History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 216

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

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R. B. VAUGHN, freight agent, Kingston, was born at Wyalusing, Bradford county, May 9, 1859, and is a son of James C. and Anna (Gamble) Vaughn. The father of our subject was also a native of Bradford county, and a descendant of Richard Vaughn, of Connecticut, who was a member of an old New England fam- ily. Mr. Vaughn's mother, Anna Gamble, is also a native of Bradford county, and of Scotch-Irish lineage, being a daughter of Joseph Gamble, who emigrated to this country from the north of Ireland during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Mr. Vaughn was educated in the common schools of Bradford county, the Wyalusing graded schools, and Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and at the age of nineteen learned telegraphy, and entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as a telegraph operator, remaining in their employ about one year and six months, when, in 1880, he resigned that position and came to Kingston as freight agent for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co., and general manager of the coal forwarding department of the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Division of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co., which position he has since held. Mr. Vaughn was united in marriage, April 14. 1886, with Miss Rilly, daughter of Abel Major, of Plymouth. They have two children, Helen and Florence. Mr. Vaughn is president of the Kingston Fire Department; in politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM W. VINCENT, dealer in hardware, plumbing supplies and tinning, Main

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street, Ashley, was born in England, December 27, 1834, and is a son of Joshua and Ann (Welch) Vincent. His father, who was a farmer, came from England to Con- necticut, and in 1846 located in Scranton, Pa., whence after several years they moved to a farm in Franklin township, where he and his wife died. The family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are living, and our subject is the eldest. Mr. Vincent's boyhood was spent on a farm. He lived with John Jermyn, of Scranton, four years, during which time he worked in the mines. In 1855 he went to California, engaging in gold mining, remaining there until 1866, and making three visits home. At the end of that time he returned to Franklin township and pur- chased a farm which he operated until 1871, when he built his present place of business. He first rented it for four years, but now occupies it himself as a place of business and a residence. His son, Charles W., is now associated with him in business. March 29, 1863, Mr. Vincent married Miss Mary A., daughter of Joseph Whipp, of Exeter township. She died December 24, 1891, leaving six children, viz .:. Anna (Mrs. Dr. W. D. Dodson, Nanticoke); Ida (Mrs. A. A. Underwood, Scranton); Charles W. (who, February 18, 1892, married Miss Sarah J., daughter of Samuel B. Watson, of Ashley. He is a graduate of the New York Trade School, a partner with his father, a member of the P. O. S. of A. and Jr. O. U. A. M.); Frederick D. (who graduated from the Bloomsburg State Normal School in 1892, and is a teacher in the Ashley school); Oscar; and Floss. Mr. Vincent and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been trustee for many years. He is also a member of the F. & A. M. A Republican in politics, he has held the offices of burgess and justice of the peace in Ashley borough.

C. A. VOIGT, tinsmith, Pittston, is a native of Germany, born December 7, 1844. He was reared and educated in his native land, and spent his boyhood days in work- ing at the tinner's trade with his father, who was also a tinsmith. At the age of eighteen he and his brother George emigrated to America; the latter enlisted in the United States navy and served through the war of the Rebellion. Our sub- ject engaged in working at his trade in the city of New York, where he remained eighteen years, and in 1881 came to Pittston, working as journeyman until 1888, when he engaged in his present business. Mr. Voigt has been very successful in his line, and now has the largest establishment of the kind in Pittston. He was married in 18- to Miss Anna Simmon, of Pittston. Eight children have been born to them, viz .: George, a tinsmith in Pittston; John, a printer in Pittston; Ernest, a tinsmith in Pittston; Eugina, married to Charles Dash, of South Wilkes-Barre; Louisa; Gertrude; Mabel and Harry. This gentleman is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the German Lutheran Church. In his political views he is in hearty accord with the principles of the Republican party.

REV. FERDINAND VON KRUG, Presbyterian minister, Kingston, was born in Ger- many, January 26, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Otto) Von Krug. He was educated in the schools of Darmstadt and Heidelberg, in his native land, and in 1869 came to America, where he attended the Western Reserve College, graduat- ing therefrom in 1873, in which year he proceeded to Auburn, N. Y., where he remained three years, receiving his theological education. He then went to Bloom- ingburg, Ohio, and was there engaged in ministerial work from 1876 to 1884, and then moving to White Haven, Pa., he remained there about two years, when he came to Kingston, where he has since been located. Mr. Von Krug was married, in 1876, to Miss Welitta Barnes, of Rock Stream, N. Y., and they have three children: Harry, Karl and Mary. He is a member of the F. & A. M.

MORTIMER VOSBURGH, manager Vosburgh Brothers' Carriage Works, Wilkes- Barre, was born in Burlington township, Bradford Co., Pa., December 3, 1830, and is a son of Jacob E. and Lucinda (Thomas) Vosburgh, natives of Yates county, N. Y., who settled in Burlington. His father was a physician by profession-a prominent man of his day. He died in 1856, aged sixty-four years, and left a family of ten children: Nelson, Sarah (Mrs. William Knapp), Henry, William, Minerva (Mrs. Joseph Morehouse), Edwin, Mortimer, Reuben, Orlando and Albert.

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Our subject was reared in his native county, educated in the common schools, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed twelve years. He then learned the carriage-maker's trade, which he has followed twenty-eight years-six- teen years as manager for Vosburgh Brothers, in Wilkes Barre, where he located in 1875. In 1853 Mr. Vosburgh married Miss Matilda, daughter of John Camp- bell, of County Down, Ireland, and by her he had five children: Loren T. (deceased), Clarence R., Herbert W., Florence (Mrs. S. M. Bard) and Earnest A. Of these Clarence and Herbert comprise the firm of Vosburgh Brothers, prominent carriage manufacturers of Wilkes-Barre; Loren T. married Nellie Keifer; Clarence R. married Sallie Biesly; Earnest A. married Nelly Graham, of Quincy, Ill., and resides in Ohio; Herbert W. is single.

JAMES WADDELL, a member of the firm of J. Waddell & Co., plumbers, Wilkes- Barre, was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, April 2, 1834, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Selkirk) Waddell, who emigrated to America in 1854, locating in Pitts- ton, Pa., where they resided until their death. Their children were six in number, as follows: Mary (Mrs. Lewis Morrison), who remained in Scotland; Thomas; David; Margaret (Mrs. William Williams); James, and Jessie (Mrs. Duncan' Fer- guson). Our subject was reared in Scotland until eighteen years of age, and then (1852) came to America, locating in Pittston, where he worked in the mines until 1858, and, with the exception of four years, during which he was in the oil and milling business, was boss and superintendent of different mines up to 1891. In the fall of 1890 he embarked in the plumbing business with his sons Thomas and Henry, in Wilkes-Barre, under the firm name of James Waddell & Co., in which he still continues. Mr. Waddell married, in 1862, Maria, daughter of Henry Williams, of Scranton, Pa., and they have four children: Thomas, Henry, Minnie (Mrs. Alex- ander Dick) and Secey. Mr. Waddell is a popular and well-known citizen of Luzerne county; politically he is a Republican.

F. M. WAGNER, merchant, Prichard, was born in Ross township, October 11, 1844, where he was also reared and educated. He is a son of J. P. and Elizabeth (Naugle) Wagner, the former born in Plains township in 1809, the latter in Colum- bia county in 1814. J. P. was a son of Peter, a native of Northampton county, who removed thence to Luzerne county about 1805. He located in Plains town- ship, where he and his brother Fred bought a property of 100 acres each, on which they resided several years. Peter traded his share off for a mill property situated on Tunkhannock creek, where he became an extensive lumber manufacturer. He was a thorough-going business man, and a worthy citizen; he died in 1845, aged seventy years. His wife died in 1866, aged seventy-eight years. They reared a family of eight children, one of whom is supposed to be living in Wisconsin. Their son, J. P. Wagner, began his active life as a farmer in Plains township, where he resided eight years after his union with Miss Naugle. They then removed to Huntington township, where they resided a few years, thence going to Ross township, and here ended their earthly pilgrimage. Their farm was not large, but they were worthy and respectable people. Mr. Wagner was honored with several township offices, and enjoyed the full confidence of his neighbors. He was a true son of the soil, always devoting himself to agricultural pursuits. He died February 22, aged seventy-nine; his wife died September 5, 1886. There were seven children born to this couple; six grew to maturity, five of whom are now living.

F. M. Wagner is the fifth in this family in order of birth, and began his active life in Ross township. In his early life he devoted the summer months to boating, and in winter his time was utilized to the best advantage possible. In this way he soon saved enough money to buy himself a property. After following the canal for sixteen years he bought a farm, on which he lived for a few years. In 1874 he went into mercantile business in Ross township, which he followed for four years, when he removed back on his farm, remaining there another four years; in 1878 he removed to Hunlock township, where he purchased thirty acres of land on which he built a storeroom and dwelling house, and where he has again installed himself

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behind the counter. His storeroom is large, and is well stocked with a general sup- ply. Mr. Wagner is gentlemanly in his dealings with all, observing and practicing the "golden rule," building for himself a trade that defies competition. Besides his property in Hunlock, he has 127 acres in Ross and 285 in Fairmount township. He has held several township offices. He has held the office of postmaster for four years, which he still retains. On December 31, 1866, he wedded Miss Mary C., daughter of John F. and Eliza Wesley, and to this happy union there were born thirteen children, nine of whom are living: Eliza (Mrs. Dodson), J. J., E. U., E. E., Ida L., F., Virgie P., Victor R. and Neva G. Mrs. Mary (Wesley) Wagner was born in Ross township April 28, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, with their daughters Eliza and Ida L., are consistent members of the M. E. Church. Polit- ically he is a Republican.

GEORGE WAGNER, farmer, P. O. Wyoming, was born October 23, 1831, in Columbia county, N. Y., a son of Henry and Jane (Clark) Wagner, natives of New York State, and of German and English origin, respectively. They reared a fam- ily of six children, four of whom are now living. Our subject, the eldest of these, was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools, afterward working with his father until thirty-three years of age. He then left the home roof and worked in a vineyard for seven months, and then purchasing a team, worked at carting for thirteen years. Mr. Wagner next began farming on rented farms, moving Jan- uary 3, 1891, to the farm he now works; it is owned by D. O. McCullom, and is known as the Wm. Shoemaker farm. He was united in marriage August 7, 1867, with Miss Emily F. Wagner, who was born April 25, 1838, a daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Whitcomb) Van Dyke, natives, respectively, of New York and Con- necticut, of German and English origin, respectively. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of six children of whom Mrs. Wagner was second in order of birth; she is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Wag- ner have adopted two orphan children: Martha E. Galligan, thirteen years of age, a daughter of Mrs. Wagner's sister Martha, and George Van Dyke, a brother of Mrs. Wagner. In politics Mr. Wagner is a strong Republican, but is not active in politics, devoting his whole time to his calling and his family.

GEORGE WAGNER, retired farmer, Huntington township, P. O. Town Line, was born November 25, 1821, in Plains township, and is a son of John and Mary (Mil- ler) Wagner, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin, and a grandson of Adam Wagner. He and his twin brother, Adam, were third in order of birth in a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and has followed farming from early child- hood. He was married, November 30, 1843, to Hulda, daughter of Wells and Abiah (Harrison) Sutliff; she is the eldest in a family of nine children, and was born April 18, 1824. This union was blessed with three children, two of whom are living: Francis, a farmer of Wayne county, Pa., and Wells S., who was born August 19, 1847, in Ross township; he was educated in the common schools and Wyoming Seminary, and at twenty years of age built his present home and opened out a hotel, conducting same for four years, when he gave up the business and farmed the homestead property till 1878; he then went to Michigan and inspected lumber for six years, when he returned to his home and has since conducted the farm for his father; Wells S. Wagner was married, June 27, 1867, to Liz- zie, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Tubbs) Davenport, which union has been blessed with five children, viz .: Lillie H., born March 30, 1868, married to George McMullin, foreman of a large fruit plantation in California; Harvey, born March 20, 1870, died March 10, 1872; Jennie E., born January 14, 1872, lives with her sister in California; Harrie, born August 10, 1877; and Eva P., born June 18, 1881. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M., and is a Republican.

JACOB L. WAGNER, contractor and builder, Hazleton, was born June 5, 1849, and is a son of Louis and Anna M. (Schraeder) Wagner, natives of Germany. The family came to America in 1858, settling in Hazle township, this county, where the

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children, four in number, Jacob L., being the eldest, were reared and educated. At the age of fifteen the subject of this sketch began to work at the mines, and at ten years he commenced to follow that occupation, which he continued until nine- teen years of age, when he learned .the trades of carpenter and cabinet-maker. These he carried on until 1882, when he engaged in contracting and building at Drifton, during one year, and at Freeland, two years. He then came to Hazleton, and has here continued that business. For two years he was in partnership with Fredrick May, but since that time he has carried on business on his own account. Mr. Wagner was married, September 20, 1873, to Miss Catherine Thrash, of Butler Valley, daughter of Daniel Thrash, and to this union were born seven children: Christiana, Anna (deceased), Claral, Andrew, Alvin, Della, and Elmer (deceased). The family attend the English Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Wagner is a stanch Republican, and he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of Malta, and Shield of Honor.

J. L. WAGNER, engineer, Nottingham Colliery. One of the greatest anthracite collieries in the world is "the Nottingham," and it is doubtful whether in the bituminous regions there is a single shaft mine that can compete with it. There is hoisted daily an average of about 2,800 tons, and to do this great amount of work in a single shaft, and with one pair of hoisting engines, requires the machinery to be of the best possible make, and that those who are entrusted with these powerful machines shall not only have the mechanical skill, but shall possess a cool head, steady nerve, and ready action. Such a man is J. L. Wagner, who has handled the levers at " Nottingham " for the past ten years. On September 30, 1891, he hoisted from the above-named colliery 1,305 cars of coal in nine hours, for which he was granted a silver medal for surpassing all previous records in the history of coal hoisting. Mr. Wagner was born at Stroudsburg, Pa., June 6, 1842, and is the sixth in the family of ten children of John and Jane (McNeil) Wagner, the former a native of Alsace, Germany, and the latter of County Kildare, Ireland. Our sub- ject was educated in the common schools of Luzerne county, and commenced life as a fireman at the Butler mines, remaining there until the Civil war broke out, when he enlisted April 19, 1861, in Company E, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt. John Johnson. During this term of enlistment, which was in the three months' service, he was in the battle of Falling Waters, fought July 2, 1861. His three months' service having expired, he re-enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt. Charles Flagg, but, owing to severe illness, he was never mustered in. On June 22, 1863, he enlisted, for the third time, in Battery H, One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, and in December, 1864, he was promoted to corporal, and on September 13, 1865, to sergeant. The company was mustered out January 29, 1865, and was under Capt. Wilhelm. They participated in the following: battle of Cold Harbor, attack on Petersburg (June 16), mine explosion in front of Petersburg, engagement at Chapin's Farm, and at the fall of Petersburg. Sergeant Wagner was twice wounded: first time at the battle of Falling Waters, and the second time at Petersburg. After the war closed, Mr. Wag- ner came to Plymouth and engaged as fireman at the Sweatland Colliery, remaining there as fireman and engineer for four years. He then took a position under the Dela- ware & Hudson Company as engineer at Shaft No. 1, where he continued for three years; afterward went to the Grand Tunnel for a short time, as engineer. He then changed his mode of work, and, in company with Thomas Edwards, ran the river steamer "J. C. Coons," plying between Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke. This boat they ran for but one season when our subject returned to his old occupation of engineering, this time at No. 5, where he operated a hoisting engine for nearly a year, at the end of which time he proceeded, in 1879, to Leadville, Colo., where he put up, and operated for two months, a large pair of hoisting engines at the Glass Pendy Silver Mines. He then returned east and went to No. 5 as engineer for about one year, after which he took the position at the Nottingham, which he has occupied since 1880. Mr. Wagner was married, December 24, 1868, to Miss Fan-

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nie, daughter of William and Mary (Wheeler) Caton, natives of Pennsylvania, and eight children have been born of this union, viz. : Anna, Andrew F. (deceased), Mary, John Henry, Jennie (deceased), Willie (deceased), Stella and Lulu. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wagner is a member of the G. A. R. and F. & A. M. ; politically he is a Republican.

ZIBA B. WAGNER, drilling contractor, P.O. Plainsville, Plains township, was born in Plains, November 16, 1850. He is a son of Adam and Lydia (Benjamin) Wagner, the former a native of Plains, and of Dutch origin, and the latter a native of Connecti- cut, and of New England origin. His father, who was a carpenter, and later a farmer, reared a family of eight children, of whom Ziba B. was the seventh. He spent his boyhood on a farm, was educated in the common school, and has since made drilling and contracting on artesian wells and air-ways the chief occupation of his life. On September 10, 1872, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Ann (Willits) McGeehen, natives of New York. They have one child, Adam Clark, born September 15, 1877. Mrs. Wagner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mr. Wagner is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and, politically, is a Republican.

GEORGE L. WALKER, miner, Plainsville, was born in Walsall, England, April 6, 1861, and is a son of George and Mary (Parks) Walker, also natives of England. The father, who was a man of much ability as a workman, was killed by a fall of coal in Mine No. 14, Plains, on March 12, 1889. George and Mary Walker had a family of seven children, four of whom are living, viz .: George L., William E., Mary A. and Charles H. The family came to America in 1869, and located at Black Walnut, removing a few months later to Plains, where they still reside. Our subject received a common-school education, and at the age of nine years began picking slate on the breakers; he has always worked about the mines, and has worked his way through all the different stages until he is now a full-fledged miner. He built his present residence in 1891, and removed therein in September, same year. Mr. Walker was married, April 25, 1888, to Anna H., daughter of Henry and Ann (Adamson) Jopling, of Inkerman; he is a member of the F. & A. M., and has always given his political support to the Republican party.

JOHN J. WALKER, miner, Inkerman, was born December 15, 1838, son of John and Ann (Rooney) Walker, natives of County Sligo, Ireland, who reared a family of four children, of whom John J. is the youngest. Our subject was educated in the parish school, and left Ireland in 1846, landing in Quebec, Canada, where he worked for one year, carrying water to the men on the city works. He came to New York City in 1847, where he followed boating on the canal until 1851, in which year he came to Pittston and went to work as a driver in the mines; in 1852 he worked as a laborer, and in 1855 became a miner for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, by whom he is still employed. Mr. Walker was united in marriage, May 9, 1858, to Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Williams) Jones, a native of Staffordshire, England, and of Welsh descent. Their union has been blessed with the following issue: Thomas J., born May 17, 1859; Ann E., born July 27, 1862, was married, March 15, 1885, to Patrick Martin, a laborer, of Inkerman; May J., born October 17, 1867, was married, November 14, 1890, to William Vaughan, a conductor, of Sayre, Bradford Co., Pa .; William H., born September 23, 1869; Sarah A., born July 16, 1871; James A., born October 1, 1873; Agnes, born October 23, 1876; and Nellie, born January 9, 1878. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

STANLEY W. WALKER, architect, Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city June 29, 1868, a son of David and Margaret (Conner) Walker. The paternal grandfather, John Walker, a native of Scotland, and a distiller and stone-mason by occupation, settled in Wilkes-Barre as early as 1835; later removed to Fairfield, Iowa, and died there. The father, David Walker, was reared in Wilkes-Barre from twelve years of age, and, with the exception of ten years, has resided there, where he learned the bricklayer's trade, which he followed until 1891, when he retired. Our subject, the

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only child, was reared in Wilkes-Barre, educated in the public schools, and studied architecture eight years in the office of W. W. Weur. In 1889 he embarked in business for himself, as a member of the firm of Davey & Walker, in which he has since continued, and has already built up a lucrative business. Politically, Mr. Walker is a Republican.

THOMAS WALKER, fire-boss in No. 14, Pennsylvania Coal Company, Inkerman, Jenkins township, was born in Scotland, September 1, 1857, and is a son of Robert and Jenet (Thompson) Walker. His father, who works about the Abbot Mines, reared a family of four children, viz. : William, a miner in Peckville, Pa .; Thomas; Robert, a miner in Plains, and George, a miner living with his father. Onr subject was educated in the public schools of his native country, and at the age of eleven years began working about the mines, which occupation he followed till he came to America in 1881. He located in Plainsville, near his present home, has since remained working about the mines, and has held his present position since 1891. Mr. Walker was married January 18, 1883, to Miss Mary, daughter of James and Jane (Routledge) Jopling, of Inkerman, and they have three children, viz. : Jennie R., Ethel A. and James R. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political views he is a Republican.

W. B. WALKER, barber, Plains, was born in Bethany, Pa., April 12, 1849, and is a son of Francis and Ann (Best) Walker, natives of Southampton, England. The family came to America about 1840, and located at Philadelphia, where the father was engaged in the hotel business for two years, and then removed to Bethany where he purchased a farm, later resuming the hotel business, which he followed until his death. His father's family consisted of two children: Frank, foreman in the office of the Texas Siftings, New York, and William B. The subject of this memoir was educated in the common schools, and at the age of fourteen engaged with M. B. Peck, of Honesdale, to learn the marble-cutting trade. After serving an apprenticeship of three years, he went to Carbondale, and worked on the Thomas Dixon monument; he then served a three years' apprenticeship at the barber's trade, since which he has been engaged in business for himself, successively, at Waymart, Honesdale, Kingston, Carbondale, and again at Waymart, Carbondale

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 216

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