cigar and confectionery store


in Solomon's Gap; and, in 1878, secured a retail liquor license, and opened a restaurant in the same building. He did business in that place until 1884, when it became necessary to remove the old building, and on the site was erected a three-story building with hall attached, which is now being used by several Socie- ties. Mr. Trimble was married in March, 1887, to Rosetta, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Coleman, of Benton, Columbia county, both natives of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Trimble have five children, as follows: Harry W., Stella M., Cora D., Nora M. and Mable G. Mr. Trimble is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Royal Arcanum. In politics, he is a liberal Democrat.


SAMUEL WILLSON TRIMMER, M. D., White Haven, was born in Kingwood town- ship, Hunterdon Co., N. J., August 12, 1833, a son of Henry S. and Ure (Willson) Trimmer, natives of New Jersey, and of German and Scotch origin, respectively, the former of whom was a wheelwright by trade. The father died, April 24, 1890, aged eighty-four years, leaving a family of nine children, seven now living, of whom Samuel Willson is the eldest. Our subject was educated in the common schools, also at Col. Chapman's private school, at Flemington, N. J., and in 1852 he began the study of medicine under Albert S. Clark, M. D., of Quakertown, N. J. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Medicine, March 1, 1854, and opened an office at Point Pleasant, Pa., where he practiced two years, at the end of which time he moved to White Haven, where he has since followed his pro- fession. The Doctor was married, September 7, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Washington and Jane (Bevan) Bennet, natives of the Wyoming Valley, and of English and Welsh origin, respectively. Mrs. Trimmer, who was the eldest in a family of ten children, was born August 26, 1836, and died March 8, 1875. The fruits of this union were eight children, four of whom are living, viz. : Harry W., born April 6, 1863, a physician at Harvey's Lake, Pa. ; Julia M., born August 5, 1865; Edwin S., born June 19, 1873, and Francis, born January 25, 1875. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Trimmer is a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons; the Luzerne County Medical Society, and the Lehigh Valley Medical Association. He was a member of the Legislature in 1863; has been burgess of White Haven, and is school director, an office he has held since 1863. He was prothonotary of Luzerne county from 1872 to 1875, is one of the prominent men of his borough, and an honor to his profession.


ISAAC TRIPP, farmer, Forty Fort, was born in Providence, Pa., September 7, 1817, the seventh in the family of eleven children of Isaac and Catherine (La France) Tripp, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English-Quaker and Scotch and French origin, respectively. He is a grandson of Isaac and Martha Tripp, and a great- grandson of Isaac Tripp, who came from Rhode Island to the Wyoming Valley during pioneer times; he was a great friend of the Indians, by whom he was painted, somewhat according to their custom, and on one occasion, having to go to Connecticut on account of the disputed land title, he washed off the stripes given him by the Red man, and, after his return, while foddering cattle one morn-


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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.


ing at daybreak outside the fort, he was fallen upon by the savages and slain before he could regain the enclosure. His father dying while our subject was young, the latter's success in life has been largely due to his own efforts, and, as he him- self attributes it, to the fact that he had a good mother. Embarking in life for himself at the age of eighteen, he followed the example of his father, and chose farming as his occupation, in which he has always continued. He located in Kings- ton in 1854, on the place where Frank Helms now lives, subsequently living a year and a half on a farm on the hill west of Kingston, and in 1859 purchasing his present home of 138 acres, known as the "Abbot farm." Mr. Tripp was mar- ried February 17, 1840, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob I. and Elizabeth (Woulthmuth) Shoemaker, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. Six children were the fruit of this union, four of whom are now living, viz .: Mary, who resides with her parents; Penelope E., married to Isaac Estabrook, a farmer, at Catharine, N. Y. ; Phebe M., married to W. I. Sherwood, a farmer, at Trumans- burgh, N. Y., and Emma C., married to Stephen F. Williams, a druggist, at Plymouth, Pa. Mrs. Margaret (Shoemaker) Tripp, died November 23, 1856, and Mr. Tripp was married, December 28, 1861, to Hannah Rogers, daughter of Nelson and Jane (Durling) Rogers, natives of Maine and Orange county, N. Y., and of New England and Irish lineage, respectively. To this union have been born six children, viz .: Flora T., married to Simeon Bronson, a farmer, in Schuylkill town- ship, Chester Co., Pa .; Maud S., married to Frederick Space, of Forty Fort; Isaac, Jr., farming in Schuylkill township; Edwin McN .; Catherine J., living with her parents, and Bertha M., attending school at Trumansburgh, N. Y. Mr. Tripp and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Churches, respectively. He is a Republican in his political views, and has held the office of assessor in Providence. Mr. Tripp has in his possession a cow, which he has raised on his farm, weighing over 3,000 pounds, undoubtedly the largest cow in the world; she is a very beautiful, well-proportioned animal of the Shorthorn- Durham breed, and has been looked upon in wonder by stock-raisers from various parts of the United States and Canada, who have in many cases traveled long distances to see so extraordinary a creature.


GEORGE H. TROUTMAN, attorney at law, Hazleton, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 18, 1842, and is a son of J. Hamilton and Elizabeth (Esler) Troutman. His father was a native of Reading, Pa., and a son of George C. Troutman, who was a son of George Peter Von Troutman, a German baron, who, September 16, 1736, came to America from Vienna, Austria. The maternal grandfather of subject was Benjamin Esler, a native of County Antrim, Ireland. J. Hamilton Troutman was a resident of Philadelphia the greater part of his life, and at the time of his death, in 1865, was a member of the firm of Kay & Brothers, law booksellers and publishers. Our subject was educated in his native city, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1862, whilst in the army. On April 22, 1861, he enlisted in the First Regiment Commonwealth (Pennsylvania) Artillery, in which he served three months, and he afterward enlisted for three years in the Anderson Troop, the first company in what was afterward the Fifteenth Cavalry Regiment, or One Hundred and Sixtieth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was wounded in the Stone River campaign, where he commanded a battalion of Kentucky troops. In June, 1862, he was taken prisoner at Huntsville, Ala., but six months later he escaped. After recovering from wounds and imprisonment, he entered the service in the military family of Gen. G. S. Dodge. He was in the service until March, 1866. He read law with Edward Hopper, of Philadelphia, and was admitted to the bar March 20, 1862, whilst on leave of absence from the army. In 1868 he located at Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county, and practiced in the courts of that county until 1879, when he returned to Hazleton, this county, where he has since resided and succeeded in building up an extensive practice. He was admitted to the Luzerne county bar September 16, 1874. Mr. Troutman is a stanch Republican. He has never held public office, except as city solicitor of the city of Hazleton, but has taken an active part in county conventions and committees.


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J. C. TUBBS, farmer, P. O. Town Line, was born in Union township, March 8, 1842, a son of Charles and Catherine (Benscoter) Tubbs, the former born in Hunt- ington, the latter in Union township, in 1795 and 1799, respectively. Charles was a son of Earl Tubbs, a native of Connecticut, who removed to this county as one of its early pioneers. He located in Huntington township, where he owned about 300 acres of land, a great part of which he was instrumental in clearing. In addition to his farming he was also a distiller, and was indeed a business man of considerable ability. He died at the age of seventy years. His son Charles began life in Hunt- ington township, where he remained until 1840, in that year removing to Union township, where he purchased a farm of twenty-six acres, on which he lived the rest of his life. His life was devoted to good works, and he was a consistent member of the M. E. Church; he died in 1864, aged sixty-nine years. His family numbered eleven children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and four are now living, J. C. being the tenth in the family. Our subject was reared and educated in his native township, having always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he was mustered into the United States service as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Forty-third P. V. I,, for the term of three years. He proved himself a valiant soldier, and participated in the following battles: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, North Ann, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run, first and second. In February, 1865, his regiment was sent to Hart Island to guard prisoners. At the close of the war he was honor- ably discharged with the rank of corporal. On his return to civil life he again began the life of a farmer. In 1867 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Weston and Delena Goss, who bore him four children, all of whom are living: Kate, Edgar B., Blanche and Pearle. Mrs. Sarah Tubbs was born in Fairmount township, December 15, 1846; she passed away October 17, 1886, aged thirty-nine years, ten months and two days. J. C. Tubbs is an energetic business man, a practical farmer, and enjoys the full confidence of his fellow citizens. Politically, he is a Republican, and has held several township offices with credit. He is a member of the Grange and G. A. R.


A. D. Tuck, proprietor of a boarding stable, Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city February 6, 1866, a son of William and Catherina (Dean) Tuck. His father was a native of England, a druggist by profession; he established one of the first drug- stores in Wilkes-Barre, and continued in the business until his death, which occurred in 1881; his wife was a daughter of Amon Dean, one of the pioneers of Wilkes- Barre, a wheelwright by trade, who, before the day of railroads, was proprietor of a freight line, with teams, between Wilkes-Barre and Tunkhannock. William Tuck had six children who grew to maturity: Alice (Mrs. R. A. Spaulding), Kate (Mrs. Dr. Ernest Birkins), William, Nellie, A. D. and Nan. Our subject was reared in his native city, receiving his education in the public schools and Harry Hillman Academy. He has been engaged in his present business since 1885. In February, 1890, he married Louise, daughter of Christian and Hannah Heinbach, of White Haven, this county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and P. O. S. of A .; in pol- itics he is a Republican.


ADAM TURKES, JR., proprietor of the " Parlor Hotel," Public Square, Wilkes- Barre, was born in that city, September 20, 1858, a son of Adam and Catherine (Leffler) Turkes, natives of Germany. The father emigrated to America in 1844, and located in Wilkes-Barre, where he worked in the mines seven years. He then embarked in the hotel business, continuing in that for twenty-five years, when he engaged in the grocery business. This he carried on for three years, when he again entered the hotel business for four years, after which he retired from active life. His children were Adam, Jr., Anthony, Kate (Mrs. N. G. Landmesser), Margaret (Mrs. Frank Flosser), Mary (Mrs. Hans Schmidt), Nannie (Mrs. George Bartholo- mew) and Frances (Mrs. Samuel Michaels). The subject of this sketch was reared in Wilkes-Barre, and educated in the public schools. He began life as a clerk, in 1880 embarking in the saloon business. In 1885 he started his present business, in


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which he has since successfully continued, being a popular and well-known citizen. He is a member of the K. of P.


EDWARD TURNBACH, agent for the Atlantic Dynamite Company, Hazleton, is a descendant of an illustrious Revolutionary soldier, being a great-grandson of John Turnbach, who served in the Pennsylvania ranks under Gen, Anthony Wayne. The advent of the Turnbach family in America dates back to 1728, when the father of John Turnbach, with a colony of Germans, emigrated to America, owing to religion difficulties which had arisen in the Fatherland during that period. The subject of this sketch was born in White Haven, Pa., July 25, 1848, and is'the fifth in a family of ten children born to William and Maria (Drescher) Turnbach, both of whom were born in this country. Edward was reared and educated near White Haven, and, when quite young, began working at the mines at Eckley, Ebervale and Stockton. This he continued until seventeen years of age, when he went to Drifton and was engaged by Coxe Bros. & Co., as shipping clerk, from 1869 to 1882, in which year he came to Hazleton, and engaged in the dynamite business. In 1884 he admitted Mr. Monroe into partnership, the business having since been known by the firm name of Turnbach & Monroe. Mr. Turnbach was united in marriage, August 9, 1870, with Miss Hannah E., daughter of Jacob and Mary (Weaver) Hartranft, natives of Berks county, which union has been blessed with six children, namely: William A., John J., Edward R., Mary B., Prentiss and Walter. Mr. Turnbach is a stanch Democrat of the old Jacksonian school; the family attend the Lutheran Church.


STEPHEN TURNBACH, retired farmer, P. O. Rock Glen, was born in what is now Black Creek township, January 27, 1827, a son of Samuel and Mary (Hill) Turn- bach. His paternal grandfather, William Turnbach, a native of Pennsylvania, was a pioneer of what is now Black Creek township, and cleared and improved a farm there on which he lived and died. His children were: William, John, Samuel, Susan (Mrs. Whitney), Eliza (Mrs. Peter Kaup), Rebecca (Mrs. David Enbody) and Sarah (Mrs. William Kaup), of whom Samuel, father of our subject, succeeded to the homestead, and resided in Black Creek township until his death. His wife was a daughter of Frederick Hill, of Salem township, and his children were Phoebe (Mrs. Henry Yost), Abbie (Mrs. Solomon Yost), Rebecca (Mrs. Solomon Yost), Mary (Mrs. Samuel Nugester), Catherine (Mrs. George B. Seybert), Stephen, Joseph and Samuel. Our subject was reared in Black Creek township, where he has always resided, and was engaged in farming and merchandising until his retirement from business. He married, December 19, 1850, Hannah, daughter of Philip and Maria (Creasy), Hetler, of Mifflinville, Columbia Co., Pa., and has five children living: Joseph H., Mary C. (Mrs. Dr. L. L. Creasy), Emma U. (Mrs. Charles W. Barber), Alice D., (Mrs. John Platt) and Ellsworth C. Mr. Turnbach is a member of the M. E. Church; in politics is a Republican, and served as commissioner of Luzerne county one term of three years.


FRED F. TURNER, dealer in mine supplies and machinery, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 31, 1860, a son of George F. and Mary (Smith) Turner. The father was a native of Philadelphia, and a son of Joshua L. and Kate (Fowler) Turner, formerly of Milford, Del. The maternal grandfather was David Smith, of Milford, Del. Our subject lived in Philadelphia until twelve years of age, when he removed with his parents to Pittsburgh, Pa. He was educated at the Friends' school, Wilmington, Del., where he graduated in 1875. He then entered the audi- tor's office of the Pittsburgh, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, at Pittsburgh, where he was employed as a clerk three years; clerked in an iron broker's office in Pitts- burgh until 1882, and worked with the Pittsburgh Supply Company until 1887. At that time he took charge of the Pittsburgh agency for the Magnesia Sectional Steam Pipe Covering, and after the Pittsburgh office was closed, was sent to Scranton, Pa., in 1889. After remaining there a year, he organized the Pennsylvania Supply Com- pany at Wilkes-Barre, in January, 1890, and in May, 1891, sold his interest in the business and embarked in his present business. He is meeting with great success. January 17, 1882, Mr. Turner married Miss Virginia, daughter of Valentine and


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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.


Grace (Huron) Short, of Pittsburgh, and of this union have been born two children: Irene and Edward. Mr. Turner is second lieutenant of Company D, Ninth Regi- ment N. G. P., and is a director, and member of the executive committee of the Wyoming Valley Lace Mills. In politics he is a Republican.


JOSEPH M. TURNER, proprietor of the "Eagle Hotel," Shickshinny, was born in Union township, this county, September 28, 1838, and is a son of George G. and Nancy (Moore) Turner. The paternal grandfather, Manuel Turner, of New England stock, was one of the pioneers of Plymouth and the Huntington Valley, and died in what is now Union township. His wife was Rebecca Gabriel, of Plymouth, and by her he had six children: John, George G., James, Caroline, Catherine and Irene. The maternal grandfather was Joseph Moore, of Connecticut, a pioneer of Union township. Our subject was reared in Union township, where he received a limited education in the common school. After attaining his majority he worked at the mason's trade until 1882, and then embarked in the hotel business in which he has since continued-three years at Orangeville, Columbia Co., Pa., and seven years at Shickshinny. Mr. Turner was married August 3, 1862, to Rebecca, daughter of Joseph H. and Delilah (Walton) Wilkinson, of Schuylkill county, Pa., and has four children: Charles, Lizzie (Mrs. Henry Dietrick), Mary (Mrs. William Senior) and Clem O. Mr. Turner is a member of the F. & A. M., and in politics he is a Democrat.


ALANSON B. TYRRELL, contractor, Kingston, was born at Waterbury, New Haven Co., Conn., and is a son of John A. and Esther (Roberts) Tyrrell, both natives of Connecticut and descendants of some of the oldest New England families. Our sub- ject may well be proud of the patriotism of his ancestors, for it is a remarkable fact that his four great-grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Their names are Tyrrell, Tuttle, Roberts and Beebe. Mr. Tyrrell was educated in the public schools of his native town, and between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, in Waterbury, Conn., after- ward working at same in that town until 1854, when he determined "to go West and grow up with the country." After nearly a year sojourning in the Far West, he came to Kingston, Pa., where he has since resided. He immediately began taking contracts for the building of coal breakers, a business he has since followed, con- tracting in that line throughout the coal regions of Pennsylvania. He has also built salt breakers in the State of New York, and he is now the leading breaker contractor in Pennsylvania. Mr. Tyrrell was married June 20, 1855, to Miss Susan, daughter of William Marks, of Connecticut, who was a seafaring man and a great traveler. They have four children, viz. : Esther (a student at the Medical College of Pennsyl- vania, Philadelphia), Jennie (now Mrs. C. E. Roat, of Kingston), Fred (who mar- ried Nellie Miller, of Peckville, Pa. ; he now resides in Wilkes-Barre, a member of the firm of Tyrrell Bros., grocers, Kingston), and Frank (who is the other member of the above firm, and manager of the business). Mrs. Tyrrell is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Tyrrell is a member of the F. & A. M .; in politics he is a Republican.




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