History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 219

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

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DAVID E. WELLS, merchant, Fairview township, P. O. Mountain Top, was born May 9, 1862, at Beach Pond, Wayne Co., Pa., and is a son of Frank and Emeline L. (Lathrop) Wells, both natives of this State and of German descent. The great- grandfather of Frank Wells came to this country with the Hessians during the Revolutionary war, but afterward deserted the British and fought on the American side. David E. is the third eldest in a family of eight children, three of whom are living. Our subject attended the common schools in Wayne county two years, and then entered an academy in New York State, where he remained until seventeen years old, when he returned to Wayne county and began to learn the shoemaker's trade. He continued at that for three years, when he went to work as a brakeman, and worked at that two years, one year on the Delaware & Hudson and one year on the Central Railroad of New Jersey. Then, in partnership with his father, he purchased the stock in a general store in Fairview township, where he is still doing business. On November 2, 1887, Mr. Wells was married to Frances, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eicke, of Ashley, both of German descent, and this union has been blessed with two children, viz. : Maud and Willard F. Mr. Wells is not a member of any religious denomination, but attends, with his wife, the Presbyterian Church, of which she is a member. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Royal Arcanum. In politics, he is a Republican.

JOHN C. WELLS, senior member of the firm of Wells, Bowman & Co., Wilkes- Barre, with residence in Ashley, was born in Dundaff, Susquehanna Co., Pa., Septem- ber 25, 1836, and is a son of John W. and Sarah (Roberts) Wells, natives of Penn- sylvania, and of Welch origin. The father, who operated a carding and cloth-dress- ing mill, reared a family of seven children, five of whom are living and of whom our subject is the youngest. Mr. Wells was educated in the public school, and worked in the mill with his father until he was sixteen years of age, when he taught school

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and in the spring accepted a clerkship in Dundaff, where he remained a year and a half. He then went to Hyde Park, where he clerked in a store until 1859; next to Kingston as station agent for the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Railroad Company, and telegraph operator, and after four months was promoted to paymaster and superintendent's clerk, and at the death of Judge Pettebone acted as ticket agent and assistant treasurer. In 1864 he came to Ashley as shipping clerk and cashier for the Lehigh & Susquehanna Coal Company, of which he was made superintendent and general manager after a few months. In 1872 he engaged in the lumber busi- ness with William N. Jennings, of Wilkes- Barre. The firm later became Wells & Smith, and in 1878 he became sole proprietor. He continued the business for three years, and then sold the lumber part to Patterson & Co., but continued the flour and feed business which had been previously added, and to which he then added a full line of groceries. The present partnership with Capt. James Bowman was made in 1883. Meantime he has been engaged in the manufacture of lumber and clearing land with John Bowden and others at Black Walnut, Hunlock Creek and Ashley, and supplies stores connected therewith. He withdrew from the firm of Bowden & Co. in 1888. In 1866-68 he manufactured brick in Ashley, from which many large buildings in Wilkes-Barre were constructed, also the roundhouse and M. E. Church, Ashley, and his own beautiful residence, in 1868. He was instru- mental in organizing the Ashley Savings Bank, which operated from 1872 to 1888, platted and sold many building lots in Ashley, and was president of Building Asso- ciations Nos. 1 and 2. He helped to secure the charter for Ashley borough, and was president of the first council; also a member of the cemetery association. In February, 1857, Mr. Wells married Miss Jane, daughter of J. Turvy Fellows, of Hyde Park, and of this union one child, Sterling E., was born November 7, 1860. Sterling was educated in the public school, Bloomsburg State Normal School, and took the com- mercial course of the Wyoming Seminary. He worked for his father until 1887, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Ashley. He was married, October 25, 1886, to Miss Lulu, daughter of C. D. and Mary Geisler, of Ashley, and by her had two children: Elsie, who died at three and a half years; and Howard. He is. a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the F. & A. M., the K .. of H., and is

a Republican. When our subject's wife died he presented the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church with a bell, dedicated to her memory. October 27, 1873, he mar- ried Miss Fidelia A. daughter of William H. Barnes, Esq., of Mehoopany, Pa., and by this union has two children, John B. and Ethel. Mr. Wells and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been many years trustee and steward, and superintendent of the Sunday-school; in 1866 he organized a choir in which he has since been the leader. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and of the K. of H .; in his political views he is a Republican. Mr. Wells is a. shining example of the success that is sure to crown the efforts of the honest and energetic in this glorious country, and the fruit of his success has been judiciously used in the upholding of the town, the maintenance of the church, religion and every worthy enterprise.

MARTIN WENDEL, proprietor of steamship and foreign exchange agency, Hazel- ton. This gentleman was born in the Province of Hesse, Germany, February 18, 1833, and is the seventh in the family of nine children of Magnus and A. Catharine (Gonnerman) Wendel, also natives of Germany. Our subject was reared and edu- cated in his native land, and was early in life taught the trade of tailor. He came to America in 1852, locating at Hazleton, this county, where he worked as a journey- man until 1857, when he opened a clothing store on Broad street, where he carried on an extensive business until 1875, in which year he opened a saloon and restaurant, at the same time engaging in the steamship and foreign exchange business. He continued the restaurant business for six and one-half years, and then decided to de- vote his entire time to the agency and exchange business. Mr. Wendel was united in marriage, September 25, 1859, with Miss Mary, daughter of William Ringleben, of Hazleton, and to this union have been born five children, namely: Lizzie A. (wife

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of Dr. John N. Becker, of Reading), August F. (bank clerk), Harry M., Irene A. and Eva G. The family attend the German Reformed Church. Mr. Wendel is a member of the "Seven White Men" and the Fire Department; in political matters he is a stanch Democrat.

H. F. WENNER, Freeland. Among the leading business enterprises of the town of Freeland is the general store of S. Wenner & Sons, of which firm our subject is a member. He was born in Butler Valley, August 17, 1856, and is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Scheidy) Wenner, natives of Butler Valley, of German descent. Their family consists of three sons, viz. : H. F. and W. A. (both of whom are members of the firm above mentioned), and J. A., a merchant in Hazleton. H. F. Wenner was educated in the public schools and was reared on a farm in Butler township. At the age of eighteen he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, who is now a pattern maker in the Drifton shop. After following this occupation for two years he engaged in the plumber's trade, which he followed one year. He then entered the general store of Coxe Bros. & Co., at Drifton, where he was employed as clerk for eight years. In 1883 the father, Samuel, and his three sons engaged in their present business, and about seven years later J. A. left the partnership and em- barked in business for himself at Hazleton. H. F. Wenner was married May 13, 1887, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Isaac Balliet, of Butler Valley. They have four children, viz .: Charles Edward, Harvey Arthur, Bertha May and Barbara Lacelto. Mr. Wenner is a supporter of every worthy enterprise, and in his political views is Democratic.

XAVIER WERNET, Nanticoke, who is among the most highly respected men of Lu- zerne county, is a native of Germany, born at Baden January 21, 1831. He received his education in his native land and emigrated to America in the spring of 1851, landing in New York April 9 of that year. He located at Pittston, this county, where he immediately found employment in the mines, remaining there, however, but a very short time. He then went to Carbon county, Pa., where he turned his attention to lumbering. This branch of industry being not altogether satisfactory to him, he came, after a brief stay there, to Nanticoke, and engaged in working in the coal yards. Here, too, becoming dissatisfied, he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed fourteen years in Nanticoke, at the end of which time he engaged in the grocery and liquor business, which he continued successfully until 1868. He then removed to Berwick, Columbia county, where he was engaged in the hotel business about two years, and then returning to Nanticoke built the large and hand- some hotel on Main street, known as the " Wernet House," which he still owns. As soon as the building was completed, he opened the hotel, and for seventeen years was the popular landlord of Nanticoke. In 1888 Mr. Wernet leased the hotel, and has since retired from active business. Mr. Wernet is among the citizens of Lu- zerne county who can well afford to spend the remainder of their days in luxury and ease, enjoying the fruits of early perseverance and industry. He was united in mar- riage March 2, 1861, with Miss Hannah E. Garinger, of Hanover township. They have no children. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and of the I. O. O. F .; in politics he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the Nanticoke borough council for two terms.

GEORGE F. WESLEY, furniture dealer and undertaker, P. O. Sweet Valley, was born at Sweet Valley, Ross township, in January, 1851, and was reared and educated there. He is a son of John B. and Eliza (Bronson) Wesley, the former born near Poughkeepsie, N. Y., August 14, 1818, the latter iu Lake township. John B. was the son of Benjamin F. and Charlotte (Beyea) Wesley, both of whom were born in Dutchess county, N. Y. Benjamin F. was a soldier in the war of 1812, was wounded and afterward placed on the pension list. With his family of five children he re- moved to this county in 1826, locating in Ross township on a tract of 400 acres of timber land, out of which he made a fine farm, that was subsequently divided amongst his heirs. Benjamin F. Wesley was a man of intelligence and great influ- ence. He held the office of justice of the peace for several terms, was at one time

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

county auditor, and held several township offices. A stanch Democrat, he was pop- ular with his party, and died in 1858, aged seventy years; his wife passed away in 1886, aged eighty years. Their family consisted of twelve children, six of whom are living. John B., the second child, was eight years old when he came with his parents to this county, and spent fourteen years, from 1868 to 1882, in the mercan- tile business. When a young man he located on the Pennsylvania Canal, and de- voted some of his attention to farming. At one time he held the office of postmaster. In 1846 he married Miss Bronson, by whom he had eight children, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Eliza (Bronson) Wesley died in 1865, aged forty years. The sub- ject of this sketch, the third child in the order of birth, has always been a resident of Ross township and the county, and has confined himself principally to farming, and is a young man of great promise. He has been twice married, the last time in 1870 to Miss Cassie, daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda. Long. Of this union have been born three children, one of whom, B. E. is now living. Mr. Wesley has held the office of justice of the peace for two terms, and is now in his third term. He and his good wife are members of the Christian Church, of which body he is an elder. Mr. Wesley is a member of the F. & A. M., a man of good influence in his township, and delights in doing his duty.

WILLIAM H. WESLEY, farmer, P. O. Sweet Valley, was born in Ross township, April 23, 1837, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Charlotte (Beyea) Wesley, both of whom were born in Dutchess county, N. Y. Benjamin F. was a brave soldier in the war of 1812, a patriotic lover of liberty and independence, and received a wound which disabled him for life. About 1825 he removed to this county, locating in Ross township on a farm of 350 acres, sixty of which he cultivated successfully. He lived a useful life, dying in 1859 at the age of sixty-seven years. His family con- sisted of twelve children, all of whom reached maturity. The subject of our sketch, the tenth of the family, was raised and educated in Ross township. He had always confined himself to agricultural pursuits, and at the age of twenty-one began busi- ness for himself in lumber woods, where he succeeded financially. Mr. Wesley is a thorough business man. In 1869 he married Miss Prudence Post, who was born in Ross township in 1844, a daughter of Ganett Post, and by her he had seven chil- dren, five of whom are now living: Frank, Alice, Luther, Birdie and Lizzie. Mr. Wesley owns a fine farm of 120 acres that he works to great advantage, and exhibits evidence of superior skill in agricultural pursuits. He has been honored with several township offices, and in each has displayed good judgment. He is a member of the Methodist Church, his wife of the Baptist.

AMBROSE WEST, Jr., manufacturer, Plymouth. This enterprising gentleman was born at Leicester, England, November 28, 1856, and is a son of Thomas and Maria (Allen) West, also natives of Leicester. Mr. West was educated partly in England, finishing at Philadelphia, Pa. At an early age he and his brother Thomas (who was born June 10, 1859, at the old homestead in England, and was also educated partly in that country and partly in Philadelphia) learned the business of knitting and manufacturing hosiery. They came to America together in 1865, and have since been closely identified in business. After learning their trade, they revisited England, remaining there two years studying the finer points of their particular line, and returning to this country at the end of that period, they located in German- town, where they worked at their trade for a few months, and then again started out, locating near Boston, where they completed their trade, being able when they left there to manufacture the full-fashioned hose. They then returned to German- town, where Thomas took full charge of the Lewery knitting establishment, and Ambrose was given charge of J. B. Allen's knitting factory. These positions they held until it was decided to go into business for themselves, when the firm, cousist- ing of Charles Taylor, Henry H. Hawthorne, and the West brothers was organized. They did an extensive business in Germantown for many years, and also established the Pioneer Hosiery Mills at Plymouth. This firm was dissolved August 8, 1891, and the West brothers, Ambrose and Thomas, succeeded to the business at the Pio-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

neer Mills at Plymouth. This factory originally employed but fifteen hands, and the West Bros. now employ 180 girls and eight men, and average from 400 to 500 dozen pair of hose daily. The factory is a neat, two-story building, located on Shawnee avenue, and contains a valuable set of machinery necessary for the manu- facture of hosiery. Ambrose West, Jr., was married in 1878, to Miss Lizzie Boyer, of Germantown, Pa., and four children have been born to them, viz. : Albert, Willie, Warren and Bessie. Thomas West was married, also in 1878, to Miss Jennie Pyffer, of Philadelphia, Pa., and six children have been born to this union: Willie, Harry, Thomas, Benjamin H., Joseph and Jennie. The West Bros. are both Republicans, and are members of the Episcopal Church. They have come to Plymouth with an enterprise that should be encouraged by all who desire to see this remarkable Valley yield not only an abundant supply of coal, but feed the furnaces of hundreds of factories similar to the one just spoken of, giving employment to thousands of men, boys and girls.

CHRISTOPHER C: WESTFIELD, stone-paving contractor, was born in Wilkes-Barre June 2, 1848, and is a son of Charles and Julia (Clarke) Westfield, natives of Ger- many and Ireland, respectively. They were married in New York City, and settled in Wilkes Barre in 1841, where the father, who was a shoemaker by trade, followed his vocation, and was also a contractor on plank roads and railroad. He was ser- geant in Company I, Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves; was wounded at Haymarket, near Richmond, Va., in the Seven Days' Fight; he was taken prisoner and sent to Libby, where he remained a month and was then exchanged, but while on his way home he died in Philadelphia, where he is buried. His children who grew to ma- turity were: Mary, Charles A., Christopher C., George W., William P. and Julia. The subject of this memoir was reared in Wilkes-Barre, and received a limited edu- cation in the common schools. Since 1875 he has been engaged as a contractor on street paving, and has filled many important contracts in Wilkes-Barre and outside towns, where he is popularly and favorably known. Mr. Westfield has been twice married: his first wife was Mary A., daughter of John Naile-, of Scranton, Pa., and by her he had four children: Vincent, Arthur, Frank and Christopher. He was married, the second time, on February 12, 1889, to Ellen, daughter of Patrick Gal- lagher, of Plains, this county, and by her has one son, Cyril. Our subject is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

JONATHAN WESTLEY, locomotive engineer, Reading System, was born in Berks county, Pa., December 29, 1843, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Cole) Westley, and is of German descent. He was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and on Novem- ber 20, 1861, when in his eighteenth year, enlisted as private in Battery M, Fifth U. S. Artillery; was promoted August 31, 1862, to corporal, and on May 1, 1865, to sergeant. On March 13, 1862, he was assigned to the Fourth Corps, and partici- pated in the battles of Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Jones Bridge and Mal- colm Hill; on July 15, 1863, he joined the army of the Potomac at Berlin, where he was assigned to the First Division, Sixth Corps, and engaged in the battles of Rap- pahannock Station, Mine Run, and Locust Grove. He was discharged February 12, 1864, at Brundy Station; re-enlisted the same day, and later took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania (2), North Anna, Cold Harbor, before Petersburg, Snicker's Gap, Berryville, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. He was on duty in defense of Washington several months in 1865, and was detailed one of the guards at President Lincoln's funeral cortege, April 19, 1865; was afterward de- tailed as provost-sergeant in charge of State prisoners (assassins of President Lin- coln) at the Dry Tortugas, and was honorably discharged February 12, 1867, after five years and six months service. He has been engaged in railroading twenty-two years, twenty-one as locomotive engineer, and has resided in Wilkes-Barre since 1871. On November 6, 1876, Mr. Westley married Miss Annie, daughter of David and Mary A. (Williams) Vipond, of Pittston, this county, and by her has two sons: Isaiah S. and Robert E. Mr. Westley is a member of the F. & A. M., G. A. R., K. of H., and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In politics he is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

MICHAEL F. WHALEN, county detective, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., August 27, 1866, and is a son of Patrick and Julia (Malone) Whalen, natives of County Kilkenny, Ireland. The father came to America about 1846, locating in the coal regions of Schuylkill county, Pa., and engaging in mining, which occupation he followed until his death in 1886; the last three years of his life were spent in Wilkes-Barre. His children were Anna (Mrs. James Bergan), Mary, Martha (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Thomas, Kate (Mrs. Patrick Farrell), Nellie and Michael F. Our subject was reared in the anthracite coal regions, and received his education in the public schools of Shenandoah. In 1883 he removed with his parents to Plymouth, this county, and in 1886 located in Wilkes-Barre, where he embarked in the bottling business, in which he successfully continued until January 1, 1892. On January 4, 1892, he was appointed county detective for Luzerne county, for a term of two years. Mr. Whalen is a popular and well-known citizen, wide awake and enterprising, and is a genial gentleman. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

FRANK WOODRUFF WHEATON is of New England origin on both the paternal and maternal sides. The first of the name came from England to Salem in 1636. A descendant, Moses Wheaton, married Sarah, a daughter of Maturin Ballou and sister of Rev. Hosea Ballou. The Ballous are well known as among the most.dis- tinguished of New England families. Many noted preachers have come of the stock besides soldiers, jurists, statesmen and successful business men. Thomas J. Wheaton, son of Moses Ballou Wheaton, and father of Frank Woodruff Wheaton, was born in Jackson, Pa., March 29, 1826. He was a practicing physician in Brad- ford and Susquehanna counties, and in Binghamton, N. Y., from 1849 to 1858. He was an engineer on the "Dictator," Commodore Rodgers' flag ship, during the war, and for a number of years past has been a dentist in Wilkes-Barre. Mrs. Wheaton (Maria) is a Woodruff, and a direct descendant of Matthew Woodruff, who was among the first settlers of Hartford, Conn. Her father, Lewis H. Woodruff, was for nearly half a century a leading citizen of Dimock, Pa. Frank Woodruff Wheaton was born in Binghamton, N. Y., August 27, 1855, received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools, and was graduated at Yale in 1877. He read law with E. P. and J. V. Darling, and was regularly admitted to practice September 2, 1879. From 1884 to 1886, inclusive, he was a member of the Wilkes-Barre city council, and chairman of the law and ordinance committee. He married, May 16, 1878, L. Maria Covell, of Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. Wheaton is a Republican in politics.

MYRON WHEATON, dental surgeon, Pittston, was born in Owego, N. Y., October 13, 1835, a son of Ira and Barbara (Ballou) Wheaton, the former of whom was a native of New Hampshire and of English parentage, the latter of French descent, and both were cousins of Gen. Garfield. Ira Wheaton, the father of our subject, was a shoemaker during the time of his residence in New Hampshire, and he after- ward removed to Owego, where he followed his trade for a short time. There he remained until 1837 and then removed to Bradford county, Pa., and carried on farming. In 1870 he removed to Rome, Bradford Co., Pa., residing with his son Myron until 1877, when he died; his wife survived him two years. They had a family of five children, viz .: Barbara A., now the wife of John Chubuck, a farmer, of Potterville, Pa .; Stephen D., deceased; Cassendena R., deceased; Ira, Jr., at one time a carpenter of Binghamton, N. Y., now deceased, and Myron. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania, and educated in the public schools of Owego. He left school at the age of sixteen, and at intervals was employed as teacher and clerk until 1858, when he entered the dental office of his cousin, Thomas J. Wheaton, of Binghamton, remaining there until 1860. At that time he became associated as partner with Dr. William W. Wheaton, opening a dental office in Susquehanna county, Pa., where he remained eighteen months; then removed to Brooklyn, Pa., and established a dental office, but had been there but a short time when he enlisted in the Seventeenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. After a short service he was taken sick and sent home, and later

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

was assigned to duty as hospital steward in the regular army, in which capacity he served four years. In 1868 he received his discharge and returned home, resuming the practice of his profession with T. J. Wheaton, at Binghamton, N. Y., there remained until 1870, and then removed to Rome, Pa., and opened a dental office; in Rome he remained until 1877, and then entered the dental office of Dr. T. J. Wheaton, in Wilkes-Barre, where he was operator until April, 1891, when he came to Pittston and here opened an office on North Main street. Mr. Wheaton was united in wedlock November 24, 1858, with Jennie Evans, a daughter of Evan Evans, of Bradford county, and this union was blessed with two children, Charles L. (deceased), and Cora B., wife of John W. Hughes, son of the late H. R. Hughes, of Pittston. Mr. Wheaton is a member of the Presbyterian Church; politically he is identified with the Republican party. The long experience and satisfactory work of the Doctor has secured him a large patronage in the Wyoming Valley, and his excellent social qualities have won him hosts of friends wherever he has been.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 219

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