History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 215

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

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JOSEPH C. TYRRELL, contractor, Forty Fort, was born June 19, 1835, at Water- town, Conn., and is a son of John A., a shoemaker, and Esther T. (Roberts) Tyrrell, also natives of Connecticut, who reared a family of nine children, of whom Joseph C. is the eighth. Our subject was educated in the public schools, and at the age of nine years began work in the factories and on the farms of Connecticut, con- tinuing until 1852, when he commenced learning the carpenter's trade at Water- bury, Conn., where he remained three years; then came to Forty Fort, and worked at his trade until 1864. He then took up breaker building by contract, at which he is still engaged. In 1861 he built himself a home, on December 22, 1870, purchased of his father-in-law the land on which it stood, and in 1883 rebuilt his home, which is now a model of elegance. Mr. Tyrrell was married December 26, 1857, to Matilda, daughter of William and Rachel (Culver) Culver (deceased), natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. By this union there were seven children, three now living:

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Alanson W., who married Ruth Parish, and is a carpenter, with residence at Forty Fort; Charles D., who married Lizzie Sanders, and is a foreman for his father, with residence at Forty Fort; and Lizzie, at home. Mr. Tyrrell was married a second time, February 6, 1890, to Martha Detrick Poe, a native of Pennsylvania, of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Tyrrell are members of the Bennett Presbyterian Church of Luzerne. Socially he is a Freemason, politically he is a Democrat.

THOMAS CHALMERS UMSTED, attorney at law, resides at Wilkes-Barre and practices his profession at the Luzerne county bar. He is a direct descendant of, and in the ninth generation, from Hans Peter Umsted, of Crefeld, Germany, who with his wife and family, came to America and settled near Philadelphia, Pa., in 1682. Mr. Umsted is the son of Rev. Justice T. Umsted, D. D., a Presbyterian minister, who is now living in Philadelphia, and was born at Fagg's Manor, Chester county, Pa. (where his father then resided), October 10, 1862. He received his education at the West Nottingham Academy, Maryland, and at Princeton College, New Jersey, after which he studied law with E. Coppee Mitchell, of Philadelphia, and at the same time entered the law school of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated, and was admitted to the Philadelphia bar, in June, 1886. In the fall of the same, year, Mr. Umsted moved to Wilkes-Barre, where he was admitted to the bar, December 6, and where he has since resided. Mr. Umsted's practice has been confined principally to the civil courts, the law of real estate, and the safe investment of capital, in which department he has been singularly successful, possessing also a wide reputation as an expert in questions of land law. On Jan- uary 21, 1891, Mr. Umsted married Miss Catherine Scott Moore, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Col. Oliver K. Moore, and a direct descendant of Judge Luther Kidder on the one side, and of the distinguished Judge David Scott on the other. Mr. and Mrs. Umsted have one child, Thomas Scott, born April 27, 1892. In politics Mr. Umsted is a Democrat, but takes little part in the campaigns, preferring to devote his time to his business and profession.

EMANUEL LEWIS UNDERWOOD, dairyman, Wilkes-Barre, was born at Forty Fort, this county, November 17, 1833, and is a son of William and Margaret (Swetland) Underwood. His paternal grandfather, Gideon Underwood (formerly of New Eng- land) was among the pioneers of Forty Fort, where he engaged in farming, dying there. The father of our subject was a native of Forty Fort, was a carpenter by trade, and resided at his native place until his death. His children were as follows: Sarah (Mrs. Thomas Hale), Melissa (Mrs. John Hufford), Emanuel L., and Frank. Our subject was reared in Scranton from seven years of age, was educated at Wyo- ming Seminary, Kingston, and after attaining his majority taught school fourteen consecutive years. He then embarked in the milk business at Wilkes-Barre, at which he still continues. He was twice married, his first wife being Harriet W., daughter of Alvah and Ann (Pierce) Phillips, of Wyoming, this county, and by her he had four children: Frank L., Fred, Orran and Eva (Mrs. Penn Spencer). Mr. Underwood's second wife was Mrs. Mary Becker Hay, widow of Peter H. Hay, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Underwood has been a resident of Wilkes-Barre since 1879. In politics, be is a Republican.

GIDEON UNDERWOOD, the oldest practicing physician in Luzerne county, was born at Forty Fort December 3, 1819, a son of Gideon and Sarah (Brown) Underwood, natives of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, respectively, and among the pioneers of the Wyoming Valley. Of a family of ten children, our subject is the only survivor. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the public schoole and a private academy at Wilkes-Barre. He began the study of medicine in 1842, under George Wurts, of Kingston, and in 1846 was graduated from Geneva Medical College, Geneva, New York. He at once began the practice of his profession in Scranton, removing to North Moreland in 1848, and thence, in the same year, to Pittston, where he has since resided. Dr. Underwood married, February 3, 1848, Martha, daughter of Elisha and Martha (Harding) Newman. Her father, born in 1791, is still living at the age of one hundred and one years, and resides in Bradford county, Pa. The

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

issue of this marriage was the following children: Caroline (Mrs. Henry Coward), Edwin N., Helen M. (Mrs. Rev. F. A. Falkner), Walter S., George F., Charles S. and Sanford L., a student in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsyl- vania. Dr. Underwood has been a member of the Broad Street M. E. Church since 1848, and through all its trials and troubles one of its stanchest supporters. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., T. of H. and G. A. R .; during the war he was assistant surgeon of the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. In politics he is Republican and an advocate of Prohibition.

CHARLES S. VAN BUSKIRK, carpenter and truck farmer, Forty Fort borough, was born September 17, 1843, at Forty Fort, and is a son of Peter and Maria (Finch) Van Buskirk, who were natives of New Jersey and New York, respectively. Our. subject, who is the sixth in a family of seven, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty enlisted in the U. S. Army, Company K, One Hundred and Ninty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was discharged November 9, 1864. He then came to Port Bowkley, and was engaged as carpenter two years, after which he worked for nine years at same trade at Maltby. He then purchased his present farm, and has carried on truck farming up to the present time. Mr. Van Buskirk was married January 3, 1866, to Sarah J., daughter of Joseph and Susan (De Long) Savits, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin.

FRANK P. VAN CAMPEN, proprietor of the "Forest House," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Warren county, N. J., November 11, 1853, a son of Moses and Margaret (Walters) Van Campen, and is of Holland-Dutch descent. His parents settled in Hanover township, this county, in 1859, where the father engaged in farming until 1874, when he embarked in the hotel business in Wilkes-Barre township, and kept the " Mountain House " four years; removed to Wilkes-Barre in 1878, and kept the "Courtright House " three years, and in 1881, became proprietor of the "Forest House," which he conducted until his death in 1885. His children who grew to maturity were four in number: Mary (Mrs. Jefferson R. Worman), Abraham, Frank P. and Thomas. Our subject was reared in Luzerne county from six years of age, was educated in private schools, and, after attaining his majority, engaged in butchering; later in hotel business. He has been proprietor of the " Forest House," Wilkes-Barre, since 1885. On August 12, 1874, Mr. Van Campen married Miss Matilda, daughter of Henry D. and Helen (Gray) Smith, of Honesdale, Pa., and has one daughter, Myrtle. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A .; in politics he is a Democrat.

BENJAMIN VANDERMARK, farmer, P. O. Dorrance, was born in Newport township, February 19, 1823, a son of William and Sarah (Shortz) Vandermark, the former born in Newport township, August 8, 1797, the latter in Hollenback township, September 9, 1797. William Vandermark is a son of Jeremiah, who was the son of Benjamin Vandermark, a native of Holland, who emigrated to this country at a very early date. He located on the banks of the Delaware river, in New York State, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, a vocation which his progeny have fol- lowed from one generation to another. Benjamin finally removed to this county, locating in Newport township, where he owned considerable coal land. He was regarded in his time as a man of influence, and died at a ripe old age, after living a life of industry and usefulness. Jeremiah, his son, began his active business life in Newport as a farmer. He removed to the south side of the mountain, to what is now Slocum township, where he purchased 300 acres of woodland. He was a con- scientious man in all his dealings, and a good citizen, whose life, like that of all frontier men, was somewhat eventful. He died in 1856, aged eighty-two years, his wife having preceded him to the grave. Their family consisted of eleven children, two of whom are still living: Benjamin and John. His son William also began his active life in Newport, he, too, being a farmer. In 1830 he removed to the south side of the mountain, where he purchased 250 acres, forty-five of which were brought under cultivation during his lifetime. He was a hard-working, honest and industrious man, one who attended strictly to his own business, yet slighted not those who

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desired his assistance. He died July 6, 1875, aged seventy-seven years; his wife died October 29, 1869, aged seventy-two years. Their family consisted of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, and six are now living, Benjamin being the first in order of birth. Our subject was reared and educated in Wright town- ship, and worked some time at the mason's trade, but has principally followed farming. In 1860 he removed to his present residence. His place contains seventy- six acres, part of which was cleared previous to his occupancy, and by his skill- ful and masterly management he has succeeded in making it a model farm. He has proven himself to be a practical man, keeping well abreast of the times. In 1850 Mr. Vandermark married Miss Hannah M., daughter of Peter and Hannah Cool, and to them have been born seven children, three of whom are living: John L. (a contractor and builder in Chicago), Wilson E. and Rozella M. Mrs. Hannah M. Vandermark was born in Hollenback township, February 27, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Vandermark are members of the M. E. Church. Their son Wilson E. is study- ing for the ministry, and is also a member of the same body. In politics the Van- dermarks are Republicans.

JAMES W. VANDLING, mine superintendent, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., November 10, 1860, and is a son of John S. and Sarah (Jack) Vandling, the former a native of Northumberland county, and of German descent, the latter a native of Harrisburg, and of Irish lineage. The father of our subject was a pros- perous contractor and builder in Harrisburg for many years, and died there in 1888, at the age of fifty-four years. Our subject was educated in Harrisburg, and at the age of sixteen was employed as bookkeeper by the Delaware & Hudson Coal Co., at Plymouth; he continued in the employ of the company in this capacity three years, when he was appointed outside mine superintendent for the same company, at the Old Baltimore Mine, in Plymouth township, where he has since been engaged. Although but nineteen when he assumed this position of responsibility, he proved himself thoroughly competent from the beginning, and has won the confidence of the company, and the favor and respect of the employes under his supervision. Mr. Vandling was married, October 19, 1881, to Miss Nellie M. Blair, of Plymouth. To this union have come two children: Brice, born September 17, 1882; and May, born June 16. 1884. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the F. & A. M. In his political views he is a Democrat.

J. A. VAN HORN, farmer, P. O. Hunlock Creek, was born in Union (now Hunlock) township, September 11, 1839, a son of Abram and Olive (Hubbs) Van Horn, the former of whom was born in Salem in 1804, the latter in Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1807. Abraham was a son of Isaac Van Horn, who was born in Montgomery county, Pa., a son of Samuel, who was born in this country (probably in Mont- gomery county), and was of Dutch descent, his ancestors having emigrated to this country as far back as 1642. Samuel was a captain in the Revolutionary army, and did valiant service for liberty and independence. He removed from Montgomery county to Salem, in Luzerne county, about 1780. By two marriages his family con- sisted of four sons and one daughter, and he died in 1852, aged one hundred years. Isaac was a young man when he removed hither with his father. He was a miller and a first-class mechanic, but as he became advanced in years, he devoted his time exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He was an extensive farmer in his day, owning some three hundred acres of land, much of which was brought under the plough by him. He died in 1852, aged seventy-five years. Abram was the second son in a family of ten children. He spent some time in Huntington township, to which place his father had removed. From that township Abram proceeded to New York City, where he was one year in the employ of a merchant, as clerk. He then returned home where he spent a short time, and soon after went to work on the canal, as a contractor, in which he succeeded, becoming a great business man in that line; he followed contracting for a short time. He was a keen-sighted, clear- minded man, one who took advantage of circumstances and led time by the fore- lock. On October 22, 1829, he married Olive Hubb, and in the following year he

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removed to Union (now Hunlock) township, on a 241-acre lot, to which he soon added 555 acres woodland, the timber of which he manufactured into lumber. This farm during his life-time was improved by him, commodious and comfortable build- ings being erected. He was a practical man, and did with all his might whatsoever his hands found to do. He was a stanch Abolitionist, and with his wife, Olive, was a strong supporter of the M. E. Church, of which body they were both consistent members. There were seven children born to them, six of whom are living: Will- iam, Alexander H., Francis M., Adelia, James A. and Jennie A. Of these, William married Miss Drew, to whom were born two sons, Charles S. and P. S., and for his second wife he wedded Miss Gereldine Gregory, who bore him one son, Raymong H. Alexander H. married Miss Harriet Abbott, by whom were born two children: Edwin S. and Maud R., and for his second wife he wedded Miss Dora Reading, who bore him three children: Olive, Gertrude and Mary L. Francis M. married Miss Mary Hamed, by whom was born one son, W. H., and for his second wife he married Miss Amelia Tubbs, who bore him one daughter, Ellen K. Adelia married William L. Cook. James A. is a practical business man and a thorough farmer. He is a stanch Republican, and has held several township offices with great credit. In October, 1861, he was mustered into the U. S. service, for the term of three years, as private in Company B, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Second Brigade, Gen. Grey commanding. A few days after his enlistment he was made sergeant. He served his time, was honorably discharged and re-enlisted in the same regiment, where he served until July, 1865. On September 4, 1864, he received his commis- sion as second lieutenant, and as such was discharged. He participated in all the leading battles during his term of service, the names of which are recorded in the history of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. The battles and engagements of the regiment were seventy-seven in number, and the loss sustained was 851 men. Mr. J. A. Van Horn is a member of the G. A. R.

WILLIAM VAN HORN, a farmer, Huntington township, P. O. Register, was born in Columbia county, Pa., December 3, 1829, a son of Jeriah and Anna (Brittian) Van Horn, natives of Pennsylvania, of English origin. The father was a farmer and cooper by occupation, and died September 29, 1891, aged eighty-eight years; he was a son of Abram Van Horn, also a farmer and cooper. Our subject is second in a family of three children, and is the only one now living. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. When twenty-six years of age he began farming the homestead farm for his father, and we find him on the same property to-day. He was married August 4, 1855, to Anna, daughter of Joseph Lockard, which union was blessed with eleven children, ten of whom are living, viz .: Joseph B., a farmer of Salem township; Sarah E. (Mrs. John Baker), living in the State of Washington; Sophia A. (Mrs. E. B. Gearhart), of Huntington township; Milton D., a physician in New York State; James K., a school teacher in the State of Wash- ington, and Isaac, Florence C., Jacob, Harry C. and Allie L., all at home. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Politically Mr. Van Horn is a Democrat, and has been supervisor and assessor of the township. The Van- Horn farm contains eighty-five acres, and is situated a quarter of a mile south from Register postoffice.

GERALD VAN KEUREN, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Walden, Orange Co., N. Y., March 10, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and Louise (Wilkens) Van Keuren, natives of that State. Mr. Van Keuren formerly resided at Newburgh, N. Y., and at the age of fourteen engaged in the dry-goods business in which he remained twelve years, a part of which time he spent in New York City. In the fall of 1886 he came to Wilkes-Barre where he also followed the dry goods business until January 1, 1892, when he embarked in his present business. On March 9, 1892, he was married to Miss Lottie, daughter of Isaac Tyler (deceased), late of Wilkes-Barre. In politics Mr. Van Keuren is a Republican.

JOHN C. VAN LOON, lumber dealer, Kingston. Among the leading enterprises of Kingston is that of the Kingston Lumber Company, and the subject of this memoir

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is one of the three members composing it, the other two being Messrs. W. P. Kirk- endall and Thomas F. Lawless. Mr. Van Loon was born at Newport, Luzerne Co., Pa., August 7, 1842, and is a son of Elijah and Susan (Crane) Van Loon, both na- tives of Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools of Luzerne county, and began life at farming, which he followed until he had reached the age of twenty-eight. He then learned the carpenter's tradeat which he worked a short time, and then engaged in mercantile business at Kingston, which he followed about two years. He then commenced the butchering business with J. N. Pettebone, at Kings- ton, which he carried on eight years, at the end of which time, in 1883, he was ap- pointed warden of the Luzerne County Prison, which position he held four years, when he embarked in his present business. During the Civil war Mr. Van Loon was engaged in the Federal Construction Corps, which was principally engaged through Tennessee and Georgia. On March 10, 1868, he married Mary E., daugh- ter of Thomas and Anna (Reel) Pettebone, of Wyoming, Luzerne county, and this happy union has been blessed with two daughters: Anna L. and Jessie L., who re- side with their parents in Kingston. Mr. Van Loon and family are members of the M. E. Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., F. & A. M. and K. of H. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and is at present one of the councilmen of Kings- ton borough.

ALEXANDER H. VANNAUKER, foreman in Coxe Bros. & Co's. general store Eckley, was born at Carbondale, Pa., January 29, 1859. He is a son of John P. and Nancy J. (Fuller) Vannauker, the former a descendant of one of the old New Jersey families and a native of that State, and the latter a native of Connecticut, and of New England origin. The father died in 1862, at Hilton Head Hospital. He was a member of Company K, Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. Mr. Vannauker was educated in the Harford Soldiers' Orphan School and in Wyoming Seminary, and at the age of nineteen accepted a position as assistant bookkeeper for J. Lei- senring & Co., at Eckley, remaining in the employ of that firm from 1879 to 1886, when he accepted his present position with Coxe Bros. & Co. Besides having charge of their store at Eckley, he is also postmaster, agent for the Adams Express Com- pany, and agent for the L. V. R. R. and D. S. & S. Railroad Companies. Mr. Vannauker was married August 16, 1882, to Miss Lina, daughter of George Rickert, superintendent at Hazlebrook. They have four children, viz .: Clara E., Alexander H., Jr., G. Harrison and Osmond H. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. and American Legion of Honor.

AUGUSTUS S. VAN WICKLE, president of the Hazleton National Bank and the Tom- hicken, Milnesville & Eastern Railroad Co., Hazleton. This prominent gentleman was born in New Brunswick, N. J., in 1856, and is a son of Simon and Anna R. (Ran- dolph) Van Wickle, the former of whom was a Pennsylvanian, and an extensive coal operator in this region, the latter a descendant of the famous Randolph family of Virginia. The subject of this sketch was educated in Providence, R. I., and is also a graduate of Brown University, in the class of '76. After completing his education he came to Hazleton, and engaged in the coal business with his father, who at that time was president of the Ebenale & South Mountain Coal Co. In 1878 he was elected president of this company, and continued as such until 1881, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and assumed control of a branch house belonging to the same company. There he remained until 1886, when he returned to Hazleton, although still retaining his interest in the Cleveland business. He was at once made president of the new firm of Van Wickle & Co., successors to the old company. The main office of the concern is at No. 1 Broadway, New York City. Mr. Van Wickle is an extensive and successful coal operator, and is largely interested in the manufacture of blasting powder. In 1890 the Hazleton National Bank was organized, and Mr. Van Wickle was chosen president, which position he has since creditably filled; he is also president of the Tomhicken, Milnesville & Eastern Railroad Co. Mr. Van- Wickle is a very busy man, yet he never is so much occupied that he forgets those acts of courtesy which denote the breeding of a gentleman, and his willingness to

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assist those with whom he comes in contact has won for him hosts of warm friends. As a business man, he has been eminently successful; as a citizen, he is enterprising and loyal; and as a man, he commands the respect and admiration of all classes. Mr. Van Wickle was united in marriage, in 1882, with Miss Bessie, daughter of Ario and Maria Pardee, early pioneers of Hazleton, which union has been blessed with one child, a daughter.

MICHAEL VARGO, proprietor of the "Midvale Hotel," Plains, was born in Austria November 1, 1862, and is a son of Michael and Annie (Chidler) Vargo; in his father's family there were nine children, seven of whom are living, and of whom Michael is the eldest. As he approached the age of manhood, the possibilities offered him by his native land were quite below his ambition, so he sought his fortune in the New World, where he arrived in 1882. He first located at Avondale, Pa., where he picked slate on the breaker two and a half months; he then went to Nottingham, where he was employed as a mine laborer for seven and a half years, and then engaged in the saloon business at that place, and after seven months removed to his present place of business. Mr. Vargo was married, January 31, 1885, to Miss Annie Ferthon, and they have three children, viz .: Annie, Barble and Ellis. Our subject and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views.

JOHN VAUGHAN, retired, Inkerman, was born in Wales, in May, 1832, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Price) Vaughan, natives of the same place. He was educated in a private school in his native country, and came to the United States in 1857, locating in Schuylkill county, Pa., for a short time; he then settled in Plains, this county, and in 1861, on the first call for troops, enlisted in Company L, Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. He served through the war and partici- pated in the following battles: Chattanooga, Lebanon, Springfield, Moore's Mills, Tompkinsville, Shelbyville, Readyville, Lovejoys Station, Averyborough and Hills- boro. After the war he returned to his home, and worked as a miner in Pittston until his retirement in December, 1881. Mr. Vaughan was united in marriage, November 7, 1865, with Mary, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Waters, of Sebas- topol, natives of Wales. Their union has been blessed with the following issue: Isaac, born April 21, 1867, married January 1, 1890, to Mrs. Mary Williams, daughter of William and Margaret Thomas, of Scranton, Lackawanna county; Thomas W., born March 9, 1869; Elizabeth, born July 5, 1871; Jemima, born November 3, 1873; Mary, born February 3, 1876; Charles, born May 23, 1878; and George, born February 22, 1885. Mrs. Vaughan also has a son by her first mar- riage-John H. Williams, born March 23, 1862. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the G. A. R.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 215

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