History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 218

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 218

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).

CHARLES WATKINS, contractor and builder, Plymouth, of the firm of Watkins & Heness. This enterprising and energetic young man was born in Monmouthshire, South Wales, June 8, 1863, and is the second in the family of three children born to Morgan and Ann (Rodgers) Evans, natives of Wales. After the death of Morgan Watkins, his wife, Ann, subsequently married William Watkins, whose name the subject of this sketch bears. Charles Watkins was educated in this country, whither he came in March, 1881; he, however, had learned the mason's trade in Wales, and became a very competent workman before coming to America. He located at Plymouth and worked at his trade. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Samuel W. Heness, for the purpose of contracting and building, in which busi- ness they are competent and skillful workmen. Mr. Watkins was united in marriage May 1, 1887, with Mary J., daughter of George and Elizabeth (Williams) Coombs, the former a native of England, the latter of Wales. To this union three chil- dren have been born, namely: Ernest, Steward (deceased) and Mabel.

EVAN WATKINS, inside foreman for Coxe Bros. & Co., Gowen Colliery, Gowen, was born in Merthyr, Glamorganshire, South Wales, October 16, 1840, a son of Evan and Ann (Parry) Watkins. Their children were eleven in number, ten of whom grew to maturity: Margaret (Mrs. Abram Abrams), Ann (Mrs. Thomas Richards), John, Evan, Morgan, Septie, Thomas, William, James and Mary (Mrs. Daniel Jones). The mother of our subject came to America in September, 1869, and died in Black Creek township in 1885. Mr. Watkins was reared in Wales, where, at the age of fourteen, he began work in the ore mines, and later worked in the coal mines for eight years. In 1869 he came to America, and to Pennsylvania, and worked in the mines at Girardville, Schuylkill county, until 1870, when he located at Upper

1437

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Lehigh, Luzerne county. Since 1875 he has been in the employ of Coxe Bros. & Co., and for two years was assistant foreman at Drifton; since December 12, 1881, he has held his present position at Gowen Colliery. In 1864 our subject married Gwennie, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Lloyd) Lewis, of Wales, by whom he has two children living, Mary A. and Septie. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Baptist Church; he belongs to the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. of Drifton, and in politics is a Republican.

MESACH WATKINS, lamp inspector, Parsons, was born in Merthyr, South Wales, April 15, 1829. He was educated in Wales and at the age of twenty came to America, locating at Minersville, Pa., where he engaged in mining for five years. He afterward mined at Shamokin, Ashland and Mt. Carmel, remaining in the last place twenty-five years. In March, 1865, he enlisted and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Mt. Carmel to resume mining. In 1879 he moved to Wilkes-Barre, and in 1883 to Parsons, where at different times he has engaged in the sewing machine and insurance businesses, and where he is at present in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Coal Company. Mr. Watkins was married, March 24, 1850, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Reese Davis, and by her had the following ten children: Benjamin; Mary Ann, who married William Smith, of Northumber- land County; Ruth (deceased); Gullivan; Morgan (deceased); Elizabeth (deceased); Ruth, who married David D. Jenkins; Sarah Jane (deceased); Naomi, wife of William Morse, of Mt. Carmel; Mesach (deceased); Mirean (deceased). Mr. Watkins is a member of the Welsh Congregational Church, and of the I. O. R. M. ; in politics he is a Republican.

W. E. WATKINS, merchant, Freeland, is a native of Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was born November 19, 1849. He is a son of Shadrach and Mary (Evans) Watkins, both natives of Wales, now deceased. When our subject was about seven years of age, his parents removed from Minersville to Lansford, Carbon county, where he received his early education. When he was a youth he began working around the mines, and he remained in Lansford and worked in the mines in the employ of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company until 1873, when he came to Upper Lehigh; he 'worked in the mines there until 1883, when he removed to Freeland, where he has since resided. In 1888 he engaged in the mercantile business, where he has gained the confidence of the appreciative public by his fair dealing and strict business methods. In 1871 Mr. Watkins was united in marriage with Miss Jane Powell, an accomplished lady, daughter of Thomas Powell, of Upper Lehigh. This union has been blessed with two children, viz .: William and George. He is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and is at present a member of the Freeland school board.

SAMUEL B. WATSON, superintendent of Mountain Park, Ashley, was born in Germantown, Pa., September 5, 1839, and is a son of Joseph and Belmaih (Medare) Watson, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and of Scotch-Irish and French origin, respectively. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade, and a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, reared a family of eighteen children, ten of whom were by his second wife, Rebecca J. Moore; his third wife, Mary Moore, was a sister of his second. Samuel B. Watson was educated in the public schools, and at the age of eight years began boating on the Lehigh Canal, which he followed until 1859, when the family removed to White Haven; there he went to work in a sawmill, soon becoming head sawyer. On November 1, 1861, he enlisted, at White Haven, in Company H, One-Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery; he was taken prisoner before Richmond, September 29, 1864, and was in Libby, Belle Isle and Salisbury prisons, until March 2, 1865, but waited for his discharge until the surrender of Lee, receiving the same April 9, 1865. He then returned to White Haven and resumed his position in the mill, in 1866 removing to Ashley, where he worked in the Central shops until 1874. In this year he went back to White Haven and worked two years in the old mill, after which he again came to Ashley and engaged in carpenter work on the Central Railroad of New

1438

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Jersey, between White Haven and Scranton, an occupation he still follows during the winter. Mr. Watson was married, December 20, 1866, to Mary M., daughter of John C. and Julia A. (Childs) Strong, the former a native of New York and the latter of Stoddartsville, this county, where her ancestors were early settlers. They have six children, viz. : Clara B. (Mrs. J. Lincoln Black), Sarah J. (Mrs. Charles W. Vincent), John C., Archippus B., Lillian A. and Buella. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is trustee and class- leader; he is a Republican in his political views.

PHINEAS ARNOLD WATT, foreman of the Eastern Boston Mine, Luzerne, was born in Wayne county, Pa., April 12, 1847, and is a son of Matthew and Hortentia M. (Brooks) Watt, natives of Pennsylvania, the latter being a daughter of Capt. Brooks, of Revolutionary fame. Our subject received his education in his native village, and quite early in life came to Luzerne county, where he began as a slate-picker in a breaker operated by the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Company. He worked there two years and then took charge of the boys at that colliery. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Watt entered the transportation department of the Delaware & Hudson, where he spent some time, afterward acting in the capacity of assistant engineer. He followed engineering and carpenter work until he came to the East- ern Boston Mine, where he first had charge of the breaker machine, subsequently being promoted to the position of outside foreman, which he has occupied since 1872. Mr. Watt was married December 21, 1871, to Louisa, daughter of Amos Pool, a native of Pennsylvania, and of this union have been born two children, Carrie and Bert F., who reside at home. Mr. Watt and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. In politics he is a follower of the Republican party.

GEORGE WEAVER, brewer, Wilkes-Barre, was born June 28, 1853, a son of John and Barbara (Decker) Weaver, natives of Germany, who came to this county in 1837. They were the parents of four children. Our subject, the third in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre and a private school taught by Col. Harvey. After leaving school he was employed at Reichard & Com- pany's brewery, where he still remains, and in 1888 he was admitted into the firm. In 1883 Mr. Weaver married Miss Frances, daughter of Eusebius Hortman, of German origin, and of this union have been born three children: Lizzie, Cather- ine and George.

WILLIAM A. WEAVER, foreman of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Company, Laffin, was born in Wayne county, Pa., February 28, 1852, and is a son of William and Rietta (White) Weaver, natives of Rhode Island and of early German origin. The grandfathers were both in the Revolutionary war, in which one of them was poisoned while a prisoner. The father, who was a farmer and in later life a car- penter, reared a family of eight children, of whom William A. is the sixth. Our subject spent his boyhood on the farm, attending the common school till the age of fourteen, when he engaged in teaming, which he followed seven years; then for one year was farming and one year laboring on the railroad; in 1880 he was promoted to his present position. Mr. Weaver was married August 31, 1871, to Miss Joseph- ine Roselle, who was born August 31, 1854, a daughter of Samuel and Delight (Ross) Roselle, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English origin, respectively. They have two children, viz. : Bartley R., brakeman on the Delaware & Hudson Rail- road, and Elsie L. Our subject is a member of the I. O. R. M .; in politics he is a Republican, and has held the offices of councilman four years and school director six years in Laflin borough.

MARTIN WEINTZ, farmer, P. O. Orange, was born in Essex connty, N. J., June 10, 1841. He is the son of Peter and Julia Ann (Bear) Weintz, the former a native of Germany, born February 9, 1816, the latter born in France, March 21, 1826. Peter Weintz was a shoemaker by trade. He emigrated to this country in 1836, locating in New York City, where he stayed four years. His wife, then a stranger to him, came to this country one year later, making New York City her home. During

1439

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the four years of Peter's residence in the city, they became friends, then lovers, and finally were married in 1840, at which time they removed to Essex county, N. J., where he became a farmer. He remained in Essex county until 1843, when he removed to this county, locating in Jackson township; here he stayed two years, when, in 1845, he removed to Franklin township, after making a temporary stay in Dallas. He located near what is now known as the Flat Rock schoolhouse, where, with the help of his brother Martin, who came to this country in 1837, and who was also a shoemaker, he purchased a farm, to the cultivation of which they confined themselves, with the exception of short periods, now and then, accommodating their neighbors in the shoemaking line. During their lives they did much to embellish the farm, in the erection of buildings and clearing of fields. Martin Weintz never married. Peter had a family of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity; seven are now (1892) living. He was a stanch Democrat, and advocated the principles of that party. He was a useful man in his town and held in high esteem. He held the office of school director for seventeen years. In religion he was a member of the Lutheran Church. He died in March, 1879, at the age of seventy-four, his wife, in March, 1889, also aged seventy-four.

Martin Weintz was in his third year when his father removed to this county. He was reared and educated in Franklin, and always confined himself to farming. He has always lived in that town, making his home on the homestead. He was twice married: first, in 1869, to Miss Hannah A., daughter of William and Ann Shaver, by whom he had one daughter, Julia Ann, aged twenty years. In 1878 he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of the late B. C. Randall, and daughter of Thomas and Mary Price. Mrs. Elizabeth Weintz was born in Pittston, in 1847. Her father, who is a native of Wales, emigrated to this country about 1835, locating in Wilkes-Barre. He was engaged in the coal business, being an active operator himself, and was employed in opening several mines. He worked the first mine that was ever operated in Pittston, called the Butler Works, being also a merchant while in that place, and he opened the first shaft in Wilkes-Barre. He finally removed to Franklin on a farm of eighty-four acres, which is now occupied by Giles Gay. His family consisted of five children, four now living. He lived to be seventy-three years of age, dying in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Weintz each have a farm containing sixty-eight and fifty-two acres, respectively. He is a practical agriculturist, and has lived on his present place since 1886. In 1889 he erected a beautiful house, with many modern improvements. His stock is fine, tinctured with the Jersey breed. Politically, he is a Democrat.

PETER WEINTZ, farmer, P. O. Weintz, was born in Essex county, N. J., October 12, 1842, a son of Peter and Julia Ann (Bear) Weintz, the former born in Germany in 1805, the latter in France in 1815. Peter emigrated to this country in 1837, stopping at New York City, where he worked at his trade, shoemaking, for three years. In 1840 he removed to Franklin township, Essex Co., N. J., where, in com- pany with his brother, he purchased a farm of seventy acres, which is now occupied by his son, Martin. He cleared his farm and erected buildings suitable to the times. He proved himself to be a worthy man in every sense of the word, and held nearly all the offices in the township, that of school director for a long period. He and his good wife were in full fellowship in the Presbyterian Church, and he imbibed the spirit of his Master in doing that which was good and benevolent. On March 7, 1879, he died at the age of seventy-four years. His family consisted of ten chil- dren, seven of whom are yet living: Martin, Peter, George, Matilda, Mary A., F. F. and Julia A. Peter Weintz, who is the second in the family, was reared in Frank- lin township and educated at the common school. At the age of eighteen he began to work out for himself, and has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. On June 18, 1884, he married, at Sunbury, Miss Barbara, daughter of Christopher and Dorothy Mackert, and there was one child, George C., born to this union. Mrs. Weintz was born in Germany, December 7, 1846. Our subject and his brother, George, own a farm of 476 acres which they have, by hard labor and a strict eye to

1440

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

business, converted into a beautiful home. Their house is neat and modern; their barns are commodious and comfortable, while their surroundings stand a monument to their enterprise and energy. They are successful farmers, in every sense of the term. Peter is a man of influence, is a Democrat in politics, and has held nearly all the offices of the township, such as treasurer, collector, assessor, supervisor, etc. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church.

JONATHAN WEIR, mine foreman, Mocanaqua Mines, was born at New Philadel- phia, Schuylkill Co., Pa., March 12, 1852, a son of James and Mary A. (Walker) Weir, natives of Scotland, who came to America about 1830, settling in Schuylkill county, Pa., where the father engaged in mining. James Weir died at Warrior Run, Luzerne Co., Pa., in 1892, after a residence there of only three months. His children who grew to maturity were: Allen, Joseph G., James, Mary and Jonathan and Andrew (twins). Our subject was reared in Nova Scotia, where he began work in the mines at eleven years of age. In 1869 he located in Luzerne county, Pa., and worked as a car-runner, driver and miner seven years. He then spent sev- eral years in Nevada and California, working in the coal, gold and silver mines, and since 1880 he has been a permanent resident of Wilkes-Barre. He was fire-boss of the South Wilkes-Barre Mines nine months, and has held his present position at the Mocanaqua Mines since January 20, 1892. In 1883 Mr. Weir married Jen- nie, daughter of William and Elizabeth Dickey, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have five children living: Robert B., William, Myrtle, Clara E. and Joseph S. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a Republican.

WILLIAM WEISHEIT, proprietor of the "Port Blanchard Hotel," was born in Ger- many May 14, 1864, and is a son of John and Anna (Eck) Weisheit. The father, who was a shoemaker, reared a family of seven children, three by his first wife and four by his second, Anna Eck. Our subject came to America in 1880, and after a short time came to Wilkes-Barre, where he was engaged in table-waiting for Charles Gable, two years; J. L. Rueffer, four years, and in Lohmann's famous restaurant six years and eight months, after which he was engaged in his present business. Mr. Weisheit was married, May 7, 1885, to Miss Lena, daughter of Daniel Schwenk, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have three children, viz .: John, Ida and Nellie. Mrs. Weisheit is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the K. of P., A. O. K. of M. C., and I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat in his political views.

ANTON WEISS, proprietor of the "Old Fell House," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Dalberg, Rhine Province, Prussia, May 28, 1858, and is a son of William and. Elizabeth (Backer) Weiss. In 1870, when but twelve years of age, he immigrated to America with his mother and brother Philip, and located in Syracuse, N. Y., residing there until 1880, when he removed to Wilkes-Barre. After being employed as clerk in a hotel for one year, he engaged in the hotel business for himself two years; then embarked in the manufacture of baskets three years; and again engaged in the hotel business, in which he still continues, and since 1888 has been the pro- prietor of the "Old Fell House," the oldest hostelry in the city, and one of the most. historic in the county. In this house the first court in Luzerne county was held, and here the first coal was burned in the county, in the grate in the log part of the building, which is still standing. Mr. Weiss was married in 1882 to Christiana, daughter of Matthias and Susannah Walter, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have five children: Susannah, Philip, Margaret, Anton and William. He is a member of the German Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

PHILIP WEISS, railroad and steamship ticket agent, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Dalberg, Germany, September 21, 1851, son of William and Elizabeth (Backer) Weiss. He was reared and educated in his native country, and in 1870 came to America, locating at Syracuse, N. Y. In 1876 he removed to Wilkes-Barre, and served for a time as clerk in the leather store of A. G. Hull, later being in the employ of Robert Baur as solicitor and collector. In 1880 he embarked in the hotel business, in which he successfully continued until December, 1891, when he

1441

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

engaged in his present business, being ticket agent for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, as well as ticket agent for several of the leading steamship lines between the United States and Europe. In 1873 he married Elizabeth Scherrer, of Liverpool, N. Y., and they have four children: Mary, Philip, Lena and Anton. Mr. Weiss is a member of the Catholic Church. During Cleveland's administra- tion he was appointed United States Consul to Mannheim, but refused to serve. In 1884 he ran for the office of county auditor for Luzerne county, and was defeated by but one vote. Politically he has always been an ardent Democrat.

HERMAN WEISS, car inspector, Mountain Top, Fairview township, was born in Germany January 13, 1855. The father died when Herman was five year old, and the latter stayed with his mother in Germany, working on a farm until be was seven- teen years old, when he started for America. Coming here he secured employment as a trackman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, at Mountain Top, Fairview township, this county. After four months he accepted a position as engine hostler in the roundhouse at the same place, and after working at that for one year began work as a brakeman, first on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, where he remained for three years, and then on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, where he worked till 1891, when he resigned and accepted the position as car inspector, which be now holds. By being careful and industrious Mr. Weiss saved enough money to pur- chase, in 1882, a farm in Fairview township, where he now lives; the place is well stocked. On April 17, 1875, Mr. Weiss was united in marriage with Amanda, daugther of Mr. and Mrs. George, both natives of this country, the former of Ger- man and the latter of French descent. They reared a family of seven children, as follows: Margaret Lena, Elizabeth J., Joseph E., William C., Albert G., Mary E. and Stella M. Mr. and Mrs. Weiss and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Weiss is a Democrat; he is a member of the Royal Arca- num, and of the I. O. O. F.

LEWIS WEISS, farmer, P. O. Hobbie, was born in Nescopeck township, December 12, 1833, a son of Jesse and Julia Ann (Buss) Weiss. The former was born in Northampton county, in 1811, the latter in Nescopeck township in 1815. Jesse Weiss removed to this county about 1820, locating in Hollenback township, where he owned considerable property. After some time he disposed of that and removed to Carbon county, where he now resides. There were seven children born to them, six of whom are now living. Lewis Weiss is the eldest of the family. He was reared and educated in Hollenback township, where he has always made his home. He learned the blacksmith's trade when young, but followed it only six years. In 1862, he was mustered into the U. S. service as a private in Company C, One Hun- dred and Seventy-eighth P. V. I. for the term of nine months. During this time he proved himself a man of daring and courageous spirit, and was honorably dis- charged at the expiration of his term of service. On his return from the army he purchased a farm of 100 acres, ninety-six of which were cleared; the remainder he has cleared since that time (1866). In 1856 he married Miss Rosanna P., daughter of John N. Zeiser, and to them were born eight children, six of whom are living: Lorenzo E. (now a practicing physician at Hobbie), U. G., Cora A., Rosa B., Clyde A. and Bertha M. Mr. Weiss has held several township positions with much credit. He is a genial, good-natured, hospitable, " hail fellow well met!" He is a member of the O. U. A. M. He and his wife are members of the Old Lutheran Church, and politically he is a Republican.

JOSEPH WELCH, weighmaster, Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, at Coxton yards, was born at Bethlehem, N. Y., December 9, 1843, a son of William S. and Hannah A. (Alpaugh) Welch, natives of New Jersey. Our subject is the eldest of a family of seven children, was reared on a farm and educated at Easton private school. At the age of twenty-two he engaged in the drug business at Philadelphia with his brother William M., for two years, then located at Washington, N. J., hav- ing charge of a drug-store for six months. He then worked with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, at New Hampton Junction, two years

1442

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and a half. In 1869 he accepted a position as way-bill clerk with the Lehigh Val- ley Railroad Company at Coxton, and served in that capacity until 1875. For one year afterward he was connected with the company as brakeman and baggage- master, then resumed the position of weighmaster in 1876, a position he still holds. On September 18, 1871, Mr. Welch married Miss Maggie S., daughter of John S. Carpenter, of West Pittston, and of this union have been born two children: Willie M., and Stella M. Mrs. Welch died in 1884. Our subject is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittston. In politics he is a Republican.

J. H. WELCH, farmer, P. O. Dallas, was born in Mauch Chunk, Pa., August 23, 1828, a son of Daniel and Betsy (Hepler) Welch, the former born in Orange, Colum- bia county, the latter, in Salem, Pa. Daniel was a son of Isaac Welch, who was an Englishman, and a very early resident of Columbia county. Both Isaac and Daniel Welch confined themselves to agricultural pursuits. The latter removed to this county about 1833, locating in Berwick. He was an honest and industrious man, attending strictly to his own affairs. He lived to be seventy-three years of age, and died in 1872, having reared a family of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. J. H. is the third in the family, and was educated in Wilkes-Barre, where, in his early life, he learned the blacksmith's trade, remaining there six years after serving his apprenticeship. In 1860 he removed to Jackson township, where he worked one year at his trade, and in the following year removed to Dallas township, where he now resides on a farm of 128 acres of fertile land. Mr. Welch is a model and practical farmer; he raises a general crop. On March 18, 1850, he married Miss Susan, daughter of Philip and Susan Houpt, and they have had eight children, five of whom are living, viz .: Ellenora, Frances M., William, Alpheretta and Harry B. Ellenora is married to Myron B. Austin; Frances M. is married to J. R. Gregory; Alpheretta is married to Clinton G. Honeywell; Harry B. is married to Miss Mamie Harris, and William is married to Miss Minnie Hinman. Mrs. Welch was born at Newport, Pa., in 1830; her mother, Mrs. Susan Houpt, is now living with her daughter, at the age of ninety-four years. Our subject and family are consistent members of the M. E. Church in Dallas.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 218

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