History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 220

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

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JOHN J. WHELAN, merchant, Miners Mills, was born in Pittston, June 9, 1856, and is a son of Patrick and Ann (Burk) Whelan, natives of County Wexford and County Mayo, Ireland, respectively; they had two children, viz .: John J. and Mary A. (Mrs. Hugh McGroarty, Jr.). Our subject was educated in the common schools and began working in a wholesale liquor store, compounding whiskies, in Pittston; he followed this one year and has since been engaged in the grocery business, excepting eight months in 1884, during which time he was in Wilkes- Barre. Mr. Whelan was married October 15, 1891, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Barrett, of Mill Creek; he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church at Parsons; he is a member of the A. O. H. Mr. Whelan has always given his political support to the Democratic party and has held the office of school director.

AARON WHITAKER, proprietor of the "Exchange Hotel," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Sussex county, N. J., April 2, 1824, and came to Luzerne county with his parents in 1836. He was educated in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, and when sixteen years of age entered the employ of a lumber firm at Pine Swamp (now Stoddarts- ville). From there he went to White Haven, entered into partnership with Jacob Blakeslee, and engaged in the lumber business, but after three years of successful operation the business was wholly destroyed by a freshet. Our subject then pur- chased a farm in Denison township, and the " Lehigh Hotel" at White Haven, which he continued to operate until 1871, when he was elected sheriff of Luzerne county by the Democratic party. In this capacity his career was a brilliant one, and he discharged his duties in a careful, conscientious manner throughout the whole four years of his service, giving entire satisfaction. In November, 1877, he leased the "Exchange Hotel," where he has since been the popular and obliging landlord. Mr. Whitaker was united in marriage, September 11, 1849, with Miss Clara Barnes, daughter of Timothy Barnes, of Stoddartsville, which union was blessed with five children, two of whom are now living: Alice A. (Mrs. Duncan Weir) and Margaret C. Mrs. Whitaker departed this life in 1858, and our subject was married, March 14, 1861, with Miss Alice, daughter of John Taylor, of White Haven, and by her he had four children, all now deceased; this lady died April 6, 1892. In politics Mr. Whitaker is a stanch Democrat, and has won for himself a host of warm and admiring friends.

JAMES WHITAKER, dealer in hardware, Hazleton, was born near Pottstown, Chester county, July 12, 1832, and is the seventh in the family of ten children born to John and Rachel (Ruth) Whitaker, nativesof Pennsylvania. Joseph Whitaker, the grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was an Englishman who came to America during the Revolutionary war, as a soldier of " His Majesty." He was in the English army but a short time in this country, however, when his sympathy was aroused in behalf of the cause of the patriotic band of American heroes. He accordingly deserted the crimson banner of "George," and cast his lot in favor of the cause of freedom.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

James Whitaker was reared and educated in Chester county, and, after leaving school, went to Tamaqua, Pa. He was employed in a flour and feed-store until 1856, when he came to Hazleton, and here engaged in the drug and shelf hardware busi- ness. He subsequently discontinued the drug department, and now deals exclusively in general hardware. Besides his present business at Hazleton, Mr. Whitaker is interested in a large hardware store at Johnstown, Pa. Our subject was married, February 22, 1859, to Miss Harriet Horn, of Patterson. Three children have been born to this union, namely: Alice Lavinia, Ella Virginia and Oliver Cromwell. Mr. Whitaker casts his vote and sympathizes with the Republican party. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the family attend the M. E. Church.

G. R. WHITE, farmer, Lehman township, was born in Johnsonburgh, Warren.Co., N. J., and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Kishpaugh) White, both of whom were born in New Jersey. Charles moved to Stroudsburg, Pa., where he lived about six- teen years, after which, in 1842, he moved to Kingston; he next moved to Jackson township, where he remained about ten years, and finally moved to Lehman town- ship, where he remained the rest of his life, but died in Plymouth. He was a car- penter by trade, and followed farming in connection with it. He and his son purchased a farm of one hundred acres, which is now owned by his son George R. Charles died in 1876, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His children were three in number, George R. being the eldest. He was reared and educated in Jackson township, and in his early life worked with his father at the carpenter's bench. He has, however, confined himself to farming. In 1852, at the age of twenty-seven years, he mar- ried Miss Emily, daughter of Thomas and Caroline Van Loon, in Jackson township, and to their union have been born nine children, five of whom grew to maturity: Caroline, Thomas, Frederick, Minnie and Robert, all married. Mr. White is a gen- eral farmer, raising everything that can be raised on a farm in Lehman township. His place is a model one, his house is palatial, and his out-buildings are commodious and extensive. Politically Mr. White is a Republican, and has been honored with the offices of tax collector and school director, which he discharged with credit. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are consistent members of the M. E. Church.

HENRY WHITE, farmer, P. O. Plainsville, was born in Somersetshire, England, Jan- uary 1, 1846, and is a son of Richard and Caroline (Rocket) White. The father, who was superintendent of an English lord's estate, reared a family of five children, of whom Henry is the eldest. He came to America iu 1871, landing at Portland, Me., and made his way to Boston, where he remained six months, thence coming to Plainsville. Here he engaged in mining, which he followed until 1891, excepting the years 1876-80, during which time he was engaged in farming in Greene county, Miss. In 1891 he engaged in farming on the "Apple farm," near Plainsville, belonging to the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Mr. White was married July 5, 1866, to Miss Ellen, daughter of James and Charlotte (Mote) Larkomb, natives of Eng- land, and they have had eleven children, viz .: Henry E., Richard, Emma, Jane (deceased), Anna, William, Alice, Bessie, Ella, Caroline and Rosa. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Honor, and the I. O. R. M., and, in his political views is a Republican.

JOHN C. WHITE, proprietor of the "South Wilkes-Barre Hotel," was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, April 24, 1833, a son of John and Jeannette (Russell) White. He was reared in Scotland, educated in the common schools, and served an appren- ticeship of five years at the moulder's trade. In 1855 he came to America, locating, in June, same year, in Hazleton, this county, where he worked at his trade as a journeyman for sixteen years, and was afterward foreman of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Shops eight years. In 1879 he located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since been the proprietor of his present hotel. On July 7, 1856, Mr. White married Miss Ellen, daughter of James Carothers, of Scotland, and has four daughters: Jessie (Mrs. B. J. Mooney), Madge (Mrs. James T. Long), Ida (Mrs. William Carter) and Elsie (Mrs. John Ritter). Our subject is an attendant of the Presbyterian Church,

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of which several of his family are members; he was a member of the I. O. O. F. at Hazleton three years, and of the Encampment twenty years. Politically he is a Republican, and served as member of the school board of Hazleton six years.

MILTON WHITE, butcher, Orange, was born August 1, 1857, and reared in Eaton township, Wyoming Co., Pa. He is a son of Jesse and Ann M. (Sickler) White, the former horn in New York State, the latter in Wyoming county. Jesse came to this county in 1864, settling on a farm of fifty-five acres, where he remained four years. He then removed to Eaton, Wyoming county, where he now resides, and where he is known as a prosperous farmer and a man of worth in his town. Of his twelve chil- dren the following are now living: Chester, Frank, Jane, Byron, Milton and Cora. Milton White, the seventh by birth, followed farming in early life, living at home with his father until he was of age. On March 12, 1879, he married, at Wyo- ming, Miss Flora Hawk, who was born in Hope, Warren Co., N. J., a daughter of A. M. and Lottie Hawk. Of this union were born two children: Claude N. and A. Maude. Mr. White is an active and energetic young man, full of business and enterprise, and keeps well up with the times. In 1881 he embarked in the butcher business, which he still follows with unabated success. He removed to his present beautiful home in 1882, and has done much to add to the attractiveness of the place in various ways. Mr. White, aided by his estimable wife, bids fair to make his mark in the world.

WILLIAM D. WHITE, a prominent druggist of Wilkes-Barre, was born in Wilkes- Barre November 12, 1849, and is a son of John and Melinda C. (Blackman) White. His paternal grandfather, Daniel White, was a wheelwright by trade, and settled early in Wilkes-Barre, where he followed his trade and resided until his death. His children were: Mary, Joseph, Ellen, Sarah, John, Charles, Daniel, Jane and Thomas. The father of our subject was a native of Wilkes-Barre, and a wheel- wright by trade, which vocation he still follows; he is now a resident of Ashley. His wife was a daughter of Henry Blackman, a pioneer of Hanover township, this county, and by her he had three children who grew to maturity: William D., Mary (Mrs. Thomas C. Williams) and Charles B. Our subject was reared in his native county, and educated in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, Harvey's Academy, and Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. He served an apprenticeship of seven years at the drug business, after which he was clerk and manager of a drug-store in Wilkes-Barre. In 1883 he embarked in business for himself as a member of the firm of W. D. White & Co., in which he has since successfully continued. Mr. White married, February 9, 1872, Sarah A. Harper, a lady of English descent, and has three children: Maude I., Edward R. and William. Mr. White is a member of the M. E. Church; in politics, he is a Republican.

FREDERICK WHITEBREAD, farmer, P. O. Hobbie, was born in Nescopeck town- ship, July 8, 1811, and is a son of Henry and Catherine Whitebread, the former born in Germany, the latter in Philadelphia. Henry Whitebread emigrated to this country when he was a young man, locating in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade, shoemaking, for several years. During his residence there he was married to Miss Downhimer. About 1822 he removed thence to Hollenback township, where he purchased 200 acres of land, seventy of which were brought under culti- vation during his lifetime; he was a sturdy pioneer, not afraid to work. His life, aside from his pioneer hardships and inconveniences, was quiet and uneventful; he died at the age of sixty-five years. His family numbered sixteen children, by two marriages, three of whom are now living. Frederick is the third in the family, and was reared in Nescopeck township and educated at the common schools. He has always lived on the same place, his occupation being farming, at which he has succeeded beyond all expectation. In his early life, out of his father's estate, he received $11.00; now he owns 118 acres of valuable land, the result of industry and economy. In 1840 he married Miss Lydia, daughter of Philip Root, and they have six children, all 'of whom are living: Jacob, Maria. Abraham, Sallie, Flora and Peter. Mrs. Lydia Whitebread was born in Butler township, in 1815. Mr. White-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

bread is a man much respected in his community. Politically he is a Republican, and has been appointed to several offices of trust in the township. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church.

ABRAHAM WHITEBREAD, farmer and sawyer, Dorrance, was born in Hollenback township July 20, 1845. He is a son of Frederick and Lydia (Root) Whitebread, the former born in Nescopeck township July 8, 1811, the latter in Butler township September 15, 1815. Frederick was a son of Henry, a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country in middle life, locating first in Germantown, near Phila- delphia. He removed, however, to Nescopeck (now Hollenback) township, and was one of the first pioneers of that section of country. He lived a life of usefulness and died at a good old age. His family numbered eleven children, by two marriages, three of whom are now living. Frederick began his active life in Hollenback town- ship, where he was born, as a thrifty and competent farmer, to which calling he has always confined himself. He and his wife are now (1892) living in the same town- ship, enjoying the labors of their younger days. Mr. Whitebread owns 100 acres of good farming land, and is a practical agriculturist. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church. They reared a family of six children, all of whom are living. Abraham is the third of the family in order of birth. He was reared and educated in Hollenback township, where he resided until he reached his twenty-sixth year. In early life he learned the carpen- ter's trade, at which he has worked several years with success, being counted a first-class mechanic. July 15, 1871, he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Conrad and Hannah Eroh; she bore him five children, four of whom are living: Wilson H., Martha E., Addie L. and Lottie A. Mrs. Whitebread was born in Hollenback township October 30, 1851. After this happy union Mr. Whitebread romoved to Dorrance township, but not until 1873 did he remove to his present residence. He owns a neat little farm of twenty-five acres, on which is situated a fine mill property, on a never-failing stream. Mr. Whitebread is a practical sawyer as well as a good mechanic. He manufactures lumber, shingle and lath. He has made many needed improvements around his place in buildings and fields. Mr. Whitebread is an affable, kind and courteous man, who is well informed on general topics. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN P. WHITEBRED, farmer, P. O. Hobbie, was born in Hollenback township, October 18, 1855, a son of Samuel and Caroline S. (Drum) Whitebred, the former born in Hollenback (then Nescopeck) township, August 5, 1814, the latter in Butler township, in 1824. Samuel was a son of Henry and Catherine Whitebred, the former of whom was a native of Germany, who, when he emigrated to this country, located in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade, that of shoemaking. It was there he met and married his wife. After the lapse of some years, in 1822, he removed from Philadelphia to this county, locating in Hollenback township, where he purchased 200 acres of land. He was a hard-working man, who took life easy, yet advanced in the esteem of his fellows. He was married twice, and reared a family of sixteen sturdy pioneers, who in their busy vocations in life proved them- selves a credit to their native county, the father of our subject being one of the six- teen. Samuel took up the plough and axe where his sire had laid it down, and was a practical farmer in his day, considering the disadvantages he encountered. He was a very devout and devoted man; was chosen elder of the Reformed Church several times, and was universally liked by all who knew him. Politically he was a Republican. He died August 26, 1884, aged seventy-one years, his wife on October 12, 1886, aged sixty-two years. Their family numbered eight children, five of whom are living, John P. being fifth in order of birth. Our subject has always resided on the farm he now owns (which property belonged to his father), consisting of 110 acres. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is a practical farmer. In 18- he married Miss Della R. Eroh, who was born in Hollen- back township in 18-, daughter of John and Abbie Eroh, and to this union were born five children, all of whom are living: Carrie E., William A., Pearl M., Florence

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

A. and Boyd E. Mr. and Mrs. Whitebred are both devout church members, he of the Reformed, she of the Lutheran. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and politically he is a Republican.

C. E. WHITESELL, merchant, Prichard, was born in Union (now Hunlock) town- ship, this county, October 11, 1855, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of D. S. and Rachel M. (Hungerford) Whitesell, the former of whom was born in Monroe county, May 6, 1825, the latter in Union township, March 7, 1835, and were married December 31, 1854. D. S. Whitesell is a son of Andrew Whitesell, who removed from Monroe to this county in 1840, locating first in Lake township, where he resided a few years, when he removed to Union (now Hunlock) township, where he purchased 122 acres of land, some of which was partly improved. Andrew confined himself to agricultural pursuits, and did much for the advancement of that department of industry. His life, like most yeomen of his day, was uneventful. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, his wife to be eighty-six. They reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living, D. S. being the fifth issue and the third son. He began his active life in Union township, being sixteen years of age when he removed from there with his father. In early life, like all . farmer boys, he confined himself principally to tilling the soil, but also followed the trade of mason at various intervals. He owned a farm of seventy-seven acres which he improved and beautified. In 1866 he embarked in mercantile business on a small scale, which proved a good venture, and in 1869 he removed to the etore now owned and occupied by his son C. E., where he extended his business. In 1880 C. E., his son, became his partner, bearing the burden as well as himself, and in 1884, the father sold out to the son, retiring from active life. D. S. Whitesell has held several town- ship offices with much credit; he has been assessor, collector, auditor and supervisor, and he is universally honored and esteemed in his township. His family consisted of five children, two of whom are now living, viz .: C. E. and Rhoda L. His wife, Mrs. Rachel M. Whitesell, died December 8, 1881.

C. E. Whitesell, the subject of this sketch, in early life worked on his father's farm, and, when old enough to be of use in the store, his father placed him there, instructing him in all the mysteries of the business. As years rolled on and trade extended, C. E. became junior partner, the firm name becoming Whitesell & Son, and in 1889 he became the entire owner of the extensive concern, built up by hon- esty and a close attention to business principles. Mr. C. E. Whitesell keeps a neat and yet extensive storeroom in the pleasant neighborhood called "Roaring Brook." His goods are fresh, and of the best quality possible. His motto is " Goods cheap, but not cheap Goods." His line supplies all demands made by his country cus- tomers, who are numerous. On July 6, 1879, he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Abram and Rachel Garthwaite, and there have been born to them one daughter, Nellie, and one son, Oscar, the latter born August 8, 1892. Mrs. Sarah A. White- sell was born in Union township, November 27, 1856. Mr. Whitesell makes many friends by his courteous, obliging manner. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and he has held the office of postmaster for eight years; is school director and treas- urer of the school board, and is now serving as township clerk. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M.

D. B. WHITESELL, farmer, P. O. Prichard, was born in Monroe county, Pa., October 8, 1830. He is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Draher) Whitesell, both of whom were born in Monroe county, the former in 1791 (died December 19, 1873, aged eighty-two years), the latter in 1798 (died March 13, 1883, aged eighty-five years). They removed to this county about 1840, locating first in Lake township, where he resided a short time, when he removed to Union (now Hunlock) township, where he purchased a farm of 122 acres upon which were a few improvements. He was a man of even temper, good habits and upright principles. Andrew and Sarah Whitesell reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living. D. B. is the seventh in order of birth. He was reared and educated in Union township, Luzerne county, being eight years of age when he removed hither with his father.

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He always followed agriculture, and is a practical farmer. He has always resided in the same township, and has lived a peaceable, honest, and industrious life. He owns a farm of seventy acres, which he has well under cultivation, and upon which he has erected a new house, which is both neat and commodious. He has set out 200 apple trees, the fruit of which is of the best quality and flavor. He has also a well-stocked carp pond, which supplies his table with the finny tribe. Mr. White sell married January 1, 1859, Miss Mary, daughter of Solomon and Angelina Tinkle paugh, and to this union have been born seven children, as follows: J. Addie, Hat- tie J., Maggie A., Shedrick M., Gilbert H., Harry E. and Owen D. Mrs. Mary (Tinklepaugh) Whitesell was born in Lackawanna county, August 14, 1840, and is a most refined and estimable lady. She, her husband and family are consistent members of the M. E. Church. Politically our subject is a Republican.

GEORGE D. WHITESELL, butcher, Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city March 16, 1857, son of Charles and Pauline (Ruggles) Whitesell. The father was a native of Luzerne county and a son of Andrew Whitesell, formerly of New Jersey, and a pioneer of Luzerne county, of German descent. Charles Whitesell was a mason by trade, and with the exception of twenty-five years that he lived in Michigan, has been a resident of Luzerne county, residing now in West Pittston. He has three children living: Andrew L., George D. and Nettie J. Our subject was reared in Michigan and Wilkes-Barre, was educated in the public schools of same, and served a five years' apprenticeship at the mason's trade, for two years thereafter working as a journeyman. In 1879 he embarked in the butcher business at West Pittston, where he was engaged seven years; in 1886 he located in. Wilkes-Barre, where, as a member of the firm of Anderson & Whitesell, he has since conducted a successful business. Mr. Whitesell married, May 9, 1883, Althea G., daughter of William N., and Harriet (Sniffin) Anderson, of West Pittston, and has three chil- dren: Edna M., Frank E: and Lena. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. and I. O. O. F .; politically he is a Republican.

HARRY L. WHITNEY, physician and surgeon, Plymouth, was born November 30, 1860, at Dallas, Luzerne Co., Pa., and is the only child of Capt. John J. and Mary Jeanette (Davenport) Whitney, also natives of Pennsylvania. The Doctor is a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of the Wyoming Valley; his great- great-grandfather was the famous Capt. Ransom, of Wyoming Massacre fame, and his grandfather was Col. George P. Ransom, of Revolutionary distinction. The subject of this sketch was educated at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa., and also at Williston Seminary, East Hampton. Mass .; he then took a medical preparatory course at Cornell University, and in 1881 entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1884. He was then appointed resident physician in the German Hospital at Philadelphia, where he served his appointed time, after which he located at Scranton, Pa., and here prac ticed one year, returning from there to Plymouth, where he has established himself, and enjoys a very lucrative practice. Dr. Whitney is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society; politically, he votes the Republican ticket, and in religious faith he inclines toward the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN CHRISTIAN WIEGAND, was born in Laurel Hill, Hazle township, this county, September 5, 1862, and is a son of Nicholas Wiegand (deceased), who was one of the pioneers of Hazleton, having worked for years at his trade of blacksmith, and also in the mines. In later life he engaged in the hotel business, and at the time of his death was proprietor of the "Liberty Hotel," on South Laurel street, Hazleton. During his long residence in that city he was a leader among his German friends, and had gained a reputation for the most sterling integrity and honesty: for twenty- five years preceding his death he was an active Democrat. The subject of this sketch was reared in Hazleton, and educated in the public schools of that city. At the age of seventeen years he became general bookkeeper for the firm of Arnold & Krell, Hazleton brewers, with whom he remained four years, when he resigned to take a position in the Hazleton Savings Bank. During his service with Arnold &

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 220

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